Vehicle allocation method, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To improve a vehicle allocation technique for suppressing an unnecessary allocation request for a plurality of vehicles while fulfilling a user's need of allocation of the plurality of vehicles.SOLUTION: A vehicle allocation method implemented by an information processing device 10 comprises steps of: receiving simultaneous vehicle allocation requests including an allocation request for a plurality of vehicles from a user terminal; establishing vehicle allocation on the basis of the number of the vehicles related to the simultaneous vehicle allocation requests; and, after the allocation of at least the one or more vehicles is established, imposing a penalty on a user of the user terminal when at least a part of the vehicle allocation requests included in the simultaneous vehicle allocation requests are cancelled from the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle allocation method, an information processing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for allocating taxis have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle allocation management apparatus that receives a first vehicle allocation request and a second vehicle allocation request from a user and does not accept the second vehicle allocation request when the specified date and time of the second vehicle allocation request is included in a predetermined period based on the specified date and time of the first vehicle allocation request. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a taxi allocation system that receives pick-up request information from a user terminal and inquires a communication terminal of a taxi company.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the prior art, when a user desires to allocate a plurality of vehicles, according to Patent Document 1, since a plurality of vehicle allocation requests whose specified date and time are included within a predetermined period are not accepted, the user's request to call a plurality of vehicles is not satisfied. Further, according to Patent Document 2, the number of available vehicles is inquired for each taxi company, and as a result of the inquiry, if the number of available vehicles is less than the required number, there is a possibility that no vehicle can be allocated finally. Thus, there has been room for improvement in the technology for allocating a plurality of vehicles.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve a vehicle dispatching technique that suppresses unnecessary vehicle dispatching requests while meeting the needs of a user for dispatching a plurality of vehicles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The vehicle dispatching method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle dispatching method executed by an information processing apparatus, including: receiving a simultaneous dispatching request including dispatching requests for a plurality of vehicles from a user terminal; dispatching based on the number of vehicles related to the simultaneous dispatching request; including: after at least one vehicle dispatching is established, if at least some of the dispatching requests included in the simultaneous dispatching request are canceled from the user terminal, imposing a penalty on the user of the user terminal. including:

[0007] (2) The vehicle dispatching method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle dispatching method described in (1), wherein when canceling a dispatching request for which dispatching has been established among the simultaneous dispatching requests, a penalty is imposed on the user of the user terminal.

[0008] (3) The vehicle dispatching method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle dispatching method described in (1) or (2), wherein the penalty is to limit the simultaneous dispatching request by the user.

[0009] (4) The vehicle dispatching method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle dispatching method described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein after at least one vehicle dispatching is established, if at least some of the dispatching requests included in the simultaneous dispatching request are canceled from the user terminal, the value of a counter is updated to approach a first predetermined value, and a penalty is imposed when the value of the counter reaches the first predetermined value.

[0010] (5) The vehicle allocation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle allocation method according to any one of (1) to (4), and further, Even when the value of the counter for the user reaches a first predetermined value, a vehicle allocation request for only one vehicle that does not correspond to the simultaneous vehicle allocation request by the user is not restricted.

[0011] (6) The vehicle allocation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle allocation method according to any one of (1) to (5), and further, When the value of the counter for the user reaches a second predetermined value, the penalty restricts a vehicle allocation request for only one vehicle that does not correspond to the simultaneous vehicle allocation request by the user.

[0012] (7) The vehicle allocation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle allocation method executed by an information processing device, Receiving a continuous vehicle allocation request including a plurality of vehicle allocation requests within a predetermined period from a user terminal; Based on the number of vehicles related to the continuous vehicle allocation request, establishing vehicle allocation; Including, After establishing at least one vehicle allocation, when at least a part of the vehicle allocation requests included in the continuous vehicle allocation request are canceled from the user terminal, imposing a penalty on the user of the user terminal; Including.

[0013] (8) The vehicle allocation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle allocation method according to (7), When a vehicle allocation request for which vehicle allocation has been established among the continuous vehicle allocation requests is canceled, a penalty is imposed on the user of the user terminal.

[0014] (9) The vehicle allocation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle allocation method according to (7) or (8), The penalty is to restrict the continuous vehicle allocation request by the user.

[0015] (10) The vehicle allocation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle allocation method according to any one of (7) to (9), and after at least one vehicle allocation is established, if at least a part of the vehicle allocation requests included in the continuous vehicle allocation request are cancelled from the user terminal, the value of the counter is updated so as to approach a first predetermined value, and a penalty is imposed when the value of the counter reaches the first predetermined value.

[0016] (11) The vehicle allocation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle allocation method according to any one of (7) to (10), and further even when the value of the counter for the user reaches the first predetermined value, a vehicle allocation request for only one vehicle that does not correspond to the continuous vehicle allocation request by the user is not restricted.

[0017] (12) The vehicle allocation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle allocation method according to any one of (7) to (11), and further when the value of the counter for the user reaches a second predetermined value, the penalty restricts a vehicle allocation request for only one vehicle that does not correspond to the continuous vehicle allocation request by the user.

[0018] (13) An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus including a processor, and the processor executes the vehicle allocation method according to any one of (1) to (12).

[0019] (14) A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a program executed by an information processing apparatus, which causes a computer to execute the vehicle allocation method according to any one of (1) to (12).

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the vehicle allocation method, information processing apparatus, and program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve a vehicle allocation technique for suppressing unnecessary vehicle allocation requests while meeting the user's need to allocate a plurality of vehicles.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, a vehicle allocation technique according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the outline and configuration of the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0025] The system 1 according to this embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 10, a plurality of user terminals 20, and a plurality of vehicle terminals 30. The information processing apparatus 10, the plurality of user terminals 20, and the plurality of vehicle terminals 30 are communicably connected to a network 40 including, for example, a mobile communication network and the Internet.

[0026] The information processing device 10 is, for example, a server device installed in a data center or the like. For example, the information processing device 10 is a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing systems. The information processing device 10 can communicate with a plurality of user terminals 20 and a plurality of vehicle terminals 30 via the network 40. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which there is one information processing device 10 included in the system 1, it is not limited thereto. The system 1 may include two or more information processing devices 10.

[0027] The user terminal 20 is an arbitrary device used by each user who desires vehicle dispatching. For example, general-purpose electronic devices such as smartphones or tablet terminals, or dedicated electronic devices can be adopted as the user terminal 20. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which there are three user terminals 20 included in the system 1, it is not limited thereto. The system 1 may include less than three user terminals 20, or may include four or more user terminals 20.

[0028] The vehicle terminal 30 is an arbitrary device used by each driver of a vehicle to be dispatched, such as a taxi. For example, general-purpose electronic devices such as smartphones or tablet terminals, or dedicated electronic devices can be adopted as the vehicle terminal 30. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which there are three vehicle terminals 30 included in the system 1, it is not limited thereto. The system 1 may include less than three vehicle terminals 30, or may include four or more vehicle terminals 30.

[0029] First, the outline of this embodiment will be described. The vehicle dispatching technology according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is executed by the information processing apparatus 10. The vehicle dispatching technology according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be used, for example, when dispatching vehicles for transporting people or goods. Specifically, in the vehicle dispatching technology according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the information processing apparatus 10 receives, via the network 40, a simultaneous dispatching request including a plurality of vehicle dispatching requests from the user terminal 20. The information processing apparatus 10 establishes vehicle dispatching based on the number of vehicles related to the simultaneous dispatching request. After at least one vehicle dispatching is established, if at least a part of the vehicle dispatching requests included in the simultaneous dispatching request are cancelled from the user terminal 20, the information processing apparatus 10 imposes a penalty on the user of the user terminal 20.

[0030] Here, the vehicle for transporting people may be a taxi or the like. A taxi or the like refers to a vehicle that picks up a passenger to the destination according to the passenger's request. A taxi or the like may be an on-demand vehicle dispatched via a website, a mobile application, or the like. A taxi or the like may be, for example, a taxi, a hired car, a ride-sharing vehicle, or a ride-hailing vehicle. Also, the vehicle for transporting goods may be various vehicles such as a freight truck or a motorcycle delivery service. In this embodiment, a taxi will be described as an example.

[0031] According to the vehicle dispatching technology according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is not necessary to summarize the number of vehicles available for dispatching at a certain point in time for each taxi company. In other words, the information processing apparatus 10 timely grasps the operating status of each vehicle that changes every moment, and sequentially establishes vehicle dispatching each time a responding vehicle appears. Thereby, the possibility that not a single vehicle can be dispatched can be reduced. Furthermore, the possibility of dispatching the number of vehicles desired by the user finally can be increased.

[0032] Also, according to the vehicle dispatching technology according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, vehicles for which vehicle dispatching has been established will successively head for pick-up and drop-off for the user. As a user, it is possible to make a vehicle dispatching request for a number more than the originally necessary number, board the vehicle that arrives early, and cancel the rest. Therefore, the vehicle dispatching technology according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can suppress unnecessary multiple vehicle dispatching requests by users by imposing a penalty on users who cancel after establishing at least one vehicle dispatching.

[0033] In this way, according to the vehicle dispatching technology according to the present embodiment, while meeting the user's need for dispatching multiple vehicles, it is possible to suppress unnecessary multiple vehicle dispatching requests, and the vehicle dispatching technology is improved.

[0034] Hereinafter, the configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0035] (Configuration of Information Processing Device) Next, each configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described in detail. The information processing device 10 is an arbitrary device used by a user. For example, a personal computer, a server computer, a general-purpose electronic device, or a dedicated electronic device can be adopted as the information processing device 10.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0037] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The control unit 11 executes processing related to the operation of the information processing device 10 while controlling each part of the information processing device 10.

[0038] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM (random access memory) or ROM (read only memory). The RAM is, for example, SRAM (static random access memory) or DRAM (dynamic random access memory). The ROM is, for example, EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0039] The communication unit 13 includes at least one external communication interface. The communication interface may be either a wired communication or a wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface, a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation), or an interface corresponding to a short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 13 receives data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0040] The functions of the information processing apparatus 10 are realized by executing the program according to the present embodiment on a processor corresponding to the information processing apparatus 10. That is, the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing apparatus 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing apparatus 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing apparatus 10 by executing the operations of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the program.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and is, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The distribution of the program is performed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium such as a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) on which the program is recorded. The distribution of the program may also be performed by storing the program in the storage of an external server and transmitting the program from the external server to another computer. The program may also be provided as a program product.

[0042] Some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 11. That is, some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0043] (Configuration of User Terminal) As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

[0044] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The control unit 21 executes processing related to the operation of the user terminal 20 while controlling each part of the user terminal 20.

[0045] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (random access memory) or a ROM (read only memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (static random access memory) or a DRAM (dynamic random access memory). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used for the operation of the user terminal 20 and data obtained by the operation of the user terminal 20.

[0046] The input unit 23 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touch screen provided integrally with the display. The input interface may also be, for example, a sound sensor that receives voice input, or a camera that receives gesture input. The input unit 23 receives an operation for inputting data used for the operation of the user terminal 20. Instead of being provided in the user terminal 20, the input unit 23 may be connected to the user terminal 20 as an external input device. As the connection method, for example, any method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0047] The output unit 24 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as video. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. The output unit 24 displays and outputs data obtained by the operation of the user terminal 20. Instead of being provided in the user terminal 20, the output unit 24 may be connected to the user terminal 20 as an external output device. As the connection method, for example, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0048] The communication unit 25 includes at least one interface for external communication. The communication interface may be either a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation), or an interface corresponding to short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 25 receives data used for the operation of the user terminal 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the user terminal 20.

[0049] The functions of the user terminal 20 are realized by executing the program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the user terminal 20. That is, the functions of the user terminal 20 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the user terminal 20, thereby enabling the computer to function as the user terminal 20. That is, the computer functions as the user terminal 20 by executing the operations of the user terminal 20 according to the program.

[0050] (Configuration of the vehicle terminal) As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle terminal 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input unit 33, an output unit 34, and a communication unit 35.

[0051] The control unit 31 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The control unit 31 executes processing related to the operation of the vehicle terminal 30 while controlling each part of the vehicle terminal 30.

[0052] The storage unit 32 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (random access memory) or a ROM (read only memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (static random access memory) or a DRAM (dynamic random access memory). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). The storage unit 32 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 32 stores data used for the operation of the vehicle terminal 30 and data obtained by the operation of the vehicle terminal 30.

[0053] The input unit 33 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touch screen provided integrally with the display. The input interface may also be, for example, a sound sensor that receives voice input, or a camera that receives gesture input. The input unit 33 receives an operation for inputting data used for the operation of the vehicle terminal 30. Instead of being provided in the vehicle terminal 30, the input unit 33 may be connected to the vehicle terminal 30 as an external input device. As the connection method, for example, any method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0054] The output unit 34 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as video. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. The output unit 34 displays and outputs data obtained by the operation of the vehicle terminal 30. Instead of being provided in the vehicle terminal 30, the output unit 34 may be connected to the vehicle terminal 30 as an external output device. As the connection method, for example, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0055] The communication unit 35 includes at least one interface for external communication. The communication interface may be either a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation), or an interface corresponding to short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 35 receives data used for the operation of the vehicle terminal 30 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the vehicle terminal 30.

[0056] The functions of the vehicle terminal 30 are realized by executing the program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the vehicle terminal 30. That is, the functions of the vehicle terminal 30 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the vehicle terminal 30, causing the computer to function as the vehicle terminal 30. That is, the computer functions as the vehicle terminal 30 by executing the operations of the vehicle terminal 30 according to the program.

[0057] Generally speaking, in this embodiment, first, the user terminal 20 receives an input from the user and executes a plurality of vehicle allocation requests. The information processing device 10 receives the vehicle allocation request and sequentially establishes vehicle allocation with the responding vehicles. Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a vehicle allocation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0058] Step S101: The control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 receives a simultaneous vehicle allocation request including a plurality of vehicle allocation requests from the user terminal 20. For example, the control unit 11 may display an interface for vehicle allocation requests on the user terminal 20 via the network 40 and receive selections made by the user. In this case, the user can input the number of vehicles for which vehicle allocation is desired, etc. into the vehicle allocation request interface, and by pressing a vehicle allocation execution button such as "Call immediately", send a vehicle allocation request for the desired number of vehicles from the user terminal 20 to the information processing apparatus 10.

[0059] Here, the simultaneous vehicle allocation request refers to a single vehicle allocation request received by the information processing apparatus 10 from the user terminal 20 that includes requests for allocating a plurality of vehicles. In other words, in a simultaneous vehicle allocation request, vehicle allocation requests are made for a plurality of vehicles simultaneously.

[0060] Even when the control unit 11 receives a simultaneous vehicle allocation request from the user terminal 20, it may perform processing in the same manner as when continuously receiving a single vehicle allocation request. By doing so, it is possible to process a plurality of vehicle allocation requests in the same manner as for a single vehicle allocation request. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, when the control unit 11 receives a simultaneous vehicle allocation request from the user terminal 20, it will be described as performing processing in the same manner as when continuously receiving a single vehicle allocation request.

[0061] Step S102: The control unit 11 establishes vehicle allocation based on the number of vehicles related to the simultaneous vehicle allocation request. For example, the control unit 11 may send a pick-up request to each vehicle terminal 30 based on the vehicle allocation request and receive an acceptance signal from each vehicle terminal 30. Hereinafter, the vehicle terminal 30 that issued the acceptance signal when the information processing apparatus 10 receives the acceptance signal is also referred to as an accepted vehicle. The control unit 11 may sequentially establish vehicle allocation one by one with the accepted vehicles. As a result, the control unit 11 can sequentially establish vehicle allocation one by one with the accepted vehicles, with the number of vehicles related to the vehicle allocation request as the upper limit.

[0062] When a committed vehicle appears, the control unit 11 may sequentially establish the vehicle allocation for the committed vehicle. Here, establishing the vehicle allocation means that the control unit 11 determines a committed vehicle for vehicle allocation in response to a vehicle allocation request received from the user terminal 20. As described above, in this embodiment, when a simultaneous vehicle allocation request is made, the control unit 11 processes the simultaneous vehicle allocation request in the same manner as if it had continuously received a single vehicle allocation request. In other words, in this embodiment, the control unit 11 establishes the vehicle allocation for each committed vehicle one by one. Specifically, for example, the control unit 11 makes a pick-up request for each vehicle allocation request one by one, and when a commitment is received, the vehicle allocation is established there. At this time, the control unit 11 may rank each vehicle terminal 30 and send a pick-up request one by one from the top-ranked vehicle. By doing so, it is not possible for a plurality of vehicles to respond to a vehicle allocation request for each vehicle.

[0063] When the control unit 11 establishes the vehicle allocation, it may send a vehicle allocation establishment notice to the vehicle terminal 30 of the committed vehicle for which the vehicle allocation has been made. The vehicle allocation establishment notice for the committed vehicle may be shown together with, for example, the detailed information of the vehicle allocation request. In addition, the control unit 11 may send a vehicle allocation establishment notice to the user terminal 20 each time the vehicle allocation is established. The vehicle allocation establishment notice for the user terminal 20 may include, for example, the number of the committed vehicle for which the vehicle allocation has been made, the driver information, and the like.

[0064] Step S103: After the control unit 11 has established at least one or more vehicle allocations, it determines whether at least some of the vehicle allocation requests included in the simultaneous vehicle allocation request from the user terminal 20 have been canceled.

[0065] Step S104: If cancellation occurs in step S103, the control unit 11 imposes a penalty on the user terminal 20. The control unit 11 may impose a penalty on the user via the user terminal 20 by imposing a penalty on the user terminal 20.

[0066] Thus, according to the vehicle allocation technology according to this embodiment, it is possible to meet the user's need to allocate multiple vehicles. In addition, the information processing device 10 can suppress unnecessary vehicle allocation requests for multiple vehicles by imposing a penalty on the user who cancels after the vehicle allocation is established, thereby improving the vehicle allocation technology.

[0067] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 6, a vehicle allocation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0068] Step S201: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives a continuous vehicle allocation request including vehicle allocation requests for multiple vehicles within a predetermined period from the user terminal 20. For example, the control unit 11 may display an interface for vehicle allocation requests on the user terminal 20 via the network 40 and receive a selection by the user. In this case, the user can input the number of vehicles for which vehicle allocation is desired, etc. to the vehicle allocation request interface, and by pressing a vehicle allocation execution button such as "Call immediately", send a vehicle allocation request for the desired number of vehicles from the user terminal 20 to the information processing device 10.

[0069] Here, the continuous vehicle allocation request means that multiple vehicle allocation requests received by the information processing device 10 from the user terminal 20 are continuously made within a predetermined period. In other words, in the continuous vehicle allocation request, vehicle allocation requests are continuously made for multiple vehicles within a predetermined period. The predetermined period may be, for example, the time interval from when a certain vehicle allocation request is made until the next vehicle allocation request is made. In this case, the predetermined period may be a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be, for example, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc. As long as it can be evaluated as continuous, any other time may be adopted for the predetermined time.

[0070] Also, the predetermined period may be, for example, a period starting from the time when a certain vehicle allocation request is made and ending at the time when any event occurs during the period until the passenger service is completed. The end point may be, for example, the time when the vehicle allocation is established, the time when the allocated vehicle arrives at the pick-up point, the time when a passenger boards the allocated vehicle, the time when the vehicle carrying the passenger arrives at the destination, the time when the passenger completes the payment, the time when the passenger gets off, etc. The predetermined period may be, for example, a period from when a certain vehicle allocation request is made until the passenger boards the promised vehicle allocated for the vehicle allocation request, arrives at the destination, gets off, or finishes the payment.

[0071] In other words, consecutive vehicle allocation requests may include cases where, although not simultaneous vehicle allocations, vehicle allocation requests for the second and subsequent vehicles are made during the period from the first vehicle allocation request until the actual vehicle for the first vehicle allocation is completed (an example within the predetermined period). Also, consecutive vehicle allocation requests may include cases where, although not simultaneous vehicle allocations, vehicle allocation requests for the second and subsequent vehicles are made within a predetermined time (an example within the predetermined period) from the first vehicle allocation request. Note that the actual vehicle means carrying a passenger in a taxi, and the completion of the actual vehicle includes the passenger getting off or finishing the payment.

[0072] The consecutive vehicle allocation requests are not limited to one vehicle allocation request per time. The consecutive vehicle allocation requests may be those in which multiple vehicle allocation requests are continuously made within the predetermined period, and may include simultaneous vehicle allocation requests in at least one of the vehicle allocation requests.

[0073] Even when the control unit 11 receives a consecutive vehicle allocation request from the user terminal 20, it may process it in the same way as when continuously receiving one vehicle allocation request. By doing so, multiple vehicle allocation requests can be processed in the same way as the processing for one vehicle allocation request. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, when the control unit 11 receives a consecutive vehicle allocation request from the user terminal 20, it will be described as processing it in the same way as when continuously receiving one vehicle allocation request.

[0074] Step S202: The control unit 11 establishes vehicle allocation based on the number of vehicles related to the continuous vehicle allocation request. For example, the control unit 11 may send a pick-up request to each vehicle terminal 30 based on the vehicle allocation request and receive an acceptance signal from each vehicle terminal 30. The control unit 11 may sequentially establish vehicle allocation one by one with the accepted vehicles. As a result, the control unit 11 can sequentially establish vehicle allocation one by one with the accepted vehicles, with the number of vehicles related to the vehicle allocation request as the upper limit.

[0075] When an accepted vehicle appears, the control unit 11 may sequentially establish the vehicle allocation for the accepted vehicle. As described above, in this embodiment, when a continuous vehicle allocation request is made, the control unit 11 processes the continuous vehicle allocation request in the same manner as when a single vehicle allocation request is continuously received. In other words, in this embodiment, the control unit 11 establishes the vehicle allocation for each accepted vehicle one by one. Specifically, for example, the control unit 11 makes a pick-up request for each vehicle allocation request one by one, and when accepted, establishes the vehicle allocation there. At this time, the control unit 11 may rank each vehicle terminal 30 and send a pick-up request one by one from the top-ranked vehicle. By doing so, it is not possible for multiple vehicles to accept a single vehicle allocation request.

[0076] When the control unit 11 establishes vehicle allocation, it may send a vehicle allocation establishment notice to the vehicle terminal 30 of the vehicle that has been allocated. The vehicle allocation establishment notice for the accepted vehicle may be shown together with, for example, the detailed information of the vehicle allocation request. In addition, the control unit 11 may send a vehicle allocation establishment notice to the user terminal 20 each time vehicle allocation is established. The vehicle allocation establishment notice for the user terminal 20 may include, for example, the number of the vehicle that has been allocated, the driver information, etc.

[0077] Step S203: After the control unit 11 has established at least one vehicle allocation, it determines whether at least some of the vehicle allocation requests included in the continuous vehicle allocation request have been canceled by the user terminal 20.

[0078] Step S204: When the cancellation occurs in step S203, the control unit 11 imposes a penalty on the user terminal 20. By imposing a penalty on the user terminal 20, the control unit 11 may impose a penalty on the user via the user terminal 20.

[0079] As described above, according to the vehicle allocation technology according to this embodiment, it is possible to meet the user's need for allocating a plurality of vehicles. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10 can suppress unnecessary vehicle allocation requests for a plurality of vehicles by imposing a penalty on a user who cancels after vehicle allocation is established, and the vehicle allocation technology is improved.

[0080] Here, when the control unit 11 cancels a vehicle allocation request for which vehicle allocation has been established among the simultaneous vehicle allocation requests and / or consecutive vehicle allocation requests, the control unit 11 may impose a penalty. The penalty may be, for example, restricting the simultaneous vehicle allocation request and / or the consecutive vehicle allocation request by the user. In this case, the control unit 11 may not perform vehicle allocation for vehicle allocation requests other than the canceled vehicle allocation request among the simultaneous vehicle allocation request and / or the consecutive vehicle allocation request that the user has already made via the user terminal 20. Further, when vehicle allocation has already been established for vehicle allocation requests other than the canceled vehicle allocation request, the control unit 11 may cancel the vehicle allocation related to the vehicle allocation requests other than the canceled vehicle allocation request.

[0081] Alternatively, the penalty may be updated to bring the counter for the user closer to a first predetermined value. For example, after at least one vehicle allocation is established, when at least a part of the vehicle allocation requests included in the simultaneous vehicle allocation request and / or the continuous vehicle allocation request from the user terminal 20 are canceled, the control unit 11 may update the value of the counter to bring it closer to the first predetermined value. The control unit may update the counter to bring it closer to the first predetermined value by adding the counter. Conversely, the control unit 11 may update the counter to bring it closer to the first predetermined value by subtracting the counter. When the value of the counter reaches the first predetermined value, the control unit 11 imposes a penalty. When a vehicle allocation request for which vehicle allocation has been established among the simultaneous vehicle allocation request and / or the continuous vehicle allocation request is canceled, the control unit 11 may update the value of the counter by adding or subtracting it.

[0082] Here, the counter refers to a quantification of the degree of decline in the user's creditworthiness in transactions. The counter may be added, for example, in the case of cancellation after vehicle allocation is established, payment failure, or no-show. In the case of cancellation after vehicle allocation is established, payment failure, or no-show, some or all of these may be treated as violations.

[0083] As specific modes of the counter, for example, three can be cited. The first mode is a mode having a counter in which only the number of cancellations is counted when a simultaneous vehicle allocation request is made. The second mode is a mode having a counter that is counted in any case when a simultaneous vehicle allocation request and a continuous vehicle allocation request are made. The third mode is a mode having a counter that is counted in any case when a simultaneous vehicle allocation request and a continuous vehicle allocation request are made, and is also counted in the case of a vehicle allocation request for only one vehicle when no simultaneous vehicle allocation request and continuous vehicle allocation request are made. The specific modes of the counter are not limited to these, and other modes can be adopted.

[0084] In the first aspect, there is a counter (counter A) that is counted only when a simultaneous vehicle dispatch request is made, and it is not counted by the said counter when a consecutive vehicle dispatch request or a single-vehicle dispatch request is made. When a consecutive vehicle dispatch request or a single-vehicle dispatch request is made, counting may be performed by another separately provided counter, or it may be arranged not to have a separate counter. Examples of having another separately provided counter include having a common separate counter in the case of both a consecutive vehicle dispatch request and a single-vehicle dispatch request. Also, an example of having a separate counter may be having a separate counter only for the case of a consecutive vehicle dispatch request and not having a counter for the case of a single-vehicle dispatch request. Furthermore, it may be arranged to have a separate counter B for consecutive vehicle dispatch requests and another separate counter C as the counter for the case of a single-vehicle dispatch request.

[0085] In the second aspect, there is a counter that is counted in both the case of a simultaneous vehicle dispatch request and a consecutive vehicle dispatch request, and it is not counted by the said counter when a single-vehicle dispatch request is made. When a single-vehicle dispatch request is made, counting may be performed by another separately provided counter, or it may be arranged not to have a separate counter.

[0086] In the third aspect, there is a counter that is counted in both the case of a simultaneous vehicle dispatch request and a consecutive vehicle dispatch request, and is also counted in the case of a single-vehicle dispatch request where neither a simultaneous vehicle dispatch request nor a consecutive vehicle dispatch request is being made, and there is no separate counter.

[0087] The counter may be incremented according to the number of violations or the like. For example, when the control unit 11 increments the counter according to the number of violations, the cancellations after the vehicle allocation is established may be counted as one time in total, or may be counted as two times, three times, etc. according to the number of cancelled vehicles. For example, when a total of three vehicle allocation requests are made by making simultaneous vehicle allocation requests and / or consecutive vehicle allocation requests, and two of the three vehicles for which the vehicle allocation is established are cancelled, these may be counted as one violation and the counter may be incremented by "1". Alternatively, the counter may be incremented by "2" by counting them as two violations without grouping.

[0088] If, despite making simultaneous vehicle allocation requests and / or consecutive vehicle allocation requests, at least some of the vehicle allocation requests included in the vehicle allocation requests are cancelled after the vehicle allocation is established, the control unit 11 may increment the counter more than when a vehicle allocation request for one vehicle is cancelled after the vehicle allocation is established. Without being limited to this, the control unit 11 may uniformly increment the counter according to the number of cancellations without distinguishing between the case of making simultaneous vehicle allocation requests and / or consecutive vehicle allocation requests and the case of making a vehicle allocation request for only one vehicle.

[0089] When the counter for the user reaches a first predetermined value, the control unit 11 may limit multiple vehicle allocation requests (simultaneous vehicle allocation requests and / or consecutive vehicle allocation requests) by the user for a predetermined period. The first predetermined value may be, for example, 3 times, 5 times, 10 times, etc. when the counter is incremented according to the number of violations. The first predetermined value may be any other number of times. The predetermined period may be 3 days, 7 days, 10 days, 30 days, etc. The predetermined period may be any other period as long as it can suppress another cancellation by the user.

[0090] Instead of limiting the simultaneous vehicle allocation requests and / or consecutive vehicle allocation requests for the user for a predetermined period, the restriction may be lifted when the number of rides by vehicle allocation requests reaches a predetermined number, or the restriction may be lifted by the provider (service provider) that provides the vehicle allocation technology.

[0091] Further, when the counter reaches the first predetermined value, the control unit 11 may impose restrictions such as making it impossible to use both the simultaneous ride request and the continuous ride request, or may impose restrictions on only one of them. Also, when having a counter dedicated to the simultaneous ride request, the simultaneous ride request may be restricted when the counter reaches the first predetermined value, and when having a counter dedicated to the continuous ride request, the continuous ride request may be restricted when the counter reaches the first predetermined value.

[0092] Restricting the ride request by the user may mean making it impossible to accept any ride request at all. Also, restricting the ride request may mean accepting the ride request but reducing the priority of ride establishment, or not accepting multiple ride requests except during peak hours, bad weather, etc.

[0093] Note that the priority of ride establishment refers to the degree of searching for a taxi, etc. preferentially over other ride requests for a certain ride request. The priority of ride establishment may be set by any method for searching for the vehicle terminal 30.

[0094] Specifically, for example, the control unit 11 sets a business area for each vehicle terminal. The business area may be an operating area permitted by the provisions of laws and regulations in the case of a taxi, etc. When the control unit 11 receives a ride request from the user terminal 20, it ranks the ride requests received within a certain time interval (e.g., within 3 seconds) for each business area. The control unit 11 preferentially establishes a ride for the ride request with a higher rank. In other words, the priority of ride establishment corresponds to the ranking of the ride requests. The ranking may be performed based on the order in which the control unit 11 receives the ride requests. In other words, basically, they are lined up in the order in which the ride requests are received, and the ranking may go up or down from there due to conditional settings such as the application of a priority pass (a path or ticket for preferentially providing a ride). Further, when dispatching each vehicle for each ride request, the control unit 11 may optimize the combination (matching) so that the total estimated time until arrival at each pick-up point is the shortest.

[0095] In addition, when setting a low priority for ride allocation to be successful, the control unit 11 may position the rank of a ride request received within a certain time interval in a certain area at the lowest level among the received ride requests. The method of setting a low priority for ride allocation to be successful is not limited to this. The control unit 11 may make the number of vehicle terminals 30 from which a pick-up request can be sent smaller, for example, by making the range for sending a pick-up request narrower than usual. Also, the priority for ride allocation to be successful may be set according to the waiting time until a responding vehicle appears, or may be set according to the number of times, frequency, etc. of sending a pick-up request.

[0096] Here, even when the counter for the user reaches a first predetermined value, the control unit 11 may not limit a ride request for only one vehicle that does not correspond to a simultaneous ride request and a consecutive ride request by the user.

[0097] Also, when the counter for the user reaches a second predetermined value, the control unit 11 may limit a ride request for only one vehicle that does not correspond to a simultaneous ride request and a consecutive ride request by the user. The second predetermined value may be, for example, 3, 5, 10, etc. when adding to the counter according to the number of violations. The second predetermined value may be any other number. The second predetermined value may be set to a numerical value higher than the first predetermined value, or may be the same as the first predetermined value.

[0098] In this case, the control unit 11 may be configured such that the restriction is released when a predetermined period elapses, or may be configured such that the restriction is released by the provider (service provider) that provides the ride service.

[0099] Furthermore, the penalty imposed on the user of the user terminal 20 may be to levy a cancellation fee when the user cancels a ride, or may be other sanctions.

[0100] If the cancellation is made after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 11 may charge the user a cancellation fee. In other words, if the cancellation is made after a predetermined time has elapsed, the penalty imposed on the user of the user terminal 20 may be the cancellation fee. The predetermined time may be counted, for example, from the point in time when the control unit 11 has established at least one vehicle dispatch for the simultaneous vehicle dispatch request and / or the continuous vehicle dispatch request received from the user terminal 20. The predetermined time may be 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc. from the vehicle dispatch establishment time. Also, the predetermined time may be any other arbitrary time.

[0101] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and corrections are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions etc. included in each means or each step etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and it is possible to combine a plurality of means or steps etc. into one or to divide them.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0102] 1 System 10 Information Processing Apparatus 11 Control Unit 12 Storage Unit 13 Communication Unit 20 User Terminal 21 Control Unit 22 Storage Unit 23 Input Unit 24 Output Unit 25 Communication Unit 30 Vehicle Terminal 31 Control Unit 32 Storage Unit 33 Input Unit 34 Output Unit 35 Communication Unit 40 Network

Claims

1. A vehicle allocation method executed by an information processing apparatus, comprising: receiving a simultaneous vehicle allocation request including a plurality of vehicle allocation requests from a user terminal; establishing vehicle allocations based on the number of vehicles related to the simultaneous vehicle allocation request; and after establishing at least one vehicle allocation, if at least some of the vehicle allocation requests included in the simultaneous vehicle allocation request are canceled from the user terminal, imposing a penalty on the user of the user terminal; A vehicle allocation method comprising the above.

2. The vehicle allocation method according to Claim 1, wherein when a vehicle allocation request for which vehicle allocation has been established among the simultaneous vehicle allocation requests is canceled, a penalty is imposed on the user of the user terminal.

3. The vehicle allocation method according to Claim 2, wherein the penalty is to restrict the simultaneous vehicle allocation request by the user.

4. The vehicle allocation method according to Claim 3, wherein after establishing at least one vehicle allocation, if at least some of the vehicle allocation requests included in the simultaneous vehicle allocation request are canceled from the user terminal, the value of a counter is updated to approach a first predetermined value, and a penalty is imposed when the value of the counter reaches the first predetermined value.

5. The vehicle allocation method according to Claim 4, wherein even when the value of the counter for the user reaches the first predetermined value, a vehicle allocation request for only one vehicle that does not correspond to the simultaneous vehicle allocation request by the user is not restricted.

6. The vehicle allocation method according to Claim 5, wherein the penalty is to restrict a vehicle allocation request for only one vehicle that does not correspond to the simultaneous vehicle allocation request by the user when the value of the counter for the user reaches a second predetermined value.

7. A vehicle allocation method executed by an information processing apparatus, comprising: receiving a consecutive vehicle allocation request including a plurality of vehicle allocation requests within a predetermined period from a user terminal; establishing vehicle allocations based on the number of vehicles related to the consecutive vehicle allocation request; and after establishing at least one vehicle allocation, if at least some of the vehicle allocation requests included in the consecutive vehicle allocation request are canceled from the user terminal, imposing a penalty on the user of the user terminal; A vehicle allocation method comprising the above.

8. The vehicle allocation method according to claim 7, wherein when canceling the vehicle allocation requests that have been established among the continuous vehicle allocation requests, a penalty is imposed on the user of the user terminal.

9. The vehicle allocation method according to claim 8, wherein the penalty is to restrict the continuous vehicle allocation requests by the user.

10. The vehicle allocation method according to claim 9, wherein after at least one vehicle allocation is established, when at least some of the vehicle allocation requests included in the continuous vehicle allocation requests are canceled from the user terminal, the value of the counter is updated to approach a first predetermined value, and a penalty is imposed when the value of the counter reaches the first predetermined value.

11. The vehicle allocation method according to claim 10, wherein even when the value of the counter for the user reaches the first predetermined value, only one vehicle allocation request that does not correspond to the continuous vehicle allocation request by the user is not restricted.

12. The vehicle allocation method according to claim 11, wherein the penalty is to restrict only one vehicle allocation request that does not correspond to the continuous vehicle allocation request by the user when the value of the counter for the user reaches a second predetermined value.

13. An information processing apparatus including a processor that executes the vehicle allocation method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A program for causing an information processing apparatus to execute the vehicle allocation method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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