User device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a user device, information processing method and program, which enable real-time checking of the dispatch status of each vehicle requested to be dispatched by users when dispatching a plurality of vehicles of various types, such as passenger transport vehicles (i.e., taxis, hire cars, ride-share vehicles, ride-hailing vehicles, etc.) and cargo transport vehicles (i.e., cargo trucks, motorcycle couriers, etc.).SOLUTION: A user device provided herein is capable of making multiple vehicle dispatch requests to a vehicle dispatch management device for performing dispatch processing, and comprises a control unit configured to respond to updating of vehicle dispatch status information of one vehicle dispatch request by the vehicle dispatch management device while displaying a detail screen of another vehicle dispatch request by notifying that the vehicle dispatch status of the one vehicle dispatch request has been updated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a user device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, systems that allow one user to dispatch multiple taxis have been considered. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a taxi dispatch system in which a server receives pick-up request information from a user terminal, transmits dispatch request information including a desired number of vehicles to a communication terminal of a taxi company with the highest priority, and if the number of vehicles available for dispatch does not satisfy the desired number of vehicles, transmits dispatch request information to a communication terminal of a taxi company with the next highest priority as a new desired number of vehicles to be dispatched, and repeats this process until the total number of vehicles available for dispatch satisfies the initial desired number of vehicles to be dispatched. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-018684 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When requesting the dispatch of multiple vehicles, such as vehicles for transporting people (taxis, hire cars, ride-sharing vehicles, ride-hailing vehicles, etc.) or vehicles for transporting cargo (freight trucks, motorcycle couriers, etc.), users need to check the dispatch status of each requested vehicle in real time. However, there was room for improvement in the UI (User Interface) on the device used by users.

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a user device, an information processing method, and a program that allow a user to check the arrangement status of each vehicle in real time when dispatching multiple vehicles, such as vehicles for transporting people or cargo. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure for solving the above-mentioned problems will be exemplified below.

[0007] [1] A user device capable of making multiple vehicle dispatch requests to a vehicle dispatch management device that performs vehicle dispatch processing, A user device having a control unit that, when displaying a details screen of one vehicle dispatch request, obtains the latest vehicle dispatch status information of another vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch management device, and if the vehicle dispatch status information contains update information, notifies the user that the vehicle dispatch status information of the other vehicle dispatch request has been updated.

[0008] [2] A user device capable of making multiple vehicle dispatch requests to a vehicle dispatch management device that performs vehicle dispatch processing, A user device having a control unit that, when a user transitions from the screen of an application that manages the dispatch request to another screen and then returns to the screen of the application, if the received dispatch status information includes updated information, displays on the screen of the application that the dispatch status information for the dispatch request has been updated.

[0009] [3] The control unit The control unit When the user transitions from the screen of the application to another screen and then returns to the screen of the application, if the screen of the application is a vehicle dispatch list screen that is a screen including a list of a plurality of vehicle dispatch requests or a vehicle dispatch request detail screen that corresponds to vehicle dispatch status information that includes update information, the control unit updates the screen of the application, The user device described in [2] above, wherein when the application screen is a detailed screen of a vehicle dispatch request that does not correspond to vehicle dispatch status information that includes update information, the control unit notifies the application screen of the update information.

[0010] [4] The user device according to any one of [1] to [3] above, wherein the vehicle dispatch status information includes a request processing status.

[0011] [5] The control unit The user device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, which receives the vehicle dispatch status information received from the vehicle dispatch management device when returning to the display of the application from a display other than the application.

[0012] [6] A step in which the user device transmits a plurality of vehicle dispatch requests to a vehicle dispatch management device that performs vehicle dispatch processing; an information processing method including a step of, when a detailed screen of one vehicle dispatch request is displayed on the user device, obtaining the latest vehicle dispatch status information of another vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch management device, and if the vehicle dispatch status information includes update information, notifying the user that the vehicle dispatch status information of the other vehicle dispatch request has been updated.

[0013] [7] A step in which the user device transmits a plurality of vehicle dispatch requests to a vehicle dispatch management device that performs vehicle dispatch processing; and if the vehicle dispatch status information received when the user device transitions from the screen of an application that manages the vehicle dispatch request to another screen and then returns to the application screen includes updated information, displaying on the application screen that the vehicle dispatch status information for the vehicle dispatch request has been updated.

[0014] [8] A program that causes a computer to operate as the user device described in [1] to [5] above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the user device, information processing method, and program disclosed herein, when dispatching multiple vehicles, such as vehicles for transporting people or cargo, the user can check the arrangement status of each vehicle requested for dispatch in real time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle dispatch management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen output to an output unit of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen output to an output unit of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen output to an output unit of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen output to an output unit of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, parts having the same configuration or function are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, duplicated descriptions of the same parts may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] The information processing system 1 includes a user device 10 and a vehicle dispatch management device 20 that can communicate with each other via a network 2. One or more vehicles 30 are connected to the network 2 so that they can communicate information with each other via their respective in-vehicle devices 40. The vehicle 30 is, for example, a taxi. The network 2 is, for example, the Internet, but may also include an ad-hoc network, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or other networks, or any combination thereof. In the present disclosure, a taxi will be used as an example of the vehicle 30 that requests dispatch.

[0020] An overview of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. A vehicle dispatch management device 20 performs dispatch processing for vehicles 30, such as taxis. A user device 10 can make multiple dispatch requests to the vehicle dispatch management device 20. When the user device 10 makes multiple dispatch requests, the vehicle dispatch management device 20 transmits information indicating the dispatch request to the vehicle 30, acquires various information, including location information of the vehicle 30, corresponding to the dispatch request, and transmits this information to the user device 10 as dispatch status information. A control unit 11 of the user device 10 can display a dispatch list screen or a details screen of a selected dispatch request, which is a screen including a list of dispatch requests for which service provision has not been completed (arrival at the user's desired drop-off location (planned drop-off location) and payment has not been completed). Furthermore, when the control unit is displaying the details screen of one dispatch request, if the control unit acquires updated dispatch status information of another dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch management device 20, the control unit notifies the user that the dispatch status information of the other dispatch request has been updated. According to the present disclosure, a user can check the dispatch status of each taxi in real time.

[0021] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0022] 2 shows an example configuration of the user device 10. The user device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an input unit 14, and an output unit 15. The user device 10 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0023] The control unit 11 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, 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 a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 11 controls each unit of the user device 10 and executes information processing related to the operation of the user device 10.

[0024] The storage unit 12 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, SRAM (Static RAM) or DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM is, for example, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). 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 information used in the operation of the user device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the user device 10.

[0025] The communication unit 13 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interfaces are, for example, interfaces compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation), or a LAN interface. The communication unit 13 receives information used in the operation of the user device 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the user device 10. The communication unit 13 connects the user device 10 to the network 2 via a nearby router device or a mobile communication base station, and performs information communication with other devices via the network 2.

[0026] The input unit 14 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone for accepting voice input. The input interface may further include a camera for capturing captured images or image codes, or an IC card reader. The input unit 14 accepts an operation for inputting information used in the operation of the user device 10 and sends the input information to the control unit 11.

[0027] The output unit 15 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, an external or built-in display that outputs information as images or videos, a speaker that outputs information as audio, or an interface for connecting to an external output device. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The output unit 15 outputs information obtained by the operation of the user device 10.

[0028] The operation of the user device 10 is realized by a processor included in the control unit 11 executing a program. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The program is distributed in a state recorded on a portable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM on which the program is recorded. The program may be distributed by storing the program in the storage of the vehicle dispatch management device 20 and transferring the program from the vehicle dispatch management device 20 to another computer. Some or all of the operation of the user device 10 may be executed by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 11.

[0029] 3 shows an example of the configuration of the vehicle allocation management device 20. The vehicle allocation management device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The vehicle allocation management device 20 is, for example, a server that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and implements various functions.

[0030] The control unit 21 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 21 executes information processing related to the operation of the vehicle dispatch management device 20 while controlling each part of the vehicle dispatch management device 20.

[0031] The storage unit 22 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. 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 information used in the operation of the vehicle dispatch management device 20 and information obtained by the operation of the vehicle dispatch management device 20.

[0032] The communication unit 23 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 23 receives information used in the operation of the vehicle dispatch management device 20, and transmits information obtained by the operation of the vehicle dispatch management device 20. The vehicle dispatch management device 20 is connected to the network 2 by the communication unit 23, and communicates information with other devices via the network 2.

[0033] The functions of the vehicle dispatch management device 20 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in the control unit 21. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute processing of steps included in the operation of the vehicle dispatch management device 20, thereby causing the computer to realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as the vehicle dispatch management device 20. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the vehicle dispatch management device 20 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 21.

[0034] Next, an operation (information processing method) performed by the user device 10 in cooperation with the vehicle dispatch management device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 shows the process of displaying a vehicle dispatch list screen or a details screen from the vehicle dispatch request process of the user device 10.

[0035] In step S101, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 receives input of vehicle dispatch request information from the user and accepts the vehicle dispatch request. Specifically, the control unit 11 may cause the user to input, via the input unit 14, a planned boarding location, a planned disembarking location, a desired number of vehicles to be dispatched, and a desired vehicle dispatch time.

[0036] The control unit 21 of the vehicle dispatch management device 20 may accept input of such information via an app (an application program for managing vehicle dispatch requests, hereinafter abbreviated as "app") running on the user device 10. If there is insufficient input information, such as if required information has not been entered, the control unit 21 may notify the user to that effect. The control unit 11 of the user device 10 may communicate with the vehicle dispatch management device 20 via the communication unit 13 only while the app is displayed on the screen.

[0037] In step S102, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 transmits the vehicle allocation request information input by the user to the vehicle allocation management device 20 via the communication unit 13.

[0038] In step S103, the control unit 21 of the vehicle allocation management device 20 selects a vehicle 30 that meets the user's request as a candidate vehicle for allocation based on the vehicle allocation request information received from the user device 10. If the selected vehicle 30 accepts the vehicle allocation request, the vehicle allocation is established.

[0039] In step S104, the control unit 21 of the vehicle dispatch management device 20 generates dispatch status information based on the dispatch request information and information on the vehicle for which dispatch has been established (dispatched vehicle). The dispatch status information includes at least one of the following information: request processing status, planned boarding location, planned disembarking location, desired dispatch time, scheduled arrival time of the dispatched vehicle, current location, vehicle number, and fare. The request processing status is information related to the processing status of the request, and includes all statuses used in the explanation of this embodiment. Examples of statuses include before a dispatched vehicle is determined, a dispatched vehicle is determined, the dispatched vehicle has arrived within a predetermined distance from the scheduled boarding location, the dispatched vehicle has arrived at the scheduled boarding location, passengers are on board, the vehicle has arrived at the scheduled disembarking location, and service provision has been completed.

[0040] In step S105, the control unit 21 of the vehicle dispatch management device 20 transmits the vehicle dispatch status information to the user device 10 via the communication unit 23.

[0041] In step S106, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 displays a vehicle dispatch list screen or a details screen for one vehicle dispatch request based on the vehicle dispatch status information received in step S105. The vehicle dispatch list screen is a screen including a list of vehicle dispatch requests for which service provision has not been completed, and displays a summary of each vehicle dispatch request. The summary of the vehicle dispatch request may include the current processing status of the vehicle dispatch request, the status of the arranged vehicle, the planned boarding location, the planned disembarking location, etc. The details screen is a screen that displays detailed information for one vehicle dispatch request, including information such as the current location of the vehicle to be dispatched. The control unit 11 stores and retains at least the most recently received vehicle dispatch status information in the memory unit 12.

[0042] In step S107, the control unit 21 of the vehicle dispatch management device 20 generates the latest vehicle dispatch status information based on the information included in the vehicle dispatch status information, and transmits the latest vehicle dispatch status information to the user device 10 via the communication unit 23. Step S107 may be performed whenever a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous transmission of vehicle dispatch status information, or whenever the vehicle dispatch management device 20 detects a change in the information included in the vehicle dispatch status information.

[0043] In step S108, when the control unit 11 of the user device 10 receives new vehicle dispatch status information, it checks whether the vehicle dispatch status information includes update information, and if update information is included, performs display processing on the output unit 15. Update information is information that shows a change when comparing the most recently received previous vehicle dispatch status information with the newly received latest vehicle dispatch status information.

[0044] The display process in step S108 will be specifically described below with reference to FIG.

[0045] In step S201, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 checks whether the latest vehicle dispatch status information includes update information. As a method of checking, for example, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 may compare the previously received vehicle dispatch status information with the newly received vehicle dispatch status information, and if there is a change, determine that the latest vehicle dispatch status information includes update information. If the latest vehicle dispatch status information includes update information (S201: Yes), proceed to step S202. If the latest vehicle dispatch status information does not include update information (S201: No), end the processing. Note that if vehicle dispatch status information is always created in response to update information (if the vehicle dispatch status information always includes update information), step S201 may be omitted.

[0046] The determination of whether the latest vehicle dispatch status information includes update information may be performed by the vehicle dispatch management device 20. That is, the vehicle dispatch management device 20 may generate vehicle dispatch status information when any of the information included in the vehicle dispatch status information is updated, and transmit the generated vehicle dispatch status information to the user device 10 as the latest vehicle dispatch status information. For example, when the vehicle 30 notifies the vehicle dispatch management device 20 that the vehicle 30 has arrived at the planned boarding location, the vehicle dispatch management device 20 may generate vehicle dispatch status information, assuming that there has been an update to the request processing status.

[0047] In step S202, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 checks whether the app is in an active state. If the app is in an active state (S202: Yes), the process proceeds to step S204. If the app is not in an active state, i.e., if the app is in a background state (S202: No), the process proceeds to step S203. Note that the control unit 11 may determine whether the app is displayed on the output unit 15 of the user device 10, instead of whether the app is in an active state. That is, if the app is displayed on the output unit 15, the process proceeds to step S204, and if the app is not displayed, the process proceeds to step S203. Note that, in addition to the background state, an app can also be in a killed state when it is hidden. However, since the app does not operate at all in the killed state, the killed state is excluded from the determination.

[0048] In step S203, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 extracts update information from the latest dispatch status information received in step S107 and stores it in the storage unit 12. Thereafter, the update information is continuously stored until the application becomes active.

[0049] In step S204, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 checks whether the current display on the output unit 15 of the user device 10 is a details screen. If the display on the output unit 15 is a details screen (step S204: Yes), the process proceeds to step S205. If the display on the output unit 15 is not a details screen (step S204: No), the process proceeds to step S207. Step S204 may be omitted. In this case, if the latest dispatch status information includes update information (S203: Yes), the process may proceed to step S205.

[0050] In step S205, it is confirmed whether the dispatch request related to the latest dispatch status information is the same as the dispatch request related to the detailed screen currently displayed on the output unit 15. If they are different dispatch requests (step S205: No), proceed to step S206. If they are the same dispatch requests (step S205: Yes), proceed to step S208.

[0051] In step S206, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 creates a notification that the dispatch status information has been updated for the dispatch request related to the latest dispatch status information, and displays the notification on the output unit 15. Note that this notification is preferably displayed as a snack bar that requests an action from the user and does not disappear until the action is taken, but is not limited to this, and may also be displayed as a toast that automatically disappears after a predetermined time has passed.

[0052] In step S207, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 checks whether the current display on the output unit 15 of the user device 10 is the vehicle allocation list screen. If the display on the output unit 15 is the vehicle allocation list screen (step S207: Yes), the process proceeds to step S208. If the display on the output unit 15 is not the vehicle allocation list screen (step S207: No), the process proceeds to step S206.

[0053] In step S208, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 updates the display on the output unit 15 based on the latest dispatch status information.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a typical process is steps S201 → S202 → S204 → S205 → S206. That is, when the control unit 11 of the user device 10 acquires the latest dispatch status information of another dispatch request from the dispatch management device 20 while displaying the details screen of one dispatch request, if the dispatch status information includes update information, the control unit 11 notifies the user that the dispatch status information of the other dispatch request has been updated. Note that steps S204 and S205 may be omitted. That is, when the output unit 15 transitions to the app screen, all of the retained update information may be displayed as a notification (step S206). If step S204 is omitted, the process may proceed to step S207 after the determination process of step S202. That is, if the app is active, the control unit 11 may determine whether the dispatch list screen is being displayed.

[0055] Next, a description will be given of screens that the control unit 11 of the user device 10 outputs to the output unit 15. Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the user device 10. In the following example, a display on an app on a smartphone will be described as an example.

[0056] In FIG. 6 , the screen 50 includes an image 51 displaying a vehicle allocation list screen. In step S106, information displayed on the vehicle allocation list screen may include, for example, the estimated arrival time of the vehicle to be allocated and the vehicle number. The vehicle allocation list screen may display a line segment with the location where the vehicle allocated accepts the request and the planned drop-off location as its endpoints and the planned boarding location as its midpoint, and the current location of the vehicle to be allocated may be displayed on the line segment. The current location may be displayed based on the travel time between the location where the vehicle allocated accepts the request, the current location of the vehicle, and the planned boarding location, or may be displayed based on the distance between the three points. The current location may be displayed on a line segment with the location where the vehicle allocated accepts the request and the planned boarding location as its endpoints. When the estimated arrival time of the vehicle to be allocated and the current time are shorter than a predetermined time, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 may display on the vehicle allocation list screen that the vehicle will soon arrive.

[0057] When the latest vehicle dispatch status information is received, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 may update the vehicle dispatch list screen. For example, when vehicle dispatch status information including a request processing status indicating that a vehicle has arrived at the planned boarding location is received, the control unit 11 may display a message indicating that the vehicle has arrived, including the vehicle number and the boarding deadline. When vehicle dispatch status information including a request processing status indicating that a passenger has boarded a vehicle to be dispatched is received from the vehicle dispatch management device 20, the control unit 11 may display a message indicating that the passenger is boarding on the vehicle dispatch list screen. When vehicle dispatch status information including a request processing status indicating that the passenger has disembarked and the provision of the service is completed from the vehicle dispatch management device 20, the control unit 11 may display a message indicating that the provision of the service is completed on the vehicle dispatch list screen.

[0058] Next, display control of the screen of the user device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the screen 50 includes an image 52 displaying first detailed information, which is detailed information about a vehicle dispatch request. When an input to open the details of a specific vehicle dispatch is received from a user on the dispatch list screen, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 generates and displays a first detailed information screen, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, for the vehicle dispatch request for which the input to open the details of the vehicle dispatch has been received. The first detailed information screen includes a map display area 52A and a request information display area 52B. The map display area 52A displays a map showing the area around the planned pickup location for the selected vehicle dispatch request. Note that the map may be displayed in gray when a vehicle is being arranged. The request information display area 52B displays the planned pickup location, the planned drop-off location, and a message indicating that a vehicle is being arranged. When the control unit 11 receives dispatch status information after the dispatch vehicle is determined, the control unit 11 may display in the request information display area 52B the planned boarding location, planned disembarking location, the scheduled arrival time of the dispatch vehicle, and the vehicle number.

[0059] In this embodiment, the display on the screen 50 is subjected to layer control in image processing. That is, the display is configured by overlapping multiple images (layers), and when multiple layers are displayed simultaneously, the display of the relatively higher layer is given priority. If the upper layer is transparent, the upper layer is displayed lightly according to its transparency, and the image displayed on the lower layer is also displayed (visible). In this embodiment, the display on the screen 50 includes at least three layers. The layers are referred to, for example, from top to bottom, as the first layer, second layer, third layer, and so on.

[0060] The control unit 11 of the user device 10 may display the requested information display area 52B as a first layer and the map display area 52A as a layer lower than the requested information display area 52B on the first detailed screen. The control unit 11 may display the map display area 52A larger than the requested information display area 52B. In the example of FIG. 7A , the ratio of the sizes of the map display area 52A and the requested information display area 52B is approximately 2:1, but this is not limited to this. The control unit 11 may display the requested information display area 52B as a first layer and the map display area 52A as a second layer. When the vehicle dispatch status information is updated based on update information received from the vehicle dispatch management device 20, the control unit 11 may display the requested information display area 52B larger than usual. The control unit 11 may change the size of the requested information display area 52B depending on the status included in the current request processing status.

[0061] When the output unit 15 of the user device 10 is displaying a first detail screen of one vehicle dispatch request and vehicle dispatch status information for another vehicle dispatch request is updated, the control unit 11 may display a notification 52C on the output unit 15, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, indicating that the vehicle dispatch status information for the other vehicle dispatch request has been updated. The notification 52C may be displayed by popping out from the bottom or top of the screen 50. The notification 52C may also be configured as a snack bar that requests the user to take some action and does not disappear until the action is taken. The action may be, for example, tapping a close button or a display area of ​​the notification. The notification 52C may also be displayed as a toast that automatically disappears after a predetermined time has elapsed. The control unit 11 may display the notification 52C as the first layer or a layer higher than the first layer.

[0062] When the user taps and operates the notification 52C, the screen transitions to a first details screen of the vehicle dispatch request that was the subject of the notification. Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 updates the first details screen of the vehicle dispatch request that was the subject of the notification. For example, when vehicle dispatch status information including a request processing status indicating that a vehicle has arrived at the planned boarding location is received, the control unit 11 may display, in the request information display area 52B, a display indicating that the vehicle has arrived and a boarding deadline, instead of the estimated arrival time of the vehicle. The control unit 11 may also update the location of the vehicle displayed in the map display area 52A. When vehicle dispatch status information including a request processing status indicating that a passenger has boarded the vehicle from the vehicle dispatch management device 20 is received, the control unit 11 may display, in the request information display area 52B, a display indicating that the passenger is boarding the vehicle. When vehicle dispatch status information including a request processing status indicating that the passenger has disembarked and the provision of the service is completed from the vehicle dispatch management device 20, the control unit 11 may display, in the request information display area 52B, a display indicating that the provision of the service has been completed, and information including the date and time of use and payment information. The payment information may include the fee, the payment method, and the fare calculation method. When the user taps the notification 52C, the screen may transition to a vehicle allocation list screen. At this time, the control unit 11 may update the vehicle allocation list screen.

[0063] The control unit 11 of the user device 10 may display the vehicle allocation list screen as the third layer. When the control unit 11 receives update information from the vehicle allocation management device 20, the control unit 11 may update the vehicle allocation list screen.

[0064] When receiving an input from the user to close the first details screen, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 displays a vehicle allocation list screen on the output unit 15. When receiving an input from the user to close the first details screen, the control unit 11 may display the vehicle allocation list screen as the first layer and the first details screen as a layer lower than the third layer. In this case, the control unit 11 may continue to update and draw the first details screen while displaying the vehicle allocation list screen. When receiving an input from the user to display the first details screen, the control unit 11 copies the first details screen depicted on the lower layer to the first and second layers and displays them.

[0065] The above-described notifications and screen transitions eliminate the need to redraw the screen each time a screen transition is required, allowing for quick screen transitions. Furthermore, by tapping the update notification displayed on the first detailed display screen, the user can transition to another first detailed display screen. This allows the user to quickly find out that there has been a change in the status of a request other than the one being checked, and quickly check the status of the request.

[0066] In FIG. 8, the screen 50 includes an image 53 displaying second detailed information, which is detailed information about the vehicle dispatch request. When a user inputs an instruction to display detailed information in the request information display area 52B while the first detailed screen is displayed, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 generates and displays a second detailed screen as illustrated in FIG. 8. For example, the second detailed screen can be displayed in such a way that the request information display area 52B of the first detailed screen expands upward. The information displayed on the second detailed screen includes the planned pick-up location, the planned drop-off location, an indication that a vehicle is being arranged, crew information for the dispatched vehicle, and payment information.

[0067] When the latest vehicle dispatch status information is received, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 may update the second details screen. For example, when vehicle dispatch status information including a request processing status indicating that a vehicle has arrived at the planned boarding location is received, the control unit 11 may display, on the second details screen, a message indicating that the vehicle has arrived and a message including a boarding deadline, instead of the estimated arrival time of the vehicle. When vehicle dispatch status information including a request processing status indicating that a passenger has boarded a vehicle from the vehicle dispatch management device 20 is received, the control unit 11 may display, on the second details screen, a message indicating that the passenger is boarding, instead of a message indicating that the vehicle has arrived and a message including a boarding deadline. When vehicle dispatch status information including a request processing status indicating that the passenger has disembarked and the provision of the service is completed from the vehicle dispatch management device 20 is received, the control unit 11 may display, on the second details screen, a message indicating that the provision of the service has been completed, information including the date and time of use, and an input field for rating the vehicle, instead of a message indicating that the passenger is boarding.

[0068] The second details screen may be displayed with the request information display area 52B as a first layer and the map display area 52A as a second layer, similar to the first details screen. The control unit 11 of the user device 10 may update the vehicle dispatch list screen and the first details screen when the vehicle dispatch status information received from the vehicle dispatch management device 20 is updated. When the second details screen is displayed on the output unit 15 and the vehicle dispatch status information for another vehicle dispatch request is updated, the control unit 11 may display on the output unit 15 a notification that the vehicle dispatch status information for the other vehicle dispatch request has been updated. When the user taps the update notification, the control unit 11 may close the displayed second details screen and transition to the first details screen for the vehicle dispatch request that was the subject of the notification.

[0069] When the control unit 11 of the user device 10 receives an input from the user to reduce the size of the second details screen (for example, swiping the image on the second details screen downward), the control unit 11 displays the first details screen on the output unit 15. Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives an input from the user to close the first details screen, the control unit 11 of the user device 10 displays a vehicle allocation list screen on the output unit 15. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may be configured to directly display the vehicle allocation list screen when the control unit 11 receives an input from the user to close the second details screen.

[0070] Another embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described.

[0071] Assume a situation in which, while screen 50 is being displayed on output unit 15 via an app, the user switches the app and then displays app screen 50 again. While output unit 15 transitions the display from the app screen to another screen (such as a screen of another app or the home screen of a smartphone) and returns to the app screen display, it receives the latest vehicle dispatch status information. If the vehicle dispatch status information for any vehicle dispatch request is updated, control unit 11 of user device 10 displays the updated vehicle dispatch status information for the vehicle dispatch request on the app screen. Specifically, if the vehicle dispatch status information for a vehicle dispatch request different from the vehicle dispatch request that was opened (originally displayed) when the user returns to the app screen display has been updated, output unit 15 may display notification 52C indicating that the vehicle dispatch status information for the different vehicle dispatch request has been updated (see FIG. 7B ). If the vehicle dispatch status information for the vehicle dispatch request related to the first details screen that was opened when the user returned to the app screen display has been updated, control unit 11 may display the first details screen with the updated display content instead of displaying notification 52C. Also, when the app screen is displayed again when the app screen is a dispatch list screen for multiple dispatch requests, the control unit 11 may display a dispatch list screen with updated display content instead of displaying notification 52C.

[0072] Here, when the user returns to the app screen (enters the active state), if the received vehicle dispatch status information includes updated information for vehicle dispatch status information corresponding to multiple vehicle dispatch requests, a screen corresponding to each of the received updated information may be displayed. For example, in a state where multiple vehicle dispatch requests, including a first vehicle dispatch request (first vehicle dispatch request) and a second vehicle dispatch request (second vehicle dispatch request), are being made simultaneously, a details screen for the first vehicle dispatch request may be displayed when the app changes to the active state. If the latest vehicle dispatch status information for the first and second vehicle dispatch requests received in the background state includes updated information, the details screen for the first vehicle dispatch request may be updated, and a notification may be displayed on the details screen for the first vehicle dispatch request that the vehicle dispatch status information for the second vehicle dispatch request has been updated. Note that if a vehicle dispatch list screen is displayed when the app changes to the active state, the vehicle dispatch list screen may be updated with the latest vehicle dispatch status information for the first and second vehicle dispatch requests.

[0073] The control unit 11 of the user device 10 may communicate with the vehicle dispatch management device 20 when returning to the display of the app from a display other than the app that manages the vehicle dispatch requests (when changing from a background state to an active state), and may acquire vehicle dispatch status information for each vehicle dispatch request sent by the vehicle dispatch management device 20 while another screen was displayed. Note that the control unit 11 may not receive vehicle dispatch status information in the background state, but may receive vehicle dispatch status information when the control unit 11 becomes active.

[0074] Here, if the multiple pieces of vehicle dispatch status information received when the user returns to the app screen (becomes active) include updated information for the vehicle dispatch status information corresponding to multiple vehicle dispatch requests, a screen corresponding to each of the received updated information may be displayed. For example, in a state where multiple vehicle dispatch requests, including a first vehicle dispatch request and a second vehicle dispatch request, are being made simultaneously, and if vehicle dispatch status information for the first vehicle dispatch request and the second vehicle dispatch request containing updated information is received when the app screen changes to the active state, the details screen for the first vehicle dispatch request is updated, and a notification is given on the details screen for the first vehicle dispatch request that the vehicle dispatch status information for the second vehicle dispatch request has been updated. Note that if the vehicle dispatch list screen is displayed when the app screen changes to the active state, the vehicle dispatch list screen is updated with the latest vehicle dispatch status information for the first vehicle dispatch request and the second vehicle dispatch request.

[0075] By displaying the above information, the user can check whether the dispatch status has been updated by simply returning from another screen and opening the app.

[0076] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, multiple blocks shown in the block diagrams may be integrated, or a single block may be divided. Instead of performing multiple steps shown in the flowcharts sequentially as described, the steps may be performed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capabilities of the device performing each step, or as needed. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1. Information Processing Systems 2 Network 10 User Device 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 14 Input section 15 Output section 20 Vehicle dispatch management device 21 Control Unit 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 30 vehicles 50 screens 51 images 52 images 52A Map display area 52B Request information display area 52C Notice 53 images

Claims

1. A user device capable of multiple vehicle allocation requests for a vehicle allocation management device that performs vehicle allocation processing, When displaying the detailed screen of one vehicle allocation request, if the latest vehicle allocation status information of another vehicle allocation request is obtained from the vehicle allocation management device, and if the vehicle allocation status information includes update information, a notification is made that the vehicle allocation status information of the other vehicle allocation request has been updated. A user device comprising a control unit.

2. A user device capable of multiple vehicle allocation requests for a vehicle allocation management device that performs vehicle allocation processing, When transitioning from the screen of the application that manages the vehicle allocation request to another screen and then returning to the screen of the application again, if the received vehicle allocation status information includes update information, the vehicle allocation status information of the vehicle allocation request is displayed on the screen of the application as having been updated. A user device comprising a control unit.

3. The control unit, When transitioning from the screen of the application to another screen and then returning to the screen of the application again, when the screen of the application is a vehicle allocation list screen including a list of multiple vehicle allocation requests or a detailed screen of a vehicle allocation request corresponding to vehicle allocation status information including update information, the control unit updates the screen of the application. When the screen of the application is a detailed screen of a vehicle allocation request that does not correspond to vehicle allocation status information including update information, the control unit notifies the screen of the application of the update information. The user device according to claim 2.

4. The vehicle allocation status information includes request processing status. The user device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control unit, When returning from a display other than the application to the display of the application, receives the vehicle allocation status information received from the vehicle allocation management device. The user device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A step in which a user device transmits multiple vehicle allocation requests to a vehicle allocation management device that performs vehicle allocation processing; When displaying the detailed screen of one vehicle allocation request on the user device, if the latest vehicle allocation status information of another vehicle allocation request is obtained from the vehicle allocation management device, and if the vehicle allocation status information includes update information, a step of notifying that the vehicle allocation status information of the other vehicle allocation request has been updated. An information processing method including the above.

7. A step in which a user device transmits a plurality of vehicle allocation requests to a vehicle allocation management device that performs vehicle allocation processing; When the user device transitions from the screen of an application that manages the vehicle allocation request to another screen and then returns to the screen of the application again, if the received vehicle allocation status information includes update information, the vehicle allocation status information of the vehicle allocation request is updated and displayed on the screen of the application; An information processing method including the above.

8. A program for operating a computer as the user device according to claim 1 or 2.

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