Terminal control method

Abstract

To allow a taxi to recognize a terminal calling the taxi, and to allow a user of the terminal to grasp a situation of the taxi.SOLUTION: In a terminal control method executed by a terminal including a wireless communication unit, a display unit, and a vibration unit, the wireless communication unit transmits a call request for a vehicle to the outside, the wireless communication unit receives first information associated with the call request from the outside, and the display unit displays a first display corresponding to the first information. When the wireless communication unit receives, from the outside, a notification that a first display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the display unit displays a second display different from the first display, and when the wireless communication unit receives, from the outside, a notification that the second display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibrator vibrates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal control method. [Background technology]

[0002] When multiple people are near the person who called a taxi, it is difficult for the called taxi to recognize which person is the person who called the taxi.In response to this, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a passenger uses a network access function from their mobile phone terminal to request a taxi from a center server, the center server inquires sequentially with the driver terminals of the candidate taxis about whether they are available for dispatch, and when it receives a dispatch acceptance from one of the driver terminals, it distributes map information covering the location from both terminals to the desired dispatch point to both terminals, and then sets up a line path for a voice or data communication line between the passenger's mobile phone terminal and the driver terminal to enable communication between the terminals, and when the distance between the terminals becomes close, it turns the passenger's display into a specific flashing state so that the taxi driver can visually confirm that the passenger is the one who made the reservation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-88925 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-250554 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-224343 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the specific flashing light on the passenger display disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended for visual confirmation by the taxi driver, and there is room for improvement in cases where the display is automatically read by a camera or the like equipped in the taxi. Also, while the terminal with the flashing light is pointed toward the taxi, the terminal user cannot see the terminal and cannot grasp the situation of the taxi.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a technology that allows a taxi to recognize the terminal that called the taxi and allows the user of the terminal to understand the status of the taxi. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides a terminal control method executed on a terminal having a wireless communication unit, a display unit, and a vibration unit, wherein the wireless communication unit transmits a vehicle call request to the outside, the wireless communication unit receives first information from the outside that corresponds to the call request, the display unit displays a first display corresponding to the first information, when the wireless communication unit receives a notification from the outside that the first display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the display unit displays a second display different from the first display, and when the wireless communication unit receives a notification from the outside that the second display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates.

[0007] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to make a taxi recognize the terminal that called the taxi, and also to enable the user of the terminal to understand the status of the taxi. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of the operation of a vehicle dispatch system according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] A block diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle dispatch system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] A sequence diagram showing an example of operation of the vehicle dispatch system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a first image and a second image according to the first embodiment include two-dimensional codes. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a first image according to the first embodiment includes a color change pattern; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the type of color in the color change pattern according to the environment according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a first image includes a color change pattern and a second image includes multiple color change patterns according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] Flowchart showing processing of a user terminal according to the first embodiment [Figure 9] Flowchart showing taxi processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 10] Flowchart showing the processing of the server device according to the first embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters and redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims. Furthermore, the function of one configuration shown in the present embodiment may be realized by two or more physical configurations, or the functions of two or more configurations may be realized by, for example, one physical configuration.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) <Summary> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of the operation of the vehicle dispatch system according to the first embodiment.

[0012] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a user 1 who has made a request to call a taxi 20 holds up a user terminal 10 on which a predetermined image is displayed. The taxi 20 recognizes the user 1 who has made the request to call the taxi 20 by automatically identifying information contained in the image displayed on the user terminal 10 using an exterior camera 26 equipped in the taxi 20. The taxi 20 may have an automatic driving function. However, the taxi 20 may also be manually driven by a driver.

[0013] This allows the taxi 20 to recognize the user 1 who has made the request to call the taxi 20, even if there are multiple other people waiting for another taxi near the user 1 who has made the request to call the taxi 20, as shown in Figure 1.

[0014] This will be explained in detail below. Note that taxi 20 in the first embodiment may simply be read as a vehicle, and user 1 may be read as a passenger or a person.

[0015] <System configuration> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle allocation system 5 according to the first embodiment.

[0016] The vehicle dispatch system 5 includes a user terminal 10, a taxi 20, and a server device 30. The user terminal 10, the taxi 20, and the server device 30 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via a communication network 6. Examples of the communication network 6 include a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, the Internet, a mobile communication network, etc.

[0017] <User device> The user terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, a wireless communication unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, a positioning sensor 15, a speaker 16, and a vibration unit 17. Examples of the user terminal 10 include a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a smartwatch, and the like.

[0018] The control unit 11 includes, for example, a storage unit (not shown) that stores programs and data, and realizes the functions of the user terminal 10 according to the first embodiment by reading and executing the programs and data from the storage unit. The functions of the user terminal 10 will be described as appropriate. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the processes described mainly by the user terminal 10 or the control unit 11 may be processes realized by the control unit 11 executing predetermined software or applications installed in the user terminal 10. Furthermore, the control unit 11 may be interpreted as a processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a neural processing unit (NPU).

[0019] The wireless communication unit 12 is connected to the communication network 6 and controls the transmission and reception of information to and from the server device 30, for example.

[0020] The input unit 13 is a device that accepts input from a user. Examples of the input unit 13 include a touch panel, a button, a switch, and a microphone.

[0021] The display unit 14 is a device that displays information and images. Examples of the display unit 14 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display. Note that the input unit 13 and the display unit 14 may be integrated into one device, as typified by a touch panel display.

[0022] The positioning sensor 15 is a sensor for measuring the current position of the user terminal 10. For example, the positioning sensor 15 receives a Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signal to measure the current position of the user terminal 10.

[0023] The speaker 16 outputs sound in response to an instruction from the control unit 11 .

[0024] The vibration unit 17 generates vibrations in response to instructions from the control unit 11. The vibration unit 17 may be interpreted as a vibrator. The vibration unit 17 may also include a speaker.

[0025] <Taxi> The taxi 20 includes a vehicle control unit 21, a wireless communication unit 22, a speed sensor 23, an acceleration and angular velocity sensor 24, a positioning sensor 25, an exterior camera 26, and an authentication camera 27. These components can transmit and receive information to and from each other via an in-vehicle network 28. Examples of the in-vehicle network 28 include Controller Area Network (CAN), LIN, FlexRay, in-vehicle Ethernet, and Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST). The in-vehicle network 28 may be either a wired or wireless network.

[0026] The vehicle control unit 21 performs control to realize the functions of the taxi 20 according to the first embodiment. The functions of the taxi 20 will be described as appropriate. The vehicle control unit 21 may be read as an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), a processor, a controller, or the like.

[0027] The wireless communication unit 22 is connected to the communication network 6 and controls the transmission and reception of information to and from the server device 30, for example.

[0028] The speed sensor 23 is a sensor for measuring the speed at which the taxi is traveling.

[0029] The acceleration and angular velocity sensor 24 is a sensor for measuring the acceleration and angular velocity of the taxi 20 while it is traveling.

[0030] The positioning sensor 25 is a sensor for measuring the current position of the taxi 20. For example, the positioning sensor 25 receives a GNSS signal to measure the current position of the taxi 20. Note that the positioning sensor 25 may measure the current position with higher accuracy by taking into consideration the speed measured by the speed sensor 23 and the acceleration and angular velocity measured by the acceleration and angular velocity sensor 24 in addition to the position measured using the GNSS signal.

[0031] The exterior camera 26 is a camera capable of capturing images of the exterior of the taxi 20.

[0032] The authentication camera 27 is a camera for authenticating the user 1 getting into the taxi 20.

[0033] <Server device> The server device 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a vehicle dispatch database (DB) 33.

[0034] The control unit 31 includes, for example, a storage unit (not shown) that stores programs and data, and realizes the functions of the server device 30 according to embodiment 1 by reading and executing the programs and data from the storage unit. The functions of the server device 30 will be described as appropriate. The control unit 31 may also be interpreted as a processor, a CPU, a GPU, or an NPU.

[0035] The communication unit 32 connects to the communication network 6 and controls the transmission and reception of information to and from the user terminal 10 or the taxi 20, for example.

[0036] The dispatch DB 33 is a DB for managing the dispatch of a taxi 20 to a user 1. For example, the dispatch DB 33 manages the current location of each taxi 20. For example, the dispatch DB 33 manages a request to call a taxi 20 from the user terminal 10 and a taxi 20 assigned to the call request (i.e., dispatched).

[0037] <Operation of the dispatch system> 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the vehicle allocation system 5 according to the embodiment 1. Next, an overview of the operation of the vehicle allocation system 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0038] The taxi 20 periodically transmits taxi location information indicating the location of the taxi 20 to the server device 30 (S11).

[0039] Based on the received taxi location information, the server device 30 updates the taxi location information managed in the vehicle dispatch DB 33 (S12), thereby enabling the server device 30 to grasp the current location of each taxi.

[0040] When the user 1 operates the user terminal 10 to make a request to call a taxi 20, the user terminal 10 transmits the call request together with user location information indicating the location of the user terminal 10 to the server device 30 (S13).

[0041] The server device 30 receives the call request from the user terminal 10, and starts vehicle allocation matching by referring to the vehicle allocation DB 33 (S14).

[0042] The server device 30 detects a taxi 20 that is located near the location indicated by the user location information (for example, within a predetermined range) through vehicle allocation matching, and transmits a vehicle allocation request together with the user location information to the detected taxi 20 (S15). The taxi 20 receives the vehicle allocation request.

[0043] When the taxi 20 accepts the received dispatch request, the taxi 20 transmits a dispatch acceptance response together with the taxi position information of the taxi 20 to the server device 30 (S16).

[0044] The server device 30 receives the dispatch acceptance response, decides to dispatch the taxi 20 that has responded to the dispatch acceptance response to the location of the user terminal 10 that has made the call request, and ends the dispatch matching. At this time, the server device 30 manages the user who has made the call request and the taxi 20 for which dispatch has been decided in association with each other in the dispatch DB 33. Then, the server device 230 transmits the call response together with taxi position information of the taxi 20 for which dispatch has been decided to the user terminal 10 (S17).

[0045] When the user terminal 10 receives the call response from the server device 30 and confirms the dispatch of a taxi, the user terminal 10 transmits dispatch confirmation information to the taxi 20 via the server device 30 (S18). Note that the dispatch confirmation information may be transmitted directly to the taxi 20 without passing through the server device 30.

[0046] The taxi 20 receives the dispatch confirmation information and starts traveling toward the location indicated by the user location information (S19).

[0047] The taxi 20 periodically transmits taxi position information to the user terminal 10 via the server device 30 (S20). Note that the taxi position information may be transmitted directly to the user terminal 10 without passing through the server device 30.

[0048] The user terminal 10 displays on the display unit 14 a taxi location image 200 in which the location indicated by the taxi location information (i.e., the current location of the taxi) is superimposed on a map (S21). Examples of the taxi location image 200 will be described later (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 7). This allows the user 1 to check, from the user terminal 10, the current location of the taxi that responded to the call request.

[0049] When the distance between the location indicated by the taxi location information and the location indicated by the user location information is less than a predetermined first threshold, the server device 30 notifies the user terminal 10 of a first display request (S22). Note that the taxi 20 may notify the user terminal 10 of the first display request directly.

[0050] When the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the first display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 (or outputs sound from the speaker 16) and displays the first image 310 on the display unit 14 (S23). Examples of the first image 310 will be described later (see FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7).

[0051] When the taxi 20 approaches the user terminal 10 and recognizes the first image 310 displayed on the user terminal 10 with the exterior camera 26, the taxi 20 notifies the user terminal 10 of a second display request via the server device 30 (S24). Note that the taxi 20 may also notify the user terminal 10 of the second display request directly.

[0052] When the user terminal 10 receives the second display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 (or outputs sound from the speaker 16) and displays the second image 320 on the display unit 14 (S25). Examples of the second image 320 will be described later (see FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7).

[0053] When the taxi 20 approaches the user terminal 10 and recognizes the second image 320 displayed on the user terminal 10 with the exterior camera 26, the taxi 20 notifies the user terminal 10 of a third display request via the server device 30 (S26). Note that the taxi 20 may also notify the user terminal 10 of the third display request directly.

[0054] When the user terminal 10 receives the third display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 (or outputs sound from the speaker 16) and displays the third image 330 on the display unit 14 (S27). Examples of the third image 330 will be described later (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 7).

[0055] The taxi 20 recognizes the third image 330 displayed on the user terminal 10 with the authentication camera 27 and performs boarding authentication of the user 1 (S28). If the boarding authentication of the user 1 is successful, the taxi 20 lets the user 1 board and travels to the destination specified by the user 1.

[0056] Next, the taxi location image 200, the first image 310, the second image 320, and the third image 330 will be described in detail.

[0057] <When the first and second images contain two-dimensional codes> FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the first image 310 and the second image 320 according to the first embodiment include two-dimensional codes.

[0058] In step S21 of FIG. 3, the user terminal 10 displays a taxi location image 200, as shown in FIG. 4(a), on the display unit 14. The taxi location image 200 includes a map 201 of the user 1's surroundings, the user's current location 202, and the taxi's current location 203. The taxi's current location 203 in the taxi location image 200 is updated as the taxi 20 moves. This allows the user 1 to check the current location of the taxi 20 by looking at the taxi location image 200 displayed on the user terminal 10.

[0059] In step S23 of FIG. 3, when the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the first display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays a first image 310A including a code 311 on the display unit 14, as shown in FIG. 4(b). The first image 310A may include a message encouraging the user to hold up the screen of the user terminal 10 toward the taxi. The vibration and the message allow the user 1 to know that the taxi 20 is approaching, and to know the timing to hold up the screen of the user terminal 10 toward the taxi 20.

[0060] The code 311 in the first image 310A may have a relatively coarse granularity such that the exterior camera 26 of the taxi 20 can recognize the presence of the code 311 when the user terminal 10 and the taxi 20 are at a relatively close distance (for example, closer than the first threshold). In other words, the code 311 may have high noise resistance.

[0061] The code 311 of the first image 310A may be a two-dimensional code (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)). Alternatively, the code 311 of the first image 310A may be a relatively simple symbol or pattern such as a star or a double circle. The color of the code 311 may be different for each user terminal 10.

[0062] As a result, the taxi 20 can recognize the presence of the user terminal 10 when it gets close to the user terminal 10 to a certain extent by recognizing the code 311 in the first image 310A with the exterior camera 26.

[0063] In step S25 of Fig. 3, when the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the second display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays a second image 320A including a two-dimensional code 321 on the display unit 14, as shown in Fig. 4(c). The second image 320A may include a message encouraging the user to hold up the screen of the user terminal 10 toward the taxi. Due to the vibration, the user 1 can recognize that the taxi 20 is getting closer, even while holding up the user terminal 10 toward the taxi 20 in step S23.

[0064] The two-dimensional code 321 of the second image 320A may include information that enables the exterior camera 26 of the taxi 20 to uniquely identify the user terminal 10 that made the call request. The two-dimensional code 321 indicating information that enables unique identification of the user terminal 10 may be generated by the server device 30 and may be included in the second display request and transmitted to the user terminal 10.

[0065] The two-dimensional code 321 of the second image 320A may have finer granularity and a larger amount of information than the code 311 of the first image 310. By recognizing the two-dimensional code 321 of the second image 320A with the exterior camera 26, the taxi 20 can automatically recognize that the user terminal 10 displaying the second image 320A is the source of the call request.

[0066] When the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the first display request, the user terminal 10 may alternately display the first image 310A and the second image 320A. This allows the taxi 20 to recognize the presence of the user terminal 10 using the exterior camera 26 and uniquely recognize that the user terminal 10 is the source of the call request.

[0067] In step S27 of FIG. 3, when the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the third display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays a third image 330A including a two-dimensional code 331 on the display unit 14, as shown in FIG. 4(d). The third image 330A may include a message prompting the user to point the screen of the user terminal toward the authentication camera of the taxi. The vibration allows the user 1 to recognize that a taxi 20 corresponding to the call request has arrived, even while holding the user terminal 10 toward the taxi 20 in step S25. Then, the user 1 can look at the third image 330A displayed on the user terminal 10 and point the two-dimensional code 331 of the third image 330A toward the authentication camera 27 of the taxi 20.

[0068] The two-dimensional code 331 of the third image 330A may contain information that allows the taxi 20 to authenticate the user 1, obtain destination information, and perform charging. The two-dimensional code 331 may be generated by the server device 30 and transmitted to the user terminal 10 together with the third display request. The two-dimensional code 331 of the third image 330A has finer granularity and a larger amount of information than the two-dimensional code 321 of the second image 320A. The taxi 20 recognizes the two-dimensional code 331 of the third image 330A with the authentication camera 27 to authenticate the user terminal 10 (i.e., the user 1) that is displaying the third image 330A. If the authentication is successful, the taxi 20 allows the user 1 to board the taxi, sets the destination, and starts charging.

[0069] Through the above processing, the user terminal 10 can make the approaching taxi 20 aware of the presence of the user terminal 10 and that the user terminal 10 is the source of the call request by displaying the first image 310A and the second image 320A as shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, by recognizing the first image 310A and the second image 320A, the taxi 20 can recognize the presence of the user terminal 10 that made the call request and uniquely identify the user terminal 10 that made the call request.

[0070] For example, even if the user terminal 10 makes a request to call a taxi 20 from among a group of buildings, an underground parking lot, an indoor parking lot, or the like, where the positioning sensor 15 of the user terminal 10 cannot perform positioning with sufficient accuracy, the method described above allows the taxi 20 to recognize the presence of the user terminal 10 that made the call request and to uniquely recognize the user terminal 10 that made the call request.

[0071] <When the first image contains a color change pattern> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the first image according to the first embodiment includes a color change pattern.

[0072] In step S21 of Fig. 3, the user terminal 10 displays a taxi location image 200 as shown in Fig. 5(a) on the display unit 14. This is similar to Fig. 4(a).

[0073] In step S23 of FIG. 3, when the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the first display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays on the display unit 14 a first image 310B that has a predetermined area and includes a color region 312 whose color changes over time, as shown in FIG. 4(b). The first image 310B may include a message encouraging the user to hold up the screen of the user terminal 10 toward a taxi. The vibration and the message allow the user 1 to recognize that a taxi 20 is approaching, and to recognize the timing to hold up the screen of the user terminal 10 toward the taxi.

[0074] The color region 312 of the first image 310B may have a color change pattern that allows the exterior camera 26 of the taxi 20 to uniquely identify the user terminal 10 that made the call request. For example, a color change pattern that allows unique identification of the user terminal 10 that made a certain call request may be a repetition of off, white, yellow, and blue. For example, a color change pattern that allows unique identification of the user terminal 10 that made another call request may be a repetition of off, red, green, and light blue. Here, off is set to indicate the start of the color change pattern. The color change pattern that allows unique identification of the user terminal 10 may be determined by the server device 30 and transmitted to the user terminal 10 as part of the first display request.

[0075] The number of colors and the color switching cycle of the color change pattern may vary depending on whether the exterior camera 26 of the taxi 20 is capable of automatic reading of the color change pattern. For example, if the exterior camera 26 of the taxi 20 is capable of automatic reading, the number of colors and the color switching cycle of the color change pattern may be relatively large and relatively short, such as 10 colors switched at 100 ms intervals. For example, if the taxi 20 is not capable of automatic reading and the driver of the taxi 20 visually checks the color change pattern, the number of colors and the color switching cycle may be relatively small and relatively long, such as 3 colors switched at 500 ms intervals. However, the number of colors and the color switching cycle of the color change pattern are not limited to these.

[0076] By recognizing the color change pattern of the color region 312 of the first image 310B with the exterior camera 26, the taxi 20 can uniquely recognize that the user terminal 10 displaying the first image 310B is the source of the call request.

[0077] Note that, in step S25 of Fig. 3, the user terminal 10 may also display the same as Fig. 5(b) as the second image. After initially displaying Fig. 5(b), the user terminal 10 may return to the display of Fig. 5(a) if the approaching taxi 20 does not respond to the call request.

[0078] 3, when the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the third display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays a third image 330B including a message indicating that a taxi has arrived, as shown in Fig. 5(c), on the display unit 14. Alternatively, the user terminal 10 may display a third image 330A including a two-dimensional code 331 for authenticating the user 1, as shown in Fig. 4(d).

[0079] Through the above processing, the user terminal 10 displays the first image 310B (or the second image) as shown in Fig. 5, thereby making the approaching taxi 20 aware of the presence of the user terminal 10 and uniquely recognizing that the user terminal 10 is the source of the call request. Furthermore, by recognizing the first image 310B (or the second image) with the exterior camera 26, the taxi 20 is able to recognize the presence of the user terminal 10 that made the call request and uniquely recognize the user terminal 10 that made the call request.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the type of color in the color change pattern according to the first embodiment is changed depending on the environment.

[0081] The visibility of colors changes depending on the environment (e.g., morning, daytime, night, outdoors, indoors, weather, etc.) around the user terminal 10. Therefore, the user terminal 10 and the server device 30 may change the color change pattern so that the colors are more easily recognizable by the exterior camera 26 of the taxi 20 in the environment around the user terminal 10.

[0082] For example, when the environment around the user terminal 10 is relatively bright, such as outdoors where the sun is shining brightly, the user terminal 10 and the server device 30 generate a color change pattern using colors that stand out in bright environments, such as red, orange, and blue, as shown in Figure 6(a).

[0083] For example, when the environment around the user terminal 10 is an environment of relatively medium brightness, such as cloudy outdoors or slightly bright indoors, the user terminal 10 and the server device 30 generate a color change pattern using colors that are easy to see in an environment of medium brightness, such as white, yellow, and blue, as shown in Figure 6(b).

[0084] For example, when the environment around the user terminal 10 is relatively dark, such as at night, in an underground parking lot, or in an indoor parking lot, the user terminal 10 and the server device 30 generate a color change pattern using colors that are easy to see in dark environments, such as white, yellow, and light blue, as shown in Figure 6(c).

[0085] This prevents the accuracy with which the exterior camera 26 of the taxi 20 recognizes the color change pattern displayed on the user terminal 10 that originated the call request from decreasing due to differences in the environment around the user terminal 10.

[0086] <When the first image includes a color change pattern and the second image includes multiple color change patterns> FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the first image according to the first embodiment includes a color change pattern and the second image includes multiple color change patterns.

[0087] In step S21 of Fig. 3, the user terminal 10 displays a taxi location image 200 as shown in Fig. 7(a) on the display unit 14. This is similar to Fig. 4(a).

[0088] In step S23 of FIG. 3, when the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the first display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays on the display unit 14 a first image 310C including a color region 313 having a predetermined area and whose color changes over time, as shown in FIG. 7(b). The first image 310C may include a message encouraging the user to hold up the screen of the user terminal 10 toward the taxi. The vibration and the message allow the user 1 to recognize that a taxi 20 is approaching and to recognize the timing to hold up the screen of the user terminal 10 toward the taxi.

[0089] The color region 313 of the first image 310C may be similar to the color region 312 described in FIG. 5(b).

[0090] As a result, the taxi 20 can recognize the presence of the user terminal 10 when it gets close to the user terminal 10 to a certain extent by recognizing the color change pattern of the color region 312 of the first image 310C with the exterior camera 26.

[0091] When receiving the notification of the first display request, the user terminal 10 may vibrate the vibration unit 17 and display the first image 310C including the code 311, as in FIG. 4(b).

[0092] In step S25 of FIG. 3, when the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the second display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays on the display unit 14 a second image 320C including a multi-color region 322 in which a combination of multiple colors changes over time, as shown in FIG. 7(c). The second image 320C may include a message encouraging the user to hold up the screen of the user terminal toward the taxi. The vibration allows the user 1 to recognize that a taxi corresponding to the call request has arrived, even when the user 1 is holding up the user terminal 10 toward the taxi 20 in step S25.

[0093] The multi-color region 322 of the second image 320C may include multiple color regions 323A and 323B, each having a predetermined area, and each color region 323A and 323B may display a different color. Furthermore, the multi-color region 322 of the second image 320C may have a multi-color change pattern in which the color combination changes over time. The multi-color change pattern may enable the exterior camera 26 of the taxi 20 to uniquely identify the user terminal 10 that made the call request. For example, a multi-color change pattern that can uniquely identify a user terminal 10 that made a call request may be a repetition of off-light, a combination of red and white, a combination of red and yellow, and a combination of blue and white. For example, a multi-color change pattern that can uniquely identify a user terminal that made another call request may be a repetition of off-light, a combination of green and white, a combination of green and yellow, and a combination of blue and red. Here, off-light is set to indicate the start of the multi-color change pattern. The multiple color change patterns that can uniquely identify the user terminal 10 may be determined by the server device 30 and transmitted to the user terminal 10 together with being included in the first display request.

[0094] The multiple color change pattern in the multiple color region 322 of the second image 320C contains more information than the color change pattern in the color region 313 of the first image 310C.

[0095] By recognizing the multiple color change pattern of the multiple color area 322 of the second image 320C using the exterior camera 26, the taxi 20 can uniquely recognize that the user terminal 10 displaying the second image 320C is the source of the call request.

[0096] When the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the first display request, the user terminal 10 may alternately display the first image 310C and the second image 320C. This allows the taxi 20 to recognize, through the exterior camera 26, the presence of the user terminal 10 and that the user terminal 10 is the source of the call request.

[0097] In step S27 of Fig. 3, when the user terminal 10 receives the notification of the third display request, it vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays a third image 330C including a two-dimensional code 331 on the display unit 14, as shown in Fig. 7(d). This is similar to Fig. 4(d).

[0098] Through the above processing, the user terminal 10 can make the approaching taxi 20 aware of the presence of the user terminal 10 and that the user terminal 10 is the source of the call request by displaying the first image 310C and the second image 320C as shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, by recognizing the first image 310C and the second image 320C, the taxi 20 can recognize the presence of the user terminal 10 that made the call request and uniquely identify the user terminal 10 that made the call request.

[0099] <User terminal processing> 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the user terminal 10 according to Embodiment 1. The processing of the user terminal 10 may be interpreted as processing of the control unit 11 included in the user terminal 10.

[0100] The user terminal 10 determines whether or not the user 1 has initiated a call request for a taxi 20 (S101). If the user 1 has not initiated a call request (S101: NO), the user terminal 10 repeats step S101.

[0101] When the user 1 initiates a call request (S101: YES), the user terminal 10 transmits the call request to the server device 30 (S102).

[0102] The user terminal 10 determines whether or not a call response corresponding to the call request has been received from the server device 30 (S103). If the user terminal 10 has not yet received a call response (S103: NO), the user terminal 10 repeats step S103.

[0103] When the user terminal 10 receives a call response (S103: YES), the user terminal 10 displays a taxi location image 200 on the display unit 14 (S104). The user 1 may look at the displayed taxi location image 200 and decide whether or not to confirm the dispatch of the taxi 20.

[0104] The user terminal 10 determines whether the user 1 has instructed to confirm the dispatch of the vehicle (S105).

[0105] If the user 1 does not instruct to confirm the dispatch of the taxi (for example, if the dispatch of the taxi is canceled) (S105: NO), the user terminal 10 returns the process to step S101. In this case, the server device 30 may cancel the request to call the taxi 20.

[0106] When the user 1 issues an instruction to confirm the dispatch of the vehicle (S105: YES), the user terminal 10 transmits the dispatch confirmation information to the server device 30 (S106).

[0107] The user terminal 10 transmits the user location information (S107).

[0108] The user terminal 10 determines whether or not taxi position information has been received from the server device 30 (S108). If taxi position information has not been received (S108: NO), the user terminal 10 proceeds to step S110.

[0109] If the taxi location information has been received (S108: YES), the user terminal 10 updates the taxi location image 200 based on the taxi location display (S109), and the process proceeds to step S110.

[0110] The user terminal 10 determines whether or not a first display request has been received from the server device 30 (S110). If the first display request has not been received (S110: NO), the user terminal 10 proceeds to step S112.

[0111] If the first display request has been received (S110: YES), the user terminal 10 vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays the first image 310 (S111), and the process proceeds to step S112.

[0112] The user terminal 10 determines whether or not a second display request has been received from the server device 30 (S112). If a second display request has not been received (S112: NO), the user terminal 10 proceeds to step S114.

[0113] If the second display request has been received (S112: YES), the user terminal 10 vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays the second image 320 (S113), and the process proceeds to step S114.

[0114] The user terminal 10 determines whether or not a third display request has been received from the server device 30 (S114). If a third display request has not been received (S114: NO), the user terminal 10 returns the process to step S107.

[0115] If the third display request is received (S114: YES), the user terminal 10 vibrates the vibration unit 17 and displays the third image 330 (S115).

[0116] User 1 causes authentication camera 27 of taxi 20 to recognize two-dimensional code 331 in third image 330, and gets into taxi 20 (S116). Then, the process returns to step S101.

[0117] Through the above processing, the user terminal 10 displays the first image 310 and the second image 320 as shown in Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 or Figure 7, thereby making the approaching taxi 20 aware of the presence of the user terminal 10 and uniquely recognizing that the user terminal 10 is the source of the call request.

[0118] <Taxi handling> 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the taxi 20 according to the embodiment 1. The processing of the taxi 20 may be interpreted as processing of the vehicle control unit 21 provided in the taxi 20.

[0119] The taxi 20 periodically transmits taxi position information to the server device 30 (S201).

[0120] The taxi 20 determines whether or not a dispatch request has been received from the server device 30 (S202). If the taxi 20 has not received a dispatch request from the server device 30 (S202: NO), the taxi 20 repeats step S202.

[0121] When a dispatch request is received from the server device 30 (S202: YES), the taxi 20 determines whether to accept the dispatch request (S203). If a driver is on board the taxi 20, the driver may decide whether to accept the dispatch request. If a driver is not on board the taxi 20 (i.e., the taxi is in fully automated driving), the taxi 20 (vehicle control unit 21) may automatically decide whether to accept the dispatch request based on various conditions (e.g., remaining fuel or power amount, subsequent schedule, etc.).

[0122] If the dispatch request is not accepted (S203: NO), the taxi 20 returns the process to step S201.

[0123] If the dispatch request is accepted (S203: YES), the taxi 20 transmits a dispatch acceptance response to the server device 30 (S204). Then, the taxi 20 travels toward the location indicated by the user location information.

[0124] The taxi 20 determines whether or not the user position information has been received from the server device 30 (S205). If the user position information has not been received (S205: NO), the taxi 20 proceeds to step S207.

[0125] If the user position information has been received (S205: YES), the taxi 20 updates the user position indicated by the user position information (S206), and the process proceeds to step S207.

[0126] The taxi 20 determines whether or not the distance between the user position indicated by the user position information and the current position of the taxi (hereinafter referred to as the distance between the taxi and the user) is less than a predetermined first threshold value (S207).

[0127] If the distance between the taxi and the user is equal to or greater than the first threshold (S207: NO), the taxi 20 proceeds to step S209.

[0128] If the distance between the taxi and the user is less than the first threshold (S207: YES), the taxi 20 transmits a first display request to the user terminal 10 (S208), and the process proceeds to step S209.

[0129] The taxi 20 determines whether the exterior camera 26 has detected the first image 310 to be displayed on the user terminal 10 (S209).

[0130] If the exterior camera 26 has not detected the first image 310 displayed on the user terminal 10 (S209: NO), the taxi 20 proceeds to step S211.

[0131] If the exterior camera 26 detects the first image 310 to be displayed on the user terminal 10 (S209: YES), the taxi 20 transmits a second display request to the user terminal 10 (S210), and the process proceeds to step S211.

[0132] The taxi 20 determines whether the exterior camera 26 has detected the second image 320 to be displayed on the user terminal 10 (S211).

[0133] If the exterior camera 26 does not detect the second image 320 to be displayed on the user terminal 10 (S211: NO), the taxi 20 transmits the taxi location information to the server device 30 and the user terminal 10 (S212) and returns the processing to step S205.

[0134] When the exterior camera 26 detects the second image 320 to be displayed on the user terminal 10 (S211: YES), the taxi 20 transmits a third display request to the user terminal 10 (S213).

[0135] Then, the taxi 20 authenticates the third image 330 displayed on the user terminal 10 using the authentication camera 27, and if the authentication is successful, allows the user 1 to board (S214).

[0136] The taxi 20 repeats step S215 while transporting the user (S215: YES), and when transportation of the user is completed (S215: NO), the process returns to step S201.

[0137] Through the above processing, the taxi 20 can recognize the existence of the user terminal 10 that made the call request by recognizing the first image 310 and the second image 320, and can recognize that the user terminal 10 is uniquely associated with the call request.

[0138] Note that this embodiment is also applicable to a vehicle driven by a driver. For example, the driver may carry a dedicated terminal (e.g., a smartphone, etc.), and when the driver views the first image 310 displayed on the user terminal 10 carried by the user, the driver may perform an operation on the dedicated terminal corresponding to YES in step S209 shown in Fig. 9, and the dedicated terminal may perform processing corresponding to step S210 shown in Fig. 9. Then, when the driver views the second image 320 displayed on the user terminal 10 carried by the user, the driver may perform an operation on the dedicated terminal corresponding to YES in step S211 shown in Fig. 9, and the dedicated terminal may perform processing corresponding to step S213 shown in Fig. 9. In other words, the processing performed by the taxi 20 described above may be executed by the dedicated terminal carried by the driver.

[0139] <Server device processing> 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the server device 30 according to embodiment 1. Note that the processing of the server device 30 may be interpreted as processing of the control unit 31 included in the server device 30.

[0140] The server device 30 determines whether or not taxi position information has been received from the taxi 20 (S301). If the server device 30 has not received taxi position information (S301: NO), the process proceeds to step S303.

[0141] When the server device 30 receives the taxi location information (S301: YES), the server device 30 updates the taxi location information in the dispatch DB 33 (step S302) and proceeds to step S303. This allows the server device 30 to grasp the current location of each taxi in the dispatch DB 33.

[0142] The server device 30 determines whether or not relaying of information between a certain taxi 20 and a certain user terminal 10 is in progress (S303). For example, as in steps S20 to S26 of the sequence chart shown in Fig. 3, relaying is in progress while the dispatch-matched taxi 20 and the user terminal 10 need to transmit and receive information via the server device 30. If relaying is not in progress (S303: NO), the server device 30 proceeds to step S305.

[0143] If relaying is being performed (S303: YES), the server device 30 relays the transmission and reception of information between the taxi 20 and the user terminal 10 (S304), and the process proceeds to step S305.

[0144] The server device 30 determines whether or not a request to call a taxi 20 has been received from the user terminal 10 (S305).

[0145] If a call request has not been received from the user terminal 10 (S305: NO), the server device 30 returns the process to step S301.

[0146] When a call request is received from the user terminal 10 (S305: YES), the server device 30 performs vehicle allocation matching. For example, the server device 30 refers to the vehicle allocation DB 33 and transmits a vehicle allocation request to a taxi 20 in the vicinity of the user terminal 10 (S306).

[0147] The server device 30 determines whether or not a dispatch acceptance response has been received from the taxi 20 (S307).

[0148] If the server device 30 has not received the dispatch acceptance response from the taxi 20 (S307: NO), the process returns to step S306.

[0149] If the server device 30 receives a vehicle allocation acceptance response from the taxi 20 (S307: YES), the server device 30 transmits a call response to the user terminal 10 and completes vehicle allocation matching (S308). Then, the server device 30 returns the process to step S301.

[0150] Through the above process, the server device 30 can dispatch the taxi 20 to the user who has made the request to call the taxi 20.

[0151] (Summary of the first embodiment) The above description of the first embodiment discloses the following techniques.

[0152] <Technology 1> A terminal control method executed by a terminal (e.g., a user terminal 10) having a wireless communication unit (12), a display unit (14), and a vibration unit (17) includes the steps of: the wireless communication unit transmits a call request for a vehicle (e.g., a taxi 20) to an external device (e.g., a server device 30); the wireless communication unit receives first information (e.g., a first display request) associated with the call request from the external device; the display unit displays a first display (e.g., a first image 310) associated with the first information; when the wireless communication unit receives a notification from the external device that the first display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the display unit displays a second display (e.g., a second image 320) different from the first display; and when the wireless communication unit receives a notification from the external device that the second display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates. As a result, a vehicle approaching the terminal can recognize the first and second displays displayed on the terminal and recognize the presence of the terminal. Furthermore, by vibrating when the second display is recognized by the vehicle, the terminal can notify the user of the timing when the second display has been recognized by the vehicle even if the user of the terminal is unable to check the screen of the terminal in order to make the vehicle recognize the first display.

[0153] <Technology 2> In the terminal control method described in Technology 1, the wireless communication unit transmits a call request for the vehicle to the outside, the wireless communication unit receives from the outside the first information associated with the call request, the display unit displays the first display corresponding to the first information, when the wireless communication unit receives from the outside a notification that the first display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates, the display unit displays the second display different from the first display, when the wireless communication unit receives from the outside a notification that the second display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates. In this way, the terminal vibrates when the first display is recognized by a vehicle, and vibrates when the second display is recognized by a vehicle, thereby informing the user of the terminal of the timing when the first display was recognized by a vehicle and the timing when the second display was recognized by a vehicle.

[0154] <Technology 3> In the terminal control method described in Technology 1 or 2, the wireless communication unit transmits a vehicle call request to a predetermined server (e.g., server device 30), the wireless communication unit receives the first information associated with the call request from the predetermined server, the display unit displays the first display, and when the wireless communication unit receives a notification from the predetermined server that the first display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates, the display unit displays the second display, and when the wireless communication unit receives a notification from the predetermined server that the second display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates. In this way, the terminal vibrates when the first display is recognized by a vehicle, and vibrates when the second display is recognized by a vehicle, thereby informing the user of the terminal of the timing when the first display was recognized by a vehicle and the timing when the second display was recognized by a vehicle.

[0155] <Technology 4> In the terminal control method according to any one of techniques 1 to 3, the second display includes a larger amount of information than the first display. This allows the vehicle to recognize a larger amount of information in the second display.

[0156] <Technology 5> In the terminal control method according to any one of the first to fourth techniques, the first display and / or the second display includes a two-dimensional code. This allows a vehicle approaching the terminal to recognize the two-dimensional code displayed on the terminal and recognize the presence of the terminal.

[0157] <Technology 6> In the terminal control method described in any one of Techniques 1 to 4, the first display and / or the second display is a first color display (e.g., color area 312, 313) of a first color, the first color display having a predetermined area, or a second color display (e.g., multiple color area 322) combining multiple colors, the second color display having the predetermined area. As a result, a vehicle approaching the terminal can recognize the first color display or the second color display displayed on the terminal and recognize the presence of the terminal.

[0158] <Technology 7> In the terminal control method according to any one of techniques 1 to 4, the first display and / or the second display is a third color display of a second color (e.g., color areas 312 and 313), and the third color display has a predetermined area, or a fourth color display of the third color (e.g., color area 323A) and a fifth color display of the fourth color (e.g., color area 323B) are switched one or more times (e.g., a multiple color change pattern), and the fourth color display and the fifth color display have predetermined areas. As a result, a vehicle approaching the terminal can recognize the third color display displayed on the terminal or the switch between the fourth color display and the fifth color display, and can recognize the presence of the terminal.

[0159] <Technology 8> In the terminal control method described in any one of Techniques 1 to 7, the wireless communication unit transmits a vehicle call request to the outside, the wireless communication unit receives from the outside the first information associated with the call request, the display unit displays the first display, and when the wireless communication unit receives from the outside a notification that the first display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the display unit displays the second display that is different from the first display, and when the wireless communication unit receives from the outside a notification that the second display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates, and the display unit displays a third display (e.g., a third image 330) that is different from the first display and different from the second display. In this way, the terminal vibrates when the second display is recognized by the vehicle, thereby informing the user of the timing when the third display is displayed, even if the user of the terminal is unable to check the terminal screen in order to make the first display recognized by the vehicle.

[0160] <Technology 9> In the terminal control method described in Technique 8, the third display is used for authentication to get into the vehicle. This allows the user of the terminal to use the third display displayed on the terminal to perform vehicle boarding authentication.

[0161] <Technology 10> In the terminal control method according to any one of the first to ninth techniques, the vibration unit includes a vibrator and / or a speaker. This allows the terminal to generate vibrations using a vibrator and / or speaker.

[0162] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0163] The technology of the present disclosure is useful for dispatching taxis. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 1 user 5. Vehicle dispatch system 6. Communication Networks 10 User terminal 11 Control section 12 Wireless Communication Section 13 Input section 14 Display section 15 Positioning sensor 16 speakers 17 Vibration unit 20 Taxi 21 Vehicle control unit 22 Radio Communication Department 23 Speed ​​sensor 24 Acceleration and angular velocity sensor 25 Positioning Sensor 26 Exterior camera 27 Authentication Camera 28 In-Vehicle Network 30 Server device 31 Control Unit 32 Communications Department 33 Dispatch DB 200 taxi location images 310,310A,310B,310C 1st image 311 code 312,313 color areas 320, 320A, 320C 2nd image 321 2D code 322 Multicolor Area 330, 330A, 330B, 330C 3rd image 331 QR Code

Claims

1. A terminal control method executed by a terminal having a wireless communication unit, a display unit, and a vibration unit, the wireless communication unit transmits a vehicle call request to an external device; the wireless communication unit receives first information associated with the call request from an external device; the display unit displays a first display corresponding to the first information, When the wireless communication unit receives a notification from an external device that the first display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the display unit displays a second display different from the first display, When the wireless communication unit receives a notification from an external device that the second display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates. Terminal control methods.

2. 2. The terminal control method according to claim 1, the wireless communication unit transmits a call request for the vehicle to an external device; the wireless communication unit receives the first information associated with the call request from an external device, the display unit displays the first display corresponding to the first information, When the wireless communication unit receives a notification from an external device that the first display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates, and the display unit displays the second display different from the first display, When the wireless communication unit receives a notification from an external device that the second display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates. Terminal control methods.

3. 2. The terminal control method according to claim 1, the wireless communication unit transmits a vehicle call request to a predetermined server; the wireless communication unit receives the first information associated with the call request from the predetermined server, the display unit displays the first display, When the wireless communication unit receives a notification from the predetermined server that the first display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates and the display unit displays the second display; When the wireless communication unit receives a notification from the predetermined server that the second display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates. Terminal control methods.

4. 2. The terminal control method according to claim 1, The second display includes a larger amount of information than the first display. Terminal control methods.

5. 2. The terminal control method according to claim 1, the first representation and / or the second representation comprises a two-dimensional code; Terminal control methods.

6. 2. The terminal control method according to claim 1, The first display and / or the second display may be a first color indication of a first color, the first color indication having a predetermined area; or a second color display that combines a plurality of colors, the second color display having the predetermined area; Terminal control methods.

7. 2. The terminal control method according to claim 1, The first display and / or the second display may be a third color indication of the second color, said third color indication having a predetermined area; or a fourth color display of the third color and a fifth color display of the fourth color are switched one or more times, and the fourth color display and the fifth color display have a predetermined area; Terminal control methods.

8. 2. The terminal control method according to claim 1, the wireless communication unit transmits a vehicle call request to an external device; the wireless communication unit receives the first information associated with the call request from an external device, the display unit displays the first display, When the wireless communication unit receives a notification from an external device that the first display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the display unit displays the second display that is different from the first display, When the wireless communication unit receives a notification from an external device that the second display displayed on the display unit has been recognized by the vehicle, the vibration unit vibrates, and the display unit displays a third display that is different from the first display and different from the second display. Terminal control methods.

9. 9. A terminal control method according to claim 8, The third display is used for authentication of entry into the vehicle. Terminal control methods.

10. 2. The terminal control method according to claim 1, The vibration unit includes a vibrator and / or a speaker. Terminal control methods.

Images