Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

It is easy to find the vehicle you will be using. [Solution] The system comprises a display control unit that causes an information display unit, positioned on the vehicle so that it can be visually seen by the vehicle user from outside the vehicle, to flash according to a set flashing pattern, and a transmission unit that displays the shape of the vehicle used by the vehicle user and the information display unit positioned on the vehicle on the display screen of the vehicle user's terminal, and transmits vehicle shape information, information display unit information, and flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to cause the information display unit to flash according to the same flashing pattern.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known an information presentation device that presents, on the vehicle body, a display that evokes a sense of attachment to an automated driving vehicle for a user when the automated driving vehicle finds the user of the automated driving vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, for example, when using an automated driving taxi at the boarding and alighting area of a station after getting off a train, even if a display that evokes a sense of attachment to the automated driving taxi is presented on the vehicle body like the above-described information presentation device, when there are a large number of automated driving taxis at the boarding and alighting area of the station, it is quite difficult to find the automated driving taxi that one uses from among these automated driving taxis.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Therefore, according to the present invention, a display control unit that causes an information display unit arranged on a vehicle to blink with a set blinking pattern, so that a user of the vehicle can visually recognize it from outside the vehicle, An information processing device is provided, comprising a transmission unit that displays the shape of the vehicle used by the user and an information display unit located on the vehicle on the display screen of the user's terminal, and transmits vehicle shape information, information display unit information, and flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to make the information display unit flash in the same flashing pattern as described above. Furthermore, according to the present invention, Computers The information display unit, positioned on the vehicle so that it can be seen by vehicle users from outside the vehicle, will flash according to a set flashing pattern. An information processing method is provided that displays the shape of the vehicle used by the user and the information display unit located on the vehicle on the display screen of the user's terminal, and transmits vehicle shape information, information display unit information, and flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to make the information display unit flash in the same flashing pattern as described above. Furthermore, according to the present invention, an information display unit placed on the vehicle so that it can be visually seen by vehicle users from outside the vehicle is made to flash in a set flashing pattern. A program is provided that causes a computer to function in order to display the shape of the vehicle used by the user and the information display unit located on the vehicle on the display screen of the user's terminal, and to transmit vehicle shape information, information display unit information, and flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to make the information display unit flash in the same flashing pattern as described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] By simply comparing the flashing pattern on the vehicle's information display with the flashing pattern on the user's terminal screen, users can easily find the vehicle they are using. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an overall diagram of the information processing system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the information processing server shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the dispatch management server shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an autonomous taxi. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the autonomous taxi shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the basic flow of information processing in an information processing system. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the input procedure for the terminal. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the route selection procedure on the terminal. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart for performing information processing. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart for managing vehicle dispatch. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart for controlling the operation of an autonomous taxi. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a flowchart for controlling the operation of an autonomous taxi. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart for controlling the operation of an autonomous taxi. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a diagrammatic representation of a road map. [Figure 15] Figure 15A is a side view of an autonomous taxi, and Figure 15B is a diagram showing the display screen of a mobile device. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a flowchart for controlling the display. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a flowchart for controlling the display. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a flowchart for controlling the display screen of a mobile device. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a flowchart for controlling the display. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a flowchart for controlling the display. [Figure 21]FIG. 21 is a side view of an autonomous taxi. [Figure 22] FIG. 22A is a side view of an autonomous taxi, and FIG. 22B is a diagram showing a display screen of a mobile terminal. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a flowchart for performing display screen control of a mobile terminal. [Figure 26] FIGS. 26A and 26B are side views of an autonomous taxi, and FIG. 26C is a diagram showing a display screen of a mobile terminal. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a display screen of a mobile terminal. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a flowchart for performing display screen control of a mobile terminal.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] When a person travels to a destination, there are usually multiple routes to reach that destination, and one route is selected from among these multiple routes. In this case, the selected route may utilize multiple different types of transportation, for example, a route that involves transferring from a scheduled public transport to a vehicle. The present invention relates to information processing technology that provides information that allows a person to easily find the vehicle they will use from among many vehicles at a vehicle boarding / alighting point, for example, when transferring from a scheduled public transport to a vehicle. In this case, the vehicles to which the present invention applies include manually driven vehicles, autonomous vehicles, private cars, and commercial vehicles including taxis, and the scheduled public transport to which the present invention applies includes trains and other railways, monorails, buses, and airplanes. The present invention will be explained below using the case where the vehicle is an autonomous taxi and the scheduled public transport is a train and other railway as examples, but it goes without saying that the present invention is applicable to manually driven vehicles other than autonomous taxis, autonomous vehicles, private cars, commercial vehicles including taxis, etc., and is also applicable to monorails other than railways, buses, and airplanes.

[0009] Figure 1 shows an overall diagram of an information processing system suitable for implementing the information processing technology according to the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, 1 represents a communication network, 2 represents a base station of communication network 1, 3 represents an information processing server managed by a route search service provider, 4 represents a dispatch management server managed by an autonomous taxi operator that provides dispatch services for autonomous taxis, 5 represents an autonomous taxi, and 6 represents a terminal owned by a user utilizing the dispatch service of autonomous taxi 5. In Figure 1, terminal 6 is depicted as a mobile terminal, but terminal 6 is not limited to a mobile terminal and may be a stationary terminal.

[0010] Figure 2 shows the information processing server 3 shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 2, an electronic control unit 10 is provided within the information processing server 3. This electronic control unit 10 consists of a digital computer and is equipped with a CPU (microprocessor) 12 connected to each other by a bidirectional bus 11, a memory 13 consisting of ROM and RAM, and input / output ports 14. This electronic control unit 10 is connected to a communication network 1.

[0011] Figure 3 shows the dispatch management server 4 shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 3, an electronic control unit 15 is provided within the dispatch management server 4. This electronic control unit 15 consists of a digital computer and is equipped with a CPU (microprocessor) 17 connected to each other by a bidirectional bus 16, a memory 18 consisting of ROM and RAM, and input / output ports 19. This electronic control unit 15 is connected to a communication network 1.

[0012] Figure 4 illustrates an example of an autonomous taxi 5. Referring to Figure 4, 20 is the vehicle drive unit for providing driving force to the drive wheels of the autonomous taxi 5, 21 is the braking device for braking the autonomous taxi 5, 22 is the steering device for steering the autonomous taxi 5, and 23 is the electronic control unit installed inside the autonomous taxi 5. As shown in Figure 4, the electronic control unit 23 consists of a digital computer and is equipped with a CPU (microprocessor) 25 connected to each other by a bidirectional bus 24, a memory 26 consisting of ROM and RAM, and input / output ports 27. In the example shown in Figure 4, the vehicle drive unit 20 consists of an electric motor driven by a secondary battery or an electric motor driven by a fuel cell, and the drive wheels are driven and controlled by these electric motors according to the output signals of the electronic control unit 23. In addition, braking control of the autonomous taxi 5 is performed by the braking device 21 according to the output signals of the electronic control unit 23, and steering control of the autonomous taxi 5 is performed by the steering device 22 according to the output signals of the electronic control unit 23. Furthermore, this electronic control unit 23 can be composed of one electronic control unit or multiple electronic control units.

[0013] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, the autonomous taxi 5 is equipped with various sensors 28 necessary for autonomous driving, namely sensors for detecting the state of the autonomous taxi 5 and surrounding detection sensors for detecting the area around the autonomous taxi 5. In this case, acceleration sensors, speed sensors, and azimuth sensors are used as sensors for detecting the state of the autonomous taxi 5, and onboard cameras that photograph the front, sides, and rear of the autonomous taxi 5, LiDAR, radar, etc. are used as surrounding detection sensors for detecting the area around the autonomous taxi 5. The autonomous taxi 5 is also equipped with a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 29, a map data storage device 30, a navigation device 31, and an information display unit 32.

[0014] The GNSS receiver 29 can detect the current position (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the autonomous taxi 5 based on information obtained from multiple satellites. Therefore, the current position of the autonomous taxi 5 can be obtained using this GNSS receiver 29. For example, a GPS receiver is used as this GNSS receiver 29. On the other hand, the map data storage device 30 stores map data and other information necessary for the autonomous taxi 5 to perform autonomous driving. These various sensors 28, the GNSS receiver 29, the map data storage device 30, the navigation device 31, and the information display unit 32 are connected to the electronic control unit 23. The autonomous taxi 5 is also equipped with a communication device 33 for communicating with the information processing server 3 and the dispatch management server 4 via the base station 2 and the communication network 1.

[0015] On the other hand, the terminal 6 owned by the user of the ride-hailing service is configured to communicate with the information processing server 3, the ride-hailing management server 4, and the autonomous taxi 5 via the base station 2 and the communication network 1. Thus, in the information processing system shown in Figure 1, the information processing server 3, the ride-hailing management server 4, the autonomous taxi 5, and the terminal 6 can communicate with each other via the communication network 1. In the example shown in Figure 1, the communication device 33 of the autonomous taxi 5 and the terminal 6 are each equipped with short-range wireless communication functions, and the communication device 33 of the autonomous taxi 5 and the terminal 6 are configured to communicate with each other using these short-range wireless communication functions.

[0016] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the basic flow of information processing used in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 6 shows the exchange between the information processing server 3, the dispatch management server 4, the autonomous driving taxi 5, and the terminal 6. Figure 6 shows a case where a travel route is selected in which the user disembarks from a regularly scheduled train and then transfers to the autonomous driving taxi 5. Now, referring to Figure 6, in (1), the user using the dispatch service (hereinafter simply referred to as "user") inputs the departure point, departure time, destination, desired arrival time at the destination, etc., into the terminal 6 using a travel route search application and requests a travel route search.

[0017] In (2), when the information processing server 3 receives the request to search for a travel route, in (3), the information processing server 3 searches for a travel route that satisfies the request based on the received departure point, departure time, destination, desired arrival time at the destination, etc. Next, in (4), the search results for the travel route are transmitted from the information processing server 3 to the terminal 6. In (5), when the terminal 6 receives the search results for the travel route, in (6), the user uses the travel route search application on the display screen of the terminal 6 to select the desired travel route from among the multiple travel routes that have been searched.

[0018] It should be noted that the search results for travel routes in (4) may not include routes involving a transfer from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous taxi 5. However, the information processing flow shown in Figure 6 describes a case where the search results for travel routes in (4) include routes involving a transfer from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous taxi 5, and furthermore, in (6), a travel route involving a transfer from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous taxi 5 is selected as the desired travel route.

[0019] Now, in (6), when a travel route involving a transfer from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous taxi 5 is selected, in (7), the user registers the desired dispatch details, consisting of the desired pick-up location, desired pick-up time, and desired drop-off location of the autonomous taxi 5, using the dispatch reservation application on the display screen of terminal 6. Once the desired dispatch details are registered, a notification that a dispatch reservation has been made, along with the registered desired dispatch details and the user's desired travel route, is sent from terminal 6 to the information processing server 3. When the information processing server 3 receives the notification that a dispatch reservation has been made, along with the desired dispatch details and the user's desired travel route, the received desired dispatch details and the user's desired travel route are stored in the memory 18 of the information processing server 3, and in (8), a dispatch request is sent from the information processing server 3 to the dispatch management server 4. This dispatch request includes the user's desired travel route, information on the train disembarkation station and train arrival time along the user's desired travel route, the desired pick-up location, desired pick-up time, and desired disembarkation location of the autonomous taxi 5 at the train disembarkation station, and a user ID to identify the user. This dispatch request may also include the user's departure location, departure time, destination, and desired arrival time at the destination, which were received by the information processing server 3 in (2).

[0020] In (9), when the dispatch management server 4 receives a dispatch request, in (10), the dispatch management server 4 searches for an autonomous driving taxi 5 located near the user's desired pick-up location that can be dispatched to the user's desired pick-up location at the user's desired pick-up time, and selects an autonomous driving taxi 5 to be dispatched. In this case, the search can include autonomous driving taxis 5 that are currently vacant, and autonomous driving taxis 5 that are expected to become vacant near the user's desired pick-up time based on reservation information can also be included in the search. Once an autonomous driving taxi 5 to be dispatched is selected, in (11), a dispatch instruction is sent from the dispatch management server 4 to the selected autonomous driving taxi 5, along with the user's desired travel route, information on the train disembarking station and train arrival time on the user's desired travel route, the desired dispatch details such as the pick-up location, disembarking location and pick-up time of the autonomous driving taxi 5 at the train disembarking station, and the user ID.

[0021] In (12), when the autonomous taxi 5 receives a dispatch request, the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomous taxi 5 generates a route from its current location to the user's desired pick-up location based on the user's desired pick-up location. Next, in (13), the autonomous driving of the autonomous taxi 5 is started, and the autonomous taxi 5 is made to drive along the generated route so as to arrive at the user's desired pick-up location at the user's desired pick-up time. After that, in (14), when the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location and is found by the user, in (15), user authentication is performed between the user's terminal 6 that made the dispatch reservation and the autonomous taxi 5 using short-range communication. This authentication is performed, for example, by comparing the user ID stored in the memory 26 of the autonomous taxi 5 at the time of the dispatch request with the user ID stored in the terminal 6 of the user who made the dispatch request, and when these user IDs match, the user holding the terminal 6 is authenticated as the user who made the dispatch request. Furthermore, various known authentication methods, such as facial recognition, are known for user authentication, and these known authentication methods can be used as the authentication process in (15).

[0022] In (15), when the user holding terminal 6 is authenticated as the user who requested the ride, the door of the autonomous taxi 5 opens and the user, or the user and several others, board the autonomous taxi 5. Next, when the passenger confirmation device installed inside the autonomous taxi 5 determines that the user, or the user and several others, have boarded, the door of the autonomous taxi 5 closes. Next, in (16), when a request is made to start driving the autonomous taxi 5, the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomous taxi 5 generates a driving route from the current location to the user's desired drop-off location based on the user's desired drop-off location. Next, in (17), the autonomous driving of the autonomous taxi 5 begins.

[0023] Next, we will describe the configurations of the information processing server 3, dispatch management server 4, autonomous taxi 5, and terminal 6 in order to execute the information processing flow shown in Figure 6. First, regarding the configuration of the information processing server 3, the information processing server 3 is configured to communicate with the dispatch management server 4, autonomous taxi 5, and terminal 6 via the communication network 1. On the other hand, the information processing server 3 is equipped with a railway information receiving unit that can receive railway operation information and railway delay information from railway operators in real time via the communication network 1. The information processing server 3 is also equipped with a search request receiving unit that receives a travel route search request from the user's terminal 6 along with the departure point, departure time, destination, desired arrival time at the destination, etc. Furthermore, the information processing server 3 is equipped with a travel route search unit that can search for multiple travel routes, including at least multimodal travel routes using railways and autonomous taxis 5, based on the departure point, departure time, destination, desired arrival time at the destination, etc. received by the search request receiving unit.

[0024] Furthermore, the information processing server 3 is equipped with a search result transmission unit for transmitting multiple travel routes found by the travel route search unit to the user's terminal 6. The information processing server 3 is also equipped with a dispatch reservation reception unit for receiving the user's desired travel route, along with the desired dispatch details consisting of the desired pick-up location, desired pick-up time, and desired drop-off location for the autonomous driving taxi 5, and confirmation that a dispatch reservation has been made, from the user's terminal 6. The information processing server 3 also acquires information regarding the user's desired travel route, the desired dispatch details such as the pick-up location, drop-off location, and pick-up time for the autonomous driving taxi 5 to be used by the user on the desired travel route, and information regarding the train drop-off station and train arrival time on the user's desired travel route. The information processing server 3 is equipped with a dispatch request transmission unit for transmitting a dispatch request containing this acquired information regarding the user's desired travel route, desired dispatch details, and information regarding the train drop-off station and train arrival time to the dispatch management server 4. The information processing server 3 is also equipped with an information provision unit for providing the user with various information other than the multiple travel routes that have been found.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the dispatch management server 4 will be described. The dispatch management server 4 is configured to communicate with the information processing server 3, the autonomous driving taxi 5, and the terminal 6 via the communication network 1. The dispatch management server 4 is equipped with a dispatch request receiving unit to receive information from the information processing server 3 regarding the user's desired travel route, the desired dispatch details such as the boarding location, alighting location, and boarding time of the autonomous driving taxi 5 to be used by the user, as well as information regarding the train alighting station and train arrival time. The dispatch management server 4 is also equipped with a vehicle search unit to search for an autonomous driving taxi 5 located near the user's desired boarding location that can be dispatched to the user's desired boarding location at the user's desired boarding time, and select an autonomous driving taxi 5 to be dispatched. Furthermore, the dispatch management server 4 is equipped with a dispatch instruction transmitting unit to transmit a dispatch instruction along with information regarding the user's desired travel route, the desired dispatch details such as the boarding location, alighting location, and boarding time of the autonomous driving taxi 5 to be used by the user, as well as information regarding the train alighting station and train arrival time, to the selected autonomous driving taxi 5.

[0026] Next, the configuration of terminal 6 will be described. Terminal 6 is equipped with a communication unit for communicating with the information processing server 3, the dispatch management server 4, and the autonomous driving taxi 5 via the communication network 1. Terminal 6 is also equipped with a current location acquisition unit, such as a GPS receiver, which can detect the current location of terminal 6 (e.g., latitude and longitude). Terminal 6 also has a display screen. On the display screen of terminal 6, it is possible to input the departure point, departure time, destination, desired arrival time at the destination, etc., using a travel route search application and request a travel route search. Terminal 6 is also configured to display multiple travel routes searched by the information processing server 3 on the display screen of terminal 6. On the display screen of terminal 6, the user can select their desired travel route from among the multiple travel routes searched by the information processing server 3, and furthermore, it is possible to reserve an autonomous driving taxi 5 on the display screen of terminal 6. In this case, it is also possible to configure the terminal 6's display screen to allow users to directly make a ride reservation to the ride management server 4 using a ride reservation application.

[0027] Finally, regarding the configuration of the autonomous taxi 5, the overall configuration of the autonomous taxi 5 has already been explained with reference to Figure 4, so here, the various controls performed by the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomous taxi 5 will be explained with reference to the functional configuration diagram shown in Figure 5. Referring to Figure 5, the autonomous taxi 5 comprises a travel route receiving unit 40, a driving route generation unit 41, an automatic driving control unit 42, a communication unit 43, an authentication unit 44, an operation-related information acquisition unit 45, a display control unit 46, and a current location acquisition unit 47. In one embodiment of the information processing device according to the present invention, the communication unit 43 and the display control unit 46 for controlling the information display unit constitute the information processing device.

[0028] Now, in Figure 5, the travel route receiving unit 40 receives information from the dispatch management server 4, including the user's desired travel route, the user's desired pick-up location, pick-up location, and pick-up time of the autonomous taxi 5 to be used by the user, as well as information regarding the train's disembarking station and train arrival time. In this case, the travel route receiving unit 40 can also receive this information from the information processing server 3. Meanwhile, the driving route generation unit 41 generates the driving route of the autonomous taxi 5 from the current location to the user's desired pick-up location, and the driving route of the autonomous taxi 5 from the user's desired pick-up location to the user's desired disembarking location, based on this information.

[0029] The automatic driving control unit 42 controls the automatic driving of the autonomous taxi 5 along the generated driving route. The communication unit 43 is connected to the communication device 33 and can communicate with the information processing server 3, the dispatch management server 4, and the terminal 6 through the communication device 33. The authentication unit 44 authenticates that the person who boards the autonomous taxi 5 is the user who made the reservation for the autonomous taxi 5. The operation-related information acquisition unit 45 acquires railway operation-related information from the information processing server 3. The display control unit 46 is connected to the information display unit 32 which is placed on the vehicle so that users of the autonomous taxi 5 can see it from outside the autonomous taxi 5, and the content displayed on this information display unit 32 is controlled by the display control unit 46. In addition, the current location acquisition unit 47 acquires the current location of the autonomous taxi 5 based on the received data received by the GNSS receiver 29.

[0030] Next, with reference to Figures 7 through 14, we will describe one embodiment for executing the basic flow shown in Figure 6. Figure 7 shows the user's input procedure to terminal 6. Referring to Figure 7, first, in A1, the user uses the route search application to display the route search input screen on the terminal 6's display screen. Next, in A2, for example, the user enters the departure point in the departure point field on the input screen. In this case, the user can also specify the departure point on the map displayed on the terminal 6's display screen. Next, in A3, the user enters the departure time in the departure time field on the input screen. Next, in A4, for example, the user enters the destination in the destination field on the input screen. In this case, the user can also specify the destination on the map displayed on the terminal 6's display screen. Next, in A5, the user enters the desired arrival time at the destination in the desired arrival time field on the input screen. Next, in A6, for example, the user touches the search request button displayed on the input screen. When the search request button is touched, a route search request is sent to the information processing server 3 along with the entered departure point, departure time, destination, and desired arrival time at the destination.

[0031] Figure 8 shows the procedure for a user to select a route on terminal 6. Referring to Figure 8, first, in B1, the search results for multiple travel routes transmitted from the information processing server 3 are displayed on the display screen of terminal 6. Next, in B2, the desired travel route is selected from among these multiple travel routes. The following explanation describes the case where a travel route involving a transfer from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous taxi 5 is selected as the desired travel route. Once the desired travel route is selected in B2, in B3, the user uses the ride-hailing reservation application on the display screen of terminal 6 to register the desired pick-up location, desired pick-up time, and desired drop-off location for the autonomous taxi 5 at the train station, respectively. In this case as well, the registration of the desired pick-up location and desired drop-off location can also be done by specifying the desired pick-up location and desired drop-off location on the map displayed on the display screen of terminal 6. Once the desired dispatch details, consisting of the desired pick-up location, desired pick-up time, and desired drop-off location, are registered, B4 transmits a message from terminal 6 to information processing server 3 indicating that a dispatch reservation has been made, along with the registered desired dispatch details and the user's desired travel route.

[0032] Figure 9 shows the information processing routine executed in the electronic control unit 10 of the information processing server 3, and this routine is executed repeatedly. Referring to Figure 9, first, in step 60, the current railway operation information and current railway delay information are received from the railway operator, and the received current railway operation information and current railway delay information are stored in the memory 13 of the electronic control unit 10.

[0033] In step 61, it is determined whether or not a travel route search request has been received from terminal 6. If it is determined that a travel route search request has been received from terminal 6, the process proceeds to step 62, where the received data, such as the user's departure point, departure time, destination, and desired arrival time at the destination, received along with the travel route search request, is stored in the memory 13 of the electronic control unit 10. Next, in step 63, a search for multiple travel routes that satisfy the user's request is performed. Next, in step 64, the travel route search results are stored in the memory 13 of the electronic control unit 10. Next, in step 65, the travel route search results are transmitted to terminal 6. Next, the process proceeds to step 66. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 61 that a travel route search request has not been received from terminal 6, the process jumps to step 66.

[0034] In step 66, it is determined whether a reservation has been received from terminal 6, along with the desired pick-up location, desired pick-up time, desired drop-off location, and desired travel route of the autonomous taxi 5 at the train station. If it is determined that a reservation has been received from terminal 6, the process proceeds to step 67, where the received desired pick-up location, desired pick-up time, desired drop-off location, and desired travel route of the user are stored in the memory 13 of the electronic control unit 10. Next, in step 68, a dispatch request including the user's desired travel route, information regarding the train station and train arrival time along the user's desired travel route, the desired pick-up location, desired pick-up time, and desired drop-off location of the autonomous taxi 5, and a user ID to identify the user is sent to the dispatch management server 4. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 66 that a reservation has not been received from terminal 6, the processing cycle ends.

[0035] Figure 10 shows the dispatch management routine executed in the electronic control unit 15 of the dispatch management server 4, and this routine is executed repeatedly. Referring to Figure 10, first, in step 70, it is determined whether or not a dispatch request has been received from the information processing server 3. If it is determined that no dispatch request has been received from the information processing server 3, the processing cycle ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that a dispatch request has been received from the information processing server 3, the process proceeds to step 71, where the received data, such as the user's desired travel route, information regarding the train disembarkation station and train arrival time on the user's desired travel route, the desired boarding location, desired boarding time and desired disembarking location of the autonomous taxi 5 at the train disembarkation station, and the user ID, is stored in the memory 18 of the electronic control unit 15.

[0036] Next, in step 72, an autonomous driving taxi 5 located near the user's desired pick-up location is searched for, and an autonomous driving taxi 5 that can be dispatched to the user's desired pick-up location at the user's desired pick-up time is searched for. In this case, the search can include autonomous driving taxis 5 that are currently vacant, and autonomous driving taxis 5 that are expected to become vacant around the user's desired pick-up time based on reservation information can also be included in the search. Next, in step 73, an autonomous driving taxi 5 to be dispatched is selected from the searched autonomous driving taxis 5. Once an autonomous driving taxi 5 to be dispatched is selected, in step 74, the dispatch instruction is sent from the dispatch management server 4 to the selected autonomous driving taxi 5, along with the user's desired travel route, information on the train disembarking station and train arrival time on the user's desired travel route, the desired dispatch details such as the pick-up location, disembarking location and pick-up time of the autonomous driving taxi 5, and the user ID. Next, in step 75, a message is sent to the terminal 6 indicating that the dispatch has been completed.

[0037] Figures 11 to 13 show the driving control routine of the autonomous taxi 5 that has been selected for dispatch, which is executed repeatedly in the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomous taxi 5. Referring to Figures 11 to 13, first, in step 80, it is determined whether or not a dispatch instruction has been received from the dispatch management server 4. If it is determined that no dispatch instruction has been received from the dispatch management server 4, the processing cycle ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that a dispatch instruction has been received from the dispatch management server 4, the process proceeds to step 81, where the received data, such as the user's desired travel route, information regarding the train disembarkation station and train arrival time on the user's desired travel route, the desired boarding location of the autonomous taxi 5, the desired boarding time and desired disembarking location, and the user ID, is stored in the memory 26 of the electronic control unit 23.

[0038] Next, in step 82, the user's desired pick-up location is read from memory 26. Then, in step 83, based on the current location of the autonomous taxi 5 acquired by the GNSS receiver 29 and the user's desired pick-up location read from memory 26, the navigation device 31 creates a route for the autonomous taxi 5 from its current location to the user's desired pick-up location. Next, in step 84, based on the detection results of sensors such as cameras, LiDAR, and radar that photograph the area in front of the autonomous taxi 5, the driving trajectory and speed of the autonomous taxi 5 are determined to avoid contact with other vehicles and pedestrians. Next, in step 85, the driving control of the autonomous taxi 5 is performed according to the determined driving trajectory and speed.

[0039] Next, in step 86, it is determined whether the autonomous taxi 5 has reached the user's desired pick-up location. If it is determined that the autonomous taxi 5 has not reached the user's desired pick-up location, the process returns to step 84, and autonomous driving of the autonomous taxi 5 continues. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 86 that the autonomous taxi 5 has reached the user's desired pick-up location, the process proceeds to step 87, and the autonomous taxi 5 is stopped. Next, in step 88, user authentication is performed between the user's terminal 6, which made the ride reservation, and the autonomous taxi 5 using short-range communication. This authentication is performed, for example, by comparing the user ID stored in the memory 26 of the autonomous taxi 5 at the time of the ride request with the user ID stored in the terminal 6 of the user who made the ride request. When these user IDs match, the user holding the terminal 6 is authenticated as the user who made the ride request. Various known authentication methods, such as facial recognition, are known for user authentication, and these known authentication methods can also be used for the authentication process in step 88.

[0040] Next, in step 89, it is determined whether the user holding terminal 6 was authenticated as the user who requested the ride during the authentication process in step 88. If the user holding terminal 6 is not authenticated as the user who requested the ride during the authentication process, the process jumps to step 102, where the dispatch management server 4 is requested to provide instructions for the next action. At this point, the autonomous taxi 5 is, for example, made to move autonomously towards the desired pick-up location of another user who requested the ride. On the other hand, if the user holding terminal 6 is authenticated as the user who requested the ride during the authentication process, the process proceeds to step 90, where the door of the autonomous taxi 5 is opened. Once the door of the autonomous taxi 5 is opened, the user who requested the ride, or several people including the user who requested the ride, get into the autonomous taxi 5.

[0041] Next, in step 91, a boarding confirmation process is performed to confirm that the user who requested the ride, or several people including the user who requested the ride, have boarded the autonomous taxi 5. This boarding confirmation process is performed by a boarding confirmation device installed inside the autonomous taxi 5, for example, by analyzing the video from a boarding confirmation camera that films the interior of the vehicle. Next, in step 92, it is determined whether or not the boarding of the user who requested the ride, or several people including the user who requested the ride, has been confirmed to have boarded the autonomous taxi 5. If it is determined that boarding has not been confirmed, the process returns to step 91 and the boarding confirmation process continues. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 92 that boarding has been confirmed, the process proceeds to step 93.

[0042] In step 93, the doors of the autonomous taxi 5 are closed. Once the doors of the autonomous taxi 5 are closed, the process proceeds to step 94, where a request is made for the autonomous taxi 5 to start moving. This request for the autonomous taxi 5 to start moving is made, for example, by the passenger touching the start button displayed on the display screen installed inside the autonomous taxi 5. Once the request for the autonomous taxi 5 to start moving is made, the process proceeds to step 95, where the user's desired drop-off location is read from the memory 26. Next, in step 96, based on the current position of the autonomous taxi 5 acquired by the GNSS receiver 29 and the user's desired drop-off location read from the memory 26, the navigation device 31 creates a route for the autonomous taxi 5 from its current position to the user's desired drop-off location.

[0043] Next, in step 97, the driving trajectory and speed of the autonomous taxi 5 are determined based on the detection results of sensors such as cameras, LiDAR, and radar that photograph the area in front of the autonomous taxi 5, ensuring that it does not come into contact with other vehicles or pedestrians. Next, in step 98, the driving control of the autonomous taxi 5 is performed according to the determined driving trajectory and speed. Next, in step 99, it is determined whether or not the autonomous taxi 5 has reached the user's desired drop-off location. If it is determined that the autonomous taxi 5 has not reached the user's desired drop-off location, the process returns to step 97, and the autonomous driving of the autonomous taxi 5 continues. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 99 that the autonomous taxi 5 has reached the user's desired drop-off location, the process proceeds to step 100, and the autonomous taxi 5 is brought to a stop.

[0044] Next, in step 101, a disembarkation confirmation process is performed to confirm that the user, or several people including the user, have disembarked from the autonomous taxi 5. This disembarkation confirmation process is performed by a disembarkation confirmation device installed inside the autonomous taxi 5, for example, by analyzing the video from a disembarkation confirmation camera that films the interior of the vehicle. Next, in step 102, instructions for the next action are requested from the dispatch management server 4.

[0045] As mentioned above, the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user is made to drive automatically to the user's desired pick-up location, and when the autonomous taxi 5 reaches the user's desired pick-up location, it is made to stop there. However, when the autonomous taxi 5 reaches the user's desired pick-up location, there are often many other autonomous taxis around the autonomous taxi 5 that was dispatched to the user, and in such cases, it is quite difficult for the user to find the autonomous taxi that was dispatched to them among these other autonomous taxis.

[0046] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user reaches or approaches the user's desired pick-up location, on the one hand, the information display unit 32 located on the vehicle of the autonomous driving taxi 5 is made to flash in a set flashing pattern, and on the other hand, this flashing pattern information is transmitted to the user's terminal, causing at least a part of the display screen of the user's terminal to flash in the same pattern. By simply confirming that the flashing pattern of the information display unit of the autonomous driving taxi 5 matches the flashing pattern on the display screen of the user's terminal, the user can easily find the autonomous driving taxi 5 that has been dispatched to them. The embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 14 to 32, using the case of transferring from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous driving taxi 5 as an example.

[0047] First, referring to Figure 14, which graphically illustrates an example of a road map including a train station or other railway departure / arrival point. In Figure 14, 50 indicates a railway station, 51 indicates a portion of a road, and 52 indicates a vehicle pick-up / drop-off point. Figure 14 also shows a case where numerous autonomous taxis 5 are located at the pick-up / drop-off point 52. Below, each embodiment will be explained sequentially, using the case where the user's desired pick-up location is the pick-up / drop-off point 52 as an example.

[0048] Figure 15A shows a side view of the autonomous taxi 5. In the example shown in Figure 15A, the information display unit 32, which is positioned on the autonomous taxi 5 so as to be visible from outside the vehicle, is composed of an emergency flashing indicator light, i.e., a hazard lamp, located on the rear of the vehicle. Note that this information display unit 32 can also be composed of an indicator light installed on the roof, front, side, or rear of the autonomous taxi 5, or it can be composed of an information display body that is illuminated by a light and is installed on the roof, front, side, or rear of the vehicle. In the following, each embodiment will be described using the case where the information display unit 32 is an emergency flashing indicator light located on the rear of the vehicle as an example, but as mentioned above, the indicator light or the information display body illuminated by the light and light can be used as the information display unit 32.

[0049] In Figure 15A, the figure 53, which represents the light emitted from the emergency flashing indicator light 32 (hereinafter simply referred to as indicator light 32) toward the rear of the vehicle, indicates that the indicator light 32 is flashing in a certain set flashing pattern A. The flashing pattern A shown in Figure 15A is a flashing pattern that differs from the flashing pattern of a typical hazard lamp. For example, in flashing pattern A, the flashing period of the indicator light 32 is either made shorter or longer than the flashing period of a typical hazard lamp to the extent that it can be distinguished as a hazard lamp. Alternatively, flashing pattern A can also be a flashing pattern in which the left indicator light 32 and the right indicator light 32 flash alternately when viewed from the rear of the vehicle. In the example shown in Figure 15A, the color of the flashing light emitted from the indicator light 32 is yellow.

[0050] Now, in the embodiment shown in Figures 15A and 15B, in Figure 14, if the user is at the user's desired pick-up location, i.e., the pick-up / drop-off area 52, a little before the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the pick-up / drop-off area 52, for example, when the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location falls below a preset time tX, the indicator light 32 begins to flash in flashing pattern A, emitting a yellow flashing light as shown in Figure 15A. At the same time, flashing pattern information such as the flashing period of the indicator light 32 and the color of the light emitted from the indicator light 32, as well as information about the autonomous taxi 5, are transmitted from the autonomous taxi 5 to the user's mobile terminal 6. At this time, the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 shows the information about the autonomous taxi 5 and the flashing pattern information as shown in Figure 15B.

[0051] In this case, in the embodiment shown in Figure 15B, the front shape 54, rear shape 55, and side shape 56 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 are displayed in a row from top to bottom on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6. Furthermore, on the display screen of the mobile terminal 6, an indicator light 32 corresponding to the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 shown in Figure 15A is made to flash in sync with the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 shown in Figure 15A, with the same flashing period and color of light. In addition, a circular flashing area 57 that flashes with the color of light emitted from the indicator light 32 is set on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, and this circular flashing area 57 flashes in sync with the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 shown in Figure 15A, with the same flashing period. Note that in Figure 15B, the text "Pattern A" on the display screen of the mobile terminal 6 is displayed as, for example, "0.5 sec period".

[0052] As described above, in the embodiment shown in Figures 15A and 15B, when the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the pick-up / drop-off location 52 falls below a preset time tX, for example, when the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location falls below a preset time tX, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 begins to flash yellow light in flashing pattern A as shown in Figure 15A. At the same time, on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, the indicator light 32 and circular flashing indicator area 57 on the screen, which correspond to the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in Figure 15A, are made to flash synchronously with the same flashing period and color as the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in Figure 15A. Therefore, simply by the user confirming that the flashing period and color of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are the same as the flashing period and color of the indicator light 32 and circular flashing area 57 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, the user can easily find the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to them from among a large number of autonomous taxis 5.

[0053] Furthermore, the flashing of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 and the flashing of the indicator light 32 and circular flashing area 57 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 will stop once the user finds the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to them. In this case, for example, the flashing of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 and the flashing of the indicator light 32 and circular flashing area 57 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 will stop once the user boards the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to them.

[0054] Figures 16 and 17 show the display control routine for executing the embodiment shown in Figures 15A and 15B. This routine is executed by an interrupt at regular intervals in the electronic control unit 23 of the dispatched autonomous driving taxi 5.

[0055] Referring to Figures 16 and 17, first, in step 200, it is determined whether the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is flashing according to a flashing pattern. If it is determined that the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is not flashing according to a flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 201, where it is determined whether the arrival flag A, which indicates that the autonomous taxi 5 has arrived at the user's desired pick-up location, is set. If the arrival flag A is set, the process jumps to step 205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the arrival flag A is not set, the process proceeds to step 202, where the navigation device 31 calculates the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location. Next, in step 203, it is determined whether this predicted arrival time t is less than a preset time tX.

[0056] In step 203, if it is determined that the predicted arrival time t is not less than a preset time tX, the process jumps to step 205. Conversely, if it is determined that the predicted arrival time t is less than a preset time tX, the process proceeds to step 204 and arrival flag A is set. Then, the process proceeds to step 205. Thus, in this embodiment, arrival flag A is set when it is determined that the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired pick-up location is less than a preset time tX.

[0057] In step 205, it is determined whether or not arrival flag B, which indicates that the user is at boarding / alighting area 52, is set. If arrival flag B is set, the process jumps to step 209. On the other hand, if it is determined that arrival flag B is not set, the process proceeds to step 206, where communication is established with the user's mobile terminal 6 to obtain the current location (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the mobile terminal 6 detected by the GPS receiver. Next, in step 207, it is determined whether or not this mobile terminal 6 is located within boarding / alighting area 52, that is, whether or not the user is at boarding / alighting area 52.

[0058] In step 207, if it is determined that the user is not at the boarding / alighting area 52, the process jumps to step 209. Conversely, if it is determined that the user is at the boarding / alighting area 52, the process proceeds to step 208 where the arrival flag B is set. Then, the process proceeds to step 209. Thus, in this embodiment, the arrival flag B is set when it is determined that the user's mobile terminal 6 is located within the boarding / alighting area 52, that is, when it is determined that the user is at the boarding / alighting area 52.

[0059] In step 209, it is determined whether both arrival flag A and arrival flag B are set. If neither arrival flag A nor arrival flag B is set, the processing cycle ends. On the other hand, if both arrival flag A and arrival flag B are set, that is, if the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location is less than a preset time tX, and the user is within the pick-up / drop-off area 52, the process proceeds to step 210, where the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is determined. In this embodiment, the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 is set to flashing pattern A, and the flashing color is yellow. Next, in step 211, the flashing pattern information regarding the determined flashing period and the color of the light of the indicator light 32, as well as information about the autonomous taxi 5, is transmitted to the user's mobile terminal 6. Next, in step 212, as shown in Figure 15A, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 flashes with flashing pattern A in yellow light.

[0060] Here, referring to the mobile terminal display screen control routine shown in Figure 18, which is executed within the user's mobile terminal 6, step 300 determines whether or not the flashing pattern information regarding the flashing period and color of the indicator light 32, as well as information regarding the autonomous driving taxi 5, which was transmitted in step 211 of Figure 17, has been received. If this information has been received, the process proceeds to step 301, where the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32, as shown in Figure 15B, is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6. In this way, when the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous driving taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location is less than a preset time tX, and the user is in the pick-up / drop-off area 52, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 flashes yellow with flashing pattern A, as shown in Figure 15A, and the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, as shown in Figure 15B.

[0061] Returning to Figures 16 and 17, in step 200, if it is determined that the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is flashing according to the flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 213 to determine whether or not the user has attempted to board the autonomous taxi 5, or whether or not they have boarded it. In this case, for example, in step 89 of the autonomous taxi driving control routine shown in Figures 11 to 13, if it is determined that the user holding the terminal 6 has been authenticated as the user who requested the ride, or in step 90 of the autonomous taxi driving control routine shown in Figures 11 to 13, if the door of the autonomous taxi 5 is opened, it is determined that the user has attempted to board the autonomous taxi 5. Also, in step 92 of the autonomous taxi driving control routine shown in Figures 11 to 13, if it is determined that boarding has been completed, it is determined that the user has boarded the autonomous taxi 5. If it is determined that the user has not attempted to board the autonomous taxi 5 and has not boarded it, the processing cycle ends. In response, when a user or other party attempts to board the autonomous taxi 5, or when it is determined that they have boarded, the process proceeds to step 214, where the flashing of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 and the display of the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 are stopped. Next, in step 215, arrival flag A and arrival flag B are reset, and then the processing cycle ends.

[0062] Furthermore, various modifications are possible for the embodiment described with reference to Figures 15A to 18. For example, in one modification, when the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location and the user is at the pick-up / drop-off area 52, as shown in Figure 15A, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 flashes yellow in flashing pattern A, and as shown in Figure 15B, the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6. In another modification, when the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location is less than a preset time tX, or when the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location, regardless of whether the user is at the pick-up / drop-off area 52 or not, as shown in Figure 15A, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 flashes yellow in flashing pattern A, and as shown in Figure 15B, the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6.

[0063] Now, in the embodiment shown in Figures 15A and 15B, as executed in the display control routines in Figures 16 and 17, when the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired pick-up location is less than a preset time tX, and the user is at the pick-up / drop-off area 52, as shown in Figure 15A, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 flashes yellow with flashing pattern A, and as shown in Figure 15B, the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6.

[0064] In this case, instead of using the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to reach the user's desired pick-up location as the basis, the arrival time of a regularly scheduled mode of transport on the user's desired travel route, such as a train, can also be used as the basis. For example, if a predetermined time α has elapsed from the train's arrival time tZ on the user's desired travel route, it can be assumed that the user has reached the pick-up / drop-off point 52. Therefore, when the predetermined time α has elapsed from the train's arrival time tZ on the user's desired travel route, it is possible to configure the system so that, as shown in Figure 15A, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 flashes yellow with flashing pattern A, and as shown in Figure 15B, the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6. In this case, the predetermined time α will differ for each train drop-off station on the user's desired travel route. In this case, when the arrival time tZ of the train on the user's desired travel route arrives, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 will flash yellow in flashing pattern A, as shown in Figure 15A, and the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 will be displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, as shown in Figure 15B.

[0065] On the other hand, in this case, whether or not the user is inside the boarding / alighting area 52 can be added as a criterion. Figures 19 and 20 show a display control routine for executing another embodiment that, in addition to the train arrival time, is based on whether or not the user is inside the boarding / alighting area 52. The only difference between the display control routines shown in Figures 19 and 20 and those shown in Figures 16 and 17 is that in the display control routines shown in Figures 19 and 20, steps 202a and 203a are used instead of steps 202 and 203 of the display control routines shown in Figures 16 and 17, and the other steps are the same as those of the display control routines shown in Figures 16 and 17. Therefore, for the display control routines shown in Figures 19 and 20, only steps 202a and 203a will be explained, and the explanation of the other steps will be omitted.

[0066] Referring to the display control routines shown in Figures 19 and 20, in step 202a, the arrival time tZ of the train on the user's desired travel route is obtained. This train arrival time tZ is stored in the memory 26 of the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomous taxi 5. Next, in step 203a, it is determined whether a preset time α has elapsed since the train's arrival time tZ on the user's desired travel route, that is, whether a preset time α has elapsed since the train's arrival. If it is determined that a preset time α has not elapsed since the train's arrival, the process jumps to step 205. On the other hand, if it is determined that a preset time α has elapsed since the train's arrival, the process proceeds to step 204 and the arrival flag A is set. Then, the process proceeds to step 205. Thus, in this embodiment, the arrival flag A is set when it is determined that a preset time α has elapsed since the train's arrival.

[0067] On the other hand, in this embodiment as well, when it is determined that the user is at the boarding / alighting area 52, the arrival flag B is set. Therefore, in this embodiment, after a predetermined time α has elapsed following the arrival of the train on the user's desired travel route, and the user is at the boarding / alighting area 52, as shown in Figure 15A, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 flashes yellow with flashing pattern A, and as shown in Figure 15B, the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6.

[0068] Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 21 to 25. For example, as shown in Figure 14, if there are many autonomous taxis 5 at the pick-up / drop-off area 52, and the indicator light 32 of each autonomous taxi 5 flashes with a predetermined flashing pattern and color, then if the flashing pattern and color of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user is the same as the flashing pattern and color of the indicator light 32 of the other autonomous taxis 5, the user will not be able to find the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to them from among the many autonomous taxis 5.

[0069] Therefore, in the embodiment shown in Figures 21 to 25, when there are many other autonomous driving taxis 5 around the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user, at least one or both of the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user are adjusted to be different from the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 of the other autonomous driving taxis 5. A specific example of this embodiment is shown in Figures 21 to 22B, and this specific example will now be explained with reference to Figures 21 to 22B. Figure 21 shows autonomous driving taxis 5a and 5b surrounding the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user, and Figure 22A shows the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user. Figure 22B shows the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6.

[0070] First, let's explain Figure 21. Figure 21 shows a case where the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a flashes in pattern A, the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5b flashes in pattern B, and the flashing color of both the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a and the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5b is yellow. In such a case, as shown in Figure 22A, in this embodiment, the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user is set to flashing pattern C, which is different from the flashing pattern A of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a and the flashing pattern B of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5b.

[0071] For example, in this case, the flashing cycle of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user is set to be different from the flashing cycle of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a and autonomous taxi 5b. Furthermore, in this case, the flashing color of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user is set to be different from the flashing color of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a and autonomous taxi 5b, for example, blue. Thus, in this specific example, the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user is set to be different from the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a and autonomous taxi 5b, and the flashing color of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user is set to be different from the flashing color of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a and autonomous taxi 5b.

[0072] In this case, the flashing color of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user can be set to the same color as the flashing color of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a and autonomous taxi 5b, while the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user can be set to be different from the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a and autonomous taxi 5b. Alternatively, the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user can be set to the same flashing pattern as the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a and autonomous taxi 5b, while the flashing color of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user can be set to be different from the flashing color of the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5a and autonomous taxi 5b.

[0073] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, when the user is at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., the pick-up / drop-off area 52, the indicator light 32 begins to flash blue light in flashing pattern C, as shown in Figure 22A, when the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the pick-up / drop-off area 52. At the same time, flashing pattern information regarding the flashing period of the indicator light 32 and the color of the light emitted from the indicator light 32, as well as information regarding the autonomous taxi 5, are transmitted from the autonomous taxi 5 to the user's mobile terminal 6. At this time, the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 shows the information regarding the autonomous taxi 5 and the flashing pattern information, as shown in Figure 22B.

[0074] In this case as well, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 15B, the front, rear, and side shapes of the autonomous taxi 5 are displayed in a row from top to bottom on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, as shown in Figure 22B. Furthermore, on the display screen of the mobile terminal 6, an indicator light 32 corresponding to the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in Figure 22A is made to flash in sync with the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in Figure 22A, with the same flashing period and color of light. In addition, on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, a circular flashing area 57 is made to flash in sync with the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in Figure 22A, with the same flashing period and color of light.

[0075] Figures 23 and 24 show the display control routines for executing the embodiments shown in Figures 21 to 22B, and Figure 25 shows the display screen control routine of the mobile terminal being executed within the user's mobile terminal 6. The only difference between the display control routines shown in Figures 23 and 24 and those shown in Figures 16 and 17 is that in the display control routines shown in Figures 23 and 24, step 203a is used instead of steps 202 and 203 of the display control routines shown in Figures 16 and 17, and steps 210a to 210e are used instead of steps 210 to 212 of the display control routines shown in Figures 16 and 17. The other steps are the same as those of the display control routines shown in Figures 16 and 17. Therefore, for the display control routines shown in Figures 19 and 20, only steps 203a and 210a to 210e will be explained, and the explanation of the other steps will be omitted.

[0076] Referring to the display control routines shown in Figures 23 and 24, step 203a determines whether the autonomous taxi 5 has arrived at the user's desired pick-up location, i.e., the pick-up / drop-off location 52. If it is determined that the autonomous taxi 5 has not arrived at the user's desired pick-up location, the process jumps to step 205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the autonomous taxi 5 has arrived at the user's desired pick-up location, the process proceeds to step 204 where the arrival flag A is set. Then, the process proceeds to step 205. Thus, in this embodiment, the arrival flag A is set when it is determined that the autonomous taxi 5 has arrived at the user's desired pick-up location, i.e., the pick-up / drop-off location 52.

[0077] On the other hand, in this embodiment as well, when it is determined that the user is at the pick-up / drop-off area 52, the arrival flag B is set. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location, i.e., the pick-up / drop-off area 52, and the user is at the pick-up / drop-off area 52, the process proceeds from step 209 to step 210a. In step 210a, the flashing patterns of the indicator lights 32 of other autonomous taxis 5a and 5b present around the autonomous taxi 5 are acquired using the surrounding detection sensors provided in the autonomous taxi 5, for example, onboard cameras that photograph the front, side, and rear of the autonomous taxi 5. Then, in step 210b, the flashing colors of the indicator lights 32 of other autonomous taxis 5a and 5b present around the autonomous taxi 5 are acquired using these surrounding detection sensors.

[0078] Next, in step 210c, a flashing pattern different from the flashing patterns of the indicator lights 32 of other autonomous taxis 5a and 5b surrounding autonomous taxi 5, and a flashing color different from the flashing colors of the indicator lights 32 of other autonomous taxis 5a and 5b surrounding autonomous taxi 5 are determined. In this embodiment, the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 is set to flashing pattern C, and the flashing color of the indicator light 32 is set to blue. Next, in step 210d, the flashing pattern information regarding the determined flashing period and the color of the light of the indicator light 32, as well as information regarding autonomous taxi 5, are transmitted to the user's mobile terminal 6. Next, in step 210e, as shown in Figure 22A, the indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5 flashes blue light with flashing pattern C.

[0079] On the other hand, referring to the mobile terminal display screen control routine shown in Figure 25, which is executed within the user's mobile terminal 6, step 300a determines whether or not the flashing pattern information regarding the flashing period and color of the indicator light 32, as well as information regarding the autonomous driving taxi 5, which was transmitted in step 210d of Figure 24, has been received. If this information has been received, the process proceeds to step 301a, and the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32, as shown in Figure 22B, is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6. Thus, when the autonomous driving taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location, i.e., the pick-up / drop-off area 52, and the user is at the pick-up / drop-off area 52, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 flashes blue with flashing pattern C, as shown in Figure 22A, and the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, as shown in Figure 22B.

[0080] Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 26A to 28. For example, when a user is waiting for an autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to them at a pick-up / drop-off area 52, informing the user how close the dispatched autonomous taxi 5 is has the advantage of giving the user a sense of security. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in Figures 26A to 28, as the dispatched autonomous taxi 5 approaches the user, at least one or both of the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 of the dispatched autonomous taxi 5 are changed.

[0081] Figures 26A to 26C show a specific example of this embodiment. Referring to Figures 26A to 26C, in this specific example, when the user is at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., the pick-up / drop-off area 52, and the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user approaches the user, for example, when the distance between the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user and the user is 100m, the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5a is changed to flashing pattern A and the flashing color is yellow, as shown in Figure 26A. When the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user approaches the user further, for example, when the distance between the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user and the user is 10m, the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5a is changed to flashing pattern C, which has a shorter flashing period than flashing pattern A, and the flashing color is yellow, as shown in Figure 26B.

[0082] Meanwhile, at this time, flashing pattern information regarding the flashing cycle and color of the indicator light 32, as well as information regarding the autonomous driving taxi 5, is transmitted from the autonomous driving taxi 5 to the user's mobile terminal 6. At this time, as shown in Figure 26C, the front shape, rear shape, and side shape of the autonomous driving taxi 5 are displayed in a row from top to bottom on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, and the indicator light 32 and circular flashing area 57 on the screen, which correspond to the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 shown in Figure 26A or Figure 26A, are made to flash in sync with the same flashing cycle and color of light as the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 shown in Figure 26A or Figure 26A.

[0083] Specifically, on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, when the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user approaches the user, for example, when the distance between the autonomous driving taxi 5 and the user reaches 100m, the indicator light 32 and circular flashing area 57 on the screen, corresponding to the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5a shown in Figure 26A, flash in sync with the same flashing pattern A, flashing period, and light color as the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 shown in Figure 26A. When the distance between the autonomous driving taxi 5 and the user reaches 10m, the indicator light 32 and circular flashing area 57 on the screen, corresponding to the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5a shown in Figure 26B, flash in sync with the same flashing pattern C, flashing period, and light color as the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 shown in Figure 26B.

[0084] Figures 27 and 28 show the display control routine for executing the embodiment shown in Figures 26A to 26C. This routine is executed by interrupts at regular intervals in the electronic control unit 23 of the dispatched autonomous driving taxi 5. In this embodiment, the routine shown in Figure 18 is used as the mobile terminal display screen control routine executed within the user's mobile terminal 6.

[0085] Referring to Figures 27 and 28, first, in step 400, it is determined whether the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is flashing according to the flashing pattern. If it is determined that the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is not flashing according to the flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 401, where it is determined whether the arrival flag A, which indicates that the user is in the pick-up / drop-off area 52, is set. If the arrival flag A is set, the process jumps to step 405. On the other hand, if it is determined that the arrival flag A is not set, the process proceeds to step 402, where communication is made with the user's mobile terminal 6 to obtain the current location (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the mobile terminal 6 detected by the GPS receiver. Next, in step 403, it is determined whether the mobile terminal 6 is located in the pick-up / drop-off area 52, that is, whether the user is in the pick-up / drop-off area 52.

[0086] In step 403, if it is determined that the user is not in the boarding / alighting area 52, the process jumps to step 408. Conversely, if it is determined that the user is in the boarding / alighting area 52, the process proceeds to step 404 where arrival flag A is set. Next, the process proceeds to step 405. Thus, in this embodiment, arrival flag A is set when it is determined that the user's mobile terminal 6 is located in the boarding / alighting area 52, that is, when it is determined that the user is in the boarding / alighting area 52.

[0087] In step 405, it is determined whether the proximity flag B, which indicates that the autonomous taxi 5 is approaching the user's desired pick-up location, is set. If the arrival flag B is set, the process jumps to step 409. On the other hand, if it is determined that the proximity flag B is not set, the process proceeds to step 406, where the navigation device 31 calculates the distance to the current location of the mobile terminal 6 detected by the GPS receiver, i.e., the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5. Next, in step 407, it is determined whether this distance S has fallen below a preset distance S1, for example, 100m.

[0088] In step 407, if it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is not less than a preset distance S1, the process jumps to step 409. Conversely, if it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is less than a preset distance S1, the process proceeds to step 408 where the proximity flag B is set. Then, the process proceeds to step 409. Thus, in this embodiment, the proximity flag B is set when it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is less than a preset distance S1, for example, 100m.

[0089] In step 409, it is determined whether the proximity flag C, which indicates that the autonomous taxi 5 is getting closer to the user's desired pick-up location, is set. If the proximity flag C is set, the process jumps to step 413. On the other hand, if it is determined that the proximity flag C is not set, the process proceeds to step 410, where the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is calculated by the navigation device 31 to the current location of the mobile terminal 6 detected by the GPS receiver. Next, in step 411, it is determined whether this distance S has fallen to a preset distance S2, for example, less than 10m.

[0090] In step 411, if it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is not less than a preset distance S2, the process jumps to step 413. Conversely, if it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is less than a preset distance S2, the process proceeds to step 412 where the proximity flag C is set. Then, the process proceeds to step 413. Thus, in this embodiment, the proximity flag C is set when it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is less than a preset distance S2, for example, 10m.

[0091] In step 413, it is determined whether both the arrival flag A and the proximity flag B are set. When both the arrival flag A and the arrival flag B are set, that is, when the autonomous taxi 5 is at the user's desired pick-up location, i.e., the pick-up / drop-off area 52, and the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is less than a preset distance S1, for example, 100m, the process proceeds to step 414, where the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is determined. In this embodiment, the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 is set to flashing pattern A, and the flashing color is yellow. Next, in step 415, the proximity flag B is reset. Next, in step 418, the flashing pattern information regarding the determined flashing period and the color of the light of the indicator light 32, as well as information about the autonomous taxi 5, are transmitted to the user's mobile terminal 6. Next, in step 419, as shown in Figure 26A, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 flashes yellow light with flashing pattern A. Then, the processing cycle ends.

[0092] On the other hand, if neither arrival flag A nor proximity flag B is set in step 413, the process proceeds to step 416 to determine whether both arrival flag A and proximity flag C are set. If neither arrival flag A nor proximity flag C is set, the processing cycle ends. Conversely, if both arrival flag A and arrival flag C are set, that is, if the autonomous taxi 5 is at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., the pick-up / drop-off area 52, and the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is less than a preset distance S2, for example, 10m, the process proceeds to step 417 to determine the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5. In this embodiment, the flashing pattern of the indicator light 32 is set to flashing pattern C, and the flashing color is yellow. Next, in step 418, the flashing pattern information regarding the determined flashing period and color of the indicator light 32, as well as information regarding the autonomous taxi 5, are transmitted to the user's mobile terminal 6. Next, in step 419, as shown in Figure 26B, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 flashes yellow in flashing pattern C. Then, the processing cycle ends.

[0093] On the other hand, in step 400, if it is determined that the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is flashing according to a flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 420 to determine whether or not the user has attempted to board the autonomous taxi 5, or whether or not they have boarded it. In this case as well, for example, in step 89 of the autonomous taxi driving control routine shown in Figures 11 to 13, if it is determined that the user holding the terminal 6 has been authenticated as the user who requested the ride, or in step 90 of the autonomous taxi driving control routine shown in Figures 11 to 13, if the door of the autonomous taxi 5 is opened, it is determined that the user has attempted to board the autonomous taxi 5. Also, in step 92 of the autonomous taxi driving control routine shown in Figures 11 to 13, if it is determined that boarding has been completed, it is determined that the user has boarded the autonomous taxi 5. If it is determined that the user has not attempted to board the autonomous taxi 5 and has not boarded it, the processing cycle ends. In response, when a user or other party attempts to board the autonomous taxi 5, or when it is determined that they have boarded, the process proceeds to step 421, in which the flashing of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 and the display of the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 are stopped. Next, in step 422, the arrival flag A and the proximity flag C are reset, and then the processing cycle ends.

[0094] Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 29 to 32. In this embodiment, when the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user approaches the pick-up / drop-off area 52, the user is able to freely set the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user. Figure 29 shows that in this embodiment, when the autonomous driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user approaches the pick-up / drop-off area 52, a setting request for the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 is sent from the autonomous driving taxi 5 to the user's mobile terminal 6. At this time, as shown in Figure 29, the front shape, rear shape, and side shape of the autonomous driving taxi 5 are displayed in a row from top to bottom on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, and a setting field for the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 is displayed.

[0095] In one specific example of this setting section shown in Figure 29, the flashing colors are set to three colors: red, blue, and yellow, and the flashing patterns are set to three patterns: flashing pattern A, flashing pattern B, and flashing pattern C, each with a different flashing period. In this case, for example, buttons for selecting red, blue, and yellow as the flashing colors are displayed for each color, and the flashing color is set by touching these buttons. Similarly, buttons for selecting flashing pattern A, flashing pattern B, and flashing pattern C are displayed for each flashing pattern, and the flashing pattern is set by touching these buttons. Once the flashing colors and flashing patterns are set, the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 flash according to the set flashing colors and patterns, and a portion of the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 flashes in sync with this flashing action. Note that Figure 29 is only an example, and it is possible to use various other flashing colors and various other flashing patterns.

[0096] Figures 30 and 31 show the display control routine for executing the embodiment shown in Figure 29, which is executed by interrupts at regular intervals in the electronic control unit 23 of the dispatched autonomous driving taxi 5. Figure 31 also shows the display screen control routine for the mobile terminal executed within the user's mobile terminal 6.

[0097] Referring to Figures 30 and 31, first, in step 500, it is determined whether the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is flashing according to a flashing pattern. If it is determined that the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is not flashing according to a flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 501, where it is determined whether the arrival flag A, which indicates that the autonomous taxi 5 has arrived at the user's desired pick-up location, is set. If the arrival flag A is set, the process jumps to step 505. On the other hand, if it is determined that the arrival flag A is not set, the process proceeds to step 502, where the navigation device 31 calculates the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location. Next, in step 503, it is determined whether this predicted arrival time t is less than a preset time tX.

[0098] In step 503, if it is determined that the predicted arrival time t is not less than a preset time tX, the process jumps to step 505. Conversely, if it is determined that the predicted arrival time t is less than a preset time tX, the process proceeds to step 504 and arrival flag A is set. Then, the process proceeds to step 505. Thus, in this embodiment, arrival flag A is set when it is determined that the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired pick-up location is less than a preset time tX.

[0099] In step 505, it is determined whether or not arrival flag B, which indicates that the user is at boarding / alighting area 52, is set. If arrival flag B is set, the process jumps to step 509. On the other hand, if it is determined that arrival flag B is not set, the process proceeds to step 506, where communication is established with the user's mobile terminal 6 to obtain the current location (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the mobile terminal 6 detected by the GPS receiver. Next, in step 507, it is determined whether or not this mobile terminal 6 is located within boarding / alighting area 52, that is, whether or not the user is at boarding / alighting area 52.

[0100] In step 507, if it is determined that the user is not at the boarding / alighting area 52, the process jumps to step 509. Conversely, if it is determined that the user is at the boarding / alighting area 52, the process proceeds to step 508 where arrival flag B is set. Then, the process proceeds to step 509. Thus, in this embodiment, arrival flag B is set when it is determined that the user's mobile terminal 6 is located within the boarding / alighting area 52, that is, when it is determined that the user is at the boarding / alighting area 52.

[0101] In step 209, it is determined whether both arrival flag A and arrival flag B are set. If neither arrival flag A nor arrival flag B is set, the processing cycle ends. On the other hand, if both arrival flag A and arrival flag B are set, that is, if the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location is less than a preset time tX, and the user is at the pick-up / drop-off area 52, the process proceeds to step 510, where it is determined whether the transmit flag, which is set when a request to set the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 is sent to the user's mobile terminal 6, is set. If the transmit flag is not set, the process proceeds to step 511, where the request to set the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32, along with information about the autonomous taxi 5, is sent to the user's mobile terminal 6. Then, in step 512, the transmit flag is set, and the processing cycle ends.

[0102] Referring to the mobile terminal display screen control routine shown in Figure 32, which is executed within the user's mobile terminal 6, step 600 determines whether or not the request to set the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32, which was sent in step 511 of Figure 31, has been received. If this request has been received, the process proceeds to step 601, where the front, rear, and side shapes of the autonomous driving taxi 5, as shown in Figure 29, are displayed in a row from top to bottom on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, and a setting field for the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 is displayed, allowing the user to set the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32. Next, in step 602, the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 set by the user are sent to the autonomous driving taxi 5, and then in step 603, the display on the mobile terminal 6 is updated with the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 set by the user.

[0103] Returning to Figures 30 and 31, if the transmit flag is set in step 512, the process proceeds from step 510 to step 513 to determine whether the flashing information transmitted in step 602 of Figure 32, i.e., the set flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32, has been received. If it is determined that the set flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 have not been received, the processing cycle ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the set flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 have been received, the process proceeds to step 514, where the indicator light 32 of the autonomous driving taxi 5 flashes with the set flashing pattern and flashing color. It is made to blink.

[0104] On the other hand, in step 500, if it is determined that the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is flashing according to a flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 515 to determine whether or not the user has attempted to board the autonomous taxi 5, or whether or not they have boarded it. In this case as well, for example, in step 89 of the autonomous taxi driving control routine shown in Figures 11 to 13, if it is determined that the user holding the terminal 6 has been authenticated as the user who requested the ride, or in step 90 of the autonomous taxi driving control routine shown in Figures 11 to 13, if the door of the autonomous taxi 5 is opened, it is determined that the user has attempted to board the autonomous taxi 5. Also, in step 92 of the autonomous taxi driving control routine shown in Figures 11 to 13, if it is determined that boarding has been completed, it is determined that the user has boarded the autonomous taxi 5. If it is determined that the user has not attempted to board the autonomous taxi 5 and has not boarded it, the processing cycle ends. In response, when a user or other party attempts to board the autonomous taxi 5, or when it is determined that they have boarded, the process proceeds to step 516, where the flashing of the indicator light 32 on the autonomous taxi 5 and the flashing display of the indicator light 32 on the user's mobile terminal 6 screen are stopped. Next, in step 717, arrival flag A and arrival flag B are reset, and then in step 718, the transmission flag is reset. Finally, the processing cycle ends.

[0105] In addition to the various methods described above, it is also possible to locate the autonomous driving taxi 5 assigned to a user from among a large number of autonomous driving taxis 5 by using, for example, a mobile device capable of using AR (augmented reality) technology. Furthermore, instead of the indicator light 32, a display device can be placed on the vehicle so that it is visible from outside the vehicle, and text or images can be transmitted from the mobile device 6 to this display device and displayed on the display device. In addition to the various display methods described above, it is also possible for the autonomous driving taxi 5 assigned to the user to emit a voice to distinguish it from other autonomous driving taxis 5.

[0106] Thus, in the embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a display control unit that causes an information display unit, which is positioned on the vehicle so that it can be visually seen by the vehicle user from outside the vehicle, to flash in a set flashing pattern, and a transmission unit that transmits flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to cause at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal to flash in the same pattern as this flashing pattern.

[0107] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, an information processing method is provided which causes an information display unit, which is placed on a vehicle so that it can be visually seen by the vehicle user from outside the vehicle, to flash in a set flashing pattern, and transmits flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to cause at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal to flash in the same pattern as this flashing pattern. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to function such as to cause an information display unit, which is placed on a vehicle so that it can be visually seen by the vehicle user from outside the vehicle, to flash in a set flashing pattern, and to transmit flashing pattern information to the user's terminal so that at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal flashes in the same pattern as this flashing pattern.

[0108] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the information display unit described above consists of an indicator light 32 installed on the exterior surface of the vehicle, and in one embodiment of the present invention, this indicator light 32 consists of an emergency flashing indicator light installed on the vehicle. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the transmission unit described above transmits flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to synchronize the flashing of at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal with the same flashing pattern as described above. In this case, the display control unit described above controls the color of the flashing information display unit in addition to the flashing pattern, and the transmission unit described above transmits flashing pattern and color information to the terminal in order to flash at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal in the vehicle with the same flashing pattern as described above and with the same color as described above.

[0109] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, the information display unit is made to flash in a predetermined flashing pattern when the user is in a position where the information display unit can be seen. Also, in the embodiments of the present invention, the flashing operation of the information display unit is stopped when the user boards the vehicle or when the user is inside the vehicle. Furthermore, the information display unit is made to flash in a predetermined flashing pattern at the arrival time of the scheduled public transport used by the user before using the vehicle, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the arrival time.

[0110] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, the information display unit described above is made to flash with a flashing pattern and flashing color that is different from at least one or both of the flashing patterns and flashing colors of other vehicles present around the vehicle. Also, in the embodiments of the present invention, the flashing pattern is changed according to the distance between the vehicle and the user. In this case, the closer the distance between the vehicle and the user, the shorter the flashing period of the flashing pattern. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0111] 1. Communication Network 3. Information Processing Server 4. Dispatch management server 5. Self-driving taxis 6 terminals 10, 15, 23 Electronic control units 32 Indicator light

Claims

1. A display control unit that causes an information display unit, positioned on the vehicle so that it can be visually seen by vehicle users from outside the vehicle, to flash according to a set flashing pattern, An information processing device comprising: a transmission unit that displays the shape of the vehicle used by the user and an information display unit located on the vehicle on the display screen of the user's terminal, and transmits vehicle shape information, information display unit information, and flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to cause the information display unit to flash in the same flashing pattern as the flashing pattern.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information display unit is an indicator light installed on the exterior surface of the vehicle.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the indicator light is an emergency flashing indicator light installed in the vehicle.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to synchronize the flashing of the information display unit on the display screen of the user's terminal with the same flashing pattern.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls the color of the flashing information display unit in addition to the flashing pattern, and the transmission unit transmits the flashing pattern and color information to the terminal in order to cause the information display unit on the display screen of the vehicle user's terminal to flash with the same flashing pattern and the same color as the flashing pattern.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit causes the information display unit to flash in a predetermined flashing pattern when the user is in a position where the information display unit can be seen.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit stops the flashing operation of the information display unit when the user performs the action of boarding the vehicle or when the user boards the vehicle.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit causes the information display unit to flash in a predetermined flashing pattern at the arrival time of the scheduled public transport used by the user before using the vehicle, or after a predetermined time has elapsed from the arrival time.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit causes the information display unit to flash with a flashing pattern and flashing color that is different from at least one or both of the flashing patterns and flashing colors of other vehicles present around the vehicle.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit changes the flashing pattern according to the distance between the vehicle and the user.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the display control unit shortens the flashing period of the flashing pattern as the distance between the vehicle and the user decreases.

12. Computers The information display unit, positioned on the vehicle so that it can be seen by vehicle users from outside the vehicle, will flash according to a set flashing pattern. An information processing method that transmits vehicle shape information, information display unit information, and flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to display the shape of the vehicle used by the user and an information display unit located on the vehicle on the display screen of the user's terminal, and to cause the information display unit to flash in the same flashing pattern as the flashing pattern.

13. The information display unit, positioned on the vehicle so that it can be seen by vehicle users from outside the vehicle, will flash according to a set flashing pattern. A program that causes a computer to transmit vehicle shape information, information about the information display unit, and flashing pattern information to the user's terminal in order to display the shape of the vehicle used by the user and an information display unit located on the vehicle on the display screen of the user's terminal, and to cause the information display unit to flash in the same flashing pattern as the flashing pattern.

Images