Multimodal transportation system, multimodal transportation method and program

The multimodal transportation system addresses the challenge of unforeseen disruptions by dynamically adjusting itineraries using real-time traffic and user data, ensuring timely arrival at the destination.

JP7618526B2Active Publication Date: 2025-01-21HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021156842
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-09-27
Publication Date
2025-01-21
Estimated Expiration
2041-09-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing multimodal transportation systems struggle to adapt to unforeseen circumstances that disrupt the user's subsequent travel plans, making it difficult to avoid deviations from the intended itinerary.

Method used

A multimodal transportation system that includes an itinerary server to generate, monitor, and dynamically adjust travel itineraries using multiple types of moving objects, incorporating real-time traffic information and user location data to suggest changes to the itinerary and reservations, ensuring timely arrival at the destination.

Benefits of technology

The system effectively avoids situations where subsequent transport does not align with the planned itinerary by dynamically adjusting travel plans based on real-time traffic and user location, enhancing the reliability of multimodal transportation services.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To avoid a situation where the movement of a user by the subsequent transport is predicted not to proceed according to an itinerary in a multi-modal transport system.SOLUTION: A multimodal transport system includes: a generation part 110 which generates an itinerary including a moving path and a plurality of types of moving bodies moving along the moving path; and a proposal part 130 which outputs the itinerary to an external terminal. Based on a moving situation of a user and traffic information on the movement by a first moving body, the generation part 110 changes a part of the itinerary for the movement by a second moving body to be used by the user before the first moving body, and the proposal part 130 outputs the changed itinerary to the external terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multimodal transportation system, a multimodal transportation method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a system for transporting a user using a combination of land and air transport means, in which the progress status of transport by the current transport means is used for the status of transport by the subsequent transport means while the user is being transported, thereby adjusting subsequent transport. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0241234 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The multimodal transportation system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that even if it is predicted that the user's movement in the subsequent transportation will not proceed according to the itinerary, it is difficult to avoid such a situation.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a multimodal transportation system that provides a service for a user to travel from a departure point to a destination using multiple types of mobile objects, the system including a generation unit that generates an itinerary based on the departure point and the destination, the itinerary including a travel route from the departure point to the destination and the multiple types of mobile objects traveling along the travel route, a determination unit that determines whether the multiple types of mobile objects based on the itinerary can be used, a proposal unit that outputs the itinerary to an external terminal to propose to the user the itinerary including the multiple types of mobile objects determined to be available, and a proposal unit that monitors the movement status of the user traveling based on the itinerary. and a monitoring unit that monitors the user's movement status based on the itinerary specified by the user and the traffic information related to the user's movement by a first moving body among the multiple types of moving bodies, and the generation unit changes a part of the itinerary for the user's movement by a second moving body among the multiple types of moving bodies that the user plans to use before the first moving body, based on the movement status of the user based on the itinerary specified by the user and the traffic information related to the user's movement by a first moving body among the multiple types of moving bodies, and the suggestion unit outputs the changed itinerary to the external terminal to suggest the change to the part of the itinerary to the user.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a multimodal transportation method for providing a service for a user to travel from a departure point to a destination using multiple types of mobile objects, comprising: a generation step of generating an itinerary based on the departure point and the destination, the itinerary including a travel route from the departure point to the destination and the multiple types of mobile objects traveling along the travel route; a decision step of determining whether the multiple types of mobile objects based on the itinerary can be used; a proposal step of outputting the itinerary including the multiple types of mobile objects determined to be available to the user to an external terminal; and a movement status of the user traveling based on the itinerary. and acquiring traffic information related to the movement of the user by the multiple types of moving bodies; a modification step of modifying a part of the itinerary for the movement of the user by a second moving body among the multiple types of moving bodies that the user plans to use before the first moving body, based on the movement status of the user based on the itinerary specified by the user and the traffic information related to the movement of the user by a first moving body among the multiple types of moving bodies; and an output step of outputting the modified itinerary to the external terminal to propose the change to the part of the itinerary to the user.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a processor to execute the multimodal transportation method of the second aspect. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the invention, it is possible to increase the possibility of avoiding a situation in which the user's movement due to a subsequent transport after an initiated transport does not proceed according to the itinerary. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a multimodal transportation system according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the itinerary server. [Diagram 3]3A, 3B, and 3C are diagrams showing examples of screen displays on a user terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sequence of generating an itinerary and reserving the use of a mobile object. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sequence of a partial change to an itinerary and a change to a reservation for use of a moving object. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a generated and confirmed itinerary. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a modified itinerary. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the process of generating an itinerary and the process of reserving the use of a mobile object, which are carried out by the itinerary server. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the process of changing a part of an itinerary and the process of changing a reservation for a mobile object, which are carried out in the itinerary server. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a changed itinerary in the multimodal transportation system in the first modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a sensor mounted on a moving body for identifying a seating position of a user in a multimodal transport system according to the second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a multimodal transportation system 10 according to an embodiment. The multimodal transportation system 10 provides a service for a user to travel from a departure point to a destination using multiple types of mobile objects. The multimodal transportation system 10 according to this embodiment includes an itinerary server 30, a user terminal 40, multiple information providing servers 50, and multiple mobile object management servers 60. These devices are connected to each other via a communication network 20. Note that various mobile objects, such as automobiles, airplanes, trains, buses, and ships, are used as mobile objects in this embodiment.

[0012] Each information providing server 50 provides traffic information related to the movement of the above-mentioned mobile objects or location information of the user terminal 40. Each mobile object management server 60 is a server for a mobile object provider participating in a service for using a plurality of types of mobile objects to manage the mobile objects owned by the provider. Each mobile object management server 60 determines whether or not the mobile objects owned by the provider can be used, processes reservations for the use of the mobile objects, and provides information on the current location of the mobile object if the mobile object is moving.

[0013] When the itinerary server 30 receives an itinerary creation request from a user via the user terminal 40, it inquires of the mobile object management server 60 about the availability of mobile objects, and creates an itinerary based on the inquiry result. The itinerary server 30 proposes itineraries using multiple types of mobile objects to the user via the user terminal 40. When a user specifies an itinerary and there is a request to apply for a reservation to use a mobile object included in the itinerary, the itinerary server 30 submits a reservation request to the mobile object management server 60. When the reservation to use the mobile object is confirmed, the itinerary server 30 confirms the itinerary and notifies the user via the user terminal 40.

[0014] The itinerary server 30 proposes to the user via the user terminal 40 to change part of the itinerary based on traffic information acquired from the information providing server 50 while the user is moving along the confirmed itinerary. When part of the itinerary is changed, the itinerary server 30 submits a request to the mobile object management server 60 to change the reservation for use of the mobile object.

[0015] The user terminal 40 is used for inputting and transmitting itinerary generation conditions when the user requests the generation of an itinerary from the itinerary server 30. The user terminal 40 not only displays the itinerary and reservation request for the reservation of the use of a moving object proposed by the itinerary server 30, but also displays the proposed changes and change requests thereto.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the itinerary server 30. The itinerary server 30 has a processing circuit and a memory for storing programs and the like. The processing circuit of the itinerary server 30 executes the program to function as the itinerary server 30 of this embodiment. The itinerary server 30 generates an itinerary including a travel route from a departure point to a destination of a user and a plurality of types of moving objects that travel along the travel route, and outputs the itinerary to a user terminal 40 to propose the itinerary to a user. The processing circuit includes a processor such as a CPU. The processing circuit of the itinerary server 30 executes the program to cause the itinerary server 30 to function as a generation unit 110, a determination unit 120, a proposal unit 130, a reservation unit 140, a monitoring unit 150, and an identification unit 160. At least some of these may be realized by an ASIC, an FPGA, or other integrated circuit. The memory of the itinerary server 30 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM, and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM and a flash memory.

[0017] The generation unit 110 generates an itinerary including a travel route from a departure point to a destination and a plurality of types of moving objects moving along the travel route based on a departure point and a destination of a user. The generation unit 110 changes a part of the itinerary related to the movement by the second moving object based on a moving status of the user moving based on the itinerary specified by the user and traffic information related to the movement by the first moving object. The first moving object and the second moving object are both moving objects that the user plans to use in the future based on the itinerary. The user plans to use the second moving object before the first moving object.

[0018] The determination unit 120 determines whether or not multiple types of moving objects based on the itinerary can be used based on the result of an inquiry to the moving object management server 60. When a part of the itinerary is changed, the determination unit 120 determines whether or not the reservation for using the moving object can be changed based on the result of an inquiry to the moving object management server 60.

[0019] The suggestion unit 130 outputs the itinerary determined to be available to the user terminal 40 in order to suggest it to the user. The suggestion unit 130 outputs a reservation request proposing a reservation for use of multiple types of moving objects included in the itinerary to the user terminal 40 together with the itinerary. The suggestion unit 130 outputs the changed itinerary to the user terminal 40 in order to suggest a change to a part of the itinerary to the user. When a part of the itinerary is changed, the suggestion unit 130 outputs a reservation change request proposing a change to the reservation for use of the moving objects to the user terminal 40 together with the changed itinerary.

[0020] When the reservation unit 140 receives an application request for reservation of use of a moving object or an application request for change of reservation of use of a moving object from the user terminal 40, it applies for reservation of use of a moving object or change to the mobile object management server 60.

[0021] The monitoring unit 150 monitors the movement status of the user who moves based on the itinerary. The movement status of the user is obtained based on the information of the current location of the moving object provided by the moving object management server 60 and the position information of the user terminal 40 provided by the information providing server 50.

[0022] The identification unit 160 acquires information for identifying the seating position in the mobile object of the user who is moving based on the itinerary, from a sensor mounted on the mobile object.

[0023] 3A, 3B, and 3C are diagrams showing examples of screen displays of the user terminal 40. These screens are displayed by executing application software on the user terminal 40, such as a smartphone. The screen shown in FIG. 3A is displayed for inputting itinerary generation conditions when the user requests the itinerary server 30 to generate an itinerary. The user operates the user terminal 40 to input the departure place, departure time, destination, and arrival time as the itinerary generation conditions in the input field 210. After completing input of the itinerary generation conditions, the user presses the send button 220 displayed on the screen. The itinerary generation conditions are transmitted from the user terminal 40 to the itinerary server 30 via the communication network 20.

[0024] FIG. 3B shows an example of a screen displayed as a result of the suggestion unit 130 of the itinerary server 30 outputting multiple itinerary proposals to the user terminal 40 to propose them to the user. This screen also serves as a reservation request that proposes reservations for the use of multiple types of moving objects included in the itinerary proposed by the suggestion unit 130. The user operates the user terminal 40 to specify the itinerary by selecting a radio button 230 corresponding to one of the multiple itinerary proposals displayed on the screen. After specifying the itinerary, the user presses a reservation button 240 displayed on the screen to request the itinerary server 30 to make a reservation application for the multiple types of moving objects included in the itinerary. A request for a reservation application for the moving objects is transmitted from the user terminal 40 to the itinerary server 30 via the communication network 20.

[0025] FIG. 3C shows an example of a screen displayed as a result of the suggestion unit 130 of the itinerary server 30 outputting the changed itinerary to the user terminal 40 in order to propose a change to a part of the itinerary based on the originally specified itinerary to the user who is moving. This screen also serves as a reservation change request that proposes a change to the reservation of the mobile object required for the change to the part of the itinerary. The user checks the content 250 that displays the currently ongoing itinerary, the user's current location, and the estimated value of the arrival time at the destination, and the content 260 that displays the proposed change to the future itinerary, the user's current location, and the estimated value of the arrival time at the destination, on the screen display of the user terminal 40. When the user requests the itinerary server 30 to apply for a change to the reservation, the user presses the reservation change button 270 displayed on the screen. A request for an application to change the reservation of the mobile object is transmitted from the user terminal 40 to the itinerary server 30 via the communication network 20.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sequence of generating an itinerary and reserving the use of a moving object. In the user terminal 40, a user inputs itinerary generation conditions using the screen display shown in FIG. 3A, and transmits an itinerary creation request to the itinerary server 30. In the itinerary server 30, the generation unit 110 generates multiple itineraries based on the acquired itinerary generation conditions. The determination unit 120 inquires of the moving object management servers 60 corresponding to each type of moving object whether or not multiple types of moving objects based on the generated itinerary can be used. When multiple types of moving objects included in the itinerary are provided by multiple providers of ride-sharing services, for example, the determination unit 120 inquires of the moving object management servers 60 operated by the multiple providers about the availability of each of the multiple types of moving objects.

[0027] The mobile management server 60 operated by each provider Da The mobile unit determines whether or not the vehicle in its possession can be used, and responds to the itinerary server 30 .

[0028] The determination unit 120 of the itinerary server 30 acquires a response from the mobile object management server 60, and determines a mobile object that can be used based on the acquired response. If the mobile object is an automobile, the mobile object can be used if it can be dispatched for use only by the user. If the mobile object is a scheduled airplane or train that transports many users, the mobile object can be used if there are vacant seats and seat reservations can be made. The generation unit 110 generates an itinerary proposed to the user by including information on the available mobile object in an itinerary that is determined to be available for the mobile object among the multiple itineraries generated. The proposal unit 130 creates a reservation request that proposes to the user a reservation for the available mobile object, corresponding to the itinerary proposed to the user. The proposal unit 130 outputs the reservation request for the mobile object proposed to the user to the user terminal 40 together with the itinerary generated by the generation unit 110.

[0029] A plurality of itinerary proposals are displayed on the user terminal 40 using the screen display shown in Fig. 3B. The user specifies one itinerary proposal and inputs a reservation request for a mobile object, and the reservation request is transmitted to the itinerary server 30.

[0030] When the reservation unit 140 of the itinerary server 30 receives a reservation request for a mobile object from the user terminal 40, it submits a reservation request for a mobile object to the mobile object management server 60.

[0031] The mobile object management server 60 accepts a reservation application for the use of the mobile object, and if the use of the mobile object is possible, confirms the reservation for the use of the mobile object. The mobile object management server 60 notifies the itinerary server 30 that the reservation for the use of the mobile object has been confirmed.

[0032] When the reservation unit 140 of the itinerary server 30 receives notification from the mobile object management server 60 that the reservation for use of the mobile object has been confirmed, it confirms the itinerary including the mobile object whose reservation for use has been confirmed, and outputs the confirmed itinerary to the user terminal 40.

[0033] The user terminal 40 displays the confirmed itinerary on the screen.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sequence of partial change of an itinerary and change of reservation of a mobile object. The mobile object management server 60 identifies the current location of a user who moves using a mobile object. Information about the user's current location is obtained based on the location information of the mobile object, the location information of the user terminal 40, and procedure information when the user starts or ends use of the mobile object. Examples of procedure information include a notification of completion of acceptance of the start of passenger transportation service by the driver of the mobile object, or a notification of completion of check-in procedure at a check-in counter. When the user uses a mobile object, the mobile object management server 60 notifies the monitoring unit 150 of the itinerary server 30 of the identified current location of the user in response to a request from the monitoring unit 150.

[0035] The monitoring unit 150 of the itinerary server 30 monitors the user's movement status based on the information of the user's current location acquired from the mobile object management server 60. The monitoring unit 150 may acquire location information of the user terminal 40 from the information providing server 50 and monitor the user's movement status based on the location information. The monitoring unit 150 may acquire location information of the mobile object from another external server operated by the manufacturer of the mobile object used by the currently moving user and monitor the user's movement status based on the location information. The monitoring unit 150 identifies the user's current location and the mobile object currently used by the user as the user's movement status. The mobile object currently used by the user is set as the third mobile object.

[0036] The information providing server 50 generates traffic information related to the user's movement by multiple types of moving objects included in the itinerary in response to a request from the monitoring unit 150 of the itinerary server 30, and provides the information to the monitoring unit 150. One of the moving objects that the user plans to use in the future is set as a first moving object. The traffic information provided by the information providing server 50 to the monitoring unit 150 includes traffic information related to the user's movement by the first moving object. The traffic information is, for example, congestion information.

[0037] The monitoring unit 150 of the itinerary server 30 acquires traffic information related to the user's movement by multiple types of mobile objects including the first mobile object from the information providing server 50. When the mobile object management server 60 can provide the traffic information to the monitoring unit 150, the monitoring unit 150 may acquire the traffic information from the mobile object management server 60. Based on the acquired traffic information, the monitoring unit 150 determines whether the first mobile object can arrive at the destination point that the first mobile object is aiming for by a predetermined time based on the itinerary. The destination point that the first mobile object is aiming for is set as the second point. The predetermined time may be a time that coincides with the scheduled arrival time of the first mobile object at the second point determined in the itinerary, or may be a time later than the scheduled arrival time.

[0038] The generation unit 110 of the itinerary server 30 judges whether or not to change a part of the itinerary based on the user's movement status and traffic information acquired by the monitoring unit 150. For example, when the monitoring unit 150 identifies that the user is still moving on the third moving object and determines that the first moving object cannot arrive at the second location by the above-mentioned predetermined time, the generation unit 110 changes a part of the itinerary. For example, when the user plans to use the second moving object after using the third moving object and before using the first moving object, a part of the itinerary related to the user's movement by the second moving object is changed. However, if the first moving object still cannot arrive at the second location by the predetermined time even after the part of the itinerary is changed, the generation unit 110 does not need to change a part of the itinerary.

[0039] The determination unit 120 of the itinerary server 30 inquires of the mobile object management servers 60 corresponding to the first and second mobile objects that are the subject of the reservation change whether or not the reservations for the first and second mobile objects can be changed in accordance with the changed itinerary. In the change of the reservation for the mobile object, for example, the point where the user transfers from the second mobile object to the first mobile object is changed from the first point to the fourth point.

[0040] Each of the mobile object management servers 60 determines whether or not the reservation for use of each of the first and second mobile objects can be changed, and responds to the itinerary server 30 .

[0041] The determination unit 120 of the itinerary server 30 acquires a response from each mobile object management server 60, and determines whether or not the reservation for each mobile object can be changed based on the acquired response. The generation unit 110 generates an itinerary proposed to the user by including information on the change of the reservation for the first mobile object and the second mobile object in the changed itinerary. The proposal unit 130 creates a reservation change request that proposes to the user the change of the reservation for the first mobile object and the second mobile object, corresponding to the changed itinerary proposed to the user. The proposal unit 130 outputs to the user terminal 40 the reservation change request that proposes to the user the change of the reservation for the mobile object together with the changed itinerary generated by the generation unit 110.

[0042] On the user terminal 40, the proposed revised itinerary is displayed using the screen display shown in FIG. 3C, the user decides to apply for a change to the reservation for the mobile object, and a request for the change is sent to the itinerary server 30.

[0043] When the reservation unit 140 of the itinerary server 30 receives a request for a change to a reservation for use of a moving object from the user terminal 40, it submits a request for a change to the reservation for use of the moving object to the moving object management server 60.

[0044] The mobile object management server 60 accepts the application for changing the reservation for the mobile object, and if the reservation change is possible, confirms the reservation change. The mobile object management server 60 notifies the itinerary server 30 that the reservation change for the mobile object has been confirmed.

[0045] When the reservation unit 140 of the itinerary server 30 receives notification of confirmation of a change to a mobile object usage reservation from the mobile object management server 60, it confirms a changed itinerary including the first mobile object and the second mobile object for which the change to the usage reservation has been confirmed, and outputs the confirmed changed itinerary to the user terminal 40.

[0046] The user terminal 40 displays the confirmed changed itinerary on the screen.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a generated and confirmed itinerary 310. The itinerary 310 is generated according to the sequence shown in FIG. 4. The itinerary 310 includes a moving route from a departure point OP to a destination DP and a plurality of moving bodies moving along the moving route. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of types of moving bodies included in the itinerary 310 are an automobile MA, a vertical take-off and landing aircraft (VTOL) MB, and an automobile MC provided by the providers PA, PB, and PC, respectively. The automobile MA corresponds to the first moving body, the vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB corresponds to the second moving body, and the automobile MC corresponds to the third moving body. That is, the type of the second moving body is an air transport means, and the types of the first moving body and the third moving body are all land transport means. However, the type of the first moving body, the type of the second moving body, and the type of the third moving body are not limited to a combination of land transport means and air transport means.

[0048] The user travels from the departure point OP to the waypoint TB in an automobile MC provided by the provider PC. The automobile MC departs from the departure point OP at 7:00 and arrives at the waypoint TB at 8:00. The user travels from the waypoint TB to the waypoint TA in a vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB provided by the provider PB. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB departs from the waypoint TB at 9:00 and arrives at the waypoint TA at 10:20. The waypoint TA corresponds to the first point described above. The user travels from the waypoint TA to the destination DP in an automobile MA provided by the provider PA. The automobile MA departs from the waypoint TA at 10:40 and arrives at the destination DP at 11:30. The destination DP corresponds to the second point described above.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a changed itinerary 320. The changed itinerary 320 is obtained along the sequence shown in FIG. 5. For example, assume that while a user is currently traveling from a departure point OP to a waypoint TB in an automobile MC based on the itinerary 310 shown in FIG. 6, traffic information is obtained for a section from a waypoint TA to a destination DP, where the user is scheduled to travel in the automobile MA in the future. Assume that the traffic information determines that the automobile MA cannot arrive at the destination DP by a predetermined time due to congestion. The predetermined time is a time that is variable depending on the setting, X minutes after the scheduled arrival time of the automobile MA at the destination DP of 11:30, which is set in the itinerary 310 shown in FIG. 6. For example, when X=30, the predetermined time is 12:00, which is 30 minutes after the scheduled arrival time of the automobile MA at the destination DP. If the predicted value of the arrival time of the automobile MA at the destination DP is estimated to be later than the predetermined time 12:00, the monitoring unit 150 determines that the automobile MA cannot arrive at the destination DP by the predetermined time.

[0050] The generation unit 110 changes a part of the itinerary by changing the point where the user transfers from the vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB to the automobile MA, which is planned to be used in the future, from the waypoint TA shown in FIG. 6 to the waypoint TC shown in FIG. 7. The waypoint TC corresponds to the above-mentioned fourth point. It is more preferable that the waypoint TC is an airstrip that has the earliest predicted value of the arrival time at the destination DP among the airstrips for aircraft located next to the waypoint TA at a distance closest to the destination DP. In the changed itinerary 320 illustrated in FIG. 7, the vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB is scheduled to arrive at the waypoint TC at 10:40, and the predicted value of the arrival time at the destination DP of the automobile MA, which is scheduled to depart from the waypoint TC at 11:00, is 11:45. Therefore, due to the change in part of the itinerary, the automobile MA is expected to arrive at the destination DP by the specified time 12:00.

[0051] When the changes to the reservations for the automobile MA and the vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB are confirmed, the revised itinerary 320 is confirmed.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process of generating the itinerary 310 and the process of reserving the use of a mobile object, which are performed by the itinerary server 30. This process is performed, for example, by the processing circuit of the itinerary server 30 executing a program. When this process is started, in step S812, the generation unit 110 acquires itinerary generation conditions. In step S814, the generation unit 110 generates an itinerary. In step S816, the determination unit 120 inquires of the mobile object management server 60 corresponding to each mobile object about whether or not the multiple types of mobile objects based on the itinerary can be used. In step S818, the determination unit 120 acquires the judgment result of whether or not the mobile object can be used from the mobile object management server 60. In step S820, the determination unit 120 determines whether or not the multiple types of mobile objects can be used based on the response from the mobile object management server 60.

[0053] In step S822, the generation unit 110 generates an itinerary proposed to the user. In step S824, the proposal unit 130 creates a reservation request for multiple types of moving objects to be proposed to the user. In step S826, the itinerary generated in step S822 and the reservation request for multiple types of moving objects created in step S824 are output to the user terminal 40.

[0054] In step S828, the reservation unit 140 acquires a request for reservation application for multiple types of mobile objects from the user terminal 40. In step S830, the reservation unit 140 applies for reservation of multiple types of mobile objects to the mobile object management server 60. In step S832, the reservation unit 140 acquires a confirmation notification of the reservation of multiple types of mobile objects from the mobile object management server 60. In step S834, the reservation unit 140 confirms the itinerary 310 including the mobile object whose reservation has been confirmed. In step S836, the reservation unit 140 outputs the confirmed itinerary 310 to the user terminal 40. When step S836 is completed, this process ends.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of changing a part of the itinerary 310 and a process of changing a reservation for use of a mobile object, which are performed by the itinerary server 30. This process is performed, for example, by a processing circuit of the itinerary server 30 executing a program. This process is executed, for example, periodically and repeatedly, after the user starts moving based on the itinerary 310. When this process is started, in step S912, the monitoring unit 150 acquires information on the current location of the user who is moving based on the itinerary 310 from the mobile object management server 60. In step S914, the monitoring unit 150 monitors the user's moving status based on the acquired information on the current location of the user. In step S916, the monitoring unit 150 acquires traffic information from the information providing server 50. In step S918, the monitoring unit 150 calculates a predicted value of the time when the user will arrive at the destination based on the acquired traffic information. In step S920, the monitoring unit 150 judges whether the user can arrive at the destination by the predetermined time. If the result of step S920 is YES, this process ends. If the result is NO in step S920, the procedure proceeds to step S922.

[0056] In step S922, the generation unit 110 changes a part of the itinerary. In step S924, the determination unit 120 inquires of the mobile object management server 60 whether the mobile object reservation can be changed in accordance with the changed itinerary. In step S926, the determination unit 120 acquires the determination result of whether the mobile object reservation can be changed from the mobile object management server 60. In step S928, the determination unit 120 determines whether the mobile object reservation can be changed. In step S930, the generation unit 110 generates a changed itinerary to be proposed to the user. In step S932, the proposal unit 130 creates a request to change the mobile object reservation to be proposed to the user. In step S934, the proposal unit 130 outputs the request to change the mobile object reservation to the user terminal 40 together with the changed itinerary.

[0057] In step S936, the reservation unit 140 obtains an application request to change the reservation for the mobile object from the user terminal 40. In step S938, the reservation unit 140 applies to the mobile object management server 60 for a change in the reservation for the mobile object. In step S940, the reservation unit 140 obtains a confirmation notification of the change in the reservation for the mobile object from the mobile object management server 60. In step S942, the reservation unit 140 confirms the changed itinerary 320 in which the change in the reservation for the mobile object has been confirmed. In step S944, the reservation unit 140 outputs the confirmed changed itinerary 320 to the user terminal 40. When step S944 is completed, this process ends.

[0058] [Variations] The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0059] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, when itinerary 310 is changed to itinerary 320, waypoint TA, which is the first point that is the end point of the movement by vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB, which is the second moving body, is changed to waypoint TC, which is the fourth point. Furthermore, the start point of the movement by vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB may also be changed.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an itinerary 330 changed in the multimodal transportation system 10 in the first modification. The changed itinerary 330 is also obtained along the sequence shown in FIG. 5, similar to the itinerary 320. In this modification, when the end point of the movement by the second moving body is changed from the first point to the fourth point, the start point of the movement by the vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB is changed from the third point to the sixth point. Accordingly, the end point of the movement by the third moving body departing from the fifth point is changed from the third point to the sixth point. In the changed itinerary 330, the end point of the movement by the vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB is changed from the waypoint TA shown in FIG. 6 to the waypoint TC shown in FIG. 10, and the start point of the movement by the vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB is changed from the waypoint TB shown in FIG. 6 to the waypoint TD shown in FIG. 10. In addition, the end point of the movement by the automobile MC departing from the departure point OP is changed from the waypoint TB shown in FIG. 6 to the waypoint TD shown in FIG. 10.

[0061] In the modified itinerary 330 illustrated in Fig. 10, automobile MC, which departs from departure point OP at 7:00, is scheduled to arrive at waypoint TD at 8:10, and vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB, which is scheduled to depart waypoint TD at 9:10, is scheduled to arrive at waypoint TC at 10:35. The predicted arrival time at destination DP for automobile MA, which is scheduled to depart waypoint TC at 10:55, is 11:40. Therefore, due to the partial change in the itinerary, automobile MA is now expected to arrive at destination DP by the scheduled time of 12:00.

[0062] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, the changed itinerary 320 is output to the user terminal 40. However, the itinerary 320 may be output to a terminal mounted on a third moving object instead of the user terminal 40.

[0063] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of mounting a sensor for identifying a seating position of a user on a moving body 400 in a multimodal transport system in the second modified example. The moving body 400 has a front row seat 410 and a rear row seat 420. The front row seat 410 and the rear row seat 420 have seating sensors 430 and 440 for detecting whether an occupant is seated or not, respectively. The moving body 400 further has an in-vehicle device 450, a camera 460, and a wireless communication device 470. The in-vehicle device 450 has a touch panel, a speaker, and a microphone. The touch panel and the camera 460 of the in-vehicle device 450 are attached to the front of the interior of the moving body 400. The display surface of the touch panel of the in-vehicle device 450 and the lens of the camera 460 are directed toward the interior of the vehicle.

[0064] In this modification, the moving body 400 shown in Fig. 11 is a third moving body used by a user who has started moving based on the itinerary 310. When the user is seated in the front row seat 410, a sensor signal is transmitted from the seating sensor 430 to the itinerary server 30 via the wireless communication device 470. When the user is seated in the rear row seat 420, a sensor signal is transmitted from the seating sensor 440 to the itinerary server 30 via the wireless communication device 470. The identification unit 160 of the itinerary server 30 shown in Fig. 2 acquires information for identifying the seating position of the user in the moving body 400 based on the sensor signal from the seating sensor 430 or 440.

[0065] Instead of the seating sensor 430 or 440, the camera 460 may be used as a sensor for identifying the seating position of the user. The front row seat 410 and the rear row seat 420 of the moving object 400 and the user seated in the front row seat 410 or the rear row seat 420 are included in the in-vehicle image captured by the camera 460. The in-vehicle image is transmitted to the itinerary server 30 via the wireless communication device 470. The identification unit 160 acquires information for identifying the seating position of the user in the moving object 400 based on the in-vehicle image transmitted from the camera 460.

[0066] When the identification unit 160 identifies that the user is seated in the front row seat 410, the changed itinerary 320 is displayed on the touch panel of the in-vehicle device 450 attached to the front of the interior of the moving body 400 instead of the user terminal 40. When the identification unit 160 identifies that the user is seated in the back row seat 420, the changed itinerary 320 is displayed on the user terminal 40.

[0067] When the third moving body 400 is an automobile MC provided by the ride-sharing service provider PC, the user is likely to be seated in the back seat 420, and the changed itinerary 320 is displayed on the user terminal 40. When the third moving body 400 is a moving body whose operation is managed by a business operator, and when a touch panel of the in-vehicle device 450 is attached to each seat where a passenger sits, the changed itinerary 320 is displayed on the touch panel. However, the business operator in this case is not a ride-sharing service provider. When a touch panel of the in-vehicle device 450 is not attached to each seat where a passenger sits, the changed itinerary 320 is displayed on the user terminal 40. When the changed itinerary 320 is displayed on the touch panel of the in-vehicle device 450 or the user terminal 40, voice guidance and voice input using a speaker and a microphone may be used.

[0068] When the third moving body, which is the moving body 400, is a car owned by the user or a car lent to the user by another person, the user's seating position may be identified as the front row seat 410. When it is identified that the user does not drive the moving body 400 because the seating position is not the driver's seat or because the moving body 400 is automatic, the changed itinerary 320 is displayed on a touch panel at the front of the vehicle. At that time, voice guidance and voice input using a speaker and a microphone may be used. When it is identified that the user's seating position is the driver's seat of the front row seat 410 and the user drives the moving body 400, the changed itinerary 320 is displayed on a touch panel at the front of the vehicle, and voice guidance and voice input using a speaker and a microphone are used. Alternatively, voice guidance and voice input regarding the changed itinerary 320 may be performed on the user terminal 40 using a speaker and a microphone.

[0069] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment and modified example, the point where the user transfers from the second moving body to the first moving body is changed from the first point to the fourth point. That is, the end point of the movement by the second moving body is changed from the first point to the fourth point. However, when the second moving body is provided by a ride-sharing service provider, there is a possibility that a passenger other than the user is using the second moving body. Therefore, the arrival point of the second moving body may be changed from the first point to the fourth point only when such a passenger is not present.

[0070] Even if there is a passenger, it may be determined whether it is advantageous for the passenger, for example, if the predicted value of the arrival time of the passenger at the final destination is earlier than the expected arrival time if the arrival point of the second moving body is not changed. Whether it is advantageous for the passenger is determined by the mobile body management server 60 of the provider that provides the second moving body. If it is determined to be advantageous for the passenger and the passenger's consent is obtained, the arrival point of the second moving body is changed from the first point to the fourth point.

[0071] (Variation 4) In the above-mentioned modified example 1, the point where the user transfers from the third moving body to the second moving body is changed from the third point to the sixth point. That is, the end point of the movement by the third moving body is changed from the third point to the sixth point. The sixth point is also the starting point of the movement by the changed second moving body. If the second moving body is a vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB, the sixth point is the take-off and landing site of the aircraft. If the third moving body is an automobile owned by the user, a space for parking the automobile until the user who transfers from the third moving body to the second moving body sets off on the return journey is required at the sixth point. Therefore, when the reservation unit 140 of the itinerary server 30 applies to the mobile body management server 60 for a change in the reservation for the mobile body, an application for reservation to secure a space for parking the user's automobile at the sixth point may be made to a predetermined server that manages parking lots.

[0072] (Variation 5) In the above embodiment and modified examples, when the user's movement by the second moving object included in the itinerary 310 is changed, at least the end point of the movement by the vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB provided by the ride-sharing service provider PB is changed. However, the movement by the vertical take-off and landing aircraft MB may be changed to a movement by a train or bus operated by a railway company or a bus company.

[0073] (Variation 6) The above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined in any manner.

[0074] [Invention Obtained from the Embodiments] The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below.

[0075] (1) A multimodal transportation system (10) that provides a service for a user to travel from an origin (OP) to a destination (DP) using multiple types of mobile objects includes a generation unit (110) that generates an itinerary (310) based on the origin and the destination, the itinerary including a travel route from the origin to the destination and the multiple types of mobile objects that travel along the travel route, a decision unit (120) that decides whether the multiple types of mobile objects based on the itinerary can be used, a proposal unit (130) that outputs the itinerary including the multiple types of mobile objects that have been determined to be available to the user to an external terminal (40), and a proposal unit (130) that proposes the itinerary to the user based on the itinerary. and a monitoring unit (150) for monitoring the situation and acquiring traffic information related to the user's movement by the multiple types of moving bodies, the generating unit changes a part of the itinerary for the user's movement by a second moving body (MB) of the multiple types of moving bodies that the user plans to use before the first moving body, based on the user's movement situation based on the itinerary specified by the user and the traffic information related to the user's movement by a first moving body (MA) of the multiple types of moving bodies, and the suggesting unit outputs the changed itinerary (320) to the external terminal to suggest the change to the part of the itinerary to the user. This increases the possibility of avoiding a situation in which the movement by the first moving body following the movement of the user by the second moving body does not proceed according to the itinerary.

[0076] (2) The itinerary includes the user moving from a first point (TA) to a second point (DP) on the moving route using the first moving object, and the user moving from a third point (TB) on the moving route to the first point using the second moving object, and the monitoring unit determines whether the first moving object can arrive at the second point by a predetermined time based on the itinerary based on the traffic information related to the movement of the user by the first moving object, and when it is determined that the first moving object cannot arrive at the second point by the predetermined time, the generating unit changes a part of the itinerary related to the movement of the user by the first moving object and the second moving object by changing the first point to a fourth point (TC) different from the first point. This increases the possibility of avoiding a situation in which the movement of the first moving object subsequent to the movement of the user by the second moving object does not proceed according to the itinerary without affecting the movement of the user before the second moving object.

[0077] (3) The itinerary further includes the user moving from a fifth point (OP) on the moving route to the third point using a third moving body (MC) among the multiple types of moving bodies, and when it is determined that the first moving body cannot arrive at the second point by the predetermined time while the user is moving using the third moving body, the generation unit changes the first point to the fourth point and changes the third point to a sixth point (TD) different from the third point, thereby changing a part of the itinerary regarding the user's movement by the first moving body, the second moving body, and the third moving body. When the third moving body is a car owned and driven by the user, it is relatively easy to change the destination point of the third moving body from the third point to the sixth point. This increases the possibility of avoiding a situation in which the movement of the user by the first moving body following the movement of the user by the second moving body does not proceed according to the itinerary.

[0078] (4) The type of the second moving object is air transport, and the type of the first moving object is a transport other than the air transport. This increases the possibility of avoiding a situation in which the movement of the user by the second moving object followed by the movement of the first moving object does not proceed according to the itinerary including the air transport.

[0079] (5) The multimodal transport system further includes an identification unit (160) that acquires information that identifies the seating position (410, 420) of the user who moves based on the itinerary, and the suggestion unit determines the external terminal (40, 450) according to the seating position and outputs the changed itinerary (320, 330) to the determined external terminal. This improves the convenience for the user when visually checking the changed itinerary.

[0080] (6) The suggestion unit outputs to the external terminal, together with the itinerary, a reservation request proposing a reservation for using the plurality of types of moving objects, and when the portion of the itinerary is changed, the suggestion unit outputs to the external terminal, together with the changed itinerary, a reservation change request proposing a change to the reservation for using the itinerary. This makes it possible to provide a flexible and prompt itinerary change to a user who has started traveling based on the itinerary.

[0081] (7) A multimodal transportation method for providing a service for a user to travel from a departure point to a destination using multiple types of mobile objects includes a generation step of generating an itinerary based on the departure point and the destination, the itinerary including a travel route from the departure point to the destination and the multiple types of mobile objects traveling along the travel route; a decision step of deciding whether or not the multiple types of mobile objects based on the itinerary can be used; a proposal step of outputting the itinerary including the multiple types of mobile objects determined to be available to the user to an external terminal; and monitoring a movement status of the user traveling based on the itinerary. Both methods include a monitoring step of acquiring traffic information related to the movement of the user by the multiple types of moving bodies, a modification step of modifying a part of the itinerary related to the movement of the user by a second moving body among the multiple types of moving bodies that the user plans to use before the first moving body, based on the movement status of the user based on the itinerary specified by the user and the traffic information related to the movement of the user by a first moving body among the multiple types of moving bodies, and an output step of outputting the modified itinerary to the external terminal in order to propose the modification of the part of the itinerary to the user. This increases the possibility of avoiding a situation in which the movement of the user by the first moving body following the movement of the user by the second moving body does not proceed according to the itinerary.

[0082] (8) A program for causing a processor to execute the multimodal transportation method, thereby allowing a part of an itinerary to be easily changed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10...Multimodal transport systems 20...Communication networks 30: Itinerary server 40: User terminal (external terminal) 50... Information providing server 60... Mobile management server 110...Generation section 120...Decision section 130…Proposal Department 140…Reservation Department 150: monitoring unit 160: identification unit 210...input field 220...submit button 230...Radio button 240...Reservation button 250, 260...Content 270...Reservation change button 310, 320, 330...Itinerary 400...Moving object 410…Front row seats (seating position) 420…Rear row seats (seating position) 430, 440... Seat sensor 450... Vehicle-mounted device (external terminal) 460...Camera 470...Wireless communication equipment

Claims

1. A multimodal transportation system that provides a service for a user to travel from a departure point to a destination using multiple types of moving objects, a generation unit that generates an itinerary including a travel route from the departure point to the destination based on the departure point and the destination, and the plurality of types of moving objects that travel along the travel route; a decision unit that decides whether or not the plurality of types of moving objects based on the itinerary can be used; a suggestion unit that outputs the itinerary including the plurality of types of moving objects that have been determined to be available to an external terminal in order to suggest the itinerary to the user; a monitoring unit that monitors a movement status of the user who moves based on the itinerary and acquires traffic information related to the movement of the user by the multiple types of moving objects, when determining to change a part of the itinerary relating to the movement of the user by a second moving body among the multiple types of moving bodies that the user plans to use before the first moving body, based on the movement status of the user based on the itinerary specified by the user and the traffic information related to the movement of the user by a first moving body among the multiple types of moving bodies that the user plans to use in the future, the generation unit changes the part of the itinerary; The suggestion unit outputs the changed itinerary to the external terminal to suggest the change to the part of the itinerary to the user.

2. 2. The multimodal transportation system of claim 1, the itinerary includes the user using the first mobile object to move from a first point to a second point on the moving route, and the user using the second mobile object to move from a third point on the moving route to the first point, the monitoring unit determines whether the first moving object can arrive at the second location by a predetermined time based on the itinerary, based on the traffic information related to the movement of the user by the first moving object; A multimodal transportation system in which, when it is determined that the first moving body cannot arrive at the second location by the specified time, the generation unit changes part of the itinerary for the user's movement by the first moving body and the second moving body by changing the first location to a fourth location different from the first location.

3. 3. The multimodal transportation system of claim 2, The itinerary further includes the user traveling from a fifth point to the third point on the travel route using a third mobile object among the plurality of types of mobile objects; A multimodal transportation system in which, when it is determined that the first moving body will not be able to arrive at the second location by the specified time while the user is traveling using the third moving body, the generation unit changes part of the itinerary for the user's movement by the first moving body, the second moving body, and the third moving body by changing the first location to the fourth location and changing the third location to a sixth location different from the third location.

4. 4. A multimodal transportation system according to claim 2 or 3, comprising: A multimodal transportation system, wherein the second vehicle type is an air vehicle and the first vehicle type is a vehicle other than the air vehicle.

5. A multimodal transportation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, An identification unit that acquires information that identifies a seating position of the user moving based on the itinerary, The suggestion unit determines the external terminal according to the seating position, and outputs the changed itinerary to the determined external terminal.

6. A multimodal transportation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the suggestion unit outputs, to the external terminal, a reservation request proposing a reservation for use of the plurality of types of moving objects together with the itinerary; When the portion of the itinerary is changed, the proposal unit outputs to the external terminal a reservation change request proposing a change to the reservation along with the changed itinerary.

7. A multimodal transportation method for providing a service for a user to travel from a departure point to a destination using multiple types of moving objects, comprising: a generation step of generating an itinerary including a travel route from the departure point to the destination based on the departure point and the destination, and the plurality of types of moving objects that travel along the travel route; a determining step of determining whether the plurality of types of moving objects based on the itinerary can be used; a proposing step of outputting the itinerary including the plurality of types of moving objects determined to be available to an external terminal in order to propose the itinerary to the user; a monitoring step of monitoring a movement status of the user who moves based on the itinerary and acquiring traffic information related to the movement of the user by the multiple types of moving objects; a change step of changing a part of the itinerary when it is determined that a part of the itinerary is changed for the user's movement by a second mobile body among the multiple types of mobile bodies that the user plans to use before the first mobile body, based on the movement status of the user based on the itinerary specified by the user and the traffic information related to the movement of the user by a first mobile body among the multiple types of mobile bodies that the user plans to use in the future; and an output step of outputting the modified itinerary to the external terminal to propose the modification of the portion of the itinerary to the user.

8. A program for causing a processor to execute the multimodal transportation method according to claim 7.

Citation Information

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