Boarding location setting device, vehicle dispatch service system, boarding location setting method, and boarding location display device

Abstract

A vehicle allocation service server (20) identifies the movement direction of a user on the basis of position data of the user received from a user terminal (60). The vehicle allocation service server (20) sets a boarding site from among one or more boarding site candidates existing within a prescribed range around the user and existing farther in the movement direction relative to the position of the user. The vehicle allocation service server (20) transmits boarding site data including information on the set boarding site to the user terminal (60).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a boarding location setting device, a vehicle dispatch service system, a boarding location setting method, and a boarding location display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system for assisting in transporting passengers or items from one location to another. The system selects a location close to the user as a boarding location from among multiple locations where the user can board a vehicle, and provides the selected boarding location to the user terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2018-526715 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if the user understands the boarding location from the information of the user terminal, the user may not be able to grasp the direction of the boarding location in the actual environment. In this case, it may take a long time for the user to arrive at the boarding location. Therefore, the vehicle dispatched to the user needs to stop and wait or move around until the user arrives, which may affect the surrounding traffic.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and its purpose is to provide a boarding location setting device, a vehicle dispatch service system, a boarding location setting method, and a boarding location display device that can reduce the impact on surrounding traffic. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A boarding location setting device according to one embodiment of the present invention identifies the user's direction of travel based on the user's location data received from the user terminal, sets a boarding location from one or more candidate boarding locations that are located within a predetermined range including the user's surroundings and in the direction of travel further than the user's location, and transmits boarding location data including information about the boarding location to the user terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the impact on surrounding traffic can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle dispatch service system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the vehicle dispatch service server shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the user terminal shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing the flow of processes executed in the vehicle dispatch service system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process executed by the vehicle dispatch service server. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process executed by the vehicle dispatch service server. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating boarding location candidates around the user. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating the relationship between users and candidate boarding locations. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating the relationship between users and candidate boarding locations. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing information displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 9B]FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing information displayed on the user terminal. [Figure 9C] FIG. 9C is an explanatory diagram showing information displayed on the user terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

[0010] The configuration of a vehicle dispatch service system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The vehicle dispatch service system 10 according to this embodiment is a system that dispatches a vehicle 40 in response to a vehicle dispatch request from a user.

[0011] The vehicle dispatch service system 10 is mainly composed of a vehicle dispatch service server 20, a vehicle 40, and a user terminal 60. The vehicle dispatch service server 20, the vehicle 40, and the user terminal 60 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network 30. An example of the network 30 is the Internet. The network 30 may utilize a mobile communication function such as 4G / LTE or 5G.

[0012] In the following description, "vehicle dispatch request data" refers to data for a user to make a vehicle dispatch request to the vehicle dispatch service server 20. The vehicle dispatch request data includes information indicating the contents of the vehicle dispatch request. The contents of the vehicle dispatch request include the user's current location, the user's destination, and the like. The contents of the vehicle dispatch request may also include stopovers on the way to the destination, a desired boarding time which is the time the user wishes to board, a desired disembarking time which is the time the user wishes to disembark, and the like.

[0013] 2, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 is operated, for example, by a business operator that provides a transportation service using a plurality of vehicles 40, but is not limited to this. The vehicle dispatch service server 20 is a device that dispatches vehicles 40 to users, and includes a control device 21, a storage device 22, and a communication device 23.

[0014] The control device 21 determines a vehicle dispatch plan based on the dispatch request data received by the communication device 23 from the user terminal 60. The vehicle dispatch plan includes setting of the vehicle 40 to be dispatched to the user, setting of a boarding location where the user boards the vehicle 40, setting of a disembarking location where the user disembarks from the vehicle 40 at the destination, setting of a travel route from the boarding location to the disembarking location, setting of a travel route for the vehicle 40 to head to the boarding location, and the like.

[0015] A microcomputer (controller) mainly composed of a CPU, a memory, and an input / output interface can be used as the control device 21. The CPU reads various computer programs stored in the memory and executes various commands contained in the programs. By executing the programs, the CPU functions as multiple information processing circuits provided in the control device 21.

[0016] The control device 21 includes, as one or more information processing circuits, a movement direction specification unit 211, a boarding location setting unit 212, and a route creation unit 213. The movement direction specification unit 211 specifies the movement direction in which the user moves based on position data indicating the user's position received from the user terminal 60. The boarding location setting unit 212 sets the boarding location from one or more boarding location candidates that exist around the user and that exist in the movement direction side of the user's position. The route creation unit 213 calculates a movement route for the user to move to the boarding location and calculates a travel route for the vehicle 40 to travel.

[0017] The storage device 22 is a storage unit that stores various databases necessary for the transportation service. The storage device 22 has a location candidate DB (location candidate database) 221.

[0018] Within a service provision area where transportation services are provided using a plurality of vehicles 40, a plurality of locations (hereinafter referred to as "designated locations") are prepared as candidate boarding locations where boarding to the vehicle 40 is possible and candidate disembarking locations where disembarking from the vehicle 40 is possible. The location candidate DB 221 manages location information, which is information related to the designated location, for each designated location. The location information includes information on the position of the designated location, information indicating whether it is a boarding location or a disembarking location or both, information indicating whether it is currently available for use, etc.

[0019] The storage device 22 also holds map data, which is data on a map including at least a service provision area, in order to generate a route and recognize the positional relationship between the user and the vehicle 40. In addition, the storage device 22 may hold a vehicle DB that manages information about the vehicle 40, such as the current location of the vehicle 40, information about whether the vehicle 40 is empty, remaining energy (remaining fuel, remaining charge amount), and the like, for each vehicle 40.

[0020] The vehicle dispatch service server 20 includes a storage device 22, but may not include the storage device 22 and may instead obtain location information from an external data server by cloud computing.

[0021] The communication device 23 communicates with the vehicle 40 or the user terminal 60. The communication device 23 is controlled by the control device 21, and receives predetermined data from the vehicle 40 and the user terminal 60, and transmits predetermined data to the vehicle 40 and the user terminal 60. The communication device 23 can also acquire road traffic data including road traffic information by communicating with an external device (not shown) via the network 30. For example, the communication device 23 may be a device equipped with a mobile communication function such as 4G / LTE or 5G, or may be a device equipped with a Wifi communication function.

[0022] In Fig. 3, the vehicle 40 is a vehicle (service vehicle) that provides a transportation service with a user on board, and a plurality of vehicles are prepared. In the example shown in Fig. 1, three vehicles 40 are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vehicle 40 may be a vehicle that runs by an automatic driving function without a driver on board, or a vehicle that runs by manual driving by a driver. The vehicle 40 may also be a vehicle that runs by an automatic driving function with a driver on board.

[0023] Autonomous driving refers to a state in which at least one of the actuators, such as the brake, accelerator, and steering, is controlled without the operation of the occupant. Therefore, it does not matter if the other actuators are operated by the operation of the occupant. Autonomous driving may refer to a state in which any vehicle control, such as acceleration / deceleration control or lateral position control, is executed. Manual driving refers to a state in which the brake, accelerator, and steering are operated by the occupant.

[0024] The vehicle 40 may be any of an engine vehicle that is driven only by an engine, a hybrid vehicle that is driven by an engine and an electric motor, and an electric vehicle that is driven only by an electric motor.

[0025] In FIG. 3, a vehicle 40 includes a control device 41 and a communication device 42.

[0026] The control device 41 controls the vehicle 40 based on route data including information on the travel route of the vehicle 40, which is received by the communication device 42 from the vehicle dispatch service server 20. The control device 41 may be a microcomputer (controller) mainly composed of a CPU, memory, and an input / output interface. The CPU reads various computer programs stored in the memory or the like, and executes various commands included in the programs. By executing the programs, the CPU functions as multiple information processing circuits provided in the control device 41.

[0027] The control device 41 includes a vehicle dispatch processing unit 411 as one or more information processing circuits.

[0028] The vehicle dispatch processing unit 411 performs various processes based on the route data received from the vehicle dispatch service server 20. If the vehicle 40 is driven by an automatic driving function, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 411 controls various actuators (such as a steering actuator, an accelerator pedal actuator, and a brake actuator) of the vehicle 40 based on the driving route data to perform automatic driving. The automatic driving performed by the vehicle dispatch processing unit 411 allows the vehicle 40 to automatically drive according to a driving route set by the vehicle dispatch service server 20. If the vehicle 40 is driven manually, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 411 controls a display device or a speaker to present the driving route set by the vehicle dispatch service server 20 to the driver.

[0029] The communication device 42 communicates with the vehicle dispatch service server 20. The communication device 42 is controlled by the control device 41, receives predetermined data from the vehicle dispatch service server 20, and transmits predetermined data to the vehicle dispatch service server 20. For example, the communication device 42 may be a device equipped with a mobile communication function such as 4G / LTE or 5G, or may be a device equipped with a Wifi communication function.

[0030] In Fig. 4, the user terminal 60 is a device that accepts a vehicle dispatch request from a user and displays information to the user. The user terminal 60 is a device that the user carries with him or her on a daily basis, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or other information terminal equipped with a communication function. In Fig. 1, two user terminals 60 are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0031] The user terminal 60 includes a control device 61 , an input device 62 , a display device 63 , a communication device 64 , and a position detection device 65 .

[0032] The control device 61 receives a vehicle dispatch request from a user and generates vehicle dispatch request data. A microcomputer (controller) mainly composed of a CPU, memory, and an input / output interface can be used as the control device 61. A computer program for causing the information terminal to function as a user terminal 60 in the vehicle dispatch service system 10 is installed in the memory. By executing the computer program, the control device 61 functions as one or more information processing circuits provided in the user terminal 60.

[0033] The control device 61 includes a request processing unit 611 as one or more information processing circuits.

[0034] The request processing unit 611 generates vehicle dispatch request data corresponding to a vehicle dispatch request from a user. When making a vehicle dispatch request, the user operates the input device 62 to input the contents of the vehicle dispatch request. An operation signal corresponding to the user's input operation is input from the input device 62 to the request processing unit 611. Based on the operation signal, etc., the request processing unit 611 generates vehicle dispatch request data reflecting the contents of the vehicle dispatch request, and transmits this request data from the communication unit 64 to the vehicle dispatch service server 20.

[0035] The request processing unit 611 controls the display device 63 based on the data received by the communication device 64 from the vehicle dispatch service server 20, and displays information included in the received data to the user. The request processing unit 611 also periodically acquires position data from the position detection device 65, and transmits the acquired position data from the communication device 64 to the vehicle dispatch service server 20.

[0036] The input device 62 is a device for a user to perform an input operation. The display device 63 is controlled by the request processing unit 611 and displays necessary information. For example, the input device 62 can be a touch panel that allows a user to perform an input operation according to information displayed on the display device 63.

[0037] The communication device 64 communicates with the vehicle dispatch service server 20. The communication device 64 is controlled by the control device 61, and receives predetermined data from the vehicle dispatch service server 20 and transmits predetermined data to the vehicle dispatch service server 20. For example, the communication device 64 may be a device equipped with a mobile communication function such as 4G / LTE or 5G, or may be a device equipped with a Wifi communication function.

[0038] The position detection device 65 detects the position of the user terminal 60, i.e., the user, and outputs position data indicating the user's position to the control device 61. The position detection device 65 detects the absolute position of the user, and is composed of, for example, a GPS receiving unit that receives a GPS signal.

[0039] In addition to detecting the absolute position of the user, the position detection device 65 may detect the relative position of the user with respect to the surrounding environment. For example, the position detection device 65 may be a device capable of recognizing the relative position of the user with respect to the surrounding environment (e.g., a building, etc.), such as a camera and an image analysis device, or a measurement device. Therefore, the position detection device 65 may be configured to output at least one of data indicating the absolute position of the user and data indicating the relative position of the user with respect to the surrounding environment.

[0040] 5 to 7, the process flow of the vehicle dispatch service system 10 according to this embodiment, specifically, the process flow of setting a boarding location where a user who has requested a vehicle dispatch will board the vehicle 40 (a boarding location setting method) will be described below. The subjects of the processes in the vehicle dispatch service server 20, the vehicle 40, and the user terminal 60 are the control device 21, the control device 41, and the control device 61, respectively.

[0041] First, when the user terminal 60 generates vehicle dispatch request data in response to a vehicle dispatch request from a user, the user terminal 60 transmits the vehicle dispatch request data to the vehicle dispatch service server 20 (step S1 in FIG. 5). Upon receiving the vehicle dispatch request data (step S101 in FIGS. 5 and 6), the vehicle dispatch service server 20 identifies the user's current location and destination based on the vehicle dispatch request data (step S102 in FIG. 6).

[0042] The vehicle dispatch service server 20 refers to the location candidate DB 221 and extracts multiple boarding location candidates for the user who has made the vehicle dispatch request to board the vehicle 40 (step S103 in FIG. 6). The vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets multiple boarding location candidates within a predetermined range including the user's surroundings, taking into consideration that the user will walk to the boarding location. For example, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets a circular range with a predetermined radius (e.g., 500 m) centered on the user's current location. The vehicle dispatch service server 20 extracts multiple designated locations that exist within the set range from among multiple designated locations defined in the location candidate DB 221 as multiple boarding location candidates. Hereinafter, it is assumed that three boarding location candidates A, B, and C that exist around the user are extracted, as shown in FIG. 8A.

[0043] The vehicle dispatch service server 20 determines, from among a plurality of vehicles 40 that provide a vehicle dispatch service, a vehicle 40 that can head to any of the three candidate boarding locations A, B, and C (step S104 in FIG. 6).

[0044] When determining the vehicle 40, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 takes into consideration the status of the multiple vehicles 40. The status of the vehicle 40 may be, for example, whether the distance from the current location of the vehicle 40 to each of the candidate boarding locations A, B, and C is less than or equal to a determined distance, whether the remaining energy amount of the vehicle 40 is greater than or equal to a determined energy amount, or whether the vehicle is vacant. The status of the vehicle 40 may be obtained by the vehicle dispatch service server 20 communicating with the vehicle 40, or, if the storage device 22 has a vehicle DB that manages the vehicles 40, it may be obtained from the vehicle DB. Hereinafter, the vehicle 40 determined in this step is referred to as the "dispatched vehicle 40."

[0045] The vehicle dispatch service server 20 calculates a common route for the three candidate boarding locations A, B, and C (S105 in FIG. 6). The common route is a route that the vehicle dispatch vehicle 40 can take in common regardless of which of the three candidate boarding locations A, B, and C the vehicle is heading for. Therefore, the common route corresponds to the route in the section from the current location of the vehicle dispatch vehicle 40 to the end point of the common route, that is, the departure point where the vehicle dispatch vehicle 40 leaves the route heading for the other candidate boarding locations in order to head for one of the candidate boarding locations.

[0046] The vehicle dispatch service server 20 transmits common route data including information on the common route to the vehicle dispatching vehicle 40 (step S106 in Figs. 5 and 6). Meanwhile, the vehicle dispatching vehicle 40 receives the common route data from the vehicle dispatching service server 20 (step S11 in Fig. 5). The vehicle dispatching vehicle 40 starts traveling as a trigger upon receiving the common route data, and travels along the common route. Note that if the vehicle dispatching vehicle 40 traveling along the common route is likely to reach the final point of the common route before receiving the final route data described below, it is preferable for the vehicle dispatching vehicle 40 to wait at a waiting area in the vicinity of the final point.

[0047] Next, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 transmits the candidate boarding location data and the start walking instruction data to the user terminal 60 (steps S107 and S108 in Figs. 5 and 6). The candidate boarding location data is data indicating three candidate boarding locations A, B, and C that exist around the user, and is data that presents the three candidate boarding locations A, B, and C to the user on the user terminal 60. The start walking instruction data is data that indicates a start walking instruction, which will be described later, and is data that presents the start walking instruction to the user on the user terminal 60.

[0048] When the user terminal 60 receives the candidate boarding location data and the start walking instruction data (steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 5), the user terminal 60 displays three candidate boarding locations A, B, and C on the display device 63 (step S4 in FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 9A, the user terminal 60 displays a map of the user's surroundings on the display device 63, and superimposes the user and the three candidate boarding locations A, B, and C on the map. The user terminal 60 superimposes the user and the three candidate boarding locations A, B, and C on the map so that they correspond to positions in real space.

[0049] The user terminal 60 also displays a start walking instruction on the display device 63 along with the three candidate boarding locations A, B, and C (step S4 in FIG. 5). The start walking instruction is an instruction to encourage the user to move from the current location, and it is sufficient that the instruction is an instruction that induces the user to start moving. Furthermore, the start walking instruction does not need to instruct the user to start walking toward one specific candidate boarding location A, B, or C, but rather it is sufficient that the user can start walking in any direction toward the candidate boarding locations A, B, or C.

[0050] When the user terminal 60 starts displaying on the display device 63, it updates the display content as necessary. For example, when the user's position detected by the position detection device 65 changes, the user terminal 60 also changes the user's position superimposed on the map in accordance with the change in the user's position.

[0051] When the three potential boarding locations A, B, and C and the instruction to start walking are displayed, the user terminal 60 starts detecting the user's location and transmits user location data including information on the user's location to the ride-dispatch service server 20 (step S5 in FIG. 5). After step S5, the user terminal 60 periodically performs location detection and transmits the user location data to the ride-dispatch service server 20 each time. The user location data transmitted by the user terminal 60 is received by the ride-dispatch service server 20 (step S109 in FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0052] The vehicle dispatch service server 20 identifies the user's current location and moving direction based on the user position data (step S110 in FIG. 6). The moving direction can be identified from changes in the user's location over time.

[0053] The ride-dispatch service server 20 extracts a boarding location candidate that is on the moving direction side of the user's position from among the three boarding location candidates A, B, and C (step S112 in FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 8B, the ride-dispatch service server 20 sets a reference line that extends in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction so as to pass through the user, and extracts a boarding location candidate that is on the moving direction side of this reference line. That is, boarding location candidates that are within a range of 90 degrees to the left and right of the moving direction are extracted. When there are multiple boarding location candidates on the moving direction side, the ride-dispatch service server 20 extracts multiple boarding location candidates. In the example shown in FIG. 8B, two boarding location candidates B and C are extracted from the three boarding location candidates A, B, and C.

[0054] In the example shown in Fig. 8B, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 extracts two candidate boarding locations B and C that are within a range of 90 degrees to the left and right of the moving direction. However, instead of targeting the entire range in the moving direction, extraction may be performed for a limited range, such as a range of a predetermined angle (predetermined angle < 90°) to the left and right of the moving direction, or a range with a certain distance from the user as the upper limit.

[0055] The vehicle dispatch service server 20 transmits new candidate boarding location data to the user terminal 60 (step S113 in Figs. 5 and 7). The new candidate boarding location data transmitted in this step is data that causes the user terminal 60 to present information on the two candidate boarding locations B and C extracted in step S101.

[0056] When the user terminal 60 receives the candidate boarding location data (step S6 in FIG. 5), it updates the display based on the received candidate boarding location data. As shown in FIG. 9B, the user terminal 60 displays a map of the user's surroundings on the display device 63, and superimposes the user and two candidate boarding locations B and C on the map. By updating the display with new candidate boarding location data received after the user moves, of the three candidate boarding locations A, B, and C that were originally displayed, candidate boarding location A, which is located in the opposite direction to the direction of movement, is hidden. In other words, the new candidate boarding location data transmitted by the ride-dispatch service server 20 in step S113 corresponds to control data that excludes candidate boarding location A from the display targets.

[0057] Meanwhile, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 determines a final boarding location from among multiple candidate boarding locations B and C that exist in the travel direction (step S114 in FIG. 5). The vehicle dispatch service server 20 uses one or more of the following first to third requirements to set a candidate boarding location that satisfies the requirements as the final boarding location.

[0058] (First requirement) The ride-dispatch service server 20 calculates the distance from the user's location to the candidate boarding locations B and C for each candidate boarding location. Then, the ride-dispatch service server 20 sets the candidate boarding location with a shorter distance as the final boarding location in preference to the candidate boarding location with a longer distance. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8B, the distance from the user's location to the candidate boarding location B is shorter than the distance from the user's location to the candidate boarding location C. In this case, the ride-dispatch service server 20 sets the candidate boarding location B as the final boarding location.

[0059] (Second requirement) The vehicle dispatch service server 20 calculates the degree of complexity of the travel route along which the user travels from the current location to the boarding location candidates B and C for each boarding location candidate. The vehicle dispatch service server 20 then sets the boarding location candidate with a smaller degree of complexity as the final boarding location, preferentially over the boarding location route with a larger degree of complexity. The degree of complexity of the travel route is determined in consideration of the number of right and left turns at intersections or connecting roads, the number of times the road is crossed, the road width, the gradient of the road, and the like. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8B, the travel route toward the boarding location candidate B is a route that includes a right turn at an intersection. On the other hand, the travel route from the user's position toward the boarding location candidate C is a route that goes straight along the road, and is less complicated than the travel route toward the boarding location candidate B. In this case, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets the boarding location candidate C as the final boarding location.

[0060] (Third requirement) For each candidate boarding location, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 calculates the time difference between the time it takes for the user to arrive at candidate boarding locations B and C and the time it takes for the dispatch vehicle 40 to arrive at candidate boarding locations B and C. The vehicle dispatch service server 20 then sets a candidate boarding location with a smaller time difference as the final boarding location in preference to a candidate boarding location with a larger time difference. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8B, the time difference at candidate boarding location B is 5 minutes, and the time difference at candidate boarding location C is 10 minutes. In this case, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets candidate boarding location B as the final boarding location.

[0061] In addition, if only one candidate boarding location is extracted in step S112, in this step, that candidate boarding location is set as the final boarding location.

[0062] When the final boarding point is set, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 calculates a driving route from the current location of the dispatched vehicle 40 to the final boarding point and an estimated arrival time for the dispatched vehicle 40 to arrive at the final boarding point (step S115 in FIG. 7).

[0063] The vehicle dispatch service server 20 transmits final route data including information on the travel route to the vehicle dispatching vehicle 40 (step S116 in Figs. 5 and 7). When the vehicle dispatching vehicle 40 receives the final route data from the vehicle dispatching service server 20 (step S12 in Fig. 5), it overwrites the common route data with the final route data and travels along the latest travel route.

[0064] Meanwhile, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets a meeting time for the user and the dispatch vehicle 40 to meet at the final boarding point (step S117 in FIG. 7). The vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets the meeting time taking into consideration the estimated arrival time of the user arriving at the final boarding point from the user's current location and the estimated arrival time of the dispatch vehicle 40. For example, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 compares the estimated arrival time of the user with the estimated arrival time of the dispatch vehicle 40, and sets the later of these as the meeting time.

[0065] The vehicle dispatch service server 20 transmits the boarding location data to the user terminal 60 (step S118 in Figs. 5 and 7). The boarding location data is data that causes the user terminal 60 to present information on the final boarding location. This boarding location data includes information on the travel route to the final boarding location, the meeting time, and the like in addition to the information on the final boarding location.

[0066] When the user terminal 60 receives the boarding location data (step S8 in FIG. 5), it updates the display based on the received boarding location data (step S9 in FIG. 5). For example, as shown in FIG. 8C, it is assumed that the user has moved to the vicinity of the boarding location candidate C and the boarding location candidate C has been set as the final boarding location. As shown in FIG. 9C, the user terminal 60 displays a map of the user's surroundings on the display device 63, and the user and the final boarding location C are superimposed on the map. Therefore, by updating the display based on the boarding location data, the boarding location candidate B, which does not correspond to the final boarding location, among the two boarding location candidates B and C that have been displayed up until now, is hidden. In other words, the boarding location data transmitted by the vehicle dispatch service server 20 in step S118 corresponds to control data that excludes the boarding location candidate B, which the user has passed through, from the display target. In addition, the user terminal 60 can display information on the travel route to the final boarding location and the meeting time.

[0067] The user terminal 60 judges whether the user has arrived at the final boarding point based on an input operation from the user or based on a comparison result between the final boarding point and the user's location. When it is judged that the user has arrived at the final boarding point, the user terminal 60 transmits user notification data notifying the arrival of the user to the vehicle dispatch service server 20 (step S10 in FIG. 5). The user notification data transmitted by the user terminal 60 is received by the vehicle dispatch service server 20 (step S119 in FIG. 5).

[0068] The dispatch vehicle 40 determines whether the dispatch vehicle 40 has arrived at the final boarding point based on an input operation from the driver or based on a comparison between the final boarding point and the position of the dispatch vehicle 40. When it is determined that the dispatch vehicle 40 has arrived at the final boarding point, the dispatch vehicle 40 transmits vehicle notification data notifying the arrival of the dispatch vehicle 40 to the dispatch service server 20 (step S13 in FIG. 5). The vehicle notification data transmitted by the dispatch vehicle 40 is received by the dispatch service server 20 (step S120 in FIG. 5).

[0069] When the vehicle dispatch service server 20 determines that the user has arrived at the final boarding point based on the user notification data (YES in step S121 of FIG. 7), it determines whether the user has passed the final boarding point (step S122 of FIG. 7).

[0070] When the user has passed the final boarding point (YES in step S122 of FIG. 7), the vehicle dispatch service server 20 transmits to the user terminal 60 control data for excluding the final boarding point that the user has passed from the display target.

[0071] The vehicle dispatch service server 20 returns to step S112 and extracts a boarding location candidate that is located in the moving direction side of the user's position from among a plurality of boarding location candidates that are located around the user. Then, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 performs the processes from step S113 onward.

[0072] Thus, in this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 identifies the direction of travel in which the user will travel based on the user's location data, and sets a boarding location from one or more candidate boarding locations that are located in the direction of travel of the user's location.

[0073] According to this configuration, when the user moves, the boarding location is set in the direction of movement of the user's position, so the user can head to the boarding location without being aware of the direction of the boarding location in the actual environment. The user can arrive at the boarding location smoothly, so the dispatch vehicle 40 and the user can meet at the right time. This makes it possible to reduce the impact of the dispatch vehicle 40 on the surrounding traffic.

[0074] In this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 transmits instruction data to the user terminal 60 to prompt the user to move from the current location, and then specifies the direction of movement. This configuration makes it possible to prompt the user to move, and therefore to prevent the user from remaining in the same place. This makes it possible to appropriately specify the direction of movement, and to smoothly set the boarding location.

[0075] In this embodiment, the position data includes at least one of data indicating the absolute position of the user and data indicating the relative position of the user with respect to the surrounding environment. With this configuration, the moving direction can be appropriately identified. In addition, since the relative position of the user with respect to the surrounding environment can be used, the moving direction can be recognized without using the absolute position of the user.

[0076] In this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets a boarding location candidate with a shorter distance as the boarding location with priority over a boarding location candidate with a longer distance. This configuration allows a boarding location that is easy for the user to arrive at to be set. This reduces the delay in the user's arrival at the boarding location, so that the dispatch vehicle 40 and the user can meet at the right time.

[0077] In this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets a boarding location candidate with a less complicated travel route as a boarding location with priority over a boarding location route with a more complicated travel route. With this configuration, a boarding location can be set that is easy for the user to arrive at, so that the dispatch vehicle 40 and the user can meet at the right time.

[0078] In this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 prioritizes a candidate boarding location with a small difference in arrival time between the user and the dispatched vehicle 40 as the boarding location over a candidate boarding location with a large difference in arrival time. With this configuration, a candidate boarding location where the user and the vehicle can efficiently meet can be set as the boarding location. Since the vehicle dispatched to the user does not have to wait for the user for a long time, the impact of the vehicle on the surrounding traffic can be reduced.

[0079] In this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 refers to a location candidate DB 221 that holds information on a plurality of locations where the vehicle 40 can be boarded, and extracts a plurality of candidate boarding locations that exist within a predetermined range around the user. The vehicle dispatch service server 20 then sets a boarding location from one or more candidate boarding locations that exist in the direction of travel of the user's position among the plurality of extracted candidate boarding locations. With this configuration, by referring to the database, the candidate boarding locations can be extracted as data processing.

[0080] In this embodiment, the ride-dispatch service server 20 transmits to the user terminal 60 candidate boarding location data that causes the user terminal to present multiple candidate boarding locations that exist within a predetermined range around the user until the direction of travel is identified. After the direction of travel is identified, the ride-dispatch service server 20 transmits to the user terminal 60 control data that excludes candidate boarding locations that exist in the opposite direction to the direction of travel from candidates to be presented.

[0081] According to this configuration, the user can recognize multiple candidate boarding locations around the user. As a result, the user does not need to head for one candidate boarding location, and therefore does not need to start walking while being conscious of a specific direction. Furthermore, by providing multiple candidate boarding locations, the user can be encouraged to move in a certain direction. Furthermore, after the direction of movement is identified, one or more candidate boarding locations that are on the side of the movement direction of the user's position are presented on the user terminal, and candidate boarding locations that are on the opposite side of the movement direction are excluded from the candidates for presentation. This can prevent the user from becoming confused about which direction to go due to the candidate boarding locations that are on the opposite side of the movement direction continuing to be presented on the user terminal.

[0082] In this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 transmits control data to the user terminal 60 to exclude boarding locations that the user has passed from the presented information. With this configuration, boarding locations that the user has passed are not presented, so that it is possible to prevent the user from wasting time by being drawn to a boarding location that the user has passed, becoming confused about the direction to go, and then returning the way they came.

[0083] In this embodiment, until the boarding location is set, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets a common driving route that can travel to multiple candidate boarding locations within a predetermined range from the user's surroundings as the driving route of the vehicle dispatch vehicle 40. On the other hand, when the boarding location is set, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets a driving route from the current location of the vehicle dispatch vehicle 40 to the boarding location as the driving route of the vehicle dispatch vehicle 40. According to this configuration, the vehicle can travel along a driving route that reaches all of the multiple candidate boarding locations before the boarding location is set. This eliminates the need to wait or move around until the boarding location is set, thereby reducing the impact on traffic.

[0084] Furthermore, like the dispatch service server 20 (boarding location setting device), the dispatch service system and boarding location setting method disclosed in this embodiment also enable the user to arrive at the boarding location smoothly, so that the dispatch vehicle 40 and the user can meet at the right time, thereby reducing the impact of the dispatch vehicle 40 on the surrounding traffic.

[0085] The user terminal 60 disclosed in this embodiment functions as a boarding location display device that displays the boarding location candidate data and the walking instruction data to the user. This boarding location display device allows the user to arrive at the boarding location smoothly, so that the dispatch vehicle 40 and the user can meet at the right time, thereby reducing the impact of the dispatch vehicle 40 on the surrounding traffic.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the boarding location is set and presented to the user after the user's travel direction is identified without being presented to the user in advance. However, the disclosure of this embodiment may be applied to a method in which the boarding location is presented to the user in advance, the user's travel direction is identified, and then the boarding location is reset and presented again.

[0087] In this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 is realized as a device that dispatches the vehicle 40 to the user. However, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 may be realized as a device that generates data for dispatching the vehicle 40 to the user, or may be a device that provides data generated by a server of a business operator that provides a transportation service to the user.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, display is exemplified as a method of presenting information by the user terminal 60, but a presentation method other than display, such as audio, may also be used.

[0089] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the multiple information processing circuits provided in the control devices 21, 41, and 61 are realized by software, but it is of course possible to configure the information processing circuits by preparing dedicated hardware for realizing the functions of each information processing circuit. Also, the multiple information processing circuits may be configured by individual hardware.

[0090] As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the description and drawings forming a part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting this invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10. Vehicle dispatch system 20. Vehicle dispatch service server (boarding location setting device) 21 Control device 22 Storage device 221 Location candidate DB 23 Communication Equipment 40 vehicles (dispatch vehicles) 41 Control device 42 Communication Equipment 60 User terminal (boarding location display device) 61 Control device 62 Input Devices 63 Display device 64 Communication Equipment 65 Position detection device

Claims

1. a communication device for transmitting and receiving data to and from a user terminal that presents information to a user who has requested a vehicle dispatch; a controller that controls the communication device to set a boarding location where the user boards the vehicle; The controller: Identifying a direction of travel of the user from a change in the position of the user over time based on position data including information on the position of the user received from the user terminal; Set the boarding location from among one or more boarding location candidates that are present within a predetermined range including the periphery of the user and that are present on the moving direction side of the position of the user; Transmitting boarding location data to the user terminal, which causes the user terminal to present information about the boarding location. Boarding location setting device.

2. The controller: Transmitting instruction data to the user terminal to cause the user terminal to present an instruction to prompt the user to move from the current location; After transmitting the instruction data to the user terminal, the moving direction is identified. The boarding location setting device according to claim 1.

3. The location data is and data indicating the absolute position of the user and / or data indicating the relative position of the user with respect to the surrounding environment.

3. The boarding location setting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The controller: Calculating a distance from the user to each of the boarding location candidates; A candidate boarding location having a shorter distance is set as the boarding location with higher priority than a candidate boarding location having a longer distance. The boarding location setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The controller: Calculating a degree of complexity of a travel route from the user to the boarding location candidate for each of the boarding location candidates; A boarding location candidate having a less complicated travel route is set as the boarding location with higher priority than a boarding location route having a more complicated travel route. The boarding location setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The controller: For each of the candidate boarding locations, calculate a time difference between a time until the user arrives at the candidate boarding location and a time until the vehicle arrives at the candidate boarding location; The boarding location candidate with a smaller time difference is set as the boarding location with higher priority than the boarding location candidate with a larger time difference. The boarding location setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The controller Refer to a database that stores information on a plurality of locations where the vehicle can be boarded, and extract a plurality of boarding location candidates that exist within the predetermined range; Among the extracted plurality of boarding location candidates, the boarding location is set from one or more boarding location candidates existing on the moving direction side of the user's position. The boarding location setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The controller: Transmitting boarding location candidate data to the user terminal, causing the user terminal to present the plurality of boarding location candidates present within the predetermined range, until the moving direction is identified; After the travel direction is identified, control data for excluding boarding location candidates that are on the opposite side of the travel direction from candidates to be presented is transmitted to the user terminal. The boarding location setting device according to claim 7.

9. The controller: Determine whether the user has passed through the boarding location; Transmitting control data to the user terminal to exclude the boarding location that the user has passed through from the presentation target. The boarding location setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The controller: Until the boarding location is set, a common travel route that can travel to the plurality of boarding location candidates that exist within the predetermined range is set as a travel route of the vehicle; When the boarding point is set, a travel route from the current location of the vehicle to the boarding point is set as the travel route of the vehicle. The boarding location setting device according to claim 7.

11. a user terminal that presents information to a user who has requested a vehicle dispatch; a vehicle dispatch service server that dispatches a vehicle to the user, The vehicle dispatch service server, A communication device for transmitting and receiving data to and from the user terminal; a controller that controls the communication device to set a boarding location where the user boards the vehicle; The controller: Identifying a direction of travel of the user from a change in the position of the user over time based on position data including information on the position of the user received from the user terminal; Set the boarding location from among one or more boarding location candidates that are present within a predetermined range including the periphery of the user and that are present on the moving direction side of the position of the user; Transmitting boarding location data to the user terminal, which causes the user terminal to present information about the boarding location. Vehicle dispatch service system.

12. A boarding location setting method for transmitting and receiving data to and from a user terminal that presents information to a user who has requested a vehicle dispatch, and setting a boarding location where the user will board the vehicle, comprising: A controller for processing the data, Identifying a direction of travel of the user from a change in the position of the user over time based on position data including information on the position of the user received from the user terminal; Set the boarding location from among one or more boarding location candidates that are present within a predetermined range including the periphery of the user and that are present on the moving direction side of the position of the user; Transmitting boarding location data to the user terminal, which causes the user terminal to present information about the boarding location. How to set your boarding location.

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