Ride-sharing vehicle-mounted device and wheelchair space display system

Abstract

To inform a user of whether a shared vehicle has a spare wheelchair space or not when the shared vehicle is approaching.SOLUTION: A shared vehicle loading device according to an embodiment comprises: an information acquisition unit which acquires chair opening / closing information indicating an opening / closing state of a wheelchair seat provided in a wheelchair space of a shared vehicle, from a chair opening / closing sensor; a wheelchair space information generation unit which determines whether the wheelchair space has a spare space or not on the basis of the chair opening / closing information and generates wheelchair space information according to a determination result; and a display control unit which performs control to display the presence or absence of a spare space in the wheelchair space, on a screen installed on the outside of the shared vehicle on the basis of the wheelchair space information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a shared vehicle-mounted device and a wheelchair space display system.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, in shared vehicles such as route buses, services that display the operating position and the degree of congestion inside the vehicle are provided to users.

[0003] Also, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for efficiently providing information regarding a route bus using digital signage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Even when displaying the degree of congestion inside the vehicle, there is a problem that whether the wheelchair space is open is not displayed. Therefore, even when a disabled person who moves by wheelchair tries to use a shared vehicle, there is a problem that it is not known whether there is an empty space until the shared vehicle approaches. Also, usually, when a disabled person who uses a wheelchair rides a shared vehicle, a caregiver is required. Therefore, in a driverless shared vehicle, there is also a problem that a disabled person who uses a wheelchair cannot ride.

[0006] This invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for notifying a user whether there is an empty space in the wheelchair space when a shared vehicle such as a route bus approaches.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The shared vehicle-mounted device according to the embodiment includes an information acquisition unit that acquires chair opening / closing information indicating the open / closed state of a wheelchair seat provided in the wheelchair space of a shared vehicle from a chair opening / closing sensor, a wheelchair space information generation unit that determines whether there is space in the wheelchair space based on the chair opening / closing information and generates wheelchair space information corresponding to the determination result, and a display control unit that controls to display whether there is space in the wheelchair space on a screen installed outside the shared vehicle based on the wheelchair space information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the above-described shared vehicle-mounted device, it is possible to notify a user whether there is space in the wheelchair space when a shared vehicle such as a bus approaches.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the ride-sharing vehicle-mounted device and the wheelchair space display system will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the parts with the same numbers are assumed to perform the same operations, and redundant explanations are omitted. For example, when there are a plurality of identical or similar elements, a common reference numeral may be used to describe each element without distinction, or a branch number may be used in addition to the common reference numeral to describe each element separately.

[0011] [Embodiment] (Configuration) FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a wheelchair space display system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the wheelchair space display system 100 includes a ride-sharing vehicle 1, a central server 2, and a portable terminal 3 owned by a user 4. The ride-sharing vehicle 1 further includes a ride-sharing vehicle-mounted device 10. The ride-sharing vehicle 1, the ride-sharing vehicle-mounted device 10, the central server 2, and the portable terminal 3 are connected to each other through a network 5.

[0012] The ride-sharing vehicle 1 is, for example, a ride-sharing bus, a so-called route bus, and is a vehicle that runs on a determined route at a determined time. The seats in the ride-sharing vehicle 1 include wheelchair seats that can be folded and used as a wheelchair space and general seats that can be used only by ordinary people. For example, the wheelchair space is secured by folding the wheelchair seat. Also, the ride-sharing vehicle 1 measures its current position using a satellite positioning system (e.g., GPS, GNSS, etc.) and transmits the measurement result (position information) to the central server 2 via the network 5. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the ride-sharing vehicle 1 is a vehicle having a wheelchair space where a passenger (user 4) using a wheelchair can board.

[0013] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the wheelchair space display system 100 may include a bus stop where the ride-sharing vehicle 1 stops. The bus stop may also be connected to the ride-sharing vehicle 1, the central server 2, etc. via the network 5.

[0014] The shared vehicle-mounted device 10 is a device installed in the shared vehicle 1. The shared vehicle-mounted device 10 determines the congestion situation inside the vehicle based on the data measured by various devices installed in the shared vehicle 1. Further, the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 transmits the determined congestion situation to the central server 2 and the mobile terminal 3 via the network 5. Also, the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 may display the information outside the shared vehicle 1 approaching the stop in order to notify the user 4 waiting at the stop or the like of the congestion situation.

[0015] The central server 2 is a server that collects location information from a plurality of shared vehicles 1 and grasps the operation status of the shared vehicles 1. Further, the central server 2 receives various information from the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 and the mobile terminal 3, or transmits various information to the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 and the mobile terminal 3.

[0016] The mobile terminal 3 is a terminal owned by the user 4. The mobile terminal 3 may be any terminal that the user 4 can carry, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, etc. The mobile terminal 3 may receive the congestion situation of the shared vehicle 1 transmitted by the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 and display the congestion situation to the user 4.

[0017] Also, the mobile terminal 3 may be a part of the terminal including the stop where the shared vehicle 1 stops. For example, the terminal in the present embodiment includes the mobile terminal 3 and the stop, and is a device capable of displaying the congestion situation of the shared vehicle 1 to the user 4.

[0018] The user 4 is a user who intends to use the shared vehicle 1 and is assumed to be using a wheelchair. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the user 4 needs to board using, for example, the wheelchair space.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 according to the embodiment and the software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the details of the hardware configuration of the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 will be described. The shared vehicle-mounted device 10 includes a control unit 11, a program storage unit 12, a data storage unit 13, a communication interface 14, and an input / output interface 15. The control unit 11, the program storage unit 12, the data storage unit 13, the communication interface 14, and the input / output interface 15 are communicably connected to each other via a bus.

[0020] The shared vehicle-mounted device 10 can realize various operations by a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer).

[0021] The control unit 11 controls the shared vehicle-mounted device 10. The control unit 11 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit).

[0022] The program storage unit 12 is configured by, for example, combining a non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) that can be written to and read from at any time as a storage medium and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). In addition to middleware such as an OS (Operating System), it stores application programs necessary for executing various control processes according to one embodiment. Hereinafter, the OS and each application program are collectively referred to as a program.

[0023] The data storage unit 13 may be, for example, a combination of a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time as a storage medium and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0024] The communication interface 14 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 14 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to terminals including the shared vehicle 1, the central server 2, and the mobile terminal 3 via the network 5. Note that the communication interface 14 may have a communication module for wired connection to the shared vehicle 1. The communication interface 14 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with external devices including the shared vehicle 1, the central server 2, and the mobile terminal 3 under the control of the control unit 11 and transmit and receive various information.

[0025] The input / output interface 15 is connected to the chair opening / closing sensor 151, the seat surface pressure sensor 152, the camera 153, the seat belt holder sensor 154, the seat information display 155, the wheelchair mark emitter 156, etc. The input / output interface 15 is an interface that enables transmission and reception of information between the control unit 11 and the chair opening / closing sensor 151, the seat surface pressure sensor 152, the camera 153, the seat belt holder sensor 154, the seat information display 155, and the wheelchair mark emitter 156. The input / output interface 15 may be integrated with the communication interface 14. For example, the control unit 11 and the chair opening / closing sensor 151, the seat surface pressure sensor 152, the camera 153, the seat belt holder sensor 154, the seat information display 155, and the wheelchair mark emitter 156 are wirelessly connected using short-range wireless technology or the like, and information may be transmitted and received using the short-range wireless technology.

[0026] The chair opening / closing sensor 151 is a sensor installed on the wheelchair seat. The chair opening / closing sensor 151 detects whether it is in a state where a general passenger can sit (open state) or a state where the wheelchair seat is folded (closed state). The chair opening / closing sensor 151 may detect when the state changes. Then, the chair opening / closing sensor 151 outputs chair opening / closing information indicating the detected state (whether the wheelchair seat is in the open state or the closed state) to the control unit 11.

[0027] The seat surface pressure sensor 152 is a sensor installed on the seat surfaces of both the wheelchair seat and the general seat arranged in the shared vehicle 1. The seat surface pressure sensor 152 detects the weight on the seat surface of the seat, and detects whether a passenger is seated or not, or whether luggage is placed or not. For example, the seat surface pressure sensor 152 may detect whether a passenger is seated or luggage is placed using a predetermined threshold value. Then, the seat surface pressure sensor 152 outputs seat surface information indicating whether a person is sitting on the seat surface to the control unit 11.

[0028] The camera 153 is an in-vehicle camera capable of photographing the inside of the shared vehicle 1. The camera 153 is installed inside the vehicle so that the entire seat inside the vehicle can be photographed. Therefore, only one camera 153 may be installed inside the vehicle, or a plurality of cameras may be installed. The camera 153 outputs a photographed image obtained by photographing an image inside the vehicle to the control unit 11.

[0029] The seat belt holder sensor 154 is a sensor that determines whether the seat belt arranged on each seat is attached to the holder. The seat belt holder sensor 154 detects whether the seat belt is attached to the holder. Then, the seat belt holder sensor 154 generates holder information indicating whether the seat belt is attached to the holder, and outputs the generated holder information to the control unit 11.

[0030] Note that in the shared vehicle 1, for example, in a general route bus, the seat belt may not be installed. However, in the shared vehicle 1 passing through a toll road such as a highway, the seat belt needs to be installed. Therefore, the seat belt holder sensor 154 may be arranged only in the shared vehicle 1 equipped with the seat belt.

[0031] The seat information display 155 is a display arranged outside the shared vehicle 1. For example, the seat information display 155 is used to display information such as which seats in the shared vehicle 1 are vacant and whether there is space for a wheelchair to a user 4 who is about to board the shared vehicle 1 at a bus stop. Also, the seat information display 155 may be a destination display arranged on the front and side surfaces of the shared vehicle 1, or it may be a display separate from the destination display.

[0032] The wheelchair mark emitter 156 blinks the wheelchair mark. Here, the wheelchair mark is a mark that conforms to a predetermined standard. For example, when there is space for a wheelchair, the wheelchair mark emitter 156 lights up the wheelchair mark, and when there is no space for a wheelchair, it turns off the light. Note that the emission color of the wheelchair mark shall conform to a predetermined standard. Note that the emission control of the wheelchair mark emitter 156 may be the reverse of the above. Specifically, when there is space for a wheelchair, the wheelchair mark may be turned off, and when there is no space for a wheelchair, it may be controlled to emit light. It is sufficient if the emission of the wheelchair mark emitter 156 can notify the availability of the wheelchair space.

[0033] Next, the details of the software configuration of the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 will be described. The control unit 11 includes an information acquisition unit 111, a seat information control unit 112, a communication control unit 113, a proximity determination unit 114, and a display control unit 115. Further, the data storage unit 13 includes an acquired information storage unit 131 and a map information storage unit 132.

[0034] The information acquisition unit 111 is an acquisition unit that acquires information from various devices via the shared vehicle 1 and the input / output interface 15. The information acquisition unit 111 acquires the position information of the shared vehicle 1 measured by the satellite positioning system provided in the shared vehicle 1. Further, the information acquisition unit 111 acquires chair opening / closing information from the chair opening / closing sensor 151, seat surface pressure information from the seat surface pressure sensor 152, a captured image from the camera 153, and holder information from the seat belt holder sensor 154. The information acquisition unit 111 may store the acquired information in the acquisition information storage unit 131 described later.

[0035] The seat information control unit 112 includes a wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 and an empty seat information generation unit 1122.

[0036] The wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 determines whether there is space in the wheelchair space based on at least the chair opening / closing information. Then, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 generates wheelchair space information according to the determination.

[0037] The empty seat information generation unit 1122 determines whether the seats in the shared vehicle 1 are occupied or empty based on at least the seat surface pressure information. Then, the empty seat information generation unit 1122 generates empty seat information corresponding to the determination, that is, indicating whether the seats are empty.

[0038] The communication control unit 113 is a control unit that controls to transmit seat information including wheelchair space information and empty seat information to the central server 2, the mobile terminal 3, etc.

[0039] The display control unit 115 controls to display the wheelchair space information and the empty seat information on the seat information display 155. Further, the display control unit 115 controls to cause the wheelchair mark emitter 156 to emit light, that is, to light up.

[0040] The acquired information storage unit 131 is a storage unit used to store various information acquired by the information acquisition unit 111. The acquired information storage unit 131 is used to store position information, chair opening / closing information, seat surface pressure information, captured images, holder information, and the like.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the central server 2 according to the embodiment and the software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the details of the hardware configuration of the central server 2 will be described. The central server 2 includes a control unit 21, a program storage unit 22, a data storage unit 23, a communication interface 24, and an input / output interface 25. The control unit 21, the program storage unit 22, the data storage unit 23, the communication interface 24, and the input / output interface 25 are communicably connected to each other via a bus. Further, the input / output interface 25 is communicably connected to an input unit 251 and an output unit 252. The central server 2 can realize various operations by a computer such as a PC.

[0042] The control unit 21 controls the central server 2. The control unit 21 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0043] The program storage unit 22 is configured by combining, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time as a storage medium and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. In addition to middleware such as an OS, it stores application programs necessary to execute various control processes according to an embodiment.

[0044] The data storage unit 23 may be, for example, a combination of a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time as a storage medium and a volatile memory such as a RAM.

[0045] The communication interface 24 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 24 includes a communication module for making a wired or wireless connection with the shared vehicle 1, the in-vehicle device 10 of the shared vehicle, the mobile terminal 3, etc. via the network 5. The communication interface 24 can be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate between the shared vehicle 1, the in-vehicle device 10 of the shared vehicle, the mobile terminal 3, and other external devices under the control of the control unit 21 and send and receive various information.

[0046] The input / output interface 25 is connected to the input unit 251, the output unit 252, etc. The input / output interface 25 is an interface that enables the transmission and reception of information between the control unit 21, the input unit 251, and the output unit 252. The input / output interface 25 may be integrated with the communication interface 24. For example, the input / output interface 25 and the control unit 21, the input unit 251, or the output unit 252 are wirelessly connected using a short-range wireless technology or the like, and information may be transmitted and received using the short-range wireless technology.

[0047] The input unit 251 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. for an administrator who manages the central server 2 to input various information to the central server 2. Further, the input unit 251 may include a reader for reading data to be stored in the program storage unit 12 or the data storage unit 23 from a memory medium such as a USB memory, or a disk device for reading such data from a disk medium.

[0048] The output unit 252 includes a display for displaying output data to be presented to the administrator from the central server 2, a printer for printing it, etc.

[0049] Next, the details of the software configuration of the central server 2 will be described.

[0050] The control unit 21 includes a communication control unit 211 and a reservation control unit 212. Further, the data storage unit 23 includes a received information storage unit 231.

[0051] The communication control unit 211 is a control unit for receiving various types of information from the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 and the mobile terminal 3. For example, the communication control unit 211 receives seat information from the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 and reservation information from the mobile terminal 3. Also, the communication control unit 211 may receive various types of information from the shared vehicle 1. For example, the communication control unit 211 may receive position information and the like from the shared vehicle 1.

[0052] The reservation control unit 212 is, for example, a control unit for displaying reservation information on the display of the output unit 252 based on the reservation information. Further, the reservation control unit 212 may control to notify the administrator of the central server 2 whether to dispatch an assistant corresponding to the user 4 who uses a wheelchair based on the reservation information. Also, when receiving reservation information for reserving the use of the wheelchair space from the mobile terminal 3, the communication control unit 211 transmits information indicating that the reservation of the use of the wheelchair space has been received to the shared vehicle-mounted device 10. When the wheelchair space information generation unit 121 of the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 receives information indicating that the reservation of the use of the wheelchair space has been received, it generates wheelchair space information indicating that the wheelchair space cannot be used even if the wheelchair seat is in an open state. Thereby, it is possible to suppress competition between other users and the reserving person by assuming that the reserved wheelchair space is available.

[0053] The received information storage unit 231 is used to store the information received by the communication control unit 211.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 3 according to the embodiment and the software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the details of the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 3 will be described. The mobile terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, a program storage unit 32, a data storage unit 33, a communication interface 34, and an input / output interface 35. The control unit 31, the program storage unit 32, the data storage unit 33, the communication interface 34, and the input / output interface 35 are communicably connected to each other via a bus. Further, the input / output interface 35 is communicably connected to an input unit 351 and an output unit 352. The mobile terminal 3 can realize various operations by a computer such as a PC.

[0055] The control unit 31 controls the mobile terminal 3. The control unit 31 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0056] The program storage unit 32 is configured by combining, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time as a storage medium and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. In addition to middleware such as an OS, it stores application programs necessary for executing various control processes according to one embodiment.

[0057] The data storage unit 33 may be, for example, a combination of a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time as a storage medium and a volatile memory such as a RAM.

[0058] The communication interface 34 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 34 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the shared vehicle 1, the in-vehicle device 10 of the shared vehicle, the central server 2, etc. via the network 5. The communication interface 34 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate between the shared vehicle 1, the in-vehicle device 10 of the shared vehicle, the central server 2, and other external devices under the control of the control unit 31 and send and receive various information.

[0059] The input / output interface 35 is connected to an input unit 351, an output unit 352, etc. The input / output interface 35 is an interface that enables the transmission and reception of information between the control unit 31, the input unit 351, and the output unit 352. The input / output interface 35 may be integrated with the communication interface 34. For example, the input / output interface 35 and the control unit 31, the input unit 351, or the output unit 352 may be wirelessly connected using short-range wireless technology or the like, and information may be transmitted and received using the short-range wireless technology.

[0060] The input unit 351 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. for a user 4 who owns the mobile terminal 3 to input various information to the mobile terminal 3. Further, the input unit 351 may include a reader for reading data to be stored in the program storage unit 12 or the data storage unit 33 from a memory medium such as a USB memory, or a disk device for reading such data from a disk medium.

[0061] The output unit 352 includes a display for displaying output data to be presented from the mobile terminal 3 to the user 4.

[0062] Next, the details of the software configuration of the mobile terminal 3 will be described.

[0063] The control unit 31 includes a communication control unit 311 and a display control unit 312. Further, the data storage unit 33 includes a received information storage unit 331.

[0064] The communication control unit 311 is a control unit that receives various information from the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 and the central server 2. For example, the communication control unit 311 receives seat information from the shared vehicle-mounted device 10. Further, the communication control unit 311 transmits reservation information to the central server 2.

[0065] The display control unit 312 controls to display the wheelchair space information and the vacant seat information included in the seat information on the display of the output unit 352. As a result, the user 4 can know in real time whether there is a vacant wheelchair space in any shared vehicle 1 and whether there is a vacant seat by looking at the mobile terminal 3. Then, the display control unit 312 operating as a reservation control unit may be controlled to accept a reservation when there is a vacancy in the wheelchair space. The display control unit 312 outputs the received reservation information to the communication control unit 311.

[0066] Also, the stops included in the terminal may have the same hardware configuration and software configuration as the mobile terminal 3.

[0067] (Operation) FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of displaying the availability status of the wheelchair space in the present embodiment. The operations of this flowchart are realized by the control unit 11 of the shared vehicle-mounted device 10 reading and executing the programs stored in the program storage unit 12 respectively.

[0068] This flowchart is started, for example, when the shared vehicle 1 departs from the starting stop. Alternatively, this flowchart may be started each time the shared vehicle 1 departs from an arbitrary stop. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the shared vehicle 1 always acquires position information using a satellite positioning system and outputs the position information to the shared vehicle-mounted device 10. Then, the information acquisition unit 111 acquires the information and stores it in the acquired information storage unit 131. That is, it is assumed that the acquired information storage unit 131 stores the position information that is the current position of the current shared vehicle 1.

[0069] In step ST101, the information acquisition unit 111 acquires in-vehicle information. The information acquisition unit 111 acquires the information detected by each of the seat opening / closing sensor 151, the seat surface pressure sensor 152, the camera 153, and the seat belt holder sensor 154. Note that when the camera 153 and the seat belt holder sensor 154 are not installed, the information acquisition unit 111 does not necessarily have to acquire this information. That is, the acquisition of this information may be optional.

[0070] In step ST102, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 generates wheelchair space information. The wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 generates wheelchair space information indicating whether the wheelchair space is vacant based on at least the seat opening / closing information detected by the seat opening / closing sensor 151. For example, when the seat opening / closing information indicates that the wheelchair seat in the wheelchair space is in a folded state (closed state), the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 determines that the wheelchair space is being used and there is no vacancy in the wheelchair space. When the wheelchair seat is in a folded state, it means that another user who uses the wheelchair is using the wheelchair space. Therefore, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 determines that a new passenger (user 4) using a wheelchair cannot be seated and determines that there is no vacancy in the wheelchair space. On the other hand, for example, when the seat opening / closing information indicates that the wheelchair seat in the wheelchair space is in a state where a person can sit (open state), the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 determines that the wheelchair space is not being used and there is a vacancy in the wheelchair space. That is, by folding the wheelchair seat, a user 4 or the like using a wheelchair can use it as a wheelchair space.

[0071] Then, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 generates wheelchair space information according to the determination. Then, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 outputs the generated wheelchair space information to the communication control unit 113 and the display control unit 115.

[0072] In step ST103, the vacant seat information generation unit 1122 generates vacant seat information. The vacant seat information generation unit 1122 generates vacant seat information based on at least the seat surface information detected by the seat surface pressure sensor 152. Then, the vacant seat information generation unit 1122 outputs the generated vacant seat information to the communication control unit 113 and the display control unit 115.

[0073] Also, the vacant seat information generation unit 1122 may further generate vacant seat information based on the captured image by the camera 153 and the holder information detected by the seat belt holder sensor 154. The seat surface pressure sensor 152 may determine that an object placed on the seat is a passenger. Therefore, the vacant seat information generation unit 1122 may use the captured image and the holder information to generate vacant seat information in order to improve the accuracy of the vacant seat information. For example, in the captured image, or in the captured image or the holder information, if the seat surface information indicates that a passenger is sitting even though it has not been determined that a passenger is riding, the vacant seat information generation unit 1122 may determine that there is a luggage on the seat and determine that the seat is vacant.

[0074] Furthermore, for example, when it is possible to detect the boarding and alighting of passengers on the shared vehicle 1, for example, when the fare changes according to the distance, the information acquisition unit 111 may acquire information regarding the boarding and alighting of passengers from the shared vehicle 1, that is, information on how many passengers are in the vehicle. Then, the vacant seat information generation unit 1122 may further generate vacant seat information based on the said information.

[0075] In addition, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 may determine whether a passenger is sitting in the seat of the wheelchair space based on the vacant seat information generated by the vacant seat information generation unit 1122. For example, when the wheelchair opening / closing information indicates that the wheelchair seat in the wheelchair space is in a state where it can be seated (open state), and it is determined that a passenger is sitting in the seat of the wheelchair space, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 determines that there is no vacancy in the wheelchair space. Further, even if the wheelchair opening / closing information indicates that the wheelchair seat in the wheelchair space is in a state where it can be seated (open state), if it is determined that no passenger is sitting in the seat of the wheelchair space, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 may determine that there is a vacancy in the wheelchair space.

[0076] Alternatively, even if a passenger is sitting in the seat of the wheelchair space, based on the seat information, if it is determined that there is a vacancy in another seat and the passenger sitting in the seat of the wheelchair space can sit in another seat, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 may also determine that there is a vacancy in the wheelchair space. That is, when the number of vacant seats in the normal seats is greater than the number of passengers sitting in the wheelchair space, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 determines that there is a vacancy in the wheelchair space and updates the wheelchair space information. Then, the wheelchair space information generation unit 1121 outputs the updated wheelchair space information to the communication control unit 113 and the display control unit 115.

[0077] In step ST104, the communication control unit 113 transmits the seat information. The communication control unit 113 generates seat information including the wheelchair space information and the vacant seat information, and transmits the seat information to the central server 2 and the mobile terminal 3 through the communication interface 14 and the network 5. For example, the communication control unit 113 transmits the seat information to an arbitrary web server on the network 5, and the communication control unit 211 of the mobile terminal 3 acquires the seat information from the web server as necessary. Note that the web server may be a part of the central server 2. In addition to the seat information, the information provided by the web server may be provided together with existing services, such as the approach information and operation information of the shared vehicle 1.

[0078] Furthermore, the display control unit 312 controls to display the wheelchair space information and the vacant seat information included in the seat information on the display of the output unit 352. Thereby, the user 4 can know in real time whether there is a vacant wheelchair space in the current shared automobile 1 and whether there is a vacant seat by looking at the mobile terminal 3. And the display control unit 312 operating as a reservation control unit may control to accept a reservation when there is a vacancy in the wheelchair space. And the communication control unit 311 may transmit the reservation information to the central server 2.

[0079] The communication control unit 211 of the central server 2 receives the reservation information. And the reservation control unit 212 displays the reservation information on the display of the output unit 252 or the like. For example, when the shared automobile 1 is driverless, the user 4 who uses a wheelchair without an assistant cannot board the shared automobile 1. Therefore, the reservation control unit 212 may control to inform the administrator of the central server 2 that it is necessary to dispatch an assistant based on the reservation information. Thereby, the administrator of the central server 2 can take measures such as dispatching an assistant for the user 4 who plans to board the shared automobile 1 using a wheelchair.

[0080] Also, the communication control unit 211 transmits information indicating that a reservation has been received to the shared automobile device 10. When receiving the information indicating that a reservation has been received, even if the wheelchair space is available, for example, even if the wheelchair seat is in an open state, the wheelchair space information generation unit 121 may generate wheelchair space information indicating that the wheelchair space cannot be used.

[0081] In step ST105, the approach determination unit 114 determines whether the shared vehicle 1 is approaching a bus stop. For example, the approach determination unit 114 determines whether the shared vehicle 1 is approaching a bus stop based on the position information stored in the acquired information storage unit 131 and the bus stop information stored in the map information storage unit 132. For example, when the shared vehicle 1 approaches within a predetermined distance (e.g., 50 m) to the bus stop, the approach determination unit 114 determines that the shared vehicle 1 has approached the bus stop. The predetermined distance may be a distance at which passengers at the bus stop can visually recognize the shared vehicle 1 and may be changed for each bus stop. When it is determined that the shared vehicle 1 is not approaching the bus stop, the process repeats the determination in step ST105. On the other hand, when it is determined that the shared vehicle 1 has approached the bus stop, information indicating that the shared vehicle 1 has approached the bus stop is output to the display control unit 115. Then, the process proceeds to step ST106.

[0082] In step ST106, the display control unit 115 controls to display the seat information on the seat information display 155. For example, the display control unit 115 displays information such as whether there is an available wheelchair space and how many vacant seats there are on the seat information display 155. Further, when there is an available space in the wheelchair space, the wheelchair mark emitter 156 may be lit. Thereby, the user 4 can easily visually recognize that there is an available space in the wheelchair space. Alternatively, as described above, when there is an available space in the wheelchair space, the display control unit 115 may of course turn off the wheelchair mark emitter 156.

[0083] (Operation and Effect of Embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, the carpool vehicle-mounted device 10 determines whether there is an empty space in the wheelchair space, and when there is an empty space in the wheelchair space, causes the guidance screen or the wheelchair mark installed outside the carpool vehicle 1 to emit light. Thereby, the user 4 who plans to board the carpool vehicle 1 can easily know whether there is an empty space in the wheelchair space. Further, by providing the wheelchair space information and the vacant seat information to the mobile terminal 3 of the user 4, the user 4 can know in real time whether there is an empty space in the wheelchair space of the carpool vehicle 1 and whether there is a vacant seat in the seat.

[0084] Furthermore, even in the case of a driverless carpool vehicle, by the reservation control unit 212 notifying the administrator of the central server 2 based on the reservation information, even a driverless carpool vehicle can be boarded by a disabled person using a wheelchair. Further, when information indicating that a reservation has been received is received based on the reservation information, the wheelchair space 121 generates wheelchair space information indicating that the wheelchair space cannot be used. Thereby, it is possible to suppress other passengers other than the user 4 from using the wheelchair space.

[0085] [Other Embodiments] The carpool vehicle-mounted device 10 may transmit seat information to the guidance display board at the bus stop. The guidance display board at the bus stop may be configured to display whether there is an empty space in the wheelchair space and how many vacant seats there are. Thereby, the user 4 at the bus stop can know the congestion situation of the carpool vehicle 1 by looking at the guidance display board.

[0086] In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Also, the respective embodiments may be implemented in combination as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0087] 100… Wheelchair space display system 1… Shared automobile 10… Device mounted on shared automobile 11… Control unit 111… Information acquisition unit 112… Seat information control unit 113… Communication control unit 114… Proximity determination unit 115… Display control unit 12… Program memory unit 13… Data memory unit 131… Acquired information memory unit 132… Map information memory unit 14… Communication interface 15… Input / output interface 151… Wheelchair opening / closing sensor 152… Seat surface pressure sensor 153… Camera 154… Seat belt holder sensor 155… Seat information display 156… Wheelchair mark emitter 2… Central server 21… Control unit 211… Communication control unit 212… Reservation control unit 22… Program memory unit 23… Data memory unit 231… Received information memory unit 24… Communication interface 25… Input / output interface 251… Input unit 252… Output unit 3… Mobile terminal 31… Control unit 311… Communication control unit 312… Display control unit 1121… Wheelchair space information generation unit 1122… Vacant seat information generation unit 32… Program memory unit 33… Data memory unit 331… Received information memory unit 34… Communication interface 35… Input / output interface 351… Input section 352… Output section 4… User 5… Network

Claims

1. A shared vehicle-mounted device mounted on a shared vehicle, An information acquisition unit that acquires chair opening / closing information indicating the open / closed state of a wheelchair seat provided in the wheelchair space of the shared vehicle from a chair opening / closing sensor, and acquires seat surface pressure information indicating the seat surface pressure of the seats of the shared vehicle from a seat surface pressure sensor installed on the seats of the shared vehicle; A generation unit for vacant seat information that indicates the number of vacant seats and the number of passengers sitting in each of the wheelchair seat and the general seat based on the seat surface pressure information; When the chair opening / closing information indicates that the wheelchair seat is in a folded state, it is determined that there is no vacancy in the wheelchair space, and when the chair opening / closing information indicates that the wheelchair seat is in a state where a passenger can sit, it is determined that there is a vacancy in the wheelchair space. Based on the vacant seat information, when the number of vacant seats in the general seats of the shared vehicle is greater than the number of passengers sitting in the wheelchair seat, regardless of the chair opening / closing information, it is determined that there is a vacancy in the wheelchair space. A generation unit for wheelchair space information; A display control unit that controls to display whether there is a vacancy in the wheelchair space on a screen installed outside the shared vehicle based on the wheelchair space information; A shared vehicle-mounted device comprising the above.

2. The generation unit for the vacant seat information generates the vacant seat information based further on a captured image captured by an in-vehicle camera installed in the shared vehicle. The shared vehicle-mounted device according to Claim 1.

3. The information acquisition unit acquires holder information indicating whether a seat belt provided on the seat is attached to a seat belt holder from a seat belt holder sensor installed on the seat of the shared vehicle, and the generation unit for the vacant seat information generates the vacant seat information based further on the holder information. The shared vehicle-mounted device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. When it is determined that there is an empty space in the wheelchair space, the display control unit controls to turn on a wheelchair mark installed outside the shared automobile. The shared automobile-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. It further includes a communication control unit that transmits seat information including the wheelchair space information. The shared automobile-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A shared automobile-mounted device mounted on a shared automobile, A terminal device, A wheelchair space display system comprising: The shared automobile-mounted device, An information acquisition unit that acquires chair opening / closing information indicating the open / closed state of a wheelchair seat provided in the wheelchair space of the shared automobile, and acquires seat surface pressure information indicating the seat surface pressure of the seats of the shared automobile from a seat surface pressure sensor installed on the seats of the shared automobile; A vacant seat information generation unit that generates vacant seat information indicating the number of vacant seats and the number of passengers sitting in each of the wheelchair seat and the general seat based on the seat surface pressure information; When the chair opening / closing information indicates that the wheelchair seat is in a folded state, it is determined that there is no empty space in the wheelchair space, and when the chair opening / closing information indicates that the wheelchair seat is in a state where a passenger can sit, it is determined that there is an empty space in the wheelchair space. Based on the vacant seat information, when the number of vacant seats in the general seats of the shared automobile is more than the number of passengers sitting in the wheelchair seat, regardless of the chair opening / closing information, it is determined that there is an empty space in the wheelchair space. A wheelchair space information generation unit; A first communication control unit that controls to transmit the wheelchair space information to the terminal device; and The terminal device, A second communication control unit that controls the transmission and reception of information with the shared automobile-mounted device; A display control unit that displays on a display unit whether there is an available wheelchair space in the shared vehicle based on the wheelchair space information transmitted from the shared vehicle-mounted device. A wheelchair space display system.

7. The terminal device Further includes a reservation control unit that accepts a reservation for the wheelchair space when there is an available space in the wheelchair space. The wheelchair space display system according to claim 6.

8. The second communication control unit transmits reservation information indicating that the reservation has been accepted to the shared vehicle-mounted device. When the wheelchair space information generation unit receives the reservation information, it generates the wheelchair space information as information indicating that there is no available space in the wheelchair space. The wheelchair space display system according to claim 7.

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