Mobile Support System and Mobile Support Server

Abstract

To provide a movement support system, a movement support server, and a terminal program which have improved convenience of a user in consideration of a usage state of the user.SOLUTION: Disclosed is a movement support system 100 which includes: a user terminal 4 for outputting a route from a departure point to a destination using movement means; and a movement support server 1 communicably connected to the user terminal 4. This system also includes: a route search processing part for searching the route utilizing one or more movement means based on the departure point and the destination; and a charge calculation part for calculating the use charge in the route searched by the route search processing part based on a charge system corresponding to a use form related to the use time provided in advance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobility support system and mobility support ser in the bar vice.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a system that searches for a route and calculates a fare when a departure place and a destination are input. Such systems have various contrivances, for example, sorting by fare or being able to input a transit point. In addition, a system has been disclosed that performs reservation processing when a usage period and usage date and time are specified, and after actually using it, deducts transportation expenses from a financial institution and distributes them to each transportation means used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, conventionally, instead of the user arranging the means of transportation such as public transportation individually, there is a service called MaaS (Mobility as a Service) that collectively performs search, reservation, and payment of the means of transportation. Since MaaS performs a series of processes collectively, it is convenient for the user, but the use of the entire route is fundamental. And what is described in Patent Document 1 is considered to be a kind of MaaS. Depending on the user, for example, the usage frequency of the means of transportation in a certain range such as a predetermined section may be higher than the usage frequency of the means of transportation in other ranges. Therefore, further contrivances according to the usage situation of the user are required.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a travel support system, a travel support server, and a terminal program that improve the convenience of users in consideration of their usage status.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. A first invention is a travel support system including a terminal that outputs a route from a departure place to a destination using a means of transportation, and a travel support server communicably connected to the terminal, the travel support system including: a route search means for searching for a route using one or more of the means of transportation based on the departure place and the destination; and a fare calculation means for calculating the usage fee on the route searched by the route search means based on a fare system corresponding to a usage form related to a preset usage time. A second invention is the travel support system according to the first invention, further including: a settlement means for settling the usage fee calculated by the fare calculation means; and a confirmation information registration means for registering confirmation information in a confirmation information storage unit when the settlement of the usage fee by the settlement means is performed, the confirmation information including identification information for identifying a user and information related to the usage form in a designated range of the route, and when the information related to the usage form includes information allowing multiple usages, further including a multiple usage registration means for associating the identification information with the information related to the usage form and registering them in a multiple usage storage unit. A third invention is the travel support system according to the second invention, wherein the fare calculation means refers to the multiple usage storage unit and, when the usage fee in the designated range has been paid, calculates the usage fee by reducing the paid fee. A fourth invention is the travel support system according to the second or third invention, further including: a reservation means for determining the reservation of the means of transportation based on the confirmation information when the settlement of the usage fee by the settlement means is performed; and a reservation result output means for outputting the reservation result by the reservation means to the terminal. The fifth invention is a travel support system according to any one of the second to fourth inventions, wherein when the route search means has the identification information in the plurality of usage storage units, the route is searched with priority given to the use of the travel means included in the information regarding the usage form corresponding to the identification information. The sixth invention is a travel support system according to any one of the second to fifth inventions, further comprising: confirmation means for referring to the determination information storage unit based on the identification information received via the reader device that reads a recording medium carried by the user and stores the identification information, and confirming the determination information including the travel means; and usage update means for updating the determination information storage unit when confirmation by the confirmation means is possible. The seventh invention is a travel support system according to the sixth invention, wherein the terminal is a mobile terminal and the recording medium is provided in the terminal. The eighth invention is a travel support system according to the sixth invention, wherein the recording medium is an IC card having a communication function enabling communication with the reader device, or code information readable by the reader device. The ninth invention is a travel support system according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the route search means further searches the route based on the departure time or arrival time. The tenth invention is a travel support system according to any one of the first to ninth inventions, further comprising: route candidate output means for outputting route candidate information as a search result by the route search means to the terminal together with the usage fee calculated by the fee calculation means; and route detail output means for outputting route detail information showing details of the one route candidate information to the terminal in response to the terminal receiving a selection of the one route candidate information from the route candidate information output by the route candidate output means. The 11th invention is a movement support system among any of the 1st to 10th inventions, wherein the moving means includes at least one of public transportation, taxis, car sharing, and cycle sharing, and it is a movement support system. The 12th invention is a movement support system among any of the 1st to 11th inventions, wherein the fare calculation means calculates the usage fee for at least a part of the route searched by the route search means based on the fare system related to cycle sharing. The 13th invention is the movement support server included in any of the movement support systems from the 1st to the 12th invention. The 14th invention is a terminal program for causing a computer to function as the terminal included in any of the movement support systems from the 1st to the 12th invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a movement support system, a movement support server, and a terminal program that improve the convenience of users in consideration of the usage status of the users.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] It is an overall schematic diagram of the movement support system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a functional block diagram of the movement support server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of the storage unit of the movement support server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a functional block diagram of the user terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the registration process of the movement support server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the route determination process of the movement support system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of display on the user terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a display example on the user terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a display example on the user terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a diagram for explaining a registration example in the sharing cycle according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the usage process of the movement support server according to this embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that this is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. (Embodiment) <Overall Configuration of Movement Support System 100> FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of the movement support system 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the movement support server 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the storage unit 30 of the movement support server 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the user terminal 4 according to this embodiment.

[0010] In the movement support system 100 shown in FIG. 1, when a user (user) inputs a departure place, a destination, etc. in advance using, for example, the user terminal 4 (terminal, mobile terminal), the movement support server 1 searches for and presents a route to the destination using various means of transportation. Then, the movement support system 100 presents a service that allows multiple uses at a fixed rate depending on the means of transportation. Furthermore, the movement support system 100 is a system that improves the convenience of the user when using the means of transportation by completing the reservation and settlement for the means of transportation in advance based on a request from the user terminal 4.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the movement support system 100 includes a movement support server 1, a user terminal 4, a payment server 6, an information providing server 7, and various servers corresponding to various means of transportation, such as a public transportation server 9a, a taxi server 9b, a cycle sharing server 9c, a car sharing server 9d, ···. Here, the public transportation referred to by the public transportation server 9a having information mainly refers to trains and buses. In the following description, when not limited to individual servers related to means of transportation, it is simply referred to as the means of transportation server 9. Further, the means of transportation refers to a vehicle used by a user for movement, and as described above, it refers to those using public transportation, taxis, cycle sharing, car sharing, etc., but there may be other vehicles for which a fare is paid for use.

[0012] The movement support server 1, the user terminal 4, the payment server 6, the information providing server 7, and the means of transportation server 9 can be connected via a communication network N. The communication network N is an Internet line or the like. For example, when going out to a destination, the user uses the user terminal 4 to search for a means of transportation in advance. Also, when the user moves by the means of transportation determined by the user from the search results, the user uses the user terminal 4 (recording medium) to use each means of transportation.

[0013] <Movement support server 1> The movement support server 1 is a server that mediates various processes performed between the user terminal 4 and various servers (payment server 6, information providing server 7, means of transportation server 9, etc.). The movement support server 1 receives the conditions specified from the user terminal 4, searches for a route, and outputs the result to the user terminal 4. Then, when there is a request from the user terminal 4, the movement support server 1 performs payment processing or reserves a means of transportation. Further, when the user uses the user terminal 4 to use a means of transportation, the movement support server 1 receives the information received from the user terminal 4 from the means of transportation server 9 that communicates with the user terminal 4. Then, the movement support server 1 confirms the received information.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the movement support server 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 30, and a communication interface unit 39. The control unit 10 is a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire movement support server 1. The control unit 10 appropriately reads and executes the operating system (OS) and application programs stored in the storage unit 30, and cooperates with the above-described hardware to execute various functions. The control unit 10 includes a registration processing unit 11 and a usage processing unit 21.

[0015] The registration processing unit 11 is a control unit that receives conditions related to movement from the user terminal 4, searches for a route, calculates usage fees, and performs settlement and reservation for the route determined by the user. The registration processing unit 11 includes a condition reception unit 12, a route search processing unit 13 (route search means), a fee calculation unit 14 (fee calculation means), a search result output unit 15 (route candidate output means, route detail output means), a settlement processing unit 16 (settlement means), a reservation processing unit 17 (reservation means, reservation result output means), a confirmation information registration unit 18 (confirmation information registration means), and a multiple usage registration unit 19 (multiple usage registration means). The condition reception unit 12 receives movement conditions including the departure place and destination input by the user terminal 4 from the user terminal 4. The movement conditions may further include the departure time or arrival time, means of movement to be excluded from use, and the like.

[0016] The route search processing unit 13 searches for one or more routes based on the movement conditions received by the condition reception unit 12. At this time, the route search processing unit 13 receives various data from various movement means servers 9 and the information providing server 7, and performs route search processing. Further, when the route search processing unit 13 has multiple usage information (information related to the usage form) related to the user ID (Identification: identification information) of the user in the multiple usage storage unit 33 described later, the route search processing unit 13 may search for a route giving priority to the use of the movement means included in the multiple usage information. Here, the user ID is identification information given by performing user registration in advance when using the movement support system 100. In the case where user registration is not performed, a terminal ID that uniquely identifies the user terminal 4 may be used instead of the user ID. The multiple usage information may include at least the user ID, the means of transportation, and the usage time, and may also include usage conditions such as the available period, the available number of times, and the range of available routes.

[0017] The fare calculation unit 14 calculates the usage fare for the route searched by the route search processing unit 13 based on the fare table for the usage time in each means of transportation, which is a fare system according to the usage form related to the usage time. Each type of means of transportation server 9 and the information providing server 7 store a fare table for the usage time, respectively, and the fare calculation unit 14 receives the usage fare related to the route from each type of means of transportation server 9 and the information providing server 7. Also, when referring to the multiple usage storage unit 33 and the usage fare within the specified range of the user has been paid, the fare calculation unit 14 calculates the usage fare after reducing the paid fare.

[0018] The search result output unit 15 outputs, as the search result by the route search processing unit 13, route candidate information, which is data of a route candidate list including the usage fare calculated by the fare calculation unit 14, to the user terminal 4. The route candidate information is summary information regarding the route. In addition, in response to receiving selection information related to one piece of route candidate information from the user terminal 4, the search result output unit 15 outputs route detailed information indicating the details of the one piece of route candidate information to the user terminal 4.

[0019] The settlement processing unit 16 receives the specified route information specified by the user from the user terminal 4 together with the user ID, and performs the settlement of the usage fare calculated by the fare calculation unit 14 with the settlement server 6. When the settlement of the usage fare is performed by the settlement processing unit 16, the reservation processing unit 17 confirms the reservation of the means of transportation based on the confirmation information with the corresponding means of transportation server 9. Here, the confirmation information includes various information such as the user ID, the specified route information, the means of transportation to be used, and the travel time (or reservation start time) by each means of transportation. Then, the reservation processing unit 17 outputs the reservation result to the user terminal 4.

[0020] When the settlement of usage fees is performed by the settlement processing unit 16, the finalized information registration unit 18 registers the finalized information in the finalized information storage unit 32 described later. Further, the finalized information registration unit 18 registers information related to the reservation of the means of transportation in association with the finalized information. Furthermore, the finalized information registration unit 18 transmits an authentication code to the user terminal 4. Then, the finalized information registration unit 18 transmits the settlement result information to the user terminal 4. The settlement result information includes an authentication code. The authentication code includes the user ID and is used when using the means of transportation. When at least a part of the designated route information settled by the settlement processing unit 16 includes the designation of multiple use information within the designated range of the route, the multiple use registration unit 19 registers the multiple use information including the designated range in the multiple use storage unit 33 described later.

[0021] The usage processing unit 21 is a control unit that performs processing based on the usage information received from the means of transportation server 9 when the user terminal 4 uses the means of transportation for which settlement has been made. The usage processing unit 21 includes a confirmation processing unit 22 (confirmation means), a usage-time settlement processing unit 23, and a usage update unit 24 (usage update means). The confirmation processing unit 22 refers to the finalized information storage unit 32 based on the user ID included in the usage information received from the means of transportation server 9 by causing the user terminal 4 to be read by a reader 8 (reading device) associated with the means of transportation, and confirms the finalized information including the means of transportation. The usage information includes, in addition to the user ID, for example, the means of transportation, the usage date and time, the usage location, etc. When the confirmation by the confirmation processing unit 22 fails, the usage-time settlement processing unit 23 performs settlement related to the usage fees of the means of transportation for which the confirmation has failed. When the confirmation by the confirmation processing unit 22 is successful, the usage update unit 24 updates the finalized information storage unit 32. Note that detailed explanations of these functions will be described later.

[0022] The storage unit 30 is a storage area such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory device that stores programs, data, etc. necessary for the control unit 10 to execute various processes. Note that a computer refers to an information processing device equipped with a control unit, a storage device, etc. The movement support server 1 is an information processing device equipped with a control unit 10, a storage unit 30, etc., and is included in the concept of a computer. The storage unit 30 stores a program storage unit 31, a confirmed information storage unit 32, a multiple use storage unit 33, a user information storage unit 34, and a business operator information storage unit 35.

[0023] The program storage unit 31 is a storage area that stores various programs. The program storage unit 31 stores, for example, programs for performing various functions executed by the control unit 10 of the movement support server 1. The confirmed information storage unit 32 is a storage area that stores confirmed information. FIG. 3(A) shows an example of each item in the confirmed information storage unit 32. The confirmed information storage unit 32 has items such as a registration date, a user ID, a departure location, a destination, a departure time, an arrival time, a settlement flag, and means of transportation information. The registration date is the date and time information registered in the confirmed information storage unit 32. The user ID is identification information for identifying the user. The departure location, the destination, the departure time, and the arrival time are designated route information specified by the user. Note that items not specified by the user may be blank. The settlement flag is a flag indicating whether settlement has been performed.

[0024] The means of transportation information is information regarding each means of transportation, and for each means of transportation, it has items such as a start position, an arrival position, a start time, an arrival time, a multiple flag, reservation information, and a use flag. That is, the number of means of transportation information is equal to the number of means of transportation included in the designated route information. The start position, the arrival position, the start time, and the arrival time are information in the corresponding means of transportation. The plurality of flags are flags indicating whether or not the plurality of usage information of the moving means has been selected. Reservation information is stored when a reservation for the moving means is made. When the moving means is, for example, a taxi or a cycle share, the information related to the reservation is stored in the reservation information. The usage flag is a flag indicating whether or not the moving means has actually been used.

[0025] The plurality of usage storage unit 33 is a storage area for storing the plurality of usage information. FIG. 3(B) shows an example of each item in the plurality of usage storage unit 33. The plurality of usage storage unit 33 has items of a registration date, a user ID, a moving means, an expiration date, and available conditions. The registration date is the date and time information registered in the plurality of usage storage unit 33. The user ID is identification information for identifying the user. The moving means is a moving means for making a plurality of usages. The expiration date is the expiration date of the plurality of usages. The available conditions are the respective conditions under which a plurality of usages are possible, and are, for example, an available period, an available number of times, a range of available routes, and the like.

[0026] The user information storage unit 34 is a storage area for storing information related to the user. The user information storage unit 34 stores each information such as a user name and information related to a settlement account, for example, using the user ID as a key. The operator information storage unit 35 is a storage area for storing information related to each operator related to the moving means. The operator information storage unit 35 stores each information such as an operator name and information related to a settlement account, for example, using an operator ID for identifying the operator as a key. The communication interface unit 39 is an interface unit for performing communication with the user terminal 4, the settlement server 6, and the moving means server 9 via the communication network N.

[0027] <User terminal 4> Returning to FIG. 1, the user terminal 4 is a portable terminal such as a mobile phone having the functions of a computer typified by a smartphone, or a tablet terminal or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the user terminal 4 includes a control unit 40, a storage unit 50, a GPS (Global Positioning System) reception unit 56, a touch panel display 57, a short-range wireless communication unit 58, and a communication interface unit 59. The control unit 40 is a CPU that controls the entire user terminal 4. The control unit 40 appropriately reads and executes the OS and application programs stored in the storage unit 50, and cooperates with the above-described hardware to execute various functions.

[0028] The control unit 40 includes an input screen output unit 41, a route candidate screen output unit 42, a detailed screen output unit 43, a designated route transmission unit 44, a settlement confirmation screen output unit 45, and a result screen output unit 46. The input screen output unit 41 outputs an input screen for inputting movement conditions including a departure place and a destination for the user to specify or input to the touch panel display 57. The user operates the input screen to input the departure place and the like. The route candidate screen output unit 42 outputs a route candidate screen in which route candidate information is listed to the touch panel display 57.

[0029] The detailed screen output unit 43 outputs a detailed screen representing the route detailed information of the selected one route candidate information to the touch panel display 57 by selecting one route candidate information from the route candidate screen. The designated route transmission unit 44 transmits designated route information based on the route detailed information to the movement support server 1 by, for example, selecting a determination button on the detailed screen. The settlement confirmation screen output unit 45 outputs a settlement confirmation screen including usage fees to the touch panel display 57. The result screen output unit 46 outputs a result screen including the results of settlement and reservation to the touch panel display 57.

[0030] The storage unit 50 is a storage area such as a semiconductor memory element for storing programs, data, etc. necessary for the control unit 40 to execute various processes. The storage unit 50 includes a program storage unit 51. The program storage unit 51 is a storage area for storing various programs. The program storage unit 51 stores a movement support application 51a (terminal program). The movement support application 51a is an application program (app) for performing various functions executed by the control unit 40 of the user terminal 4. Also, the storage unit 50 can store an authentication code.

[0031] The GPS reception unit 56 measures the current position information (latitude and longitude) of the user terminal 4 by using, for example, radio waves received from satellites. The touch panel display 57 has a function as a display unit composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like and a function as an input unit for detecting touch input by a user's finger or the like.

[0032] The short-range wireless communication unit 58 is an interface for communicating with the reader 8 of the moving means (see FIG. 1) by short-range wireless communication using, for example, NFC (Near Field Communication). In the case of NFC, the short-range wireless communication unit 58 includes, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip and a loop antenna created according to the NFC standard, and performs short-range wireless communication according to the NFC standard with the reader 8 of the moving means, for example. In the NFC standards (ISO / IEC18092 (NFC IP-1), ISO / IEC21481 (NFC IP-2)), short-range wireless communication capable of performing data communication at a very short distance of several mm to several tens of mm using electromagnetic waves of 13.56 MHz is possible. The communication interface unit 59 is an interface unit for communicating with the movement support server 1 or the like via the communication network N.

[0033] <Payment server 6> The settlement server 6 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a server such as a bank, and performs a settlement process of withdrawing usage fees from the user's account based on an instruction from the movement support server 1 and depositing the fees into the accounts of each means of transportation. Although not shown, the settlement server 6 includes a control unit, a storage unit, a communication interface unit, and the like. <Information providing server 7> The information providing server 7 is, for example, a server having map information and traffic jam information. Although not shown, the information providing server 7 includes a control unit, a storage unit, a communication interface unit, and the like.

[0034] <Means of transportation server 9> The means of transportation server 9 is, for example, a server having information such as fees of each means of transportation. If it is a public transportation server 9a, in addition to the fee information, it has, for example, a timetable, operation information, and the like. Also, if it is a cycle share server 9c, in addition to the fee information, it has port information, vacancy information, and the like. The means of transportation server 9 is directly or indirectly connected to the reader 8 and receives usage information from the reader 8. Although not shown, the means of transportation server 9 includes a control unit, a storage unit, a communication interface unit, and the like.

[0035] <Processing of the movement support system 100> Next, the processing by the movement support system 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the registration process of the movement support server 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the route determination process of the movement support system 100 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing display examples on the user terminal 4 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a registration example in the shared cycle according to the present embodiment.

[0036] First, the registration process will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In step S (hereinafter, "step S" will be simply referred to as "S") 11 of FIG. 5, the control unit 10 of the movement support server 1 performs a route determination process. Here, the route determination process will be described with reference to FIG. 6. When the user moves, a user who wants to use the service provided by the movement support system 100 first starts this process by executing the movement support application 51a installed on the user terminal 4.

[0037] In S21 of FIG. 6, the control unit 40 (input screen output unit 41) of the user terminal 4 outputs an input screen to the touch panel display 57. FIG. 7 shows an example of the input screen. The input screen 60 shown in FIG. 7 includes a departure area 60a, an arrival area 60b, a date and time setting area 60c, a condition setting area 60d, and a search button 60e. The departure area 60a allows the departure location to be input, and the arrival area 60b allows the arrival location to be input. The current location may be input by default in the departure area 60a. The date and time setting area 60c allows the specification of at least one of the date and time and whether it is departure or arrival. The condition setting area 60d allows the selection of means of movement to be excluded and means of movement to be prioritized. When selecting a means of movement to be prioritized, although not shown, the order of priority may be registered. Also, when selecting cycle sharing, although not shown, for example, it may be possible to select whether the distance is longer (3 km or more) or shorter (less than 3 km). The search button 60e is for starting the search for a route under the specified conditions.

[0038] The user inputs conditions using the input screen 60. Then, after the conditions are input and the user selects the search button 60e, in S22 of FIG. 6, the control unit 40 of the user terminal 4 transmits the movement conditions to the movement support server 1. Here, when the departure location is the current location, the control unit 40 of the user terminal 4 transmits the position information received by the GPS receiver 56 as one of the movement conditions to the movement support server 1.

[0039] When the control unit 10 (condition reception unit 12) of the movement support server 1 receives a movement condition from the user terminal 4, in S23, the control unit 10 (route search processing unit 13) performs a route search process. At this time, the route search processing unit 13 refers to the movement means server 9 and the information providing server 7 according to the movement condition, and receives various information such as routes and riding times. At this time, the route search processing unit 13 may refer to the multiple use storage unit 33 and preferentially search for a route using the movement means included in the multiple use information corresponding to the user ID of the user.

[0040] Also, the control unit 10 (charge calculation unit 14) calculates the usage charge for the route searched by the route search processing unit 13 by referring to the movement means server 9 and the information providing server 7 based on the charge table for the usage time of each movement means. In S24, the control unit 10 (search result output unit 15) generates route candidate information, which is data of a list of route candidates, and transmits the generated route candidate information to the user terminal 4.

[0041] When the user terminal 4 receives the route candidate information from the movement support server 1, in S25, the control unit 40 (route candidate screen output unit 42) outputs a route candidate screen based on the route candidate information to the touch panel display 57. FIG. 8 shows an example of a route candidate screen. The route candidate screen 61 shown in FIG. 8 includes route candidate information 61a to 61c. If there is more route candidate information, it may be made possible to refer to it by scrolling the screen or switching to the next page. Also, the route candidate screen 61 can rearrange the route candidate information. In FIG. 8, since the designation 61d in ascending order of charge is selected, the route candidate information is output so that the ones with lower charges are at the top. The user can rearrange the route candidate information and select a route while referring to the route candidate screen 61. Also, the route candidate information 61a shows the usage charge in the case of normal use. If there is multiple use information for the user, it outputs to that effect and the usage charge when using the multiple use information.

[0042] In S26 of FIG. 6, the control unit 40 of the user terminal 4 determines whether or not one route candidate information has been selected. When the user selects any one of the route candidate information 61a to 61c in FIG. 8, for example, the control unit 40 determines that one route candidate information has been selected. When one route candidate information is selected (S26: YES), the control unit 40 moves the process to S27. On the other hand, when one route candidate information has not been selected (S26: NO), the control unit 40 stays in this process until one route candidate information is selected. In S27, the control unit 40 transmits the selection information related to one route candidate information to the movement support server 1.

[0043] When the movement support server 1 receives the selection information related to one route candidate information, in S28, the control unit 10 (search result output unit 15) transmits route detail information indicating the details of one route candidate information corresponding to the selection information to the user terminal 4. When the user terminal 4 receives the route detail information from the movement support server 1, in S29, the control unit 40 (detail screen output unit 43) outputs a detail screen to the touch panel display 57. FIG. 9 shows an example of the detail screen. The detail screen 62 shown in FIG. 9 shows detailed information including the time and location for each means of transportation. For means of transportation with multiple fare systems, the detail screen 62 is provided with a designation field for purchasing "beneficial use" that enables multiple uses in the vicinity of the means of transportation. In addition, the detail screen 62 includes a decision button 62e for determining the route. If "beneficial use" has already been made, a message indicating that "beneficial use" has been registered is displayed.

[0044] Here, the shared cycle will be described in more detail. The details 62a of the shared bicycle include an empty bicycle confirmation button 62b and a plurality of usage specification columns 62c. Here, when the user selects the empty bicycle confirmation button 62b, the empty bicycle status of the shared bicycle at the displayed date and time can be confirmed. And when there is an empty bicycle and the user gives an instruction, a reservation can be specified (temporary reservation). Also, when the user enters a check in the plurality of usage specification columns 62c, although not shown in the figure, a plurality of fee systems are displayed and it becomes possible to select a port which is the usage start location.

[0045] Examples of a plurality of fee systems for the shared bicycle include "regular usage", "multiple usages", "one-day pass", etc. "Regular usage" means, for example, it can be used during a usage period such as one month and no additional fee is required for up to 30 minutes per use. "Multiple usages" means, for example, within a validity period such as three months, it can be used, for example, up to 10 times and no additional fee is required for up to 30 minutes per use. For this multiple usages, when using the same number of times, the fee is cheaper than using it each time. "One-day pass" means, for example, it can be used freely until 23:59 on the same day.

[0046] In a shared cycle, parking lots called ports are provided at various locations in the city, and bicycles can be rented there. Therefore, it is necessary to specify in advance the port for reaching the destination. One or two ports can be selected. Fig. 10(A) shows the case of selecting two ports. A bicycle is rented at port 71 indicated by borrowing position X and returned at port 72 indicated by return position Y. From port 71 to port 72, it may go straight like a straight line, or it may make a detour on the way, and the route is not restricted. On the other hand, Fig. 10(B) shows the case of selecting one port. A bicycle is rented at port 73 indicated by position X and returned to the same port 73 by the return time. Even in this case, as long as the bicycle is returned to port 73 by the return time, any route can be taken. For example, in the case of going back and forth between the departure place and the destination for shopping or a short errand, the control unit 10 (route search processing unit 13) presents the round-trip use shown in Fig. 10(A) and the use of one location shown in Fig. 10(B) together with the usage fee according to the usage form related to the usage time.

[0047] Here, when "cost-effective use" is selected, it is possible to specify two ports, and it may be possible to use them even for use at one location or for use of moving between two locations. Also, the specification of the two ports may be the borrowing position, the return position, or both routes can be used. After that, when the user selects the decision button 62e (see Fig. 9), in S30 of Fig. 6, the control unit 40 (designated route transmission unit 44) transmits the designated route information to the movement support server 1. When the control unit 10 (settlement processing unit 16) of the movement support server 1 receives the designated route information from the user terminal 4, the process moves to S12 of Fig. 5. In the description of the above process, an example is given in which communication is performed between the movement support server 1 and the user terminal 4 when one route candidate information is selected by the user terminal 4, but it is not limited to this. For example, when the movement support server 1 transmits the route candidate information, the route detailed information of each route candidate information can be transmitted together, so that the number of communications between the movement support server 1 and the user terminal 4 can be reduced.

[0048] In S12, the control unit 10 (settlement processing unit 16) uses the settlement server 6 to perform a settlement process of withdrawing the already calculated usage fee corresponding to the specified route information from the user's account and depositing it into the account of the moving means. In S13, when the control unit 10 (reservation processing unit 17) includes information related to a reservation in the specified route information, as a reservation process, it determines the reservation of the specified moving means and performs it on the moving means server 9 of the specified moving means.

[0049] In S14, the control unit 10 (confirmation information registration unit 18) registers the confirmation information based on the specified route information in the confirmation information storage unit 32. In S15, the control unit 10 (settlement processing unit 16, reservation processing unit 17, confirmation information registration unit 18) transmits the processing result information to the user terminal 4. The processing result information includes an authentication code used when using the moving means, and the authentication code includes the user ID. In the user terminal 4, the authentication code included in the received processing result information is stored in the storage unit 50.

[0050] In S16, the control unit 10 determines whether there is information related to an application for multiple uses in the confirmation information. If there is information related to an application for multiple uses (S16: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S17. On the other hand, if there is no information related to an application for multiple uses (S16: NO), the control unit 10 ends this process. In S17, the control unit 10 (multiple use registration unit 19) registers the multiple use information in the multiple use storage unit 33. Then, the control unit 10 ends this process. Note that the process of S16 may be performed simultaneously with the process of S15 or may be performed before the process of S15.

[0051] Through such registration processing, when the user selects one desired route from the route candidates related to the movement, the movement support system 100 can perform in advance from the reservation of the means of movement to the settlement of the usage fee related to each means of movement. Also, when the user selects multiple usages for the means of movement with high usage frequency, within the available conditions, the movement support system 100 can make the means of movement available without requiring an additional fee at any time, improving the convenience for the user.

[0052] Next, the processing when using the means of movement will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the usage processing of the movement support server 1 according to the present embodiment. When the user carries the user terminal 4 and brings the user terminal 4 close to the reader 8 of the means of movement, the reader 8 of the means of movement reads the authentication code stored in the storage unit 50 of the user terminal 4 to obtain the user ID, and transmits the received user ID to the means of movement server 9. Then, the control unit of the means of movement server 9 transmits the usage information including the user ID to the movement support server 1. By doing so, in S51 of FIG. 11, the control unit 10 (usage processing unit 21) of the movement support server 1 receives the usage information from the means of movement server 9.

[0053] In S52, after confirming that the user ID included in the received usage information is a user of the system, the control unit 10 (usage processing unit 21) transmits the usage permission information to the means of movement server 9. In this way, before referring to the confirmation information storage unit 32 to confirm the confirmation information, the control unit 10 transmits the usage permission information to the means of movement. The reason for this is that since it has been confirmed that the user ID included in the usage information is a user of the movement support system 100, even if the usage fee related to the means of movement has not been paid, the fee can be collected later, and by shortening the waiting time of the user in the vicinity of the reader 8 of the means of movement, the convenience of users and other users of the means of movement including the user is improved.

[0054] In S53, the control unit 10 (confirmation processing unit 22) refers to the confirmation information storage unit 32 and checks whether the information of the corresponding means of transportation for the user ID is stored in the means of transportation information. In S54, the control unit 10 (confirmation processing unit 22) determines whether a record of the corresponding means of transportation exists as means of transportation information. If a record of the corresponding means of transportation exists (S54: YES), the control unit 10 transfers the process to S55. On the other hand, if a record of the corresponding means of transportation does not exist (S54: NO), the control unit 10 transfers the process to S56.

[0055] In S55, the control unit 10 (usage update unit 24) updates the usage flag of the record of the corresponding means of transportation in the confirmation information storage unit 32 to used. After that, the control unit 10 ends this process. On the other hand, in S56, the control unit 10 (payment processing unit at the time of use 23) calculates the usage fee corresponding to the usage information using, for example, the fee data of the means of transportation server 9. In S57, the control unit 10 (payment processing unit at the time of use 23) performs a settlement process of withdrawing the calculated usage fee from the user's account using the settlement server 6. Note that the control unit 10 may notify the user terminal 4 that the settlement of the insufficient usage fee has been performed. After that, the control unit 10 ends this process.

[0056] As described above, according to the travel support system 100 of the present embodiment, there are the following effects. (1) The travel support server 1 can perform, in a batch, from the search for the means of transportation to the payment for the means of transportation in the determined route for the entire route, and for the means of transportation frequently used by the user, by enabling the user to select multiple uses, it can be made to consider multiple uses. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved, and it is possible to have the effect of encouraging the user who uses this travel support system 100 to go out more frequently using the means of transportation, and as a result, the activation of the town can be expected. (2) Since the travel support server 1 calculates the usage fees on the route based on the fee tables for each usage pattern with respect to the usage time, even for the same means of transportation, it can calculate multiple usage patterns and usage fees and present them to the user. Therefore, the user can select the usage pattern from the options. (3) For means of transportation for which reservations are possible, the travel support server 1 can perform the procedures up to the reservation in one batch, improving convenience.

[0057] (4) When the travel support server 1 selects multiple usages, it performs a search giving priority to the multiple usages within the range where the multiple usages are valid. Therefore, for the route presented as the search result, it is possible to present a route that allows the user to feel the benefit. (5) As means of transportation, the travel support server 1 includes, in addition to public transportation, taxis, car-sharing (car-sharing ring), and cycle-sharing (cycle-sharing ring), so the user can select from various means of transportation, which is convenient. (6) In the case of cycle-sharing, since the travel support server 1 presents multiple fee systems depending on the usage time, it is convenient when considering using cycle-sharing.

[0058] (7) When using a means of transportation, the travel support server 1 is convenient because it can use the means of transportation only by performing an operation of bringing the user terminal 4 used at the time of registration close to the reader 8. Also, when it is different from the registered means of transportation, payment is made and the fee is collected later, so appropriate processing related to the use of the means of transportation can be performed.

[0059] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Also, the effects described in the embodiments merely list the most suitable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Note that the above-described embodiments and the deformation modes described later can be used in appropriate combinations, but detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0060] (Modification mode) (1) In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a user terminal is used when using the moving means, but the present invention is not limited to this. A recording medium may be used when using the moving means. Examples of the recording medium include an IC card or the like possessed by the user. When using an IC card, it is necessary to register the card ID for identifying the IC card with the movement support server when registering a route. Further, the recording medium may be a barcode or a two-dimensional code (code information) such as a QR code (registered trademark). In that case, the code needs to include, for example, a user ID or the like.

[0061] (2) In this embodiment, an example has been described for multiple uses with shared bicycles as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The same can be done with moving means such as trains and buses. (3) In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the output is uniformly performed for multiple uses, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a log regarding the use of the movement support system 100 may be stored, and multiple uses may be proposed based on the tendency of the stored log.

[0062] (4) In this embodiment, an example has been described in which, when the route is changed during use, the fee related to the route that has not been paid is additionally settled, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the moving means on the specified route is impassable due to an accident or the like and a transfer ride is made to another moving means, the fee related to the route that has not been paid may not be collected. Note that the operation information of the moving means can be received from the information providing server 7.

[0063] (5) In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the payment is made from the settlement account as a settlement method, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, debit by credit card, use of points, use of electronic money, etc. may be used. (6) In the present embodiment, a mobility assistance app is installed in a user terminal and processing is performed by launching the app, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a web browser may be launched on the user terminal, and the user terminal may perform processing similar to that of the mobility assistance app by communicating with the mobility assistance server via the web.

[0064] (7) In the present embodiment, various types of data are received by communicating between various transportation servers and the information providing server each time a route search or a usage fee is performed, but this is not limiting. For example, these types of data may be stored in advance in a storage unit of the transportation assistance server. In this case, when the data between the various transportation servers and the information providing server is updated, the transportation assistance server may retrieve the updated data each time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Mobility support server 4. User terminal 6. Payment Server 8 Leader 9 Transportation Server 10,40 Control section 11 Registration processing section 13 Route search processing unit 14 Fee Calculation Department 15 Search result output section 16 Payment processing section 17 Reservation Processing Unit 18 Confirmation Information Registration Department 19 Multiple Use Registration Section 21 Usage Processing Unit 22 Confirmation processing section 23 Payment processing unit at the time of use 24 Usage Update Department 30,50 storage section 32 Determined information storage unit 33 Multiple Use Memory Unit 51a Mobility support app 57 Touch Panel Display 100 Mobility Support System N communication network

Claims

1. A terminal that outputs a route from a departure point to a destination using a moving means, A travel support server communicably connected to the terminal, A travel support system comprising: The travel support server, Route search means for searching for a route using one or more of the moving means based on the departure point and the destination, Fee calculation means for calculating the usage fee on the route searched by the route search means based on a fee system corresponding to the usage form related to the preset usage time, Route candidate output means for outputting route candidate information as a search result by the route search means to the terminal together with the usage fee calculated by the fee calculation means, Route detail output means for outputting route detail information indicating details of one of the route candidate information to the terminal in response to receiving a selection of the one route candidate information from the terminal, A user information storage unit that stores identification information for identifying a user of the terminal, A usage log storage unit that stores a log related to the use of the travel support system by the user, Comprising, The route detail output means outputs the route detail information including proposals for multiple uses that can be used multiple times based on the tendency of the log related to the use of the user stored in the usage log storage unit, a travel support system.

2. In the travel support system according to claim 1, The travel support server, Settlement means for performing settlement related to the usage fee calculated by the fee calculation means, Confirmation information registration means for registering confirmation information in a confirmation information storage unit when the settlement of the usage fee is performed by the settlement means, Comprising, The confirmation information includes the identification information and information related to the usage form in the specified range of the route, The travel support server includes multiple use registration means for associating the identification information and the information related to the usage form and registering them in a multiple use storage unit when the information related to the multiple uses is included in the information related to the usage form, a travel support system.

3. In the travel support system according to claim 2, When the usage fee in the specified range has been paid as referred to in the multiple use storage unit, the fee calculation means calculates the usage fee by reducing the paid fee, a travel support system.

4. In the travel support system according to claim 2 or claim 3, The travel support server, A reservation means for determining a reservation of the moving means based on the confirmation information when settlement of the usage fee by the settlement means is performed; A reservation result output means for outputting the reservation result by the reservation means to the terminal; A moving support system comprising:

5. In the moving support system according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, When the route search means has the identification information in the plurality of usage storage units, the route search means preferentially searches for the route using the moving means included in the information on the usage form corresponding to the identification information. A moving support system.

6. In the moving support system according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, The moving support server causes a reading device associated with the moving means to read a recording medium on which the identification information is stored and which is carried by the user, and after confirming that the identification information received via the reading device is a user of the moving support system, a moving support system comprising means for sending usage permission information.

7. In the moving support system according to Claim 6, The moving support server A confirmation means for referring to the confirmation information storage unit based on the identification information received via the reading device and confirming the confirmation information including the moving means; A usage update means for updating the confirmation information storage unit when the confirmation by the confirmation means is successful; Means for performing settlement of the usage fee related to the use of the moving means when the confirmation by the confirmation means fails; A moving support system comprising:

8. In the moving support system according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, The terminal is a mobile terminal, The recording medium is provided in the terminal. A moving support system.

9. In the moving support system according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, The recording medium is an IC card having a communication function enabling communication with the reading device, or code information readable by the reading device. A moving support system.

10. In the moving support system according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, The route search means further searches for the route based on the departure time or the arrival time. A moving support system.

11. In the moving support system according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, The mobile means is a mobility support system including at least one of public transportation, taxis, carsharing, and cycle sharing.

12. In the mobility support system according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, the fare calculation means calculates the usage fee for at least a part of the route searched by the route search means based on the fare system related to cycle sharing. A mobility support system.

13. A mobility support server communicably connected to a terminal that outputs a route from a departure point to a destination using mobile means, a route search means for searching for a route using one or more of the mobile means based on the departure point and the destination; a fare calculation means for calculating the usage fee for the route searched by the route search means based on a fare system according to a usage form related to a preset usage time; a route candidate output means for outputting route candidate information as a search result by the route search means to the terminal together with the usage fee calculated by the fare calculation means; a route detail output means for outputting route detail information indicating details of the one route candidate information to the terminal in response to receiving a selection of the one route candidate information from the terminal; a user information storage unit for storing identification information for identifying a user of the terminal; a usage log storage unit for storing a log related to the use of a mobility support system including the terminal and the mobility support server by the user; comprising The route detail output means outputs the route detail information including proposals for multiple uses that can be used multiple times based on the tendency of the log related to the use of the user stored in the use log storage unit. A mobility support server.

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