Information Processing System, Information Processing Program, and Information Processing Method

Abstract

To provide an information processing system capable of building an environment that makes it easy to share transport using demand-responsive transport.SOLUTION: An information processing system provided herein comprises: reservation information acquisition means for acquiring reservation information on demand-responsive transport adapted to run between stop points according to reservations; and timetable generation means configured to generate a virtual timetable by listing departure times of reservable demand-responsive transport for each route on the basis of the reservation information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Currently, in MaaS (Mobility as a Service), on-demand mobility (also called demand transportation) that runs according to the usage requests of users without fixed routes and / or timetables has attracted attention. For example, in some local governments, etc., demonstration experiments of demand bus transportation are being conducted for more efficient bus business operations.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a technique has been proposed in which characteristic information regarding the boarding and alighting of passengers is extracted from the past boarding records of passengers using demand buses, and based on the extracted characteristic information, an operation schedule is determined in advance on the operator side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As a result of participating in a number of demonstration experiments on demand transportation, the inventors of the present case obtained the following findings. Note that the following findings are merely the trigger for the present invention and do not limit the present invention.

[0006] That is, while the needs for demand transportation are increasing in the demonstration of MaaS, a problem has emerged in existing services that it is difficult to achieve carpooling. The inventors of the present case considered that the reasons are as follows (1) to (4). (1) At the time of reserving demand transportation, the user cannot view the reservation information of others (the pick-up and drop-off information before and after). (2) The system determines whether to pick up nearby people and allow them to share the ride. (3) Whether sharing a ride is possible depends on the logic of matching and route search. (4) In reality, it is a service like a simple taxi dispatch based on single-passenger rides.

[0007] The present invention was conceived based on such findings. The object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, an information processing program, and an information processing method capable of constructing an environment in which it is easy to share rides in demand transportation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The information processing system according to the present invention includes a reservation information acquisition means for acquiring reservation information of demand transportation that travels between stops according to a reservation, and a timetable generation means for generating a virtual timetable that lists the departure times of demand transportation that can be reserved for each route based on the reservation information. It is provided with.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to construct an environment in which it is easy to share rides in demand transportation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions of the components denoted by the same reference numerals will not be repeated.

[0012] In the embodiments described below, demand buses may be cited as an example of "demand transportation", but "demand transportation" is not limited to demand buses as long as it is a shareable transportation service that does not have a fixed route and / or timetable and operates according to the usage requirements of users, and includes various on-demand services such as shared taxis (using vehicles smaller than buses). "Demand transportation" may be an autonomous vehicle.

[0013] Generally, the vehicle allocation patterns of demand-responsive transportation include the following four types: (A) a fixed-route type where the origin, destination, and route are fixed, and the timetable is also fixed (temporarily) and the vehicle runs only when a reservation is made; (B) a detour type where the origin, destination, and timetable are fixed, and the route is also fixed (temporarily), but the vehicle runs on a detour route only when a reservation is made; (C) a semi-dynamic type where only the origin, destination, and departure time from the origin are fixed, and the vehicle runs between the origin and destination according to reservations; (D) a dynamic type where none of the origin, destination, route, and timetable are fixed. In the embodiments described below, as the vehicle allocation pattern of demand-responsive transportation, the (D) dynamic type may be taken as an example for explanation. However, as long as the vehicle runs between stops according to reservations, it is not limited to the (D) dynamic type, and for example, the (C) semi-dynamic type may also be applicable.

[0014] In this specification, a "route" refers to a directed section determined by a combination of a boarding point and an alighting point. For example, a demand-responsive transit running between three stops A, B, and C has six routes: A→B, A→C, B→C, B→A, C→A, and C→B (in the following description, "○○→△△" means one route with ○○ as the boarding point and △△ as the alighting point). A "route" is not limited to directly moving from the boarding point to the alighting point. Depending on the reservation status, it may move from the boarding point to the alighting point via another stop. For example, in a demand-responsive transit running between three stops A, B, and C, the route A→B may directly move from stop A to stop B depending on the reservation status, or it may move from stop A to stop B via stop C. The boarding time for the same route may vary depending on the presence or absence of a transit point, etc. Note that a stop may be a location designated by the installation of physical structures such as signs in the real world, like a normal bus stop, or it may be a location virtually designated in the system without the installation of physical structures such as signs in the real world (for example, the location is specified by a pin on a map display screen).

[0015] (Configuration of the Information Processing System) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment. In the figure, each functional unit performing each function can be referred to as a means for performing each function.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a terminal device 2 and a server 3. The terminal device 2 and the server 3 are communicably connected to each other via a network 4 such as the Internet. The network 4 may be either a wired line or a wireless line, and the type and form of the line are not limited. Note that at least a part of the terminal device 2 and the server 3 is realized by a computer.

[0017] The terminal device 2 is used by the user and is, for example, an electronic device such as a mobile terminal like a smartphone or a tablet terminal, a notebook computer, or a desktop computer.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 2 includes a terminal communication unit 21, a terminal control unit 22, a terminal storage unit 23, a terminal input unit 24, a terminal output unit 25, and a terminal positioning unit 26. Each unit is connected to be communicable with each other via a bus.

[0019] The terminal communication unit 21 is a communication interface between the terminal device 2 and the network 4. The terminal communication unit 21 transmits and receives information between the terminal device 2 and the server 3 via the network 4.

[0020] The terminal control unit 22 is a control means for performing various processes of the terminal device 2. The terminal control unit 22 may be realized by a processor in the terminal device 2 executing a predetermined program, or may be implemented by hardware.

[0021] The terminal storage unit 23 is a data storage such as a built-in memory or an external memory (such as an SD memory card). Various data handled by the terminal control unit 22 are stored in the terminal storage unit 23. The terminal storage unit 23 does not necessarily have to be provided inside the terminal device 2, and part or all of the terminal storage unit 23 may be provided in another device connected to be communicable with the terminal device 2 via the network 4.

[0022] The terminal input unit 24 is an interface for the user to input information to the terminal device 2, and is, for example, a touch panel, a microphone in a mobile terminal, a touch pad, a keyboard, or a mouse in a notebook computer.

[0023] The terminal output unit 25 is an interface that outputs various types of information to the user from the terminal device 2, and is, for example, a video display means such as a liquid crystal display or an audio output means such as a speaker. Specifically, for example, the terminal output unit 25 may display a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving operations from the user.

[0024] The terminal positioning unit 26 is a positioning means for measuring the current position of the terminal device 2. The terminal positioning unit 26 measures the current position based on positioning information by radio navigation means such as GPS or the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), for example. The terminal positioning unit 26 may use positioning information by autonomous navigation means such as an acceleration sensor or a geomagnetic sensor for positioning. Since the terminal device 2 moves together with the user, the position information measured by the terminal positioning unit 26 indicates the current position of the user.

[0025] [[ID=Z]] Next, the server 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the server 3 has a server communication unit 31, a server control unit 32, and a server storage unit 33. Each unit is communicably connected to each other via a bus or a network.

[0026] Among these, the server communication unit 31 is a communication interface between the server 3 and the network 4. The server communication unit 31 transmits and receives information between the server 3 and the terminal device 2 via the network 4.

[0027] The server storage unit 33 is a fixed-type data storage such as a hard disk, for example. Various types of data handled by the server control unit 32 are stored in the server storage unit 33. For example, the server storage unit 33 includes a route network information database 33a including traffic network information, a map information database 33b including map information, a reservation information database 33c, and a virtual timetable database 33d.

[0028] Traffic network information is information that defines transportation networks such as railways and buses, as well as road networks. Information on transportation networks includes route information of transportation agencies, timetable information, fare information, etc. Information on road networks is expressed, for example, by a combination of data on nodes, which are knot points on the road network representation such as intersections, and data on links, which are road sections between nodes.

[0029] Map information includes map data such as road maps of the whole country and each region, and map object information associated with the map data. Map object information refers to shape information about the shapes of facilities displayed on the map, annotation information about annotations displayed on the map, symbol information about symbols displayed on the map, etc. Also, the map information may include route map information regarding the route maps of public transportation agencies.

[0030] The above-mentioned traffic network information and map information may be updated at a predetermined timing.

[0031] The reservation information database 33c stores reservation information of demand traffic that travels between stops according to reservations. FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of the reservation information stored in the reservation information database 33c. The reservation information includes information on the desired boarding date, the boarding location, the alighting location, and the departure time (or arrival time). The reservation information may further include information on the number of passengers (number of reserved seats). When the reservation information does not include the departure time information, the reservation information acquisition unit 32a described later may calculate and supplement the departure time from the information on the boarding location, the alighting location, and the arrival time included in the reservation information by calculation. Also, when the reservation information does not include the arrival time information, the reservation information acquisition unit 32a may calculate and supplement the arrival time from the information on the boarding location, the alighting location, and the departure time included in the reservation information by calculation. In the example shown in FIG. 6, four pieces of reservation information are stored. The first piece of reservation information is information reserved for the route from "in front of Station B" to "in front of Park C" on "June 16, 2020" with a departure time of "10:50" (or an arrival time of "11:05") and the number of passengers (number of reserved seats) of "2 persons". The second piece of reservation information is information reserved for the route from "in front of Station A" to "in front of Station B" on "June 16, 2020" with a departure time of "10:55" (or an arrival time of "11:15") and the number of passengers (number of reserved seats) of "2 persons". The third piece of reservation information is information reserved for the route from "in front of Station B" to "in front of Park C" on "June 16, 2020" with a departure time of "11:20" (or an arrival time of "11:35") and the number of passengers (number of reserved seats) of "1 person". The fourth piece of reservation information is information reserved for the route from "in front of Station B" to "in front of Park C" on "June 16, 2020" with a departure time of "12:00" (or an arrival time of "12:15") and the number of passengers (number of reserved seats) of "1 person".

[0032] The virtual timetable database 33d will be described later.

[0033] Note that the server storage unit 33 does not necessarily have to be provided within the server 3, and part or all of the server storage unit 33 may be provided within another device that is communicably connected to the server 3 via the network 4.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the server control unit 32 includes a reservation information acquisition unit 32a, a virtual timetable generation unit 32b, a demand traffic search condition acquisition unit 32c, a virtual timetable output control unit 32d, a search condition acquisition unit 32e, a route search unit 32f, and a route output control unit 32g. Each of these units may be realized by a processor in the server 3 executing a predetermined program, or may be implemented in hardware.

[0035] The virtual timetable generation unit 32b generates a virtual timetable that lists the departure times of demand transportation for which reservations are possible for each route based on the reservation information stored in the reservation information database 33c, and stores it in the virtual timetable database 33c. FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the virtual timetable stored in the virtual timetable database 33d. In the example shown in FIG. 8, for the route of "in front of Station B → in front of Park C" on "June 16, 2020", the departure times of demand transportation for which reservations are possible, "11:20", "11:40", and "12:00", are listed in chronological order. As shown in FIG. 8, in the virtual timetable, for each departure time, further, the arrival time may be associated and stored, or the number of passengers (number of reserved seats) and / or the vacancy status may be associated and stored. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the vacancy status "△" indicates that it is a demand transportation flight for which a reservation has been made but there are still vacant seats, and the vacancy status "〇" indicates that it is a demand transportation flight for which no reservation has been made. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 8, in the virtual timetable, the combinations of departure time, arrival time, and reservation status are listed, but the arrival time and reservation status are not necessarily essential, and the pairs of departure time and arrival time may be listed, or the pairs of departure time and reservation status may be listed, or only the departure time may be listed. Also, the virtual timetable may include operation routes / operation times that are actually impossible to operate, and as reservations are made, it may be updated to only the actually operable routes. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, in the case of demand transportation that operates with one vehicle B1 that can carry up to two people between three stops A, B, and C, actually only one route can be operated at one time, but in the virtual timetable shown in FIG. 17A, the reservation possible times are listed at equal intervals of 30 minutes for all routes (that is, six routes of A→B, A→C, B→C, B→A, C→A, C→B) (that is, actually including routes / times that are impossible to operate), and as shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C, as reservations are made, it may be updated to only the actually operable routes.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, an example of the process in which the virtual timetable generation unit 32b generates a virtual timetable will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 3, first, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b determines whether reservation information is stored (a reservation has been made) in the reservation information database 33c for each route (step S50).

[0037] If reservation information is stored (a reservation has been made) for the target route (step S50: YES), the virtual timetable generation unit 32b generates a virtual timetable by listing the departure times of the demand traffic for which reservations have been made but there are still vacant seats based on the reservation information (step S51). Specifically, for example, referring to FIG. 6, when generating a virtual timetable for the route of "in front of Station B → in front of Park C" on "June 16, 2020" in demand traffic that can accommodate up to 2 passengers, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b extracts the reservation information for the route of "in front of Station B → in front of Park C" on "June 16, 2020" from the reservation information database 33c. If there are multiple pieces of reservation information with the same departure time, after adding up their boarding numbers, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b lists the departure times of the reservation information (the third and fourth pieces of reservation information in the example shown in FIG. 6) for which the boarding number is less than the maximum number of passengers that can board (2 passengers) in chronological order as shown in FIG. 7 to generate a virtual timetable.

[0038] Next, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b determines whether the interval between the departure times before and after in the generated virtual timetable is greater than a predetermined time interval (for example, 30 minutes) (step S52). If the interval between the departure times before and after is greater than the predetermined time interval (step S52: YES), the virtual timetable generation unit 32b inserts, in the generated virtual timetable, the reservable times of the demand traffic for which there is no reservation between the departure times before and after (step S53), and determines the virtual timetable for the route. In step S53, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b may insert the reservable times of the demand traffic for which there is no reservation at equal intervals with respect to the departure times before and after. Specifically, for example, referring to FIG. 7, in the generated virtual timetable, the next departure time after the departure time of "11:20" is "12:00", and the interval (= 40 minutes) is greater than the predetermined time interval (= 30 minutes). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the virtual time generation unit 32b adds "11:40" as the reservable time of the demand traffic for which there is no reservation between "11:20" and "12:00", and determines the virtual timetable for the route of "in front of Station B → in front of Park C" on "June 16, 2020".

[0039] On the other hand, in step S50, if reservation information for the target route has not yet been stored (no reservation has been made) (step S50: NO), the virtual timetable generation unit 32b generates a virtual timetable in which the reservable times of the demand traffic for which there is no reservation are listed based on the initial settings (step S54). Specifically, for example, if the reservation information for the route of "in front of Station B → in front of Park C" on "June 16, 2020" is not stored in the reservation information database 33c, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b generates, as shown in FIG. 9, a virtual timetable in which the reservable times of the demand traffic for which there is no reservation are listed based on the initial settings (for example, at equal intervals of 30 minutes). Note that the time interval set by the initial settings is not limited to equal intervals, and may be set respectively according to time zones and days of the week (for example, shortening the interval in the morning and evening and lengthening the interval during the day / night).

[0040] When the reservation information acquisition unit 32a, which will be described later, acquires new reservation information and stores it in the reservation information database 33c, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b may regenerate (update) the virtual timetable based on the new reservation information.

[0041] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, in the case of demand transportation operated by one vehicle B1 that can carry up to two people between three stops A, B, and C, initially, since there are no reservations on all routes (i.e., the six routes of A→B, A→C, B→C, B→A, C→A, and C→B), as shown in FIG. 17A, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b generates a virtual timetable that lists the reservable times of demand transportation without reservations based on the initial settings (at equal intervals of 30 minutes in the illustrated example).

[0042] Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 17B, when a reservation is made for the A→B route with a departure time of "10:00" and the number of passengers (reserved seats) of "1 person", since the vehicle B1 is assigned to the A→B route in the time period of "10:00~10:30", the virtual timetable generation unit 32b, based on the new reservation information, makes the time period of "10:00~10:30" unavailable for reservation (grayed out or removed) in the virtual timetables of routes other than A→B, and only the virtual timetables of the routes departing from stop B (i.e., B→C and B→A) maintain the state where the time period of "10:30~11:00" is available for reservation (the time period of "10:00~10:30" becomes unavailable for reservation in the virtual timetables of other routes), and regenerates (updates) the virtual timetable.

[0043] Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 17C, when a reservation is made for the route B→C with the departure time "10:30" and the number of passengers (number of reserved seats) "1 person", since vehicle B1 is assigned to the B→C route in the time period from "10:30 to 11:00", the virtual timetable generation unit 32b regenerates (updates) the virtual timetable based on the new reservation information so that the time period from "10:30 to 11:00" becomes unavailable for reservation (grayed out or removed from the virtual timetable) in the virtual timetables of routes other than B→C.

[0044] When the demand transportation operates between stops by multiple vehicles (multiple flights may exist in the same time period), the virtual timetable generation unit 32b may generate a virtual timetable in consideration of the fact that there are multiple demand transportation vehicles.

[0045] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, in the case of demand transportation that operates between three stops A, B, and C by two vehicles B1 and B2 that can carry up to two passengers, since there are no reservations in all routes at first (i.e., the six routes of A→B, A→C, B→C, B→A, C→A, and C→B), the virtual timetable generation unit 32b generates a virtual timetable that lists the available reservation times for flights of demand transportation without reservations based on the initial settings (at equal intervals of 30 minutes in the illustrated example), as shown in FIG. 19A.

[0046] Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 19B, when a reservation is made for the route A→B with a departure time of "10:00" and the number of passengers (reserved seats) of "1 person", the first vehicle B1 is assigned to the route A→B in the time period from "10:00" to "10:30". Since the second vehicle B2 is still available in the same time period, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b regenerates (updates) the virtual timetable based on the new reservation information so that the reservation-available state is maintained in all time periods in the virtual timetables of all routes (only the virtual timetable of the A→B route changes the seat availability status in the time period from "10:00" to "10:30" to "Δ"). If it is allowed for the two vehicles B1 and B2 to run on the same route, the seat availability status in the time period from "10:00" to "10:30" in the virtual timetable of the A→B route may be maintained as "〇".

[0047] Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 19C, when a reservation is made for the route B→C with a departure time of "10:00" and the number of passengers (reserved seats) of "1 person", since the second vehicle B2 is assigned to the route B→C in the time period from "10:00" to "10:30", the virtual timetable generation unit 32b regenerates (updates) the virtual timetable based on the new reservation information so that the time period from "10:00" to "10:30" becomes unavailable for reservation (grayed out or removed from the virtual timetable) in the virtual timetables of routes other than A→B and B→C, and only the virtual timetables of the routes departing from the stop B or C (i.e., B→C, B→A, C→A, C→B) maintain the reservation-available state in the time period from "10:30" to "11:00" (the time period from "10:00" to "10:30" becomes unavailable for reservation in the virtual timetables of other routes).

[0048] Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 19D, when a reservation is made for the route from B to C with a departure time of "10:30" and the number of passengers (number of reserved seats) of "1 person", since the first vehicle B1 is assigned to the route from B to C in the time period from "10:30 to 11:00", the virtual timetable generation unit 32b regenerates the virtual timetable so that the time period from "10:30 to 11:00" becomes unavailable for reservation (gray out or deleted from the virtual timetable) in the virtual timetable of the route from B to A based on the new reservation information. Note that the first vehicle is assigned to the route from B to C (the route arriving at the stop C) in the time period from "10:00 to 10:30", and since it is not determined which of the routes from C to A (the route arriving at the stop A) and from C to B (the route arriving at the stop A) the second vehicle B2 is assigned to (or whether it is not assigned to either) in the time period from "10:30 to 11:00", the time period from "11:00 to 11:30" remains available for reservation in the virtual timetable of any route. If the second vehicle B2 is not assigned to either the route from C to A or the route from C to B in the time period from "10:30 to 11:00", by setting 10:30 to 11:00 as the travel time (vehicle allocation time), the operation after 11:00 becomes possible on any route.

[0049] The demand traffic search condition acquisition unit 32c acquires the search conditions for reservable demand traffic from the user's terminal device 2. As an example, referring to FIG. 10, the search conditions for reservable demand traffic may be those that specify a route (that is, those that specify both the departure point 101 and the arrival point 102). As another example, referring to FIG. 14, the search conditions for reservable demand traffic may be those that specify only the departure point 101 (without specifying the arrival point 102).

[0050] The virtual timetable output control unit 32d acquires a virtual timetable from the virtual timetable database 33c based on the search conditions acquired by the demand traffic search condition acquisition unit 32c, transmits an output control signal for outputting the virtual timetable to the terminal device 2, and outputs the virtual timetable via the terminal output unit 25. As an example, referring to FIG. 10, when the search condition for reservable demand traffic is specifying a route (for example, in front of Station B → in front of Park C), the virtual timetable output control unit 32d acquires the virtual timetable for the route (in front of Station B → in front of Park C) specified by the search condition from the virtual timetable database 33c, and may output it via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 11. As another example, when the search condition for reservable demand traffic is specifying a departure point (for example, the current position of the terminal device 2 measured by the terminal positioning unit 26), the virtual timetable output control unit 32d acquires the virtual timetable for the route with the stop point around the specified departure point (current position) as the departure point from the virtual timetable database 33c, and may output it via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 15. As a modified example related to the display screen of FIG. 15, when the application on the user's terminal device 2 is started, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d acquires the position information of the terminal device 2 with the current position as the departure point from the terminal device 2, acquires the virtual timetable for the route with the stop point around the departure point (current position) as the departure point from the virtual timetable database 33c, and may output it to the top screen etc. of the application via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 15. Also, as another modified example related to the display screen of FIG. 15, when the map screen is displayed on the user's terminal device 2, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d acquires the position information of the terminal device 2 with the point displayed on the map screen as the departure point from the terminal device 2, acquires the virtual timetable for the route with the stop point around the departure point (the point displayed on the map screen) as the departure point from the virtual timetable database 33c, and may output it to the map screen etc. via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 15.

[0051] The route search condition acquisition unit 32a acquires route search conditions from the user's terminal device 2. The route search conditions include information on the departure location, destination, and departure time (or arrival time). The departure location may be the current location of the terminal device 2 measured by the terminal positioning unit 26, or a specific location input (designated) by the user via the terminal input unit 24. The departure time may be the current time, or a specific time input (designated) by the user via the terminal input unit 24.

[0052] Based on the route search conditions acquired by the search condition acquisition unit 32a, the route search unit 32b searches for information on a route that satisfies the route search conditions, referring to the route network information database 33a, the map information database 33b, and the virtual timetable database 33d. By referring to the virtual timetable database 33d when the route search unit 32b performs route search, it is possible to prevent a route including a route using demand transportation that is already full (not available for reservation) from being erroneously output as a search result.

[0053] The route output control unit 32c transmits an output control signal for outputting the route of the search result by the route search unit 32 to the terminal device 2, and outputs the route 107 of the search result via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 13. When the route 107 of the search result includes a route using demand transportation, the route output control unit 32c may output a button 108 for making a reservation for demand transportation on the route together with the route 107 of the search result.

[0054] When the route of the search result output by the route output control unit 32c includes a route using demand transportation, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d may obtain the virtual timetable for the route from the virtual timetable database 33c, transmit an output control signal for outputting the virtual timetable to the terminal device 2, and output the virtual timetable via the terminal output unit 25. Specifically, for example, referring to FIG. 13, when the display area 109 of a specific route (in front of Station B → in front of Park C) included in the search result route 107 is touched by the user via the terminal input unit 24, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d may obtain the virtual timetable for the route from the virtual timetable database 33c and output it via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0055] The reservation information acquisition unit 32a acquires reservation information of demand transportation from the user's terminal device 2 and stores it in the reservation information database 33c. Specifically, for example, referring to FIG. 13, when a button 108 for making a reservation of demand transportation is pressed by the user via the terminal input unit 24 on a specific route (in front of Station B → in front of Park C) included in the search result route 107, new reservation information specifying the departure time "11:20" for the route from in front of Station B to in front of Park C is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3 and acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit 32a. The new reservation information acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit 32a is stored in the reservation information database 33c. Note that the reservation information acquisition unit 32a is not limited to the mode of directly acquiring the reservation information of demand transportation from the user's terminal device 2, and may acquire reservation information from, for example, a server (not shown) of a demand transportation operator.

[0056] When the virtual timetable generation unit 32b regenerates (updates) the virtual timetable based on the new reservation information acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit 32a, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d transmits an output control signal for outputting the regenerated (updated) virtual timetable to the terminal device 2. As shown in FIG. 12, the virtual timetable output via the terminal output unit 25 may be updated. In the example shown in FIG. 12, for the flight with the departure time of "12:00", a new reservation by another user has been made and the flight is full (reservation is not available), so the virtual timetable is updated. Compared with FIG. 11, the flight with the departure time of "12:00" has been deleted from the virtual timetable output via the terminal output unit 25. As a modification, the flight for which reservation is not available may be grayed out in the virtual timetable output via the terminal output unit 25.

[0057] (First Example of Operation) Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a first example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first example of the operation of the information processing system 1.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, first, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b generates a virtual timetable in which the departure times of demand traffic for which reservation is possible are listed for each route based on the reservation information stored in the reservation information database 33c (step S11). For the process (step S11) in which the virtual timetable generation unit 32b generates the virtual timetable, an example has already been described in detail with reference to FIG. 3, and the description thereof will be omitted here. The virtual timetable generated by the virtual timetable generation unit 32b is stored in the virtual timetable database 33c (see FIG. 8).

[0059] Note that step S11 is repeatedly performed every time a new reservation is made. That is, referring to step S14 described later, when the reservation information acquisition unit 32a acquires new reservation information and stores it in the reservation information database 33c, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b regenerates (updates) the virtual timetable based on the new reservation information (step S11).

[0060] Next, referring to FIG. 10, when the user of the terminal device 2 inputs search conditions (i.e., departure point 101, arrival point 102, desired boarding date 103, number of passengers 104) for specifying a route of demand transportation via the terminal input unit 24 and presses the search button 105, the search conditions are transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3, and the demand transportation search condition acquisition unit 32c of the server 3 acquires the search conditions (step S12).

[0061] Next, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d acquires a virtual timetable for the route specified by the search conditions acquired by the demand transportation search condition acquisition unit 32c from the virtual timetable database 33c, and transmits an output control signal for outputting the virtual timetable to the terminal device 2, and outputs the virtual timetable via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 11 (step S13).

[0062] Next, when the user of the terminal device 2 performs a reservation operation for demand transportation via the terminal input unit 24, new reservation information is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3 and acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit 32a. For example, referring to FIG. 11, when the display area of one reservable time (for example, departure time "11:40") included in the virtual timetable is touched by the user via the terminal input unit 24, new reservation information specifying the departure time "11:40" for the route from in front of Station B to in front of Park C is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3 and acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit 32a. As a modification, a button (not shown) "Reserve by specifying time" is provided on the display screen shown in FIG. 11. When the user presses the button via the terminal input unit 24, in addition to the trains shown in the virtual timetable, the user can arbitrarily specify the departure / arrival time, and new reservation information specifying an arbitrary departure time for the route from in front of Station B to in front of Park C may be transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3 and acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit 32a. The reservation information acquisition unit 32a stores the new reservation information acquired from the terminal device 2 in the reservation information database 33c (step S14).

[0063] According to the present embodiment as described above, for each route, a virtual timetable listing the departure times of demand traffic that can be reserved is generated. Therefore, when a user makes a reservation for demand traffic, by referring to the virtual timetable, it is possible to encourage the user to make a reservation at any of the departure times listed in the virtual timetable. That is, it is possible to suppress the situation where the reservation times (departure times) are infinitely dispersed and the number of single-occupancy rides increases. Specifically, for example, if there are a user who is considering making a reservation at 11:35 and a user who is considering making a reservation at 11:45, if those users can view a virtual timetable as shown in FIG. 11, they will be psychologically induced to select 11:40 listed in the virtual timetable and make a reservation, and it is expected that the probability of sharing a ride will increase. It can be suppressed that reservations are made separately at 11:35 and 11:45, resulting in an increase in inefficient single-occupancy rides. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to construct an environment in which it is easy to share rides in demand traffic.

[0064] (Second example of operation) Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a second example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second example of the operation of the information processing system 1.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the step of generating a virtual timetable based on the reservation information stored in the reservation information database 33c (step S11) is the same as the first example of the operation shown in FIG. 2, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, after the virtual timetable is generated and stored in the virtual timetable database 33d (after step S11), the search condition acquisition unit 32a acquires a route search condition from the user's terminal device 2 (step S22).

[0067] Next, the route search unit 32b searches for information on a route that satisfies the route search conditions based on the route search conditions acquired by the search condition acquisition unit 32a, with reference to the route network information database 33a, the map information database 33b, and the virtual timetable database 33d (step S23).

[0068] Next, the route output control unit 32c transmits an output control signal for outputting the route obtained as the search result by the route search unit 32 to the terminal device 2, and outputs the route 107 of the search result via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 13 (step S24). As shown in FIG. 13, when the route 107 of the search result includes a route using demand transportation (in the illustrated example, in front of Station B → in front of Park C), the route output control unit 32c may output a button 108 for making a reservation for demand transportation on the route together with the route 107 of the search result.

[0069] Next, referring to FIG. 13, when the display area 109 of a specific route (in front of Station B → in front of Park C) included in the route 107 of the search result is touched by the user via the terminal input unit 24, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d acquires the virtual timetable for the route from the virtual timetable database 33c, transmits an output control signal for outputting the virtual timetable to the terminal device 2, and outputs the virtual timetable via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 11 (step S25).

[0070] Next, referring to FIG. 13, when the button 108 for making a reservation for demand transportation on a specific route (in front of Station B → in front of Park C) included in the route 107 of the search result is pressed by the user via the terminal input unit 24, new reservation information specifying the departure time "11:20" for the route from in front of Station B → in front of Park C is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3 and acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit 32a. The reservation information acquisition unit 32a stores the new reservation information acquired from the terminal device 2 in the reservation information database 33c (step S26).

[0071] According to the above-described aspect, in addition to obtaining the same operational effects as those of the first example of the operation shown in FIG. 2, by the route search unit 32b performing route search with reference to the virtual timetable database 33d, it is possible to prevent a route including a route that uses demand traffic that is already full (not available for reservation) from being erroneously output as a search result.

[0072] (Third Example of Operation) Next, with reference to FIG. 5A, a third example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing the third example of the operation of the information processing system 1.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 5A, in the present embodiment, the step of generating a virtual timetable based on the reservation information stored in the reservation information database 33c (step S11) is the same as that of the first example of the operation shown in FIG. 2, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, after the virtual timetable is generated and stored in the virtual timetable database 33d (after step S11), referring to FIG. 14, when the user of the terminal device 2 inputs, via the terminal input unit 24, a search condition (that is, the departure point 101, the desired boarding date 103, and the number of passengers 104) without specifying the arrival point of the demand traffic that can be reserved and presses the search button 105, the search condition is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3, and the demand traffic search condition acquisition unit 32c of the server 3 acquires the search condition (step S32).

[0075] Next, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d identifies a stop (for example, in front of Station B) around the departure place (for example, the current location) specified by the search condition acquired by the demand traffic search condition acquisition unit 32c. Then, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d acquires, from the virtual timetable database 33c, a virtual timetable for a route (for example, in front of Station B → in front of Park C) with the identified stop (for example, in front of Station B) as the departure point, and transmits an output control signal for outputting the virtual timetable to the terminal device 2, and outputs the virtual timetable via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 15 (step S33).

[0076] Next, referring to FIG. 15, when a button 110 for making a reservation for demand transportation is pressed by the user via the terminal input unit 24 for a specific train shown in the virtual timetable (the train departing at 11:20 on the route from in front of Station B to in front of Park C), new reservation information specifying the departure time "11:20" for the route from in front of Station B to in front of Park C is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3 and acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit 32a. The reservation information acquisition unit 32a stores the new reservation information acquired from the terminal device 2 in the reservation information database 33c (step S34).

[0077] Even with the above-described aspects, the same operational effects as those of the first example of the operation shown in FIG. 2 can be obtained.

[0078] (Fourth Example of Operation) Next, referring to FIG. 5B, a fourth example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing the fourth example of the operation of the information processing system 1.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 5B, in this embodiment, the step of generating a virtual timetable based on the reservation information stored in the reservation information database 33c (step S11) is the same as that of the first example of the operation shown in FIG. 2, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0080] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, after the virtual timetable is generated and stored in the virtual timetable database 33d (after step S11), when the user of the terminal device 2 inputs search conditions specifying the area and date and time of demand transportation for which reservations can be made via the terminal input unit 24, the search conditions are transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3, and the demand transportation search condition acquisition unit 32c of the server 3 acquires the search conditions (step S42). Here, the area specified by the search conditions may be a region, an address, a POI, etc., and may be arbitrarily input by the user or may be selected and input from a list. The date and time may be specified by a date, a time zone, etc.

[0081] Next, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d generates a route map that displays the routes of the demand traffic included in the area (for example, around the current location) specified by the search conditions acquired by the demand traffic search condition acquisition unit 32c, and transmits an output control signal for outputting the route map to the terminal device 2. As shown in FIG. 20A, the route map is output via the terminal output unit 25 (step S43). Here, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d acquires the virtual timetable for each route of the demand traffic included in the area specified by the search conditions from the virtual timetable database 33c, and based on the virtual timetable of each acquired route, at the date and time (for example, the current time) specified by the search conditions, the routes of the demand traffic that can be reserved and the routes of the demand traffic that cannot be reserved are displayed in a distinguishable manner. In the example shown in FIG. 20A, the routes of the demand traffic that can be reserved are displayed as solid lines, and the routes of the demand traffic that cannot be reserved are displayed as dashed lines, but it is not limited to this. For example, only the routes of the demand traffic that can be reserved may be displayed, and the routes of the demand traffic that cannot be reserved may not be displayed. In the route map shown in FIG. 20A, each stop and route is displayed in a deformed manner without a background, but it is not limited to this. For example, when the number of stops and routes in the area is small, each stop and route may be displayed superimposed on the actual map. In the route map shown in FIG. 20A, the pin marked with the symbol P indicates the current location.

[0082] Thereafter, when the reservation information stored in the reservation information database 33c is changed (for example, adding a new reservation or canceling an existing reservation) and the virtual timetable is regenerated (updated) by the virtual timetable generation unit 32b, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d updates the display of the route map based on the regenerated (updated) virtual timetable (step S44). For example, when a new reservation is added and a certain route transitions from a reservable state to a non-reservable state, the virtual timetable output control unit 32d changes the display of the route on the route map from a solid line to a dashed line (or makes it non-displayed).

[0083] In the route map shown in FIG. 20A, a non-reservable route (a route shown by a broken line in the illustrated example) may not be selectable (e.g., not clickable) by the user, or when selected (clicked) by the user, the route name and timetable of the route may be displayed overlaid on the route map, and a message indicating non-reservability may be further displayed overlaid.

[0084] Next, as shown in FIG. 20B, when the user of the terminal device 2 selects (e.g., clicks) one reservable route (in the illustrated example, the route from Station B to Park C) from the route map via the terminal input unit 24, the information of the selected route is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3, and the virtual timetable generation unit 32b of the server 3 acquires the information of the selected route (step S45).

[0085] Next, the virtual timetable generation unit 32b acquires a virtual timetable for the route selected by the user from the virtual timetable database 33c, transmits an output control signal for outputting the virtual timetable to the terminal device 2, and outputs the virtual timetable via the terminal output unit 25 as shown in FIG. 20B (step S46).

[0086] Next, referring to FIG. 20B, when the display of the reservation status of a specific train (the train departing from in front of Station B to in front of Park C at 11:20) displayed in the virtual timetable is pressed by the user via the terminal input unit 24, new reservation information specifying the departure time "11:20" for the route from Station B to Park C is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3 and acquired by the reservation information acquisition unit 32a. The reservation information acquisition unit 32a stores the new reservation information acquired from the terminal device 2 in the reservation information database 33c (step S47).

[0087] Even with the above-described aspects, in addition to obtaining the same operational effects as the first example of the operation shown in FIG. 2, a route map that displays the routes of demand transportation that can be reserved is generated. Thus, even in cases where the positional relationship is difficult to understand when selecting a stop name, it is possible to visually select a reservable route and make a reservation for demand transportation.

[0088] Note that at least a part of the information processing system 1 described in the above-described embodiment may be configured by hardware or software. When configured by hardware, a program that realizes at least a part of the functions of the information processing system 1 may be stored in a recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, and read and executed by a computer. The recording medium is not limited to removable ones such as magnetic disks and optical disks, and may be a fixed-type recording medium such as a hard disk device or a memory.

[0089] Also, a program that realizes at least a part of the functions of the information processing system 1 may be distributed via a communication line (including wireless communication) such as the Internet. Further, the program may be distributed in an encrypted, modulated, or compressed state via a wired or wireless line such as the Internet, or stored in a recording medium.

[0090] Furthermore, the information processing system 1 may be made to function by one or a plurality of information processing devices. When using a plurality of information processing devices, one of the information processing devices may be a computer, and the functions may be realized as at least one means of the information processing system 1 by the computer executing a predetermined program.

[0091] Also, in the invention of a method, all steps may be automatically controlled by a computer. Also, while each step is being executed by a computer, the progress control between steps may be carried out manually by a person. Further, at least a part of all the steps may be carried out manually by a person.

[0092] Based on the above description, those skilled in the art may be able to conceive of additional effects and various modifications of the present invention. However, the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, changes, and partial deletions are possible without departing from the conceptual ideas and spirit of the present invention derived from the content defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 1 Information processing system 2 Terminal device 21 Terminal communication unit 22 Terminal control unit 23 Terminal storage unit 24 Terminal input unit 25 Terminal output unit 26 Terminal positioning unit 3 Server 31 Server communication unit 32 Server control unit 32a Reservation information acquisition unit 32b Virtual timetable generation unit 32c Demand traffic search condition acquisition unit 32d Virtual timetable output control unit 32e Search condition acquisition unit 32f Route search unit 32g Route output control unit 33 Server storage unit 33a Route network information database 33b Map information database 33c Reservation information database 33d Virtual timetable database 4 Network

Claims

1. Reservation information acquisition means for acquiring reservation information of demand traffic that travels between stops according to reservations; A virtual timetable that lists the departure times of demand traffic for each route based on the reservation information, including at least the departure times of demand traffic with reservations but still having available seats and the dispatchable times of demand traffic without reservations. Virtual timetable generation means for generating a virtual timetable; An information processing system comprising:

2. When generating the virtual timetable, the virtual timetable generation means lists the departure times of demand traffic with reservations but still having available seats for each route based on the reservation information. If the interval between the previous and subsequent departure times is greater than a predetermined time interval, the dispatchable times of demand traffic without reservations are inserted between the previous and subsequent departure times. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The virtual timetable generation means inserts the dispatchable times of demand traffic without reservations at equal intervals with respect to the previous and subsequent departure times. The information processing system according to claim 2.

4. When the reservation information acquisition means acquires new reservation information, the virtual timetable generation means regenerates the virtual timetable based on the new reservation information. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When the reservation information acquisition means has not yet acquired reservation information, the virtual timetable generation means generates a virtual timetable that lists the dispatchable times of demand traffic without reservations based on the initial settings. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The virtual timetable generation means generates the virtual timetable in consideration of the fact that there are multiple demand traffic units. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Route search condition acquisition means for acquiring route search conditions; Route search means for searching for a route that satisfies the route search conditions with reference to the virtual timetable; Route output control means for outputting the searched route; When the searched route includes a route that uses demand traffic, virtual timetable output control means for outputting the virtual timetable for the route. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

8. Demand traffic search condition acquisition means for acquiring search conditions specifying the routes of demand traffic that can be reserved; The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising virtual timetable output control means for outputting the virtual timetable for the route specified by the search condition.

9. Demand traffic search condition acquisition means for acquiring search conditions specifying the departure place of reservable demand traffic, The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising virtual timetable output control means for outputting the virtual timetable for a route having a stop point around the departure place specified by the search condition as a departure point.

10. A computer, Reservation information acquisition means for acquiring reservation information of demand traffic traveling between stop points according to a reservation, and An information processing program that functions as timetable generation means for generating a virtual timetable in which the departure times of demand traffic are listed for each route based on the reservation information, the virtual timetable including at least the departure times of demand traffic that have reservations but still have available seats and the available departure times of demand traffic that do not have reservations.

11. An information processing method executed by a computer, A step of acquiring reservation information of demand traffic traveling between stop points according to a reservation, and A step of generating a virtual timetable in which the departure times of demand traffic are listed for each route based on the reservation information, the virtual timetable including at least the departure times of demand traffic that have reservations but still have available seats and the available departure times of demand traffic that do not have reservations.

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