Taxi server device and taxi dispatch system

Abstract

To provide a taxi server apparatus and a taxi dispatch system for facilitating securing of transportation means for a customer using an accommodation facility or the like to move to the facility and providing useful services that improves cost burden and convenience on the facility side.SOLUTION: In a taxi dispatch system 100, a server 10 issues a taxi coupon and a taxi ticket coupon code that can be associated with the location of a receiving facility 30 and sells them to the receiving facility 30. The receiving facility 30 distributes the coupons or the like to customers who have reserved them, and when the customers present the coupons or the like in a taxi, the server 10 authenticates legitimacy of the coupon code. The server 10 calculates the expected time for the taxi corresponding to the successfully authenticated coupon code to arrive at the receiving facility 30, which is the destination, and notifies the terminals 31 and 32 of the receiving facility 30 of the expected time and notifies the terminals of a customer's name who is scheduled to arrive, a taxi company, and vehicle information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a taxi server device and a taxi dispatch system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when individuals or company employees travel or go on a business trip, they need to make reservations in advance for accommodation such as hotels or inns, and they also need to secure the necessary means of transportation to travel to the facility.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle operation support method that enables a user to easily reserve a vehicle when using the vehicle for a business trip, a trip, or the like. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a reservation-linked system that enables a traveler to notify accommodation facilities, etc. of the estimated time of arrival in the event of a delay in transportation, whether the traveler has booked a package including transportation and accommodation facilities, etc. with a travel agency or has booked transportation and accommodation facilities, etc. individually.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a travel reservation support system that utilizes a website to greatly expand the user's freedom of choice and enables low-cost package tour reservations to be made in a short time with excellent operability. Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses technology for a social networking service that provides individual overseas travelers with hotel information from around the world and provides a reservation service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-323473 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-78103 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-146439 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-93603 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] For example, if a facility is located near a major railway station, it is very easy for travelers to secure the transportation necessary to use the facility. However, for facilities located in less popular and less convenient locations, such as regional tourist destinations, it is difficult to secure the transportation necessary to travel from the major railway station to the facility. Furthermore, if travelers travel from the station to their destination facility by taxi, they will have to pay a relatively high taxi fare.

[0007] Therefore, in the case of facilities in poor locations, it is difficult to improve convenience for customers such as tourists unless the facility uses its own dedicated transport vehicles, such as minibuses. However, if the facility needs to maintain a dedicated transport vehicle or hire a dedicated driver on a full-time basis, it will incur a large cost burden.

[0008] Furthermore, facilities such as hotels and inns can understand to some extent the activity schedules of employees who provide customer service to customers who have made reservations in advance based on the reservation status of the customers. However, in reality, customers may arrive at the facility at a time that is, for example, several hours later than planned due to the customer's convenience or delays in transportation. As a result, the facility may have to keep employees waiting unnecessarily while waiting for customers who arrive later than planned, which can be a significant burden on the facility.

[0009] On the other hand, customers such as tourists who are looking to use accommodation facilities often want to use the facility repeatedly, even if it is in a bad location, if they can secure transportation without incurring a large cost. However, if they use public buses as a means of transportation, for example, there is a high possibility that they will have to wait a long time, which reduces convenience. Similar issues also exist in the case of various facilities other than accommodation facilities.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a taxi server device and a taxi dispatch system that makes it easier for customers who use various facilities to secure transportation to those facilities, and that helps to improve the cost burden and convenience of the facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration.

[0012] a coupon code issuing unit that issues a coupon code for a coupon ticket or a taxi ticket, the coupon code including information that can identify the location of an accepting facility that accepts taxi users; a communication unit capable of communicating with devices in the taxi; a code authentication unit that authenticates the authenticity of the coupon code received from the in-taxi device via the communication unit; For the valid coupon code that the code authentication unit has successfully authenticated, at least the corresponding taxi The location of the receiving facility is understood as a time notification unit that notifies a terminal of the corresponding receiving facility of an estimated time of arrival at the destination; A taxi server device comprising:

[0013] A taxi in-cab device disposed in the taxi; Facility-side equipment that can be used by a receiving facility that receives taxi users; a server capable of communicating with the taxi device and the facility device; and a first transmission processing unit that transmits a coupon code issued by the server to the facility-side device in response to a request from the facility-side device; a second transmission processing unit that transmits the coupon code received by the facility device from the server to the user of the receiving facility; a code authentication unit that, when the in-taxi device acquires the coupon code from the taxi user, authenticates the validity of the corresponding coupon code on the server side; For the valid coupon code that the code authentication unit has successfully authenticated, at least the corresponding taxi The location of the receiving facility is understood as Estimated time of arrival at destination The facility side equipment a time notification unit that notifies the A taxi dispatch system equipped with: [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The taxi server device and taxi dispatch system of the present invention make it easier for customers using various facilities to secure transportation to those facilities, improving the cost burden and convenience for the facilities. In other words, by using taxi coupons with assigned coupon codes, facilities can provide customers with a relatively low-cost and convenient means of transportation without maintaining dedicated vehicles or drivers. Furthermore, facilities can grasp the estimated time of customer arrival with a relatively high degree of accuracy, reducing wasted waiting time for customer service and enabling more efficient customer service.

[0015] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first configuration example of a taxi dispatch system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second configuration example of a taxi dispatch system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third configuration example of a taxi dispatch system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a taxi meter. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a soft meter. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a first flow of purchasing a coupon ticket when using a taxi dispatch system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a flow-2 of purchasing a coupon ticket when using a taxi dispatch system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing when a taxi user uses a coupon ticket. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of a travel route on a road map. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the taxi dispatch system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] <Configuration example 1> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first configuration example of a taxi dispatch system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The taxi dispatch system 100 shown in Fig. 1 can provide highly convenient functions for users who use various facilities 30 when traveling using taxi vehicles 20. Typical examples of specific facilities 30 include accommodation facilities such as hotels and inns. Of course, the system can also be used in various facilities other than accommodation facilities, such as restaurants.

[0020] The taxi dispatch system 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a server 10 that can provide important functions described below through communication services. This server 10 is equipped with a coupon ticket system 11 for taxi use. The coupon ticket system 11 includes a route search program 12, a usage authentication program 13, a notification distribution program 14, and a database (DB) 15.

[0021] The route search program 12 has a function of searching a road map for an appropriate route for a taxi user to travel from a certain point to a destination. The usage authentication program 13 has a function of issuing taxi coupons and a function of authenticating the validity of each issued coupon. The notification distribution program 14 has a function of distributing various information to facilities that are customers of the communication service.

[0022] The database 15 includes a vehicle master DB 15a, a supplier master DB 15b, and a coupon ticket master DB 15c. The vehicle master DB 15a stores information necessary for identifying each taxi vehicle 20 to be managed and for communicating with each taxi vehicle 20. The supplier master DB 15b stores information necessary for identifying facilities 30 to be managed that have been contracted in advance as suppliers, for identifying the location of each facility 30, and for communicating with devices within each facility 30. The coupon ticket master DB 15c stores information on coupon tickets that have been issued in advance, and also stores information necessary for authenticating the authenticity of the information on each coupon ticket.

[0023] The server 10 is a device in which software required to use the coupon ticket system 11 is installed on a computer installed in a predetermined data center, for example, and is operated by a business operator that manages the taxi dispatch system 100. The server 10 is connected to the Internet 51, and can also be connected to an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network 52 via the Internet 51.

[0024] The operator of facility 30 can use the communication services of the coupon ticket system 11 on server 10, for example, by signing a contract in advance. That is, facility 30 can communicate with server 10 using facility terminals 31 and 32 that it owns, and use the services of coupon ticket system 11. Facility terminals 31 and 32 are, for example, general personal computers or smartphones.

[0025] Specifically, facility 30 can purchase taxi coupons issued by coupon ticket system 11 by communicating with server 10 via Internet 51 from facility terminal 31 or 32. Facility 30 can also receive information from server 10, such as the estimated arrival time of a taxi customer using a coupon ticket.

[0026] Furthermore, the facility 30 side can use its own system for managing reservations made by customers (such as hotel guests) by incorporating it into, for example, the facility terminal 31. The facility 30 side can also use this system to issue taxi coupons to customers who have made reservations in advance.

[0027] For example, when a customer of facility 30 uses application software (app) installed on user terminal 41 to access the system of facility terminal 31 via communication to make a reservation, facility terminal 31 can deliver coupon ticket information 41a to user terminal 41. Facility 30 can also print information equivalent to this coupon ticket information 41a on paper ticket 42 and hand it over to the customer.

[0028] In this embodiment, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) is used as the form of the coupon code, so the coupon can be handed over in a state where it is printed on a paper ticket 42, or it can be handed over as coupon information 41a that can be displayed on the screen of the user terminal 41.

[0029] On the other hand, if a taxi user has acquired a taxi coupon in advance, the user can use the coupon by presenting the coupon information 41a or paper ticket 42 when getting into the taxi vehicle 20.

[0030] The taxi dispatch system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is assumed to be installed in a taxi vehicle 20 equipped with a taxi meter 21 and a communication device 22. In addition to the functions of a typical taxi meter, the taxi meter 21 has a function to read a coupon ticket presented by a taxi passenger and verify whether it is a genuine coupon ticket.

[0031] The communication device 22 has a wireless communication function for connecting to the LTE network 52. The taxi meter 21 can connect to the server 10 on the Internet 51 via the communication device 22 and the LTE network 52 and use the coupon ticket system 11. Specifically, the coupon ticket system 11 uses a usage authentication program 13 to perform authentication processing of the coupon ticket read by the taxi meter 21.

[0032] Furthermore, the coupon ticket system 11 communicates with the taxi meter 21 to determine that a taxi customer has used a coupon ticket, and further identifies the current location, destination, and planned route of the taxi vehicle 20, and estimates the scheduled time that the taxi vehicle 20 will arrive at the destination.The coupon ticket system 11 then notifies the facility 30 of the estimated scheduled arrival time, etc.

[0033] Therefore, employees of facility 30 can know relatively accurately the estimated time that customers visiting facility 30 for purposes such as staying overnight will arrive at facility 30 by taxi vehicle 20. This allows facility 30 to reduce wasted waiting time for customer service. Furthermore, since customers travel by taxi vehicle 20, facility 30 does not need to secure dedicated transport vehicles or drivers. Customers of facility 30 can use taxi vehicle 20 free of charge as a means of transportation from a station or the like to facility 30 by using a coupon ticket distributed in advance by facility 30. This allows for improved customer convenience even when facility 30 is located in a geographically inconvenient location.

[0034] <Configuration example 2> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second configuration example of a taxi dispatch system 100A according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the taxi dispatch system 100A shown in FIG. 2, the taxi vehicle 20 is equipped with a taxi meter 21A, a communication device 22, and a tablet terminal 23.

[0035] 2 has the functions of a typical taxi meter, as well as an interface for connecting a communication device 22 and a tablet terminal 23. Furthermore, in addition to the functions of a typical tablet terminal, the tablet terminal 23 shown in FIG. 2 has the functions of reading the QR code on the coupon ticket presented by the customer with a camera and verifying whether the coupon ticket that has been read is genuine. Furthermore, in order to utilize the authentication function of the coupon ticket system 11A, the tablet terminal 23 has the function of communicating with the server 10 via the taxi meter 21A, the communication device 22, and the LTE network 52.

[0036] 2, the database 15A of the coupon ticket system 11A includes a vehicle master DB 15a, a supplier master DB 15b, a coupon ticket master DB 15c, and a user master DB 15d. The user master DB 15d manages personal information such as the name of each user known by the facility 30, linked to the coupon ticket.

[0037] Other than the above, the configuration and operation of taxi dispatch system 100A are almost the same as those of taxi dispatch system 100 in Fig. 1. In addition, in taxi dispatch system 100A in Fig. 2, coupon ticket system 11A of server 10 can notify facility 30 of the names of users who are scheduled to arrive at facility 30, etc., using user master DB 15d.

[0038] <Configuration example 3> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third configuration example of a taxi dispatch system 100B according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the taxi dispatch system 100B shown in FIG. 3, the taxi vehicle 20 is equipped with a soft meter 24 and a communication device 22.

[0039] Although the soft meter 24 does not currently fall under the category of a "taxi meter," which is subject to regulation as a "specified measuring instrument" under the Measurement Act, it is a device that can perform the same functions as a "taxi meter." In other words, the soft meter 24 shown in Figure 3 has the same functions as the taxi meter 21 in Figure 1.

[0040] Softmeter 24 has the function of calculating taxi fares through software processing, utilizing information such as the location of taxi vehicles obtained through GPS positioning and road maps.

[0041] 1, the soft meter 24 shown in Fig. 3 has the function of reading the coupon ticket presented by the taxi passenger and verifying whether it is a genuine coupon ticket in addition to the functions of a general taxi meter. In addition, in order to utilize the authentication function of the coupon ticket system 11, the soft meter 24 can connect to the server 10 via the communication device 22, the LTE network 52, and the Internet 51, and communicate with the coupon ticket system 11. Other than the above, the configuration and operation of the taxi dispatch system 100B are almost the same as those of the taxi dispatch system 100 in FIG.

[0042] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the taxi meter 21. The taxi meter 21 constitutes a part of the taxi dispatch system 100.

[0043] The taxi meter 21 shown in FIG. 4 includes a taxi meter main body 21a, an operation unit 21b, a display unit 21c, a vehicle information acquisition unit 21d, a meter control unit 21e, a coupon ticket reading unit 21f, and a GPS receiver 21g.

[0044] The taxi meter main body 21a is a device that performs the same functions as a general taxi meter, i.e., it can measure the actual distance traveled by receiving signals indicating wheel rotation from the taxi vehicle, measure the time, and calculate and display the correct taxi fare according to a predetermined fare system.

[0045] The operation unit 21b has a number of buttons that can be operated by the taxi driver and can be used to give instructions to the taxi meter to switch the taxi's status, such as "empty," "occupied," or "payment."

[0046] The display unit 21c can display information such as the current taxi fare calculated by the taxi meter main body 21a so that the taxi driver and passengers can visually recognize it. The vehicle information acquisition unit 21d is an interface for connecting the taxi meter 21 to the taxi vehicle, and can acquire signals representing wheel rotation from the vehicle side and provide them to the taxi meter main body 21a.

[0047] The meter control unit 21e performs control to realize functions specific to the taxi meter 21. Specifically, it has a control function to acquire information on the coupon ticket presented by the passenger and communicate with the coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10 using the communication device 22 to confirm that the coupon ticket is legitimate, and to transmit information on the current location of the vehicle to the server 10 together with information that can identify the vehicle. Examples of information that can identify the vehicle include the license plate number, body color, or taxi company name of the taxi vehicle, which can help employees of the facility 30 identify the taxi vehicle when it arrives at the facility 30.

[0048] The coupon reader 21f is equipped with a camera for reading the contents displayed on the screen of the user terminal 41 and the contents written on the paper ticket 42, and can process the image captured by this camera to read the QR code.

[0049] The GPS receiver 21g receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites and is able to calculate the latitude / longitude representing the current position of the vehicle based on the time information of the received radio waves. When configuring the taxi dispatch system 100A shown in Fig. 2, some of the elements of the functions of the taxi meter 21 shown in Fig. 4 are installed on the tablet terminal 23. The elements to be newly installed on the tablet terminal 23 can be incorporated as dedicated apps into an existing general tablet terminal.

[0050] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the soft meter 24. The soft meter 24 constitutes a part of the taxi dispatch system 100B.

[0051] The soft meter 24 shown in Figure 5 includes a GPS receiver 24a, a road map DB 24b, a mileage calculation unit 24c, a taxi fare calculation unit 24d, a vehicle information acquisition unit 24e, an operation unit 24f, a display unit 24g, a coupon ticket reading unit 24h, and a meter control unit 24i.

[0052] The GPS receiver 24a receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites and can calculate the latitude / longitude, moving direction, moving speed, and other information that represent the current position of the vehicle based on the time information of the received radio waves.

[0053] The road map DB 24b holds road map information (including, for example, the contents shown in FIG. 10) covering the entire area where a vehicle equipped with this soft meter 24 may travel.

[0054] The mileage calculation unit 24c has a function of calculating the mileage of the taxi vehicle 20 equipped with this soft meter 24 based on information output from the GPS receiver 24a. For example, the current position on the road can be identified by comparing the latest position information (latitude / longitude) output by the GPS receiver 24a with the position of each road on the road map DB 24b. In addition, the current position on the road can be calculated at regular intervals, and the mileage on the road per unit time can be determined from the amount of change in the calculated current position. In addition, it is also possible to make corrections to improve the accuracy of the mileage calculation by taking into account, for example, the moving direction and traveling speed of the vehicle itself.

[0055] The taxi fare calculation unit 24d calculates an appropriate taxi fare based on the cumulative mileage calculated by the mileage calculation unit 24c for the section from the location where the passenger boarded the taxi vehicle 20 and transitioned to the "actual vehicle" state to the current location, the mileage calculated by the clock, and a pre-determined fare system.

[0056] The vehicle information acquisition unit 24e can acquire information such as the driving speed output from the vehicle and pass it to the taxi fare calculation unit 24d. The taxi fare calculation unit 24d can improve the accuracy of fare calculation by using the information output from the vehicle. Note that the taxi fare calculation unit 24d can calculate an appropriate taxi fare even if the vehicle information acquisition unit 24e is not present.

[0057] The operation unit 24f has a number of buttons that can be operated by the taxi driver and can be used to give instructions to the soft meter 24 to switch the taxi's status, such as "empty," "occupied," and "payment," as well as instructions such as "reading a coupon ticket."

[0058] The display unit 24g can display information such as the current taxi fare calculated by the taxi meter main body 21a so that the taxi driver and passengers can visually recognize it. The coupon ticket reading unit 24h is equipped with a camera for reading the contents displayed on the screen of the user terminal 41 and the contents written on the paper ticket 42, and can process the image captured by this camera to read the QR code.

[0059] The meter control unit 24i performs control to realize various functions required for the soft meter 24. That is, as in the case of a general taxi meter, it switches the taxi status between "empty," "occupied," "paid," etc. according to input from the operation unit 24f, and provides the status to the taxi fare calculation unit 24d, which calculates the appropriate taxi fare and displays the latest taxi fare on the display unit 24g.

[0060] The meter control unit 24i also has a control function for capturing information on the coupon ticket presented by the passenger using the coupon ticket reading unit 24h, communicating with the coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10 using the communication device 22 to confirm that the coupon ticket is genuine, and transmitting information on the current location of the vehicle to the server 10 together with information that can identify the vehicle.

[0061] <Steps for purchasing a coupon ticket-1> 6 is a sequence diagram showing a first flow of purchasing a coupon ticket when using the taxi dispatch system 100. The contents of FIG. 6 will be described below.

[0062] The manager of the facility 30 operates the facility terminal 31 to connect to the server 10 and use the services of the coupon ticket system 11 in order to secure in advance the taxi coupon tickets to be distributed to customers of the facility. That is, the facility terminal 31 carries out the procedure for purchasing coupon tickets with the coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10 (S11). Here, the facility terminal 31 transmits a facility ID that can identify the location and name of the facility 30. The facility 30 also transmits information such as the number of coupon tickets to be purchased this time.

[0063] The coupon system 11 on the server 10 issues coupons in the number of tickets purchased by the facility 30 in accordance with the coupon purchase procedure at the facility terminal 31 (S12).

[0064] The coupon tickets issued by the coupon ticket system 11 include a unique coupon code for each coupon ticket, section information including the boarding location and destination, available time period information (start time to end time), expiration date (year, month, and day), and remaining number of times available. The "remaining number of times available" is managed so that it decreases each time the coupon ticket is actually used in a taxi.

[0065] The multiple-use ticket system 11 on the server 10 identifies the facility where each multiple-use ticket issued in S12 was purchased using the facility ID or the like, and manages the multiple-use ticket code in a linked state with the facility where the ticket was purchased (location such as latitude / longitude, facility code, name, etc.) (S13).

[0066] The coupon system 11 on the server 10 carries out the sales procedure for the coupons issued in S12 (S14), and transmits the coupon codes of the issued coupons to the facility terminal 31. The facility terminal 31 holds and manages the coupon codes of all coupons purchased from the coupon system 11.

[0067] On the other hand, a customer who wishes to use the facility 30 for the purpose of lodging or the like can access the reservation system on the facility 30 side using the user terminal 41 (S15). When a facility terminal 31 connected to a reservation system on the facility 30 side accepts a reservation for accommodation from a customer, the facility terminal 31 registers and manages the reservation in a reservation database 31a.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, if the administrator of the facility 30 determines that a coupon code is necessary for a hotel reservation made by a registered customer, the administrator operates the facility terminal 31 to assign one coupon code to the hotel reservation, and manages the codes in the hotel reservation DB 31a in a linked state (S16). Of course, it is also possible to assign coupon codes to customers by automatic computer processing.

[0069] When a customer who has made a reservation accesses the reservation system of the facility 30 using the user terminal 41, the customer can check the reservation registered in the reservation DB 31a on the screen of the user terminal 41. If a coupon code has been assigned to the reservation, the customer can obtain the coupon code on the reservation confirmation screen (S17). Of course, the facility terminal 31 may distribute the coupon code to the customer by attaching it to an email or the like. Alternatively, the coupon code may be printed on a paper ticket 42 and mailed to the customer.

[0070] A customer who has acquired a coupon ticket using the user terminal 41 can use an app installed in the user terminal 41 in advance to communicate with the coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10 and check the acquired coupon ticket (S18). In this case, the app on the user terminal 41 transmits the coupon ticket code of the corresponding coupon ticket. The coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10 receives and authenticates the coupon ticket code transmitted from the user terminal 41, and if authentication of the valid coupon ticket code is successful, transmits information indicating the contents of the coupon ticket to the user terminal 41. In other words, information such as section information including the boarding point and destination assigned to the coupon ticket with the corresponding coupon ticket code, information about the time period during which the coupon ticket can be used, information about the expiration date of use, and the remaining number of times the coupon ticket can be used is transmitted from the server 10 to the user terminal 41.

[0071] <Steps for purchasing a coupon ticket-2> 7 is a sequence diagram showing a flow-2 of purchasing a coupon ticket when using the taxi dispatch system 100 A. The contents of FIG. 7 will be described below.

[0072] An administrator on the facility 30 side operates the facility terminal 31 to connect to the server 10 and use the services of the coupon ticket system 11 in order to secure in advance the taxi coupon tickets to be distributed to customers of the facility. That is, the facility terminal 31 carries out the procedure for purchasing coupon tickets with the coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10 (S11). Here, the facility terminal 31 transmits a facility ID that can identify the location and name of the facility 30. The facility 30 also transmits information such as the number of coupon tickets to be purchased this time.

[0073] The coupon system 11 on the server 10 issues coupons in the number of tickets purchased by the facility 30 in accordance with the coupon purchase procedure at the facility terminal 31 (S12).

[0074] The coupon tickets issued by the coupon ticket system 11 include a unique coupon code for each coupon ticket, section information including the boarding location and destination, available time period information (start time to end time), expiration date (year, month, and day), and remaining number of times available. The "remaining number of times available" is managed so that it decreases each time the coupon ticket is actually used in a taxi.

[0075] The multiple-use ticket system 11 on the server 10 identifies the facility where each multiple-use ticket issued in S12 was purchased using the facility ID or the like, and manages the multiple-use ticket code in a linked state with the facility where the ticket was purchased (location such as latitude / longitude, facility code, name, etc.) (S13).

[0076] The coupon system 11 on the server 10 carries out the sales procedure for the coupons issued in S12 (S14), and transmits the coupon codes of the issued coupons to the facility terminal 31. The facility terminal 31 holds and manages the coupon codes of all coupons purchased from the coupon system 11.

[0077] On the other hand, a customer who wishes to use the facility 30 for the purpose of lodging or the like can access the reservation system on the facility 30 side using the user terminal 41 (S15). When a facility terminal 31 connected to a reservation system on the facility 30 side accepts a reservation for accommodation from a customer, the facility terminal 31 registers and manages the reservation in a reservation database 31a.

[0078] Furthermore, for example, if the administrator of the facility 30 determines that a coupon code is necessary for a hotel reservation made by a registered customer, the administrator operates the facility terminal 31 to assign one coupon code to the hotel reservation, and manages the codes in the hotel reservation DB 31a in a linked state (S16). Of course, it is also possible to assign coupon codes to customers by automatic computer processing.

[0079] In the operation shown in Figure 7, the facility terminal 31 transmits user information, including personal information such as name, from the reservation information of each customer registered in the accommodation reservation DB 31a to the server 10 together with the coupon code assigned to the corresponding customer (S01).

[0080] The coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10 registers the user information received from the user terminal 41 in the user master DB 15d (S02), and manages the user's personal information and the coupon ticket code in a linked state (S03).

[0081] Therefore, when the database 15A of the multiple-ride ticket system 11A includes a user master DB 15d, as in the taxi dispatch system 100A shown in Figure 2, the multiple-ride ticket system 11A can identify the name, etc. of the corresponding user from the multiple-ride ticket code.

[0082] Distribution of the coupons from facility 30 to the customer is the same as the operation already explained in Fig. 6. Also, similar to the operation shown in Fig. 6, the customer can check the information on the coupons they have received in S18.

[0083] 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing when a taxi user uses a coupon ticket. The contents of FIG. 8 will be explained below.

[0084] After a customer of the facility 30 obtains a coupon issued by the coupon system 11 from the facility terminal 31 or the like, when the customer boards a taxi vehicle 20 as a user, the user can present the coupon ticket he or she possesses as coupon information 41a displayed on the user terminal 41 or as a paper ticket 42 (S21).

[0085] On the other hand, when a user gets on the taxi 20 in an "empty" state, the taxi meter 21 on the taxi 20 proceeds from S22 to S23, and reads information (for example, a QR code) from the coupon ticket presented by the user.

[0086] The taxi meter 21 transmits the information on the coupon read in S23 as user information to the coupon system 11 on the server 10 in S24. The user information transmitted here includes information identifying the taxi vehicle 20 that sent the information, and latitude / longitude information indicating the current location of the taxi vehicle 20 (the location of the boarding point).

[0087] The coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10 acquires the user information transmitted from the taxi meter 21 of the taxi vehicle 20 in S25, and then determines whether the user can use the taxi (S26) and the boarding location area (S27).

[0088] In determining whether or not the ticket can be used in S26, the ticket system 11 ascertains the details of the corresponding ticket from the ticket master DB 15c based on the ticket code included in the acquired user information, and authenticates whether or not the ticket can be used. For example, if the ticket code in the user information matches a regular issued ticket code, the remaining number of times that the ticket can be used is one or more, the ticket is within the expiration date, and the current time is within the available time slot, the ticket system 11 determines that the ticket can be used.

[0089] If the acquired user information is usable, the coupon ticket system 11 proceeds to processing from S26 to S27. If the acquired user information is not usable, the coupon ticket system 11 proceeds to processing from S26 to S28 and processes it as a usage authentication error.

[0090] In determining the boarding location area in S27, the coupon ticket system 11 compares the location information (actual boarding location) of the taxi vehicle 20 at the time the taxi meter 21 reads the coupon ticket with the section information (boarding location, destination) of the coupon ticket registered in the coupon ticket master DB 15c to identify whether the coupon ticket is valid for that boarding location. When the coupon ticket system 11 compares the actual boarding location with the section information of the coupon ticket, it considers them to match if, for example, the actual boarding location is within a certain distance from the boarding location in the section information.

[0091] If the coupon ticket system 11 determines that the boarding location area is available, it proceeds to the process from S27 to S30. On the other hand, if the coupon ticket system 11 determines that the boarding location area is unavailable, it proceeds to the process from S27 to S29 and processes it as an area determination error.

[0092] The coupon ticket system 11 performs a predetermined "server process" in S30. This "server process" will be described in detail later. The server 10 transmits the result of the authentication process for the coupon ticket together with the information assigned to the coupon ticket (destination, remaining number of times available, etc.) to the taxi meter 21 of the corresponding taxi vehicle 20 (S31).

[0093] The taxi meter 21 on the taxi vehicle 20 receives the result of the authentication process of the coupon ticket from the server 10 (S32) and determines whether the coupon ticket in question can be used. When the driver of the taxi vehicle 20 presses the "actual vehicle" button on the operation unit 21b of the taxi meter 21, the taxi meter 21 detects the input operation and transitions to the "actual vehicle" state. Then, the taxi meter 21 notifies the server 10 of information indicating that the state has transitioned to the "actual vehicle" state (S33).

[0094] If the taximeter 21 can confirm from the information received from the server 10 that the coupon is a valid coupon, it displays information indicating the destination included in the section information of the coupon on the screen (S34).

[0095] Meanwhile, when the multiple-ride ticket system 11 on the server 10 receives information from the taxi meter 21 on the taxi vehicle 20 indicating that the state has been switched to "actual vehicle" in S35, it notifies the facility terminal 31 of the taxi user's information i36 in the next S36.

[0096] The information i36 that the multiple-ride ticket system 11 notifies the facility terminal 31 includes the multiple-ride ticket code or the user's name, information about the taxi company and vehicle of the taxi vehicle 20 that the user boarded, the estimated time required to arrive at the destination or the estimated arrival time, information about the boarding location, etc.

[0097] The facility terminal 31 can receive the information i36 sent by the coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10 in S37 and display it on the screen. Therefore, the manager of facility 30 can relatively accurately grasp the schedule of a customer using a coupon ticket from information i36 displayed on facility terminal 31 before the customer arrives at facility 30 in taxi vehicle 20. This allows facility 30 to accurately manage schedules when providing customer service, and reduces unnecessary waiting time for customers to arrive.

[0098] In the case of the taxi dispatch system 100A shown in Fig. 2, the functions of the tablet terminal 23 and the functions of the taxi meter 21A can be combined to realize the same operation as the taxi meter 21 shown in Fig. 8. In addition, in the case of the taxi dispatch system 100B shown in Fig. 3, the functions of the soft meter 24 can realize the same operation as the taxi meter 21 shown in Fig. 8.

[0099] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server 10. That is, Fig. 9 shows a specific example of the "server process" in S30 in Fig. 8. The process in Fig. 9 will be described below.

[0100] The coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10 identifies the location of the boarding location on a road map by reverse geocoding the location information (latitude / longitude) of the boarding location received from the taxi meter 21 on the taxi vehicle 20, i.e., the GPS information (S41). For example, if the user boards the taxi vehicle 20 near a certain station, the station building, which is a landmark at the boarding location, and the address of the station are identified based on a database of map information and the like prepared in advance.

[0101] The coupon ticket system 11 searches the road map database for an appropriate route for the taxi vehicle 20 to travel between the boarding location identified in S41 and the destination (S42). The destination location can be obtained from the purchase location master DB 15b as the location of the purchase location facility 30 linked to the coupon ticket code.

[0102] The coupon ticket system 11 estimates the time required for the taxi vehicle 20 to travel from the boarding location to the destination based on the travel route determined by the search in S42 (S43). For example, if a table showing the relationship between the boarding location, the destination, and the required time is prepared in advance, the required time can be determined by searching the table. The required time can also be calculated based on the distance of the relevant travel route, the past average travel speed of the taxi vehicle 20, etc.

[0103] The coupon ticket system 11 determines whether or not the user master DB 15d exists in S44. If the user master DB 15d does not exist, the process proceeds to S45, where the coupon ticket code is output as information for identifying the user. If the user master DB 15d exists, the process proceeds to S46, where the user associated with the coupon ticket code is identified from the user master DB 15d, and the user name is output as information for identifying the user.

[0104] Therefore, if the user master DB 15d exists in the coupon ticket system 11 on the server 10, the user name can be included in the information i36 that the coupon ticket system 11 notifies to the facility terminal 31 in S36 of FIG.

[0105] Fig. 10 is a plan view showing an example of a travel route on a road map, and Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of a taxi dispatch system.

[0106] In the example shown in Figure 10, the area of ​​this road map includes one railway station ST and a hotel, which is one of facilities 30. Therefore, a user who wants to use facility 30 can board a taxi vehicle 20 at station ST and travel to facility 30.

[0107] In this case, the route searched for by the multiple-ride ticket system 11 in S42 shown in Figure 9 can be notified to the driver of the taxi vehicle 20 via the taxi meter 21 so that the taxi vehicle 20 will use one travel route 62 connecting the section from the boarding location Ps to the destination Pe on the road 61 of the road map.

[0108] A user who gets into a taxi vehicle 20 at station ST can present coupon ticket information 41a using an application installed in a user terminal 41, as shown in Fig. 11. The taxi meter 21 on the taxi vehicle 20 can obtain coupon ticket information 41b corresponding to the coupon ticket information 41a, for example, by using a camera to read a QR code included in the coupon ticket information 41a.

[0109] The coupon system 11 on the server 10 performs authentication processing on the coupon information 41b read by the taxi meter 21, and if it is confirmed that the coupon is a genuine coupon, the taxi meter 21 uses the coupon to pay the taxi fare of the user.

[0110] The coupon system 11 also grasps the location of the taxi vehicle 20 when the user presents the coupon as the boarding location, grasps the location of the facility 30 where the coupon was purchased linked to the coupon code as the destination, and searches for the travel route of the taxi vehicle 20 from the boarding location to the destination.

[0111] In addition, when the taxi meter 21 of the taxi vehicle 20 in which the user is riding becomes the "actual vehicle" state, useful information for the facility 30 is notified to the facility terminal 31. In the example of Fig. 11, the notification message MSG notified from the coupon ticket system 11 to the facility terminal 31 includes the user's name "Mr. / Ms. XX", information indicating that the boarding location is "Midori-cho, A City", and the estimated time required to arrive at the facility 30, "X minutes until arrival".

[0112] If the user master DB 15d does not exist in the coupon ticket system 11, the coupon code instead of "Mr. / Ms. XX" is notified to the facility terminal 31. The system on the facility 30 side can identify the name of the corresponding customer (taxi user) from the coupon ticket code included in the notification message MSG by keeping track of the relationship between each customer and the coupon ticket code assigned to that person in, for example, the accommodation reservation DB 31a.

[0113] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0114] For example, in the above embodiment, only the case where the coupon ticket system 11 handles coupon tickets has been described, but similar processing can also be used to handle taxi tickets instead of coupon tickets. Coupon tickets can be used multiple times, and the available boarding and disembarking locations, expiration date, and available time periods are predetermined. On the other hand, taxi tickets can be used only once, and there are no specifications for the available boarding and disembarking locations, etc. Therefore, the "coupon ticket code" described in this specification may be any unique ID that can individually identify each coupon ticket for using a taxi or each taxi ticket.

[0115] For example, in the example shown in Figure 6, when facility 30 purchases a multiple-use ticket, the code of the multiple-use ticket issued by server 10 in S13 is linked to facility 30 where the ticket was purchased. However, after facility 30 purchases the multiple-use ticket, facility terminal 31 may access server 10 to link the code of the multiple-use ticket to facility 30 where the ticket was purchased.

[0116] The facilities 30 to which the taxi dispatch system 100 provides services are not limited to accommodation facilities such as hotels and inns, but may also include facilities such as restaurants, where service can be improved by knowing customer arrival times in advance.

[0117] The information that the server 10 notifies the facility terminal 31 is not limited to the content of the notification message MSG shown in Fig. 11, and various other information is conceivable. For example, if taxi company / vehicle information such as information i36 in Fig. 8 is notified to the facility terminal 31, the facility 30 can easily determine which taxi the desired customer is in, even when taxis from various companies arrive one after another, thereby improving convenience. It is assumed that whether or not the facility 30 registers customer information as the user master DB 15d in the coupon ticket system 11 may be changed as needed.

[0118] Even if facility 30 does not register customer information in user master DB 15d of coupon ticket system 11, facility 30's system manages the customer in a linked state with the coupon ticket code, so that the customer's name, etc. can be ascertained from the coupon ticket code notified by coupon ticket system 11. In this case, facility 30 does not need to send the customer's personal information to an external party (server), which facilitates safe management of personal information.

[0119] Furthermore, if the facility 30 registers customer information in the user master DB 15d of the multiple-ride ticket system 11, there is no need for the facility 30 to build a system for linking the multiple-ride ticket code with the customer's personal information, thereby reducing the facility 30's equipment costs.

[0120] The characteristics of the taxi server device and the taxi dispatch system described above are briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [5]. [1] A coupon code issuing unit (coupon system 11, S12) that issues a coupon code containing information that can identify the location of a receiving facility (facility 30) that accepts taxi users for a coupon or taxi ticket for use of a taxi; A communication unit (a coupon ticket system 11, S25) capable of communicating with a taxi in-cab device (a taxi meter 21, a tablet terminal 23, or a soft meter 24); a code authentication unit (commuter ticket system 11, S26) that authenticates the validity of the coupon code received from the in-taxi device via the communication unit; a time notification unit (commuter ticket system 11, S36) that notifies the terminal (facility terminal 31) of the corresponding accepting facility of the estimated time at which the corresponding taxi will arrive at the destination for the valid coupon ticket code that has been successfully authenticated by the code authentication unit; A taxi server device (server 10) comprising:

[0121] The taxi server device configured as described in [1] above allows the receiving facility to distribute coupon tickets and taxi tickets that can be used by customers using the receiving facility to customers who have made reservations. This allows customers who have made reservations to use taxis as a highly convenient means of transportation. Furthermore, the receiving facility can accurately determine the estimated arrival time of the reserved customer, making it easier to reduce wasted waiting time for customer service, etc. Furthermore, it can eliminate the use of fraudulent coupon tickets.

[0122] [2] A user information management unit (user master DB15d) that acquires and stores user information of the taxi user in advance from the terminal of the reception facility, The time notification unit acquires specific user information linked to the valid coupon code that has been successfully authenticated by the code authentication unit from the user information management unit, and notifies the user of the specific user information together with the estimated time (S46, S36). The taxi server device described in [1] above.

[0123] The taxi server device configured as described in [2] above allows the receiving facility to identify customers who have been notified of their expected arrival time, making it easier to provide more appropriate customer service for each customer. Furthermore, the receiving facility can reduce the cost of the system required for customer management and ticket code management.

[0124] [3] A taxi in-cab device (taxi meter 21, tablet terminal 23, or soft meter 24) arranged in the taxi; Facility-side equipment (facility-side terminal 31) that can be used by reception facilities that accept taxi users; a server (10) capable of communicating with the taxi-side device and the facility-side device; and a first transmission processing unit (S14) that transmits the coupon code issued by the server to the facility-side device in response to a request from the facility-side device; a second transmission processing unit (S17) for transmitting the coupon code received by the facility device from the server to the user of the receiving facility; a code authentication unit (S26) that authenticates the validity of the coupon code on the server side when the in-taxi device acquires the coupon code from the taxi user; a time notification unit (S36) that notifies the terminal of the corresponding receiving facility of at least the estimated time that the corresponding taxi will arrive at the destination for the valid coupon code that has been successfully authenticated by the code authentication unit; A taxi dispatch system equipped with:

[0125] According to the taxi dispatch system configured as described in [3] above, the receiving facility can distribute coupon tickets and taxi tickets that can be used by customers using the receiving facility to customers who have made reservations. This allows customers who have made reservations to use taxis as a highly convenient means of transportation. Furthermore, the receiving facility can accurately determine the estimated arrival time of the reservation customer, making it easier to reduce wasted waiting time for customer service, etc. Furthermore, it can eliminate the use of fraudulent coupon tickets.

[0126] [4] The facility-side device allows distribution of a coupon code associated with the location of the corresponding receiving facility in response to a visit reservation to the receiving facility accepted from any user. The taxi dispatch system described in [3] above.

[0127] The taxi dispatch system configured as described above in [4] allows the receiving facility to efficiently distribute coupon codes only to customers who plan to actually use the facility. This ensures that customers who have made reservations can use a convenient means of transportation when visiting the receiving facility, and reduces the purchase of unnecessary coupons that will not be used by the recipient customers.

[0128] [5] The time notification unit calculates an estimated time for the taxi to arrive at the destination based on information identifying the taxi vehicle linked to the coupon code, location information of the taxi vehicle, and location information of the receiving facility (S41 to S43). The taxi dispatch system according to [3] or [4] above.

[0129] According to the taxi dispatch system configured as described above in [5], the required time can be calculated based on the planned route and distance traveled by the taxi vehicle being known in advance, so that highly accurate information on the estimated arrival time can be notified to the facility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 10 Servers 11. Multi-ride ticket system 12 Route Search Program 13. User Certification Program 14 Notification Delivery Program 15 Databases 15a Vehicle master DB 15b Supplier master database 15c Ticket Master DB 15d User Master DB 20 Taxi vehicles 21, 21A Taximeter 21a Taxi meter body 21b Operation section 21c Display section 21d Vehicle information acquisition unit 21e Meter control unit 21F Coupon ticket reader 21g GPS receiver 22 Communication equipment 23 Tablet devices 24 Soft Meter 24a GPS receiver 24b Road Map DB 24c Mileage calculation section 24d Taxi Fare Calculation Department 24e Vehicle Information Acquisition Department 24f Operation section 24g display 24-hour ticket reader 24i meter control unit 30 facilities 31,32 Facility terminal 31a Accommodation reservation database 41 User terminal 41a Coupon Information 42 Paper tickets 51 Internet 52 LTE network 60 Road Map 61 Road 62 Movement Route 100, 100A, 100B Taxi dispatch system MSG Notification Message Ps Boarding point Pe destination ST Station

Claims

1. a coupon code issuing unit that issues a coupon code for a coupon ticket or a taxi ticket, the coupon code including information that can identify the location of an accepting facility that accepts taxi users; a communication unit capable of communicating with devices in the taxi; a code authentication unit that authenticates the authenticity of the coupon code received from the in-taxi device via the communication unit; a time notification unit that notifies a terminal of the corresponding receiving facility of an estimated time at which at least the corresponding taxi will arrive at the destination recognized as the location of the receiving facility, for a valid coupon code that has been successfully authenticated by the code authentication unit; A taxi server device comprising:

2. a user information management unit that acquires user information of the taxi user in advance from a terminal of the accepting facility and stores the acquired user information; the time notification unit acquires, from the user information management unit, specific user information linked to the valid coupon code that has been successfully authenticated by the code authentication unit, and notifies the user of the acquired specific user information together with the estimated time; The taxi server device according to claim 1.

3. A taxi in-cab device disposed in the taxi; Facility-side equipment that can be used by a receiving facility that receives taxi users; a server capable of communicating with the taxi device and the facility device; and a first transmission processing unit that transmits a coupon code issued by the server to the facility-side device in response to a request from the facility-side device; a second transmission processing unit that transmits the coupon code received by the facility-side device from the server to the user of the receiving facility; a code authentication unit that, when the in-taxi device acquires the coupon code from the taxi user, authenticates the validity of the corresponding coupon code on the server side; a time notification unit that notifies the facility-side device of an estimated time at which at least a corresponding taxi will arrive at the destination recognized as the location of the accepting facility, for a valid coupon code that has been successfully authenticated by the code authentication unit; A taxi dispatch system equipped with:

4. the facility-side device distributes a coupon code associated with the location of the corresponding receiving facility in response to a reservation for visiting the receiving facility received from any user; The taxi dispatch system according to claim 3.

5. the time notification unit calculates an expected time for the taxi to arrive at the destination based on information identifying the taxi vehicle linked to the coupon code, location information of the taxi vehicle, and location information of the accepting facility; 5. The taxi dispatch system according to claim 3 or claim 4.

Images