Mobile object summoning system, summoning device, program for summoning device, device for mobile object, and program for device for mobile object

Abstract

To provide a mobile body calling system that can efficiently call a mobile body.SOLUTION: The mobile body calling system includes: a calling device that stores first information for wireless connection for generating a direct communication channel with a partner device; and a device for a mobile body that is provided for the mobile body, the device for the mobile body storing second information for wireless connection for generating a direct communication channel with the partner device. The device for the mobile body sends a connection request signal in which the second information for wireless connection is used. When detecting that the first information for wireless connection and the second information for wireless connection included in the received connection request signal match, the calling device transmits a response signal to the device for the mobile body, and the communication channel is generated between the mobile body device and the calling device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile object calling system, a calling device, a program for the calling device, a mobile object device, and a program for the mobile object device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when a person wants to use a taxi but there is no taxi stand nearby and no taxis are available, dispatch systems have recently appeared that can provide a service to call a taxi as quickly and reliably as possible. Conventionally, dispatch systems of this type have been proposed that mainly consist of a dispatch management server, a customer terminal such as a highly functional mobile phone terminal (smartphone), and an on-board device installed in a taxi, and some of these systems have already begun to be put into actual operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] For example, in the conventional vehicle dispatch systems of the services described in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, users are required to register in advance with the vehicle dispatch management server and register their credit card details for payment of usage fees. The vehicle dispatch management server then collects current location information sent from the taxis under its control and constantly manages the current locations of each taxi.

[0004] When a registered user wants to call a taxi, they access the dispatch management server using a communication terminal such as a high-function mobile phone terminal (smartphone) and make a request for dispatching a taxi using a dedicated application. At this time, the dispatch request from the user's communication terminal includes the user's current location information.

[0005] When a dispatch management server receives a dispatch request from a user, it searches for an available taxi (not currently being used by a customer) near the user's current location and determines which taxi to dispatch. The dispatch management server then notifies the taxi driver of the customer's current location, the customer's smartphone phone number, etc., and instructs them to head to the customer's location. The dispatch management server also notifies the customer of the characteristics of the taxi to be dispatched, such as the model of the taxi, and the characteristics of the driver. When a taxi arrives near the customer's current location, the customer can check the taxi and get in.

[0006] According to the taxi dispatch service using the dispatch system described above, users can quickly and reliably call a taxi simply by requesting a taxi dispatch from the dispatch management server using their smartphone. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-29580 [Non-patent literature]

[0008] [Non-Patent Document 1] http: / / linecorp.com / ja / pr / news / ja / 2014 / 901 [Non-patent document 2] http: / / linecorp.com / en / pr / news / en / 2015 / 904 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in the above-mentioned conventional vehicle dispatching system, the vehicle dispatching management server is configured to perform intermediary control between users and taxis to execute the vehicle dispatching service, which makes the system complicated and may require an operator to operate the vehicle dispatching service on the vehicle dispatching management server, which may result in the fee being higher for the service provided by the vehicle dispatching management server than if you were to hail a taxi at a taxi stand or on a patrol.

[0010] Another problem with this type of system is that the dispatch management server generally covers a wide area, and if there are no available taxis near the customer, it can take a long time to reach the customer's current location.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile object calling system that eliminates the need for a vehicle dispatch management server as described above when a user calls a mobile object such as a taxi, and that allows the user to efficiently call only mobile objects within a predetermined range from the user at all times. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides: a calling device that stores first wireless connection information for creating a direct communication path with a partner device; a mobile unit that stores second wireless connection information for creating a direct communication path with the other unit, the mobile unit being provided in the mobile unit to be called; and The mobile device is a connection request means for transmitting a connection request signal including the second wireless connection information; a first communication path generating means for generating the communication path between the calling device that has transmitted a response signal including the first wireless connection information that matches the second wireless connection information in response to the connection request signal; Equipped with The calling device is a second communication path generating means for transmitting the response signal including the first wireless connection information to the mobile body device when a match between the second wireless connection information included in the received connection request signal and the first wireless connection information is detected, and generating the communication path between the mobile body device and the mobile body device; 、 The moving body is a taxi, the mobile device includes a determination means for detecting whether or not a customer is in the taxi, and for transmitting the connection request signal when the mobile device detects that the customer is not in the taxi and the taxi is vacant; the taxi is equipped with an expressway driving detection means for detecting whether the taxi is driving on an expressway, The determining means determines that the vehicle is not empty when the expressway driving detection means detects that the vehicle is driving on an expressway. The present invention provides a mobile object summoning system.

[0013] In the mobile object calling system having the above configuration, the mobile object device transmits a connection request signal including second wireless connection information for establishing a direct communication path with the other device in a so-called order taking style. When the calling device detects a match between the second wireless connection information included in the received connection request signal and the stored first wireless connection information, the calling device transmits a response signal including the first wireless connection information to the mobile object device, thereby establishing a communication path between the mobile object device and the other device.

[0014] Therefore, according to this invention, a connection request signal is transmitted from the mobile device in a so-called "order taking" style. The calling device then transmits a response to the connection request signal to the mobile device, thereby creating a communication path between the mobile device and the calling device. This allows the user of the calling device to call a mobile device. Therefore, according to this invention, a vehicle dispatch management server or the like is not required. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to this invention, the above-mentioned vehicle dispatch management server or the like is not required to call a mobile object, and the user of the calling device can efficiently call a mobile object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram for explaining an example of a method for setting connection information for connecting a direct communication path with a mobile body to a smartphone as an example of a calling device that constitutes the mobile body calling system of this invention. [Figure 2] 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of communication between a mobile object and a calling device in the mobile object calling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a calling mode between a mobile object and a calling device in a mobile object calling system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a smartphone as an example of a calling device in a mobile object calling system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a dedicated device for taxis as an example of a first wireless communication device possessed by a mobile body in a first embodiment of the mobile body summoning system according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for setting connection information to a smartphone as an example of a calling device in the mobile object calling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation when a calling service is started on a smartphone as an example of a calling device in the mobile object calling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing operation when a call service is started in a dedicated device for taxis as an example of a first wireless communication device in the first embodiment of the mobile object call system according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an electronic control circuit section of an autonomously driven vehicle as an example of a first wireless communication device possessed by a mobile body in a second embodiment of the mobile body summoning system according to the present invention. [Figure 10]A figure showing a part of a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing operation when a call service is started in the electronic control circuit section of an autonomous vehicle as an example of a first wireless communication device possessed by a mobile body in the second embodiment of the mobile body call system according to this invention. [Figure 11] A figure showing a part of a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing operation when a call service is started in the electronic control circuit section of an autonomous vehicle as an example of a first wireless communication device possessed by a mobile body in the second embodiment of the mobile body call system according to this invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating the third embodiment of the mobile object calling system according to the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating the third embodiment of the mobile object calling system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of a mobile object hailing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment of the mobile object hailing system described below, the mobile object is a taxi, and the hailing device is configured as a mobile phone terminal carried by the user, and the service provided to the user is hereinafter referred to as a taxi hailing service. In this example, the communication method of the specified communication standard is wireless LAN communication using Wi-Fi (registered trademark: Wireless Fidelity) of the IEEE802.11 standard.

[0018] In the mobile object hailing system of the first embodiment, a taxi as an example of a mobile object is equipped with a first communication device, and the first communication device is provided with a wireless LAN adapter function that satisfies the above conditions. Also, a mobile phone terminal as an example of a user hailing device, in this embodiment a high-function mobile phone terminal (hereinafter referred to as a smartphone), is provided with a wireless LAN adapter function that satisfies the above conditions as a second communication device.

[0019] In this embodiment, the wireless LAN communication mode between the calling device and the mobile unit is ad hoc mode communication (hereinafter referred to as ad hoc communication), which communicates via a direct communication path without going through an access point. The communication range of ad hoc communication in this embodiment is, for example, 300 m. However, this communication range is just an example. Considering that this type of wireless LAN is evolving rapidly and wireless LAN access points that can cover a radius of 2.4 km are already on the market, it is expected that the communication range of ad hoc communication will be extended to 1 to 2 km as technology advances.

[0020] In order to perform ad hoc communication between a wireless LAN adapter of a first communication device of a mobile object and a wireless LAN adapter of a second communication device of a calling device, it is necessary to set the same network identifier as the wireless connection information (hereinafter referred to as connection information) in the wireless LAN adapters. In a wireless LAN conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard, the network identifier is called an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​or an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier). In this embodiment, an ESSID is used, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this.

[0021] Furthermore, in wireless LAN systems, communication data is encrypted to ensure security, and this encryption key is set in advance in addition to the ESSID, which is the network identifier. In wireless LANs conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard, the encryption protocol used is, for example, the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) method. This is a secret key encryption method (also called a common key encryption method) that uses the same key (encryption key) for encryption and decryption. In the following description, the encryption key used in the WEP method is referred to as the WEP key. Note that the encryption protocol is not limited to the secret key encryption method, and may also be a public key encryption method.

[0022] In addition, in wireless LANs conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard, the WPA (Wi-Fi (registered trademark) Protected Access) method is used as a method that strengthens the security of the WEP method, and the WPA2 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark) Protected Access 2) method is also used, which is an even stronger version of WPA. The WPA and WPA2 methods employ the Temporary Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) and the Counter Mode with Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol (CCMP) as encryption protocols. CCMP is a 128-bit block cipher, the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). In this embodiment, the WEP method is used as an example, but it goes without saying that the WPA method, the WPA method, the WPA2 method, or other methods may also be used.

[0023] In this embodiment, the connection information for ad hoc communication is an ESSID and a WEP key, and mutual authentication of the ESSID and WEP key set on both the mobile unit and the calling device enables secure ad hoc communication between the two.

[0024] In this embodiment, connection information for ad hoc communication is provided to the mobile object and the taxi hailing device by an intermediary, either for a fee or free of charge. If the taxi hailing service is provided by a taxi company, for example, the taxi company can also serve as the intermediary. Alternatively, private taxi operators or one or more taxi companies may jointly establish and operate an intermediary as a partnership or company. Furthermore, this intermediary can be a company that specializes in providing connection information for ad hoc communication to execute the taxi hailing service to taxis as mobile objects and to users.

[0025] In this embodiment, the agent manages and operates a taxi ad hoc communication setting server 1 (hereinafter referred to as server 1 for simplicity) connected to a communication network 2 such as the Internet, as shown in Figure 1. The server 1 stores a predetermined ESSID and WEP key as connection information for ad hoc communication with taxis.

[0026] A user who wishes to use the taxi calling service accesses the server 1 via the communication network 2 from a smartphone 3, which is an example of a calling device that the user owns, and makes a request to use the taxi calling service.

[0027] When the server 1 receives a request from the smartphone 3 to use the taxi hailing service, it confirms that the smartphone 3 is equipped with a wireless LAN function conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard by receiving from the user the name of the telecommunications carrier, the name of the manufacturer (manufacturing company), the model name, or the model number of the smartphone 3, and then sends to the smartphone 3 an application program for the taxi hailing service and connection information for ad hoc communication with a taxi (in this example, a specified ESSID and WEP key) as ad hoc communication information.

[0028] The smartphone 3 installs the application program received from the server 1 and sets the connection information (in this example, a predetermined ESSID and WEP key) for performing the received ad hoc communication in the wireless LAN function unit of the smartphone 3. In this embodiment, the setting of this connection information is performed by the application program received from the server 1 and installed, but the user of the smartphone 3 may also set the connection information received from the server 1 in the wireless LAN function unit of the smartphone 3 himself / herself.

[0029] In this embodiment, a private taxi operator or one or more taxi companies are provided with a required number of dedicated taxi devices each having a wireless LAN adapter with a predetermined ESSID and WEP key set for the ad hoc communication described above and storing an application program for providing the taxi call service.The private taxi operator or taxi company then installs the dedicated taxi devices as first communication devices in the taxis that provide the taxi call service.

[0030] Although the taxi-dedicated device is configured to have a predetermined ESSID and WEP key for ad hoc communication set in advance, it is of course also possible to access server 1 from the taxi-dedicated device after installing it in the taxi, and obtain and set the predetermined ESSID and WEP key for ad hoc communication from server 1.

[0031] The flow of the taxi hailing service, which is carried out by communication between the smartphone 3 that has received the necessary information from the taxi ad hoc communication setting server 1 as described above and a taxi equipped with a dedicated taxi device, will be explained with reference to the sequence diagram in Figure 2 and the schematic diagram in Figure 3.

[0032] When the user of the smartphone 3 wants to call a taxi, he or she calls up an ad-hoc communication application for a taxi calling service and gives an instruction to start the taxi calling service.

[0033] Then, as shown in Figure 2, the smartphone 3 turns on ad hoc communication and sends out an ad hoc communication connection request including the above-mentioned specified ESSID and WEP key as connection information to a specified communication range (in this example, a radius of 300 m) centered on the user who owns the smartphone 3, as shown by dotted line 4 in Figure 3.

[0034] The taxi-specific device 6 of the taxi 5A located within the range indicated by the dotted line 4 in Figure 3 checks the connection information included in the connection request and confirms that the connection information matches the connection information of its own device.As shown in Figure 2, the taxi-specific device 6 returns response information to the smartphone 3 that includes the connection information including the specified ESSID and WEP key mentioned above.

[0035] The smartphone 3 checks the connection information included in the response information from the taxi-dedicated device 6 and confirms that the connection information matches the connection information of its own device. Then, through the above mutual confirmation and authentication, a direct ad hoc communication path is established between the smartphone 3 and the taxi-dedicated device 6 of the taxi 5A, enabling mutual ad hoc communication. In this case, if multiple taxi-dedicated devices 6 are present within the range indicated by the dotted line 4, the smartphone 3 establishes an ad hoc communication path with the taxi-dedicated device 6 from which it received response information earliest. Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, the taxi-dedicated device 6 installed in the taxi 5B, which is present outside the range indicated by the dotted line 4, cannot form an ad hoc communication path with the smartphone 3 because the connection request from the smartphone 3 does not reach the taxi-dedicated device 6.

[0036] Once the ad hoc communication path is generated as described above, in this embodiment, the smartphone 3 sends a taxi request including current location information, in this example, as location information of the place where the taxi will wait (waiting location), to the dedicated taxi device 6 of the taxi 5A. The dedicated taxi device 6 of the taxi 5A displays the location of the smartphone 3 on a map displayed on the display screen based on the received current location information (location information of the user's waiting location) along with the location of the taxi itself. Therefore, in this embodiment, the driver of the taxi 5A can confirm the location of the user requesting a taxi on the map on the display screen.

[0037] The taxi driver checks the waiting location of the user (customer) displayed on this display screen (the user's current location in this example), decides whether to respond to the taxi request, and if he decides to respond, operates the response confirmation button. The taxi-specific device 6 then generates a response message in response to the taxi request from the other party (hereinafter referred to as a taxi request response message) and sends it to the other party's smartphone 3. The smartphone 3 displays the received taxi request response message on its display screen. The user confirms the taxi's response from the message on the display screen.

[0038] In this embodiment, the taxi-dedicated device 6 is configured to enable the driver of the taxi 5A to make a hands-free call with the user of the smartphone 3 as needed. When the driver determines that a call is necessary, he or she operates the hands-free call button on the taxi-dedicated device 6. Then, as shown in FIG. 2 , the taxi-dedicated device 6 sends a call request to the smartphone 3 through an ad-hoc communication path. When the user of the smartphone 3 receives this call request and responds, a call is established between the taxi-dedicated device 6 and the smartphone 3 through the ad-hoc communication path.

[0039] Of course, the configuration may be such that a user can make a call request through the ad hoc communication path of the smartphone 3, and then talk to the taxi driver through the ad hoc communication path between the taxi-dedicated device 6 and the smartphone 3.

[0040] The call itself may use a mobile phone network instead of an ad hoc communication path. In this case, one or both of the mobile phone number of the mobile terminal such as a smartphone installed in taxi 5A or the mobile terminal such as a smartphone used by the taxi driver and the mobile phone number of smartphone 3 are transmitted and received via the ad hoc communication path before the call.

[0041] When using a mobile phone network, it is possible to send and receive information not only by phone but also by email, LINE, and other communication applications. Calls do not need to be hands-free, but in that case, it would be better to detect when taxi 5A is moving and deter calls while moving by prohibiting calls or sounding an alarm.

[0042] Thereafter, when either the user of the smartphone 3 or the driver of the dedicated taxi device 6 (in the example of Figure 2, the user of the smartphone 3) performs a disconnection operation, a request to disconnect the ad hoc communication path is sent to the other party, and the ad hoc communication path is disconnected after waiting for a response from the other party.

[0043] Thereafter, the driver of taxi 5A receives a taxi call request from smartphone 3 via dedicated taxi device 6 and drives taxi 5A to the current location of the user of smartphone 3, which is displayed on the map on the display screen and is the taxi waiting place. At this time, if the taxi driver does not know the route to the waiting place of the user of smartphone 3, he uses the car navigation function unit installed in dedicated taxi device 6 to search for a route and drives to the user of smartphone 3 according to the guidance.

[0044] Next, an example of the configuration of the smartphone 3 and the dedicated taxi device 6 that realize the above-described taxi calling service, and further, the operation of each, will be described.

[0045] [Example of smartphone 3 configuration] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the smartphone 3. That is, the smartphone 3 is configured such that a mobile phone communication unit 302, a call circuit unit 303, a memory 304, a display unit 305, an operation input unit 306, a current location detection unit 307, a wireless LAN communication unit 308, and a transmission / reception processing unit 309 are each connected to a control unit 301 via a system bus 300.

[0046] The control unit 301 is configured with a computer (microprocessor) and serves to control the entire smartphone 3. The mobile phone communication unit 302 serves to wirelessly connect to a mobile phone base station and communicate via a mobile phone network.

[0047] A speaker 311 serving as a receiver is connected to the communication circuit unit 303, and a microphone 312 serving as a transmitter is also connected to the communication circuit unit 303.

[0048] The memory 304 stores various application programs for the smartphone 3, as well as data for executing these application programs. In this embodiment, the memory 304 stores, as ad hoc communication information, an application program for the taxi hailing service acquired from the server 1 and connection information for performing ad hoc communication with a taxi (in this example, a predetermined ESSID and WEP key). The memory 304 also stores phone book data as a mobile phone terminal, URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) for accessing predetermined websites such as favorites via the Internet, and the like.

[0049] Display unit 305 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). A touch panel is provided overlaid on the LCD that constitutes display unit 305, constituting operation input unit 306. When the user operates an icon button or the like displayed on the display screen of display unit 305, operation input unit 306 transmits the operation information to control unit 301 via system bus 300. Control unit 301 detects which icon button displayed on the display screen has been operated, thereby detecting the operation input by the user through operation input unit 306.

[0050] The current location detection unit 307 receives radio waves from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and information from mobile phone base stations to detect the current location of the smartphone 3, and transfers the detected current location data (latitude, longitude, and altitude data) to the control unit 301. As will be described later, the control unit 301 transmits the acquired current location data to a predetermined party as location information of the waiting location of the mobile object to be called (a taxi in this example), as necessary.

[0051] In this example, the wireless LAN communication unit 308 is a communication unit with a wireless LAN function conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard. In this embodiment, the transmission / reception processing unit 309 has a processing function for transmitting and receiving data other than voice data transmitted and received by the mobile phone communication unit 302, and a processing function for transmitting and receiving data transmitted and received by the wireless LAN communication unit 308. The transmission / reception processing unit 309 performs a function for generating transmission data when transmitting, and a function for analyzing received data and transferring it to each unit under the control of the control unit 301 when receiving.

[0052] [Example of hardware configuration for taxi dedicated device 6] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the taxi-dedicated device 6. That is, the taxi-dedicated device 6 is configured by connecting a control unit 601 via a system bus 600 to a wireless LAN communication unit 602, a transmission / reception processing unit 603, a hands-free call processing unit 604, a car navigation (hereinafter abbreviated as "car navigation") function unit 605, a current position detection unit 606, a memory 607, a display unit 608, and an operation input unit 609.

[0053] The control unit 601 is for controlling the entire taxi dedicated device 6, and is made up of a computer (microprocessor).

[0054] In this example, the wireless LAN communication unit 602 is a communication unit with a wireless LAN function conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard. The transmission / reception processing unit 603 has a processing function for transmitting and receiving data transmitted and received by the wireless LAN communication unit 602, and executes a function for generating transmission data during transmission, and a function for analyzing received data and transferring it to each unit under the control of the control unit 601 during reception.

[0055] The hands-free call processing unit 604 is a processing unit that allows the driver to make a call without picking up the transmitter or receiver for safety when making a call via an ad hoc communication path created by the wireless LAN communication unit 602 with a destination such as a smartphone 3, and is connected to a speaker 611 as a receiver and a microphone 612 as a transmitter.

[0056] The car navigation function unit 605 is provided with a car navigation database in which national maps (or world maps) and route guidance data are stored in advance, and is a functional unit that provides guidance to assist the taxi 5 in moving to a specified location, such as the current location of a customer who has requested a taxi call service, based on the maps and route guidance data stored in the car navigation database.

[0057] That is, the car navigation function unit 605 displays an image on the display screen of the display unit 608 in which the vehicle's position detected and confirmed by the current position detection unit 606 is superimposed on a map that clearly displays the route to the destination, and also moves the vehicle's position (current position) on the map as the vehicle moves, and provides voice guidance at points where route guidance is necessary, such as intersections and branching points on the route. Note that in this embodiment, the location of the waiting place for a customer who has requested a taxi call service as their destination is automatically acquired and set from the customer's smartphone 3 through communication with the smartphone 3 via an ad hoc communication path, as will be described later.

[0058] In this example, the car navigation function unit 605 has a function to calculate the distance to travel from the current location of the vehicle to the waiting location of the customer who has requested the taxi service and the time required to travel (the customer's taxi waiting time). The application program for the taxi service stored in the dedicated taxi device 6 in this example is configured to include the customer's taxi waiting time calculated by the car navigation function unit 605 in a response message to a taxi request. Of course, it may also be configured to include the travel distance. Note that if a pick-up fee is to be charged, the application program is provided with a function to calculate the pick-up fee, and is configured to include the pick-up fee in a response message to a taxi request.

[0059] The current position detection unit 606 receives information from radio waves from GPS satellites, detects the current position of the vehicle (taxi 5), and transfers the detected current position data (latitude, longitude, and altitude data) to the control unit 601. The control unit 601 displays the vehicle position on a map displayed on the display screen of the display unit 608 based on the acquired current position data.

[0060] The memory 607 stores various application programs for the taxi-dedicated device 6, as well as data for executing these application programs. In this embodiment, the memory 607 stores application programs for processing on the taxi side in a taxi-call service, and connection information (in this example, a predetermined ESSID and WEP key) for ad-hoc communication with a smartphone 3, which is an example of a calling device.

[0061] The display unit 608 is composed of, for example, an LCD. A touch panel is provided superimposed on the LCD that constitutes the display unit 608, and this constitutes the operation input unit 609. When the user (driver) operates an icon button or the like displayed on the display screen of the display unit 608, the operation input unit 609 transmits the operation information to the control unit 601 via the system bus 600. The control unit 601 detects which of the icon buttons displayed on the display screen has been operated, thereby detecting the operation input by the user through the operation input unit 609.

[0062] [Registration of smartphone 3 to server 1 to receive services] As described above, the smartphone 3, which is an example of a calling device, accesses the server 1 and registers to receive the taxi calling service, thereby acquiring an application program and connection information for taxi ad-hoc communication. Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of operations during the registration process for receiving the taxi calling service on the smartphone 3. The processing of each step in this flowchart is executed by the necessary units cooperating with each other under the control of the control unit 301.

[0063] First, the control unit 301 accesses the server 1 via the Internet using the mobile phone communication unit 302 or the wireless LAN communication unit 308, and connects to the server 1 (step S101). Next, the control unit 301 sends a request to use the taxi call service to the server 1 (step S102).

[0064] In response to this usage request, the server 1 requests personal information for personal authentication of the user making the usage request as member information, such as name, age, date of birth, address, contact phone number, etc. This request for member information is intended to eliminate malicious service users, such as those who only call a taxi without actually using the service, and is not an essential requirement of the service system of this embodiment, so it may be omitted.

[0065] However, in this embodiment, as will be described later, when a taxi request is sent from the smartphone 3 via an ad hoc communication channel, the taxi request includes personal information of the user, such as the user's name, age, and date of birth, which are registered in the server 1, in addition to the current location information of the smartphone 3. This personal information is displayed on the display screen of the dedicated taxi device 6 and can be used by the taxi driver as confirmation information when the user attempts to board a taxi 5.

[0066] The smartphone 3 notifies the user of the request for member information from the server 1 via the display screen, and sends the personal information entered by the user to the server 1 as member information (step S103).

[0067] In this example, when the server 1 receives this membership information, it sends an application program for the user of the taxi hailing service to the smartphone 3 of the user who has requested to use the service. The smartphone 3 receives this application program from the server 1, stores it in the memory 304, and installs it on the smartphone 3 (step S104). At this time, an icon for the taxi hailing service is also created and included in the application menu of the smartphone 3.

[0068] Next, the server 1 sends connection information (ESSID and WEP key) for generating the ad hoc communication path required for the taxi call service. The control unit 301 receives the connection information and stores it in the memory 304 in association with the application program for the taxi call service (step S105).

[0069] Thereafter, the control unit 301 disconnects the connection with the server 1 (step S106) and ends this registration process.

[0070] In this way, a user can access the server 1 from his / her smartphone 3 and obtain an application program for the taxi hailing service and connection information for generating an ad hoc communication path, thereby being able to hail and use a taxi 5 equipped with a dedicated taxi device 6.

[0071] [Example of processing flow for taxi hailing service] The processing operations of the smartphone 3 and the taxi-dedicated device 6 when the taxi-call service described with reference to the sequence example of FIG. 2 is executed will be described below.

[0072] <Processing flow when using the taxi calling service on Smartphone 3> 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing flow when a taxi hailing service is provided on the smartphone 3. The processing of this flowchart starts when the user clicks on the icon for the taxi hailing service in the application menu on the smartphone 3 to start the service.

[0073] First, the control unit 301 reads out connection information for ad-hoc communication from the memory 304, and sends a connection request so that the wireless LAN communication unit 308 searches for a partner with which to perform ad-hoc communication (step S111).

[0074] As described above, in response to this connection request, if a taxi 5 equipped with a taxi-specific device 6 having the same connection information as the connection information included in the connection request set therein is present within the communication range of the wireless LAN communication unit 308, connection response information will be sent from the taxi-specific device 6.

[0075] Therefore, the control unit 301 determines whether or not connection response information has been received (step S112). If it is determined in step S112 that connection response information has not been received, the control unit 301 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation to abandon receiving the service (step S113). If it is determined that the user has not performed an operation to abandon receiving the service, the control unit 301 returns the process to step S111 to continue searching for the other party, and if it is determined that the user has performed an operation to abandon receiving the service, the control unit 301 terminates the application program for the taxi hailing service.

[0076] Furthermore, when it is determined in step S112 that connection response information has been received, the control unit 301 checks the connection information included in the received connection response information, confirms that it matches the connection information of its own terminal, and then generates an ad hoc communication path, which is a direct communication path, with the party that sent the connection response information (step S114).

[0077] Next, the control unit 301 sends a taxi request to the other party through the created ad hoc communication path, including the current location information of the terminal itself detected by the current location detection unit 307 as the location information of the waiting location, and also including the personal information registered in the server 1 (step S115).Then, the control unit 301 determines whether or not a taxi call response message in response to the taxi call request from the other party has been received (step S116).

[0078] If it is determined in step S116 that a taxi call response message has not been received, the control unit 301 determines whether the user has performed an operation to abandon the use of the service (step S117). If it is determined that the user has not performed an operation to abandon the use of the service, the control unit 301 returns to step S116 and monitors for the reception of a taxi call response message. If it is determined in step S117 that the user has performed an operation to abandon the use of the service, the control unit 301 terminates the application program for the taxi call service. In this case, the application program may not be terminated, and the process may be returned to step S111 to search for another ad hoc communication partner.

[0079] If it is determined in step S116 that a taxi call response message has been received, the control unit 301 displays the taxi call response message on the display screen of the display unit 305 (step S118). As described above, the taxi call response message also includes information about the customer's waiting time, so this display allows the user of the smartphone 3 to know that a taxi is available to come to the current location (waiting place) in response to the taxi call request, and the approximate time until the taxi arrives, without having to talk to the taxi driver. Of course, as described above, the user can also know the distance the taxi will travel to the current location, whether or not there is a pick-up fee, and if so, what the pick-up fee is.

[0080] Next, the control unit 301 determines whether a call request has been received from the other party (the taxi driver) (step S119). If it determines in step S119 that a call request has been received, the control unit 301 processes the call with the other party (step S120). During this call, the user can obtain from the taxi driver information about the taxi's characteristics, such as its model and color, year, model (type), mileage, engine displacement, top speed, and other performance characteristics, including whether the taxi is large, medium, or small, the number of passengers it can accommodate, and the license plate display, as well as the taxi driver's nationality, gender, age, whether the driver wears glasses, and years of experience as a taxi driver. The taxi driver can also obtain information useful for identifying the customer's waiting location, such as surrounding buildings, whether the customer is alone or in a group, and if so, the number and composition of the group, as well as the customer's gender, body type, hair length, whether the customer wears glasses, clothing, and belongings, for visual identification of the customer. Furthermore, the user can obtain information about whether the customer is disabled and whether they use a wheelchair.

[0081] The characteristics of the taxi and the taxi driver may be included in the taxi request response message. In this case, the user can obtain the characteristics of the taxi and the taxi driver by receiving the taxi request response message, without having to ask the taxi driver about them in the call processing of step S120. The user may also include their own characteristics in the taxi request. In this case, the taxi driver can obtain the customer (user)'s characteristics by receiving the taxi request, without having to ask the customer about them in the call processing of step S120. As a method for the user to include their own characteristics in the taxi request, the smartphone 3 may be configured to use a taxi request service application program to input the user's characteristics using a selection icon, text input, voice input, or the like.

[0082] If the user determines that a taxi ride is unsuitable due to the characteristics of the taxi or the taxi driver, the user can notify the caller that they will not use the taxi. Alternatively, the user can send a re-answer message instead of the call process. The re-answer message can be configured to allow messages such as "Use," "Do not use," or "Number of passengers" to be entered using a selection icon, text input, or voice input, using the application program for the taxi hailing service on the smartphone 3. Of course, the user's characteristics may also be sent in the re-answer message.

[0083] Of course, a user can include a request for the taxi to be called in a taxi request. The request is not limited to the characteristics of the taxi or the taxi driver described above. For example, the request may include whether the taxi is a corporate or private taxi, the name of a preferred corporate taxi company (if any), the method of payment for the taxi fare (cash, credit card, electronic money, etc.), the use of a taxi ticket, etc. This allows a user to request various characteristics, such as their favorite taxi company, a taxi of their preferred model and color, or a veteran private taxi driver with more than 20 years of experience, and they can selectively search for a taxi to be called according to the request and also choose the payment method.

[0084] After the call processing of step S120, the control unit 301 determines whether to disconnect the ad-hoc communication path based on whether it has detected a disconnection operation input by the user or whether it has received a disconnection request from the other party (step S121), and if it has determined not to disconnect, it returns the processing to step S120 and continues the call.If it has determined in step S121 that it should be disconnected, the control unit 301 disconnects the ad-hoc communication path (step S123) and ends this processing routine.

[0085] If users form a group with a large number of members (for example, seven people) and one taxi is not enough, the process of disconnecting the ad hoc communication path with the taxi is completed, and then the process is repeated from step S111 onwards. In other words, a connection request is sent to search for other taxis with which to perform ad hoc communication via the wireless LAN communication unit 308.

[0086] If it is determined in step S119 that a call request has not been received, the control unit 301 determines whether to disconnect the ad-hoc communication path based on whether it has detected a disconnection operation input by the user or whether it has received a disconnection request from the other party (step S122), and if it determines not to disconnect, the process returns to step S119 to determine whether a call request has been received.If it is determined in step S122 that a disconnection should be made, the control unit 301 performs a process of disconnecting the ad-hoc communication path (step S123) and ends this processing routine.

[0087] <Example of processing flow during taxi call service in dedicated taxi device 6> 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing flow during a taxi call service in the taxi dedicated device 6. The processing of this flowchart is always executed when the taxi dedicated device 6 is powered on.

[0088] The control unit 601 constantly monitors for a connection request including connection information that matches the connection information stored in the smartphone 3, which is an example of a calling device (step S131), and when it determines that the connection request has been received, it sends connection response information including the connection information stored in the smartphone 3 to the other device that made the connection request (step S132).Then, it creates a direct ad-hoc communication path between the other device (smartphone 3) and the other device (step S133).

[0089] Next, the control unit 601 receives a taxi request from the other device sent through the generated ad hoc communication path, extracts the location information of the other party's (customer's) waiting location (in this example, location information of the user's current location) and personal information contained in the taxi request, and displays the location of the other party's waiting location on a map displayed on the display screen of the display unit 608, as well as the received personal information of the other party, such as name and age, on the display screen (step S134).

[0090] The taxi driver checks the location of the other party's (actually the other party's device) waiting place displayed on the display screen of this display unit 608 and decides whether to respond to the taxi call request.If he decides to respond, he operates the response confirmation button (by tapping, etc.), and if he decides not to respond, he either does not perform any operation or performs an operation to disconnect the created ad hoc communication path.

[0091] Therefore, the control unit 601 determines whether or not the taxi driver has operated the confirmation button for response (step S135), and if it determines that the confirmation button has not been operated, determines whether or not to disconnect the ad hoc communication path based on whether or not it has detected input of a disconnection operation by the taxi driver or whether or not it has received a disconnection request from the other party (step S136), and if it determines that it will not be disconnected, it returns the process to step S135 and determines whether or not the confirmation button has been operated.If it determines in step S136 that it will be disconnected, the control unit 601 disconnects the ad hoc communication path (step S142), returns the process to step S131, and repeats the processes from step S131 onwards.

[0092] If it is determined in step S135 that the taxi driver has operated the confirmation button for the response, the control unit 601 generates a taxi call response message and transmits it to the other party via the ad-hoc communication path (step S137). At this time, the taxi call response message includes the time required for the taxi 5 to travel from its current location, calculated by the car navigation function unit 605, to the other party's (customer's) current location, as described above.

[0093] Next, the control unit 601 determines whether the call button has been operated by the taxi driver (step S138). If it is determined in step S138 that the call button has not been operated, it determines whether to disconnect the ad hoc communication path based on whether it has detected a disconnection operation input by the taxi driver or whether it has received a disconnection request from the other party (step S139). If it is determined not to disconnect the communication path, the control unit 601 returns to step S138 and determines whether the call button has been operated. If it is determined in step S139 that the communication path should be disconnected, the control unit 601 disconnects the ad hoc communication path (step S142), returns to step S131, and repeats the processing from step S131 onwards.

[0094] Then, in step S138, when it is determined that the call button has been operated by the taxi driver, the control unit 601 sends a call request to the other party (customer) via the ad hoc communication path and establishes a hands-free call with the customer (step S140).

[0095] In addition, during hands-free calling, the taxi driver can determine whether or not the taxi is available based on the number of users (customers), user characteristics such as whether or not they use a wheelchair, and the waiting location, and notify the user whether or not the taxi is available. If this information is included in the taxi call response message, the driver can respond by operating the confirmation button in step S135. If this information is included in the re-response message, although not shown, the re-response message may be used to determine whether or not the taxi is available. If the number of users (customers) is large (e.g., seven people), the taxi device 6 may return a re-response message stating, for example, "Available for up to four people." Of course, the taxi device 6 can send various re-response messages, which the taxi driver can select or directly input from the screen of the taxi device 6. Of course, the taxi driver can also select or directly input the taxi call response message from the screen of the taxi device 6.

[0096] After step S140, the control unit 601 determines whether to disconnect the ad-hoc communication path based on whether it has detected a disconnection operation input by the taxi driver or whether it has received a disconnection request from the other party (step S141). If it determines not to disconnect, it returns the process to step S140 and continues the hands-free call with the customer. If it determines in step S141 that it should be disconnected, the control unit 601 disconnects the ad-hoc communication path (step S142), returns the process to step S131, and repeats the processes from step S131 onwards. Of course, if the ad-hoc communication path has been disconnected and the taxi 5 is heading towards the customer's waiting location, it is not necessary to receive the connection request of step S131, so the power to the taxi-dedicated device 6 may be turned off, or the power may be left on and the wireless LAN communication function of the wireless LAN communication unit 602 may be turned off.

[0097] When the taxi 5 heads to the customer's waiting location, the ad hoc communication path is not disconnected but remains connected until the customer gets in, allowing the taxi driver and the customer to communicate. This allows the user (customer) to notify the taxi 5 of the cancellation if the situation suddenly changes after hailing the taxi 5 and the user (customer) is forced to cancel the taxi 5. Furthermore, if the taxi 5 encounters an unforeseen incident such as traffic congestion or an accident, the arrival time already communicated to the customer is expected to be significantly delayed, so the taxi driver or the dedicated taxi device 6 can notify the user (customer) of this. In this case, of course, the power of the dedicated taxi device 6 is on, and the wireless LAN communication function of the wireless LAN communication unit 602 is also on. As described above, if the arrival time is significantly delayed, the user may be asked whether to cancel the trip.

[0098] Furthermore, even if the ad hoc communication path is disconnected, the taxi-dedicated device 6 stores connection information such as the ESSID and WEP key of the smartphone 3, which is the user's calling device, before the disconnection process, and the user's smartphone 3 stores connection information such as the ESSID and WEP key of the taxi-dedicated device 6, so that the ad hoc communication path can be connected between the two even after the ad hoc communication path is disconnected. This makes it possible to deal with the above-mentioned problems such as cancellations, traffic jams, and accidents even if the ad hoc communication path is disconnected, thereby preventing trouble between the taxi 5 and the user. Furthermore, this also makes it possible to reconnect and deal with the situation even if the ad hoc communication path is disconnected midway due to radio interference, etc.

[0099] Although not shown in the flowchart of Figure 8, when a customer gets into the taxi 5, the taxi driver turns off the power or wireless LAN communication function of the taxi-dedicated device 6 so that the above-mentioned processing operation will not be performed. This is because the taxi should not be able to provide a taxi call service while a customer is in the taxi. Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, a camera that takes pictures of the interior of the vehicle or a weight sensor or pressure sensor attached to the seat can detect that a customer has gotten into the taxi, and automatically turn off the power or wireless LAN communication function of the taxi-dedicated device 6 without the taxi driver having to perform any operation.

[0100] Furthermore, even if there is no customer in the taxi 5, the power supply or wireless LAN communication function of the taxi-dedicated device 6 may be turned off while the taxi 5 is traveling on the expressway so that the above-mentioned processing operation is not performed. This is because passengers are prohibited from traveling on expressways except in SAs (Service Areas) and PAs (Parking Areas), and if the customer is on an ordinary road, even if the direct distance is short, it takes time to get off the expressway and onto an ordinary road, making it difficult to respond to the taxi call service while traveling on the expressway. Note that the car navigation function unit 605 can automatically detect whether the taxi 5 is traveling on the expressway.

[0101] The taxi-dedicated device 6 can also be configured to be linked to the taxi meter that taxis are required to install. Taxi meters vary depending on the taxi company or meter provider, but they are configured so that buttons can be pressed to select options such as "empty," "actual vehicle (or hire)," "outbound," "pick-up," "reservation," and "expressway." The taxi-call service is only available when the taxi is "empty." When the "actual vehicle (or hire)," "outbound," "pick-up," "reservation," or "expressway" button is pressed, the taxi-dedicated device 6 recognizes this and can stop the taxi-call service, turn off the power, or disable the wireless LAN communication function. The taxi-dedicated device 6 may also be configured to recognize that the "empty" button has been pressed and start the taxi-call service.

[0102] In this way, the user of the smartphone 3 can generate an ad hoc communication path with the taxi dedicated device 6 of a taxi located within the communication range of the wireless LAN and can call the taxi by making a connection request using the connection information for the wireless LAN acquired from the taxi ad hoc communication setting server 1. Therefore, when the user wants to use a taxi, the user can immediately call a taxi even if there are no taxis nearby.

[0103] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the taxi hailing system is configured to generate a direct ad hoc communication path between a hailing device such as a smartphone 3 carried by a user and a mobile object such as a dedicated taxi device 6 mounted on a taxi 5, without going through a server, which has the effect of making it easy to build the system and reducing the cost of realizing the service.

[0104] In addition, the taxi being called is always located within the wireless LAN communication range centered on the user's current location when the taxi request is made, so the distance traveled to the current location (waiting location) of the calling device in response to the call is at most the maximum distance traveled within the wireless LAN communication range, which has the effect of preventing excessively long waiting times.

[0105] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the display screen of the dedicated taxi device 6 is configured to display personal information such as the name and age of the user who has requested a taxi, which has the effect of allowing the taxi driver to confirm (authenticate) the user he has requested based on that personal information.

[0106] In the above explanation, the user is required to register personal information with the server 1 when acquiring connection information for ad hoc wireless LAN communication. However, as mentioned above, in the mobile object hailing system of this embodiment, the mobile object hailing service does not require the intervention of a server, and therefore member registration with the server 1 is not essential. Furthermore, since the mobile object hailing service is not performed without the intervention of a server, the contractual relationship between the taxi and the user is a direct contractual relationship between each individual taxi and the user, just as in the past, and payment of fares can also be performed in exactly the same way as in the past.

[0107] [Second embodiment] The moving body in the first embodiment described above was a taxi driven by a taxi driver, but recently, self-driving cars that do not require a driver to operate the vehicle and can even be driven unmanned have been attracting attention, and it is expected that taxis can also be made into this type of self-driving car.

[0108] The second embodiment is a case where the taxi vehicle is configured as an autonomous vehicle. In this second embodiment, the functions of the taxi-dedicated device of the first embodiment described above are installed as part of the electronic control circuit unit of the autonomous vehicle. That is, in the second embodiment, the first wireless communication device of the moving body is configured as part of the electronic control circuit unit of the autonomous vehicle.

[0109] In the first embodiment, a taxi driver was present, and the taxi driver was able to confirm the identity of the user who requested a taxi. In this second embodiment, a driver may also be present in the self-driving vehicle, but the following description assumes an unmanned vehicle. For this reason, in the second embodiment, the electronic control circuit of the self-driving vehicle is configured to be able to authenticate the customer.

[0110] As in the first embodiment, the calling device on the user side can be a smartphone 3. The configuration of this smartphone 3, the application program downloaded from the server 1, and the connection information are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following explanation, an example of the configuration and processing operations of the smartphone 3 will not be described.

[0111] [Example of hardware configuration for the electronic control circuit of an autonomous vehicle] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an electronic control circuit unit mounted on a taxi vehicle that is an autonomous driving vehicle according to the second embodiment. Note that the autonomous driving vehicle of this embodiment is an example of an electric vehicle. However, the battery is not shown in Fig. 9.

[0112] The self-driving vehicle of this embodiment is configured to be controlled to run in an autonomous driving mode in which the self-driving vehicle itself automatically changes course while avoiding obstacles, without the driver having to operate the accelerator, brake, or steering.

[0113] As shown in Figure 9, the electronic control circuit unit 10 has a control unit 201 that is configured to be equipped with a computer, and via a system bus 200, the following are connected: a wireless LAN communication unit 202, a radar 203, a group of various sensors 204, a group of cameras 205, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 206, a current location confirmation unit 207, a surrounding moving object recognition unit 208, a voice input / output unit 209, a motor drive control unit 210, a steering drive control unit 211, a touch panel display unit 212, a car navigation function unit 213, a message generation unit 214, a transmission / reception processing unit 215, and a customer authentication unit 216.

[0114] A speaker 221 and a microphone 222 are connected to the audio input / output unit 209. A motor drive unit 223 is connected to the motor drive control unit 210. A steering drive unit 224 is connected to the steering drive control unit 211.

[0115] In this example, the wireless LAN communication unit 202 is a communication unit with a wireless LAN function conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard. The transmission / reception processing unit 215 has a processing function for transmitting and receiving data transmitted and received by the wireless LAN communication unit 202, and executes a function for generating transmission data during transmission, and a function for analyzing received data and transferring it to each unit under the control of the control unit 201 during reception. The wireless LAN communication unit 202 previously stores connection information that is the same as the connection information for ad hoc communication of the wireless LAN communication unit of the smartphone 3, an example of a device for calling a user from the server 1 described in the first embodiment.

[0116] The radar 203 is used to measure the distance to vehicles, pedestrians, obstacles, etc. around the autonomous vehicle, and is composed of laser radar, millimeter-wave radar, etc. Laser radar is embedded, for example, in the ceiling or near the bumper, while millimeter-wave radar is installed, for example, at the front and rear of the vehicle. Both laser radar and millimeter-wave radar may be provided, or only one of them may be provided. Other radars, such as quasi-millimeter-wave radar and microwave radar, may also be used. Furthermore, sonar (not shown) may be used for the same purpose as radar.

[0117] The group of various sensors 204 includes various sensors for acquiring information that assists autonomous driving, such as open / close detection sensors that detect whether doors and windows are open or closed, sensors that detect whether seat belts are fastened, and seating sensors that detect whether a passenger is seated in a seat such as the driver's seat or passenger seat. The various sensors for acquiring information that assists autonomous driving include, for example, a vibration sensor that detects vibrations of the vehicle or tires, a rotation speed sensor that detects the number of tire rotations, a geomagnetic sensor that detects direction, an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration, and a gyro sensor (gyroscope) that detects angle and angular velocity. The group of various sensors 204 also includes a sound sensor (microphone) that picks up the voices of passengers in the vehicle and sounds around the autonomous vehicle.

[0118] Camera group 205 includes one or more cameras that capture images of the interior of the autonomously driven vehicle, and multiple cameras that capture images of the area around the autonomously driven vehicle. The cameras that capture images of the interior of the vehicle include cameras that capture facial images of passengers (customers) sitting in the driver's seat, passenger seat, and back seat. The cameras that capture images of the area around the autonomously driven vehicle include, for example, two cameras (stereo cameras) that are attached to the left and right sides of the rearview mirror and primarily capture images of the area in front of the autonomously driven vehicle, cameras that are attached to, for example, door mirrors or fender mirrors of the autonomously driven vehicle and capture images of the left and right sides, cameras that capture images of the area behind the autonomously driven vehicle, and omnidirectional cameras (360-degree cameras) and fisheye cameras that are attached to the roof and capture images of the area around the vehicle at a wide angle.

[0119] The GPS receiving unit 206 receives radio waves from GPS satellites to detect the current position of the vehicle, and supplies information on the detected current position to the current position confirmation unit 207 .

[0120] Since the accuracy of the position detected by radio waves from GPS satellites is poor, the current location confirmation unit 207 uses not only the information on the current position detected by the GPS receiving unit 206, but also one or more sensors included in the various sensor group 204, radar 203, and images captured by the camera group 205, and performs processing based on Bayes' theorem, for example, to detect and confirm the current position with higher accuracy.

[0121] The surrounding moving object recognition unit 208 recognizes moving objects around the vehicle using images captured by the radar 203 and the camera group 205. The surrounding moving object recognition unit 208 also recognizes surrounding obstacles and moving objects by performing processing based on Bayes' theorem, for example.

[0122] In the self-driving vehicle, the current location confirmation unit 207 and surrounding moving object recognition unit 208 process various information acquired by the radar 203, various sensors 204, cameras 205, and GPS receiver unit 206, that is, information corresponding to information obtained from the human eyes and ears, using Bayes' theory, etc., and based on this, the control unit 201 performs intelligent information processing (artificial intelligence) and control (artificial intelligence) such as changing the vehicle's course and avoiding obstacles.

[0123] Although not shown, the voice input / output unit 209 has a built-in memory for storing voice message data to be emitted externally (to customers), and also has a built-in DA converter for converting the voice message data read from the memory into an analog voice signal and outputting it to the speaker 221. The voice input / output unit 209 then supplies the voice message selected under the control of the control unit 201 to the speaker 221, so that it is emitted externally as a sound.

[0124] In addition, the audio input / output unit 209 has a built-in AD converter that converts the analog signal of the audio (customer's audio) picked up by the microphone 222 into a digital signal, and the acquired digital audio signal is supplied to, for example, the customer authentication unit 216, as described below, to be used for authenticating the customer.

[0125] Under the control of the control unit 201, the motor drive control unit 210 controls the supply of drive signals to the motor drive unit 223 of the self-driving vehicle constituted by the electric vehicle of this embodiment, so as to control the start of driving, driving speed control, driving stop, etc. of the self-driving vehicle.

[0126] Under the control of the control unit 201, the steering drive control unit 211 controls the supply of a drive control signal to the steering drive unit 224 of the automatically driven vehicle of this embodiment, so as to control the course change of the automatically driven vehicle.

[0127] The touch-panel display unit 212 is configured by superimposing a touch panel that allows touch input with a finger on a display panel made of, for example, an LCD. A display image including software buttons (including keyboard character input buttons) is displayed on the LCD display screen under the control of the control unit 201. When the touch panel of the touch-panel display unit 212 detects a touch with a finger on a software button displayed on the display screen, it transmits the touch to the control unit 201. In response to this, the control unit 201 is configured to execute a control process corresponding to the software button.

[0128] The car navigation function unit 213 is a functional unit that has a car navigation database in which domestic maps (or world maps) and route guidance data are pre-stored, and provides guidance to assist the autonomous vehicle in traveling to a specified destination based on the maps and route guidance data stored in this car navigation database.

[0129] In the autonomous driving mode, when the current position of the vehicle is away from the route to the destination, the car navigation function unit 213 notifies the control unit 201 of information on the direction and distance of the departure, and when the current position of the vehicle is on the route to the destination, the car navigation function unit 213 notifies the control unit 201 of information instructing the control unit 201 to change the course direction along the route before an intersection or branch point on the route as the vehicle moves. Based on the information notified from the car navigation function unit 213, the confirmation result by the current location confirmation unit 207, and the recognition result by the surrounding moving object recognition unit 208, the control unit 201 controls the motor drive unit 223 via the motor drive control unit 210 and controls the steering drive unit 224 via the steering drive control unit 211 so that the vehicle moves along the route as instructed. Therefore, thanks to route guidance to the destination by the car navigation function unit 213 and the control unit 201 in the autonomous driving mode, the autonomous vehicle can travel to the destination even when there are no passengers.

[0130] The message generating unit 214 is a processing unit that generates messages for making and responding to information requests via an ad-hoc communication path generated between the smartphone 3, which is an example of a calling device.

[0131] The customer authentication unit 216 is a processing unit that performs customer authentication when a user who has executed the taxi hailing service gets into a taxi, which is an autonomously driven vehicle. In this example, the customer authentication is performed using authentication information exchanged through an ad hoc communication path generated between the electronic control circuit unit 10 of the autonomously driven vehicle and the user's smartphone 3 in the request and response for the taxi hailing service.

[0132] For example, the authentication information may be a password transmitted from the user's smartphone 3 to the electronic control circuit unit 10 of the autonomous vehicle via the ad hoc communication channel. In this case, the customer authentication unit 216 of the electronic control circuit unit 10 of the autonomous vehicle stores the transmitted password. When the user gets into the autonomous vehicle, the user is asked to enter the password via the touch panel display unit 212. The customer authentication unit 216 compares the stored password with the password entered via the touch panel display unit 212, and if the two match, determines that the customer authentication is successful. In this case, the password may be the user's name, nickname, date of birth, telephone number, email address, PIN, or the like. It may also be a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) generated by an application on the smartphone 3. The password may be deleted or retained when use is terminated. The user may also be able to select whether to delete or retain the password.

[0133] Furthermore, a facial image of the user (customer) can also be used as authentication information. In this case, the customer authentication unit 216 is configured as an image recognition unit, and stores and holds the facial image of the user (customer) sent from the smartphone 3. When the user gets into the self-driving car, a facial image of the user is captured by one of the cameras in the camera group 205. The customer authentication unit 216 then compares the stored facial image with the facial image captured by the camera, and authenticates the customer by confirming that both facial images are of the same person.

[0134] The authentication information can also be the voice of the user (customer). In that case, the customer authentication unit 216 is configured as a voice recognition unit, and stores and holds data of the user's (customer's) voice sent from the smartphone 3. When the user gets into the self-driving car, the microphone 222 picks up the user's voice, and the customer authentication unit 216 compares the picked-up voice with the stored voice to confirm that it is the same person's voice, thereby authenticating the customer.

[0135] In addition to facial images and voice, biometric information such as fingerprints, vein patterns on the hands, and irises of the user (customer) can also be used, or a combination of these can be used.

[0136] As mentioned above, the authentication information may be issued by the user or by the taxi 5. Alternatively, both may issue the authentication information for double-checking, thereby providing a stronger defense against imposter riding.

[0137] The electronic control circuit unit 10 of the autonomous vehicle is configured as described above, but of the blocks shown in Figure 9, the processing functions of the current location confirmation unit 207, surrounding moving object recognition unit 208, voice input / output unit 209, motor drive control unit 210, steering drive control unit 211, car navigation function unit 213, message generation unit 214, transmission / reception processing unit 215, and customer authentication unit 216 can be realized by the control unit 201 as software processing.

[0138] [Example of processing flow for taxi hailing service in self-driving cars] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of processing during a taxi call service in the electronic control circuit unit 10 of a taxi that is an autonomous driving vehicle according to the second embodiment.

[0139] The control unit 201 constantly monitors for the reception of a connection request including connection information that matches the connection information stored in the electronic control circuit unit 10 of the vehicle from the smartphone 3, which is an example of a calling device (step S201), and when it determines that the connection request has been received, it sends connection response information including the connection information stored in the electronic control circuit unit 10 of the vehicle to the other party that made the connection request (step S202).Then, it generates a direct ad hoc communication path with the other party (smartphone 3) (step S203).

[0140] Next, the control unit 201 receives a taxi request from the other party sent through the created ad hoc communication path, extracts the location information of the other party's waiting place (in this example, location information of the current location) and customer authentication information (information such as personal information, facial image, and password) included in the taxi request, and stores and holds the location information of the customer's waiting place, as well as the received customer authentication information (for example, personal information such as name and age, facial image, and password) (step S204). Note that the customer can send an image of the area around the customer's waiting place, and the image can be used for image recognition to confirm the waiting place.

[0141] Then, the control unit 201 instructs the car navigation function unit 213 to calculate the time required to travel from the vehicle's current location confirmed by the current location confirmation unit 207 to the received waiting location of the customer, i.e., the customer's waiting time (step S205).The control unit 201 then generates a taxi call response message including the customer's waiting time calculated in step S205, and transmits the message to the other party via the ad hoc communication path (step S206).

[0142] In step S205, the distance traveled from the vehicle's current location to the received customer waiting location and the pick-up fee, if necessary, can be calculated in addition to the customer waiting time. Furthermore, in step S206, a taxi call response message including the travel distance and pick-up fee can be generated and sent to the other party via the ad hoc communication path.

[0143] Next, the control unit 201 determines whether a disconnection request has been received from the other party (step S207), and if it determines that a disconnection request has not been received, it waits for a disconnection request from the other party. If it determines in step S207 that a disconnection request has been received from the other party, the control unit 201 performs processing to disconnect the ad hoc communication path (step S208). Then, the control unit 201 turns off the communication function of the wireless LAN communication unit 202 (step S209).

[0144] Thereafter, the control unit 201 controls each unit of the electronic control circuit unit 10 to start moving toward the customer waiting location (step S211 in FIG. 11). Although not shown in the flowchart, prior to this movement, the control unit 201 instructs the car navigation function unit 213 to search for a route from the current position of the vehicle to the customer waiting location. In response to this instruction, the car navigation function unit 213 searches for the route, and in step S211, starts route guidance.

[0145] Then, the control unit 201 determines whether the vehicle has arrived at the customer waiting location (step S212), and if it determines that the vehicle has arrived at the customer waiting location, it stops the vehicle to allow the customer to board and performs authentication processing for the customer who is about to board (step S213).

[0146] That is, as mentioned above, if the authentication information sent when requesting a taxi and stored is a password, the customer is prompted to input the password from the touch panel display unit 212, and the input password is compared with the stored password, and authentication is performed based on whether or not a match is confirmed.

[0147] If the authentication information sent when requesting a taxi and stored is a customer's face image, the customer's face image is captured by one of the cameras in the camera group 205, and the captured face image is compared with the stored face image to authenticate the customer.

[0148] Furthermore, if the authentication information sent when requesting a taxi and stored is the customer's voice, a message urging the customer to speak is emitted from speaker 221, and the voice of the customer responding to the message is picked up by microphone 222. The picked-up customer voice is then compared with the stored customer voice to authenticate the customer.

[0149] Personal information such as the customer's name, phone number, facial image, and voice used for customer authentication may be deleted at the end of use, or may be retained. Also, the user may be allowed to choose whether to delete or retain the information.

[0150] Next, the control unit 201 determines whether the authentication is successful as a result of the authentication process in step S213 (step S214). If the authentication is successful, the control unit 201 accepts the customer and accepts the customer's input of the destination (step S215). In this case, the customer can input the destination by touching the destination on the map displayed on the touch panel display unit 212, for example, or can vocally indicate the destination. The destination indicated by voice is recognized by a voice recognition unit (not shown) mounted in the electronic control circuit unit 10. After the destination is indicated by voice, the customer can also indicate a driving mode such as "faster," "hurried," or "slower." The driving mode indicated by voice is recognized by a voice recognition unit (not shown) mounted in the electronic control circuit unit 10, just like the destination, and the voice recognition result is sent to the motor drive control unit 210, etc. Of course, the driving mode described above may be indicated by touch or button.

[0151] The control unit 201 instructs the car navigation function unit 213 to search for and provide guidance on a route to the accepted destination, and controls each unit of the electronic control circuit unit 10 to move the vehicle to the destination designated by the customer and stop there (step S216). Then, although not shown in the flowchart of Fig. 11, the control unit 201 accepts the customer's payment of the taxi fare, confirms that the payment has been completed, and then checks and determines whether the customer has gotten off the vehicle (step S217).

[0152] Here, customers can pay the taxi fare by inserting cash into the cash dispenser, including receiving change, and the system can also be configured to allow payment by credit card, prepaid card, or electronic money. It can also be configured to allow the use of taxi tickets. It can also be configured to allow customers to pay tips for the taxi service in addition to the taxi fare.

[0153] When it is confirmed in step S217 that the customer has gotten off, the control unit 201 turns on the wireless LAN communication unit 202 that was turned off (step S218), and controls the electronic control circuit unit 10 to move the vehicle as a taxi (step S219). After step S219, the control unit 201 returns the process to step S201 and repeats the processes from step S201 onwards.

[0154] If the authentication is not successful in step S214, the control unit 201 outputs a message from the speaker 221 to the person attempting to board the taxi, saying, "Your authentication has not been obtained, so you cannot use this taxi," and denies the person from boarding (step S220). Then, the control unit 201 proceeds to step S218 and executes the processes from step S218 onwards.

[0155] In this way, in the second embodiment, a taxi as an example of a moving body can be made into an autonomous vehicle. It goes without saying that the second embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0156] The moving body of the second embodiment is not limited to an autonomously driving vehicle, but may be a ship such as an autonomously navigating motorboat or submarine, an air vehicle such as an autonomously flying aircraft or quadcopter, or other moving body. Furthermore, the moving body of the first embodiment is not limited to an automobile, but may be a two-wheeled motor vehicle, a three-wheeled motor vehicle, a ship, an air vehicle, or other moving body. Providing a taxi service using a ship would be a water taxi or underwater taxi, and providing a taxi service using an air vehicle would be an air taxi or air taxi.

[0157] The self-driving vehicle of the second embodiment is not limited to an electric vehicle, and may of course be a gasoline engine vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or the like. Furthermore, solar power generation can be used as supplemental energy by installing solar panels on the roof, etc. These vehicles, drive systems, and types of energy can also be applied to the moving body of the first embodiment.

[0158] The user may be able to select either a manually driven taxi in the first embodiment or an automatically driven taxi in the second embodiment and issue a taxi call request.

[0159] Furthermore, a hire car is included as one form of the manually driven taxi of the first embodiment and the autonomously driven taxi of the second embodiment. A hire car is a type of taxi that is not used for driving around, but is used to leave and return to a business office. Therefore, there is no ad hoc communication standby state except when the taxi is at the business office.

[0160] Furthermore, the taxi is not limited to a typical four-seater vehicle, but may be a one-seater vehicle, a two-seater vehicle, or a six-seater or nine-seater vehicle such as a wagon taxi.

[0161] In the first and second embodiments described above, a user may be able to assign priorities when searching for a taxi via ad hoc communication. For example, a preferred taxi may be searched first based on the characteristics of the taxi and the taxi driver (first priority), and if the preferred taxi cannot be found, all taxis that are capable of ad hoc communication, including taxis that are not preferred, may be searched for (second priority). Of course, three or more priorities may be used. This is convenient for the user, as it allows the preferred taxi to be used if it is within the communication range, and even if the preferred taxi is not within the communication range, the initial goal of traveling by taxi can be achieved.

[0162] [Third embodiment] In the first and second embodiments described above, the mobile object to be called is only a taxi. However, the present invention is not limited to taxis, and can also be used for rental cars and car sharing. Furthermore, by changing the connection information set in the first wireless communication device of the mobile object to be called for each mobile object, it is possible to call multiple types of mobile objects.

[0163] For example, the server 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a different ESSID, which is a network identifier serving as connection information, prepared for each service, as shown in Fig. 12. It goes without saying that a WEP key may also be added to the connection information in addition to the ESSID. In this case, the WEP key may be different for each service, or the same key may be used. A mobile object executing each service has a first wireless communication device in which the respective connection information is set.

[0164] A user can access the server 1 using a smartphone 3, which is an example of a calling device, and specify not just one but multiple service names that the user wishes to use. The server 1 then sends an ESSID (including a WEP key if the WEP key is included in the connection information) associated with identification information corresponding to each specified service name. The smartphone 3 receives this information and stores the ESSID in association with the identification information corresponding to each service name. Therefore, the connection information is stored in the memory 304 of the smartphone 3 in a state similar to that shown in FIG. 12.

[0165] In the third embodiment, when the call service is activated on the smartphone 3, a list of service names for which the call service can be executed is displayed on the display screen 305D of the display unit 305, as shown in Fig. 13. The user selects one or more services for which the user wishes to execute the call service from this list, and operates the start button (icon button) 3051.

[0166] Then, when one service is selected, the smartphone 3 sends a connection request from the wireless LAN communication unit 308 using the connection information associated with the selected service and stored in the memory 304, in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. Therefore, if a mobile object providing the selected service is within the communication range, the first communication device of the mobile object responds to the connection request, thereby creating an ad-hoc communication path, and the mobile object can move to the user's waiting location in the same manner as described above.

[0167] Furthermore, when multiple services are selected, the smartphone 3 sequentially selects connection information associated with the selected services and stored in memory 304 in a time-division manner, and uses the selected information to transmit connection requests for each service from the wireless LAN communication unit 308 in a time-division manner. Therefore, if any one of the mobile objects providing the selected service is within the communication range, an ad-hoc communication path is created when the first communication device of the mobile object responds to the connection request, and the mobile object can move to the user's waiting location in the same manner as described above. In this case, since only one ad-hoc communication path can be created at a time between the smartphone 3 and the first communication device of the mobile object, the mobile object that responds to the connection first among the mobile objects providing the selected service is called to the user.

[0168] The user can then terminate the operation of calling that service by selecting the name of the called service from the menu on display screen 305D and operating end button (icon button) 3052. Therefore, thereafter, mobile objects that provide services that have not been called become targets for calling.

[0169] In the third embodiment, the start time of one or more services can be set using a timer. For example, in Fig. 13, the collection of home appliances, etc. (2) can be set at 14:00, the collection and delivery of dry cleaning (3) can be set at 15:15, and the taxi call (1) can be set at 17:30, so that the three services can be enjoyed like an assembly line.

[0170] According to the third embodiment, a user can select a mobile object that provides the service he or she desires to be called at a time he or she desires, which is extremely convenient. In the third embodiment, it is possible to assume that a user requests a call service while at home or at work. Therefore, the call device may be a tablet terminal or a personal computer (preferably one with a calling function) instead of a smartphone.

[0171] Although the lists in FIGS. 12 and 13 are displayed as text, they may of course be displayed as images using icons that evoke the images of the services.

[0172] [Other embodiments or modifications] In the above embodiment, the user of the smartphone 3 performs an operation to receive a mobile vehicle call service such as a taxi when needed. However, an application program can also be created to automatically start receiving the mobile vehicle call service when the smartphone 3 enters a predetermined area. For example, this is suitable for a case where an area where mobile vehicles such as taxis that provide the taxi call service are located is designated as a special area, such as an Olympic village or an event venue, and a user wishes to travel within that area by mobile vehicle such as a taxi. In this case, a special vehicle may be prepared exclusively for travel in the special area.

[0173] Furthermore, when a user enters a theme park or amusement park, a wireless connection request for a mobile object summoning request can be automatically transmitted to summon vehicles or people selling various products at the theme park or amusement park. In this case, as in the examples of Figures 12 and 13, a user can select the product he or she wishes to purchase and selectively summon the vehicles or people selling the products. In this case, the mobile object is not limited to a car but may be a bicycle, a motorcycle, or the like, or may be a salesperson traveling on foot or a salesperson traveling by bicycle, motorcycle, or the like.

[0174] In all of the first to third embodiments described above, the first communication device possessed by the mobile body is configured to wait for a connection request sent by the second communication device provided in the calling device, and when the second communication device of the calling device issues a connection request, an ad hoc communication path is generated between the two.

[0175] However, conversely, an ad hoc communication path may be established between a first communication device of a mobile object and a second communication device of a calling device by issuing a connection request from the first communication device and responding to the connection request from the first communication device. In other words, in a so-called order-taking style, the first communication device of a mobile object continuously sends connection requests, and the user of the calling device responds to the connection request from the first communication device by launching a calling service application when necessary.

[0176] In this case, after generating the ad hoc communication path, the calling device sends a call request including the user's waiting location (current location information in the above example) to the first communication device of the mobile body via the ad hoc communication path, and the second communication device possessed by the mobile body responds to the call request by returning a response message, thereby performing processing operations similar to those in the first embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0177] In addition, instead of the calling device sending a call request including location information of the user's waiting location to the first communication device of the mobile body via an ad hoc communication path, after generating the ad hoc communication path, the first communication device possessed by the mobile body may make a service inquiry request via the ad hoc communication path, and in response to the inquiry request, a call response including location information of the user's waiting location may be returned to the first communication device of the mobile body via the ad hoc communication path.

[0178] In this example, for example, a taxi can issue a connection request from a first communication device, advertise that it is available, and while driving, it can respond to the user's request to hail a taxi via an ad hoc communication path by receiving response information from the user's second communication device.

[0179] In the third embodiment, in the service of collecting home appliances or collecting and delivering dry cleaning, the service travels around the area in a so-called errand-taking style, and receives response information from the user's second communication device, thereby responding to the user's call request through an ad hoc communication channel. If the service cannot respond immediately but can be accommodated after a short wait, the service may return a response message such as, "I'm currently attending to another matter. I'll come back as soon as I'm done, so could you please wait for about 10 minutes?" The user can respond with "OK" or "NG."

[0180] In all of the first to third embodiments described above, the calling device transmits the user's current location information as the location information of the waiting location together with the call request to the first communication device possessed by the mobile object via the ad hoc communication path. However, the location information transmitted from the calling device to the first communication device possessed by the mobile object is not limited to the current location at the time of the call request, and does not need to be transmitted together with the call request.

[0181] That is, if the location where the user wants to call the mobile body is a predetermined location that is not the current location at the time of the call request, the calling device can be configured to send location information of the predetermined location to the first communication device of the mobile body through the ad hoc communication path after the user moves to the predetermined location.Of course, the location information of the predetermined location may also be sent to the first communication device of the mobile body through the ad hoc communication path before the user moves to the predetermined location.

[0182] In this way, for example, if a user is outdoors and is suddenly caught in a rainstorm and wants to call a taxi, the user can use the taxi call device to send a call request, then move from their current location to a sheltered, dry place, and notify the taxi of their location information as the location information of the waiting location via the ad hoc communication channel, allowing them to wait for the taxi there. Even if the user wants to kill time at a nearby store such as a convenience store while waiting for a taxi, they can conveniently notify the taxi of the store's location information as the location information of the waiting location, allowing them to wait there. Furthermore, if a user wants to call a taxi from home but wants to keep their home location secret, they can specify an appropriate location in the neighborhood as the location where the taxi will arrive and wait.

[0183] Also, instead of the user moving from the location where the call request was made, for example, a map may be displayed on the display screen of the call device, and the user may specify on the map a waiting location where the called mobile vehicle will wait, and the call device may recognize the location information of the specified waiting location from the map and notify the mobile vehicle, such as a taxi, via an ad hoc communication path.

[0184] In the third embodiment, when receiving multiple services, location information of a different waiting location for each service may be sent to the first communication device of the mobile object of each service via an ad hoc communication path. This allows the user to conveniently select a waiting location for the mobile object summoned for each service.

[0185] Furthermore, the mobile body, rather than the user, may be able to set the location information. For example, if there is a location (location) that is suitable for parking or a location (location) that is easy to board the user near the user's current location at the time of the call request, the mobile body can specify this location, allowing the user to board smoothly. This also makes it possible to avoid situations where the user specifies a location (location) that is not suitable for boarding, such as a no-entry area, a one-way street, or a narrow alley, which can be inconvenient. In the case of the autonomous vehicle of the second embodiment, if the user can specify a waiting location, it is expected that autonomous driving will be even smoother.

[0186] Furthermore, when the distance between the vehicle and the user is within a predetermined distance (for example, 100 m) or when the waiting time is within a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), the user's mobile device may be notified by an alarm, message, screen display, etc. This makes it easier for the user to know which vehicle they should board.

[0187] The vehicle can also alert the user by flashing a light (lamp) indicating that a vehicle is waiting for pickup or by turning on a light (lamp) installed on the roof. By informing the user in advance of the color of the light to be turned on, it becomes even easier for the user to understand the vehicle that has been called. The light (lamp) may also be attached to the side mirror or door to improve visibility.

[0188] In the above embodiments, the calling device is a smartphone, which is a mobile terminal. However, as mentioned above, it goes without saying that the calling device is not limited to a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. For example, the calling device may be a mobile terminal such as a pad-type terminal with wireless LAN functionality or a so-called tablet-type terminal, or may be a notebook PC (personal computer) or a stationary desktop PC. It may also be a wristwatch-type terminal, an eyeglass-type terminal, or other terminal. Furthermore, the calling device may be a fixedly installed device such as a parking meter.

[0189] Furthermore, the first communication device mounted on the mobile body is not limited to the taxi-specific device 6, but may be a mobile phone terminal such as a smartphone, or a mobile terminal such as the pad terminal or tablet terminal described above. Furthermore, the first communication device may be built into a car navigation device mounted on the mobile body.

[0190] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the connection information for the calling device is set by accessing a specified server, but it goes without saying that the user may obtain the connection information and manually set it in the calling device.

[0191] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the wireless LAN of the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard is used as the communication standard used in this invention, but the communication standards that can be used by the first and second wireless communication devices are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that any communication standard or communication method can be applied to this invention as long as it has requirements that are compatible with this invention, such as having a predetermined communication range and being able to generate a direct communication path that does not go through a relay device such as an access point. [Explanation of symbols]

[0192] 1...Taxi ad hoc communication setting server, 2...Communication network, 3...Smartphone, 4...Communication area, 5A, 5B...Taxi, 6...Taxi-dedicated device, 301...Control unit, 307...Current location detection unit, 308...Wireless LAN communication unit, 601...Control unit, 602...Wireless LAN communication unit, 605...Car navigation function unit, 606...Current location detection unit

Claims

1. a calling device storing first wireless connection information for creating a direct communication path with a partner device; a mobile unit that stores second wireless connection information for creating a direct communication path with the other device and is provided in the mobile unit to be called; and The mobile device is a connection request means for transmitting a connection request signal including the second wireless connection information; a first communication path generating means for generating the communication path between the calling device that has transmitted a response signal including the first wireless connection information that matches the second wireless connection information in response to the connection request signal; Equipped with The calling device is a second communication path generating means for transmitting the response signal including the first wireless connection information to the mobile body device when a match between the second wireless connection information included in the received connection request signal and the first wireless connection information is detected, and generating the communication path between the mobile body device and the mobile body device; The moving body is a taxi, the mobile device includes a determination means for detecting whether or not a customer is in the taxi, and for transmitting the connection request signal when the mobile device detects that the customer is not in the taxi and the taxi is vacant; the taxi is equipped with an expressway driving detection means for detecting whether the taxi is driving on an expressway, The determining means determines that the vehicle is not empty when the expressway driving detection means detects that the vehicle is driving on an expressway. A mobile object summoning system.

2. The taxi is provided with a camera for photographing the interior of the taxi, The determination means detects whether a customer is in the taxi based on the image captured by the camera.

2. The mobile object calling system according to claim 1.

3. A sensor is attached to the passenger seat of the taxi to detect when a customer gets in, The determination means detects whether a customer is in the taxi based on the output of the sensor.

3. The mobile object calling system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The passenger seats of the taxi are equipped with a means for detecting whether a seat belt is fastened, The determination means detects whether a customer is in the taxi based on the detection output of the means for detecting whether the seat belt is fastened.

4. The mobile object calling system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile object calling system is a system for calling a mobile object.

5. The taxi is provided with a taximeter, The determination means determines that the taxi is vacant by recognizing that the vacant car button on the taxi meter has been operated.

5. A mobile object calling system according to claim 1.

6. the mobile device continuously transmits the connection request signal; The calling device receives the connection request signal in accordance with an operation by a user of the calling device, and when it detects a match between the second wireless connection information included in the received connection request signal and the first wireless connection information, it transmits the response signal to the mobile device.

6. A mobile object calling system according to claim 1.

7. The calling device is provided with an application for a service that calls the mobile object, and the user's operation is an operation to launch the application for the service that calls the mobile object.

7. The mobile object calling system according to claim 6.

8. The calling device stores a plurality of pieces of first wireless connection information.

8. A mobile object calling system according to claim 1.

9. The calling device is a first location information transmitting means for transmitting information about a waiting position where a user of the calling device should wait for the mobile object to the mobile object device through the communication path, and / or a first location information receiving means for receiving information about a waiting position where a user of the calling device should wait for the mobile object from the mobile object device through the communication path, The mobile device is a second position information receiving means for receiving information about the standby position from the calling device through the communication path, and / or a second position information transmitting means for transmitting information about the standby position to the calling device through the communication path; 9. A mobile object calling system according to claim 1.

10. The calling device includes a means for accepting a user's designation of the waiting position on a map displayed on a display screen, and transmits information about the waiting position designated on the map to the mobile device.

10. The mobile object calling system according to claim 9.

11. When the created communication path is disconnected before the mobile object arrives at the waiting position, the mobile object device stores the first wireless connection information of the calling device connected by the communication path before the disconnection process, and the calling device stores the second wireless connection information of the mobile object device connected by the communication path, thereby enabling the communication path to be reconnected.

11. The mobile object calling system according to claim 9 or 10.

12. The call device and the mobile device maintain the generated communication path without disconnecting it until the user boards the vehicle.

11. The mobile object calling system according to claim 9 or 10.

13. When the generated communication path is disconnected before the user gets on the vehicle, the mobile device stores the first wireless connection information of the call device connected by the communication path before the disconnection process, and the call device stores the second wireless connection information of the mobile device connected by the communication path, thereby enabling the communication path to be reconnected.

13. The mobile object calling system according to claim 9, claim 10 or claim 12.

14. the calling device includes a call request sending means for sending a call request to the mobile object through the created communication path, The mobile device includes a call request response determination means for determining whether or not to respond to the call request received through the communication path based on an instruction input by a driver of the mobile device, and a call response sending means for sending a call response to the call request through the communication path when the call request response determination means determines that the call request should be responded to.

14. A mobile object calling system according to claim 1.

15. The calling device is a first location information transmitting means for transmitting, to the mobile body device, information on a waiting position where a user of the calling device should wait for the mobile body, after receiving the call response through the communication path, or a first location information receiving means for receiving, from the mobile body device, information on a waiting position where a user of the calling device should wait for the mobile body, through the communication path; The mobile device is a second location information receiving means for receiving information about the standby position from the calling device through the communication path after transmitting the call response through the communication path, and / or a second location information transmitting means for transmitting information about the standby position to the calling device through the communication path; The call device and the mobile device maintain the created communication path without disconnecting it until the user gets on the vehicle. The calling device can notify the cancellation of the call request through the communication path that is maintained without being disconnected.

15. The mobile object calling system according to claim 14.

16. After sending the call response through the communication path, the mobile device can inquire whether or not to cancel the call request through the communication path that is maintained without being disconnected.

16. The mobile object calling system according to claim 15.

17. the call request from the call device includes authentication information of the user who made the call request; When the mobile object arrives at the waiting position, the mobile object authenticates the user who made the call request based on the authentication information.

17. The mobile object calling system according to claim 15 or 16.

18. The summoning device is a first location information transmitting means for transmitting, to the mobile body device, information on a waiting position where a user of the calling device should wait for the mobile body, after receiving the call response through the communication path, or a first location information receiving means for receiving, from the mobile body device, information on a waiting position where a user of the calling device should wait for the mobile body, through the communication path; The mobile device is a second location information receiving means for receiving information about the standby position from the calling device through the communication path after transmitting the call response through the communication path, and / or a second location information transmitting means for transmitting information about the standby position to the calling device through the communication path; The taxi maintains the created communication path between the call device and the mobile body device without disconnecting it until the user gets in, and The calling device can notify the cancellation of the call request through the communication path that is maintained without being disconnected. The mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 14 to 17.

19. The call request from the call device includes authentication information of the user who made the call request, When the user who made the call request gets in, the taxi authenticates the user who made the call request based on the authentication information. The mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 14 to 18.

20. The authentication information is personal information of the user who made the call request, The taxi is equipped with a display means for displaying the personal information on a display screen, and the taxi driver can authenticate the user who made the call request based on the personal information displayed on the display screen.

20. A mobile object calling system according to claim 17 or 19.

21. The taxi is provided with a customer authentication unit, and the customer authentication unit authenticates the user who made the call request using the authentication information acquired from the call device through the communication path.

20. A mobile object calling system according to claim 17 or 19.

22. The authentication in the customer authentication unit is performed by any one of facial image authentication of the user who made the call request, password verification, voice authentication of the user who made the call request, and biometric information authentication including fingerprints, vein patterns, and irises of the user who made the call request, or a combination thereof.

22. The mobile object calling system according to claim 21.

23. The call request includes a request for a taxi to be called. The mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 14 to 22.

24. The request includes any one or a combination of the following: characteristics of the taxi, characteristics of the taxi driver, whether the taxi is a corporate or private taxi, the name of the preferred taxi company, the method of paying for the taxi fare, and the use of a taxi ticket.

24. The mobile object calling system according to claim 23.

25. A priority is assigned to taxis that are called in response to the call request. A mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 14 to 24.

26. The call response includes a message inquiring whether it is possible to wait, although immediate response is difficult. A mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 14 to 25.

27. The mobile device sends a service inquiry request to the calling device through the created communication path, and the calling device sends a response to the inquiry request received through the communication path to the mobile device through the communication path.

14. A mobile object calling system according to claim 1.

28. The call device includes in its response to the inquiry request information about a waiting location where the user of the call device should wait for the mobile unit.

28. The mobile object calling system according to claim 27.

29. The taxi may be a hire car, a water taxi, an underwater taxi, an air taxi, or an air taxi. A mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 1 to 28.

30. The calling device accesses a server device through a communication network to acquire wireless connection information that is the same as the second wireless connection information stored in a second wireless communication unit of the mobile device as the first wireless connection information, and stores the acquired information in the first wireless communication unit of the calling device.

30. A mobile object calling system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile object calling system is a system for calling a mobile object.

31. the server device holds a plurality of pieces of second wireless connection information that differ for each service, presents a list of a plurality of services to a user of the calling device, and provides the calling device with the second wireless connection information corresponding to a service selected from the list by the user of the calling device; The calling device stores the second wireless connection information acquired from the server device as the first wireless connection information.

31. The mobile object calling system according to claim 30.

32. The communication between the calling device and the mobile device is wireless LAN communication, and the first wireless connection information and the second wireless connection information include a network identifier and a WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key, and the WEP key is different for each service or is the same regardless of the service. A mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 1 to 31.

33. The calling device may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a wristwatch terminal, an eyeglass terminal, a pad terminal, or a fixedly installed device. A mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 1 to 32.

34. The calling device includes a notification means for notifying a user that the distance to the mobile object has come within a predetermined distance. A mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 1 to 33.

35. The calling device is provided with a notification means for notifying a user that the waiting time for the arrival of the mobile object has reached a predetermined time. A mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 1 to 34.

36. The mobile body is provided with a notification means for notifying the user of the calling device of the mobile body. A mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

37. The mobile body uses a light as the notification means, and the color of the light to be turned on is notified to the user of the calling device in advance.

37. The mobile object summoning system according to claim 36.

38. The mobile body is provided with a notification means for notifying a user of the call device of a traffic jam or an accident. A mobile object calling system according to any one of claims 1 to 37.

39. a calling device storing first wireless connection information for creating a direct communication path with a partner device; a mobile unit that stores second wireless connection information for creating a direct communication path with the other device and is provided in the mobile unit to be called; and The calling device is a second communication path generating means for transmitting a response signal including the first wireless connection information to the mobile object device when a match between the second wireless connection information included in the connection request signal received from the mobile object device and the first wireless connection information is detected, and generating the communication path between the mobile object device and the mobile object device; The mobile object device in a mobile object calling system comprising: a connection request means for transmitting the connection request signal including the second wireless connection information; a first communication path generating means for generating the communication path between the calling device that has transmitted the response signal including the first wireless connection information that matches the second wireless connection information in response to the connection request signal; Equipped with The moving body is a taxi, the mobile device includes a determination means for detecting whether or not a customer is in the taxi, and for transmitting the connection request signal when the mobile device detects that the customer is not in the taxi and the taxi is vacant; the taxi is equipped with an expressway driving detection means for detecting whether the taxi is driving on an expressway, The determining means determines that the vehicle is not empty when the expressway driving detection means detects that the vehicle is driving on an expressway. A device for a moving body characterized by:

40. continuously transmitting the connection request signal; The calling device receives the connection request signal in accordance with an operation by a user of the calling device, and when it detects a match between the second wireless connection information included in the received connection request signal and the first wireless connection information, it transmits the response signal to the mobile device.

40. The mobile device of claim 39.

41. a calling device storing first wireless connection information for creating a direct communication path with a partner device; a mobile unit that stores second wireless connection information for creating a direct communication path with the other device and is provided in the mobile unit to be called; and The moving body is a taxi, The calling device is a second communication path generating means for transmitting a response signal including the first wireless connection information to the mobile object device when a match between the second wireless connection information included in the connection request signal received from the mobile object device and the first wireless connection information is detected, and generating the communication path between the mobile object device and the mobile object device; a computer included in the mobile device in a mobile object calling system, a connection request means for transmitting the connection request signal including the second wireless connection information; a first communication path generating means for generating the communication path between the calling device that has transmitted the response signal including the first wireless connection information that matches the second wireless connection information in response to the connection request signal; a determination means for detecting whether or not a customer is in the taxi, and for transmitting the connection request signal when it is detected that the customer is not in the taxi and the taxi is vacant; A program for a mobile device, characterized in that it functions as the taxi is equipped with an expressway driving detection means for detecting whether the taxi is driving on an expressway, The determining means determines that the vehicle is not empty when the expressway driving detection means detects that the vehicle is driving on an expressway. A program for a mobile device.

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