Vehicle allocation system, vehicle allocation method, and vehicle allocation program

Abstract

A vehicle dispatch system (100) comprises a vehicle dispatch management device (2) for managing dispatch of a plurality of vehicles (V), and a terminal device (1) for transmitting to the vehicle dispatch management device (2) reservation information including a time, a departure place, and a destination. The vehicle dispatch management device (2) corrects at least one of the reservation information and confirmed reservation information so as to allow at least one of the plurality of vehicles (V) to operate in accordance with the reservation information or corrected reservation information transmitted from the terminal device (1), and to allow each of the plurality of vehicles (V) to operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or corrected confirmed reservation information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle dispatch system, a vehicle dispatch method, and a vehicle dispatch program. [Background technology]

[0002] Various systems for reserving vehicles such as taxis have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-191992 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Due to reasons such as limited vehicle availability, a mismatch may occur between the demand and supply of vehicle reservations.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a vehicle dispatch system, a vehicle dispatch method, and a vehicle dispatch program that can reduce the mismatch between the demand and supply of vehicle reservations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle dispatch system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a vehicle dispatch management device that manages the dispatch of multiple vehicles, and a terminal device that transmits reservation information including a time, a departure point, and a destination to the vehicle dispatch management device, and the vehicle dispatch management device modifies at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one of the multiple vehicles can operate in accordance with the reservation information or the modified reservation information transmitted from the terminal device, and so that each of the multiple vehicles can operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or the modified confirmed reservation information.

[0007] A vehicle dispatch method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a vehicle dispatch management device modifying at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one of the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the reservation information or the modified reservation information transmitted from the terminal device, and so that each of the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or the modified confirmed reservation information.

[0008] A vehicle dispatch program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to modify at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one of the multiple vehicles can operate according to reservation information including the time, departure point, and destination transmitted from a terminal device or modified reservation information, and so that each of the multiple vehicles can operate according to the confirmed reservation information or modified confirmed reservation information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle dispatch system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of a vehicle dispatch system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of modifying reservation information. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of modifying reservation information. [Figure 5] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a process (a vehicle allocation method) executed in the vehicle allocation system. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of correction of confirmed reservation information. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of correction of confirmed reservation information. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of correction of confirmed reservation information. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of correction of confirmed reservation information. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of correction of confirmed reservation information. [Figure 11] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a process (a vehicle allocation method) executed in the vehicle allocation system. [Figure 12] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a process (a vehicle allocation method) executed in the vehicle allocation system. [Figure 13] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a process (a vehicle allocation method) executed in the vehicle allocation system. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device and a vehicle dispatch management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] The present disclosure will be described in the following order: 1. Introduction 2. Embodiment 2.1 Example of a vehicle dispatch system 2.2 Example of modifying reservation information 2.3 Example of modifying confirmed reservation information 2.4 Booking Proposal Example 3.Effects

[0012] 1. Introduction When dispatching vehicles such as taxis, it is difficult to optimize the matching of reservation demand and supply. When a delay occurs, a replacement vehicle may not be prepared in time for the next reservation, or it may be impossible to provide a replacement vehicle. Reservation cancellations, etc., can also make it difficult to fill vehicle availability.

[0013] According to the disclosed technology, for example, by adjusting the demand side to match the supply, the matching between demand and supply for vehicle reservations is optimized. Reservation slots are dynamically set for vehicles based on the time and location of previous and following reservations. Reservation availability is determined based on the reservation time and location, and reservation adjustments are suggested to the user. Alternatively, matching is optimized by adjusting the supply side to match demand. By meeting demand and supply in groups consisting of multiple vehicles rather than on a per-vehicle basis, replacement vehicles are provided within the group to fill in the gaps in the event of cancellations. Vehicles are dispatched using a vehicle group consisting of multiple vehicles for multiple reservations at the same time (time slot) and in nearby locations (areas).

[0014] 2. Embodiment 2.1 Example of a vehicle dispatch system Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a vehicle dispatch system. The vehicle dispatch system 100 includes a terminal device 1 and a vehicle dispatch management device 2. These terminals and devices are connected to a network N. Fig. 1 shows an example of multiple terminal devices 1. The number of terminal devices 1 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 1.

[0015] FIG. 1 also illustrates a vehicle V. The vehicle V is an example of a means of transportation. An example of a vehicle V as a means of transportation is a taxi. The following describes the case where the vehicle V is a taxi. There are multiple vehicles V, and in order to be able to distinguish between the vehicles V, they are illustrated as vehicles VA, etc.

[0016] For example, vehicle V is equipped with an on-board device and a terminal device, etc. (not shown). The on-board device acquires necessary data from a fare meter, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a gyro sensor, a speedometer, etc., and generates vehicle information representing a movement log of vehicle V. In addition to sensors such as a GPS receiver, sensors such as a drive recorder are also included in the on-board device. The vehicle information includes the business area, a status indicating the business state (such as "occupied vehicle," "empty vehicle," and "pick-up"), a fee (fare), a current location, a moving speed, and a moving direction. The vehicle information also includes an ID. Examples of IDs include a company ID identifying the company to which vehicle V belongs, a wireless ID identifying vehicle V, and a crew ID identifying the driver of vehicle V. In addition, a status time indicating the time when the status was generated may be included in the vehicle information. The on-board device generates vehicle information, for example, at a predetermined interval, and transmits the vehicle information to the vehicle dispatch management device 2.

[0017] Examples of the terminal device provided in the vehicle V include a smartphone, tablet terminal, etc. capable of running a driver application. The terminal device is connected to the network N, for example, via an access point AP (base station, etc.), thereby being able to communicate with the vehicle dispatch management device 2. The driver application presents (displays, etc.) information regarding the dispatch of the vehicle V to the driver and accepts operations from the driver. For example, it presents dispatch request information to the driver and transmits a response to the dispatch request information to the vehicle dispatch management device 2. The dispatch request information includes information such as the driving route (including the departure point and destination), departure time, arrival time, fare, etc.

[0018] The terminal device of vehicle V receives the reservation schedule transmitted from the vehicle dispatch management device 2. The driver's application presents the reservation schedule to the driver. The driver of vehicle V operates vehicle V in accordance with the reservation schedule. The reservation schedule is updated as appropriate and transmitted from the vehicle dispatch management device 2 to vehicle V.

[0019] In this example, the terminal device 1 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like, and is connected to the network N via an access point AP (base station, etc.). A user (not shown) of the terminal device 1 operates the terminal device 1 and uses an application for reserving (dispatching) a vehicle V, etc., to use the services of the vehicle dispatch system 100.

[0020] The vehicle dispatch management device 2 is a device that manages the dispatch of multiple vehicles V, and executes various processes required to use the services of the vehicle dispatch system 100. The vehicle dispatch management device 2 constitutes a vehicle dispatch management system operated by, for example, a taxi company. Note that, although an example in which the vehicle dispatch management device 2 is one device will be described in the embodiment, the functions of the vehicle dispatch management device 2 may be realized by multiple devices.

[0021] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a vehicle dispatch system, illustrating some representative functional blocks in the terminal device 1 and the vehicle dispatch management device 2.

[0022] The terminal device 1 includes a communication unit 11 and an application unit 12. The communication unit 11 transmits and receives various information necessary for processing executed on the terminal device 1 to and from the vehicle dispatch management device 2. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, transmission and reception of information by the terminal device 1 refers to transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 11.

[0023] The application unit 12 is a processing unit for executing applications. The application is an application for dispatching (reserving) a vehicle V, and is realized in cooperation with the application unit 22 of the vehicle dispatch management device 2 described below. In the terminal device 1, the application unit 12 also provides a user interface for accepting user operations and presenting information to the user. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the acceptance of user operations and presentation of information by the terminal device 1 refers to the acceptance of user operations and presentation of information by the application unit 12.

[0024] The application unit 12 accepts input of reservation information. The reservation information includes information such as a departure point and destination (pick-up location), departure time, and arrival time. The terminal device 1 transmits the reservation information to the vehicle dispatch management device 2.

[0025] The vehicle dispatch control device 2 includes a communication unit 21, an application unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

[0026] The communication unit 21 transmits and receives information necessary for the processing executed in the vehicle dispatch management device 2 between the terminal device 1 and the vehicle V. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, transmission and reception of information by the vehicle dispatch management device 2 refers to transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 21.

[0027] For convenience of explanation, the storage unit 23 will be explained first, and then the application unit 22 will be explained.

[0028] The memory unit 23 stores various information used by the vehicle dispatch management device 2. One example of the stored information is the program 23a. The program 23a is a vehicle dispatch program (software) for causing a computer to function as the vehicle dispatch management device 2. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the storage of information by the vehicle dispatch management device 2 refers to the storage of information by the memory unit 23.

[0029] The application unit 22 is a processing unit for executing the above-mentioned applications. The application unit 22 includes a reservation management table generation unit 221, a vehicle dispatch request unit 222, a correction unit 223, and a proposal unit 224. In addition to these, the application unit 22 also uses the communication unit 21 and the storage unit 23 to execute the applications.

[0030] The reservation management table generation unit 221 generates a vehicle group including multiple vehicles V, manages vehicle information for each of the multiple vehicles V, and generates a reservation management table. For example, multiple vehicles operating in the same location (area, etc.) are generated as a vehicle group. The reservation management table includes a reservation schedule for each of the multiple vehicles V. The reservation schedule describes, for example, confirmed reservations for the vehicle V in association with the time (time period).

[0031] The vehicle allocation request unit 222 requests vehicle allocation from the vehicle V based on the reservation information. The reservation information here is reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1 or reservation information corrected by the correction unit 223, which will be described later. For example, the vehicle allocation request unit 222 transmits the vehicle allocation request information to the vehicle V. In the vehicle V, as described above with reference to FIG. 1, the driver application presents the vehicle allocation request information and transmits a response to the vehicle allocation management device 2. When the driver accepts the vehicle allocation request information, an acceptance result is transmitted from the terminal device 1 to the vehicle allocation management device 2, and the vehicle allocation is confirmed. The reservation information related to the confirmed vehicle allocation is added to the reservation schedule as confirmed reservation information for the vehicle V. Note that the vehicle allocation by the vehicle allocation request unit 222 may be performed manually by an operator.

[0032] The correction unit 223 corrects at least one of the reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1 and the confirmed reservation information of each of the multiple vehicles V. The correction is performed so that at least one vehicle V among the multiple vehicles V can operate in accordance with the reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1 or the corrected reservation information, and so that each of the multiple vehicles V can operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or the corrected confirmed reservation information.

[0033] 2.2 Example of modifying reservation information When the correction unit 223 corrects the reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1, the correction unit 223 transmits the corrected reservation information (hereinafter referred to as "corrected reservation information") to the terminal device 1 to obtain the consent of the user of the terminal device 1 regarding the corrected reservation information. The terminal device 1 presents the corrected reservation information to the user. When the corrected reservation information is accepted by user operation on the terminal device 1, the terminal device 1 transmits the acceptance result to the vehicle dispatch management device 2. The vehicle dispatch request unit 222 transmits vehicle dispatch request information to a vehicle V that can operate in accordance with the corrected reservation information.

[0034] 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of modifying reservation information. Vehicles VA and VB are shown as examples of multiple vehicles V. The diagrams show time periods occupied by confirmed reservation information at time t. The time periods occupied by confirmed reservation information are time periods that include travel time when no passengers are on board, and may be time periods predicted from the departure time, departure point, and destination (location), etc. Time periods without confirmed reservation information are vacant time periods in which reservation information can be added. The reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1 is predicted to occupy the time period between time t1 and time t2.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, for both vehicle VA and vehicle VB, a portion of the time period from time t1 to time t3 overlaps with the confirmed reservation information. Therefore, there is no vehicle V that can operate according to the reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1. Therefore, the correction unit 223 corrects the time period of the reservation information from time t1 to time t3 shown in FIG. 3 to, for example, time t2 to time t4 within the available time of vehicle VA as shown in FIG. 4. By confirming the reservation of vehicle VA after obtaining approval for such corrected reservation information as described above, it is possible to reduce the mismatch between the demand and supply of vehicle reservations.

[0036] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the process (vehicle allocation method) executed in the vehicle allocation system. It is assumed that a reservation management table based on confirmed reservations has been generated by the reservation management table generation unit 221.

[0037] In step S1, a reservation schedule RA is transmitted. For example, the reservation management table generation unit 221 generates a reservation schedule RA for a vehicle VA based on the reservation management table and transmits it to the vehicle VA.

[0038] In step S2, the vehicle VA receives the reservation schedule RA transmitted in the previous step S1. The driver application presents the reservation schedule RA to the driver.

[0039] In step S3, the reservation information is transmitted. The reservation information is input by a user operation on the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 transmits the input reservation information to the vehicle dispatch management device 2.

[0040] In step S4, it is determined whether a vehicle that matches the available time exists. For example, if a vehicle V that can operate according to the reservation information exists in the reservation management table, the correction unit 223 determines that a vehicle V that matches the available time exists. If a vehicle V that matches the available time exists (step S4: Yes), the process proceeds to step S5. If not (step S4: No), the process proceeds to step S7.

[0041] In step S5, the reservation schedule RA' is transmitted. The reservation management table generation unit 221 adds the reservation information transmitted in the previous step S3 to the reservation management table as confirmed reservation information for vehicle VA. The reservation management table generation unit 221 generates a reservation schedule RA' for vehicle VA to which the confirmed reservation information has been added, and transmits it to vehicle VA.

[0042] In step S6, the vehicle VA receives the reservation schedule RA' transmitted in the previous step S5. The driver application presents the reservation schedule RA' to the driver.

[0043] In step S7, the reservation information is corrected to a matching time period. The correcting unit 223 corrects the time period of the reservation information transmitted in the previous step S3 so that operation by the vehicle VA is possible.

[0044] In step S8, the corrected reservation information is transmitted. The modifying unit 223 transmits to the terminal device 1 the reservation information modified in the previous step S7.

[0045] In step S9, approval is given. The terminal device 1 presents the revised reservation information transmitted in the previous step S8 to the user. The revised reservation information is approved by the user's operation on the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 transmits the approval result to the vehicle dispatch management device 2.

[0046] In step S10, the reservation schedule RA" is transmitted. The reservation management table generation unit 221 adds the revised reservation information approved in the previous step S9 to the reservation management table as confirmed reservation information for vehicle VA. The reservation management table generation unit 221 generates a reservation schedule RA" for vehicle VA with the confirmed reservation information added, and transmits it to vehicle VA.

[0047] In step S11, the vehicle VA receives the reservation schedule RA'' transmitted in the previous step S10. The driver application presents the reservation schedule RA'' to the driver.

[0048] In step S12, acceptance is performed. The driver of vehicle VA operates the driver application to accept the reservation schedule RA′ received in the previous step S6 or the reservation schedule RA″ received in the previous step S11. Vehicle VA transmits the acceptance result to the vehicle dispatch management device 2.

[0049] In step S13, the reservation confirmation is notified. The dispatch request unit 222 transmits information indicating that the reservation based on the reservation information in the previous step S3 or the revised reservation information accepted in the previous step S9 has been confirmed to the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 notifies the terminal device 1 that the reservation has been confirmed.

[0050] For example, in the above manner, the reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1 is corrected, and the vehicle VA is operated. In the above example, the mismatch between the demand and supply of reservations for the vehicle V is reduced, thereby improving the utilization rate of the vehicle VA.

[0051] 2.3 Example of modifying confirmed reservation information Returning to FIG. 2, when the correction unit 223 corrects the confirmed reservation information, the correction unit 223 swaps the confirmed reservation information of a first vehicle V among the multiple vehicles V with the confirmed reservation information of a second vehicle V. The first vehicle V is a vehicle in which a delay has occurred in the operation according to the confirmed reservation. The second vehicle V is a vehicle that may be able to take over the operation according to the next confirmed reservation of the delayed operation of the first vehicle V. The correction unit 223 swaps the confirmed reservation information of the first vehicle V that follows the delayed operation with the confirmed reservation information of the second vehicle V.

[0052] 6 to 10 are diagrams showing examples of correcting confirmed reservation information. Examples of the multiple vehicles V include vehicle VA, vehicle VB, vehicle VC, and vehicle VD.

[0053] A plurality of confirmed reservation information is assigned to each of vehicles VA, VB, VC, and VD. To distinguish between the multiple confirmed reservation information A for vehicle VA, they are referred to as confirmed reservation information A1, etc., and illustrated. The same is true for vehicles VB, VC, and VD. For ease of explanation, the start time of operation according to confirmed reservation information B2 for vehicle VB is referred to as time t11 and illustrated. The start time of operation according to confirmed reservation information A4 for vehicle VA is referred to as time t21 and illustrated.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, delay 1 occurs in the operation of vehicle VB in accordance with confirmed reservation information B1. The end time t12 of the operation in which delay 1 occurred is later than time t11, which is the start time of the operation in accordance with confirmed reservation information B2. Therefore, vehicle VB cannot operate in accordance with confirmed reservation information B2. On the other hand, vehicle VD finishes its operation in accordance with confirmed reservation information D1 before time t11, so there is a possibility that it can operate in accordance with confirmed reservation information B2 in place of vehicle VB. In addition, there is a possibility that vehicle VB can operate in accordance with confirmed reservation information D2 in place of vehicle VD, which has a start time of time t13, which is later than time t12.

[0055] The correction unit 223 replaces the confirmed reservation information B2 to B5 of vehicle VB that occurs after the operation in which delay 1 occurred (i.e., confirmed reservation information B1) with the confirmed reservation information D2 to D5 of vehicle VD.

[0056] FIG. 8 shows the confirmed reservation information after the swap (the area surrounded by the dashed line). After operating according to confirmed reservation information B1, vehicle VB operates according to confirmed reservation information D2 to D5. Vehicle VD operates according to confirmed reservation information B2 to B5. As a result, none of the confirmed reservation information is affected by delay 1. By correcting the confirmed reservation information in this way, it is possible to reduce the mismatch between the demand and supply of vehicle reservations.

[0057] After the confirmed reservation has been modified due to Delay 1 as described above, if another delay occurs, a similar modification can be made.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 9, delay 2 occurs in the operation of vehicle VA according to confirmed reservation information A3. The end time t22 of the operation in which delay 2 occurred is later than time t21, which is the start time of the operation according to confirmed reservation information A4. Therefore, vehicle VA cannot operate according to confirmed reservation information A4. On the other hand, vehicle VB finishes its operation according to confirmed reservation information D2 before time t21, so it may be able to operate according to confirmed reservation information A4 in place of vehicle VA. In addition, vehicle VA may be able to operate according to confirmed reservation information D3 in place of vehicle VB, which has a start time of time t23, which is later than time t22.

[0059] The correction unit 223 replaces the confirmed reservation information A4 to A6 of the vehicle VA that occurs after the operation in which delay 2 occurred (i.e., the confirmed reservation information A3) with the confirmed reservation information D3 to D5 of the vehicle VB.

[0060] Figure 10 shows the confirmed reservation information after the swap. After operating according to confirmed reservation information A, vehicle VA operates according to confirmed reservation information D3 to D5. Vehicle VB operates according to confirmed reservation information A4 to A6. As a result, none of the confirmed reservation information is affected by delay 2.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process (vehicle allocation method) executed in the vehicle allocation system.

[0062] In step S21, a vehicle group is generated. In this example, the reservation management table generating unit 221 generates a vehicle group including vehicle VA, vehicle VB, and vehicle VC.

[0063] In steps S22 to S24, the reservation schedules RA to RC are transmitted. For example, the reservation management table generation unit 221 generates a reservation schedule RA for vehicle VA based on the reservation management table and transmits it to vehicle VA, generates a reservation schedule RB for vehicle VB and transmits it to vehicle VB, and generates a reservation schedule RC for vehicle VC and transmits it to vehicle VC.

[0064] In steps S25 to S27, vehicle VA receives the reservation schedule RA transmitted in the previous step S22, vehicle VB receives the reservation schedule RB transmitted in the previous step S23, and vehicle VC receives the reservation schedule RC transmitted in the previous step S24. In vehicle VA, the driver application presents the reservation schedule RA to the driver. In vehicle VB, the driver application presents the reservation schedule RB to the driver. In vehicle VC, the driver application presents the reservation schedule RC to the driver.

[0065] In step S28, a delay occurs. In this example, a delay occurs in the operation of vehicle VA according to the confirmed reservation information.

[0066] In step S29, the reservation is canceled. The driver of the vehicle VA operates the driver application to cancel the next confirmed reservation information for the trip where the delay occurred. The vehicle VA transmits information indicating the cancellation to the vehicle dispatch management device 2.

[0067] In step S30, a vehicle that can be replaced is searched for. The correction unit 223 searches for a vehicle that has been assigned confirmed reservation information that can be replaced with the confirmed reservation information of vehicle VA. In this example, the searched vehicle is vehicle VB.

[0068] In step S31, a substitution request is made. The vehicle dispatch request unit 222 transmits information (substitution request information) requesting substitution of operation in accordance with the confirmed reservation information of the vehicle VA to the vehicle VB. In the vehicle VB, the driver application presents the substitution request information to the driver.

[0069] In step S32, consent is given. The driver of vehicle VB operates the driver application to consent to the proxy request made in the previous step S32. Vehicle VB transmits the consent result to vehicle dispatch management device 2.

[0070] In step S33, a reservation schedule RA' and a reservation schedule RB' are created. The correction unit 223 replaces the confirmed reservation information for vehicle VA with the confirmed reservation information for vehicle VB in the reservation management table. The reservation management table generation unit 221 generates a reservation schedule RA' for vehicle VA and a reservation schedule RB' for vehicle VB in which the confirmed reservation information has been replaced.

[0071] In step S34, the reservation schedule RB' is transmitted. The reservation management table generation unit 221 transmits the reservation schedule RB' generated in the previous step S33 to the vehicle VB.

[0072] In step S35, the vehicle VB receives the reservation schedule RB' transmitted in the previous step S34. The driver's application presents the reservation schedule RB' to the driver. The driver of the vehicle VB drives the vehicle based on the reservation schedule RB'.

[0073] In step S36, the reservation schedule RA' is transmitted. The vehicle dispatch request unit 222 transmits the reservation schedule RA' generated in the previous step S33 to the vehicle VB.

[0074] In step S37, the vehicle VA receives the reservation schedule RA' transmitted in the previous step S36. The driver's application presents the reservation schedule RA' to the driver. The driver of the vehicle VA drives the vehicle based on the reservation schedule RA'.

[0075] For example, in the above manner, the confirmed reservation information is corrected and operation is performed using vehicles VA to VC. In the above example, the mismatch between the demand and supply of reservations for vehicles VA and VB is reduced.

[0076] 2, the above-described two modification processes of the modification of reservation information (FIGS. 3 to 5, etc.) and the modification of confirmed reservation information (FIGS. 6 to 11, etc.) by the modification unit 223 can coexist. Therefore, the modification unit 223 may perform the two modification processes consecutively or simultaneously.

[0077] 2.4 Booking Proposal Example The suggestion unit 224 generates information suggesting to the user of the terminal device 1 to make a reservation (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “reservation suggestion information”) and transmits it to the terminal device 1.

[0078] In one embodiment, the suggestion unit 224 generates information proposing making a reservation for the return journey corresponding to the reservation information for the outbound journey transmitted from the terminal device 1. When such reservation suggestion information is presented by the terminal device 1, for example, only the return time (departure time for the return journey) is specified by a user operation on the terminal device 1. The specification may be made at various times, such as when the reservation information for the outbound journey is input, when the reservation information for the outbound journey is confirmed, during operation of the outbound journey, or when operation of the outbound journey is completed. The terminal device 1 transmits information on the specified time to the vehicle dispatch management device 2.

[0079] For example, reservation information (order information) including the travel route used by the user of the terminal device 1 is stored in the storage unit 23. The suggestion unit 224 refers to the reservation information stored in the storage unit 23, and if there is a vehicle V that can travel on the return journey at the specified time, it confirms the reservation information for the return journey along the same route as the outbound journey (more specifically, the route opposite to the outbound journey). Before the reservation information is confirmed, the reservation information may be transmitted to the terminal device 1 to obtain the user's consent. In either case, the user does not need to input the reservation information for the return journey from scratch, thereby reducing the operational burden on the user.

[0080] The reservation information may include fare information for the outbound journey, in which case the fare for the return journey may be set to the same fare as the outbound journey. Note that the fare for the return journey may be changed if there is a change in the time zone, etc.

[0081] If there is no vehicle V that can operate the return trip at the specified time, the correction unit 223 may correct the reservation information as described above or correct the confirmed reservation information.

[0082] The suggestion unit 224 may generate reservation suggestion information for sections that the user often uses for round trips from the history information. The suggestion unit 224 may also generate reservation suggestion information for sections that the user often uses for round trips by taking information of other users into consideration.

[0083] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a process (vehicle allocation method) executed in the vehicle allocation system.

[0084] In step S41, a trip is taken. In this example, the vehicle VA transports the user of the terminal device 1 based on the reservation schedule RA of the vehicle VA.

[0085] In step S42, the reservation proposal information is transmitted. The proposal unit 224 transmits information proposing a reservation for the return journey as reservation proposal information to the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 presents the reservation proposal information to the user.

[0086] In step S43, a time is specified. The time (e.g., departure time) for the return journey proposed in the previous step S42 is specified by a user operation on the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 transmits information indicating the specified time to the vehicle dispatch management device 2. This transmission corresponds to transmission of reservation information including the specified time and the same route as the outbound journey.

[0087] The processing from step S44 to step S53 onwards is processing when the correction unit 223 corrects the reservation information, and is the same as the processing from step S4 to step S13 described above with reference to FIG. 5. In step S44, it is determined whether or not a vehicle that matches the available time exists. If a vehicle V that matches the available time exists (step S44: Yes), the processing proceeds to step S45. If not (step S44: No), the processing proceeds to step S47. In step S45, the reservation schedule RA' is transmitted. In step S46, the vehicle VA receives the reservation schedule RA'. In step S47, the reservation information is corrected to a matching time slot. In step S48, the corrected reservation information is transmitted. In step S49, acceptance is performed. In step S50, the reservation schedule RA'' is transmitted. In step S51, the vehicle VA receives the reservation schedule RA''. In step S52, acceptance is performed. In step S53, the reservation is confirmed.

[0088] In addition, the confirmed reservation information may be modified by the modification unit 223, and in that case, processing similar to steps S28 to S37 in Figure 11 described above may be executed instead of steps S44 to S53 or before or after those processes.

[0089] Returning to FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, when it is predicted that vehicle dispatching will be difficult, the suggestion unit 224 generates reservation suggestion information suggesting to the user of the terminal device 1 that they make a reservation, and transmits the generated reservation suggestion information to the terminal device 1. For example, when the weather forecast predicts rain or when an increase in taxi dispatches is predicted due to an event or the like, the suggestion unit 224 generates reservation suggestion information for users who frequently use the vehicle dispatch system 100 and transmits the generated reservation suggestion information to the terminal device 1 of the user. For example, the storage unit 23 stores the usage history of the vehicle dispatch system 100 by the user of the terminal device 1. The suggestion unit 224 extracts users who frequently use the vehicle dispatch system 100 from the usage history stored in the storage unit 23 and generates reservation suggestion information for the users. By suggesting reservations to such users, it is possible to stimulate demand for the vehicle V and improve customer loyalty.

[0090] The suggestion unit 224 may generate and transmit reservation suggestion information when a periodic reservation request exists. The presence or absence of a periodic reservation request may be determined based on the usage history. For example, the suggestion unit 224 determines that a periodic reservation request exists when a reservation history exists for a specific route (such as from the office to the hotel) on a specific day of the week.

[0091] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing (a vehicle dispatching method) executed in the vehicle dispatching system. The processing indicated by the dashed-dotted arrow indicates that vehicle information is repeatedly transmitted from vehicle V to vehicle dispatching management device 2, for example, at predetermined intervals, so that vehicle information is always shared between vehicle V and vehicle dispatching management device 2.

[0092] In step S61, reservation proposal information is transmitted. The proposal unit 224 generates reservation proposal information for a user who frequently uses the vehicle dispatch system 100, and transmits the generated reservation proposal information to the terminal device 1 of that user. If there are multiple such users, the reservation proposal information generated for each user may be transmitted to the terminal device 1 of the corresponding user. The terminal device 1 presents the reservation proposal information to the user.

[0093] In step S62, the reservation information is transmitted. The reservation information is input by a user operation on the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 transmits the input reservation information to the vehicle dispatch management device 2.

[0094] In step S63, the reservation schedule RA is transmitted. The reservation management table generation unit 221 adds the reservation information transmitted in the previous step S62 to the reservation management table as confirmed reservation information for the vehicle VA. The reservation management table generation unit 221 generates a reservation schedule RA for the vehicle VA to which the confirmed reservation information has been added, and transmits it to the vehicle VA.

[0095] To correct the reservation information, the same processes as steps S4 to S14 in Fig. 5 described above may be performed. Confirmed reservation information may also be corrected, in which case the same processes as steps S28 to S37 in Fig. 11 described above may be performed.

[0096] 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device and the vehicle dispatch control device. The functions of the terminal device 1 and the vehicle dispatch control device 2 described above can be realized by installing various programs in a computer. For example, the functions of the vehicle dispatch control device 2 are realized by installing the program 23a shown in FIG. 2 described above in a computer. In the computer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 are connected to each other by a bus 204.

[0097] An input / output interface 205 is further connected to the bus 204. An input unit 206, an output unit 207, a storage unit 208, a communication unit 209, and a drive 210 are connected to the input / output interface 205.

[0098] The input unit 206 includes operation buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touch panel, an input terminal, etc. The output unit 207 includes a display, a speaker, an output terminal, etc. The storage unit 208 includes a hard disk, a RAM disk, a non-volatile memory, etc. The communication unit 209 includes a network interface, etc. The drive 210 drives a removable recording medium 211 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

[0099] In the computer configured as above, the CPU 201 performs the above-described series of processes by, for example, loading a program stored in the storage unit 208 into the RAM 203 via the input / output interface 205 and the bus 204 and executing the program. The RAM 203 also stores data necessary for the CPU 201 to execute various processes as appropriate.

[0100] The program executed by the computer (CPU 201) can be provided by being recorded on a removable recording medium 211 such as a package medium, for example. The program can also be provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

[0101] In a computer, the program can be installed in the storage unit 208 via the input / output interface 205 by inserting the removable recording medium 211 into the drive 210. The program can also be received by the communication unit 209 via a wired or wireless transmission medium and installed in the storage unit 208. Alternatively, the program can be installed in the ROM 202 or the storage unit 208 in advance.

[0102] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0103] In the embodiment described above, the application unit 22 may determine the reservation information so that the probability that the destination of the vehicle V will be included in a location according to the time of day is increased. For example, it is predicted that demand for residential areas is high in the morning time period, and demand for downtown areas is high in the evening time period. In this case, the application unit 22 may determine the reservation information so that the destination of the vehicle V moves closer to the downtown area from the residential area as the time period changes from the morning time period to the evening time period. This allows the reservation information to be filled in efficiently.

[0104] 3.Effects The vehicle dispatch system 100 described above is specified, for example, as follows: As described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle dispatch system 100 includes a vehicle dispatch management device 2 that manages the dispatch of multiple vehicles V, and a terminal device 1 that transmits reservation information including a time, a departure point, and a destination to the vehicle dispatch management device 2, and the vehicle dispatch management device 2 modifies at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one vehicle V among the multiple vehicles V can operate in accordance with the reservation information or the modified reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1, and so that each of the multiple vehicles V can operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or the modified confirmed reservation information.

[0105] According to the vehicle dispatch system 100, at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information is corrected so that at least one vehicle V among the plurality of vehicles V can operate according to the reservation information or the corrected reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1, and each of the plurality of vehicles V can operate according to the confirmed reservation information or the corrected confirmed reservation information. This makes it possible to reduce mismatches between the demand and supply of vehicle reservations.

[0106] As described with reference to Figures 3 to 5, the vehicle dispatch management device 2 may modify the reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1, and in order to obtain consent for the modification, transmit the modified reservation information to the terminal device 1. Obtaining consent for the modification of the reservation information in this way can also reduce mismatches between supply and demand.

[0107] As described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11, the vehicle dispatch management device 2 may correct the confirmed reservation information, specifically, by swapping the confirmed reservation information of a first vehicle among the multiple vehicles V with the confirmed reservation information of a second vehicle. The first vehicle is a vehicle in which a delay has occurred in the operation according to the confirmed reservation information, and the vehicle dispatch management device 2 may swap the confirmed reservation information of the first vehicle that follows the operation in which the delay occurred with the confirmed reservation information of the second vehicle. The vehicle dispatch management device 2 may generate a reservation schedule including the confirmed reservation information for each of the multiple vehicles V and transmit this to the corresponding vehicle V, and may generate a reservation schedule including the swapped confirmed reservation information for each of the first vehicle and the second vehicle and transmit this to the corresponding vehicle. For example, the confirmed reservation information can be corrected in this manner.

[0108] 12 and the like, the vehicle dispatch management device 2 may transmit to the terminal device information (reservation suggestion information) proposing to make a reservation for the return journey corresponding to the reservation information for the outbound journey transmitted from the terminal device 1. This can reduce the operational burden on the user regarding the reservation for the return journey, for example.

[0109] 13 and the like, when it is predicted that vehicle dispatching will be difficult, the vehicle dispatch management device 2 may transmit information suggesting making a reservation (reservation suggestion information) to the terminal device 1, for example, according to the usage history of the vehicle dispatch system 100 of the user of the terminal device 1. This makes it possible to, for example, stimulate demand for the vehicle V and improve customer loyalty.

[0110] The vehicle allocation method described with reference to Figures 5, 11, etc. is also an aspect of the present disclosure. The vehicle allocation method includes the vehicle allocation management device 2 modifying at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information (steps S7 and S33, etc.) so that at least one vehicle V among the multiple vehicles V can operate according to the reservation information or the modified reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 1, and so that each of the multiple vehicles V can operate according to the confirmed reservation information or the modified confirmed reservation information. The vehicle allocation program (program 23a) described with reference to Figures 2, 14, etc. is also an aspect of the present disclosure. The vehicle allocation program causes a computer to execute the following: modifying at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one vehicle V among the multiple vehicles V can operate according to the reservation information or the modified reservation information, including the time, departure point, and destination transmitted from the terminal device 1, and so that each of the multiple vehicles V can operate according to the confirmed reservation information or the modified confirmed reservation information. Such a vehicle allocation method and vehicle allocation program can also reduce the mismatch between the demand and supply of vehicle reservations.

[0111] The effects described in this disclosure are merely examples and are not limited to the disclosed contents. Other effects may also be obtained.

[0112] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) a vehicle allocation management device that manages the allocation of a plurality of vehicles; a terminal device that transmits reservation information including a time, a departure point, and a destination to the vehicle dispatch management device; Equipped with the vehicle dispatch management device modifies at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the reservation information or the modified reservation information transmitted from the terminal device, and so that each of the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or the modified confirmed reservation information; Vehicle dispatch system. (2) the vehicle dispatch management device modifies the reservation information transmitted from the terminal device; the vehicle dispatch management device transmits the modified reservation information to the terminal device in order to obtain consent for the modification; (1) The dispatch system described in (1). (3) The vehicle dispatch management device modifies the confirmed reservation information, the vehicle dispatch management device replaces confirmed reservation information of a first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles with confirmed reservation information of a second vehicle; A vehicle dispatch system according to (1) or (2). (4) The first vehicle is a vehicle in which a delay has occurred in operation according to confirmed reservation information, the vehicle dispatch management device replaces the confirmed reservation information of the first vehicle after the operation in which the delay occurred with the confirmed reservation information of the second vehicle; (3) The dispatch system described in (3). (5) the vehicle dispatch management device generates a reservation schedule including confirmed reservation information for each of the plurality of vehicles, and transmits the schedule to the corresponding vehicle; the vehicle dispatch management device generates a reservation operation table including the confirmed reservation information after the swap for each of the first vehicle and the second vehicle, and transmits the reservation operation table to the corresponding vehicle; (4) The dispatch system described in (4). (6) the vehicle dispatch management device transmits to the terminal device information suggesting making a reservation for the return journey corresponding to the reservation information for the outbound journey transmitted from the terminal device; A vehicle dispatch system according to any one of (1) to (5). (7) the vehicle dispatch management device transmits information suggesting making a reservation to the terminal device when it is predicted that the vehicle dispatch will be difficult; A vehicle dispatch system according to any one of (1) to (6). (8) the vehicle dispatch management device transmits to the terminal device information suggesting making the reservation according to a usage history of the vehicle dispatch system of the user of the terminal device; (7) The vehicle dispatch system described in (7). (9) the vehicle dispatch management device corrects at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the reservation information or the corrected reservation information transmitted from the terminal device, and so that each of the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or the corrected confirmed reservation information; Including, Delivery method. (10) amending at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the reservation information including the time, departure point, and destination transmitted from the terminal device or the amended reservation information, and so that each of the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or the amended confirmed reservation information; to the computer, Delivery program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1. Terminal equipment 2. Vehicle dispatch management device 11 Communications Department 12 Application Section 21 Communications Department 22 Application Section 221 Reservation Management Table Generation Unit 222 Vehicle Dispatch Request Department 223 Correction section 224 Proposal Department 23 Memory section 23a Program (Vehicle Dispatch Program) 100 Vehicle Dispatch System V vehicle

Claims

1. A vehicle dispatch management device that manages the dispatch of multiple vehicles; a terminal device that transmits reservation information including a time, a departure point, and a destination to the vehicle dispatch management device; Equipped with the vehicle dispatch management device modifies at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the reservation information or the modified reservation information transmitted from the terminal device, and so that each of the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or the modified confirmed reservation information; The vehicle dispatch management device modifies the confirmed reservation information, the vehicle dispatch management device exchanges confirmed reservation information of a first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles with confirmed reservation information of a second vehicle; the first vehicle is a vehicle in which a delay has occurred in operation according to confirmed reservation information, the vehicle dispatch management device replaces the confirmed reservation information of the first vehicle after the operation in which the delay occurred with the confirmed reservation information of the second vehicle; Vehicle dispatch system.

2. the vehicle dispatch management device modifies the reservation information transmitted from the terminal device; the vehicle dispatch management device transmits the modified reservation information to the terminal device in order to obtain consent for the modification; The vehicle dispatch system according to claim 1 .

3. the vehicle dispatch management device generates a reservation schedule including confirmed reservation information for each of the plurality of vehicles, and transmits the schedule to the corresponding vehicle; the vehicle dispatch management device generates a reservation operation table including the confirmed reservation information after the swap for each of the first vehicle and the second vehicle, and transmits the reservation operation table to the corresponding vehicle; The vehicle dispatch system according to claim 1 .

4. the vehicle dispatch management device transmits to the terminal device information suggesting making a reservation for the return journey corresponding to the reservation information for the outbound journey transmitted from the terminal device; The vehicle dispatch system according to claim 1 .

5. the vehicle dispatch management device transmits information suggesting making a reservation to the terminal device when it is predicted that the vehicle dispatch will be difficult; The vehicle dispatch system according to claim 1 .

6. the vehicle dispatch management device transmits to the terminal device information suggesting making the reservation according to a usage history of the vehicle dispatch system of the user of the terminal device; The vehicle dispatch system according to claim 5.

7. the vehicle dispatch management device corrects at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the reservation information or the corrected reservation information transmitted from the terminal device, and so that each of the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or the corrected confirmed reservation information; Including, The modifying includes modifying the confirmed reservation information; The modifying step includes exchanging confirmed reservation information of a first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles with confirmed reservation information of a second vehicle; the first vehicle is a vehicle in which a delay has occurred in operation according to confirmed reservation information, The modification may include replacing the confirmed reservation information of the first vehicle after the delayed trip with the confirmed reservation information of the second vehicle. Delivery method.

8. amending at least one of the reservation information and the confirmed reservation information so that at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the reservation information including the time, departure point, and destination transmitted from the terminal device or the amended reservation information, and so that each of the plurality of vehicles can operate in accordance with the confirmed reservation information or the amended confirmed reservation information; to the computer, A ride-hailing program, comprising: The modifying includes modifying the confirmed reservation information; The modifying step includes exchanging confirmed reservation information of a first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles with confirmed reservation information of a second vehicle; the first vehicle is a vehicle in which a delay has occurred in operation according to confirmed reservation information, The modification may include replacing the confirmed reservation information of the first vehicle after the delayed trip with the confirmed reservation information of the second vehicle. Delivery program.

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