Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To easily find a vehicle to be utilized.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: a display control section for flickering an information display section, which is disposed on a vehicle so as to be visible for a user of the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle, in a preset flicker pattern; and a transmission section which transmits flicker pattern information to a terminal of the user in order to flicker at least a part on a display screen of the terminal of the user of the vehicle with the same pattern as the flicker pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An information display device is known that, when an autonomous vehicle finds a user of the autonomous vehicle, displays a display on the vehicle body that makes the user feel a sense of attachment to the autonomous vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-91305 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when getting off a train and using an autonomous taxi at a station's boarding area, even if a display that makes the driver feel attached to the autonomous taxi is displayed on the vehicle, as with the information display device described above, if there are many autonomous taxis at the station's boarding area, it can be quite difficult to find the autonomous taxi that you want to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Therefore, according to the present invention, an information display unit is arranged on a vehicle so that the vehicle user can see it from outside the vehicle, At the arrival time of the scheduled transportation service used by the user before using the vehicle, or after a predetermined time has passed since the arrival time, a display control unit that causes the display to blink in a set blinking pattern; and a transmitting unit that transmits blinking pattern information to the user's terminal so that at least a part of the display screen of the user's terminal blinks in the same pattern as the blinking pattern. An information processing device is provided. Further, according to the present invention, The computer An information display unit arranged on a vehicle so that a vehicle user can see it from outside the vehicle, At the arrival time of the scheduled transportation service used by the user before using the vehicle, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the arrival time, It flashes in the set flashing pattern, An information processing method is provided for transmitting blinking pattern information to the user's terminal so as to cause at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal to blink in the same pattern as the blinking pattern. Furthermore, according to the present invention, an information display unit is provided on a vehicle so that the information display unit can be viewed by a vehicle user from outside the vehicle, At the arrival time of the scheduled transportation service used by the user before using the vehicle, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the arrival time, It flashes in the set flashing pattern, A program is provided that causes a computer to function to transmit blinking pattern information to the user's terminal in order to cause at least a part of the display screen of the user's terminal to blink in the same pattern as the blinking pattern. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] By simply comparing the blinking pattern of the vehicle's information display unit with the blinking pattern on the display screen of the user's terminal, the user can easily find the vehicle they are using. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the information processing server shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the vehicle dispatch management server shown in FIG. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an autonomous taxi. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of the autonomous driving taxi shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a basic flow of information processing in the information processing system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the procedure for inputting data to a terminal. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a route selection procedure at a terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for performing information processing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for vehicle allocation management. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for controlling the driving of an autonomous driving taxi. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for controlling the driving of an autonomous driving taxi. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for controlling the driving of an autonomous driving taxi. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of a road map. [Figure 15] FIG. 15A is a side view of an autonomous driving taxi, and FIG. 15B is a diagram showing the display screen of a mobile terminal. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for controlling the display screen of a mobile terminal. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a side view of an autonomous taxi. [Figure 22] FIG. 22A is a side view of an autonomous driving taxi, and FIG. 22B is a diagram showing the display screen of a mobile terminal. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a flowchart for controlling the display screen of a mobile terminal. [Figure 26] 26A and 26B are side views of an autonomous driving taxi, and FIG. 26C is a diagram showing the display screen of a mobile terminal. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a display screen of a mobile terminal. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a flowchart for performing display control. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a flowchart for controlling the display screen of a mobile terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] When a person travels to a destination, there are usually multiple routes to the destination, and one route is selected from these multiple routes. In this case, the selected route may involve multiple different types of moving objects, such as a route involving a transfer from a scheduled public transport system to a vehicle. The present invention relates to information processing technology that provides information at a vehicle boarding / alighting area to enable a person to easily find the vehicle they are using from among a number of vehicles when transferring from a scheduled public transport system to a vehicle. In this case, the vehicles to which the present invention is applicable include manually driven vehicles, automatically driven vehicles, private cars, and commercial vehicles including taxis, while the scheduled public transport systems to which the present invention is applicable include trains and other railways, monorails, buses, and airplanes. Note that the following description of the present invention will be given using examples in which the vehicle is an automatically driven taxi and the scheduled public transport system is a train or other railway. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to manually driven vehicles other than automatically driven taxis, automatically driven vehicles, private cars, commercial vehicles including taxis, and other vehicles besides railways, including monorails, buses, and airplanes.

[0009] Figure 1 shows an overall diagram of an information processing system suitable for implementing the information processing technology according to the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, 1 denotes a communication network, 2 denotes a base station of communication network 1, 3 denotes an information processing server managed by a route search service provider, 4 denotes a dispatch management server managed by an autonomous taxi operator that provides an autonomous taxi dispatch service, 5 denotes an autonomous taxi, and 6 denotes a terminal owned by a user who uses the autonomous taxi 5 dispatch service. Note that while Figure 1 depicts terminal 6 as a mobile terminal, this terminal 6 is not limited to a mobile terminal and may be a fixed terminal.

[0010] Fig. 2 shows the information processing server 3 shown in Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 2, an electronic control unit 10 is provided within the information processing server 3. This electronic control unit 10 is made up of a digital computer and includes a CPU (microprocessor) 12, a memory 13 consisting of ROM and RAM, and an input / output port 14, all connected to each other by a bidirectional bus 11. This electronic control unit 10 is connected to a communication network 1.

[0011] Figure 3 shows the vehicle dispatch management server 4 shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 3, an electronic control unit 15 is provided within the vehicle dispatch management server 4. This electronic control unit 15 is made up of a digital computer and includes a CPU (microprocessor) 17, memory 18 made up of ROM and RAM, and input / output ports 19, all connected to each other by a bidirectional bus 16. This electronic control unit 15 is connected to the communication network 1.

[0012] FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates an example of an autonomous taxi 5. Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 20 denotes a vehicle drive unit for applying drive force to the drive wheels of the autonomous taxi 5, 21 denotes a braking device for braking the autonomous taxi 5, 22 denotes a steering device for steering the autonomous taxi 5, and 23 denotes an electronic control unit mounted within the autonomous taxi 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic control unit 23 is a digital computer and includes a CPU (microprocessor) 25, memory 26 consisting of ROM and RAM, and input / output ports 27, all connected to one another via a bidirectional bus 24. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle drive unit 20 is composed of an electric motor powered by a secondary battery or an electric motor powered by a fuel cell, and the drive wheels are driven and controlled by these electric motors in accordance with the output signal of the electronic control unit 23. Braking control of the autonomous taxi 5 is performed by the braking device 21 in accordance with the output signal of the electronic control unit 23, and steering control of the autonomous taxi 5 is performed by the steering device 22 in accordance with the output signal of the electronic control unit 23. The electronic control unit 23 can be configured from one electronic control unit or from a plurality of electronic control units.

[0013] 4, the autonomous taxi 5 is equipped with various sensors 28 necessary for the autonomous taxi 5 to perform autonomous driving, namely, sensors that detect the state of the autonomous taxi 5 and surroundings detection sensors that detect the surroundings of the autonomous taxi 5. In this case, acceleration sensors, speed sensors, and azimuth sensors are used as sensors that detect the state of the autonomous taxi 5, and surroundings detection sensors that detect the surroundings of the autonomous taxi 5 include on-board cameras that capture images of the front, sides, and rear of the autonomous taxi 5, LIDAR, radar, etc. The autonomous taxi 5 is also equipped with a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 29, a map data storage device 30, a navigation device 31, and an information display unit 32.

[0014] The GNSS receiver 29 can detect the current location (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the autonomous taxi 5 based on information obtained from multiple artificial satellites. Therefore, the current location of the autonomous taxi 5 can be obtained using this GNSS receiver 29. For example, a GPS receiver is used as this GNSS receiver 29. Meanwhile, map data and other information necessary for the autonomous taxi 5 to perform autonomous driving are stored in the map data storage device 30. These various sensors 28, GNSS receiver 29, map data storage device 30, navigation device 31, and information display unit 32 are connected to the electronic control unit 23. The autonomous taxi 5 is also equipped with a communication device 33 for communicating with the information processing server 3 and the vehicle dispatch management server 4 via the base station 2 and communication network 1.

[0015] Meanwhile, terminal 6 owned by a user who uses the taxi dispatch service is configured to be able to communicate with information processing server 3, vehicle dispatch management server 4, and autonomously driving taxi 5 via base station 2 and communication network 1. Thus, in the information processing system shown in FIG. 1, information processing server 3, vehicle dispatch management server 4, autonomously driving taxi 5, and terminal 6 can communicate with each other via communication network 1. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 1, communication device 33 of autonomously driving taxi 5 and terminal 6 each have a short-range wireless communication function, and communication device 33 of autonomously driving taxi 5 and terminal 6 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via these short-range wireless communication functions.

[0016] Next, a basic flow of information processing used in an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows interactions between the information processing server 3, the vehicle dispatch management server 4, the autonomously driving taxi 5, and the terminal 6. Fig. 6 also shows a case where a travel route is selected in which a user transfers to an autonomously driving taxi 5 after getting off a train that runs on schedule. Referring to Fig. 6, in (1), a user using a vehicle dispatch service (hereinafter simply referred to as the user) inputs the departure point, departure time, destination, desired arrival time at the destination, etc. into the terminal 6 using a travel route search app, and makes a travel route search request.

[0017] In (2), when the information processing server 3 receives the travel route search request, in (3), the information processing server 3 searches for a travel route that meets the request based on the received departure point, departure time, destination, desired arrival time at the destination, etc. Next, in (4), the travel route search results are sent from the information processing server 3 to the terminal 6. In (5), when the terminal 6 receives the travel route search results, in (6), the user selects a desired travel route from the multiple travel routes that have been searched on the display screen of the terminal 6 using a travel route search app.

[0018] It should be noted that the search results for travel routes in (4) may not include travel routes that involve a transfer from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous taxi 5. However, the information processing flow shown in Figure 6 explains the case where the search results for travel routes in (4) include travel routes that involve a transfer from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous taxi 5, and further, in (6), a travel route that involves a transfer from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous taxi 5 is selected as the desired travel route.

[0019] Now, in (6), when a travel route involving a transfer from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous taxi 5 is selected, in (7), the user uses a vehicle dispatch reservation app to register desired vehicle dispatch details, including a desired boarding location, desired boarding time, and desired drop-off location for the autonomous taxi 5, on the display screen of the terminal 6. Once the desired vehicle dispatch details have been registered, a notification that a vehicle dispatch reservation has been made is sent from the terminal 6 to the information processing server 3, along with the registered desired vehicle dispatch details and the user's desired travel route. When the information processing server 3 receives from the terminal 6 a notification that a vehicle dispatch reservation has been made together with the desired vehicle dispatch details and the user's desired travel route, the received desired vehicle dispatch details and the user's desired travel route are stored in memory 18 of the information processing server 3, and in (8), a vehicle dispatch request is sent from the information processing server 3 to the vehicle dispatch management server 4. This dispatch request includes the user's desired travel route, information about the train disembarking station and train arrival time on the user's desired travel route, desired dispatch details consisting of the desired boarding position, desired boarding time, and desired disembarking position of the autonomously driven taxi 5 at the train disembarking station, and a user ID for identifying the user. Note that this dispatch request can also include the user's departure point, departure time, destination, and desired arrival time at the destination received by the information processing server 3 in (2).

[0020] When the vehicle dispatch management server 4 receives the dispatch request in (9), the vehicle dispatch management server 4 searches for an autonomous taxi 5 that can be dispatched to the user's desired boarding location at the user's desired boarding time from among the autonomous taxis 5 located near the user's desired boarding location in (10), and selects the autonomous taxi 5 to be dispatched. In this case, available autonomous taxis 5 can be included in the search targets, and autonomous taxis 5 that are scheduled to become available near the user's desired boarding time based on the reservation information can also be included in the search targets. Once the autonomous taxi 5 to be dispatched is selected, in (11), a dispatch instruction is sent from the vehicle dispatch management server 4 to the autonomous taxi 5 selected for dispatch, along with the user's desired travel route, information about train drop-off stations and train arrival times on the user's desired travel route, desired dispatch details such as the boarding position, drop-off position, and boarding time of the autonomous taxi 5 at the train drop-off station, and the user ID.

[0021] At (12), when the autonomous taxi 5 receives the dispatch instruction, a driving route from the current location to the user's desired pickup location is generated in the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomous taxi 5 based on the received user's desired pickup location. Next, at (13), autonomous driving of the autonomous taxi 5 is initiated, and the autonomous taxi 5 is caused to travel along the generated driving route so as to arrive at the user's desired pickup location at the user's desired pickup time. After that, at (14), the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pickup location, and when the user finds the autonomous taxi 5, at (15), user authentication processing is performed using short-range communication between the terminal 6 of the user who made the taxi dispatch reservation and the autonomous taxi 5. This authentication processing is performed, for example, by comparing the user ID stored in the memory 26 of the autonomous taxi 5 at the time of the taxi dispatch request with the user ID stored in the terminal 6 of the user who made the taxi dispatch request. If these user IDs match, the user possessing the terminal 6 is authenticated as the user who made the taxi dispatch request. Note that various types of known authentication processes, such as face authentication, are known as user authentication processes, and these known authentication processes can be used as the authentication process in (15).

[0022] At (15), when the user possessing terminal 6 is authenticated as the user who requested the dispatch, the door of self-driving taxi 5 opens, and the user or several other people get into self-driving taxi 5. Next, when a boarding confirmation device installed in self-driving taxi 5 determines that the user or several other people have boarded, the door of self-driving taxi 5 closes. Next, at (16), when a request is made for the self-driving taxi 5 to start driving, a driving route from the current location to the user's desired drop-off location is generated in electronic control unit 23 of self-driving taxi 5 based on the user's desired drop-off location. Next, at (17), self-driving of self-driving taxi 5 begins.

[0023] Next, the configurations of the information processing server 3, the vehicle dispatch management server 4, the autonomous taxi 5, and the terminal 6 for executing the information processing flow shown in FIG. 6 will be described in order. First, the configuration of the information processing server 3 will be described. The information processing server 3 is configured to be able to communicate with the vehicle dispatch management server 4, the autonomous taxi 5, and the terminal 6 via the communication network 1. Meanwhile, the information processing server 3 includes a railway information receiving unit that can receive real-time railway operation information and railway delay information from railway operators via the communication network 1. The information processing server 3 also includes a search request receiving unit that receives a travel route search request from the user's terminal 6 along with the departure point, departure time, destination, desired arrival time at the destination, etc. The information processing server 3 also includes a travel route search unit that can search for multiple travel routes, including multimodal travel routes using at least trains and autonomous taxis 5, based on the departure point, departure time, destination, desired arrival time at the destination, etc. received by the search request receiving unit.

[0024] The information processing server 3 further includes a search result transmission unit for transmitting the multiple travel routes searched by the travel route search unit to the user's terminal 6. The information processing server 3 also includes a dispatch reservation reception unit for receiving from the user's terminal 6 the user's desired travel route, desired dispatch details including the desired boarding location, desired boarding time, and desired drop-off location of the autonomously driving taxi 5, and a notification of the dispatch reservation. The information processing server 3 also acquires information on the user's desired travel route, desired dispatch details such as the boarding location, drop-off location, and boarding time of the autonomously driving taxi 5 used by the user along the user's desired travel route, and information on the train drop-off station and train arrival time along the user's desired travel route. The information processing server 3 also includes a dispatch request transmission unit for transmitting a dispatch request to the dispatch management server 4 that includes the acquired information on the user's desired travel route, desired dispatch details, train drop-off station, and train arrival time. The information processing server 3 also includes an information provision unit for providing the user with various information other than the multiple travel routes searched.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the vehicle dispatch management server 4 will be described. The vehicle dispatch management server 4 is configured to be able to communicate with the information processing server 3, the autonomous taxis 5, and the terminal 6 via the communication network 1. The vehicle dispatch management server 4 includes a dispatch request receiving unit that receives information from the information processing server 3, such as the user's desired travel route, desired dispatch details (such as the boarding location, drop-off location, and boarding time) of the autonomous taxi 5 used by the user, and information regarding the train drop-off station and train arrival time. The vehicle dispatch management server 4 also includes a vehicle search unit that searches for autonomous taxis 5 located near the user's desired boarding location to find one that can be dispatched to the user's desired boarding location at the user's desired boarding time, and selects the autonomous taxi 5 to be dispatched. The vehicle dispatch management server 4 also includes a dispatch instruction sending unit that sends a dispatch instruction to the autonomous taxi 5 selected for dispatch, along with information regarding the user's desired travel route, desired dispatch details (such as the boarding location, drop-off location, and boarding time) of the autonomous taxi 5 used by the user, and the train drop-off station and train arrival time.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the terminal 6 will be described. The terminal 6 includes a communication unit for communicating with the information processing server 3, the vehicle dispatch management server 4, and the autonomously driving taxi 5 via the communication network 1. The terminal 6 also includes a current location acquisition unit, such as a GPS receiver, that can detect the current location (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the terminal 6. The terminal 6 also has a display screen. On the display screen of the terminal 6, the user can input the departure point, departure time, destination, desired arrival time at the destination, etc., using a travel route search app, and request a search for a travel route. The terminal 6 is also configured to display, on the display screen of the terminal 6, multiple travel routes searched by the information processing server 3. On the display screen of the terminal 6, the user can select a desired travel route from the multiple travel routes searched by the information processing server 3, and can also make a reservation for the dispatch of an autonomously driving taxi 5 on the display screen of the terminal 6. In this case, it is also possible to configure the terminal 6 so that a vehicle dispatch reservation can be made directly to the vehicle dispatch management server 4 on the display screen thereof using a vehicle dispatch reservation application.

[0027] Finally, regarding the configuration of the autonomous taxi 5, the overall configuration of the autonomous taxi 5 has already been explained with reference to FIG. 4, so here, various controls executed by the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomous taxi 5 will be explained with reference to the functional configuration diagram shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5, the autonomous taxi 5 includes a travel route receiving unit 40, a travel route generating unit 41, an autonomous driving control unit 42, a communication unit 43, an authentication unit 44, an operation-related information acquisition unit 45, a display control unit 46, and a current location acquisition unit 47. In one embodiment of the information processing device according to the present invention, the communication unit 43 and the display control unit 46 for controlling the information display unit constitute the information processing device.

[0028] 5, the travel route receiving unit 40 receives information such as the user's desired travel route, desired dispatch details such as the boarding location, disembarking location and boarding time of the autonomous taxi 5 used by the user, and information regarding the train disembarking station and train arrival time from the vehicle dispatch management server 4. In this case, the travel route receiving unit 40 can also receive this information from the information processing server 3. Meanwhile, the driving route generation unit 41 generates, based on this information, a driving route for the autonomous taxi 5 from the current location to the user's desired boarding location, and a driving route for the autonomous taxi 5 from the user's desired boarding location to the user's desired disembarking location.

[0029] The autonomous driving control unit 42 controls the autonomous driving of the autonomous taxi 5 along the generated driving route. The communication unit 43 is connected to the communication device 33 and is capable of communicating with the information processing server 3, the vehicle dispatch management server 4, and the terminal 6 via the communication device 33. The authentication unit 44 authenticates that a person getting into the autonomous taxi 5 is the user who made a reservation to dispatch the autonomous taxi 5. The operation-related information acquisition unit 45 acquires railway operation-related information from the information processing server 3. The display control unit 46 is connected to the information display unit 32 arranged on the vehicle so that the user of the autonomous taxi 5 can see it from outside the autonomous taxi 5, and the content displayed on this information display unit 32 is controlled by the display control unit 46. In addition, the current location acquisition unit 47 acquires the current location of the autonomous taxi 5 based on the reception data received by the GNSS receiver 29.

[0030] Next, an embodiment for executing the basic flow shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 shows a procedure for inputting data into the terminal 6 by a user. Referring to FIG. 7, first, A1 uses a travel route search app to display a travel route search input screen on the display screen of the terminal 6. Next, A2, for example, enters a departure point in the departure point entry field of the input screen. In this case, the departure point can also be specified on a map displayed on the display screen of the terminal 6. Next, A3, enters a departure time in the departure time entry field of the input screen. Next, A4, for example, enters a destination in the destination entry field of the input screen. In this case, the destination can also be specified on a map displayed on the display screen of the terminal 6. Next, A5, enters a desired arrival time at the destination in the desired arrival time entry field of the input screen. Next, A6, for example, touches a search request button displayed on the input screen. When the search request button is touched, a travel route search request is sent to the information processing server 3 together with the entered departure point, departure time, destination, and desired arrival time at the destination.

[0031] FIG. 8 shows a route selection procedure on terminal 6 by a user. Referring to FIG. 8, first, in B1, search results for multiple travel routes transmitted from information processing server 3 are displayed on the display screen of terminal 6. Next, in B2, a desired travel route is selected from these multiple travel routes. Here, a case will be described in which a travel route involving a transfer from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomously driven taxi 5 is selected as the desired travel route. After the desired travel route is selected in B2, in B3, the user uses a ride-booking app on the display screen of terminal 6 to register desired ride-hailing details, including the desired boarding location, desired boarding time, and desired drop-off location, in the registration fields for the desired boarding location, desired boarding time, and desired drop-off location of the autonomously driven taxi 5 at the train disembarkation station. In this case, too, the desired boarding location and desired drop-off location can also be registered by specifying the desired boarding location and desired drop-off location on a map displayed on the display screen of terminal 6. When the desired dispatch details consisting of the desired boarding location, desired boarding time, and desired disembarking location are registered, at B4, a notification that a dispatch reservation has been made is sent from terminal 6 to information processing server 3 along with the registered desired dispatch details and the user's desired travel route.

[0032] FIG. 9 shows an information processing routine executed in the electronic control unit 10 of the information processing server 3, and this routine is executed repeatedly. Referring to FIG. 9, first, in step 60, current train operation information and current train delay information are received from the railway operator, and the received current train operation information and current train delay information are stored in the memory 13 of the electronic control unit 10.

[0033] In step 61, it is determined whether a travel route search request has been received from the terminal 6. If it is determined that a travel route search request has been received from the terminal 6, the process proceeds to step 62, where the received data, such as the user's departure point, departure time, destination, and desired arrival time at the destination, received together with the travel route search request, is stored in the memory 13 of the electronic control unit 10. Next, in step 63, a search is performed for multiple travel routes that satisfy the user's request. Next, in step 64, the search results for the travel route are stored in the memory 13 of the electronic control unit 10. Next, in step 65, the search results for the travel route are transmitted to the terminal 6. Next, the process proceeds to step 66. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 61 that a travel route search request has not been received from the terminal 6, the process jumps to step 66.

[0034] In step 66, it is determined whether a notification of a vehicle dispatch reservation has been received from terminal 6, along with the desired boarding location, desired boarding time, desired drop-off location, and desired travel route of the autonomously driven taxi 5 at the train drop-off station. If it is determined that a notification of a vehicle dispatch reservation has been received from terminal 6, the process proceeds to step 67, where the received desired boarding location, desired boarding time, desired drop-off location, and desired travel route of the user are stored in memory 13 of electronic control unit 10. Next, in step 68, a vehicle dispatch request is sent to vehicle dispatch management server 4, including the user's desired travel route, information regarding train drop-off stations and train arrival times on the user's desired travel route, the desired boarding location, desired boarding time, and desired drop-off location of the autonomously driven taxi 5, and a user ID for identifying the user. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 66 that a notification of a vehicle dispatch reservation has not been received from terminal 6, the processing cycle ends.

[0035] FIG. 10 shows a vehicle dispatch management routine executed in the electronic control unit 15 of the vehicle dispatch management server 4, and this routine is executed repeatedly. 10, first, in step 70, it is determined whether a dispatch request has been received from the information processing server 3. If it is determined that a dispatch request has not been received from the information processing server 3, the processing cycle ends. In contrast, if it is determined that a dispatch request has been received from the information processing server 3, the processing proceeds to step 71, and the received data, such as the user's desired travel route, information about train disembarkation stations and train arrival times on the user's desired travel route, the desired boarding position, desired boarding time and desired disembarkation position of the autonomously driving taxi 5 at the train disembarkation station, and the user ID, is stored in memory 18 of the electronic control unit 15.

[0036] Next, in step 72, a search is made for autonomous taxis 5 that are available to be dispatched to the user's desired boarding location at the user's desired boarding time from among autonomous taxis 5 located near the user's desired boarding location. In this case, available autonomous taxis 5 can be searched for, and autonomous taxis 5 that are scheduled to become available near the user's desired boarding time based on reservation information can also be included in the search. Next, in step 73, an autonomous taxi 5 to be dispatched is selected from the autonomous taxis 5 that were searched for. Once an autonomous taxi 5 to be dispatched is selected, in step 74, a dispatch instruction is sent from the dispatch management server 4 to the autonomous taxi 5 selected for dispatch, along with the user's desired travel route, information about train drop-off stations and train arrival times along the user's desired travel route, desired dispatch details such as the boarding location, drop-off location, and boarding time of the autonomous taxi 5, and the user ID. Next, in step 75, a message that the dispatch has been completed is sent to terminal 6.

[0037] 11 to 13 show a driving control routine for an autonomously driving taxi that is executed in the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 selected for dispatch, and this routine is executed repeatedly. 11 to 13, first, in step 80, it is determined whether or not a dispatch instruction has been received from the dispatch management server 4. If it is determined that a dispatch instruction has not been received from the dispatch management server 4, the processing cycle ends. In contrast, if it is determined that a dispatch instruction has been received from the dispatch management server 4, the process proceeds to step 81, and the received data, such as the user's desired travel route, information about train disembarkation stations and train arrival times on the user's desired travel route, the desired boarding position, desired boarding time and desired disembarkation position of the autonomously driving taxi 5, and the user ID, is stored in memory 26 of the electronic control unit 23.

[0038] Next, in step 82, the user's desired boarding position is read from memory 26. Next, in step 83, the navigation device 31 creates a driving route for the autonomous taxi 5 from the current position to the user's desired boarding position, based on the current position of the autonomous taxi 5 acquired by the GNSS receiver 29 and the user's desired boarding position read from memory 26. Next, in step 84, a driving trajectory and driving speed for the autonomous taxi 5 that will avoid contact with other vehicles or pedestrians are determined based on the detection results of sensors such as cameras, lidar, and radar that capture images of the area ahead of the autonomous taxi 5. Next, in step 85, driving control of the autonomous taxi 5 is performed in accordance with the determined driving trajectory and driving speed.

[0039] Next, in step 86, it is determined whether the autonomous taxi 5 has reached the user's desired pickup location. If it is determined that the autonomous taxi 5 has not reached the user's desired pickup location, the process returns to step 84, where the autonomous taxi 5 continues autonomous driving. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 86 that the autonomous taxi 5 has reached the user's desired pickup location, the process proceeds to step 87, where the autonomous taxi 5 is stopped. Next, in step 88, user authentication processing is performed using short-range communication between the terminal 6 of the user who made the taxi reservation and the autonomous taxi 5. This authentication processing is performed, for example, by comparing the user ID stored in the memory 26 of the autonomous taxi 5 at the time of the taxi request with the user ID stored in the terminal 6 of the user who made the taxi request. If these user IDs match, the user possessing the terminal 6 is authenticated as the user who made the taxi request. Note that various well-known authentication processing methods, such as facial recognition, are known as user authentication processing, and these well-known authentication processing methods can also be used as the authentication processing in step 88.

[0040] Next, in step 89, it is determined whether the authentication process in step 88 authenticated the user possessing terminal 6 as the user who made the vehicle dispatch request. If the authentication process does not authenticate the user possessing terminal 6 as the user who made the vehicle dispatch request, the process jumps to step 102, where the vehicle dispatch management server 4 is requested for instructions on the next action. At this time, the autonomously driving taxi 5 is, for example, caused to move by autonomous driving toward the desired boarding location of another user who made the vehicle dispatch request. On the other hand, if the authentication process authenticates that the user possessing terminal 6 is the user who made the vehicle dispatch request, the process proceeds to step 90, where the door of the autonomously driving taxi 5 is opened. When the door of the autonomously driving taxi 5 is opened, the user who made the vehicle dispatch request alone, or several people including the user who made the vehicle dispatch request, get into the autonomously driving taxi 5.

[0041] Next, in step 91, a boarding confirmation process is performed to confirm that the user who requested the dispatch of a vehicle, or several people including the user who requested the dispatch of a vehicle, have boarded the autonomously driven taxi 5. This boarding confirmation process is performed by a boarding confirmation device installed in the autonomously driven taxi 5, for example, by analyzing video from a boarding confirmation camera that captures the interior of the vehicle. Next, in step 92, it is determined whether it has been confirmed that the user who requested the dispatch of a vehicle, or several people including the user who requested the dispatch of a vehicle, have boarded the autonomously driven taxi 5. If it is determined that the boarding completion has not been confirmed, the process returns to step 91, and the boarding confirmation process to confirm the boarding completion continues. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 92 that the boarding completion has been confirmed, the process proceeds to step 93.

[0042] In step 93, the door of the autonomous taxi 5 is closed. Once the door of the autonomous taxi 5 is closed, the process proceeds to step 94, where a request is made for the autonomous taxi 5 to start driving. Note that this request for the autonomous taxi 5 to start driving is made, for example, by the user in the autonomous taxi 5 touching a driving start button displayed on a display screen installed inside the autonomous taxi 5. Once a request for the autonomous taxi 5 to start driving is made, the process proceeds to step 95, where the user's desired drop-off location is read from memory 26. Next, in step 96, the navigation device 31 creates a driving route for the autonomous taxi 5 from the current location to the user's desired drop-off location based on the current location of the autonomous taxi 5 acquired by the GNSS receiver 29 and the user's desired drop-off location read from memory 26.

[0043] Next, in step 97, a driving trajectory and driving speed of the autonomous taxi 5 that will avoid contact with other vehicles or pedestrians are determined based on the detection results of sensors such as cameras, lidar, and radar that capture images of the area ahead of the autonomous taxi 5. Next, in step 98, driving control of the autonomous taxi 5 is performed in accordance with the determined driving trajectory and driving speed. Next, in step 99, it is determined whether the autonomous taxi 5 has reached the user's desired drop-off location. If it is determined that the autonomous taxi 5 has not reached the user's desired drop-off location, the process returns to step 97, and the autonomous driving of the autonomous taxi 5 continues. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 99 that the autonomous taxi 5 has reached the user's desired drop-off location, the process proceeds to step 100, and the autonomous taxi 5 is stopped.

[0044] Next, in step 101, a disembarkation confirmation process is performed to confirm that the user or several people including the user have completely disembarked from the autonomously driving taxi 5. This disembarkation confirmation process is performed by an alighting confirmation device installed in the autonomously driving taxi 5, for example, by analyzing video from an alighting confirmation camera that captures the interior of the vehicle. Next, in step 102, a request is made to the vehicle dispatch management server 4 for instructions on the next action.

[0045] As described above, the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to a user is made to travel automatically to the user's desired boarding location, and when the autonomous taxi 5 reaches the user's desired boarding location, it is made to stop there. However, when the autonomous taxi 5 reaches the user's desired boarding location, there are often many other autonomous taxis around the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user, and in such cases, it can be said to be quite difficult for the user to find the autonomous taxi dispatched to them from among these autonomous taxis.

[0046] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, when an autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to a user arrives at or approaches the user's desired boarding location, on the one hand, the information display unit 32 arranged on the autonomous taxi 5 is made to flash in a set flashing pattern, and on the other hand, this flashing pattern information is sent to the user's terminal so that at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal is made to flash in the same pattern as this flashing pattern, allowing the user to easily find the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user simply by confirming that the flashing pattern of the information display unit of the autonomous taxi 5 matches the flashing pattern on the display screen of the user's terminal. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 32, taking as an example a case of transferring from a regularly scheduled train to an autonomous taxi 5.

[0047] First, referring to Figure 14, Figure 14 diagrammatically shows an example of a road map including train and other railway departure and arrival points, i.e., railway stations. In Figure 14, 50 indicates the railway departure and arrival point, i.e., the railway station, 51 indicates a portion of a road, and 52 indicates a boarding and alighting point for cars. Figure 14 also shows a case where a large number of autonomous taxis 5 are present at boarding and alighting point 52. Below, each embodiment will be described in order, taking as an example a case where the user's desired boarding location is boarding and alighting point 52.

[0048] FIG. 15A shows a side view of an autonomous taxi 5. In the example shown in FIG. 15A, the information display unit 32 arranged on the autonomous taxi 5 so as to be visible from outside the vehicle is configured as an emergency flasher, i.e., a hazard lamp, arranged on the rear surface of the vehicle. Note that this information display unit 32 can be configured as an indicator lamp installed on the roof, front, side, or rear surface of the autonomous taxi 5, or as an information display body installed on the roof, front, side, or rear surface of the vehicle and illuminated by an illumination lamp. Note that each embodiment will be described below using an example in which the information display unit 32 is an emergency flasher arranged on the rear surface of the vehicle; however, as described above, the above-mentioned indicator lamp or the information display body illuminated by the above-mentioned illumination lamp can be used as the information display unit 32.

[0049] In FIG. 15A , a figure 53 representing light emitted from the hazard warning flasher 32 (hereinafter simply referred to as the indicator light 32) toward the rear of the vehicle indicates that the indicator light 32 is flashing in a certain set flashing pattern A. The flashing pattern A shown in FIG. 15A is a flashing pattern different from the flashing pattern of a general hazard lamp. For example, in the flashing pattern A, the flashing cycle of the indicator light 32 is shortened or lengthened compared to the flashing cycle of a general hazard lamp to a degree that the indicator light 32 can be distinguished from a hazard lamp. Furthermore, for example, the flashing pattern A can also be a flashing pattern in which the left and right indicator lights 32 flash alternately when viewed from the rear of the vehicle. In the example shown in FIG. 15A , the color of the flashing light emitted from the indicator light 32 is yellow.

[0050] 14, if the user is at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., boarding / alighting point 52, shortly before the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at boarding / alighting point 52, for example, when the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired boarding location becomes less than a preset time tX, the indicator light 32 begins to flash in flashing pattern A so as to emit a yellow flashing light, as shown in Fig. 15A. At this time, flashing pattern information, such as the flashing cycle of the indicator light 32 and the color of the light emitted from the indicator light 32, and information about the autonomous taxi 5 are transmitted from the autonomous taxi 5 to the user's mobile device 6, and the information about the autonomous taxi 5 and flashing pattern information, as shown in Fig. 15B, are displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile device 6.

[0051] In this example, in the example shown in FIG. 15B, the front shape 54, rear shape 55, and side shape 56 of the autonomous taxi 5 are displayed in a row from top to bottom on the display screen of the user's mobile device 6. Additionally, on the display screen of the mobile device 6, indicator lights 32 on the screen corresponding to the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in FIG. 15A are caused to flash in sync with the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in FIG. 15A, with the same flashing cycle and light color as those of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in FIG. 15A. Furthermore, a circular flashing area 57 that flashes with the color of light emitted from the indicator lights 32 is set on the display screen of the user's mobile device 6, and this circular flashing area 57 is caused to flash in sync with the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in FIG. 15A. In FIG. 15B, the text "Pattern A" on the display screen of the mobile device 6 is displayed as, for example, "0.5-second intervals."

[0052] 15A and 15B , shortly before the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the boarding / alighting point 52—for example, when the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired pick-up location becomes less than a preset time tX—the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 begin to flash yellow using flashing pattern A, as shown in FIG. 15A . At the same time, on the display screen of the user's mobile device 6, the indicator lights 32 and circular flashing indicator area 57 on the screen that correspond to the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in FIG. 15A flash in sync with the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in FIG. 15A , with the same flashing cycle and color as the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in FIG. 15A . Therefore, the user can easily find the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to them from among a large number of autonomous taxis 5 simply by confirming that the flashing cycle and color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are the same as the flashing cycle and color of the indicator lights 32 and circular flashing area 57 on the display screen of the user's mobile device 6.

[0053] Note that the blinking operation of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 and the blinking operation of the indicator light 32 and the circular blinking area 57 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 are stopped once the user finds the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to the user. In this case, for example, the blinking operation of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 and the blinking operation of the indicator light 32 and the circular blinking area 57 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 are stopped once the user gets into the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to the user.

[0054] Figures 16 and 17 show a display control routine for executing the embodiment shown in Figures 15A and 15B. This routine is executed by interrupting at regular intervals in the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 selected for dispatch.

[0055] 16 and 17 , first, in step 200, it is determined whether the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are flashing according to a flashing pattern. If it is determined that the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are not flashing according to a flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 201, where it is determined whether an arrival flag A, which indicates that the autonomous taxi 5 has arrived at the user's desired pick-up location, has been set. If the arrival flag A has been set, the process jumps to step 205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the arrival flag A has not been set, the process proceeds to step 202, where the navigation device 31 calculates a predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired pick-up location. Next, in step 203, it is determined whether this predicted arrival time t is less than a preset time tX.

[0056] In step 203, if it is determined that the predicted arrival time t is not less than the preset time tX, the process jumps to step 205. In contrast, if it is determined that the predicted arrival time t is less than the preset time tX, the process proceeds to step 204, where arrival flag A is set. Next, the process proceeds to step 205. In this embodiment, the arrival flag A is set when it is determined that the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired pick-up location is less than the preset time tX.

[0057] In step 205, it is determined whether or not an arrival flag B, which indicates that the user is at the platform 52, is set. If the arrival flag B is set, the process jumps to step 209. On the other hand, if it is determined that the arrival flag B is not set, the process proceeds to step 206, where communication is established with the user's portable terminal 6 to obtain the current position (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the portable terminal 6 detected by the GPS receiver. Next, in step 207, it is determined whether or not the portable terminal 6 is located within the platform 52, i.e., whether or not the user is at the platform 52.

[0058] In step 207, if it is determined that the user is not at the platform 52, the process jumps to step 209. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is at the platform 52, the process proceeds to step 208, where the arrival flag B is set. Next, the process proceeds to step 209. In this embodiment, as described above, when it is determined that the user's portable terminal 6 is located within the platform 52, that is, when it is determined that the user is at the platform 52, the arrival flag B is set.

[0059] In step 209, it is determined whether both the arrival flag A and the arrival flag B are set. If neither the arrival flag A nor the arrival flag B is set, the processing cycle is terminated. On the other hand, if both the arrival flag A and the arrival flag B are set, i.e., if the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired pick-up location is less than the preset time tX and the user is within the boarding / alighting area 52, the process proceeds to step 210, where the blinking pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 and other factors are determined. In this embodiment, the blinking pattern of the indicator lights 32 is set to blinking pattern A, and the blinking color is set to yellow. Next, in step 211, blinking pattern information regarding the determined blinking cycle of the indicator lights 32, the color of the light of the indicator lights 32, and other factors, as well as information about the autonomous taxi 5, are transmitted to the user's mobile terminal 6. Next, in step 212, as shown in FIG. 15A , the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are made to blink yellow in accordance with blinking pattern A.

[0060] 18 executed in the user's mobile terminal 6, in step 300, it is determined whether the blinking pattern information regarding the blinking cycle of the indicator light 32, the color of the light of the indicator light 32, and the like, and information regarding the autonomously driving taxi 5 transmitted in step 211 of FIG. 17 have been received. If this information has been received, the process proceeds to step 301, where the blinking pattern information of the indicator light 32 as shown in FIG. 15B is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6. In this way, when the predicted arrival time t until the autonomously driving taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired boarding location is less than the preset time tX and the user is within the boarding / alighting area 52, the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 blinks yellow with blinking pattern A, as shown in FIG. 15A, and the blinking pattern information of the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 as shown in FIG. 15B.

[0061] Returning again to FIGS. 16 and 17 , if it is determined in step 200 that the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 is flashing according to the flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 213, where it is determined whether the user has taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 or whether they have gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5. In this case, for example, it is determined that the user has taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 when it is determined in step 89 of the autonomously driving taxi driving control routine shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 that the user possessing the terminal 6 has been authenticated as the user who requested the taxi dispatch, or when the door of the autonomously driving taxi 5 is opened in step 90 of the autonomously driving taxi driving control routine shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. It is also determined that the user has gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5 when it is determined in step 92 of the autonomously driving taxi driving control routine shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 that the completion of the ride has been confirmed. If it is determined that the user has not taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 or has not gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5, the processing cycle ends. In contrast, if it is determined that the user or the like has taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 or has gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5, the process proceeds to step 214, where the blinking of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 and the display of the blinking pattern information of the indicator lights 32 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 are stopped. Next, in step 215, arrival flag A and arrival flag B are reset, and then the processing cycle ends.

[0062] Note that various modifications are possible for the embodiment described with reference to Figures 15A to 18. For example, in one modification, when an autonomous taxi 5 arrives at a user's desired boarding location and the user is at a boarding / alighting location 52, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 flashes yellow with flashing pattern A as shown in Figure 15A, and flashing pattern information for the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile device 6 as shown in Figure 15B. In another modification, when the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired boarding location is less than a preset time tX, or when the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired boarding location, regardless of whether the user is at the boarding / alighting location 52, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 flashes yellow with flashing pattern A as shown in Figure 15A, and flashing pattern information for the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile device 6 as shown in Figure 15B.

[0063] Now, in the embodiment shown in Figures 15A and 15B, as executed in the display control routines of Figures 16 and 17, when the predicted arrival time t until the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired boarding location is less than the preset time tX and the user is at the boarding / alighting area 52, as shown in Figure 15A, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 flashes yellow light with flashing pattern A, and as shown in Figure 15B, flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6.

[0064] In this case, instead of using the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired boarding location as the reference, the reference can also be the arrival time of a punctual public transportation facility on the user's desired travel route, such as a train. For example, when a preset time α has elapsed from the arrival time tZ of the train on the user's desired travel route, the user is considered to have arrived at the boarding / alighting area 52. Therefore, when the preset time α has elapsed from the arrival time tZ of the train on the user's desired travel route, as shown in FIG. 15A, it is possible to configure the autonomous taxi 5's indicator light 32 to flash yellow light using flashing pattern A, and to display flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 as shown in FIG. 15B. In this case, the preset time α differs for each train disembarkation station on the user's desired travel route. In this case, when the train arrival time tZ on the user's desired travel route arrives, the indicator light 32 of the self-driving taxi 5 can be configured to flash yellow light in flashing pattern A, as shown in Figure 15A, and the flashing pattern information of the indicator light 32 can be displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, as shown in Figure 15B.

[0065] On the other hand, in this case, whether or not the user is within the platform 52 can be added as a criterion. FIGS. 19 and 20 show a display control routine for executing another embodiment in which whether or not the user is within the platform 52 is used as a criterion in addition to the train arrival time. The display control routine shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 differs from the display control routine shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 only in that steps 202a and 203a are used in the display control routine shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 instead of steps 202 and 203 in the display control routine shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, and the other steps are the same as the steps in the display control routine shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Therefore, with regard to the display control routine shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, only steps 202a and 203a will be described, and a description of the other steps will be omitted.

[0066] Referring to the display control routine shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in step 202a, the arrival time tZ of the train on the user's desired travel route is acquired. This arrival time tZ of the train is stored in the memory 26 of the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomous taxi 5. Next, in step 203a, it is determined whether a predetermined time α has elapsed since the arrival time tZ of the train on the user's desired travel route, that is, whether a predetermined time α has elapsed since the arrival of the train. If it is determined that the predetermined time α has not elapsed since the arrival of the train, the process jumps to step 205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time α has elapsed since the arrival of the train, the process proceeds to step 204, where an arrival flag A is set. Next, the process proceeds to step 205. In this way, in this embodiment, the arrival flag A is set when it is determined that the predetermined time α has elapsed since the arrival of the train.

[0067] Meanwhile, in this embodiment as well, arrival flag B is set when it is determined that the user is at platform 52. Therefore, in this embodiment, when a preset time α has elapsed after the arrival of a train on the user's desired travel route and the user is at platform 52, indicator light 32 of autonomous taxi 5 flashes yellow light in flashing pattern A, as shown in Fig. 15A, and flashing pattern information of indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, as shown in Fig. 15B.

[0068] Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 21 to 25. For example, as shown in Figure 14, if a large number of autonomous taxis 5 are present at a boarding and disembarking area 52 and the indicator lights 32 of each autonomous taxi 5 flash in a flashing pattern and flashing color determined for that autonomous taxi 5, and the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to a user are the same as the flashing patterns and flashing colors of the indicator lights 32 of other autonomous taxis 5, the user will be unable to find the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to them from among the large number of autonomous taxis 5.

[0069] Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 to 25, when a large number of other autonomous taxis 5 are present around the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user, at least one or both of the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user is adjusted to be different from the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the other autonomous taxis 5. A specific example of this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 21 to 22B, and this specific example will be described next with reference to FIGS. 21 to 22B. Note that FIG. 21 shows autonomous taxis 5a and 5b present around the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user, and FIG. 22A shows the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user. Furthermore, FIG. 22B shows the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6.

[0070] 21 will be described first. Fig. 21 shows a case where the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 of autonomously driving taxi 5a is flashing pattern A, the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 of autonomously driving taxi 5b is flashing pattern B, and the flashing color of both the indicator lights 32 of autonomously driving taxi 5a and the indicator lights 32 of autonomously driving taxi 5b is yellow. In such a case, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 22A , the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user is flashing pattern C, which is different from flashing pattern A of the indicator lights 32 of autonomously driving taxi 5a and flashing pattern B of the indicator lights 32 of autonomously driving taxi 5b.

[0071] For example, in this case, the blinking cycle of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user is set to a different cycle from the blinking cycle of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the blinking cycle of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b. Furthermore, in this case, the blinking color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the blinking color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b is set to a different color, for example, blue. Thus, in this specific example, the blinking pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the blinking pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b is set to a different blinking pattern from the blinking pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the blinking color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b, and the blinking color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user is set to a different color from the blinking color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the blinking color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b.

[0072] In this case, the flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user can be made the same color as the flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b, but the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b can be made different from the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b. Alternatively, the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user can be made the same flashing pattern as the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b, but the flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b can be made different from the flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a and the flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5b.

[0073] 14, in this embodiment, if the user is at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., stop 52, when autonomously driving taxi 5 arrives at stop 52, indicator light 32 begins to flash blue light in flashing pattern C as shown in Fig. 22A. At this time, flashing pattern information regarding the flashing cycle of indicator light 32, the color of the light emitted from indicator light 32, and the like, as well as information about the autonomously driving taxi 5, are transmitted from autonomously driving taxi 5 to the user's mobile device 6, and the information about the autonomously driving taxi 5 and flashing pattern information as shown in Fig. 22B are displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile device 6.

[0074] In this case, as in the example shown in Fig. 15B, the front, rear, and side shapes of the autonomously driving taxi 5 are displayed in a row from top to bottom on the display screen of the user's mobile device 6, as shown in Fig. 22B, and on the display screen of this mobile device 6, indicator lights 32 on the screen that correspond to the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 shown in Fig. 22A are made to flash in sync with the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 shown in Fig. 22A, with the same flashing cycle and color as those. Furthermore, on the display screen of the user's mobile device 6, a circular flashing area 57 is made to flash in sync with the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 shown in Fig. 22A, with the same flashing cycle and color as those.

[0075] 23 and 24 show a display control routine for executing the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 to 22B, and FIG. 25 shows a mobile terminal display screen control routine executed in the user's mobile terminal 6. The display control routine shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 differs from the display control routine shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 only in that step 203a is used in place of step 202 and step 203 of the display control routine shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, and steps 210a to 210e are used in place of steps 210 to 212 of the display control routine shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The other steps are the same as those of the display control routine shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Therefore, with regard to the display control routine shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, only step 203a and steps 210a to 210e will be described, and a description of the other steps will be omitted.

[0076] Referring to the display control routine shown in Figures 23 and 24, in step 203a, it is determined whether the autonomously driven taxi 5 has arrived at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., the boarding / alighting location 52. If it is determined that the autonomously driven taxi 5 has not arrived at the user's desired boarding location, the process jumps to step 205. In contrast, if it is determined that the autonomously driven taxi 5 has arrived at the user's desired boarding location, the process proceeds to step 204, where arrival flag A is set. Next, the process proceeds to step 205. In this way, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the autonomously driven taxi 5 has arrived at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., the boarding / alighting location 52, arrival flag A is set.

[0077] Meanwhile, in this embodiment as well, arrival flag B is set when it is determined that the user is at the boarding / alighting area 52. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the autonomous taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., the boarding / alighting area 52, and the user is at the boarding / alighting area 52, the process proceeds from step 209 to step 210a. In step 210a, a surroundings detection sensor that detects the surroundings of the autonomous taxi 5, which is provided in the autonomous taxi 5, such as an on-board camera that captures images of the front, sides, and rear of the autonomous taxi 5, is used to acquire the blinking patterns of the indicator lights 32 of other autonomous taxis 5a and 5b that are present around the autonomous taxi 5. Next, in step 210b, this surroundings detection sensor is used to acquire the blinking colors of the indicator lights 32 of the other autonomous taxis 5a and 5b that are present around the autonomous taxi 5.

[0078] Next, in step 210c, a flashing pattern different from the flashing patterns of the indicator lights 32 of the other autonomous taxis 5a, 5b around the autonomous taxi 5 and a flashing color different from the flashing colors of the indicator lights 32 of the other autonomous taxis 5a, 5b around the autonomous taxi 5 are determined. At this time, in this embodiment, the flashing pattern of the indicator lights 32 is set to flashing pattern C, and the flashing color of the indicator lights 32 is set to blue. Next, in step 210d, the determined flashing pattern information regarding the flashing cycle of the indicator lights 32, the color of the light of the indicator lights 32, etc., and information about the autonomous taxi 5 are transmitted to the user's mobile terminal 6. Next, in step 210e, as shown in FIG. 22A , the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are caused to flash blue light in flashing pattern C.

[0079] Meanwhile, referring to the mobile terminal display screen control routine of Fig. 25 executed in the user's mobile terminal 6, in step 300a, it is determined whether the blinking pattern information regarding the blinking cycle of the indicator light 32, the color of the light of the indicator light 32, etc., and information regarding the autonomously driving taxi 5 transmitted in step 210d of Fig. 24 have been received, and if this information has been received, the process proceeds to step 301a, where the blinking pattern information of the indicator light 32 as shown in Fig. 22B is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6. In this way, when the autonomously driving taxi 5 arrives at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., the boarding / alighting point 52, and the user is at the boarding / alighting point 52, as shown in Fig. 22A, the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 blinks blue with blinking pattern C, and the blinking pattern information of the indicator light 32 is displayed on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 as shown in Fig. 22B.

[0080] Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 26A to 28. For example, when a user is waiting at a boarding / alighting area 52 for an autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to the user, being able to inform the user of how close the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to the user is has the advantage of giving the user a sense of security. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in Figures 26A to 28, at least one or both of the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to the user is changed as the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to the user approaches the user.

[0081] 26A to 26C show a specific example of this embodiment. Referring to Figures 26A to 26C, in this specific example, when a user is at their desired boarding location, i.e., at a boarding / alighting area 52, and the autonomously driven taxi 5 dispatched to the user approaches the user (for example, when the distance between the autonomously driven taxi 5 dispatched to the user and the user becomes 100 m), the blinking pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driven taxi 5a changes to blinking pattern A and the blinking color changes to yellow, as shown in Figure 26A. When the autonomously driven taxi 5 dispatched to the user gets even closer to the user (for example, when the distance between the autonomously driven taxi 5 dispatched to the user and the user becomes 10 m), the blinking pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomously driven taxi 5a changes to blinking pattern C, which has a shorter blinking cycle than blinking pattern A, and the blinking color changes to yellow, as shown in Figure 26B.

[0082] At the same time, flashing pattern information regarding the flashing cycle of the indicator light 32, the color of the light of the indicator light 32, etc., and information regarding the autonomous taxi 5 are transmitted from the autonomous taxi 5 to the user's mobile terminal 6, and at this time, the front shape, rear shape, and side shape of the autonomous taxi 5 are displayed in a row from top to bottom on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, as shown in Figure 26C, and the indicator light 32 and circular flashing area 57 on the screen corresponding to the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in Figure 26A or Figure 26A flash in sync with the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 shown in Figure 26A or Figure 26A with the same flashing cycle and color of light.

[0083] That is, on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, when the autonomously driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user approaches the user, for example, when the distance between the user and the autonomously driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user becomes 100 m, the indicator light 32 and circular flashing area 57 on the screen corresponding to the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a shown in Figure 26A flash in sync with the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 shown in Figure 26A, with the same flashing cycle and light color as the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 shown in Figure 26A, and when the distance between the user and the autonomously driving taxi 5 dispatched to the user becomes 10 m, the indicator light 32 and circular flashing area 57 on the screen corresponding to the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5a shown in Figure 26B flash in sync with the same flashing cycle and light color as the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 shown in Figure 26B.

[0084] Figures 27 and 28 show a display control routine for executing the embodiment shown in Figures 26A to 26C. This routine is executed by interrupting at regular intervals in the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 selected for dispatch. In this embodiment, the routine shown in Figure 18 is used as the display screen control routine for the mobile terminal executed in the user's mobile terminal 6.

[0085] 27 and 28, first, in step 400, it is determined whether the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are flashing according to a flashing pattern. If it is determined that the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are not flashing according to a flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 401, where it is determined whether an arrival flag A, which indicates that the user is within the boarding / alighting area 52, is set. If the arrival flag A is set, the process jumps to step 405. On the other hand, if it is determined that the arrival flag A is not set, the process proceeds to step 402, where communication is established with the user's mobile terminal 6 to obtain the current location (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the mobile terminal 6 detected by the GPS receiver. Next, in step 403, it is determined whether the mobile terminal 6 is located within the boarding / alighting area 52, i.e., whether the user is within the boarding / alighting area 52.

[0086] In step 403, if it is determined that the user is not within the platform 52, the process jumps to step 408. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is within the platform 52, the process proceeds to step 404, where the arrival flag A is set. Next, the process proceeds to step 405. In this embodiment, as described above, when it is determined that the user's portable terminal 6 is located within the platform 52, that is, when it is determined that the user is within the platform 52, the arrival flag A is set.

[0087] In step 405, it is determined whether a proximity flag B, which indicates that the autonomously driven taxi 5 is approaching the user's desired pickup location, has been set. If the arrival flag B has been set, the process jumps to step 409. In contrast, if it has been determined that the proximity flag B has not been set, the process proceeds to step 406, where the navigation device 31 calculates the distance to the current location of the mobile terminal 6 detected by the GPS receiver, i.e., the distance S between the user and the autonomously driven taxi 5. Next, in step 407, it is determined whether this distance S has become less than a preset distance S1, for example, 100 m.

[0088] If it is determined in step 407 that the distance S between the user and the autonomously driving taxi 5 is not less than the preset distance S1, the process jumps to step 409. In contrast, if it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomously driving taxi 5 is less than the preset distance S1, the process proceeds to step 408, where a proximity flag B is set. Next, the process proceeds to step 409. In this embodiment, the proximity flag B is set when it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomously driving taxi 5 is less than the preset distance S1, for example, 100 m.

[0089] In step 409, it is determined whether a proximity flag C, which indicates that the autonomously driven taxi 5 is approaching the user's desired pickup location, has been set. If the proximity flag C has been set, the process jumps to step 413. On the other hand, if it has been determined that the proximity flag C has not been set, the process proceeds to step 410, where the navigation device 31 calculates the distance to the current location of the mobile terminal 6 detected by the GPS receiver, i.e., the distance S between the user and the autonomously driven taxi 5. Next, in step 411, it is determined whether this distance S has become less than a preset distance S2, for example, 10 m.

[0090] In step 411, if it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomously driving taxi 5 is not less than the preset distance S2, the process jumps to step 413. In contrast, if it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomously driving taxi 5 is less than the preset distance S2, the process proceeds to step 412, where a proximity flag C is set. Next, the process proceeds to step 413. In this embodiment, the proximity flag C is set when it is determined that the distance S between the user and the autonomously driving taxi 5 is less than the preset distance S2, for example, 10 m.

[0091] In step 413, it is determined whether both the arrival flag A and the proximity flag B are set. If both the arrival flag A and the arrival flag B are set, that is, if the autonomous taxi 5 is at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., the boarding / alighting area 52, and the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is less than a preset distance S1, for example, 100 m, the process proceeds to step 414, where the blinking pattern of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is determined. In this embodiment, the blinking pattern of the indicator lights 32 is set to blinking pattern A, and the blinking color is set to yellow. Next, in step 415, the proximity flag B is reset. Next, in step 418, the determined blinking pattern information regarding the blinking cycle and color of the indicator lights 32, as well as information about the autonomous taxi 5, is sent to the user's mobile terminal 6. Next, in step 419, as shown in FIG. 26A , the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are caused to blink yellow in accordance with blinking pattern A. Next, the processing cycle ends.

[0092] On the other hand, if neither the arrival flag A nor the proximity flag B is set in step 413, the process proceeds to step 416, where it is determined whether both the arrival flag A and the proximity flag C are set. If neither the arrival flag A nor the proximity flag C is set, the processing cycle ends. In contrast, if both the arrival flag A and the arrival flag C are set, that is, if the autonomous taxi 5 is at the user's desired boarding location, i.e., the boarding / alighting area 52, and the distance S between the user and the autonomous taxi 5 is less than a predetermined distance S2, for example, 10 m, the process proceeds to step 417, where the blinking pattern of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is determined. In this embodiment, the blinking pattern of the indicator light 32 is set to blinking pattern C, and the blinking color is set to yellow. Next, in step 418, the determined blinking pattern information, such as the blinking cycle and color of the indicator light 32, and information about the autonomous taxi 5 are transmitted to the user's mobile terminal 6. Next, in step 419, as shown in Figure 26B, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 is made to flash yellow light in flashing pattern C. Then, the processing cycle is ended.

[0093] On the other hand, if it is determined in step 400 that the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 is flashing according to the flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 420, where it is determined whether the user has taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 or whether they have gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5. In this case, too, it is determined that the user has taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 when it is determined in step 89 of the autonomously driving taxi driving control routine shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 that the user carrying the terminal 6 has been authenticated as the user who requested the taxi dispatch, or when the door of the autonomously driving taxi 5 is opened in step 90 of the autonomously driving taxi driving control routine shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. Also, it is determined that the user has gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5 when it is determined in step 92 of the autonomously driving taxi driving control routine shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 that the boarding completion has been confirmed. If it is determined that the user has not taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 or has not gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5, the processing cycle ends. In contrast, if it is determined that the user or the like has taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 or has gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5, the process proceeds to step 421, where the blinking of the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 and the display of the blinking pattern information of the indicator light 32 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 are stopped. Next, in step 422, the arrival flag A and the proximity flag C are reset, and then the processing cycle is ended.

[0094] Next, with reference to Figures 29 to 32, yet another embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the system is configured so that the user can freely set the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user when the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user approaches the boarding / alighting area 52. As shown in Figure 29, in this embodiment, when the autonomous taxi 5 dispatched to the user approaches the boarding / alighting area 52, a request for setting the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32 is sent from the autonomous taxi 5 to the user's mobile terminal 6. At this time, as shown in Figure 29, the front shape, rear shape, and side shape of the autonomous taxi 5 are displayed in a row from top to bottom on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, along with setting fields for the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32.

[0095] In one example of this setting field shown in FIG. 29 , the flashing colors are set to three colors: red, blue, and yellow, and the flashing patterns are set to three patterns: flashing pattern A, flashing pattern B, and flashing pattern C, each with a different flashing cycle. In this case, for example, a button for selecting red, blue, or yellow as the flashing color is displayed for each color, and the flashing color is set by touching this button. Also, a button for selecting flashing pattern A, flashing pattern B, or flashing pattern C is displayed for each flashing pattern, and the flashing pattern point is set by touching this button. Once the flashing color and flashing pattern are set, the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 flashes according to the set flashing color and flashing pattern, and a portion of the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 flashes in synchronization with this flashing. Note that FIG. 29 shows only one example, and various other flashing colors and flashing patterns can be used.

[0096] Figures 30 and 31 show a display control routine for executing the embodiment shown in Figure 29, and this routine is executed by interrupting at regular intervals in the electronic control unit 23 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 selected for dispatch. Also, Figure 31 shows a mobile terminal display screen control routine executed in the user's mobile terminal 6.

[0097] 30 and 31 , first, in step 500, it is determined whether the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are flashing according to a flashing pattern. If it is determined that the indicator lights 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 are not flashing according to a flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 501, where it is determined whether an arrival flag A, which indicates that the autonomous taxi 5 has arrived at the user's desired pick-up location, has been set. If the arrival flag A has been set, the process jumps to step 505. On the other hand, if it is determined that the arrival flag A has not been set, the process proceeds to step 502, where the navigation device 31 calculates a predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired pick-up location. Next, in step 503, it is determined whether this predicted arrival time t is less than a preset time tX.

[0098] In step 503, if it is determined that the predicted arrival time t is not less than the preset time tX, the process jumps to step 505. In contrast, if it is determined that the predicted arrival time t is less than the preset time tX, the process proceeds to step 504, where arrival flag A is set. Next, the process proceeds to step 505. In this embodiment, the arrival flag A is set when it is determined that the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired pick-up location is less than the preset time tX.

[0099] In step 505, it is determined whether or not an arrival flag B, which indicates that the user is at the platform 52, is set. If the arrival flag B is set, the process jumps to step 509. On the other hand, if it is determined that the arrival flag B is not set, the process proceeds to step 506, in which communication is made with the user's portable terminal 6 to obtain the current position (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the portable terminal 6 detected by the GPS receiver. Next, in step 507, it is determined whether or not the portable terminal 6 is located within the platform 52, i.e., whether or not the user is at the platform 52.

[0100] In step 507, if it is determined that the user is not at the platform 52, the process jumps to step 509. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is at the platform 52, the process proceeds to step 508, where the arrival flag B is set. Next, the process proceeds to step 509. In this embodiment, as described above, when it is determined that the user's portable terminal 6 is located within the platform 52, that is, when it is determined that the user is at the platform 52, the arrival flag B is set.

[0101] In step 209, it is determined whether both the arrival flag A and the arrival flag B are set. If neither the arrival flag A nor the arrival flag B is set, the processing cycle is terminated. On the other hand, if both the arrival flag A and the arrival flag B are set, that is, if the predicted arrival time t for the autonomous taxi 5 to arrive at the user's desired pick-up location is less than the preset time tX and the user is at the boarding / alighting area 52, the processing proceeds to step 510, where it is determined whether a transmission flag, which is set when a request to set the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32 is sent to the user's mobile terminal 6, is set. If the transmission flag is not set, the processing proceeds to step 511, where a request to set the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32 is sent to the user's mobile terminal 6 along with information about the autonomous taxi 5. Next, in step 512, the transmission flag is set, and the processing cycle is terminated.

[0102] 32, which is executed within the user's mobile terminal 6, in step 600, it is determined whether the request to set the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32 transmitted in step 511 of Fig. 31 has been received. If this setting request has been received, the process proceeds to step 601, in which the front, rear, and side shapes of the autonomously driving taxi 5, as shown in Fig. 29, are displayed in a row from top to bottom on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6, along with a setting field for the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32, so that the user can set the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32. Next, in step 602, the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32 set by the user are transmitted to the autonomously driving taxi 5. Next, in step 603, the flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator lights 32 set by the user are displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 6.

[0103] 30 and 31 again, if the transmission flag is set in step 512, the process proceeds from step 510 to step 513, where it is determined whether or not the information regarding the flashing transmitted in step 602 of FIG. 32, i.e., the set flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32, has been received. If it is determined that the set flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 have not been received, the processing cycle ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the set flashing pattern and flashing color of the indicator light 32 have been received, the process proceeds to step 514, where the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driven taxi 5 is displayed in the set flashing pattern and flashing color. It is made to blink.

[0104] On the other hand, if it is determined in step 500 that the indicator light 32 of the autonomously driving taxi 5 is flashing according to the flashing pattern, the process proceeds to step 515, where it is determined whether the user, etc., has taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 or has gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5. In this case, too, it is determined that the user, etc., has taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 when it is determined in step 89 of the autonomously driving taxi driving control routine shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 that the user possessing the terminal 6 has been authenticated as the user who requested the taxi dispatch, or when the door of the autonomously driving taxi 5 is opened in step 90 of the autonomously driving taxi driving control routine shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. Also, it is determined that the user, etc., has gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5 when it is determined in step 92 of the autonomously driving taxi driving control routine shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 that the completion of the ride has been confirmed. If it is determined that the user, etc., has not taken the action to get into the autonomously driving taxi 5 or has not gotten into the autonomously driving taxi 5, the processing cycle ends. In contrast, if it is determined that the user has taken the action to get into the autonomous taxi 5 or has gotten into the autonomous taxi 5, the process proceeds to step 516, where the flashing of the indicator light 32 of the autonomous taxi 5 and the flashing of the indicator light 32 on the display screen of the user's mobile terminal 6 are stopped. Next, in step 717, the arrival flag A and the arrival flag B are reset, and then in step 718, the transmission flag is reset. Then, the processing cycle ends.

[0105] In addition to the various methods described above for finding the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to the user from among a large number of autonomous taxis 5, it is also possible to use, for example, a mobile terminal that can use an AR (augmented reality) method to find the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to the user. Instead of the indicator light 32, a display device that is arranged on the vehicle so that it is visible from outside the vehicle can be used, and text or graphics can be sent from the mobile terminal 6 to this display device, which then displays the sent text or graphics on the display device. In addition to the various display methods described above, the autonomous taxi 5 that has been dispatched to the user can also emit a sound to distinguish it from other autonomous taxis 5.

[0106] Thus, an embodiment of the present invention includes a display control unit that causes an information display unit arranged on a vehicle so that it can be seen by a vehicle user from outside the vehicle to flash in a set flashing pattern, and a transmission unit that transmits flashing pattern information to the user's terminal to cause at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal to flash in the same pattern as this flashing pattern.

[0107] In addition, an embodiment of the present invention provides an information processing method that causes an information display unit arranged on a vehicle so that it can be seen by the vehicle user from outside the vehicle to flash in a set flashing pattern, and transmits flashing pattern information to a user's terminal so that at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal flashes in the same pattern as this flashing pattern. In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to make an information display unit that is arranged on a vehicle so as to be visible to a vehicle user from outside the vehicle flash in a set flashing pattern, and to send flashing pattern information to a user's terminal so as to make at least a portion of a display screen of the user's terminal flash in the same pattern as the set flashing pattern.

[0108] In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the information display unit comprises an indicator light 32 installed on the exterior surface of the vehicle, and in one embodiment of the present invention, the indicator light 32 comprises an emergency flasher installed on the vehicle. In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the transmission unit transmits flashing pattern information to the user's terminal so that at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal flashes in a pattern identical to the set flashing pattern in synchronization with the information display unit. In this case, the display control unit controls the flashing pattern as well as the color of the flashing information display unit, and the transmission unit transmits the flashing pattern and color information to the terminal so that at least a portion of the display screen of the vehicle user's terminal flashes in the same flashing pattern and in the same color as the set flashing pattern.

[0109] In an embodiment of the present invention, when a user is in a position where the information display unit is visible to the user, the information display unit flashes in a predetermined flashing pattern. In an embodiment of the present invention, the flashing operation of the information display unit is stopped when the user boards the vehicle or gets into the vehicle. Furthermore, the information display unit flashes in a predetermined flashing pattern at the arrival time of the regular public transportation service used by the user before using the vehicle, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the arrival time.

[0110] In an embodiment of the present invention, the information display unit flashes in a flashing pattern and a flashing color that are different from at least one or both of the flashing patterns and the flashing colors of other vehicles around the vehicle. In an embodiment of the present invention, the flashing pattern is changed according to the distance between the vehicle and the user. In this case, the flashing cycle of the flashing pattern is shortened as the distance between the vehicle and the user becomes closer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1. Communication Network 3. Information Processing Server 4. Vehicle dispatch management server 5. Self-driving taxis 6 Terminals 10, 15, 23 Electronic control unit 32 Indicator light

Claims

1. a display control unit that causes an information display unit, which is arranged on the vehicle so as to be visible to a vehicle user from outside the vehicle, to flash in a set flashing pattern at the arrival time of a scheduled transportation service used by the user before using the vehicle, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the arrival time; an information processing device comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits blinking pattern information to the user's terminal so as to cause at least a portion of a display screen of the user's terminal to blink in the same pattern as the blinking pattern;

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information display unit is an indicator lamp installed on an exterior surface of the vehicle.

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the indicator light is an emergency flasher light installed in the vehicle.

4. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits blinking pattern information to the user's terminal so as to cause at least a portion of a display screen of the user's terminal to blink in synchronization with the same pattern as the blinking pattern.

5. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls the color of the flashing information display unit in addition to the flashing pattern, and the transmission unit transmits the flashing pattern and color information to the terminal so as to cause at least a portion of the display screen of the terminal of the vehicle user to flash in the same flashing pattern and in the same color as the flashing pattern.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit causes the information display unit to blink in a predetermined blinking pattern when the user is in a position where the information display unit can be seen by the user.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit stops the blinking of the information display unit when the user performs an action to get into the vehicle or gets into the vehicle.

8. An information processing device as described in Claim 1, wherein the display control unit causes the information display unit to flash in a flashing pattern and a flashing color that is different from at least one or both of the flashing patterns and flashing colors of other vehicles present around the vehicle.

9. An information processing device as described in Claim 1, wherein the display control unit changes the flashing pattern depending on the distance between the vehicle and the user.

10. An information processing device as described in Claim 9, wherein the display control unit shortens the blinking period of the blinking pattern as the distance between the vehicle and the user becomes closer.

11. A computer comprising: an information display unit arranged on the vehicle so as to be visible to a vehicle user from outside the vehicle, flashing in a set flashing pattern at the arrival time of a scheduled transportation service used by the user before using the vehicle, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the arrival time; An information processing method for transmitting blinking pattern information to a user terminal to cause at least a portion of a display screen of the user terminal to blink in the same pattern as the blinking pattern.

12. An information display unit arranged on a vehicle so that it can be seen by a vehicle user from outside the vehicle is made to flash in a set flashing pattern at the arrival time of a scheduled transportation service used by the user before using the vehicle, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the arrival time, A program that causes a computer to function to transmit blinking pattern information to the user's terminal in order to cause at least a portion of the display screen of the user's terminal to blink in the same pattern as the blinking pattern.

Images