Dispatch device, dispatch system, and dispatch method

Abstract

To provide a vehicle allocation device, a vehicle allocation system, and a vehicle allocation method capable of determining whether or not an allocated vehicle can arrive at a set point within a scheduled travel time.SOLUTION: When a vehicle allocation instruction to allocate an allocation vehicle 2 at a first point P1 is acquired after a travel route R to travel to a second point P2 is set, a first travel time for the allocation vehicle 2 to travel to the second point P2 via the first point P1 is calculated. In addition, when the first travel time is shorter than an allowable time allowed as a travel time to the second point P2 and the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is a predetermined time or less, the second travel time for the allocation vehicle 2 to travel to the second point P2 via the first point P1 is calculated. Then, based on the first travel time, the second travel time, and the allowable time, it is determined whether or not the allocation vehicle 2 can arrive at the second point P2 within the allowable time via the first point P1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle allocation device, a vehicle allocation system, and a vehicle allocation method.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a road learning device that determines whether a host vehicle has traveled on a new road not stored in a map database, and when it is determined that the host vehicle has traveled on a new road, stores the travel locus of the host vehicle in the map database as a new road after correcting the error accumulated while the host vehicle was traveling (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above prior art, when an allocated vehicle travels to a set point, if it passes through a via point that is not in contact with the road registered in the map information, it will travel on a road that is not registered in the map information while traveling to the via point, so the travel time to the set point cannot be accurately calculated. Therefore, in the above prior art, there are cases where it is impossible to determine whether an allocated vehicle can arrive at a set point within the scheduled travel time.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vehicle allocation device, a vehicle allocation system, and a vehicle allocation method capable of determining whether an allocated vehicle can arrive at a set point within a scheduled travel time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is The dispatched vehicle departs from the location specified by the user.If, after a route to the second location has been set, a dispatch instruction is received to dispatch a vehicle to the first location, The dot Registered in map information It is located on the road. If it is determined that there is none, the settings were configured before obtaining the dispatch instruction. , travels from a location specified by the user to the second location without passing through the first location. along the route From a location specified by the user The travel time to the second point, The vehicle travels from a location specified by the user to the second location without passing through the first location. Based on the travel time for the shortest distance between the route and the first point, and the predetermined stopping time at the first point, the dispatched vehicle will be determined. From a location specified by the user The first travel time is calculated for traveling from point 1 to point 2. Also, the first travel time is... When a dispatched vehicle travels from a location specified by the user to a second location via a first location, If the travel time to the second point is shorter than the allowable time, and the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time, the dispatched vehicle will be determined based on its past travel history to the first point. From your current location The second travel time, which is the time it takes to travel from point 1 to point 2, is calculated. Then, based on the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time, it is determined whether the dispatched vehicle can reach point 2 within the allowable time via point 1, thereby solving the above problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not a dispatched vehicle can arrive at a set location within the scheduled travel time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of an embodiment of the dispatch system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a control device. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows an example of a vehicle dispatching system as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a driving scenario in which a vehicle is dispatched using the dispatch system shown. [Figure 5A] A flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of the processing procedure in the dispatch system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5B] A flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of the processing procedure in the dispatch system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5C] A flowchart (part 3) illustrating an example of the processing procedure in the dispatch system shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the dispatch device, dispatch system, and dispatch method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Dispatch System Configuration] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the dispatch system 10 according to the present invention. The dispatch system 10 is a system for providing a dispatch service to a user. A dispatch service refers to assigning and dispatching a vehicle to a user to transport them from their pick-up location to their drop-off location. Examples include dispatching manned and unmanned taxis, dispatching vehicles used for transportation services at airports, train stations, hotels, wedding venues, event halls, nurseries, schools, nursing homes, etc., and dispatching vehicles used for rental car and ride-sharing services. Users are not particularly limited, as long as they can appropriately pay the fee for the dispatch service. As shown in Figure 1, the dispatch system 10 comprises a terminal 1, dispatched vehicles 2, a dispatch server 3, and a network NW. The terminal 1, dispatched vehicles 2, and dispatch server 3 can exchange information with each other via the network NW.

[0011] The network NW refers to a telecommunications network such as the Internet or a LAN (local area network), and is not particularly limited as long as information can be exchanged between terminal 1, dispatch vehicle 2, and dispatch server 3; publicly known networks can be used. The communication method may be wired or wireless, and may also utilize mobile communication such as 4G / LTE or 5G. The following describes each device that constitutes the dispatch system 10.

[0012] The terminal device 1 is a device operated by a user who uses the vehicle dispatching service provided by the vehicle dispatching system 10. For example, it is a personal computer, a smartphone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or other portable device. Also, the terminal device 1 may be a wearable terminal such as a smartwatch or a head-mounted display. The terminal device 1 includes a detection device 11, a display device 12, an input device 13, a communication device 14, and a control device 15. Each device included in the terminal device 1 is connected by a wired or wireless LAN or the like and can exchange information with each other.

[0013] The detection device 11 is a device for detecting the state of the user and the state of the user's surroundings. For example, it is a positioning system including a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit for detecting the user's position information, a gyro sensor, an odometry, and the like. The user's position information includes latitude and longitude information, road information around the user, and the like. Also, the detection device 11 may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, a microphone, etc. in addition to the positioning system.

[0014] The display device 12 is a device for displaying information and providing information to the user, and examples include a liquid crystal display, a projector, etc. The shape, position, and size of the display device 12 can be appropriately set within a range where the user can appropriately acquire information.

[0015] The input device 13 is a device for the user to input operations to the terminal device 1. For example, it is a touch panel that accepts input by the user's finger touch or a stylus pen. Also, the input device 13 may include a joystick, a microphone that can accept input by the user's voice, etc. When the input device 13 is a touch panel, it may be provided on the liquid crystal display that is the display device 12.

[0016] The communication device 14 is a communication interface that supports various communication standards such as the wired LAN standard and the wireless LAN standard. The communication device 14 is a device for exchanging information between the terminal device 1 and the network NW, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a device capable of communicating with other devices via a network such as the Internet, and a known device can be used. Although there is one communication device 14 shown in FIG. 1, the number of communication devices 14 is not particularly limited, and a plurality of communication devices 14 may be used. When a plurality of communication devices 14 are used, the connection relationship between each device included in the terminal device 1 and the communication device 14 is not particularly limited.

[0017] The control device 15 is a device for controlling each device of the terminal device 1 to cooperate and display information necessary for a user who uses the vehicle dispatching service, and further outputting the user's state and requests to the vehicle dispatching server 3. The control device 15 is, for example, a computer, and as shown in FIG. 2, includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 151 which is a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 152 in which a program is stored, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 153 which functions as an accessible storage device. The CPU 151 is an operation circuit for executing the program stored in the ROM 152 and realizing the functions of the control device 15.

[0018] The program used in the control device 15 is, for example, an application for using the vehicle dispatching service provided by the vehicle dispatching system 10, and includes a terminal control unit 4 which is a functional block for realizing the display of information by the control device 15 and the output of the user's state and requests. The terminal control unit 4 has a function of receiving a vehicle dispatching request from a user who uses the vehicle dispatching service and providing information necessary for the user. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal control unit 4 includes a detection unit 41 and a display unit 42. In FIG. 2, each unit is extracted for convenience of illustration. Hereinafter, when the user uses the vehicle dispatching service using the application, the functions performed by each functional block of the control device 15 will be described.

[0019] The detection unit 41 has the function of acquiring the user's status and the status of the user's surroundings. The control device 15 acquires the detection results of the detection device 11 based on the function of the detection unit 41 and recognizes the user's status and the status of the user's surroundings. For example, in order to set the user's pick-up and drop-off locations, the dispatch device 32 of the dispatch server 3 may request information on the user's current location. In this case, the control device 15 acquires information on the current location of the terminal 1 from a positioning system such as a GPS unit as information on the current location of the user who possesses the terminal 1.

[0020] The display unit 42 has the function of displaying information on the display device 12. The information displayed on the display device 12 includes map information for searching for the drop-off location, location information and estimated arrival time of the drop-off location, estimated usage fee, desired vehicle type information, and icons for confirming or canceling the dispatch request, as well as other application information necessary for the user to request a dispatch. The information displayed on the display device 12 also includes dispatch plan information obtained from the communication device 14.

[0021] A ride-hailing plan is a plan for transporting a user from their pick-up location to their drop-off location. It includes information such as the location of the pick-up and drop-off locations, the waiting time for the vehicle at the pick-up location, the travel time to the pick-up location, the type of vehicle used, the route from the pick-up location to the drop-off location, the estimated time of arrival at the drop-off location, whether there are other users sharing the ride, the pick-up locations and estimated pick-up times of other users sharing the ride, and the fare for the ride-hailing service.

[0022] Information on the dispatch plan is obtained from the dispatch device 32 by the functions of the terminal control unit 4. The control device 15 obtains the dispatch plan from the dispatch device 32 as dispatch information including the dispatch plan. In addition to the dispatch plan, the dispatch information includes information such as the travel route from the user's current location to the pick-up location, map information of the areas around the pick-up and drop-off locations, and whether or not there are traffic restrictions around the pick-up and drop-off locations.

[0023] The terminal control unit 4 has the function of exchanging information with other devices in the dispatch system 10 (specifically, the dispatch server 3). Specifically, the terminal control unit 4 has the function of acquiring user instructions entered from the input device 13. The control device 15 acquires the operation to the application entered by the user who wants to use the dispatch service, based on the function of the terminal control unit 4, and controls each device to execute the acquired operation. For example, if the user inputs an instruction to launch an application by touching the touch panel or by voice input via the microphone, the control device 15 acquires the input instruction and launches the application.

[0024] Furthermore, the terminal control unit 4 has the function of outputting information including the dispatch conditions desired by the user from the communication device 14 shown in Figure 1 to the dispatch device 32. Dispatch conditions refer to the constraints on transporting the user from the pick-up location to the drop-off location, and include information such as the user's specified drop-off location, the number of passengers including the user, the desired vehicle type, and whether or not permission has been given for other users to share the ride. In addition, the control device 15 outputs the user's current location information and / or the user's schedule information before and after the dispatch request to the communication device 14, which was obtained from the detection device 11.

[0025] Returning to Figure 1, the dispatched vehicle 2 is a vehicle used for the dispatch service provided by the dispatch system 10, and provides a means of transportation to the drop-off location specified by the user. The dispatched vehicle 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is an automobile that the user can ride in, and examples include passenger cars such as light vehicles, small cars (compact cars), and regular cars, as well as manned or unmanned taxis, buses, and trucks. The dispatched vehicle 2 may also be an autonomous vehicle.

[0026] The dispatch vehicle 2 is equipped with a communication device 21 and a driving control device 22. The communication device 21 is an in-vehicle device equipped with 4G / LTE mobile communication functionality, an in-vehicle device equipped with Wi-Fi® communication functionality, etc. The driving control device 22 is a device for coordinating and controlling the devices that make up the dispatch vehicle 2, and like the control device 15, it is equipped with a CPU, ROM, and RAM.

[0027] The devices constituting the dispatched vehicle 2 include, in addition to the communication device 21 and the driving control device 22, an imaging device, a distance measuring device, a positioning system for detecting the location of the dispatched vehicle, a navigation device, a drive control device, and a steering control device. These devices are connected by CAN (Controller Area Network) or other in-vehicle LANs and can exchange information with each other. The positioning system includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit, a gyro sensor, an odometry device, etc. The driving control device 22 acquires information on the current location of the dispatched vehicle 2 from the positioning system at the request of the dispatching device 32 and outputs it to the dispatching server 3 via the network NW from the communication device 21.

[0028] The dispatch server 3 is a device used in a ride-hailing service to assign and dispatch vehicles to users to transport them from their pick-up location to their drop-off location. The dispatch server 3 is, for example, a server operated by the provider of the ride-hailing service, but it may also be a server operated by someone other than the provider of the ride-hailing service. In this case, the provider of the ride-hailing service rents a portion of the server's area from the server operator. The dispatch server 3 comprises a communication device 31, a dispatch device 32, and a database DB. The devices included in the dispatch server 3 are connected by wired or wireless LAN, etc., and can exchange information with each other.

[0029] The communication device 31 is a communication interface that supports various communication standards such as wired LAN standards and wireless LAN standards. The communication device 31 is a device for exchanging information between the dispatch server 3 and the network NW, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that can communicate with other devices via a network such as the Internet, and any known device can be used. Although Figure 1 shows one communication device 31, the number of communication devices 31 is not particularly limited, and multiple communication devices 31 may be used.

[0030] The dispatch device 32 is a device for assigning and dispatching vehicles to users based on the dispatch conditions desired by the user. As shown in Figure 3, the dispatch device 32 is, for example, a computer and includes a CPU 321 which is a processor, a ROM 322 which stores programs, and a RAM 323 which functions as an accessible storage device. The CPU 321 is an operating circuit that executes the programs stored in the ROM 322 and realizes the functions of the dispatch device 32.

[0031] Furthermore, the operating circuit of the dispatching device 32 can use an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., instead of or in conjunction with the CPU. The same applies to the operating circuit of the control device 15.

[0032] The program used in the dispatch device 32 is, for example, a program for assigning a dispatch vehicle to a user according to dispatch conditions, and includes a dispatch control unit 5, which is a functional block for realizing the assignment of a dispatch vehicle according to the dispatch conditions. Figure 3 shows the dispatch control unit 5 in an extract for convenience. The dispatch control unit 5 of this embodiment has a dispatch control function, for example, when dispatching a dispatch vehicle 2, which is carrying a user who will alight at a second point, to a user who will travel from a first point to a second point, while the dispatch vehicle 2 is on its way to the second point, and the dispatch vehicle 2 travels to the second point via the first point, it has a function to determine whether the dispatch vehicle 2 can arrive at the second point within the allowable travel time allowed for the travel time to the second point.

[0033] The first location is an intermediate point on the way to the second location, and is a point where the user of the ride-hailing service boards and / or alights from the dispatched vehicle 2, or where cargo to be transported using the dispatched vehicle 2 is loaded and / or unloaded. The first location does not necessarily have to be a location registered in the map information stored in the database DB, and may be a location whose location is not registered in the said map information.

[0034] One example of a situation where the first point is not registered in the map information is when the first point is located on the grounds of a large facility. That is, in large facilities such as general hospitals, university hospitals, suburban outlet malls, and theme parks with large site areas, it may be necessary to travel within the facility grounds to reach the user's pick-up / drop-off point (i.e., the first point) from a road registered in the map information (e.g., a public road). In this case, since the facility grounds are private property, the exact location of the pick-up / drop-off point and the roads traveling within the grounds may not be registered in the map information.

[0035] The second point is the destination of the dispatched vehicle 2, and, like the first point, is a point where users of the dispatch service board and / or alight from the dispatched vehicle 2, or a point where goods to be transported using the dispatched vehicle 2 are loaded and / or unloaded. However, the destination in this embodiment does not necessarily refer only to the final destination. For example, the second point may be an intermediate stop when traveling to the next destination, and the route that the dispatched vehicle 2 travels may be further set beyond the second point. Also, the second point may be the vehicle depot for the dispatched vehicle 2, or a maintenance factory where the dispatched vehicle 2 is serviced. In other words, there does not necessarily have to be a user using the dispatched vehicle 2 at the second point.

[0036] In this embodiment, the second point is defined as a point from which a travel route from the current location of the dispatched vehicle 2 to the second point can be generated. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the time required from the current location of the dispatched vehicle 2 to the second point can be accurately calculated.

[0037] The allowable travel time to the second location is the scheduled travel time to the second location, as notified to the user in advance, plus an allowable waiting time that the user or the dispatch service manager can tolerate for delays in the arrival of dispatched vehicle 2 at the second location. The allowable waiting time can be set to an appropriate predetermined value (for example, 5 to 15 minutes). Alternatively, the allowable waiting time may be set based on the surrounding environment of the second location, the user's schedule after disembarking from dispatched vehicle 2 at the second location, etc. For example, for a user who has a meeting scheduled near the second location after disembarking from dispatched vehicle 2, the allowable time would be set to the time until the start of the meeting. Also, if an error is set in advance for the travel time to the second location, the allowable time may be set to the scheduled travel time to the second location plus the time of that error. In this case, the error time may be notified to the user in advance.

[0038] Furthermore, the dispatch control unit 5 may have a function to calculate the allowable time for arrival at the second location from the allowable time. For example, if the allowable time is set to 10 minutes and the estimated arrival time at the second location has been calculated, the allowable time is calculated by adding the allowable time to the estimated arrival time (in this case, 10 minutes after the estimated arrival time). As another example, for a user who has a meeting scheduled near the second location after getting off the dispatched vehicle 2, the start time of the meeting is set as the allowable time. The dispatch device 32 may output at least one of the allowable time and the allowable time to the terminal 1 and notify the user using the display device 12.

[0039] Furthermore, the dispatch control unit 5 has the function of exchanging information with other devices of the dispatch system 10 (specifically, the terminal 1 and the dispatched vehicle 2). For example, the dispatch control unit 5 has the function of acquiring information from the terminal 1, including the dispatch conditions desired by the user. In addition, the dispatch control unit 5 has the function of acquiring information on the user's current location obtained from the detection device 11 of the terminal 1. In addition, the dispatch control unit 5 has the function of outputting dispatch information, including the dispatch plan, to the terminal 1. The dispatch control unit 5 also has the function of acquiring information on the current location and driving status of the dispatched vehicle 2 from the driving control device 22. In addition, the dispatch control unit 5 has the function of outputting driving instructions to the driving control device 22 of the dispatched vehicle 2. Communication devices 14, 21, 31 and the network NW are used for communication between the devices constituting the dispatch system 10.

[0040] The dispatch device 32 has a determination function, a calculation function, and an extraction function to determine whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can reach the second point within an allowable time via the first point. The program stored in the ROM 322 contains programs to realize these functions, and these functions are realized when the CPU 321 executes the program stored in the ROM 322. Figure 3 shows, for convenience, the functional blocks that realize the above-mentioned functions: the registration determination unit 51, the first calculation unit 52, the time determination unit 53, the second calculation unit 54, the execution determination unit 55, and the extraction unit 56. The functions of each functional block shown in Figure 3 will be described below.

[0041] The registration determination unit 51 has a determination function that, after a route for dispatched vehicle 2 to the second point has been set, receives a dispatch instruction to dispatch vehicle 2 to the first point, and determines whether the road to the first point is registered in the map information. If the road to the first point is not registered in the map information, a route to the first point cannot be generated, and therefore the travel time to the first point must be calculated using the method described below, rather than the usual method used when a route can be generated.

[0042] The dispatch device 32, through the functions of the dispatch control unit 5, receives a dispatch instruction from the control device 15 of the terminal unit 1 to dispatch a dispatch vehicle 2 to the first location. Then, through the functions of the registration determination unit 51, it requests the location of the dispatch vehicle 2 within a predetermined range from the first location and dispatch plan information from the driving control device 22 of each dispatch vehicle 2 or the server (not shown) that manages the dispatch service. The predetermined range can be set appropriately based on the allowable waiting time that the user is willing to wait for the dispatch vehicle 2 at the first location. For example, if the allowable waiting time is 5 to 15 minutes, the range is set so that the dispatch vehicle 2 can reach the first location within 5 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, a fixed range (for example, within 100 to 500m from the first location) may be set as the predetermined range. If no dispatch vehicle 2 is present within the predetermined range, the functions of the registration determination unit 51 expand the predetermined range and request the location of the dispatch vehicle 2 and dispatch plan information again.

[0043] The driving control device 22 of the dispatched vehicle 2 outputs the location of the dispatched vehicle 2 and dispatch plan information to the dispatching device 32 in response to a request from the dispatching device 32. The location of the dispatched vehicle 2 is obtained from the positioning system of the dispatched vehicle 2. In addition to location information, the dispatching device 32 may also obtain the driving status of the dispatched vehicle 2. The driving status of the dispatched vehicle 2 is determined based on information obtained from various sensors of the dispatched vehicle 2 (vehicle speed sensor, acceleration sensor, steering angle sensor, etc.). For example, if the location of the dispatched vehicle 2 is within the vehicle depot and the driving speed is 0 km / h, it can be determined that the dispatched vehicle 2 is on standby.

[0044] The dispatching device 32 acquires location information and dispatch plan information for dispatched vehicles 2 within a predetermined range from the first point, and then extracts from the dispatched vehicles 2 within the predetermined range from the first point those for which a route to the second point has been set. Whether or not a route to the second point has been set can be determined from the dispatch plan information of each dispatched vehicle 2. By extracting dispatched vehicles 2 that can pass through the first point from among the dispatched vehicles 2 traveling toward the second point, it is possible to promote ride-sharing among users in dispatched vehicles 2 and improve the operational efficiency of dispatched vehicles 2.

[0045] The dispatching device 32 extracts dispatched vehicles 2 for which a travel route to the second point has been set, and, using the function of the registration determination unit 51, determines whether or not the road to the first point is registered in the map information. The dispatch instruction that the dispatching device 32 receives from the terminal 1 includes location information of the first point set by the user as a dispatch condition. The dispatching device 32 attempts to generate a travel route from the current location of the dispatched vehicle 2 to the first point using the map information stored in the database DB. If the travel route can be generated, it determines that the road to the first point is registered in the map information. Conversely, if the travel route cannot be generated, it determines that the road to the first point is not registered in the map information.

[0046] Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the dispatching device 32 may determine whether the first point is located on a road registered in the map information. If the first point is located on such a road, it may determine that the road to which the vehicle travels is registered in the map information. If the first point is not located on such a road, it may determine that the road to which the vehicle travels is not registered in the map information. Here, if the first point is located on a road registered in the map information, this includes cases where the first point is adjacent to such a road.

[0047] The timing at which the dispatch device 32 determines whether the road to the first point is registered in the map information may be before, after, or simultaneously with the extraction of the dispatch vehicle 2 for which a route to the second point has been set. The first point is not particularly limited as long as it is a point set by the user, but the registration determination unit 51 will not perform a determination for points that are clearly unreachable by the dispatch vehicle 2, such as points where there are obstacles that the dispatch vehicle 2 cannot avoid, points within areas registered as areas where the dispatch vehicle 2 cannot travel, or points on roads registered in the map information but not connected to other roads. In this case, the dispatch device 32 outputs information to the terminal 1 indicating that dispatch to the first point is not possible, and the control device 15 notifies the user of this information using the display device 12.

[0048] If the dispatch device 32 determines that the road to the first point is registered in the map information, the dispatch control unit 5 generates a travel route for each dispatched vehicle 2 that goes via the first point to the second point. This allows the system to calculate the travel time to the second point via the first point and the estimated arrival time at the second point. On the other hand, if the system determines that the road to the first point is not registered in the map information, the first calculation unit 52 estimates the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to the second point via the first point.

[0049] The first calculation unit 52 has the function of calculating the approximate travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel to the second point via the first point when the registration determination unit 51 determines that the road to travel to the first point is not registered in the map information. This approximate travel time will be called the first travel time. The first travel time is calculated based on the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel to the second point along the travel route set by the dispatch device 32 before it received the dispatch instruction to the first point, the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel the shortest distance between the said travel route and the first point, and the predetermined stopping time for the dispatched vehicle 2 at the first point.

[0050] The travel route set before receiving dispatch instructions for the first location is the route that dispatched vehicle 2 takes from a location specified by the user (for example, the user's location) to the second location without passing through the first location. This travel route is generated by the dispatch control unit 5 using map information stored in the database DB. Specifically, it searches for routes from the location specified by the user to the second location set by the user, and from the searched routes, selects, for example, the route with the shortest travel distance and sets it as the travel route. The travel time for traveling along this route is calculated as, for example, the time required if dispatched vehicle 2 travels along this route to the second location at the legal speed limit. The travel speed used to calculate this travel time may be the one recorded in the travel history of dispatched vehicle 2 when it has traveled to the second location in the past. The travel time for traveling to the second location without passing through the first location is included in the dispatch plan information obtained from the travel control device 22 of dispatched vehicle 2.

[0051] The shortest distance between the travel route set before receiving dispatch instructions to the first point and the first point is determined, for example, by geometric processing using the shape of the travel route and the location information of the first point. Specifically, a perpendicular line is generated from the travel route passing through the first point, the distance between the first point and the intersection point of the travel route and the perpendicular line is calculated, and this distance is taken as the shortest distance. Alternatively, a circle centered at the first point may be generated, the radius of the generated circle is expanded until its circumference touches the travel route, and the radius of the circle at which the circumference touches the travel route may be calculated as the shortest distance. The case of calculating the shortest distance using a perpendicular line will be explained below using Figure 4.

[0052] Figure 4 is a plan view showing an example of a method for determining the shortest distance between a travel route and a first point using the functions of the first calculation unit 52. In the travel scene shown in Figure 4, a travel instruction is output to the dispatch vehicle 2, which is currently traveling at position Pc, to travel to the second point P2, and the dispatch vehicle 2 is assumed to be traveling along the travel route R generated by the dispatch device 32. In this case, when a dispatch instruction via the first point P1 is output from the terminal 1 to the dispatch device 32, the dispatch device 32 generates a perpendicular line X (shown as a dashed line in Figure 4) to the travel route R that passes through the first point P1, using the functions of the first calculation unit 52. Next, the intersection point Px of the travel route R and the perpendicular line X is calculated. The intersection point Px is the point on the travel route R that is the shortest distance from the first point P1, and is also called the shortest point. Then, the distance D between the first point P1 and the intersection point (shortest point) Px is calculated as the shortest distance.

[0053] The travel time for dispatched vehicle 2 to travel the shortest distance is calculated as the travel time if dispatched vehicle 2 travels from the shortest point Px to the first point P1 at a predetermined speed. The predetermined speed can be set to an appropriate value (for example, 5 to 15 km / h) within a range that can reliably avoid contact with pedestrians, such as when traveling on roads within the grounds of a large facility. Alternatively, the travel time for dispatched vehicle 2 to travel the shortest distance may be calculated as the travel time if dispatched vehicle 2 travels from the shortest point Px to the first point P1 at the average travel speed that dispatched vehicle 2 has used when passing through the shortest point Px in the past. This allows for the calculation of a travel time that reflects the driving environment around the first point.

[0054] Furthermore, the first calculation unit 52 may have a function to calculate the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel from its current location Pc to the shortest point Px and the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel the shortest distance from the shortest point Px to the first point P1, and then add these calculated times together to calculate the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel from its current location Pc to the first point P1. In addition, the first calculation unit 52 may have a function to calculate the arrival time of the dispatched vehicle 2 to the first point P1 from the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel from its current location Pc to the first point P1. For example, the dispatch device 32 calculates the arrival time at the first point P1 as the current time plus the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel from its current location Pc to the first point P1. The calculated arrival time may be output to the terminal 1 and notified to the user by the display device 12.

[0055] The predetermined stopping time for the dispatched vehicle 2 at the first point P1 can be set to an appropriate amount of time within the range that allows users who were riding in the dispatched vehicle 2 to disembark and users who are about to board the dispatched vehicle 2 to complete their boarding. Alternatively, or in addition to this, an appropriate amount of time may be set within the range that allows for the loading and / or unloading of goods to be transported using the dispatched vehicle 2 to be completed. The predetermined stopping time is, for example, 2 to 6 minutes.

[0056] The dispatching device 32 calculates a first travel time by adding together the travel time calculated by the function of the first calculation unit 52, that is, the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel to the second point P2 along the travel route R set before the dispatching device 32 received the dispatch instruction to the first point P1, the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel the shortest distance between the travel route R and the first point P1, and the predetermined stopping time of the dispatched vehicle 2 at the first point P1. The device then compares the calculated first travel time with the allowable time.

[0057] Returning to Figure 3, the time determination unit 53 has a function to determine whether the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time. Furthermore, if the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time, the time determination unit 53 has a function to determine whether the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time. The dispatch device 32 compares the first travel time and the allowable time based on the function of the time determination unit 53 and determines which is shorter. In addition, if the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time, the dispatch device 32 calculates the difference between the allowable time and the first travel time and determines whether the difference is less than or equal to a predetermined time.

[0058] The predetermined time can be set to an appropriate amount of time within a range that allows for a proper determination of whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can reach the second point within the allowable time via the first point. The predetermined time may be set to a specific value (for example, 1 to 5 minutes), or it may be set according to the length of the shortest distance between the first point and the travel route (i.e., the distance between the first point and the shortest point). Specifically, the longer the shortest distance between the first point and the travel route, the longer the predetermined time should be set. This is because the further the first point is from the travel route, the greater the difference between the predetermined travel time and the actual travel time to the first point. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the longer the distance from the first point to the second point, the longer the predetermined time should be set. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the smaller the processing load of the dispatch device 32, the shorter the predetermined time should be set.

[0059] The second calculation unit 54 has the function of calculating the second travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel to the second point via the first point, using the travel history of past trips to the first point, if the function of the time determination unit 53 determines that the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time. Unlike the first travel time, the second travel time is calculated using the travel history of the actual trip to the first point, so it is a more accurate travel time to the second point than the first travel time. However, the load for calculating the second travel time (communication load between the database DB and the dispatch device 32, processing load of the processor of the dispatch device 32, etc.) is higher than the load for calculating the first travel time. Therefore, if the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is longer than a predetermined time (i.e., there is a low possibility that the vehicle will not be able to travel to the second point via the first point within the allowable time), the second travel time is not calculated. The second travel time is calculated only when the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time (i.e., there is a high possibility that the vehicle will not be able to travel to the second point via the first point within the allowable time).

[0060] The dispatch device 32, using the functions of the second calculation unit 54, obtains the travel history of vehicles that have traveled to the first point in the past from the database DB. The travel history records the date and time, travel route, travel speed, and travel time of each dispatched vehicle 2 that traveled to the first point. The travel history used to calculate the second travel time does not necessarily have to be the travel history of the same dispatched vehicle 2; the travel history of multiple dispatched vehicles 2 may be used.

[0061] The dispatching device 32, for example, obtains information on the travel route and travel time from the travel history, generates the shortest point from the first point on the obtained travel route, and calculates the travel time required to travel from the shortest point to the first point. When generating the shortest point on the travel route, it performs processing similar to the geometric processing performed by the function of the first calculation unit 52. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the dispatching device 32 may obtain information on the travel route and time from the travel history, and calculate the travel time required to travel on roads not registered in the map information from the difference between the time when the dispatched vehicle 2 entered a road not registered in the map information and the time when it arrived at the first point.

[0062] The dispatch device 32 calculates the travel time from the shortest point to the first point (i.e., the travel time on roads not registered in the map information) from the travel history, and then adds to this calculated travel time the travel time to the second point along the travel route set before obtaining the dispatch instruction to the first point, and the predetermined stopping time of the dispatched vehicle 2 at the first point to calculate the second travel time. The travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to the second point along the travel route set before obtaining the dispatch instruction to the first point, and the predetermined stopping time are the same as those used to calculate the first travel time.

[0063] Furthermore, the second calculation unit 54 may have a function similar to that of the first calculation unit 52, which is to calculate the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel from its current location to the first location. However, in the case of the second calculation unit 54, unlike the first calculation unit 52, the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel from the shortest point to the first location is calculated using the travel history of the dispatched vehicle 2 to the first location in the past. In addition, the second calculation unit 54 may have a function similar to that of the first calculation unit 52, which is to calculate the arrival time when the dispatched vehicle 2 arrives at the first location from the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel from its current location to the first location.

[0064] Furthermore, if there is no record of dispatched vehicle 2 having traveled to point 1, the dispatching device 32 cannot calculate the second travel time. In this case, the dispatching device 32 determines that dispatched vehicle 2 cannot reach point 2 within the allowable time via point 1.

[0065] The execution determination unit 55 has a function to determine whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can reach the second location within the allowable time via the first location, based on the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time. The dispatch device 32 calculates the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time, respectively, based on the function of the execution determination unit 55. Then, if the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time and the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is longer than a predetermined time, and if the second travel time is shorter than the allowable time, the dispatch device 32 determines that the dispatched vehicle 2 can reach the second location within the allowable time via the first location. In all other cases (i.e., when the first travel time or the second travel time is the same as the allowable time, and when the first travel time or the second travel time is longer than the allowable time), the dispatch device 32 determines that the dispatched vehicle 2 cannot reach the second location within the allowable time via the first location.

[0066] If multiple dispatch vehicles 2 are within a predetermined range from the first point, the above-described processes are performed for each of the multiple dispatch vehicles 2. Specifically, the dispatch device 32 calculates a first travel time for each dispatch vehicle 2 using the functions of the first calculation unit 52, and determines for each dispatch vehicle 2 whether the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time using the functions of the time determination unit 53. If the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time, it determines whether the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time. Furthermore, for dispatch vehicles 2 for which the time determination unit 53 has determined that the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time, the dispatch device 32 calculates a second travel time using the functions of the second calculation unit 54, and calculates for each dispatch vehicle 2 the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time, using the functions of the execution determination unit 55. Then, based on the two calculated differences, it determines for each dispatch vehicle 2 whether it can reach the second point within the allowable time via the first point.

[0067] The extraction unit 56 has the function of extracting dispatch vehicles 2 from among one or more dispatch vehicles 2 traveling within a predetermined range from the first point, which have been determined by the function of the execution determination unit 55 to be able to reach the second point via the first point within an allowable time. If the dispatch device 32 has made a determination on multiple dispatch vehicles 2 using the function of the execution determination unit 55, the extraction unit 56 will extract the dispatch vehicles 2 which have been determined to be able to reach the second point via the first point within an allowable time.

[0068] If the dispatch vehicle 2 determined by the execution determination unit 55 to be able to reach the second location within the allowable time via the first location is selected by the extraction unit 56, the dispatch device 32 outputs information about the selected dispatch vehicle 2 to the terminal 1. In other words, the dispatch device 32 outputs information to the terminal 1 indicating that a vehicle can be dispatched to the first location, and the control device 15 uses the display device 12 to notify the user of the information about the selected dispatch vehicle 2.

[0069] The user is notified of the dispatch plan, which includes, for example, the waiting time for dispatched vehicle 2 at the first location, the type of dispatched vehicle 2, the route of dispatched vehicle 2, and the estimated time of arrival at the second location. If there are other users who wish to share a ride, the user is also notified of their presence. In this case, the dispatch device 32 may output only the location of dispatched vehicle 2, extracted by the function of the extraction unit 56, to the terminal 1. This is to encourage users to share a ride with dispatched vehicle 2 and to improve the operational efficiency of dispatched vehicle 2.

[0070] On the other hand, if the execution determination unit 55 determines that a dispatched vehicle 2 can reach the second location within the allowable time via the first location, but the extraction unit 56 fails to extract it, it means that there are no dispatched vehicles 2 within a predetermined range from the first location that can reach the second location within the allowable time via the first location. In this case, the registration determination unit 51 expands the predetermined range and requests the location of the dispatched vehicle 2 and the dispatch plan information again. Alternatively, the dispatch device 32 may output information to the terminal 1 indicating that dispatch to the first location is not possible. In this case, the control device 15 notifies the user of this information using the display device 12. Alternatively, the dispatch device 32 may extract a dispatched vehicle 2 that is within a predetermined range from the first location and for which the user has not set a second location (i.e., a waiting dispatched vehicle 2) as the dispatched vehicle 2, and output that information to the terminal 1.

[0071] When the dispatch device 32 receives information from the user specifying a dispatch vehicle 2, after receiving this information, it outputs a driving instruction to the driving control device 22 of the dispatch vehicle 2 specified by the user, selected from the dispatch vehicles 2 extracted by the function of the extraction unit 56, to travel to the second point via the first point. This driving instruction is performed by the function of the dispatch control unit 5.

[0072] Furthermore, the first calculation unit 52 may have a function to calculate the first arrival time when the dispatched vehicle 2 arrives at the second point via the first point, based on the first travel time, and the second calculation unit 54 may have a function to calculate the second arrival time when the dispatched vehicle 2 arrives at the second point via the first point, based on the second travel time. The dispatch device 32 calculates the first arrival time by adding the first travel time to the current time, and calculates the second arrival time by adding the second travel time to the current time. This makes it possible to process using the first arrival time, second arrival time, and allowance time instead of the first travel time, second travel time, and allowance time.

[0073] In other words, the dispatching device 32 compares the first arrival time with the allowable time using the function of the time determination unit 53, and if the first arrival time is earlier than the allowable time, it determines whether the difference between the first arrival time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time. Furthermore, the dispatching device 32 uses the function of the execution determination unit 55 to determine whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can reach the second location by the allowable time via the first location, based on the difference between the first arrival time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second arrival time and the allowable time. Specifically, it calculates the difference between the first arrival time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second arrival time and the allowable time, respectively. Then, if the first arrival time is earlier than the allowable time and the difference between the first arrival time and the allowable time is longer than a predetermined time, and if the second arrival time is earlier than the allowable time, it determines that the dispatched vehicle 2 can reach the second location by the allowable time via the first location. In all other cases (i.e., when the first or second arrival time is the same as the allowable time, and when the first or second arrival time is later than the allowable time), the dispatching device 32 determines that the dispatched vehicle 2 cannot reach the second location by the allowable time via the first location.

[0074] Let's explain the processing of the dispatch device 32 with a specific example. For example, in the driving scene shown in Figure 4, suppose the current time is 9:00, the scheduled arrival time at the second point P2 is 9:20, and the allowable time is 5 minutes. In other words, the scheduled driving time is 20 minutes, and the allowable time is 9:25. In this case, if the shortest distance D between the shortest point Px and the first point P1 is traveled at a preset speed (for example, 10 km / h) and the predetermined stopping time is 2 minutes, then the first driving time from the current position Pc to the second point P2 via the first point P1 is calculated by the function of the first calculation unit 52 as 24 minutes, which is the scheduled driving time of 20 minutes plus 2 minutes for the round trip between the shortest point Px and the first point P1 and the predetermined stopping time of 2 minutes. In other words, the first arrival time is 9:24.

[0075] If the time determination unit 53 determines that the predetermined time is set to 2 minutes, the first arrival time is earlier than the allowable time, and the difference between them is less than or equal to the predetermined time (i.e., 1 minute). Therefore, the second calculation unit 54 calculates the second travel time. If information is obtained from past travel history stored in the database DB that the travel time from the shortest point Px to the first point P1 is 1.5 minutes, then the second travel time from the current position Pc to the second point P2 via the first point P1 will be 25 minutes, which is the planned travel time of 20 minutes plus 3 minutes for the round trip between the shortest point Px and the first point P1, and a predetermined stopping time of 2 minutes. In other words, the second arrival time is 9:25. In this case, since the allowable time and the second arrival time are the same, the dispatch device 32 determines, based on the execution determination unit 55's determination, that the dispatched vehicle 2 cannot reach the second point by the allowable time via the first point.

[0076] [Processing in the dispatch system] Referring to Figures 5A to 5C, the procedure for information processing by the dispatch device 32 will be explained. Figures 5A to 5C are examples of flowcharts showing information processing in the dispatch system 10 of this embodiment. The routines on the left of the flowchart show steps executed by the terminal 1, the routines in the center show steps executed by the dispatch server 3, and the routines on the right show steps executed by the dispatched vehicle 2. The processes described below are executed in the control device 15 of the terminal 1, the dispatch device 32 of the dispatch server 3, and the driving control device 22 of the dispatched vehicle 2 when a user requests a dispatch.

[0077] First, in step S1 of Figure 5A, the control device 15 receives the dispatch request entered by the user into the input device 13 using the functions of the terminal control unit 4, and in the following step S2, outputs a dispatch instruction to the dispatch server 3 for a vehicle to go from the user's specified location to the second location. In step S3, the dispatch device 32 obtains the dispatch instruction from the terminal 1 using the functions of the dispatch control unit 5, and then requests location information for each dispatch vehicle 2 that is within a predetermined range from the user's specified location. In step S4, the driving control device 22 of each dispatch vehicle 2 receives the request from the dispatch device 32 and outputs the location information of the dispatch vehicle 2 to the dispatch server 3.

[0078] In step S5, after acquiring location information from each dispatched vehicle 2, the dispatch device 32 generates a travel route for each dispatched vehicle 2 within a predetermined range from the user's specified location to a second location. In the following step S6, the dispatch device 32 outputs dispatch information, including the generated travel route and the travel time to the second location, to the terminal 1. In step S7, after acquiring the dispatch information, the control device 15 uses the display device 12 to display the travel route and travel time for each dispatched vehicle 2 to the user. In step S8, the control device 15 acquires user input from the input device 13 and outputs information on the dispatched vehicle 2 specified by the user to the dispatch server 3.

[0079] In step S9, the dispatch device 32 obtains information on the dispatched vehicle 2 specified by the user from the terminal 1 and outputs a driving instruction to the specified dispatched vehicle 2 to travel from the user's specified location to the second location. Then, in step S10, the driving control device 22 obtains the driving instruction from the dispatched vehicle 2 and drives the dispatched vehicle 2 to the second location according to the obtained driving instruction. The location specified by the user may be the user's current location or any other location.

[0080] Next, in step S11 of Figure 5B, the control device 15, through the functions of the terminal control unit 4, receives a dispatch request to the first location entered by the user in the input device 13, and in the following step S12, outputs a dispatch instruction to the dispatch server 3 for a vehicle to proceed to the second location via the first location. In step S13, the dispatch device 32, after acquiring the dispatch instruction from the terminal 1 through the functions of the dispatch control unit 5, uses the functions of the registration determination unit 51 to request location information and dispatch plan information for each dispatch vehicle 2 that is within a predetermined range from the first location. In step S14, the driving control device 22 of each dispatch vehicle 2 acquires the request from the dispatch device 32 and outputs the location information and dispatch plan information of the dispatch vehicle 2 to the dispatch server 3.

[0081] In step S15, after acquiring location information and dispatch plan information from each dispatched vehicle 2, the dispatch device 32 uses the function of the registration determination unit 51 to extract dispatched vehicles 2 that have a set travel route to the second point from among the dispatched vehicles 2 that are within a predetermined range from the first point. In the following step S16, it determines whether or not the road that the dispatched vehicle 2 will travel on to the first point is registered in the map information. In step S17, the function of the first calculation unit 52 calculates the shortest point between the travel route generated in step S5 and the first point. In the following step S18, the first travel time to travel to the second point via the first point is calculated by geometric processing of the travel route and the first point.

[0082] In step S19, the time determination unit 53 determines whether the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time. If it is determined that the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time, in the following step S20, it is determined whether the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time. If it is determined that the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time and the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time, in step S21, the second calculation unit 54 calculates the second travel time, which is the travel time from the first point to the second point, using the travel history of the travel to the first point.

[0083] Next, in step S22 of Figure 5C, the execution determination unit 55 calculates the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time. In the following step S23, the extraction unit 56 extracts dispatched vehicles 2 whose first travel time is shorter than the allowable time and whose difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is longer than a predetermined time, and dispatched vehicles 2 whose second travel time is shorter than the allowable time. In step S24, the dispatch control unit 5 generates a travel route for the dispatched vehicles 2 extracted in step S23, traveling from point 1 to point 2. In the following step S25, the estimated travel time to point 1 is calculated for the extracted dispatched vehicles 2. In step S26, the generated travel route and the estimated travel time to point 1 are output to terminal 1 along with the information of the extracted dispatched vehicles 2.

[0084] In step S27, the control device 15 displays to the user the travel route generated in step S26 and the estimated travel time to the first point, along with information on the dispatched vehicle 2, using the display device 12. In step S28, the control device 15 receives user input from the input device 13 and outputs information on the dispatched vehicle 2 specified by the user to the dispatch server 3. In step S29, the dispatch device 32 receives information on the dispatched vehicle 2 specified by the user from the terminal 1 and outputs a travel instruction to the specified dispatched vehicle 2 to travel to the second point via the first point. Then, in step S30, the travel control device 22 receives the travel instruction from the dispatched vehicle 2 and drives the dispatched vehicle 2 to the first point, which is an intermediate point, according to the acquired travel instruction.

[0085] Note that the terminal 1 used in steps S1, S2, S7, and S8 and the terminal 1 used in steps S11, S12, S27, and S28 may be the same terminal or different terminals. Also, the dispatch request to the first location and the dispatch request to the second location may be entered by the same user or by different users.

[0086] [Embodiments of the present invention] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a dispatched vehicle 2 travels to a second point via a first point, the dispatch device 32 determines whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can arrive at the second point within an allowable time for travel time to the second point, and includes a registration determination unit 51 that determines whether the road to the first point is registered in map information when a dispatch instruction to dispatch the dispatched vehicle 2 to the first point is obtained after a travel route for the dispatched vehicle 2 to the second point has been set, and when the registration determination unit 51 determines that the road is not registered in the map information, it determines the travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel to the second point along the travel route set before the dispatch instruction was obtained, the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel the shortest distance between the travel route and the first point, and the travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 at the first point. A dispatch device 32 is provided, comprising: a first calculation unit 52 that calculates a first travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel to the second point via the first point based on a predetermined stopping time and; a time determination unit 53 that determines whether the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time if the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time; a second calculation unit 54 that, if the time determination unit 53 determines that the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to the predetermined time, calculates a second travel time for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel to the second point via the first point using the travel history of past trips to the first point; and an execution determination unit 55 that determines whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can arrive at the second point via the first point within the allowable time based on the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time. This makes it possible to determine whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can arrive at the set point via waypoints within the scheduled travel time.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment, the system includes an extraction unit 56 that extracts from one or more dispatch vehicles 2 traveling within a predetermined range from the first point, which the execution determination unit 55 has determined can reach the second point via the first point within the allowable time, and a dispatch control unit 5 that outputs an instruction to the driving control device 22 of the dispatch vehicle 2 specified by the user, from among the dispatch vehicles 2 extracted by the extraction unit 56, to travel to the second point via the first point. This makes it possible to extract only those dispatch vehicles 2 that can reach the set point via waypoints within the scheduled travel time from among multiple dispatch vehicles 2.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment, the dispatch control unit 5 outputs only the location of the dispatched vehicle 2 extracted by the extraction unit 56 to the user's terminal 1. This promotes ride-sharing among users on the dispatched vehicle 2 and improves the operational efficiency of the dispatched vehicle 2.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment, the first calculation unit 52 calculates the first travel time for each of the dispatch vehicles 2 traveling within the predetermined range, the time determination unit 53 determines whether the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to the predetermined time if the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time for each dispatch vehicle 2, the second calculation unit 54 calculates the second travel time for the dispatch vehicle 2 for which the time determination unit 53 has determined that the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to the predetermined time, and the execution determination unit 55 determines whether the dispatch vehicle 2 can reach the second point within the allowable time via the first point, based on the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time. This makes it possible to determine whether multiple dispatch vehicles 2 can reach a set point within the scheduled travel time via waypoints.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment, the first calculation unit 52 calculates the shortest point on the travel route that is the shortest distance from the first point, calculates the travel time for the dispatch vehicle 2 to travel to the shortest point and the travel time for the dispatch vehicle 2 to travel the shortest distance from the shortest point to the first point, and calculates the travel time for the dispatch vehicle 2 to travel to the first point based on the travel time for the dispatch vehicle 2 to travel to the shortest point and the travel time for the dispatch vehicle 2 to travel the shortest distance from the shortest point to the first point. This makes it possible to calculate the travel time to travel to the first point.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment, when the first calculation unit 52 calculates the travel time from the shortest point to the first point, it uses either a preset travel speed or the average travel speed of the dispatched vehicle 2 when it previously passed the shortest point. This makes it possible to calculate the travel time to the first point according to the travel environment at the first point.

[0092] Furthermore, according to the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment, the first calculation unit 52 calculates the arrival time of the dispatch vehicle 2 at the first point from the travel time of the dispatch vehicle 2 to the first point. This allows the user to be notified of the arrival time at the first point.

[0093] Furthermore, according to the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment, the time determination unit 53 sets the predetermined time to be longer the longer the distance from the first point to the second point. This allows the dispatch vehicle 2 to determine, in accordance with the driving conditions, whether it can arrive at the set point via waypoints within the scheduled driving time.

[0094] Furthermore, according to the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment, the time determination unit 53 sets the predetermined time shorter the less processing load the dispatch device 32 has. This allows for a more accurate determination of whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can arrive at the set location, via waypoints, within the scheduled travel time, while suppressing the load on the dispatch server 3.

[0095] Furthermore, according to the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment, the execution determination unit 55 determines that the dispatched vehicle 2 can reach the second location via the first location within the allowable time if the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time, the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is longer than the predetermined time, and the second travel time is shorter than the allowable time. If the first travel time or the second travel time is the same as the allowable time, and the first travel time or the second travel time is longer than the allowable time, the dispatched vehicle 2 cannot reach the second location via the first location within the allowable time. This makes it possible to more accurately determine whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can reach the set location within the scheduled travel time.

[0096] Furthermore, according to the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment, a dispatch control unit 5 is provided that calculates an allowable time to arrive at the second location from the allowable time, the first calculation unit 52 calculates a first arrival time when the dispatched vehicle 2 arrives at the second location via the first location from the first travel time, the time determination unit 53 determines whether the difference between the first arrival time and the allowable time is less than or equal to the predetermined time if the first arrival time is earlier than the allowable time, the second calculation unit 54 calculates a second arrival time when the dispatched vehicle 2 arrives at the second location via the first location from the second travel time, and the execution determination unit 55 determines whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can arrive at the second location via the first location by the allowable time based on the difference between the first arrival time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second arrival time and the allowable time. This makes it possible to use the first arrival time, second arrival time and allowable time instead of the first travel time, second travel time and allowable time for processing.

[0097] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a dispatch system 10 is provided, which includes a user terminal 1, the dispatched vehicle 2, and the dispatch device 32 of this embodiment. This makes it possible to determine whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can arrive at the set location, via waypoints, within the scheduled travel time.

[0098] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when dispatched vehicle 2 travels to a second point via a first point, a dispatch method executed by a processor determines whether the dispatched vehicle 2 can arrive at the second point within an allowable time for travel time to the second point, wherein if the processor receives a dispatch instruction to dispatch vehicle 2 to the first point after a travel route for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel to the second point has been set, it determines whether the road to travel to the first point is registered in the map information, and if it determines that the road is not registered in the map information, it determines the travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel to the second point along the travel route set before receiving the dispatch instruction, and the shortest distance between the travel route and the first point for the dispatched vehicle 2 to travel. A dispatch method is provided which calculates a first travel time for the dispatch vehicle 2 to travel to the second point via the first point based on the travel time and a predetermined stopping time for the dispatch vehicle 2 at the first point; if the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time, it is determined whether the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time; if it is determined that the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to the predetermined time, it is calculated a second travel time for the dispatch vehicle 2 to travel to the second point via the first point using the travel history of past trips to the first point; and based on the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time, it is determined whether the dispatch vehicle 2 can arrive at the second point via the first point within the allowable time. This makes it possible to determine whether the dispatch vehicle 2 can arrive at the set point via waypoints within the scheduled travel time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10… Dispatch system 1…Terminal 11…Detection device 12...Display device 13…Input device 14…Communication devices 15…Control device 151…CPU (Processor) 152...ROM 153...RAM 2… Dispatched vehicles 21...Communication equipment 22... Driving control device 3… Dispatch server 31...Communication device 32... Dispatch system 321…CPU (Processor) 322...ROM 323...RAM DB...Database NW...Network 4…Terminal Control Unit 41...Detection unit 42...Display section 5… Dispatch Control Unit 51...Registration Decision Unit 52...First Calculation Unit 53...Time determination unit 54... Second Calculation Unit 55… Execution determination unit 56…Extraction part D... Distance P1…Point 1 P2…Second point Pc…Current location Px…Intersection (shortest point) R...Route

Claims

1. After a route is set for a dispatched vehicle to travel from a location specified by the user to a second location, a dispatch instruction is received to dispatch the dispatched vehicle to a first location, and a registration determination unit determines whether or not the first location is located on a road registered in the map information, If the registration determination unit determines that the first point is not located on a road registered in the map information, the first calculation unit calculates a first travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel from the user-specified location to the second point via the first point, based on the travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel from the user-specified location to the second point without passing through the first point, along a travel route set before acquiring the dispatch instruction, the travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel the shortest distance between the travel route from the user-specified location to the second point without passing through the first point and the first point, and a predetermined stopping time for the dispatched vehicle at the first point. A time determination unit determines whether the difference between the first travel time and the allowable travel time is less than or equal to a predetermined time, when the first travel time is shorter than the allowable travel time to the second point when the dispatched vehicle travels from the location specified by the user, via the first point, to the second point; If the time determination unit determines that the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to the predetermined time, the second calculation unit calculates the second travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel from its current location to the second location via the first location, using the travel history of past trips to the first location. A dispatching device comprising: an execution determination unit that determines whether the dispatched vehicle can reach the second point within the allowable time via the first point, based on the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time.

2. An extraction unit extracts from one or more dispatched vehicles traveling within a predetermined range from the first point, which the execution determination unit has determined can reach the second point via the first point within the allowable time; The dispatching device according to claim 1, further comprising: a dispatching control unit that outputs an instruction to the driving control device of the dispatched vehicle designated by the user from among the dispatched vehicles extracted by the extraction unit to travel to the second point via the first point.

3. The dispatching device according to claim 2, wherein the dispatching control unit outputs the locations of only the dispatched vehicles extracted by the extraction unit to the user's terminal.

4. The first calculation unit calculates the first travel time for each of the dispatched vehicles that are traveling within the predetermined range, The time determination unit determines, for each dispatched vehicle, whether the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to the predetermined time, if the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time. The second calculation unit calculates the second travel time for the dispatched vehicle for which the time determination unit has determined that the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to the predetermined time. The dispatching device according to claim 2, wherein the execution determination unit determines, for each dispatched vehicle, whether it can reach the second point within the allowable time via the first point, based on the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time.

5. The first calculation unit is, The shortest point on the aforementioned travel route that is the shortest distance from the first point is calculated. The travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel to the shortest point and the travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel the shortest distance from the shortest point to the first point are calculated. The dispatching device according to claim 1, wherein the dispatching vehicle calculates the travel time to the first point based on the travel time it takes for the dispatching vehicle to travel to the shortest point and the travel time it takes for the dispatching vehicle to travel the shortest distance from the shortest point to the first point.

6. The dispatching device according to claim 5, wherein the first calculation unit, when calculating the travel time from the shortest point to the first point, uses either a preset travel speed or the average travel speed when the dispatched vehicle has passed the shortest point in the past.

7. The dispatch device according to claim 5, wherein the first calculation unit calculates the arrival time of the dispatched vehicle when it arrives at the first location from the travel time of the dispatched vehicle when it travels to the first location.

8. The dispatch device according to claim 1, wherein the time determination unit sets the predetermined time to be longer the longer the distance from the first point to the second point.

9. The dispatching device according to claim 1, wherein the time determination unit sets the predetermined time shorter the smaller the processing load of the dispatching device.

10. The execution determination unit, If the first travel time is shorter than the allowable time, and the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is longer than the predetermined time, and if the second travel time is shorter than the allowable time, it is determined that the dispatched vehicle can reach the second point within the allowable time via the first point. The dispatching device according to claim 1, wherein if the first travel time or the second travel time is the same as the allowable time, and if the first travel time or the second travel time is longer than the allowable time, it is determined that the dispatched vehicle cannot reach the second point via the first point within the allowable time.

11. The vehicle dispatch control unit calculates an allowable time for arrival at the second location from the allowable time, The first calculation unit calculates from the first travel time the first arrival time when the dispatched vehicle arrives at the second point via the first point, The time determination unit determines whether the difference between the first arrival time and the allowable time is less than or equal to the predetermined time, if the first arrival time is earlier than the allowable time. The second calculation unit calculates from the second travel time the second arrival time when the dispatched vehicle arrives at the second point via the first point, The dispatching device according to claim 1, wherein the execution determination unit determines whether the dispatched vehicle can reach the second location by the allowable time via the first location, based on the difference between the first arrival time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second arrival time and the allowable time.

12. A dispatch system comprising the user's terminal, the dispatched vehicle, and the dispatch device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A dispatch method executed by a processor, The aforementioned processor, If, after a route has been set for the dispatched vehicle to travel from a location specified by the user to a second location, a dispatch instruction is received to dispatch the dispatched vehicle to a first location, it is determined whether or not the first location is located on a road registered in the map information. If it is determined that the first point does not exist on a road registered in the map information, the first travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel from the location specified by the user to the second point via the first point is calculated based on the travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel from the location specified by the user to the second point via the first point, along a travel route set before obtaining the dispatch instruction, without passing through the first point, the travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel the shortest distance between the travel route without passing through the first point and the first point, and the predetermined stopping time of the dispatched vehicle at the first point. If the first travel time is shorter than the allowable travel time allowed for the dispatched vehicle to travel from the location specified by the user to the second location via the first location, it is determined whether the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to a predetermined time. If it is determined that the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time is less than or equal to the predetermined time, the second travel time for the dispatched vehicle to travel from its current location to the second location via the first location is calculated using the travel history of the vehicle that has traveled to the first location in the past. A dispatching method for determining whether the dispatched vehicle can reach the second location within the allowable time via the first location, based on the difference between the first travel time and the allowable time, and the difference between the second travel time and the allowable time.

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