EP1251475A2 - Method to facilitate and monitor the trip of travellers - Google Patents

Abstract

The method uses a computer which communicates with the person who wants to make the journey and/or the person willing to transport someone or give them a lift. The position of the person is determined using a localization system. The computer uses the determined position together with a desired destination to determine at least one relevant parameter for the journey of the person wishing to travel in the vehicle of the person wishing to transport.

Description

The invention relates to a method for arranging and / or monitoring a trip according to the preamble of claim 1.

Given the increasing traffic density, especially in the metropolitan areas, it would be desirable, the existing transport capacities, especially in the commuter and commuter traffic, but also in long-distance transport to use more efficiently. The high mobility often stands for this in today's society and in many areas also the scarce time. Public transportation can meet the requirements for fast transportation mostly only correspond along main routes and during peak travel times. On branch lines or outside of rush hour there are significant delays make them unattractive. Individual traffic by car is often faster and allows greater mobility. As a rule, however, it is inefficient because the Travel activities of different travelers does not take place. Accordingly, the largest Part of the motor vehicle, especially in commuter and commuter traffic, with one or two people occupied. The formation of carpools would help, but is in problematic in several ways. A first problem already is travelers find which have the same destination. A second problem is that of travelers are interdependent in terms of travel time. For example, if a group commuting from work to work together is only a carpool possible when all members start and finish their work at the same time and after return to work immediately after work. One of the carpool members goes sooner or later to work, he has to work longer or wants to go to work still run errands, the carpool falls apart. For long-distance routes carpooling centers have been established that provide carpooling opportunities. A mediation Via a carpool, however, requires a considerable lead time. at Short-term travel decisions or travel changes are often not a ride to convey more.

Another problem that occurs with carpooling and carpooling is that Traveler safety issue. If the person willing to transport and the person willing to travel If you do not know, there is a risk of criminal attack on the traveler or on the Entraining.

US Pat. No. 5,945,919 discloses a computer-controlled method for arranging taxis, equipped with a location system. The positions of the taxis are on transmitted to a computer center. Based on a telephone customer request, the Computer center selected the taxi that will get to the customer's location the fastest can. Customer data, in particular the location, are added to the selected taxi and / or the address of the customer, transmitted and shown to the driver on a display.

It is the object of the invention to provide a method for mediating and / or monitoring the To provide a trip of a traveler who is more efficient and / or safer Use of private transport capacities permitted.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Advantageous Embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

According to the invention, the position, in particular the current position of the person willing to be transported, and / or the person willing to travel electronically determined and transmitted to a computer, which processes the corresponding data and for the mediation or monitoring a trip of a person willing to travel with a person willing to transport taking into account of the respective travel destinations. Parameters that are within the meaning of the invention for the travel of the traveler can be relevant in the vehicle of the person wishing to transport, on the one hand Travel planning concern and there in particular on the route of a willing traveler and / or refer to the choice of a corresponding person willing to transport. Regarding parameters the processing or execution of the trip can e.g. monitoring a schedule during the trip or the safety of the person willing and / or the person willing to travel concern during the trip.

For electronic localization, both satellite navigation methods and terrestrial methods are used. Basically, there are essentially two two methods. The first method is passive localization, as is the case with satellite navigation systems how GPS is used. Here a recipient determines a traveler based on the signals from satellites the position of the traveler. Satellite navigation systems are increasingly present in motor vehicles and are increasingly being used by Individual travelers used. It can be assumed that a large part of the cars in will be equipped with a satellite navigation system as standard in the next few years becomes. Therefore, there is already a great potential for road users which can be included in the method according to the invention. As an alternative, one active location by locating a traveller's transmitter. Here offer themselves especially mobile devices as transmitters, which have now found widespread use to have. It is relatively easy to locate a cell phone within a cell. More precise location determinations are possible using runtime location. For mediation a carpool, however, can be sufficient if you find that a Willing to travel or willing to travel is in a specific sector, that of a cell phone equivalent. It would also be the case if a transmitter was located via the mobile network possible, instead of the usual cell phones, which have only a very low transmission power, use a stronger direction finder, which is used only for the localization of the traveler, that transmits on the frequency of the cellular network, in several cells of the network can be received at the same time and located via the mobile network.

The result of the position determination is then forwarded to a central computer, who mediates or monitors the trip. A satellite navigation system within the Motor vehicles can, for example, with a transmitter, e.g. a mobile device are transmitted, the corresponding data or already designed as a mobile device his. Likewise, there are already mobile devices with an implemented satellite navigation system. In the case of active location, location is usually carried out via a central office, e.g. at a provider of a mobile radio system, who then, of course, with your consent the mobile subscriber, the corresponding data to the central computer forwards.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the method according to the invention can be used for this be used to arrange, initiate, and carry out a ride and / or to settle. Since the current location of those willing to travel and those willing to transport who participate in the method according to the invention, can be determined at any time, it is possible to arrange carpooling at short notice. A commuter is e.g. not on long term Agreements instructed. He can enter his carpool request and the central one Computer determines which person willing to transport who is traveling in his direction is nearby is. Especially in rush hour traffic along the large arterial and arterial roads can then be high Probability of spontaneously arranging a ride. Likewise, at Long-distance travel is a traveler who travels a longer distance while a person willing to travel during the trip record, e.g. want to ride on a partial route. If e.g. a business traveler from Munich to Hamburg, after his start in Munich be informed that e.g. a traveler in the Nuremberg or Frankfurt area e.g. direction Hanover wants to travel. The traveler can now make a detour to the person willing to travel or the system can take both partners to one admission point, e.g. one Manage a motorway service area or the like, possibly using additional carpooling options, so that it can be taken with a slight delay.

The mediation strategy goes in both directions. A willing traveler can go through a central Query to find out who is willing to transport, or the computer The head office can determine which people willing to transport can take the person willing to travel with them. Conversely, however, a person willing to transport can also ask which travelers are willing to travel in the immediate vicinity, which may have the same travel destination. It can Of course, it should be provided that the person who starts the request has his current location or his current travel route via a corresponding communication system (mobile phone, Pager etc.) via a suitable interface.

In principle, when determining a carpool, known methods of Travel planning and arranging travel opportunities, especially carpooling, be resorted to. For example, in one embodiment of the invention proceed as follows.

The computer first determines whether it is for a particular person willing to transport, its start and Destination point and its travel time (e.g. a certain day or a certain time window for the start of the trip) entered into the computer or via the localization system determined and transmitted to the computer, there is a reported willing person to travel, whose start and end point are identical and whose travel time is the same as that of the Willing to transport covers. The starting point of the person willing and / or willing to travel can in particular be the position determined by the localization system.

If such a traveler is found, the corresponding assignment is saved. As The computer next determines those willing to travel, at which the starting and / or destination point of deviates from that of the person willing to transport within specified tolerances. The computer first determines the optimal direct route for the person willing to transport (without Taking the person willing to travel) from his starting point to his destination and then calculating an itinerary for taking along the person willing to travel, which starts from the starting point of the Willing to travel via the starting point of the person willing to travel and the destination of the person willing to travel leads to the destination of the person willing to transport. The two travel routes in case of taking them with you of the person willing to travel and the case without taking the person willing to travel with them are compared. Here, e.g. the mileage detour and / or the expected additional one Travel time can be determined. Are the detour and / or the additional travel time required within specified tolerance limits, by the system or by the person willing to transport can be specified, the corresponding person willing to travel as a potential travel partner of the person willing to transport. Otherwise the assignment of the concerned Those willing to travel discarded to the person willing to transport. For example, it can be provided that the computer eliminates all those willing to travel who take a detour with requires more than 10 km and / or an additional journey time of more than 20 minutes. Instead of the determination of an optimal route without taking a travel will it should also be provided that the person wishing to transport specifies a specific travel route from which can only be deviated within certain limits. An alternative criterion for the selection of those willing to travel can also be a certain total travel time and / or a certain length of the route is not exceeded when taking the person or persons wishing to transport becomes.

In a further development of this method it can be provided that the computer determines whether more than one person willing to travel can be assigned to a person willing to transport in the sense that The start and end points are identical or a deviation from the optimal or predetermined Itinerary from the starting point of the willing person to the destination of the willing person when taking several travelers with suitable starting and destination points within the specified tolerances, e.g. regarding the mileage detour or the additional and / or the additional travel time.

Alternatively or in addition, the computer can travel to and from the traveler willing to travel to one starting point different from the starting point at which the person willing to travel from the Willing to be transported and / or a drop-off point at which the willing traveler is discontinued by the person wishing to transport, evaluate and check whether the corresponding Arrival and departure routes in terms of route, duration of travel, etc. within certain Specifications that are specified by the system or the person willing to travel. For example A traveler who wishes to travel can state that he can only do so up to his point of admission Wants to travel 10 km.

In a development of the methods described above, the computer can also Pick-up point and / or a drop-off point taking into account the specifications regarding the permissible detour for the person wishing to transport or the permissible arrival and departure routes for the person wishing to travel as well as the location and / or the route of the person wishing to travel and / or the person willing to travel.

The route is preferably determined in one of the navigation systems a computer or the localization system separate computer, in particular one central and stationary computer, which then the corresponding travel route to the navigation system a person willing to travel and / or a person willing to transport it. According to the invention can also be provided that a central computer, the navigation system of a traveler used to determine the route or itineraries. This can be provided be that in addition to the interface through which a user can manually travel data such as the Start and destination point entered into the navigation system, another interface available is via which the said computer is used to determine the travel route or travel routes required data can be entered and the result of the calculation by the navigation system of the traveler, can receive.

If the computer wants to travel to a potential or different potential travelers If he has identified suitable persons willing to transport a person willing to travel, he will check further ones, if necessary predefined criteria for those wishing to travel or those willing to travel and, if necessary, separating candidates which do not or do not meet the criteria to the required extent. Mandatory criteria can be provided, which must be met in any case, and preference criteria, which must be fulfilled preferably, but not necessarily. On This could be a mandatory criterion set by a person wishing to travel or a person wishing to travel for example, that the travel partner you brokered is a non-smoker. A preference criterion could be, for example, that the travel partner to be mediated is of a certain age group belongs. In the case of mandatory criteria, those candidates are eliminated which do not meet these criteria. With regard to the preference criteria, for example be provided that each criterion has a certain number of points, according to the meaning This criterion is assigned the sum of the corresponding for each potential travel partner Points that meet the fulfilled criteria are determined and such candidates are eliminated in which the accumulated score below a predetermined Value remains. It can also be provided that the remaining candidates ordered according to the accumulated number of points. Other methods of Determination of one of several alternatives that best meets the specified criteria can be used. Such methods often work so that the different Variants are weighted according to predetermined criteria and the variant with the maximum or minimum weight is selected.

After the selection based on the said criteria, the data regarding the remaining ones Candidates then to the person willing to travel or willing to travel (depending on which is the primary customer), who then transmits a partner that appears suitable to him selects or gives a ranking which transport or travel will he on most preferred. According to the selection or the preference list, the proposed one Ridesharing transmitted to the other partner (i.e. to the person willing to transport, who is to take a person willing to travel or the person willing to travel with a person willing to travel wants to take away). If the customer agrees, the rideshare is arranged. If he does not agree, the person wishing to travel or the person wishing to travel will be informed that the desired carpool has not come about or it will be in that order The preferences of the next potential partner asked if the carpool accepted.

When determining the travel route for the person wishing to transport and / or the person wishing to travel can the computer from an entered or once determined location of the person willing to transport and / or the person willing to travel from whom the trip is planned. For example the computer can once locate the person willing to transport or his vehicle make and then this location as the starting point of the journey of the person willing to transport be used as a basis for further planning, and then for planning the travel route further entered data, e.g. the destination of the transporter, a schedule for the trip and / or a current travel route of the person wishing to transport can be included. The However, the invention can also provide that the computer when planning the travel route the current location of the person willing to travel and / or the person willing to transport is used. For example the computer can operate in predetermined, e.g. the position at regular intervals of the willing and / or willing to travel and accordingly the proposed Update itineraries and associated carpool suggestions. This is particularly advantageous if the person wishing to transport (or the Willing to travel) is already on the way. For example, the computer can position a Track those willing to transport and continuously show them which ridesharing requests from Willing to travel on the route he has chosen or a possible alternative Itinerary exist. If the computer determines that the person willing to transport the current Location or a proposed location of a willing traveler has already passed or the person wishing to transport has already moved from the location or location of the person willing to travel so far away that the route for taking this willing traveler not more meets the given criteria, for example because the detour required is too long, he deletes the corresponding suggestions for take-away opportunities for the person concerned Transport willing.

Proposals for take-away opportunities can be displayed on a display, e.g. a display of a dashboard or a satellite navigation system in the vehicle. It can be provided that the person willing to transport for him can delete unattractive suggestions for take-away opportunities by going through a corresponding input device transmits information to the computer that it Take along opportunity does not want, whereupon the computer then suggests these from the list who deletes suggestions for the person concerned.

When arranging carpooling, the computer can take into account various criteria, which are entered by the travel partners. For example, in addition to abstract data, personal data or photographs can also be entered. In particular, it can also be provided that the carpool, which the inventive method uses, at the same time works as a contact exchange. The person willing to transport or the person willing to travel are of course with the consent of those affected - personal data, such as age, Interests, hobbies, profession, partner wish etc. transmitted and the data subjects can the relevant travel partner and based on the suggestions received possibly choose potential life partner.

The invention can provide that the computer automatically assigns an optimal one or several people willing to travel to one person willing to transport or, if necessary, to several persons willing to transport on the route of the person willing to travel using the specified criteria and the travel partners each have a single suggestion for the optimal ride or makes the optimal take-away opportunity, which, depending on the agreement, for the travel partner is either immediately binding or confirmed or rejected by the travel partners becomes. However, the invention can also provide that the traveler willing and / or a list of ridesharing or take-away opportunities for those wishing to transport is transmitted, which can be sorted, for example, according to how well the specified criteria are fulfilled, and that the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to travel is the one he wants Enter the selection manually via an appropriate interface.

If a ride has been arranged, the method according to the invention is not yet The End.

The invention can provide that now the person willing to transport and / or the person willing to travel to one joint pick-up point. This can be done through a normal satellite navigation system that the central computer of the carpool controls and that gives the transport owner appropriate driving instructions. Instructions However, you can also use a mobile device or a pager, especially to those willing to travel, be transmitted, which also checks at the same time that the mediated travel partner approach each other.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the method according to the invention can be used in addition to also include public transport in private transport. For example be provided that after arranging a ride and by agreement of a When the computer meets, it determines which public transport the person willing to travel will use it is best to arrive at the agreed meeting point on time. For this he can determine which public transport is currently nearby and which the traveler wants to travel can be used. Those willing to travel are therefore not dependent on timetables and also need not adapt to problems that arise from the fact that a means of transport leaves too early or arrives too late. Rather, the computer determines and tracks this concrete vehicle of public transport, which the willing person should take with him, and gives appropriate instructions to the person willing to travel. If necessary, the transport company an indication will be given that a passenger will still be taken must and that the vehicle should wait a short time for this passenger.

The invention can provide for the computer to be used when planning public transport or travel arrangements, the availability of free capacity checks this means of transport and, if necessary, notifies the person willing to travel. The invention may also provide that the computer is booking a ticket or ticket that Reserve a free seat and / or settle the trip with the public Means of transport, if necessary after authorization by the person willing to travel.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that at least a planned or implemented part of the trip, the trip is not in a vehicle of the Regular traffic takes place, i.e. that at least on a section of the planned or carried out Travel of the person willing to travel does not make the route of the person willing to transport binding predetermined route and a binding predetermined schedule is set.

Public traffic in the sense of this invention is not only to be understood as traffic that which is operated by the public sector, but also the traffic by private ones Transport company that is available to the general public.

Public transport can also be used to make a stage between two To bridge travel sections if there is no continuous travel option. For example the computer can plan an itinerary so that from a rural location a private carpool to a train station is arranged, the traveler there in one Train rises, which goes to the next larger train station in the vicinity of its destination, and from this station, in turn, a private ride to its actual one Destination communicated. Here, the possibility of locating and communicating during the trip can be used in an advantageous manner, e.g. the calculator about one hour before the arrival of the traveler at the destination station asks which people want to transport would travel from the destination station to the destination of the traveler. So that will a major disadvantage of the previous carpools eliminated, namely carpooling opportunities are difficult or impossible to find on short journeys.

The method according to the invention can also include travel costs or the remuneration of the person willing to transport, which usually make up part of the travel expenses, are determined and if necessary, with the consent of the parties involved, they are offset immediately by credit and debit.

According to a second aspect of the invention, which is advantageously in connection with If a carpool comes into play, the safety of the traveler can be reduced by the Tracking can be increased using an electronic localization system. This is a Service that is also offered regardless of the mediation of a carpool can. For example, the passenger can use his conventional carpool Carpool receive, but takes the service of another carpool or a special security service to monitor his trip. According to In this aspect of the invention, a central computer monitors the position of the person willing to be transported and / or the traveler willing and registered when a noticeable event occurs that indicates that the trip does not correspond to the wishes of the person wishing to transport and / or the person willing to travel.

• die Position der überwachten Person, wobei der entsprechende Sollwert sich z.B. aus einer vorgegebenen Reiseroute ergeben kann,
• die Geschwindigkeit, mit der sich die überwachte Person bewegt, wobei ein Sollbereich beispielsweise eine Geschwindigkeit sein kann, die derjenigen eines Fahrzeugs entspricht,
• der Zustand eines Senders, der zur Lokalisierung des Reisenden verwendet wird.

The registration of the conspicuous event can be implemented in that certain parameters of the trip are determined and a comparison is carried out in each case as to whether the value of these parameters corresponds to certain setpoints and / or whether these parameters correspond to predefined criteria which indicate a conspicuous event. Such parameters can be, for example:

• the position of the monitored person, the corresponding target value being able to result, for example, from a predefined travel route,
• the speed at which the monitored person is moving, a target range being, for example, a speed that corresponds to that of a vehicle,
• the state of a transmitter used to locate the traveler.

These are just a few possible parameters or criteria that are necessary for the implementation of the Surveillance come into question.

A noticeable event can be a deviation from the travel route, for example. This can be checked by checking whether the position of the person willing to transport and / or the traveler willing to deviate from a previously entered travel route that the travelers approach the entered travel destination and / or that usual traffic routes to be used. For example, if the vehicle of the person wishing to transport is in a forest area Localized away from normal driving routes, this can be due to an unfair intention of the person willing to transport.

However, a noticeable event can also be that the position or the way of working of the transmitter changed in an unusual way. For example, if the location is via a Mobile phone, a person willing to transport and / or willing to travel with unfair intentions try to avoid the surveillance by switching off the device, destroying it or thrown away. This can e.g. can be detected in that a transmitter despite Functionality suddenly stops working, whereby the functionality, for example can be monitored in that the transmitter regularly data on the functionality, e.g. the state of the battery or the like. Throwing away the Transmitter can be e.g. by detecting that in front of an entered travel destination Position of this transmitter no longer changed or if the other travelers are located the position of a sender of the person willing to transport and the sender of a person willing to travel suddenly separate from each other or because of such a change, while the vehicle is in motion, or at an unusual location for the end of a trip Location, e.g. starts along a trunk road away from inhabited areas.

The invention can provide that the functionality to avoid false alarms of the transmitter and / or the localization system of the person willing to transport and / or the person willing to travel is monitored. The invention can in particular provide that the computer checks whether the localization system works reliably. Are satellite navigation procedures for example, relatively sensitive to shadowing, e.g. through a car roof. If the Antenna for receiving the satellite signal is not attached to the outside of the vehicle or a mobile navigation device is not at one point in the vehicle, e.g. on the Dashboard, is deposited, where the shading is low, there is a risk that Navigation system cannot receive sufficiently strong or reliable signals to carry out a location determination. In such cases, the invention can provide that the The computer checks whether the navigation system continuously and reliably relates to data provides the current position. If this is not the case, the owner of the device can provide information received that his navigation system is not working properly. If necessary, this can also be connected to a prompt with which the traveler confirms that there is no dangerous situation. In an active localization process in which the Position of a transmitter is checked, the computer can immediately monitor whether a sufficient strong signal from the transmitter for localization is present and, if this is not the case is to inform the owner of the transmitter accordingly.

The one whose trip is to be monitored must, according to one embodiment, be his travel destination enter. This can e.g. with a hitchhiker at the time of accepting a carpool offer happen. Before entering the corresponding vehicle, the passenger can According to an embodiment of the invention, data relating to the person or the Vehicle of the driver, in particular the license plate, in the central computer enter or in a further embodiment based on a checklist characteristics of the taker, e.g. Enter age, hair color, eye color etc. Just the fact that the driver knows that his vehicle is now at a monitoring center as driver Vehicle is registered, in many cases it will result from criminal acts hold.

Within the scope of the invention it can also be provided that monitoring of a trip a person who does not use a foreign means of transport, e.g. a carpool, a used public transport or the like, i.e. on foot or with your own Vehicle is on the move. This is especially true for schoolchildren who have a permanent way to school Put your foot back or even for outdoor athletes or travelers in remote or exotic Areas of interest where there is a risk of robbery or kidnapping. A certain route, e.g. a way to school or an itinerary, and / or a schedule for the completion of a certain path is entered into the computer and the computer gives Alert if you deviate from this route and / or the schedule or, depending on the Requirements for the alarm if the deviation from the travel route or the schedule is up indicates a conspicuous or dangerous event, for example if the deviation from the route exceeds predetermined tolerances or is not covered by alternative routes is when the position of the person being monitored clearly differs from the travel destination away instead of approaching it or when the cruising speed is from a normal one Value differs. For example, a speed that of a car corresponds to suggesting a kidnapping if the route is on foot or by bicycle should be, or conversely, a low speed of the traveler suggest that a car traveller's vehicle was stolen in a robbery has been and is now on foot.

With regard to the communication of the person willing to travel and / or the person willing to transport with the Computer or the communication of the computer with the localization system can in general Usual techniques of data transmission can be used. The corresponding For example, data can be transmitted via a specially set up radio connection Fixed network connection or be communicated via a cellular network. The communication can be done in particular via a public network, such as the Internet. The communication a person like the person willing to travel and / or the person willing to transport can Common techniques take place, for example, on the keyboard of a computer, the one corresponding interface, e.g. a modem, with a telephone network or a radio is coupled, via the keyboard of a mobile device, via direct speech recognition or via the menu of a GPS system, to name just a few examples. In particular, it can it should be provided that corresponding information is given orally by the said person be transmitted via a mobile phone to a central computer, this Computer has a voice recognition system, which over the telephone connection received data, which correspond to acoustic signals, in corresponding text data or other data that can be directly processed by the computer. As further mediation formats For example, emails or SMS messages can be used. The end point for communication with the computer can be implemented in a device that performs other functions besides communication. For example, this terminal a mobile phone with a built-in GPS system (or a GPS system with a built-in cellular interface) or a computer coupled to a mobile phone his. Such interfaces can be used both by those willing to travel and by those willing to travel be used. Because the computer and / or the localization system is not must necessarily be stationary, it can also be provided that the computer and localization system are implemented in a device or the input device for the traveler or the person willing to transport them in one device together with the computer and / or the localization system is implemented.

The invention is described below with the aid of a specific exemplary embodiment Details described in more detail.

The travel destinations of carpoolers become a switching computer of a carpooling center and take-ready items are entered, possibly also a desired starting or recording location is entered. The system determines in the manner described above using a active or passive localization system the current location of the passengers and Ready to take along and now tries to use the various travel requests cartographic data and possibly also the timetables of public transport To bring cover. If there are several options for taking it with you, check this System further criteria desired by the passenger or the passengers are, e.g. the number of people to take and the free places, the possibility the taking of additional passengers and thus the reduction in the fare, one maximum detour to be traveled, such as the existing or carry-on luggage, gender of the co-driver or ready to take along as well as others, from the participants specified criteria ranging from the smoker / non-smoker property to hair color, eye color or the like can suffice. The calculator also checks positive or Negative lists of the different participants. If, for example, a passenger is specified has that he no longer wants to be taken away by a certain person, the system excludes the mediation of a corresponding carpool. Vice versa the system will endeavor to provide carpooling with participants who was requested or suggested by another participant. At the time of The location of a subscriber can also be entered manually, for example, if a participant is still at home.

The participants now receive one or more travel suggestions. It can be a travel proposal include that a take-along operator accepts several passengers in succession or that a passenger wants to take one after the other with different take-along options or travels in places with public transport.

The participants confirm that they agree with the proposed travel plan. If there is mutual agreement, the system of the carpooling center guides the person who is ready to take the car and / or the passenger to a pick-up point. It controls it Satellite navigation system of the vehicle of the ready to take, which this vehicle Instructions there. The co-driver, who is usually not in a vehicle instructions are given via a pager or via a display on a mobile phone given where to go. If necessary, the system can also suggest for a section or a whole distance to a pick-up point a public one To use transportation. If, for example, the computer detects that a If the bus approaches the passenger who is traveling in the right direction, it can do so to the passenger and guide him to the next stop. When ready to take away and the passenger has arrived at the pick-up point, they give a message the computer that the journey now begins, the authenticity of this message by known methods, e.g. through the use of a PIN can. As an alternative or in addition, the system monitors the position of the ready to take along and the passenger and if it finds that the two positions are essentially match and go at essentially the same speed and in the same If the direction changes, the system can conclude that the person willing to take the vehicle into the Vehicle of the ready-to-go has got in and the two are now on the same Journey.

In the same way, when the trip ends, the two travelers enter that the trip now be over. Alternatively or in addition, the computer can check whether the end the trip or a section of the trip has been reached, for example by checking whether the appropriate positions from each other, whether the position of a traveler changed and that of the other does not, both suggesting that the ready to take has dropped off the passenger and is now moving away or that the position of the two Long-term travelers, e.g. longer than the normal stay at a rest area or the like to differ by more than a predetermined amount, from which the system concludes that the passenger is no longer in the vehicle of the passenger and will not return there either.

During the trip, the system monitors the position of the driver and the passenger. On the one hand, it checks whether the trip corresponds to a previously defined one Schedule is on. If the trip is in arrears, for example because the driver is caught in a traffic jam the passenger can make a request to the head office that he have an alternative wishes for the continuation of his journey. The carpool system now checks whether For example, there is a public transport stop nearby that goes to drives in the right direction, where the relevant vehicle is currently and when it is is expected to be at the stop (a bus can be just like the driver in a traffic jam) or, if applicable, whether on an alternative route to the travel destination of the person taken there is less traffic and on this route a participant is willing to take it displayed. Again, if the takeaway is interested in an alternative sequel the trip decides, the system takes the person taken to the next pick-up point, e.g. by instructions on a pager or on the display of a mobile phone, conduct.

Furthermore, the system of the carpool checks during the trip whether the route is observed. If this is not the case or if the vehicle is moving even away from the specified travel destination or unusual routes, e.g. forest paths the carpool system registers this as a noticeable event. As the next measure, it will be contact with the takeaway Depending on who wanted the security monitoring, record, for example by a Message on the pager or by some obvious measure, such as a control call via a mobile phone. By means of agreed passwords or agreed messages can now be checked whether there is a dangerous situation or not. If, for example a passenger on a request or when asked for a password responds with a sentence or a word that signals in advance a dangerous situation the nearest police station will be informed. The same If the call or message is abruptly interrupted, the sender or the mobile phone applies the person taken along has obviously been thrown away or destroyed has been. In any case, the system keeps a record of the dates of the trip and any noticeable events. If the person concerned is later reported missing, the relevant data can be handed over to the police. This serves as reinsurance for the ready to take along or the co-driver. Especially when the procedure is practiced in an obvious manner at the beginning of the trip, the passenger knows or the taker that there is at least one trace of his person should the other something happen. This is a priori the person's risk of becoming a criminal Make the action conscious. The carpool can do this security monitoring too offer without the service of a carpool. This usually only happens one of the two traveling people monitored. When accepting a carpool the passenger gives the license plate number of the vehicle or another Description. A passenger can provide a description of his passenger or, if so the passenger gets involved, the number of an ID card to the surveillance system to transfer. The system can use this opportunity to check whether the passenger is traveling or possibly dangerous or uncomfortable due to the ready-to-take option could be, for example, because the person in question or the owner of the corresponding vehicle noticed earlier due to unpleasant behavior or whether, for example, the vehicle is reported as stolen.

An important aspect of the method according to the invention is that the situation is spontaneous the traveler can be reacted to and long-term planning is not necessary is. Another advantage is that the travelers themselves do not carry out any planning work must and the central system also the implementation and traffic management during the Can take over trip. This is particularly advantageous when traveling abroad. For example can the method according to the invention be used in such a way that a traveler his arrival at a destination airport or destination station his travel destination in the corresponding City indicates and now on the one hand information regarding public or private transport receives that he can use, and on the other hand also directly e.g. to a Bus stop, a tram stop or a taxi rank is headed without him must consult a city map or nearby people whose language he may not understand, need to ask for help. A major advantage is in this Context that the language of communication between the traveler and the system can be chosen by the traveler so that he always information in his mother tongue receives and can enter inquiries.

The features of the invention disclosed in the description and the claims can both individually and in any combination for realizing the invention in their various embodiments may be essential.

Claims (54)

Method for arranging and / or monitoring the journey of a person willing to travel in the vehicle of a person willing to transport, in particular in a motor vehicle of a person willing to transport, with the aid of a computer which communicates with the person willing to travel and / or the person willing to transport,
characterized in that the position of the person wishing to travel and / or the person willing to travel is determined by a localization system and that the computer determines the position of the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to travel determined by the localization system and a travel destination of the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to travel for the determination of at least one relevant parameters used for the trip of the person wishing to travel in the vehicle of the person wishing to transport. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one transmitter is assigned to the person wishing to transport and / or the person wishing to travel, and the transmitter is used to determine or transmit the position. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a transmitter is connected to a vehicle of the person willing to be transported, which communicates with the localization system. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport carries a transmitter assigned to him on his body and / or in a piece of luggage. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the localization system is a satellite navigation system. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a transmitter assigned to the willing and / or willing to travel is implemented in a mobile phone or a pager. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the computer mediates a ride on the basis of the recorded data. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the computer uses the localization system to determine the location of a person willing to transport and / or a person willing to travel to prepare for a ride. Method according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the computer uses a travel destination of the person willing to travel and / or a travel destination of one or more willing persons to enter a route of the willing person to take the willing person with him from the current location of the willing person to his travel destination and / or the destination of the person willing to travel. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that when determining the travel route the computer takes into account a predetermined pick-up point for the pick-up of the person willing to travel and a travel route from the location of the person willing to transport via the pick-up point of the person willing to travel to the travel destination of the person willing to travel and, if appropriate, from there the destination of the person wishing to transport. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the computer uses a determined or entered starting point for the journey of the person wishing to transport and the determined location of a person willing to travel to provide an itinerary for the person wishing to transport from the starting point to the location of the person wishing to travel or a recording point which differs from the location of the person wishing to travel to the destination of the person wishing to travel and, if necessary, from there to the destination of the person wishing to travel. Method according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the person wishing to transport and / or the person wishing to travel have an interface for entering data for the computer and the travel destination of the person wishing to transport and / or the person wishing to travel, the location of the person wishing to travel and / or the Willing to transport and / or the proposed pick-up point can be entered via such an interface. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the computer determines a travel route for the transport of several people willing to travel by a person willing to transport it. Method according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the computer based on predetermined parameters, such as the number of people to be carried, a maximum detour to be traveled, the amount of luggage to be carried or the available space for carrying luggage in Vehicle, the gender of the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport, the smoker / non-smoker property of a person wishing to travel and / or a person wishing to transport, the expected costs, the expected travel time for the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport, information about preferred or desired travel partners and / or unwanted travel partners, optimally assigns a person willing to transport to a person willing to travel. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the computer determines a travel route for the person wishing to travel, in which the person wishing to travel is taken along in sections by various persons wishing to transport, if appropriate taking into account the travel route of the various persons wishing to transport and / or by determining a time window or a point in time at which the person wishing to transport and / or the person wishing to travel is expected to arrive at a pick-up point for the respective section of the travel route. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the person wishing to transport is a public transport company for a section of the travel route. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 16, characterized in that the computer for a person willing to transport and / or a person willing to travel determines several possible travel routes with different travel partners and transmits them to the person willing to transport and / or persons willing to travel. Method according to one of claims 7 to 17, characterized in that the computer determines the travel costs for one or more travel routes calculated by the person willing to travel before the start of the trip. Method according to Claim 18, characterized in that the person wishing to transport and / or the person wishing to travel send a message to the computer via an input device that he agrees with a travel route calculated by the computer and transmitted to it and the associated costs. Method according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that after arranging a ride , the computer controls an electronic navigation device of a person willing to be transported in order to direct it to the person willing to ride. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the computer checks the position of the person wishing to transport and / or the person wishing to travel continuously or at predetermined, in particular regular or otherwise predetermined distances or time intervals, in particular during the journey of the person wishing to transport to the person wishing to travel and / or during the trip of the person willing to travel with the person willing to transport. A method according to claim 21, characterized in that the computer determines a schedule for the trip of the person willing to travel and checks on the basis of the determined position of the person willing to transport and / or the person willing to travel whether the schedule is being adhered to. Method according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the computer, if it has determined that the schedule is not being adhered to, determines an alternative travel route for the person wishing to travel with the help of one or more persons wishing to transport than the current person wishing to transport. Method according to Claim 23, characterized in that the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport sends the computer a message which indicates that the schedule is not being kept. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the computer determines an alternative travel route on request of the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to travel who are traveling together. Method according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the computer controls an electronic navigation device of the person wishing to travel in order to guide him to the pick-up point by another person wishing to travel in accordance with an alternative travel route. Method according to one of Claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the person wishing to transport the alternative travel route or one of the people wishing to transport the alternative travel route is a public transport company. Method according to one of claims 21 to 27, characterized in that the computer uses the position data recorded by it to determine the actually traveled route between the start point and the end point of the trip of a person willing to travel with the person willing to transport. Method according to Claim 28, characterized in that the computer determines the travel costs of the person willing to travel on the basis of the route which he has actually traveled. A method according to claim 29, characterized in that the computer checks whether a predetermined expense ratio has been adhered to and, if this is not the case, determines the travel costs on the basis of predetermined criteria, in particular taking into account a previously determined travel route, and the route actually traveled. A method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the computer calculates the costs for the detour of the person willing to transport to pick up and drop off the person willing to travel and adds this to the travel costs determined on the basis of the actually traveled route. Method according to Claim 18 or Claim 29, characterized in that the computer automatically debits the travel costs determined by it and / or confirmed by the person wishing to transport and the person wishing to travel to the person wishing to travel and / or automatically credits the person wishing to travel for travel. Method according to one of claims 1 to 32, characterized in that the computer automatically determines that a trip or a section of the trip has been started by the person willing to travel and / or that the end of a trip or a section of the person willing to travel has been reached. Method according to claim 33, characterized in that the computer determines that a trip or a section of the trip has been started by the person willing to travel if the position of the person willing to transport and the person willing to travel differ by less than a predetermined amount and / or the person willing to transport and / those willing to travel are moving in the same direction at the same speed. Method according to one of claims 33 or 34, characterized in that the computer determines the end of the trip or a part of the trip of the person willing to travel if the position of the person willing to transport determined by him and the position of the person willing to travel determined by him after the start of the trip by the person willing to travel differ more than a predetermined amount. Method according to one of Claims 33 to 35, characterized in that the computer determines the end of the trip if the difference between the position of the person willing to transport and the position of the person willing to travel remains above a certain value for more than a predetermined period of time and / or if it changes Difference increased. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 36, characterized in that the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport enters the start of the trip and / or the end of the trip via an input device and the computer uses this input to enter the start or end of the trip of the person willing to travel. Method according to Claim 37, characterized in that the computer only saves the start of the trip and / or the end of the trip by entering the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport if the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport identifies himself when the entry is made, for example with a PIN. Method according to one of claims 1 to 38, characterized in that the identity of the person willing to transport and / or the person willing to travel is entered via an interface. Method according to one of claims 1 to 38, characterized in that the computer determines the identity of the person willing to transport and / or the person willing to travel on the basis of an identifier of a transmitter assigned to it. Method according to one of claims 1 to 40, characterized in that a parameter determined by the computer relates to the security of the person willing to travel and / or the person willing to transport. A method according to claim 41, characterized in that the computer determines the position of the person willing to travel and / or the person willing to transport continuously, in particular continuously or at regular or otherwise predetermined time or distance intervals, and with it predetermined data relating to the travel of the person willing to travel and / or Transport willing then compares whether an abnormal event has occurred. Method according to claim 41 or 42, characterized in that the computer sends a warning signal to the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport if a noticeable event has occurred, and / or a control call, for example to a mobile phone of the person wishing to travel or the person wishing to transport, directs or initiates such a control call. Method according to Claim 42 or 43, characterized in that the computer checks whether a predetermined travel route is being followed. Method according to one of Claims 42 to 44, characterized in that the computer checks whether the person wishing to travel and the person wishing to travel are approaching or moving away from a travel destination of the person wishing to travel or the person wishing to travel that has been entered for him. Method according to one of claims 41 to 45, characterized in that the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport transmits his travel destination to the computer, for example via a suitable input device, before or when the journey begins. Method according to one of claims 41 to 46, characterized in that the computer checks whether there is a deviation between the position of the sender of the person willing to transport and the position of the sender of a person willing to travel before the destination of the person willing to travel has been reached and / or the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport has informed the computer of the end of the trip. Method according to one of claims 41 to 47, characterized in that the computer checks whether the distance between the position of the sender of the person willing to transport and the position of the sender of a person willing to travel increases and further checks whether the location from which this difference increases is a possible exit point of a person willing to travel and / or whether the vehicle of the person wishing to transport or the person wishing to transport has stopped at the point in time from which the difference increases. Method according to one of claims 41 to 48, characterized in that the computer checks whether the transmitter of the person willing to transport and / or the transmitter of the person willing to travel is working. A method according to claim 49, characterized in that the sender of the person willing to transport and / or the sender of the person willing to travel transmits data to the computer relating to the state of his energy source and the computer detects a conspicuous event when a sender does not work with sufficient energy supply. Method according to one of Claims 41 to 50, characterized in that data relating to the identity of the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to transport are entered into the computer, such as name, address, vehicle registration number, etc. Method according to one of claims 41 to 51, characterized in that the person wishing to travel enters the vehicle registration number of the vehicle of the person wishing to transport and, if appropriate, further data relating to the person wishing to transport into the computer via an input device when starting his journey. Method according to one of claims 41 to 52, characterized in that the computer creates a record, for example by printing, storing in a permanent file or the like, of a conspicuous event determined by it, together with data relating to the person wishing to travel and / or the person wishing to travel. Method according to one of claims 41 to 53, characterized in that the computer communicates records relating to conspicuous events to a further facility, in particular a security authority.