EP1251475B1 - 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 a trip according to the preamble of claim 1.

In view of the increasing traffic density, especially in urban centers, it would be desirable to make more efficient use of existing transport capacities, in particular in professional and commuter traffic, but also in long-distance transport. This is often counteracted by the high degree of mobility in today's society and, in many areas, the shorter time. Public transport can meet the requirements for fast transport mostly only along main routes and in peak seasons. On secondary lines or off-peak hours, there are significant delays that make them unattractive. The individual traffic with a car is often faster and allows a higher mobility. In general, however, it is inefficient, since a coordination of the travel activities of different travelers does not take place. Accordingly, the majority of motor vehicles, especially in professional and commuter traffic, occupied by one or two people. The formation of carpools would remedy this, but is problematic in several respects. A first problem already exists in finding travelers who have the same destination. A second problem is that travelers are interdependent on travel time. For example, if a group of professionals commutes together to work, carpooling is only possible if all members start and finish their work simultaneously and return to work immediately after work. If one of the members of the carpool goes to work sooner or later, if he has to work longer, or if he wants to run errands after work, the car pool will fall apart. For long-haul carpools have been established, which convey carpooling. However, mediation via a carpool requires a considerable lead time. In the case of short-term travel decisions or travel changes, it is often impossible to arrange a ride.

Another problem that occurs with carpooling and carpooling is the problem of passenger safety. If the traveler and the traveler do not know each other, there is a risk of a criminal attack on the traveler or on the takers.

U.S. Patent 5,945,919 discloses a computer-controlled method of switching taxis equipped with a location system. The positions of the taxis are transmitted to a computer center. Based on a telephone customer request, the computer center selects the taxi that can most quickly access the customer's location. To the selected taxi customer data, in particular the location and / or the address of the customer, transmitted and displayed to the driver on a display.

GB-A 2 341 261 discloses a system with which carpooling can be arranged, with transportation willing and willing travelers entering their respective request or offer via a personal computer. The system provides a ride on this basis.

DE 196 46 945 A1 describes a vehicle fleet management system with which the use of vehicles can be monitored and optimized. The localization of vehicles can be provided in order to determine transport capacities and to monitor the access or freight routes. In one embodiment, the system may be used for taxi scheduling.

US5959568 discloses a monitoring system and a switching system, in particular suitable for freight.

It is the object of the invention to provide a method for arranging the travel of a traveler willing, which allows a more efficient and / or safer use of private transport capacity.

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 transport willing, and / or the traveler willing to electronically transmitted and transmitted to a computer which further processes the corresponding data and uses for the brokering or monitoring of a travel of a traveler willing to travel under consideration of the respective destinations. Parameters that in the context of the invention for the travel of the traveler may be relevant in the vehicle of the willing to travel, on the one hand relate to the travel planning and there relate in particular to the itinerary of a traveler and to the choice of a corresponding transport willing. Parameters relating to the execution or execution of the journey may concern, for example, the monitoring of a timetable during the journey or the safety of the traveler and / or the traveler during the journey.

For electronic localization, both satellite navigation methods and terrestrial methods can be used. In principle, essentially two methods are available. The first method is passive localization, as in satellite navigation systems how GPS is used. Here, a receiver of a traveler uses the signals from satellites to determine the position of the traveler. Satellite navigation systems are increasingly present in motor vehicles and are also being used increasingly by individual travelers. It is expected that a large proportion of passenger cars will be fitted with a satellite navigation system as standard over the next few years. Therefore, in this way already results in a great potential of road users who can be included in the inventive method. Alternatively, an active location may be located by locating a traveler's transmitter. Here, in particular, mobile devices offer as a transmitter, which have now found a wide distribution. It is relatively easy to locate a mobile device within a mobile radio cell. More precise location determinations are possible by means of time-of-place location. However, it may already be sufficient for the provision of a ride if it is determined that a travel will or a willing to travel is in a particular sector that corresponds to a mobile radio cell. In a location of a transmitter via the mobile network, it would also be possible, instead of the usual mobile phones, which have only a very low transmission power to use a stronger direction-finding transmitter, which serves exclusively for the location of the traveler, which transmits on the frequency of the mobile network, in several cells of the network can be received simultaneously and is located on the mobile network.

The result of the position determination is then forwarded to a central computer, which mediates the journey and possibly also monitors. For example, a satellite navigation system within motor vehicles may be equipped with a transmitter, e.g. a mobile device to be coupled, the corresponding data transmitted or even be configured as a mobile device. Likewise, there are already mobile devices with an implemented satellite navigation system. In an active location, the location is usually via a control center, e.g. take place with a provider of a mobile system, which then, of course, with the consent of 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 to convey, set up, perform and / or settle a ride. Since the current location of travelers and those willing to travel participating in the method according to the invention can be determined at any time, it is possible to arrange carpooling at short notice. For example, a commuter is not on long-term Instructed collusion. He can enter his Mitfahrwunsch and the central computer determines which transport willing who drives in his direction, is just in the vicinity. Especially in the rush hour traffic along the major arterial roads and arterial roads can then be mediated spontaneously a carpooling. Likewise, even with long-distance travel, a traveler who drives a longer distance, while traveling still record a traveler willing, for example, want to ride on a leg. If, for example, a business traveler travels from Munich to Hamburg, after his start in Munich, he may be informed that, for example, in the area of Nuremberg or Frankfurt, a traveler would like to travel to Hanover, for example. The traveler can now make a detour to accommodate the traveler or the system can both partners to a receiving point, eg a motorway service area or the like, possibly using other carpooling, direct, so that a take with a small time delay is possible.

The mediation strategy goes both ways. A Reisewilliger can learn about a central query, which transport willing are currently in the vicinity, or the computer of the headquarters can determine which transport willing to take the traveler willing. Conversely, however, a transport willing can also query which travelers are currently in the vicinity who may have the same destination. It can of course be provided that the person who starts the request, his current location or his current travel route via a corresponding communication system (mobile, pager, etc.) via a suitable interface enters.

When determining a ride-sharing opportunity can basically be recourse to known methods of travel planning and the brokering of travel opportunities, in particular carpooling. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the following procedure can be followed.

The computer first determines whether it is entered into the computer or transmitted via the localization system and transmitted to the computer for a specific transport willing, whose start and destination and his travel time (eg a specific day or a specific time window for the beginning of the journey) were announced, a registered traveler, whose start and finish point are identical and whose travel time coincides with that of the transport willing. The starting point of the travel-willing and / or the transport-willing can be in particular its position determined by the localization system.

If such a traveler is found, the corresponding assignment is saved. Next, the computer determines travelers willing, in which the starting and / or destination point deviates from that of the transport willing within predetermined tolerances. The computer initially determines the optimal direct travel route for the transport willing (without taking the traveler) from its starting point to its destination and then calculates a travel route for taking the traveler willing, which from the starting point of the willing to transport over the starting point of the traveler and the destination of Travelers willing to the destination point of transporting leads. The two itineraries for the case of taking the traveler and the case without taking the traveler will be compared. Thereby, e.g. the mileage detour and / or the estimated additional travel time are determined. If the detour and / or the additionally required travel time lie within predefined tolerance limits that may be predetermined by the system or by the person willing to transport, the corresponding traveler will be saved as a potential travel partner of the person willing to transport. Otherwise, the assignment of the respective traveler will be discarded to the transport willing. For example, it can be provided that the computer eliminates all those travelers willing to take them a detour of more than 10 km and / or an additional travel time of more than 20 minutes. Instead of determining an optimal itinerary without taking a Reisewilligen can also be provided that the transport willing specifies a certain itinerary from which can be deviated only within certain limits. An alternative criterion for the selection of travelers may also be that a certain total travel time and / or a certain route length is not exceeded when the transporting party or passengers are taken along.

In a further development of this method, it can be provided that the computer determines whether more than one traveler wishes to be assigned to a transporting party in the sense that start and end points are identical or a deviation from the optimum or predetermined travel route from the starting point of the transporting party the destination of the willing to transport when taking several Reisewilliger with suitable start and end points within the specified tolerances, eg with regard to the mileage detour or the additional and / or additional travel time.

Alternatively or additionally, the computer arrival and departure routes of the traveler willing to a different from the starting point receiving point at which the traveler willing of the Transport willing and / or a set-off point at which the travel will be deducted by the transport willing to evaluate and check whether the corresponding access and departure routes in terms of the route, the duration of travel, etc., are within certain specifications specified by the system or the traveler willing are. For example, a traveler may indicate that he wants to travel a maximum of 10km to his pick-up point.

In a further development of the method described above, the computer can also have a pick-up point and / or a drop-off point taking into account the specifications regarding the permissible detour for the transport willing or the permitted arrival and departure routes for the traveler and the location and / or the travel route of the transport willing and / or traveling allowance.

The determination of the travel route is preferably carried out in a computer separate from the navigation system of a traveler or the localization system, in particular a central and stationary computer, which then transmits the corresponding travel route to the navigation system of a travel-willing and / or a transport-willing. According to the invention it can also be provided that a central computer uses the navigation system of a traveler for the determination of the travel route or itineraries. In this case, it can be provided that, in addition to the interface, via which a user manually inputs travel data, such as the start and destination point, into the navigation system, there is another interface via which the said computer determines the route for determining the travel route. Travel routes can enter required data and receive the result of the calculation, which is made by the navigation system of the traveler.

If the computer has identified various potential travelers willing to transport or suitable willing to travel to a Reisewilligen, he checks if necessary, given by the willing to transport or traveler willing criteria and possibly eliminates candidates who do not meet the criteria or not to the extent required , It may include compulsory criteria, which must in any case be met, and preference criteria, which must be preferred but not necessarily fulfilled. For example, a compulsory criterion that a travel-willing or a transport-willing may impose could be that the mediated travel partner is non-smoker. A preference criterion could be, for example, that the travel partner to be mediated to a certain age group belongs. For compulsory criteria, those who do not fulfill these criteria will be eliminated. With regard to the preference criteria, provision may be made, for example, for each criterion to be assigned a certain score according to the meaning of that criterion, for each potential travel partner the sum of the corresponding points corresponding to the fulfilled criteria and for those candidates for which: the accumulated score remains below a predetermined value. It can also be provided that the remaining candidates are ordered according to the accumulated score. Other methods for determining one of several alternatives that best meet given criteria may also be used. Such methods often operate by weighting the various variants according to predetermined criteria and selecting the variant with the maximum or minimum weight.

After the selection on the basis of the said criteria, the data concerning the remaining candidates is then forwarded to the traveler or the person willing to transport (whichever is the primary customer), who then selects a suitable appearing partner or indicates a ranking list which transport persons or carriers are willing to travel He most agrees to travel. According to the selection or the preference list, the proposed ride is then transmitted to the other party (ie to the person willing to transport, who is to take along a traveler or the traveler who wants to take a transport). If this agrees, then the ride is mediated. If he does not agree, then the transport willing or the traveler is informed that the desired by him carpooling has not come about or asked in the order of preferences of the next potential partner, if the carpool accepted.

When determining the itinerary for the person willing to transport and / or the traveler, the computer can start from an entered or once established location of the person willing to travel and / or the traveler from whom the journey is planned. For example, the computer once make a location of the willing to transport or his vehicle and then use this location as the starting point of the journey of the transport willing for further planning, for the planning of the itinerary then also other input data, eg the destination of the transport willing Timetable for the journey and / or a current itinerary of the transporter, can be included. The However, the invention can also provide for the computer to use the respective current location of the travel-willing and / or the transport-willing in the planning of the travel route. For example, the computer at predetermined, eg regular intervals query the position of the travelers and / or willing to travel and accordingly update the proposed itineraries and related proposals for carpooling. This is particularly advantageous if the willing to transport (or even the traveler willing) is already on the way. For example, the computer can track the position of a willing to transport and continuously show him what Mitfahrwünsche of travelers on the chosen itinerary or a possible alternative itinerary exist. If the computer determines that the carrier has already passed the current location or a proposed pick-up point of a traveler, or the shipper has already moved so far from the location or pick-up point of the traveler that the itinerary for taking this traveler will no longer meet the predetermined criteria If, for example, the required detour is too great, it deletes the corresponding proposals for take-along opportunities for the transporting party concerned.

The proposals for entrainment opportunities may be presented to the transporting person on a display, e.g. a display of a dashboard or a satellite navigation system in the vehicle. It can be provided that the transport willing for him unattractive suggestions for Mitnahmegaegenheiten can delete himself by sending via an appropriate input device information to the computer that he does not want this Mitnahmegehgenheit, whereupon the calculator these proposals then from the list of suggestions for deletes the respective transport willing.

When arranging ridesharing, the calculator can take into account various criteria entered by the travel partners. For example, in addition to abstract data, personal data or photographs may also be entered. In particular, it can also be provided that the carpool, which uses the method according to the invention, simultaneously works as a contact exchange. Of course, with the consent of the data subject - personal data, such as age, interests, hobbies, profession, partner's wish, etc. are conveyed to the person willing to travel or the travelers, and the persons concerned can now choose the appropriate travel partner and potentially potential partner based on the suggestions received.

The invention provides that the computer automatically performs an assignment of one or more travelers willing to transport or, if necessary, to several willing to travel on the route of travel willing on the basis of the predetermined criteria. On the basis of the given criteria, the computer can make an optimal allocation and make the travel partners each a single suggestion for the optimum carpooling or optimal take-along opportunity which, depending on the agreement, is either immediately binding for the travel partners or confirmed by the travel partners. is rejected. However, the invention may also provide that the Reisewilligen and / or willing to transport a list of carpooling opportunities or Mitnahmegelegenheiten is transmitted, which may be sorted, for example, how well the predetermined criteria are met, and that the Reisewillige and / or willing to transport the Manually enters his desired selection via an appropriate interface.

If a Mitfahrgelegenheit mediated, the inventive method is not yet at the end.

The invention may provide that now the willing to transport and / or the traveler will be directed to a common pickup point. This can be done by a normal satellite navigation system, which controls the central computer of the carpool and gives the transport willing corresponding driving instructions. However, corresponding instructions can also be transmitted via a mobile device or a pager, in particular to the travelers, who also simultaneously checks that the mediated travel partners are approaching each other.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the method according to the invention can also integrate public transport in addition to private traffic. For example, it can be provided that, after arranging a ride and after agreement of a meeting place, the computer determines which public transport the traveler is best on schedule to the agreed meeting point. For this he can determine which public transport is currently in the vicinity and can be used by the traveler. Travelers are therefore not dependent on timetables and need not be prepared for problems that arise from the fact that a means of transport leaves too early or arrives too late. Rather, the computer determines and tracks the specific vehicle of public transport, which is to take the traveler, and gives directions to the traveler. If necessary, the carrier can be given an indication that a passenger still has to be taken and that the vehicle should wait a short time for this passenger.

The invention may provide that the computer, if public transport in the travel planning or travel handling are included, checks the availability of free capacity of these means of transport and this tells the traveler if necessary. The invention may also provide that the computer makes the booking of a ticket or ticket, the reservation of a free space and / or the billing of travel by public transport, possibly after a corresponding authorization by the traveler willing.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that at least on a planned or carried out travel section the journey does not take place in a regular service vehicle, i. that at least on a portion of the planned or carried out trip of the traveler willing the route of the willing to transport is not determined by a binding predetermined route and a binding predetermined schedule.

For the purpose of this invention, public transport is to be understood as meaning not only the traffic operated by the public sector but also the traffic of private transport companies which is available to the general public.

Public transport can also be used to bridge a leg between two sections of the trip if there is no continuous travel option. For example, the computer may schedule a travel route to provide a private ride to a train station from a rural location, and then take passengers on a train to the nearest major train station in the vicinity of their destination, and from that station in turn mediates a private ride to its actual destination. In this case, the possibility for locating and communication during the journey can in turn be used advantageously, for example by the computer querying about one hour before the arrival of the traveler at the destination station, which transport would drive from the destination station to the destination of the traveler. Thus, a major disadvantage of the previous carpools is eliminated, namely that rides on short distances are difficult or impossible to mediate.

Travel costs or the remuneration of the transport willing, which usually make up part of the travel costs, can be determined and, if necessary, immediately offset by credit and debit with the consent of the parties involved.

According to a further development of the invention, the security of the traveler can be increased by tracking by means of an electronic localization system. This is a service that can be offered independently of the arrangement of a ride. For example, the traveler may get his ride through a conventional carpool, but he or she will use the service of another carpool or security service to oversee his trip. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, a central computer monitors the location of the transporter and / or traveler and registers when a conspicuous event occurs indicating that the journey is not in accordance with the wishes of the transporter and / or the traveler.

• 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 by determining certain parameters of the trip and making a comparison each time, whether the value of these parameters correspond to certain setpoints and / or if these parameters correspond to certain predetermined criteria indicating a conspicuous event. Such parameters may be, for example:

• the position of the monitored person, whereby the corresponding desired value can result eg from a given travel route,
• the speed with which the monitored person is moving, wherein a target area may for example be a speed which corresponds to that of a vehicle,
• the state of a sender used to locate the traveler.

These are just a few possible parameters or criteria that may be considered for the implementation of the monitoring.

A conspicuous event may be, for example, a departure from the itinerary. This can be controlled by checking that the position of the traveler and / or traveler is different from a previously entered route, that the travelers are approaching an entered destination, and / or that usual traffic routes are being used. For example, locating the vehicle of the transporter in a forest area off the normal routes may indicate an unfair intention of the transporter.

However, a conspicuous event may also be that the position or operation of the transmitter changes in an unusual way. For example, if the location is via a mobile phone, an unfairly-intentioned forwarding agent and / or traveler could attempt to circumvent the surveillance by turning off, destroying or discarding the device. This can e.g. be detected by the fact that a transmitter is suddenly no longer working in spite of operability, the functionality can be monitored, for example, by the fact that the transmitter regularly data concerning the operability, e.g. the state of the battery or the like, transmitted. Discarding the transmitter can be done e.g. by detecting that the position of this transmitter no longer changes before an inputted destination or, if the other traveler can be located, the position of a transmitter of the traveler and the sender of a traveler suddenly separate from each other or even if such a change occurs while the vehicle is in motion, or at a place unusual for a travel end, eg starts along a trunk road off inhabited areas.

A further development of the invention may provide that the functionality of the transmitter and / or the localization system of the transport willing and / or willing to travel is monitored to avoid false alarms. A further development of the invention can provide, in particular, that the computer checks whether the localization system is working reliably. Satellite navigation methods, for example, are relatively sensitive to shadowing, eg by a car roof. If the antenna for receiving the satellite signal is not mounted on the outside of the vehicle or a mobile navigation device is not stored in a location of the vehicle, eg on the dashboard, where the shading is low, there is a risk that the navigation system will not can receive sufficiently strong or reliable signals to make a location determination. For such cases, it may be provided that the computer checks whether the navigation system continuously and reliably data concerning the current position delivers. If this is not the case, the owner of the device can receive information that his navigation system is not working properly. If appropriate, this can also be connected to a prompt with which the traveler confirms that there is no dangerous situation. In an active localization method, in which the position of a transmitter is checked, the computer can immediately monitor whether there is a sufficiently strong signal from the transmitter for localization and, if this is not the case, inform the owner of the transmitter accordingly.

The one whose journey is to be monitored must, according to one embodiment, enter his destination. This can e.g. at a pickup at the time of accepting a ride. According to an embodiment of the invention, before entering the corresponding vehicle, the passenger can enter data relating to the person or the vehicle of the driver, in particular the license plate number, into the central computer or, in another embodiment, using features of the driver, e.g. Age, hair color, eye color, etc., enter. The very fact that the driver knows that his vehicle is now registered as a driving vehicle at a surveillance center will in many cases deter him from criminal acts.

In a training of surveillance, which is not the subject of the patent, it can be provided that a monitoring of a trip of a person takes place that does not use any foreign means of transport, such as a ride, public transport or the like, so on foot or with your own Vehicle is on the way. This is of particular interest to schoolchildren who walk a fixed distance on foot or to outdoor athletes or travelers in remote or exotic areas where there is a risk of robbery or kidnapping. A particular route, eg a school route or itinerary, and / or a timetable for completing a particular route is entered into the computer and the computer will alert if it deviates from that route and / or the schedule or, depending on the specifications for the alarm if the deviation from the itinerary or the schedule indicates a conspicuous or dangerous event, for example if the deviation from the route exceeds predetermined tolerances or is not covered by alternative routes, if the position of the supervised person is unequivocally different from the one Travel destination instead of approaching it, or when the cruising speed deviates from a normal value. For example, a speed similar to that of a car may indicate abduction if the route is to be covered on foot or by bicycle, or, conversely, a low passenger's speed may indicate that a car driver's vehicle has been stolen in a robbery and is now on foot is.

With regard to the communication of the traveler willing and / or willing to transport with the computer or the communication of the computer with the localization system can be made of common techniques of data transmission. The corresponding data can be communicated, for example, via a specially configured radio connection, via a landline connection or via a mobile radio network. In particular, the communication can take place via a public network, such as the Internet. The communication of a person, such as the traveler willing and / or willing to transport, can be done by conventional techniques, for example via the keyboard of a computer which is coupled via a corresponding interface, such as a modem, with a telephone network or a radio device, via the keyboard of a mobile device, via direct speech recognition or via the menu of a GPS system, just to name a few examples. It may be provided, in particular, that corresponding information is transmitted verbally by the said person via a mobile telephone to a central computer, this computer having a voice recognition system which receives the data received via the telephone connection, the acoustic signals, into corresponding text data or other , for the computer directly processable data, converts. As further mediation formats, for example, e-mails or SMS messages can be used. The terminal for communication with the computer can be implemented in a device that performs additional functions in addition to the communication. For example, this terminal may be a mobile phone with a built-in GPS system (or a GPS system with a built-in mobile radio interface) or a computer coupled to a mobile phone. Such interfaces can be used both in the traveler willing as well as in the transport willing. Since the computer and / or the localization system does not necessarily have to be stationary, it can also be provided that computer and localization system are implemented in one device or the input device for the traveler or the willing to transport in a device together with the computer and / or the Localization system is implemented.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to a specific embodiment with further details.

A travel calculator of a car park, the destinations of Mitfahrwilligen and ready to drive entered, with possibly also a desired start or recording location is entered. The system determines in the manner described above via an active or passive localization system, the current location of the Mitfahrwilligen and ready to take and now tries to bring the various travel needs using cartographic data and possibly also the timetables of public transport to cover. If there are several possibilities for a take-off, the system checks further criteria which are desired by the person willing to take a ride, for example by car. the number of persons to take along and the free seats, the possibility of taking along other passengers and thus the reduction of the fare, a maximum to driving detour, such as the existing or take-along luggage, the sex of Mitfahrwilligen or willing to take and other, from the participants given criteria, which may range from the smoker / non-smoking property to hair color, eye color or the like. The calculator also checks positive or negative lists of the different participants. For example, if a passenger has indicated that he or she no longer wants to be taken by a particular person, the system excludes the placement of a corresponding ride. Conversely, the system will endeavor to provide a ride with participants who have been requested or suggested by another participant. At the time of switching, the location of a subscriber may also be entered manually, for example, when a subscriber is still at home.

The participants will receive one or more travel suggestions. In this case, a travel suggestion include that a taker prepares several people willing to drive in succession or that a Mitfahrwilliger successively with different willingness to take or even in parts with public transport drives.

The participants confirm that they agree with the proposed itinerary. If there is a general agreement, the carpool system will guide the takeaway person and / or the carpooler to a pick-up point. In doing so, it controls a satellite navigation system of the vehicle ready for take-off, which this vehicle Instructions there. If a passenger is not usually in a vehicle, they will be given instructions on where to go by a pager or a display on a mobile phone. If appropriate, the system may also propose to use public transport for a part of the journey or a whole route up to a pick-up point. For example, if the computer determines that a bus is approaching the rider who is driving in the right direction, he can notify the renter and guide him to the next station. If the takeaway and the rider have arrived at the pickup point, they enter a message to the computer that now the common journey begins, the authenticity of this message can be determined by known methods, for example by the use of a PIN. Alternatively or additionally, the system monitors the position of the ready to go and the willing to go, and if it determines that the two positions substantially coincide and vary substantially at the same speed and in the same direction, the system may conclude that the take-in is willing to move the vehicle of the ready to take possession has entered and the two are now on the journey together.

In the same way, the two travelers at the end of the journey state that the journey is now over. Alternatively or additionally, the computer can check whether the end of the journey or a travel section has been reached, for example by checking whether the corresponding positions are different, whether the position of one traveler changes and that of the other does not, both suggesting that the Mitnahmebereite has dropped off the Mitfahrwilligen and now removed or that the position of the two travelers for a long time, eg longer than the normal stay at a rest stop or the like, differ by more than a predetermined amount, from which the system concludes that the passenger is no longer in the car of the ride and also will not return there.

During the trip, the system monitors the position of the driver and the passenger. On the one hand, it checks whether the journey runs according to a pre-determined schedule. If the journey is delayed, for example because the driver is stuck in a traffic jam, the passenger can make a request to the central office that he wishes an alternative for the continuation of his journey. The carpool system now checks, for example, if there is a public transport stop close by in the area right direction drives, where the appropriate vehicle is currently and when it is expected to be at the bus stop (yes, a bus can be just like the driver in a traffic jam) or if there is less traffic on an alternative route to the destination of the takedown and On this route a participant has indicated his willingness to take with him. Again, if the taker decides to alternate the journey, the system may direct the takers to the next pick-up point, for example by instructions on a pager or on the display of a mobile phone.

Furthermore, the carpool system checks during the journey whether the travel route is adhered to. If this is not the case, or if the driver's vehicle even leaves the designated destination or unusual paths, such as forest roads, are taken, the carpool system registers this as a conspicuous event. As a next step, contact with the taker or taker, depending on who has requested the security guard, will be made, for example by a message on the pager or by an obvious measure, such as a control call via a mobile phone. By means of agreed-upon passwords or message messages can now be checked whether a dangerous situation exists or not. For example, if one or a passenger responds to a request or to the question of a password with a sentence or a word agreed in advance as a signal for a dangerous situation, the nearest police station is informed. The same applies if the call or the message is abruptly interrupted, the transmitter or the mobile phone of the person taken or has been obviously thrown away or has been destroyed. In any case, the system retains a record of the trip data and any suspicious events. If the person is later reported missing, the corresponding data can be handed over to the police. This serves as a reinsurance for the willingness to take part or the Mitfahrwilligen. In particular, when the method is obviously practiced at the beginning of the journey, the passenger knows that there is at least one trace to his person should something happen to the other. This will in the first place make the person concerned aware of the risk of a criminal act. The carpool can provide this security monitoring even without the service of a carpool. As a rule, only one of the two persons traveling is monitored. When accepting a Mitfahrgelegenheit the passenger gives the license plate of the driving vehicle or another Description. A taker may provide a description of his passenger or, if the passenger so chooses, the number of a pass to the monitoring system. The system may, on that occasion, verify that the taking of the vehicle or the person ready to take it might be dangerous or unpleasant, for example because the person or the holder of the vehicle in question has previously been attracted by unpleasant behavior or, for example, stealing the vehicle is reported.

An important aspect of the method according to the invention is that it is possible to react spontaneously to the situation of the travelers and that long-term advance planning is not necessary. Likewise, it is advantageous that the travelers in turn do not have to carry out planning work and the central system can also undertake the implementation and traffic management during the journey. This is particularly advantageous when traveling abroad. For example, the inventive method can be used in such a way that a traveler on arrival at a destination airport or destination station indicates his destination in the appropriate city and now on the one hand receives information regarding public or private transport, which he can use, and on the other hand also directly eg is directed to a bus stop, tram stop or taxi stand without having to consult a map or to ask for help from nearby people whose language he or she may not understand. A significant advantage in this context is that the language of communication between the traveler and the system can be chosen by the traveler so that he can always receive information and enter inquiries in his native language.

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

Claims (55)

1. Method for facilitating the journey of a person wishing to travel, who wants to take a lift, in the vehicle of a party wishing to transport as a lift-giver, particularly in a motor vehicle of a party wishing to transport, using a computer which communicates with the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport,
   characterized in that the current position of the person wishing to travel is ascertained by an electronic localization system and in that the computer uses the current position of the person wishing to travel, as ascertained by the localization system, and a journey destination of the person wishing to travel and of the party wishing to transport for the purpose of automatically associating a person wishing to travel with a party wishing to transport using prescribed criteria in order to facilitate a journey.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the position of the party wishing to transport is ascertained by a localization system and in that the computer uses the position of the party wishing to transport, as ascertained by the localization system, for the purpose of associating the person wishing to travel with the party wishing to transport in order to facilitate a journey.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one transmitter is respectively associated with the party wishing to transport and/or with the person wishing to travel and the transmitter is used in order to determine or transmit the position.
4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a transmitter is connected to a vehicle of the party wishing to transport and communicates with the localization system.
5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport carries a transmitter associated with him/it on his/its body and/or in a piece of luggage.
6. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the localization system is a satellite navigation system.
7. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a transmitter associated with the party wishing to transport and/or person wishing to travel is implemented in a mobile telephone or a pager.
8. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the computer uses the recorded data to facilitate a lift.
9. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the computer prepares a lift by establishing the location of a party wishing to transport and/or of a person wishing to travel using the localization system.
10. Method according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the computer uses a journey destination input into it for the person wishing to travel and/or a journey destination for one or more parties wishing to transport in order to ascertain a journey route for the party wishing to transport to take the person wishing to travel from the present situation of the party wishing to transport to its journey destination and/or to the journey destination of the person wishing to travel.
11. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the computer, in determining the journey route, takes account of a pick-up point prescribed to it for picking up the person wishing to travel and determines a journey route from the situation of the party wishing to transport via the pick-up point for the person wishing to travel to the journey destination of the person wishing to travel and possibly from there on to the journey destination of the party wishing to transport.
12. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the computer uses an established or input starting point for the journey of the party wishing to transport and the established location of a person wishing to travel in order to determine a journey route for the party wishing to transport from the starting point via the situation of the person wishing to travel or a pick-up point for the person wishing to travel which is different from the situation to the journey destination of the person wishing to travel and possibly from there on to the journey destination of the party wishing to transport.
13. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the party wishing to \transport and/or the person wishing to travel have an interface for the input of data for the computer, and the journey destination of the party wishing to transport and/or of the person wishing to travel, the situation of the person wishing to travel and/or of the party wishing to transport and/or the proposed pick-up point are input using such an interface.
14. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the computer determines a journey route for a party wishing to transport to take a plurality of persons wishing to travel.
15. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the computer uses prescribed parameters, such as the number of persons to be taken, a maximum detour to be taken, the amount of luggage to be taken or the available space for taking luggage in the vehicle, the sex of the person wishing to travel and/or of the party wishing to transport, the smoker/non-smoker nature of a person wishing to travel and/or of a party wishing to transport, the probable costs, the probable journey time for the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport, details about preferred or desired journey partners and/or undesirable journey partners, to associate a party wishing to transport with a person wishing to travel in an optimum fashion.
16. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the computer ascertains a journey route for the person wishing to travel which involves the person wishing to travel being taken on subsections by various parties wishing to transport, possibly taking into account the journey route of the various parties wishing to transport and/or ascertaining a time window or a time at which the party wishing to transport and/or the person wishing to travel will probably arrive at a pick-up point for the respective subsection of the journey route.
17. Method according to Claim 16, characterized in that the party wishing to transport for one subsection of the journey route is a public transport company.
18. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 17, characterized in that the computer ascertains a plurality of possible journey routes with different journey partners for a party wishing to transport and/or a person wishing to travel and transmits them to the party wishing to transport and/or the person wishing to travel.
19. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 18, characterized in that before the start of the journey of the person wishing to travel the computer ascertains the journey costs for one or more journey routes calculated by it.
20. Method according to Claim 19, characterized in that the party wishing to transport and/or the person wishing to travel uses an input device to send a message to the computer that it/he agrees to a journey route which the computer has calculated and transmitted to it/him and to the associated costs.
21. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the computer, having facilitated a lift, actuates an electronic navigation appliance of a party wishing to transport in order to take the latter to the person wishing to take a lift.
22. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the computer checks the position of the party wishing to transport and/or of the person wishing to travel continually or at prescribed, particularly at regular or otherwise predetermined, intervals of distance or time, particularly while the party wishing to transport is driving to the person wishing to travel and/or while the person wishing to travel is travelling with the party wishing to transport.
23. Method according to Claim 22, characterized in that the computer ascertains a timetable for the journey of the person wishing to travel and uses the established position of the party wishing to transport and/or the person wishing to travel to check whether the timetable is being observed.
24. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 23, characterized in that if it has established that the timetable is not being observed then the computer ascertains an alternative journey route for the person wishing to travel which involves a lift by one or more of the parties wishing to transport other than the present party wishing to transport.
25. Method according to Claim 24, characterized in that the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport sends the computer a message which indicates to it that the timetable is not being observed.
26. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the computer ascertains an alternative journey route upon a request from the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport who are travelling together.
27. Method according to one of Claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the computer actuates an electronic navigation appliance of the party transporting the person wishing to travel in order to take the transporting party to the pick-up point by another party wishing to transport by an alternative journey route.
28. Method according to one of Claims 24 to 27, characterized in that the party wishing to transport for the alternative journey route or one of the parties wishing to transport for the alternative journey route is a public transport company.
29. Method according to one of Claims 22 to 28, characterized in that the computer uses the position data recorded by it to ascertain the distance actually travelled between the starting point and the end point of the journey of a person wishing to travel with the party wishing to transport.
30. Method according to Claim 29, characterized in that the computer uses the actually travelled distance determined by it to determine the journey costs of the person wishing to travel.
31. Method according to Claim 30, characterized in that the computer checks whether a prescribed cost quota has been observed and,
    if this is not the case, stipulates the travel costs using prescribed criteria, particularly taking into account a previously determined journey route, and the distance actually travelled.
32. Method according to Claim 30 or 31, characterized in that the computer calculates the costs for the detour by the party wishing to transport in order to pick up and set down the person wishing to travel and adds them to the journey costs determined using the distance actually travelled.
33. Method according to Claim 19 or 30, characterized in that the computer automatically debits the journey costs ascertained by it and/or confirmed by the party wishing to transport and the person wishing to travel from the person wishing to travel and/or automatically credits a fee for the journey to the party wishing to transport.
34. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 33, characterized in that the computer automatically establishes that a journey or a journey section has been started by the person wishing to travel and/or that the end of a journey or of a journey section of the person wishing to travel has been reached.
35. Method according to Claim 34, characterized in that the computer establishes that a journey or a journey section has been started by the person wishing to travel if the position of the party wishing to transport and the position of the person wishing to travel which it has established differ by less than a prescribed amount and/or the party wishing to transport and the person wishing to travel are moving in the same direction at the same speed.
36. Method according to one of Claims 34 and 35, characterized in that the computer establishes the end of the journey or of a journey section of the person wishing to travel if the position of the party wishing to transport which it has established and the position of the person wishing to travel which it has established differ by more than a prescribed amount after the person wishing to travel has started the journey.
37. Method according to one of Claims 34 to 36, characterized in that the computer establishes the end of the journey if the difference between the position of the party wishing to transport and the position of the person wishing to travel remains above a particular value for longer than a predetermined period and/or if this difference increases.
38. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 37, characterized in that the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport inputs the start of the journey and/or the end of the journey using an input device and the computer uses this input to establish the start or the end of the journey of the person wishing to travel.
39. Method according to Claim 38, characterized in that the computer stores the start of the journey and/or the end of the journey by means of an input from the person wishing to travel and/or from the party wishing to transport only if the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport identifies himself/itself during the input, for example by means of a PIN.
40. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 39, characterized in that the identity of the party wishing to transport and/or of the person wishing to travel is input using an interface.
41. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 39, characterized in that the computer ascertains the identity of the party wishing to transport and/or of the person wishing to travel from an identifier of a transmitter associated therewith.
42. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 41, characterized in that the journey of the person wishing to travel in the vehicle of the party wishing to transport is monitored by virtue of a computer determining a parameter which relates to the safety of the person wishing to travel and/or of the party wishing to transport.
43. Method according to Claim 42, characterized in that the computer determines the position of the person wishing to travel and/or of the party wishing to transport continuously, particularly continually or at regular or otherwise predetermined intervals of time or distance, and then compares it with data prescribed to it relating to the journey of the person wishing to travel and/or of the party wishing to transport in order to determine whether a conspicuous event has occurred.
44. Method according to Claim 42 or 43, characterized in that the computer sends a warning signal to the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport if a conspicuous event has occurred, and/or sends a check-up call, for example to a mobile telephone of the person wishing to travel or of the party wishing to transport, or prompts such a check-up call.
45. Method according to Claim 43 or 44, characterized in that the computer checks whether a prescribed journey route is being observed.
46. Method according to one of Claims 43 to 45, characterized in that the computer checks whether the party wishing to transport and the person wishing to travel are moving towards or moving away from a journey destination of the person wishing to travel or of the party wishing to transport which has been input into it.
47. Method according to one of Claims 42 to 46, characterized in that the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport transmits his/its journey destination to the computer, for example using a suitable input device, before or upon the start of the journey.
48. Method according to one of Claims 42 to 47, characterized in that the computer checks whether there is a discrepancy between the position of the transmitter of the party wishing to transport and the position of the transmitter of a person wishing to travel by more than a prescribed amount before the journey destination of the person wishing to travel has been reached and/or the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport have notified the computer of the end of the journey.
49. Method according to one of Claims 42 to 48, characterized in that the computer checks whether the distance between the position of the transmitter of the party wishing to transport and the position of the transmitter of a person wishing to travel is increasing and also checks whether the location from which this difference is increasing is a possible alighting point for a person wishing to travel and/or whether the vehicle of the party wishing to transport or the party wishing to transport has stopped at the time from which the difference is increasing.
50. Method according to one of Claims 42 to 49, characterized in that the computer checks whether the transmitter of the party wishing to transport and/or the transmitter of the person wishing to travel is working.
51. Method according to Claim 50, characterized in that the transmitter of the party wishing to transport and/or the transmitter of the person wishing to travel transmits data to the computer relating to the state of its power source and the computer establishes a conspicuous event if a transmitter is not working when there is an adequate power supply.
52. Method according to one of Claims 42 to 51, characterized in that data relating to the identity of the person wishing to travel and/or of the party wishing to transport are input for the computer, such as name, address, motor vehicle registration, etc.
53. Method according to one of Claims 42 to 52, characterized in that the person wishing to travel inputs the motor vehicle registration of the vehicle of the party wishing to transport and possibly further data relating to the party wishing to transport into the computer using an input device when he starts his journey.
54. Method according to one of Claims 42 to 53, characterized in that the computer creates a record, for example by means of printing, storage in a permanent file or the like, of a conspicuous event which it has established together with data relating to the person wishing to travel and/or the party wishing to transport.
55. Method according to one of Claims 42 to 54, characterized in that the computer communicates records relating to conspicuous events to a further facility, particularly a security service.