JP2002319097A - Method, system for calling vehicle, vehicle allocation device, communication device, and computer program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily grasp a situation until a vehicle called by a user arrives at a position of the user. SOLUTION: An information center 2 arranges a service company 3 optimum to provide service to the vehicle 1 (troubled vehicle) in response to execution of calling operation in the vehicle 1. The arranged service company 3 selects a road service vehicle 4 optimum to go to the position of the vehicle 1, and the selected road service vehicle transmits the present position of the own vehicle, a predicted arrival time and the like. The present position, the predicted arrival time and the like are displayed (notified) using received information thereof, in the vehicle 1 receiving the present position, the predicted arrival time and the like from the road service vehicle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to the field of communication systems for transmitting and receiving various types of information by performing at least wireless communication between a communication device mounted or carried on a mobile object and an information processing device such as a server computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of automobiles, which are typical vehicles, so-called road services have been widely used.
Even if a car breaks down while on the road, a passenger (driver) can request a service provider such as a road service provider to provide repair and other services by using a telephone. Is arranged, so that appropriate treatment (repair on site, moving a tow truck to a repair shop, etc.) can be performed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional road service, it is often not possible to grasp the situation from when the service is requested to when a service person arrives at the site. (Crew) lacks convenience.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle calling method, a vehicle calling system, a vehicle dispatching device, a communication device, and a computer and a computer for easily grasping the situation until the vehicle called by the user arrives at the user. To provide the program.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle calling system according to the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a communication device (for example, a vehicle-mounted communication device or a mobile phone) mounted or carried on a mobile object (for example, a vehicle or a person) and a vehicle in which an information center is communicably connected via at least a wireless communication line. In a call system, the communication device transmits request information corresponding to the call operation and a current position of the communication device to the information center in response to a call operation being performed in the communication device. Calling means, and a notifying means for notifying the information received from the information center, the information center obtains the current position and the driving environment for a plurality of vehicles to be dispatched by the information center, and obtains the obtained current Based on the position and the driving environment, and the request information and the current position received from the communication device, Comprising arrange means for determining arrange vehicle should be headed on the location of the communication device, the arrangement vehicle as arranged by the information center or the arrangement means,
At least one of the scheduled arrival time at which the arranged vehicle will arrive at the location of the communication device and the current position of the arranged vehicle is provided with information transmitting means for transmitting to the communication device. The notifying unit notifies at least one of the scheduled arrival time received from the information center or the arranged vehicle and the current position of the arranged vehicle.

Further, for example, the communication device is communicably mounted on a control device of the mobile object, and the control device is capable of executing a program acquired from outside,
In the information center, the arranging unit transmits a failure diagnosis program of the mobile object to the communication device in response to receiving the request information, and executes the failure diagnosis program received from the communication device. It is good to include the equipment determination means which determines the equipment with which the arrange | positioned vehicle which should go to the location of the said communication apparatus is provided based on.

Further, for example, in the information center or the arranged vehicle, the information transmitting means transmits at least one of the scheduled arrival time and the current position of the arranged vehicle to the communication device at a predetermined cycle. Features. In this case, the information transmitting means transmits the predetermined period as the predetermined period, when the speed of the arranged vehicle is greater than a predetermined speed, every time the vehicle travels a predetermined distance, and when the vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined speed, every time a predetermined time elapses, At least one of the scheduled arrival time and the current position of the arranged vehicle may be transmitted.

For example, when the information transmitting means transmits the moving speed of the arranged vehicle in addition to the scheduled arrival time and / or the current position of the arranged vehicle, the notifying means may be included in the communication device. When displaying the current position of the arranged vehicle, the average moving speed of the arranged vehicle may be calculated, and the display mode may be changed to a different display mode depending on whether the calculated average moving speed is higher or lower than a predetermined speed.

Further, for example, when the information transmitting means transmits a traveling environment around the current position of the arranged vehicle in addition to the scheduled arrival time and / or the current position of the arranged vehicle, Receiving, by the notifying means, at least a traveling environment around the current position of the arranged vehicle and the scheduled arrival time, and selectively selecting at least one of the received information items according to a user operation. Good news.

[0011] The above object is also achieved by a vehicle calling method corresponding to a vehicle calling system having the above-described respective configurations.

[0012] Further, the object is to store a program code for realizing, by a computer, a vehicle dispatching device corresponding to an information center, which constitutes a vehicle calling system having the above-described respective configurations, and stores the program code. It is also achieved by a computer readable storage medium.

[0013] Further, the object of the present invention is to store a program code for instructing an operation of a communication device mounted on or carried by a mobile object, which constitutes a vehicle calling system having the above-described respective configurations, and stores the program code. Yes,
It is also achieved by a computer readable storage medium.

[0014]

According to the present invention described above, a vehicle calling method, a vehicle calling system, a vehicle dispatching apparatus, and a communication that can easily grasp the situation until a vehicle called by a user arrives at the user. The provision of the device and its computer program is realized.

That is, according to the first, second, ninth, and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the user can determine the scheduled arrival time at which the vehicle arranged in response to the calling operation arrives and / or the vehicle's scheduled arrival time. The movement status can be grasped, and convenience is improved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to optimize the vehicle arranged in response to the calling operation.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to prevent the communication line between the communication device and the information center or the arranged vehicle from being constantly connected.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the communication line between the communication device and the information center or the arranged vehicle from being constantly connected. The user can more easily grasp the movement status of the arranged vehicle.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, the user can more easily grasp the moving state of the arranged vehicle by utilizing the visual sense.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, the user can more easily grasp the movement state of the arranged vehicle in a form according to the user's request.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, the user confirms by a conversation with the occupant of the arranged vehicle that can be performed by a simple call request operation, the movement status of the arranged vehicle and the calling process. And the convenience is improved.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a vehicle call system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a road service for performing a service such as repair at a site in response to a call of an occupant (driver). Will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle calling system according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle (automobile) as a mobile body, which includes a communication device connectable to a wireless telephone line 5.

2 is to select an optimum one from a plurality of service providers 3 in response to a call operation by an occupant (driver) of the vehicle 1, and to the selected service provider 3,
It is an information center that requests the arrangement of road service vehicles. The information center 2 is a communication server (server computer) connectable to the wireless telephone line 5 and the Internet 6
And a computer 8 for performing various processes described below.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a service provider that operates the road service vehicle 4.
And can be connected to the Internet 6 and can communicate with the road service vehicle 4 and the information center 2 that are operated. The service provider 3 responds to an arrangement request from the information center 2 to provide a plurality of road service vehicles 4 to be dispatched.
Is selected from among the road service vehicles, and the selected road service vehicle is directed to the location of the vehicle 1.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a road service vehicle that can be connected to the wireless telephone line 5 and the Internet 6, and requests a service due to a failure or running out of fuel in response to a dispatch instruction from the service company 3 to which the vehicle belongs. Vehicle 1
To the location of, and perform services such as repairs on site, and tow to a service company 3 as needed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of each device constituting the vehicle calling system according to the present embodiment.

In the vehicle 1, a control device 11 functions as a computer for performing a navigation function and various control processes in the vehicle. Reference numeral 14 denotes a data communication unit (communication device) that performs communication with the information center 2, the service provider 3, and the road service vehicle 4 via at least the wireless telephone line 5. Reference numeral 12 denotes a user input operation (setting operation) on the control device 11 and the data communication unit 14
Is an operation unit. Reference numeral 13 denotes a display that performs a display according to information acquired from the control device 11 and the data communication unit 14. 15 is GPS received from outside
(Global Positioning System) This is a GPS unit that detects the current position of the vehicle 1 based on a signal or the like.

The control device 11 includes a microcomputer (not shown), obtains state information of the vehicle 1 from an ECU (electronic control unit) that controls an engine, a brake, and the like, and uses the data communication unit 14. Then, control processes such as a call request process (FIG. 3), a failure diagnosis process (FIG. 5), and an information notification process (FIG. 8), which will be described later, are performed. Further, the control device 11 implements a general navigation function using the current position of the vehicle 1 detected by the GPS unit 15, map data, and the like.

Further, the control device 11 is provided with a detection result by a sensor group (not shown) of the vehicle 1 and an actuator (not shown).
And the like can be stored at predetermined intervals as data relating to the vehicle 1 (including information specifying the vehicle). The control device 11 has registered therein data relating to the driver (information for identifying the driver of the vehicle 1).

In the information center 2, the computer 8
Is information on a plurality of drivers (customers) who are users of the present system, a method of repairing a vehicle, information on a plurality of road service companies 3, and map information employing a common coordinate system with map data provided in the vehicle 1. Etc. are provided. By referring to these databases, the computer 8 performs a process of grasping a failure condition occurring in the vehicle 1 and performing a failure diagnosis, selecting an optimal contractor, guiding a route of the road service vehicle 4, and repairing the vehicle by an arrangement process (FIG. 4) described later. Providing methods, etc.

In the service provider 3, the computer 9
Are the operation status of the road service vehicle 4 being operated, information on workers (service personnel), map information employing a coordinate system common to the map data provided in the vehicle 1, route information received from the information center 2, and faults. It has a database of vehicles (vehicles to be serviced) and repair methods. The computer 9 refers to these databases to grasp the operation status of the road service vehicle 4, grasp the road condition, select an optimal worker, guide the route of the arranged road service vehicle 4, provide a repair method, and the like. (Details will be described later).

In the road service vehicle 4, reference numeral 41 denotes
The control device functions as a computer that performs a navigation function and various control processes in the vehicle. 44
Is a data communication unit (communication device) that communicates with the vehicle 1, the information center 2, and the service provider 3 via at least the wireless telephone line 5. Reference numeral 42 denotes an operation unit capable of performing an input operation (setting operation) by the service personnel on the control device 41 and the data communication unit 44. Reference numeral 43 denotes a display that performs a display according to the information acquired from the control device 41 and the data communication unit 44. 45 is a GP received from outside
A GPS unit that detects the current position of the road service vehicle 4 based on an S (Global Positioning System) signal or the like. Reference numeral 46 denotes a VICS receiver that receives traffic information around the current position from the outside.

The control device 41 is provided with a microcomputer (not shown).
The control process (FIG. 7) described later is performed. Further, the control device 41 controls the vehicle 1 detected by the GPS unit 45.
By realizing a general navigation function using the current position, map data, and the like of the vehicle 1, the user goes to the location of the vehicle 1 requesting the service.

The control unit 41 includes a data communication unit 4
4, the repair request data (at least the data relating to the vehicle 1 requesting the service) and the data relating to the repair method are registered.

Hereinafter, in the present system having the above-described respective configurations, after a call is made by the occupant of the vehicle 1, information on the arranged vehicle (specific road service vehicle 4) arranged by the information center 2 is stored in the vehicle 1. The processing up to the display on the display 13 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a call request process performed by the control device 11 of the vehicle 1 in the present embodiment, and shows a procedure of a software program executed by a microcomputer (not shown).

In FIG. 5, in step S1, the process waits until a predetermined vehicle calling operation is performed on the operation unit 12 by an occupant (driver).

When a predetermined vehicle call operation is performed in step S1, the current position (current position information) of the vehicle 1 detected by the GPS unit 15 is obtained (step S2), and data relating to the vehicle 1 (the current position information) is obtained. The information about the vehicle, the detection result of the sensor group, etc.) and the data on the driver are read from the database (step S
3, step S4), the read data and information indicating the call request are transmitted to the information center 2 using the data communication unit 14 (step S5), and the process returns to step S1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of arranging the service provider 3 performed by the computer 8 of the information center 2 in the present embodiment, and shows a procedure of a software program executed by the computer.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step S11, corresponding to step S5 in the above-described call request processing (FIG. 3), the service provider receives information indicating the call request and information such as the current position of the vehicle 1 by receiving the information. Wait until arrangements for 3 are needed.

When it is necessary to make an arrangement in step S11, a process of grasping the failure situation is performed (step S11).
12). A general method may be used for the failure status grasping process itself, with reference to data on the vehicle received from the vehicle 1.

As a result of the process of grasping the failure status in step S12, the road service vehicle 4 by the service provider 2
Prior to the arrangement, it is determined whether or not a failure diagnosis is necessary (step S13).
The process proceeds to step S4, and if not necessary, proceeds to step S16.

If the failure diagnosis is necessary in the above-mentioned step S13, the communication server 7 is used to instruct the vehicle 1 (service vehicle) for which the service is requested to execute the failure diagnosis. (Step S14), the state of the failure is grasped based on the failure diagnosis result received from the vehicle in response to the execution instruction (Step S15). The situation grasping process itself based on the failure diagnosis result may employ a general method.

Next, the vehicle 1 grasped in step S15
Based on the failure status of the (failed vehicle), an optimum service provider is selected from a plurality of service providers 3 registered in the database (step S16), and a plurality of repair methods registered in the database are selected. An optimum repair method is selected from among them (step S17). In this case, the most suitable service provider makes a database in advance that the field is good at, the current position of the failed vehicle, and the like, and identifies the service provider 3 that is most suitable for dealing with the failure situation grasped in step S15. Just choose.

Then, in step S18, step S
Step S is performed for the service provider 3 selected in step S16.
Optimal repair method selected in step 17 and step S1
2 and information on the status of the failed vehicle obtained in step S15 (including the current position information of the service target vehicle 1)
Is transmitted using the communication server 7 (step S1).
8), and return to step S11.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a failure diagnosis process performed by the control device 11 of the vehicle 1, and shows a procedure of a software program executed by a microcomputer (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 5, in step S21, the process stands by until a failure diagnosis execution command (instruction) is received from the information center 2 in step S14 of the above-mentioned arrangement processing (FIG. 4).

When a failure diagnosis execution command is received from the information center 2, a failure diagnosis start trigger (execution command) is issued to each ECU connected to the control device 11 in step S22. In response to issuing a failure diagnosis start trigger to each ECU, the engine ECU,
A predetermined failure diagnosis is performed in each ECU such as the brake ECU (step S23A, step S23B,...).
.), The diagnosis result passed from each ECU to the control device 11 is stored as a failure diagnosis log (step S2).
4).

Then, the control device 11 controls the data communication unit 1
4, the failure diagnosis log stored in step S24 is converted into a format adapted to a predetermined information transmission form of the wireless telephone line 5 and the Internet 6 (step S2).
5) The data is transmitted to the information center 2 in a predetermined data unit (step S26), and the process returns to step S21. That is, the information center 2 determines in step S26 that the control device 1
In step S15 (FIG. 4), the failure status is grasped by using the information (failure diagnosis log) representing the diagnosis result transmitted by 1.

Next, the process of arranging the road service vehicle 4 performed by the service provider 3 selected in the above-described arranging process (FIG. 4) by the information center 2 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of arranging the road service vehicle 4 performed by the service provider 3 in this embodiment, and shows a procedure of a software program executed by the computer 9.

In FIG. 5, in step S51, a repair is requested based on the optimum repair method received from the information center 2 and the information on the status of the failed vehicle (including the current position information of the service target vehicle 1). The work contents (service contents to be provided) are grasped. Then, in step S52, the information received in step S51 and the grasped work content are stored in the database in a state where they are associated with each other.

Next, in step S53, based on the stored information, the road service vehicle to be directed to the location of the vehicle 1 for which service is requested from among the plurality of road service vehicles 4 whose operation is managed. Select 4.

The above steps S51 to S53
According to the process (1), the service provider 3 can select the optimum road service vehicle 4 to be arranged based on the information received from the information center 2.

Then, the current status of the road service vehicle 4 selected in step S53 is confirmed (step S53).
At the same time, the road conditions around the road service vehicle are collected (step S55).

Here, step S54 and step S5
The confirmation of the current status of the road service vehicle 4 and the surrounding road conditions in 5 includes the current position detected by the GPS unit 45 in the selected road service vehicle 4, the traffic information acquired by the VICS receiver 46, and the road service. It can be confirmed by receiving information such as whether the vehicle 4 is already moving for service to another vehicle.

In step S56, based on the current position information and the map information of the service target vehicle 1 (failed vehicle) received from the information center 2, an optimal route for moving to the location of the failed vehicle is calculated. I do. In step S57, the route information calculated in step S56,
The information about the optimum repair method and the status of the failed vehicle received from the information center 2 in step S51 is transmitted to the road service vehicle 4, and the process returns to step S51.

Next, the road service vehicle 4 selected by the arrangement processing (FIG. 6) by the service provider 3 described above.
The control process performed in step is described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control process performed by the road service vehicle 4 in the present embodiment, and shows a procedure of a software program executed by a microcomputer (not shown) of the control device 41.

Referring to FIG. 11, in step S31, the process waits until a dispatch request is received from the information center 2. Then, when the dispatch request is received, in step S32, the crew member performs a predetermined input operation on the operation unit 42 of the road service vehicle 4 to indicate whether or not to accept the present dispatch request. The process waits until (setting operation) is performed, and if an operation to accept the dispatch request is performed, the process proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, information indicating that the dispatch request is accepted is transmitted to the service provider 3 using the data communication unit 44, and information from the service provider 3 to the service target vehicle 1 (failed vehicle) is transmitted. Receive route information, optimal repair methods, and information about the status of a failed vehicle. This processing corresponds to the above-described step S57 (FIG. 6) in the service provider 3.

Next, in step S34, if the setting to provide the status to the service target vehicle 1 is set by the serviceman performing a predetermined setting operation on the operation unit 42, the process proceeds to step S35. move on.

In step S35, the GPS unit 45
In step S37, the road service vehicle 4 moves to the location of the service target vehicle 1 based on the latest current position information and the information received in step S33. Route is determined, and the required time is estimated. In the process of estimating the arrival time, the traffic information acquired by the VICS receiver 46 may be referred to.

Then, steps S38 to S4
In 1, the vehicle speed of the road service vehicle 4 is equal to the predetermined speed V
If it is larger than 0, every time it moves by the predetermined distance L0,
If it is smaller, every time the predetermined time T0 elapses, the current position acquired in step S35, the scheduled route and the scheduled arrival time obtained in step S37 are transmitted to the service target vehicle 1 (failed vehicle). These processes are continued at least until the road service vehicle 4 reaches the location of the failed vehicle.

In step S41, the information is provided directly from the road service vehicle 4 to the service target vehicle 1, but the information may be provided via the information center 2 and / or the service provider 3. .

Next, a description will be given of the information notifying process performed in the service target vehicle 1 (failed vehicle) which has received the information from the control process (FIG. 7) by the road service vehicle 4 described above.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an information notification process performed by the vehicle 1 (vehicle to be serviced) in the present embodiment, and shows a procedure of a software program executed by a microcomputer (not shown) of the control device 11. .

In the figure, the above-mentioned step S57
When information is received from the road service vehicle 4 in step S61 corresponding to (FIG. 6), in step S62, based on the received information, the display 13 displays the current position, the estimated arrival time, In addition, the expected route to arrival is displayed. The map data of the control device 11 is referred to for displaying the current position and the planned route. In addition, since the display on the display 13 is one mode of notification, sound or the like may be used as appropriate.

Next, in step S63, when the reception of information from the road service vehicle 4 is rejected by the occupant of the vehicle 1 to be serviced performing a predetermined operation on the operation unit 12, it is notified to that effect. The indicated information is transmitted to the road service vehicle 4 using the data communication unit 14 in step S64, and the process returns to step S61.

Therefore, the information (current position, expected arrival time, and information) transmitted from the road service vehicle 4 at a predetermined cycle (every movement of a predetermined distance or every elapse of a predetermined time) is provided to the service target vehicle 1 as described above. The current situation of the road service vehicle 4 is notified using the scheduled route), so that the occupant of the vehicle 1 can use the road service vehicle 4
The time and position until the vehicle arrives can be easily grasped. Further, it is possible to prevent the communication line between the vehicle 1 and the road service vehicle 4 from being constantly connected.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the vehicle 1
The occupant of the (failed vehicle) can grasp the scheduled arrival time at which the road service vehicle 4 arranged according to the calling operation arrives and the movement status of the vehicle, and the convenience is improved.

In the preferred embodiment, if the arranged road service vehicle 4 is configured to transmit the own vehicle speed, the current position of the road service vehicle 4 is displayed on the display 13 in the vehicle 1. Upon
The average moving speed of the road service vehicle 4 is calculated, and display modes (colors and display patterns) differ depending on whether the calculated average moving speed is higher or lower than a predetermined speed.
It is better to change to According to such a system configuration,
The occupant of the vehicle 1 can more easily grasp the moving state of the arranged road service vehicle 4 using the visual sense, and the convenience is further improved.

However, the average moving speed in the control device 11 is based on the map information, the time information, and the road service vehicle 4.
May be calculated based on the current position information received from.

In the case where the arranged road service vehicle 4 is configured to transmit a traveling environment (traffic information and the like obtained by the VICS receiver 46) around the current position, the operation unit 12 of the vehicle 1 is transmitted to the operation unit 12. The received traveling environment around the current position and the scheduled arrival time may be selectively notified according to the input operation of the occupant.

Further, in another preferred embodiment, the arranged road service vehicle 4 further transmits a telephone number that can be used for talking while the service staff of the road service vehicle 4 is moving toward the location of the failed vehicle. In the case of the device configuration, the vehicle 1 may be connected to a communication device (such as a mobile phone) of the telephone number in response to a call request operation performed by the occupant on the operation unit 12. in this case,
The occupant of the service target vehicle 1 (failed vehicle) can communicate with the service technician by a simple call request operation, and can confirm the movement status of the road service vehicle 4 and the calling process by conversation. Convenience is improved.

In the above-described vehicle calling system, the data communication unit (communication device) includes not only the form of the on-board communication device mounted on the vehicle 1 but also a person (eg, an occupant of the vehicle 1) as a moving body. It may be in the form of a portable mobile phone or a new information communication terminal.

The field of application of the above-mentioned vehicle calling system is not limited to the field of road service for repairing vehicles, but is also applied to systems for calling service vehicles such as emergency vehicles, taxis, and courier services. be able to.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the information center 2 and the service provider 3 are configured separately, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured integrally. In that case, in response to receiving the call request from the vehicle 1 (failed vehicle), from among the plurality of road service vehicles 4,
In addition to selecting the road service vehicle 4 to be directed to the location of the vehicle, the processes up to the request for repair of the selected road service vehicle 4 are collectively performed.

<Modification of Embodiment> In the above embodiment, the failure diagnosis processing (FIG. 5) performed in the vehicle 1 is as follows.
The description has been made assuming that the software program is prepared in advance in the control device 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this device configuration, and the control device 11 can execute a program (mobile agent) acquired from outside. In the information center 2, the mobile agent representing the failure diagnosis process (FIG. 5) is transmitted to the vehicle 1 in the process of step S14 (FIG. 4) in the information center 2, and the failure diagnosis process in the control device 11 of the vehicle is completed. At this point, the mobile agent may be returned to the information center 2 together with the diagnosis result.

In the present modification, the mobile agent moves while moving between the control device 11 of the vehicle 1 and the computer 8 of the information center 2 connected via a communication line (wireless telephone line 5, Internet 6). , A software program for executing a desired process.

By using such a mobile agent, it is possible to change the details of the failure diagnosis on the vehicle side as needed, so that the information required in the information center 2 can be easily obtained from the service target vehicle 1. Can be collected. In order to realize the information collection by such a mobile agent, for example, when the control device 11 has an environment operating as a Java virtual machine, the control device 11 being accessed from the information center 2
Java for instructing the operation of the above-described failure diagnosis processing (FIG. 5)
A configuration is supposed in which the control program on the vehicle side is modified (updated) by downloading the a program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle calling system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of each device constituting the vehicle calling system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a call request process performed by the control device 11 of the vehicle 1 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of arranging a service provider 3 performed by a computer 8 of the information center 2 in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a failure diagnosis process performed by the control device 11 of the vehicle 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of arranging a road service vehicle 4 performed by a service provider 3 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control process performed by the road service vehicle 4 in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an information notification process performed by a vehicle 1 (a service target vehicle) in the present embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1: Vehicle, 2: Information center, 3: Service provider, 4: Road service vehicle, 5: Wireless telephone line, 6: Internet, 7: Communication server, 8, 9: Computer, 11, 41: Control device, 12, 42: operation unit, 13, 43: display, 14, 44: data communication unit, 15, 45: GPS unit, 46: VICS receiver,

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Hashimoto 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda F-term (reference) 5H180 AA01 BB02 BB04 BB05 BB15 FF05 FF12 FF13 FF27 5K067 BB03 BB04 BB26 DD20 EE02 EE10 EE16 FF03 FF05 FF07 FF22 GG01 GG02 GG11 HH05 KK13 KK15 LL14

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle calling method for calling a vehicle using a communication system in which a communication device mounted or carried on a mobile body and an information center are communicably connected via at least a wireless communication line. In response to a call operation being performed in the communication device, request information corresponding to the call operation, and a current position of the communication device, a call step of transmitting from the communication device to the information center, In the information center, a current position and a traveling environment are acquired for a plurality of vehicles to be dispatched by the information center, and the acquired current position and the traveling environment, and the request information and the current position received from the communication device are acquired. An arrangement step of determining an arrangement vehicle to be headed to the location of the communication apparatus based on the arrangement step; At least one of the scheduled arrival time at which the arranged vehicle will arrive at the location of the communication device and the current position of the arranged vehicle, from the information center or the arranged vehicle arranged in the arrangement step to the communication device. Transmitting information transmission step, at least one of the scheduled arrival time and the current position of the arranged vehicle received in the information transmission step,
An information notifying step of notifying in the communication device. 2. A vehicle call system in which a communication device mounted or carried on a mobile object and an information center are communicably connected via at least a wireless communication line, wherein the communication device includes: In response to a paging operation being performed, request information corresponding to the paging operation and a current position of the communication device are transmitted to the information center, and a notification unit that reports information received from the information center. Means, and the information center acquires a current position and a traveling environment for a plurality of vehicles to be dispatched by the information center, and acquires the acquired current position and a traveling environment, and the request information received from the communication device. And a method for determining a vehicle to be dispatched to the location of the communication device based on the current position. Means, the arranged vehicle arranged by the information center or the arrangement means, at least one of a scheduled arrival time at which the arranged vehicle will arrive at the location of the communication device and a current position of the arranged vehicle. Information transmitting means for transmitting to the communication device, in the communication device, the notifying means at least one of the scheduled arrival time received from the information center or the arranged vehicle and the current position of the arranged vehicle A vehicle calling system for notifying one of them. 3. The communication device, wherein the communication device is communicably mounted on a control device of the mobile object, and the control device is capable of executing a program acquired from outside. In response to receiving the request information, while transmitting the failure diagnosis program of the mobile object to the communication device, based on the execution result of the failure diagnosis program received from the communication device, the communication device of the 3. The vehicle calling system according to claim 2, further comprising equipment determination means for determining equipment provided in the arranged vehicle to be headed to a location. 4. The information center or the arranged vehicle, wherein the information transmitting means transmits at least one of the scheduled arrival time and the current position of the arranged vehicle to the communication device at a predetermined cycle. The vehicle calling system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: 5. The information transmission means transmits the predetermined cycle every time the vehicle travels a predetermined distance when the speed of the arranged vehicle is higher than a predetermined speed, and every time a predetermined time elapses when the speed is lower than the predetermined speed. The vehicle call system according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the scheduled arrival time and the current position of the arranged vehicle is transmitted. 6. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the information transmitting unit transmits the moving speed of the arranged vehicle in addition to the scheduled arrival time and / or the current position of the arranged vehicle. Calculating an average traveling speed of the arranged vehicle when displaying the current position of the arranged vehicle, and changing the display mode to a different display mode depending on whether the calculated average traveling speed is higher or lower than a predetermined speed. The vehicle calling system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: 7. The communication device, wherein the information transmitting means transmits a traveling environment around a current position of the arranged vehicle in addition to the scheduled arrival time and / or a current position of the arranged vehicle. The notification means, at least, while receiving the traveling environment around the current position of the arranged vehicle and the scheduled arrival time, at least one of the received information items,
4. The vehicle calling system according to claim 2, wherein the notification is selectively performed according to a user operation. 8. A telephone capable of making a call while the occupant of the arranged vehicle is moving toward the location of the communication device in addition to the scheduled arrival time and / or the current position of the arranged vehicle. In a case where a number is transmitted, in the communication device, the notifying unit includes a calling unit that connects to a calling device of the telephone number in response to a user's call request operation. The vehicle calling system according to claim 2 or 3. 9. Communication means for communicatively connecting the own device via a wireless communication line to a communication device mounted on or carried by a mobile body and a plurality of vehicles to be dispatched, and Acquiring the current position and traveling environment for a plurality of vehicles, based on the acquired current position and traveling environment, and the request information received from the communication device and the current position of the communication device, based on the location of the communication device And a arranging means for determining an arriving vehicle to be headed for. 10. An information transmitting means for transmitting to the communication device at least one of a scheduled arrival time at which the arranged vehicle will arrive at the location of the communication device and a current position of the vehicle. 10. The vehicle dispatching device according to claim 9, wherein: 11. Communication means for communicatively connecting the own device mounted or carried on a mobile body to an information center for dispatching at least via a wireless communication line, and a current device for detecting a current position of the communication device. Position detection means, and in response to a call operation being performed in the communication device, request information corresponding to the call operation, and the current position detected by the current position detection means,
Calling means for transmitting to the information center, and a scheduled arrival time at which the arranged vehicle, which has been received from the outside in response to the transmission by the calling means, should arrive at the location of the communication device, will arrive at the location; And a notifying unit for notifying at least one of the current position of the arranged vehicle. 12. A computer program as the vehicle allocation device according to claim 9, wherein the computer program issues an instruction to operate a computer. 13. A computer program for instructing the operation of the communication device according to claim 11.