JP2003157491A - Transmit system (my taxi system) for driver information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user with driver information only on his favorite driver near the user. SOLUTION: In this system, a server machine connected to a network is provided with a driver information extract means for extracting driver information on a driver located near a user terminal in response to access from the user terminal, and a driver information transmit means for transmitting the extracted driver information to the user terminal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for providing driver information to taxi users.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a taxi information providing system, wireless call is generally used. This system wirelessly distributes position information of users who use taxis, and dispatches drivers who have responded.・ Because this system requires a dispatcher, it could not be used for privately-owned drivers. In addition, since it takes a certain amount of time for the driver to respond, it is difficult to dispatch the vehicle quickly. -It was unclear to the user what kind of driver the driver would be dispatched to. It would be painful for the ride time to be dispatched by a driver who does not agree. If possible, I would like you to dispatch a well-known driver. In addition, it has not been possible to accurately respond to requests from wheelchair users and users who can only speak English.

Recently, with the spread of mobile phones, the user has memorized the number of the mobile phone of the driver being favored and called the driver as necessary. However, such a style has the following problems. (Driver's side) ・ Sometimes you are called while you are picking up another customer. In particular, since the mobile phone rings during driving, there is a risk that driving will be hindered. In addition, frequent refusal to call may hinder sales. (User's side) ・ Even if you contact your favorite driver, there is no point in having them pick you up if you are too far away. Not available for quick movement. Call charges are wasted. • Contacting many drivers is a waste of time and call charges.・ A nearby driver can easily explain, but it is difficult to explain his / her position to a distant driver who has no sense of land.

[0004]

Therefore, the present invention is
When a user wants to use a taxi, a system that can provide the user with information only about his or her favorite driver, who is ready to pick up and drop off the customer, and who is near him (MyTaxi system) )
Is to provide.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects] [1] (My
Taxi system) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a driver information transmission system in which a user terminal used by a user, a driver terminal used by a driver, and a server machine are connected to each other via a network so that transmission and reception is possible. The server machine stores, for each user, driver information including contact information for a favorite driver for each user, empty vehicle information indicating that transfer is possible, and position of the driver Driver status storage means for storing driver position information for specifying the driver position information, and driver status registration means for storing the empty vehicle information and the driver position information in the driver status storage means in response to an access from the driver. , ・ In accordance with the access from the user, the location near the user is determined from the user-specific information storage means. A driver information extracting means for extracting the driver information of the driver for a transmission system "in the driver information, characterized in that the driver information, the extracted with a driver information transmitting means for transmitting to the user.

In the present invention, the "user" is a taxi user who uses this system to request the provision of driver information that meets his or her wishes. A "driver" is a taxi driver who wishes to use this system to pick-up and drop-off his or her familiar customers. In the present invention, "taxi" includes a hire, and "driver" includes a person performing a substitute operation. The “driver information” includes information for identifying the driver (driver ID) and contact information for the driver. Further, when additional information such as a level indicating the degree of preference of the user is added, the additional information may be included.

[2] (Server Machine) Further, focusing on the server machine, the present invention relates to a "server machine which is connected to a user terminal used by a user and a driver terminal used by a driver so as to be capable of transmitting and receiving via a network. A user-specific information storage means for storing driver information including contact information for a favorite driver for each user, empty vehicle information indicating that transfer is possible, and driver position for specifying the position of the driver Driver status storage means for storing information, driver status registration means for storing the empty vehicle information and driver position information in the driver status storage means in response to an access from the driver terminal, and the user terminal In response to the access from the user, the driver information stored in the user-specific information storage means A driver information extracting means for extracting driver information, a server machine, "which is characterized in that the driver information, the extracted with a driver information transmitting means for transmitting to the user terminal.

As a result, the following effects are exhibited by the user and the driver. (User) ・ When calling a taxi, the user accesses the server machine to obtain information only from the drivers registered in advance that are nearby and are in a transferable state. It becomes possible to do. As a result, it is not necessary to call the driver unnecessarily, and it is possible to reduce wasteful time and call charges. -In particular, when the user moves to a rural area, the driver information of only the driver in that rural area can be obtained. Wherever you go, you can easily and quickly contact your favorite driver in the area. (Driver) -If you do not register in this system, driver information will not be sent to the user. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where the customer is called while waiting for a customer, such as during the transfer of another customer.・ When you are waiting for a customer, you can register users so that they can introduce you to users near you. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of sales. -Popular drivers will have more opportunities to be introduced to users by this system, and sales can be increased.

[2-1] (Proximity Range Information) The present invention provides the driver information of the driver (driver terminal) located near the user (user terminal) to the user. Here, the definition of “near the user” may be appropriately set by the user, the driver, or the system designer according to each situation. As an example of “near the user”,
It is the range within which a taxi can reach the user without stressing the user. Specifically, the driver is located within a concentric circle with a radius of 5 to 15 km centering on the user, and within a range within 5 to 15 minutes from when the user sends a pick-up instruction to the driver. The range that defines the vicinity of the user is called "proximity range information"). Therefore, one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is “the server machine, which stores the proximity range information defining the range of the“ driver near the user ”, and corresponds to the proximity range information. A server machine characterized by having a function of transmitting driver information to a user terminal "(one of the embodiments is a server machine having a function of transmitting only relevant driver information). This allows the user to obtain only driver information near him, making it easier to select a driver. Also, the communication load can be reduced. In addition, this invention (the above [1],
(Including [2]), the user terminal is provided with a function that allows the user to arbitrarily set the "proximity range information", and the server information is set to the driver information based on the set range. Is extracted, or driver information that does not correspond to the proximity range information is not transmitted. In addition, this invention (the above
[1] and [2] are included in one of the embodiments, the driver terminal has a function that allows the driver to arbitrarily set the “proximity range information”, and the server machine is within the set range. Extract driver information based on
It is characterized in that driver information not corresponding to the proximity range information is not transmitted. With this, a server machine according to the request of the user who wants to pick up his favorite driver because he can wait a while, the request of the driver who wants to pick up and pick up the customer even a little away, and
It becomes possible to provide the system.

[3] (Display of driver information list) Then, from the viewpoint of providing a large number of driver options to the user, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is "the above-mentioned server machine and the driver information extracting means. A plurality of driver information, and the driver information transmitting means has a function of displaying a list of the plurality of extracted driver information on the user terminal.
Is. Here, “list display” means that a plurality of pieces of driver information are displayed as shown in FIG. 7, and more preferably, a display form in which all drivers are selectable.

[4] (Display in Nearest Driver Order) Usually, when a user calls a taxi, the most important item is to come to pick up earlier. Therefore,
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, "the server machine described above, wherein the driver information transmitting means has a function of displaying driver information of a driver close to a user on a higher rank of a user terminal. It is. In this way, by displaying closer driver information on the upper level, it becomes possible for the user to immediately recognize the driver who will pick up early, and it is possible to provide a system that is easy for the user to use.

[5] (Display of additional information in order) As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, "in the above-mentioned server machine, the user-specific information storage means stores additional information relating to the capability of the driver. And the driver information transmitting means has a function of displaying the driver information on the user terminal in the order in which the additional information is taken into consideration. " An example of the embodiment is "a server machine having a function of displaying only driver information corresponding to additional information on a user terminal".

Thus, by considering the additional information,
It is possible to provide not only the driver that is close to the driver but also driver information that meets more detailed requests from the user. Here, the "additional information" refers to information such as the ability of the driver and the ability of the taxi which are considered in addition to the proximity when selecting the driver, and the content may be arbitrarily set by the user or the driver. Specific examples are that it can accommodate wheelchair users, that it is a seven-seater taxi, and that the driver can speak English. In addition, when the user gives a rank to the driver's preference, this rank may be included in the additional information.

"Displaying driver information in the order in which additional information is taken into consideration" means that drivers that are close to the user are not always displayed at the top, but drivers that meet the additional conditions required by the user are displayed at the top. , Or a mode in which only the drivers that meet the additional conditions are displayed. For example, when the user has a condition of a wheelchair as the additional information, the driver information that is not compatible with the wheelchair is excluded and only the driver information that is compatible with the wheelchair is transmitted. In addition, when the user provides the driver with a desired rank, the driver is displayed in order from the driver with the highest rank.

[6] (Mobile phone number) In order to convey the user's position to the driver, it is effective to contact in a conversational manner. Especially when the user is moving, it is not enough to inform the driver of the current position information. Therefore, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, "in the server machine, the driver terminal and the user terminal both have a wireless call function, and the driver information stored in the user-specific information storage means is A server machine including an access number for wireless communication to the driver terminal ". An example of the specific configuration is that the driver terminal and the user terminal are mobile phones (including PHS), and the access number for wireless communication is the mobile phone number. As a result, both the user and the driver can use the terminal to make a wireless call, and it is possible to quickly make detailed contact, for example, a waiting contact such as "5 minutes later 0000 years ago". Further, in the case of a mobile phone, both the driver and the user are equipped for daily use, so that the present invention can be implemented without increasing new equipment.

[7] (Driver Information Transmission Method) "A user terminal used by a user, a driver terminal used by a driver, and a server machine are connected to each other via a network so that transmission and reception is possible, User-specific information storage means for storing driver information including contact information for each user, driver for storing empty vehicle information indicating that transfer is possible and driver position information for specifying the position of the driver A method of transmitting driver information in a system including a situation storage means, characterized by including the following steps: Empty vehicle information indicating that the driver can pick up and drop off;
A step of transmitting driver position information for specifying the position of the driver to a server machine (S110), a user ID for the user to specify himself and the user position information for specifying the position of the user, (S310), transmitting driver information of a driver located near the user to the user according to access from the user (S230) "

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. Overall Configuration of MyTaxi System FIG. 1 shows a simplified driver information transmission system (MyTaxi system) according to the present invention. In this system, a user terminal used by a user, a driver terminal used by a driver, and a server machine are connected to each other via a network in a state where various information can be transmitted and received. As the network, a dedicated line such as a LAN or WAN may be used in addition to a telephone line or the Internet. Further, according to the present invention, since both the user terminal and the driver terminal are used in a state where they can be moved outdoors, part of transmission and reception from the network to these terminals is performed wirelessly. As a form of this wireless information communication, a Bluetooth standard may be used in addition to a mobile phone or PHS format. In FIG. 1, the user terminal of the user U1 and two driver terminals used by the driver A and the driver C are shown. However, the actual embodiment is implemented by multiple users and multiple drivers.

(Outline of Implementation) An outline of implementation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The driver transmits to the server machine a driver ID for identifying itself, empty vehicle information indicating that the customer can now pick up and drop off, and own position information (driver position information) (S110). The user accesses the server machine and requests the driver information of a person who is his favorite driver and is nearby. At that time, from the user terminal, the user ID
And the user position information is transmitted (S310). The server machine searches the user-specific information file of the accessing user, extracts the driver information of the driver near the user from the file of this user, and transmits it to the user terminal (S230). The user who receives the driver information accesses the driver based on the information (S340). The user can tell the driver his current location (or
Ask the driver to come to pick you up.

2. Configuration of Each Part of System (1) Configuration of Server Machine The configuration of the server machine will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The server machine may be any device capable of transmitting and receiving data via the network. When using the Internet for the network, we are generally used as a server machine.
In addition to the server b, it can be implemented by using a personal computer having a communication function in which various programs as a server machine are stored.

In the figure, reference numeral 21 is a control unit,
It is composed of a CPU, a memory, and the like, and controls various parts, executes various programs, and temporarily stores data. Reference numeral 22 is an input unit for transmitting various signals to the control means 21 via a network. In addition, a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel may be included as specific devices forming the input unit. Reference numeral 23 is an output unit, which transmits a signal sent from the control unit 21 to the network. Reference numerals 24 and 25 are storage units, and store the following programs and files, respectively. In addition,
These units do not have to be arranged in a physically integrated device, and may be connected in a form capable of transmitting and receiving information through various lines such as a dedicated line such as LAN and WAN and a telephone line. Further, the specific configuration of the storage unit is not particularly limited, and in addition to magnetic disks such as hard disks, CDs,
It is also possible to use an optical disk such as a DVD or a memory card.

(Storage Unit 24) The storage unit 24 stores a "program file". The program of this file is executed by the control unit 21. As the programs to be stored, there are stored a program (information transmission / reception) for exerting a function as a web server, other general programs for searching data, and programs for executing the following means. .・ A driver status registration program as driver status registration means that stores empty vehicle information and position information (driver position information) of the driver ・ Extracts driver information of drivers near the user according to access from the user terminal, Driver information extraction program as driver information extraction means
In this program, proximity range information defining a range “near the user” is stored. -Driver information transmission program as driver information transmission means for transmitting the extracted driver information to the accessing user terminal The processing contents of the above programs will be described later.

(Storage Unit 25) The storage unit 25 is a storage unit as a database and functions as the following storage means. The (user-specific information file) storage unit 25 stores a user-specific information file as a user-specific information storage unit that stores favorite driver information for each user. The user-specific information file is a file in which each user registers a driver that the user likes, and the information is managed for each user. The structure of this user-specific information file is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, this file has a driver name (driver ID), a contact address to the driver, and additional information as a storage unit for additional information in each field. Then, the information of each driver selected by the user is stored in each record. In the figure, the driver names “Mr. A” to “Mr. D” are stored as the favorite drivers of the user U1 (the number of drivers that can be registered may be arbitrarily determined).

In this file, at least the driver I
Store D and its contact information in association with each other. "Driver I
“D” may be any information that can identify the driver, and in addition to the driver name, an arbitrary number sequence, IP address, or contact information may be used as the user ID. The "contact information" is information for the user to access the driver, and in addition to the telephone number of the mobile phone as the driver terminal, the mail address to the driver terminal, and the fax number if the driver can receive faxes. And so on. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a mobile phone in which the driver terminal has a wireless call function. In this case, the preferred contact information is the mobile phone number, which is an access number for wireless communication.

Further, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, additional information is stored. In FIG. 3, as additional information,
A rank (A-
C) and the information related to the ability and function of the driver or taxi are stored in the "other" field. By referring to this additional information, it becomes possible to introduce a driver that meets a more detailed request of the user. The content of the additional information is as described above, and the information may be information registered by the user such as rank, or other information registered by the driver.

The user-specific information file may be any file as long as it can specify which user likes which driver, and its data structure and file structure are not limited. As described above, it is not always necessary to manage the files as separate files for each user, and a database of a relational format can be used for implementation.

(Driver status registering means) Further, in FIG. 3, as a driver status storing means, the file is provided with fields of "vacant vehicle information (ON / OFF)" and "driver position information". In the "vacant car information" field, information (vacant car information) indicating that the driver stored in the user-specific information file is in a state where the driver can be picked up (standby) is stored. “O” is stored in the driver waiting, and “X” is stored in the driver who is not transporting while being transported by another customer. In FIG. 3, Mr. A, Mr. C, and Mr. D are waiting. Information (driver position information) for specifying the position of the driver is stored in the “driver position information” field. FIG. 3 is a diagram in which a city (map) is divided into specific blocks and the block numbers of which blocks are waiting are stored. FIG. 4 shows the division of blocks and their position information. Fig. 4 shows the taxi business area divided into 5x5 blocks, and the vertical "I, Ro, Ha,
"Ni, ho" and numbers "a, b, c, d, e" on the sides. Here, the position of Mr. A is "ho d", the position of Mr. C is "ha b", and the position of Mr. D is "ro e". Mr. B has no registration of location information because the "vacant car information" is "x". In addition, when the block number is added to the position information as described above, the server machine stores the map information file in which the map is divided into specific blocks. In addition, as the position information, the latitude and longitude may be stored as they are. The numbers shown in each block in FIG. 4 indicate the distance from the user located at the center by the number of blocks.

(2) Configuration of user terminal As the user terminal, various communication devices capable of transmitting and receiving information via the network and being easy to carry can be used. Specifically, it is a mobile phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant) or the like compatible with the Internet. Further, in the practice of the present invention, the user needs to transmit his / her own position information to the server machine, so the user terminal preferably has a position information (user position information) transmission function. As the position information transmission function, the position of the mobile phone (PHS) can be specified from the positional relationship between the mobile phone (PHS) and the antenna base station, and the information can be transmitted to the network (server machine) or GPS ( Glob
For example, a device having a function of identifying its own latitude and longitude by using the al Positioning System) and transmitting the position information to the network (server machine) may be used. Specifically, KDDI Corporation provides a "simple location information service" and NTT Corporation
It can be implemented by utilizing the "now where (location information) service" provided by DOCOMO. Furthermore, a user using a mobile phone uses the wireless call function to access the server machine,
Alternatively, the position information of the user (for example, town name and street name) may be transmitted by voice, and the voice may be analyzed by the server machine to specify the position information of the user.

(3) Configuration of driver terminal The driver terminal can also be implemented using various communication devices capable of transmitting and receiving information via the network. Specifically, it is a mobile phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant) or the like compatible with the Internet. Since the driver terminal may be installed in a taxi, it can be implemented in a form such as a personal computer having a communication function.
Here, in the case of a mobile phone having a wireless call function, the driver terminal can be directly accessed from the user terminal and the user and the driver can talk directly with each other, so that there is an advantage that the meeting place designated by the user can be promptly notified. Further, since the driver terminal also needs to transmit its own position information to the server machine, it is desirable that the driver terminal also has a position information (user position information) transmission function like the user terminal. A driver using a mobile phone uses the wireless call function to access the server machine and send his / her location information (for example, town name and street name) by voice, and the server machine analyzes the voice. It may be a form in which the position information of the user is specified. As a call function in the user terminal and the driver terminal, an embodiment such as an Internet telephone that is performed via the Internet may be used in addition to a form using a mobile phone or a telephone line by PHS.

3. Transmission form of driver information The user terminal and the driver terminal are mobile phones, and
The transmission mode of the driver information in the mode in which the both terminals and the server machine transmit and receive information via the Internet will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.

(1) Registration of user-specific information With this system, in order for a user to receive transmission of driver information, it is necessary to register his / her user-specific information file in the server in advance. Therefore, as a preparatory measure for implementing the present invention, a registration step of the user-specific information file will be described with reference to FIG.

(S50) Step of Creating Driver Information Collection File First, a driver who wants to join the MyTaxi system registers his or her driver information in the server machine via the Internet. The registration means are as follows. The driver information collection file is a collection of driver information of the drivers to be subscribed. -The driver accesses the server machine via the Internet. -The server machine sends a screen prompting the driver information registration in response to the access from the driver.・ Following the screen, the driver inputs necessary information and sends the information to the server. -The server machine collects the driver information sent,
It is stored in the storage unit 25 as a driver information collection file. The necessary items of the driver information are at least the driver ID for identifying the driver and its contact information (telephone number, etc.). Also, if there is any additional information as my selling point, store it as well. In addition,
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a form in which the driver's information is requested to input a taxi license number and a driver's name. As a result, the license number and its name sent can be referred to as the number registered in the taxi association to prevent unauthorized driver registration. In addition, the effect of eliminating registration for mischievous purposes (deterrent effect) is recognized even if just requesting registration of a license number.
Therefore, this embodiment has a function of obtaining the license number of the taxi when prompting the driver to input the driver information.

(S60) Step for creating user-specific information Next, the user selects favorite drivers from the driver information collection files registered in the server machine, extracts them, and extracts them for each user. Create an information file. The means for creating the user-specific information file is as follows. -The user accesses the server machine via the Internet and requests a list of registered driver information. -The server machine sends the driver information list to the user terminal. -The user checks the favorite driver on the screen and returns the information to the server machine. At that time, if a driver rank is provided, that rank is also transmitted. In the server machine, the checked driver information is extracted from the driver information collection file, and the extracted driver information is collected as a user-specific information file. Whenever a user finds a favorite driver, he / she accesses the server machine and adds the driver information to his / her user-specific information file.

Other selection steps In addition, if the server machine provides the driver information based on the additional information, the driver information can be added as follows. First, when the server machine provides the driver information based on the additional information, for example,
It is a system that retrieves the additional information in response to a request from an English-speaking driver and provides the English-speaking driver information to the user terminal. When a user who receives such a system service likes the driver, the user can add the driver information to his or her user-specific information file by returning the communication history to the server machine.

In this embodiment, the server machine is provided with a driver information extracting means based on the additional information and a transmitting means of the extracted driver information, and the communication history of the driver information sent to the user terminal is stored. It is characterized by having a function of adding the driver information to the user-specific information file of the user by replying to the server machine.

When the user knows his / her favorite driver ID and the contact information, he / she creates a list of driver information desired by the user and sends the list to the server machine to obtain the user-specific information. It is also possible to directly create a file (for example, the list is transmitted to a server machine via a network, or the list is faxed to an operator on the server machine side). In the file creating step (S50) and the user-specific information file creating step (S60), neither the user terminal nor the driver terminal needs to be a mobile phone, and it can be performed using a personal computer or the like having an Internet function. is there.

(2) Driver Status Registration Step The following describes the driver status registration step by the MyTaxi system. The information file for each user is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, four drivers A to D are registered as the selected drivers.

(S100) A, a driver waiting
Accesses the server machine from the driver terminal. (S200) The accessed server machine executes the driver status registration program and
Screen prompting registration in the system (driver status registration screen)
To send. This screen is shown in FIG. (S110) According to the screen, the driver writes that it will participate in the system and sends a reply to the server machine. At that time, the driver terminal A also transmits the driver position information to the server machine. The driver ID information is also set to be transmitted together. The driver position information is (latitude: longitude, *
*: XX). (S210) The server machine executes the driver status registration program, identifies the driver A by using the received driver ID as a key, and changes the "empty vehicle information" of the driver A in the user-specific information file of the storage unit 25 to ○. . Further, the server machine compares the user position information with the map shown in FIG. 6 and stores “ho d” as the user position information. This is repeated for the drivers C and D, and the user-specific information file of the user U1 is updated.

(3) Driver Information Transmission Step (S300) The user U1 looking for a taxi accesses the server machine from the user terminal. The server machine sends a taxi call screen to the user terminal (S
205). The screen is shown in FIG. On the screen, in addition to the check items for whether or not to call a taxi, a column for additional conditions is provided (English, wheelchair, rank priority, etc.). When these fields are checked, the information is also sent to the server machine.

(S310) The user who wants a taxi checks the question "Do you want to call a taxi?" To "Yes" and sends it to the server machine. At that time, the user terminal uses the user position information (latitude: longitude, ○○: △△)
Is also transmitted. In addition, the user terminal is set to also transmit the user ID information when returning this screen.

(S220) The server machine receives the information sent from the user terminal and executes the driver information extraction program. The server machine identifies the user U1 from the received user ID, and uses the user position information,
The driver (A, C, D) near the user
Driver information (driver name, contact information, rank)
Is extracted from the user-specific information file. The extraction step will be described later with reference to FIG. Further, the server machine obtains the distance level between the user and each driver and stores the value. The “distance level” indicates the distance between the user and the driver as the number of blocks shown in FIG. (S230) The server machine executes the driver information transmission program to extract the extracted driver information (driver name,
Contact, rank) and its distance level value into one HTM
The L format file is transmitted to the user terminal.

(S320) Upon receiving the file, the user terminal displays the file using the browser function. The screen to be displayed is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, on the screen of the user terminal, a driver who is near him and is waiting is shown. Moreover, these drivers are all my favorite drivers. In the figure, the "driver name" and its "closeness" are shown by numerical values of the distance level, and "rank" is displayed based on the additional information. The contact information of each driver is not displayed, and when the user performs an operation for confirming the driver on the screen, a PhoneTo function is used in which the contact is automatically dialed to automatically start a call. (S330) The user moves the cursor of the user terminal to the display of Mr. C and selects Mr. C. (S340) By performing the selection operation of Mr. C, the user terminal starts a call with the contact (Mr. C).
The user can inform Mr. C of his / her position and have him / her come to pick him up by a call using a mobile phone.

(4) Driver Information Extracting Step The extracting step in the driver information extracting program in S220 will be described below with reference to FIG.

(S221) Upon receiving the information requesting the taxi from the user terminal, the server machine stores the user ID and the user position information transmitted together with the information. The user ID is user U1, which is a user name. The user position information is “(latitude: longitude, XX: ΔΔ)”. The server machine compares the map information file shown in FIG. 4 with the user position information, and stores "ha c" as the user position information.

(S222) The server machine uses the user I
The storage unit is searched with D as a key, and the user-specific information file of the user U1 is read. (S223) The server machine extracts the driver information of Mr. A stored in the first record of the user-specific information file. (S224) The server machine determines whether the “vacant vehicle information” of the extracted driver information is ON. If it is ON, proceed to step 225, and if it is OFF, step 2
23, the next record is extracted.

(S225) When it is ON, the server machine compares the driver position information "HO d" included in the extracted driver information with the user position information "HA c" stored in step 221. (S226) As a result of the comparison, the server machine determines the distance level between the user and Mr. A. Since the position information “ho d” of Mr. A and the position information “ha c” of the user differ by 3 blocks, the distance level is stored as “3”.

(S227) The server machine determines whether the driver information being processed is the last record. In the case of NO, the process returns to S223 and the driver information of Mr. B stored in the next record is extracted. In the case of YES, the reading of the record is ended, and the process proceeds to step 228. The records after Mr. A and Mr. B do not compare distance levels because the "vacant car information" is x. In comparison with Mr. C, the distance information is "1" because the position information is "b" and "hac" one block apart. Mr. D has a distance level of "3" as does Mr. A.

(S228) The server machine executes the driver information transmission program, and sorts the driver information from the stored driver information and distance level. In this embodiment, since Mr. C is the closest at the distance level 1, the driver information of Mr. C is stored in the higher rank. Since Mr. A and Mr. D have the same distance level of 3, the server machine sorts by rank (additional information), and Mr. A with a higher rank is ranked higher. As a result, the driver information is in the order of C → A → D.

As described above, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized by having the function of displaying the driver information of the driver close to the user on the upper level of the user terminal. Further, it is provided with a function of performing a sort in consideration of the rank which is the additional information and a function of displaying the driver information on the user terminal in an order in which the additional information (rank) is considered. Furthermore, it also has a function of displaying a list of a plurality of driver information on the user terminal.

(S230) The server machine executes the driver information transmission program to transmit the extracted and rearranged driver information and the distance level thereof as one HTML format file to the user terminal.

(5) Other Embodiments (5-1) Proximity Range Information When "proximity range information" is set in the driver information extraction means of the server machine, the server machine performs the above (S22).
In 6), after the distance level is stored, a comparison with the proximity range information is performed. If the proximity level information is not applicable, the memory of the driver information is erased (S226-).
1). When the "proximity range information" is set to 4 levels,
The processing of (S226) in the above embodiment will be described. The server machine stores the distance level "3" between Mr. A and the user, and then compares it with the "proximity distance information: 4 levels". Mr. A's distance level is "3", which is within 4 levels. Therefore, the server machine stores the driver information of Mr. A. On the other hand, when the distance level of Mr. A is “5”, the server machine discards the driver information of Mr. A and proceeds to the next step (S227). This "proximity range information"
May be stored as the number of blocks into which the map is divided as described above, or the number of distances from the user (for example, ○○ k
(within m). When the proximity range information is the number of distances, the distance level is also stored as the number of distances. Further, as an embodiment in which only the driver information corresponding to the proximity range information is transmitted to the user terminal, the driver information transmitting means in the above (S228) compares the proximity range information with the distance level, and determines that the driver information is not applicable. The form may be discarded and not transmitted. Further, the driver information corresponding to the proximity range information may be displayed at the upper level, and the driver information not applicable may be displayed at the lower level.

(5-2) From the viewpoint of improving the security of the password system, it is desirable to implement the present invention in a form in which both the user and the driver use the password. As its configuration, the server machine stores the user password in association with the user ID and the driver password in association with the driver ID. The driver is prompted to enter a password on the driver status registration screen shown in FIG. 5, and is allowed to participate in the system on condition that the registered password is entered (vacant vehicle information and driver position information). Is stored). Similarly, the user is requested to enter the password on the calling screen shown in FIG.
In this mode, the driver information extraction program is executed on condition that the registered password is input.

(5-3) Participation reservation style The driver cannot go to pick-up right now during lunch or when the customer is picking up passengers, but after XX minutes, it becomes empty (standby) and can participate in this system. There are obvious cases. Therefore, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment in which a reservation mode function is provided on the driver status registration screen shown in FIG. In this reservation mode, the driver status registration screen is provided with an input means for the time that can be participated, and when the input time information is sent to the server machine, the server machine will display the "empty vehicle" after the input time. In this mode, "information" is switched to ON.

In the case of this embodiment, it is desirable that the call result screen shown in FIG. 7 informs that the transfer will be available after XX minutes. As a result, the user who is not in a hurry to pick up and drop off can wait until that time and call the favorite driver. Also, the popular driver can reduce the waiting time.

(5-4) Driver Terminal According to the present invention, the driver information is not sent to the user unless the driver performs the procedure for joining the system. If passengers get on and off frequently, the participation procedure may be troublesome for the driver. Therefore, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a charge meter for a boarding fare provided in a taxi with a means for transmitting driver's vacant vehicle information. In this embodiment, the charge meter is provided with a function of transmitting the driver ID, the vacant car information, and the driver position information to the server machine on condition that the charge meter is lowered at the destination of transportation. It is a form utilized as a part of.

As a result, the driver lowers the billing meter to perform the procedure for joining the system, and the burden of the procedure is reduced. In addition, it is also desirable to have a form in which the function is such that empty vehicle information is not transmitted even if the charge meter is lowered.

(5-5) List Display Order In the above embodiment, the drivers are displayed in the order closer to the user. However, depending on the user, there is a case where the driver who wants to call a driver of a higher rank is called, even if the driver is farther away by about one block. Therefore,
A desirable mode of the present invention is to have a function of displaying the driver information on the user terminal in the order based on the rank order. If the distance level is different by about 1 or 2 blocks, the server machine has a function of preferentially displaying the driver information in the higher ranks.

(5-6) Map Information Further, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user terminal or the server machine is provided with a function of transmitting the position information of the user to the driver terminal. As a result, the driver to which the position information is sent can pick up the user without talking to the user. This is convenient for users who cannot call a taxi by telephone during a meeting. It will be easier for users and drivers who are handicapped to use the system.

(5-7) Block In FIG. 4, the map information is divided into square blocks to determine the position information. The shape and size of the divided blocks are arbitrary by the system designer, and can be implemented by squares of arbitrary size, triangles, pentagons, hexagons and the like. Further, in consideration of the traffic volume and the population density, a region to be set finely or a region to be set large may be provided.

The range (proximity range information) in which the driver information is extracted centering on the user is also arbitrary by the system designer (in FIG. 4, the extraction is performed within the range of 4 blocks centering on the user). As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user terminal has a function of allowing the user to specify the proximity range information, and the server machine has a function of extracting driver information within the proximity range information.
This narrows the block range for a user who wants only driver information about a driver who will soon come. On the other hand, users who want to be picked up by their favorite drivers even if they are late will expand the block range. By such an operation, it becomes possible to properly respond to the user's request.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a driver information transmission system (MyTax).
i system) schematic diagram

[Fig. 2] Configuration diagram of server machine

[Figure 3] User-specific information file

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of position information

[Figure 5] Driver status registration screen

[Figure 6] Taxi call screen

[Fig. 7] Driver information display screen

FIG. 8: Chart for creating user-specific information file

FIG. 9 is a transmission chart of driver information

FIG. 10 is a driver information extraction chart.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A driver information transmission system in which a user terminal used by a user, a driver terminal used by a driver, and a server machine are connected to each other via a network so that the server machine can: Driver information including driver's contact information for each user; driver for storing empty vehicle information indicating that transfer is possible and driver position information for specifying the position of the driver A status storage means; a driver status registration means for storing the empty vehicle information and the driver position information in the driver status storage means in response to an access from a driver; and a user status in response to a user access. The driver information for extracting the driver information of the driver located near the user from the separate information storage means. And a driver information transmitting unit that transmits the extracted driver information to the user. 2. A server machine connected to a user terminal used by a user and a driver terminal used by a driver so as to be able to transmit and receive via a network, wherein driver information including contact information for a favorite driver is provided for each user. User-specific information storage means for storing in the following: -driver status storage means for storing empty vehicle information indicating that transfer is possible and driver position information for specifying the position of the driver, -from the driver terminal A driver status registering means for storing the empty vehicle information and the driver position information in the driver status storage means according to an access; and a user status from the user-specific information storage means according to an access from the user terminal. Driver information extracting means for extracting driver information of a driver located near the terminal; Server machine characterized by comprising a driver information transmitting means for transmitting the driver information to the user terminal. 3. The server machine according to claim 2, wherein:
A server machine, wherein the driver information extracting means extracts a plurality of driver information, and the driver information transmitting means has a function of displaying a list of the extracted plurality of driver information on the user terminal. 4. The server machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the driver information transmitting means has a function of displaying driver information of a driver close to the user on a higher level of the user terminal. The server machine to use. 5. The server machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the user-specific information storage means includes means for storing additional information related to driver capability, and The server machine, wherein the driver information transmission means has a function of displaying driver information on a user terminal in an order in which the additional information is considered. 6. The server machine according to claim 2, wherein the driver terminal and the user terminal both have a wireless call function and are stored in the user-specific information storage means. A server machine, wherein the driver information includes an access number for wireless communication with the driver terminal. 7. A user terminal used by a user, a driver terminal used by a driver, and a server machine are connected to each other via a network so that transmission and reception is possible, and the server machine: -provides driver information including contact information for a favorite driver User-specific information storage means for each user, and driver status storage means for storing empty vehicle information indicating that transfer is possible and driver position information for specifying the position of the driver A method of transmitting driver information in a system, characterized by including the following steps. Empty vehicle information indicating that the driver can pick up and drop off,
A step of transmitting driver position information for specifying the position of the driver to a server machine (S110), a user ID for the user to specify himself and the user position information for specifying the position of the user, Transmitting to the device (S310), transmitting driver information of a driver located near the user to the user in response to the access from the user (S230)