JP2003162566A - Apparatus and system for supporting user waiting for taxi - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of a taxi user maybe have to go in a long queue at a taxi stand for a long time. <P>SOLUTION: A main unit 2 installed in the taxi stand receives a deposit from a user waiting for a taxi at a deposit receiving part 12, and issues a numbered ticket from a numbered ticket issuing part 14. The user has no need to queue at the taxi stand, if he takes a numbered ticket. A main unit 2 finds a current boarding number, the number of taxi users and waiting time from an issuing state of numbered tickets and departure/arrival state of taxis detected by a DSRC on-street machine 6, which are displayed on a display part 16 of the main unit 2 and a display part 34 of a display unit 4. The user can go to the taxi stand at timely fashion, based on the information on waiting for the taxis. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a taxi waiting user support device and a taxi waiting user support system for the convenience of users waiting for a turn at a taxi stand.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Taxi stands are provided at places where many taxis can be used, such as railway stations and tourist attractions, and taxis are always dispatched. Conventionally, the number of vehicles is determined by taking into consideration various factors such as the day of the week, time of day, and weather, and predicting the number of users based on past data. Also, looking at the number of users lined up at the taxi stand,
Coordination of taxi dispatch to the taxi stand is performed on an ad-hoc basis.

[0003]

However, it is difficult to always supply sufficient taxis to the number of users, and a taxi stand often has a long line of users waiting for a boarding order. Since the arrival intervals of taxis vary and the number of people in a taxi also varies, it is difficult for users in a queue to know how long they have to wait. In addition, there is a problem that the user needs to be actually in a queue while waiting, his behavior is bound, and he tends to spend time in vain. Furthermore, in many cases, it is necessary to stand up and wait, and a long waiting time increases physical fatigue.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and enables a taxi-waiting user to effectively use the taxi-waiting user and reduce fatigue, thereby improving the convenience of the taxi-waiting user. The purpose is to provide a device and a taxi waiting user support system.

[0005]

A taxi waiting user support device according to the present invention is a numbered ticket issuing means for issuing a boarding numbered ticket with a boarding waiting number to a waiting user waiting at a taxi stand. , Taxi detection means for detecting at least one of arrival and departure of a taxi at the taxi stand, and generation of boarding waiting information indicating a boarding waiting status according to the issue of the boarding ticket and the detection result of the taxi detection means And a boarding waiting information notifying means for notifying the waiting user of the boarding waiting information.

According to the present invention, a taxi can be boarded according to the numbered ticket, and the waiting status is notified to the waiting user. As a result, after the waiting user receives the boarding ticket, he / she can freely act at a place where the waiting information can be obtained until his turn comes.
The waiting status is linked to the arrival or departure of a taxi,
It will be updated automatically. The notification means may be visual display means or voice guidance. The information notifying means may be installed at a plurality of places, and can be placed not only in the taxi rank but also in the vicinity. Further, the information notifying means may provide boarding waiting information via a communication network.

A preferred aspect of the present invention is the taxi waiting user support device, wherein the boarding waiting information includes the number corresponding to the head of the boarding queue. For example, the next boarding number is displayed on the information notifying means as boarding waiting information.

Another preferred aspect of the present invention is the taxi waiting user support device, wherein the boarding waiting information includes the queue length of the boarding queue represented by the required number of taxis. The queue length can be represented by a number obtained by subtracting the number of boarding tickets that have already been processed by processing from the number of issued boarding tickets.

Another preferable aspect of the present invention is the taxi waiting user support device, wherein the boarding waiting information includes a waiting time corresponding to the queue length of the boarding queue. For example, the average arrival time interval or the average departure time interval of taxis in a predetermined past period can be obtained, and the waiting time can be estimated using the average arrival time interval.

The taxi waiting user support device according to another aspect of the present invention further comprises a destination acquisition means for acquiring the destination of the waiting user, and the boarding waiting information generating means causes a round trip of a taxi according to the destination. It has a waiting time estimating means for estimating the waiting time in consideration of time.

According to the present invention, it is possible to more accurately understand how long a taxi the waiting user is going to get back to will return to the taxi stand, and the processing speed of the queue will be calculated based on that. You can estimate the waiting time.

In the taxi waiting user support device according to another aspect of the present invention, the numbered ticket issuing means has a reservation money receiving means and issues the boarding ticket in exchange for the reservation money.

According to the present invention, since the reservation money is required to issue the numbered ticket, it is expected that only a user who has a sufficient intention to take a taxi can obtain the numbered ticket. Therefore, the accuracy of the boarding waiting information obtained based on the issue status of the boarding ticket is improved.

A taxi waiting user support system according to the present invention includes the above taxi waiting user support device, and is capable of communicating with the taxi waiting user support device.
At a place away from the taxi waiting user support device,
It has a boarding waiting information providing means capable of providing the boarding waiting information to the waiting user.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a taxi waiting user support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This device includes a main unit 2, a display unit 4, a DSRC (De
dedicated Short Range Communication:
It is composed of a road machine 6. This device uses the DSRC vehicle-mounted device 8 mounted in a taxi.

The main unit 2 comprises a processing unit 10, a reservation money receiving unit 12, a boarding ticket issuing unit 14, a display unit 16 and a communication unit 18, and performs the main processing of this apparatus. Usually installed at a taxi stand. The display unit 4 includes a processing section 30, a communication section 32, and a display section 34. The main unit 2 has a function of providing waiting information for a taxi passenger, and the display unit 4 assists the function of the main unit 2. That is, the display unit 4, for example, is installed in a remote place where the main unit 2 cannot provide boarding waiting information, and can provide boarding waiting information in a wide range of places. While a plurality of display units 4 may be arranged for this purpose, they may not be installed. For example, with respect to a taxi rank of a large railway station, a plurality of display units 4 may be provided in the station premises, or in a place where the user can see while being in a store (eg, a restaurant) operating in or near the station. It is preferable to install it. For example, the display unit 4 can acquire the boarding information from the main unit 2 by using the local network in the station. The main unit 2 also provides boarding information on a wide area network such as the Internet, and the user can connect his or her personal computer or personal digital assistant to the network to obtain boarding information. You can also On the other hand, when there is a limited number of places where the waiting time is spent, such as a taxi rank at a small station, and the display unit 16 of the main unit 2 alone can provide sufficient waiting information to the waiting user, the display unit 4 Is not installed.

DSRC is a two-way communication system for exchanging information between an on-vehicle device and a road device, and ETC (El
ectronic Toll Collection system). This device uses the DSRC having the same function as this as a means for detecting the arrival and departure of a taxi at the taxi stand. DS
The RC road machine 6 includes an RF (Radio Frequency) communication unit 4
0, a control unit 44, and a communication unit 46, and is connected to the main unit 2. The DSRC road machine 6 is installed at a taxi stand, for example, above a taxi stop position.
The DSRC in-vehicle device 8 is configured to include an RF communication unit 50, a control unit 54, and a display unit 56, and when a taxi equipped with the RF communication unit 50 is located under the DSRC road device 6, communicates with the DSRC road device 6. I do. As a means for detecting a taxi, various sensors can be adopted instead.

Next, the operation of this apparatus will be described. The user who arrives at the taxi stand deposits a predetermined reservation money into the reservation money collection unit 12. The reservation money receiving unit 12 confirms the input amount and, if it is sufficient for the reservation money, notifies the processing unit 10 that the reservation money has been received. The reserve money receiving unit 12 returns the change to the user when the inserted amount requires change.

When the processing unit 10 receives the reservation fee collection notification, the latest number in the boarding waiting order stored in the memory (hereinafter, referred to as
"Issue number") is incremented by 1 and updated. Then, the processing section 10 instructs the boarding numbered ticket issuing section 14 to issue a boarding numbered ticket together with the updated issue number. The processing unit 10 also causes the display unit 16 to display the issue number.

In accordance with an instruction from the processing unit 10, the boarding numbered ticket issuing unit 14 outputs a boarding numbered ticket printed with the notified issuing number to the user. This numbered ticket is
This guarantees the order in which taxis can be boarded, and users do not have to wait in line at the taxi stand if they get this boarding ticket.

The processing unit 10 stores and retains the number in the waiting order for getting on the taxi next time (hereinafter referred to as "current boarding number"), and causes the display unit 16 to display the number. In addition, the processing unit 10 subtracts the current boarding number from the issue number and displays the result of the subtraction on the display unit 16 as the number of waiting persons.

The processing unit 10 transmits the current boarding number, the issue number, and the number of people waiting to be displayed on the display unit 16 to the display unit 4 by communication with the communication unit 18 and the communication unit 32 of the display unit 4. . Processing unit 3 of display unit 4
0 displays the transmitted data on the display unit 34.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the display unit 16 of the main unit 2 and the display unit 34 of the display unit 4. Since the display contents are characters, the display devices forming them are not particularly required to have resolution. A self-luminous display device is preferable from the viewpoint of facilitating visual recognition at night and from a distance. The display units 16 and 34 are, for example, LEDs (Light Emission Diodes).
e) It can be configured using a display device or the like.

The DSRC roadside device 6 detects the arrival of the DSRC vehicle-mounted device 8 thereunder by wireless communication, and
C Confirm that the in-vehicle device 8 is installed in a taxi. For example, the RF communication unit 40 uses the DSRC in-vehicle device 8
When the radio wave from the vehicle is detected, the control unit 44 is notified, and in response to this, the control unit 44 outputs a command requesting transmission of vehicle identification information (vehicle ID) of the taxi. RF communication unit 4
0 converts the transmission request command from the control unit 44 into a wireless signal and transmits it. This signal is received by the RF communication unit 50 of the DSRC vehicle unit 8. DSR installed in a taxi
The control unit 54 of the C vehicle-mounted device 8 controls the vehicle I from the RF communication unit 50.
When the D transmission request command is transmitted, the vehicle ID of the own vehicle is output. The RF communication unit 50 converts this vehicle ID into a wireless signal and transmits it. The vehicle ID received by the RF communication unit 40 is
The data is transferred to the control unit 44, and further transmitted to the processing unit 10 by communication performed between the communication unit 46 and the communication unit 18 of the main unit 2.

When the processing unit 10 authenticates that the vehicle arriving at the taxi stand is a taxi on the basis of the vehicle ID, the current boarding number is set to D via the DSRC road unit 6.
Notify the SRC vehicle-mounted device 8. DSRC in-vehicle unit 8 is DSR
The wireless signal from the C roadside device 6 is received, and the received current boarding number is displayed on the display unit 56.

The user waiting for boarding can estimate the waiting time from the display value of the number of people waiting on the display unit 16 (or display unit 34) at the time of receiving the numbered ticket for boarding.
Depending on the time, it is possible to go to a place where the display unit 16 or the display unit 34 cannot be visually recognized. In addition, the current boarding numbers displayed on the display unit 16 and the display unit 34 are appropriately confirmed, and if the number is far from the number of the boarding ticket for one's own boarding, it is possible to move more freely. Since the current boarding number is closer to the number on your boarding ticket, you can see when it is time to head to the taxi stand. In this way, waiting users need only wait a short time at the taxi stand. The waiting user can take a taxi arriving at the taxi stand if the current boarding number matches the number on his boarding ticket. The user gives his / her numbered ticket to the taxi driver. The current boarding number is displayed on the display unit 56 of the DSRC vehicle-mounted device 8 of the taxi as described above. The driver confirms that the display and the number of the boarding ticket are the same, and departs toward the destination informed by the user.

The DSRC road unit 6 is connected to the DSRC
Upon detecting that the vehicle-mounted device 8 has left, the control unit 44 notifies the processing unit 10 of that fact. Based on the notification, the processing unit 10 determines that the taxi has departed with the user corresponding to the current boarding number, and increments the current boarding number by one. Along with this, the display of the current boarding number and the display of the number of waiting persons on the display unit 16 and the display unit 34 are also updated.

By the way, since the reservation money is required for issuing the numbered ticket as in the above configuration, it is expected that only users who have sufficient intention to take a taxi will get the numbered ticket. It Therefore, the accuracy of the boarding waiting information obtained based on the issue status of the boarding ticket is improved. The reservation fee collected when issuing the boarding ticket can be applied to part of the boarding fee. In other words, the boarding fee is offset and reduced by the reservation fee.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the processing unit 10 calculates the number of people waiting, and this is displayed on the display unit 16 and the display unit 34. The user estimates the waiting time based on the number of people waiting. However, the processing unit 10 estimates the waiting time,
The display unit 16 and the display unit 34 may be configured to display the waiting time. For example, the processing unit 10 stores the actual value of the waiting time in the past as a database, searches the database using factors such as season, day of the week, time, and weather as a key, and provides the search result as the waiting time estimated value. be able to. Further, the processing unit 10 can also obtain an average departure time interval of taxis within the latest predetermined time and use that to estimate the waiting time.

When the user waits only for a short time, the boarding ticket may not be issued. Therefore,
For example, the processing unit 10 may store a time zone in which there are many taxi users, and perform the above-described operation of issuing a numbered ticket and providing waiting information only during that time zone. In addition, for example, if the frequency of arrival of taxis is low and the train departs as soon as it arrives, it is assumed that a queue is formed. Therefore, the processing unit 10 uses the DSRC
Such a case may be detected based on the output of the roadside machine 6 and the operation of issuing a numbered ticket and providing waiting information may be activated.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a main unit of a taxi waiting user support apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The overall configuration of the present device is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, and hereinafter, the same components as those of the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.
In this device, as shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 70 has a destination input section 72 for acquiring the destination of the waiting user,
It differs from the first embodiment in that the waiting time estimation processing in the processing unit 74 is performed in consideration of the destination of the waiting user.

The destination input section 72 can be composed of, for example, a map and a transparent touch panel overlaid on the map. The taxi user can input his / her destination by touching the direction of his / her destination on the map of the destination input section 72 when receiving the numbered ticket. The map may be displayed on a display device to enable scrolling or enlarged display. Further, the destination input unit 72 may display a list of destinations and select it. Further, the destination input unit 72 may be one that recognizes the destination announced by the user by voice.

The destination information generated by the destination input unit 72 is input to the processing unit 74 each time the boarding ticket is issued to the waiting user. The processing unit 74 calculates the round-trip time of the taxi according to the input destination. The processing unit 74 can be configured to hold the map information and calculate the round-trip time corresponding to the designated destination, for example. Further, the processing unit 74 may have, for example, a database in which the round trip time for each destination is stored in advance, and the database may be searched for the round trip time for the designated destination.

The processing unit 74, based on this round-trip time,
The schedule of taxis dispatched to the taxi stand where the device is installed is estimated, and the waiting time is estimated based on the estimation result. By thus considering the destination of the waiting user, it is possible to more accurately estimate the waiting time. The estimated waiting time is displayed on the display unit 16 and the display unit 34.

One factor for improving the accuracy of waiting time estimation is that as many waiting users as possible input their destinations as accurately as possible. As means for achieving this purpose, for example, printing the input destination on a boarding ticket, or providing the user with a rough estimate of the fare to the destination. Furthermore, when the user is asked to enter the destination in the form of pre-registering the destination and actually going to the destination printed on the numbered ticket,
It is also preferable to adopt a reservation registration discount system that discounts boarding fees.

Further, the numbered ticket can be issued even if the destination is not input or cannot be recognized. In this case, the processing unit 74 can perform the waiting time estimation process by using the average time based on the past results as the round trip time of the taxi for the waiting user who could not acquire the destination.

[0038]

According to the taxi waiting user support device of the present invention, the taxi waiting user is freed from being restricted by the queue at the taxi stand, and can spend the waiting time freely.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a taxi waiting user support device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a display unit of the main unit and a display unit of the display unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a main unit of a taxi waiting user support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2,70 Main Unit, 4 Display Unit, 6 D
SRC road machine, 8 DSRC vehicle machine, 10,30,74
Processing section, 12 reserved money collection section, 14 boarding ticket issuing section, 16, 34 display section, 72 destination input section.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A numbered ticket issuing means for issuing a numbered ticket for a passenger waiting at a taxi stand to indicate the number of the waiting order, and detecting at least one of arrival and departure of a taxi at the taxi stand. Taxi detecting means, and a boarding waiting information generating means for generating boarding waiting information indicating a boarding waiting state according to the issue of the boarding ticket and the detection result of the taxi detecting means, and the waiting user for the boarding waiting A taxi waiting user support device, comprising: boarding waiting information notifying means for notifying information. 2. The taxi waiting user support device according to claim 1, wherein the boarding waiting information includes the number corresponding to the head of the boarding queue. 3. The taxi waiting user support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the boarding waiting information includes a queue length of a boarding queue represented by the required number of taxis. Taxi waiting user support device. 4. The taxi waiting user support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the boarding waiting information includes a waiting time corresponding to a queue length of the boarding queue. Taxi waiting user support device. 5. The taxi waiting user support device according to claim 4, further comprising a destination acquisition unit that acquires a destination of the waiting user, wherein the boarding waiting information generation unit is a taxi corresponding to the destination. A taxi waiting user support device, comprising: waiting time estimation means for estimating the waiting time in consideration of round-trip time. 6. The taxi waiting user support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the numbered ticket issuing means has a reservation money receiving means, and the boarding is carried out in exchange for the reservation money. A taxi waiting user support device that issues numbered tickets. 7. A taxi waiting user support system using the taxi waiting user support device according to claim 1, wherein the taxi waiting user support device can communicate with the taxi waiting user support device. A taxi waiting user support system comprising a boarding waiting information providing unit capable of providing the waiting user with the boarding waiting information at a location distant from the waiting user supporting device.