JP2013061725A - Taximeter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present a correct fare of a rate system applied without causing misunderstanding to a user while corresponding to a plurality of types of rate systems with different calculation formulae respectively.SOLUTION: A taximeter comprises: an operation part 11 for calculating a first fare based on a predetermined first calculation formula and a second fare based on a second calculation formula different from the first calculation formula respectively; a display part 14 capable of displaying the first fare and the second fare; and a control part 11 for performing switch-over and control so that either of the first fare and the second fare is displayed in the display part 14. The taximeter can select and display either of "distance based fare", "time based fare", "flat-rate fare", and "distance-time combination based fare", and thereby can prevent a user from misunderstanding a fare.

Description

  The present invention relates to taximeters, and more particularly to display of fares presented to passengers.

  Conventionally, taxi meters measure mileage and boarding time from the time a passenger gets on a taxi vehicle until it arrives at the destination, and the fare is based on a formula that matches a predetermined fare system. Is automatically calculated and the fare is always displayed so that it can be seen by crew and passengers. Actually, when the crew member presses the “actual vehicle” button included in the operation buttons of the taximeter, the taximeter switches from the empty state to the rented state and starts calculating and displaying the fare. When the taxi vehicle arrives at the destination, the taxi meter terminates the measurement and displays the fare to be paid by the passenger when the crew member presses the “pay” button of the taximeter.

  For example, the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known as conventional techniques related to such taxi fare display.

  In Patent Document 1, a fixed fee that is added to a normal fare according to the situation at that time, specifically, a numerical value such as an early morning reservation fee “400 yen” or the like is obtained by operating a crew member's “early morning button” or the like. It is disclosed that it is displayed in a small place different from the fare (see paragraph “0019”, FIG. 4 of the drawings).

  Patent Document 2 discloses a taximeter that switches between a total fare and a breakdown of the fare (rate system notification screen G2) according to the operation of the display operation switch 16 (paragraph of the specification). “0043”, see FIG. 5 of the drawings).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-22969 JP 2007-328553 A

  By the way, the actual fare is calculated according to the actual operation status so as to coincide with the conditions of the fee system approved in advance. In general, distance-based fares and time-distance combined fares are often applied as the rate system.

  In the case of a distance-based fare, for example, if the travel distance is within the first boarding distance (for example, 2 km), the calculated fare is the first boarding fare (for example, 710 yen). When the travel distance exceeds the initial riding distance, an additional fare (90 yen) is added to the calculated fare every time the additional distance (for example, 288 m) is increased.

  In the case of time-distance combined fare, it applies when the passenger is in a taxi, when the traveling speed becomes 10 km or less due to waiting for traffic lights or traffic jams, or when waiting for a taxi for the convenience of the passenger. 90 yen is added every 45 seconds.

  Time-based fares are mainly applied to transportation that has a higher rate of time restraint than the distance traveled (tours around sightseeing spots, ceremonial occasions, etc.), from when the taxi arrives at the location designated by the passenger, until transportation is completed The fare is calculated according to the time. The fare in this case is calculated as the sum of the “first fare” and the “additional fare”. The first boarding fare is calculated as 4550 yen for one hour, for example. The added fare is calculated as 2050 yen every 30 minutes, for example.

  In addition, when the boarding point and the destination are determined in advance, a fixed amount fee that calculates a predetermined amount as a fare may be applied. By applying a fixed fee system, passengers do not have to worry about changes in fare due to changes in boarding time.

  As mentioned above, taxi meters can calculate fares based on various types of fare calculation formulas, taking into account the convenience of passengers and the convenience and burden of taxi companies and crew. There is sex. In addition, a business operator such as a taxi company can selectively apply a plurality of types of fee systems with different calculation formulas according to the situation.

  However, if a plurality of fares calculated for each of a plurality of types of fare systems with different calculation formulas are displayed simultaneously on a taxi meter, the user (passenger) may be mistaken for the fare. Therefore, such a display is regulated by law so that it cannot be done with a taximeter.

  Therefore, at present, normal fares such as distance-based fares are displayed on the main body of the taximeter, and for other fares calculated using other formulas, a special toll device attached outside the taximeter is used. It is displayed using. In addition, when a special fare system is applied, the crew may perform an input operation using a numeric keypad, etc., and manually input the fare amount to be displayed and present it to the passengers.

  However, a taxi meter that can display only the distance-based fare may cause the user to be distrusted with payment of another fare that cannot be displayed on the meter. In addition, the crew has to perform troublesome input operations, and the operability of the taximeter is poor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its object is to deal with each of a plurality of types of fee systems having different calculation formulas and to be applied without causing misidentification to the user. The purpose is to provide a taximeter capable of presenting the correct fare.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a taximeter according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (3).
(1) a calculation unit that calculates a first fare based on a first calculation formula determined in advance and a second fare based on a second calculation formula different from the first calculation formula; ,
A display unit capable of displaying the first fare and the second fare;
A control unit that performs switching control so that one of the first fare and the second fare is displayed on the display unit;
Be provided.
(2) The taximeter according to (1) above,
The said control part controls switching based on the switching input operation with respect to the operation part with which this taximeter was equipped.
(3) The taximeter according to (1) above,
When the control unit displays at least one of the first fare and the second fare, the control unit displays visible information indicating a type of the corresponding fare on the display unit.

According to the taximeter of the configuration of (1) above, it is possible to avoid outputting two fares with different calculation formulas at the same time, and by displaying one of the fares at the time of payment, etc., to the user This can prevent distrust in the payment amount.
According to the taximeter having the configuration (2), two fares based on different calculation formulas can be switched and displayed by a simple operation.
According to the taximeter having the configuration (3), the passenger and the crew can recognize not only the fare but also the type of the displayed fare, so that an error in operation and payment is unlikely to occur.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while respond | corresponding to each of the multiple types of charge system from which a calculation formula differs, it becomes possible to show the correct fare of the charge system applied without producing misidentification to a user.

  The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the modes for carrying out the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing main operations of the taximeter of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the taximeter according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a screen display example of the taximeter of FIG.

  Specific embodiments of the taximeter according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Description of configuration>
The structural example of the taximeter 10 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the taximeter 10 has a microcomputer (CPU) 11, an internal storage unit (RPM / RAM) 12, a card interface 13, a display (LCD) 14, interfaces 15, 16 and a clock circuit. (RTC) 17, an interface 18, and an operation unit 19 are provided.

  The microcomputer 11 implements functions required for the taximeter 10 by executing a program prepared in advance. That is, the microcomputer 11 functions as a calculation unit and a control unit. Specific operations will be described later.

  The internal storage unit 12 is a semiconductor memory circuit accessible from the microcomputer 11 and includes a memory (RAM) that can freely read and write data, and a read-only memory (ROM).

  The RAM in the internal storage unit 12 is used for temporary data storage. The ROM in the internal storage unit 12 holds in advance fixed data necessary for realizing the program executed by the microcomputer 11 and the function of the taximeter 10. The fixed data includes data corresponding to a pre-authorized fee system that determines a calculation formula for calculating the taxi fare. In the present embodiment, data of a plurality of types of calculation formulas, for example, data of respective calculation formulas such as distance-based fare, fixed amount fare, time-based fare, and the like are stored in advance.

  The card interface 13 is an interface for connecting a memory card 21 which is a nonvolatile memory to the taximeter 10 and includes a slot in which the memory card 21 can be mounted. The microcomputer 11 can access the memory card 21 via the card interface 13 to read and write data.

  The microcomputer 11 collects various information related to taxi operation and writes it in the memory card 21. For example, information such as taximeter status, time, boarding position, getting-off position, travel distance, and fare is registered in the memory card 21.

  The display 14 is composed of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or the like, and has a function of displaying visible information such as numerical values and character strings as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The display content of the display 14 is controlled by the microcomputer 11. This indicator 14 is provided on the front panel of the casing of the taximeter 10 and is arranged so that the display content can be seen by passengers and taxi crews.

  The interface 15 is used to connect the external device 24 to the taximeter 10. A specific external device 24 is a printer. The printer is used for issuing a receipt.

  The interface 16 is used to connect a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 22 to the taximeter 10. By receiving radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites using the GPS receiver 22, the current position of the vehicle at the reception point can be obtained by calculation.

  The clock circuit 17 is an integrated circuit (IC) having a clock function that outputs information on the current time and elapsed time. The microcomputer 11 can access the clock circuit 17 and obtain information on the current time and elapsed time.

  The interface 18 is used to connect an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) vehicle-mounted device 23 to the taximeter 10. That is, when a taxi vehicle passes on a toll road such as an expressway, the taximeter 10 can acquire information on the toll from the ETC on-board unit 23 and reflect it in the fare.

  The operation unit 19 is provided on the front panel of the taximeter 10 so that the crew can operate it, and has a number of operation buttons for switching the state of the taximeter. In the present embodiment, a “fixed amount” button, a “real vehicle” button, a “payment” button, an “empty vehicle” button, and the like are provided.

  Further, a pulsed vehicle speed signal generated as the vehicle moves is input to the speed input terminal of the microcomputer 11 from the vehicle side. The microcomputer 11 can grasp the moving distance and moving speed of the taxi vehicle by monitoring this vehicle speed signal and performing a predetermined calculation.

<Description of operation>
The main operations of the taximeter 10 in this embodiment are shown in FIG. An example of the screen display of the taximeter 10 is shown in FIG.

  When the taxi meter 10 is turned on when the taxi vehicle starts operation, the microcomputer 11 proceeds to step S11 in FIG. 1 after performing a predetermined initialization. In step S11, it is displayed on the indicator 14 of the taximeter 10 that it is in the “empty vehicle” state. At this time, “empty car” is also displayed at a place visible to pedestrians outside the car.

  The microcomputer 11 constantly monitors the status of each operation button on the operation unit 19. If the pressing of the “fixed amount” button is detected, the process proceeds from step S12 to S13. If the pressing of the “actual vehicle” button is detected, the process proceeds from step S17 to S18. If the pressing of the “payment” button is detected, the process proceeds to step S13. The process proceeds from S23 to S24.

  When a new passenger gets in a taxi in the “empty vehicle” state, the crew member presses the “actual vehicle” button or the “fixed amount” button. As a result, the taxi enters the “actual vehicle” state and starts operation. When the driver arrives at the destination after traveling in the “actual vehicle” state, the crew member presses the “payment” button so that the fare can be settled.

  In step S13, the microcomputer 11 turns on a “fixed amount flag” indicating that the “fixed fare” rate system is selected. The contents of the “fixed amount flag” are stored in an area secured in advance on the internal memory.

  In step S14, the microcomputer 11 starts calculating distance and time. That is, information on the travel distance and elapsed time of the taxi after the passenger gets in the taxi and the “actual vehicle” button or the “fixed amount” button is pressed is calculated.

  In step S15, the microcomputer 11 is based on the information on the fee system approved in advance, the travel distance and elapsed time grasped by the calculation started in step S14, and the type of fee system selected. The current fare is calculated and displayed on the screen of the display 14. Specifically, the display is performed like a display screen 14A of “Display Example 1” in FIG.

In this case, for example, the charge calculation is performed with the set “distance-based fare”, and the fare is calculated by the following formula.
(First calculation formula)
Fares = "710 yen: First boarding fare" + "90 yen x distance value" + "Time x 0 yen"
Distance value = 1 is added every time a certain distance (274m) travels after exceeding the initial riding distance (2km)

  That is, “1230 yen”, which is the calculation result of the first calculation formula, is displayed on the money amount display unit 33 as in the display screen 14A. In this case, the display on the flat rate system display unit 34 is deleted. Further, “fare” is displayed on the money amount type display unit 32, and the character 31 </ b> A of “renting (“ extra ”for midnight extra time zone”) is displayed on the taximeter status display unit 31.

  In step S16, a light-emitting diode (LED) (not shown) built in the “fixed amount” button is turned on to clearly indicate that the “fixed fare” rate system is currently selected by the illumination light.

  In step S18, the microcomputer 11 refers to the state of the “fixed amount flag” described above. If the “fixed amount flag” is on, the microcomputer 11 proceeds to step S19, and if it is off, proceeds to step S21.

  In step S19, the microcomputer 11 switches off the “fixed amount flag”. As a result, the state where the selection of the “fixed fare” fee system is completed is stored. In the next step S20, a light-emitting diode (not shown) built in the “fixed amount” button is turned off to clearly indicate that the selection of the “fixed fare” charge system is cancelled.

  In step S21, the microcomputer 11 starts calculating distance and time. That is, information on the travel distance and elapsed time of the taxi after the passenger gets in the taxi and the “actual vehicle” button or the “fixed amount” button is pressed is calculated.

  In step S22, the microcomputer 11 determines the information of the fee system approved in advance, the travel distance and elapsed time grasped by the calculation started in step S14 or S21, and the type of the selected fee system. Based on this, the current fare is calculated and displayed on the screen of the display 14. Specifically, the display is performed like a display screen 14A of “Display Example 1” in FIG.

In this case, calculation is performed using the first calculation formula described in paragraph [0043]. That is, for example, the charge calculation is performed with the set “distance-based fare”, and the fare is calculated by the following formula.
(First calculation formula)
Fares = "710 yen: First boarding fare" + "90 yen x distance value" + "Time x 0 yen"
Distance value = 1 is added every time a certain distance (274m) travels after exceeding the initial riding distance (2km)

  The display screen is also displayed with the contents described in paragraph [0044]. That is, “1230 yen”, which is the calculation result of the first calculation formula, is displayed on the money amount display unit 33 as in the display screen 14A. In this case, the display on the flat rate system display unit 34 is deleted. Further, “fare” is displayed on the money amount type display unit 32, and the character 31 </ b> A of “renting (“ extra ”for midnight extra time zone”) is displayed on the taximeter status display unit 31.

  In step S24, the microcomputer 11 refers to the state of the “fixed amount flag” described above, and proceeds to step S25 if the “fixed amount flag” is on, and proceeds to step S26 if it is off.

In step S25, since the “fixed fare” fee system is selected, the microcomputer 11 calculates the fare by the following formula, for example.
(Second calculation formula)
Fare = "6000 yen: fixed amount" + "distance x 0 yen" + "time x 0 yen"
Based on the fare calculated by the second calculation formula, it is displayed on the screen of the display 14. Specifically, the display is performed like a display screen 14B of “Display Example 2” in FIG.

  That is, as shown in the display screen 14B, “6000 yen” is displayed on the money amount display unit 33, and the characters “fixed fee” are displayed on the flat fee system display unit 34. In addition, the “fare” is displayed on the money amount display section 32, and the characters 31 B of “payment” are displayed on the taximeter status display section 31.

  In step S26, the microcomputer 11 converts the information of the fee system approved in advance, the travel distance and elapsed time grasped by the calculation started in step S14 or S21, and the type of the selected fee system. Based on the above (first calculation formula), the current fare is calculated and displayed on the screen of the display 14. Specifically, the display is performed like a display screen 14 </ b> C of “display example 3” in FIG. 3.

  That is, “1230 yen”, which is the calculation result of the first calculation formula, is displayed on the money amount display unit 33 as in the display screen 14C. In this case, the display on the flat rate system display unit 34 is deleted. Further, “fare” is displayed on the money amount type display unit 32, and the letters 31 C of “payment” are displayed on the taximeter status display unit 31.

  In the operation example shown in FIG. 1, when pressing of the “actual vehicle” button is detected in step S17, the control is switched in step S18 according to the state of the fixed amount flag. For this reason, even if you have already selected the “Fixed fare” rate system and are already driving, you can switch to the “Distance fare” rate system if the crew presses the “Real vehicle” button before payment. be able to.

  Therefore, for example, if the destination is changed due to the will of the passenger during actual driving, and it is found that the amount of the “Fixed fare” is clearly higher than the “Distance fare”, the “Fixed fare” Can be switched to “distance-based fares”, eliminating the need for passengers to pay expensive fares.

  In any case, a fare calculated according to a plurality of types of calculation formulas can be selected by a button operation, and only a single fare can be displayed. Therefore, there is no possibility of erroneous recognition of the displayed fare. In addition, since it is not necessary for the crew to manually input the amount, the passenger does not have distrust in the amount of the fare presented.

<Modification>
In the operation example shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that either “distance fare” or “fixed fare” is selected. Similarly, other fare systems such as “time fare” are used. It is also possible to apply to “fares with distance and time”. Moreover, you may change so that three or more types of fee systems can be selected.

  Further, in the operation example shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the amount for the “fixed fare” is only one type of “6000 yen”, but it is possible to select a plurality of types of amounts by the input operation of the crew. You may change to In this case, for example, each time the above-mentioned “fixed amount” button is pressed, one of a plurality of amounts determined in advance is selected one by one in order, and “1000 yen”, “2000 yen”, “3000 yen”, It is assumed that the amount of money is switched like “4000 yen”, “5000 yen”, “6000 yen”, “1000 yen”, “2000 yen”,.

  In addition, although not shown in the operation example shown in FIG. 1, the toll road toll detected by the ETC on-board unit 23 and the amount of disability discount are reflected in the displayed amount in the case of “fixed fares”. You may control as follows. In that case, the total amount of “fixed fare” and other charges is displayed by operating the “total” button (not shown), and the details of the total amount displayed by operating the “cumulative” button (not shown), that is, It is assumed that the amount of money included in each item is displayed or printed.

  In addition, the display contents of the flat fee system display unit 34 in the display screen 14B shown in FIG. 3 are controlled so that they can be changed not only to “fixed fare” but also to characters etc. determined as required by taxi companies. You may do it.

  In addition, in the operation shown in FIG. 1, it is not assumed that the “fixed amount” button is pressed after the “actual vehicle” button is pressed, but it is changed so that it can be switched to “fixed amount” after the “real vehicle”. Also good. For example, in FIG. 1, when the distance / time calculation has already been started (in S21), it can be considered that the start process in step S14 is omitted.

10 Taximeter 11 Microcomputer (Calculation unit, Control unit)
12 Internal storage unit 13 Card interface 14 Display (display unit)
14A, 14B, 14C Display screen 15, 16, 18 Interface 17 Clock circuit 19 Operation unit 21 Memory card 22 GPS receiver 23 ETC on-board unit 24 External device 31 Taximeter status display unit 31A Rent display 31B, 31C Payment display 32 Amount Type display section 33 Amount display section 33A, 33C Distance-based fare 33B Fixed fare 34 Fixed-rate fare display section (visible information indicating the type of fare)

Claims (3)

A calculation unit that calculates a first fare based on a first calculation formula determined in advance and a second fare based on a second calculation formula different from the first calculation formula;
A display unit capable of displaying the first fare and the second fare;
A control unit that performs switching control so that one of the first fare and the second fare is displayed on the display unit;
A taximeter characterized by comprising: The taximeter according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs switching control based on a switching input operation to an operation unit provided in the taximeter. The said control part displays the visible information showing the kind of applicable fare on the said display part, when displaying at least one of the said 1st fare and the 2nd fare. The said display part is characterized by the above-mentioned. Taxi meter.

Images