JP4505705B2 - Information providing apparatus and information providing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing method, and more particularly, to an information providing apparatus and method for providing route information from a departure point to a destination for a portable information terminal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Vehicle navigation devices that search for a route to a predetermined destination and guide the searched travel route are widely used. This vehicle navigation apparatus includes a GPS receiver and map data, and guides the searched travel route while detecting the current position of the vehicle.
On the other hand, there are cases in which it is desired to provide guidance for a route that travels to a destination using not only vehicles but also various transportation means. In such a case, by using a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant), or a laptop computer, it is possible to obtain route guidance information to a destination using various transportation facilities. It is convenient if you can reach your goal.
[0003]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-161978 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-105889 propose techniques for using such a vehicle navigation apparatus and information terminal.
The former is a vehicle navigation system that searches for routes to destinations on both routes that use public transport including taxis and routes that do not use public transport (routes along the road). It is a technology that can search for a route combined with a car.
On the other hand, the latter is a technology for a system for dispatching a taxi by transmitting the user's position from the information terminal to the taxi dispatch center, and the dispatch center informs the taxi of the user's position. Since the information terminal includes means for detecting or inputting the position information of the user, it is useful when it is desired to dispatch a taxi at the current position of the user.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the former navigation device, when using a taxi, where and when to take a taxi is not considered as a system, and all the users need to plan by themselves.
In the latter system using the information terminal, when a taxi is desired on the route to the destination, no consideration is given to pre-booking a taxi at a place where the taxi is desired. Therefore, when a user uses a taxi, the current position is sent to the taxi dispatch center after the user has reached the desired location, so the user must send a taxi request before the taxi arrives. Until then, there is a problem that you have to wait in that place. Moreover, in order to use a user's position for taxi dispatch, it is necessary for the information terminal to have a GPS device or the like for detecting its own position.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is possible to present a travel route to a destination to an information terminal and to arrange transportation means that can be arranged on the presented travel route. An object is to provide an information providing apparatus and method.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In the invention described in claim 1, an information providing apparatus that provides route information from a departure place to a destination for an information terminal,A transportation database that stores at least information including the business scope of each operating entity that operates transportation that can be arranged;Search basic information acquisition means for acquiring departure point information, destination information, and departure or arrival time information transmitted from the information terminal as search basic information, and can be arranged based on the acquired basic search information Route search means for searching for a travel route from the departure place to the destination using transport means including transport means, transmission means for transmitting the searched travel route to the information terminal, and the searched travel When the route includes a travel route that uses the arrangeable transportation means, the use start time calculating means for calculating the use start time of the arrangeable transportation means from the time information, and the use on the searched travel route Arrangement means for arranging the transportation means that can be arranged at the start location and the calculated use start time,The arrangement means, when arranging the transportation means, selects from the transportation means database an operating entity whose business range is the start point of the travel route by the transportation means or the start and end points, and selects the transportation means of the operating entity. By arrangingThe object is achieved.
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information providing device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the information providing apparatus further comprises an arrangement request accepting unit that accepts an arrangement request for a transportation means from the information terminal that has transmitted the search basic information. When the arrangement request is received from the terminal device, the transportation means is arranged.
  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information providing device according to the first or second aspect, the transmission means includes a travel route that uses a travelable transportation means in the travel route searched for. Inquiry information for inquiring whether or not to arrange the transportation means is also transmitted.
  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing device according to the first, second, or third aspect, an identification information storage unit that stores identification information of a user who receives route information is provided. The arrangement means, when arranging the transportation means, notifies the operating subject operating the transportation means of the identification information of the user who has transmitted the travel route.
  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the arrangement means is arranged to arrange the transportation means when arranging the transportation means. The end point information of the moving route by the transportation means is notified to the operating entity that operates the system.
  Claim6In the invention described in claim 1, the claims 1 to5In the information providing apparatus according to any one of the claims, a completion information receiving unit that receives completion information indicating that the arrangement has been completed from the operating entity that has arranged the means of transportation by the arrangement unit; Arrangement completion report means for reporting to the information terminal that arrangement has been completed when the completion information is received.
  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information providing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the route search means is adapted to move from the start point to the end point by each moving means. The transmission means searches the information terminal for each moving means used from the departure place to the destination, the starting point and the ending point of the moving means, and the use time as the moving route. It transmits, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
  The invention according to claim 8 is an information providing method for providing route information from a departure place to a destination for an information terminal, wherein a search basic information acquisition means is transmitted from the information terminal. A basic search information acquisition step for acquiring destination information and departure or arrival time information as basic search information, and a route search means including traffic means that can be arranged based on the acquired basic search information A route search step for searching for a travel route from the departure place to the destination using a means; a transmission step for the transmission means to send the searched travel route to the information terminal; and a use start time calculation means. However, when the searched travel route includes a travel route that uses a transport means that can be arranged, the use start time of the transport means that can be arranged is calculated from the time information. A start time calculating step, to arrange means, in use starting location and the calculated utilization start time on the moving routes the search, anda arrangements performing arrangements of the arrangements possible transportation,In the arrangement step, when arranging the transportation means, an operating entity whose business range is the starting point of the movement route by the transportation means or the starting point and the ending point is set as the sales entity of each operating entity operating at least the arranging transportation means. Select from the means of transportation database that stores the information including the range, and arrange the means of transportation of the operator.It is characterized by that.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an information providing apparatus and an information providing method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(1) Outline of the embodiment
A route guidance service center information providing device (hereinafter simply referred to as a route guidance service center) provides a route from a departure point to a destination for portable information terminals such as mobile phones, PDAs, and notebook computers. provide. That is, the route guidance service center receives departure point information, destination information, and time information from the information terminal, and searches for a route from the departure point to the destination, including transportation that can be arranged including taxis. Then, the searched route guidance data is transmitted to the information terminal. The route guidance data includes the scheduled transfer time to the transfer place of the transportation means, and also includes information for inquiring whether or not to arrange a taxi if a moving route by taxi is included. The transmitted route data is stored in the user information storage means at the route guidance service center in correspondence with the transmitted information terminal.
When the route guidance service center receives the taxi reservation request from the information terminal that has transmitted the travel route, it extracts the taxi boarding location and the scheduled transfer time from the stored route data, and the location, planned time, and reservation information ( The name of the reservation, the ID (identifier) of the reservation, the telephone number of the reservation, etc.) are transmitted to the taxi reservation center as a reservation request.
When the route guidance service center receives a reservation completion report (completion information) from the taxi reservation center, it transmits the reservation completion report to the information terminal that requested the reservation.
[0008]
In this way, the route guidance service center searches for the travel route from the requested departure place to the destination including transportation means that can be arranged including taxi, and the travel route by taxi is included in the travel route. In such a case, a taxi is arranged after waiting for an arrangement request from the information terminal. This makes it easy to make taxi reservations (transportation arrangements) without forcing the user of the information terminal to consider the plan to use a taxi at any point on the travel route that has been searched. It becomes possible.
[0009]
(2) Details of the embodiment
FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a route guidance service system including a route guidance service center according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the route guidance service system includes a route guidance service center 10 (information providing apparatus) according to the present embodiment, an information terminal 50 that is a portable information terminal, and a taxi (traffic that can be arranged). The taxi dispatching center 30 for delivering the vehicle) and the traffic information center 40 are arranged.
The route guidance service center 10, the traffic information center 40, the taxi dispatch center 30, and the information terminal 50 can be connected by communication means.
As the communication means of this embodiment, the route guidance service center 10 and the traffic information center 40 are connected by the Internet 60, and the taxi dispatch center 30 is connected by the Internet 60 via the telephone line switching center 20, and the information terminal 50 are connected via the telephone circuit switching center 20.
[0010]
In the present embodiment, there are the following two forms of connection between the route guidance service center 10 and the taxi dispatch center 30.
That is, the first form is a case where the route guidance service center 10 is connected to the computer of the taxi dispatch center 30 via the Internet 60 or the telephone line switching center 20. In the first embodiment, the route guidance service center 10 transmits and receives various data relating to taxi arrangements to and from the computer of the taxi dispatch center 30.
On the other hand, the second form is a case where the route guidance service center 10 is connected to the telephone of the taxi dispatch center 30 via the telephone line switching center 20. In this case, the route guidance service center 10 converts information relating to taxi arrangement into voice and transmits it to the telephone of the taxi dispatch center 30. In the taxi dispatch center 30, the operator answers the telephone, performs taxi dispatch procedures, provides information indicating whether or not the dispatch is completed, and completes the route guidance service by pressing a predetermined numeric keypad on the telephone. Transmit to the center 10.
As described above, when the taxi dispatch center 30 is connected in the present embodiment, the first and second forms exist. However, for the convenience of explanation, the explanation as the operation of the taxi dispatch center 30 is the first form. Or it shall mean the operation | movement based on a 2nd form.
[0011]
The route guidance service center 10 includes a public transport database 102, a map database 104, user information storage means 106, route guidance data generation means 110, process control means 112, and communication means 114.
[0012]
The public transport database 102 includes route data such as buses and railways, operation time data (timetables, etc.), taxi company data, and other data relating to various modes of transportation (such as car rental center location and business hours data). Stored.
[0013]
The map database 104 stores road data and map data.
In this map database 104, the name and location information of a facility that is a departure point or a destination are stored as facility information in association with ID information that identifies the facility. This facility information is transmitted from the route guidance service center 10 to the information terminal 50 in response to a request from the information terminal 50 when the information terminal 50 does not have the facility information. Then, when the user of the information terminal 50 selects the starting point or the destination, and selects the received facility, the information terminal 50 displays the ID of the selected facility and the starting point or the destination. Information for distinguishing between these is transmitted to the route guidance service center 10.
If the information terminal 50 has facility information, the facility information is displayed without requesting the route guidance service center 10 to transmit the facility information, and the ID of the selected departure place is displayed. And the destination ID are transmitted to the route guidance service center 10.
[0014]
The user information storage means 106 stores data unique to each user such as an identifier of the information terminal held by the user and route guidance data transmitted to the information terminal described later. The user information storage means 106 stores facility information that is not included in the facility information of the map database 104 but is uniquely set by the user.
[0015]
The route guidance data generation means 110 searches the travel route from the departure point to the destination set by the user information terminal 50 using the map database 104 and the public transport database 102, and a route based on the travel route. Guide data is generated.
[0016]
The communication control means 114 controls communication with the outside such as the information terminal 50 or the taxi dispatch center 30 via the Internet 60 or the telephone line switching center 20.
The process control means 112 controls the entire service provided by the route guidance service center 10.
[0017]
The route guidance service center 10 includes a CPU (not shown), a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk, a storage medium driving means such as a CDROM drive, an input means such as a keyboard, an output means such as a display device and a printer, a communication modem, etc. The computer system has other hardware resources.
[0018]
Next, operations in the information providing apparatus and the information providing method configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sequence of the entire route guidance service.
The user of the information terminal 50 transmits a request for route guidance data from the information terminal 50 to the route guidance service center 10 together with the data of the destination and departure point for which route guidance is desired (200). It should be noted that the information terminal 50 does not start immediately after receiving the travel route transmitted from the route guidance service center 10, but when it departs at a predetermined time, the departure time or the predetermined time If it is desired to arrive at the destination, the arrival time is transmitted to the route guidance service center 10.
[0019]
When the route guidance service center 10 receives the route guidance data request (200) from the information terminal 50, the route guidance service center 10 determines the route connecting the departure point and the destination from the received departure point and destination data, and the public transport database 102 and the map. An optimal travel route is searched from the database 104 to generate route guidance data (202).
At this time, the route guidance service center 10 uses the communication means 114 to access the traffic information center 40 via the Internet 60 to obtain the latest traffic jam information, the operation status of public transportation, and the like. To generate optimal route guidance data.
The route guidance data is generated including the current time as the departure time and the expected time when transferring to each means of transportation. At this time, if the departure time is transmitted from the information terminal, the estimated time at each transfer point on the route is calculated and added with the transmitted time as the departure time.
The generated route guidance data is stored in the user information storage means 106 as user information of the information terminal for which the route data request is made.
If there is a route using a taxi in the travel route based on the generated route guidance data, taxi reservation screen data (inquiry information) for reserving a taxi is generated by the information terminal 50.
[0020]
The route guidance service center 10 transmits the generated route guidance data and taxi reservation input screen data (if generated) to the requested information terminal 50 via the communication means 114 (204).
[0021]
When receiving the route guidance information (route guidance data, taxi reservation input screen data), the information terminal 50 displays a travel route for arriving from the destination to the destination according to the route guidance data.
And when taxi reservation input screen data exists, a taxi reservation input screen is displayed when the area which moves by taxi is selected by the user. When the user selects taxi allocation on this screen, the information terminal 50 transmits a taxi allocation request (transportation arrangement request) to the route guidance service center 10 (206).
[0022]
When the taxi dispatch request is received, the route guidance service center 10 identifies the user from the identifier (ID) of the information terminal and collects the dispatch request information (208). That is, the name of the specified user (reservation information), the route guidance data that has been transmitted, the start and end points of the route that uses the taxi, and the estimated connection time to the taxi that was added when the route guidance data was generated (taxi ride (Scheduled time) is extracted from the user information storage means 106.
Then, the route guidance service center 10 transmits the extracted information to the taxi dispatch center 30 as taxi reservation information (210).
[0023]
The taxi dispatch center 30 arranges taxi dispatch according to the received taxi reservation information. Information (completion information) indicating that the vehicle arrangement has been completed or information (arrangement impossible information) indicating that the arrangement has not been made is transmitted to the route guidance service center 10 as the vehicle distribution status (212).
[0024]
When receiving the dispatch situation from the taxi dispatch center 30, the route guidance service center 10 transmits the dispatch situation to the corresponding information terminal 50 as a result of the dispatch reservation according to the received dispatch situation (214).
[0025]
Next, details of route guidance data transmission processing and taxi dispatch processing in the route guidance service center 10 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of route guidance data transmission processing.
The route guidance service center 10 monitors whether or not the route guidance data is requested from the information terminal 50 (step 100).
[0026]
When there is a request for route guidance data (step 100; Y), the route guidance service center 10 acquires basic search information (step 101).
That is, the route guidance service center 10 acquires the destination data, departure point data, departure or arrival time information transmitted from the information terminal 30 as search basic information, and the ID of the requested information terminal. As destination data and departure point data, destination ID and distinction information, departure point ID and distinction information, or destination and departure point coordinate data and distinction information are received. The distinction information is information for distinguishing between the destination and the departure place.
If the time information is not included in the data received from the information terminal 50, the route guidance service center 10 acquires the current time as the departure time.
[0027]
The route guidance service center 10 is stored in the map database 104 in response to a request from the information terminal 50 when the information terminal 50 does not have facility information for specifying the departure place and destination. The facility information is read and transmitted to the information terminal 50. Then, the facility ID and the discrimination information selected and transmitted by the information terminal 50 are acquired as search basic information.
[0028]
Then, the route guidance service center 10 searches the route guidance data generation unit 110 for a travel route to the destination based on the acquired basic search information, and generates route guidance data according to the type of the information terminal 50 ( Step 102).
That is, the route guidance data generation means 110 considers the operation status of various means of transportation acquired from the traffic information center 40, and determines the optimal travel route from the departure point to the destination as the public transportation database 102, the map database. Search is performed using 104 to generate route guidance data.
In the generation of this route guidance data, the starting point and ending point of each means of transportation used and the use time (ride time) according to the departure or arrival time information, the time required for changing various means of transportation, Search including various information such as departure time and station exit number. In this search, the timetable data of trains and buses stored in the public transport database 102 is referred to.
[0029]
The route guidance service center 10 stores the generated route guidance data in the user information storage means 106 in association with the requested information terminal ID (step 104).
Then, the route guidance service center 10 determines whether or not the searched travel route includes transportation means that can be arranged such as a taxi (step 106). As a transportation means that can be arranged, for example, there is a taxi as a transportation means that can move to a location designated by the user. In addition, as a means of transportation that does not move to a designated location on the user side by operating only on a predetermined route, there are ships and airplanes such as Shinkansen and ferry, etc. In this case, arrangements for ticket reservations are available Done.
[0030]
If the transportation means that can be arranged is included (step 106; Y), the route guidance service center 10 makes reservation input screen data that can make an arrangement request for the transportation means to the route guidance service center 10 ( Inquiry information) is generated (step 108). This reservation input screen data is also screen data that prompts the user to transmit an arrangement request for the relevant transportation means in order to move using the available movement means that has searched for the corresponding movement route.
For example, if the transportation means that can be arranged is a taxi, the usage distance is calculated from the map database 104, the expected price when using the taxi is calculated from the calculated distance, and the taxi reservation input for displaying this price is displayed. Generate screen data.
When the transportation means that can be arranged is the Shinkansen, the green seat charge and the reserved seat charge are calculated, and reservation input screen data for the Shinkansen that displays this charge is generated.
[0031]
Then, the route guidance service center 10 transmits the generated route guidance data (including the reservation input screen data if present) to the requested information terminal 50 (step 110), and the route guidance data for the information terminal. The transmission process ends.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is an example showing a display screen on the mobile phone that has received the route guidance data generated by the route guidance service center 10 when the information terminal 50 is a mobile phone.
In this example, a guide route from Company A (departure point) to Company B (destination) is displayed as text information along with the time. This display data is the aforementioned route guidance data.
In the example of FIG. 4, it is displayed that the company A departs at 11:42, moves to Tokyo Station on foot 11 minutes, gets on the Chuo Line departing at 11:55 and arrives at Shinjuku Station 7 minutes later. Has been.
And the display of “Shinjuku Station: 4” on the display screen represents the exit 4 of Shinjuku Station. In consideration of the travel time from Exit 4 of Shinjuku Station to the taxi stand and the taxi waiting time, 12:05 is displayed as the taxi ride time.
Then, after getting on the taxi, it is displayed that 10 minutes, which is the travel time, will arrive at company B which is the destination at 12:15.
[0033]
As shown in Fig. 4, taxis exist as a means of transportation that can be arranged in the travel route on the display screen, so if you wish to use a taxi for traveling between this time (between Shinjuku Station and Company B) The user can display the reservation input screen when the user selects the underlined portion of “Taxi 10 minutes”.
[0034]
FIG. 5 shows a reservation input screen in the case of a taxi.
The display screen in FIG. 5 is displayed on the information terminal 50 in accordance with the “taxi reservation input screen data” generated in step S108 in FIG.
When the user confirms the expected fare displayed on the reservation input screen and selects the part underlined as “Call a taxi”, the user wishes to dispatch the taxi from the information terminal 50 (mobile phone). A request (arrangement request) is automatically transmitted to the route guidance service center 10.
In this way, the user of the information terminal 50 reserves a taxi on the route to the destination with only a simple button operation without planning at all where and when the taxi is desired to be dispatched. Can do.
In the above embodiment, only the character data is displayed in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, but the map data is also transmitted from the route guidance service center 10 to the information terminal 50 so that the map can be displayed together with the character data. It is also suitable.
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of taxi dispatch processing when a taxi dispatch request is made as a transportation means that can be arranged by a user (user).
When there is a request for taxi reservation (arrangement request) from the information terminal 50 (step S200; Y), the route guidance service center 10 stores the user information from the ID of the information terminal 50 transmitted from the information terminal 50 together with the request. The means 106 (see FIG. 1) is searched to obtain the user's name (step S202).
Then, the route guidance information that has been created in response to the route search request from the information terminal 50 and stored in the user information storage means 106 and that has already been transmitted to the information terminal 50 is acquired, and a route that uses a taxi from the route guidance data The start and end points of the part and the scheduled connection time to the taxi are extracted (step S206). For example, in the case of route plan data including a taxi illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, “12:05 Shinjuku Station Exit 4 Boarding, Company B” is extracted.
[0036]
Then, a taxi company having a starting point and an ending point in the business range (operating entity that operates the transportation means that can be arranged) is searched from the public transportation database 102 (step 208).
When there is no taxi company having both the start point and the end point in the business range, the route guidance service center 10 searches for a taxi company having the start point in the business range.
[0037]
The route guidance service center 10 transmits the determined taxi company and the name of the user (reserver information) extracted in step S202 to the dispatch center 30 together with the reservation information as dispatch request information (step S210). It is monitored that the dispatching status as a result of dispatching is transmitted (step 212).
[0038]
The dispatch center 30 arranges a taxi of a designated taxi company according to the received dispatch request information.
Then, the dispatch center 30 transmits information indicating that the dispatch arrangement has been completed (completion information) or information indicating that the dispatch has not been possible (arrangement impossible information) to the route guidance service center 10 as the dispatch status. .
The completion information indicating that the arrangement for dispatching has been completed includes the name of the arranged taxi company and the number (number) of the taxi to be dispatched.
[0039]
On the other hand, the arranged taxi is notified of the user's name, dispatch time, and dispatch location directly from the taxi dispatch center 30 or via the arranged taxi company.
[0040]
A search for a taxi company having a start point and an end point in the business range is performed in the route guidance service center 10 (step 208), but this search may be performed in the dispatch center 30. In this case, the dispatch center 30 such as a taxi may make an inquiry to an external service company via the Internet or the like in addition to the database held, and if there is a dispatch service company nationwide, it is directly there. Reservation information may be transferred. In this case, the search for the taxi dispatch center (step S208) can be omitted.
[0041]
When the route guidance service center 10 receives the dispatch situation from the taxi dispatch center 30 (step 212; Y), the dispatch result screen data is created according to the received dispatch situation and the result of the dispatch reservation is made to the information terminal 50 which has requested the arrangement. (Step 214), and the process ends.
When the route guidance service center 10 transmits a vehicle allocation confirmation screen indicating that the vehicle has been allocated as the vehicle allocation reservation status, the route guidance service center 10 extracts map data in the vicinity of the taxi stop location (taxi meeting location) from the map database. Process to send.
[0042]
FIG. 7 shows a vehicle allocation confirmation screen displayed on the information terminal 50 when a taxi allocation reservation is made (when completion information is received from the taxi allocation center 30).
As shown in the example of FIG. 7, in addition to the meeting time and place, the name of the taxi company, the number of the taxi to be dispatched, and the number of the license plate are displayed so that the user can easily find the taxi reserved.
In this example, map data is attached to inform you of a more specific meeting place, and if the user selects “View Map” on the display screen, the taxi will stop to wait for the user. The location is displayed. For example, when a taxi company knows a suitable place for stopping a taxi, the taxi dispatch center 30 notifies the route guidance service center 10 of the location, and the route guidance service center 10 identifies the location as map data. Is created and transmitted to the information terminal of the user. With this configuration, the user can easily find a taxi that he / she wants to dispatch.
[0043]
As described above, according to the information providing apparatus and the information providing method of the present embodiment, the starting point and the destination ID are specified by the starting point ID and the destination ID. Even an information terminal that does not have the function can search and provide a travel route from the departure point to the destination.
Moreover, when the transportation means for moving along the searched movement route includes transportation means that can be arranged, the transportation means can be arranged. Therefore, in order to move to the destination, the user of the information terminal can make a taxi arrangement without considering the time and place of the transportation means that can be arranged such as a taxi.
In addition, the user of the information terminal receives the reservation input screen together with the route guidance data from the route guidance service center 10, and therefore can easily arrange for transportation means included in the route guidance data by operating the screen. .
[0044]
As mentioned above, although 1 embodiment in the information provision apparatus of this invention and the information provision method was described, this invention is not limited to embodiment described, Various modifications are performed in the range described in each claim. Is possible.
For example, in the embodiment described above, a mobile phone has been described as an example of the information terminal, but other information terminals such as a notebook personal computer and a PDA may be used. Also in this case, an ID is assigned to each information terminal, and data relating to the display screen of the information terminal is stored in the user information storage means. The route guidance service center 10 creates route guidance data, a reservation input screen, an arrangement confirmation screen, and the like in addition to the display screen corresponding to the ID of each information terminal.
[0045]
In the embodiment described above, a taxi is described as an example of transportation means that can be arranged. However, various transportation means such as a bullet train, an airplane, a ship, and a rental car may be used. In this case, the route guidance service center 10 connects to the reservation center of each transportation means and transmits arrangement information.
[0046]
In addition, the route guidance service center 10 transmits the user name (reservation information) corresponding to the ID of the information terminal that requested the arrangement to the taxi dispatch center 30 together with the reservation information. The telephone number when the information terminal is a mobile phone, the telephone number of the user of the information terminal 50 (home telephone number or mobile phone number), etc. may be transmitted as the reservation information.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while showing the movement path | route to the destination with respect to the portable information terminal, the transportation means which can be arranged in the shown movement path | route can be arranged.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a route guidance service system including a route guidance service center according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the entire route guidance service in the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of route guidance data transmission processing in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen on a mobile phone that has received and received route guidance data when the information terminal is a mobile phone in the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a taxi reservation input screen in the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of taxi dispatch processing when a taxi dispatch request is made as a means of transportation that can be arranged by a user in the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle allocation confirmation screen displayed on the information terminal when a taxi allocation is made in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Route guidance service center
102 Public transport database
104 Map database
106 User information storage means
110 Route guidance data generation means
112 Process control means
114 Communication means
20 Telephone line switching office
30 Taxi dispatch center
40 Traffic Information Center

Claims (8)

An information providing device that provides route information from a departure point to a destination for an information terminal,
A transportation database that stores at least information including the business scope of each operating entity that operates transportation that can be arranged;
Search basic information acquisition means for acquiring departure point information, destination information, and departure or arrival time information transmitted from the information terminal as basic search information,
Based on the acquired search basic information, route search means for searching for a travel route from the departure place to the destination using transportation means including transportation means that can be arranged;
Transmitting means for transmitting the searched travel route to the information terminal;
When the searched travel route includes a travel route that uses a transport means that can be arranged, use start time calculation means that calculates a use start time of the transport means that can be arranged from the time information;
Arranging means for arranging the transportation means that can be arranged at the use start location on the travel route searched and the calculated use start time, and
The arrangement means, when arranging the transportation means, selects from the transportation means database an operating entity having a start range or a starting point and an ending point of a travel route by the transportation means as a business range, and selects the transportation means of the operating entity. An information providing apparatus characterized by arranging . Arrangement request receiving means for receiving an arrangement request for transportation means from the information terminal that has transmitted the search basic information,
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement unit arranges the transportation unit when an arrangement request is received from the terminal device.   The transmission means also transmits inquiry information for inquiring whether or not the transportation means is to be arranged when the searched movement route includes a movement route using a transportation means that can be arranged. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Comprising identification information storage means for storing identification information of a user who is provided with route information;
The said arrangement means, when arranging the said transportation means, notifies the identification information of the user who transmitted the said movement route with respect to the operation | working entity which operates the said transportation means, The claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The information provision apparatus of Claim 2 or Claim 3.   5. The arrangement unit according to claim 1, wherein when arranging the transportation means, the arrangement means notifies the operation subject operating the transportation means of the end point information of the moving route by the transportation means. An information providing apparatus according to any one of the claims. Completion information receiving means for receiving completion information indicating that arrangement has been completed from the operating entity that has arranged transportation means by the arrangement means;
When receiving the completion information, according claim 1, characterized by comprising a arrange completion report means for reporting to the information terminal that the arrangements are completed in any one of claims 5 Information providing apparatus described in the section.   The route search means searches including the use time required for movement from the start point to the end point by each moving means,
  The transmitting means transmits each moving means used from the starting point to the destination, the starting point and the ending point of the moving means, and the use time thereof as the moving route to the information terminal.
The information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information providing apparatus is configured as described above. An information providing method for providing information terminal with route information from a departure place to a destination,
Search basic information acquisition means, a search basic information acquisition step for acquiring departure point information, destination information, and departure or arrival time information transmitted from the information terminal as search basic information,
A route search step in which the route search means searches for a travel route from the departure place to the destination using transportation means including transportation means that can be arranged based on the acquired basic search information;
A transmission step in which a transmission means transmits the searched travel route to the information terminal;
When the searched travel route includes a travel route that uses an arrangeable transportation means, the use start time calculation means calculates the use start time of the arrangeable transportation means from the time information. Steps,
Arranging means comprising arranging the transportation means that can be arranged at the use start location on the travel route searched and the calculated use start time ;
In the arrangement step, when arranging the transportation means, an operating entity whose business range is the starting point of the movement route by the transportation means or the starting point and the ending point is set as the sales entity of each operating entity operating at least the arranging transportation means. Select from the means of transportation database that stores the information including the range, and arrange the means of transportation of the operator.
An information providing method characterized by the above.

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