JP7459803B2 - Mobile terminal device, in-vehicle terminal device, vehicle management device, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

This technology makes it possible to improve the convenience of a vehicle with respect to a mobile terminal device, an in-vehicle terminal device, a vehicle management device, and an information processing method.

Conventionally, when a user uses a taxi, a reservation system makes a reservation for the dispatch.For example, in Patent Document 1, when the dispatched taxi is within a predetermined positional difference from the position of the user who made the reservation, It is common practice to vibrate a user's terminal device.

JP2017-201508A

By the way, the use of a taxi is not limited to the case of reserving a taxi, and there are also cases where an empty taxi is used. In such a case, when using an empty taxi, it may be difficult for a user to find an empty taxi or for a driver of an empty taxi to find a person who wants to use the taxi, which may reduce convenience.

Therefore, an object of this technology is to provide a mobile terminal device, a vehicle terminal device, a vehicle management device, and an information processing method that can improve the convenience of a vehicle.

The first aspect of this technology is:
The mobile terminal device includes a display processing unit that displays a predicted passing frequency result of an empty vehicle, which is generated based on travel history information, at a corresponding position on a map image.

In this technology, the display processing unit displays the passing frequency prediction result of the empty vehicle included in the response notification supplied from the vehicle management device in response to the notification of the vehicle use request including the position information indicating the current position measured by the position measurement unit that measures the current position, at the corresponding position on the map image. The passing frequency prediction result of the empty vehicle is information that is supplied when the vehicle management device cannot search for a candidate vehicle corresponding to the vehicle use request. The display processing unit may also display a movement instruction to an area where the passing frequency prediction result indicates a high passing frequency of the empty vehicle, and may adjust the display scale of the map image so that the current position and the area where the passing frequency of the empty vehicle indicated by the over-frequency prediction result is high can be displayed on the map image. Furthermore, when the response notification includes candidate vehicle information indicating a candidate vehicle corresponding to the vehicle use request, the display processing unit displays the position of the candidate vehicle indicated by the candidate vehicle information on the map image. The display processing unit may also adjust the display scale of the map image so that the current position and the position of the candidate vehicle indicated by the candidate vehicle information can be displayed on the map image.

The second aspect of this technology is
The information processing method includes displaying a passing frequency prediction result of empty vehicles generated based on travel history information at a corresponding position on a map image by a display processing unit.

The third aspect of this technology is
The display processing unit includes a display processing unit that displays, on a map image, the position of a mobile terminal device that has made a vehicle use request, and the position of a candidate vehicle that is searched based on the position of the mobile terminal device and that can respond to the vehicle use request. Located in the vehicle terminal device.

In this technology, the display processing unit displays on a map image the position of the mobile terminal device and the positions of candidate vehicles that can fulfill the vehicle use request searched for based on the position of the mobile terminal device, based on a candidate vehicle target notification supplied from the vehicle management device in response to the mobile terminal device notifying the vehicle management device of a vehicle use request. If the candidate vehicle target notification includes information indicating the degree of advantage of each candidate vehicle, the display processing unit displays the degree of advantage. Furthermore, the control unit causes the communication unit to transmit vehicle driving information and a candidate vehicle rejection notification to the vehicle management device if the vehicle is not traveling toward the position of the mobile terminal device that made the vehicle use request. The control unit also sets the position of the mobile terminal device as the destination of the route processing unit in response to user operation, and causes navigation to be performed.

The fourth aspect of this technology is
The information processing method includes displaying the position of a mobile terminal device that has made a vehicle use request and the position of a candidate vehicle searched based on the position of the mobile terminal device on a map image by a display processing unit.

The fifth aspect of this technology is
a search processing unit that searches for a candidate vehicle that can respond to the vehicle usage request based on the position indicated in the vehicle usage request from the mobile terminal device;
causing the communication unit to transmit a response notification indicating the candidate vehicle searched by the search processing unit to the mobile terminal device in response to the vehicle usage request, and to the vehicle terminal device of the candidate vehicle searched by the search processing unit; The vehicle management device includes a mobile terminal device that has made the vehicle usage request and a control unit that causes a communication unit to transmit a candidate vehicle target notification indicating another candidate vehicle.

In this technology, the search processing unit searches for candidate vehicles that can fulfill the vehicle use request, based on the position indicated in the vehicle use request from the mobile terminal device. The control unit causes the communication unit to transmit a response notification indicating the candidate vehicles searched for by the search processing unit in response to the vehicle use request to the mobile terminal device, and causes the communication unit to transmit a candidate vehicle target notification indicating the mobile terminal device that made the vehicle use request and other candidate vehicles to the vehicle terminal device of the candidate vehicle searched for by the search processing unit. In addition, if the control unit does not find any candidate vehicles, the prediction processing unit includes in the response notification a passing frequency prediction result obtained by predicting the passing frequency of empty vehicles based on the driving information acquired from the vehicle terminal device stored in the memory unit.

Further, the control unit may include the degree of superiority of each candidate vehicle with respect to the vehicle usage request in the candidate vehicle target notification. Further, the candidate vehicle target notification is updated based on the candidate vehicle rejection notification from the vehicle terminal device. Further, the control unit causes the communication unit to transmit a completion notification indicating that the response to the vehicle use request has been completed to the candidate vehicle in response to the boarding notification indicating that the vehicle has been boarded from the mobile terminal device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle utilization system. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a vehicle terminal device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle management device. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the overall operation of the vehicle utilization system. It is a figure showing an example of a display of a demand forecast result. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a candidate vehicle display. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a user display. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an updated candidate vehicle display. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an updated user display. It is a figure which illustrated the case where a passing frequency prediction result is displayed. It is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the mobile terminal device. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the vehicle terminal device. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the vehicle management device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present technology will be described in the following order.
1. Configuration of the vehicle utilization system 2. Operation of the vehicle utilization system

1. Vehicle Utilization System Configuration
1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a vehicle utilization system. The vehicle utilization system 10 is configured using a user's mobile terminal device 20, a vehicle terminal device 30 installed in a vehicle (e.g., a taxi) used by the user, and a vehicle management device (server) 40 that manages the vehicle and provides information to the user. The mobile terminal device 20, the vehicle terminal device 30, and the vehicle management device 40 are connected via a network 50.

FIG. 2 illustrates the configuration of a mobile terminal device. The mobile terminal device 20 includes a display section 201, an audio input/output section 202, a position measurement section 203, a signal processing section 204, a communication section 205, an antenna 206, a storage section 207, an operation input section 208, a control section 209, etc. Each part is connected via a bus 210.

The display unit 201 is composed of a display element such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (organic electro-luminescence), a drive circuit for driving the display element, etc. The display unit 201 displays an image obtained by the signal processing unit 204, information received by the communication unit 205, information stored in the memory unit 207, etc.

The audio input/output unit 202 is configured using a microphone, a speaker, etc. The audio input/output unit 202 collects the user's voice, etc., and generates an audio signal. The audio input/output unit 202 also converts the audio signal supplied via the bus 210 into a playback sound and outputs it.

The position measurement unit 203 receives radio waves from positioning satellites and information from mobile phone base stations, detects the current position of the mobile terminal device 20, and generates position information (latitude, longitude, altitude) indicating the detected current position. data).

The signal processing unit 204 performs various signal processing. For example, it performs encoding processing of an audio signal generated by the audio input/output unit 202 and decoding processing of an encoded signal received by the communication unit 205. The signal processing unit 204 outputs the image signal obtained by performing the decoding process to the display unit 201 and the audio signal to the audio input/output unit 202.

The communication unit 205 is for communicating with the vehicle management device 40 and other mobile terminal devices, and performs modulation processing, frequency conversion processing, etc. of various information and encoded audio signals, and generates transmission signals. . Furthermore, the communication unit 205 supplies a transmission signal to an antenna 206 and transmits it to a base station (not shown). Further, the communication unit 205 performs amplification, frequency conversion processing, demodulation processing, etc. on the received signal received by the antenna 206, and supplies the obtained signal to the signal processing unit 204 and the control unit 209. The communication unit 205 transmits a vehicle usage request supplied from the control unit 209 to the vehicle management device 40 in response to a vehicle usage operation performed by the operation input unit 208, for example. The communication unit 205 supplies the control unit 209 with a response notification transmitted from the vehicle management device 40 in response to the vehicle usage request.

The storage unit 207 is configured using a rewritable storage medium, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or a built-in flash memory. Furthermore, the recording medium of the storage unit 207 may be fixed or may be removable. The storage unit 207 stores various information, programs, and the like. For example, as various information, user information of the mobile terminal device, registration information registered by the user, various history information, map information, image signals and audio signals, operation setting information of the mobile terminal device, etc. are stored. Further, as the program, an operating system and an application program, for example, a program for using a vehicle, etc. are stored.

The operation input unit 208 includes operation switches, a touch panel, etc. disposed overlapping the display screen of the display unit 201. The operation input unit 208 generates operation signals according to user operations on operation switches, touch panels, and the like.

The control unit 209 executes a program stored in the memory unit 207, and controls the operation of each unit so that the mobile terminal device 20 operates in response to a user operation based on an operation signal generated by the operation input unit 208. The display unit 201 and the control unit 209 function as a display processing unit of the present technology. For example, the control unit 209 displays a map on the display unit 201 based on map information stored in the memory unit 207. The control unit 209 also notifies the vehicle management device 40 of a vehicle use request in response to a vehicle use operation performed by the operation input unit 208. Furthermore, the control unit 209 performs processing such as displaying the passing frequency prediction result of an empty vehicle (empty vehicle) and a candidate vehicle corresponding to the vehicle use request at the corresponding position on the map image based on a response notification from the vehicle management device 40.

FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of a vehicle terminal device. The vehicle terminal device 30 includes a display section 301, an audio input/output section 302, a position measurement section 303, a signal processing section 304, a communication section 305, an antenna 306, a storage section 307, a route processing section 308, a fare calculation section 309, and an operation input section. 310, a control section 311, etc., and each section is connected via a bus 312.

The display unit 301 is configured using display elements such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (organic electro-luminescence) and a drive circuit for driving the display elements, and displays images obtained by the signal processing unit 304, information received by the communication unit 305, information stored in the memory unit 307, etc.

The audio input/output unit 302 is configured using a microphone, a speaker, etc. The audio input/output unit 302 collects the voice of the driver or the inside of the vehicle and generates an audio signal. The audio input/output unit 302 also converts the audio signal supplied via the bus 312 into a playback sound and outputs it.

The position measurement unit 303 receives radio waves from positioning satellites and information from mobile phone base stations, detects the current position of the vehicle, and generates position information (latitude, longitude, and height data) indicating the detected current position. ) is generated. Further, the position measuring unit 303 includes a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, etc., and may include a detection result of the traveling direction of the vehicle in which the vehicle terminal device 30 is mounted in the position information.

The signal processing unit 304 performs various signal processing. For example, it performs encoding processing of the audio signal generated by the audio input/output unit 302, and decoding processing of the encoded signal received by the communication unit 305. The signal processing unit 304 outputs the audio signal obtained by performing the decoding processing to the audio input/output unit 302.

The communication unit 305 is for communicating with the vehicle management device 40 and the like, and performs modulation processing and frequency conversion processing of various information and encoded audio signals to generate a transmission signal. The communication unit 305 also supplies the transmission signal to the antenna 306 for transmission to a base station (not shown). The communication unit 305 also performs amplification, frequency conversion processing, demodulation processing, etc. of the received signal received by the antenna 306, and supplies the obtained signal to the signal processing unit 304 and the control unit 311. The communication unit 205 transmits, for example, behavior information and candidate vehicle rejection notification supplied from the control unit 209 at a predetermined timing to the vehicle management device 40. The communication unit 205 also supplies vehicle use notification and completion notification notified from the vehicle management device 40 to the control unit 209.

The storage unit 307 is configured using a rewritable storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or an internal flash memory, or a hard disk device. The storage medium of the storage unit 307 may be fixed or removable. Various information and programs are stored in the storage unit 307. The various information includes vehicle information related to the vehicle (e.g., identification information of the company to which the vehicle belongs, identification information for identifying each vehicle, driver information related to the driver, etc.), vehicle status information (e.g., location information and running speed, running direction, boarding time and disembarking time and their locations, running distance, elapsed time and fare from boarding to disembarking), operation setting information of the vehicle terminal device, etc. The programs stored include an operating system and application programs, such as programs for improving the convenience of the vehicle.

The route processing unit 308 searches for a route to a destination specified by the driver or the like, and displays the search results on the display unit 301. The route processing unit 308 also provides guidance to the driver using images, audio, etc., so that the driver can drive the vehicle along the searched route.

The fare calculation unit 309 calculates the fare based on the travel distance, elapsed time, etc. from getting on the vehicle to getting off the vehicle. Further, the fee calculation unit 309 includes a pick-up fee and an additional fee in the fee as necessary.

The operation input unit 310 includes operation switches, a touch panel placed over the display screen of the display unit 301, and the like. The operation input unit 310 generates operation signals according to user operations on operation switches, touch panels, and the like.

The control unit 311 executes a program stored in the storage unit 307 to perform an operation preset on the vehicle terminal device 30 or an operation according to a user operation based on the operation signal generated by the operation input unit 208. Control the operation of each part so that it is carried out. For example, the control unit 311 transmits behavior information including vehicle information and vehicle dynamic information stored in the storage unit 307 from the communication unit 305 to the vehicle management device 40 at a predetermined timing. Further, the display unit 301 and the control unit 311 function as a display processing unit of the present technology. For example, the control unit 311 displays a map on the display unit 301 based on the map information stored in the storage unit 307, and the control unit 311 displays a map on the display unit 301 based on the map information stored in the storage unit 307, and based on the candidate vehicle target notification supplied from the vehicle management device 40, the control unit 311 Based on the position of the terminal device 20 and the position of the mobile terminal device 20 indicated in the vehicle usage request, the positions of candidate vehicles that can respond to the vehicle usage request are displayed on the map image. The control unit 311 also performs processing to generate a candidate vehicle rejection notification and transmit it from the communication unit 305 to the vehicle management device 40, and performs navigation using the position of the mobile terminal device as the destination of the route processing unit 308 in accordance with a user operation. Perform the processing to be performed.

FIG. 4 illustrates the configuration of the vehicle management device. The vehicle management device 40 includes a communication section 401, a storage section 402, a prediction processing section 403, a search processing section 404, and a control section 405. Each part is connected via a bus 406.

The communication unit 401 is for communicating with the mobile terminal device 20 and the vehicle terminal device 30, and receives, for example, a vehicle usage request from the mobile terminal device 20, behavior information and candidate vehicle rejection notification from the vehicle terminal device 30. do. The communication unit 401 also performs processing for transmitting a response notification generated in response to a vehicle usage request to the mobile terminal device 20, and transmits a candidate vehicle target notification generated in response to a vehicle usage request to the vehicle terminal device of the candidate vehicle. Performs processing such as sending.

The storage unit 402 is configured using a rewritable storage medium, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or built-in flash memory, or a hard disk device. Various information and programs are stored in the storage unit 402. The storage unit 402 stores various information such as driving information supplied from the vehicle terminal device 30, weather conditions, road conditions, etc. The storage unit 402 also stores programs such as an operating system and programs for improving the convenience of the vehicle.

The prediction processing unit 403 predicts the frequency of passing empty vehicles for each location or area based on the information stored in the memory unit 402. In addition, the prediction processing unit 403 predicts vehicle demand for each location or for each divided area obtained by dividing a map into a two-dimensional mesh shape based on the travel information stored in the memory unit 402.

In response to a vehicle use request from the mobile terminal device 20, the search processing unit 404 searches for candidate vehicles that can respond to the vehicle use request from the mobile terminal device 20 based on the information stored in the storage unit 402 and the selection criteria. As the selection criteria, for example, information such as the distance from the position indicated in the vehicle use request and the congestion status of the road is used, and the search processing unit 404 selects vacant vehicles within a predetermined number range, for example, in the expected arrival order to the position indicated in the vehicle use request. In addition, taking into account the sales status of each vacant vehicle, if the time difference between the expected arrival times is small, vacant vehicles with low sales may be selected preferentially. In addition, taking into account the positional relationship with other vacant vehicles, for example, if there are multiple vacant vehicles running in tandem on the same route, only the preceding vehicle may be selected as a candidate vehicle. In addition, the search processing unit 404 may use the expected arrival order as the priority, or may calculate the priority using parameters such as the distance from the position indicated in the vehicle use request, the congestion status of the road, and the positional relationship with other vacant vehicles, and select a candidate vehicle based on the calculated priority.

The control unit 405 executes a program stored in the storage unit 402 to perform response processing in response to notifications supplied from the mobile terminal device 20 and the vehicle terminal device 30, and to process travel information supplied from the vehicle terminal device 30. etc., and performs demand forecasting processing based on driving information. In addition, when the control unit 405 is notified of a vehicle use request from the mobile terminal device 20, the control unit 405 generates a response notification indicating the candidate vehicle searched by the search processing unit based on the position indicated in the vehicle use request, and Send to terminal device. Further, the response notification may include the expected arrival time. Further, the control unit 405 generates a candidate vehicle target notification indicating the mobile terminal device that made the vehicle use request and other candidate vehicles to the vehicle terminal device of the candidate vehicle searched by the search processing unit, and It is transmitted to the vehicle terminal device 30. Further, the search processing unit 404 or the control unit 405 calculates the degree of superiority of the candidate vehicle with respect to the vehicle usage request based on at least the position of the mobile terminal device and the position of the candidate vehicle, and the control unit 405 responds to the candidate vehicle target notification. Processing to include the superiority of each candidate vehicle is performed. If there are no candidate vehicles, the control unit 405 performs a process of including the empty vehicle passing frequency prediction result generated by the prediction processing unit 403 in a response notification and transmitting the response notification to the mobile terminal device 20.

<2. Operation of vehicle usage system>
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the overall operation of the vehicle utilization system. In step ST1, the vehicle terminal device 30 starts reporting travel information. When the vehicle terminal device 30 starts using the vehicle, the vehicle terminal device 30 starts processing to generate driving information and transmit it to the vehicle management device. The driving information shows vehicle information and vehicle dynamic information. Further, the driving information may include driving environment information (information indicating weather, traffic congestion, etc.).

In step ST2, the vehicle management device 40 performs demand prediction processing. The vehicle management device 40 predicts areas and locations where boarding is frequent based on the driving information stored in the storage unit 402, the current position and time of the target vehicle, the driving environment (weather, traffic congestion, etc.), etc. Then, the demand prediction result is transmitted to the vehicle terminal device 30 of the target vehicle.

In step ST3, the vehicle terminal device 30 displays the demand forecast result. The vehicle terminal device 30 displays the demand forecast result on the map image displayed on the display unit 301, for example, based on the demand forecast information notified from the vehicle management device 40.

Figure 6 shows an example of the display of the demand forecast results, in which areas of high demand, low demand, and medium demand are displayed on a map image together with the vehicle's position. Note that the direction of the arrow in Figure 6 and Figures 7 to 10 described below indicates the vehicle's traveling direction.

In step ST11, the mobile terminal device 20 performs vehicle usage request processing. The mobile terminal device 20 transmits a vehicle usage request to the vehicle management device 40 in response to the vehicle usage operation being performed. The vehicle use request includes information indicating the current location of the mobile terminal device 20, and the like.

In step ST12, the vehicle management device 40 performs candidate vehicle search processing. The vehicle management device 40 uses the information stored in the storage unit 402 to respond to the vehicle usage request with an empty vehicle that is traveling near the current location of the mobile terminal device 20 indicated in the vehicle usage request. Search for possible candidate vehicles. Note that the number of candidate vehicles is, for example, within a predetermined number set in advance. Vehicle management device 40 generates a response notification indicating the searched candidate vehicle and transmits it to mobile terminal device 20 . Further, the vehicle management device 40 generates a candidate vehicle target notification indicating the mobile terminal device that made the vehicle use request and other candidate vehicles to the vehicle terminal device of the searched candidate vehicle, and sends it to the candidate vehicle. Further, the vehicle management device 40 may calculate the degree of superiority of the candidate vehicle based on at least the position of the mobile terminal device and the position of the candidate vehicle, and may include it in the candidate vehicle target notification.

In step ST13, the mobile terminal device 20 displays the candidate vehicles. Based on the response notification from the vehicle management device 40, the mobile terminal device 20 displays the candidate vehicles on the display unit 201. Figure 7 shows an example of the candidate vehicle display, in which a display showing the candidate vehicle positions is provided on a map image. Note that Figure 7 shows the vehicle's own position and the positions of five candidate vehicles.

In step ST14, the vehicle terminal device 30 performs a user display. The vehicle terminal device 30 performs user display on the display unit 301 based on the candidate vehicle target notification from the vehicle management device 40. FIG. 8 shows an example of a user display, and a display indicating the position (user position) of the mobile terminal device 20 that made the vehicle usage request is provided on the map image. Additionally, in the user display, the positions of other candidate vehicles are displayed. Furthermore, if the degree of superiority is indicated in the candidate vehicle target notification, the degree of superiority is also displayed. In addition, in FIG. 8, the degree of superiority is shown by the number inside the rectangle, and the case where the degree of superiority becomes lower as the value becomes larger is illustrated.

In step ST15, the vehicle terminal device 30 performs behavior determination processing. Based on the driving state, the vehicle terminal device 30 determines whether the vehicle is heading toward the user location indicated in the candidate vehicle target notification (the location of the mobile terminal device that made the vehicle use request). If the vehicle is not heading toward the user location, for example, if the vehicle is not heading toward the user location because the user location is different from the direction desired by the driver, or if the vehicle has changed from an empty vehicle state to an occupied vehicle state because another user has been picked up while heading toward the user location, the vehicle terminal device 30 transmits a candidate vehicle rejection notification to the vehicle management device 40.

In step ST16, the vehicle management device 40 updates the candidate vehicles. Based on the candidate vehicle rejection notification provided from the vehicle terminal device 30, the vehicle management device 40 performs an update process to exclude vehicles that are not traveling toward the user's location from the candidate vehicles, and transmits an update notification indicating the updated candidate vehicles to the mobile terminal device 20 and the vehicle terminal device 30 of the candidate vehicle.

In step ST17, the mobile terminal device 20 updates the candidate vehicle display. The mobile terminal device 20 updates the candidate vehicle display based on the update notification sent from the vehicle management device 40. Figure 9 shows an example of the candidate vehicle display after the update, illustrating a case where the number of candidate vehicles has been reduced from five to three.

In step ST18, the vehicle terminal device 30 updates the user display. The vehicle terminal device 30 updates the user display based on the update notification sent from the vehicle management device 40. Figure 10 illustrates an example of the user display after the update, illustrating a case where the number of other candidate vehicles has been reduced from four to two.

Note that if there are no candidate vehicles due to the update of the candidate vehicle information in step ST16, the process from step ST12 onwards is performed to select a new candidate vehicle and notify it to the mobile terminal device 20 or the vehicle terminal device 30. Good too. Furthermore, if there are no candidate vehicles, the update notification may include the predicted passing frequency of empty vehicles, and the mobile terminal device 20 may issue an instruction to move to an area where empty vehicles frequently pass. FIG. 11 shows an example of displaying the passing frequency prediction results, and shows a case where an area where empty vehicles frequently pass through and an instruction to move to an area where the own position and empty vehicles frequently pass are displayed. There is.

In step ST19, the mobile terminal device 20 determines whether the vehicle is boarded. In response to determining that the user has boarded the vehicle, the mobile terminal device 20 notifies the vehicle management device 40 that the user has boarded the vehicle. Whether the user has entered the vehicle may be determined based on the user's operation on the mobile terminal device 20, or may be automatically determined based on the moving position and moving speed detected by the mobile terminal device 20.

In step ST20, the vehicle management device 40 performs a response completion notification process. When the vehicle management device 40 determines from the boarding notification that the user has been able to use the vehicle, it generates a completion notification indicating that the response to the vehicle use request has been completed and transmits it to the vehicle terminal device 30 of the candidate vehicle so that it can determine that the user is using a vehicle in another candidate vehicle.

In step ST21, the vehicle terminal device 30 ends the user display. The vehicle terminal device 30 ends the user display on the display unit 301 based on the completion notification, so that it can be determined that the user has been able to use the vehicle. For example, the user's position display and the position display of other candidate vehicles are deleted from the map image.

Next, the operation of each device will be described individually. Figure 12 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a mobile terminal device. In step ST101, the mobile terminal device 20 determines whether a vehicle use operation has been performed. If the mobile terminal device 20 determines that a vehicle use operation has been performed using the operation input unit 208 or the voice input/output unit 202, it proceeds to step ST102, and if a vehicle use operation has not been performed, it returns to step ST101.

In step ST102, the mobile terminal device 20 transmits a vehicle use request. The mobile terminal device 20 transmits the vehicle use request from the communication unit 205 via the antenna 206 and the network to the vehicle management device 40, and then proceeds to step ST103.

In step ST103, the mobile terminal device 20 determines whether it has received a response notification or update information. If the mobile terminal device 20 has received a response notification or update information from the vehicle management device 40, it proceeds to step ST104, and if not, it returns to step ST103.

In step ST104, the mobile terminal device 20 performs a display process for the notification information. Based on the received response notification or update information, the mobile terminal device 20 displays the position of the candidate vehicle on the map image displayed on the display unit 201. Furthermore, when the vehicle management device 40 indicates the result of a prediction of the frequency of passage of empty vehicles, the mobile terminal device 20 issues an instruction to move to an area where the prediction result of the frequency of passage of empty vehicles is displayed or where the frequency of passage of empty vehicles is high. Note that the instruction to move may be issued using the voice input/output unit 202.

In addition, in the display process of the notification information, the display scale of the map image is adjusted based on the position indicated in the notification information and the vehicle's own position. For example, the display scale is adjusted so that the vehicle's own position and the positions of candidate vehicles can be displayed on the map image. The display scale is also adjusted so that the vehicle's own position and areas where empty vehicles frequently pass by can be displayed on the map image. In this way, by adjusting the display scale, it becomes easy to check areas where candidate vehicles and empty vehicles frequently pass by. In this way, the mobile terminal device 20 performs display process of the notification information and proceeds to step ST105.

In step ST105, the mobile terminal device 20 determines whether the user has boarded the vehicle. If the mobile terminal device 20 has not determined that the user has boarded the vehicle, it returns to step ST103, and if it determines that the user has boarded the vehicle, it sends a boarding notification to the vehicle management device 40 and ends the process. Note that if the user performs an operation to end use, the vehicle use request may be completed and a boarding notification may be sent to the vehicle management device 40.

Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the vehicle terminal device. In step ST201, the vehicle terminal device 30 starts notifying the driving information. The vehicle terminal device 30 starts the process of generating driving information at a predetermined timing and transmitting it to the vehicle management device 40, and proceeds to step ST202.

In step ST202, the vehicle terminal device 30 determines whether the demand forecast result has been received. The vehicle terminal device 30 determines whether the demand prediction result has been received from the vehicle management device 40, and if the demand prediction result has been received, the process proceeds to step ST203, and if the demand prediction result has not been received, the process proceeds to step ST204.

In step ST203, the vehicle terminal device 30 performs display processing of the demand forecast results. Based on the received demand forecast result information, the vehicle terminal device 30 displays the demand forecast result on the map image displayed on the display unit 301, and proceeds to step ST204.

In step ST204, the vehicle terminal device 30 determines whether a notification has been received. The vehicle terminal device 30 determines whether a candidate vehicle target notification, an update notification, or a completion notification has been received from the vehicle management device 40, and if a notification has been received, proceeds to step ST205, and if not, returns to step ST202.

In step ST205, the vehicle terminal device 30 performs a display process for the notification information. Based on the candidate vehicle target notification or the update notification, the vehicle terminal device 30 displays information based on the received notification on the map image displayed on the display unit 301, and proceeds to step ST206.

In step ST206, the vehicle terminal device 30 determines whether there is a user's designation. If the vehicle terminal device 30 determines that the driver has specified a user through the operation input unit 310 or the voice input/output unit 302, the process proceeds to step ST207, and if it determines that the user has not been specified, the process proceeds to step ST208. .

In step ST207, the vehicle terminal device 30 performs navigation processing. The vehicle terminal device 30 performs a route search based on the user's location, the user's location, and map information, with the user's location (the location of the mobile terminal device 20 that made the vehicle usage request) as the destination, and displays the route on the display section. 301 and the voice input/output unit 302, the route guidance to the user's location is performed and the process proceeds to step ST210.

In step ST208, the vehicle terminal device 30 determines whether the vehicle is running toward the user's location. If the vehicle terminal device 30 determines from the movement of the vehicle in which this vehicle terminal device 30 is mounted that it is not in a running state toward the user's location, the process proceeds to step ST209, and the vehicle terminal device 30 proceeds to step ST209 and starts traveling toward the user's location. If it is determined that the current state is present, the process advances to step ST210.

In step ST209, the vehicle terminal device 30 transmits a candidate vehicle rejection notification. Since the vehicle terminal device 30 is not traveling toward the user's location, it transmits a candidate vehicle rejection notification to the vehicle management device 40 and proceeds to step ST210.

In step ST210, the vehicle terminal device 30 determines whether a completion notification has been received. The vehicle terminal device 30 determines whether a completion notification has been received from the vehicle management device 40, and if a completion notification has been received, proceeds to step ST211, and if a completion notification has not been received, returns to step ST204.

In step ST211, the vehicle terminal device 30 ends the display of the user information. Since the completion notification indicates that the user has boarded the vehicle or has finished using the vehicle, the vehicle terminal device 30 erases the display showing the user's position and the candidate vehicle's positions shown on the map image displayed on the display unit 301, and returns to step ST202.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the vehicle management device. In step ST301, the vehicle management device 40 determines whether travel information has been received. If the vehicle management device 40 has received the driving information from the vehicle terminal device 30, the process proceeds to step ST302, and if the travel information has not been received, the process proceeds to step ST303.

In step ST302, the vehicle management device 40 accumulates the driving information. The vehicle management device 40 stores the received driving information in the memory unit 402 and proceeds to step ST303.

In step ST303, the vehicle management device 40 performs demand prediction processing. Based on the driving information stored in the storage unit 402, the vehicle management device 40 uses the prediction processing unit 403 to predict the area, place, etc. where the user of the vehicle is likely to be found at the current time, current driving environment, etc., and performs the prediction in step ST304. Proceed to.

In step ST304, the vehicle management device 40 transmits the demand forecast result. The vehicle management device 40 transmits the demand forecast result to the vehicle terminal device 30 of the vehicle in the vacant state at a predetermined timing, for example, at the timing of a request from the driver or at a predetermined time interval, and proceeds to step ST305. The demand forecast result may be a demand forecast result for a predetermined range around the position of the vehicle terminal device 30, or a demand forecast result for a predetermined range based on the driving direction of the vehicle terminal device 30. For example, if the position of the vehicle terminal device 30 is in a downtown area, the demand forecast result for a predetermined range around the position of the vehicle terminal device 30 is transmitted, and if the position of the vehicle terminal device 30 is on a main road, the demand forecast result for a predetermined range based on the driving direction of the vehicle terminal device 30 is transmitted, making it easier to use the demand forecast result.

In step ST305, the vehicle management device 40 determines whether a vehicle usage request has been received. The vehicle management device 40 determines whether a vehicle usage request has been received from the mobile terminal device 20. If the vehicle usage request has been received, the process proceeds to step ST306, and if not, the process returns to step ST301.

In step ST306, the vehicle management device 40 performs a candidate vehicle search process. The vehicle management device 40 searches for candidate vehicles based on the position of the mobile terminal device 20 indicated in the vehicle use request. For example, the vehicle management device 40 searches for vacant vehicles located within a predetermined range from the position indicated in the vehicle use request. Furthermore, if there are more vacant vehicles located within the predetermined range than a predetermined number, the vehicle management device 40 selects a predetermined number of vacant vehicles based on a preset selection criterion and proceeds to step ST307 as candidate vehicles. Note that, as the selection criterion, for example, information such as the distance from the position indicated in the vehicle use request, the traffic congestion situation on the road, and the positional relationship with other vacant vehicles is used to select vacant vehicles in the order of expected arrival at the position indicated in the vehicle use request. In addition, taking into account the sales situation of each vacant vehicle, if the time difference between the expected arrival times is small, vacant vehicles with low sales may be selected preferentially.

In step ST307, the vehicle management device 40 transmits a response notification. The vehicle management device 40 transmits a response notification including information indicating the searched candidate vehicles to the mobile terminal device 20 that transmitted the vehicle use request, and proceeds to step ST308. If there are no candidate vehicles, the vehicle management device 40 includes the predicted passing frequency result of vacant vehicles in the response notification.

In step ST308, the vehicle management device 40 transmits a candidate vehicle target notification. The vehicle management device 40 generates a candidate vehicle target notification indicating the location of the mobile terminal device 20 that transmitted the vehicle use request and the location of the candidate vehicle, etc., for the vehicle terminal device 30 of the candidate vehicle, transmits it to the vehicle terminal device 30 of the candidate vehicle, and proceeds to step ST309.

In step ST309, the vehicle management device 40 determines whether a candidate vehicle rejection notification has been received. The vehicle management device 40 determines whether a candidate vehicle rejection notification has been received from the vehicle terminal device 30 of the candidate vehicle indicating that the vehicle is not a candidate vehicle, and if a candidate vehicle rejection notification has been received, the vehicle management device 40 proceeds to step ST310, and if not, the vehicle management device 40 proceeds to step ST311.

In step ST310, the vehicle management device 40 transmits an update notification. The vehicle management device 40 updates the candidate vehicles based on the received candidate vehicle rejection notification. The vehicle management device 40 performs an update process to remove the vehicle that has issued the candidate vehicle rejection notification from the candidate vehicles, and transmits an update notification indicating the candidate vehicles after the update process to the mobile terminal device 20 and the vehicle terminal device 30 of the candidate vehicle before the update, and proceeds to step ST311.

In step ST311, the vehicle management device 40 determines whether a boarding notification has been received. The vehicle management device 40 determines whether a boarding notification has been received from the mobile terminal device 20, and if a boarding notification has been received, proceeds to step ST312, and if a boarding notification has not been received, returns to step ST301.

In step ST312, the vehicle management device 40 transmits a completion notification. Since the completion notification indicates that the user who owns the mobile terminal device 20 has boarded the vehicle, the vehicle management device 40 transmits the completion notification to the candidate vehicle and returns to step ST301.

Note that the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 5 and the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 are examples, and the present technology is not limited to the processing and processing order shown in the figures.

According to this technology, a user who possesses a mobile terminal device 20 can simply send a vehicle use request to the vehicle management device 40, and available candidate vehicles are displayed on the map image displayed on the mobile terminal device 20. This allows the user to easily determine where the available vehicles are located. If the response notification includes an expected arrival time, the user can understand the waiting time. If there are no candidate vehicles, the predicted passing frequency of vacant vehicles is displayed on the map image, making it easier for the user to find an vacant vehicle even if there are no candidate vehicles. Furthermore, since this technology is not a system that dispatches a specific vehicle to the user's location in response to a vehicle use request from the user, the user can avoid paying a pick-up fee.

The driver of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal device 30 can see the location of the user who wants to use the vehicle on the map image, making it easier to find the user who wants to use the vehicle, and reducing the number of times when the vehicle is running in an empty state. It becomes possible to do so. Further, since other candidate vehicles are shown on the map image, it can be determined whether the vehicle should be driven toward the location of the user who desires to use the vehicle. Furthermore, when the superiority of candidate vehicles is displayed, it becomes possible to more accurately determine whether the vehicle should be driven toward the location of the user who desires to use the vehicle.

Furthermore, the vehicle management device 40 searches for candidate vehicles in response to a vehicle use request from a user who wishes to use a vehicle, and notifies the searched candidate vehicle of the user's location and the locations of other candidate vehicles, etc., thereby enabling efficient vehicle operation. In addition, the vehicle management device 40 makes a response notification in response to a vehicle use request, making it easier for the user to use the vehicle.

Note that the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and additional effects may also be present.

The series of processes described in this specification can be executed by hardware, software, or a combination of both. When processing is performed using software, a program recording a processing sequence is installed in the memory of a computer built into dedicated hardware and executed. Alternatively, the program can be installed and executed on a general-purpose computer capable of executing various processes.

For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk device, SSD (Solid State Drive), or ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program can be stored on a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), MO (Magneto optical) disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), BD (Blu-Ray Disc (registered trademark)), magnetic disk, or semiconductor memory card. It can be stored (recorded) temporarily or permanently in a removable recording medium such as. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called packaged software.

In addition to being installed on a computer from a removable recording medium, the program may also be transferred wirelessly or by wire from a download site to the computer via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The computer can receive the program transferred in this way and install it on a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk drive.

Note that the present technology should not be interpreted as being limited to the above-mentioned embodiments of the technology. The embodiments of the technology disclose the present technology in the form of examples, and it is self-evident that a person skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiments without departing from the gist of the present technology. In other words, the scope of the claims should be taken into consideration in order to determine the gist of the present technology.

Further, the mobile terminal device of the present technology can also have the following configuration.
(1) A mobile terminal device including a display processing unit that displays a predicted passing frequency of empty vehicles generated based on travel history information at a corresponding position on a map image.
(2) Equipped with a position measurement unit that measures the current position,
The passage frequency prediction result is included in a response notification supplied from the vehicle management device in response to notifying the vehicle management device of a vehicle usage request that includes location information indicating the current location measured by the location measurement unit. The vehicle terminal device according to (1), which is information that has been obtained.
(3) The mobile terminal device according to (2), wherein the passage frequency prediction result is information supplied when the vehicle management device cannot search for a candidate vehicle corresponding to the vehicle usage request.
(4) The mobile terminal device according to (2) or (3), wherein the display processing unit displays a movement instruction to an area where empty vehicles frequently pass, which is indicated by the passing frequency prediction result.
(5) The display processing unit adjusts the display scale of the map image so that an area where empty vehicles frequently pass, which is indicated by the current position and the passing frequency prediction result, can be displayed on the map image ( 2) The mobile terminal device according to any one of (4).
(6) The response notification includes candidate vehicle information indicating a candidate vehicle corresponding to the vehicle usage request,
The mobile terminal device according to (2), wherein the display processing unit displays the position of the candidate vehicle indicated by the candidate vehicle information on the map image.
(7) The display processing unit adjusts the display scale of the map image so that the current position and the position of the candidate vehicle indicated by the candidate vehicle information can be displayed on the map image. Mobile terminal device.

Further, the vehicle terminal device of the present technology can also have the following configuration.
(1) Display processing for displaying on a map image the location of the mobile terminal device that made the vehicle usage request and the location of candidate vehicles that can respond to the vehicle usage request, which are searched based on the location of the mobile terminal device. A vehicle terminal device comprising:
(2) The position of the mobile terminal device and the position of the candidate vehicle are indicated in a candidate vehicle target notification supplied from the vehicle management device in response to the mobile terminal device notifying the vehicle management device of a vehicle usage request. The vehicle terminal device according to (2), which is in a position where:
(3) The candidate vehicle target notification includes information indicating the superiority of each candidate vehicle searched by the vehicle management device in response to the vehicle usage request,
The vehicle terminal device according to (3), wherein the display processing unit displays the degree of superiority.
(4) The vehicle further includes a control unit that causes a communication unit to transmit vehicle travel information and a candidate vehicle rejection notification to the vehicle management device when the vehicle is not traveling toward the location of the mobile terminal device that made the vehicle use request. The vehicle terminal device according to any one of (1) to (3).
(5) further comprising a route processing unit that searches for a route to the destination;
The vehicle terminal device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit sets the position of the mobile terminal device as the destination of the route processing unit in response to a user operation to perform navigation.

Further, the vehicle management device of the present technology can also have the following configuration.
(1) a search processing unit that searches for a candidate vehicle that can respond to the vehicle usage request based on the position indicated by the vehicle usage request from the mobile terminal device;
causing the communication unit to transmit a response notification indicating the candidate vehicle searched by the search processing unit to the mobile terminal device in response to the vehicle usage request, and to the vehicle terminal device of the candidate vehicle searched by the search processing unit; A vehicle management device comprising: a mobile terminal device that has made the vehicle use request; and a control section that causes a communication section to transmit a candidate vehicle target notification indicating another candidate vehicle.
(2) a storage unit that stores vehicle travel information acquired from the vehicle terminal device;
further comprising a prediction processing unit that predicts the passing frequency of empty vehicles based on the travel information stored in the storage unit,
The vehicle management device according to (1), wherein the control unit includes the passing frequency prediction result of the prediction processing unit in the response notification when there is no candidate vehicle.
(3) The vehicle management device according to (1) or (2), wherein the control unit includes the degree of superiority of each candidate vehicle with respect to the vehicle usage request in the candidate vehicle target notification.
(4) The vehicle management device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit updates the candidate vehicle target notification based on a candidate vehicle rejection notification from the vehicle terminal device.
(5) The control unit causes the communication unit to transmit a completion notification indicating that the response to the vehicle usage request has been completed to the candidate vehicle in response to a boarding notification indicating that the vehicle has been boarded from the mobile terminal device. The vehicle management device according to any one of (1) to (4).

Furthermore, the present technology may be a program as follows.
(1) A program for causing a computer to execute operational control of a mobile terminal device,
A program that causes the computer to execute a procedure for displaying the results of a prediction of the frequency of passage of empty vehicles, generated based on driving history information, at a corresponding position on a map image.
(2) A program for causing a computer to execute operational control of an in-vehicle terminal device,
A program that causes the computer to execute a procedure for displaying, on a map image, the location of a portable terminal device that has made a vehicle use request and the locations of candidate vehicles that can fulfill the vehicle use request, which have been searched for based on the location of the portable terminal device.
(3) searching for a candidate vehicle that can respond to the vehicle use request based on a location indicated in the vehicle use request from the mobile terminal device;
A program that causes the computer to execute the steps of causing a communication unit to send a response notification indicating candidate vehicles searched for in response to the vehicle use request to the mobile terminal device, and causing the communication unit to send a candidate vehicle target notification indicating the mobile terminal device that made the vehicle use request and other candidate vehicles to the vehicle terminal device of the searched candidate vehicle.

10 Vehicle utilization system 20 Portable terminal device 30 Vehicle terminal device 40 Vehicle management device 50 Network 201, 301 Display unit 202, 302 Voice input/output unit 203, 303 Position measurement unit 204, 304 Signal processing unit 205, 305, 401 Communication unit 206, 306 Antenna 207, 307, 402 Memory unit 208, 310 Operation input unit 209, 311, 405 Control unit 210, 312, 406 Bus 308 Route processing unit 309 Fare calculation unit 403 Prediction processing unit 404 Search processing unit

Claims (13)

a position measurement unit that measures the current position;
A display section;
a communication unit that communicates with other devices including the vehicle management device;
Equipped with
Notifying the vehicle management device of a vehicle usage request including location information indicating the current location measured by the location measurement unit, and supplying the vehicle usage request from the vehicle management device when there is a candidate vehicle that can respond to the vehicle usage request. Information regarding the candidate vehicle included in the response notification is displayed on the display unit at a corresponding position on the map image , and when there is no candidate vehicle, an empty vehicle is displayed based on the driving history information included in the response notification. A mobile terminal device that displays a passing frequency prediction result at a corresponding position on a map image on the display unit. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays an area where empty vehicles frequently pass on a map image based on a passing frequency prediction result included in the response notification. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1 , wherein information regarding the expected arrival times of the candidate vehicles included in the response notice is displayed on the display unit. The portable terminal device according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays an instruction to move to an area where the passing frequency prediction result indicates a high passing frequency of empty vehicles. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a display scale of the map image is adjusted so that the current position and an area with a high frequency of passage of empty vehicles indicated by the passing frequency prediction result can be displayed on the map image. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a position of a candidate vehicle indicated by candidate vehicle information indicating a candidate vehicle corresponding to the vehicle use request, which is included in the response notification, on a map image. . The mobile terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the display scale of the map image is adjusted so that the current position and the position of the candidate vehicle indicated by the candidate vehicle information can be displayed on the map image. An information processing method for a mobile terminal device including a position measurement unit that measures a current position, a display unit, and a communication unit that communicates with other devices including a vehicle management device, comprising:
a notification step of notifying the vehicle management device of a vehicle use request including location information indicating the current location measured by the location measurement unit;
a first display step of displaying information about the candidate vehicle included in a response notice provided from the vehicle management device when there is a candidate vehicle that can respond to the vehicle use request, at a corresponding position on a map image on the display unit;
a second display step of displaying, on the display unit, a passing frequency prediction result of an empty vehicle generated based on the driving history information included in the response notification when the candidate vehicle is not present, at a corresponding position on the map image;
An information processing method comprising the steps of: a search processing unit that searches for a candidate vehicle that can respond to the vehicle use request based on a position indicated in the vehicle use request from the mobile terminal device;
a prediction processing unit that predicts the passing frequency of an empty vehicle based on vehicle travel information acquired from the vehicle terminal device;
When there is a candidate vehicle that can respond to the vehicle use request, a response notification indicating the position of the candidate vehicle is transmitted from a communication unit to the mobile terminal device, and when there is no candidate vehicle, a response notification indicating a passing frequency prediction result of the prediction processing unit is transmitted from the communication unit to the mobile terminal device,
A vehicle management device having a control unit that causes a communication unit to transmit a candidate vehicle target notification indicating the mobile terminal device that made the vehicle use request and other candidate vehicles to the vehicle terminal device of the candidate vehicle searched for by the search processing unit. The vehicle management device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit includes the passing frequency prediction result of the prediction processing unit in the response notification when there is no candidate vehicle. The vehicle management device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit includes a degree of superiority of each candidate vehicle with respect to the vehicle usage request in the candidate vehicle target notification. The vehicle management device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit updates the candidate vehicle target notification based on a candidate vehicle rejection notification from the vehicle terminal device. The vehicle management device of claim 9, wherein the control unit controls the communication unit to send a completion notification to the candidate vehicle indicating that the vehicle use request has been responded to in response to a boarding notification from the mobile terminal device indicating boarding a vehicle.

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