JP7611015B2 - Vehicle allocation support device, vehicle allocation service system, and vehicle allocation support method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle dispatch assistance device, a vehicle dispatch service system, and a vehicle dispatch assistance method.

Patent document 1 discloses an invention that returns luggage (lost items) to a user who has left their luggage in a taxi. The invention described in patent document 1 uses location information from the user's terminal device and location information from business vehicles to dispatch a vehicle.

JP 2002-245591 A

In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a vehicle returning luggage to a user loses the opportunity to provide a ride-hailing service to other users who request a ride. There is a need to use vehicles more efficiently by improving the opportunities for ride-hailing services, but Patent Document 1 does not mention this.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle dispatch support device, a vehicle dispatch service system, and a vehicle dispatch support method that can improve opportunities for vehicle dispatch services and make efficient use of vehicles.

When a vehicle dispatch assistance device according to one aspect of the present invention receives pickup request data from a user terminal, it determines whether the vehicle in which the baggage is being stored is executing a vehicle dispatch plan for a second user. If the vehicle is executing a vehicle dispatch plan for a second user, the vehicle dispatch assistance device sets a pickup location on the vehicle's travel route in the vehicle dispatch plan based on the position of the first user, and sets the time when the vehicle passes the pickup location as the pickup time.

The present invention improves the opportunities for vehicle dispatch services and allows vehicles to be used efficiently.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle dispatch service system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle dispatch service server. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the vehicle dispatch service system. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of determining a receipt plan. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the relationship between the vehicle travel route in the vehicle dispatch plan of the riding user and the baggage depositing user. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a receipt notification displayed on a user terminal.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, identical parts are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

The configuration of a vehicle dispatch service system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The vehicle dispatch service system 10 according to this embodiment is a system that dispatches a vehicle 40 in response to a user's request. Services provided by the vehicle dispatch service system 10 include a ride service that transports a user who boards the vehicle 40, and a baggage deposit service that stores the user's baggage B loaded on the vehicle 40. The vehicle dispatch service system 10 dispatches a vehicle 40 corresponding to each service.

The vehicle dispatch service system 10 is mainly composed of a vehicle dispatch service server 20, a vehicle 40, and a user terminal 60. The vehicle dispatch service server 20, the vehicle 40, and the user terminal 60 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network 30. An example of the network 30 is the Internet. The network 30 may utilize a mobile communication function such as 4G/LTE or 5G.

In the following description, "ride request data" refers to data that a user who wishes to use the ride service makes a ride request to the ride dispatch service server 20. The ride dispatch request data includes information such as the desired boarding location where the user wishes to board, and the desired disembarking location where the user wishes to disembark. The ride dispatch request data may also include information such as the desired intermediate locations between the desired boarding location and the desired disembarking location, the desired boarding time which is the desired time to board, and the desired disembarking time which is the desired time to disembark. A user (second user) who is the target of the ride service is referred to as a "ride user".

"Pickup request data" is data that a user using the baggage storage service requests the vehicle dispatch service server 20 to pick up baggage B. The pick-up request data includes pick-up information requesting the pick-up of baggage B and location information indicating the user's location. A user (first user) who is the target of the baggage storage service is called a "baggage storage user."

In FIG. 2, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 is a vehicle dispatch support device that supports the dispatch of vehicles 40. The vehicle dispatch service server 20 is operated, for example, by a business operator that provides transportation services using multiple vehicles 40, but is not limited to this. The vehicle dispatch service server 20 includes a control device 21, a storage device 22, and a communication device 23.

The control device 21 may be a microcomputer (controller) mainly composed of a CPU, memory, and an input/output interface. The CPU reads various computer programs stored in the memory, etc., and executes various commands contained in the programs. By executing the programs, the CPU functions as multiple information processing circuits provided in the control device 21.

The control device 21 determines a dispatch plan for dispatching the vehicles 40 based on the data received by the communication device 23. The control device 21 includes one or more information processing circuits, such as a data reception unit 211, a dispatch plan determination unit 212, and a receipt plan determination unit 213.

The data reception unit 211 receives boarding request data and pick-up request data received by the communication device 23. If the received data is boarding request data, the data reception unit 211 outputs the boarding request data to the vehicle allocation plan determination unit 212. On the other hand, if the received data is pick-up request data, the data reception unit 211 outputs the pick-up request data to the vehicle allocation plan determination unit 212.

The vehicle dispatch plan determination unit 212 determines a vehicle dispatch plan for the boarding user based on the boarding request data. The vehicle dispatch plan is a plan to dispatch a vehicle 40 to the boarding user and transport the boarding user from the boarding location to the disembarking location. The vehicle dispatch plan includes information such as the vehicle 40 to be dispatched to the boarding user, the boarding location, the disembarking location, and the driving route. As one of the features of this embodiment, the vehicle 40 to be dispatched to the boarding user includes not only an empty vehicle 40, but also a vehicle 40 that does not have a baggage deposit user on board but only has baggage B deposited by the baggage deposit user on board. The vehicle dispatch plan determined by the vehicle dispatch plan determination unit 212 is generated as vehicle dispatch plan data.

The receipt plan determination unit 213 determines a vehicle dispatch plan for the baggage depositing user based on the receipt request data. Hereinafter, the vehicle dispatch plan for the baggage depositing user is referred to as a receipt plan to distinguish it from the vehicle dispatch plan for the boarding user. The receipt plan is a plan to dispatch a vehicle 40 to the baggage depositing user and for the baggage depositing user to receive baggage B from the vehicle 40. The receipt plan includes a receipt location where the baggage depositing user receives baggage B, a receipt time at which the baggage depositing user receives baggage B, and the like. The receipt plan determined by the receipt plan determination unit 213 is generated as receipt plan data.

The storage device 22 is a storage unit that stores various databases necessary for the boarding service and baggage check-in service. The storage device 22 has an operation information DB (operation information database) 221.

The operation information DB221 is a database that manages operation information of the vehicles 40. Operation information is managed for each vehicle 40 that is scheduled to provide transportation services. A vehicle ID that identifies the vehicle 40 is linked to the operation information. The contents of the operation information DB221 are managed by the vehicle allocation plan determination unit 212 and the receipt plan determination unit 213, and are updated as necessary. The vehicle allocation plan determination unit 212 and the receipt plan determination unit 213 can receive data necessary for managing the operation information by communicating with the vehicles 40 via the communication device 23.

The operation information includes service information showing the status of boarding services and baggage check-in services.

The status of the ride service includes information such as whether a ride service (dispatch plan) is scheduled, whether the ride service is in progress, the ID of the ride user who requested the ride service, and the dispatch plan for the ride service. The status of the baggage drop-off service includes information such as whether the baggage drop-off service is in progress and the ID of the baggage drop-off user who is using the baggage drop-off service.

The operation information also includes vehicle information about the vehicle 40. The vehicle information includes information such as the position of the vehicle 40 and the remaining energy of the vehicle 40 (remaining fuel, remaining charge).

The storage device 22 also stores map data including information about maps. The map data is used to generate driving routes required for vehicle dispatch planning, and to recognize the positions of boarding users, baggage deposit users, and the vehicle 40.

The vehicle dispatch service server 20 may be configured to include a storage device 22, but may also obtain operation information from an external data server using cloud computing.

The communication device 23 communicates with the vehicle 40 or the user terminal 60 via the network 30. The communication device 23 receives predetermined data from the vehicle 40 and the user terminal 60 (receiving unit), and transmits predetermined data to the vehicle 40 and the user terminal 60 (first transmitting unit, second transmitting unit). The communication device 23 can also acquire road traffic data including traffic information such as congestion by communicating with an external device (not shown) via the network 30. For example, the communication device 23 may be a device equipped with a mobile communication function such as 4G/LTE or 5G, or may be a device equipped with a Wi-Fi communication function.

In FIG. 3, vehicle 40 is a vehicle that provides a transportation service (service vehicle). In the example shown in FIG. 1, one vehicle 40 is shown, but this is not limited to this. Vehicle 40 may be a vehicle that runs using an automatic driving function without a driver on board, or a vehicle that runs manually by a driver. Vehicle 40 may also be a vehicle that runs using an automatic driving function with a driver on board.

Autonomous driving refers to a state in which at least one of the actuators, such as the brake, accelerator, or steering, is controlled without the driver's operation. Therefore, it is acceptable for other actuators to be operated by the driver's operation. Autonomous driving may refer to a state in which any vehicle control, such as acceleration/deceleration control or lateral position control, is being executed. Manual driving refers to a state in which the driver operates the brake, accelerator, or steering, for example.

The vehicle 40 may be an engine vehicle that is driven only by an engine, a hybrid vehicle that is driven by an engine and an electric motor, or an electric vehicle that is driven only by an electric motor. In the case of an engine vehicle, the remaining energy amount corresponds to the remaining fuel, and in the case of an electric vehicle, the remaining energy amount corresponds to the remaining charge. Also, in the case of a hybrid vehicle, the remaining energy amount corresponds to the remaining fuel amount and the remaining charge.

In FIG. 3, the vehicle 40 has a control device 41 and a communication device 42.

The control device 41 can be a microcomputer (controller) mainly composed of a CPU, memory, and an input/output interface. The CPU reads various computer programs stored in the memory, etc., and executes various commands contained in the programs. By executing the programs, the CPU functions as multiple information processing circuits provided in the control device 41.

The control device 41 controls the vehicle 40 based on data received by the communication device 42 from the vehicle dispatch service server 20. The control device 41 includes a vehicle dispatch plan processing unit 411 as one or more information processing circuits.

The dispatch plan processing unit 411 accepts the dispatch plan data received by the communication device 42 and performs various processes based on the dispatch plan data. If the vehicle 40 is driven by an automatic driving function, the dispatch plan processing unit 411 controls various actuators (steering actuator, accelerator pedal actuator, brake actuator, etc.) of the vehicle 40 based on the dispatch plan data to perform automatic driving. The automatic driving performed by the dispatch plan processing unit 411 allows the vehicle 40 to drive automatically according to the dispatch plan. Also, if the vehicle 40 is driven manually, the dispatch plan processing unit 411 controls a display device or speaker to present the dispatch plan to the driver.

In addition, the vehicle dispatch plan processing unit 411 uses the communication device 23 to transmit information about the vehicle 40 to the vehicle dispatch service server 20 in response to a request from the vehicle dispatch service server 20 or at a predetermined interval.

The communication device 42 communicates with the vehicle dispatch service server 20 via the network 30. The communication device 42 receives predetermined data from the vehicle dispatch service server 20 and transmits predetermined data to the vehicle dispatch service server 20. For example, the communication device 42 may be a device equipped with a mobile communication function such as 4G/LTE or 5G, or may be a device equipped with a Wi-Fi communication function.

In FIG. 4, the user terminal 60 is a device that accepts requests from users and is an operation terminal equipped with communication functions such as a device that is used daily by the user, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA). In FIG. 1, two user terminals 60 are shown corresponding to a boarding user and a baggage deposit user, but this is not limited to this.

The user terminal 60 includes a control device 61, an input device 62, a display device 63, a communication device 64, and a position detection device 65.

The control device 61 may be a microcomputer (controller) mainly composed of a CPU, memory, and an input/output interface. A computer program for functioning as a user terminal 60 in the vehicle dispatch service system 10 is installed in the memory. By executing the computer program, the control device 61 functions as one or more information processing circuits provided in the user terminal 60.

The control device 61 generates various data to be requested from the vehicle dispatch service server 20. The control device 61 includes a request processing unit 611 as one or more information processing circuits.

When the user terminal 60 is owned by a boarding user, the request processing unit 611 accepts a boarding request from the boarding user and generates vehicle dispatch request data corresponding to the boarding request. On the other hand, when the user terminal 60 is owned by a baggage deposit user, the control device 61 accepts a request to pick up baggage B from the baggage deposit user and generates vehicle dispatch request data corresponding to the pick-up request.

When making various requests, the user operates the input device 62 to input the contents of the request. An operation signal corresponding to the user's input operation is input from the input device 62 to the request processing unit 611. The request processing unit 611 generates ride request data or car dispatch request data based on this operation signal.

The input device 62 is a device for allowing the user to perform input operations. The display device 63 is controlled by the request processing unit 611 and displays the necessary information. For example, the input device 62 can be a touch panel that allows the user to perform input operations according to the information displayed on the display device 63.

The communication device 64 communicates with the vehicle dispatch service server 20 via the network 30. The communication device 64 receives predetermined data from the vehicle dispatch service server 20 and transmits predetermined data to the vehicle dispatch service server 20. For example, the communication device 64 may be a device equipped with a mobile communication function such as 4G/LTE or 5G, or may be a device equipped with a Wi-Fi communication function.

The position detection device 65 detects the position of the user terminal 60, i.e., the user, and outputs position data indicating the user's position to the control device 61. The position detection device 65 detects the absolute position of the user, and is composed of, for example, a GPS receiving unit that receives GPS signals.

The flow of a series of processes in the vehicle dispatch service system 10 will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 8. In the following description, it is assumed that a baggage B has been deposited in the vehicle 40 by a baggage depositing user. In addition, when a boarding user requests a ride, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 determines a dispatch plan to dispatch the vehicle 40 in which baggage B has been deposited to the boarding user.

First, when the receipt request data is sent from the user terminal 60 of the baggage depositing user, it is received by the communication device 23 of the vehicle dispatch service server 20 (step S1). When the receipt request data is received by the communication device 23, the control device 21 of the vehicle dispatch service server 20 accepts the receipt request data. The receipt request data includes information such as a request to receive baggage B, a user ID that identifies the baggage depositing user, and the location (current location) of the baggage depositing user.

The control device 21 recognizes that the depositing user has requested to receive baggage B based on the receipt request included in the receipt request data. The control device 21 then identifies the location (current location) of the depositing user based on the location information included in the receipt request data (step S2). Additionally, the control device 21 searches the operation information DB 221 based on the user ID of the depositing user to identify the vehicle 40 in which the depositing user is depositing baggage B. The control device 21 then identifies the location (current location) of the vehicle 40 and the status of the ride service provided by the vehicle 40 (step S2). However, the control device 21 may obtain the location of the vehicle 40 and the status of the ride service provided by the vehicle 40 by communicating with the vehicle 40 using the communication device 23.

When the control device 21 determines that the vehicle 40 is performing a ride service or that a ride service is scheduled for the vehicle 40 by referring to the status of the ride service (Yes in step S3), it determines a receipt plan without changing the dispatch plan for the ride service (step S4). Here, when the vehicle 40 is performing a ride service, it means that the vehicle 40 is traveling according to the dispatch plan for the riding user. When the vehicle 40 is scheduled for a ride service, it means that a dispatch plan for the riding user has been determined, but the user has only made a reservation and the dispatch plan has not actually been executed.

The method for determining the collection plan in step S4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6. First, the control device 21 identifies the travel route of the vehicle 40 determined by the dispatch plan and traffic information around the baggage deposit user (step S41).

If the vehicle 40 is performing a ride service (Yes in step S42), the control device 21 calculates the possible meeting range during the ride service (step S43). The possible meeting range during the ride service refers to the range in which the baggage deposit user and the vehicle 40 performing the ride service can meet. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the possible meeting range Aj during the ride service refers to the range in which the baggage deposit user's movable range Ay and the vehicle 40's driving route R in the dispatch plan overlap.

Here, the movable range Ay refers to the range within which the baggage depositing user can travel from the current location within a specified time. The specified time is the upper limit of the travel time that the baggage depositing user can travel to pick up baggage B, and is set in advance through experiments or simulations. The travel of the baggage depositing user may include travel by self-propelled force, such as walking, as well as travel using public transportation such as trains or buses.

If there is a rendezvous area during the ride service (Yes in step S44), the control device 21 sets one or more candidate points within the rendezvous area as candidates for the pick-up location where baggage B is to be received (step S45). For example, a point within the rendezvous area that satisfies conditions such as being able to stop the vehicle 40 is set as a candidate point. Two candidate points P1 and P2 are shown in FIG. 7.

The control device 21 also calculates, for each candidate point, the user arrival time when the baggage deposit user arrives at the candidate point and the vehicle arrival time when the vehicle 40 arrives at the candidate point. This calculation also takes into account factors such as congestion obtained from traffic information. The control device 21 then calculates the difference between the user arrival time and the vehicle arrival time as the arrival time difference.

If there is a candidate location where the arrival time difference is within a predetermined time that defines an upper limit of the arrival time difference, the control device 21 determines that the baggage depositing user and the vehicle 40 can meet within the predetermined time (Yes in step S46). The control device 21 determines the candidate location where the arrival time difference is within the predetermined time as the pick-up location (step S47). In addition, the control device 21 determines the time when the vehicle 40 passes the pick-up location as the pick-up time (step S47), and confirms pick-up during the ride service (step S48).

When there are multiple candidate points where the arrival time difference is within a predetermined time, the control device 21 sets the candidate point where the arrival time difference is short as the pickup location. Also, when there is a candidate point where the user arrival time is earlier than the vehicle arrival time, the control device 21 sets the candidate point where the user arrival time is earlier than the vehicle arrival time as the pickup location. Also, when there are multiple candidate points where the user arrival time is earlier than the vehicle arrival time, the control device 21 preferentially sets the candidate point where the arrival time difference is shortest among these candidate points as the pickup location.

On the other hand, if there is no possible meeting range during the ride service (No in step S44), or if the baggage deposit user and the vehicle 40 cannot meet within the specified time (No in step S46), the control device 21 calculates the possible meeting range after the ride service ends (step S49). The possible meeting range after the ride service ends refers to the range in which the vehicle 40 and the baggage deposit user can meet after the ride service ends. Specifically, the possible meeting range after the ride service ends refers to the range in which the driving route that the vehicle 40 can travel after the ride service ends overlaps with the user's movable range.

The control device 21 determines a pickup location within the range where the vehicle can meet up after the boarding service is completed (step S50). For example, the control device 21 determines a location that is beneficial to the baggage deposit user within the range where the vehicle can meet up after the boarding service is completed as the pickup location. A location that is beneficial to the baggage deposit user is a location that satisfies requirements such as being in the direction of travel of the baggage deposit user, the baggage deposit user's travel time being short, the baggage deposit user's travel route being simple, and the difference between the user arrival time and the vehicle arrival time being short. In addition, the control device 21 determines the time when the vehicle 40 passes through the pickup location as the pickup time (step S50), and confirms pickup after the boarding service is completed (step S51).

In contrast, if the vehicle 40 is scheduled to provide a boarding service (Yes in step S42), the control device 21 calculates the shortest possible rendezvous range assuming that baggage B will be picked up before the boarding service (step S52). The shortest possible rendezvous range refers to the range in which the vehicle 40 and the baggage deposit user can meet before the boarding service is performed. Specifically, the shortest possible rendezvous range refers to the range in which the driving route that the vehicle 40 can travel before the boarding service is performed overlaps with the user's movable range.

The control device 21 assumes that the pickup location is set to the shortest possible meeting area and determines whether or not there will be a change in the dispatch plan for the scheduled ride service. If there will be a change in the dispatch plan for the scheduled ride service (No in step S53), the process proceeds to step S43 described above, assuming that baggage B will be picked up during the ride service. On the other hand, if there will be no change in the dispatch plan for the scheduled ride service (Yes in step S53), the process proceeds to step S54, assuming that baggage B will be picked up before the ride service.

The control device 21 determines the pick-up location within the shortest possible meeting area (step S54). The control device 21 then determines a location that is advantageous to the baggage deposit user as the pick-up location. A location that is advantageous to the baggage deposit user is a location that satisfies requirements such as being located in the direction of travel of the baggage deposit user, the baggage deposit user's travel time being short, the baggage deposit user's travel route being simple, and the difference between the user arrival time and the vehicle arrival time being short. In addition, the control device 21 determines the time when the vehicle 40 passes through the pick-up location as the pick-up time (step S54), and confirms immediate pick-up (step S55).

Referring again to FIG. 5, if the vehicle 40 is not currently providing a ride service and is not scheduled to provide a ride service (No in step S3), the control device 21 determines a pick-up plan for immediate pick-up, assuming that the baggage B will be picked up immediately (step S5). The process of determining the pick-up plan for immediate pick-up is the same as the process in steps S52, S54, and S55 shown in FIG. 6.

Once the receipt plan has been determined, the control device 21 transmits receipt notification data from the communication device 23 to the user terminal 60 of the baggage deposit user (step S6). This receipt notification data includes notification information that notifies the baggage deposit user that the receipt plan has been determined. When the receipt notification data is received by the communication device 64 of the user terminal 60, the control device 61 of the user terminal 60 displays the notification information on the display device 63.

As shown in FIG. 8, the notification information includes guidance information that guides the baggage deposit user to move to the pick-up location. The guidance information is, for example, but not limited to, information on the travel route from the baggage deposit user's current location to the pick-up location. The notification information also includes information such as the pick-up location, pick-up time, walking time to the pick-up location, and waiting time for the vehicle 40 at the pick-up location. When the baggage deposit user operates the input device 62 to approve (confirm) the pick-up plan shown in the notification information, the control device 61 transmits the approval data to the vehicle dispatch service server 20 via the communication device 64. FIG. 8 shows an example of notification information when pick-up during a ride service is confirmed.

When the communication device 23 of the vehicle dispatch service server 20 receives the approval data (Yes in step S7), the control device 21 updates the vehicle dispatch plan for the riding user by reflecting the pickup location and pickup time in the vehicle dispatch plan. The control device 21 then transmits vehicle dispatch plan data including the updated vehicle dispatch plan to the vehicle 40 via the communication device 23 (step S8). The control device 21 also transmits notification data including predetermined notification information to the user terminal 60 of the riding user via the communication device 23 (step S9). This notification information is information that notifies the riding user that package B will be picked up while the riding user is aboard the vehicle.

On the other hand, if the communication device 23 of the vehicle dispatch service server 20 does not receive the approval data (No in step S7), the control device 21 discards the receipt plan.

In this embodiment, when the vehicle dispatch service server 20 receives pickup request data from the user terminal 60 of the baggage depositing user, it determines whether the vehicle 40 in which the baggage B is deposited is executing a vehicle dispatch plan for the boarding user. If the vehicle 40 is providing a boarding service, i.e., executing a vehicle dispatch plan for the boarding user, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets the pickup location and pickup time. Specifically, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets the pickup location on the driving route of the vehicle 40 in the vehicle dispatch plan based on the location of the baggage depositing user. In addition, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets the pickup time to the time when the vehicle 40 passes the pickup location.

According to this configuration, even if the boarding user is aboard the vehicle 40, the baggage deposit user can collect baggage B without changing the boarding user's dispatch plan. As a result, even if the vehicle 40 carrying baggage B is dispatched to the boarding user, the baggage deposit user can collect baggage B. As a result, the opportunities for the dispatch service can be improved, and the vehicle 40 can be utilized efficiently.

In this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets one or more candidate points as pick-up locations within the possible meeting area during the ride service, i.e., the overlapping area where the baggage deposit user's travel area overlaps with the travel route of the vehicle 40.

With this configuration, one or more candidate locations can be set, which increases the opportunities for a baggage deposit user to receive baggage B. This makes it possible to dispatch a vehicle 40 carrying baggage B to a boarding user. As a result, it is possible to increase the opportunities for the vehicle dispatch service, allowing the vehicle 40 to be used efficiently.

In this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 calculates the user arrival time and the vehicle arrival time for each candidate location. Then, it is preferable that the vehicle dispatch service server 20 sets, as the pick-up location, a candidate location where the user arrival time is earlier than the vehicle arrival time, among one or more candidate locations.

According to this configuration, the candidate location where the baggage deposit user can arrive first becomes the pick-up location, which prevents the passenger from waiting for the baggage deposit user to arrive while remaining in the vehicle 40. Therefore, the passenger can be provided with a dispatch service as determined by the dispatch plan, so the passenger can request a ride with peace of mind. This increases the opportunities for the dispatch service, allowing the vehicle 40 to be used efficiently.

In this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 generates receipt notification data that guides the baggage deposit user to the pick-up location, and transmits the data to the user terminal 60 of the baggage deposit user. With this configuration, the baggage deposit user can smoothly head to the pick-up location by referring to the guidance information on the user terminal.

In this embodiment, if there is no possible meeting range during the ride service, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 determines a collection plan so that the baggage deposit user collects baggage B after the execution of the vehicle dispatch plan for the boarding user is completed. With this configuration, the execution of the vehicle dispatch plan for the boarding user is given priority, so that the vehicle dispatch service as determined by the vehicle dispatch plan can be provided to the boarding user. This allows the boarding user to request a ride with peace of mind. Since the opportunities for the vehicle dispatch service can be improved, the vehicle 40 can be utilized efficiently.

When a pickup location is set on the driving route of the vehicle 40 in the dispatch plan, the dispatch service server 20 generates notification data notifying the boarding user that baggage B will be picked up while the boarding user is aboard the vehicle 40, and transmits the notification data to the boarding user's user terminal 60. With this configuration, the boarding user can refer to the notification information on the user terminal to know in advance that the baggage will be picked up by the baggage deposit user. This can prevent a situation in which baggage B is picked up unexpectedly for the boarding user, so the boarding user can request a ride with peace of mind. This can improve the opportunities for the dispatch service, allowing the vehicle 40 to be used efficiently.

Furthermore, like the vehicle dispatch service server 20 (vehicle dispatch support device), the vehicle dispatch service system and vehicle dispatch support method disclosed in this embodiment also allow the baggage deposit user to receive baggage B even when the passenger is aboard the vehicle 40, without changing the passenger's dispatch plan. This allows the baggage deposit user to receive baggage B even if the vehicle 40 carrying baggage B is dispatched to the passenger. As a result, the opportunities for the vehicle dispatch service can be improved, and the vehicle 40 can be utilized efficiently.

In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service system 10 is composed of a vehicle dispatch service server 20, a vehicle 40, and a user terminal 60. However, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 may be omitted, and the functions realized by the vehicle dispatch service server 20 may be performed by the vehicle 40 or the user terminal 60. For example, when the vehicle 40 realizes the functions of the vehicle dispatch service server 20, the vehicle 40 receives vehicle dispatch request data from the user terminal 60 using the communication device 42. Also, when the user terminal 60 realizes the functions of the vehicle dispatch service server 20, the user terminal 60 receives pickup request data using the input device 62 of the user terminal 60.

In addition, in this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 is realized as a device that dispatches a vehicle 40 to a user. However, the vehicle dispatch service server 20 may also be realized as a device that generates data for dispatching a vehicle 40 to a user and provides the generated data to a server of a business operator that provides a transportation service.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the multiple information processing circuits provided in the control devices 21, 41, and 61 are realized by software, but it is of course possible to configure the information processing circuits by preparing dedicated hardware for realizing the functions of each information processing circuit. Also, the multiple information processing circuits may be configured by individual hardware.

As described above, an embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting this invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

10 Vehicle dispatch service system 20 Vehicle dispatch service server (vehicle dispatch support device)
21 Control device 211 Data reception unit 212 Vehicle allocation plan determination unit 213 Receipt plan determination unit 22 Storage device 221 Operation information DB
23 Communication device (receiving unit, first transmitting unit, second transmitting unit)
40 Vehicle 41 Control device 42 Communication device 60 User terminal 61 Control device 62 Input device 63 Display device 64 Communication device

Claims (8)

a receiving unit that receives, from a user terminal of a first user who has left luggage in a vehicle, pickup request data including location information indicating a location of the first user;
a vehicle dispatch plan determination unit that determines a vehicle dispatch plan for dispatching the vehicle in which the baggage is deposited to a second user who requests a ride;
a receiving plan determination unit that determines a receiving plan for the first user to receive the baggage from the vehicle in which the baggage is deposited, based on the receiving request data;
The receipt plan determination unit
When the receiving unit receives the receipt request data from the user terminal, it determines whether the vehicle in which the baggage is being stored is executing the vehicle allocation plan for the second user;
When the vehicle in which the baggage is being stored is executing the vehicle dispatch plan for the second user,
Based on the position of the first user, a receiving location where the first user receives the package is set on a travel route of the vehicle in the vehicle allocation plan;
a vehicle dispatch assistance device that sets a time when the vehicle in which the baggage is deposited passes through the receiving location as a receiving time when the first user is to receive the baggage. The receipt plan determination unit
The vehicle dispatch support device according to claim 1 , further comprising: setting one or more candidate locations as candidates for the pickup location within an overlapping range where a travelable range in which the first user can travel from a current location within a predetermined time period overlaps with a driving route of the vehicle. The receipt plan determination unit
Calculating, for each of the candidate points, a user arrival time at which the first user arrives at the candidate point and a vehicle arrival time at which the vehicle in which the baggage is deposited arrives at the candidate point;
The vehicle dispatch assistance device according to claim 2 , wherein the candidate point at which the user arrival time is earlier than the vehicle arrival time is set as the pickup location, from among the one or more candidate points. A first transmission unit that transmits predetermined data to a user terminal of the first user,
The receipt plan determination unit
generating receipt notification data for instructing the first user to move to the receipt location;
The first transmission unit is
The vehicle dispatch assistance device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a user terminal for transmitting the receipt notification data to the first user. The receipt plan determination unit
The vehicle dispatch assistance device according to claim 2 , wherein, when the overlapping range does not exist, the receiving plan is determined so that the first user receives the parcel after execution of the vehicle dispatch plan for the second user is completed. A second transmission unit that transmits predetermined data to a user terminal of the second user,
The receipt plan determination unit
generating notification data for notifying the second user that the package will be received while the second user is in the vehicle when the package receiving location is set on a driving route of the vehicle in the vehicle allocation plan;
The second transmission unit is
The vehicle dispatch assistance device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a user terminal of the second user, the user terminal being configured to transmit the notification data to the user terminal of the second user. a user terminal that transmits receipt request data including location information indicating a location of a first user who has left luggage in a vehicle;
a server for processing the receipt request data;
The server,
A receiving unit that receives the receipt request data transmitted from the user terminal;
a vehicle dispatch plan determination unit that determines a vehicle dispatch plan for dispatching the vehicle in which the baggage is deposited to a second user who requests a ride;
a receiving plan determination unit that determines a receiving plan for the first user to receive the baggage from the vehicle in which the baggage is deposited, based on the receiving request data;
The receipt plan determination unit
When the receiving unit receives the receipt request data from the user terminal, it determines whether the vehicle in which the baggage is being stored is executing the vehicle allocation plan for the second user;
When the vehicle in which the baggage is being stored is executing the dispatch plan,
Based on the position of the first user, a receiving location where the first user receives the package is set on a travel route of the vehicle in the vehicle allocation plan;
A vehicle dispatch service system, wherein the time when the vehicle passes through the receiving location is set as a receiving time when the first user receives the package. receiving, from a user terminal of a first user who has left luggage in a vehicle, receipt request data including location information indicating a location of the first user;
When the receipt request data is received from the user terminal, it is determined whether or not a vehicle dispatch plan is being executed to dispatch the vehicle in which the baggage is being deposited to the second user who has requested a ride;
When the vehicle in which the baggage is being stored is executing the dispatch plan,
Based on the position of the first user, a receiving location where the first user receives the package is set on a travel route of the vehicle in the vehicle allocation plan;
A vehicle dispatch support method, comprising: setting a time when the vehicle passes through the receiving location as a receiving time when the first user receives the package.

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