WO2007139375A1

WO2007139375A1 - Method, system, server, mobile device and system for facilitating sharing of car use

Info

Publication number: WO2007139375A1
Application number: PCT/NL2007/000137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Tangemann
Original assignee: Dirk Tangemann
Priority date: 2006-05-30
Filing date: 2007-05-30
Publication date: 2007-12-06
Also published as: NL1031908C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for facilitating sharing of car use by means of a central processing server, comprising steps for: - tracking data during facilitation which relate to points along the route which are passed by one or more cars which are available for a passenger and times at which these points along the route are passed by the car, this on the basis of initial input by a driver and/or from a car navigation system of the driver, - tracking data relating to a desired route to be travelled on the basis of input by a passenger during facilitation, - calculating a match between time and route of the driver and passenger, - sending to the car navigation system additional points along the route for the driver and/or a new calculated route for the passenger on the basis of the match, for the purpose of presentation of a modified route to the driver.

Description

METHOD, SYSTEM, SERVER, MOBILE DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING SHARING OF CAR USE

The present invention relates to a method, system, server, mobile device and system for facilitating sharing of car use.

The fact that traffic jams occur on public highways, and in particular on main traffic networks, is known. It will be possible to reduce the number of traffic jams by reducing the number of cars during the times that traffic jams occur. For this purpose attempts have been made now for several years to have people for instance travel with each other, whereby the number of cars on the roads can be reduced.

For commuters making use of public transport there is often the problem that, in addition to using for instance the train to travel the greatest distance, there is often an initial journey from the departure location to the train station and a final journey from the station of arrival to the destination, whereby it takes a relatively long time with public transport to get from point of departure to destination.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate such drawbacks by making shared car use possible in efficient manner.

This object is achieved according to the present invention by means of a method for facilitating sharing of car use by means of a central processing server, comprising steps for:

- tracking data during facilitation which relate to points along the route which are passed by one or more cars which are available for a passenger and times at which these points along the route are passed by the car, this on the basis of initial input by a driver and/or from a car navigation system of the driver, - tracking data relating to a desired route to be travelled on the basis of input by a passenger during facilitation,

- calculating a match between time and route of the driver and passenger in order to determine a possibility of a journey,

- sending to the car navigation system additional points along the route for the driver and/or a new calculated route for the passenger on the basis of the match, for the purpose of presentation of a modified route to the driver.

An advantage of such a method according to the present invention is that a driver can be provided with the option of taking a passenger on the basis of an initial input by the driver, while the driver does not have to perform any operations for this purpose before or during driving. The driver for instance only has to accept a proposed route change by making this known by means of a single push of a button, or in equally simple manner. Options therefore are for instance a (soft) button to be displayed on a touch screen of the navigation system, touching a specific button on the navigation system or for instance by giving a voice command such as "accept".

A further advantage hereof is that the driver can receive a predetermined payment for taking the passenger, the benefit of which depends on the extent of the detour relative to the distance the passenger is co- travelling. The passenger herein saves the cost of his/her own transport and/or public transport. Because the selection of a match between the route of the driver and the passenger is performed by the system, the dividing of such a benefit will be carried out in objective manner on the basis of the initial input. Because the ^intermediate points' which the driver must pass to pick up and drop off the passenger are input directly into his/her navigation system, the driver does not have to perform any programming operations.

It is further possible that the driver will for instance be able to read the extra time and optionally even a map of the proposed changes as part of the route presented to him/her. The driver will also be able to view the possible financial benefit immediately. A system for sharing car use will be acceptable in practical sense for the users such as the drivers and passengers due to for instance such benefits being indicated. Persons can also be driver on one occasion and passenger on another, and vice-versa. Such a system can operate with very up-to-date data on the basis of the so-called ^λreal-time' principle, although journeys can also be planned further into the future.

In a first preferred embodiment the method comprises steps for calculating a new route on the basis of a route and the additional new points along the route. Depending on practical design parameters of such a system, this calculation can be performed by means of a calculation module on the central server or by means of a calculation module in the car navigation system. An advantage of the calculation in the car navigation system is that recalculations can be performed or that a user makes use of calculation results of a system which operates in exactly the same way as that to which he is accustomed.

A further advantage hereof is that use is made of this centrally available computing capacity, where in the central model a great deal of computing capacity must be available on the server for all routes to be travelled. In order to make the matches for the purpose of providing a journey, the central server must have available a certain degree of computing capacity. In a further preferred embodiment the method comprises steps for guiding the driver on the basis of a route comprising points along a route and the additional points along the route. The route is here the route which the driver would have travelled from his/her starting point to his/her destination without a passenger. The additional points relate to at least the passenger pick-up point and the passenger drop-off point. According to the present invention the route of the driver is therefore extended with intermediate points which are determined by the route of the passenger.

In respect of the times at which travel takes place, the passenger must in some cases adapt to some extent to the driving times of the driver. It is also possible for the passenger to set limits for the driving times acceptable to him/her, and for these to be nevertheless accepted by the driver when a journey message is communicated to the driver. The two parties preferably indicate a margin within which travel is possible, so that making matches on the basis of mutual benefit becomes possible in simpler manner. Reasons for both parties to do this may be that a financial benefit can be gained. The journey can be cheaper for both parties than a journey with an alternative system of transport .

For the passenger there is the further aspect of comfort, i.e. he/she is picked up and dropped off at a point of his/her choice. It is however also possible that the system or the passenger him/herself, for instance on the basis of data relating to public transport systems, suggests a pick-up or drop-off point with a relatively good transfer option to the public transport system. If for instance along a city ring road there is an underground railway station with a timetable of underground trains passing with a high frequency or a bus station with similar advantages, the system can then make a travel proposal wherein the passenger is for instance taken from home as far as the underground or bus station by a driver, after which the remaining part of the journey, for instance to the city centre, is carried out on the basis of the public transport service. The travel time of the passenger can hereby for instance be shortened relative to the travel time taken using only public transport, or the number of transfers can be reduced.

In a further preferred embodiment the method comprises steps for applying a mobile device for communication between passengers and drivers and the central server. An advantage of a mobile device is that they are generally carried on the person and that they are generally provided with a unique identification which can be linked to the identity of the user thereof. No manual identification steps hereby have to be carried out when operation takes place with a known device, or at least a device wherein use is made of for instance a known telephone number or a known IMEI number. Further identification numbers can for instance be network card numbers for WIFI or other identifiers used in standard protocols for communication.

Use is further preferably made of steps for transmitting data relating to a passenger and/or the identification of a passenger between the central server and the car navigation unit and/or mobile devices. An advantage of such an embodiment is that the recognition of the persons and/or the pick-up point can be facilitated, or that use can be made for this purpose of general basic knowledge of the persons making use of the invention.

If the passenger for instance lives in a conspicuous house or building or is present there, distinguishing features thereof can be transmitted. It is further possible to send a photo of the passenger and/or the driver as extra identification so that the passenger knows that he is dealing with the right driver and the driver knows that he is dealing with the right passenger.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a car navigation system for calculating routes and guiding a driver of a car, comprising:

- at least a memory for storing map data and route data, and a processing unit for calculating routes and guiding the driver on the basis of the map data and route data,

- at least a receiver for receiving data on the basis of which a position on Earth and/or relative to the map data can be determined,

- a receiving member for receiving data relating to additional points along the route which can be added to a route,

- processing means for processing the received additional points along the route in a route for the purpose of obtaining a route wherein the additional points along the route form ^intermediate points' in the route. Analogously to that described in the foregoing, such a car navigation system has the advantage that pick-up points and drop-off points can be received automatically, as well as possible other intermediate points for facilitating the calculation of a new route and/or display thereof. On the basis of such data and the display thereof, the driver can decide to accept a passenger, including the for instance financial benefit thereof, and to accept a possible slight detour. Further advantages as described in the foregoing are also applicable .

In a preferred embodiment the car navigation system comprises a communication device for communication by means of a wireless communication network such as a GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and/or WIMAX network. Alternatively, the receiving member comprises means for making a connection to such a communication device. It hereby becomes possible to establish two-way communication between the central server and the car navigation system in a manner which for instance fits in with a communication subscription which the user of the system, in this case the driver, already has available. The car navigation system makes a connection with a mobile telephone of the driver, for instance by means of a USB cable or a Bluetooth connection, which mobile telephone establishes the communication with the central server serving the car navigation system.

The car navigation system preferably further comprises means for receiving an identification of a passenger. Examples hereof are a card reader for a smart card or chip card of the passenger, or a connection such as a Bluetooth or USB connection for making a connection with a mobile device of the passenger. The passenger can hereby be identified with greater certainty in simple and practically automatic manner.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a central server for performing a method for facilitating sharing of car use, comprising:

- at least a memory and a processing unit,

- at least a data file for tracking data relating to passengers, drivers and maps,

- communication means for communicating with input devices of passengers, i

8

- communication means for communicating with car navigation devices, and

- means for providing to the car navigation devices information relating to additional points along the route for inclusion thereof in a route. Such a server has advantages as indicated in the foregoing with reference to the previous aspects, and as will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of preferred embodiments .

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a mobile communication device for communicating with a central server as according to claim 11, comprising:

- means for inputting data relating to routes, and

- means for communicating these data to the central server. This mobile communication device preferably comprises means for accepting or rejecting a passenger/route and/or means for accepting or rejecting a driver/journey . Such means can be embodied as dedicated software module, although known communication modules such as a browser or an SMS application can also be applied for this purpose.

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

- Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a system comprising subsystems according to preferred embodiments according to the present invention;

- Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of a method according to a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

- Fig. 3 is a flow diagram of a further method according to a preferred embodiment according to the present invention; - Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of a further preferred embodiment of a method according to the present invention.

A system comprising subsystems according to preferred embodiments according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. Located centrally in this system is a central server 105 which is adapted to determine suitable matches, on the basis of which a potential passenger could suitably travel together with a driver of a car. For this purpose the central server 105 is provided with at least one processing unit 107. The central server is further provided with a database for tracking appropriate data relating to drivers, passengers, points along the route, routes, times and the like. The server is further adapted to make connections with a car navigation system 112 which is situated in a car 101 of a driver who can take passengers .

In order to make a connection between central server 105 and the navigation system of car 101, use is preferably made of a wireless network with which data can be transmitted. Such networks are preferably suitable for two-way communication. Suitable two-way communication networks for instance include GSM networks, GPRS networks (a separate protocol over a GSM network) and further protocols such as EDGE. Further networks which are suitable for this purpose include UMTS networks, WIMAX networks. A number of developments are also in progress in the field of wireless communication networks which can result in further networks for the application in the present invention which at this moment still have no name.

From a fixed internet connection the driver of the car can further input data in advance relating to journeys to be made, with for instance start and finish points and expected times thereof, and confirm such journeys via the navigation system and the above described network connections at the beginning of the journey. In this case the driver can make use of the same connection options as the passenger has.

A passenger who can make use of journey options which a driver can offer him/her can input parameters relating to his/her journey, such as starting point and finishing point and desired times, in the central server via for instance a computer network such as the internet. Further connection options available to the passenger are public telephone networks (PSTN) , wireless telephone and data networks as specified in the foregoing with reference to the connection options of the navigation system of the car, and any other option for sending data from and to a computer incorporated in a network.

The passenger can make use here of for instance a computer (PC) , a wireless device such as a palmtop computer (PDA) , mobile telephone or a combination thereof, or for instance an information column which is provided with software and input means for connecting to the central server. In each of these stated devices it is possible to make use of general applications such as web browsers which connect to a web server of the central server, or specific software which is present on these devices. An advantage for the passenger when inputting information by means of an information column or a computer is that it is easier on such appliances, which generally have a large screen, to display a graphic user interface and to input data.

In order to offer a journey to a passenger it is however recommended that use is made of for instance an SMS message to the mobile phone of the passenger, to which he/she can respond by means of an SMS message, as it may happen that, when leaving the house or the immediate vicinity of the computer, the passenger does not receive the message.

On the basis of data relating to routes to be travelled by drivers of cars 101 and car-pooling routes desired by passengers, the central server can determine a match on the basis of for instance the best possible match between times and routes.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a possible method for this purpose. The method begins in step 200, after which the central server receives a journey request or travel request from a potential passenger in step 201 by means of for instance the mobile device of the passenger. In step 202 the central server stores information relating to the journey request.

In step 203 the central server receives information relating to a travel schedule from a car navigation system of a driver who has indicated a willingness to take a passenger. In step 204 the specific information relating to the driver and the travel schedule is stored in the database of the server. In step 205 is determined whether the position of the car has changed since a previous update of the database. If this is the case, the current position of the car is changed in the database in step 209. In step 206 a travel request of a passenger is linked to the actual positions of the available travel schedules of the drivers, and a match for a modified travel schedule is sent to a navigation system of the car of the driver, comprising intermediate points relating to the journey of the potential passenger.

On the basis hereof the alternative route is proposed to the driver in step 207 by the navigation system, with the request to accept or reject it. If the driver rejects the modified route, the navigation system in the car continues with the original input route. If the driver accepts the passenger and the associated route, the car navigation system continues with the new route. In step 208 the central server processes the decision of the driver of the car and, if there are other journey requests, the method is continued in step 206. If the passenger is not accepted by the driver of the car in step 207, the subsequent car with a suitable travel schedule is selected in step 210 or the matching process is performed again in step 206.

Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a method to be performed by the car navigation system. The car navigation system functions here in co-action with central server 105 so as to make it possible for matches to be made on the basis of current data. The method of this embodiment begins in step 300. In step 301 the car navigation system transmits data relating to the route to be travelled to the central server. It is possible here that the car navigation system transmits only the start and finish point, but it is also possible for the car navigation system to transmit a number of intermediate points of the route to be travelled.

In addition to transmitting points along the route, it is possible to send an estimate of the times at which such points are passed. Alternatively, it is possible that the central server makes independent estimates of the times associated with points along the route. It is for instance practical to be able to offer a driver during the journey a request for car-pooling at some distance before for instance an exit which the driver would have to take to pick up a passenger. Including a reasonable acceptance time for the driver to decide whether he is willing to accept the possible passenger, it is advantageous if the notification with the offer to pick up this passenger is made sufficiently early in time before the required exit has been passed.

After the travel schedule and the confirmation of the availability of the car during this journey has been sent to the central server in step 301, an alternative travel schedule is received by the car navigation system from the central server in step 302. It is possible here that the central server sends data relating to a fully detailed new route to the car navigation system. It is also possible that the central server transmits data relating to pick-up point or drop-off point of the passenger, on the basis of which the car navigation system calculates an alternative route and presents this to the driver. In still simpler manner it is possible that the car navigation system only sends a notification concerning the passenger and the pick-up point and dropoff point.

An advantage of such an embodiment is that, because data relating to the new route are transmitted from the central server directly to the navigation system in the car, it becomes possible that the driver, guided by the navigation system, can pick up passengers whose pick-up points he has no personal knowledge of how to reach. It is further possible for instance that, when the central server determines the route, current information relating to the situation on the roads is taken into account, such as congestion (traffic jams), maintenance, obstructions and possibly temporary situations of for instance one-way traffic. It hereby becomes possible to guide drivers to passengers and drop-off points with an efficiency which the driver could not have achieved on his own. It is not necessary here for the driver to input such route data into the navigation system him/herself. In step 303 the driver determines whether he/she accepts the alternative route and therefore the offer to take the passenger. In step 307 a message relating hereto is sent to the central server, which processes these data. If the result of the driver is that the passenger is taken, the journey decision is processed. If the driver has decided that he/she will not take the passenger, the central server will have to make a new match.

In step 304 the car navigation system will update the new route to be travelled on the basis of the received points along the route of the route of the passenger, such as the pick-up point and the drop-off point. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the car navigation system will insert the received points along the route of the passenger into the existing route as so-called ^Λintermediate points' . An advantage of this embodiment is that, because the car navigation system can process such intermediate points in automatic manner according to the present invention, the driver does not need to give attention to (re) programming his navigation system on the basis of a possible decision to take a passenger. The driver need only accept the passenger by means of a simple push of a button or even a voice command, after which he will automatically be guided to the pick-up point.

If the situation occurs that the driver, for instance while driving on a motorway, accepts between two exits a passenger for whom he/she must take the next exit, the car navigation system will automatically send a notification relating to taking the exit as soon as the driver approaches it. To make this possible, the car navigation system is provided with means for adding the new points along the route to the route. These means for instance comprise means for reading for instance the content of an SMS message comprising such route data. It is further possible for the car navigation system to be provided with a link to for instance a GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, WIMAX or other wireless network with a practically- continuous connection.

For the purpose of receiving an offer of a passenger, the method of the car navigation system is optionally also provided with a re-transmission method step 308 which transmits data relating to the current position of the vehicle either at set times or at some distance before an important junction or in other suitable manner. Using such data the central server can make matches in flexible manner or even in real-time, and make car-pooling proposals.

In step 305 the navigation unit in the car receives further information relating to the passenger, for instance to enable easier recognition of him/her or to enable easier recognition of the pick-up point. It is for instance possible that the passenger indicates wanting to be picked up at an easily recognizable point, or that he/she has made available a photograph or information making his/her house easier to recognise. Further information relating to the passenger which can be transmitted comprises information relating to luggage or possible disabilities.

In alternative embodiments it is possible to also send such information when offering the ride such that the driver can take this into account. It is also possible for both a driver and a passenger to enter determined preferences in respect of the desired match in a preference profile. An advantage hereof is that people are only linked to persons or vehicles complying with these preferences.

The driver then drives to the pick-up point, where he/she picks up the passenger. When this takes place, it I₆ r ^ i / iML /UU/ / 0 00 1 37 is sent by means of a communication to the central server according to step 306 so that it is known when and where the passenger was picked up. A further communication according to step 306 is a message relating to drop-off of the passenger which is sent from the car navigation system to the central server. If desired, it is also possible to send interim notifications relating to the progress of the journey. It is possible here that the program returns to step 302 if the central server attempts for instance to assign a further additional passenger to the driver or his/her car.

After the passenger has been dropped off, the method will end or return to the start such that possible other passengers can be assigned. In accordance with the profiles mentioned in the foregoing, it is possible for a driver to indicate wanting to take for instance a maximum of one passenger. Such information can be entered together with the initial input.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a method for a device for requesting a journey by a passenger. The method starts in step 400. In the present exemplary embodiment use is made of a mobile device such as a mobile telephone or a PDA. Similarly however, use can be made of for instance an information column in a public place or a computer with an internet connection and/or a web browser in a public place or at home.

In step 401 a travel request with at least a passenger identification, a pick-up point and a drop-off point is transmitted from the mobile device to the central server. If at any subsequent moment the central server can make a match between this request and the supply, the central server will send a travel offer to the mobile device of the passenger. In step 402 this message is received by the mobile device and in step 403 the passenger inputs into the mobile device whether or not he/she accepts the journey with the accompanying information about the driver.

In step 406 the message relating to acceptance or non-acceptance of the journey is sent to the central server, which then processes these data and, if necessary, will attempt to make a new match.

In step 404 the mobile device then receives further detailed information in respect of the driver and/or his/her vehicle so as to simplify recognition at the time of pick-up. In step 405 the passenger then confirms successively the pick-up time and/or the drop-off time by means of his/her mobile device. The central server hereby obtains a second confirmation hereof, in addition to the confirmation from the car navigation system.

If one of the two communications is not correctly received, the central server can request a reconfirmation on the basis of the correctly received message from one of the two. The method then ends in step 407. In similar manner as in the method of figure 3, it is possible that the passenger receives the detailed information relating to the driver together with the offer. In this case the receiving of detailed information does not affect road safety since the passenger is not driving a vehicle when he/she receives the information.

In alternative manner to that described with reference to Fig. 3, it is also possible for a driver to pass on his/her availability information to the central server at a point in time before he/she gets into the car to begin the journey. In such a case the driver can make use of the same type of input devices as the passenger, and optionally also receive information by means of these devices. A mobile device is recommended for receiving information, since it is relatively more likely that a person will have this device to hand when the information is sent and received thereby.

A further option for the driver to confirm pick-up of the passenger is for instance to link an identification of these two. According to the present invention the following possibilities are provided here. It is possible that a passenger inserts an identification means such as a smart card into a smart card reader of the navigation device. Other possibilities for identifying a passenger and/or a driver comprise for instance of reading a fingerprint, entering a PIN-code and/or recognising biometric features such as face or voice.

It is further possible that the mobile device of the passenger is coupled to the car navigation device or the mobile device of for instance the driver. Such a link provides a connecting method which demonstrates a direct proximity, such as a cable connection (USB) , a Bluetooth connection, a near-field wireless connection, a WIFI connection and the like. On the basis of the presence of the passenger in the vehicle established by means of such a link in either the mobile device of the passenger, the mobile device of the driver and/or the car navigation system, each of these devices can send a message to the central server for this confirmation.

With the application of a system such as the present invention it becomes possible to make the information processing, and in particular the simplicity thereof, as easy as possible for the users. All previously input data relating to the persons, the pickup points and the times can be stored by the system and be retrieved and represented for later (repeat) journeys in a manner such that the users need only indicate or click to confirm. A whole journey, including all points along the route and times, can here for instance be clicked, or it is for instance possible only to modify the times.

The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are deemed described in combination with each other, wherein all combinations which can be made by a skilled person on the basis of this document should be included. These preferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this text. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Method for facilitating sharing of car use by means of a central processing server, comprising steps for:

- tracking data during facilitation which relate to points along the route which are passed by one or more cars which are available for a passenger and times at which these points along the route are passed by the car, this on the basis of initial input by a driver and/or from a car navigation system of the driver,

- tracking data relating to a desired route to be travelled on the basis of input by a passenger during facilitation,

- calculating a match between time and route of the driver and passenger,

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, comprising steps for calculating a new route on the basis of a route and the additional new points along the route.

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising steps for guiding the driver on the basis of a route comprising points along a route and the additional new points along the route.

4. Method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, comprising steps for accepting or rejecting a new route on the basis of the additional points along the route.

5. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, comprising steps for applying mobile devices for communication between passengers and drivers and the central server.

6. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, comprising steps for transmitting data relating to a passenger and/or the identification of a passenger between the central server and a car navigation unit and/or mobile devices.

7. Car navigation system for calculating routes and guiding a driver of a car, comprising:

- processing means for processing the received additional points along the route in a route for the purpose of obtaining a route wherein the additional points along the route form ^intermediate points' in the route.

8. Car navigation system as claimed in claim 7, comprising a communication device for communication by means of a wireless communication network such as a GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and/or WIMAX network.

9. Car navigation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the receiving member comprises means for making a connection to a communication device as claimed in claim 8.

10. Car navigation system as claimed in claims 7-9, comprising means for receiving an identification of a passenger.

11. Central server for performing a method for facilitating sharing of car use, comprising:

- at least a memory and a processing unit,

- communication means for communicating with input devices of passengers,

- communication means for communicating with car navigation devices, and

- means for providing to the car navigation devices information relating to additional points along the route for inclusion thereof in a route.

12. Mobile communication device for communicating with a central server as claimed in claim 11, comprising:

- means for inputting data relating to routes, and

- means for communicating these data to the central server.

13. Mobile communication device as claimed in claim 12, comprising means for accepting or rejecting a passenger/route and/or means for accepting or rejecting a driver/journey.

14. System for facilitating sharing of car use for performing a method as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-6, comprising devices as claimed in one or more of the claims 7-13.