System and method for providing a transporation service

• US 20020052751A1
• Filed: 05/09/2001
• Published: 05/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Ebata, Shinji
• Application Number:
  US09/851,248
• Publication Number:
  US 20020052751A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/127 to a central station ; Indicators in a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching

Abstract

Each taxi detects, by a GPS terminal mounted thereon, its present location using information sent from a GPS satellite and sends to a center equipment the present location and information on a destination specified by a customer. The center equipment finds an optimal route, a charge for the route, and the like, according to the information on the present location and the destination, received via the Internet. The equipment then transmits the optimal route, charge, and the like to the taxi. The center equipment which controls taxis in a centralized manner has a function to calculate an optimal route from the present location to the destination. This minimizes the cost for a taxi company and simplifies administration of taxis.

Claims

1. A transportation service system, comprising:

at least one Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite for transmitting information used to detect a position of a moving object;

at least one taxi having a GPS terminal which receives said information from said GPS satellite and detects a present location of said taxi on the basis of said information, for transmitting present-location information regarding said detected present location and destination information indicating a destination specified by a customer; and

a center equipment for receiving said present-location information and destination information, for finding an optimal route to obtain optimal-route information in accordance with said present-location information and destination information, and for transmitting information including said optimal-route information to said taxi.

2. A transportation service system according to claim 1, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said present-location information and destination information a charge for said optimal route to obtain charge information, and transmits information including said charge information to said taxi.

3. A transportation service system according to claim 2, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said present-location information and destination information a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said optimal route to obtain distance information, and transmits information including said distance information to said taxi.

4. A transportation service system according to claim 3, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said present-location information and destination information a required driving time associated with said optimal route to obtain driving time information, and transmits information including said driving time information to said taxi.

5. A transportation service system according to claim 4, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi,

said taxi detects by said GPS terminal new present-location information at the time of said change, and transmits to said center equipment said detected new present-location information and new destination information indicating said new destination, and

said center equipment finds in accordance with said new present-location information and new destination information a new optimal route to obtain new optimal-route information, and transmits information including said new optimal-route information to said taxi.

6. A transportation service system according to claim 5, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said new present-location information and new destination information a charge for said new optimal route to obtain charge information, and transmits information including said charge information to said taxi.

7. A transportation service system according to claim 6, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said new present-location information and new destination information a distance from said new present location to said new destination designated by said new optimal route to obtain distance information, and transmits information including said distance information to said taxi.

8. A transportation service system according to claim 7, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said new present-location information and new destination information a required driving time required by said taxi, which is associated with said new optimal route, to obtain driving-time information, and transmits information including said driving-time information to said taxi.

18. A transportation service system according to claim 4, wherein said center equipment comprises:

a server for communicating information with said taxi and executing a predetermined processing; and

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) information receiving means connected to said server, for receiving ITS information offered by said ITS,

said server comprising;

first communication control means for communicating information with each of said at least one taxi;

first map-information storage means for storing map information for each area;

preset-charge storage means for storing service-charge information associated with a taxi company; and

first control means connected to each of said first communication control means, said first map-information storage means, and said preset-charge storage means, for controlling each of said means, wherein said first control means reads from said first map-information storage means map information corresponding to said destination information and said present-location information received by said first communication control means, obtains said ITS information from said ITS information receiving means, reads said service-charge information from said preset-charge storage means, and calculates in accordance with said map information, with said ITS information, and with said service-charge information, said optimal route, a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said optimal route, a required driving time associated with said optimal route, and a charge for said optimal route.

22. A transportation service system according to claim 4, wherein said center equipment comprises:

a server for communicating information with said taxi and executing a predetermined processing; and

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) information receiving means connected to said server, for receiving ITS information offered by said ITS,

said server comprising;

first communication control means for communicating information with each of said at least one taxi;

first map-information storage means for storing map information for each area;

preset-charge storage means for storing service-charge information associated with a taxi company; and

first control means connected to each of said first communication control means, first map-information storage means, and preset-charge storage means, for controlling each of said first communication control means, first map-information storage means, and preset-charge storage means,

wherein said first control means reads from said first map-information storage means map information corresponding to said destination information and said present-location information received by said first communication control means, obtains said ITS information from said ITS information receiving means, reads said service-charge information from said preset-charge storage means, finds according to said map information a plurality of routes connecting said present location and destination, calculates according to said ITS information a required driving time for each of said plurality of routes to determine that a shortest-time route among said plural routes having the shortest required driving time is said optimal route, calculates according to said map information a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said shortest-time route, calculates a charge for said shortest-time route according to said service-charge information, generates information including shortest-time route information indicative of said shortest-time route, distance information indicative of said distance, and charge information indicative of said charge, and transmits said generated information via said first communication control means to said taxi, by adding address information of said portable telephone terminal to said generated information.

23. A transportation service system according to claim 22, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi,

said taxi transmits to said center equipment present-location information at the time of said change as new present-location information, and destination information indicating said new destination, in said center equipment;

said first communication control means receives said new present-location information and new destination information, and sends said received information to said first control means, and said first control means obtains new ITS information from said ITS information receiving means, reads from said first map-information storage means new map information corresponding to said new present-location information and said new destination information, finds according to said new map information a plurality of routes connecting said new present location and new destination, calculates according to said ITS information a required driving time for each of said new plurality of routes to determine that a new shortest-time route among said new plural routes having the shortest required driving time is said optimal route, calculates according to said new map information a distance associated with said shortest-time route, calculates a charge for said new shortest-time route according to said service-charge information, generates information including new shortest-time route information indicative of said new shortest-time route, new distance information indicative of said distance, and new charge information indicative of said charge, and transmits said generated information via said first communication control means to said taxi, by adding address information of said portable telephone terminal to said generated information.

25. A transportation service system according to claim 24, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi,

said taxi transmits to said center equipment present-location information at the time of said change as new present-location information, and destination information indicating said new destination,

in said center equipment;

said first communication control means receives said new present-location information and new destination information, and sends said received information to said first control means, and said first control means obtains new ITS information from said ITS information receiving means, reads from said first map-information storage means new map information corresponding to said new present-location information and said new destination information, reads said service-charge information from said preset-charge storage means, finds according to said new map information a plurality of routes connecting said new present location and new destination, calculates according to said ITS information a required driving time for each of said new plurality of routes to determine that a shortest-time route among said new plural routes having the shortest required driving time is said optimal route, calculates according to said new map information a distance from said new present location to said new destination associated with said new plural routes to determine that a shortest-distance route among said plurality of routes is one of said optimal routes having the shortest distance, calculates according to said service-charge information a charge for each of said plural routes to determine that a lowest-charge route among said plurality of routes is one of said optimal routes having the lowest charge, generates information including shortest-time route information indicative of said shortest-time route, shortest-distance route information indicative of said shortest-distance route, and lowest-charge route information indicative of said lowest-charge route, and transmits said generated information via said first communication control means to said taxi by adding address information of said portable telephone terminal to said generated information.

26. A transportation service system according to claim 23, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, said first control means calculates a first charge for a route from said new present location to said destination according to said map information, said ITS information, and said service-charge information, calculates a second charge for a route from said new present location to said new destination according to said new map information, to said new ITS information, and to said service-charge information, subtracts said second charge from said first charge, and adds said second charge to said subtraction result to calculate said new charge.

27. A transportation service system according to claim 26, wherein said first control means calculates a balance between said first charge and said new charge, and transmits to said taxi information on said balance together with information regarding said first charge via said first communication control means.

28. A transportation service system according to claim 25, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, said first control means calculates a first charge for a route from said new present location to said destination according to said map information, said ITS information, and said service-charge information, calculates a second charge for a route from said new present location to said new destination according to said new map information, to said new ITS information, and to said service-charge information, subtracts said second charge from said first charge, and adds said second charge to said subtraction result to calculate said new charge.

29. A transportation service system according to claim 28, wherein said first control means calculates a balance between said first charge and said new charge, and transmits to said taxi information on said balance together with information regarding said first charge via said first communication control means.

30. A transportation service system according to claim 22, wherein said taxi has said GPS terminal and second communication control means connected to said GPS terminal, for communicating information with said center equipment, said GPS terminal comprising;

input means for inputting a destination specified by the customer,

second map-information storage means for storing map information for each area,

image display means for displaying an image, and

second control means connected to said input means, second map-information storage means, and image display means, for controlling each of said means,

said second control means detecting said present-location information from radio waves received from said GPS satellite, and sending to said first communication control means said present-location information and destination information indicative of said destination inputted from said input means,

said second communication control means sending to said center equipment said present-location information and said destination information received from said second control means, and sending to said second control means information received from said center equipment,

and said second control means reading from said second map-information storage means map information corresponding to said optimal route included in information received from said second communication control means, displaying on said image display means said optimal route by superposing the route on said map information, and displaying a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said optimal route included in said information transmitted from said center equipment, a required driving time associated with said optimal route, and a charge for said optimal route.

31. A transportation service system according to claim 24, wherein said taxi has said GPS terminal and second communication control means connected to said GPS terminal, for communicating information with said center equipment, said GPS terminal comprising;

input means for inputting a destination specified by the customer,

second map-information storage means for storing map information for each area,

image display means for displaying an image, and

second control means connected to said input means, second map-information storage means, and image display means, for controlling each of said means,

said second control means detecting said present-location information from radio waves received from said GPS satellite, and sending to said first communication control means said present-location information and destination information indicative of said destination inputted from said input means,

said second communication control means sending to said center equipment said present-location information and said destination information received from said second control means, and sending to said second control means information received from said center equipment,

and said second control means reading from said second map-information storage means map information corresponding to said respective optimal routes for each of said plural different items included in information received from said second communication control means, displaying on said image display means said respective optimal routes by superposing the route on said map information, and displaying a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said respective optimal routes included in said information transmitted from said center equipment, a required driving time associated with said respective optimal routes, and charges for said respective optimal routes.

32. A transportation service system according to claim 30, wherein in said taxi, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, said second communication control means receives new information sent from said center equipment, said second control means reads from said second map-information storage means new map information corresponding to said new optimal route included in said new information, and said image display means displays said new map information on which said new optimal route is superposed, and a distance from said new present location to said new destination associated with said new optimal route included in said new information, a required driving time associated with said new optimal route, and a charge for said new optimal route.

33. A transportation service system according to claim 31, wherein in said taxi, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, said second communication control means receives new information sent from said center equipment, said second control means reads from said second map-information storage means new map information corresponding to said respective new optimal routes for each of said plural different items included in said new information, and said image display means displays said new map information on which said respective new optimal routes are superposed, and displays a distance from said new present location to said new destination associated with said respective new optimal routes included in said new information, a required driving time associated with said respective new optimal routes, and charges for said respective new optimal routes.

34. A transportation service system according to claim 32, wherein said center equipment administers information obtained for said optimal route for every taxi.

35. A transportation service system according to claim 33, wherein said center equipment administers information obtained for said new optimal route for every taxi.

36. A transportation service system according to claim 32, wherein, for every taxi, said center equipment administers said information obtained with respect to said respective optimal routes, which has been obtained for an optimal route selected by the customer from among said optimal routes.

37. A transportation service system according to claim 33, wherein, for every taxi, said center equipment administers said information obtained with respect to said respective new optimal routes, which has been obtained for an optimal route selected by the customer from among said new optimal routes.

39. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 38, further including a step of calculating by said center equipment charge information on a charge for said optimal route according to said present-location information and destination information, and transmitting information including said charge information to said taxi.

40. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 39, further including a step of paying by the customer a charge indicated by said charge information, before a transportation service is provided by said taxi.

41. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 40, further including a step of obtaining by said center equipment distance information regarding a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said optimal route according to said present-location information and destination information, and transmitting said information including said distance information to said taxi.

42. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 41, further including a step of obtaining by said center equipment driving-time information on a required driving time associated with said optimal route according to said present-location information and destination information, and transmitting information including said driving-time information to said taxi.

43. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 42, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, said taxi obtains by using said GPS terminal present-location information on a present location at the time of said change, and transmits to said center equipment said present-location information and destination information indicating said new destination, and wherein said center equipment obtains optimal-route information regarding a new optimal route according to said new present-location information and said new destination information, and transmits information including said optimal-route information to said taxi.

44. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 43, said center equipment further obtains new charge information on a charge for said new optimal route according to said new present-location information and new destination information, and transmits said information including said new charge information to said taxi.

45. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 44, the customer pays for a charge indicated by said new charge information, before said taxi provides a transportation service associated with said new destination.

46. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 45, said center equipment further obtains distance information on a distance from said new present location to said new destination associated with said new optimal route according to said new present-location information and new destination information, and transmits said information including said distance information to said taxi.

47. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 46, said center equipment further obtains driving-time information on a required driving time associated with said new optimal route according to said new present-location information and new destination information, and transmits said information including said driving-time information to said taxi.

49. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 48, further including a step of calculating by said center equipment charge information on charges for said respective optimal routes according to said present-location information and destination information, and transmitting information including said charge information to said taxi.

50. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 49, further including a step of selecting by the customer one of optimal routes before a transportation service is provided by said taxi, and paying a charge indicated by said charge information on said selected optimal route.

51. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 50, further including a step of obtaining by said center equipment distance information regarding a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said respective optimal routes according to said present-location information and destination information, and transmitting said information including said distance information to said taxi.

52. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 51, further including a step of obtaining by said center equipment driving-time information on a required driving time associated with said respective optimal routes according to said present-location information and destination information, and transmitting information including said driving-time information to said taxi.

53. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 52, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, said taxi obtains by using said GPS terminal present-location information on a present location at the time of said change, and transmits to said center equipment said present-location information and destination information indicating said new destination, and wherein said center equipment finds respective new optimal routes for each of said plural different items according to said new present-location information and said new destination information to obtain optimal-route information regarding a new optimal route, and transmits information including said optimal-route information to said taxi.

54. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 53, said center equipment further obtains new charge information on charges for said respective new optimal routes according to said new present-location information and new destination information, and transmits said information including said new charge information to said taxi.

55. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 54, the customer selects an optimal route from among said respective new optimal routes before said taxi provides a transportation service associated with said new destination, and pays for a charge indicated by charge information on said selected optimal route.

56. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 55, said center equipment further obtains distance information on a distance from said new present location to said new destination associated with said respective new optimal routes according to said new present-location information and new destination information, and transmits said information including said distance information to said taxi.

57. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 56, said center equipment further obtains driving-time information on a required driving time associated with said respective new optimal routes according to said new present-location information and new destination information, and transmits said information including said driving-time information to said taxi.

58. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 57, wherein said plural different items include charges for said respective optimal routes, a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said respective optimal routes, and a required driving time required by said taxi associated with said respective optimal routes.

60. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 59, wherein said customer pays for a charge indicated by said charge information, before a transportation service associated with said destination is provided by said taxi.

61. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 59, further comprising, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, the steps of;

transmitting by said taxi from said portable telephone terminal to said center equipment present-location information at the time of said change and destination information indicating said new destination;

receiving by said center equipment using said communication controller, said new present-location information and said new destination information,

reading from said map-information storage unit by said controller, new map information corresponding to said new present-location information and new destination information;

finding by said controller according to said new map information, a plurality of new routes connecting said new present location and said new destination;

receiving by said ITS information receiver ITS information provided by the ITS, and acquiring said ITS information by said controller;

calculating by said controller according to said acquired ITS information a required driving time for each of said plural new routes;

determining by said controller an optimal route from said plural new routes, which is a new shortest-time route having the shortest required driving time;

calculating by said controller according to said new map information, a new distance between said new present location and new destination associated with said new shortest-time route;

calculating by said controller according to said service-charge information, a charge for said new shortest-time route; and

generating by said controller information including shortest-time route information indicative of said new shortest-time route, distance information indicative of said new distance, and charge information indicative of said new charge, and transmitting said information from said communication controller to said taxi by adding address information of said portable telephone terminal to said generated information.

62. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 61, wherein said customer pays for a charge indicated by said new charge information, before a transportation service associated with said new destination is provided by said taxi.

67. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 62, wherein if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, said controller calculates a first charge for a route from said new present location to said destination according to said map information, to said ITS information, and to said service-charge information, calculates a second charge for a route from said new present location to said new destination according to said new map information, to said new ITS information, and to said service-charge information, subtracts said second charge from said first charge, and adds said second charge to said subtraction result to calculate said new charge.

71. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 59, wherein said taxi receives by said portable telephone terminal information transmitted from said center equipment, reads from said map-information storage unit of said GPS terminal, under the control of a controller of said GPS terminal, map information corresponding to said optimal route included in said received information, displays on an image display said map information on which said optimal route is superposed, and displays a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said optimal route, a required driving time of said taxi associated with said optimal route, and a charge for said optimal route, included in said information sent from said center equipment.

73. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 59, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, said taxi receives by said portable telephone terminal new information sent from said center equipment, reads from said map-information storage unit of said GPS terminal, under the control of a controller of said GPS terminal, new map information corresponding to said new optimal route included in said new information received from said center equipment, displays on an image display said new map information on which said new optimal route is superposed, and displays a distance from said new present location to said new destination associated with said new optimal route, a required driving time of said taxi associated with said new optimal route, and a charge for said new optimal route, included in said new information.

75. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 73, wherein said center equipment administers information obtained for said optimal route for every taxi.

77. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 73, wherein, for every taxi, said center equipment administers said information obtained with respect to said respective optimal routes, which has been obtained for an optimal route selected from among said optimal routes by the customer.

80. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 79, wherein said charge is calculated according to a present location where the customer gets in the taxi and to said destination.

81. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 80, further comprising, if there is a change in the destination to a new destination during said transportation service is being provided by said taxi, the steps of;

calculating a new charge according to a present location at the time of said change and said new destination, said new charge being presented to the customer by the driver; and

paying by the customer said new charge before said transportation service associated with said new destination is provided by the taxi.

82. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 81, wherein said charge is calculated for an optimal route between said present location and said destination.

9. A transportation service system, comprising:

at least one global positioning system (GPS) satellite for transmitting information used to detect a position of a moving object;

at least one taxi having a GPS terminal which receives said information from said GPS satellite and detects a present location of said taxi on the basis of said information, for transmitting present-location information regarding said detected present location and destination information indicating a destination specified by a customer; and

a center equipment for receiving said present-location information and destination information, for finding respective optimal routes for each of plural different items to obtain optimal-route information in accordance with said present-location information and destination information, and for transmitting information including said optimal-route information to said taxi.

10. A transportation service system according to claim 9, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said present-location information and destination information a charge for each of said optimal routes to obtain charge information, and transmits information including said charge information to said taxi.

11. A transportation service system according to claim 10, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said present-location information and destination information a distance from said present location to said destination associated with each of said optimal routes to obtain distance information, and transmits information including said distance information to said taxi.

12. A transportation service system according to claim 11, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said present-location information and destination information a required driving time associated with each of said optimal routes to obtain driving time information, and transmits information including said driving time information to said taxi.

13. A transportation service system according to claim 12, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi,

said taxi detects by said GPS terminal new present-location information at the time of said change and transmits to said center equipment said detected new present-location information and new destination information indicating said new destination, and

said center equipment finds in accordance with said new present-location information and new destination information, respective new optimal routes for each of said plural different items to obtain new items of optimal-route information, and transmits information including each of said new items of optimal-route information to said taxi.

14. A transportation service system according to claim 13, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said new present-location information and new destination information a charge for each of said respective new optimal routes to obtain charge information, and transmits information including said charge information to said taxi.

15. A transportation service system according to claim 14, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said new present-location information and new destination information a distance from said new present location to said new destination associated with each of said respective new optimal routes to obtain distance information, and transmits information including said distance information to said taxi.

16. A transportation service system according to claim 15, wherein said center equipment calculates in accordance with said new present-location information and new destination information a required driving time required by said taxi, which is associated with each of said respective new optimal routes, to obtain driving-time information, and transmits information including said driving-time information to said taxi.

17. A transportation service system according to claim 16, wherein said plural different items include charges for said respective optimal routes, a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said respective optimal routes, and a required driving time required by said taxi associated with said respective optimal routes.

19. A transportation service system according to claim 18, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi,

said taxi transmits to said center equipment present-location information at the time of said change as new present-location information, and destination information indicating said new destination, in said center equipment;

said first communication control means receives said new present-location information and new destination information, and said first control means obtains new ITS information from said ITS information receiving means, reads from said first map-information storage means new map information corresponding to said new present-location information and said new destination information, and finds according to said new ITS information, to said new map information, and to said new service-charge information, a new optimal route, a distance from said new present location to said new destination designated by said new optimal route, a required driving time required by said taxi associated with said new optimal route, and a charge for said new optimal route.

20. A transportation service system according to claim 12, wherein said center equipment comprises:

a server for communicating information with said taxi and executing a predetermined processing; and

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) information receiving means connected to said server, for receiving ITS information offered by said ITS;

said server having;

first communication control means for communicating information with each of said at least one taxi;

first map-information storage means for storing map information for each area;

preset-charge storage means for storing service-charge information associated with a taxi company; and

first control means connected to each of said first communication control means, first map-information storage means, and preset-charge storage means, for controlling each of said first communication control means, first map-information storage means, and preset-charge storage means,

wherein said first control means reads from said first map-information storage means map information corresponding to said destination information and said present-location information received by said first communication control means, obtains said ITS information from said ITS information receiving means, reads said service-charge information from said preset-charge storage means, and calculates for each of said plural different items, in accordance with said map information, with said ITS information, and with said service-charge information, said respective optimal routes, a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said respective optimal routes, a required driving time associated with said respective optimal routes, and charges for said respective optimal routes.

21. A transportation service system according to claim 20, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi,

said taxi transmits to said center equipment present-location information at the time of said change as new present-location information, and destination information indicating said new destination,

in said center equipment;

said first communication control means receives said new present-location information and new destination information, and said first control means obtains new ITS information from said ITS information receiving means, reads from said first map-information storage means new map information corresponding to said new present-location information and said new destination information, and finds for each of said plural different items, according to said new ITS information, to said new map information, and to said new service-charge information, new respective optimal routes, a distance from said new present location to said new destination designated by said new respective optimal routes, a required driving time required by said taxi associated with said new respective optimal routes, and charges for said new respective optimal routes.

24. A transportation service system according to claim 12, wherein said center equipment comprises:

a server for communicating information with said taxi and executing a predetermined processing; and

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) information receiving means connected to said server, for receiving ITS information offered by said ITS,

said server comprising;

first communication control means for communicating information with each of said at least one taxi;

first map-information storage means for storing map information for each area;

preset-charge storage means for storing service-charge information associated with a taxi company; and

first control means connected to each of said first communication control means, first map-information storage means, and preset-charge storage means, for controlling each of said first communication control means, first map-information storage means, and preset-charge storage means,

wherein said first control means reads from said first map-information storage means map information corresponding to said destination information and said present-location information received by said first communication control means, obtains said ITS information from said ITS information receiving means, reads said service-charge information from said preset-charge storage means, finds according to said map information a plurality of routes connecting said present location and destination, calculates according to said map information a distance from said present location to said destination associated with each of said plurality of routes to determine that a shortest-distance route among said plurality of routes is an optimal route having the shortest distance, calculates according to said ITS information a required driving time for each said plurality of routes to determine that a shortest-time route among said plurality of routes is an optimal route having the shortest required driving time, calculates according to said service-charge information a charge for each of said plurality of routes to determine that a lowest-charge route among said plurality of routes is an optimal route, generates information including information indicating said shortest-distance route and its associated distance, information indicating said shortest-time route and its associated time, and information indicating said lowest-charge route and its associated charge, and transmits said generated information via said first communication control means to said taxi by adding address information of said portable telephone terminal to said generated information.

38. A method of providing a transportation service in a system which comprises at least one Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite, a GPS terminal, a center equipment, and at least one taxi on which said GPS terminal is mounted, said method comprising the steps of

detecting by said GPS terminal its present location according to information for finding a position of a moving object transmitted from said GPS satellite;

transmitting from said taxi present-location information on said present location, and destination information indicating a destination specified by a customer; and

receiving by said center equipment said present-location information and said destination information, obtaining optimal-route information on an optimal route according to said present-location information and destination information, and transmitting information including said optimal-route information to said taxi.

48. A method of providing a transportation service in a system which comprises at least one Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite, a GPS terminal, a center equipment, and at least one taxi on which said GPS terminal is mounted, said method comprising the steps of

detecting by said GPS terminal its present location according to information for finding a position of a moving object transmitted from said GPS satellite;

transmitting from said taxi present-location information on said present location, and destination information indicating a destination specified by a customer; and

receiving by said center equipment said present-location information and said destination information, finding as information respective optimal routes for each of plural different items according to said present-location information and destination information, and transmitting information including said optimal-route information to said taxi.

59. A method of providing a transportation service in a system which comprises at least one Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite, a GPS terminal, a portable telephone terminal, a center equipment, and at least one taxi on which said GPS terminal and portable telephone terminal are mounted, said center equipment having a communication controller, a controller, a map-information storage unit, a preset-charge information storage unit, and an ITS information receiver, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting by said GPS terminal its present location according to information for finding a position of a moving object transmitted from said GPS satellite;

transmitting from said portable telephone terminal present-location information on said present location and destination information indicating a destination specified by a customer of said taxi;

receiving by said communication controller said present-location information and destination information, and reading from said map-information storage unit, under the control of said controller, map information corresponding to said present-location information and destination information;

finding by said controller according to said read map information, a plurality of routes connecting said present location and destination;

receiving by said ITS information receiver ITS information provided by the ITS, and acquiring said ITS information by said controller;

calculating by said controller according to said acquired ITS information a required driving time for each of said plural routes;

determining by said controller an optimal route from said plural routes, which is a shortest-time route having a shortest required driving time;

calculating by said controller according to said map information a distance between said present location and destination associated with said shortest-time route;

reading from said preset-charge information storage unit under the control of said controller, service-charge information associated with a taxi company;

calculating by said controller according to said read service-charge information, a charge for said shortest-time route; and

generating by said controller information including shortest-time route information indicative of said shortest-time route, distance information indicative of said distance, and charge information indicative of said charge, and transmitting said information from said communication controller to said taxi by adding address information of said portable telephone terminal to said generated information.

63. A method of providing a transportation service in a system which comprises at least one Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite, a GPS terminal, a portable telephone terminal, a center equipment, and at least one taxi on which said GPS terminal and portable telephone terminal are mounted, said center equipment having a communication controller, a controller, a map-information storage unit, a preset-charge information storage unit, and an ITS information receiver, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting by said GPS terminal its present location according to information for finding a position of a moving object transmitted from said GPS satellite;

transmitting from said portable telephone terminal present-location information on said present location and destination information indicating a destination specified by a customer of said taxi;

receiving by said communication controller said present-location information and destination information, and reading from said map-information storage unit, under the control of said controller, map information corresponding to said present-location information and destination information;

finding by said controller according to said read map information, a plurality of routes connecting said present location and destination;

calculating by said controller according to said map information, a distance from said present location to said destination for each of said plural routes;

determining by said controller one of optimal routes which is a shortest route having the shortest distance among said plural routes;

receiving by said ITS information receiver ITS information provided by the ITS, and acquiring said ITS information by said controller;

calculating by said controller according to said acquired ITS information, a required driving time for each of said plural routes;

determining by said controller one of optimal routes which is a shortest-time route having a shortest required driving time among said plural routes;

reading from said preset-charge information storage unit under the control of said controller, service-charge information associated with a taxi company;

calculating by said controller according to said service-charge information, a charge for each of said plural routes;

determining by said controller one of optimal routes which is a lowest-charge route having a lowest charge among said plural routes; and

generating by said controller information including information indicating said shortest-distance route and its distance, information indicating said shortest-time route and its time, and information indicating said lowest-charge route and its charge, and transmitting said information to said taxi by adding address information of said portable telephone terminal to said generated information.

64. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 63, further including a step of selecting by the customer one of said optimal routes before a transportation service associated with said destination is provided by said taxi, and paying a charge indicated by said charge information on said selected optimal route.

65. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 64, further comprising, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, the steps of;

transmitting by said taxi from said portable telephone terminal to said center equipment present-location information at the time of said change and destination information indicating said new destination;

receiving by said center equipment using said communication controller, said new present-location information and said new destination information,

reading from said map-information storage unit by said controller, new map information corresponding to said new present-location information and new destination information;

finding by said controller according to said new map information, a plurality of new routes connecting said new present location and said new destination;

calculating by said controller according to said new map information a distance from said new present location to said new destination for each of said optimal routes;

determining by said controller a new route as one of optimal routes which is a shortest route having the shortest distance among said plural routes;

acquiring by said controller new ITS information from said ITS information receiver;

calculating by said controller according to said acquired ITS information a required driving time for each of said plural routes;

determining by said controller a new route as one of optimal routes, which is a shortest-time route among said plural routes having the shortest required driving time;

calculating by said controller according to said service-charge information a charge for each of said plural routes;

determining by said controller a new route as one of optimal routes, which is a lowest-charge route among said plural routes having the lowest charge; and

generating by said controller information including new shortest-distance route information indicating said shortest-distance route, new shortest-time route information indicating said new shortest-time route, and new lowest-charge route information indicating said lowest-charge route, and transmitting said information to said taxi by adding address information of said portable telephone terminal to said generated information.

66. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 65, further including a step of selecting by the customer one of said new optimal routes before a transportation service associated with said new destination is provided by said taxi, and paying a charge indicated by said charge information on said selected optimal route.

68. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 67, wherein said controller calculates a balance between said first charge and said new charge, and transmits to said taxi information on said balance together with information regarding said first charge via said communication controller.

69. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 66, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, said controller calculates a first charge for a route from said new present location to said destination according to said map information, to said ITS information, and to said service-charge information, calculates a second charge for a route from said new present location to said new destination according to said new map information, to said new ITS information, and to said service-charge information, subtracts said second charge from said first charge, and adds said second charge to said subtraction result to calculate said new charge.

70. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 69, wherein said controller calculates a balance between said first charge and said new charge, and transmits to said taxi information on said balance together with information regarding said first charge via said communication controller.

72. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 63, wherein said taxi receives by said portable telephone terminal information transmitted from said center equipment, reads from said map-information storage unit of said GPS terminal, under the control of a controller of said GPS terminal, map information corresponding to said optimal route included in said received information, displays on an image display said map information on which said optimal route is superposed, and displays a distance from said present location to said destination associated with said respective optimal routes, a required driving time of said taxi associated with said respective optimal routes, and charges for said respective optimal routes, included in said information sent from said center equipment.

74. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 63, wherein, if the customer changes the destination to a new destination when a service is being provided by said taxi, said taxi receives by said portable telephone terminal new information sent from said center equipment, reads from said map-information storage unit of said GPS terminal, under the control of a controller of said GPS terminal, new map information corresponding to said respective new optimal routes included in said new information received from said center equipment, displays on an image display said new map information on which said respective new optimal routes is superposed, and displays a distance from said new present location to said new destination associated with said respective new optimal routes, a required driving time of said taxi associated with said respective new optimal routes, and charges for said respective new optimal routes, included in said new information.

76. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 74, wherein said center equipment administers information obtained for said new optimal route for every taxi.

78. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 74, wherein, for every taxi, said center equipment administers said information obtained with respect to said respective new optimal routes, which has been obtained for an optimal route selected from among said new optimal routes by the customer.

79. A method of providing a transportation service, comprising the steps of:

presenting to a customer by a taxi driver a charge for a transportation service corresponding to a destination specified by the customer when the customer gets in the taxi; and

paying for said charge by the customer before said transportation service is provided by the taxi.

83. A method of providing a transportation service, comprising the steps of:

finding respective optimal routes between a destination specified by a customer when the customer gets in the taxi and a present location at the time of said change, for respective different items;

calculating for said respective optimal routes charges for said transportation service provided by the taxi;

presenting to a customer by a taxi driver each of said charges calculated respectively for said optimal routes; and

selecting by the customer one of said optimal routes, and paying by the customer for a charge for said selected optimal route, before said transportation service is provided by the taxi.

84. A method of providing a transportation service according to claim 83, further comprising, if there is a change in the destination to a new destination during said transportation service is being provided by said taxi, the steps of;

finding new optimal routes between a new destination at the time of said change and said new destination, for said respective different items;

calculating new charges for said transportation service provided by the taxi, for each of said new optimal routes;

presenting to the customer by the taxi driver each of said new charges calculated for each of said new optimal routes; and

selecting by the customer one of said new optimal routes, and paying by the customer a charge for said selected optimal route, before said transportation service associated with said new destination is provided by the taxi.