Patent Publication Number: US-2022230546-A1

Title: Vehicle dispatch management control device, vehicle dispatch management device, vehicle dispatch management system, vehicle dispatch management method, and computer program product

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2020/047560 filed on Dec. 18, 2020 which claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-229944 filed on Dec. 20, 2019, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure is related to a vehicle dispatch management control device, a vehicle dispatch management device, a vehicle dispatch management system, a vehicle dispatch management method, and a computer program product. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A vehicle dispatch management system is known in which the location information and the state information of service vehicles such as taxis, which have the global positioning system (GPS) and a communication device installed therein, is obtained and monitored; and a vehicle running nearby a customer is dispatched to the location at which the customer is waiting (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-190096). 
     When a customer uses a vehicle dispatch application and requests for the dispatch of a vehicle to the present location, the vehicle dispatch management system searches for the vehicles in the neighborhood of the present location of the customer and sends a vehicle for the pickup. However, there are some customers who walk to a waiting place such as a dispatch center or a taxi stand, and thus save on the pickup charge. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology. 
     To achieve the above object, a vehicle dispatch management control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a vehicle information obtaining unit that obtains vehicle information containing location information of a plurality of vehicles, an order information obtaining unit that obtains order information containing location information of a client terminal which issued a vehicle dispatch order, a candidate vehicle searching unit that, based on the vehicle information, searches the plurality of vehicles for a candidate vehicle which matches with condition specified in the order information, a waiting place information obtaining unit that obtains waiting place information containing location information of a plurality of waiting places at which vehicles remain on standby, and a dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit that notifies the client terminal about dispatch schedule information containing required time from the candidate vehicle to the client terminal, and nearby waiting place information containing location information of the waiting places. The dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit notifies the client terminal about required time from the client terminal to the waiting places or distance from the client terminal to the waiting places. 
     To achieve the above object, a vehicle dispatch management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes obtaining vehicle information containing location information of a plurality of vehicles, obtaining order information containing location information of a client terminal which issued a vehicle dispatch order, searching that, based on the vehicle information, includes searching the plurality of vehicles for a candidate vehicle which matches with condition specified in the order information, obtaining waiting place information containing location information of a plurality of waiting places at which vehicles remain on standby, and notifying the client terminal about required time from the candidate vehicle to the client terminal, and location information of the waiting places. The notifying notifies the client terminal about required time from the client terminal to the waiting places or distance from the client terminal to the waiting places. 
     To achieve the above object, a non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing therein a computer program product having a computer readable medium including programmed instructions is disclosed. The instructions, when executed by a computer functioning as a vehicle dispatch management control device, cause the computer to perform obtaining vehicle information containing location information of a plurality of vehicles, obtaining order information containing location information of a client terminal which issued a vehicle dispatch order, searching that, based on the vehicle information, includes searching the plurality of vehicles for a candidate vehicle which matches with condition specified in the order information, obtaining waiting place information containing location information of a plurality of waiting places at which vehicles remain on standby, and notifying the client terminal about required time from the candidate vehicle to the client terminal, and location information of the waiting places. The notifying notifies the client terminal about required time from the client terminal to the waiting places or distance from the client terminal to the waiting places. 
     The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this disclosure will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle dispatch management system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a vehicle dispatch management device according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of waiting place information according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an in-vehicle device according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a monitoring device according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship between a vehicle dispatch location, vehicles, and a waiting place; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a client terminal according to the embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operations performed in a vehicle dispatch management control device according to the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An exemplary embodiment is described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiment described below. Moreover, when there is a plurality of embodiments, it is possible to have a configuration having a combination of the embodiments. 
     Embodiment 
     Configuration of System 
     Explained below with reference to  FIG. 1  is a vehicle dispatch management system  1  according to the embodiment.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of the vehicle dispatch management system according to the embodiment. The vehicle dispatch management system  1  is a system for dispatching vehicles based on the vehicle dispatch orders issued by the clients. The vehicle dispatch management system  1  includes a plurality of client terminals  100 , a plurality of vehicles  200 , a plurality of waiting places  300 , and a vehicle dispatch management device  10 . 
     In the embodiment, the client terminals  100  include client terminals  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 , and  105 . Herein, the client terminals  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 , and  105  are, for example, smartphones in which a vehicle dispatch application is installed for use by the clients. The client terminals  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 , and  105  are capable of communicating with the vehicle dispatch management device  10  via a communication network such as the Internet or a cellular phone network. The communication network is compatible to, for example, the long term evolution (LTE). In the following explanation, when the client terminals  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 , and  105  need not be distinguished from each other, they are referred to as the client terminals  100 . Each client terminal  100  is capable of monitoring the state of the vehicles  200  and the state of the waiting places  300  via the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . Moreover, the client terminal  100  is capable of issuing a vehicle dispatch order to the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . Furthermore, the client terminal  100  can receive information about the dispatched vehicle from the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . 
     In the embodiment, the vehicles  200  include vehicles  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 , and  205 . Herein, the vehicles  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 , and  205  are, for example, service vehicles such as taxis that cater to a large number of unspecified passengers. Each of the vehicles  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 , and  205  has an in-vehicle device  210  installed therein. In the following explanation, when the vehicles  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 , and  205  need not be distinguished from each other, they are referred to as the vehicles  200 . 
     The in-vehicle device  210  is capable of communicating with the vehicle dispatch management device  10  via a communication network such as the Internet or a cellular phone network. The communication network is compatible to, for example, the LTE. The in-vehicle device  210  notifies the vehicle dispatch management device  10  about vehicle location information indicating the present location of the corresponding vehicle  200 ; vehicle mode information indicating the present mode of the corresponding vehicle  200 ; and present standby state information of the corresponding vehicle  200 . The vehicle mode indicates the operation mode such as an empty mode, an occupied mode, a payment mode, a pickup mode, or an out-of-service mode. The standby state information indicates whether or not the concerned vehicle  200  is waiting at one of the waiting places  300  such as a dispatch center or a taxi stand, and indicates the waiting number of the concerned vehicle  200  at the waiting place  300 . The in-vehicle device  210  can receive a vehicle dispatch instruction and order information from the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . Moreover, the in-vehicle device  210  can send, to the vehicle dispatch management device  10 , a response about whether or not a vehicle dispatch order can be accepted. 
     In the embodiment, the waiting places  300  include waiting places  301 ,  302 , and  303 . Herein, the waiting places  301 ,  302 , and  303  are places such as dispatch centers or taxi stands at which the vehicles  200  wait for customers or for vehicle dispatch orders. Each of the waiting places  301 ,  302 , and  303  has a monitoring device  310  installed thereat. In the following explanation, when the waiting places  301 ,  302 , and  303  need not be distinguished from each other, they are referred to as the waiting places  300 . 
     The monitoring device  310  is capable of communicating with the vehicle dispatch management device  10  via a communication network such as the Internet or a cellular phone network. The communication network is compatible to, for example, the LTE. The monitoring device  310  notifies the vehicle dispatch management device  10  about waiting person count information indicating the number of persons waiting at the corresponding waiting place  300 . Moreover, the monitoring device  310  can also send, to the vehicle dispatch management device  10 , imaging data of the corresponding waiting place  300  so as to enable detection of the number of persons waiting at the corresponding waiting place  300 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management device  10  is a server computer capable of communicating with the client terminals  100 , the in-vehicle devices  210  of the vehicles  200 , and the waiting places  300  via a communication network such as the Internet or a cellular phone network. The communication network is compatible to, for example, the LTE. The vehicle dispatch management device  10  is capable of monitoring the state of the vehicles  200  that includes the vehicle location information indicating the present locations of the vehicles  200 ; the vehicle mode information indicating the present mode of the vehicles  200 ; and the present standby state information of the vehicles  200 . Moreover, the vehicle dispatch management device  10  is capable of monitoring the waiting person count information at the waiting places  300 . Based on a vehicle dispatch order issued by any of the client terminals  100 , the vehicle dispatch management device  10  selects the vehicle  200  to be dispatched. Then, the vehicle dispatch management device  10  issues a vehicle dispatch instruction to the vehicle  200  decided to be the dispatch vehicle. Moreover, the vehicle dispatch management device  10  sends the information about the dispatch vehicle to the concerned client terminal  100 . 
     Configuration of Vehicle Dispatch Management Device 
     Explained below with reference to  FIG. 2  is a detailed configuration of the vehicle dispatch management device  10 .  FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the vehicle dispatch management device according to the embodiment. The vehicle dispatch management device  10  includes a communication unit  11 , a map information storing unit  12 , a waiting place information storing unit  13 , a vehicle information storing unit  14 , a waiting-person-count information storing unit  15 , and a vehicle dispatch management control device  20 . 
     The communication unit  11  is a unit for performing communication. The communication unit  11  performs communication with the client terminals  100  and the vehicles  200 . For example, the communication unit  11  receives order information of a vehicle dispatch order from any one of the client terminals  100 . The order information at least contains the location information of the vehicle dispatch location. In the embodiment, the vehicle dispatch location represents the present location of the client terminal  100 . Moreover, for example, the order information can contain additional conditions set by the concerned client terminal  100 . Examples of the additional conditions include the maximum waiting period, the maximum pickup distance, the vehicle height, the vehicle color, the passenger capacity, and the permission/no permission for pets. In response, for example, the communication unit  11  sends, to the client terminal  100 , vehicle dispatch schedule information, nearby-waiting-place information, vehicle count information at the waiting place  300 , and the waiting person count information at the waiting place  300 . Then, for example, the communication unit  11  receives a vehicle dispatch request from the client terminal  100 . Accordingly, for example, the communication unit  11  sends, to the concerned vehicle  200 , a vehicle dispatch instruction for requesting to accept the vehicle dispatch order. In response, for example, the communication unit  11  receives, from the vehicle  200 , response information indicating whether or not the vehicle dispatch order can be accepted. Then, for example, the communication unit  11  sends detailed information of the order information to the vehicle  200 . Furthermore, for example, the communication unit  11  sends, to the client terminal  100 , either the information about the vehicle  200  to be dispatched, or the vehicle dispatch information containing order nonacceptance information indicating that a vehicle cannot be dispatched under the set conditions. The information about the vehicle  200  to be dispatched contains, for example, the name of the driver, the registration number of the vehicle, and the estimated time of arrival at the vehicle dispatch location. The communication unit  11  performs such a variety of communication based on the control signals output from a communication control unit  21  of the vehicle dispatch management control device  20 . 
     The map information storing unit  12  is used to store map information. The map information represents, for example, a road map including the intersections. The map information storing unit  12  outputs the stored map information to a map information obtaining unit  32  of the vehicle dispatch management control device  20 . Meanwhile, the map information storing unit  12  can be a memory device of some other external server other than the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . When the map information storing unit  12  is a memory device of some other external server, it can output the map information to the map information obtaining unit  32  using the communication function provided by the communication control unit  21  and the communication unit  11 . 
     The waiting place information storing unit  13  is used to store the waiting place information. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the waiting place information contains the location information of the waiting place  300  such as a dispatch center or a taxi stand at which the vehicles  200  are on standby. The location information of the waiting place  300  contains, for example, longitude information and latitude information. Moreover, the waiting place information can also contain, for example, information such as the name of the waiting place, the possible number of vehicles on standby, and a sneak out flag. The sneak out flag indicates whether or not, from among the vehicles  200  queued up at the waiting place  300 , any vehicle  200  other than the leading vehicle  200  can sneak out sooner. 
     The vehicle information storing unit  14  is used to store vehicle information sent from the vehicles  200 . The vehicle information at least contains standby state information, which indicates the standby state of a plurality of vehicles  200  at the respective waiting places  300 , and location information. Moreover, for example, the vehicle information can contain the vehicle state information of a plurality of vehicles  200 . The vehicle state information contains information about the operation mode of each vehicle  200  such as the empty mode, the occupied mode, the payment mode, the pickup mode, or the out-of-service mode. The vehicle information storing unit  14  outputs the stored vehicle information to a vehicle information obtaining unit  34  of the vehicle dispatch management control device  20 . Meanwhile, the vehicle information storing unit  14  can be an internal memory included in the vehicle dispatch management control device  20 . Alternatively, the vehicle information storing unit  14  can be a memory device of some other external server other than the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . When the vehicle information storing unit  14  is a memory device of some other external server, it outputs the vehicle information to the vehicle information obtaining unit  34  using the communication function provided by the communication control unit  21  and the communication unit  11 . 
     The waiting-person-count information storing unit  15  is used to store the waiting person count information indicating the number of persons waiting at each waiting place  300 . The waiting person count is measured based on the image data taken by an imaging unit  311  of the monitoring device  310  installed at the waiting place  300 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  is, for example, an arithmetic processing device (a control device) configured with a central processing unit (CPU). The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  loads stored computer programs into a memory and executes the instructions written in the computer programs. The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  includes an internal memory (not illustrated). The internal memory is used to store computer programs written for implementing the constituent elements of the vehicle dispatch management control device  20 . In that case, the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  loads the computer programs stored in the internal memory, and executes them so that the functions of the constituent elements are implemented. Meanwhile, the internal memory is also used to temporarily store the data of the vehicle dispatch management control device  20 . The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  includes the following constituent elements connected to each other by a bus BS: the communication control unit  21 , an order information obtaining unit  31 , the map information obtaining unit  32 , a waiting place information obtaining unit  33 , the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 , a waiting-person-count information obtaining unit  35 , a candidate vehicle searching unit  41 , a first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42 , a standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43 , a required-time calculating unit  44 , a dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51 , a response obtaining unit  52 , a vehicle dispatch instruction notifying unit  61 , an order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62 , an order information notifying unit  71 , and a vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72 . 
     The communication control unit  21  controls the communication performed by the communication unit  11 . For example, the communication control unit  21  obtains the communication information obtained from the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51 , the vehicle dispatch instruction notifying unit  61 , the order information notifying unit  71 , or the vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72 . Then, the communication control unit  21  outputs the obtained communication information to the communication unit  11 . Moreover, for example, the communication control unit  21  outputs a variety of information, which is received by the communication unit  11 , to the order information obtaining unit  31 , the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 , the waiting-person-count information obtaining unit  35 , the response obtaining unit  52 , or the order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62 . For example, the communication control unit  21  outputs, to the order information obtaining unit  31 , the order information about a vehicle dispatch order received by the communication unit  11  from the client terminal  100 . Moreover, for example, the communication control unit  21  outputs, to the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 , the vehicle information received by the communication unit  11  from the vehicle  200 . Furthermore, for example, the communication control unit  21  obtains, from the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51 , communication information to be used for notifying the client terminal  100  about the vehicle dispatch schedule information, the nearby-waiting-place information, the vehicle count information at the waiting place  300 , and the waiting person count information at the waiting place  300 . Moreover, for example, the communication control unit  21  obtains, from the response obtaining unit  52 , response information that indicates whether or not to issue a vehicle dispatch request and that is received by the communication unit  11  from the client terminal  100 . Furthermore, for example, the communication control unit  21  obtains, from the vehicle dispatch instruction notifying unit  61 , communication information to be used for notifying the vehicle  200  about a vehicle dispatch instruction for requesting to accept the vehicle dispatch order. Moreover, for example, the communication control unit  21  outputs, to the order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62 , response information received by the communication unit  11  from the vehicle  200  about whether or not the vehicle dispatch order can be accepted. Furthermore, for example, the communication control unit  21  obtains, from the order information notifying unit  71 , the order information to be used for notifying the vehicle  200  about the details of the order information. Moreover, for example, the communication control unit  21  obtains, from the vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72 , communication information to be used for notifying the client terminal  100  either about the information about the vehicle  200  to be dispatched, or about the vehicle dispatch information containing request nonacceptance information indicating that a vehicle cannot be dispatched under the set conditions. 
     The order information obtaining unit  31  obtains the order information about the vehicle dispatch order as received by the communication unit  11  from the client terminal  100 . Then, the order information obtaining unit  31  outputs the obtained order information to the map information obtaining unit  32 , the waiting place information obtaining unit  33 , the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 , the first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42 , the required-time calculating unit  44 , the vehicle dispatch instruction notifying unit  61 , and the order information notifying unit  71 . 
     The map information obtaining unit  32  obtains the map information from the map information storing unit  12 . More specifically, based on the location information of the vehicle dispatch location as obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , the map information obtaining unit  32  obtains the map information of the vehicle dispatch location periphery from the map information storing unit  12 . The vehicle dispatch location periphery represents a predetermined range centered on the vehicle dispatch location. The predetermined range is, for example, based on the direct distance from the candidate vehicle to the vehicle dispatch location, or based on the route from the candidate vehicle to the vehicle dispatch location, or based on the required time from the candidate vehicle to the vehicle dispatch location. Then, the map information obtaining unit  32  outputs the obtained map information to the waiting place information obtaining unit  33 , the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 , the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 , and the required-time calculating unit  44 . 
     The waiting place information obtaining unit  33  obtains, from the waiting place information storing unit  13 , waiting place information containing the location information of the waiting place  300 . More specifically, based on the location information of the vehicle dispatch location as obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , the waiting place information obtaining unit  33  obtains, from the waiting place information storing unit  13 , the waiting place information of the waiting place  300  in the vehicle dispatch location periphery. Then, the waiting place information obtaining unit  33  outputs the obtained waiting place information to the waiting-person-count information obtaining unit  35 , the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43 , and the required-time calculating unit  44 . 
     The vehicle information obtaining unit  34  obtains the vehicle information from the vehicle information storing unit  14 . The vehicle information at least contains the standby state information, which indicates the standby state of the vehicles  200  at the waiting place  300  in the vehicle dispatch location periphery, and the location information. The vehicle information obtaining unit  34  can directly obtain, from the communication control unit  21 , the vehicle information received by the communication unit  11  from the vehicles  200 . Then, the vehicle information obtaining unit  34  outputs the obtained vehicle information to the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 , the first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42 , the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43 , and the required-time calculating unit  44 . 
     The waiting-person-count information obtaining unit  35  obtains, from the waiting-person-count information storing unit  15 , the waiting person count information indicating the number of persons queued up at the waiting place  300 . The waiting person count information at least contains the waiting person count information at the waiting place  300  in the vehicle dispatch location periphery. Then, the waiting-person-count information obtaining unit  35  outputs the obtained waiting person count information to the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51 . 
     The candidate vehicle searching unit  41  searches a plurality of vehicles  200  for candidate vehicles that match with the conditions specified in the order information. More specifically, the candidate vehicle searching unit  41  searches for the candidate vehicles based on the order information obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , based on the map information obtained by the map information obtaining unit  32 , and based on the vehicle information of a plurality of vehicles  200  as obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 . The conditions specified in the order information at least include the condition of being present in a predetermined range centered on the vehicle dispatch location. Moreover, the conditions specified in the order information can include additional conditions set by the client terminal  100 . The candidate vehicle searching unit  41  outputs the information of the retrieved candidate vehicles to the first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42 , the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43 , the required-time calculating unit  44 , and the vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72 . 
     The first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42  selects, according to predetermined conditions, a single first-type candidate vehicle from among a plurality of candidate vehicles. More specifically, based on the location information of the vehicle dispatch location as obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31  and based on the vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 , the first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42  selects a single first-type candidate vehicle from among a plurality of candidate vehicles retrieved by the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 . The first-type candidate vehicle is selected based on the direct distance from the candidate vehicle to the vehicle dispatch location, or based on the route from the candidate vehicle to the vehicle dispatch location, or based on the required time from the candidate vehicle to the vehicle dispatch location. For example, the first-type candidate vehicle is the closest vehicle to the vehicle dispatch location. Then, the first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42  outputs the information about the selected first-type candidate vehicle to the required-time calculating unit  44 , the vehicle dispatch instruction notifying unit  61 , the order information notifying unit  71 , and the vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72 . 
     The standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43  obtains standby vehicle count information indicating the number of candidate vehicles on standby at the waiting place  300 . More specifically, the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43  can obtain the standby vehicle count information based on the waiting place information obtained by the waiting place information obtaining unit  33  and based on the standby state information of the vehicles  200  as obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 . Alternatively, the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43  can obtain the standby vehicle count information based on the standby state information of the candidate vehicles retrieved by the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 . Then, the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43  outputs the standby vehicle count information to the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51 . 
     The required-time calculating unit  44  calculates the required time from the candidate vehicles to the vehicle dispatch location. More specifically, based on the order information obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , based on the map information obtained by the map information obtaining unit  32 , and based on the vehicle information of a plurality of vehicles  200  as obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 ; the required-time calculating unit  44  calculates the required time from the candidate vehicles, which are retrieved by the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 , to the concerned client terminal  100 . Moreover, the required-time calculating unit  44  calculates the required time on foot from the client terminal  100  to the waiting place  300 . More specifically, based on the order information obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , based on the map information obtained by the map information obtaining unit  32 , and based on the waiting place information obtained by the waiting place information obtaining unit  33 ; the required-time calculating unit  44  calculates the required time on foot from the client terminal  100  to the waiting place  300 . Then, the required-time calculating unit  44  outputs each calculated required time to the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51 . 
     The dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51  notifies the client terminal  100  about the vehicle dispatch schedule information and the nearby-waiting-place information. The vehicle dispatch schedule information contains the waiting period till the dispatch of a vehicle. The nearby-waiting-place information contains the location information of the nearby waiting place  300 . In the embodiment, the nearby-waiting-place information contains the required time to reach the waiting place  300 . More specifically, the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51  outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for notifying the vehicle dispatch schedule information and the nearby-waiting-place information. The waiting period till the dispatch of a vehicle represents the required time for the candidate vehicles to reach the client terminal  100  as calculated by the required-time calculating unit  44 . The required time to reach the nearby waiting place  300  represents the required time on foot from the client terminal  100  to the waiting place  300  as calculated by the required-time calculating unit  44 . Meanwhile, the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51  can notify the client terminal  100  also about the standby vehicle count information indicating the number of candidate vehicles on standby at the waiting place  300 . More specifically, the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51  can output, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for notifying the standby vehicle count information indicating the number of candidate vehicles on standby at the waiting place  300  as obtained from the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43 . Moreover, the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51  can notify the client terminal  100  about the waiting person count information indicating the number of persons queued up at the waiting place  300 . More specifically, the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51  can output, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for notifying the waiting person count information indicating the number of persons queued up at the waiting place  300  as obtained by the waiting-person-count information obtaining unit  35 . 
     The response obtaining unit  52  obtains the response information that is about whether or not to issue a vehicle dispatch request and that is received by the communication unit  11  from the client terminal  100 . Then, the response obtaining unit  52  outputs, to the vehicle dispatch instruction notifying unit  61 , the obtained response information about whether or not to issue a vehicle dispatch request. 
     The vehicle dispatch instruction notifying unit  61  notifies the first-type candidate vehicle about a vehicle dispatch instruction for requesting to accept the vehicle dispatch order that is received by the order information obtaining unit  31 . More specifically, when response information indicating that a vehicle dispatch request is to be issued is obtained by the response obtaining unit  52 ; the vehicle dispatch instruction notifying unit  61  outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for notifying the first-type candidate vehicle, which is selected by the first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42 , about the vehicle dispatch instruction. The vehicle dispatch instruction at least includes the location information of the vehicle dispatch location. 
     The order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62  obtains the response information that indicates the acceptance/nonacceptance of the vehicle dispatch order and that is received by the communication unit  11  from the first-type candidate vehicle. Then, the order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62  outputs, to the order information notifying unit  71  and the vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72 , the obtained response information indicating the acceptance/nonacceptance of the vehicle dispatch order. 
     The order information notifying unit  71  notifies the dispatch vehicle about the details of the order information. More specifically, when the response indicating acceptance of the vehicle dispatch order is received by the order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62  from the first-type candidate vehicle, the order information notifying unit  71  sets the first-type candidate vehicle as the dispatch vehicle and outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for notifying the dispatch vehicle about the details of the order information. The details of the order information can include, for example, the name of the person who issued the vehicle dispatch order. 
     The vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72  notifies the client terminal  100  about the vehicle dispatch information. More specifically, when the response indicating acceptance of the vehicle dispatch order is received by the order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62  from the first-type candidate vehicle, the vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72  sets the first-type candidate vehicle as the dispatch vehicle and outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for notifying the client terminal  100  about the vehicle dispatch information representing the information about the vehicle  200  to be dispatched. On the other hand, when the candidate vehicle searching unit  41  could not find the candidate vehicles or when the response indicating acceptance of the vehicle dispatch order is not received by the order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62  from the first-type candidate vehicle; the vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72  outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for notifying the client terminal  100  about order nonacceptance information indicating that a vehicle cannot be dispatched under the set conditions. 
     Configuration of In-Vehicle Device 
     Explained below with reference to  FIG. 4  is a detailed configuration of the in-vehicle device  210 .  FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the in-vehicle device according to the embodiment. The in-vehicle device  210  includes an operating unit  211 , a communication unit  212 , a display unit  213 , a reporting unit  214 , a GPS receiving unit  215 , and a control unit  220 . 
     The operating unit  211  can receive various operations with respect to the control unit  220 . For example, the operating unit  211  can receive an operation for setting the vehicle mode of the corresponding vehicle  200 . Moreover, for example, the operating unit  211  can receive an operation for setting the standby state of the corresponding vehicle  200 . Furthermore, for example, the operating unit  211  can receive an operation for selecting whether or not a vehicle dispatch order can be accepted. Then, the operating unit  211  outputs, to an operation reception control unit  221  of the control unit  220 , an operation signal corresponding to the received operation. The operating unit  211  can be implemented using, for example, physical switches or a touch-sensitive panel installed in the display unit  213 . 
     The communication unit  212  is a unit for performing communication. The communication unit  212  performs communication with the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . For example, the communication unit  212  receives a vehicle dispatch instruction indicating a request for accepting a vehicle dispatch order, or receives the detailed information of the order information from the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . Moreover, for example, the communication unit  212  sends the following information to the vehicle dispatch management device  10 : the vehicle location information of the corresponding vehicle  200 , the vehicle mode information of the corresponding vehicle  200 , the standby state information of the corresponding vehicle  200 , and the response information indicating whether or not a vehicle dispatch order can be accepted. The communication unit  212  performs a variety of communication based on the control signals output from a communication control unit  222  of the control unit  220 . 
     The display unit  213  displays various images. For example, the display unit  213  displays notification information of a vehicle dispatch instruction as received by the communication unit  212  from the vehicle dispatch management device  10 , or displays the detailed information of the order information. Moreover, for example, the display unit  213  displays a selection screen that enables selection of whether or not to accept a vehicle dispatch order. Furthermore, for example, the display unit  213  displays the present vehicle mode information as set by a vehicle mode setting unit  226 . Moreover, for example, the display unit  213  displays the present standby state information as set by a standby state setting unit  227 . The display unit  213  is, for example, a display dedicated device of the in-vehicle device  210 , or a display device shared with other systems such as a navigation system. Moreover, the display unit  213  is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (organic EL) display. In the present embodiment, the display unit  213  is installed in the dashboard, or the instrument panel, or the center console present in front of the driver of the vehicle. The display unit  213  displays images based on image signals output from a display control unit  223  of the control unit  220 . 
     The reporting unit  214  reports a variety of information. For example, the reporting unit  214  is configured using, for example, the display installed in the display unit  213  or a speaker used for notifying predetermined report information in the audio form. For example, the reporting unit  214  reports the notification information of a vehicle dispatch instruction or reports the detailed information of the order information. Moreover, for example, the reporting unit  214  reports report information that prompts the driver to select between accepting or rejecting the vehicle dispatch order. Moreover, for example, the reporting unit  214  reports vehicle mode setting information indicating that the vehicle mode has been set by the vehicle mode setting unit  226 . Furthermore, for example, the reporting unit  214  reports standby state setting information indicating that the standby state has been set by the standby state setting unit  227 . The reporting unit  214  reports the report information based on the image signals and the audio signals output from a reporting control unit  224  of the control unit  220 . 
     The GPS receiving unit  215  receives radio waves from a GPS satellite (not illustrated). The GPS receiving unit  215  is configured with a GPS receiving circuit and a GPS receiving antenna. The GPS receiving unit  215  outputs the signals of the received radio waves to a vehicle location information obtaining unit  225  of the control unit  220 . 
     The control unit  220  is, for example, an arithmetic processing device (a control device) configured with a CPU. The control unit  220  loads stored computer programs into a memory and executes the instructions written in the computer programs. The control unit  220  includes an internal memory (not illustrated). The internal memory is used to store computer programs written for implementing the constituent elements of the control unit  220 . In that case, the control unit  220  loads the computer programs stored in the internal memory, and executes them so that the functions of the constituent elements are implemented. Meanwhile, the internal memory is also used to temporarily store the data of the control unit  220 . The control unit  220  includes the following constituent elements connected to each other by the bus BS: the operation reception control unit  221 , the communication control unit  222 , the display control unit  223 , the reporting control unit  224 , the vehicle location information obtaining unit  225 , the vehicle mode setting unit  226 , the standby state setting unit  227 , and a vehicle state information notifying unit  228 . 
     The operation reception control unit  221  obtains operation information of the operation received by the operating unit  211 . For example, the operation reception control unit  221  obtains the vehicle mode setting information indicating the operation of setting the vehicle mode of the corresponding vehicle  200 , and outputs a control signal. Moreover, for example, the operation reception control unit  221  obtains the standby state setting information indicating the operation of setting the standby state of the corresponding vehicle  200 , and outputs a control signal. Furthermore, for example, the operation reception control unit  221  obtains the order acceptance/nonacceptance response operation information indicating the operation of responding with acceptance or nonacceptance of the vehicle dispatch order, and outputs a control signal. Then, the operation reception control unit  221  outputs the obtained control signals to the vehicle mode setting unit  226 , the standby state setting unit  227 , and the communication control unit  222 , respectively. 
     The communication control unit  222  controls the communication performed by the communication unit  212 . For example, the communication control unit  222  obtains the communication information that is output from the operation reception control unit  221 , the vehicle location information obtaining unit  225 , or the vehicle state information notifying unit  228 . Then, the communication control unit  222  outputs the obtained communication information to the communication unit  212 . For example, the communication control unit  222  outputs a variety of information, which is received by the communication unit  212 , to the display control unit  223  or the reporting control unit  224 . Moreover, for example, the communication control unit  222  obtains the vehicle location information of the corresponding vehicle  200  from the vehicle location information obtaining unit  225 . Furthermore, for example, the communication control unit  222  obtains, from the vehicle state information notifying unit  228 , communication information to be used for notifying the vehicle dispatch management device  10  about the vehicle state information containing the vehicle mode information and the standby state information of the corresponding vehicle  200 . Moreover, for example, the communication control unit  222  obtains, from the operation reception control unit  221 , the response information indicating acceptance or nonacceptance of a vehicle dispatch order. Furthermore, for example, the communication control unit  222  outputs, to the display control unit  223  or the reporting control unit  224 , the vehicle dispatch instruction or the details of the order information. 
     The display control unit  223  performs control to ensure that the display in the display unit  213  is performed based on predetermined conditions and based on the obtained display information. For example, in the display unit  213 , the display control unit  223  displays the notification information of the vehicle dispatch instruction received by the communication unit  212  from the vehicle dispatch management device  10 , or displays the detailed information of the order information. Moreover, for example, the display control unit  223  displays, in the display unit  213 , a selection screen that enables selection between accepting and rejecting the vehicle dispatch order. Furthermore, for example, the display control unit  223  displays, in the display unit  213 , the present vehicle mode information set by the vehicle mode setting unit  226 . Moreover, for example, the display control unit  223  displays, in the display unit  213 , the present standby state information set by the standby state setting unit  227 . 
     The reporting control unit  224  performs control to ensure that the reporting unit  214  performs reporting based on predetermined conditions and based on the obtained report information. For example, the reporting control unit  224  makes the reporting unit  214  report the notification information of the vehicle dispatch instruction received by the communication unit  212  from the vehicle dispatch management device  10 , or report the detailed information of the order information. Moreover, for example, the reporting control unit  224  makes the reporting unit  214  report the report information that prompts the driver to select between accepting or rejecting the vehicle dispatch order. Moreover, for example, the reporting control unit  224  makes the reporting unit  214  report the vehicle mode setting information indicating that the vehicle mode is set by the vehicle mode setting unit  226 . Furthermore, for example, the reporting control unit  224  makes the reporting unit  214  report the standby state setting information indicating that the standby state has been set by the standby state setting unit  227 . 
     The vehicle location information obtaining unit  225  obtains the vehicle location information indicating the present location of the vehicle  200 . In the embodiment, the vehicle location information obtaining unit  225  obtains the vehicle location information of the vehicle  200  based on the signals of the radio waves obtained by the GPS receiving unit  215 . Then, the vehicle location information obtaining unit  225  outputs the vehicle location information to the communication control unit  222 . 
     The vehicle mode setting unit  226  sets the vehicle mode to the empty mode, the occupied mode, the payment mode, the pickup mode, or the out-of-service mode. More specifically, when the operating unit  211  obtains an operation signal of a predetermined operation for setting the vehicle mode from the operation reception control unit  221 , the vehicle mode setting unit  226  sets the vehicle mode. Then, the vehicle mode setting unit  226  outputs the set vehicle mode information to the display control unit  223 , the reporting control unit  224 , and the vehicle state information notifying unit  228 . 
     The standby state setting unit  227  sets the state of the vehicle  200  to the standby state indicating that the vehicle  200  is on standby at the waiting place  300  such as a dispatch center or a taxi stand, or sets the state of the vehicle to a non-standby state. More specifically, when the operating unit  211  obtains an operation signal of a predetermined operation for setting the standby state from the operation reception control unit  221 , the standby state setting unit  227  sets the standby state. For example, after joining at the end of the queue of the vehicles  200  at the waiting place  300 , the driver of the concerned vehicle  200  performs a predetermined setting operation using the operating unit  211  and sets the state of the vehicle  200  to the standby state. Then, the standby state setting unit  227  outputs the standby state information to the display control unit  223 , the reporting control unit  224 , and the vehicle state information notifying unit  228 . 
     The vehicle state information notifying unit  228  notifies the vehicle dispatch management device  10  about the vehicle state information containing the vehicle mode information and the standby state information. More specifically, the vehicle state information notifying unit  228  outputs, to the communication control unit  222 , communication information to be used for notifying the vehicle state information containing the vehicle mode information obtained from the vehicle mode setting unit  226  and containing the standby state information obtained from the standby state setting unit  227 . 
     Configuration of Monitoring Device 
     Explained below with reference to  FIG. 5  is a detailed configuration of the monitoring device  310 .  FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the monitoring device according to the embodiment. The monitoring device  310  includes the imaging unit  311 , a communication unit  312 , and a control unit  320 . 
     The imaging unit  311  is a camera installed at the corresponding waiting place  300 , and takes images of the persons queued up at the waiting place  300 . The imaging unit  311  performs imaging to obtain such imaging data which at least enables detection of the number of persons waiting at the waiting place  300 . Then, the imaging unit  311  outputs the imaging data to an imaging data obtaining unit  321  of the control unit  320 . 
     The communication unit  312  is a unit for performing communication. The communication unit  312  performs communication with the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . For example, the communication unit  312  sends, to the vehicle dispatch management device  10 , the waiting person count information about the number of persons waiting at the corresponding waiting place  300 . Meanwhile, the communication unit  312  performs a variety of communication based on the control signals output from a communication control unit  322  of the control unit  320 . 
     The control unit  320  is, for example, an arithmetic processing device (a control device) configured with a CPU. The control unit  320  loads stored computer programs into a memory and executes the instructions written in the computer programs. The control unit  320  includes an internal memory (not illustrated). The internal memory is used to store computer programs written for implementing the constituent elements of the control unit  320 . In that case, the control unit  320  loads the computer programs stored in the internal memory, and executes them so that the functions of the constituent elements are implemented. Meanwhile, the internal memory is also used to temporarily store the data of the control unit  320 . The control unit  320  includes the following constituent elements connected to each other by the bus BS: the imaging data obtaining unit  321 , the communication control unit  322 , a waiting-person-count detecting unit  323 , and a waiting-person-count notifying unit  324 . 
     The imaging data obtaining unit  321  obtains, from the imaging unit  311 , the imaging data obtained by imaging by the imaging unit  311 . The imaging data obtaining unit  321  obtains the imaging data of the persons queued up at the waiting place  300 . Then, the imaging data obtaining unit  321  outputs the imaging data to the waiting-person-count detecting unit  323 . 
     The communication control unit  322  controls the communication performed by the communication unit  312 . For example, the communication control unit  322  outputs the obtained communication information to the communication unit  312 . For example, the communication control unit  322  obtains, from the waiting-person-count notifying unit  324 , the waiting person count information about the number of persons queued up at the waiting place  300 . Moreover, for example, the communication control unit  322  can also obtain, from the imaging data obtaining unit  321 , the imaging data obtained as a result of performing imaging of the waiting place  300 . 
     The waiting-person-count detecting unit  323  detects, from the imaging data, the number of persons queued up at the waiting place  300 . Moreover, the waiting-person-count detecting unit  323  detects, from the imaging data, the faces of the persons queued up at the waiting place  300 . The waiting-person-count notifying unit  324  can perform image detection using artificial intelligence (AI). Alternatively, the waiting-person-count detecting unit  323  can perform image processing for detecting faces of the persons from the imaging data. Examples of the image processing include binarization or filter processing. Then, the waiting-person-count detecting unit  323  outputs the detection data about the faces of the persons to the waiting-person-count notifying unit  324 . 
     The waiting-person-count notifying unit  324  notifies the vehicle dispatch management device  10  about the number of persons queued up at the waiting place  300 . More specifically, based on the detection data obtained from the waiting-person-count detecting unit  323 ; the waiting-person-count notifying unit  324  outputs, to the communication control unit  322 , communication information to be used for notifying the waiting person count information about the persons who are waiting. 
     Example of Dispatch-Vehicle Waiting-Place Information Notified to Client Terminal 
     Explained below with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7  is an example of the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information that is notified to the client terminal  100 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship between the vehicle dispatch location, the vehicles, and the waiting place.  FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the client terminal according to the embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 6  is illustrated a map of the periphery of the client terminal  100 . In the map of the periphery of the client terminal  100 , the following is illustrated: the client terminal  100 , the location information of a plurality of vehicles  200  matching with the set conditions of the order information; and the waiting place  300 . The map information of the periphery of the client terminal  100  is obtained by the map information obtaining unit  32  from the map information storing unit  12  based on the location information of the vehicle dispatch location as obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 . The location information of the waiting place  300  is obtained by the waiting place information obtaining unit  33  from the waiting place information storing unit  13  based on the location information of the vehicle dispatch location as obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the vehicle dispatch management device  10  notifies the client terminal  100  about: the waiting time till the dispatch of a vehicle, the required time to reach the nearby waiting place  300 , and the standby vehicle count information indicating the number of vehicles  200  on standby at the waiting place  300 . The waiting time till the dispatch of a vehicle represents the required time from the candidate vehicles to the client terminal  100 . The required time to reach the nearby waiting place  300  represents the required time on foot from the client terminal  100  to the waiting place  300 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the vehicles  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 , and  205  represent the candidate vehicles to which a vehicle dispatch instruction is notified. The candidate vehicles are retrieved by the candidate vehicle searching unit  41  from a plurality of vehicles  200  based on the order information obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , based on the map information obtained by the map information obtaining unit  32 , and based on the location information of the vehicles  200  as obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 . Then, from among the vehicles  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 , and  205  representing the candidate vehicles, a single first-type candidate vehicle is selected. When the client terminal  100  notifies the vehicle dispatch management device  10  about a vehicle dispatch request, the first-type candidate vehicle is the candidate vehicle to which the vehicle dispatch management device  10  sends a vehicle dispatch instruction. The first-type candidate vehicle is selected by the first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42  from among a plurality of candidate vehicles retrieved by the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 . The first-type candidate vehicle is selected based on the direct distance to the vehicle dispatch location, or the route to the vehicle dispatch location, or the required time to reach the vehicle dispatch location. For example, the first-type candidate vehicle is the closest vehicle to the vehicle dispatch location. In the embodiment, the vehicle  204  represents the first-type candidate vehicle. 
     The waiting time till the dispatch of a vehicle as notified by the vehicle dispatch management device  10  to the client terminal  100  represents the required time from the vehicle  204 , which represents the first-type candidate vehicle, to the client terminal  100  as calculated by the required-time calculating unit  44 . The required-time calculating unit  44  calculates the required time from the vehicle  204  to the client terminal  100  based on the order information obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , based on the map information obtained by the map information obtaining unit  32 , and based on the location information of the vehicles  200  as obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 . 
     The required time to reach the nearby waiting place  300  as notified by the vehicle dispatch management device  10  to the client terminal  100  represents the required time on foot from the client terminal  100  to the waiting place  300  as calculated by the required-time calculating unit  44 . The required-time calculating unit  44  calculates the required time on foot from the client terminal  100  to the waiting place  300  based on the order information obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , based on the map information obtained by the map information obtaining unit  32 , and based on the waiting place information obtained by the waiting place information obtaining unit  33 . 
     The standby vehicle count information, which indicates the number of vehicles  200  waiting at the waiting place  300  as notified by the vehicle dispatch management device  10  to the client terminal  100 , is obtained by the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43 . Herein, the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43  can obtain the standby vehicle count information based on the waiting place information obtained by the waiting place information obtaining unit  33  and based on the standby state information of the vehicles  200  as obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 . Alternatively, the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43  can obtain the standby vehicle count information based on the standby state information of the candidate vehicles that are retrieved by the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the vehicle dispatch schedule information and the nearby-waiting-place information notified from the vehicle dispatch management device  10  is displayed in an application window  120  that is displayed in a display unit  110  of the client terminal  100 . The application window  120  includes a character information display region  121 , a vehicle dispatch request button  122 , and a vehicle dispatch abort button  123 . In the character information display region  121 , the following information is displayed: the waiting time till the dispatch of a vehicle, the required time to reach the nearby waiting place  300 , and the standby vehicle count information indicating the number of vehicles  200  on standby at the waiting place  300 . Based on the information presented in the character information display region  121 , the customer operating the client terminal  100  either selects and presses the vehicle dispatch request button  122  so as to request for the dispatch of a vehicle, or selects and presses the vehicle dispatch abort button  123  so as to walk to the waiting place  300  without requesting for the dispatch of a vehicle. When the pressing of the vehicle dispatch request button  122  is detected, the client terminal  100  sends, to the vehicle dispatch management device  10 , response information indicating that a vehicle dispatch request is to be issued. Once the vehicle dispatch management device  10  receives, from the client terminal  100 , the response information indicating that a vehicle dispatch request is to be issued, the vehicle dispatch order issued by the client terminal  100  gets finalized. As a result, the vehicle dispatch management device  10  issues a vehicle dispatch instruction to the first-type candidate vehicle. On the other hand, when the pressing of the vehicle dispatch abort button  123  is detected, the client terminal  100  sends, to the vehicle dispatch management device  10 , response information indicating that a vehicle dispatch request is not to be issued. Once the vehicle dispatch management device  10  receives from the client terminal  100  the response information indicating that a vehicle dispatch request is not to be issued, the vehicle dispatch order issued by the client terminal  100  gets cancelled. 
     The vehicle dispatch management device  10  can notify the client terminal  100  also about the waiting person count information about the number of persons queued up at the waiting place  300 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the waiting person count information is displayed in the character information display region  121 . Thus, the customer can compare the number of vehicles that are on standby with the number of persons who have queued up, and can get to know the congestion situation at the waiting place  300 . 
     Operations Performed in Vehicle Dispatch Management Device 
     Explained below with reference to  FIG. 8  is the flow of operations performed in the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  of the vehicle dispatch management device  10 .  FIG. 8  is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operations performed in the vehicle dispatch management control device according to the embodiment. The operations illustrated in  FIG. 8  are performed in the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  based on a predetermined control program and data. For example, when a vehicle dispatch request is received from the client terminal  100 , the system control proceeds to Step S 400  illustrated in  FIG. 8 , and the operations are started in the vehicle dispatch management control device  20 . In the embodiment, the vehicle dispatch order includes the conditions set by the client terminal  100 . The conditions include the predetermined range for searching the vehicles  200  for the candidate vehicles. In the embodiment, the conditions are set based on the set conditions that are set by the client using the client terminal  100 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  obtains the order information containing the vehicle dispatch location information, and obtains the map information and the waiting place information of the vehicle dispatch location periphery (Step S 400 ). More particularly, the order information obtaining unit  31  obtains the order information of the vehicle dispatch order received by the communication unit  11  from the client terminal  100 . The order information at least contains the location information of the vehicle dispatch location. In the embodiment, the vehicle dispatch location represents the location of the client terminal  100 . Based on the location information of the vehicle dispatch location as obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , the map information obtaining unit  32  obtains the map information of the vehicle dispatch location periphery from the map information storing unit  12 . Moreover, based on the location information of the vehicle dispatch location as obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , the waiting place information obtaining unit  33  obtains the location of the waiting place  300  in the vehicle dispatch location periphery from the waiting place information storing unit  13 . Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 402 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  obtains the vehicle information containing the location information of the vehicles  200  (Step S 402 ). More particularly, the vehicle information obtaining unit  34  obtains, from the vehicle information storing unit  14 , the vehicle information containing the location information of the vehicles  200  in the vehicle dispatch location periphery. Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 404 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  searches for the candidate vehicles, which match with the set conditions of the order information, based on the vehicle dispatch location information, the map information, and the vehicle information (Step S 404 ). More particularly, based on the order information obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , based on the map information obtained by the map information obtaining unit  32 , and based on the vehicle information of a plurality of vehicles  200  as obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 ; the candidate vehicle searching unit  41  searches the vehicles  200  for the candidate vehicles. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the vehicles  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 , and  205  represent the candidate vehicles. Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 406 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or not one or more candidate vehicles are found (Step S 406 ). More particularly, the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or not the candidate vehicle searching unit  41  has found, as the candidate vehicles from among the vehicles  200  present in the vehicle dispatch location periphery, the vehicles  200  matching with the set conditions of the order information. If one or more candidate vehicles are found (Yes at Step S 406 ), then the system control proceeds to Step S 408 . However, if not even a single candidate vehicle is found (No at Step S 406 ), then the system control proceeds to Step S 440 . 
     When one or more candidate vehicles are found (Yes at Step S 406 ), the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  selects a single first-type candidate vehicle from the candidate vehicles according to predetermined conditions (Step S 408 ). More particularly, based on the location information of the vehicle dispatch location as obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31  and based on the vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 , the first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42  selects a single first-type candidate vehicle from among the candidate vehicles retrieved by the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 . The first-type candidate vehicle is, for example, the closest vehicle to the vehicle dispatch location. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the vehicle  204  represents the closest vehicle. Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 410 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  calculates the required time from the candidate vehicles to the vehicle dispatch location (Step S 410 ). More particularly, based on the order information obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , based on the map information obtained by the map information obtaining unit  32 , and based on the vehicle information of a plurality of vehicles  200  as obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 ; the required-time calculating unit  44  calculates the required time from the candidate vehicles, which are retrieved by the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 , to the client terminal  100 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the required time from the candidate vehicles to the client terminal  100  is five minutes. Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 412 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or not one or more waiting places  300  are found (Step S 412 ). More particularly, from among the waiting places  300  obtained by the waiting place information obtaining unit  33  from the waiting place information storing unit  13 , the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or not one or more waiting places  300  are present within a predetermined range from the client terminal  100 . If one or more waiting places  300  are found (Yes at Step S 412 ), then the system control proceeds to Step S 414 . On the other hand, if not even a single waiting place  300  is found (No at Step S 412 ), then the system control proceeds to Step S 422 . 
     When one or more waiting places  300  are found (Yes at Step S 412 ), the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  obtains the standby vehicle count information indicating the number of candidate vehicles on standby at the waiting place  300  (Step S 414 ). More particularly, the standby-vehicle-count information obtaining unit  43  obtains the standby vehicle count information based on the waiting place information obtained by the waiting place information obtaining unit  33  and based on the standby state information of the vehicles  200  as obtained by the vehicle information obtaining unit  34 . Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 416 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  calculates the required time from the vehicle dispatch location to the waiting place  300  (Step S 416 ). More particularly, based on the order information obtained by the order information obtaining unit  31 , based on the map information obtained by the map information obtaining unit  32 , and based on the waiting place information obtained by the waiting place information obtaining unit  33 ; the required-time calculating unit  44  calculates the required time on foot from the client terminal  100  to the waiting place  300 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the required time on foot from the client terminal  100  to the waiting place  300  is five minutes. Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 418 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  obtains the waiting person count information at the waiting place  300  (Step S 418 ). More particularly, the waiting-person-count information obtaining unit  35  obtains, from the waiting-person-count information storing unit  15 , the waiting person count information indicating the number of persons queued up at the waiting place  300 . Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 420 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  notifies the client terminal  100  about the dispatch schedule information, the nearby waiting place information, the standby vehicle count information at the waiting place  300 , and the waiting person count information at the waiting place  300  (Step S 420 ). The dispatch schedule information contains the waiting time till the dispatch of a vehicle. The nearby waiting place information contains the location information of the nearby waiting place  300 . Moreover, in the embodiment, the nearby waiting place information contains the required time to reach the nearby waiting place  300 . More particularly, the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51  outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for notifying the dispatch schedule information, the nearby waiting place information, the standby vehicle count information at the waiting place  300 , and the waiting person count information at the waiting place  300 . As a result, the communication control unit  21  makes the communication unit  11  send, to the client terminal  100 , the dispatch schedule information, the nearby waiting place information, the standby vehicle count information at the waiting place  300 , and the waiting person count information at the waiting place  300 . Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 424 . 
     Meanwhile, when not even a single waiting place  300  is found (No at Step S 412 ), then the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  notifies the client terminal  100  about the dispatch schedule information (Step S 422 ). More particularly, the dispatch-vehicle waiting-place information notifying unit  51  outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for notifying the dispatch schedule information. As a result, the communication control unit  21  makes the communication unit  11  send the dispatch schedule information to the client terminal  100 . Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 424 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or not a response is received from the client terminal  100  (Step S 424 ). More particularly, the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or not the response obtaining unit  52  has obtained a response that indicates whether or not to issue a vehicle dispatch request and that is received by the communication unit  11  from the client terminal  100 . If a response is received from the client terminal  100  (Yes at Step S 424 ), then the system control proceeds to Step S 426 . On the other hand, if no response is received from the client terminal  100  (No at Step S 424 ), then the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  repeatedly performs the operation at Step S 424  until a response is received from the client terminal  100 . 
     When a response is received from the client terminal  100  (Yes at Step S 424 ), the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or a not a vehicle dispatch request has been issued from the client terminal  100  (Step S 426 ). More particularly, based on the response information obtained by the response obtaining unit  52 , the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or not the response of the client terminal  100  represents a vehicle dispatch request. When a vehicle dispatch request is issued from the client terminal  100  (Yes at Step S 426 ), then the system control proceeds to Step S 428 . On the other hand, if a vehicle dispatch request is not issued from the client terminal  100  (No at Step S 426 ), then it marks the end of the operations illustrated in the flowchart in  FIG. 8 . 
     When a vehicle dispatch request is issued from the client terminal  100  (Yes at Step S 426 ), the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  issues a vehicle dispatch instruction to the first-type candidate vehicle for requesting to accept the vehicle dispatch order (Step S 428 ). More particularly, the vehicle dispatch instruction notifying unit  61  outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for sending the vehicle dispatch instruction to the first-type candidate vehicle selected by the first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42 . As a result, the communication control unit  21  makes the communication unit  11  send the vehicle dispatch instruction to the concerned vehicle  200  for requesting to accept the vehicle dispatch order. Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 430 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or not a response about accepting the vehicle dispatch order is received from the first-type candidate vehicle (Step S 430 ). More particularly, based on the response information obtained by the order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62 , the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether the response from the first-type candidate vehicle indicates acceptance or nonacceptance of the vehicle dispatch order. If the response from the first-type candidate vehicle indicates acceptance of the vehicle dispatch order (Yes at Step S 430 ), then the system control proceeds to Step S 436 . On the other hand, if the response from the first-type candidate vehicle indicates nonacceptance of the vehicle dispatch order (No at Step S 430 ), then the system control proceeds to Step S 432 . 
     When the response from the first-type candidate vehicle indicates nonacceptance of the vehicle dispatch order (No at Step S 430 ), the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or not another candidate vehicle is available (Step S 432 ). More particularly, the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  determines whether or not, from among the candidate vehicles retrieved by the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 , one or more candidate vehicles other than the first-type candidate vehicle are available. If other candidate vehicles are available (Yes at Step S 432 ), then the system control proceeds to Step S 434 . On the other hand, if no other candidate vehicle is available (No at Step S 432 ), then the system control proceeds to Step S 440 . 
     When other candidate vehicles are available (Yes at Step S 432 ), the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  again selects a single first-type candidate vehicle from among the remaining candidate vehicles according to a predetermined condition (Step S 434 ). More particularly, while excluding the earlier first-type candidate vehicle, the first-type candidate vehicle selecting unit  42  again selects a single first-type candidate vehicle from among the candidate vehicles retrieved by the candidate vehicle searching unit  41 . Then, the system control returns to Step S 428 . 
     Meanwhile, when the response from the first-type candidate vehicle indicates acceptance of the vehicle dispatch order (Yes at Step S 430 ), the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  notifies the dispatch vehicle about the details of the order information (Step S 436 ). More particularly, when the order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62  obtains a response indicating acceptance of the vehicle dispatch order from the first-type candidate vehicle, the order information notifying unit  71  sets the first-type vehicle as the dispatch vehicle and outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , about communication information to be used for notifying the dispatch vehicle about the details of the order information. The details of the order information can include, for example, the name of the person who issued the vehicle dispatch order. As a result, the communication control unit  21  makes the communication unit  11  send the details of the order information to the concerned vehicle  200 . Then, the system control proceeds to Step S 438 . 
     The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  notifies the client terminal  100  about the vehicle dispatch information (Step S 438 ). More particularly, when the order acceptance/nonacceptance obtaining unit  62  obtains the response indicating acceptance of the vehicle dispatch order from the first-type candidate vehicle, the vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72  sets the first-type candidate vehicle as the dispatch vehicle and outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , the notification information to be used for notifying the client terminal  100  about the vehicle dispatch information indicating the information about the vehicle  200  to be dispatched. As a result, the communication control unit  21  makes the communication unit  11  send the vehicle dispatch information, which contains the information about the vehicle  200  to be dispatched, to the concerned vehicle  200 . It marks the end of the operations illustrated in the flowchart in  FIG. 8 . 
     Meanwhile, when not even a single candidate vehicle is found (No at Step S 406 ) or when no other candidate vehicle is available (No at Step S 432 ), the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  notifies the client terminal  100  about the order nonacceptance information (Step S 440 ). More particularly, the vehicle dispatch information notifying unit  72  outputs, to the communication control unit  21 , communication information to be used for notifying the order nonacceptance information indicating that a vehicle cannot be dispatched under the set conditions. As a result, the communication control unit  21  makes the communication unit  11  send the order nonacceptance information to the client terminal  100 . It marks the end of the operations illustrated in the flowchart in  FIG. 8 . 
     As explained above, the vehicle dispatch management system  1  according to the embodiment notifies the client terminal  100 , which issued a vehicle dispatch order, about the dispatch schedule information containing the required time, and about the waiting placing information containing the location information of the waiting place  300 . As a result, the customer becomes able to either select issuing a vehicle dispatch order for requesting a pickup by paying the pickup charge, or select walking to the waiting place  300  to save some money. 
     Meanwhile, the waiting-person-count detecting unit  323  can be installed in the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  of the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . In that case, the imaging unit  311  sends the image data to the vehicle dispatch management device  10 . Moreover, the method by which the monitoring device  310  obtains the number of persons queued up at the waiting place  300  is not limited to the method according to the embodiment, and alternatively the number of waiting persons can be obtained using some other type of sensor. 
     In the embodiment, when a response indicating nonacceptance of the vehicle dispatch order is received from the first-type candidate vehicle, the vehicle dispatch management control device  20  again selects a single first-type candidate vehicle from among the remaining candidate vehicles (Step S 434 ). However, alternatively, the candidate vehicles can be again searched afresh. The vehicle dispatch management control device  20  can repeatedly perform the search at predetermined intervals. 
     Meanwhile, the constituent elements of the vehicle dispatch management device  10 , the in-vehicle device  210 , and the vehicle dispatch management system  1  as illustrated in the drawings are merely conceptual, and need not be physically configured as illustrated. The constituent elements, as a whole or in part, can be separated or integrated either functionally or physically based on various types of loads or use conditions. 
     Moreover, the configuration of the vehicle dispatch management device  10  and the in-vehicle device  210  is implemented using computer programs loaded in a memory. In the embodiment described above, the configuration is explained as functional blocks implemented as a result of coordination between hardware and software. That is, the functional blocks can be implemented in various forms such as using only hardware, or using only software, or using a combination of hardware and software. 
     Although the disclosure has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.