| CPC G01C 21/3423 (2013.01) [G06Q 30/0284 (2013.01)] | 5 Claims |

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1. A route guidance device for use with public transportation, the device comprising:
a communication interface configured to communicate with a user terminal having a location information acquisition unit; and
a processor operatively connected to the communication interface, the processor being programmed to:
receive, via the communication interface, a route search request for a travel route including a destination and a departure point;
calculate a route to the destination, a portion of the route to the destination including travel on a public transportation vehicle along a selected public transportation route, the selected public transportation route including a boarding stop where a user of the user terminal will board the public transportation vehicle and an exit stop where the user will exit the public transportation vehicle;
transmit, via the communication interface, the calculated route to the user terminal;
determine whether the user has boarded the public transportation vehicle by:
receiving, via the communication interface, a first position of the user terminal detected by the location information acquisition unit;
receiving via the communication interface, a second position of the user terminal detected by the location information acquisition unit;
accessing map data and determining whether the received first position of the user terminal is within a first predetermined distance of the boarding stop;
accessing public transportation information and determining whether the received second position of the user terminal is along the selected public transportation route; and
determining that the user has boarded the public transportation vehicle when (i) the received first position of the user terminal is within a first predetermined distance of the boarding stop, and (ii) the received second position of the user terminal is along the selected public transportation route;
in response to the determination that the user has boarded the public transportation vehicle, determine whether the user is approaching the exit stop by:
receiving, via the communication interface, a third position of the user terminal detected by the location information acquisition unit;
accessing the public transportation information and determining whether the received third position of the user terminal is within a second predetermined distance of the exit stop;
determining that the user is approaching exit stop when the received third position of the user terminal is within a second predetermined distance of the exit stop; and
in response to the determination that the user is approaching the exit stop:
access public transportation fare information, and calculate a fare to be charged to the user for travel along the selected public transportation route;
process payment of the calculated fare; and
transmit a notification to the user terminal via the communication interface, and amount of the payment and a confirmation that the payment has been processed.
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