JP2009266124A - Vehicle management device, in-vehicle electronic equipment, vehicle management server, vehicle management method, vehicle management program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten an occupied time of a vehicle and to improve the rotation rate of the vehicle by allowing a plurality of users to use the vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: This vehicle management device 100 is used for a rental car system for renting vehicles. The vehicle management device 100 is provided with a setting part 101, a detecting part 103 and an outputting part 104. The setting part 101 sets a limited area within a prescribed range from a rental car base for renting vehicles beforehand. The detecting part 103 detects that a vehicle is located outside the limited area. The outputting part 104 outputs information to the effect that the vehicle detected by the detecting part 103 is located outside the limited area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle management device, an in-vehicle electronic device, a vehicle management server, a vehicle management method, a vehicle management program, and a recording medium that are mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described vehicle management device, vehicle-mounted electronic device, vehicle management server, vehicle management method, vehicle management program, and recording medium.

  In recent years, the price of crude oil has risen, and the threshold for owning cars has been increasing. In addition, in response to the wave of decrushed oil, research and development of next-generation vehicles (fuel cell vehicles, electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, etc.) are accelerating on a global scale, and they are proceeding toward general commercialization. In addition, awareness of global warming due to the abuse of crude oil is expected to increase further in the future, and solutions for automobiles are being sought on a global scale.

  Therefore, a vehicle usage mode called a car sharing system in which a vehicle is shared by a plurality of members registered in advance is spreading (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). In a car sharing system, for example, it is possible to install a plurality of terminals for managing vehicles and return a vehicle borrowed at one terminal to another terminal.

  In addition, a vehicle usage mode called a rental car system in which a user rents a vehicle from a business operator by paying a predetermined fee has been implemented as one of solutions to the same problem. Such a rental car system and car sharing system provide various benefits such as reducing the total number of vehicles, eliminating the need for individual vehicle maintenance and management, and promoting the use of public transportation. It is done. Particularly in urban areas where traffic is congested and maintenance costs are high, there is a great need for car sharing systems and car rental systems.

JP 2007-183749 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, for example, when many users go out, the user occupies the vehicle for a long time, and other users cannot borrow the vehicle. An example of this is the problem. In particular, in a car sharing system that lends and returns vehicles at multiple terminals, users can rent vehicles at one terminal, but can be rented for each terminal (area) when returned at another terminal far away. An example is the problem of imbalance in the number of vehicles.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a vehicle management apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is a vehicle management apparatus used in a vehicle rental system that lends a vehicle, from a rental car base that lends a vehicle. A setting means for presetting a restricted area within a predetermined range; a detecting means for detecting that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area; and the vehicle detected by the detecting means is located outside the restricted area. Output means for outputting information to notify the user.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, an in-vehicle electronic device is mounted on a vehicle and includes the vehicle management device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects.

  The vehicle management server according to the invention of claim 11 manages a plurality of vehicles and can be communicably connected to a vehicle terminal device mounted on the vehicle. A device is provided.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle management method for a vehicle management apparatus used in a vehicle rental system for renting a vehicle, wherein the vehicle management method is outside a restricted area within a predetermined range from a vehicle rental base for renting the vehicle. And a detection step for detecting that the vehicle is located, and an output step for outputting information indicating that the vehicle detected in the detection step is located outside the restricted area. And

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a vehicle management program causes a computer to execute the vehicle management method according to the twelfth aspect.

  A recording medium according to a fourteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the vehicle management program according to the thirteenth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

  Exemplary embodiments of a vehicle management device, an in-vehicle electronic device, a vehicle management server, a vehicle management method, a vehicle management program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
(Functional configuration of vehicle management device)
A functional configuration of the vehicle management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The vehicle management apparatus is used in a car rental system that lends a vehicle. A car rental system is a car sharing system in which a user registered in advance pays a basic fee, for example, to share a vehicle among the users, or a vehicle by which a large number of unspecified users pay a predetermined fee. It is a rental car system. In a car sharing system, a plurality of terminals for managing vehicles are installed, and a vehicle borrowed at one terminal can be returned at another terminal.

  The vehicle management device is realized by a vehicle management server that can be connected to a vehicle terminal device such as a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, or by an in-vehicle electronic device such as a navigation device or a mobile phone device mounted on the vehicle. Realized.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the vehicle management apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the vehicle management apparatus 100 includes a setting unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, a detection unit 103, an output unit 104, a grant unit 105, a charging unit 106, and an output control unit 107.

  The setting unit 101 presets a restricted area within a predetermined range from a rental car base that lends a vehicle. The car rental base is a place where parking spaces are provided, the vehicle dispatching procedure, etc. are managed, the vehicle is rented to the user, and the vehicle is returned from the user. For example, at the terminal in the car sharing system Equivalent to.

  The car rental base may be provided with a manager who manages the car rental base, or may be unattended computer management. For example, the restricted area may be a predetermined distance centered on the rental car base, or may be a distance that can be reached within a predetermined time from the rental car base. In addition, the restricted area may be different for each terminal, may include a plurality of terminals and may be set as an area common to them, and further, depending on the time zone and vehicle usage, The range may be variable.

  The acquisition unit 102 acquires information on the current position of the vehicle. The detecting unit 103 detects that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area. Specifically, the detection unit 103 confirms that the vehicle is located outside the restriction area based on the current position information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 and the restriction area position information set in the setting unit 101. Is detected.

  The output unit 104 outputs information indicating that the vehicle detected by the detection unit 103 is located outside the restricted area. Informing that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area may be, for example, simply notifying a situation such as “I am located outside the restricted area” or instructing a travel such as “Please return to the restricted area”. But you can. When the vehicle management device 100 is realized by a vehicle management server, the output unit 104 is implemented by a transmission unit that transmits information indicating the above notification to the vehicle terminal device. When the vehicle management device 100 is realized by an in-vehicle electronic device mounted on a vehicle, the output unit 104 is implemented by a display, a speaker, or the like.

  The granting unit 105 grants a predetermined remuneration fee to a user who returns without traveling outside the restricted area. The predetermined remuneration fee is typically a consideration in money, but may be earning points, enjoying the provision of services, receiving goods, and the like. When the predetermined remuneration fee is money, the information on the remuneration fee granted is transferred to, for example, a billing server that manages the payment amount of the user, and the payment amount is discounted. In this case, the output unit 104 outputs information on the predetermined remuneration fee granted by the granting unit 105.

  In addition, the granting unit 105 grants a predetermined remuneration fee when the user returns within a predetermined time from the time when the user rented the vehicle. The predetermined time may be, for example, a time such as simply within 30 minutes from the rented time, or a time that is 30 minutes or more earlier than the scheduled return time. Further, the granting unit 105 may grant a predetermined remuneration fee according to the time returned early with respect to the scheduled return time.

  When the detecting unit 103 detects that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area, the charging unit 106 imposes a predetermined excess fee on the user of the vehicle. The predetermined excess fee is typically related to payment by money, but may be a point release or the like. When the predetermined excess fee is paid in money, the information on the imposed excess fee is transferred to, for example, a billing server that manages the payment amount of the user, and the payment amount is increased. The output unit 104 outputs information on excess charges imposed by the charging unit 106.

  The charging unit 106 may charge an excess fee according to the time when the vehicle is located outside the restricted area. Specifically, the billing unit 106 imposes an excess fee with a higher payment amount as the time that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area is longer.

  Further, the charging unit 106 may charge an excess fee according to the distance from the restricted area outside the restricted area of the vehicle. Specifically, the billing unit 106 imposes a higher surcharge as the distance from the outside of the restricted area of the vehicle increases.

  The output control unit 107 outputs information on excess charges imposed when the vehicle is located outside the restricted area when the vehicle is located near the restricted area. Specifically, when the vehicle is positioned in the vicinity of the restricted area, the output control unit 107 outputs information indicating that the advance notice “a surcharge will be charged if the restricted area is exceeded”.

  Further, the output unit 104 may output screen information in which the restricted area is displayed on the map. Specifically, for example, the output unit 104 can display color-coded screen information surrounding the restricted area on the map screen so that the user can visually recognize the restricted area, or screen information obtained by changing the color of the road traveling outside the restricted area. Is output.

(Vehicle management processing procedure of the vehicle management device)
Next, a vehicle management processing procedure of the vehicle management apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a vehicle management processing procedure of the vehicle management apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the vehicle management apparatus 100 performs a process in which the acquisition unit 102 acquires information on the current position (step S201). Then, it is determined whether or not the detection unit 103 has been detected to be located outside the restricted area (step S202). If it is determined that it has not been detected that it is located outside the restricted area (step S202: No), information on the current position in step S201 is acquired.

  When it is determined that it has been detected that it is located outside the restricted area (step S202: Yes), information indicating that the output unit 104 is located outside the restricted area is output (step S203), and a series of processing is performed. finish.

  As described above, according to the vehicle management apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when the vehicle is located outside the restricted area, information indicating that the user is located outside the restricted area is notified. Since it outputs, it can suppress the occupation of the vehicle for a long time when a user carelessly travels outside the restricted area. In particular, in a car sharing system with multiple terminals, it is possible to prevent returning to a terminal distant from the rented terminal (rental base), and to maintain the balance of the number of vehicles managed for each terminal (area) be able to. Therefore, since the rotation rate of the vehicle when used by a plurality of users can be improved, a car rental system that is highly convenient for the user can be provided.

  In addition, if a predetermined reward fee is given to a user who returns without traveling outside the restricted area, the user can be urged to travel within the restricted area. In particular, if a predetermined reward fee is given when the user returns within a predetermined time from the time when the user rented the vehicle, the user's occupation time of the vehicle can be suppressed. Therefore, the rotation rate of the vehicle due to use by a plurality of users can be improved, and convenience in the car rental system can be improved.

  In addition, if it is detected that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area, the user is encouraged to travel within the restricted area if a predetermined excess fee is imposed on the user of the vehicle. Can do. In particular, if an excess fee is imposed according to the time or distance at which the vehicle is located outside the restricted area, the vehicle occupation time by the user can be suppressed. Therefore, the rotation rate of the vehicle due to use by a plurality of users can be improved, and convenience in the car rental system can be improved.

  Also, if the information on excess charges imposed when the vehicle is located outside the restricted area is output when the vehicle is located near the restricted area, the user can Recognize excess charges imposed when you are outside. Moreover, if the screen information which displayed the restriction area on the map is output, the user can visually recognize the restriction area.

  Further, if the excess fee or the reward fee is related to the amount of money, it is possible to most efficiently promote traveling in the restricted area and to suppress the occupation of the vehicle for a long time.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. A present Example demonstrates an example at the time of implementing the car sharing system comprised by the navigation terminal as a vehicle management server and a vehicle terminal device. The vehicle management apparatus 100 shown in the embodiment is realized by a vehicle management server. The car sharing system is a system in which a member user registered in advance shares a vehicle among the users by, for example, paying a basic fee every month. In this car sharing system, there are a plurality of terminals that manage vehicles and lend or return vehicles.

(System configuration of car sharing system)
First, the system configuration of the car sharing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of the car sharing system according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the car sharing system 300 includes a vehicle management server 310 and a navigation terminal 320. The vehicle management server 310 is connected to a navigation terminal 320 mounted on a plurality of vehicles via a network such as the Internet. The vehicle management server 310 performs management of user information registered as a member, management of vehicle lending, management of fee payment, compensation fee, and the like.

  In addition, the vehicle management server 310 sets a restricted area for each terminal, registers vehicles managed at each terminal, and travels each vehicle such as whether each vehicle is traveling within the restricted area or outside the restricted area. Manage state. The vehicle management server 310 can also search for a recommended route from the departure point of the vehicle to the destination.

  The navigation terminal 320 acquires information on the current position of the vehicle and transmits the acquired information to the vehicle management server 310. In addition, the navigation terminal 320 gives a predetermined notification received from the vehicle management server 310 to the user when it is located outside the restricted area or in the vicinity of the restricted area.

(Hardware configuration of vehicle management server)
The hardware configuration of the vehicle management server 310 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the vehicle management server 310 according to the present embodiment.

  4, the vehicle management server 310 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a magnetic disk drive 404, a magnetic disk 405, an optical disk drive 406, an optical disk 407, and a communication I / F 408. In addition, the respective components 401 to 408 are connected by a bus 420.

  The CPU 401 governs overall control of the vehicle management server 310. A rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a ROM 402 or a flash ROM records various programs such as a boot program and a vehicle management program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401.

  When the vehicle management program detects that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area using information on the current position of the vehicle received from the navigation terminal 320 via the communication I / F 408 and information on the restricted area set in advance. This is a program for outputting to the vehicle information indicating that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area. The vehicle management program includes a payment fee calculation program and an output control program.

  The payment fee calculation program calculates a discounted fee (equivalent to remuneration fee) for users who returned without driving outside the restricted area, and an extra fee (equivalent to excess fee) for users who traveled outside the restricted area. Is calculated. The output control program is a program for outputting information on an extra charge imposed when the vehicle is located outside the restricted area when the vehicle is located near the restricted area. The output or calculated information is transmitted to the navigation terminal 320 via the communication I / F 408.

  Note that the detection unit 103, the granting unit 105, the charging unit 106, and the output control unit 107 illustrated in FIG. 1 are realized by the CPU 401. That is, the CPU 401 executes the vehicle management program, the payment fee calculation program, and the output control program, thereby realizing the functions of the detection unit 103, the granting unit 105, the charging unit 106, and the output control unit 107.

  The magnetic disk drive 404 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 405 according to control of CPU401. The magnetic disk 405 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404. As the magnetic disk 405, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The magnetic disk 405 records member information such as user identification information and personal information, and information related to amounts such as payment of basic charges and remuneration charges. The identification information is an ID or password set for each user. The personal information includes an address, name, date of birth, hobby, occupation, and the like. The magnetic disk 405 records restriction area position information set for each terminal, identification information for specifying a vehicle managed by each terminal, and the like. The setting unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 is realized by the magnetic disk 405.

  The optical disk drive 406 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 407 according to control of CPU401. The optical disc 407 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 406. As the optical disc 407, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 407, the removable recording medium may be an MO, a memory card, or the like.

  The communication I / F 408 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the vehicle management server 310 and the CPU 401. The communication I / F 408 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 401.

  Communication I / F 408 transmits information indicating that it is located outside the restricted area, information on discount charges, information on premium charges, and the like to navigation terminal 320. Further, the communication I / F 408 receives vehicle identification information, information on the current position of the vehicle, and the like from the navigation terminal 320. Note that the acquisition unit 102 and the output unit 104 illustrated in FIG. 1 are realized by the communication I / F 408.

  1 includes a setting unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, a detection unit 103, an output unit 104, a grant unit 105, a billing unit 106, and an output control unit. 107, the CPU 401 executes a predetermined program using programs and data recorded in the ROM 402, RAM 403, magnetic disk 405, optical disk 407, etc. in the vehicle management server 310 shown in FIG. The function is realized by controlling each part.

  That is, the vehicle management server 310 according to the present embodiment has the functions of the vehicle management apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 when the CPU 401 executes a vehicle management program recorded in the ROM 402 as a recording medium in the vehicle management server 310. Can be executed by the vehicle management processing procedure shown in FIG.

(Hardware configuration of navigation terminal)
The hardware configuration of the navigation terminal 320 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the navigation terminal 320 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, a navigation terminal 320 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a magnetic disk drive 504, a magnetic disk 505, an optical disk drive 506, an optical disk 507, an audio I / F (interface) 508, and a speaker 509. An input device 510, a video I / F 511, a display 512, a communication I / F 513, a GPS unit 514, and various sensors 515. In addition, the components 501 to 515 are connected by a bus 520, respectively.

  The CPU 501 governs overall control of the navigation terminal 320. The ROM 502 records various programs such as a boot program, a current location calculation program, a route search program, and a route guidance program. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501.

  The current location calculation program, for example, calculates the current location of the vehicle (current location of the navigation terminal 320) based on output information from a GPS unit 514 and various sensors 515 described later.

  The route search program searches for an optimum route from the departure point to the destination point using map data recorded on a magnetic disk 505 described later. Here, the optimum route is the shortest (or fastest) route to the destination point or the route that best meets the conditions specified by the user. Further, not only the destination point but also a route to a stop point or a rest point may be searched. The searched guidance route is output to the audio I / F 508 and the video I / F 511 via the CPU 501.

  The route guidance program is based on the guidance route information searched by executing the route search program, the vehicle current location information calculated by executing the current location calculation program, and the map data read from the magnetic disk 505. Real-time route guidance information is generated. The generated route guidance information is output to the audio I / F 508 and the video I / F 511 via the CPU 501.

  The magnetic disk drive 504 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 505 according to control of CPU501. The magnetic disk 505 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 504. As the magnetic disk 505, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disk drive 506 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 507 according to control of CPU501. The optical disk 507 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 506. As the optical disc 507, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 507, the removable recording medium may be an MO, a memory card, or the like.

  The audio I / F 508 is connected to an audio output speaker 509. The speaker 509 outputs sound. Examples of the input device 510 include a remote controller including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like. The input device 510 may be realized by any one of a remote controller, a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, or may be realized by a plurality of forms.

  The video I / F 511 is connected to the display 512. Specifically, the video I / F 511 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 512, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image data, the display 512 is configured by a control IC or the like.

  The display 512 displays information indicating that it is located outside the restricted area, information indicating that an extra charge is charged near the restricted area, discount charge information, and extra charge information. Information output from the display 512 is also output from the speaker 509.

  The communication I / F 513 is connected to the network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation terminal 320 and the CPU 501. The communication I / F 513 receives information transmitted from the vehicle management server 310 and transmits information on the current position of the vehicle to the vehicle management server 310.

  The GPS unit 514 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information indicating the current location of the vehicle. The output information of the GPS unit 514 is used when the current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 501 together with output values of various sensors 515 described later. The information indicating the current location is information for specifying one point on the map data, such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  The various sensors 515 output information that can determine the position and behavior of the vehicle, such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The output values of the various sensors 515 are used by the CPU 501 for calculating the current location of the vehicle, measuring the amount of change in speed and direction, and the like.

(Example of car sharing system area according to this embodiment)
Next, an example of an area of the car sharing system 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an area of the car sharing system 300 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, reference signs A to C indicate restricted areas set in the plurality of terminals Ta to Tc. The restricted areas A to C indicate circles having the same radius and centering around the terminals Ta to Tc, respectively. The shapes of the restricted areas A to C are circles for the sake of convenience, but actually, the shapes of the restricted areas A to C differ depending on the topography, usage conditions, road conditions, and the like at each terminal. The range of the restricted area may be set for each terminal. For example, the restricted area is A to C at the terminal Ta, the restricted areas are A and B at the terminal Tb, and the restricted areas are A and C at the terminal Tc. It is also possible to do.

  Each terminal Ta to Tc manages the vehicle, lends the vehicle, and accepts the return of the vehicle. For example, if the user rents a vehicle at the terminal Ta, the user can drive the vehicle at a normal fee in the restricted area A. On the other hand, when the limit area A is exceeded, the fact that the limit area A has been exceeded is notified, and an additional fee is charged.

  A hatched area indicated by reference numeral 601 is an area that indicates the vicinity of the restricted area A. A region other than the vicinity region 601 of the restricted area A is a central region 602. In FIG. 6, only the terminal Ta is illustrated with the vicinity region 601 and the center region 602, but the vicinity region 601 and the center region 602 are similarly provided for the terminals Tb and Tc.

  When the vehicle is located in the vicinity area 601, the user is notified that a surcharge will be charged if the limit area A is exceeded. When the vehicle is rented, the scheduled return time is registered by an input from the user. For example, if the vehicle returns within the restricted area A at least a predetermined time before the scheduled return time, a discount fee is charged.

  Moreover, when returning the borrowed vehicle at the terminal Ta, it is possible to return the vehicle at any of the terminals Ta to Tc. Terminal Ta and terminal Tb are in restricted area A and restricted area B. Therefore, when returning the vehicle rented at the terminal Ta to the terminal Tb, the vehicle can be rented without paying a surcharge if it does not exceed the restricted area A during traveling.

  On the other hand, when a vehicle rented at the terminal Ta is returned to the terminal Tc, it exceeds the restricted area A, so an extra fee will be paid. The payment of the fee may be a monthly deduction from the deposit account as a balance with respect to the basic fee, may be paid by a credit card, or may be paid in cash when renting or returning. In addition, when paying in cash at the time of renting, for example, a normal fee may be paid, and a return with a discount fee or an additional payment for an additional fee may be made when returning to the vehicle.

  In such a car sharing system 300, in order to respond to a user who moves beyond each of the restricted areas A to C, a shuttle bus that connects terminals having different restricted areas is operated. The user may use a shuttle bus to move to an area including the destination and then rent a vehicle at the destination terminal.

  In this case, the borrowing of the vehicle at the destination terminal is not treated as a separate borrowing in terms of application of charges or counting the number of times of use. You may decide to apply the usage fee or the usage count. By combining such services, for example, a request to go to the area C via the outside of the restricted areas A and B from the terminals Ta and Tb in the restricted areas A and B shown in FIG. It becomes possible for the managed vehicle to respond without leaving the restricted areas A and B and without the user being charged an additional fee.

  When renting a vehicle, it may be possible to go to the terminal directly to make a reservation procedure, or to make a reservation by connecting to the vehicle management server 310 using the Internet from a mobile phone or a PC.

(Example of vehicle management processing performed by the vehicle management server)
Next, an example of a vehicle management process performed by the vehicle management server 310 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a vehicle management process performed by the vehicle management server 310.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the CPU 401 of the vehicle management server 310 determines whether or not the vehicle rental registration has been completed (step S701). In addition, for example, in the case of a manned terminal, whether the basic fee recorded on the magnetic disk 405 has been received by receiving authentication information input to a predetermined terminal device installed in the terminal. Refer to and complete if payment is completed.

  Further, in an unattended terminal, authentication with an IC card (membership card) possessed by the user is successfully performed on the vehicle or the navigation terminal 320 in which the user authentication information is registered at the time of completion of the reservation. When unlocking or authentication of the navigation terminal 320 is successful, the authentication is completed by receiving information indicating that the authentication is successful.

  In step S701, the vehicle is on standby until the vehicle rental registration is completed (step S701: No loop). When the registration is completed (step S701: Yes), the current position of the vehicle is determined from the vehicle via the communication I / F 408. Information is acquired (step S702). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not it is located in the vicinity region (see reference numeral 601 in FIG. 6) (step S703). If it is determined that the vehicle is located in the vicinity area (step S703: Yes), a notification that a surcharge is imposed when the vehicle exceeds the restricted area is notified (step S704). Note that the vehicle management server 310 transmits information indicating that a surcharge is imposed to the navigation terminal 320, and the navigation terminal 320 notifies that a surcharge is imposed.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the restricted area has been exceeded (step S705). If it is determined that the limit area has been exceeded (step S705: Yes), timing after the limit area is exceeded is started (step S706). Thereafter, an extra charge according to the time to be measured or the distance from the restricted area is calculated (step S707). Then, it is determined whether or not the area has returned to the restricted area (step S708).

  If it is determined that the user has not returned to the restricted area (step S708: No), the surcharge is calculated in step S707. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S708 that the vehicle has returned to the restricted area (step S708: Yes), it is determined whether the return procedure has been completed (step S709). For example, in a manned terminal, the return procedure is completed by receiving information indicating that the return has been input to a predetermined terminal device installed in the terminal. Further, in an unattended terminal, for example, when it arrives at a terminal scheduled to return and registered in the vehicle at the time of reservation, it is completed by receiving information indicating that it has arrived.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S703 that the vehicle is not located in the vicinity area (step S703: No), that is, if the vehicle is traveling in the central area (see FIG. 6, reference numeral 602), the return procedure in step S709 is performed. Determine if completed. If it is determined in step S705 that the area does not exceed the restricted area (step S705: No), it is determined whether or not the center area has been returned (step S710). If it is determined that it has not returned to the central area (step S710: No), that is, if it is still located in the vicinity area, it is determined whether or not the restricted area has been exceeded in step S705.

  If it is determined that the vehicle has returned to the central area (step S710: Yes), it is determined whether the return procedure in step S709 has been completed. When it is determined that the return procedure has not been completed (step S709: No), information on the current position in step S702 is acquired. If it is determined in step S709 that the return procedure has been completed (step S709: Yes), it is determined whether there is a history of traveling beyond the restricted area (step S711). If it is determined in step S711 that there is a history of traveling beyond the restricted area (step S711: Yes), the calculated extra charge is charged (step S712).

  Then, an extra charge is notified (step S713), and the series of processes is terminated. In the notification of the premium charge, the vehicle management server 310 transmits information indicating the notification of the premium charge to the navigation terminal 320, and the navigation terminal 320 notifies the premium charge.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S711 that there is no history of traveling beyond the restricted area (step S711: No), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is returned within a predetermined time from the rented time (step S714). . When it is determined that the vehicle has been returned within a predetermined time from the rented time (step S714: Yes), a predetermined discount fee is charged (step S715). Thereafter, a discount fee is notified (step S716), and a series of processing is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S714 that the vehicle has not been returned within a predetermined time from the rented time (step S714: No), a normal fee is charged (step S717). Then, the normal charge is notified (step S718), and the series of processes is terminated.

(Example of display screen displayed on the display of the navigation terminal)
Next, an example of a display screen displayed on the display 512 of the navigation terminal 320 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display 512 of the navigation terminal 320.

  In FIG. 8, a map display 810 and a text display 820 are displayed on the display screen 800. The map display 810 displays a vehicle position mark 811 indicating the current position of the vehicle and a road 812 that exceeds the restricted area, indicating that the vehicle is located in the vicinity region 601 (see FIG. 6). ing. On the other hand, the text display 820 displays that there is a risk of exceeding the restricted area and that a surcharge will be charged. Such a display allows the user to visually recognize the restricted area and to recognize an extra charge that may be imposed before the user is located outside the restricted area.

  As described above, according to the vehicle management server 310 according to the present embodiment, when the vehicle is located outside the restricted area, information indicating that the user is located outside the restricted area is output. Since it did in this way, the occupation of the vehicle for a long time by a user inadvertently driving out of a restricted area can be suppressed. In particular, in a car sharing system having a plurality of terminals, returning to a terminal distant from the rented terminal can be suppressed, and the balance of the number of vehicles managed for each area can be maintained. Therefore, since the rotation rate of the vehicle when used by a plurality of users can be improved, a car sharing system that is highly convenient for the users can be provided.

  In addition, since a predetermined discount fee is charged for a user who returns without traveling outside the restricted area, the user can be urged to travel within the restricted area. In particular, if the vehicle is returned within a predetermined time from the time when the user rented the vehicle, if the predetermined discount fee is given, the vehicle occupation time by the user can be suppressed. Therefore, the rotation rate of the vehicle due to use by a plurality of users can be improved, and convenience in the car sharing system can be improved.

  In addition, when it is detected that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area, a predetermined premium is charged to the user of the vehicle, so that the user is prompted to travel within the restricted area. be able to. In particular, since an extra charge is charged according to the time or distance at which the vehicle is located outside the restricted area, the time occupied by the vehicle by the user can be suppressed. Therefore, the rotation rate of the vehicle due to use by a plurality of users can be improved, and convenience in the car sharing system can be improved.

  In addition, since the information on the surcharge charged when the vehicle is located outside the restricted area is output when the vehicle is located near the restricted area, the user must You can recognize the extra charges that are imposed when you are outside. Moreover, since the screen information in which the restricted area is displayed on the map is output, the user can visually recognize the restricted area.

  Further, since the excess fee or the reward fee is related to the amount of money, it is possible to urge the driving in the restricted area most efficiently, and to suppress the occupation of the vehicle for a long time.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle management device according to the present invention is realized by the vehicle management server 310 that manages the vehicle, but it can also be realized by an in-vehicle electronic device such as a navigation device mounted on the vehicle. . In this case, a restriction area is set in advance on the map data stored in the in-vehicle electronic device. When the vehicle exceeds the restricted area, this is notified. In addition, travel history information when the user uses the vehicle is recorded. After the return procedure is completed, if there is a history of traveling beyond the restricted area from the travel history information, the information on the premium charge is transmitted to an external server that manages information related to payment. Thus, even in-vehicle electronic devices, the same effects as the vehicle management server 310 described above can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the vehicle management device, the vehicle-mounted electronic device, the vehicle management server, the vehicle management method, the vehicle management program, and the recording medium of the present invention, it is possible to shorten the occupation time of the vehicle and The rotation rate of the vehicle by using can be improved.

  The vehicle management method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the vehicle management apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the vehicle management processing procedure of the vehicle management apparatus concerning this Embodiment. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a car sharing system according to an embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the vehicle management server concerning a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the navigation terminal concerning a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the area of the car sharing system concerning a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the vehicle management process which a vehicle management server performs. It is explanatory drawing which showed the display screen displayed on the display of a navigation terminal.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Vehicle management apparatus 101 Setting part 102 Acquisition part 103 Detection part 104 Output part 105 Giving part 106 Charging part 107 Output control part 300 Car sharing system 310 Vehicle management server 320 Navigation terminal

Claims (14)

A vehicle management device used in a car rental system for renting a vehicle,
Setting means for presetting a restricted area within a predetermined range from a car rental base that lends vehicles;
Detecting means for detecting that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area;
Output means for outputting information indicating that the vehicle detected by the detection means is located outside the restricted area;
A vehicle management apparatus comprising: A granting unit for granting a predetermined reward fee to a user who returns without traveling outside the restricted area;
The vehicle management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs information on a predetermined reward fee given by the grant unit.   The vehicle management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the granting unit grants the predetermined reward fee when returning the vehicle within a predetermined time from the time when the user rented the vehicle. When the detecting means detects that the vehicle is located outside the restricted area, the detecting means further comprises a charging means for imposing a predetermined excess charge on the user of the vehicle,
The vehicle management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs information on the excess fee imposed by the charging unit.   The vehicle management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the charging unit imposes the excess fee according to a time during which the vehicle is located outside the restricted area.   The vehicle management apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the charging unit imposes the excess fee according to a distance of the vehicle from the restricted area outside the restricted area.   7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output control means for outputting information on the excess charge imposed when the vehicle is located outside the restricted area when the vehicle is located near the restricted area. The vehicle management device according to any one of the above.   The vehicle management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs screen information in which the restricted area is displayed on a map.   The vehicle management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the excess fee or the reward fee is related to a monetary amount.   An in-vehicle electronic device that is mounted on a vehicle and includes the vehicle management device according to claim 1.   A vehicle management server comprising the vehicle management device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle management device manages a plurality of vehicles and is capable of communication connection with a vehicle terminal device mounted on the vehicle. A vehicle management method for a vehicle management apparatus used in a car rental system for renting a vehicle,
A detection step of detecting that the vehicle is located outside a restricted area within a predetermined range from a rental car base that lends the vehicle;
An output step for outputting information indicating that the vehicle detected in the detection step is located outside the restricted area;
A vehicle management method comprising:   A vehicle management program for causing a computer to execute the vehicle management method according to claim 12.   14. A computer-readable recording medium on which the vehicle management program according to claim 13 is recorded.

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