JP5406354B2 - Information control apparatus, information control method, information control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information control device, an information control method, an information control 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 information control apparatus, information control method, information control 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 decrude 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 progressing toward general practical use. 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 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, the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above allows another user to use a vehicle if one user exceeds the scheduled return time or occupies the vehicle unnecessarily for a long time. An example is the problem that the car rental system cannot be effectively used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information control apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is an information control apparatus used in a rental car system that lends a vehicle, and is based on an input from a user. Setting means for setting information on the destination, and route search for searching for a route to the vehicle base for lending or returning a vehicle located near the destination indicated by the information on the destination set by the setting means And means.

  An information control apparatus according to a third aspect of the invention is an information control apparatus that is used in a vehicle rental system that lends a vehicle and guides a route to a destination mounted on the vehicle. A transmission means for transmitting information related to the destination based on the user's operation to a server that searches for a route to the vehicle base that performs the return, and a position in the vicinity of the destination searched based on the transmitted information related to the destination Receiving means for receiving information relating to the route to the vehicle base, and performing route guidance based on information relating to the route received by the receiving means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information control method for an information control apparatus used in a rental system for renting a vehicle, wherein the information control apparatus is based on an input from a user. A setting step for setting information about the destination, and a route searching step for searching for a route to the vehicle base that lends or returns the vehicle located near the destination indicated by the information about the destination set by the setting step And executing.

  An information control method according to a fifth aspect of the invention is an information control method for an information control device that is used in a vehicle rental system that lends a vehicle and that guides a route to a destination mounted on the vehicle. The information control device is based on a transmission step of transmitting information on a destination based on a user's operation to a server that searches for a route to a vehicle base that lends or returns a vehicle, and on the transmitted information on the destination A receiving step for receiving information on the route to the vehicle base located in the vicinity of the destination searched for and a guidance step for performing route guidance based on the information on the route received by the receiving step. It is characterized by.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an information control program causes a computer to execute the information control method according to the fourth or fifth aspect.

  A recording medium according to a seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that the information control program according to the sixth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the information control apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information control processing procedure of the information control 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 management server concerning a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information control process at the time of setting the destination. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information control process at the time of the vehicle drive | working. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information control process when a vehicle arrives at the destination.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information control apparatus, an information control method, an information control 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 information control device)
A functional configuration of the information control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information control 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 the car sharing system, it is possible to set up multiple terminals as a vehicle base that manages vehicles and accepts rentals and returns, and it is possible to return vehicles borrowed at one terminal from other terminals ing.

  The information control device is typically realized by a management server that can be connected to a terminal device such as a navigation device mounted on a vehicle or a mobile phone device possessed by a user, but is realized by a navigation device. It is also possible.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information control apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the information control apparatus 100 includes a storage unit 101, a setting unit 102, a search unit 103, an output unit 104, a change unit 105, a route search unit 106, a recording unit 107, and an acquisition unit 108. The output control unit 109 is provided.

  The storage unit 101 stores position information of a vehicle base that lends or returns vehicles. In addition to the vehicle base position information, the storage unit 101 stores, as the vehicle base information, for example, information such as the name of the vehicle base, the number of accommodated vehicle bases, and the number of vehicles in real time.

  The setting unit 102 sets a destination based on an input from the user. The destination is typically a facility, but includes all points displayed on the map, such as points on the road. When the information control device 100 is implemented by the management server, the destination information is received from the navigation device by a receiving unit (not shown). When the information control device 100 is implemented by a navigation device, the destination information is input from the user by an operation input unit (not shown), for example.

  The search unit 103 uses the vehicle base position information stored in the storage unit 101 and the destination position information set in the setting unit 102 to search for a vehicle base near the destination. Specifically, the search unit 103 searches for a vehicle base near the destination using, for example, latitude / longitude information or an area code set for each area.

  The output unit 104 outputs information on the vehicle base near the destination searched by the search unit 103. The vehicle base information includes information on the name and position of the vehicle base, and information on the route to the vehicle base. When the information control device 100 is implemented by the management server, the information output from the output unit 104 is transmitted to the navigation device by a transmission unit (not shown). When the information control device 100 is implemented by a navigation device, the information output from the output unit 104 is displayed and output by a display unit (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, the search unit 103 may search for a vehicle base near the destination when the facility is set as the destination and the facility has a predetermined attribute set in advance. . For example, this attribute is set in advance for each genre of facility, and more specifically, is set in advance using the estimated staying time in the facility. The predicted staying time is a parking time predicted at the facility, and is set based on statistics and history.

  For example, the estimated staying time is 30 minutes for a bank, 5 minutes for a convenience store, 2 and a half hours for a movie theater, and 5 hours for an amusement park. And the predetermined | prescribed attribute is set with respect to the facility whose estimated stay time is more than predetermined time (for example, 1 hour or more). The search unit 103 searches for a vehicle base when a facility in which a predetermined attribute is set, that is, a facility having an estimated stay time of 1 hour or more is set as a destination. The search result is output by the output unit 104.

  Alternatively, the user may input the planned stay time by himself and set a predetermined attribute based on the input planned stay time. For example, when the user sets a facility as a destination, the planned stay time at the facility is input. When the planned stay time is not input, the vehicle base near the facility (destination) is searched by the search unit 103 based on a predetermined attribute corresponding to the genre of the facility set in advance.

  When the planned stay time is input, a predetermined attribute is set based on the input planned stay time. Specifically, for example, when a user sets a bank as a destination and the account is scheduled to be opened at the bank, and the planned stay time is entered as 1 hour, the entered 1 A predetermined attribute is set with the time as the estimated staying time. Therefore, the search unit 103 searches for a vehicle base near the bank.

  On the other hand, when a movie theater is set as the destination, the movie theater plans to make a reservation only, not to watch a movie. On the other hand, a predetermined attribute is not set (if a predetermined attribute is set in advance, the attribute is canceled). Therefore, the search unit 103 does not search for a vehicle base near the movie theater.

  In addition, when inputting the estimated stay time, the predicted stay time set in advance may be presented to the user, and the presented predicted stay time may be input as a reference. If the facility set as the destination is a facility such as a gas station that requires entry of a vehicle, the search by the search unit 103 may not be performed regardless of the estimated stay time and the planned stay time.

  Note that the output method of the vehicle base according to the attribute is not limited to the search unit 103 searching according to the attribute, and the search unit 103 searches the vehicle base regardless of the attribute. When an attribute facility is set as a destination, a control unit (not shown) may output the vehicle base so as to control the output.

  In the present embodiment, the changing unit 105 is an arbitrary component. When the facility is set as the destination and the facility has a predetermined attribute, the changing unit 105 sets the destination to the vehicle base nearest to the destination from the vehicle bases near the destination searched by the search unit 103. Change the ground. Moreover, the change part 105 changes a destination to the said vehicle base, when a vehicle base exists within the predetermined distance from a facility. Within the predetermined distance is a range in which the vehicle can be reached from the vehicle base without using the vehicle. For example, in the case of walking, the range is 1 km.

  In the present embodiment, the setting unit 102 receives the output from the output unit 104 and accepts information indicating that the destination is to be changed to the vehicle base near the destination, thereby resetting the destination. May be. With respect to this configuration, a case where the information control apparatus 100 is implemented by a management server will be specifically described.

  By the output from the output unit 104 by the management server, that is, by transmitting the search result to the navigation device, the navigation device displays to the user whether or not to change the destination to the vehicle base near the destination. To do. And if a navigation apparatus receives the change of the destination from a user to a vehicle base, it will transmit the received information to a management server. In response to this transmission, the management server resets the destination. In addition, in this structure, when the change of the destination from a user to a vehicle base is not received, resetting of the destination is not performed.

  Further, when the information control device 100 is implemented by the navigation device, whether or not to change the destination from the output unit 104 such as a display to the vehicle base is displayed and whether the destination is changed from the user to the vehicle base. If a change in destination to the vehicle base is received, the destination may be reset.

  In the present embodiment, the route search unit 106 is an arbitrary component. The route search unit 106 searches for a recommended route to the destination set in the setting unit 102. The search unit 103 searches for a recommended route to the destination by the Dijkstra method, for example. In this case, the output unit 104 outputs the recommended route searched by the route search unit 106.

  Here, in the present embodiment, it is possible to forcibly set a vehicle base as a destination and forcibly search for a route to the vehicle base. In this case, a control unit (not shown) is provided. When the predicted stay time at the destination set in the setting unit 102 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (for example, one hour or longer), the control unit determines the vehicle base near the destination for the route search unit 106. The route is searched as a destination. Note that this configuration is different from the configuration in which only the destination is changed by the changing unit 105 described above, and the route is forcibly searched.

  In the present embodiment, the recording unit 107, the acquisition unit 108, and the output control unit 109 are arbitrary components. The recording unit 107 records the recommended route searched by the route search unit 106. The acquisition unit 108 acquires vehicle position information. The vehicle position information includes real-time current position information, history information on completion of traveling, and the like.

  The output control unit 109 outputs predetermined information when the vehicle position information acquired by the acquisition unit 108 deviates by a predetermined amount or more from the recommended route recorded in the recording unit 107. The predetermined amount is a predetermined distance, a predetermined time, and a predetermined number of times. The predetermined information is information indicating that a predetermined excess fee is imposed or information indicating that the predetermined amount is deviated.

  The excess fee is typically related to the fee. The information that imposes a predetermined excess fee may increase the excess fee according to the degree of departure, that is, as the time and distance of departure become longer. In addition to imposing an excess fee, for example, confiscation of points for providing services to users or confiscation of evaluation points for restricting lending for each user may be used. Further, the information indicating that the vehicle has deviated may be, for example, a notification or warning indicating that the user is returning to the recommended route, or a notification that an excess fee will be generated. In the configuration including the output control unit 109 as described above, the output unit 104 outputs predetermined information under the control of the output control unit 109.

(Information control processing procedure of the information control device)
Next, the information control processing procedure of the information control apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information control processing procedure of the information control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the information control apparatus 100 determines whether or not a destination is set in the setting unit 102 (step S201). It is in a standby state until the destination is set (step S201: No loop), and when the destination is set (step S201: Yes), the search unit 103 stores the vehicle base stored in the storage unit 101. The vehicle base near the set destination is searched from the inside (step S202). And the output part 104 outputs a search result (step S203), and complete | finishes a series of processes.

  As described above, according to the information control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the vehicle base near the set destination is searched from the pre-stored vehicle bases. On the other hand, the vehicle base near the destination can be presented to prompt the vehicle to be returned. Therefore, the occupation time for the user's vehicle can be minimized. This makes it possible to increase the time for other users to use the vehicle. For example, as if using public transportation, it is possible to use a car that can be easily used at any time without reservations. It becomes possible to provide a sharing system.

  In addition, if the facility set at the destination has a predetermined attribute set in advance, if the vehicle base near the destination is searched, the vehicle can be returned to the user according to the facility at the destination. Can be encouraged. In particular, in the case of a facility having a long estimated staying time, if a vehicle base near the destination is searched, it is possible to prevent one user from occupying the vehicle for a long time.

  In addition, when the facility set as the destination has a predetermined attribute, if the destination is changed from the vehicle base near the destination to the vehicle base closest to the destination, the vehicle will be returned. Can encourage more. Therefore, the occupation time for the user's vehicle can be minimized.

  In addition, when a vehicle base exists within a predetermined distance from the facility, if the destination is changed to the vehicle base, for example, the vehicle can be returned to the vehicle base within walking distance from the facility. In consideration of convenience, it is possible to prompt the return of the vehicle.

  In addition, if the destination is reset by receiving information indicating that the destination is changed to the vehicle base near the destination, the intention of the user can be reflected in the change of the destination.

  If the recommended route to the set destination is searched and the searched recommended route is output, the shortest or fastest route can be presented to the user. And when a user drive | works the said recommendation route | route, the occupation time with respect to a user's vehicle can be suppressed to the minimum.

  Moreover, if the recommended route searched is recorded, and the vehicle position information deviates from the recommended route by a predetermined amount or more, if the predetermined information is output, it deviates from the user. Can be recognized, and driving of the recommended route can be promoted. Therefore, when the user travels along the recommended route, the occupation time of the user with respect to the vehicle can be minimized.

  In addition, if the vehicle position deviates from the recommended route by a predetermined amount or more, if information indicating that a predetermined excess fee is imposed is output to the user, a penalty as an excess fee will be imposed at the time of departure. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to travel on the recommended route.

  Further, if the predetermined excess fee is set in accordance with the degree of departure, that is, if the excess fee is increased in accordance with the degree of departure, a large departure can be suppressed. Therefore, it can be suppressed that one user occupies the vehicle for a long time.

  Further, when the vehicle position deviates from the recommended route by a predetermined amount or more, if the information indicating that the vehicle deviates is output, the user can recognize that the vehicle deviates. , Driving the recommended route. In particular, if the information indicating the departure is information indicating that the recommended route is to be returned, information indicating that the warning is to be warned, or information indicating that an excess fee will be generated, driving on the recommended route can be further promoted. .

  In addition, even when the route is searched using the vehicle base near the destination when the estimated stay time at the set destination is a predetermined time or longer, the On the other hand, it is possible to prompt the return of the vehicle. Therefore, the occupation time for the user's vehicle can be minimized. This makes it possible to increase the time for other users to use the vehicle. For example, as if using public transportation, it is possible to use a car that can be easily used at any time without reservations. It becomes possible to provide a sharing system.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment, an example in which a car sharing system including a management server and a navigation terminal is implemented will be described. The information control apparatus 100 shown in the embodiment is realized by a management server. In the car sharing system, it is possible to set up a terminal as a vehicle base for managing vehicles, renting and returning vehicles, and users to return vehicles rented from one terminal at other terminals. ing.

  In the car sharing system according to the present embodiment, by lending the vehicle to the user, the user is charged a fee according to the lending time and the mileage of the vehicle, and the planned lending is excluded except for force majeure such as traffic jams. If the time or scheduled mileage is exceeded, a predetermined premium is charged.

(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 management server 310 and a navigation terminal 320.

  The management server 310 is connected to the navigation terminal 320 via a network such as the Internet. The management server 310 performs management of user information registered as a member, management of vehicle operation status, management of basic charges and payment, and the like. Further, for example, the management server 310 receives destination information from the navigation terminal 320, searches for a terminal near the destination, searches for a recommended route to the destination, and obtains a search result or a recommended route. Is transmitted to the navigation terminal 320.

  For example, the navigation terminal 320 is mounted on a vehicle, receives input of a destination from a user, presents information on a terminal near the destination, and guides a recommended route to the destination. In this embodiment, the recommended route is searched by the management server 310, but may be searched by the navigation terminal 320 itself.

  The navigation terminal 320 acquires information on the current position of the vehicle and travel history information, and transmits the acquired information to the management server 310 as appropriate. In addition, the navigation terminal 320 controls the drive system so that the engine does not start or unlocks the steering wheel so that the vehicle cannot travel unless the destination is input and the recommended route is set. The operating system may be controlled so that it does not occur.

  In addition to the navigation terminal 320, the management server 310 can be connected to a user terminal device such as a mobile phone device or a PC. By using this mobile phone device or PC and connecting to the management server 310 via the Internet, it is possible to make a reservation for the vehicle. When using a vehicle, it is not always necessary to make a reservation for the vehicle. When the user wishes to use the vehicle, the user goes to the terminal, and the vehicle is in stock at the terminal. Can be used.

(Management server hardware configuration)
The hardware configuration of the 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 management server 310 according to the present embodiment.

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

The information control program includes an information search program, a destination change program, a route search program, and an output control program. The information search program is a program for searching for a terminal near the destination by using the position information of the terminal recorded on the magnetic disk 405 and the position information of the destination received from the navigation terminal 320 by the communication I / F 408. . The searched terminal information is transmitted to the navigation terminal 320 by the communication I / F 408. Note that this information search program searches for a terminal near the destination when the facility set as the destination has a predetermined attribute set in advance. Note that the search unit 103 illustrated in FIG. 1 is realized by the CPU 401. That is, the function of the search unit 103 is realized by the CPU 401 executing the information search program.

  The destination change program changes the destination from the terminal near the destination searched by the information search program to the terminal closest to the destination when the facility set as the destination has a predetermined attribute. It is a program. The change of the destination is not limited to that by the destination change program, and the destination is changed when the information indicating that the destination is changed is received from the navigation terminal 320 based on the input from the user. Setting). Note that the changing unit 105 illustrated in FIG. 1 is realized by the CPU 401. That is, the function of the changing unit 105 is realized by the CPU 401 executing the destination changing program.

  The route search program searches for an optimum recommended route from the departure point to the destination by using map data recorded on a magnetic disk 405 described later. The route search program may be a program for searching for a terminal near the destination as the destination when the set destination has a predetermined attribute.

  The recommended route is the shortest (or fastest) route to the destination or the route that best matches the conditions specified by the user, taking traffic information and the like into consideration. The searched recommended route is recorded on the magnetic disk 405 under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404 and transmitted to the navigation terminal 320 via the communication I / F 408. The route search unit 106 illustrated in FIG. 1 is realized by the CPU 401. That is, the function of the route search unit 106 is realized by the CPU 401 executing the route search program.

  The output control program is information indicating that a predetermined excess fee is imposed when the vehicle position information acquired via the communication I / F 408 deviates more than a predetermined amount from the recommended route recorded on the magnetic disk 405 by the route search program. Or a program that outputs information indicating that the user has deviated. The output information is transmitted to the navigation terminal 320 by the communication I / F 408. Of the output information, information on a predetermined excess fee is recorded on the magnetic disk 405 as billing information for each user. The output control unit 109 illustrated in FIG. 1 is realized by the CPU 401. That is, the function of the output control unit 109 is realized by the CPU 401 executing the output control program.

  The magnetic disk drive 404 controls reading / writing of information with respect to the magnetic disk 405 according to the control of the CPU 401. The magnetic disk 405 records information 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 includes member information such as user identification information and personal information, terminal information, attribute information for each facility, information on recommended routes to the destination, information on the amount of payment such as basic fee payment and excess fee, etc. Record. The identification information is an ID or password set for each user. Personal information includes address, name, date of birth, hobby, occupation, and the like. Terminal information includes information on the location and name of the terminal.

  The attribute information is set for each facility genre, for example, for a facility with an estimated stay time of 1 hour or more. Specifically, the genre of the facility is a movie theater, an amusement park, a department store, or the like, and can be updated according to the usage status of the user. Note that the storage unit 101 and the recording unit 107 illustrated in FIG. 1 are realized by the magnetic disk 405.

  The optical disk drive 406 controls reading / writing of information with respect to the optical disk 407 according to the control of the CPU 401. The optical disc 407 is a detachable recording medium from which information 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 the network via wireless and functions as an interface between the management server 310 and the CPU 401. The communication I / F 408 transmits, to the navigation terminal 320, a search result by the information search program described above, information on a recommended route by the route search program, information to charge a predetermined surcharge by the output control program, and the like. In addition, the communication I / F 408 receives information on the destination, information on the current position of the vehicle, and the like from the navigation terminal 320. The output unit 104 and the acquisition unit 108 illustrated in FIG. 1 are realized by the communication I / F 408.

  A storage unit 101, a setting unit 102, a search unit 103, an output unit 104, a change unit 105, a route search unit 106, and a recording unit included in the information control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 107, the acquisition unit 108, and the output control unit 109, the CPU 401 uses a program and information recorded in the ROM 402, the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, the optical disk 407, etc. in the management server 310 shown in FIG. The function is realized by executing the program and controlling each unit in the management server 310.

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

(An example of information control processing when setting a destination)
Next, an example of information control processing when setting a destination performed by the management server 310 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information control processing when setting a destination.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the CPU 401 of the management server 310 determines whether destination information has been received from the navigation terminal 320 via the communication I / F 408 (step S501). Until the destination information is received (step S501: No loop), when the destination information is received (step S501: Yes), the destination is set (step S502). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the destination is a facility having a predetermined attribute (step S503). As described above, the predetermined attribute is, for example, a facility whose predicted stay time is 1 hour or longer, and is an attribute set in advance in a facility such as a department store or a movie theater.

  When it is determined that the destination is a facility having a predetermined attribute (step S503: Yes), a terminal near the destination is searched (step S504). Then, it is determined whether or not the terminal is located within a predetermined distance from the destination (step S505). If it is determined that the terminal is located within a predetermined distance from the destination (step S505: Yes), the destination is changed to the terminal closest to the destination (step S506).

  Thereafter, information indicating that the destination has been changed is transmitted to the navigation terminal 320 through the communication I / F 408 (step S507). Then, in the navigation terminal 320, information indicating that the destination has been changed is output from the display, and notification of whether or not to approve the change is made. When there is an input as to whether or not to approve the change from the user, the management server 310 receives the information indicating that the change is accepted from the user in response to the transmission of the information from the navigation terminal 320. Whether or not (step S508).

  When it is determined that the information indicating that the change is accepted is received (step S508: Yes), the recommended route to the terminal is searched (step S509), and the recommended route information is transmitted to the navigation terminal 320 (step S510). Then, a reference fee that is a reference for using the vehicle is calculated (step S511). The standard fee when the destination is changed to the terminal is calculated as a cheaper fee than the standard fee when the destination is not changed to the terminal. Thereafter, the magnetic disk drive 404 is controlled, and the reference fee information and the recommended route information are recorded on the magnetic disk 405 (step S512), and the series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that the destination is not a facility having a predetermined attribute (step S503: No), a recommended route to the set destination is searched (step S513), and the navigation terminal 320 in step S510 is searched. Send the recommended route. If it is determined in step S505 that the terminal is not located within the predetermined distance from the destination (step S505: No), that is, if the terminal is far from the destination, the recommended route to the destination in step S513 is searched. Do it. Note that the reference fee calculated in this case may be a normal reference fee with no discount.

  Even when the destination is not a facility, when it is not a facility having a predetermined attribute in step S503, or when the terminal is not located within a predetermined distance from the destination in step S505, the terminal information is navigated. When it is transmitted to the terminal 320 and the change of the destination from the user to the terminal is accepted by the navigation terminal 320, a recommended route to the terminal may be searched. Then, when the destination is changed to the terminal, the calculated reference fee may be a cheaper price than the reference fee when the destination is not changed to the terminal.

  In step S508, if the information notifying that the change is accepted is not received (step S508: No), that is, if the user does not accept the change, the destination is set again in advance, and step S513 is performed. Search for a recommended route to the destination at.

  According to the above-described processing, since the terminal near the destination is searched among the terminals recorded in advance, the terminal near the destination is presented to the user and the vehicle is prompted to return. Can do. Therefore, for example, the user can occupy the vehicle for a minimum amount of time by returning the vehicle until the business is completed, for example, while shopping. This makes it possible to increase the time for other users to use the vehicle. For example, as if using public transportation, it is possible to use a car that can be easily used at any time without reservations. It becomes possible to provide a sharing system.

  In addition, what is necessary is just to borrow a vehicle in the same way, when a user returns a vehicle, finishes use in a facility, and goes home. As described above, the vehicle can be returned one by one, so that the vehicle can be rented to the user at an inexpensive fee. Therefore, since more users can use the vehicle, the number of members in the car sharing system can be increased, and a more convenient car sharing system can be provided.

  In addition, when the facility set as the destination has a predetermined attribute, the terminal near the destination is searched, so that the user can be prompted to return the vehicle according to the facility at the destination. . Particularly, in the case of a facility such as a movie theater where the estimated staying time is long, the terminal near the destination is searched, so that one user can be prevented from occupying the vehicle for a long time.

  Further, since the destination is changed to the terminal closest to the destination among the terminals near the destination, it is possible to further prompt the return of the vehicle. Therefore, the occupation time for the user's vehicle can be minimized.

  In addition, when there is a terminal within a predetermined distance from the facility, the destination is changed to the terminal. For example, the vehicle can be returned to the terminal within walking distance from the facility. In consideration of this, it is possible to prompt the return of the vehicle.

  In addition, since the destination is reset by receiving the information indicating that the destination is changed at the terminal near the destination, the intention of the user can be reflected when the destination is changed.

  In the above-described processing, the recommended route to the terminal in step S509 is searched in consideration of the distance from the terminal (step S505) and the user's approval (step S508). Without considering these, only the destination attribute (step S503) may be considered, and a recommended route to the terminal near the destination may be forcibly searched. With such a configuration, the recommended route with a destination other than the terminal is not presented to the user, and the user can be further urged to return the vehicle.

(An example of information control processing when the vehicle is traveling)
Next, an example of information control processing when the vehicle running by the management server 310 is running will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the information control process when the vehicle is traveling. In addition, the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 has shown the process at the time of the vehicle drive | working after the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the CPU 401 of the management server 310 receives information on the current position of the vehicle from the navigation terminal 320 via the communication I / F 408 (step S601). Then, the magnetic disk drive 404 is controlled to read the recommended route information recorded on the magnetic disk 405 (step S602). Then, it is determined whether or not the vehicle deviates from the recommended route by a predetermined distance or more (step S603).

  Note that the determination in step S603 may determine whether or not the time has deviated by a predetermined time or more or a predetermined number of times. In addition, when an accident or traffic jam occurs on the recommended route, the recommended route is appropriately changed by re-searching the route. If it is determined that the vehicle deviates from the recommended route by a predetermined distance or more (step S603: Yes), information indicating that the vehicle deviates from the recommended route is transmitted to the navigation terminal 320 (step S603). S604). The information indicating that the vehicle has deviated is, for example, information that prompts the user to return to the recommended route or information that a predetermined excess fee is generated.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has reached the destination (step S605). If it is determined that the destination has been reached (step S605: Yes), the series of processes is terminated. Here, the destination is either the destination initially input by the user or the terminal near the destination initially input by the user.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the destination has not been reached (step S605: No), information on the current position of the vehicle in step S601 is acquired. If it is determined in step S603 that the vehicle has not deviated from the recommended route by a predetermined distance or more (step S603: No), it is determined whether or not the destination has been reached in step S605.

  According to the above-described processing, when the vehicle position deviates from the recommended route by a predetermined distance or more, information indicating that the vehicle has deviated is output. As well as driving the recommended route. In particular, if the information indicating the departure is information indicating that the recommended route is to be returned, information indicating that the warning is to be warned, or information indicating that an excess fee will be generated, driving on the recommended route can be further promoted. . Therefore, when the user travels along the recommended route, the occupation time of the user with respect to the vehicle can be minimized.

(An example of information control processing when the vehicle reaches the destination)
Next, an example of the information control process when the vehicle performed by the management server 310 reaches the destination will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the information control process when the vehicle reaches the destination. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 shows processing subsequent to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the management server 310 determines whether or not the vehicle has reached the destination by using information on the current position of the vehicle and information on the destination (step S <b> 701). The vehicle is in a standby state until it reaches the destination (step S701: No loop). When the vehicle reaches the destination (step S701: Yes), vehicle movement history information is received from the navigation terminal 320 (step S702). ). In this case, for example, prior to receiving the movement history information, the management server 310 may transmit information indicating that the movement history information is requested to the navigation terminal 320.

  Then, by comparing the movement history information with the recommended route information, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has deviated more than a predetermined distance (step S703). If it is determined that the vehicle has deviated more than a predetermined distance (step S703: Yes), an excess fee corresponding to the degree of departure is calculated (step S704). Thereafter, the calculated excess fee information is output (step S705), and the series of processes is terminated.

  The output excess fee information is transmitted to the navigation terminal 320 by the communication I / F 408, and is recorded on the magnetic disk 405 as charging information for each user by controlling the magnetic disk drive 404. The billing information recorded on the magnetic disk 405 is reflected in, for example, the monthly basic fee for the user, that is, the user with much deviation charges the excess fee accordingly. If it is determined in step S703 that the vehicle has not deviated more than a predetermined distance (step S703: No), the series of processes is terminated.

  If the vehicle does not deviate more than a predetermined distance, for example, a predetermined reward such as a discount on the usage fee may be given. In the above-described processing, the excess fee is calculated and output after the user reaches the destination. However, before the user reaches the destination, that is, the vehicle deviates from the recommended route. It is also possible to calculate and output the surcharge in real time according to the timing.

  In addition, if the vehicle does not reach the destination, specifically, for example, when the vehicle is returned to another terminal, the fee is discounted only when the occupancy time is reduced with respect to the original recommended route. Alternatively, an extra charge may be charged as a result of the failure to carry out the scheduled driving.

  According to the above-described processing, when the vehicle position deviates from the recommended route by a predetermined distance or more, information indicating that a predetermined excess fee is imposed is output to the user. As a penalty. This can prompt the user to travel on the recommended route. Therefore, when the user travels along the recommended route, the occupation time of the user with respect to the vehicle can be minimized.

  In addition, since the predetermined excess fee is set in accordance with the degree of departure, that is, the excess fee is increased in accordance with the degree of departure, a large departure can be suppressed. Therefore, it can be suppressed that one user occupies the vehicle for a long time. If there is a place where the user wants to drop in on the way, for example, the user can stop at the place by paying an excess fee for the excess distance or the excess time.

  In the above description, the case where the information control device of the present invention is implemented by the management server 310 has been described. However, the information control device of the present invention can also be implemented by a navigation device mounted on a vehicle. In this case, for example, after reaching the destination, information on whether or not the recommended route has been deviated, information for charging a predetermined excess charge, etc. are transmitted to an external server such as a vehicle management server or a charging server, Various information may be managed by the external server.

  As described above, according to the information control device, the information control method, the information control program, and the recording medium of the present invention, the vehicle base near the destination is presented to the user and the vehicle is prompted to return. Can do. Therefore, the occupation time for the user's vehicle can be minimized. This makes it possible to increase the time for other users to use the vehicle. For example, as if using public transportation, it is possible to use a car that can be easily used at any time without reservations. It becomes possible to provide a sharing system.

  The information control 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.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information control apparatus 101 Storage part 102 Setting part 103 Search part 104 Output part 105 Change part 106 Path | route search part 107 Recording part 108 Acquisition part 109 Output control part 300 Car sharing system 310 Management server 320 Navigation terminal

Claims (7)

An information control device used in a car rental system for renting a vehicle,
A setting means for setting information about the destination based on input from the user;
Route search means for searching for a route to a vehicle base for lending or returning a vehicle located in the vicinity of the destination indicated by the information about the destination set by the setting means;
An information control apparatus comprising: Mounted on the vehicle,
The information control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a route searched by the route search means. An information control device that is used in a vehicle rental system that lends a vehicle and that is mounted on the vehicle and guides the route to the destination,
A transmission means for transmitting information on the destination based on a user's operation to a server that searches for a route to a vehicle base that lends or returns a vehicle;
Receiving means for receiving information relating to the route to the vehicle base located in the vicinity of the destination searched based on the information relating to the transmitted destination;
With
An information control apparatus for performing route guidance based on information on a route received by the receiving means. An information control method for an information control device used in a car rental system for renting a vehicle,
The information control device includes:
A setting process for setting information about the destination based on input from the user;
A route search step for searching for a route to a vehicle base that lends or returns a vehicle located in the vicinity of the destination indicated by the information about the destination set by the setting step;
The information control method characterized by performing. An information control method of an information control device used in a car rental system for renting a vehicle, which is mounted on a vehicle and guides a route to a destination,
The information control device includes:
A transmission step of transmitting information on the destination based on the user's operation to a server that searches for a route to the vehicle base that lends or returns the vehicle;
A receiving step of receiving information related to a route to the vehicle base located in the vicinity of the destination searched based on the transmitted information related to the destination;
A guidance step for performing route guidance based on information on the route received by the reception step;
The information control method characterized by performing.   An information control program for causing a computer to execute the information control method according to claim 4 or 5.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the information control program according to claim 6 is recorded.

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