JP6409338B2 - Shared vehicle management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a shared vehicle management equipment for managing a plurality of shared vehicles utilized by a plurality of users.

  With regard to this type of device, when a user uses a shared vehicle, this return is set when a return station for returning the shared vehicle after use is set out of a plurality of stations where the shared vehicle can be parked. A shared vehicle operation system is known in which stations are set in consideration of the parking situation of each station (Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-257111 A

  However, in the above prior art, when the user wants to return the shared vehicle to a station other than the return station, the return station cannot be changed, which is inconvenient for the user. .

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to make it possible to easily change the return station when it is desired to return the shared vehicle to a station other than the originally planned return station.

  The present invention allows the user to change the return station to another station when the shared vehicle is stopped at another station other than the return station and the other station is available. The above problem is solved by making a proposal.

According to the present invention, when it is desired to return the shared vehicle to a station other than the originally planned return station, the return station can be easily changed. it is possible to provide a location.

In a shared vehicle management system provided with the shared vehicle management device of this embodiment, it is an outline figure showing an example of a method for a user to use a shared vehicle. It is a lineblock diagram of a common vehicle management system provided with a common vehicle management device of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows each function of the control apparatus with which the shared vehicle management apparatus of this embodiment was equipped. It is a figure which shows the station where the shared vehicle which the shared vehicle management system of this embodiment manages is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows an example of the reservation information memorize | stored in a database. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of displaying the information of availability of a station on a user terminal device. It is a figure which shows another example of the method of displaying the information of availability of a station on a user terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the car sharing system by the shared vehicle management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the return station change proposal process by the shared vehicle management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the return station change proposal process by the shared vehicle management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the method of notifying a user of the information of an available station by the shared vehicle management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the method of notifying a user of the information of an available station by the shared vehicle management apparatus of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a shared vehicle management apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In this embodiment, the shared vehicle management apparatus of the present invention is applied to a shared vehicle management system that manages and operates a car sharing system in which a plurality of users share a plurality of shared vehicles arranged at a plurality of stations. explain. The car sharing system of the present embodiment is a so-called drop-off type one-way car sharing system that allows a shared vehicle borrowed from one station to be returned to another station.

  Here, FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method in which a user uses a shared vehicle in the shared vehicle management system 1000 including the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. In the shared vehicle management system 1000 according to the present embodiment, the user operates the user terminal device 400X to rent an arbitrary station from among a plurality of stations managed by the shared vehicle management device 100. Station (departure station), a reservation for use of the shared vehicle that stops at the departure station, and a station (return station) for returning the shared vehicle after use is set. As a result, the user can use the shared vehicle from the departure station by using the reserved shared vehicle, and then return the used shared vehicle to the return station set in advance.・ The car sharing system can be used.

  The shared vehicle management system 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described taking the scene shown in FIG. 1A as an example. In FIG. 1A, stations ST1 to ST3 exist as stations managed by the shared vehicle management apparatus 100, and among these stations ST1 to ST3, the shared vehicle V1 is located at the station ST1, and the shared vehicle V2 is located at the station ST2. Each of the vehicles is stopped, and a scene in which these shared vehicles V1 and V2 are available to the user is shown.

  For example, in the scene shown in FIG. 1A, the user sets the station ST1 as a departure station by operating the user terminal device 400X, makes a use reservation for the shared vehicle V1 stopped at the station ST1, Thus, the station ST2 can be set as a return station. In this case, the user gets on the shared vehicle V1, moves from the station ST1 to the station ST2, and returns the shared vehicle V1 to the station ST2, whereby the use of the shared vehicle V1 ends. In this case, the shared vehicle management device 100 manages the use of the shared vehicle V1 by the user by communicating with the user terminal device 400X possessed by the user and the in-vehicle device provided in the shared vehicle V1.

  FIG. 1B is a configuration diagram showing such a shared vehicle management system 1000. As shown in FIG. 1B, the shared vehicle management system 1000 of this embodiment includes a shared vehicle management device 100 and a plurality of shared vehicles V1 to Vn (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a shared vehicle Vn) used by a plurality of users. In-vehicle devices 200V1 to 200Vn (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as in-vehicle devices 200Vn) and user terminal devices 400X to 400Y (hereinafter referred to as user terminal devices 400X) respectively possessed by a plurality of users. And). The number of in-vehicle devices 200V1 to 200Vn and user terminal devices 400X to 400Y constituting the shared vehicle management system 1000 of the present embodiment is not limited.

  The shared vehicle management device 100, the in-vehicle devices 200 </ b> V <b> 1 to 200 </ b> Vn, and the user terminal devices 400 </ b> X to 400 </ b> Y are each provided with communication devices (20, 220, 420) and exchange information with each other via an electric communication network such as the Internet 300. Is possible. The communication path may be wired or wireless.

  The user terminal device 400X of the present embodiment executes a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a program applied to the user terminal device 400X according to the present embodiment of the present invention is stored, and the program stored in the ROM. The computer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as an operation circuit that executes each function and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as an accessible storage device. The user terminal device 400X of the present embodiment may be a personal computer, a smart phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or other portable terminal device.

  The user terminal device 400X of the present embodiment includes an input device 410 that receives input information such as a usage request for requesting the use of the shared vehicle Vn by each user, and a communication device 420 that communicates with an external device such as the shared vehicle management device 100. And a display device 430 for notifying each user of information.

  As the input device 410 of the user terminal device 400X, for example, a device such as a touch panel or a joystick arranged on a display screen that can be manually input by the user, or a microphone that can be input by the user's voice is used. it can. Examples of the display device 430 include a display. When a touch panel display is used, the display device 430 can also be used as the input device 410.

  In the present embodiment, the user terminal device 400X transmits input information such as a usage request for use of the shared vehicle Vn input from each user to the shared vehicle management device 100 via the communication device 420. The usage request for using the shared vehicle Vn includes user ID information, information on a departure station set as a station where the user starts using the shared vehicle Vn, and ID information on the shared vehicle Vn that the user intends to use. , Information on a return station set as a station for the user to return after using the shared vehicle Vn is included.

  In the present embodiment, the user can communicate with the shared vehicle management device 100 by operating the user terminal device 400X. From the shared vehicle management device 100, information on each shared vehicle Vn and each station Information is obtained and a usage request for using a desired shared vehicle Vn can be input. For example, the user receives information on the shared vehicle Vn that can be used, information on a station that can be set as a departure station, and information on a station that can be set as a return station from the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 via the user terminal device 400X. Based on the obtained information, the departure station for borrowing the shared vehicle Vn, the shared vehicle Vn to be used among the shared vehicles Vn arranged at the departure station, and the shared vehicle Vn after use are returned. A request for use is input by setting a return station.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the user terminal device 400X may function as a navigation device for guiding the travel route of the shared vehicle Vn to the user. In this case, the user terminal device 400X stores map information in a ROM or the like provided in the user terminal device 400X in advance, for example, and the display device 430 shares the map information and is currently used by the user. The current position of the vehicle Vn and the position of the return station set by the user can be displayed, and the travel route from the current position of the shared vehicle Vn to the return station can be guided.

  The in-vehicle device 200Vn according to the present embodiment includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) 210 that detects the current position of each shared vehicle Vn, and information on the current position of the shared vehicle Vn acquired by the GPS 210 is transmitted via the communication device 220. It transmits to the shared vehicle management apparatus 100.

  The shared vehicle management apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment lends a shared vehicle Vn that can be used from one station to a user based on a usage request input via the user terminal device 400X, and the shared vehicle Vn from the user at another station. Accept the return.

  The shared vehicle management device 100 according to the present embodiment functions as a server of the shared vehicle management system 1000, and includes a control device 10, a communication device 20, and a database 30 that execute a control process for managing and operating the car sharing system. Prepare.

  Here, FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating each function of the control device 10 provided in the shared vehicle management device 100. In the present embodiment, the control device 10 appropriately stores information received from each user terminal device 400X and each shared vehicle Vn via the communication device 20 in the database 30. And the control apparatus 10 manages the utilization and return of the shared vehicle Vn by a user based on the information received by the communication apparatus 20 and the information stored in the database 30 by each function described later.

  For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of stations indicated by circles are provided in a predetermined use area (area indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2) on the map, and the user is station ST1. In a situation where the borrowed shared vehicle Vn is used and then the shared vehicle Vn is returned to the station ST2, the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 can manage the use and return of the shared vehicle Vn by the user. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the stations are arranged so that the distances between adjacent stations are equal, but the arrangement is not limited to this.

  Returning to FIG. 1B, the database 30 of the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 of this embodiment stores the shared vehicle information 31, the station information 32, the usage request 33 received from the user, and the map information 34.

  As described above, the use request 33 stored in the database 30 is input information for requesting the use of the shared vehicle Vn input by each user using the user terminal device 400X. The use request 33 includes the user ID information, ID information of the shared vehicle Vn that the user intends to use, information on a departure station for the user to start using the shared vehicle Vn, information on a return station for the user to return after using the shared vehicle Vn, and the like are included. .

  In the present embodiment, when the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 receives such a usage request 33 from a user, the database 30 stores, for example, a user ID and a vehicle ID as shown in FIG. 3 based on the received information. (ID of shared vehicle Vn), reservation time (time when the use request is received from the user), departure station, and return station information are stored. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 3, in addition to these pieces of information, the database 30 further includes usage status information, that is, whether or not each shared vehicle Vn has been returned (in FIG. The information of “Completed” is stored for each use request 33.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management device 100 of the present embodiment includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 in which a program for executing a process for managing and operating the car sharing system is stored. By executing a program stored in the ROM 12, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as an operation circuit that functions as the shared vehicle management device 100 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 that functions as an accessible storage device are provided. Prepare.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management device 100 realizes a use reception function, a position monitoring function, a return reception function, a return station change proposal function, and a notification function. The control device 10 of the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a computer that realizes each function by cooperation of software for realizing the above function and the above-described hardware.

  Below, each function which control device 10 of common vehicle management device 100 realizes is explained, respectively.

  First, the use reception function executed by the control device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. The control device 10 obtains a use request for requesting the use of the one shared vehicle Vn from the user through the user terminal device 400X by the use accepting function, and receives the use request for the acquired use request information. The information is stored in the database 30 together with the time (reservation time) information.

  For example, the scene shown in FIG. 1A will be described as an example. First, the user activates the communication device 420 of the user terminal device 400X, accesses the shared vehicle management device 100, and is stored in the database 30 of the shared vehicle management device 100. From the station information 32, the station ST1 is identified as the desired departure station, the available shared vehicle V1 is identified as the reserved vehicle among the shared vehicles Vn arranged at the station ST1 identified as the departure station, From the station information 32 stored in the database 30, the station ST2 is specified as the desired return station. Then, using the user terminal device 400X, the user requests information on the departure station (station ST1), reservation vehicle ID (shared vehicle V1 ID), and return station (station ST2) identified in this way. As a result, the control device 10 can acquire a use request. And the control apparatus 10 memorize | stores the usage request information acquired from the user terminal device 400X with the information of the time (reservation time) which received the usage request in the database 30, as shown in FIG.

  The use request acquired by the control device 10 may be an immediate use application that allows the user to start using the shared vehicle Vn immediately after the application, or a use reservation that can start using the shared vehicle Vn from the date and time specified by the user. You may apply. Furthermore, the use request acquired by the control device 10 may include information on a scheduled time when the user returns the shared vehicle Vn to the return station.

  Next, the position monitoring function executed by the control device 10 of this embodiment will be described. The control device 10 acquires information on the current position of the shared vehicle Vn used by the user by the position monitoring function. For example, the shared vehicle Vn transmits information on the current position acquired by the GPS 210 of the in-vehicle device 200Vn from the communication device 220 of the in-vehicle device 200Vn to the shared vehicle management device 100, so that the control device 10 is used by the user. Information on the current position of the shared vehicle Vn can be acquired.

  Next, the return acceptance function executed by the control device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. First, the control apparatus 10 acquires the return request | requirement transmitted when a user tries to return the shared vehicle Vn to a return station by a return reception function. For example, after the user stops the shared vehicle Vn used at the return station, the user terminal device 400X is operated, and a return request for returning the shared vehicle Vn to the return station is made via the user terminal device 400X. When transmitting to the shared vehicle management apparatus 100, the control apparatus 10 acquires this return request. Note that the return request includes ID information and current position information of the shared vehicle Vn used by the user. And the control apparatus 10 receives a return request via the communication apparatus 20, and performs the return process of the shared vehicle Vn. That is, the control device 10 reads out information on the usage request for the shared vehicle Vn from the usage request 33 stored in the database 30 based on the ID information of the shared vehicle Vn included in the received return request, It is determined whether or not the vehicle Vn is located at the return station requested to be used. If it is determined that the shared vehicle Vn is located at the return station, the shared vehicle Vn is processed as having been correctly returned. .

  Next, the return station change proposal function executed by the control device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when the user stops the shared vehicle Vn used in another station other than the preset return station or in the vicinity thereof, when the other station is available, the control device 10 proposes to the user that the return station of the shared vehicle Vn is changed to the other station by the return station change proposal function.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the user sets the station ST1 as the departure station and sets the station ST2 as the return station, the user gets on the shared vehicle V1 at the departure station (station ST1), When the shared vehicle V1 stops after use in the station ST3 which is a station other than the return station (station ST2) or in the vicinity thereof, the control device 10 uses the return station change proposal function to return the return station of the shared vehicle V1. Is proposed to the user via the user terminal device 400X. In this case, the user operates the user terminal device 400X to transmit a command to the shared vehicle management device 100 to change the return station of the shared vehicle V1 to the station ST3, thereby returning the return station to the station ST3. Can be changed. Specifically, the return station is changed by the control device 10 rewriting the information of the return station (station ST2) in the use request 33 for the shared vehicle V1 stored in the database 30 with the information of the station ST3. Can be done.

  At this time, when the user stops the shared vehicle V1 in or around the station ST3, when other shared vehicles are parked in the station ST3 and there is no space for parking the shared vehicle V1. The control device 10 reads out the use request 33 for the shared vehicle currently parked at the station ST3 from the information stored in the database 30, and uses the notification function described later to read the information on the read use request 33. The user may be notified via the user terminal device 400X. Thereby, since the user can know the reservation status of the shared vehicle currently parked at the station ST3, the shared vehicle currently parked at the station ST3 is relatively early (for example, 5 minutes) by another user. The station ST3 will be used for a while, and there is a possibility that the station ST3 will be vacant, or the shared vehicle currently parked at the station ST3 has not been requested to use, and the station ST3 will be available for a while. Information such as no expectation can be obtained. Therefore, based on such information, when there is no possibility that the station ST3 can be vacated, the user can search for another station without waiting, while waiting for the station ST3 to be vacant. If possible, the return station can be changed flexibly and easily by changing the return station to the station ST3.

  Next, a notification function executed by the control device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. The control device 10 communicates with the user terminal device 400X by the notification function and displays predetermined information on the display device 430 provided in the user terminal device 400X, thereby notifying the user of necessary information. As the predetermined information, for example, information that the control device 10 has received a use request from the user by the use receiving function, information that the control device 10 has received a return request for the shared vehicle Vn by the user by the return receiving function, For example, information indicating that the control device 10 has changed the return station using the return station change proposal function.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control device 10 uses the notification function, as described above, when the user stops the shared vehicle Vn in or around the other station other than the return station. Information on the usage request 33 for the shared vehicle currently parked can also be notified to the user.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control device 10 may notify the user of information on availability of other stations other than the return station in a manner as shown in FIG. 4 by the notification function. Here, in FIG. 4, in a scene where the user uses the shared vehicle V1 and the station ST2 is set as the return station of the shared vehicle V1, the control device 10 displays the user terminal device 400X to the user. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for notifying information on availability of each station via the device 430.

  For example, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the control device 10, via the display device 430 of the user terminal device 400 </ b> X, displays the current position of the shared vehicle V <b> 1 on which the user is on the map, and In addition to displaying the position of the return station ST2 of the shared vehicle V1, it is possible to display the positions of stations (stations ST10 and ST11 shown in FIG. 4) existing in the vicinity of the return station ST2 and availability information.

  The information on whether or not the station can be used is not particularly limited. In addition to information on whether or not the station is currently available (for example, information on whether or not there is a vacant space), information on future availability and the like. May be included. As information on future availability, a certain station is currently unoccupied and cannot be used, but a request for using a shared vehicle by another user is accepted, and the other user uses the shared vehicle. By starting, information such as the possibility that a vacancy will occur in the future can be mentioned. Or, as information on future availability, there is information such as a station that is currently vacant, but is set as a return station by another user, so that the vacant space will be filled in the future. Can be mentioned.

  As an example of notifying the user of the availability information of such a station, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the display device 430 of the user terminal device 400X includes the stations ST10 and ST11 existing around the return station ST2. In station ST10, a method of displaying “one vacant space in 5 minutes” by a balloon and displaying “one available” in a balloon can be used for station ST11.

  According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, by displaying information on the positions and availability of the stations ST10 and ST11 existing around the return station ST2, the user can determine whether the stations around the return station can be used. Since the information can be obtained, the return station change proposal function of the control device 10 described above improves convenience when the user stops the shared vehicle Vn at a station other than the return station and changes the return station. .

  In particular, according to the present embodiment, by displaying information on the availability of each station to the user in the manner shown in FIG. 4, convenience for the user is improved in the following situations. That is, when the user transmits a use request to use the shared vehicle Vn, when a return station for the shared vehicle Vn is set, a desired station (for example, a station closest to the user's destination) is already set. There is a situation in which the user cannot use it because it is set as a return station by another user, and the user unavoidably sets another station around the desired station as a return station. In such a scene, when the user returns the shared vehicle Vn to the return station after using the shared vehicle Vn, as shown in FIG. 4, the user obtains information on availability of stations around the return station. If possible, the user can change the return station of the shared vehicle Vn to the desired station described above using the return station change proposal function of the control device 10.

  Alternatively, in the present embodiment, the current function of the shared vehicle V1 on which the user is on the map is displayed on the map via the display device 430 of the user terminal device 400X by the notification function of the control device 10, as shown in FIG. While displaying a position and the travel route of the shared vehicle V1, you may make it display the information of the position (station | work ST12-ST14 shown in FIG. 5) and the availability of a station which exist around the shared vehicle V1.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, among the stations ST12 to ST14 existing around the shared vehicle V1 on the display device 430 of the user terminal device 400X, the station ST12 displays “one vacant” in a balloon. In station ST13, a message “Scheduled to be vacant after 5 minutes” is displayed in a balloon, and station ST14 is currently unusable and is not expected to be vacant for a while. It shows that there is.

  According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, by displaying information on the positions of the stations existing in the vicinity of the shared vehicle V1 and availability information, the user can obtain information on availability of the stations in the vicinity of the shared vehicle V1. Therefore, the convenience is improved when the user stops the shared vehicle Vn at a station other than the return station and changes the return station by the return station change proposal function of the control device 10 described above.

  In particular, according to the present embodiment, the information on each station is displayed to the user in the manner as shown in FIG. 5, so that the user can change the destination suddenly and set the shared vehicle Vn being used in advance. When it is desired to return to a station other than the return station, if the information on availability of stations around the shared vehicle Vn can be obtained as shown in FIG. Can be used to flexibly and easily change the return station of the shared vehicle Vn, which improves the convenience for the user.

  In the present embodiment, the management operation of the car sharing system is performed by each function realized by the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management device 100 as described above.

  Next, an operation example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the car sharing system by the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, after one user transmits a use request by setting station ST1 as a departure station and station ST2 as a return station in order to use one shared vehicle V1. The control procedure until the shared vehicle V1 is returned after use is shown.

  First, in step S1, the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management device 100 determines whether or not a use request has been transmitted from the user via the user terminal device 400X. The use request includes the user ID information, the ID of the shared vehicle V1 that the user intends to use, and information on the departure station (station ST1) and return station (station ST2) set by the user. If it is determined in step S1 that a use request has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the usage request has not been transmitted, the process waits in step S1.

  In step S2, the control device 10 receives the use request transmitted from the user terminal device 400X of the user by the use accepting function, and the use request is received together with information on the received time (reserved time) as shown in FIG. And stored in the database 30.

  In step S <b> 3, the control device 10 determines whether or not the user who transmitted the use request has boarded the shared vehicle V <b> 1 reserved for use according to the use request. Specifically, the control device 10 monitors the position of the shared vehicle V1 that the user reserves for use according to the use request by the position monitoring function, and determines that the user has boarded the shared vehicle V1 when the position moves. To do. If it is determined in step S3 that the user has boarded the shared vehicle V1, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the user is not in the shared vehicle V1, the process waits in step S3.

  In step S4, the control device 10 changes the return station as necessary by the return station change proposal process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the return station change proposal process. The return station change proposal process will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S401 illustrated in FIG. 7, the control device 10 acquires information on the current position of the shared vehicle V1 from the communication device 220 provided in the shared vehicle V1.

  In step S402, the control device 10 determines whether or not the shared vehicle V1 is stopped at a station other than the return station based on the current position information of the shared vehicle V1 acquired in step S401. If it is determined in step S402 that the shared vehicle V1 is stopped at a station other than the return station, the process proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the shared vehicle V1 is not stopped at any station other than the return station, the return station change proposal process is terminated. In the present embodiment, even if the shared vehicle V1 is not within the other station other than the return station, if it is located within a predetermined distance from the other station, it stops at the other station. It may be determined that

  In step S403, the control apparatus 10 specifies the station where the shared vehicle V1 is currently stopped based on the information on the current position of the shared vehicle V1 acquired in step S401. For example, when the shared vehicle V1 is stopped at the station ST3, the station ST3 is specified.

  In step S404, the control device 10 determines whether or not the station identified in step S403 is currently vacant, that is, whether or not a space for stopping the shared vehicle V1 is vacant. If it is determined in step S404 that the identified station is currently empty, the process proceeds to step S405. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S404 that the identified station is not currently empty, the return station change proposal process is terminated.

  In step S405, the control apparatus 10 determines whether the station specified in step S403 is not set as a return station by another user. For example, if the station identified in step S403 is the station ST3, it is determined whether the station ST3 is not set as a return station by another user. If it is determined in step S405 that the identified station is not set as a return station by another user, the process proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S405 that the identified station is set as a return station by another user, the return station change proposal process is terminated.

  In step S406, the control apparatus 10 proposes to the user whether to change the currently set return station to the station specified in step S403 by the return station change proposal function. For example, if the station identified in step S403 is the station ST3, the user is advised whether to change the return station from the preset station ST2 to the station ST3. The proposed method is not particularly limited, but the control device 10 communicates with the user terminal device 400X owned by the user and asks the display device 430 of the user terminal device 400X whether to change the return station. There is a method of displaying.

  In step S407, the control device 10 determines whether or not an instruction to change the return station is transmitted from the user via the user terminal device 400X. That is, in step S406, it is determined whether the user who has received the proposal for changing the return station from the control device 10 has transmitted a reply to change the return station using the user terminal device 400X. If it is determined in step S407 that an instruction to change the return station has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S408. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S407 that a command to change the return station has not been transmitted, the return station change proposal process is terminated.

  In step S408, the control device 10 changes the return station of the shared vehicle V1 to the station specified in step S403, and ends the return station change proposal process.

  When the return station change proposal process is completed, the process returns to FIG. 6, and in step S <b> 5 shown in FIG. 6, the control device 10 determines whether a return request for returning the shared vehicle V <b> 1 to the return station is transmitted from the user. To do. The return request transmitted by the user includes the user ID information and the ID information and position information of the shared vehicle V1 used by the user. And when it determines with the return request having been transmitted in step S5, it progresses to step S6. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the return request has not been transmitted, the process returns to step S4, and the return station change proposal process in step S4 is executed again. In the present embodiment, steps S4 and S5 are repeatedly executed every predetermined time until it is determined in step S5 that a return request has been transmitted from the user.

  If it is determined in step S5 that a return request has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the control device 10 receives the return request transmitted from the user in step S5.

  In step S7, the control device 10 confirms whether or not the shared vehicle V1 that is about to be returned by the user is located at a return station set for the shared vehicle V1. For example, when the return station is changed from the station ST2 to the station ST3 by the return station change proposal process in step S4 described above, the control device 10 transmits the shared vehicle V1 from the communication device 220 provided in the shared vehicle V1. Is acquired, and it is confirmed whether or not the shared vehicle V1 is located at the station ST3 which is a return station.

  In step S8, the control device 10 determines the ID information of the shared vehicle V1 that is about to be returned by the user based on the return request received in step S6 and the information on the usage request 33 stored in the database 30, and the user. It is confirmed whether or not the ID information of the shared vehicle V1 included in the use request transmitted by is coincident.

  In step S9, the control device 10 determines whether or not the return process can be completed for the shared vehicle V1 that is about to be returned by the user. Specifically, the control device 10 determines whether the current position of the shared vehicle V1 to be returned by the user is set for the shared vehicle V1 based on the information confirmed in steps S7 and S8. And the ID information matches the ID information of the shared vehicle V1 included in the use request transmitted by the user, the return processing of the shared vehicle V1 is performed. Determine that it can be completed. And when it determines with the return process of the shared vehicle V1 being able to be completed in step S9, it progresses to step S10. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the return process for the shared vehicle V1 cannot be completed, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S9, when it is determined that the return process of the shared vehicle V1 can be completed, the process proceeds to step S10, and in step S10, the control device 10 completes the return process of the shared vehicle V1 and prompts the user. On the other hand, the usage fee for the shared vehicle V1 is charged, for example, by a method such as withdrawing a credit card.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the return process of the shared vehicle V1 cannot be completed, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the control device 10 interrupts the return process of the shared vehicle V1, Returning to step S4, the return station change proposal process in step S4 is executed again.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control device 10 receives the use request from the user, thereby acquiring information on the shared vehicle that the user is going to use and information on the return station set by the user. Proposal to change the return station to another station when the shared vehicle stops at a station other than the return station set by the user while the user is using the shared vehicle. To do. Thereby, in this embodiment, for example, when the user cannot find the return station and wants to return the shared vehicle to another station that happens to be found, or the user suddenly, other than the return station, When it is desired to return the shared vehicle to the station, the return station can be flexibly and easily changed, so that convenience can be improved in a car sharing system in which a plurality of users share the shared vehicle.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment was described in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, and was not described in order to limit this invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, the return station change proposal process in step S4 described above is not limited to the method shown in FIG. 7, and may be executed according to the method shown in FIG. Hereinafter, another example of the return station change proposal process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The return station change proposal process shown in FIG. 8 is the same in steps S401 to S408 as compared to the return station change proposal process shown in FIG. For this reason, the same step code | symbol as FIG. 7 is attached | subjected to FIG. 8, and the description regarding the description is used for this example.

  First, in steps S401 to S403 shown in FIG. 8, as in FIG. 7 described above, the control device 10 acquires information on the current position of the shared vehicle V1, and the shared vehicle V1 moves to a station other than the return station. If it is determined that the vehicle is stopped, the station where the shared vehicle V1 is currently stopped is specified.

  In step S404 shown in FIG. 8, the control device 10 determines whether or not the station specified in step S403 is currently vacant, that is, whether or not there is a space for parking the shared vehicle V1. For example, when the station identified in step S403 is the station ST3, it is determined whether or not the station ST3 has a free space. If it is determined in step S404 that the specified station has a current vacancy, the process proceeds to step S405, and the processes in steps S405 to S408 are executed in the same manner as in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S404 that the identified station is not currently empty, the process proceeds to step S409.

  If it is determined in step S404 that the identified station is not currently available, the process proceeds to step S409. In step S409, the control device 10 determines the shared vehicle parked at the station identified in step S403. The usage request information is extracted from the usage requests 33 stored in the database 30.

  In step S410, the user is notified of the information extracted in step S409, that is, the usage request information for the shared vehicle parked in the station identified in step S403, via the user terminal device 400X. Thereby, for example, when the station identified in step S403 is the station ST3, the user can know the reservation status of the shared vehicle currently parked in the station ST3. The shared vehicle is started to be used relatively early by another user (for example, after 5 minutes, after 10 minutes, etc.), and it is possible to obtain information as to whether or not the station ST3 is available. Therefore, the user can determine whether or not to change the return station to the station ST3 in the subsequent step S407 while referring to such information, so that the return station can be changed more appropriately. It becomes like this.

  Next, in step S407, the control device 10 determines whether or not an instruction to change the return station is transmitted from the user via the user terminal device 400X, and an instruction to change the return station is transmitted. If it is determined that the return has been made, the return station of the shared vehicle V1 is changed to the station specified in step S403 in step S408.

  As described above, the return station change proposal process shown in FIG. 8 ends.

  Further, in the present embodiment, while the control procedure of the car sharing system shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 described above is being executed, the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management device 100 uses the notification function as shown in FIG. In this manner, the user may be notified of the availability of other stations other than the return station.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, an example of notification processing for notifying the user of information on availability of other stations other than the return station will be described. In addition, the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 illustrates a scene where one user uses one shared vehicle V1.

  First, in step S21 shown in FIG. 9, the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management device 100 acquires information on the current position of the shared vehicle V1 from the communication device 220 provided in the shared vehicle V1.

  In step S22, the control device 10 determines whether or not the shared vehicle V1 is within a predetermined distance from the return station of the shared vehicle V1. Specifically, the control device 10 reads information on the return station set for the shared vehicle V1 based on the use request 33 stored in the database 30, and the current position of the shared vehicle V1 acquired in step S21. With reference to the information, it is determined whether or not the shared vehicle V1 is within a predetermined distance (for example, within 4 km) from the return station of the shared vehicle V1. If it is determined in step S22 that the shared vehicle V1 is within a predetermined distance from the return station, the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S22 that the shared vehicle V1 is not within the predetermined distance from the return station, the process returns to step S21.

  When it is determined in step S22 that the shared vehicle V1 is within a predetermined distance from the return station, the process proceeds to step S23, and in step S23, the control device 10 identifies stations around the return station of the shared vehicle V1. . For example, the control device 10 specifies a station existing within 2 km from the return station of the shared vehicle V1.

  In step S24, the control device 10 acquires information on the availability of the station specified in step S23. For example, the control device 10 acquires information on the current position of each shared vehicle Vn from the communication device 220 provided in each shared vehicle Vn, and the shared vehicle Vn is identified in step S23 based on the acquired information. It is determined whether or not the vehicle is parked at the station, and thereby the vacant information of the station is acquired.

  In step S25, if any shared vehicle Vn is parked at the station specified in step S23, the control device 10 stores information on the usage request for the parked shared vehicle Vn in the database 30. Get from the stored information.

  In step S26, the control apparatus 10 determines whether there is an available station among the stations specified in step S23, based on the information acquired in steps S24 and S25. For example, based on the information acquired in Steps S24 and S25, the control device 10 has another station for the shared vehicle Vn that is currently parked, or any one of the shared vehicles Vn is currently parked. Stations that are requested to be used relatively early by the user are determined as available stations, and it is determined whether there is such an available station. If it is determined in step S26 that there is a usable station, the process proceeds to step S27. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that there is no usable station, the notification process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S26 that there is an available station, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, the control device 10 uses the notification function in the manner shown in FIG. The user is notified of the position of the station existing in the network and the availability information.

  As described above, the notification process shown in FIG. 9 ends.

  Alternatively, in the present embodiment, while the control procedure of the car sharing system shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 is being executed, the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management device 100 uses the notification function as shown in FIG. In such a manner, the user may be notified of the availability of other stations other than the return station by the procedure as shown in FIG.

  Here, FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the notification process for notifying the user of the availability information of stations other than the return station. In addition, the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 illustrates the scene where one user is using one shared vehicle V1.

  First, in step S31 shown in FIG. 10, the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management device 100 acquires information on the current position of the shared vehicle V1 from the communication device 220 provided in the shared vehicle V1.

  In step S32, the control device 10 specifies stations around the shared vehicle V1. For example, the control device 10 identifies a station existing within 2 km from the shared vehicle V1.

  In steps S33 and S34, the control device 10 sends information on the availability of the station specified in step S32 and a request for using the parked shared vehicle Vn, as in steps S24 and S25 shown in FIG. Get information and.

  In step S35, as in step S26 shown in FIG. 9 described above, the control device 10 determines whether there is an available station among the stations specified in step S32 based on the information acquired in steps S33 and S34. Determine whether. If it is determined in step S35 that there is an available station, the process proceeds to step S36. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S35 that there is no usable station, the process returns to step S31.

  If it is determined in step S35 that there is a usable station, the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the control device 10 uses the notification function in the manner as shown in FIG. The user is notified of the position of stations in the vicinity and information on availability.

  In step S37, the control device 10 determines whether or not the shared vehicle V1 has reached the return station set for the shared vehicle V1. And when it determines with the shared vehicle V1 having arrived at the return station in step S37, this notification process is complete | finished. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S37 that the shared vehicle V1 has not arrived at the return station, the process returns to step S31 and this notification process is repeatedly executed.

  As described above, the notification process shown in FIG. 10 ends.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 includes the database 30 of the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 as the use reception means, position acquisition means, use availability detection means, determination means, and control means of the present invention. Corresponds to the storage means of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1000 ... Shared vehicle management system 100 ... Shared vehicle management apparatus 10 ... Control apparatus 20 ... Communication apparatus 30 ... Database V1-Vn ... Shared vehicle 200V1-200Vn ... In-vehicle apparatus 400X-400Y ... User terminal device

Claims (4)

A shared vehicle management apparatus for managing a plurality of shared vehicles shared by a plurality of users,
Storage means for storing ID information of the shared vehicle and a plurality of station information for lending and returning the shared vehicle;
ID information of the shared vehicle that the user intends to use and information on the return station set as a station for the user to return the shared vehicle after use from among a plurality of stations stored in the storage means And a usage reception means for receiving a usage reservation including:
Position acquisition means for acquiring information on the current position of the shared vehicle;
Availability detecting means for detecting information on availability of each station;
Based on the information acquired by the position acquisition unit, a determination unit that determines whether the shared vehicle is stopped at a station other than the return station set for the shared vehicle;
When it is determined by the determination means that the shared vehicle is stopped at the other station and the availability detection means detects that the other station is available, Control means for proposing to the user to change the return station of the shared vehicle to the other station,
When the determination means determines that the shared vehicle is stopped at the other station, the control means detects that the other station is not currently available by the availability detection means. A shared vehicle management device that notifies the user of information on the reservation status of the shared vehicle currently stopped at the other station. A shared vehicle management apparatus for managing a plurality of shared vehicles shared by a plurality of users,
Storage means for storing ID information of the shared vehicle and a plurality of station information for lending and returning the shared vehicle;
ID information of the shared vehicle that the user intends to use and information on the return station set as a station for the user to return the shared vehicle after use from among a plurality of stations stored in the storage means And a usage reception means for receiving a usage reservation including:
Position acquisition means for acquiring information on the current position of the shared vehicle;
Availability detecting means for detecting information on availability of each station;
Based on the information acquired by the position acquisition unit, a determination unit that determines whether the shared vehicle is stopped at a station other than the return station set for the shared vehicle;
When it is determined by the determination means that the shared vehicle is stopped at the other station and the availability detection means detects that the other station is available, Control means for proposing to the user to change the return station of the shared vehicle to the other station,
The control means, based on the current position information of the shared vehicle acquired by the position acquisition means and the availability information of the stations detected by the availability detection means, the current position of the shared vehicle, Shared vehicle management for notifying the user of the availability of stations existing around the return station when it is determined that the user is within a predetermined distance from the return station set for the shared vehicle apparatus. A shared vehicle management apparatus for managing a plurality of shared vehicles shared by a plurality of users,
Storage means for storing ID information of the shared vehicle and a plurality of station information for lending and returning the shared vehicle;
ID information of the shared vehicle that the user intends to use and information on the return station set as a station for the user to return the shared vehicle after use from among a plurality of stations stored in the storage means And a usage reception means for receiving a usage reservation including:
Position acquisition means for acquiring information on the current position of the shared vehicle;
Availability detecting means for detecting information on availability of each station;
Based on the information acquired by the position acquisition unit, a determination unit that determines whether the shared vehicle is stopped at a station other than the return station set for the shared vehicle;
When it is determined by the determination means that the shared vehicle is stopped at the other station and the availability detection means detects that the other station is available, Control means for proposing to the user to change the return station of the shared vehicle to the other station,
The control means includes
When it is determined by the determining means that the shared vehicle is stopped at the other station, when the availability detecting means detects that the other station is not currently available, the user To inform the reservation status of the shared vehicle currently stopped at the other station,
Based on the information on the current position of the shared vehicle acquired by the position acquisition means and the information on the availability of each station detected by the availability detection means, the current position of the shared vehicle is determined with respect to the shared vehicle. A shared vehicle management device that notifies the user of the availability of stations existing in the vicinity of the return station when it is determined that the user is within a predetermined distance from the return station set in the above. The control means provides the shared information to the user based on information on a current position of the shared vehicle acquired by the position acquisition means and information on availability of each station detected by the availability detection means. The shared vehicle management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein information on availability of use of a station existing around a current position of the vehicle is notified.