JP2016085506A - Shared-vehicle management apparatus and shared-vehicle management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shared-vehicle management apparatus and management method for improving a usage ratio of a shared-vehicle even in a case where no rentable shared-vehicle exists in a spot desired by a user when the user requests for using the vehicle.SOLUTION: A management apparatus includes: storage means for storing information of a station allowing renting out and returning of a shared-vehicle; position obtainment means for obtaining information on a present position of a user; usage reception means for receiving a usage request of the user; report means for reporting, to the user desiring to rent a shared-vehicle, an event that the shared-vehicle is returned, after the shared-vehicle is returned, in a case where no shared-vehicle that is presently usable exists in a desired rent-out station, with the rent-out station matching a returning station where a user who is using or wanting to use a shared-vehicle returning the vehicle; and priority setup means for setting priority in the reporting for the user desiring rent-out of the shared-vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1C

Description

  The present invention relates to a shared vehicle management apparatus and a shared vehicle management method for managing a plurality of shared vehicles used by a plurality of users.

  Regarding a shared vehicle operation system in which a plurality of users use a plurality of shared vehicles, when there is no vehicle that satisfies the user's first desired condition at the time of reservation of the vehicle, at least one condition included in the first desired condition There is known a shared use vehicle reservation system for automatically changing the vehicle and presenting a vehicle close to the user's request to the user as an alternative (Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-215739 A

  However, in the above prior art, since the vehicle is proposed to be rented at a place different from the user's desire, the travel time to the place where the user is proposed is increased in some cases. There is a problem that the operation rate decreases.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the operating rate of a shared vehicle even when there is no shared vehicle that can be rented at the user's desired location when the user requests the use of the vehicle.

  In the present invention, when a user requests the use of a shared vehicle, even when the shared vehicle cannot be rented at a desired location, the shared vehicle is returned to the desired location from another user thereafter. Solves the above problem by notifying the user who wishes to use the shared vehicle that the shared vehicle has been returned to the desired location according to the set priority.

  According to the present invention, in accordance with the priority set for the user, the user can lend the shared vehicle at the desired location in order to notify that the shared vehicle has been returned to the desired location of the user. It becomes possible to know that it has become, and it becomes possible to use the shared vehicle from the desired location. As a result, the travel time to the desired location is shortened and the operating rate of the shared vehicle is improved.

In a shared vehicle management system provided with a shared vehicle management device concerning an embodiment of the present invention, it is an outline figure showing an example of a method for a user to use a shared vehicle. In a shared vehicle management system provided with a shared vehicle management device concerning an embodiment of the present invention, it is an outline figure showing a scene where a use request of a shared vehicle was transmitted from a plurality of users. It is a lineblock diagram of a common vehicle management system provided with a common vehicle management device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the station by which the shared vehicle which the shared vehicle management system of FIG. 1C manages is arrange | positioned. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st example of the method of setting a priority with respect to a user. It is a graph which shows an example of the result of having totaled the use history of a plurality of users. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd example of the method of setting a priority with respect to a user. It is a figure for demonstrating the 3rd example of the method of setting a priority with respect to a user. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the shared vehicle management system of FIG. 1C. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the notification process by the shared vehicle management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of the notification process by the shared vehicle management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a shared vehicle management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the present embodiment, the shared vehicle management apparatus will be described using an example in which a shared vehicle management system is applied to a shared vehicle management system in which a plurality of users share a plurality of shared vehicles arranged at a plurality of stations. 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. Each station is a place where shared vehicles can be parked, shared vehicles can be rented and returned, and shared vehicles that are not in use can be placed on standby. Car park etc. are mentioned.

  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 select a station (rental) from which a shared vehicle is desired to be rented from among a plurality of stations managed by the shared vehicle management device 100. Station) and make a reservation for use of the shared vehicle waiting at the selected rental station. For example, in the scene shown in FIG. 1A, when the user selects the station ST1 as a rental station, the shared vehicle V1 waiting at the station ST1 can be reserved for use. In this case, any station may be set as a station (return station) for returning the shared vehicle after use. Alternatively, the user may set this return station at a desired timing after making a use reservation for the shared vehicle. As a result, the user can get on the reserved shared vehicle and use the shared vehicle, and then return the used shared vehicle to the set-up return station, thereby enabling a one-way car sharing system that can be discarded. It 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, the user U1 uses the shared vehicle V2, while the user U2 selects the station ST2 as a rental station using the user terminal device 400X and reserves the use of the shared vehicle of the station ST2. It shows the scene that is. Here, the station ST2 sets the station ST2 as a return station to which the user U1 returns the shared vehicle V2, although the shared vehicle is not currently waiting and cannot be rented out. Then, after the user U1 returns the shared vehicle V2 to the station ST2, the shared vehicle V2 can be rented from the station ST2.

  In the scene shown in FIG. 1A, when the user U2 makes a use reservation for the shared vehicle, the user U2 operates the user terminal device 400X to select the station ST2 as a rental station, and from the station ST2 A use request for use is transmitted to the shared vehicle management apparatus 100. Then, in response to the usage request transmitted from the user U2, the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 has no shared vehicle currently available in the station ST2, and the shared vehicle cannot be rented from the station ST2. Is transmitted to the user terminal device 400X of the user U2. At this time, the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 also provides information on the expected time when the shared vehicle V2 is returned to the station ST2 by another user (user U1) and the shared vehicle can be rented out at the station ST2. You may send it. In this embodiment, when the shared vehicle V2 is returned to the station ST2 by the user U1, the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 returns the shared vehicle V2 to the station ST2 to the user U2, and from the station ST2. Information indicating that the shared vehicle V2 can be rented is transmitted to the user terminal device 400X of the user U2.

  At this time, when the user U2 selects the station ST1 as a rental station and requests the reservation of the shared vehicle V1 that is stopped at the station ST1, the currently available shared vehicle V1 stands by at the station ST1. Therefore, the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 accepts the use reservation of the shared vehicle V1 by the user U2. Thereby, the user U2 can complete the reservation of the shared vehicle V1, and can start using the shared vehicle V1 by boarding the shared vehicle V1 at the station ST1.

  The above is the basic configuration of the one-way car sharing system in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1B, a station ST2 where there is no currently available shared vehicle is used as a rental station from a plurality of users U2 to U4. In the case where the request is transmitted, when the shared vehicle V2 is returned to the station ST2, information indicating that the shared vehicle V2 can be rented from the station ST2 is notified all at once to the users U2 to U4. When any user makes a use request for lending the shared vehicle V2 from the station ST2, other users may not be able to use the shared vehicle V2 despite receiving the notification.

  Therefore, the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, in a scene where a plurality of users do not have a currently available shared vehicle and a use request with the same station as a rental station is transmitted, When the return station set by another user who uses the shared vehicle matches, the rank is set for a plurality of users who have transmitted use requests, and when the shared vehicle is returned to the return station, the rank is In order from the highest user, information indicating that the shared vehicle has been returned to the return station and can be rented is notified. This order is set according to a predetermined priority obtained by the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 according to the current position of each user and the use history of the shared vehicle. As a result, a user with a higher rank set by the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 can obtain the information when the shared vehicle can be rented at the initially desired rental station, A shared vehicle can be used as a rental station.

  FIG. 1C is a configuration diagram showing such a shared vehicle management system 1000. As shown in FIG. 1C, 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 400Z (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 400Z constituting the shared vehicle management system 1000 of the present embodiment is not limited.

  The shared vehicle management device 100, the in-vehicle devices 200V1 to 200Vn, and the user terminal devices 400X to 400Z are each provided with a communication device (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 communicates with an input device 410 that receives input information such as a usage request for requesting the use of the shared vehicle Vn of a desired rental station by each user, and an external device such as the shared vehicle management device 100. The communication apparatus 420 to perform, the display apparatus 430 for notifying each user of information, and the control apparatus 440 which performs the control process of utilization of the shared vehicle Vn by a user are provided.

  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.

  The control device 440 of the present embodiment uses the position acquisition device such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver (not shown) provided in the user terminal device 400X to obtain information on the current position of the user who operates the user terminal device 400X. The acquired current position information is transmitted to the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 via the communication apparatus 420.

  Further, the control device 440 receives input information such as a usage request for requesting the use of the shared vehicle Vn by each user, and transmits the input information to the shared vehicle management device 100 via the communication device 420. Such a use request includes user ID information, user current position information, rental station information set by the user, shared vehicle Vn ID information that the user intends to use, and return station information set by the user. Etc. are included. In addition, the user terminal device 400X of this embodiment receives the information of each station, the information of the shared vehicle Vn of the use candidate in each station, etc. from the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 as needed. Further, in the present embodiment, the return station may be set at the timing when the use request is transmitted as described above, or after the use request for the shared vehicle Vn is transmitted, a desired vehicle that is using the shared vehicle Vn is used. It may be done at the timing.

  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 of this embodiment includes a GPS receiver 210 that detects the current position of each shared vehicle Vn, a communication device 220 that communicates with an external device such as the shared vehicle management device 100, and use of the shared vehicle Vn by a user. And a control device 230 that executes the control process.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 230 uses the authentication device (not shown) provided in the in-vehicle device 200Vn to match the user who has boarded the shared vehicle Vn with the user who made a use reservation for the shared vehicle Vn. Authenticates whether or not to perform user authentication. For example, the control device 230 uses a device capable of NFC (Near Field Communication) communication as the authentication device, reads the user ID information from the user terminal device 400X owned by the user, a membership card, etc., and further communicates. The shared vehicle management device 100 is accessed via the device 220, reservation information of the shared vehicle Vn is acquired, and user authentication of a user who gets on the shared vehicle Vn is performed.

  In addition, the control device 230 transmits information on the current position acquired using the GPS receiver 210 to the shared vehicle management device 100 via the communication device 220.

  Furthermore, the control device 230 notifies the user of information transmitted from the shared vehicle management device 100 using a display or a speaker (not shown). In the present embodiment, as described above, when the shared vehicle Vn is returned to the return station by a certain user, the control device 230 provides information indicating that the shared vehicle Vn can be rented at the return station. , Received from the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 and notified to the user.

  In the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 200Vn functions as a navigation device for guiding a travel route from the current position of the shared vehicle Vn to the return station, similar to the user terminal device 400X described above. Also good.

  The shared vehicle management apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment functions as a server of the shared vehicle management system 1000, and executes a control process for managing and managing the car sharing system, an in-vehicle device 200Vn, and a user terminal device 400X. A communication device 20 that can communicate with each other, and a database 30 that stores information received by the communication device 20, information on each shared vehicle Vn, information on each station, and the like are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 10 stores information received from each user terminal device 400X and each in-vehicle device 200Vn via the communication device 20 in the database 30 as appropriate. 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 control device 10 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.

  Furthermore, the control device 10 uses the lending station and the shared vehicle Vn in a scene where a plurality of users do not have a shared vehicle Vn that is currently available and a use request for the same station as a lending station is transmitted. If the return station set by another user matches, the rank is set for a plurality of users who have transmitted use requests, and when the shared vehicle Vn is returned to the return station, the user with the higher rank In turn, information indicating that the shared vehicle Vn can be rented is notified at the return station. A specific method in which the control device 10 performs such notification will be described later.

  The database 30 of the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment stores shared vehicle information 31, station information 32, a usage request 33 received from a user, map information 34, and usage history information 35. In the example shown in FIG. 1C, an example in which only one database 30 is provided is shown. However, in the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, a plurality of databases 30 are provided, and the shared vehicle information 31, The station information 32, the usage request 33, the map information 34, and the usage history information 35 may be stored separately.

  Here, the shared vehicle information 31 is information on each shared vehicle Vn, and the station information 32 is information on each station.

  The usage request 33 is input information input by each user using the user terminal device 400X. The usage request 33 includes the user ID information, the user's current location information, and the rental station information set by the user. ID information of the shared vehicle Vn that the user intends to use, information on the return station set by the user, and the like are included.

  The usage history information 35 indicates the usage history of the user's shared vehicle Vn. Specifically, the usage history information 35 includes information on the number of times the user uses the shared vehicle Vn and the average usage time of the shared vehicle Vn per user. Information, the number of days from the day when the user can use the shared vehicle Vn (for example, the day of membership registration when membership registration is required to use the car sharing system) to the present For example, information collected for each user.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, 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 managing 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.

  The control device 10 of the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 realizes a use reception function, a use availability determination function, a station match determination function, a notification function, a priority setting function, and a return reception 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 acquires the above-described usage request from the user terminal device 400 </ b> X by the usage reception function, and stores the acquired usage request information in the database 30 as the usage request 33. The usage request acquired by the control device 10 includes the user ID information, the user current position information, the rental station information set by the user, the ID information of the shared vehicle Vn to be used by the user, and the user setting. The information of the return station that was made is included.

  Next, the availability determination function executed by the control device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not each station is currently available by using the availability determination function. Specifically, the control device 10 determines that the station is currently available if there is a shared vehicle Vn waiting at the station and the shared vehicle Vn is in a state where it can accept a current loan. To do. On the other hand, if there is no shared vehicle Vn waiting at the station, or if the shared vehicle Vn cannot be rented even if the shared vehicle Vn is waiting at the station, the station cannot be used at present. Judge that there is no. The state in which the shared vehicle Vn cannot be lent means the drive energy of the shared vehicle Vn (gasoline in a gasoline vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine or the like, and battery charge in an electric vehicle). The same shall apply hereinafter). The predetermined threshold value may be set to an arbitrary value. For example, the predetermined threshold value can be set as appropriate according to the average value of consumption of driving energy per predetermined period based on the past use record of the shared vehicle Vn.

  Next, the station match determination function executed by the control device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when one or a plurality of users set a station that is determined not to be currently available by the use determination function, the control device 10 uses the station match determination function to It is determined whether or not the rental station matches the return station set by another user who uses the shared vehicle Vn.

  Next, a notification function executed by the control device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. When it is determined by the station match determination function described above that the lending station set by one or more users matches the return station set by another user, the control device 10 thereafter When the shared vehicle Vn is returned to the return station, the shared vehicle Vn is returned to the return station to notify the one or more users that the rental vehicle is ready for lending. In this case, the control device 10 notifies the users in descending order of priority based on the priority set for each user by the priority setting function described later. In the present embodiment, the shared vehicle Vn returned to the return station is determined to be in a lentable state only when the remaining amount of driving energy exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the above notification is made. May be.

  In addition, the control device 10 communicates with each in-vehicle device 200Vn and each user terminal device 400X by the notification function, and notifies the user that the use reservation of the shared vehicle Vn has been completed or the return of the shared vehicle Vn is completed. Also notify the information to the effect.

  Subsequently, a priority setting function executed by the control device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. When it is determined by the station matching determination function that the lending station matches the return station, the control device 10 assigns a predetermined priority to each of the plurality of users by the priority setting function. Set. In the present embodiment, notification is performed by the above-described notification function in descending order of priority set for each user.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 10 can set the priority as follows. For example, the control device 10 calculates the distance between the lending station that matches the return station (hereinafter referred to as the matching station) and the current position of each user, and sets a higher priority as the calculated distance is shorter. . For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when three users (users A to C) set the same station as a rental station, the distance between the current position and the matching station is calculated for the users A to C. If the calculated distance is long in the order of user A, user B, and user C, the priority of user A with the shortest distance is first, and then the priority of user B with the shortest distance is second, The priority of the user C who has a long distance is set to the third place.

  In this case, the control device 10 considers each user's moving speed (walking speed, moving speed on a train, etc.) based on the distance between each user's current position and the matching station. The arrival time required to reach the matching station may be calculated, and a higher priority may be set as the arrival time is shorter.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 10 performs notification using the above-described notification function in order from the user with the highest priority, and then requests use from the user to make a use reservation for the shared vehicle Vn of the matching station. Is transmitted, the usage request from the user is accepted.

  In the present embodiment, the priority may be set based on the usage history information 35 of the shared vehicle Vn of each user. The usage history information 35 is information stored in the database 30 described above, information on the number of times the user uses the shared vehicle Vn, information on the average usage time of the shared vehicle Vn per user, and the shared vehicle Vn. It is information including information on the number of days from the day when it becomes possible to use to the present. In the present embodiment, for example, the control device 10 sets a higher priority as the number of times the user uses the shared vehicle Vn is larger, as the average usage time of the shared vehicle Vn is shorter, and as the number of days of use of the shared vehicle Vn is longer. To do.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of a result of totaling usage histories of a plurality of users. In the graph of FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the number of times the user uses the shared vehicle Vn, and the vertical axis indicates the average usage time of the user's shared vehicle Vn. In the one-way car sharing system as in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the average use time of the shared vehicle Vn is usually shorter as the user who uses the service more frequently (the user who is better for the operator of the car sharing system). There is a tendency. A user who has used the shared vehicle Vn for a long time is also considered to be an excellent user in the car sharing system.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, it is determined that the user is a good user as the number of times of use of the shared vehicle Vn is increased, the average use time of the shared vehicle Vn is shorter, and the use days of the shared vehicle Vn are longer. Set a higher priority.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a method for setting the priority will be described by taking as an example a scene in which three users (users A to C) set the same station as a rental station. In the scene shown in FIG. 5A, first, the distance between the current position and the matching station in the users A to C is calculated, and the first priority is set according to the calculated distance. In this case, if there are users (users A and B) having the same set first priority, and it is not possible to rank each user with only the first priority, then for each user A second priority based on the usage history information 35 is set to rank each user. As an example in which the first priorities are equal, for each user, when the result of calculating the distance between the current position and the matching station is compared, the result of each user is within a predetermined value (for example, 10 to 10). Scenes within 100 m or within 1 to 3 minutes). In the example shown in FIG. 5A, since the first priorities of the users A and B are equal, the second priorities based on the user usage history are set for the users A and B. Specifically, the control device 10 assigns a ranking between the users A to C in the order of (1) the most frequently used times, and (2) the order in which the average usage time is short, and (1) and (2 ), The second priority is set higher as the point added is smaller. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5A, a second priority higher than that of the user B whose point is 5 points is set for the user A whose point is 3 points. And the control apparatus 10 performs notification by the notification function mentioned above in order of the user A, the user B, and the user C based on such a priority.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as the second priority based on the user's usage history, as shown in FIG. 5B, (1) the order in which the usage count is large, and (2) the order in which the average usage time is short. In addition to the above, (3) the order in which the number of days using the shared vehicle Vn is increased may be given, and the higher the point obtained by adding (1), (2) and (3), the higher the setting may be. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5B, a second priority higher than that of the user B whose point is 8 points is set for the user A whose point is 5 points.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B described above, after obtaining the first priority based on the distance between the user's current position and the matching station, the second priority based on the user's usage history is set, and Although the example which sets the order which performs notification by the notified function which showed was shown, control device 10 of this embodiment may set the order of notification based only on the 2nd priority, and first the 2nd priority If the order cannot be set only with the second priority after obtaining the above, the order of notification may be set with the first priority taken into account.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the order in which notification is performed by the notification function is set based on the priority set for each user. If there are multiple users with the same priority, The above notification may be made simultaneously to a plurality of users. In this case, the use request may be accepted for the user who has transmitted the use request for the shared vehicle Vn at the matching station earliest.

  Next, the return acceptance function executed by the control device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. The return acceptance function of the control device 10 is a function for accepting a return of the shared vehicle Vn in response to a return request for the shared vehicle Vn transmitted by the user via the in-vehicle device 200Vn or the user terminal device 400X.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the return station of the shared vehicle V2 is set to the station ST2, the user U1 operates the in-vehicle device 200V2 after stopping the shared vehicle V2 at the station ST2. By transmitting a return request to the shared vehicle management device 100, the control device 10 can accept the return of the shared vehicle V2.

  Note that the return request transmitted by the user includes the ID information and current position information of the shared vehicle Vn used by the user, and the control device 10 includes the ID information of the shared vehicle Vn included in the received return request. Based on the usage request 33 stored in the database 30, information corresponding to the ID information of the shared vehicle Vn is read, and it is determined whether or not the shared vehicle Vn is located at a preset return station. When it is determined that the shared vehicle Vn is located at the return station, the shared vehicle Vn is processed as being correctly returned.

  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.

  In the above-described example, the same content is notified to a plurality of users by the notification function of the control device 10, that is, the shared vehicle Vn can be lent to any user at the matching station. Although the example which notifies that is shown was shown, the control apparatus 10 of this embodiment may change the content notified to a user according to a user's priority.

  For example, the control device 10 of the present embodiment notifies that the shared vehicle Vn can be rented at the matching station only to the highest priority user or several users extracted in descending order of priority. In addition, other users may be notified of information on other stations that can use the shared vehicle Vn and prompted to change the rental station. Examples of other stations at this time include stations that exist within a predetermined distance from the current position of the user. Alternatively, when a return station is set in advance when the user transmits a use request for the shared vehicle Vn, a station that exists between the current position of the user and the set return station is also included.

  Alternatively, the control device 10 of the present embodiment notifies the user with the highest priority that the shared vehicle Vn can be rented at the matching station, and then from the user within a predetermined time. When there is no usage request for the shared vehicle Vn or when there is a usage request for another shared vehicle Vn from the user, the notification may be made to the user with the next highest priority. .

  According to the present embodiment, the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 notifies the user who wishes to use the shared vehicle Vn at the above-described matching station that the shared vehicle Vn has been returned to the matching station. Therefore, a user who desires to use the shared vehicle Vn can rent the shared vehicle Vn at a station desired from the beginning. In this type of one-way car shelling system, a user generally desires a station having the shortest distance from the current position. Therefore, in order to use the shared vehicle Vn, the user does not have to go to an alternative station farther than the originally desired station, and the time until the user moves to the rental station and starts using the shared vehicle Vn. (That is, the standby time until the shared vehicle Vn is used by the user) becomes shorter, and as a result, the operating rate of the shared vehicle Vn in the car sharing system can be improved. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when there are a plurality of users who wish to use the shared vehicle Vn at the above-described matching station, priority is set for each user, and the order according to the set priority is set. Therefore, the above notification can be given preferentially to a user who is suitable for the purpose of improving the convenience of the car sharing system and improving the operating rate of the shared vehicle Vn in the car sharing system.

  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. The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is a control until one user transmits a use request to use one shared vehicle Vn, uses the shared vehicle Vn, and returns the shared vehicle Vn to the return station. The procedure 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 usage request includes the user ID information, the user's current location information, the rental station information set by the user, the ID of the shared vehicle Vn that the user intends to use, and the return station information set by the user. Etc. are included. 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 S <b> 2, the control device 10 receives the use request transmitted from the user terminal device 400 </ b> X of the user and stores it in the database 30.

  In step S3, the control device 10 refers to the use request received in step S2, and determines whether or not the rental station set by the user is currently available. Specifically, if there is a shared vehicle Vn standing by at a station set as a rental station and the shared vehicle Vn is in a state where it can accept a current rental, it is determined that it is currently available. If it is determined in step S3 that the rental station is currently available, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the lending station is not currently available, the process proceeds to step S13.

  If it is determined in step S3 that the rental station is currently available, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the control device 10 returns the shared vehicle Vn by the user who transmitted the use request in step S2. It is determined whether or not a return station has been set up. If it is determined in step S4 that a return station is set, the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that no return station is set, the process waits in step S4.

  In step S5, the control device 10 determines whether or not a return request for returning the shared vehicle Vn is transmitted from the user. The return request transmitted by the user includes the user ID information and the ID information and position information of the shared vehicle Vn 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 a return request has not been transmitted, the process waits in step S5.

  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 determines that the shared vehicle Vn to be returned by the user is returned to the shared vehicle Vn based on the return request received in step S6 and the information on the usage request 33 stored in the database 30. Check whether it is located at the return station set in the above.

  In step S8, the control device 10 determines the ID information of the shared vehicle Vn that is about to be returned by the user based on the return request received in step S6 and the information on the use request 33 stored in the database 30, and the user. It is confirmed whether or not the ID information of the shared vehicle Vn 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 Vn that is about to be returned by the user. Specifically, based on the information confirmed in step S7 and step S8, the control device 10 matches the position of the return station where the current position is set for the shared vehicle Vn to be returned by the user. When it is determined that the ID information matches the ID information of the shared vehicle Vn included in the use request transmitted by the user, it is determined that the return process of the shared vehicle Vn can be completed. And when it determines with the return process of the shared vehicle Vn being completed in step S9, it progresses to step S10. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S9 that the shared vehicle Vn return process cannot be completed, the process proceeds to step S15, the shared vehicle Vn return process is interrupted, and the process returns to step S4 described above.

  In step S9, when it is determined that the return process of the shared vehicle Vn 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 Vn and prompts the user. On the other hand, the usage fee for the shared vehicle Vn is charged, for example, by a method such as withdrawing a credit card.

  In step S11, the control apparatus 10 notifies other users of information indicating that the shared vehicle Vn is returned to the station set as a return station by one user and the shared vehicle Vn can be rented out. It is determined whether or not a condition for performing the processing is performed. Specifically, in the above-described steps S6 to S10, there is no other shared vehicle Vn available at the return station until the shared vehicle Vn is returned from one user. When there is another user who sets the return station as a rental station and transmits a use request, it is determined that the condition for performing the notification process is satisfied. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B described above, when there is no shared vehicle Vn that can be used at the return station (station ST2) set by the user U1, a use request for using the station ST2 as a rental station is transmitted. When there are users (users U2 to U4) to perform, it is determined that the condition for performing the notification process is satisfied. In step S11, if it is determined that the condition for performing the notification process is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the conditions for performing the notification process are not satisfied, this process ends.

  In step S12, the control apparatus 10 performs the notification process described above, and ends this process. Details of the notification process will be described later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 described above that the lending station set by the user is not currently available, the process proceeds to step S13, and in step S13, the control device 10 indicates that the lending station is not currently available. The information is transmitted to the user terminal device 400X of the user via the communication device 20. Next, in step S14, the control device 10 determines whether or not there is a reply from the user to wait until the rental station is now available via the user terminal device 400X. If it is determined in step S14 that there is a reply to wait until the lending station is currently available, the process waits until the lending station becomes available in step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that there is no reply to wait until the lending station is now available, the process returns to step S1 and waits again until a use request is transmitted from the user.

  Next, the notification process in step S12 described above will be described. FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating an example of notification processing. Hereinafter, the notification process will be described with reference to FIG. 7A.

  First, in step S101 shown in FIG. 7A, the control device 10 determines whether there is a user who sets the return station to which the shared vehicle Vn is returned in the processing of steps S6 to S10 in FIG. Determine whether or not. For example, based on the usage request transmitted from each user, the control apparatus 10 sets the station (station ST2) to which the shared vehicle V2 is returned as a rental station (users U2 to U4) as shown in FIG. 1B. It is determined whether or not exists. If it is determined in step S101 that there is a user who sets the return station as a rental station, the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that there is no user who sets the return station as a rental station, the notification process is terminated.

  In step S102, the control device 10 calculates the distance between the current position of the user who uses the return station from which the shared vehicle Vn is returned as a rental station and the return station (rental station). When there are a plurality of such users, the distance is calculated for each user.

  In step S103, the control apparatus 10 sets the first priority as shown in FIG. 5B for each user based on the distance calculated in step S102.

  In step S104, the control device 10 determines whether there is a user with the same first priority, such as the users A and B in FIG. 5B, based on the first priority calculated in step S103. . If it is determined in step S104 that there is a user with the same first priority, the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that there is no user having the same first priority, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S105, the control device 10 refers to the usage history information 35 stored in the database 30, and extracts information on the number of times the user has used the shared vehicle Vn in the past.

  In step S106, the control apparatus 10 refers to the usage history information 35 stored in the database 30, and extracts information on the average usage time of each user's past shared vehicle Vn.

  In step S107, the control device 10 refers to the usage history information 35 stored in the database 30, and obtains information on the number of days from the date when each user can use the shared vehicle Vn to the present. Extract.

  In step S108, the control device 10 sets the second priority as shown in FIG. 5B based on the information on the number of uses, the average use time, and the use days extracted in steps S105 to S107.

  In step S109, the control device 10 ranks the priorities as in the users A to C shown in FIG. 5B based on the first priority calculated in step S103 and the second priority calculated in step S108.

  In step S110, the control device 10 determines the shared vehicle Vn of the rental station set by the user via the user terminal device 400X by the communication device 20 in order from the user with the highest ranking according to the ranking set in step S109. Returned and notified that it is ready for use.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S104 that there is no user having the same first priority, the process proceeds to step S111, and in step S111, the users are ranked based only on the first priority. In the subsequent step S110, the notification is performed in order from the user with the highest ranking according to the ranking set in step S111.

  As described above, the notification process shown in FIG. 7A is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the notification process described above may be performed by the method shown in FIG. 7B. FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating another example of the notification process. Hereinafter, another example of the notification process will be described with reference to FIG. 7B. The operation procedure illustrated in FIG. 7B is the same as the operation procedure illustrated in FIG. 7A in steps S101 to S109 and S111. For this reason, FIG. 7B attaches | subjects the same step code | symbol as FIG. 7A, and uses the description regarding the description for this example.

  First, in steps S101 to S109 and S111 shown in FIG. 7B, the control device 10 ranks the user who sets the return station from which the shared vehicle Vn is returned as a rental station to perform notification by notification processing. .

  In subsequent step S201, the control device 10 returns the shared vehicle Vn to the lending station set by the user via the user terminal device 400X by the communication device 20 to the user who is set first in order. The vehicle Vn is notified that it can be lent.

  In step S202, the control device 10 gives information on a station that is different from the lending station set by the user to the user whose set rank is 2 or lower and where the rentable shared vehicle Vn exists. The communication device 20 notifies the user terminal device 400X. In this case, notifications may be sent to each user at the same time, or notifications may be sent in order from the highest ranked user.

  Since the embodiment of the shared vehicle management system according to the present invention is configured and operates as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  [1] In this embodiment, even when there is no currently available shared vehicle Vn at the rental station set by the user, when the shared vehicle Vn is returned to the return station that matches the rental station, In order to notify the user who has set up the rental station that the shared vehicle Vn has been returned, a user who wants to use the shared vehicle Vn can rent the shared vehicle Vn at the station he / she originally wanted. become. As a result, in order to use the shared vehicle Vn, the user does not need to go to an alternative station farther than the originally desired station, until the user moves to the rental station and starts using the shared vehicle Vn. The time (that is, the waiting time until the shared vehicle Vn is used by the user) becomes shorter, and as a result, the operation rate of the shared vehicle Vn in the car sharing system can be improved. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of users to be notified, the priority is set for each user, and the notification is performed in the order according to the set priority. The above notification can be given preferentially to a user who is suitable for the purpose of improving the convenience of the car sharing system and improving the operating rate of the shared vehicle Vn in the car sharing system.

  [2] In this embodiment, when performing the above notification, the shorter the distance between the current position of the user and the rental station set by the user, the higher the priority is set for the user, and the higher priority The notifications are performed in order. Therefore, a user closer to the rental station preferentially uses the shared vehicle Vn, and the time until the user moves to the rental station and starts using the shared vehicle Vn can be shortened. The operating rate of the shared vehicle Vn can be improved.

  [3] In the present embodiment, when performing the notification, a priority corresponding to the usage history of the shared vehicle Vn is set for the user, and the notification is performed in order from the user with the highest priority set. Therefore, the better the user in the car sharing system, the higher the notification is given, the convenience of the car sharing system is improved for the good user, and the use of the shared vehicle Vn is given to the good user. As a result, the operating rate of the shared vehicle Vn in the car sharing system can be improved.

  [4] In this embodiment, since the above notification is made only when the remaining amount of driving energy exceeds a predetermined threshold for the shared vehicle Vn returned to the return station, the remaining amount of driving energy is small, and the cruising Rental of the shared vehicle Vn with a short possible distance is prevented, and the user does not run out of driving energy while using the shared vehicle Vn, and the convenience of the car sharing system is improved.

  [5] When the shared vehicle management method of the present embodiment is executed, the above-described operations and effects are achieved.

  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.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control device 10 of the shared vehicle management apparatus 100 is used as the position acquisition unit, the use reception unit, the notification unit, the priority setting unit, and the determination unit of the present invention. It corresponds to the first storage means and the second storage means of the present invention, respectively.

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 300 ... Internet 400X-400Z ... User terminal device

Claims (7)

A shared vehicle management apparatus for managing a plurality of shared vehicles shared by a plurality of users,
First storage means for storing information of a plurality of stations capable of renting and returning the shared vehicle;
Position acquisition means for acquiring information on the current position of the user;
Use acceptance means for accepting a use request for the shared vehicle by the user;
There is no currently available shared vehicle at the rental station set as a station where the user wishing to use the shared vehicle wishes to rent the shared vehicle, and the rental station and the shared vehicle are being used. Or, if the user user who wants to use matches the return station set as a station for returning the shared vehicle after using it, after the user returns the shared vehicle to the return station, Notification means for notifying the user wishing to use that the shared vehicle has been returned to the return station;
A priority setting unit that sets a priority level when performing notification by the notification unit for the user who wants to use,
The said notification means is a shared vehicle management apparatus which performs the said notification in an order from the said use priority user with high priority, when there exists two or more use desire users who become the object which the said notification means notifies.   The priority setting means sets the higher priority to the user who wants to use the shorter the distance between the current position of the user who wants to use and the return station that matches the lending station set by the user who wants to use. The shared vehicle management apparatus according to claim 1. Further comprising second storage means for storing information on the use history of the shared vehicle by the user;
The shared vehicle management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the priority setting means sets the priority of the user who wants to use, according to the information of the usage history. The priority setting means, when there are a plurality of users who want to use the same priority according to the distance,
For the plurality of users who want to use the same priority according to the distance, a priority is set according to the usage history, and the distance is set based on the priority according to the usage history. The shared vehicle management device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an order in which the notification is given to the plurality of users who want to use the same priority according to the priority is set. In the usage history, it is possible to use information on the number of times the shared vehicle is used by the user who wants to use, information on the average usage time of the shared vehicle per use by the user who wants to use, and the shared vehicle. And information on the number of days from the date of
The shared vehicle management apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the priority setting unit increases the priority as the number of uses increases, the shorter the average use time and the longer the number of days. It further comprises determination means for acquiring information on the remaining driving energy of the shared vehicle used by the user and determining whether the remaining driving energy is a predetermined threshold value or more.
The shared vehicle management according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the notification unit performs the notification to the user who wants to use only the shared vehicle for which the remaining driving energy is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. apparatus. A shared vehicle management method in which a computer that manages a plurality of shared vehicles shared by a plurality of users performs the following steps:
Storing information of a plurality of stations capable of renting and returning the shared vehicle;
Obtaining information on the current location of the user;
Receiving a use request for the shared vehicle by the user;
There is no currently available shared vehicle at the rental station set as a station where the user wishing to use the shared vehicle wishes to rent the shared vehicle, and the rental station and the shared vehicle are being used. Or, if the user user who wants to use matches the return station set as a station for returning the shared vehicle after using it, after the user returns the shared vehicle to the return station, Notifying the user wishing to use that the shared vehicle has been returned to the return station,
In the step of performing the notification, when there are a plurality of users who wish to use the notification, there is a request for use with a higher priority according to a priority set in advance for each of the users who want to use the notification. A shared vehicle management method for performing the notification in order from a user.

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