JP6405494B1 - Free floating rental vehicle management method - Google Patents

Abstract

A free-floating rental vehicle management method using a mobile terminal of a user and a transmitter mounted on the rental vehicle is provided. A transmitter 32 for transmitting a unique signal is mounted on a rental vehicle 12. A user who borrows the rental vehicle 12 carries the portable terminal 90. When the mobile terminal effectively receives a signal from the transmitter 32 because the user has approached one of the rental vehicles existing in any of the temporary rental stations 300, the mobile terminal Since the vehicle ID is specified as the rental vehicle ID from the received signal and the user returns the rental vehicle to an arbitrary place and is separated from the rental vehicle, the portable terminal can effectively receive the signal from the transmitter 32. When it disappears, the mobile terminal identifies the vehicle ID as the return vehicle ID from the signal received from the transmitter 32 before it cannot be received effectively. [Selection] Figure 25

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for managing a rental vehicle , and more particularly, to a technology for managing a rental vehicle using a mobile terminal of a user from which the rental vehicle is rented .

  There is already a technique for managing a rental object, which is an example of movable property existing in a station that is a real estate, using a portable terminal carried by the user who is the rental object.

  One example is a service for lending and returning a rental object that is a movable property to a user at any place or station (or port) that is a real estate. As rental objects, there are humans and vehicles that move luggage, and types of vehicles include automobiles, bicycles, and motorcycles.

  Rental and return of rental vehicles is a vehicle rental service where round trips must be returned at the same station where the rental was made, and at a location different from the location where the rental was made It is classified as a one-way system that is permitted.

  By the way, as a nomenclature for rental vehicles, for example, in the case of a bicycle, there are cases where it is called "rental cycle" or "share cycle", but there is a substantial difference in meaning between the two. not exist. In this specification, for convenience, a bicycle as a rental vehicle is referred to as a “rental cycle” or a “rental bicycle”.

  Similarly, an automobile may be referred to as a “rental car” or a “share car”, but there is no substantial difference in meaning between the two. In this specification, for the sake of convenience, a bicycle as a rental vehicle is referred to as a “rental car”.

  In addition, one-way vehicle rental services are allowed to be rented and returned at any station (or port), and can be rented and returned at any location. It is classified as a free floating type.

  By the way, when the vehicle rental service is carried out by a method in which the rental vehicle is stored in one of the stations (regardless of the round trip method or the one-way method), the rented rental vehicle Is supposed to be returned to any station by the user after its use.

  However, if the user forgets or fails to return the rented rental vehicle to any station for some reason, the rented rental vehicle is left in a place other than the station (discarded). there is a possibility.

  Therefore, the rental company needs an additional work of searching for the left rental vehicle and collecting it at any station.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle rental service is implemented by the above-mentioned free floating one-way method, the rented rental vehicle must be returned to any station, that is, a predetermined place by the user. There is no.

  Therefore, as a rental company that provides vehicle rental services using the free-floating one-way system, the location where the user actually returned the rented rental vehicle (where “return” refers to any rental vehicle Therefore, it is necessary to search for an act of “leaving” from the viewpoint of the station type one-way method.

  Thanks to the search, rental companies that provide vehicle rental services using the free-floating one-way system will separate the place where the return was actually made (the apparent return station) from the rental vehicle where the return was made. This time, it is possible to guide other potential users as a place (apparent lending station) where the user can lend.

  In the background described above, several techniques for searching for a neglected rental vehicle have already been proposed.

  For example, in the system described in Patent Document 1, a left rental cycle is searched as a left bicycle, and the position where the left bicycle is left is assigned to a virtual station different from the actual station. Route guidance is provided to another potential user to arrive at the virtual station and use the abandoned bicycle as a rental cycle. The virtual station is deleted on the computer when the neglected bicycle is rented to the user. The neglected bicycle is collected at any real station by a user other than the first user.

  Furthermore, in the system described in Patent Document 1, an in-vehicle device is mounted on a bicycle. The in-vehicle device has a position acquisition unit (GPS (global positioning system)) that acquires the position of the rental cycle. The user uses a terminal device. The terminal device also has a position acquisition unit as in the rental cycle.

  In the system described in Patent Document 2, an IC chip (an example of a transmitter) is mounted on a bicycle. Data from the IC chip is read by a terminal possessed by an administrator (an example of a portable terminal, but does not correspond to a user's portable terminal).

  The terminal has a GPS. The terminal acquires position information by the GPS of the terminal at the timing when data is read from the IC chip. The terminal communicates with a bicycle management apparatus (an example of a management server) via a terminal installed in a manager's management room.

  According to the system described in Patent Document 2, when the position information transmitted from the terminal to the bicycle parking management apparatus indicates the same place for a long period of time, It can be confirmed.

  In the system described in Patent Literature 3, a position acquisition unit (PHS or GPS) is mounted on a bicycle, and the position of the bicycle acquired by the position acquisition unit is directly transmitted to the server without going through the user's portable terminal. The

  In the system described in Patent Literature 4, in the field of car sharing in which a vehicle is shared among a plurality of users instead of a bicycle, a unique identification is given to a station where the vehicle is rented and / or returned to the user. A first transmitter that transmits a signal is installed, and a second transmitter that transmits a unique identification signal is installed in the automobile. In this system, the user is allowed to lend and / or return the vehicle based on the signal received from the first transmitter and the signal received from the second transmitter.

  Furthermore, in the system described in Patent Document 4, the user's mobile terminal receives a signal from the second transmitter, but the user does not receive a signal from the first transmitter. Is determined to be about to get off.

JP 2012-181773 A JP 2005-352867 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-232152 JP 2017-068449 A

  According to the system described in Patent Document 1, the presence and location of a neglected rental vehicle is detected, and the detected neglected rental vehicle is rented to another user, thereby without bothering the rental agent. Abandoned rental vehicles are collected.

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to mount a GPS in the rental vehicle in order to detect the location of the neglected rental vehicle. In this system, the GPS of the user terminal device is also mounted. However, in this system, it is not possible to detect the left position of the rental vehicle using the GPS mounted on the terminal device.

  Similarly, even in the system described in Patent Document 3, the position of the bicycle cannot be detected using the GPS mounted on the user's portable terminal.

  On the other hand, according to the system described in Patent Document 2, a GPS mounted on a terminal possessed by an administrator is used to detect the location of a neglected rental vehicle. As a result, it is not necessary to mount the GPS on the rental vehicle.

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 2, it is impossible to use the mobile terminal of the user of the rental vehicle or the GPS of the mobile terminal in order to detect the location of the neglected rental vehicle. Therefore, even if a neglected rental vehicle appears in this system, the manager cannot notice the existence of the neglected rental vehicle until the manager, not the user, approaches the neglected rental vehicle.

  Further, in the system described in Patent Document 4, the management server can detect the possibility that the automobile will drop off, that is, be left unattended, based on the state of signals received by the user's mobile terminal from the two transmitters described above. However, in this system, when the management server detects that there is a possibility that the car is left unattended, the management server forcibly locks the door of the car remotely and the user can Can not be unlocked, thereby preventing the user from leaving the car.

  For this reason, this patent document 4 employs a technique for preventing the automobile from being left unattended, and therefore does not even describe the necessity of detecting the position where the automobile is left. In other words, there is no mention or suggestion in this document of measuring the leaving position of an automobile using the GPS of a user's mobile terminal.

  On the other hand, if the position of the rental vehicle can be detected using the user's mobile terminal, for example, in a free floating one-way rental business, when the user rents the rental vehicle at an arbitrary location The position and the position when the user returns the rental vehicle to an arbitrary place can be detected using the user's portable terminal.

Based on the above knowledge, the present invention enables a rental vehicle to be rented to a user in a free-floating manner using a portable terminal of the user from which the rental vehicle is rented and a transmitter mounted on the rental vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide a rental vehicle management method .

In order to solve the problem , according to an aspect of the present invention, there is a rental vehicle management method capable of renting a rental vehicle to a user in a free-floating manner,
The rental vehicle is equipped with a transmitter that transmits a unique signal,
The user has a portable terminal having a function of communicating with the management server and a function of receiving a signal from the transmitter,
The method is
The mobile terminal effectively receives a signal from the transmitter of the rental vehicle because the user approaches one of the rental vehicles existing in any of a plurality of temporary rental stations that rent the rental vehicle. Then, the portable terminal specifies the vehicle ID of the rental vehicle to be rented to the user from the signal received from the transmitter, stores the vehicle ID in the memory as the rental vehicle ID, and manages the rental vehicle ID. Lending process to send to server,
Since the user returns the rental vehicle rented to himself / herself to an arbitrary location and is separated from the rental vehicle, the mobile terminal is effective from the state in which the signal from the transmitter of the rental vehicle is effectively received. When transitioning to a non-receiving state, the portable terminal identifies the rental vehicle ID as a return vehicle ID from the signal received from the transmitter before it cannot be received effectively, and the return vehicle ID is the memory. A return step of transmitting the return vehicle ID to the management server on condition that the vehicle ID matches the rental vehicle ID stored in
A free floating rental vehicle management method is provided.

Further , according to one aspect of the present invention, it is effective from a reception state in which a signal unique to a transmitter is effectively received by a short-range communication method from a transmitter mounted on a rental vehicle on which the user's portable terminal is borrowed. When a transition is made to a non-reception state that is not received at the same time, the current position measured by the mobile terminal is stored in a memory, and the rental vehicle is not returned to the current position for the user, but returned to a normal position. An icon and / or message for prompting is displayed on the screen of the portable terminal, and if the duration of the non-reception state exceeds a predetermined time, the current position stored in the memory is changed to the left position of the rental vehicle. A rental vehicle management method is provided.

  The following aspects are obtained by the present invention. Each aspect is divided into sections, each section is given a number, and is described in a form that cites other section numbers as necessary. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features that the present invention can employ and combinations thereof, and the technical features that can be employed by the present invention and combinations thereof are limited to the following embodiments. Should not be interpreted. That is, it should be construed that it is not impeded to appropriately extract and employ the technical features described in the present specification as technical features of the present invention although they are not described in the following embodiments.

  Further, describing each section in the form of quoting the numbers of the other sections does not necessarily prevent the technical features described in each section from being separated from the technical features described in the other sections. It should not be construed as meaning, but it should be construed that the technical features described in each section can be appropriately made independent depending on the nature.

(1) Transition from a reception state in which a signal unique to the transmitter is effectively received by a short-range communication method to a non-reception state in which the user's portable terminal is not received effectively from a transmitter mounted on a rental vehicle being borrowed Then, a rental vehicle management method for recognizing the current position measured by the portable terminal at the start time of the non-reception state as the left position of the rental vehicle.

  In one example, the rental vehicle identified by the signal received from the transmitter by the portable terminal before the transition is recognized as a neglected vehicle, and the measured current position is recognized as the neglected position of the neglected vehicle.

  The invention according to the above item (1) is particularly useful when the vehicle rental business is implemented by a station-type one-way method in which the concept of leaving a rental vehicle is more easily recognized than the free-floating type.

(2) A method for managing rental vehicles,
The user who rented the rental vehicle carries his / her mobile terminal while using the rental vehicle,
The rental vehicle is equipped with a transmitter that transmits a signal that can identify a unique vehicle identification code,
The mobile terminal is capable of receiving the transmitter by a short-range communication method, and has a positioning function for sequentially measuring its current position,
The method is
The vehicle identification step of identifying the rental vehicle by the management server communicable with the portable terminal and / or the portable terminal acquiring the vehicle identification code specified by the signal received by the portable terminal from the transmitter. When,
When the portable terminal and / or the management server transitions from a receiving state in which the portable terminal effectively receives a signal from the transmitter to a non-receiving state in which the signal is not effectively received, the portable terminal at the start time of the non-receiving state Is stored in the memory as a temporary leaving position of the identified rental vehicle, and if the duration of the non-reception state exceeds a predetermined time, the temporary leaving position stored in the memory is stored. A rental vehicle position management method including a left position recognition step of recognizing a position as a final left position of the identified rental vehicle.

(3) A method of managing rental vehicles that are rented and returned to users at the same station or at different stations,
The user who rented the rental vehicle carries his / her mobile terminal while using the rental vehicle,
The station is provided with a first transmitter for transmitting a signal capable of specifying a unique station identification code,
The rental vehicle is equipped with a second transmitter that transmits a signal that can identify a unique vehicle identification code,
The portable terminal is capable of receiving the first and second transmitters by a short-range communication method, and has a positioning function for sequentially measuring its current position,
The method is
The management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal and / or the mobile terminal receives the signal from the second transmitter by the mobile terminal and obtains a vehicle identification code specified by the received signal. A vehicle identification process for identifying a rental vehicle;
Reception state in which the mobile terminal and / or the management server effectively receives a signal from the second transmitter when the mobile terminal is not receiving a signal from the first transmitter effectively When transitioning to a non-reception state that is not effectively received from, the current position measured by the mobile terminal at the start time of the non-reception state is stored in a memory as a temporary neglected position of the identified rental vehicle, A rental vehicle management including a left position recognition step of recognizing a temporary left position stored in the memory as a final left position of the identified rental vehicle when a non-reception state duration exceeds a predetermined time Method.

(4) Furthermore,
When the portable terminal and / or the management server transitions from the reception state to the non-reception state, the vehicle includes a neglected vehicle recognition step of recognizing the identified rental vehicle as an abandoned vehicle;
The neglected vehicle recognition process is
When the elapsed time from the start time of the non-receiving state exceeds a predetermined time, the step of recognizing the rental vehicle as a neglected vehicle;
Recognizing the rental vehicle as a neglected vehicle when the rental vehicle is not returned to any station even after the rental rental time permitted for the rental vehicle allowed by the user;
After the non-receiving state is started, the mobile terminal prompts the user to return the rental vehicle to any station by stimulating the user visually, audibly or tactilely, The rental vehicle management method according to (3), including at least one of a step of recognizing the rental vehicle as a neglected vehicle when the user does not respond to the mobile terminal in response to the prompt.

(5) Furthermore,
The portable terminal and / or the management server go to the neglected position, borrow the neglected vehicle and return the neglected vehicle to any station for the portable terminals of other potential users. The rental vehicle management method according to the item (3) or (4), further including a collection promotion step of simultaneously transmitting requests to the effect, thereby promoting the collection of the abandoned vehicle.

(6) Transition from a non-reception state in which a user's mobile terminal is not effectively receiving a signal unique to the transmitter from a transmitter mounted on a rental vehicle before borrowing from the non-reception state to a reception state in which the signal is valid. Then, the rental vehicle management method of recognizing the current position measured by the portable terminal as the rental position of the rental vehicle at the start time of the reception state.

  According to this method, a vehicle rental business that allows a user to rent a rental vehicle at any station and a vehicle rental business that allows a user to rent a rental vehicle at any location are realized. The

  In an example of this method, the reception range of the transmitter is set to a short range, which will be described later, whereby the user makes a transition from the non-reception state to the reception state by holding the portable terminal over the transmitter. Done.

  In another example, a receiving range of the transmitter is a medium range described later (if the user is in a rental vehicle, the portable terminal can receive the transmitter without bothering the portable terminal over the transmitter). When the user approaches the rental vehicle and the transmitter together with the portable terminal, the transition from the non-reception state to the reception state is performed.

(7) A non-reception state in which a user's mobile terminal is not effectively received from a reception state in which a signal unique to the transmitter is received by a short-range communication method from a transmitter mounted on a rental vehicle that is being borrowed The rental vehicle management method of recognizing the current position measured by the portable terminal as the return position of the rental vehicle at the start time of the non-reception state.

  According to this method, there is a vehicle rental business that allows a user to return a rental vehicle to any station, or a vehicle rental business that allows a user to return a rental vehicle to an arbitrary location. Realized.

  In an example of this method, the reception range of the transmitter is set to the medium range, whereby the user moves away from the rental vehicle and the transmitter together with the portable terminal or evacuates from the reception state. Transition to the non-reception state is performed.

(8) When a transition is made from a transmitter mounted on a rental vehicle on which the user's mobile terminal is borrowed to a receiving state in which a signal specific to the transmitter is not received by a short-range communication method, the transition is made. A rental vehicle management method for recognizing a current position measured by the mobile terminal within a reference time as a return position of the rental vehicle.

  According to this method, there is a vehicle rental business that allows a user to return a rental vehicle to any station, or a vehicle rental business that allows a user to return a rental vehicle to an arbitrary location. Realized.

  In an example of this method, the reception range of the transmitter is set to the short range, whereby when the user approaches the rental vehicle and the transmitter together with a mobile terminal, the non-reception state is Transition to the reception state is performed.

(9) The rental vehicle management method according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the rental vehicle includes at least one of a bicycle, an automobile, and a motorcycle.

(10) A program executed by a computer of a mobile terminal to implement the mobile terminal according to any one of (1) to (9).

  For example, the program according to this section and other sections may be interpreted to mean a combination of instructions executed by a computer to perform its function, or may be processed according to each instruction as well as a combination of these instructions. It is possible to interpret it to include files and data that are included, but it is not limited to them.

  In addition, this program may achieve its intended purpose by being executed by a computer alone, or may be intended to achieve its intended purpose by being executed by a computer together with other programs. Yes, but not limited to them. In the latter case, the program according to this section can be mainly composed of data, but is not limited thereto.

(11) A program executed by a computer of the management server to implement the management server according to any one of (2) to (5).

(12) A recording medium on which the program according to (10) or (11) is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

  This recording medium can adopt various formats, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, an optical recording medium such as a CD and a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO, and an unremovable storage such as a ROM. However, it is not limited to them.

(13) A system for managing rental objects,
A transmitter mounted on the rental object and transmitting a unique signal;
The rental user is a portable terminal that is carried while the rental target is being used, and can measure the current position of the user and receive the signal from the transmitter by a short-range communication method. Including what is possible,
The management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal and / or the mobile terminal,
Since the mobile terminal is effectively receiving a signal from the transmitter because the user is approaching the rental object being borrowed, the mobile terminal is receiving a signal from the transmitter because the user is away from the rental object. A rental object management system including a left position recognition unit that recognizes the current position measured by the portable terminal as the left position of the rental object at the start time of the non-reception state when transitioning to a non-reception state that does not effectively receive.

  In one example, the portable terminal further includes an abandoned object recognition unit that recognizes a rental object identified by a signal received from the transmitter by the portable terminal as an abandoned object.

(14) A system for managing rental objects,
A transmitter mounted on the rental object and transmitting a unique signal;
The rental user is a portable terminal that is carried while the rental target is being used, and can measure the current position of the user and receive the signal from the transmitter by a short-range communication method. Including what is possible,
The management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal and / or the mobile terminal,
Since the user is away from the waiting rental target, the mobile terminal is not receiving a signal from the transmitter effectively, so that the user has approached the rental target because the user has approached the rental target. A transition to a reception state in which a signal is effectively received from the rental object recognition unit that recognizes the rental object identified by the signal received from the transmitter as a rental object to be rented to a user;
A rental object management system comprising: a lending position recognition unit that recognizes a current position measured by the mobile terminal at the start time of the reception state as the lending position of the rental object.

(15)
further,
A lending permission unit that permits lending the rental object to a user on condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied,
When the rental is permitted, an unlock signal is transmitted to the lock device in a locked state that prohibits the use of the rental object by the user, thereby permitting the lock device to use the rental device. The rental object management system according to item (14), including an unlock command unit that automatically switches to a permitted state.

(16) A system for managing rental objects,
A transmitter mounted on the rental object and transmitting a unique signal;
The rental user is a portable terminal that is carried while the rental target is being used, and can measure the current position of the user and receive the signal from the transmitter by a short-range communication method. Including what is possible,
The management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal and / or the mobile terminal,
Since the user is approaching the rental target being borrowed, the mobile terminal effectively receives a signal from the transmitter, and since the user is separated from the rental target, the mobile terminal is disconnected from the transmitter. Return object recognition that recognizes the rental object identified by the identification signal received by the mobile terminal from the transmitter as the rental object returned by the user when transitioning to a non-reception state where the signal is not received effectively And
A rental object management system comprising: a return position recognition unit that recognizes the current position measured by the mobile terminal at the start time of the non-reception state as the rental object return position.

(17) Furthermore,
A return permission unit that permits the user to return the rental object on condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied;
The rental object management system according to (16), further comprising: a lock confirmation unit that confirms that the user has manually switched the lock device that is permitted to use the rental object to a locked state that prohibits the use of the lock apparatus. .

(18) The rental object management system according to any one of (13) to (17), wherein the rental object includes movable property or real estate.

(19) The rental object management system according to (18), wherein the movable property includes a moving object.

(20) The rental object management system according to (19), wherein the moving body includes a bicycle, an automobile, a motorcycle, a go-cart for entertainment or competition, a shopping cart, a stroller, a wheelbarrow, a wheelchair, or a golf cart.

(21) The movable property includes furniture, clothes, electrical products, accessories (for example, batteries or chargers) that are detachably attached to electrical products, or recording media (for example, CDs) on which audiovisual content is recorded. The rental object management system according to item (18), including a user-reproducible one.

(22) The real estate is a room of an accommodation facility (for example, a hotel) where the user can stay for a short time, a room of a stay facility (for example, an apartment) where the user can stay for a long time, A room of a certain staying facility (for example, a detached house, an apartment house) that is temporarily rented to another person (for example, a room for private accommodation), a coin locker, a public or private parking lot, or a private house Parking lots that are temporarily rented to others (parking lots that can be rented between privately owned parking lots or parking lots that can share privately owned parking lots with others temporarily) The rental object management system according to item (18).

(23) A first transmitter that transmits a unique identification signal is installed in a station, and a second transmitter that transmits a unique identification signal is a rental object that is rented and / or returned to a user at the station. Rental object management that installs and permits the user to lend and / or return the rental object based on the signal received from the first transmitter and the signal received from the second transmitter. Method.

(24) On condition that the user's portable terminal receives both the signal from the first transmitter and the signal from the second transmitter, the rental target is detected for the user. The rental object management method according to item (23), wherein the rental and / or return is permitted.

(25) The rental object management method according to (23) or (24), wherein the effective reception radius of the effective reception area of the second transmitter is variably controlled according to the behavior of the user.

(26) To a user based on a signal received by the user's mobile terminal from a transmitter installed in a rental object that is rented and / or returned to the user and that transmits a unique identification signal A rental object management method of permitting rental and / or return of the rental object and variably controlling the reception range of the transmitter according to a user's behavior.

(27) The rental object management method according to (26), wherein the reception range is controlled to be longer when the user lending process is completed.

(28) The rental object management method according to (26) or (27), wherein the reception range is controlled to be shortened when the user return process is completed.

(29) Measured by the portable terminal in a reception state in which a signal unique to the transmitter is effectively received by a short-range communication method from a transmitter mounted on a rental vehicle on which the user's portable terminal is borrowed. When the absolute value of the measured speed and / or acceleration is equal to or greater than a reference value, it is determined that the user is on the rental vehicle and is moving, and from the reception state, the portable terminal sends a signal from the transmitter. When transitioning to a non-receiving state that does not receive effectively, it is determined that the user has exited the rental target, and in that state, when the absolute value of the speed and / or acceleration measured by the mobile terminal is greater than or equal to a reference value, A rental vehicle management method for determining that a user is away from the rental vehicle.

  According to this method, it is relatively easy and accurate to know whether the user is in the rental vehicle or away from the rental vehicle, and it is easy to manage the rental vehicle with different contents depending on the result. It becomes.

(30) A method for managing rental vehicles that are rented and returned to users at the same or different stations,
The user who rented the rental vehicle carries his / her mobile terminal while using the rental vehicle,
The rental vehicle is equipped with a transmitter that transmits a signal that can identify a unique vehicle identification code,
The mobile terminal is capable of receiving the transmitter by a short-range communication method, and has a positioning function for sequentially measuring its current position,
The method is
The rental vehicle by the mobile terminal and / or a management server communicable with the mobile terminal, when the mobile terminal receives a signal from the transmitter and acquires a vehicle identification code specified by the received signal. Vehicle identification process for identifying
From the reception state in which the mobile terminal and / or the management server effectively receives a signal from the transmitter in a state where the user, the mobile terminal, and the rental vehicle do not exist in any station. A rental vehicle that includes a step of recognizing a current position measured by the mobile terminal within a reference time from the transition as a left position of the identified rental vehicle when transitioning to a non-reception state that is not effectively received Management method.

FIG. 1 (a) is a perspective view showing equipment installed at a certain station in the bicycle rental system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a side view which expands and shows a part of rental bicycle shown to a).

FIG. 2 shows a bicycle rental system shown in FIG. 1 (a) in which the first transmitter installed at a certain station, the second transmitter installed on a bicycle existing at the same station, and the same station. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a mode that the user's portable terminal and the management server operated by the management center in a remote place communicate with each other.

3 is a short-distance one-way communication between the first and second transmitters and the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2 and a long-distance bidirectional communication between the portable terminal and the management server shown in FIG. It is a figure which represents each communication conceptually.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram conceptually showing the first and second transmitters shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart conceptually showing an example of a program executed by the computers of the first and second transmitters shown in FIG. 4 (hereinafter also referred to as “application”; the same applies to other programs). .

FIG. 6A is a plan view showing the first and second transmitters shown in FIG. 1A together with the station where the first and second transmitters are installed. Further, each of the first and second effective reception areas respectively assigned to the first and second transmitters is conceptually represented in FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6B shows the first effective reception. FIG. 6C is a plan view conceptually showing a first modification of the area, and FIG. 6C is a plan view conceptually showing a second modification of the first effective reception area.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram conceptually showing the mobile terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing the station data file stored in the station data memory in FIG. 7 in a table format.

FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing the bicycle data file stored in the bicycle data memory in FIG. 7 in a table format.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram conceptually showing the management server shown in FIG.

11A shows a list showing a plurality of modules of the bicycle rental program executed by the computer of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 11B shows the computer of the management server shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a list showing a plurality of modules of a bicycle rental program executed by.

FIG. 12A is a diagram exemplarily showing a reservation status table used in the reservation sequence in order to explain a reservation sequence in the bicycle rental method executed in the bicycle rental system. 12 (b) is a diagram exemplarily showing a user-specific reservation content file used in the reservation sequence.

FIG. 13 (a) is a plurality of time charts for exemplifying main sequences realized when there is a reservation among the bicycle rental methods, and FIG. 13 (b) is the bicycle rental method. It is a several time chart for demonstrating the main sequence implement | achieved when there is no reservation among these.

FIG. 14 shows a reservation sequence flow achieved by the execution of the reservation module shown in FIG. 11A by the portable terminal and the execution of the reservation module shown in FIG. 11B by the management server.

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C are reservation sequence diagrams for explaining the reservation sequence flow shown in FIG. 14 in time series.

FIG. 16 illustrates a reservation-based lending process achieved by the execution of the reservation-based rental process module shown in FIG. 11A by the mobile terminal and the reservation-based rental process module shown in FIG. 10B executed by the management server. It is a sequence flow.

FIG. 17 illustrates a reservationless lending achieved by the execution of the reservationless lending processing module shown in FIG. 11A by the portable terminal and the execution of the reservationless lending processing module shown in FIG. 11B by the management server. It is a processing sequence flow.

FIG. 18 is a return processing sequence flow achieved by the execution of the return processing module shown in FIG. 11A by the mobile terminal and the execution of the return processing module shown in FIG. 11B by the management server.

FIG. 19 is an abandoned bicycle search sequence flow achieved by the execution of the abandoned bicycle search module shown in FIG. 11A by the portable terminal and the execution of the abandoned bicycle search module shown in FIG. 11B by the management server. .

FIG. 20 is an abandoned bicycle collection sequence flow achieved by the execution of the abandoned bicycle collection module shown in FIG. 11A by the portable terminal and the execution by the management server of the abandoned bicycle collection module shown in FIG. .

FIG. 21A shows an example of a state in which a certain user X is riding a rental cycle in order to explain a process in which a neglected bicycle is searched and collected in the bicycle rental system shown in FIG. FIG. 4B shows an example of a state in which the user X leaves the rental cycle and leaves it, and FIG. 5C shows an example of a state in which another user Y is approaching to borrow the left bicycle. FIG. 4D shows an example of a state in which the user Y starts borrowing the neglected bicycle and gets on the bicycle.

FIG. 22 is a plurality of time charts for exemplifying a neglected bicycle search / collection sequence in which a neglected bicycle is searched and collected in the bicycle rental system shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 shows an example of an abandoned bicycle list registered by execution by the management server of the abandoned bicycle search module shown in FIG.

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing an example of a state where the abandoned bicycle position is displayed on the screen of another user's mobile terminal by the execution by the management server of the abandoned bicycle collection module shown in FIG.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view conceptually showing an example of rental bicycle rental and return in the bicycle rental system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a lending process sequence flow achieved by execution of the lending process module by the portable terminal and execution by the management server of the lending process module among the plurality of modules in the bicycle rental system shown in FIG.

FIG. 27 is a return processing sequence flow achieved by executing the return processing module of the plurality of modules in the bicycle rental system shown in FIG. 25 by the mobile terminal and executing the return processing module by the management server.

FIG. 28 is a plurality of time charts for explaining the relationship between the change in signal reception level of the second transmitter and the change in user behavior in the bicycle rental system shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail based on a drawing.

<First Embodiment>

  FIGS. 1A and 2 show a bicycle rental system (hereinafter simply referred to as “system”) 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This system 10 is an example of a rental vehicle management system according to the present invention, and in this system 10, a rental cycle management method that is an example of a rental vehicle management method according to the present invention is implemented.

  According to this system 10, a rental business for renting a rental bicycle (rental bicycle) 12, which is an example of a rental vehicle, to the user for a fee is provided to the user.

  The rental business employs a one-way method in which the user is allowed to return the bicycle 20 to a station 20 different from the station 20 from which the bicycle 12 was rented.

  Furthermore, the rental business adopts a station type one-way system. Therefore, according to this rental business, the user is prohibited from leaving the bicycle 12 borrowed at any station 20 and leaving it at any place.

  However, according to this rental business, the bicycle 12 abandoned at an arbitrary place, that is, the neglected bicycle is automatically searched, and when the neglected bicycle 12 is found as a result of the search, Are simultaneously guided (distributed or broadcast) to potential multiple users as places where it is possible to rent the bicycle 12 and start riding.

  Thereby, it is promoted that the left bicycle 12 is returned to any station 20 and collected by any other user. As a result, the rental company is at least partially freed from the trouble of additional work to make a business trip and collect the abandoned bicycle 12 and return it to any station 20.

  According to this rental business, when the management server 50 confirms that the user leaves the borrowed bicycle 12, the penalty is imposed, but it is considered that the bicycle 12 has been returned. Therefore, paying attention to this, it can be considered that this rental business partially adopts a free floating type one-way system.

  In short, it can be considered that this rental business employs a hybrid one-way system in which a station type and a free floating type are combined.

  In the present embodiment, when a user who rents the bicycle 12 gets off the bicycle 12 at an arbitrary place other than the station 20 and stops there, the action is expressed by the term “Left”. However, if the bicycle 12 is left unattended, the unattended position functions as if it were a new station 20, and another user may borrow the unattended bicycle as if it had been properly returned. is there.

  Then, in this embodiment, the term “Left” is synonymous with “Return” which is a legitimate act when another user borrows a neglected bicycle and returns it to any station 20. On the other hand, if the rental company collects the abandoned bicycle because there is no such user, it means that the meaning varies depending on the situation, such as meaning “abandoned” as an illegal act. It is interpreted as being.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the term “Left” may be interpreted as being synonymous with “Return”.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the system 10 includes a plurality of stations 20 each capable of storing a plurality of bicycles 12 (FIG. 1A includes a plurality of stations 20. Only a representative station 20 is shown), and the bicycle 12 is rented and returned to the user. Each station 20 is assigned to a corresponding bicycle parking lot 22. The bicycle parking lot 22 is a rental bicycle storage site, and in the illustrated example, has a rectangular shape in plan view.

  As a management system of the station 20, for each station 20, an independent management system that is managed independently (individually or in a self-contained manner) using only the equipment installed in the station 20, and a plurality of stations 20 There is a centralized management system in which the stations 20 are centrally managed by communicating with a remote management server. The system 10 according to the present embodiment employs the latter centralized management method.

  In order to realize the centralized management system, the system 10 includes a plurality of first transmitters 30 installed at a plurality of stations 20 and a plurality of second transmitters (on-vehicle devices) mounted on a plurality of bicycles 12, respectively. ) 32 and a management server 50 installed in a management center 40 that centrally manages a plurality of stations 20. The management center 40 is operated by the owner of the land where the station 20 is installed, the above-mentioned rental dealers or bicycle parking lot managers acting on behalf of the owner's work.

  Here, the first transmitter 30 is referred to as a station-side transmitter when attention is paid to the installation position, and the first transmitter 30 is referred to as a fixed transmitter, a stationary transmitter, or a position-invariant transmitter when attention is paid to motion characteristics. Similarly, the second transmitter 32 is referred to as a bicycle-side transmitter or an in-vehicle transmitter when focusing on the installation position, and a movable transmitter, a mobile transmitter, or a position-variable transmitter when focusing on the motion characteristics. It is called.

  Each of the plurality of stations 20 is assigned a unique station ID in advance. Similarly, each of the plurality of bicycles 12 is assigned a unique bicycle ID in advance. The first transmitter 30 and the management server 50 installed in each station 20 are not directly communicated but communicated via the user's portable terminal 90. Similarly, the 2nd transmitter 32 and management server 50 which were installed in each bicycle 12 are communicated via a user's portable terminal 90 instead of communicating directly.

  In the present embodiment, each first transmitter 30 is configured to transmit a local identification signal that can identify a station ID unique to the corresponding station 20. In addition, each second transmitter 32 is configured to transmit a local identification signal that can identify a bicycle ID unique to the corresponding bicycle 12. The same station ID is commonly used for a plurality of bicycles 12 stored in the same station 20.

  The number and type of the bicycles 12 scheduled to be stored in the same station 20 are determined in advance and may not change every day. However, in the present embodiment, they are not determined in advance and change every day. It is possible.

  Therefore, in the former case, the same bicycle ID always corresponds to the same station ID, but in the present embodiment, the same bicycle ID corresponds to a plurality of different station IDs.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, for example, the same bicycle ID corresponds to the station ID of the station A at the time of lending, but corresponds to the station ID of the station B at the time of return. In this way, each user action of renting and returning the bicycle 12 is defined by the combination of the station ID and the bicycle ID.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, a corresponding second transmitter 32 is attached to a specific part of each bicycle 12. An example of the specific part includes a front portion (for example, a car portion), a rear portion (for example, a loading platform), and a central portion (for example, a saddle 62 of the bicycle 12 and a saddle 62 of the bicycle 12). A triangular frame 64) that supports the frame from below.

  Further, in each bicycle 12, the part where the second transmitter 32 is mounted is in a state where the user is on the bicycle 12 (a state where the user starts sitting on the saddle 62 of the bicycle 12 (also referred to as a “ride state”)). And a state in which the bicycle 12 is driven and moved while sitting on the saddle 62 of the bicycle 12 (also referred to as “on board”, “on board”, and “on board”). In other words, the portable terminal 90 carried by the user is likely to receive a signal transmitted from the second transmitter 32 without an obstacle (for example, the cage, the loading platform, etc.). Selected as

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the system 10 stores the first transmitter 30 and the plurality of bicycles 12 as fixed objects installed in the corresponding bicycle parking lots 22 at each station 20. And a bicycle rack (bicycle storage device) 70 for the purpose.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1A, one first transmitter 30 is installed in one station 20, but, for example, as shown in FIG. A first transmitter 30 may be installed.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the bicycle rack 70 includes a plurality of bicycle stalls (small sections) 72 for accommodating the bicycles 12 one by one. In one example, the bicycle rack 70 is partitioned into a plurality of bicycle stalls 72 by a frame 74 installed in the bicycle parking lot 22. Prior to rental to the user, each bicycle 12 is accommodated (stored) in each bicycle stall 72.

  In one example, although not shown, each bicycle 12 is fitted with a lock that can selectively lock its wheels (front and / or rear wheels) or handle to the bicycle frame. In another example, although not shown, each bicycle stall 72 is provided with a lock capable of selectively locking the bicycle 12 to each bicycle stall 72.

  In any example, as the lock, for example, a password number type (such as a dial lock or a push button lock) that is unlocked by a user by inputting a password, or from the user's portable terminal 90 or the management server 50 is used. There are remote types that are unlocked by a signal, and there are mechanical locks that operate without using a power source (electric power), and electronic locks that operate using a power source (electric power).

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in this system 10, the user uses his / her mobile terminal 90 to identify from the first transmitter 30 installed in the station 20 where the user is currently staying. A signal and an identification signal from the second transmitter 32 installed on the one of the plurality of bicycles 12 currently stored in the station 20 at that time and reserved by the user or selected locally. At the same time, reception is performed in a contact state or non-contact state with the first and second transmitters 30 and 32 (short-distance one-way wireless communication is performed). The mobile terminal 90 further performs long-distance bidirectional wireless communication with the management server 50 of the management center 40.

  The user's portable terminal 90 is a device that is carried by the user and has a wireless communication function, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and a PDA.

<First and second transmitter>

  The first transmitter 30 installed at each station 20 and the second transmitter 32 mounted on each bicycle 12 are common to each other in terms of hardware configuration (see FIG. 4) and software configuration (see FIG. 5). Therefore, for convenience of explanation, the configurations of the first and second transmitters 30 and 32 will be described by treating them as the same transmitter.

  Each of the transmitters 30 and 32 transmits a unique identification signal actively without requiring a trigger signal from the outside, locally, and permanently unless supply power is insufficient.

  Each of the transmitters 30 and 32 is a device that is generally known by a name such as a beacon device that transmits a beacon signal as an identification signal or a radio beacon. In one example, each transmitter 30, 32 generates an identification signal representing a corresponding station ID by modulating the original signal, and the generated identification signal is converted into an IR signal, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) signal, It transmits locally as NFC (Near Field Communication) signal.

  Next, the hardware configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 4 which is a functional block diagram. Each transmitter 30, 32 has a processor 100 and a memory 102 for storing a plurality of applications executed by the processor 100. The computer 104 is mainly configured.

  Each transmitter 30, 32 further has a replaceable disposable battery 106 as a power source. Instead of the battery 106, a rechargeable battery, a commercial power source as an external power source, or a solar cell as a renewable energy can be used instead of or in addition to them. is there.

  Each of the transmitters 30 and 32 further includes a transmitter 108 that generates and transmits an identification signal representing a regular transmitter ID unique to itself (an example of “transmitter code”). Each first transmitter 30 transmits an identification signal representing a unique regular first transmitter ID, whereas each second transmitter 32 transmits an identification signal representing a unique regular second transmitter ID. .

  The transmitter 108 is operated by the battery 106 and controlled by the controller 110. The controller 110 is controlled by the computer 100.

  Next, the software configuration of each transmitter 30, 32 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The processor 100 of each transmitter 30, 32 repeats the program conceptually shown in the flowchart of FIG. Run it.

  At the time of execution of each program, first, in step S1, the regular transmitter ID corresponding to each transmitter 30, 32 (ie, the regular first transmitter ID corresponding to the first transmitter 30 and the first Among the authorized second transmitter IDs corresponding to the second transmitter 32, the one corresponding to the program described this time) is read. The regular first transmitter ID corresponds to one station ID on a one-to-one basis, and the regular second transmitter ID corresponds to one bicycle ID on a one-to-one basis.

  Next, in step S2, the remaining amount of the battery 106 is estimated.

  Subsequently, in step S3, a signal for modulating an original signal (for example, a carrier signal) is transmitted to the controller 110 so that the read regular transmitter ID and the estimated remaining battery level are reflected. Are output. The controller 110 controls the transmitting unit 108, and as a result, the transmitting unit 108 generates an identification signal to be transmitted this time.

  Thereafter, in step S4, the generated identification signal is transmitted from the transmitter 108. Then, it returns to step S1.

  In addition, in each transmitter 30, 32, an algorithm for generating an identification signal so that at least the corresponding ID of the station ID and the bicycle ID (corresponding ID) and the remaining battery power is reflected. A procedure different from the algorithm or procedure shown in FIG. 5 can be adopted.

<Hardware configuration of user's mobile terminal>

  Here, in order to explain one function of the user's portable terminal 90 in association with each transmitter 30, 32, the portable terminal 90 receives the identification signal from each transmitter 30, 32, and When a certain program preinstalled in the computer of the terminal 90, that is, a dedicated application for transmitter processing (hereinafter referred to as “transmitter application”) is started (login), the received identification signal is demodulated. Thus, the station ID and the bicycle ID are decoded.

  Specifically, the mobile terminal 90 acquires the station ID from the identification signal received from the first transmitter 30 and acquires the bicycle ID from the identification signal received from the second transmitter 32.

  The portable terminal 90 further transmits the decoded station ID and bicycle ID to the management server 50.

  Furthermore, when the portable terminal 90 starts the transmitter application in a state where the identification signals are received from the transmitters 30 and 32, the portable terminal 90 transmits the identification signal based on the received identification signal. The distance between the position of each transmitter 30 and 32 and the position of the portable terminal 90 when the identification signal is received is also measured. The distance is measured based on, for example, the strength of the signal received by the mobile terminal 90 from each transmitter 30, 32.

  That is, the mobile terminal 90 is based on the identification signal received from each transmitter 30, 32, with the station ID unique to the station 20 where the first transmitter 30 is actually installed, and the bicycle 12 selected by the user. Thus, both the bicycle ID unique to the one where the second transmitter 32 is installed and the distance between the transmitters 30 and 32 at that time are acquired.

<Setting the receiving range of each transmitter>

  As conceptually shown in a plan view in FIG. 6A, each of the transmitters 30 and 32 is assigned two types of reception areas. These are a receivable area (not shown) and an effective reception area (hereinafter also referred to as “reception range”).

  Each of these areas is generally defined by a circle whose source is the transmitters 30 and 32. The coverage area has a maximum reception radius (for example, about 50 m), while the effective reception area has an effective reception radius (for example, a range from a radius of 0 m to a radius of about 50 m or less). The maximum reception radius is an invariant value, whereas the effective reception radius is a variable value that can be changed at any time by the mobile terminal 90 as described later.

  When the power supply of each transmitter 30, 32 is normal, the receivable area is an area where the identification signal from each transmitter 30, 32 is reachable, that is, as long as it exists in that area, the portable terminal 90 Means an area where the identification signal can be received.

  On the other hand, the effective reception area has an effective reception radius smaller than the maximum reception radius of the receivable area. The maximum reception radius cannot be arbitrarily set, whereas the effective reception radius can be arbitrarily set by the mobile terminal 90.

  That is, the maximum reception radius may mean a reception limit determined by hardware, whereas the effective reception radius may mean a reception limit determined by software.

  As described above, the portable terminal 90 measures the distance from the transmitters 30 and 32 when the received identification signal is transmitted. The distance measurement may or may not exceed the effective reception radius. When the distance measurement value does not exceed the reception effective radius, the mobile terminal 90 exists in the effective reception area, whereas when the distance measurement value exceeds the reception effective radius, the mobile terminal 90 Is present in the receivable area but not in the effective reception area.

  When the portable terminal 90 activates the transmitter processing application, the portable terminal 90 determines whether or not the distance measurement value is less than or equal to the set value of the effective reception radius. Since 90 is currently located within the effective reception area (reception range), the mobile terminal 90 effectively receives the identification signals from the transmitters 30 and 32 (hereinafter, simply “received the identification signal”). Say)).

  On the other hand, if the portable terminal 90 determines that the distance measurement value is larger than the set value, the portable terminal 90 is currently located outside the effective reception area of each transmitter 30, 32. It is determined that “the identification signals from the transmitters 30 and 32 have not been received effectively (hereinafter simply referred to as“ the identification signal has not been received ”)”.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when the mobile terminal 90 is located outside the effective reception area, the mobile terminal 90 actually appears even though the mobile terminal 90 receives the identification signal. It is handled on the software that the identification signal has not been received.

  Here, the geometric relationship of the effective reception area between the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, one first transmitter 30 is installed in one station 20, and the first effective reception area (first As long as the corresponding bicycle 12 exists in the premises of the station 20 (inside the boundary line), the reception range is arranged inside the second effective reception area (second reception range) of the second transmitter 32. In addition, the first reception radius of the first effective reception area and the second reception radius of the second effective reception area are set relatively.

  Specifically, the second reception radius is set to be shorter than the first reception radius. As a result, the second effective reception area is a short range or medium range, and the first effective reception area is a long range.

  Here, specific examples of these three reception ranges will be described.

1) Short range

  If the user brings the mobile terminal 90 into contact with the transmitter of the transmitter or does not hold it in a non-contact state, the mobile terminal 90 cannot receive the transmitter effectively (the set value is, for example, from about 0 cm) Within the range of about 30cm)

2) Medium range

  As long as the user rides on the bicycle 12 or pushes and moves the bicycle 12, the user may also hold the portable terminal 90 in contact with the transmission unit of the transmitter (make it in a non-contact / approaching state). And a reception range in which the portable terminal 90 can effectively receive the transmitter (the set value is within a range of about 0 m to about 2 m, for example)

3) Long range

  As long as the user exists at any position in the station 20, the mobile terminal 90 can receive the transmitter effectively without the user touching or holding the mobile terminal 90 in contact with the transmitter of the transmitter. Range (The set value is within the range of about 0m to about 10m, for example)

  In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the first effective reception area is set so as to cover the entire area of the station 20 in plan view and partially has an area deviating from the boundary line of the station 20. Has been. Instead, in another example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first effective reception area may be set so as not to have an area deviating from the boundary line of the station 20 in plan view. Good.

  In the two examples shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, one first transmitter 30 is installed in one station 20, but instead, this is illustrated in FIG. 6C. Thus, it is possible to implement the present invention in a mode in which a plurality of first transmitters 30 are installed in one station 20.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the site of the station 20 has a rectangular shape. On the other hand, the first effective reception area is spherical in three dimensions and circular in two dimensions. Therefore, when one first effective reception area is assigned to the station 20, as shown in FIG. 6B, there is a gap between the boundary line of the site of the station 20 and the boundary line of the first effective reception area. (Reception leak area) remains.

  On the other hand, in another example, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), if a plurality of first effective reception areas are assigned to the station 20, the effective reception areas are apparently combined. An area is formed, and a gap between the boundary line of the area and the boundary line of the station 20 is reduced.

  As a result, the so-called reception leakage that the portable terminal 90 cannot effectively receive the signal from the first transmitter 30 even though the user carrying the portable terminal 90 exists in the station 20 is prevented.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6C, a plurality of second transmitters 30 are assigned different transmitter IDs, while being assigned a common station ID. Therefore, when the portable terminal 90 receives the signal from at least one of the first transmitters 30, the transmitter ID represented by the received signal is associated with (converted to) the corresponding station ID. As a result, the mobile terminal 90 can identify the current station 20.

  Here, the mobile terminal 90 identifies (recognizes) the current station 20 that the user carrying the mobile terminal 90 exists in the station 20 by the cooperation of the mobile terminal 90 and the transmitter 30. Equivalent to being detected.

<Software configuration of user's mobile terminal>

  Next, the hardware configuration of the user's mobile terminal 90 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 which is a functional block diagram. The mobile terminal 90 includes a processor 130 and a memory for storing a plurality of applications executed by the processor 130. A computer 134 having 132 is mainly configured.

  The portable terminal 90 further includes a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display) 136 that displays information on a screen (having a window having a limited area that is variable or invariable), for example, with reference to “135” in FIG. The receiving unit 138 receives signals from the first transmitter 30, the second transmitter 32, and the management server 50, and the transmission unit 140 generates a signal and transmits the signal to the management server 50.

  The portable terminal 90 further includes an input unit 150 for inputting data and commands from the user. The input unit 150 includes, for example, an operation unit that can be operated by the user in order to input desired information (for example, commands, data, and the like) to the mobile terminal 90.

  The operation unit includes a touch screen that displays icons (for example, virtual buttons) that can be operated by the user, a physical operation unit (for example, keyboard, keypad, and buttons) that can be operated by the user, and voice. There is a microphone to detect, but it is not limited to these.

  The portable terminal 90 further includes a GPS (satellite positioning system) receiver 152. As is well known, the GPS receiver 152 receives a plurality of GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, and based on the GPS signals, determines the position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the GPS receiver 152 on the earth. Measure by triangulation. That is, the portable terminal 90 has a positioning function using a satellite.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the memory 132 has a plurality of data memories including a map data memory 161, a station data memory 163, a bicycle data memory 165, and a reservation status table memory 167.

  The map data memory 161 temporarily stores map data downloaded from the management server 50 or another map database (not shown) by the user's mobile terminal 90 according to the current position of the user. Based on the map data, a map (an example of “partial map”) is displayed on a screen 135 (see FIG. 15) of the display unit 136. The map displayed on the screen 135 changes from moment to moment as the user moves.

  As conceptually shown in FIG. 8, the correspondence relationship among the plurality of station IDs, the plurality of authorized first transmitter IDs, and the plurality of station position data is downloaded from the management server 50 to the station data memory 163. Can be stored. The plurality of station IDs respectively correspond to the plurality of stations 20 that are centrally managed by the system 10. Each of the plurality of station position data represents the longitude and latitude (latitude x, longitude y) of the ground position of the corresponding station 20.

  The station data memory 163 temporarily stores a plurality of station position data corresponding to a plurality of stations 20 together with a plurality of station IDs and a plurality of regular first transmitter IDs corresponding thereto.

  In the mobile terminal 90, a map based on the map data is displayed on the screen 135, and a plurality of station positions stored in the station data memory 163 at that moment are displayed on the map at each moment. Based on the data, the positions of a small number of candidate stations 20 located in the vicinity of the current position of the mobile terminal 90 among the plurality of downloaded stations 20 are displayed as an overlay (see FIG. 15).

  Here, the “small number of candidate stations 20” are a plurality of stations 20 displayed on the screen 135 for the geographical reason that they are close to the current position of the mobile terminal 90 among the plurality of downloaded stations 20. In other words, the station 20 that is out of the screen 135 for the geographical reason of being far from the current position of the mobile terminal 90 is excluded.

  As conceptually shown in FIG. 9, the bicycle data memory 165 of FIG. 7 includes a plurality of station IDs and a plurality of bicycle IDs (for example, “2001”, which are printed in FIG. 1B). , And the correspondence between the plurality of authorized second transmitter IDs can be downloaded from the management server 50 and stored. If any one of the plurality of bicycles 12 is selected by the user, one bicycle ID corresponding to the bicycle is determined, and consequently, one regular second transmitter ID corresponding to the bicycle ID is determined.

  In the reservation status table memory 167, a reservation status table described later is appropriately downloaded from the management server 50 and stored.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the memory 132 of the portable terminal 90 stores a bicycle rental program for the portable terminal 90, and the bicycle rental program has the following plurality of modules. Yes.

1) Reservation module

  This is a module that assists the user in booking any bicycle 12 before arriving at the station 20, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. Here, “reserve” means that the user inputs location information of the desired station 20, identification information of the desired bicycle 12 (an example of rental target identification information), and time information such as scheduled rental time and scheduled return time. It is equivalent to work.

2) Lending processing module with reservation

  As will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 16, this is a module that assists the user in borrowing the reserved bicycle 12 at the reserved station 20 according to his / her reservation.

3) Lending processing module without reservation

  As will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 17, the user selects any free bicycle 12 at any station 20 without reservation, and rents the selected bicycle 12. It is a module that supports receiving.

4) Return processing module

  This means that, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 18, the user returns the rented bicycle 12 at the same or different station 20 from which the bicycle 12 was rented. It is a module to support.

5) Unattended bicycle search module

  As will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 19, after the bicycle 12 is rented to the user, the user leaves the bicycle 12 in an arbitrary place (abandoned position) to which no station 20 is assigned. It is a module for determining whether or not

  More specifically, in this neglected bicycle search module, the mobile terminal 90 of the user transitions from a reception state in which the identification signal is effectively received from the second transmitter 32 by the short-range communication method to a non-reception state in which the identification signal is not effectively received. Then, before the transition, the portable terminal 90 recognizes the bicycle 12 identified by the signal received from the second transmitter 32 as a neglected bicycle.

  Furthermore, within a reference time from the transition (for example, substantially simultaneously with the transition, immediately after the transition, or a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, etc.) has elapsed since the transition. The current position measured by the portable terminal 90 is recognized as the left position of the left bicycle.

  Here, “the reception state in which the mobile terminal 90 effectively receives the identification signal from the second transmitter 32 by the short-range communication method” is set such that the effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 is narrower than the receivable area. In this case, it means that the mobile terminal 90 is receiving the identification signal from the second transmitter 32 because the mobile terminal 90 is within the effective reception area of the second transmitter 32.

  On the other hand, when the effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 is set to be the same as the receivable area, the above-described “reception state” indicates that the mobile terminal 90 is within the receivable area of the second transmitter 32. This means that the portable terminal 90 is receiving the identification signal from the second transmitter 32.

  In the “non-reception state”, when the effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 is set narrower than the receivable area, the mobile terminal 90 is within the receivable area of the second transmitter 32 and the effective reception area. Since the mobile terminal 90 is receiving the identification signal from the second transmitter 32 because it is outside, or because the mobile terminal 90 is outside the receivable area of the second transmitter 32, the mobile terminal 90 is in the second state. This means that the identification signal cannot be received from the transmitter 32.

  On the other hand, when the effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 is set to be the same as the receivable area, the above-described “non-reception state” indicates that the mobile terminal 90 is in the receivable area of the second transmitter 32. This means that the mobile terminal 90 cannot receive the identification signal from the second transmitter 32 because it is outside.

6) Unattended bicycle collection module

  As will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 20, when the abandoned bicycle 12 is discovered, the bicycle 12 is placed in the abandoned position with respect to the portable terminals 90 of other potential users. This is a module that supports sending a request for borrowing the neglected bicycle 12 and returning it to any of the stations 20 all at once, thereby collecting the neglected bicycle 12 using the user. .

<Management server>

  Next, the hardware configuration of the management server 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 which is a functional block diagram. The management server 50 includes a processor 160 and a memory 162 that stores a plurality of applications executed by the processor 160. The computer 164 is mainly configured.

  The management server 50 further generates a signal by displaying a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display) 166 that displays information, a receiving unit 168 that receives a signal from the portable terminal 90, and transmits the signal to the portable terminal 90. And a clock 172 that measures the current time. This management server 50 does not directly receive from the transmitter 30, but in effect via the mobile terminal 90.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the memory 162 of the management server 50 stores a bicycle rental program for the management server 50. The bicycle rental program has the following plurality of modules. Yes.

1) Reservation module

  This is a module having the same function as the reservation module of the portable terminal 90, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

2) Lending processing module with reservation

  As will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 16, this is a module having the same function as the lending processing module with reservation of the portable terminal 90.

3) Lending processing module without reservation

  As will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 17, this is a module having the same function as the reservation-free rental processing module of the mobile terminal 90.

4) Return processing module

  This is a module having the same function as the return processing module of the portable terminal 90, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

5) Unattended bicycle search module

  This is a module having the same function as the abandoned bicycle search module of the portable terminal 90, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

6) Unattended bicycle collection module

  This is a module having the same function as the neglected bicycle collection module of the portable terminal 90, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

<Outline of reservation sequence>

  FIG. 12A shows an example of a reservation status table for managing the reservation status of a plurality of bicycles 12 by a plurality of users for each station 20 by executing the reservation module by the mobile terminal 90 and the management server 50. It is shown.

  This reservation status table is created and updated in the management server 50, and the latest version is shared with the mobile terminal 90. This reservation status table displays the presence / absence of reservation and the scheduled rental time zone (including date and time) for each station 20 and for each bicycle 12.

  The user visually looks at this reservation status table on the screen 135 of his / her mobile terminal 90, refers to it, searches for the station 20 where at least one bicycle 12 waiting is present, and at least the station 20 One of the standby bicycles 12 is searched for a free time, and a desired date and time and a time zone are designated.

  In FIG. 12 (a), the horizontal bar hatched with diagonal lines at the latest update time of the reservation status table on the time axis (from 0:00 to 23:59) for each bicycle 12 in the reservation status table. The time zone in which there is a reservation is the time zone in which there is already a reservation, i.e., the time zone in which there is a reservation, while the time zone in which there is no bar is the time zone in which there is no reservation yet, i.e. A belt is displayed.

  The user inputs the identification information of the selected station 20, the identification information of the selected bicycle 12, the rental date and time, and the return date and time, as illustrated in FIG. Thereby, both the corresponding station 20 and the bicycle 12 are reserved.

  FIG. 11B shows an example of a user-specific reservation content file for managing reservation contents of a plurality of users by executing the reservation module by the mobile terminal 90 and the management server 50.

  This user-specific reservation content file is created and updated in the management server 50. This user-specific reservation content file is selected for each user, such as personal authentication information (user ID, password, etc.), location information for specifying the location of the selected station 20 (ID unique to the selected station 20). Location information for identifying the location of the selected bicycle 12 (ID unique to the selected bicycle 12), time information for defining the scheduled usage time zone for the selected bicycle 12 (scheduled start time, scheduled end time, scheduled usage time) Length), and the type of penalty imposed on the user because the user has violated the rules required to comply with this bicycle rental service.

<Outline of main sequence>

  An outline of a main sequence performed by the system 10 and executed after the above-described reservation sequence will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 13, the time chart labeled “Reception for station recognition” indicates whether or not the mobile terminal 90 has received the regular first transmitter ID from the first transmitter 30 at each moment. For convenience of explanation, the portable terminal 90 is represented by a pulse signal that is at a low level when it does not receive the regular first transmitter ID and that is at a high level when it is received.

  Similarly, in the same figure, the time chart labeled “Bicycle recognition reception” indicates that the mobile terminal 90 receives the regular second transmitter ID from the second transmitter 32 at each moment. For convenience of explanation, whether or not the mobile terminal 90 has received a regular second transmitter ID is represented by a pulse signal that is at a low level and is at a high level when it is being received.

<Outline of the main sequence when there is a reservation>

  In FIG. 13A, the user reserves the reserved bicycle 12 in the reserved station 20 with a scheduled rental start time (lending time) of 15:00 and a scheduled rental end time (return time) of 18:00. Taking the case as an example, the outline of the main sequence is illustrated by a plurality of time charts.

1) Loan processing

  First, it is assumed that the user has entered the reserved station (rental station) 20 at a time of 15:30 on one day in order to rent a reserved bicycle 12, and the mobile terminal 90 has entered the first effective reception area. Then, the portable terminal 90 starts to receive the first transmitter 30 effectively (“station recognition reception signal” in the figure rises).

  Next, the user approaches the reserved bicycle 12 existing in the current station 20 and holds the portable terminal 90 over the second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12, so that the portable terminal 90 becomes the second. Assuming that the mobile terminal 90 has entered the effective reception area, the mobile terminal 90 starts to effectively receive the second transmitter 32 ("bicycle recognition reception signal" in the figure rises).

  As a result, at the time of 15:30, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state in which signals are simultaneously received from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32. That is, any transmitter 30 from the non-simultaneous reception state in which the portable terminal 90 does not receive a signal from any transmitter 30 or 32 effectively or receives a signal from any transmitter 30 or 32 only. , 32 also shift to a simultaneous reception state in which signals are effectively received.

  Here, “the state in which the portable terminal 90 is simultaneously receiving signals from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32” means that the portable terminal 90 and the second transmitter 32 receive the signal from the first transmitter 30. Means a reception state in which both the signal from the mobile terminal 90 is received, the timing at which the mobile terminal 90 starts receiving the signal from the first transmitter 30, and the signal from the second transmitter 32 by the mobile terminal 90 It is not always required that the timing of starting the reception of each other coincides with each other.

  At this time, the portable terminal 90 (or the management server 50) determines that the user has actually started using the bicycle 12 (lending has been performed).

  Subsequently, the user inputs a lending request to the mobile terminal 90 within a first time limit of, for example, 5 minutes from the use start time.

  In response to the lending request, the management server 50 permits the user to lend the bicycle 12. The time is the start time of the actual rental time, but in principle, charging to the user is started from 15:00 which is the scheduled rental time. Specifically, from the scheduled rental time, counting of the total rental time referred to in order to calculate the final rental fee amount for the user is started.

  Thereafter, the user leaves the rental station 20 while riding the bicycle 12, and at that time, the mobile terminal 90 exits from the first effective reception area, so that the state changes to a state where the first transmitter 30 cannot be received effectively ( The station recognition reception signal falls).

  On the other hand, as long as the user is on the bicycle 12, the portable terminal 90 effectively receives the second transmitter 32, and thus the bicycle recognition reception signal is maintained at a high level.

2) Return processing

  Since the user entered the station (return station) 20 that is the same as or different from the present rental station 20 at the time of 17:30 on the same day in order to return the bicycle 12 in use, the mobile terminal 90 Is assumed to have entered the first effective reception area, the station recognition reception signal rises. Since then, since the user has been on the bicycle 12, the portable terminal 90 continues to receive the second transmitter 32 effectively.

  As a result, at the time of 17:30, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state in which signals are simultaneously received from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 (both reception states). That is, the mobile terminal 90 shifts from the non-simultaneous reception state where the signal is effectively received only from the second transmitter 32 to the simultaneous reception state where the signal is received from any of the transmitters 30 and 32.

  At this time, the mobile terminal 90 (or the management server 50) determines that the user has actually finished using the bicycle 12.

  Subsequently, the user inputs a return request to the mobile terminal 90 within a second time limit of, for example, 5 minutes from the use end time.

  In response to the return request, the management server 50 permits the user to return the bicycle 12. The time is the end time of the actual rental time, but in principle, the user is charged until 18:00 which is the scheduled return time. Specifically, the total rental time count ends at the scheduled return time.

  Thereafter, assuming that the mobile terminal 90 has exited from the second effective reception area because the user got off the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state in which the second transmitter 32 cannot be received effectively, and the bicycle recognition Received signal falls. Thereafter, the reception signal for bicycle recognition is maintained at a low level because the user is not on the current bicycle 12.

  Subsequently, assuming that the mobile terminal 90 has left the first effective reception area because the user has moved away from the bicycle 12 and has left the return station 20 this time, the mobile terminal 90 activates the second transmitter 32. Transitions to a state where the station cannot be received (the station recognition reception signal falls).

  When the management server 50 finishes calculating the rental fee based on the total rental time, the user electronically settles the rental fee via the portable terminal 90.

<Outline of the main sequence when there is no reservation>

  FIG. 13B shows an outline of the main sequence in the case where the user enters one of the stations 20 and selects one of the bicycles 12 in the station 20 to start the rental service. Illustrated in multiple time charts. Since these time charts are basically the same as those shown in FIG. 13A except for the billing process, common elements will be briefly described.

1) Loan processing

  First, since the user entered one of the stations (rental stations) 20 at a time of 15:30 on one day to rent one of the bicycles 12, the mobile terminal 90 entered the first effective reception area. Assuming that, the portable terminal 90 starts receiving the first transmitter 30 effectively.

  Next, since the user approaches one of the bicycles 12 and holds the portable terminal 90 over the second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12, the portable terminal 90 enters the second effective reception area. Assuming that, the portable terminal 90 starts receiving the second transmitter 32 effectively.

  As a result, at a time of 15:30, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state in which signals are simultaneously received from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 (both reception states).

  At this time, the portable terminal 90 (or the management server 50) determines that the user has actually started using the bicycle 12 (lending has been performed).

  Subsequently, the user inputs a lending request to the mobile terminal 90 within the first time limit from the use start time.

  In response to the lending request, the management server 50 permits the user to lend the bicycle 12. That time is the start time of the actual rental time, and in this case, charging to the user is started from 15:30, which is the actual rental time. Specifically, counting of the total rental time is started from the actual rental time.

  Thereafter, the user leaves the rental station 20 while riding the bicycle 12, and at this time, the mobile terminal 90 leaves the first effective reception area, and thus the state is changed to a state where the first transmitter 30 cannot be received effectively.

  On the other hand, as long as the user is on the bicycle 12, the portable terminal 90 effectively receives the second transmitter 32, and thus the bicycle recognition reception signal is maintained at a high level.

2) Return processing

  Since the user entered the station (return station) 20 that is the same as or different from the present rental station 20 at the time of 17:30 on the same day in order to return the bicycle 12 in use, the mobile terminal 90 Is assumed to have entered the first effective reception area, the station recognition reception signal rises. Since then, since the user has been on the bicycle 12, the portable terminal 90 continues to receive the second transmitter 32 effectively.

  As a result, at the time of 17:30, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state in which signals are simultaneously received from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 (both reception states).

  At this time, the mobile terminal 90 (or the management server 50) determines that the user has actually finished using the bicycle 12.

  Subsequently, the user inputs a return request to the mobile terminal 90 within the second time limit from the use end time.

  In response to the return request, the management server 50 permits the user to return the bicycle 12. That time is the end time of the actual rental time, and the user is charged until 17:30, which is the actual return time. Specifically, the total rental time count ends at the actual return time.

  Thereafter, assuming that the mobile terminal 90 has exited from the second effective reception area because the user got off the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state in which the second transmitter 32 cannot be received effectively, and the bicycle recognition Received signal falls. Thereafter, the reception signal for bicycle recognition is maintained at a low level because the user is not on the current bicycle 12.

  Subsequently, assuming that the mobile terminal 90 has left the first effective reception area because the user has moved away from the bicycle 12 and has left the return station 20 this time, the mobile terminal 90 activates the second transmitter 32. Transition to a state where it cannot be received.

  When the management server 50 finishes calculating the rental fee based on the total rental time, the user electronically settles the rental fee via the portable terminal 90.

<Reservation sequence>

  In FIG. 14, the user connects the mobile terminal 90 to the management server 90 at a place away from the station 20 to be reserved (for example, at home as shown in FIG. 1), and any bicycle in the station 20 is connected. In order to reserve 12, an example of communication performed between the mobile terminal 90 and the management server 50 located at a remote place is represented by a sequence flow in time series.

  In the mobile terminal 90, when the bicycle rental program (already downloaded from the management server 50 and installed in the memory 132 of the mobile terminal 90) is activated by the user, the user enters a plurality of modes and a plurality of requests. A plurality of buttons (display objects that can be selected by the user) that are operated to emit are displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 90.

  The multiple modes and multiple requests include the following:

1) Reservation mode

  Execution mode selected by the user to reserve station 20 and bicycle 12

2) Loan processing mode with reservation

  Execution mode selected by the user to activate the reservation processing lending module for renting the bicycle 12 at the station 20 in the state with reservation

3) Lending processing mode without reservation

  Execution mode selected by the user to activate the non-reserved lending processing module to rent the bicycle 12 at the station 20 with no reservation

4) Return processing mode

  Execution mode selected by the user to activate the return processing module to return the bicycle 12 to the station 20

5) Lending request

  A request issued by the user to permit the user to lend the bicycle 12 after the reservation-based rental processing module or the reservation-free rental processing module is activated.

6) Return request

  A request issued by the user to allow the user to return the bicycle 12 after the return processing module is activated.

  This time, when the button “reservation mode” is selected by the user, the reservation module of the bicycle rental program for the portable terminal 90 is executed by the processor 130 of the portable terminal 90 and the bicycle for the management server 50 is used. The reservation module of the rental program is executed by the processor 160 of the management server 50.

  When the reservation module for the portable terminal 90 is executed by the processor 130 of the portable terminal 90, first, in step 101, the portable terminal 90 is based on the GPS signal received from the outside by the GPS receiver 152, and the current position ( Operates so that longitude and latitude are measured.

  Next, in step S102, the measured current position of the user is a reference position (display reference point position (longitude and latitude)) referenced by the processor 130 to display the map on the screen 135 of the display unit 136. It is said. Further, a portion of the entire map having a size that can be displayed at a time in a window on the screen 135 and having the reference position is a map display range (that is, the window of the entire map is the window). In the area displayed at each moment).

  As illustrated in FIG. 15A, when the user moves on the ground with time, the reference position 202 (indicated by a black triangle in the figure) also moves with time so as to follow the ground. As a result, as the user moves, the display range of the map also moves on the entire map with time. As a result, the map image displayed in the window also changes with time.

  Subsequently, in step S103, a login request (an example of a “service start signal”) for logging in to the management server 50 is transmitted to the management server 50 together with a user ID and a password for identifying the current user.

  On the other hand, when the reservation module for the management server 50 is executed by the processor 160 of the management server 50, the management server 50 receives the login request together with the user ID and password in step S201. In S202, station data relating to the plurality of stations 20 (see FIG. 8 for a plurality of components of the station data) and bicycle data relating to the plurality of bicycles 12 belonging to the stations 20 (a plurality of pieces of bicycle data). Regarding the constituent elements, the reservation status table (see FIG. 12A) and the memory 162 (or another memory) of the management server 50 are searched for.

  Thereafter, in step S203, the retrieved station data, bicycle data, and reservation status table are transmitted to the portable terminal 90.

  On the other hand, the portable terminal 90 receives the station data, the bicycle data, and the reservation status table in step S104. The received station data is stored in the station data memory 163 shown in FIG. 7, and as a result, the table shown in FIG. 8 is constructed. The received bicycle data is stored in the bicycle data memory 165 shown in FIG. 7, and as a result, the table shown in FIG. 9 is constructed. The received reservation status table (see FIG. 12A) is stored in the reservation status table memory 167.

  Subsequently, in step S105, on the map displayed on the screen 135 based on the stored station data, a plurality of stations 20 located in the vicinity of the current position have a small number of candidate stations. 20 is displayed as an overlay.

  In this step 105, all of the plurality of stations 20 (all the stations 20 stored in the memory 162 of the management server 50) represented by the received plurality of station data are displayed on the screen 135. Do not mean. Only a plurality of stations 20 smaller than the plurality of stations 20, which are determined by the current position of the user and the size of the screen 135, are displayed on the screen 135. That is, the plurality of stations 20 received from the management server 50 are further narrowed down to a small number of candidate stations 20 according to the current position of the user and the size of the screen 135.

  In one example, as shown in FIG. 15A, the current position of the user is overlaid on a map displayed on the screen 135 using a black triangle 202, and a plurality of candidate stations 20 are displayed. An overlay display is made using a plurality of station display icons 204. In this example, three station display icons 204 are configured as a figure in which alphabets “A”, “B”, and “C” are surrounded by a rectangular frame.

  In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the portion of the system 10 that executes step S105 constitutes an example of “candidate station display unit” and an example of “candidate station display step” in the above section (8). It is possible to think that

  In addition, the same thing as this step S105 is that the user uses a plurality of stations 20 as a return destination of the bicycle 12 using prior information in the return processing sequence flow to be described in detail later with reference to FIG. For example, it is possible to select the candidate from among the candidates in consideration of the distance to the current position of the user, the distance to the nearest station of the user, or the like.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 106, the user touches the display position of any candidate station 20 on the screen 135 with a finger, thereby selecting any station 20 as the current selection station 20.

  Specifically, when the user touches the display position of any candidate station 20 with a finger on the screen 135, the touch position is detected by the touch screen of the display unit 136, and the touch position is, for example, a map. Converted into map coordinate information (position information) that is the upper latitude and longitude (defined by the global coordinate system that is an absolute coordinate system) or the corresponding xy coordinate information (defined by the device coordinate system that is a relative coordinate system) Is done. Any candidate station 20 is identified based on the map coordinate information.

  Thereafter, in step S107, the reservation status table is displayed on the screen 135 as illustrated in FIG.

  Subsequently, in step S108, as illustrated in FIG. 15C, the user identifies identification information (for example, name) of the station (rental station) 20 to be reserved and identification information of the bicycle (rental bicycle) 12 to be reserved. (For example, a number), a rental date (plan), and a return date (plan) are input. Here, inputting the identification information of the bicycle 12 to be reserved by the user to the portable terminal 90 is equivalent to the user performing an operation on the portable terminal 90 to select one of the bicycles 12.

  Thereafter, in step S109, the portable terminal 90 transmits the input reservation content to the management server 50 in association with the user (for example, together with the user ID).

  As a result, the identification information of the rental station 20 and the identification information of the rental bicycle 12 are paired (linked), and the pair is associated with the current user's identification information. 90 to the management server 50.

  On the other hand, in step S204, the management server 50 receives the reservation content in association with the user (for example, together with the user ID). Subsequently, in step S205, the management server 50 registers the received reservation content in the plurality of user-specific reservation content files (see FIG. 12B) that are associated with the current user. Further, the reservation status table stored in the memory 162 is updated so that the received reservation content is reflected.

  Thereafter, in step S206, the management server 50 transmits a message indicating that the reservation has been completed to the portable terminal 90.

  On the other hand, the portable terminal 90 displays the received message on the screen 135 or outputs it by voice. This display informs the user that his / her reservation has been made.

<Lending processing sequence with reservation>

  In FIG. 16, the user enters the station 20 that has been reserved, and then moves to the station 20 in order to approach the reserved bicycle 12 and permit the rental of the bicycle 12. An example of communication performed between the first transmitter 30, the second transmitter 32 installed in the bicycle 12, the user's portable terminal 90, and the management server 50 is a sequence flow in time series. It is represented by

  Each of the first and second transmitters 30 and 32 spontaneously and continuously transmits an identification signal unique to itself. If the user enters the reserved station 20, the portable terminal 90 exists in the first effective reception area of the first transmitter 30 (see FIG. 6). 1 The identification signal from the transmitter 30 is received effectively. Eventually, when the user holds the portable terminal 90 over the second transmitter 32 of the bicycle 12 that has reserved the portable terminal 90, the portable terminal 90 exists in the second effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 ( (See FIG. 6).

  In the present embodiment, the reception range of the first effective reception area of the first transmitter 30 is the long range, regardless of whether there is a reservation, or the reception range of the second effective reception area of the second transmitter 32. Is the short range. This setting is effective regardless of whether it is a lending process or a return process.

  This time, on the screen of the portable terminal 90, the button “Lending processing mode with reservation” is selected by the user. In response to this, the portable terminal 90 executes a rental processing module with reservation for the portable terminal 90. As a result of the execution, first, in step 151, a login request for the portable terminal 90 to log in to the management server 50 is transmitted to the management server 50 together with a user ID and a password for identifying the current user.

  On the other hand, when the reservation lending processing module for the management server 50 is executed by the management server 50, the management server 50 receives the login request together with the user ID and password in step S251.

  Subsequently, in step S252, the memory 162 is searched for the one associated with the current user among the plurality of user-specific reservation content files. Further, in the retrieved user-specific reservation content file, information on the reserved station 20 (rental station) among the plurality of stations 20 and the reserved bicycle 12 among the plurality of bicycles 12 of the station 20. Information related to (rental bicycle) is searched as the current user reservation related information.

  Thereafter, in step S253, the searched user reservation related information for this time is transmitted to the portable terminal 90.

  On the other hand, the portable terminal 90 receives the current user reservation related information in step S152. Subsequently, in step S153, the transmitter code assigned in advance to the authorized first transmitter 30 that should be installed in the reserved station 20 in the current user reservation related information is the authorized first. In addition to searching as a transmitter code, a transmitter code assigned in advance to a regular second transmitter 32 that should be installed on the reserved bicycle 12 is retrieved as a regular second transmitter code. . The regular first and second transmitter codes for the user are obtained.

  Subsequently, in step S154, the portable terminal 90 receives a signal from at least one of at least one first transmitter 30 and at least one second transmitter 32 present in the current station 20.

  On the other hand, as described above, when the mobile terminal 90 is currently located outside the first receivable area of the first transmitter 30, the mobile terminal 90 cannot receive the identification signal from the first transmitter 30 at all. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 90 is currently located within the first receivable area of the first transmitter 30, the mobile terminal 90 can receive the identification signal from the first transmitter 30.

  Even if the portable terminal 90 receives the identification signal from the first transmitter 30, there is a possibility that the portable terminal 90 is currently located outside the first effective reception area of the first transmitter 30. It may exist in

  Such a situation applies to the second transmitter 32 as well.

  The mobile terminal 90 can receive a plurality of signals from a plurality of transmitters simultaneously and in a mutually distinguishable manner. Each transmitter transmits a unique signal. For example, a source address (corresponding to a transmitter ID) in the header of each packet of the signal is different from that of other transmitters. Paying attention to this, the mobile terminal 90 can individually handle a plurality of signals received simultaneously.

  Therefore, following step S154, in step S155, the mobile terminal 90 performs the following three types of determinations.

1) First effective reception determination as to whether or not the mobile terminal 90 has effectively received the identification signal from the first transmitter 30, that is, the measured value of the distance between the mobile terminal 90 and the first transmitter 30 is the first effective Judgment whether or not it is smaller than the effective reception radius (long range) of the reception area

2) Second effective reception determination as to whether or not the mobile terminal 90 has received the identification signal from the second transmitter 32, that is, the measured value of the distance between the mobile terminal 90 and the second transmitter 32 is the second effective. Judgment whether or not it is smaller than the effective reception radius (short range) of the reception area

3) Simultaneous reception determination as to whether or not the portable terminal 90 has received from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 at the same time, that is, the timing when the first effective reception determination of the first transmitter 30 is affirmed and the second Determination of whether or not the timing at which the first effective reception determination of the transmitter 32 was affirmed was made at substantially the same time

  The mobile terminal 90 can determine which transmitter corresponds to the first transmitter 30 (station-side transmitter) by referring to the already stored station data (FIG. 8), and has already been stored. It is possible to determine which transmitter corresponds to the second transmitter 32 (bicycle transmitter) by referring to the bicycle data (FIG. 9). Therefore, the mobile terminal 90 applies the effective reception radius (for example, the long range) of the first effective reception area to the effective reception determination of which transmitter, and the effective of the second effective reception area to the effective reception determination of which transmitter. It can also be determined whether to apply a reception radius (for example, the short range).

  If any of the first effective reception determination, the second effective reception determination, and the simultaneous reception determination is negative at the time of execution of step 155, the determination in step 155 is NO and the process returns to step S154. On the other hand, if any of the first effective reception determination, the second effective reception determination, and the simultaneous reception determination is affirmative, the determination in step 155 becomes YES, and the process proceeds to step S156.

  In step S156, the portable terminal 90 demodulates the received identification signal, and in step S157, the portable terminal 90 sets the transmitter ID represented by the demodulated identification signal to the actual transmitter ID. Decipher as Specifically, the mobile terminal 90 has an actual first transmitter ID represented by a signal received from the first transmitter 30 and an actual second transmitter ID represented by a signal received from the second transmitter 32. And get.

  When the demodulated identification signal is a code expressed in a binary number of multiple digits, for example, the code is a conversion table prepared in advance (for example, one downloaded in advance from the management server 50). Is converted into a transmitter ID. However, in terms of usage, the difference between “code” and “ID” is not important as long as its use is identification.

  Subsequently, in step S158, the portable terminal 90 obtains the actual first and second actual transmitter IDs decrypted as described above and the regular first and second transmitter IDs acquired by executing step S153. It is determined whether or not they match each other. That is, ID verification is performed.

  Here, the “real first transmitter ID” is a first transmitter (selected real first transmitter selected) that is actually installed in the station 20 that is actually selected and visited by the user. Machine) means a first transmitter ID corresponding to 30, while “regular first transmitter ID” is virtually selected from among a plurality of stations 20 by the user operating the mobile terminal 90. This means a first transmitter ID corresponding to the first transmitter (selected virtual first transmitter) 30 that should be installed in the object.

  Similarly, the “real second transmitter ID” is a second transmitter (selected real second transmitter) 32 that is actually installed among the plurality of bicycles 12 that is actually selected by the user. On the other hand, the “regular second transmitter ID” is set in a plurality of bicycles 12 that are virtually selected by the user operating the mobile terminal 90 among the plurality of bicycles 12. This means the transmitter ID corresponding to the second transmitter (selected virtual second transmitter) 32 that should have been set.

  Thereafter, in step S159, the portable terminal 90 determines whether or not each actual transmitter ID and each regular transmitter ID match each other, that is, whether or not the ID verification is successful.

  If the ID verification is not successful, the determination in step S159 is NO, and then in step S160, the portable terminal 90 again sends the first transmitter 30 and the second call to the user by the portable terminal 90. Retrying to detect the machine 32 is prompted by, for example, displaying an appropriate message on the screen 135 or outputting it by voice. Thereafter, the process returns to step S154.

  On the other hand, if the ID verification is successful, the determination in step S159 is YES, and then in step S161, the mobile terminal 90 has the bicycle 12 before renting at the current station 20 at the current time. It is determined that This determination is equivalent to the determination that the user has started using the bicycle 12 at the current station 20 (lending has been performed).

  In one example, after the user activates the lending processing module, the user arrives at the current station 20, but the determination in step S155 is NO as long as the user has not yet arrived at the reserved bicycle 12. When the user eventually arrives at the bicycle 12, the determination in step S155 transits from NO to YES.

  At this time, if the portable terminal 90 has received a signal representing the authorized second transmitter ID, the ID verification is successful, and the determination in step S159 is YES. Thereafter, in step S161, it is determined that the first first transition has occurred at the current time.

  Here, the timing at which the determination in step S159 is YES is the timing at which the mobile terminal 90 transitions from a state in which the mobile terminal 90 does not receive the regular second transmitter ID to a state in which it is received (see “Receiving for bicycle recognition” in the example of FIG. 13A). Coincides with the time position of the “rising edge” of the “signal”.

  After that, in step S162, a lending request is input from the user to the mobile terminal 90 (for example, a virtual button (for example, “lending button”) operated to command the “lending request” is operated by the user). It is determined whether or not. If a rental request is input, the determination in step S162 is YES.

  Subsequently, in step S163, a determination result that a rental request is issued from the user and that the user has actually started using the reserved bicycle 12 at the currently reserved station 20; Are transmitted to the management server 50 in association with the user (for example, together with the user ID).

  On the other hand, in step S254, the management server 50 receives the information transmitted by the portable terminal 90 through the execution of step S163.

  Thereafter, in step S255, the current time is measured using the clock 172. In step S256, the current time is recognized as the actual lending time. Subsequently, in step S257, the user is allowed to lend the bicycle 12 this time.

  Thereafter, in step S258, a charging start time is determined for each user. In principle, the billing is started from the scheduled lending time, and an amount corresponding to the length of time (usage time, lending time, rental time) from the scheduled lending time is calculated as the rental amount.

  As described above, the case where the lending request is normally issued from the user immediately after the portable terminal 90 effectively receives the two regular transmitters 30 and 32 simultaneously (both reception states are established) has been described. If not, the determination in step S162 is NO, and then, in step S164, it is determined whether the elapsed time from the execution time of step S161 is currently within a first time limit (for example, 5 minutes). Is done.

  If it is within the first time limit, the determination in step S164 is YES, and in step S165 it is possible to input a lending request to the user, for example, by displaying an appropriate message on the screen 135 or by voice. The user is prompted by the output. Subsequently, the process returns to step S162.

  On the other hand, if the elapsed time from the execution time of step S161 currently exceeds the first time limit, the determination in step S164 is NO, and then, in step S166, the first violation occurs to the user. It is determined that

  Subsequently, in step S167, this time, the fact that the first violation has occurred in the user is transmitted to the management server 50. The transmission content is received by the management server 50 in step S254, and this time, the rental of the bicycle 12 is prohibited.

<Lending processing sequence without reservation>

  In FIG. 17, in order for a user to enter any station 20 without reservation and then approach any bicycle 12 and allow the bicycle 12 to be rented, An example of communication performed between the first transmitter 30 located at the second transmitter 32, the second transmitter 32 installed in the bicycle 12, the user's portable terminal 90, and the management server 50 is time-sequentially sequenced.・ It is represented by a flow. Since this flow has many elements in common with the flow shown in FIG. 16, only different elements will be described in detail.

  This time, on the screen of the portable terminal 90, the button “Lending processing mode without reservation” is selected by the user. In response, the no-reservation lending processing module for the portable terminal 90 is executed by the portable terminal 90.

  As a result, first, in step 201, as in step S151 described above, a login request for logging in to the management server 50 is transmitted to the management server 50 together with the user ID and password for identifying the current user. The

  On the other hand, when the non-reserved lending processing module for the management server 50 is executed by the management server 50, the management server 50 transmits the login request to the user ID and the user ID in step S271 as in the above-described step S251. Receive with password.

  Subsequently, in step S272, the reservation status table (FIG. 12A) is searched in the memory 162. Thereafter, the retrieved reservation status table is transmitted to the portable terminal 90 in step S273.

  On the other hand, the portable terminal 90 receives the reservation status table in step S202. In step S203, the received reservation status table is displayed on the screen 135.

  Subsequently, in step S204, as in step S154 described above, the mobile terminal 90 determines that at least one of the at least one first transmitter 30 and the at least one second transmitter 32 present in the current station 20 is present. Receive a signal from one of them.

  Thereafter, in step S205, the portable terminal 90 performs the first effective reception determination, the second effective reception determination, and the simultaneous reception determination in the same manner as in step S155 described above.

  If the determination in step 205 is NO, the process returns to step S204. If the determination in step 205 is YES, the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, as in step S156, the mobile terminal 90 demodulates the received identification signal. Subsequently, in step S207, as in step S157, the mobile terminal 90 demodulates the received identification signal. The actual first transmitter ID of the first transmitter 30 and the actual second transmitter ID of the second transmitter 32 are acquired from the identified signal.

  Subsequently, in step S208, the user has selected the current station (rental station) 20 and the current bicycle (rental bicycle) 12 as a result of reception from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32. Are displayed on the screen 135 together with the reservation status table. Thereby, the user confirms the station 20 and the bicycle 12 selected by the user.

  Furthermore, in this step S208, the user inputs the scheduled return time for the current bicycle 12 to the portable terminal 90.

  Thereafter, in step S209, the mobile terminal 90 extracts the individual reservation status corresponding to the current station 20 and the current bicycle 12 from the reservation status table, and the reserved time zone in the individual reservation status is: It is determined whether or not there is an overlap with the scheduled use time zone from the actual rental time to the scheduled return time, that is, whether or not there is a predecessor.

  If there is a predecessor, the determination in step S209 is NO, and then in step S210, the portable terminal 90 again sends the first transmitter 30 and the portable terminal 90 to the user, as in step S160. Prompts you to retry detecting the second transmitter 32. Thereafter, the process returns to step S204.

  On the other hand, if there is no predecessor, the determination in step S209 is YES, and then in step S211, the mobile terminal 90 has the bicycle 12 before lending at the current station 20 at the current time. It is determined that This determination is equivalent to the determination that the user has started using the bicycle 12 at the current station 20 (lending has been performed).

  Thereafter, in step S212, it is determined whether or not a lending request has been input from the user to the portable terminal 90, as in step S162 described above. If a rental request is input, the determination in step S212 is YES.

  Subsequently, in step S213, in accordance with step S163 described above, the determination result that the user has actually started using the current bicycle 12 at the current station 20 (lending has been performed) is associated with the user. And transmitted to the management server 50 (for example, together with the user ID).

  As a result, the identification information of the rental station 20 and the identification information of the rental bicycle 12 are paired (linked), and the pair is associated with the current user's identification information. 90 to the management server 50.

  On the other hand, in step S274, the management server 50 receives the information transmitted by the portable terminal 90 by the execution of step S213, as in step S254 described above.

  Subsequently, in step S275, the current time is measured using the clock 172 as in step S255 described above. Subsequently, in step S276, the current time is recognized as the actual lending time as in step S256 described above. Subsequently, in step S277, the rental of the current bicycle 12 to the user is permitted as in step S257 described above.

  Thereafter, in step S278, the charging start time is determined for each user as in step S258 described above. Subsequently, in step S279, the contents of the current rental, that is, the identification information of the rental station 20, the identification information of the rental bicycle 12, the actual rental time, and the scheduled return time are stored in the plurality of user-specific reservations. The content file (see FIG. 12B) is registered in the content file associated with the current user.

  Furthermore, in this step S278, the reservation status table stored in the memory 162 is updated so that the current lending content is reflected.

  The case where the determination in step S212 is YES has been described above. However, when the determination is NO, in step S214, as in step S164 described above, the elapsed time from the execution time of step S211 is currently the first limit. It is determined whether it is within time.

  If it is within the first time limit, the determination in step S214 is YES, and in step S215, the user is prompted to input a lending request, as in step S165. Then, it returns to step S212.

  In contrast, if the elapsed time from the execution time of step S211 currently exceeds the first time limit, the determination in step S214 is NO, and then in step S216, as in step S166 described above, It is determined that a first violation has occurred in the user.

  Subsequently, in step S217, similar to step S167 described above, this time, the fact that the first violation has occurred in the user is transmitted to the management server 50. The content of the transmission is received by the management server 50 in the above-described step S254 in step S274, and the rental of the bicycle 12 is prohibited this time.

<Return processing sequence>

  In FIG. 18, the user is riding and driving the borrowed bicycle 12, or while pushing the borrowed bicycle 12, the station is the same as or different from the rental station (return station). In order to allow the bicycle 12 to be returned, the first transmitter 30 located at the station 20 and the second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12 are reserved. An example of communication performed between the user's portable terminal 90 and the management server 50 in order to permit the return processing of the bicycle 12 that has been received is represented in a sequence flow in time series.

  This time, the button “return processing mode” is selected by the user on the screen of the portable terminal 90. In response to this, a return processing module for the portable terminal 90 is executed by the portable terminal 90.

  As a result, first, in step 300, as in step S151 described above, a login request for logging in to the management server 50 is transmitted to the management server 50 together with the user ID and password for identifying the current user. The

  On the other hand, when the return processing module for the management server 50 is executed by the management server 50, the management server 50 receives the login request together with the user ID and password in step S400, as in step S251 described above. To do.

  On the other hand, in step S302, the portable terminal 90 performs the first effective reception determination, the second effective reception determination, and the simultaneous reception determination in the same manner as in step S155 described above.

  If the determination in step 302 is NO, the process returns to step S301. If the determination in step 302 is YES, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, as in step S156, the mobile terminal 90 demodulates the received identification signal. Subsequently, in step S304, the mobile terminal 90 demodulates the demodulated signal as in step S157. The actual first transmitter ID of the first transmitter 30 and the actual second transmitter ID of the second transmitter 32 are acquired from the identified signal.

  Subsequently, in step S305, the user has selected the current station (return station) 20 and the current bicycle (return bicycle) 12 as a result of reception from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32. It is displayed on the screen 135. Thereby, the user confirms the station 20 and the bicycle 12 selected by the user.

  Furthermore, in this step S305, the mobile terminal 90 determines that there is a bicycle (bicycle that the user is about to return) 12 already returned to the current station 20 at the current time. This determination is equivalent to the determination that the user has finished using the current bicycle 12 (returned) at the current station 20.

  Thereafter, in step S306, in accordance with step S162 described above, a return request is input from the user to the mobile terminal 90 (for example, a virtual button operated to instruct the “return request” (for example, “return button”). ) Has been operated). If a return request is input, the determination in step S306 is YES.

  Subsequently, in step S307, a return request is issued from the user in accordance with step S163 described above, and the user actually ends the use of the current bicycle 12 at the current station 20 (return is performed). The determination result (identification information of the current return station 20 and identification information of the current return bicycle 12) is transmitted to the management server 50 in association with the user (for example, together with the user ID).

  As a result, the identification information of the return station 20 and the identification information of the return bicycle 12 are paired (linked), and the pair is associated with the current user's identification information. 90 to the management server 50.

  In contrast, in step S401, the management server 50 receives the information transmitted by the portable terminal 90 by the execution of step S307 in the same manner as step S254 described above.

  Thereafter, in step S402, the current time is measured using the clock 172. In step S403, the current time is recognized as the actual return time. Thereafter, in step S404, the user is permitted to return the current bicycle 12.

  Thereafter, in step S405, for each user, from the billing start time determined individually for each user as described above to the billing end time (scheduled return time when there is a reservation, actual return time when there is no reservation). Time is calculated as total rental time.

  Subsequently, in step S406, the current rental amount is calculated based on the calculated total rental time length and the fee rate (increase rate) according to a fee table (not shown).

  Thereafter, in step S407, the reservation status table is updated so that the rental information for the current bicycle 12 is deleted from the reservation status table. Subsequently, in step S408, information such as the calculated rental amount is transmitted to the portable terminal 90.

  On the other hand, the portable terminal 90 receives information such as the rental amount from the management server 50 in step S308, and subsequently displays the rental amount on the screen in step S309. Thereafter, in step S310, electronic payment by the user is performed.

  Subsequently, the portable terminal 90 transmits a logout request for requesting logout from the management server 50 to the management server 50 in step S311.

  On the other hand, the management server 50 receives the logout request in step S409. Subsequently, in step S410, an acknowledgment signal ACK indicating that reception of the logout request has been normally completed is transmitted to the mobile terminal 90.

  On the other hand, the portable terminal 90 receives the confirmation response signal ACK from the management server 50 in step S312.

  The case where the determination in step S306 is YES has been described above. However, when the determination is NO, in step S313, the elapsed time from the execution time of step S305 is now the second time limit in accordance with step S164 described above. It is determined whether it is within.

  If it is within the second time limit, the determination in step S313 is YES, and in step S314, the user is prompted to input a return request in accordance with step S165. Then, it returns to step S306.

  On the other hand, if the elapsed time from the execution time of step S305 currently exceeds the second time limit, the determination in step S313 is NO, and then, in step S315, a second violation occurs for the user. It is determined that Subsequently, in step S316, the fact that the second violation has occurred in the user is transmitted to the management server 50.

<Unattended bicycle search sequence>

  In FIG. 19, to determine whether or not the user got off the bicycle 12 at a place other than the station 20 and got off and left it for some reason after riding and driving the borrowed bicycle 12. An example of communication performed between the second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12, the user's portable terminal 90, and the management server 50 is represented by a sequence flow in time series.

  This neglected bicycle search sequence is started when the user rents one of the bicycles 12 and completes the lending process.

  First, the user's mobile terminal 90 tries to receive from the first and / or second transmitters 30 and 32 in step S1901. Next, in step S1902, the data is effectively received from any one of the first transmitters 30 (for example, the mobile terminal 90 has a first reception range (for example, a distance from any one of the first transmitters 30 is about 10 m)). Or not).

  If the mobile terminal 90 is receiving effectively from any of the first transmitters 30, it means that the user is staying in any of the stations 20 with the bicycle 12. It is not necessary to execute the parked bicycle search sequence.

  If the mobile terminal 90 is effectively receiving from any of the first transmitters 30, the determination in step S1902 is YES, and the process returns to step S1901, but as shown in FIG. Is not received effectively from any of the first transmitters 30, the determination in step S1902 is NO.

  Here, the fact that the mobile terminal 90 has not received effectively from any of the first transmitters 30 indicates that the reception signal from the first transmitter 30 is shown in the time chart shown in FIG. Is expressed as a low level L. This notation is the same for other time charts for the second transmitter.

  Subsequently, the portable terminal 90 attempts to receive from the first and / or second transmitters 30 and 32 in step S1903. After that, in step S1904, this time, it is effectively received from any of the second transmitters 32 (for example, the second reception range (for example, any of the second transmitters by which the mobile terminal 90 is shorter than the first reception range). It is determined whether or not the distance from 32 is within 5 m).

  When the mobile terminal 90 is effectively receiving from any of the second transmitters 32, it means that the user is likely to be on the bicycle 12 as illustrated in FIG. In this case, however, it is not necessary to execute this neglected bicycle search sequence.

  If the mobile terminal 90 has not received effectively from any second transmitter 32, the determination in step S1904 is NO and the process returns to step S1903, but the mobile terminal 90 returns from any second transmitter 32. If it has been received effectively, the determination in step S1904 is YES.

  If the determination in step S1904 is YES, this is equivalent to determining that the current user is on the current bicycle 12.

  However, based on the time differential value (speed equivalent value) of the GPS measurement position of the mobile terminal 90 and / or the detected value of an acceleration sensor (not shown) mounted on the mobile terminal 90 (for example, the absolute value is equal to or greater than the reference value). If the determination in step S1904 is YES on the condition that it is determined whether or not the user is moving (by determining whether or not the user is moving) It is possible to determine that the user is on the bicycle 12 this time and is moving.

  Subsequently, in step S1905, the portable terminal 90 acquires the actual second transmitter ID represented by the identification signal effectively received from any one of the second transmitters 32, and the acquired actual second transmission. The machine ID is converted into a bicycle ID corresponding to the actual second transmitter ID according to the correspondence shown in FIG. Thereby, the bicycle 12 detected by the portable terminal 90, that is, the bicycle 12 borrowed by the user is identified.

  Thereafter, the portable terminal 90 tries to receive from the first and / or second transmitters 30 and 32 in step S1906. Subsequently, in step S1907, the signal is effectively received from the same second transmitter 32 as the second transmitter 32 determined to have been received effectively in step S1904 (for example, the portable terminal 90 has the same transmitter 32 as the previous transmitter 32). It is determined whether it is located within the second reception range.

  That is, in this step S1907, the portable terminal 90 sends a signal representing the same bicycle ID as the bicycle ID represented by the signal that the portable terminal 90 effectively received from the second transmitter 32 in step S1904 to the second transmitter ( It is determined whether or not the portable terminal 90 is receiving effectively from the same transmitter 32).

  As illustrated in FIG. 21 (b), when the user throws away the current bicycle 12 and leaves it, the user's mobile terminal 90 is separated or retracted from the second transmitter 32 mounted on the bicycle 12. As a result, the portable terminal 90 deviates from the second reception range. If it does so, the portable terminal 90 will change to the non-reception state which cannot be received effectively from the reception state which could be received effectively from the 2nd transmitter 32 same as the last time.

  If the portable terminal 90 is still receiving from the second transmitter 32, which is the same as the previous time, the determination in step S1907 is YES, and the process returns to step S1906. If the determination in step S1907 is YES, this means that the current user is on the current bicycle 12 (sitting on the saddle 62 of the bicycle 12, riding on the bicycle 12 and driving / moving). It is equivalent to being determined).

  On the other hand, if the mobile terminal 90 has not received from the second transmitter 32 the same as the previous time this time, the determination in step S1907 is NO.

  As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the determination result is the same as the previous one in the state (during the period) when the portable terminal 90 is not receiving a signal from the first transmitter 30 effectively. This is equivalent to the determination that the reception state where the signal is effectively received from the transmitter 32 is changed to the non-reception state where the signal is not received effectively.

  This determination result further indicates a state in which the user gets off the bicycle 12 from a state where the user is on the bicycle 12 during a period in which the user, the portable terminal 90 and the bicycle 12 are not present in any station 20 (for example, This is equivalent to the determination that the state has been changed to a state where the bicycle 12 is separated from the bicycle 12.

  In the present embodiment, the first transmitter 30 installed in each station 20 is used to determine whether the user, the portable terminal 90 and the bicycle 12 are not present in any station 20. Alternatively, instead of using the GPS of the portable terminal 90, whether the current position of the user and the portable terminal 90 measured by the GPS does not match the position of any station 20 on the map. You may implement this invention in the aspect which determines these.

  Thereafter, the portable terminal 90 measures the current position by GPS in step S1908. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 22C, in step S1909, the measured current position (x, y) (x: longitude, y: latitude) is stored in the memory 132 as a temporary leaving position.

  Thereafter, in step S1910, the portable terminal 90 does not leave the bicycle 12 for a user who is away from the bicycle 12, but moves on the bicycle 12 to any station 20 and returns it to the station. An icon and / or a message for announcing is displayed on the screen 135.

  Subsequently, in step S1911, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether or not the mobile terminal 90 has started to effectively receive from the current second transmitter 32 because the user has again boarded the current bicycle 12. . If effective reception from the second transmitter 32 this time is started, this determination is YES, and then the process returns to step S1901.

  On the other hand, if the effective reception from the second transmitter 32 this time is not started, the determination in step S1911 is NO, and the portable terminal 90 in step S1912, as shown in FIG. It is determined whether a predetermined time limit (for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour) has elapsed. That is, it is determined whether or not the time during which the same determination result has continued from the time when the determination result of step S1911 first becomes NO has reached a threshold time.

  If the determination in step S1912 is NO, the process returns to step S1910. If the determination in step S1912 is YES, the portable terminal 90, in step S1913, displays the current bicycle as shown in FIG. It is determined that 12 is a neglected bicycle. As a result, a neglected bicycle is discovered.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the portable terminal 90 exceeds the time limit (the “predetermined time” in the above item (4)) from the start time of the second transmitter 32 in the non-reception state. Then, the current bicycle 12 is recognized as a neglected bicycle.

  Here, the length of the “time limit” may be set for the convenience of the rental company. However, the time when the user stops the bicycle 12 and gets off the bicycle 12 and starts waiting for the bicycle 12 As the length of the waiting time from the time of transition to the reception state to the time of returning to the bicycle 12 and starting to resume using the bicycle 12 (the time of transition from the non-reception state to the reception state) You may set according to your convenience and schedule.

  During the waiting period, the original user locks the electronic lock of the bicycle 12 before leaving the bicycle 12 to prevent another person from starting to use the bicycle 12 without permission. When the use of the bicycle 12 is resumed, the mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50 may transmit the unlock signal to the electronic lock to unlock the electronic lock.

  Instead of or in addition to such an abandonment determination method, the mobile terminal 90 is not limited to this time even if the permitted rental time of the rental vehicle permitted by the user has elapsed, that is, even if the scheduled return time has elapsed. If the bicycle 12 is not returned to any station 20, the current bicycle 12 may be recognized as a neglected bicycle.

  Instead of or in addition to these neglect determination methods, the portable terminal 90 can visually, audibly or tactilely communicate with the user after the non-reception state of the second transmitter 32 is started. If the user does not respond to the portable terminal 90 in response to the prompting, even if the current bicycle 12 is recognized as a neglected bicycle, the user is prompted to return the current bicycle 12 to any station. Good.

  Subsequently, in step S1914, the portable terminal 90 finally sets the temporary leaving position (x, y) stored in the memory 132 as the leaving position (x, y) as shown in FIG. 22 (f). handle. Thereafter, in step S1915, the current user identification information, the current bicycle ID representing the left bicycle, and the final left position (x, y) are transmitted to the management server 50 as left bicycle information. To do.

  In contrast, in step S1951, the management server 50 receives the neglected bicycle information transmitted from the portable terminal 90 by the execution of step S1915.

  Thereafter, in step S1952, the management server 50 determines that the current bicycle 12 is not actually returned to any station 20, but the left position of the bicycle 12 is effectively a temporary rental station 20. Since the same bicycle 12 will be rented out to another user, it is considered that the bicycle 12 has been returned when it is determined that the neglected bicycle 12 exists. That is, the act of neglecting is treated as an act of deeming return.

  Subsequently, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172 in step S1953. Subsequently, in step S1954, the current time is regarded as a return time. After that, in step S1955, the time from the charging start time determined individually for each user as described above to the charging end time (this time assumed return time) is calculated as the total rental time for each user.

  Subsequently, in step S1956, the management server 50 calculates the current rental amount based on the calculated total rental time length and the charge rate (increase rate) according to a charge table (not shown).

  Thereafter, in step S1957, the management server 50 calculates a surcharge as a penalty imposed on the user because the user did not return the bicycle 12 to any station 20.

  Subsequently, in step S1958, the management server 50 identifies the user who left the bicycle 12 this time, the bicycle ID for identifying the bicycle 12, and the left position of the bicycle 12 (step S1958, as exemplified in FIG. 23). x, y), the start time of the neglect (ie, the assumed return time or the transition time from the reception state of the second transmitter 32 to the non-reception state), and the work that the bicycle 12 collects by another user The information indicating whether or not the operation is started and the information indicating whether or not the work is completed are stored in the memory 162 in association with each other. As a result, the neglected bicycle list is registered in the memory 162.

  Furthermore, in step S1958, the management server 50 updates the reservation status table so that the rental information about the current bicycle 12 is deleted from the reservation status table.

  Subsequently, in step S1959, the management server 50 transmits to the portable terminal 90 information such as the total value of the calculated rental amount and the surcharge, that is, the total rental amount that the user should pay.

  On the other hand, the portable terminal 90 receives information such as the total rental amount from the management server 50 in step S1916, and subsequently displays the total rental amount on the screen 135 in step S1917. Thereafter, in step S1918, the user can perform electronic payment.

<Leave bicycle collection sequence>

  In FIG. 20, when a neglected bicycle 12 is found, the neglected bicycle 12 is installed on the bicycle 12 in order to lend it to another user at the neglected position and return it to any station 20 by the user. An example of communication performed between the second transmitter 32, the portable terminal 90 of another user, and the management server 50 is represented in a sequence flow in time series.

  This neglected bicycle collection sequence is started when the neglected bicycle 12 is found by the aforementioned neglected bicycle search sequence.

  First, in step S2051, the management server 50 reads out the bicycle ID for each parked bicycle 12 before collection and the parked position of the parked bicycle 12 from the parked bicycle list illustrated in FIG. Next, in step S2052, for each parked bicycle 12, parked bicycle data in which the bicycle ID and the parked position are associated with each other is transmitted to the portable terminals 90 of other potential users. The neglected bicycle data is stored in the memory 132 of the portable terminal 90 of each other user.

  On the other hand, the portable terminal 90 of each other user receives the neglected bicycle data transmitted from the management server 50 in step S2001. Subsequently, in step S2002, the current position of itself is measured by GPS. Thereafter, in step S2003, as illustrated in FIG. 24, a map in the vicinity of the current position (indicated by a black triangle 202 in the figure) is displayed on the screen 135.

  Subsequently, in step S2004, the portable terminal 90 of each other user, as shown in the figure, shows the abandoned position of each abandoned bicycle 12 represented by the abandoned bicycle data (in the figure, “ D ”is displayed on the screen 135 as an overlay on the map.

  Thereafter, the portable terminals 90 of the other users attempt to receive effectively from the first and / or second transmitters 30 and 32 in step S2005. Subsequently, in step S2006, it is determined whether or not the signal is effectively received from any of the second transmitters 32 (the portable terminal 90 is within the second reception range).

  If the portable terminal 90 of each other user does not receive effectively from any second transmitter 32, the determination in step S2006 is NO and the process returns to step S2005.

  On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 21C, one of the other potential users (hereinafter referred to as “other users”) is connected to the mobile terminal 90 of another user. Assume that one of the abandoned bicycles 12 has been approached to rent, depending on the above-described guidance information displayed on the screen 135.

  Further, eventually, as shown in FIG. 21 (d), another user gets on the neglected bicycle 12, and as a result, the portable terminal 90 of the other user effectively receives from any of the second transmitters 32. Suppose you did. In this case, the determination in step S2006 is YES.

  Thereafter, the portable terminal 90 of the other user uses the identification signal that is effectively received from any one of the second transmitters 32 in step S2007, so that the left bicycle 12 to which the second transmitter 32 is supposed to be mounted. Get a bicycle ID.

  Subsequently, in step S2008, the portable terminal 90 of another user determines whether or not the acquired bicycle ID matches one of the bicycle IDs of at least one abandoned bicycle 12 stored in the memory 132. Determine. If the bicycle ID of any of the abandoned bicycles 12 does not match, the determination in step S2008 is NO, and the process returns to step S2005, but if the bicycle ID of any of the abandoned bicycles 12 matches, the determination in step S2008 is made. Becomes YES.

  Thereafter, in step S2009, the portable terminal 90 of another user sets the scheduled time for the user to borrow the current bicycle 12, that is, a certain neglected bicycle 12, and return it to any one of the stations 20. Assist in typing.

  Subsequently, in step S2010, the portable terminal 90 of another user inputs a rental request for the bicycle 12 (for example, a virtual button (for example, a “lending button” operated to command a “rental request”). ") Is operated by the user). If a rental request is input, the determination in step S2010 is YES.

  Thereafter, in step S2011, the portable terminal 90 of another user associates with the user that the rental request has been issued from that user and that the user has started using the bicycle 12 (for example, the user). To the management server 50 (with ID).

  On the other hand, in step S2053, the management server 50 receives information transmitted by the mobile terminals 90 of other users by the execution of step S2011. Thereafter, in step S2054, the abandoned bicycle table is updated so that the information about the current bicycle 12 is deleted from the abandoned bicycle table illustrated in FIG.

  Subsequently, in step S2055, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172 as in step S255 described above. Subsequently, in step S2056, the current time is recognized as the actual lending time as in step S256 described above. Subsequently, in step S2057, as in step S257 described above, the user is permitted to lend the current bicycle 12 (this time, left bicycle).

  Thereafter, in step S2058, the management server 50 determines the charging start time for each user, as in step S258 described above. Subsequently, the management server 50 transmits necessary information to the portable terminal 90 of another user, so that the user can know that the bicycle 12 has been rented out at the left position and charging has started.

  As will be described later, the present invention can be implemented in a mode in which the first transmitter 30 is not installed at each station 20, but in this embodiment, the first transmitter 30 is provided at each station 20. Since it is installed, the effect resulting from it can be obtained.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, each bicycle 12 is associated with the station 20 where the bicycle 12 actually exists when the bicycle 12 is rented and returned at each station 20. Therefore, the management server 50, that is, the rental company, can remotely monitor the number of bicycles 12 that actually exist at each station 20 in real time.

  Therefore, the rental company can remotely monitor in real time the number of stored bicycles 12 for each station 20 in real time, and the user can use the stations 20 that are not sufficiently stored. While suppressing, it is possible to guide the potential user to encourage the user to use the station 20 where the number of stored bicycles 12 is excessive.

  In this way, a plurality of users perform the work of optimally distributing the storage bicycle 12 among the plurality of stations 20 on behalf of the rental company, so that the rental company bothers to each station 20. The need to go to work to eliminate excess and deficiency of storage bicycles 12 at each station 20 is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the first transmitter 30 is installed at each station 20, so that the user is currently staying at any station 20 or at a place other than the station 20 (that is, It is possible to determine which station 20 is not staying) and to know which station 20 the user is currently staying at.

  However, instead of the first transmitter 30, a display object (an immovable display object or a variable display object) that displays a graphic that visualizes a code (for example, a bar code or a QR code (registered trademark)) that can identify each station 20. ) May be installed in each station 20.

<Second Embodiment>

  A system 10 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 25-28. However, about the part which is common in the system 10 according to 1st Embodiment, the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted by quoting using the same code | symbol and name, and only a different part is demonstrated in detail.

  In the first embodiment described above, in order to implement a one-way bicycle rental business that is a station type in principle, a plurality of bicycles 12 are temporarily transferred to a plurality of stations 20 assigned to land invariably. The bicycle 12 is rented out and returned at each station 20. Further, a first transmitter 30 is installed at each station 20.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the bicycle 12 is rented and returned at an arbitrary place in order to implement a free floating type one-way bicycle rental business. Of course, the 1st transmitter 30 is not installed in such an arbitrary place.

  In the example shown in FIG. 25, a certain user X selects a road bicycle parking lot 300 which is one of a plurality of road bicycle parking lots (bicycle rental bicycles) allocated to both sides of the public road and borrows a bicycle 12 there. . Eventually, the user X selects another road bicycle parking lot 300 and returns the bicycle 12 there.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the concept of leaving the bicycle 12 does not exist, but in the first embodiment described above, as described above, the term “leave” can be synonymous with the term “return”. There was sex.

  Therefore, the term “return” in the present embodiment refers to “return (return to any station 20 by the person himself / herself and preparation for lending the bicycle 12 to another person at that station 20”. ) "And the term" Left (preparation for lending the bicycle 12 to another person at the neglected place) ".

<Lending sequence>

  In FIG. 26, a lending process module executed for executing a lending process by the user's portable terminal 90 and a lending process module executed for executing the lending process by the management server 50 are shown in a lending sequence. It is expressed as a flow.

  Specifically, the portable terminal 90 transmits a request to log in to the management server 50 website to the management server 50 in step S2601.

  In response to this, the management server 50 receives the login request in step S2651. Subsequently, in step S2652, the management server 50 searches the memory 162 for storage position data representing the positions of the plurality of storage locations 300 where the bicycle 12 is currently stored.

  The plurality of storage locations 300 effectively function as a plurality of temporary stations (arbitrary locations where the bicycle 12 is rented and returned temporarily) for the user. Thereafter, in step S2653, the management server 50 transmits storage position data representing the map position (x, y) of the storage location 300 to the portable terminal 90 in association with each temporary station ID.

  In response to this, the portable terminal 90 receives the transmitted storage location data and saves it in the memory 132 in step S2602. Subsequently, in step S2603, the portable terminal 90 measures its own current position, that is, the current position of the user, by GPS.

  Thereafter, in step S2604, the mobile terminal 90 displays a map of the vicinity of the current position on the screen 135, and is in the vicinity of the current position among the plurality of stored locations 300 (that is, the temporary station 300). Things are overlaid on the displayed map.

  Thereby, the user can know some temporary stations 300 existing in the vicinity of the current position of the user. Thereafter, the user selects one of the temporary stations 300 and moves toward the position, and eventually the user approaches the temporary station 300 and the bicycle 12 existing there.

  Subsequently, in step S2605, the portable terminal 90 requests the user to contact or hold the portable terminal 90 against the second transmitter 32 for reception from the second transmitter 32 mounted on any of the bicycles 12. The short range (or the portable terminal 90 is requested not to be held over the second transmitter 32 but to the second transmitter 32 (or the portable terminal if the user is on the bicycle 12). Even if 90 is not held over the second transmitter 32, the portable terminal 90 will effectively receive from the second transmitter 32 (it may be the medium range).

  Thereafter, in step S2606, the portable terminal 90 determines whether or not a transition is made from a non-reception state in which a signal is not effectively received from any of the second transmitters 32 to a reception state in which the signal is effectively received. If there is no transition, the determination in step S2606 is NO and the process returns to step S2605. If there is a transition and the determination in step S2606 is YES, the process proceeds to step S2607.

  As illustrated in FIG. 28, the portable terminal 90 cannot effectively receive from the second transmitter 32 before the user gets on the bicycle 12 and the user is away from the second transmitter 32. The received signal at that time is conceptually at the low level L. Eventually, when the user approaches the second transmitter 32 or gets on the bicycle 12, the portable terminal 90 starts to effectively receive from the second transmitter 32. The received signal at that time is conceptually at the high level H.

  The portable terminal 90 determines “lending start” in step S2607 described above. Subsequently, in step S2608, the current position of itself is measured by GPS. The position is also the current position of the user, the position of one temporary station 300 in which the user is actually present (which functions as a rental station this time), and one vehicle that is stopped (parked) at the temporary station 300 This is also the location of the bicycle 12.

  Thereafter, in step S2609, the portable terminal 90 acquires the bicycle ID corresponding to the current bicycle 12 from the effectively received signal. The bicycle ID is stored in the memory 132 as a rental bicycle ID. Subsequently, in step S 2610, the rental bicycle ID is displayed on the screen 135, and further, a “rental button” that is an icon operated for the user to desire to borrow the bicycle 12 is displayed on the screen 135. To do.

  Thereafter, in step S2611, the mobile terminal 90 displays the bicycle ID (for example, “2001” in the example shown in FIG. 1B) displayed on the bicycle 12 actually selected by the user on the screen 135. Since the displayed bicycle IDs match each other, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the “lending button”.

  If the user has not operated the “loan button”, the determination in step S2611 is NO, and the process returns to the same step S2611, but if the “loan button” is operated, the determination in step S2611 is YES, and step In S2612, the fact that the user requested to rent the bicycle 12 this time is sent to the current bicycle ID, the map location of the temporary station 300 (this time, the rental station location) and the user ID. Correlate and transmit to the management server 50.

  In response to this, the management server 50 receives the lending request in step S2654, and subsequently measures the current time using the clock 172 in step S2655. Subsequently, in step S2656, the current time is recognized as the actual lending time. Subsequently, in step S2657, the rental of the current bicycle 12 to the user is permitted.

  Thereafter, in step S2658, the management server 50 determines the charging start time as the actual rental time for the user. Subsequently, in step S2659, data indicating that the lending is permitted and the charging start time is transmitted to the portable terminal 90.

  In response to this, the portable terminal 90 receives the transmitted data in step S2613.

  In response to this, the mobile terminal 90 transmits an unlock signal to the electronic lock (for example, wheel lock, handle lock) mounted on the bicycle 12 this time by the short-range communication method, and thereby the electronic lock is transmitted. It is possible to unlock. After unlocking, the user can use the current bicycle 12. Instead, the same unlock signal may be transmitted by the management server 50 using the long-distance communication method.

  Thereafter, the portable terminal 90 displays the data received in the preceding step S2613 on the screen 135 in step S2614.

  As illustrated in FIG. 28, when the rental of the bicycle 12 to the user is permitted as described above and the necessary unlocking is completed, the user can get on the bicycle 12 and start running. In this case, although the rental time is strictly calculated from the actual rental time, the rental time is actually calculated from when the user gets on the bicycle 12.

<Return sequence>

  In FIG. 27, a return processing module executed for executing a return process by the user's portable terminal 90 and a return process module executed for executing the return process by the management server 50 are shown in a return sequence. It is expressed as a flow.

  This return sequence flow is executed following the above-described lending sequence flow. Furthermore, in this return sequence flow, if the user is on the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 can effectively receive from the second transmitter 32 even if the mobile terminal 90 is not held over the second transmitter 32. Attempts to receive from the second transmitter 32 under the medium range.

  Specifically, in step S2701, the mobile terminal 90 tries to receive from the second transmitter 32 mounted on any of the bicycles 12 based on the medium range.

  Thereafter, in step S2702, the portable terminal 90 determines whether or not the reception state in which the signal is effectively received from any of the second transmitters 32 has transitioned to the non-reception state in which the signal is not effectively received. If there is no transition, the determination in step S2702 is NO and the process returns to step S2701, but if there is a transition and the determination in step S2702 is YES, the process proceeds to step S2703.

  As illustrated in FIG. 28, when the user is on the bicycle 12 and is approaching the second transmitter 32, the mobile terminal 90 effectively receives from the second transmitter 32. The received signal at that time is conceptually at the high level H. Eventually, when the user gets off the bicycle 12 and moves away from the second transmitter 32, a state in which the portable terminal 90 does not effectively receive from the second transmitter 32 is started. The received signal at that time is conceptually at the low level L.

  The portable terminal 90 determines “return start” in step S2703 described above. Subsequently, in step S2704, the current position of itself is measured by GPS. The position is also the current position of the user, the position of one temporary station 300 where the user is actually present (which functions as a return station this time), and one vehicle that is stopped (parked) at the temporary station 300 This is also the location of the bicycle 12.

  Thereafter, in step S2705, the portable terminal 90 acquires the bicycle ID corresponding to the current bicycle 12 from the signal that has been effectively received when the step S2701 is executed. Subsequently, in step S2706, it is determined whether or not the bicycle ID matches the rental bicycle ID stored in the memory 132. If they do not match, the determination in step S2706 is NO and the process returns to step S2701, but if they match, the determination in step S2706 is YES and the process proceeds to step S2707.

  In step S <b> 2707, the portable terminal 90 displays a “return button”, which is an icon operated to request that the user returns the bicycle 12, on the screen 135. Further, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the “return button”.

  If the user has not operated the “return button”, the determination is NO and the process returns to step S2707. However, if the user has operated the “return button”, the determination is YES, and in step S2708, from the user The management server associates that the return request for returning the current bicycle 12 is made with the current bicycle ID, the current position on the map of the temporary station 300 (this time, the return station position), and the user ID. 50.

  In response to this, the management server 50 receives the return request in step S2751, and then, in step S2752, a list of a plurality of storage positions where the available bicycles 12 are stored in the memory 162. The stored information is updated to reflect the fact that the current bicycle 12 has been returned to the map location of the current temporary station 300.

  Thereafter, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172 in step S2753. In step S2754, the current time is recognized as the actual return time. Thereafter, in step S2755, the user is permitted to return the current bicycle 12.

  Subsequently, in step S2756, the management server 50 calculates the time from the charging start time determined as described above to the charging end time (actual return time) as the total rental time in step S2756. Thereafter, in step S2757, the current rental amount is calculated based on the calculated total rental time length and the fee rate (increase rate) according to a fee table (not shown). Subsequently, in step S2758, information such as the calculated rental amount is transmitted to the portable terminal 90.

  On the other hand, the portable terminal 90 receives information such as a rental amount from the management server 50 in step S2709, and subsequently displays the rental amount on the screen 135 in step S2710. Thereafter, in step S2711, electronic payment is performed by the user.

  For example, the portable terminal 90 may display a message on the screen 135 for instructing the user to manually lock the electronic lock mounted on the bicycle 12 this time in step S2710. When the user actually locks and this is confirmed by the electronic lock and this is received by the portable terminal 90 or the management server 50, it may be determined that the return stage is completed at that time.

  As illustrated in FIG. 28, when the user stops the bicycle 12 at an arbitrary place as described above, gets off the vehicle 12, and eventually leaves the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 receives a signal from the second transmitter 32. Cannot be received effectively. At that time, the return of the bicycle 12 from the user is permitted, and if the necessary locking is performed, the return stage is completed. In this case, strictly speaking, the rental time is added until the actual return time, but substantially, it is added until the user gets off the bicycle 12.

  In the present embodiment, the reception range of the second transmitter 32 is set so that the portable terminal 90 is within the reception range of the second transmitter 32 as long as the user is on the bicycle 12. Thus, when the user moves away from the bicycle 12 and the portable terminal 90 deviates from the reception range of the second transmitter 32, and the transition from the reception state of the second transmitter 32 to the non-reception state occurs, the user It is estimated that the bicycle 12 may be returned.

  Instead, the present invention is such that the reception range of the second transmitter 32 is not sufficient for the user to ride on the bicycle 12, and the portable terminal 90 is intentionally held over the second transmitter 32, for example. Unless the mobile terminal 90 is set so as not to enter the reception range of the second transmitter 32, the user brings the mobile terminal 90 close to the second transmitter 32, etc. A mode in which it is estimated that the user may return the bicycle 12 when the terminal 90 enters the reception range of the second transmitter 32 and thereby transitions from the non-reception state of the second transmitter 32 to the reception state. May be implemented.

<Several other variations>

  In some of the embodiments described above, a user ID is used as an example of user identification information, whereby the behavior of the user is monitored over time.

  As an alternative or in addition to this, as another example of the user identification information (personal authentication information), a unique device address such as a telephone number, an e-mail address, or a MAC address of the mobile terminal 90 is used. Also good.

  In addition, in some of the above-described embodiments, the management server 50 performs the same data processing as at least a part of the data processing by the mobile terminal 90, or conversely, the data processing by the management server 50 It is possible to improve so that the mobile terminal 90 executes the same data processing as at least a part of them.

  In addition, some of the above-described embodiments are configured to implement a rental business for renting the bicycle 12 to the user for a fee and in a post-payment manner. It can be implemented or improved so as to implement a rental business that is lent to users free of charge.

  Moreover, although some above-mentioned embodiment is an exemplary form at the time of applying this invention with respect to the rental cycle, ie, a rental bicycle, as a rental vehicle, it is other mobile bodies which are lent to a user for a fee or free of charge. However, the present invention may be applied to an object that moves with the user. Such mobiles include, for example, motorcycles, automobiles (such as rental cars), engineed boats or jet skis, go-carts for entertainment or competition, shopping carts, strollers, wheelbarrows, wheelchairs or golf carts.

  Note that the “bicycle” is usually in the form of two wheels, but is not limited to this, for example, even if the number of wheels is three, the number of wheels is four. It may be in the form.

  Furthermore, when the rental object is furniture, an electrical product, an accessory that is detachably attached to the electrical product, or a recording medium (for example, a rental CD) in which audio-visual content is recorded and can be reproduced by the user The present invention can be applied.

  Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied when the rental object is a hotel or apartment room where the user can live, an individual storage space in a coin locker, or an individual parking space in a parking lot.

  As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described in detail based on drawing, these are illustrations and are based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art including the aspect as described in the above-mentioned [summary of invention] column. The present invention can be implemented in other forms with various modifications and improvements.

Claims (6)

A rental vehicle management method that allows a rental vehicle to be rented to a user in a free floating manner,
The rental vehicle is equipped with a transmitter that transmits a unique signal,
The user has a portable terminal having a function of communicating with the management server and a function of receiving a signal from the transmitter,
The method is
The mobile terminal effectively receives a signal from the transmitter of the rental vehicle because the user approaches one of the rental vehicles existing in any of a plurality of temporary rental stations that rent the rental vehicle. Then, the portable terminal specifies the vehicle ID of the rental vehicle to be rented to the user from the signal received from the transmitter, stores the vehicle ID in the memory as the rental vehicle ID, and manages the rental vehicle ID. Lending process to send to server,
Since the user returns the rental vehicle rented to himself / herself to an arbitrary location and is separated from the rental vehicle, the mobile terminal is effective from the state in which the signal from the transmitter of the rental vehicle is effectively received. When transitioning to a non-receiving state, the portable terminal identifies the rental vehicle ID as a return vehicle ID from the signal received from the transmitter before it cannot be received effectively, and the return vehicle ID is the memory. And a return step of transmitting the return vehicle ID to the management server on condition that the vehicle ID matches the rental vehicle ID stored in the free floating rental vehicle management method. further,
The management server simultaneously transmits the positions of a plurality of temporary rental stations for renting a rental vehicle, which are stored in the storage position list of the memory, to the portable terminals of a plurality of potential users. Simultaneous transmission process,
When the transition occurs, the mobile terminal acquires its current position as a new temporary lending station position, and transmits the new temporary lending station position to the management server;
2. The free-floating rental vehicle management method according to claim 1, further comprising: an update step in which the management server updates the storage location list so that a new temporary rental station location received from the mobile terminal is added. .   The free-floating rental vehicle management method according to claim 1, wherein the rental vehicle includes at least one of a bicycle, an automobile, and a motorcycle.   The program for functioning as a portable terminal in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3.   The program for functioning as a management server in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3.   A recording medium in which the program according to claim 4 is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

Images