JP7508719B1 - Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To objectively confirm information regarding services provided.
[Solution] First work content information relating to work created using vehicle information acquired in response to an instruction from a worker different from the user and work information for the work to be performed on the vehicle, and second work content information created using vehicle information acquired in response to an instruction from the user and work specified for the work type of the work on the vehicle are compared, differences are extracted, and authentication information including a hash value based on the information is set for at least one piece of information out of the differences and the first work content information and the second work content information used to extract the differences. Then, authentication information including a hash value is set for these pieces of information and this information is saved.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

When purchasing goods or receiving services, the parties involved confirm in advance the details of the purchase or service, as well as the associated costs, etc. This confirmation prevents misunderstandings between the parties and allows for a smooth transaction. Methods for confirmation at this time include, for example, creating and sharing an estimate, or explaining the details verbally and sharing them.

For example, in Patent Document 1, paragraph [0018] describes a computational model for estimating vehicle damage repairs. In addition, paragraph [0019] of the same document describes that the computational model identifies one or more damaged areas from an image, identifies whether the damaged areas are repairable or suitable for replacement, and calculates a repair cost estimate for the vehicle damage.

Patent document 1 discloses that this enables quick processing of insurance claims for vehicle damage.

Patent Publication No. 2022-91875

These confirmations are generally carried out by having the purchaser of the product or the recipient of the service approve an estimate or other document provided by the seller (service provider). In particular, when receiving a service, the service provider may prepare an estimate or other document after confirming certain items, and the recipient of the service may approve it.

In other words, recipients of services often end up trusting and accepting the information confirmed by the service provider. Of course, it is desirable for recipients to check the authenticity of the confirmations made by the service provider, but in cases where highly specialized services are being received, it can be difficult to check the details of the estimate and request minor corrections or changes.

In Patent Document 1 as well, a process is carried out to identify the damaged part, and then a process is carried out to determine whether the damaged part can be repaired or whether replacement is appropriate, and then an estimate is calculated based on this. In other words, the "process of identifying the damaged part and then a process of determining whether the damaged part can be repaired or whether replacement is appropriate" shown in Patent Document 1 is something that is checked by the service provider, and so the recipient of the service must trust this and decide whether or not to accept the service.

In this way, it is common for the recipient of the service to trust the confirmations made by the service provider and accept the contents of the estimate prepared based on those confirmations.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that enable information relating to a service to be provided to be objectively confirmed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that are capable of guaranteeing the objective credibility of work content information.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can reduce the workload by preventing the need to redo work, etc., so as to ensure the objective credibility of work content information.

The information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores information, and a processor that can communicate with the storage unit. The processor executes a comparison process that compares first work content information related to the work created using vehicle information related to the vehicle obtained in response to an instruction from another worker different from the user and work information for the work to be performed on the vehicle of the specified vehicle information, and second work content information created using vehicle information related to the vehicle obtained in response to an instruction from the user and work specified for the work type of the specified work on the vehicle, a difference extraction process that extracts differences from the comparison results output by the comparison process, an authentication information setting process that sets authentication information including a hash value based on any information to any information, and an information storage process that stores the information to which the authentication information is set. The authentication information setting process sets authentication information including a hash value based on the information to at least one of the differences extracted by the difference extraction process, the first work content information used to extract the differences, and the second work content information used to extract the differences.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a control device having a first processor that executes a first creation process to create first work content information related to a task using vehicle information related to the vehicle obtained in response to an instruction from a worker different from a user and work information for the task to be performed on the vehicle of the vehicle information, and a first memory unit that stores the first work content information created in the first creation process; a second processor that executes a second creation process to create second work content information using vehicle information related to the vehicle obtained in response to an instruction from the user and work specified for a work type of the task on the vehicle of the vehicle information , and a second memory unit that stores the second work content information created in the second creation process. The system further comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with an instruction device which outputs information to the input device, a third memory unit which stores information, and a third processor capable of communicating with the third memory unit, wherein the third processor executes a comparison process which compares the first work content information with the second work content information, a difference extraction process which extracts differences from a comparison result output by the comparison process, an authentication information setting process which sets authentication information including a hash value based on any information to any information, and an information storage process which stores the information to which the authentication information is set, and the authentication information setting process sets authentication information including a hash value based on any information to at least one of the differences extracted by the difference extraction process and the first work content information and the second work content information used to extract the differences.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an information processing method includes a computer having a communication unit capable of communication and a third memory unit for storing information, the computer executing a comparison process for comparing first work content information relating to a work created by a first computer using vehicle information relating to the vehicle acquired in response to instructions from a worker other than a user and work information for the work to be performed on the vehicle of the vehicle information, and second work content information created by a second computer using the vehicle information relating to the vehicle acquired in response to instructions from the user and work specified for the work type of the work on the vehicle of the vehicle information, a difference extraction process for extracting differences from the comparison results output by the comparison process, an authentication information setting process for setting authentication information including a hash value based on any information to any information, and an information storage process for storing the information to which the authentication information has been set, the authentication information setting process including setting authentication information including a hash value based on the information to at least one of the differences extracted by the difference extraction process and the first work content information and the second work content information used to extract the differences.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an information processing program causes a computer having a communication unit capable of communication and a third memory unit for storing information to execute a comparison process that compares first work content information related to the work created by a first computer using vehicle information related to the vehicle acquired in response to instructions from a worker other than a user and work information for the work to be performed on the vehicle of the vehicle information, and second work content information created by a second computer using the vehicle information related to the vehicle acquired in response to instructions from the user and work specified for the work type of the work on the vehicle of the vehicle information, a difference extraction process that extracts differences from the comparison results output by the comparison process, an authentication information setting process that sets authentication information including a hash value based on any information to any information, and an information storage process that stores the information to which the authentication information is set, and the authentication information setting process includes setting authentication information including a hash value based on the information to at least one of the differences extracted by the difference extraction process and the first work content information and the second work content information used to extract the differences.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores information, and a first processor that can communicate with the first storage unit, and the first processor executes a first vehicle information acquisition process that acquires vehicle information related to the vehicle in response to an instruction from another worker different from the user of the vehicle, a work identification process that identifies work to be performed on the vehicle of the vehicle information based on the vehicle information acquired in the vehicle information acquisition process, and a first creation process that creates first work content information related to the work using the work information for the work identified by the work identification process, and the first storage unit stores the first work content information created in the first creation process, and the first processor executes the first vehicle information acquisition process that acquires vehicle information related to the vehicle in response to an instruction from the user, and a work identification process that identifies the work to be performed on the vehicle of the vehicle information based on the vehicle information acquired in the vehicle information acquisition process. The device is capable of communicating with an instruction device having a second processor that executes a second creation process to create second work content information using vehicle information about the vehicle acquired as a machine and work specified for the work type of the work for the specified vehicle, and a second storage unit that stores the second work content information created in the second creation process, and the first processor executes a comparison result output process to output a comparison result obtained by comparing the first work content information with the second work content information, and an information output process to output information about the first work content information or work based on the second work content information to a work providing device that provides the work, according to the comparison result obtained by the comparison result output process.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a second storage unit that stores information, and a second processor that can communicate with the second storage unit, and the second processor executes a user information acquisition process that acquires user information related to a user of a vehicle, a second vehicle information acquisition process that acquires vehicle information related to the vehicle in response to an instruction from the user, a work type designation process that designates a work type for the vehicle, a type-based standard work output process that outputs standard work for the work type designated in the work type designation process, and a second creation process that creates second work content information using the work identified from the standard work for the work type output in the type-based standard work output process and the vehicle information acquired in the second vehicle information acquisition process, and the second storage unit stores the second work content information created in the second creation process. The system includes a first processor that executes a first creation process to create first work content information for the work using vehicle information about the vehicle acquired in response to an instruction from another worker different from the user and work information for the work to be performed on the vehicle of the identified vehicle information, and a first storage unit that stores the first work content information created in the first creation process, and the second processor executes a comparison result output process to output a comparison result obtained by comparing the first work content information with the second work content information, an information selection process to select the first work content information or the second work content information according to the comparison result by the comparison result output process, and a notification process to notify the other computer of the first work content information or the second work content information selected by the information selection process.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a control device including a first processor that executes a first vehicle information acquisition process for acquiring vehicle information related to a vehicle, a work identification process for identifying work to be performed on the vehicle of the vehicle information based on the vehicle information acquired by the first vehicle information acquisition process, and a first creation process for creating first work content information related to the work using the work information for the work identified by the work identification process, a first storage unit that stores first work content information in association with the vehicle, work content and work result information of the work performed on the vehicle, and work record information including the work content and work result information of the work performed on the vehicle, a user information acquisition process for acquiring user information related to a user, a second vehicle information acquisition process for acquiring vehicle information related to the vehicle in response to an instruction from the user, and an operation for specifying the work type of the work on the vehicle. The device is capable of communicating with an instruction device having a second processor that executes a business type designation process and a second creation process that creates second work content information using the work specified for the work type designated in the work type designation process and the vehicle information acquired in the second vehicle information acquisition process, and a second storage unit that stores the second work content information, and the first storage unit stores the first work content information or the second work content information that is the basis of the work content of the work performed on the vehicle in association with the work record information, and is equipped with a third processor that executes a verification process that verifies whether the work record information related to the work performed on the vehicle is based on the first work content information or the second work content information stored in association with the work record information, and a verification result output process that outputs verification result information verified in the verification process, and a third storage unit that stores the verification result information.

According to the present invention, it is possible to objectively confirm information related to a service to be provided.
Another effect is that the objective credibility of the work content information can be guaranteed.
As another effect, the workload can be reduced by preventing the need to redo work so that the objective credibility of the work content information can be guaranteed.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing detailed configurations of a control device, an instruction device, and a management device that constitute the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration in the case where a control device, an instruction device, and a management device constituting the information processing system in the embodiment of the present invention are each realized by a computer. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a process transition performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a process transition performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a process transition performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a process transition performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a process transition performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on an instruction device constituting the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on an instruction device constituting the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on an instruction device constituting the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on an instruction device constituting the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on an instruction device constituting the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example of a diagnostic machine and a diagnosis result displayed on a display unit of the diagnostic machine; 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of a user information table and a vehicle information table used in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3A to 3C are diagrams showing examples of a vehicle image information table, a work history information table, and a work site list information table used in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of an estimate information table and a unit price information table used in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments, including modified examples, can apply each other's technologies. Furthermore, the following embodiment does not limit the content of the present invention, and modifications can be made to the extent that they do not depart from the scope of the claims.

Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to include a control device 100, an instruction device 200, a management device 300, and an external device 400. Although only one of each of these devices is shown in FIG. 1, this is merely for convenience of explanation, and it is of course possible to configure the system with multiple devices of each type. Note that this information processing system may not only exist independently, but may also be part of another system. In other words, it may be realized as part of a function in another system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing detailed configurations of the control device 100, instruction device 200, and management device 300 that constitute the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The control device 100 is configured with a transmission/reception unit 101, an information processing unit 102, an acquisition unit 103, a memory unit 104, a diagnosis unit 105, a work information identification unit 106, an estimate creation unit 107, an estimate comparison unit 108, a work site judgment unit 109, an authentication information judgment unit 110, a work instruction information creation unit 111, and an output processing unit 112.
The instruction device 200 is composed of a transmission/reception unit 201, an information processing unit 202, a setting registration unit 203, an acquisition unit 204, a memory unit 205, an operation unit 206, a display unit 207, a type designation unit 208, a work output unit 209, an information update unit 210, an estimate creation unit 211, a diagnosis unit 212, a work judgment unit 213, an estimate comparison unit 214, a work site extraction unit 215, and a work site setting unit 216.
The management device 300 is configured to include a transmission/reception unit 301 , a verification unit 302 , an output unit 303 , a comparison processing unit 304 , an output processing unit 305 , a storage unit 306 , an authentication information setting unit 307 , and an information registration unit 308 .

The following explanation will be given using Figures 1 and 2.

<Control device 100>
The control device 100 is configured by a computer (also referred to as a "first computer") having a configuration as shown in FIG. 3, and is a device installed at a provider that provides a specific service, and is also referred to as a "provider device." This control device 100 is also a device associated with a workshop where work related to the specific service is performed, and is often installed at the workshop, and is also referred to as a "workshop device." In other words, the method of expression differs depending on the type of service provided. This control device 100 also transmits and receives various types of information, processes information, and stores it, and is therefore also referred to as an "information processing device" or an "information processing terminal."

There is no limit to the type of specified service, but it can include maintenance services and diagnostic services such as inspection and repair of moving objects such as vehicles and small aircraft, insurance services such as vehicle insurance and personal insurance, facility services that use specific facilities or residences, nursing care services, communications services, data storage services, legal information services, food and beverage services, logistics services, and item storage services, as long as a direct or indirect relationship is established between the service provider and the service recipient (recipient).
In addition to providing the specified service itself, the control device 100 can also provide a specified service based on information received from the connected service providing device 120 through communication with the service providing device 120.

In the following, a predetermined service will be described using a maintenance service for a mobile object as an example. In this case, the mobile object refers to the object for which the service is provided and is also referred to as the "service provision target." An example of a mobile object will be described below using a vehicle as an example.

When a user (also called a user, owner, or possessor) of a vehicle, which is an example of a service recipient, brings the vehicle to a service provider, such as a maintenance workshop, to receive maintenance service, the control device 100 performs a reception process to accept the maintenance service, and the service providing device 120 performs a diagnosis process for the vehicle (diagnosis unit 105). This service providing device 120 is a device that provides various specified services, and is also called a "work providing device" or "work management device" because it provides and manages the work related to these specified services.

In the reception process, in response to an instruction from the service provider (worker), an acquisition process (first user information acquisition process) is performed to identify the user, and an acquisition process (first vehicle information acquisition process) is performed to acquire vehicle information of the vehicle to which the service is to be provided from the memory unit 104 or the management device 300 (acquisition unit 103).

User information is information about a user, and is made up of information organized in a table such as that shown in FIG. 15(a). For example, it is user identification information (user ID) that identifies the user, the user name, and the address. Vehicle information is information about a vehicle, and is made up of information organized in a table such as that shown in FIG. 15(b). This vehicle information is made up of (includes) vehicle identification information that uniquely identifies the vehicle, and vehicle status information that indicates the status of the vehicle. The former vehicle identification information includes vehicle identification information that identifies the vehicle (vehicle ID, chassis ID, chassis number), model, vehicle specifications, equipment, etc. The latter vehicle status information includes model year, mileage, registration year, user ID, vehicle image, maintenance history, whether or not the vehicle has been inspected, and information obtained from various sensors (for example, information obtained from an atmospheric pressure sensor, intake pressure sensor, throttle opening sensor, oxygen sensor, air-fuel ratio sensor, etc.).

This user information and vehicle information can be obtained from the management device 300, or based on information provided by the user.

This diagnostic process is also called the "first diagnostic process" or the "service provider diagnostic process", and includes a process of acquiring vehicle information about the vehicle from the vehicle, checking whether the item values for each specified diagnostic item among the items in the vehicle information are normal, and checking the specific values, etc., and a process of checking the condition by the worker performing the work related to the diagnosis. In addition to acquiring vehicle information about the vehicle from the vehicle, the diagnostic process can also be performed by requesting vehicle information registered in advance in DB 320 (described later) from the management device 300, and is performed using at least the vehicle information acquired by any of the vehicle information acquisition processes (diagnosis unit 105).

The control device 100, which receives the diagnosis result (diagnosis result information) of the diagnosis process from the service providing device 120, performs a work identification process to identify work to be performed on the vehicle based on the diagnosis result and the vehicle information (work information identification unit 106). The work identified by this work identification process includes preventive and preliminary work to be performed based on the diagnosis result and the vehicle information.
The work in this case refers to the service content of the maintenance service performed on a vehicle, which is an example of a service provision target, and is to maintain, improve, and normalize the condition of the vehicle so that the benefits (services) provided by the vehicle can be received as usual. In the case of a vehicle, an example of this benefit is moving the vehicle to another location.

When a task is identified by this task identification process, the control device 100 selects task information for that task. This task information is information on the parts, tools, and equipment required to perform the task, the task difficulty, task time, etc., and is used to create information (task content information) that indicates the task content required to perform the above task and is presented to the user.

In this way, the control device 100 performs diagnostic processing, and when the work and work information for that work are specified and selected, it then creates work content information to be presented to the user for performing maintenance service on the vehicle (estimate creation unit 107). This work content information includes work items indicating the specific work to be performed on the vehicle, the labor hours required for the work, the necessary parts and quantities, and the labor cost (work cost) for the work per unit time.
In particular, the control device 100 acquires unit price information such as a basic work fee and basic work man-hours for the work information from the management device 300 and includes them in the work content information. This basic work fee is determined in advance and is a basic fee (labor rate) for the corresponding work, and the basic work man-hours is determined in advance and is a standard work man-hour for performing the corresponding work.

This work content information is generally referred to as estimate information (also simply called an "estimate"), pre-work confirmation, or work agreement, and is information that allows the user to confirm the content and cost of the maintenance service to be performed on the vehicle, and also includes user information and vehicle information. By presenting this estimate to the user before the maintenance service is provided, misunderstandings between the maintenance service provider and the user can be prevented.

The work content information created using the control device 100 is also referred to as "first work content information" and will be referred to below as "work content information A" or "estimate A" for simplicity.

This estimate A is created by the control device 100 that provides the maintenance service, and the user will trust and approve this estimate A to a certain extent. More specifically, the control device 100 simply creates estimate A using the work information for the work specified by the workshop, so estimate A is created depending on the specified work and its work information.

The control device 100 then stores this estimate A in a storage device (not shown) in association with the creation date, user information, and vehicle information. In addition, the control device 100 stores the estimate A associated with the creation date, user information, and vehicle information in the storage unit 104, and transmits it to the management device 300 together with control device identification information that identifies the control device 100 that created it. The management device 300 then saves and stores it in the DB 320 as estimate information.
This estimate A may be transmitted to the instruction device 200 used by the requested user.

In this way, the control device 100 creates estimate A and accepts a work request based on this estimate A. The control device 100 then uses the service providing device 120, etc. to perform vehicle diagnosis processing and processing to check the vehicle condition.

In addition, when the control device 100 creates estimate A and stores it in association with user information, and then receives second work content information (estimate B, estimate C) created in the instruction device 200 from the instruction device 200 of the user of that user information (described below), the control device 100 performs an estimate comparison process (also called a "verification process" or "estimate verification process") that compares estimate A with estimate B or estimate C (estimate comparison unit 108).

Then, a comparison result output process is performed to output the comparison result information (output processing unit 112). In this output process, the comparison result information can be output to the display device (display unit) of the control device 100, and can also be output (transmitted) to an external device including the management device 300. Note that the details of this comparison process and specific examples are the same as the process performed in the instruction device 200, which will be described later.

The control device 100 selects and determines the estimate information for the work to be performed based on the comparison result information in this comparison process. It then performs a process of outputting information related to the work content, work procedures, and work by the worker, etc., based on this selected estimate information, to a service providing device 120 (also referred to as the "work providing device") that provides the work. Then, this service providing device 120 performs vehicle diagnosis processing, processing to check the vehicle condition, etc., as a service (work).

In this selection process, either estimate A (first work content information) prepared by the control device 100 or estimate B or estimate C (second work content information) prepared by the instruction device 200 is selected.
As the comparison result information, when the validity of estimate A (first work content information) is objectively recognized, such as when the content of estimate A (first work content information) is included in or is identical to estimate B or estimate C (second work content information), the control device 100 selects either the first work content information or the second work content information. This is because, since the validity is objectively recognized, an appropriate service (work) can be provided to the user regardless of whether the first work content information or the second work content information is selected.

On the other hand, if the validity of estimate A (first work content information) cannot be objectively recognized, such as when the comparison result information shows that the content of estimate A (first work content information) is not included in estimate B or estimate C (second work content information) or when they are clearly different beyond the same range, the control device 100 selects the second work content information. This is because the validity of the first work content information has not been objectively recognized, and the second work content information is selected, resulting in providing the user with an appropriate service (work).
In addition, when the second work content information is selected, the control device 100 may perform an implementation confirmation process described later, and provide the service only if the implementation is confirmed by this implementation confirmation process. If the implementation cannot be confirmed, the first work content information or the second work content information is recreated to make the validity of the information objectively recognized.

The control device 100 can also receive a request for provision of maintenance service for a vehicle for which estimate A has not been created from the instruction device 200. Of course, it is also possible to receive a request for provision of service for a vehicle for which estimate A has been created by the control device 100 from the instruction device 200. In this case, first, a workshop determination process is performed to determine whether the destination (request destination) set in the second work content information (estimate B or estimate C) (details will be described later) received as the provision request is the own workshop.
In addition to this work site judgment process, it is also possible to perform an authentication confirmation process to confirm whether the second work content information has been authenticated, specifically, whether authentication information has been assigned (set) to the second work content information.

In this work site determination process, the control device 100 sends an error to the sender if the destination is not the same work site, but if the destination is the same work site, it performs an implementation confirmation process (information processing unit 102) to confirm whether the work content of the received second work content information (Estimate B or Estimate C) can be implemented.
In addition, an authentication confirmation process may be performed to check whether the second work content information is authenticated, and if it is not authenticated, an error may be sent to the sender, and if it is authenticated, the above-mentioned implementation confirmation process may be performed.
This implementation confirmation process verifies that the situation is not one in which it is impossible to respond due to a temporary equipment failure, a shortage of workers, or the like.

Based on the results of this implementation confirmation process, if implementation can be confirmed, the control device 100 performs a work instruction information creation process (work instruction information creation unit 111) to create work instruction information related to the work based on the second work content information (estimate B or estimate C) in order to carry out the work content of the second work content information.
This work instruction information is a document (document data) that is given to a worker who performs work, and is different for each work site. For example, it is a document (document data) that instructs information related to the work, such as the worker, the work equipment, the work date and time, and the work order.
The workshop information extracted by such a workshop extraction process and the workshop information with the priority set are stored in the storage unit.

In the above authentication confirmation process, the control device 100 requests the management device 300 whether the authentication information is correct, and the management device 300 performs a process to confirm the authentication information. Details of this confirmation process are shown in S2314 to S2316 of FIG. 23 (authentication information determination unit 110). In this authentication confirmation process, it is confirmed whether the second work content information has been fraudulently created or tampered with, and if the authentication information can be confirmed, it is proven that the second work content information was created legitimately in the instruction device described below. Of course, if the authentication information cannot be confirmed, it means that the second work content information was not created in the instruction device 200, or that the second work content information is fraudulent and may have been tampered with.

In addition, the management device 300 may inquire of the external device 400, which is an authentication authority, as to whether the authentication information is correct, and if the external device 400 responds to this inquiry by replying that the authentication information is correct, the management device 300 may authenticate and confirm the second work content information to which the authentication information has been assigned (set) (information processing unit 102).
In addition to the above, the control device 100 may check whether authentication information is set in the first work content information created in the workshop where the control device 100 is installed, and may accept a request for maintenance service for the first work content information in which authentication information is set (authentication information determination unit 110).

That is, when the control device 100 transmits the first work content information to the instruction device 200, it judges whether or not the request is based on the first work content information by using the authentication information. In this case, the control device 100 makes a confirmation request to the management device 300 as to whether or not the authentication information set in the first work content information is correct, and makes a judgment based on the response.
If the response is that the authentication information is correct, the control device 100 accepts a request for maintenance service and performs a work instruction information creation process to create work instruction information based on the first work content information in which the authentication information is set.

When work is performed based on the work instructions created by the work instruction information creation process described above, the control device 100 stores the history information of the performed work in the storage unit 104 and also in the management device 300. An example of this work history information is shown in the work history information table in FIG. 16(d).

When the work is completed, the control device 100 creates work record information as part of the work history information and stores it in association with the estimate (the estimate on which the work content of the work performed on the vehicle was based (first work content information or second work content information)). This work record information is also called a "work record book" and records the actual work itself, such as whether the work specified in the estimate (inspection, repair, etc.) was actually performed, what kind of work was performed, who performed it, and when it was performed. This work record book is included in the work history information, and in a broad sense, although the format may differ, the content is included. This work record book is provided to the user of the vehicle when the work is completed, or is output (transmitted) to the instruction device 200 used by the user (output processing unit 112).

This allows each user and each work site to have their own work log. This document makes it possible to keep track of the specific work that was done.

Furthermore, upon completion of the work, the control device 100 transmits the work record book to the management device 300 and stores it in DB 320 of the management device 300 in association with user information, vehicle information, and estimate information for the work performed. Furthermore, upon request from the instruction device 200 and management device 300, the control device 100 outputs (transmits) the work record book (output processing unit 112). Of course, the control device 100 may also output (transmit) the work record book to the instruction device 200 and management device 300 at any timing.

<Indication Device 200>
The instruction device 200 is configured by a computer (also referred to as a "second computer") having a configuration as shown in Fig. 3, and is a device operated by a user (vehicle user) who uses a vehicle maintenance service, and is also referred to as a user terminal, which is an electronic device owned by the user. This instruction device 200 can also be realized as one function of an electronic device owned by the user, in which case it is realized as an application or software installed in the electronic device. In addition, since this instruction device 200 transmits and receives various information, processes information, and stores it, it is also referred to as an "information processing device" or an "information processing terminal", respectively.

The instruction device 200 is a device that issues instructions, contacts, and communicates to receive a specified service provided by the control device 100, and is capable of switching between any specified service provided by the control device 100, rather than only a single service provided by the control device 100. For example, it is possible to switch between and use a maintenance service and an insurance service.

The instruction device 200 can be connected to an imaging device 220 and a diagnostic device 230. The imaging device 220 is a device that can capture an image of a service provision target as an imaging target and record the captured image, and the diagnostic device 230 is a device that can perform diagnostic processing on the service provision target as a diagnostic target and record the diagnostic result as diagnostic result information. An example is shown in FIG. 14. Of course, the instruction device 200 may be equipped with the functions of the imaging device 220 and the diagnostic device 230.

When the instruction device 200 receives an instruction operation by a user using the operation unit 206, this triggers a user information acquisition process (second user information acquisition process) to acquire user information about the user from the management device 300, and a vehicle information acquisition process (second vehicle information acquisition process) to acquire vehicle information about the vehicle for which maintenance service is to be received (acquisition unit 204).

In addition, a method of acquiring this vehicle information may involve connecting a vehicle information reading device to the vehicle and acquiring the vehicle information from the vehicle information reading device. This vehicle information reading device is a device that connects to an information transmission/reception connector provided in the vehicle or connects to the vehicle wirelessly to read vehicle information. The diagnostic device 230, which will be described later, can also be used as the vehicle information reading device.

The instruction device 200 then performs a process to specify the type of service to be provided in the maintenance service, which is a specified service. This service type is also referred to as the "work type." In other words, a process is performed to specify the type of work to be performed on the vehicle receiving the maintenance service. This process is not only performed based on the type selected by the user, but it is also possible to specify a recommended work type by learning information about the user's past usage (usage history) of the same service (maintenance service) as learning source information (type specification unit 208).

This work type is type information that identifies the specific service to be performed in the maintenance service, and specifically indicates the specific maintenance items such as (1) inspection maintenance, (2) repair maintenance, and (3) specific item inspection (also called "specific maintenance").

In addition, there are (1) types of inspection and maintenance that provide more detail, such as "6-month inspection, 12-month inspection, statutory vehicle inspection (also simply called "vehicle inspection"), pre-trip inspection, pre-long-distance trip inspection, post-trip inspection, and post-long-distance trip inspection," (2) types of repair and maintenance that provide more detail, such as "bodywork repair, paint repair," and (3) types of "disassembly and maintenance, electronic control unit maintenance," which provide more detail on checking specific items.

As an example, when designating a work type, the instruction device 200 can designate "12-month inspection" as the learning result if the vehicle usage (usage history) indicates that approximately 12 months have passed since the last inspection date, and can also designate "body metal repair" as the learning result if the instruction device 200 receives an image of the vehicle and analyzes the image to detect damage.

Next, the instruction device 200 extracts standard work that is identified as work for the specified work type (maintenance in the above example). The instruction device 200 then performs an output process for this standard work (work output unit 209). This extracted standard work is standard work (standard work) that has been specified in advance as work to be performed in the specified work type, and can also be referred to as "standard work identified based on the specified work type."

In other words, when a work type is specified, the standard work to be performed for that work type is identified, and any work that differs from this standard work indicates that it is work that has no direct relationship to the work in the work type (work that differs from standard work).

For example, when "12-month inspection" is specified as a work type, various tasks such as steering check and battery check are extracted as standard (pre-specified) standard tasks to be performed in the maintenance work for this work type "12-month inspection." Information on these standard tasks can be stored in advance in the instruction device 200 in association with the work type, or information previously stored in the management device 300 in association with the work type can be acquired and stored.

In addition, output processing of standard work includes communication output to an external device and display output on the display unit 207 of the instruction device 200.

When information about the standard work is output in this manner, the instruction device 200 creates work content information for performing maintenance services on the vehicle based on (using) the work specified by the standard work for this output work type and the acquired vehicle information (estimate creation unit 211). In other words, a work content information creation process is performed to create work content information for performing the work specified by the standard work on the vehicle indicated in the vehicle information.

This vehicle information includes vehicle status information that indicates the vehicle's status, as described above.

In the work content information creation process, the work related to the maintenance service performed using the vehicle condition information of another vehicle may be identified based on the vehicle condition information (vehicle information) to create the work content information. In other words, the vehicle condition information of another vehicle may be learned as learning source information to create the work content of the maintenance service to be performed on the vehicle to be provided with the service.

Furthermore, in this work content information creation process, one or more diagnostic results stored in the storage unit 205 (described later) are learned as learning source information, and work content information appropriate for the vehicle in the vehicle information and the user in the user information is created (estimate creation unit 211). This makes it possible to create optimal work content information according to the work performed on the related vehicle and the work performed by that user in the past.

In addition, this work content information creation process involves a process to identify the vehicle information of the vehicle that performed the work specified by the standard work for the work type, and it is also possible to create work content information using the vehicle work history information performed on the vehicle with the identified vehicle information.

The work history information at this time is managed in DB320 connected to the management device 300 in association with the vehicle, and the instruction device 200 obtains this work history information from the management device 300 and creates the work history information.

This work content information includes the work items that indicate the specific work to be performed on the vehicle, the labor hours required for the work, the necessary parts and quantities, and the labor cost (work cost) for the work per unit time.

In particular, the instruction device 200 acquires unit price information such as the basic work fee and basic work hours for the work information from the management device 300 and includes the work hours and work wages in the work content information. This basic work fee is determined in advance and is the basic fee (labor rate) for the corresponding work, and the basic work hours is determined in advance and is the standard work time required to perform the corresponding work.

This work content information is generally referred to as estimate information (or simply "estimate") or pre-work confirmation, and is information that allows the user to confirm the content and cost of the maintenance service to be performed on the vehicle, and also includes user information and vehicle information. The work content information created using this instruction device 200 is also referred to as "second work content information", and hereinafter will be referred to as "work content information B" or "estimate B" for simplicity.

This estimate B was created by the indicator device 200 based on the standard work identified based on the specified work type and the vehicle information.

This estimate B is created based on at least the standard work identified based on the specified work type and vehicle information, and is therefore based on objective information (information that is factual). It is also possible to create estimate B by learning from work history information based on vehicle condition information (vehicle information) of other vehicles that have performed the identified standard work, as learning source information.

Estimate B created using this historical information is an estimate that is objectively more reliable (trustworthy). In addition, when creating estimate B, images of the vehicle are analyzed to detect the presence or absence of damage and the state (level) of the damage, and based on this detection, the details of the work to repair the damage can also be included, resulting in an even more reliable (trustworthy) estimate.

The instruction device 200 then associates this estimate B with the creation date, user information, and vehicle information and stores it in the storage unit 205. In addition, the instruction device 200 outputs (transmits) (transmitting/receiving unit 201) the estimate B associated with the creation date, user information, and vehicle information to the management device 300 together with instruction device identification information that identifies the instruction device 200 that created it, and the management device 300 stores and memorizes it in the DB 320 as estimate information.

The instruction device 200 also stores the estimate A received from the control device 100 in the storage device. Of course, it is also possible to store estimate A in association with estimates B and C created under the same or similar conditions.

When a standard task is extracted, this instruction device 200 can not only create work content information based on the standard task itself, but can also create work content information by adding a specified additional task to the standard task or by replacing it with another task.

Based on this standard work, it is possible to add or replace work desired by the user, making it possible to create work content information related to the maintenance service desired by the user. A specific example of this is the selection of any plan (also called a "group") shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(c), etc.

This plan is a list of tasks to be performed for each specified type, allowing the user to specify the desired tasks all at once rather than one by one. This plan is recommended using historical information on services previously provided to the user and services provided to the same or similar type of vehicle as the vehicle for which the service is being provided. Of course, it is possible to select plans other than the recommended plan.

The instruction device 200 also performs an estimate comparison process (also called a "verification process" or "estimate verification process") to compare estimate B with estimate A created in the control device 100 (estimate comparison unit 214). Then, a comparison result output process is performed to output the comparison result information. In this output process, the comparison result information can be output to the display device (display unit) of the instruction device 200, and can also be output (transmitted) to external devices including the control device 100 and management device 300.

This comparison process verifies whether or not the first work content information (estimate A) is based on the second work content information (estimate B or estimate C) that corresponds to the first work content information by comparing each item of the estimate with the items that are associated with it in advance. Alternatively, it can be expressed as a verification process that verifies whether or not the first work content information is included in the second work content information, or further, it can be expressed as a verification process that verifies whether or not the first work content information is appropriate based on the second work content information.

More specifically, by comparing the values of items and settings, if the value of an item (work result information) included in estimate A corresponds to the value of an item (quantity, etc.) included in estimate B or estimate C (is the same or within a certain margin of error), the verification result is that estimate A is based on estimate B or estimate C stored in association with estimate A. On the other hand, if the value of an item included in estimate A does not correspond to the value of an item (quantity, etc.) included in estimate B or estimate C (is the same or within a certain margin of error), the verification result is that estimate A is not based on estimate B or estimate C stored in association with estimate A.

More specifically, the instruction device 200 acquires from the management device 300 suitability judgment information used to judge whether the work was performed appropriately (suitability judgment) by comparing the items, and verifies whether the results of the comparison between the items match the suitability judgment information. That is, a process is performed to verify whether estimate A and estimate B or estimate C stored in association with estimate A match the suitability judgment information.

If the comparison result matches the appropriateness judgment information, the verification result is that Estimate A is an appropriate estimate. On the other hand, if the comparison result does not match the appropriateness judgment information, the verification result is that Estimate A is not an appropriate estimate, but is likely to have problems with unnecessary items, quantities, amounts, etc., and is not an appropriate estimate.

The instruction device 200 performs an information selection process to select and determine the estimate information for the work (either the first work content information or the second work content information) according to the comparison result information in this comparison process. It then performs a notification process to notify the control device 100 of the selected estimate information.

The control device 100 that receives the notification then performs a process of outputting information related to the work content, work procedures, and work by the worker, etc., based on the received estimate information, to a service providing device 120 (also referred to as a "work providing device") that provides the work. Then, this service providing device 120 performs vehicle diagnosis processing, processing to check the vehicle condition, etc., as a service (work).

In the above information selection process, either estimate A (first work content information) prepared by the control device 100 or estimate B or estimate C (second work content information) prepared by the instruction device 200 is selected.
As the comparison result information, when the validity of estimate A (first work content information) is objectively recognized, such as when the content of estimate A (first work content information) is included in or is identical to estimate B or estimate C (second work content information), the instruction device 200 selects either the first work content information or the second work content information. This is because, since the validity is objectively recognized, an appropriate service (work) can be provided to the user regardless of whether the first work content information or the second work content information is selected.
At this time, the control device 100 performs a process of outputting information on the work content, work procedure, and work by the worker based on the selected estimate information to a service providing device 120 (also referred to as an "operation providing device") that provides the work. Then, the service providing device 120 performs a vehicle diagnosis process, a process to check the vehicle condition, and the like as a service (work).

On the other hand, when the comparison result information shows that the validity of estimate A (first work content information) cannot be objectively recognized, such as when the contents of estimate A (first work content information) are not included in estimate B or estimate C (second work content information) or when they are clearly different beyond the same range, the instruction device 200 selects the second work content information. This is because the validity of the first work content information has not been objectively recognized, and the second work content information is selected, thereby providing the user with an appropriate service (work).
In addition, when the second work content information is selected, the control device 100 may perform an implementation confirmation process described later, and provide the service only if the implementation is confirmed by this implementation confirmation process. If the implementation cannot be confirmed, the first work content information or the second work content information is recreated to make the validity of the information objectively recognized.

In the above example, the second work content information is selected when the validity of estimate A cannot be objectively recognized as the comparison result information, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an instruction to recreate the first work content information may be given. At this time, the differences with the second work content information may be sent to the control device 100 to instruct the first work content information to be recreated. This makes it possible for the control device 100 to recreate the first work content information taking into account the differences.

Next, as described above, the instruction device 200 can be connected to a diagnostic device 230 as shown in FIG. 14, which reads vehicle information by connecting to the vehicle and performs diagnostic processing of the vehicle condition information contained in the vehicle information (diagnosis unit 212). This diagnostic processing is also called "second diagnostic processing," "service recipient diagnostic processing," or "service demander diagnostic processing," and is a processing that uses the vehicle condition information as described above as a diagnostic item and determines whether this diagnostic item satisfies a predetermined threshold, determines whether a predetermined operation is performed, and determines whether there is a break in an electric circuit, etc.

This diagnostic process can also diagnose other diagnostic items such as catalyst deterioration, engine misfire, exhaust gas recirculation system failure, and evaporative system failure by making the three judgments described above.

The diagnostic device 230 then outputs the diagnostic results of this diagnostic process to the indicator device 200. The diagnostic results include whether each diagnostic item is normal or whether it cannot be determined that no malfunction has occurred.

Then, the instruction device 200 performs an information update process for updating the contents of the estimate B based on the diagnosis result from the diagnostic device 230 (information update unit 210). In this information update process, the diagnostic result is referenced, and a process is performed to identify the work content to be performed on the vehicle condition information including a diagnosis item for which it cannot be determined that no malfunction has occurred (work determination unit 213).
Then, in the information update process, it is determined whether the work content identified by this identification process is included in estimate B, and if not, that work content is used to update estimate B. More specifically, an information update is performed to add that work content to estimate B, and new, different work content information (hereinafter referred to as "estimate C") is created.

Furthermore, if the work content identified by the identification process is included in estimate B, a new estimate C with the same content as estimate B is created. That is, when the diagnostic process is performed, the instruction device 200 creates estimate C based on estimate B as new work content information that reflects the diagnostic results. As a result, it can be said that the work content information before the contents of the diagnostic process are reflected is estimate B, and the work content information after the contents of the diagnostic process are reflected is estimate C. It is also possible for the instruction device 200 to perform diagnostic processing similar to that performed by the diagnostic machine 230. That is, the instruction device 200 performs diagnostic processing (diagnosis unit 212).

Then, the instruction device 200 uses the diagnosis results to update estimate B and create a new estimate C. In this case, the information update involves updating estimate B using work related to vehicle condition information that cannot be determined to be free of defects based on the diagnosis results from the diagnostic process.

Then, the instruction device 200 associates this diagnosis result with estimate B before the information update and estimate C after the information update, and stores the diagnosis result in the storage unit 205, and also stores it in the management device 300. Of course, estimate B before the information update may be overwritten with estimate C after the information update and saved.

Next, in order to receive maintenance services based on the work content information of estimate B or estimate C, the instruction device 200 performs a work site extraction process (work site extraction unit 215) to extract one or more pieces of work site information related to the work site that will perform the work content of estimate B or estimate C based on the instruction from the user. The work site list information related to the work sites performed by this work site extraction process can be stored in advance in the memory unit 205, for example, or can be obtained from the management device 300.

Then, from this work site list information, information on one or more work sites that will perform the work content included in estimate B or estimate C is extracted. This work site list information is information that allows a work site to be selected based on the work content, user information, and vehicle information, and an example is shown in Figure 16 (e).

This process of extracting work site information is a process in which the second work content information, which is estimate B or estimate C, contains user information and vehicle information in addition to the work content, and one or more pieces of work site information are extracted based on at least one of the work content, user information, and vehicle information.

As shown in the user information table in FIG. 15(a), the user information includes information on the address (area), and as shown in the vehicle information table in FIG. 15(b), the vehicle information includes vehicle identification information that uniquely identifies the vehicle, such as the vehicle ID and model, and vehicle condition information that indicates the vehicle condition, such as the year and mileage, as well as the history of work that has been performed on the vehicle. Therefore, the workshop extraction process learns this information as learning source information and performs a process to extract one or more optimal workshop information.

In more detail, the workshop extraction process extracts workshops based on the work equipment information used for the work content and the number of workers performing the work, for extraction conditions such as the work content included in the work content information; it also extracts workshops near the address (area) of the user information for extraction conditions such as the address (area), and it further extracts workshops based on the work equipment information and workers who can perform work on the vehicle for extraction conditions such as the model and vehicle model ID of the vehicle information. The workshop extraction process extracts one or more pieces of workshop information based on at least one of these extraction conditions.

When a work site is extracted by this work site extraction process, the instruction device 200 performs a priority setting process to set a priority for the extracted work site based on the past work history of the user who uses the maintenance service (the user who requests the work).

This priority setting process sets priorities for work sites according to extraction conditions or combinations of extraction conditions. For example, if the extraction conditions are work content included in the work content information, the highest priority is set according to the highest possible rate of work content that can be performed. Also, if the extraction conditions are the address (area) of the user information, the highest priority is set according to the proximity to that address (area). Furthermore, if the extraction conditions are the model or model ID of a vehicle, the highest priority is set according to the highest possible rate of work that can be performed on vehicles of that model or model ID.

In addition, when these extraction conditions are combined, an AND operation is performed to set the priority.

The instruction device 200 designates a workshop that is permitted to perform work on a vehicle as part of a maintenance service, based on the work list information in which a priority has been set. For example, in addition to designating the workshop with the highest priority set, the instruction device 200 also designates a workshop by accepting an operation by the user.

Then, the setting and registration unit 203 performs a process of setting the work site identification information that can identify the designated work site in the estimate (second work content information) for requesting the work to the work site. In other words, the estimate (second work content information) and the designated work site are associated with each other, and the second work content information is stored.
Of course, it is possible to set a plurality of pieces of work site identification information. This work site identification information is made up of information specified in a work site location information table as shown in Fig. 16(c) and is information that can uniquely identify a work site.

The workshop information extracted by this workshop extraction process and the workshop information with a priority set are stored in the memory unit 205. The instruction device 200 also stores the estimate B or the updated estimate C stored in the memory unit 205 or the management device 300 in association with the creation date, user information, and vehicle information, in association with the work type and standard work used to create the estimate, as well as the workshop information. In other words, it is possible to identify the vehicle that performed work related to the standard work, and to identify and learn the work history information (work history information) for the vehicle.

Then, at a predetermined timing, the instruction device 200 transmits the second work content information (Estimate B or Estimate C) to the management device 300 and requests authentication. In response to this authentication request, the instruction device 200 receives (sets) authentication information from the management device 300 and stores it in the memory unit 205.

Next, when the instruction device 200 receives a user's operation to specify a workshop via the operation unit 206 or the like, or when a single workshop is extracted, it transmits second workshop information (Estimate B or Estimate C) to the control device 100 for that workshop as a request for maintenance services (information processing unit 202). In response to this, the control device 100 performs the workshop determination process described above and the creation process of work instruction information based on the work content, and the work related to the maintenance service is carried out.

This allows the instruction device 200 to specify the most suitable workshop based on the created work content information, without having to specify in advance the workshop (maintenance factory, etc.) where the maintenance service will be received. Note that in the above example, workshops are extracted using a workshop extraction process, and the maintenance service can be received at any of these workshops, but the present invention is not limited to this. The created work content information may be made publicly available (on a public web site), and one or more workshops wishing to provide maintenance services for the published work content information may make a request to provide maintenance services, allowing the workshop to be specified by lottery or auction.

The detailed flow of this process is shown in the flowchart in Figure 26.

Furthermore, when the instruction device 200 inputs or acquires work record information regarding the work performed through the user's operation, it breaks down the work record information into items and analyzes the values set for each item (information processing unit 202).
Moreover, the instruction device 200 acquires the estimates (first work content information, second work content information) stored in association with the work logbook stored in the control device 100 (acquisition unit 204).

The instruction device 200 verifies whether the work record book is based on the estimate (first work content information, second work content information) stored in association with the work record book by comparing each item of the estimate with the items of the work record information that are associated with it in advance (estimate comparison unit 214).

More specifically, by comparing the values of items and setting values, if the value of an item in the work record book (work result information) corresponds to the value of an item in the estimate (quantity, etc.), it is verified that the work record book is based on the estimate (first work content information, second work content information) stored in association with the work record book. On the other hand, if the value of an item in the work record book does not correspond to the value of an item in the estimate (quantity, etc.), it is verified that the work record book is not based on the estimate (first work content information, second work content information) stored in association with the work record book.

Specifically, the instruction device 200 acquires from the management device 300 suitability judgment information used to judge whether the work was performed appropriately (suitability judgment) by comparing the items, and verifies whether the results of the comparison between the items match the suitability judgment information. That is, a process is performed to verify whether the work record book and the estimate (first work content information or second work content information) stored in association with the work record book match the suitability judgment information.

In the former case, it indicates that work was done based on estimates, and it was confirmed after the fact that the work was appropriate. On the other hand, in the latter case, it indicates that it was highly likely that work was not done based on estimates, and it was confirmed after the fact that unintended or fraudulent work was done.

Then, the instruction device 200 performs an output process of the verification result. This output process includes displaying the result on the instruction device 200 and transmitting the result to the management device 300. In this output process, when the comparison between the items matches the appropriateness judgment information, information is output indicating that work based on the estimate has been performed, and when the comparison between the items does not match the appropriateness judgment information, information is output indicating that work based on the estimate has not been performed.

From the above, the second work content information (Estimate B or Estimate C) created in the instruction device 200 is used to determine whether the first work content information created in the control device 100 is valid or invalid (including invalid), and is also used as information indicating the work content to be requested from the workshop to receive maintenance service.

<Management Device 300>
The management device 300 is configured by a computer (also shown as a "third computer") having a configuration as shown in FIG. 3, and is connectable to a control device 100 provided at a provider that provides a specific service, and an instruction device 200 that issues instructions, contacts, and communicates to receive the specific service, and is a device that manages information required by the control device 100 and the instruction device 200 and provides the information. As an example, the management device 300 is realized by a server or a cloud device. This management device 300 transmits and receives various types of information, processes the information, and stores it, and therefore is also called an "information processing device" or an "information processing terminal."

This management device 300 is connected to DB320, which stores and manages various information. This DB320 stores user information, vehicle information, work history information for work related to various services, estimate item information indicating items constituting work content information, unit price information including basic work fee, basic work man-hours, and appropriateness judgment information, workshop information indicating the provider of the maintenance service, work content information (estimate information) created by the control device 100 or the instruction device 200, format information of work instruction information created at each workshop based on the work content information, created work instruction information, work record information (work maintenance book) indicating a record of work performed at the workshop based on the work instruction information, verification result information indicating the result of verifying whether work based on the work content information was performed based on the work content information and the work record information, standard work information specifying standard work specified for the work type, appropriateness judgment information determining that each work is appropriate, etc.

The management device 300 receives work content information (first work content information) from the control device 100. The management device 300 also receives work content information (second work content information) from the instruction device 200. This work content information includes user information and vehicle information in addition to the work content, and the work content information to be compared is identified based on this user information and vehicle information.

For example, if the user ID of the user information and the vehicle ID of the vehicle information included in the first work content information are equal to the user ID of the user information and the vehicle ID of the vehicle information included in the second work content information, and the creation dates of the first work content information and the second work content information are within a certain period of time, they are identified as objects of comparison.

In addition, the configuration may be such that the first work content information and the second work content information are received from the instruction device 200. That is, the control device 100 transmits the first work content information created in the control device 100 to the instruction device 200, and the instruction device 200, which receives the information, transmits the first work content information and the second work content information created by the instruction device 200 to the management device 300.

Then, the management device 300 performs a comparison process to compare the first work content information with the second work content information. As a comparison result of this comparison process, it is verified whether the first work content information is included in the second work content information, and if it is included, the verification result is that the first work content information (estimate A) is a proper estimate, whereas if it is not included, the verification result is that the first work content information (estimate A) is not a proper estimate and there is a high possibility that there are problems with unnecessary items, quantities, amounts, etc.

Furthermore, this verification process also verifies whether the work record book (work record information), which records the work content of the work performed at the work site, matches the appropriateness judgment information (whether it is included in the appropriateness judgment information). The detailed process will be described later.

Then, an output process of the verification result (comparison result) from this comparison process is performed. This management device 300 outputs (transmits) information indicating the comparison result (comparison result information) to the control device 100 and the instruction device 200, and also outputs (transmits) it only to the instruction device 200 that received the first work content information and the second work content information.

In this comparison process, the work content items constituting the first work content information and the second work content information, respectively, and the unit price information for each work content item (basic work fee, basic work man-hours, etc.) are extracted, and these items, unit price information, total amounts for each item, and total amounts of work content information are compared. Details of this comparison process are shown in Figure 24 and will be described later.

This comparison process determines whether the first work content information is included in the second work content information, and if it is determined that the first work content information is included, a comparison result that the first work content information is valid is output. If it is determined that the first work content information is not included, a comparison result that the first work content information is invalid or not valid is output. In other words, the first work content information is verified, authenticated, and evaluated based on the second work content information.
In this judgment process, it is further determined whether the items constituting the first work content information are within a certain range based on the values of each item constituting the second work content information, or whether they are within the range of acceptable values.

Then, the management device 300 performs a process of recording the first work content information and the second work content information in association with each other. The comparison results may also be stored in association with these.

In addition, the management device 300 creates a hash value of the first work content information for which a comparison result deemed valid has been output, and sets the authentication information consisting of the hash value. In addition, it is also possible to obtain time information when the hash value is created, and create a timestamp including the hash value and the time information, and set this as the authentication information. Note that the hash value is a fixed value determined according to the second work content information, and the fixed value is changed when the second work content information is changed.

In this way, by comparing the first work content information created by the control device 100 with the second work content information created by the instruction device 200 based on different information, it becomes possible to confirm the validity and reliability of the information on the first work content. In other words, it becomes possible to objectively evaluate estimate A created using work information for the work specified by the work site, and it becomes possible to support the user in deciding whether or not to proceed.

Furthermore, when the management device 300 receives an authentication request including second work content information (Estimate B or Estimate C) from the instruction device 200, it creates a hash value of the received second work content information and sets this hash value and the requesting instruction device 200 as authentication information that specifies the information. This sets authentication information indicating that the information was created by the instruction device 200 that made the request. In addition, it is also possible to obtain time information when the hash value was created, and create a timestamp including the hash value and the time information, and set this as authentication information.
Alternatively, the management device 300 may request authentication from the external device 400, which is an authentication authority, and the external device 400 may set the authentication information as described above and return the information.

Then, the management device 300 transmits the second work content information in which the authentication information is set to the instruction device 200 that has requested the authentication. The management device 300 also stores the second work content information in which the authentication information is set in a storage device in association with the instruction device 200 that has requested the authentication.

In the example shown above, the control device 100 receives instructions from a worker other than the user, and the control device 100 acquires vehicle information about the vehicle and performs a process of identifying work information for work to be performed on the vehicle in the vehicle information, thereby creating the first work content information, but this is not limited to this, and these processes (the same processes as those performed by the control device 100) may also be performed by the management device 300.

Specifically, when a worker inputs vehicle identification information (vehicle ID, chassis number, etc.) and work information using the control device 100 or an information input terminal and this information is acquired by the management device 300, the management device 300 acquires the vehicle information stored in the storage unit (DB 320) for this vehicle identification information. The management device 300 then identifies the input work information and performs a process of using this work information to create first work content information for the work. The first work content information is then stored in the storage unit in association with user information or vehicle information.

In addition, in the example shown above, the instruction device 200 receives instructions from the vehicle user, acquires vehicle information regarding the vehicle, and performs a process of specifying work that is specified for the work type of work on the vehicle, thereby creating second work content information, but this is not limited to this, and these processes (the same processes as those performed by the instruction device 200) may be performed in the management device 300.
Specifically, when a vehicle user inputs user information about the user, vehicle identification information (same as above), and a type of work to be performed on the vehicle using the instruction device 200 or an information input terminal, a process is performed to create second work content information using the work specified by the type of work and the vehicle information. Then, this second work content information is stored in the storage unit in association with the user information or the vehicle information.

As described above, when the first work content information and the second work content information are stored in the storage unit in association with the user information or the vehicle information, the management device 300 performs the comparison process as described above. That is, in the comparison process, a process is performed to compare the first work content information related to the work created using the vehicle information related to the vehicle obtained in response to an instruction from a worker other than the user and the work information for the work to be performed on the vehicle of the specified vehicle information, with the second work content information created using the vehicle information related to the vehicle obtained in response to an instruction from the user and the work specified for the work type of the work on the specified vehicle.

When the comparison process is performed in this manner, the management device 300 performs the process after the comparison process as described above (see Figs. 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27). At this time, the management device 300 performs a difference extraction process, and when authentication information including a hash value based on the estimate information is set in the difference information and the estimate information of the first work content information and the second work content information, the management device 300 transmits the difference information to the control device 100, the instruction device 200, and other information input terminals.
This difference extraction process involves extracting items and values that differ between the first work content information and the second work content information as differences (difference information), and also extracting them as difference information if the value for that item does not fall within a predetermined acceptable range, but not extracting them as difference information if the value falls within the acceptable range (within the acceptable range).

This allows the difference information to be confirmed on the control device 100, the instruction device 200, and other information input terminals, and when the difference information is approved, acknowledged, or agreed to, the intention is expressed by operating the consent button displayed on the screen displaying the difference information. When the consent button is operated by a worker, user, etc. operating the control device 100, the instruction device 200, or other information input terminal, a consent notification is sent to the management device 300.

Then, when the management device 300 receives notification from the control device 100, the instruction device 200, or an information input terminal that the worker and the user have each expressed their intention to agree to the differences, it performs work instruction processing to instruct the control device 100 to perform work based on the first work content information that contains the difference information. This is done by instructing the user who requests the work and the worker in charge of the work to agree on the differences in the estimate information and then performing the work based on the first work content information included in the agreement.

This enables the control device 100 to perform work based on the first work content information created at the work site. At this time, when work based on the first work content information is performed, the control device 100 records the work history information for that work and transmits the work history information to the management device 300. This causes the management device 300 to perform a work history recording process in which the received work history information is recorded in association with the first work content information.

In the above example, the difference information is confirmed on the control device 100, the instruction device 200, and/or an information input terminal, and the work is performed by receiving a notification that the worker and user have each expressed their intention to agree to the differences, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be processed in the following manner.

As another process, when difference information is extracted by the difference extraction process, the difference information is first sent to the control device 100 or the information input terminal, and the control device 100 or the information input terminal that receives this accepts input of the reason for the difference in the difference information by the worker, and sends this input reason for the difference to the management device 300.
Then, when the management device 300 receives the reason for the difference, it transmits the reason information together with the difference information to the corresponding user (the instruction device 200). The instruction device 200 or the information input terminal that receives this accepts the user's expression of intent such as confirmation, approval, acknowledgement, or agreement of the difference information and the reason for the difference by the user operating a button on a screen that displays the difference information and the reason for the difference, or the like.

The management device 300 may obtain standard information for each item of the estimate information in the difference information, and may add this standard information and transmit it to the instruction device 200 or the information input terminal. This standard information is a value or amount that is a predetermined standard for each item of the estimate information, and is stored in advance in the DB 320 or obtained from an external device.
For example, when an oil change item is extracted as the difference information, the management device 300 performs a process to determine whether or not the amount of oil to be changed exceeds the allowable range based on the vehicle information. At this time, the management device 300 determines that there is a difference if the oil amount specified exceeds the allowable range, and does not determine that there is a difference if it is within the allowable range. As a result, when difference information is extracted, the management device 300 obtains standard information on the oil amount that serves as a reference for the vehicle information together with the difference information, and transmits the information to the user (the instruction device 200).

When the instruction device 200 or the information input terminal receives the difference information and the reason for the difference from the user by operating a button on the screen that displays the difference information, the instruction device 200 or the information input terminal notifies the management device 300 that an expression of intent to confirm, approve, acknowledge, or agree has been received from the user. At this time, the management device 300 confirms that the worker and the user have agreed on the differences in the estimate information, and instructs the control device 100 to perform work based on the first work content information that contains the difference information. Such processing may be performed.

Once the worker and the user have reached an agreement on the difference information through the above processing, a hash value is calculated for at least one of the following information: (1) information sent by the management device 300 to the control device 100, (2) information received by the management device 300 from the control device 100, (3) information sent by the management device 300 to the instruction device 200, (4) information received by the management device 300 from the instruction device 200, and (5) time series information indicating the order in which this information was provided (transmitted and received).
That is, at least one hash value is calculated for information transmitted and received between the worker (control device 100) and the user (instruction device 200) via the management device 300. Of course, it is desirable to calculate hash values for all of this information in order to ensure credibility, but it is desirable to calculate a hash value for at least "(5) time-series information." Note that information transmitted from the user to the worker is referred to as "first provided information," and information transmitted from the worker to the user is referred to as "second provided information."

Then, the management device 300 performs an authentication information setting process to set authentication information (timestamp) including the hash value to each piece of information, thereby storing the agreement between the worker and the user regarding the difference information as agreement history information in association with the first work content information and the second work content information from which the difference information was extracted.
As a result, even if any differences arise between the worker and the user regarding the difference information at a later date, both parties can confirm the agreement process using the agreement history information, which can prove that the information has not been tampered with based on the time information in the authentication information.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration in which the control device 100, instruction device 200, and management device 300 are each realized by a computer. Of course, the functions of each device can also be realized by multiple devices. That is, the control device 100 is referred to as the first computer 100, the instruction device 200 is referred to as the second computer 200, and the management device 300 is referred to as the third computer 300.

In addition, the control device 100, instruction device 200, and management device 300 each transmit and receive various types of information, process the information, and store it, so each can also be expressed as an "information processing device" or an "information processing terminal." For this reason, the first computer 100, the second computer 200, and the third computer 300 can also each be expressed as an "information processing device" or an "information processing terminal."

As shown in FIG. 3, the first computer 100, the second computer 200, and the third computer 300 each include a processor 901, a storage device 902, an I/F 903, and a display device 904.

The processor 901 controls processing in a computer (first computer 100, second computer 200, third computer 300) by executing a program stored in the storage device 902. For example, each functional unit and processing unit provided in the control device 100, instruction device 200, and management device 300 is realized by the processor 901 executing a program stored in the storage device 902. The program is executed by the computer (first computer 100, second computer 200, third computer 300).
In particular, the processor 901 provided in the first computer 100 may be referred to as the "first processor," the processor 901 provided in the second computer 200 may be referred to as the "second processor," and the processor 901 provided in the third computer 300 may be referred to as the "third processor."

The storage device 902 temporarily stores the source code of the program executed by the processor 901 and data required when executing the program, and is a volatile or non-volatile storage medium such as a RAM, ROM, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a flash memory.
This storage device 902 also serves as a database for storing various programs, setting information, tables, and the like for implementing the operating system (OS) and the above-mentioned configurations.

The processor 901 realizes various functions by reading and executing these programs, setting information, table information, etc. In particular, the storage device 902 provided in the first computer 100 may be referred to as the "first storage device (storage unit)", the storage device 902 provided in the second computer 200 may be referred to as the "second storage device (storage unit)", and the storage device 902 provided in the third computer 300 may be referred to as the "third storage device (storage unit)".

I/F 903 is an input/output interface (also called a "communication unit") for receiving input from the user via a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, various sensors, wearable devices, etc., and is an interface for inputting and outputting data from devices external to the computer, and is a communications interface for communicating data between computers or with devices external to the computer via a communications network, either wired or wirelessly.

The display device 904 is a device that displays various types of information. Specific examples include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (ElectroCtro-LuminCe) display, etc., and may be a wearable device. It may also be a touch panel or touch operation input device that combines an input/output interface with the display device 904.

Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are sequence diagrams showing process transitions performed in the information processing system in the embodiment of the present invention, and show process sequences performed by the control device 100, instruction device 200 and management device 300 that constitute the information processing system. Also, Figures 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the instruction device that constitutes the information processing system in the embodiment of the present invention.
The following description will be given with reference to FIGS.

The sequence diagram shown in FIG. 4 shows a process transition in which a user specifies a workshop where a specific service is to be used, and includes processing performed in the control device 100 corresponding to the workshop, and processing in which the result of the processing performed in the control device 100 is confirmed in the instruction device 200 used by the user, and work is performed at the workshop where the control device 100 is installed based on the processing performed in the control device 100.

At the control device 100 associated with the work site where the work will be performed, login processing is performed by user operation (S401). When this login processing is performed, in conjunction with the login processing at the management device 300 (S402) through communication with the management device 300, the management device 300 identifies and transmits user information and vehicle information (S403, S404), which are received and identified by the control device 100 (S405). At the control device 100, vehicle diagnosis processing and processing to check the vehicle condition are performed using the service providing device 120, etc. (S406).

At this time, the control device 100 identifies the necessary work based on the vehicle condition information, which is the result of the vehicle diagnosis process and the vehicle condition confirmation process, and the service content desired by the user (specifically, the inspection content and repair content for the maintenance service), and creates and saves the first work content information (estimate A) related to the identified work (S407). Note that the creation process of this estimate A is performed by the control device 100 and the management device 300 working together, with the management device 300 providing information required for creating the estimate A (list information of the work for the vehicle condition information, unit price information for the work, etc.), and the control device 100 and the management device 300 perform a storage process to save the estimate A.
At this point, the created estimate A is provided to the user from the workshop. The method of providing the estimate may be through various social network services, electronic communication media such as e-mail, or through a storage medium, and the method is not limited.

The instruction device 200 operated by the user also performs a login process (S408), receives and identifies the user information and vehicle information from the management device 300 (S409), and specifies the type of service content desired by the user in the service (S410). The instruction device 200 also selects a service plan for the type of service content desired by the user (S411).
Specifically, when a user ID and password are entered on the login screen shown in Fig. 9(a), the user ID and password are transmitted from the instruction device 200 to the management device 300 to authenticate the user. Then, when the "Make Estimate" button is operated on the process selection screen shown in Fig. 9(b), the instruction screen shown in Fig. 9(c) is displayed.

The instruction screen shown in FIG. 9(c) displays the user information of the authenticated user and the vehicle information associated with that user information, and allows the user to select a work type. When "Repair" is selected as the work type and the "OK" button is pressed, a repair content selection screen as shown in FIG. 9(d) is displayed, and when "Inspection" is selected as the work type and the "OK" button is pressed, an inspection type content selection screen as shown in FIG. 9(e) is displayed.

The repair content selection screen shown in FIG. 9(d) allows the user to specify the type of repair to be performed as the repair content, and shows an example in which the "sheet metal" repair type has been selected. When the "Next" button is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 9(d), a screen for selecting a plan for the sheet metal repair type is displayed, as shown in FIG. 10(a).

In addition, on the inspection type selection screen shown in FIG. 9(e), the type of inspection to be performed can be specified as the content of the inspection, and an example is shown in which "vehicle inspection" and "3-yearly" have been selected. When the "Next" button is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 9(e), a screen appears asking to select a plan for the inspection repair type, as shown in FIG. 10(c).

Then, the instruction device 200 uses the user information, vehicle information, and type and plan information to create work content information (estimate B) for the work related to the service the user desires for the vehicle (S412). Note that in the process of creating this estimate B, the instruction device 200 and the management device 300 work together, with the management device 300 providing the information necessary to create estimate B (list information of work for vehicle status information, unit price information for work, etc.), and a storage process is performed in which the instruction device 200 and the management device 300 save estimate B.

More specifically, when the repair details are specified, and one of the multiple plans displayed on the plan selection screen shown in FIG. 10(a) is selected, the selected details are displayed as shown in FIG. 10(b), and the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10(b) also allows the user to register (input) an image of the vehicle for which repair work is to be requested.

In addition, the confirmation screen shown in Figure 10 (b) can also perform a damage diagnosis process that diagnoses the vehicle from registered images, identifies damaged areas on the vehicle, and measures the degree of damage by comparing the identified areas with images of normal conditions.

When the "Create" button shown in FIG. 10(b) is operated, a creation process is performed to create second work content information (Estimate B) based on the user information, vehicle information, work type, work plan for the work type, vehicle image, and simple diagnosis results.

In addition, when the contents of the inspection are specified, and one of the plans is selected from the multiple plans displayed on the plan selection screen shown in FIG. 10(c), the selected contents are displayed as shown in FIG. 10(d), and on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10(d), it is also possible to register (input) an image of the vehicle for which repair work is to be requested.

Furthermore, on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10(d), it is also possible to perform a damage diagnosis process in which the vehicle is diagnosed from the registered image, damage areas on the vehicle are identified, and the degree of damage is measured by comparing the identified areas with an image of a normal state.

Then, when the "Create" button shown in FIG. 10(d) is operated, a creation process is performed to create second work content information (estimate B) based on the user information, vehicle information, work type, work plan for the work type, vehicle image, and simple diagnosis results.

When the second work content information (Estimate B) is created by the above operations, an estimate result screen such as that shown in FIG. 11(a) is displayed. This FIG. 11(a) is the screen that is displayed when the "Create" button is pressed on the inspection work confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10(d). Note that the same screen as FIG. 11(a) is also displayed on the sheet metal work confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10(b), so a description thereof will be omitted.

The quotation result screen shown in Fig. 11(a) displays the quotation details in addition to the user information, vehicle information, selected vehicle type, and selected plan. The screen shown in Fig. 11(a) also displays a two-dimensional code containing these details.

When the "Save Estimate" button is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 11(a), the second work content information (Estimate B) containing the above information is saved.

Then, in the instruction device 200, when a diagnostic process is performed in the instruction device 200 to obtain a diagnostic result, or when a diagnostic result of a diagnostic process performed by an external diagnostic device is obtained (S413), the instruction device 200 and the control device 100 work together to perform a process of identifying a task based on the diagnostic result, and a process of updating estimate B based on the work content of the task and creating estimate C as new work content information. In addition, a process of saving estimate C in the instruction device 200 and the management device 300 is performed (S414).

When estimate C is created, estimate B is updated, so estimate B is overwritten and saved with estimate C. Note that the above diagnostic process is optional, and if diagnostic processing is not performed, estimate B is saved, and if diagnostic processing is performed, estimate C is saved in place of estimate B.

As a result, estimate A created by the control device 100 is stored in the control device 100, estimate B or estimate C created by the instruction device 200 is stored in the instruction device 200, and estimate A created by the control device 100 and instruction device 200, and estimate B or estimate C are stored in the management device 300.

More specifically, when the "Perform diagnostic processing" button is operated on the estimate display screen shown in FIG. 11(a), if a diagnostic machine is connected to the indicating device 200, the results of the diagnostic processing performed by the diagnostic machine are obtained. In addition, if a diagnostic machine is not connected to the indicating device 200, the results of the diagnostic processing performed by the indicating device 200 are obtained.

The results of the diagnostic process are displayed on the diagnostic result display screen in Figure 11 (b).

The diagnosis result display screen shown in Figure 11 (b) displays, as an example of the results of the vehicle diagnostic process, a "poor purge" defect in the "evaporative system diagnosis" and an "NG" defect in the "vehicle speed sensor" diagnosis.

When the "Reflect" button is operated on the diagnosis result display screen shown in Figure 11 (b), the instruction device 200 performs a process to determine whether or not the second work content information (estimate B) created by the above process includes performing work based on these diagnosis results, and if the result of this determination process shows that this work is not included in estimate B, it performs an information update process to include this work in estimate B, and creates and saves a new estimate C for estimate B. Also, if the result of this determination process shows that this work is included in estimate B, it creates and saves a new estimate C with the same content as estimate B.

Regardless of the outcome of the judgment, when the diagnostic process is performed, a new estimate C will be created in place of estimate B.

The estimate display screen shown in FIG. 11(c) is a screen showing the contents of estimate C in the former case (when the work is not included in estimate B). In other words, in addition to the contents of estimate B, estimate C reflecting the work that is the diagnostic result of the diagnostic process is displayed.

When the "Save" button on the estimate display screen shown in FIG. 11(c) is operated, the instruction device 200 associates and saves the user information, vehicle information, work type, work plan, and estimate details.

In this way, when estimate A created by the control device 100 and estimate B or estimate C created by the instruction device 200 are stored, and an instruction to confirm the estimate is given using the instruction device 200, the instruction device 200 reads estimate A from the control device 100 or management device 300 (S415).

When the "Confirm Estimate" button is pressed on the processing selection screen as shown in FIG. 9(b), a screen as shown in FIG. 12(a) is displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 12(a) displays estimate B or estimate C that was created immediately before by the instruction device 200, and allows the user to specify estimate A to be compared.

The methods shown include reading a two-dimensional code containing the details of quote A that is attached to quote A, and uploading the data of quote A.

When estimates A and C (here, estimate C is used as an example) to be compared are specified in the instruction device 200, a comparison process between estimates A and C is performed (S416). Then, the instruction device 200 outputs the comparison result of the comparison process (S417) and stores it (S418).

Specifically, when the "Compare" button is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 12(a), a comparison process is performed and a screen showing the comparison results, as shown in FIG. 12(b), is displayed.

Figure 12 (b) shows information identifying each of the compared estimates, and the results of the comparison, including the percentage of match for each item that makes up the estimate, the percentage of match for the quantities set for each item, the percentage of match for the unit prices set for each item, and the percentage of match for the amounts of each item. In addition, the overall result taking all of these into consideration is displayed as a rank, and a comment explaining the comparison result is also displayed.

Based on this, the user can verify whether estimate A prepared by the workshop is credible and valid in light of objective estimate C, which is based on vehicle information and historical information derived from this vehicle information.

In other words, even if a user has little or no specialized knowledge of a particular service, they can objectively evaluate Estimate A prepared by the workshop and can request the work once they are satisfied. Conversely, even for specialized work, the workshop can prove that the estimate is objectively guaranteed.

When the estimate comparison process is performed in this manner, the instruction device 200 accepts an operation by the user (S419) and issues a request (instruction) to the control device 100 via the management device 300 to carry out work based on estimate A. At this time, the management device 300 associates and stores the request source, the request recipient, and the content of the requested estimate A (S420).

Specifically, when a user operates the "Work Request" button shown on the process selection screen shown in FIG. 9(b), a request destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 13(a) is displayed. On this request destination selection screen, the contents of the requested estimate A are displayed, and only the workshop for which estimate A was created is displayed as the request destination.

The control device 100 checks whether the requested estimate A was created by its own control device 100 (S421), and if it was created by its own control device 100, creates work instruction information to be used for work at the work site based on the requested estimate A (S422), and performs the work based on the work instruction information (S423). In addition, when the work is completed, the control device 100 creates and saves a work record book that records the details of the work.

The sequence diagram shown in FIG. 5 shows a process transition in which a user specifies a workshop where a specific service is to be used, and includes processing performed in the control device 100 corresponding to that workshop, and processing in which the management device 300 confirms the results of the processing performed in the control device 100 based on instructions from the instruction device 200 used by the user, and work is performed at the workshop where the control device 100 is installed based on the results of the processing performed in the control device 100.

The processes shown in S401 to S414 in FIG. 5 are the same as those shown in S401 to S414 in FIG. 4, so the explanation is omitted.

In other words, through these processes, estimate A and either estimate B or estimate C are stored in the management device 300.

In this state, when the user uses the instruction device 200 to perform a process of specifying estimate A and the corresponding estimate B or estimate C, the management device 300 performs a comparison process between estimate A and estimate C (here, estimate C is used as an example) (S502). The management device 300 then outputs the comparison result of the comparison process to the instruction device 200 (S502) and stores it (S503).

At this time, the instruction device 200 performs a process of outputting the comparison result received from the management device 300 (S504). For example, the comparison result is displayed on a display device (display unit) of the instruction device 200.

In the management device 300, if the comparison result of the comparison process indicates that the first work content information (estimate A) is included in the second work content information (estimate B or estimate C), i.e., if the verification result indicates that estimate A is a proper estimate, the created authentication information is set in estimate A (S505), and estimate A with this authentication information set is associated with estimate B or estimate C and saved (S506).

The management device 300 also transmits estimate A with the authentication information set to the instruction device 200, and the instruction device 200 stores this estimate A in association with estimate B or estimate C (S507).

Note that the process of setting authentication information shown in S505 is optional and does not necessarily have to be performed. In this case, the management device 300 only needs to transmit the comparison result to the instruction device 200. As a result, the instruction device 200 that receives the comparison result will store the result for the requested estimate C.

Next, when the instruction device 200 receives a request operation from the user (when the "Request work" button is pressed on the processing selection screen shown in FIG. 9(b)), it transmits estimate A with the authentication information set to the control device 100 corresponding to the work site to be requested to perform the work via the management device 300, thereby making a work request (S508).

At this time, the management device 300 stores information about the request, such as the requester, the request recipient, and the request date, in association with estimate A for which authentication information has been set.

The control device 100 also checks whether the requested estimate A was created by its own control device 100 (S509), and if it was created by its own control device 100, creates work instruction information to be used for work at the work site based on the requested estimate A (S510), and performs the work based on the work instruction information (S511). Furthermore, when the work is completed, the control device 100 creates and saves a work record book that records the details of the work.

The sequence diagram shown in FIG. 6 shows a process transition in which a user specifies a workshop where a specific service is to be used, and includes processing performed in the control device 100 corresponding to that workshop, and processing in which the management device 300 confirms the results of the processing performed in the control device 100 based on instructions from the instruction device 200 used by the user, and work is performed at the workshop where the control device 100 is installed based on the results of the processing performed in the instruction device 200.

The processes shown in S401 to S414 in FIG. 6 are the same as S401 to S414 in FIG. 4, and therefore will be explained here, while the processes shown in S501 to S504 are the same as S501 to S504 in FIG. 5, and therefore will not be explained here. In other words, through these processes, estimate A and estimate B or estimate C are saved in the management device 300, and estimate A and estimate C are compared and saved.

In this state, if estimate A is included in estimate C, the management device 300 sets the created authentication information to estimate C (S601), and stores estimate C with this authentication information set in association with estimate A (S603). Then, the management device 300 transmits this estimate C to the instruction device 200.

As a result, the instruction device 200 stores estimate C with the authentication information set (S602).

Next, when the instruction device 200 receives a request operation from the user (when it receives the operation of the "Work request" button on the processing selection screen shown in FIG. 9(b)), it transmits the estimate C with the authentication information set to the control device 100 corresponding to the work site to be requested to perform the work via the management device 300, thereby making a work request (S604).

At this time, the management device 300 converts the estimate C, in which the authentication information is set, into the format specified by the control device 100 to which the work is requested (S605), and transmits the estimate C to the control device 100 corresponding to the requested work site.

The control device 100 receives a work request and determines the type of estimate for the work request. If it determines that the estimate type is not based on estimate A created in the control device itself, but is a work request based on estimate C, it checks whether authentication information is set for estimate C.

If authentication information is set in estimate C, the control device 100 queries the management device 300 as to whether the authentication information is correct, and makes a judgment (S606) based on the results of the judgment process (S607) performed by the management device 300.

If it is determined that the authentication information is correct, the control device 100 creates work instruction information to be used for work at the work site based on the requested estimate C (S608), and performs the work based on the work instruction information (S609). In addition, when the work is completed, the control device 100 creates and saves a work record book that records the details of the work.

The sequence diagram in Figure 7 shows the process transition to verify whether the work record book (work record information) that records the work content of the work performed at the work site is based on the work content information (estimate) regarding the work performed when recording the work record book.

The processes shown in S402 to S414 (excluding S405, S406, and S407) in FIG. 7 are the same as those shown in S402 to S414 (excluding S405, S406, and S407) in FIG. 4, and therefore will not be described. In other words, as a result of these processes, estimate B or estimate C is saved in the management device 300.

In this state, when the user operates the "Request work" button shown on the processing selection screen shown in FIG. 9(b), the instruction device 200 acquires candidate information of the workshop to which the request is to be made from the management device 300 (S701). From the candidate information, the information of the workshop to which the work based on estimate B or estimate C for the vehicle is to be requested is searched for and displayed based on the user information and vehicle information (S702).

Furthermore, when the instruction device 200 receives an operation by the user and sends a request to the control device 100 corresponding to the workshop that is making the work request, it transmits the estimate C and the information of the workshop to the management device 300 (S703). Furthermore, the instruction device 200 stores the estimate C associated with the workshop information of the workshop (S704).

In the above-mentioned process of searching for information on the workshop to be requested to perform the work (S702), the work history information stored in the management device 300 is learned as learning source information, and information on the workshop that can perform the work included in the estimate is extracted.

The instruction device 200 displays the candidate destinations for the received work request on a screen (Figure 13 (b)), and makes the work request to the destination specified by the user's operation.

At this time, the management device 300 stores the requester, the requestee, and the content of the requested estimate C in association with each other, and identifies the workshop to which the request is made and the content of the estimate C (S705). Then, the management device 300 converts the estimate C into a format appropriate for the identified workshop to which the request is made (S706).

Specifically, when the user operates the "Request work" button shown on the process selection screen in FIG. 9(b), a request destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 13(b) is displayed. On this request destination selection screen, the details of the requested estimate C are displayed, and three candidate workshops as the request destination are also displayed.

The management device 300 performs a request confirmation process with the control device 100 corresponding to the requested work site (S707).

This request confirmation process sends estimate C, converted into the format of the work request destination, to the control device 100, checks whether the work based on estimate C is possible at the workshop corresponding to that control device 100, and responds with the result to the management device 300.

At this time, if the work is possible, the control device 100 creates work instruction information to be used for the work at the work site based on the requested estimate C (S708), and performs the work based on the work instruction information (S709). In addition, when the work is completed, the control device 100 creates and saves a work record book that records the details of the work.

On the other hand, if the work is not possible, the control device 100 responds to that effect to the management device 300, and the management device 300 responds to that effect to the instruction device 200. At this time, the instruction device 200 selects another request destination and makes the work request again.

Instead of the above steps S701 and S702, an auction for quotations may be held, and the request may be made to the successful bidder. The detailed flow of this case is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 26 and will be described later.

The sequence diagram in Figure 8 shows the process transition that takes place after the work-related processes (S423, S511, S609, S709) performed in the control device 100 in each of the sequence diagrams shown in Figures 4 to 7.

When work-related processing is performed in the control device 100, the control device 100 creates work record information for that work and stores this work record information in association with the estimate that was the basis for the work (the first work content information or the second work content information) (S801).

As a result, the control device 100 associates the work record information, which records the content of the work actually performed at the corresponding work site, with the estimate that became the work. In other words, the estimate is instruction information that indicates what work needs to be performed, and the work record information is record information that records what work was actually performed.

Next, the control device 100 transmits the work record information and the estimate to the management device 300, and the management device 300 performs a verification process to verify whether the work record information for the vehicle on which the work was performed is based on the estimate (S803).

Then, the verification result of the verification process is output to at least one of the control device 100 and the instruction device 200 (S804). In response to this, the control device 100 and the instruction device 200 output the verification result (S805, S806).

Furthermore, the detailed processing of the verification process (S803) and output process (S804) performed by the management device 300 is as follows.

When the work record information and estimates are stored in association with each other, the management device 300 verifies whether the work record information matches the appropriateness judgment information based on the work content information. This appropriateness judgment information is information set for each vehicle model, and the value or range that is judged to be appropriate is information set for each item of the work record information.

If the appropriateness judgment information applies, it outputs that work has been performed based on the estimate (first work content information or second work content information), and conversely, if the appropriateness judgment information does not apply, it outputs that work has not been performed based on the estimate (first work content information or second work content information).

For example, this is a process that verifies whether a value within an appropriate range of error (for example, 100 ml plus or minus) from a value specified in an item of work content information (for example, 5,000 ml of oil) from this item (oil amount) has been recorded as work record information. In this case, if the amount of oil changed as work is in the range of 4,900 ml to 5,100 ml, it is judged to be appropriate (outputting that the work was performed based on an estimate), and if it is outside this range, it is not judged to be appropriate (outputting that the work was not performed based on an estimate (first work content information or second work content information)).

Figure 15 shows an example of a user information table and a vehicle information table used in an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 (a) shows a user information table, which is composed of the following items: user ID, user name, address (area), family information, and user rank, and shows that these items are stored in correspondence with each other.

The user ID is information that identifies the user, and the user rank is ranking information that is set according to the number of times the user has used the service, etc. Generally, the more a user uses the service, the higher the rank is set. This ranking information is used to calculate the order of work at the workshop and the costs involved in estimating, and the higher the rank, the more priority the order of work will be set and the greater the discounts that can be received.

Figure 15 (b) shows a vehicle information table. This vehicle information table is composed of the following items: vehicle ID, model, vehicle type ID, year, mileage, manufacturer, registration year, vehicle image ID, user ID, and work history ID, and shows that these items are stored in correspondence with each other.

The vehicle image ID is information that identifies an image file relating to the vehicle identified by the vehicle ID, the user ID is information that identifies the user (owner) of the vehicle identified by the vehicle ID, and the work history ID indicates history information of work performed on the vehicle identified by the vehicle ID.

Figure 16 shows an example of a vehicle image information table, a work history information table, and a work site list information table used in an information processing system in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 16 (c) shows a vehicle image information table. This user information table is composed of the following items: vehicle image ID, name, shooting date and time, photographer, shooting location, and storage location, and shows that these items are stored in correspondence with each other.

The vehicle image ID is information that identifies the image of a file that captures a vehicle, and the corresponding file name is indicated in the name. The storage location indicates the access information (URL) that allows access to the image.

Figure 16 (d) shows a work history information table, which is composed of the following items: work history ID, work content, worker, work date, estimate ID, vehicle ID, work status, next recommended work date, and next recommended work content, and shows that these items are stored in correspondence with each other.

The work history ID is information that identifies the work history, and corresponds to the worker who performed the work identified by this work ID and the work date, and the estimate ID indicates the identification information of the estimate that was the basis for performing the work. The vehicle ID indicates the identification information of the vehicle on which the work is to be performed, and the work status indicates the work status. The next recommended work date is the next date on which it is recommended to perform the work, calculated based on the work date information, and the next recommended work content indicates the content of the work recommended to be performed on the next recommended date.

Figure 16 (e) shows a work site list information table. This work site list table is composed of the following items: work site ID, name, address (area), worker information, work equipment information, and reservation information ID, and shows that these items are stored in correspondence with each other.

The work site ID is information that identifies a work site, and the location of the work site is indicated in the address (area). In addition, the worker who will be working at the work site is indicated in the worker information, and the work equipment (lift-up equipment, tire changing equipment, etc.) installed at the work site is indicated in the work equipment information.

In addition, this workshop ID is associated with the reservation information ID for that workshop, and this reservation information ID is identification information that links reservation information with other reservation systems.

Figure 17 shows an example of an estimate information table and a unit price information table used in an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 (f) shows an estimate information table, which is composed of the following items: estimate ID, creator, creation date, vehicle ID, estimate content, and user desired conditions/specified items, and shows that these items are stored in correspondence with each other.

The estimate ID is information that identifies the estimate, with the vehicle for which the estimate is made being indicated in the vehicle ID, and the specific details of the estimate being indicated in the estimate details. In addition, the desired conditions specified by the user when creating the estimate are indicated in the user desired conditions/specified items.

Figure 17 (g) shows a unit price information table. This unit price information table is composed of the following items: vehicle type ID, work content ID, work content, basic work fee, special work fee, basic work man-hours, related work, and suitability judgment information, and shows that these items are stored in correspondence with each other.

For each vehicle model ID, a work content ID, work content, basic work fee, special work fee, basic work hours, related work, and appropriateness judgment information are associated, and the appropriateness judgment information is used to verify whether the work record book is based on an estimate, based on the unit price information of the basic work fee, special work fee, and basic work hours.

Figures 18 to 26 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing performed in information processing system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 18 shows the estimate creation process performed by the control device 100. In addition to inputting user information and vehicle information for which an estimate is to be created, the control device 100 logs in (S1801), and then acquires user information and vehicle information for the user ID and vehicle ID (including model and chassis number) (S1802).

This identifies the vehicle for which the specified service is to be provided and the user of that vehicle.

Next, the control device 100 acquires vehicle condition information as a diagnosis result of the process of diagnosing the vehicle condition of the vehicle (S1803). This vehicle condition information includes information acquired from a diagnostic device (diagnostic machine) that diagnoses the vehicle in the workshop corresponding to the control device 100, as well as measurement values measured by the worker performing the work.

The control device 100 identifies the work required for the vehicle based on at least one piece of information such as the vehicle condition information, the work history for the vehicle, and the user's request (request items) (S1804), and creates a first work content information (estimate A) for the work using the work information indicating the work content for the identified work (S1805).

At this time, the work history information for the vehicle stored in the management device 300 can be used as the work history information for the vehicle, or previously recorded work record information (work record book) can be used.

Then, the control device 100 associates the first work content information with the vehicle information and the user information, and stores the information in the control device 100 and the management device 300 (S1806).

Figure 19 shows the work processing based on in-house and other company estimates performed by the control device 100, where the processing starts by receiving a work request for work based on the estimate and other information (verification result information, etc.). It is checked whether the estimate included in this work request was created at another work site (other work site) different from the work site (in-house work site) corresponding to the control device 100 (S1901).

The following shows the process when a work request is made based on an estimate created at another workshop.

If the work request is based on an estimate created at another workshop (YES in S1901), the control device 100 then determines whether the workshop information set in the estimate that will perform the work is the own workshop (S1902). In other words, this is the process when the work request is based on estimate B or estimate C. Below, a work request based on estimate C (an estimate that reflects the diagnosis results of the diagnosis process) will be described as an example.

If the workshop information for the work site where the work will be performed is not the local workshop (NO in S1902), the destination is assumed to be incorrect, so an error notification is sent to the sender, and the process proceeds to verification of the estimate based on the work record information in S1915.

If the information about the workshop where the work will be performed is the own workshop (YES in S1902), the control device 100 then determines whether the estimate for the requested work is an authenticated estimate in which authentication information has been set (S1903). If it is an authenticated estimate (YES in S1903), the control device 100 performs a confirmation process to confirm whether the authentication information is correct by mutual communication with the management device 300 (S1904).

If this verification process does not confirm that the authentication information is correct, an error message is sent to the sender stating that the requested work cannot be carried out, and the process ends.

If the verification process confirms that the authentication information is correct, or if the estimate is not an authenticated estimate, the control device 100 then checks the work content included in the estimate and determines whether or not to accept (undertake) the work based on that work content (S1905).

If it is determined that the work will not be accepted (NO in S1905), the control device 100 proceeds to a process of verifying the estimate based on the work record information in S1915. If it is determined that the work will be accepted (YES in S1905), the control device 100 creates (S1906) and saves (S1907) work instruction information based on the estimate C for the work request.

Next, the control device 100 performs work management of the work based on the created work instruction information (S1908). This work management is a work management method that differs for each work environment of the work site corresponding to the control device 100, and sets the work environment and procedures required for the work, such as the work process, worker, work location, and tools required for the work.

Then, when work is performed based on this estimate C, the control device 100 stores the work record information for this work in association with estimate C (S1909).

The following shows the process when a work request is made based on an estimate created in our workshop.

In the process of determining whether the work request is based on an estimate created by the local workshop (S1910), if it is not determined that the estimate was created by the local workshop (NO in S1910), this is because the workshop that created the estimate is unknown, and the control device 100 notifies the sender of an error and proceeds to the process of verifying the estimate based on the work record information in S1915.

If it is determined that the estimate was created by the local workshop (YES in S1910), the control device 100 creates (S1911) and saves (S1912) work instruction information based on the estimate C for which work has been requested.

Next, the control device 100 performs work management of the work based on the created work instruction information (S1913). Then, when the work is performed based on this estimate C, the control device 100 stores the work record information of this work in association with the estimate C (S1914).

If the estimate was created in-house, it is not necessarily necessary to perform the processes shown in S1903 to determine whether or not to authenticate the estimate, or to determine whether or not to accept the order, as shown in S1905, and of course these processes may be performed.

Next, the control device 100 determines whether or not it has received estimate verification result information based on the work record information from the management device 300 (S1915). This estimate verification result information based on the work record information is information received by the management device 300 after processing such as that shown in FIG. 23 has been performed.

If the control device 100 receives the result of the verification of the estimate based on the work record information from the management device 300 (YES in S1915), the control device 100 stores and outputs (displays) the verification result information (S1916), and if the control device 100 does not receive the result of the verification of the estimate based on the work record information from the management device 300 (NO in S1916), the process ends.

Figure 20 shows the estimate creation process performed by the instruction device 200. In addition to inputting user information and vehicle information for which an estimate is to be created, the instruction device 200 logs in (S2001), and then acquires user information and vehicle information for the user ID and vehicle ID (including model and chassis number) (S2002).

This identifies the vehicle for which the specified service is to be provided and the user of that vehicle.

Next, the instruction device 200 accepts the work type (S2003) and identifies standard work for that work type (S2004). The instruction device 200 also displays work plans that the user can select based on the standard work for each work type (S2005).

Then, the instruction device 200 creates estimate B using the work in the selected work plan and the vehicle information (S2006), and stores the estimate B in association with the user information and vehicle information (S2007).

Figure 21 shows the diagnostic process performed by the indicator device 200. There are two methods: obtaining the diagnostic results from the diagnostic process performed by the indicator device 200, and receiving the diagnostic process performed by the diagnostic machine by the indicator device 200.

The instruction device 200 determines whether a diagnosis request (diagnosis operation) has been received (S2101).

The indicating device 200 waits until a diagnosis request is made (NO in S2101), and when the indicating device 200 receives a diagnosis request (YES in S2101), it then determines whether the diagnosis request is a request from a diagnostic device (S2102).

If the diagnosis request is from a diagnostic machine (YES in S2102), the instruction device 200 checks the connection with the diagnostic machine (S2103) and issues a diagnosis instruction to the diagnostic machine (S2104). As a result, the instruction device 200 determines whether or not a diagnosis result has been received from the diagnostic machine (S2105), and waits until the diagnosis result is received (NO in S2105).

Furthermore, when a diagnostic result is received from the diagnostic device (YES in S2105), the instruction device 200 stores the received diagnostic result information (diagnosis result information) in association with the user information and vehicle information (S2108).

If the diagnosis request is not from the diagnostic device (NO in S2102), it is assumed that the diagnosis request is from the indicating device 200, and the indicating device 200 is connected to the vehicle to check communication (S2106), and diagnosis processing is performed (S2107).

Then, the result of the diagnostic process (diagnosis result information) is stored in association with the user information and the vehicle information (S2108). Of course, the result may be stored in the management device 300 as diagnosis result information for the vehicle.

As described above, this diagnostic process is a process for obtaining measured values and suitability as diagnostic results for pre-specified diagnostic items, as well as a process for obtaining measured values and suitability for diagnostic items specified by the operator.

Figure 22 shows the estimate creation, estimate comparison, and work request process performed by the instruction device 200.

The process shown in S2201 to S2208 is the estimate creation process, the process shown in S2209 to S2211 is the estimate comparison process, and the process shown in S2212 to S2216 is the work request process.

In the instruction device 200, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 20, when estimate B has been created and an instruction operation for creating an estimate is performed, processing is started. First, a diagnosis process as shown in FIG. 21 is performed, and it is determined whether or not diagnosis result information for the vehicle to be worked on is stored in the instruction device 200 or the management device 300 (S2201).

When it is determined that the diagnostic result information has been saved (YES in S2202), the indicating device 200 extracts "vehicle configuration information for which it cannot be determined that no malfunction has occurred" from the diagnostic result information (S2202). This process determines whether the vehicle configuration information has been extracted (S2203), and if it has not been extracted (NO in S2203), the indicating device 200 creates and saves an estimate C with the same contents as estimate B, since there is no need to reflect the diagnostic process results in estimate B (S2204).
Furthermore, if the vehicle configuration information can be extracted (YES in S2203), the indicating device 200 stores the vehicle information and diagnosis result information including this "vehicle configuration information for which it cannot be determined that no malfunction has occurred" (S2205).

Next, the instruction device 200 determines whether the work required for this vehicle configuration information (work to be done) is included in estimate B (S2206). If it is included (YES in S2206), there is no need to go through the process of estimating additional work required for that vehicle configuration information, so estimate C with the same content as estimate B is created and saved (S2204).

In addition, if the work required (work to be done) for the vehicle configuration information is not included in estimate B (NO in S2206), the instruction device 200 identifies the work required (work to be done) for this vehicle configuration information, and creates and saves a new estimate C based on estimate B by adding the work content for that work (S2207).

In this way, when estimate C, which is second work content information based on the contents of the diagnosis result information, is created based on the diagnosis result information, the identification information of estimate B and the created estimate C are sent to the management device 300 (S2208). As a result, the management device 300 identifies the managed estimate B based on the identification information of the received estimate B, and updates and saves the estimate B with the received estimate C.

Next, the instruction device 200 judges whether or not a confirmation request has been received for the estimate A, which is the first work content information created by the control device 100 (S2209). When the confirmation request is received, the instruction device 200 performs a comparison process (verification process) between the estimate A requested for confirmation and the estimate B or estimate C created and stored by the instruction device 200 (S2210).
At this time, estimate B or estimate C is the most recent estimate that has been saved in the instruction device 200. In other words, even if the conditions for creating estimate A and the conditions for creating estimate B or estimate C are different or the same, comparison processing is possible.

Of course, estimates can be compared by using identification information to specify estimate B or estimate C to be compared with estimate A, or estimates can be searched for estimate B or estimate C to be compared with estimate A based on the estimate creation conditions, and then compared with the searched estimate B or estimate C.

Then, the instruction device 200 outputs and stores the results of this comparison process (S2211).

Next, the instruction device 200 determines whether a request to designate a work site has been made by an operation by the user (S2212). An example of the operation at this time is an operation to designate a work site on a screen displayed on the instruction device 200 as shown in FIG. 13(b).

When a workshop is designated (YES in S2212), the instruction device 200 extracts candidate workshops to be requested to carry out work based on estimate C from the workshop list based on at least one of the user information and vehicle information (S2213). The instruction device 200 also sets priorities for the extracted candidate workshops based on the past work history included in the user information (S2214), and outputs the candidate workshops with the set priorities (S2215). Furthermore, the instruction device 200 requests the workshop designated by the user to confirm the work, and requests the work based on estimate C when the workshop responds with a confirmation that the work has been accepted (S2216).

Figure 23 shows the management process performed by the management device 300. When a login request is made from the control device 100 or the instruction device 200 (S2301), authentication process is performed based on the login ID and password received as the login request, and information based on the login ID is transmitted (S2302). When authentication process is performed from the control device 100, information associated with that control device 100 is transmitted, and when authentication process is performed from the instruction device 200, user information and vehicle information are transmitted.

After the authentication process has been performed, a process is performed to determine whether or not a request for creating an estimate (quote request) has been received from the instruction device 200 or control device 100 (S2303). If this request is received (YES in S2303), the information and setting information required to create an estimate according to the request source are transmitted to the request source (S2304).
If the request is from the control device 100, the management device 300 transmits vehicle information for the vehicle for which an estimate is being made, user information for the user of the vehicle, estimate item information, unit price information, etc. Also, if the request is from the instruction device 200, the management device 300 transmits information such as standard work information for the work type in addition to the same information as the control device 100.

Next, the management device 300 judges whether or not there has been an estimate comparison request (S2305), and if there has not been an estimate comparison request (NO in S2305), the process proceeds to S2315. If an estimate comparison request is received from the instruction device 200 (YES in S2305), the management device 300 performs an estimate comparison process (S2306). The detailed flow of this comparison process is shown in FIG. 24 and will be described later.
Based on the results of this comparison process, each of the compared estimates and the comparison result information are stored (S2307).

Next, from this comparison result information, it is determined whether estimate A is set as valid, indicating that the content of estimate A is included in estimate C and that it is a proper estimate A (S2308). If it is not set as valid (NO in S2308), the authentication information setting process described below is not performed, and therefore authentication information is not set in estimate A. Of course, information indicating that authentication information has not been set may be set in estimate A.

If estimate A is valid (YES in S2308), the management device 300 calculates a hash value of estimate A (S2309), obtains current time information (S2310), and sets (assigns) a timestamp including the hash value and the current time information as authentication information to estimate A (S2311). Then, estimate A with this authentication information set is saved (S2312). This authentication information may also include an authentication expiration date, etc.

Then, the management device 300 determines whether or not an authentication request for estimate A has been received from the instruction device 200 (S2313). If an authentication request has not been received (NO in S2313), the process ends.

If an authentication request is received (YES in S2313), the management device 300 calculates a hash value of estimate A for which authentication is requested (S2314), compares this hash value with the hash value included in the authentication information set for estimate A (S2315), and stores the authentication success or failure result based on the comparison and the hash value itself in association with estimate A (S2316).

Figures 24 and 25 show the comparison process (verification process) of estimates performed in the instruction device 200 or management device 300.

This comparison process (verification process) is performed by both the instruction device 200 and the management device 300, but will be described below using the management device 300 as an example.

This comparison process (verification process) is a process that determines whether the first work content information (estimate A) created in the control device 100 is appropriate by comparing (verifying based on) it with the second work content information (estimate B or estimate C) created in the instruction device 200, and if it is not appropriate, identifies the information that is deemed to be inappropriate.

In the management device 300, when it receives the first work content information (Estimate A) from the control device 100 and the second work content information (Estimate B or Estimate C (hereinafter, Estimate C)) from the instruction device 200 and stores each estimate, it first extracts the estimate items (hereinafter, referred to as "items") that make up each estimate (Estimate A and Estimate C) (S2401).

Then, the management device 300 performs a process of matching the extracted items of estimate A and items of estimate C for each item (S2402), and stores items that can be matched separately from items that cannot be matched (S2403). This process of matching items for each item is an example of a difference extraction process that extracts differences between the first work content information and the second work content information. In other words, items that cannot be matched are extracted as differences.

This item matching process matches items with the same or similar names, as well as matching items that have been specified in advance.

Then, the management device 300 performs an analysis process for the items that cannot be matched (S2404). The detailed flow of this analysis process (first analysis process) is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 26 and will be described below. That is, the analysis process in S2404 results in a verification result for estimate A based on the items that could not be matched. This analysis process is an example of a difference extraction process that extracts differences between the first work content information and the second work content information. That is, the information on this item is an example of difference information in the comparison result information of the comparison process.

On the other hand, the process shown in S2405 to S2418 below is an analysis process (second analysis process) of the items that have been matched, and this analysis process becomes the verification result of estimate A based on the items that have been matched.

First, the management device 300 extracts the basic labor charge, which is the unit price information for each associated item (S2405), and extracts the labor hours, which is the labor hours required to perform the work of that item (S2406). Next, the management device 300 calculates the total amount for each item using the basic labor charge and labor hours for each item (S2407), and reads the tolerance range information for the extracted items (basic labor charge and labor hours) and the calculated value (total amount) from the storage device (S2408).

Then, the management device 300 compares the extracted items (basic labor fee and labor hours) and the calculated values (total amount) with the corresponding tolerance information (S2409), and determines whether the value of each item exceeds the value (threshold) of the tolerance information (S2410). This tolerance information consists of information or a threshold that indicates a certain range that is determined to be appropriate, and items (basic labor fee, labor hours, total amount) that are included in this tolerance information can be determined to be appropriate, and items (basic labor fee, labor hours, total amount) that are not included in this tolerance information are not determined to be appropriate.

If the value of each item does not exceed the value (threshold) of the tolerance information (NO in S2410), the management device 300 sets the estimate A to be verified as being included in the tolerance information of estimate C (S2411), and stores the estimate A, estimate C, and the comparison result in association with each other (S2412).

If the value of each item exceeds the value (threshold) of the tolerance information (YES in S2410), the management device 300 compares the total amounts obtained by adding up the total amounts of all items (S2413) and determines whether the total amount exceeds the value (threshold) of the tolerance information (S2414). If the total amount does not exceed the value (threshold) of the tolerance information (NO in S2414), the management device 300 sets estimate A to be verified as being included in the tolerance information of estimate C (S2411), and stores estimate A, estimate C, and the comparison result in association with each other (S2412).

On the other hand, if the total amount exceeds the value (threshold) of the tolerance information (YES in S2414), the management device 300 sets estimate A as being outside the range that is not included in the tolerance information of estimate C (S2415), and identifies the items that exceed the tolerance value of the tolerance information and the excess amount that exceeds the tolerance value for that item (S2416).

The above-mentioned processes in S2405 to S2416 are an example of a difference extraction process that extracts differences between the first work content information and the second work content information. In other words, the information on this item and the excess amount is an example of difference information in the comparison result information of the comparison process.
In other words, this difference information is not simply information that indicates the difference between the first work content information (estimate A) and the second work content information (estimate B or estimate C (hereinafter, estimate C)), but can also be extracted as a difference when the tolerance for each item is exceeded (outside the tolerance), and not as a difference when it is within the tolerance.

The management device 300 also associates and stores estimate A, estimate C, comparison result information, items that exceed the allowable range value, and the amount that exceeds the allowable range (S2417).

Then, in the management device 300, since the amount of the associated item exceeds the tolerance information and this needs to be raised as an issue to the user, the setting of "Confirmation Required" indicating that Estimate A is invalid and the confirmation level are set (in the example shown in FIG. 24, "Level 5" is set, which is a higher confirmation level than S2502 in FIG. 26 described below and lower than S2506 in the same figure) (S2418).

Through the above process, the management device 300 determines whether an estimate is valid or invalid (invalid) for each of the estimate items that make up an estimate in a process of comparing estimates (verification process) that can be matched and for each of the items that cannot be matched, and then sets whether the estimate is valid or invalid as a comparison result based on this. Note that an estimate is deemed invalid by setting it as "needs confirmation."

More specifically, the judgment is made as follows.
1. If estimate A is determined to be valid in the analysis process of items that cannot be matched (first analysis process), and if the analysis process of items that can be matched (second analysis process) determines that the item information does not exceed the allowable range information and the total amount does not exceed the allowable value range, estimate A is determined to be valid as it is.
2. When estimate A is determined to be valid in the analysis process of the items that cannot be matched (first analysis process) and when estimate A is determined to be valid in the analysis process of the items that can be matched (second analysis process), the item information is determined to be outside the allowable range information or the total amount is determined to be outside the allowable range, the estimate A is set to "confirmation required" and estimate A is determined to be invalid.
3. If estimate A is not determined to be valid in the analysis process (first analysis process) of an item that cannot be associated, then regardless of the results of the first analysis process and the second analysis process, the item is set to "needs confirmation" and estimate A is determined to be invalid.

Then, the management device 300 outputs the result of the judgment to at least one of the control device 100 and the instruction device 200 (S2419).

25, the management device 300 performs a process of identifying at least one of the difference information extracted by the difference extraction process and the first work content information and the second work content information used to extract the difference information as information to be saved (S2420). In addition, when the management device 300 transmits difference information to the control device 100 or the instruction device 200, and receives, in response to this transmission, information on the reason for the difference in the difference information received from the control device 100 or the instruction device 200, the existence of differences in the control device 100 or the instruction device 200, the fact that the worker or user has confirmed the contents of the difference information, etc., it is also possible for the management device 300 to identify this information as information to be saved.

Then, the management device 300 calculates a hash value based on each piece of identified information (S2421). This hash value calculation process is a value calculated by using a hash function on the identified information, and is also called a message digest. Once the hash value is calculated based on the identified information in this way, authentication information containing the hash value is created (S2422). This authentication information is time information (time information) that includes a hash value, and the time information is time information for the timing at which the authentication information is created. This authentication information is also called a timestamp.

The management device 300 then sets the created authentication information to the specified information (S2423), and saves the information in which the authentication information has been set (S2424).
It is proved that the information in which the authentication information is set existed before the time of the authentication information and has not been tampered with since that time. Therefore, even if the work was performed at the work site based on the first work content information or the second work content information having the difference information, it can be proved that the work was performed with the difference information in place.
In addition, if the management device 300 receives information such as the reason for the difference in the difference information received from the control device 100 or the instruction device 200, the fact that differences exist in the control device 100 or the instruction device 200, and that the contents of the difference information have been confirmed by the worker or user, and creates authentication information based on this information, it can prove that the work was performed after acknowledging the difference information.

FIG. 26 shows details of the analysis process shown in FIG.
This is a process to be performed when there is an item that cannot be associated with the estimate items in the first work content information and the second work content information through the process of associating the estimate items with each other.

The management device 300 determines whether the item that cannot be associated is an item that is specified based on the standard work and is included in estimate C but not included in estimate A (S2501). This determination process is an example of a difference extraction process that extracts differences between the first work content information and the second work content information.

If the item is included in estimate C but not in estimate A (YES in S2501), the management device 300 can determine that since it is an item in a standard task, either the item was simply omitted or the item was deliberately deleted, and it sets the "needs confirmation" setting to indicate that estimate A is not valid, treating the inability to match as a minor issue, and sets the confirmation level (a lower confirmation level "Level 2" is set compared to S2506 described below) (S2502). This item is an example of difference information extracted as a difference in the difference extraction process.

On the other hand, if the item is included in estimate C but not included in estimate A (NO in S2501), the management device 300 then determines whether estimate A includes other items that are included in estimate C but are different from the items specified based on the standard work (S2503). If estimate A does not include other items (NO in S2503), the management device 300 verifies estimate A based on estimate C and determines that it is not an estimate that will cause any particular problems, and sets estimate A as valid (S2505).

On the other hand, if "other items" are included in estimate A (YES in S2503), the management device 300 can determine that estimate A contains items other than those specified based on the standard work, and therefore that unnecessary items have been added or that items desired by the user have been added.
In this case, the management device 300 then judges whether the "other items" are items designated as additional work by the user (S2504). In this judgment, a display may be displayed to confirm to the user whether the items are designated as additional work, or a type "user-added items" may be set in the process of creating estimate A, and the management device 300 may judge whether this type is set.
If it is determined that the "other items" are items designated by the user as additional work (YES in S2504), the management device 300 sets Estimate A as valid since the items relate to work that is in line with the user's intentions (S2505).

On the other hand, if the "other items" are not determined to be items specified by the user as additional work (NO in S2504), the management device 300 determines that estimate A is an estimate that has a problem for some reason as a result of verifying it based on estimate C, since the "other items" are different items from the items specified based on the standard work and are not work items that align with the user's intentions, and determines (verifies) that the inability to match the items is due to the occurrence of some problem. This item is an example of difference information extracted as a difference in the difference extraction process.
Since this is an issue that needs to be raised with the user, the quotation A is set to “requires confirmation”, indicating that it is not valid, and the confirmation level is set to “level 10”, which is a higher confirmation level than S2502 described below (S2506).

By performing the above analysis process, the instruction device 200 or the management device 300 can set the results of analyzing estimate A (first work content information) based on estimate C (second work content information).

Figure 27 shows the auction process performed by the management device 300.

In this auction process, bids are accepted from those who have applied to undertake work based on estimates, and the bidder who has specified the most advantageous bidding conditions is selected from among the bidders who have submitted bids.
The management device 300 opens an online auction venue and accepts registration of estimate registrants who register estimates and work acceptors who accept work based on those estimates (S2601). One or more auction venues can be set up, and each is identified by a venue ID.

When the management device 300 is accepting registrations of estimate registrants and work acceptors, it determines whether the estimate registrant has registered an estimate (S2602), and if the estimate registration process has been performed (YES in S2602), it checks the format of the registered estimate and confirms the conditions (work conditions) specified for performing the work based on that estimate (S2603).

In other words, the person who registered the estimate can set the work conditions when requesting work based on that estimate. The work conditions at this time consist of general conditions and special conditions, with the special conditions being conditions for immediately and singly determining the party to whom the work will be requested, and the general conditions being conditions other than the special conditions.

If the estimate format and work conditions are confirmed and the correct information is set, the estimate with the work conditions set is disclosed at the auction site (S2604). At this time, it is possible to disclose not only the entire estimate, but also part of the estimate. An example of information that is not disclosed is personal information of the person who registered the estimate.

With the estimate disclosed at the auction site in this way, it is determined whether or not a bid that satisfies the special conditions has been made within the period in which bidding is possible (S2605). If a bid has been made (YES in S2605), the work acceptor who processed the bid under those special conditions is confirmed as the work recipient (S2612), and the work site information of that work recipient is associated with the estimate and saved (S2613).

Furthermore, until a bid that satisfies the special conditions is received within the period during which bidding is possible (NO in S2605), it is then determined whether the bidding period has expired (S2606), and bids remain accepted until the period expires (NO in S2606). When the period expires (YES in S2606), the management device 300 determines whether bidding processing is being performed (S2607). If there are no bids at this point (NO in S2607), the management device 300 saves the bidding history and ends the process.
In other words, this indicates that no one was found willing to perform the work based on the estimate in the auction process. In this case, it is possible to hold the auction again at a different auction venue.

On the other hand, when the bidding period has expired (YES in S2606), if the management device 300 is processing the bidding (YES in S2607), the management device 300 then determines whether there are multiple bidding processes (S2609). If there are multiple bids (YES in S2609), the management device 300 sets a priority for each bid based on the bidding conditions (S2610). The priority setting process at this time sets the priority in consideration of multiple conditions such as the shortest delivery date specified as the bidding condition, the lowest estimated amount, and the fastest bid. Note that when setting the priority at this time, the priority may be set based on the conditions (general conditions) set by the person who registered the estimate.

Then, the priority is notified to the work acceptor (bidder) who processed the bidding (S2611). Of course, it is also possible to notify in order of decreasing priority. Note that if there are not multiple bids (NO in S2609) and there is a single bid, the priority (first place) is notified to that bidder (S2611). When this bidder accepts (allows) the notification, the work recipient is finalized (S2612). In this way, once the work recipient has been finalized, the management device 300 stores the work recipient's information (information on the requested workshop) in association with the estimate (S2613).

The above-mentioned learning is an example of a method in which data patterns are input into a computer based on what is called training data, which is a set of information and correct judgments, and the computer uses these patterns to find new characteristics and associations, or a method in which the computer finds commonalities and characteristic data in the input data.

Another example of learning is a technique known as deep learning, in which a computer builds a neural network to analyze, extract, and output local or characteristic data.

Of course, this learning also includes preprocessing, which consists of processes to supplement missing data, eliminate unnecessary data, and standardize data formats, as well as postprocessing, which stores the learning results so that they can be used for other learning.

The terms "part," "means," "device," and "system" used in the above-mentioned embodiments and claims do not simply mean physical means, but also include cases where the functions they possess are realized by software or software services.

Furthermore, the functions of a single "part," "means," "device," or "system" may not only be constituted by a single physical means, software, software module, or device, but may also be realized by multiple physical means, software, software modules, devices, or a combination of these.

The terms used in the above embodiments and claims should be interpreted as open-ended terms. For example, the term "including" should be interpreted as "not limited to what is described as including." The term "containing" should be interpreted as "not limited to what is described as containing." The term "comprises" should be interpreted as "not limited to what is described as comprising." The term "having" should be interpreted as "not limited to what is described as having." The term "comprises" should be interpreted as "not limited to what is described as comprising."

100 Control device 120 Service providing device 200 Instruction device 220 Imaging device 230 Diagnostic device 300 Management device 320 DB
400 External device

Claims (4)

a first processor that executes a first creation process that creates first work content information for a task using vehicle information regarding the vehicle, which is acquired in response to an instruction from a worker different from a user, and work information for the task to be performed on the vehicle of the vehicle information;
A control device including a first storage unit that stores the first work content information created in the first creation process;
a second processor that executes a second creation process to create second work content information using vehicle information regarding the vehicle acquired in response to an instruction from the user and a work specified for a work type of the work on the vehicle in the vehicle information ;
a communication unit capable of communicating with an instruction device having a second storage unit that stores second work content information created in the second creation process;
a third storage unit that stores information;
a third processor capable of communicating with the third storage unit;
The third processor,
a comparison process of comparing the first work content information with the second work content information;
a difference extraction process for extracting differences from a comparison result of the comparison process;
an authentication information setting process for setting authentication information including a hash value based on any information into the given information;
and an information storage process for storing information in which the authentication information is set.
The authentication information setting process includes:
An information processing device that sets authentication information including a hash value based on at least one of the differences extracted by the difference extraction process and the first work content information and the second work content information used to extract the differences. The third processor,
a work instruction process for issuing a work instruction based on the first work content information to a control device operated by a worker different from the user when the difference is agreed upon;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a work history recording process for recording a work history of the work instructed by the control device through the work instruction process. A computer including a communication unit capable of communicating with the computer and a third storage unit that stores information,
A first work content information related to the work, which is created by a first computer using vehicle information related to the vehicle acquired in response to an instruction from a worker different from the user and work information for the work to be performed on the vehicle of the vehicle information;
second work content information created by a second computer using vehicle information regarding the vehicle acquired in response to an instruction from the user and a work specified for a work type of the work on the vehicle in the vehicle information ;
A comparison process for comparing
a difference extraction process for extracting differences from a comparison result of the comparison process;
an authentication information setting process for setting authentication information including a hash value based on any information into the given information;
and an information storage process for storing information in which the authentication information is set.
The authentication information setting process includes:
An information processing method including setting authentication information including a hash value based on at least one of the differences extracted by the difference extraction process and the first work content information and the second work content information used to extract the differences. A computer including a communication unit capable of communicating with the computer and a third storage unit that stores information,
A first work content information related to the work, which is created by a first computer using vehicle information related to the vehicle acquired in response to an instruction from a worker different from the user and work information for the work to be performed on the vehicle of the vehicle information;
second work content information created by a second computer using vehicle information regarding the vehicle acquired in response to an instruction from the user and a work specified for a work type of the work on the vehicle in the vehicle information ;
A comparison process for comparing
a difference extraction process for extracting differences from a comparison result of the comparison process;
an authentication information setting process for setting authentication information including a hash value based on any information into the given information;
and an information storage process for storing information in which the authentication information is set.
The authentication information setting process includes:
An information processing program including setting authentication information including a hash value based on at least one of the differences extracted by the difference extraction process and the first work content information and the second work content information used to extract the differences.

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