JP4983716B2 - Vehicle sharing system, reservation status management server, and in-vehicle information providing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle sharing system in which a plurality of users jointly use at least one vehicle, a reservation status management server constituting a part thereof, and an in-vehicle information providing apparatus.

  In recent years, research has been conducted on a vehicle sharing system in which a group of specific users has previously decided to jointly use a plurality of vehicles, and the reservation management by a computer is performed to adjust the use time zone between users. Yes.

As an example of such a system, there is an invention about a system that outputs a warning that a user should end driving when the user continues driving before the time when the user can use the shared vehicle is exceeded. It is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-190233 A

  However, the above-mentioned conventional system currently uses that fact when a reservation is not made by another user or when the reservation is canceled in a time zone after the time zone reserved by the current user. It does not have a configuration for guiding users inside. Therefore, the user may not be able to effectively use the free time zone of the vehicle.

  The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and is a vehicle sharing system that allows a user to effectively use a free time zone of a vehicle, a reservation status management server that constitutes a part thereof, and an in-vehicle system. The main purpose is to provide an information providing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A vehicle sharing system in which a plurality of users share at least one vehicle,
Reservation application acceptance means that can accept reservation applications for vehicle use by users,
A reservation status management server that is connected to the reservation application receiving means and manages the reservation status of vehicle use by each user;
Information providing means connected to the reservation status management server and capable of providing information to a user;
The information providing means guides a user who is using the vehicle whether or not to continue using the vehicle after the reservation period ends based on information obtained by communication with the reservation status management server. To
It is a vehicle sharing system.

According to this first aspect of the invention,
Since the user who is using the vehicle is informed of whether or not the vehicle can be used continuously after the reservation period ends, the user can effectively use the free time zone of the vehicle.

In the first aspect of the present invention,
The information providing means may notify the user that the vehicle can be used continuously when the user using the vehicle can continue using the vehicle after the reservation period ends.

The second aspect of the present invention is:
A reservation status management server communicably connected to a reservation application accepting means capable of accepting a reservation application for use of a vehicle by a user and an information providing means capable of providing information to the user, and constituting a part of a vehicle sharing system,
Transmitting information to the information providing means for guiding a user who is using the vehicle whether or not continuous use is allowed after the end of the reservation period,
It is a reservation status management server.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, information is sent to the information providing means for guiding the user who is using the vehicle whether or not the vehicle can be used continuously after the end of the reservation period. The providing means can perform the guidance, and the user can effectively use the free time zone of the vehicle.

The third aspect of the present invention is:
An in-vehicle information providing apparatus that is connected to a reservation status management server that manages a reservation status of vehicle use by each user and is mounted on a vehicle that is a target of a vehicle sharing system,
Based on information relating to the reservation status of the vehicle obtained by communication with the reservation status management means, guidance is provided to a user who is using the vehicle as to whether or not continuous use is allowed after the end of the reservation period. ,
This is an in-vehicle information providing apparatus.

  According to this third aspect of the present invention, based on the information on the reservation status of the vehicle obtained by communication with the reservation status management means, the user who is using the vehicle can continue using it after the end of the reservation period. Since guidance about availability is performed, it is possible to allow the user to effectively use the free time zone of the vehicle.

In a third aspect of the present invention,
A determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle is traveling toward a delivery point for delivering the vehicle to another user;
When it is determined by the determining means that the vehicle is traveling toward the delivery point, guidance regarding whether or not the vehicle can be continuously used after the reservation period ends is not provided. .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the vehicle sharing system which can make a user use the idle time zone of a vehicle effectively, the reservation status management server which comprises the one part, and a vehicle-mounted information provision apparatus can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle sharing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The vehicle sharing system 1 is a system in which a plurality of users jointly use at least one vehicle, and reservation management is performed by a reservation management server in order to adjust a use time zone among users.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a vehicle sharing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle sharing system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 10A, 10B, 10C,..., Electronic keys 20A, 20B, 20C,..., A reservation management center 30, a shared vehicle 50A, 50B, 50C,... Mounted on-vehicle information providing devices 60A, 60B, 60C,. There are no particular restrictions on the number of user terminals and electronic keys, the number of shared vehicles, and the number of in-vehicle information providing devices mounted on the shared vehicle.

[1. About user terminals and electronic keys]
Each user terminal is, for example, a personal computer, a mobile phone, a PHS terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or the like. Each user terminal manages reservations via the Internet, wireless networks (for example, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) network, wireless LAN, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), satellite phone, beacon, etc.), relay stations, etc. Communication connection to the reservation management server 35 in the center 30 is possible.

  Each user terminal activates a browser, analyzes the HTML file received from the reservation management server 35, and displays a reservation web page for each shared vehicle on the display. Each user logs in to the reservation management server 35 by inputting his / her user ID and password. The reservation web page displays a use time input menu for inputting the use date and time of each shared vehicle, and the user can enter a desired use time zone. When this system targets a plurality of shared vehicles, a menu or the like for selecting a desired vehicle is displayed.

  Each electronic key is a wireless key, keyless entry key, etc., and transmits radio waves and infrared rays to each shared vehicle by operating a predetermined operation button, or transmits radio waves including a response signal in response to a request signal from each shared vehicle. Or Each electronic key holds a user ID in an internal IC chip or the like. When transmitting a radio wave or the like to each shared vehicle, the user ID is modulated and transmitted.

  Each shared vehicle receives in advance from the reservation management server 35 the user ID of a user who makes a reservation for each time period by communication, and unlocks only by the user ID of the user who makes a reservation in that time period. Allow the engine to start.

[2. About Reservation Management Center and Reservation Management Server]
The reservation management center 30 is a facility operated by various organizations. FIG. 2 is a configuration example of the reservation management center 30. The reservation management center 30 includes a reservation management server 35 that is connected to each user terminal and manages the reservation status of vehicle use by each user, and a reservation management database 45 that is managed by the reservation management server 35. In addition, the reservation management center 30 is provided with a telephone or the like for accepting reservations or complaints by telephone from each user.

  The reservation management server 35 is an information processing server, and includes a vehicle management unit 36, an electronic key management unit 37, a reservation management unit 38, a usage record management unit 39, a notification management unit 40, and personal blocks as functional blocks for realizing main functions. An information management unit 41, a charging / billing management unit 42, a communication management / navigation cooperation unit 43, and the like are included. The reservation management database 45 is a database constructed on various storage devices, and stores information managed by each functional block.

  The vehicle management unit 36 manages the state of the vehicle, fuel consumption, travel distance, maintenance records, and the like. The electronic key management unit 37 manages each user and each electronic key in association with each other. The reservation management unit 38, based on the reservation application transmitted from each user terminal and the input by the operator in the reservation management center 30, according to the new reservation, change, cancellation, etc. of the shared vehicle use by each user, Manage reservation status.

  In addition, the reservation management unit 38 associates each shared vehicle with a reservation status (a use time zone and a user ID are associated with the shared vehicle, for example, at a timing when a new reservation, change, or cancellation is performed for the shared vehicle. Or information about the delivery point for delivering the vehicle to other users. Here, when the reservation time zones by different users are consecutive, the delivery point is selected by any user according to the system rules. In addition, when the reservation time zones by different users are not continuous, for example, a predetermined parking lot prepared by the system is selected.

  The use record management unit 39 manages the past use record (including information such as time, distance, and refueling) of each shared vehicle. The notification management unit 40 provides each user with a pre-use guidance (for example, sending information to the user terminals that the use start time is reached after a predetermined time) or a pre-use end guidance (for example, a predetermined time). The communication management / navigation cooperation unit 43 is instructed to transmit to the shared vehicles that the use end time will come later. The personal information management unit 41 manages usage history, search history, address, contact information and other personal information by each user. Based on the information managed by the personal information management unit 41, the billing / billing management unit 42 performs information management related to billing to each user and billing of usage fees, for example, every month. The communication management / navigation cooperation unit 43 performs communication connection with each user terminal and each shared vehicle and transmits / receives information based on the instruction / calculation result of each functional block.

[3. About in-vehicle information provider]
Hereinafter, the configuration of each in-vehicle information providing apparatus will be described. Here, an in-vehicle information providing apparatus mounted on a certain common vehicle will be described. Therefore, the shared vehicle is expressed as the shared vehicle 50, and the in-vehicle information providing device mounted thereon is expressed as the in-vehicle information providing device 60, respectively. FIG. 3 is a configuration example of the in-vehicle information providing apparatus 60. The in-vehicle information providing device 60 includes, for example, a data communication module (DCM) 62, a vehicle speed sensor 64, an input / output device 66, a GPS receiver 68, a storage device 70, a navigation ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 72, A vehicle sharing management ECU 74 and an electronic key detection device 76 are provided. Of these components, the input / output device 66, the GPS receiver 68, the storage device 70, and the navigation ECU 72 can use the configurations of existing vehicle-mounted navigation devices.

  The data communication module 62 includes, for example, a data communication antenna, a modulator / demodulator, etc., and is connected to the relay station via the above-described wireless network, and further connected to the reservation management server 35 via the Internet or the like to transmit and receive various information. To do.

  The vehicle speed sensor 64 includes, for example, a wheel speed sensor attached to each wheel of the vehicle and a skid control computer, and the skid control computer converts a wheel speed pulse signal output from the wheel speed sensor into a vehicle speed rectangular wave pulse signal (vehicle speed signal). Convert and output.

  The input / output device 66 includes, for example, a microphone, a speaker, a buzzer, a display device, an input switch, and the like. The display device is configured as, for example, a touch panel, sets a GUI (Graphical User Interface) switch at a predetermined position on the screen, and detects a voltage change or the like to recognize the touch position of the user.

  The GPS receiver 68 receives radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites, demodulates them, and outputs a navigation message (satellite signal) included in the radio waves to the navigation ECU 72. The navigation message includes information on the satellite orbit, the correction value of the satellite clock, the correction coefficient of the ionosphere, the health message indicating the operation state of the satellite itself, and the like.

  The storage device 70 is, for example, a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive, a CD (Compact Disc) drive, or a flash memory, and map data is stored in the storage medium. . The map data represents, for example, an intersection or the like, and expresses a road shape by a node point having coordinates (latitude, longitude) and a link that connects the node points and stores a road width and a road curvature. ing.

  The navigation ECU 72 is, for example, a microcomputer in which a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like are connected to each other via a bus with a central processing unit (CPU) as a center. A storage device, I / O port, timer, counter, etc. are provided. The ROM stores programs and data executed by the CPU.

  The navigation ECU 72 analyzes the navigation message received by the GPS receiver 68 from a plurality of GPS satellites, and specifies the current position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the shared vehicle 50. Then, a recommended route from the current position to the destination input by the user in the vehicle to the input / output device 66 is generated, and navigation is performed while referring to the map data so that the vehicle can travel along the recommended route. The input / output device 66 is controlled to perform display and voice guidance.

  The vehicle sharing management ECU 74 is, for example, a microcomputer having a hardware configuration similar to that of the navigation ECU 72 (thus, it may be integrated with the navigation ECU 72).

  The vehicle sharing management ECU 74 stores the reservation status (reserved time zone and user ID are associated with each other) of the shared vehicle 50 received by the data communication module 62 from the reservation management server 35, the storage device 70, the built-in RAM, and the flash memory. And so on. When the electronic key detection device 76 detects a transmission signal from the electronic key storing the user ID of the reservation person at the current time, a signal for permitting unlocking of the vehicle and starting of the engine is sent to the ECU of the door lock control system. And output to the ECU of the engine control system. The electronic key detection device 76 is a wireless transceiver, for example.

[3_1. Continuing usage guide (1)]
In addition, the vehicle sharing management ECU 74 provides guidance to the user who is using the shared vehicle 50 as to whether or not it can be used continuously after the reservation period, based on the reservation information obtained through communication with the reservation status management server 35. Do. More specifically, when a user who is using the shared vehicle 50 can continue using the user after the reservation period ends, the user is notified using the input / output device 66 that the user can continue using the user. .

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing the flow of such processing. This flow is started when a certain user starts using the shared vehicle 50.

  First, it waits until the end time of the reservation period is within a predetermined time (S100). When it is within the predetermined time until the end time of the reservation period, it is determined whether or not a reservation is made by another user in the next time slot with reference to the reservation information (S102).

  If a reservation is made by another user in the next time zone, the end time is close, so notification is sent using the input / output device 66 to the delivery point (S104).

  On the other hand, if no reservation is made by another user in the next time zone, the input / output device 66 is used to notify that the end time is near and that continuous use is possible (S106). At this time, it is preferable to notify the time that can be continuously used (time until the next user starts using).

  The user who has been notified that the continuous use is possible can stop the shared vehicle 50 and then access the reservation management server 35 using the user terminal or the in-vehicle information providing device 60 to register the continuous use. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a reservation status of the shared vehicle and a change in the control content of the shared vehicle management ECU 74 over time.

  According to such a configuration and processing, the user who uses the shared vehicle is informed about whether the continuous use is allowed after the end of the reservation period, so that the user can effectively use the free time zone of the vehicle. be able to.

[3_2. Continuous use guidance (2)]
Further, guidance control as described below may be performed. The vehicle sharing management ECU 74 refers to the current position of the shared vehicle 50 specified by the navigation ECU 72, map data, a destination set by the user, and the like, and determines whether the shared vehicle 50 is traveling toward the delivery point. to decide. Specifically, if the delivery point or a nearby point is set as the destination, it can be determined that the shared vehicle 50 is traveling toward the delivery point. Further, whether or not the traveling direction of the shared vehicle 50 is the direction toward the delivery point (more specifically, whether or not the delivery point exists in a range of about ± 30 degrees in the traveling direction of the shared vehicle 50, etc. And may be comprehensively determined based on whether or not the path from the running road to the delivery point is within a predetermined distance. Whether or not the vehicle is traveling is determined by referring to the output of the vehicle speed sensor 64.

  When it is determined that the shared vehicle 50 is traveling toward the delivery point, guidance on whether or not the continuous use is allowed after the end of the reservation period is not performed. This is because the user may feel annoyed if guidance for continuous use is given until the user is clearly driving the shared vehicle 50 toward the delivery point.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing the flow of such processing. This flow is started when a certain user starts using the shared vehicle 50.

  First, it waits until the end time of the reservation period is within a predetermined time (S200). When it is within the predetermined time until the end time of the reservation period, it is determined whether or not a reservation is made by another user in the next time slot with reference to the reservation information (S202).

  If the reservation is made by another user in the next time zone, the end time is close, so notification is sent using the input / output device 66 to the delivery point (S204).

  On the other hand, if no reservation is made by another user in the next time zone, it is determined whether or not the shared vehicle 50 is traveling toward the delivery point (S206).

  If it is determined in S206 that the shared vehicle 50 is traveling toward the delivery point, the input / output device 66 is used to notify that the end time is near (S208). This notification may be omitted.

  If it is determined in S206 that the shared vehicle 50 is not traveling toward the delivery point, the input / output device 66 is used to notify that the end time is near and that continuous use is possible (S210). .

  The user who has been notified that the continuous use is possible can stop the shared vehicle 50 and then access the reservation management server 35 using the user terminal or the in-vehicle information providing device 60 to register the continuous use. It becomes possible.

  According to such a configuration and processing, the user who uses the shared vehicle is informed about whether the continuous use is allowed after the end of the reservation period, so that the user can effectively use the free time zone of the vehicle. be able to. Further, when it is determined that the shared vehicle 50 is traveling toward the delivery point, such guidance is not performed, so that it is possible to suppress the user from feeling troublesome due to excessive guidance.

  The vehicle sharing management ECU 74 constantly monitors the current position and delivery point of the shared vehicle 50 and the time until the reservation end time, and the estimated required time from the current position of the shared vehicle 50 to the delivery point reaches the reservation end time. When the time is exceeded, the input / output device 66 may be used to warn the user.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. And substitutions can be added.

  For example, in the shared vehicle that has received the reservation information from the reservation management server 35, it is determined whether or not it can be continuously used, and the guide is based on the determination result. However, the reservation management server 35 performs the same determination. The reservation management server 35 may instruct each shared vehicle to give guidance on whether or not it can be used continuously.

[Other embodiments]
An electronic device charged with a usage fee may be used as an electronic key. FIG. 7 shows a system configuration example in this case. The shared vehicle is equipped with an in-vehicle payment system 90 that accepts reservations for the shared vehicle and allows the user to prepay the usage fee using the electronic device 80. The electronic device 80 is a device such as an IC card that can pay a fee by an electromagnetic method, and functions as an electronic key during a reservation period by reserving a shared vehicle and prepaying the fee. The in-vehicle payment system 90 has the same configuration as that of the in-vehicle information providing apparatus 60 of the embodiment, and can read information from the electronic device 80 and can give reservation time zone information and the like to the electronic device 80. 92. When a new reservation is made by the user, the reservation management server 35 is connected to register the reservation time.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing executed by the in-vehicle payment system 90 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 8 is a flow performed when a shared vehicle is reserved. First, it waits until the user makes an application for a reservation by bringing the electronic device 80 close to the information transmitting / receiving device 92 (S300). When the user makes a reservation application, the user accesses the reservation management server 35 to inquire whether reservation is possible (S302). When the reservation management server 35 receives information indicating that the reservation is possible, the electronic device 80 receives a fee corresponding to the reservation time from the electronic device 80 and gives the electronic device 80 information for functioning as an electronic key during the reservation time period. (S304, S306). On the other hand, when the fact that the reservation is impossible is received from the reservation management server 35, the fact is output (S304, S308).

  FIG. 9 is a flow relating to guidance for continuous use. First, it waits until the user inputs a desired extension time (S400). Then, when the user inputs the desired extension time, the reservation management server 35 is accessed to inquire whether or not continuous use is possible (S402). When it is received from the reservation management server 35 that it can be used continuously, a fee corresponding to the extension time is received from the electronic device 80, and information for functioning as an electronic key is given to the electronic device 80 during the extension time period. (S404, S406). On the other hand, when it is received that the continuous use is not possible, the fact is output (S404, S408).

  The present invention can be used in the automobile manufacturing industry, the automobile parts manufacturing industry, and the like.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a vehicle sharing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a configuration example of a reservation management center 30. It is a structural example of the vehicle-mounted information provision apparatus 60. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows simply the flow of the process by vehicle common use management ECU74. It is a figure which shows the change of the control content of the common vehicle management ECU74 according to the reservation condition of common vehicle, and progress of time. It is another example of the flowchart which shows simply the flow of the process by vehicle common use management ECU74. It is an example of a system configuration when an electronic device charged with a usage fee is used as an electronic key. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed by the vehicle-mounted payment system 90 which concerns on the other Example of invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed by the vehicle-mounted payment system 90 which concerns on the other Example of invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicle sharing system 10A, 10B, 10C, ... User terminal 20A, 20B, 20C, ... Electronic key 30 Reservation management center 35 Reservation management server 36 Vehicle management part 37 Electronic key management part 38 Reservation management part 39 Usage record management part 40 Notification Management unit 41 Personal information management unit 42 Billing / billing management unit 43 Communication management / navigation linkage unit 45 Reservation management database 50, 50A, 50B, 50C, ... Shared vehicle 60, 60A, 60B, 60C, ... In-vehicle information providing device 62 Data Communication module 64 Vehicle speed sensor 66 Input / output device 68 GPS receiver 70 Storage device 72 Navigation ECU
74 Vehicle common use management ECU
76 Electronic Key Detection Device 80 Electronic Device 90 On-Board Payment System 92 Information Transmission / Reception Device

Claims (1)

A vehicle sharing system in which a plurality of users share at least one vehicle,
Reservation application acceptance means that can accept reservation applications for vehicle use by users,
A reservation status management server that is connected to the reservation application receiving means and manages the reservation status of vehicle use by each user;
Information providing means connected to the reservation status management server and capable of providing information to a user;
A determination means for determining whether the vehicle is traveling toward a delivery point for delivering the vehicle to another user;
With
The information providing means includes
If the determination means does not determine that the vehicle is traveling toward the delivery point, the user using the vehicle ends the reservation period based on information obtained through communication with the reservation status management server. If the user can continue using the service later, the user will be notified that the service can be used continuously after the end of the reservation period.
If it is determined by the determination means that the vehicle is traveling toward the delivery point, the user who is using the vehicle can continue to use it even if the user can continue using it after the reservation period ends. It is characterized not to notify ,
Vehicle sharing system.

Images