JP7469387B2 - Vehicle Management Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle management device that manages shared vehicles used in car sharing services, etc.

A device of this type is known that, after a shared vehicle provided for a car sharing service is returned, compares the state of the interior of the vehicle with the state before the vehicle was rented out to detect dirt or the like inside the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The device described in Patent Document 1 determines whether or not there is dirt or the like inside the vehicle by photographing the interior of the vehicle with a camera when the shared vehicle is rented out and returned.

JP 2020-79994 A

However, when a user eats or drinks inside a shared vehicle or spills food or drink, there is a risk that the smell of food or drink may remain inside the vehicle when the shared vehicle is returned and used again, reducing the user's comfort.

The vehicle management device, which is one aspect of the present invention, manages a shared vehicle that can be used by multiple people. The vehicle management device is characterized by comprising: an air conditioner mounted on the shared vehicle; an odor detection sensor that detects odors inside the shared vehicle; an air conditioning control unit that controls the air conditioner so that the air conditioner operates when a predetermined time has elapsed since use of the shared vehicle ended; a storage unit that stores a first detection value detected by the odor detection sensor when the air conditioner operates after the shared vehicle is used by a first user and a second detection value detected by the odor detection sensor when the air conditioner operates after the shared vehicle is used by a second user who is the next user after the first user; and an output unit that outputs difference data indicating the difference between the first detection value and the second detection value stored in the storage unit in a manner recognizable by the third user when the shared vehicle is used by a third user who is the next user after the second user.

The present invention can improve the comfort of users of shared vehicles used for car sharing, etc.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a main part of the vehicle management system shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the server device shown in FIG. 2 . 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by a calculation unit in FIG. 3 . 10 is a flowchart showing an example of another process executed by the calculation unit in FIG. 3 . FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the timing at which odor detection is performed.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. A vehicle management device according to an embodiment of the present invention constitutes part of a vehicle management system that manages shared vehicles that are provided for a car sharing service (hereinafter simply referred to as car sharing) and can be used by multiple people. Note that, although the following description will be given using car sharing as an example of a service in which shared vehicles are provided, services in which shared vehicles are provided are not limited to car sharing.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle management system 100 comprises an on-board terminal 10 mounted on a vehicle (shared vehicle) 1 provided for car sharing, a user terminal 20 owned by a car sharing user, an administrator terminal 30 owned by an administrator who belongs to an entity providing car sharing (hereinafter referred to as a car sharing entity) and manages the shared vehicle 1, and a server device 40 owned by the car sharing entity. The vehicle management device according to this embodiment is mainly composed of the server device 40 and the on-board terminal 10.

The in-vehicle terminal 10, the user terminal 20, and the administrator terminal 30 are communicatively connected to the server device 40. Note that, for the sake of simplicity, FIG. 1 shows one shared vehicle 1 and one user terminal 20, but in a car sharing system, multiple shared vehicles 1 and multiple users are registered, and the in-vehicle terminal 10 installed in each of the multiple shared vehicles 1 and the user terminal 20 owned by each of the multiple users are communicatively connected to the server device 40.

The shared vehicle 1 used for car sharing is a vehicle for which the necessary information has been registered in advance with the car sharing entity, and the registered information is stored in the server device 40 (vehicle D/B (database) 421, described below). Similarly, a user who uses car sharing is a person for which the necessary information has been registered in advance with the car sharing entity, and the registered information is stored in the server device 40 (user D/B 423, described below).

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the main components of the vehicle management system 100 of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle-mounted terminal 10, the user terminal 20, the administrator terminal 30, and the server device 40 are communicatively connected to each other via a network 50. The network 50 includes not only public wireless communication networks such as the Internet and mobile phone networks, but also closed communication networks provided for each specified management area, such as wireless LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle terminal 10 includes a computer having a calculation unit 11 such as a CPU, a storage unit 12 such as a ROM or RAM, and other peripheral circuits (not shown) such as an I/O interface. The in-vehicle terminal 10 also includes a communication unit 13, an input/output device 14, a camera 15, a card reader 16, a lock actuator 17, an air conditioner 18, and a group of sensors 19.

The communication unit 13 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with at least the server device 40 via the network 50. The input/output device 14 is a general term for devices that input and output various commands and various information, and has various switches and buttons, a microphone, a speaker, a monitor, etc. that can be operated by the user. The card reader 16 reads user information from an authentication card held by the user. The user information includes the user's personal information, such as the user's address and name. The authentication card may be, for example, a driver's license (IC card license) incorporating an integrated circuit (IC) that stores the user's personal information. The card reader 16 is provided in a predetermined location of the shared vehicle 1 (for example, below the rear window) so that it can recognize an authentication card brought close to the shared vehicle 1 from outside.

The memory unit 12 stores various programs executed by the calculation unit 11 and various data. For example, programs and map data related to navigation functions, image data obtained by the camera 15, and detection data by the sensor group 19 are temporarily stored.

The calculation unit 11 executes a predetermined process based on signals input via the input/output device 14, captured image data of the interior of the shared vehicle 1 obtained by the camera 15 (hereinafter referred to as in-vehicle image information or simply in-vehicle image), detection data by the sensor group 19, signals received from outside the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 13, and programs and data stored in the memory unit 12, and outputs control signals to the lock actuator 17, the air conditioning unit 18, the sensor group 19, etc.

The calculation unit 11 outputs a control signal to the communication unit 13 and controls the transmission and reception of signals between the in-vehicle terminal 10 and the server device 40. For example, when a user brings an authentication card close to the card reader 16 at the start of car sharing use, the calculation unit 11 transmits the user information read by the card reader 16 to the server device 40 via the communication unit 13. Based on the received user information, the server device 40 determines whether vehicle reservation information corresponding to the user is stored in the vehicle DB 421. The server device 40 transmits an unlock command to the in-vehicle terminal 10 (calculation unit 11) if there is vehicle reservation information corresponding to the user, and transmits a lock command if there is no vehicle reservation information corresponding to the user. When the calculation unit 11 receives an unlock command, it outputs an unlock signal to the lock actuator 17. On the other hand, when it receives a lock command, the calculation unit 11 outputs a lock signal to the lock actuator 17.

The camera 15 has an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS, and captures images of the interior of the shared vehicle 1. The camera 15 is installed inside the shared vehicle 1, for example on the ceiling, so that it can capture images of the entire interior of the vehicle. The camera 15 may be installed so that it can be moved so that it can capture images of the entire interior of the vehicle, or multiple cameras may be installed.

The lock actuator 17 unlocks or locks the door locks (not shown) of the shared vehicle 1. More specifically, the lock actuator 17 unlocks the door when an unlock signal is input from the calculation unit 11, and locks the door when a lock signal is input from the calculation unit 11. The air conditioner 18 is mounted on the shared vehicle 1 and performs air conditioning in the interior of the shared vehicle 1. In response to commands (air conditioning start command and air conditioning stop command) from the server device 40 via the communication unit 13, the air conditioner 18 outputs control signals (start signal and stop signal) to the air conditioner 18 to operate or stop the air conditioner 18.

The sensor group 19 includes various sensors that detect the vehicle state. The sensor group 19 has a GPS sensor 191, a remaining fuel detection sensor 192, and an odor detection sensor 193. The GPS sensor 191 receives a positioning signal transmitted from a GPS satellite and detects the absolute position (latitude, longitude, etc.) of the shared vehicle 1. The in-vehicle terminal 10 may include a sensor that performs positioning using radio waves transmitted from satellites of various countries, such as GNSS satellites, including quasi-zenith orbit satellites, instead of the GPS sensor 191, or in addition to the GPS sensor 191. The remaining fuel detection sensor 192 detects the amount of remaining fuel in the shared vehicle 1. More specifically, when the shared vehicle 1 is a gasoline vehicle, the remaining fuel detection sensor 192 detects the amount of fuel (gasoline) remaining in the fuel tank. The odor detection sensor 193 is installed in the interior of the shared vehicle 1 and detects odors in the vehicle interior. The odor detection sensor 193 has a sensor unit (semiconductor or lipid membrane (sensitive membrane)) that adheres to odor components contained in the air, and electrically or optically measures the response of the sensor unit to the odor components, more specifically, the physical change in the sensor unit caused by the adhesion of the odor components. The sensor group 19 includes multiple odor detection sensors 193 with different response characteristics, and each odor detection sensor 193 outputs a measurement result (detection signal). In the following, for simplicity of explanation, an example is given in which the sensor group 19 has one odor detection sensor 193. The sensor group 19 may also include a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed, an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration acting on the shared vehicle 1, a gyro sensor that detects the angular velocity, a mileage sensor that detects the mileage, and the like. When the shared vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle equipped with a battery, the sensor group 19 may also include a remaining battery capacity detection sensor that detects the remaining battery capacity.

The user terminal 20 is a mobile wireless terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone used by a user. As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 20 includes a computer having a calculation unit 21 such as a CPU, a storage unit 22 such as a ROM or RAM, and other peripheral circuits (not shown) such as an I/O interface. The user terminal 20 also has a communication unit 23, an input/output device 24, and a GPS sensor 25.

The communication unit 23 is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the server device 40 via the network 50. The GPS sensor 25 receives positioning signals transmitted from GPS satellites and detects the absolute position (latitude, longitude, etc.) of the user terminal 20. The input/output device 24 is a general term for devices that input and output various commands and various information, and includes, for example, a keyboard, mouse, monitor, touch panel, etc. The user inputs user information via the input/output device 24. The user information includes personal information of the user, such as the user's address, name, contact information, driver's license number, and information required for payment (for example, credit card number). The user information input via the input/output device 24 is transmitted to the server device 40 via the communication unit 23 by the calculation unit 21. The server device 40 (user reservation management unit 411 described later) registers the received user information in the user D/B 423. As a result, the user is registered as a member of the car sharing service, a user ID is issued to the user, and the user can use the car sharing service. The user ID is stored in the user D/B 423 in association with the user information.

When applying to use the shared vehicle 1, the user inputs vehicle reservation information via the user terminal 20 (input/output device 24). The vehicle reservation information includes information indicating the use date and time of the shared vehicle 1 (use start date and time and use end date and time), the user ID of the user who applied to use the vehicle, and the like. The vehicle reservation information input via the input/output device 24 is transmitted by the calculation unit 21 to the server device 40 via the communication unit 23. When the server device 40 receives the vehicle reservation information from the user terminal 20, it searches for a reservable shared vehicle 1 that meets the conditions of the use date and time, and transmits information on the searched shared vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as vehicle information) to the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 (calculation unit 21) displays a list of the searched shared vehicles 1 on the input/output device 24 based on the received vehicle information. When the user selects the desired shared vehicle 1 from the list of shared vehicles 1 via the input/output device 24, the vehicle reservation is confirmed.

The memory unit 22 stores various programs executed by the calculation unit 21 and various data. The memory unit 22 stores car sharing vehicle reservation information, etc.

The calculation unit 21 executes a predetermined process based on the signal input via the input/output device 24, the signal received from outside the user terminal 20 via the communication unit 23, the position information of the user terminal 20 input via the GPS sensor 25, and the programs and data stored in the memory unit 22, and outputs a control signal to the communication unit 23, the input/output device 24, etc.

The calculation unit 21 outputs a control signal to the communication unit 23 and controls the transmission and reception of signals between the user terminal 20 and the server device 40. For example, the calculation unit 21 transmits to the server device 40 via the communication unit 23 a signal instructing the user to make or cancel a reservation for the shared vehicle 1, as well as location information of the user terminal 20 detected by the GPS sensor 25, along with a user ID that identifies the user. This processing by the calculation unit 21 allows the user to change or confirm the reserved vehicle via the input/output device 24 (such as a monitor).

The administrator terminal 30 is a personal computer or a mobile wireless terminal such as a smartphone that is operated by an administrator. As shown in FIG. 2, the administrator terminal 30 includes a computer having a calculation unit 31 such as a CPU, a storage unit 32 such as a ROM or RAM, and other peripheral circuits (not shown) such as an I/O interface. The administrator terminal 30 also has a communication unit 33 and an input/output device 34.

The communication unit 33 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the server device 40 via the network 50. The input/output device 34 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor, a touch panel, etc. The memory unit 32 stores various programs executed by the calculation unit 31 and various data.

The calculation unit 31 executes a predetermined process based on a signal input via the input/output device 34, a signal received from outside the administrator terminal 30 via the communication unit 33, and programs and data stored in the memory unit 32, and outputs a control signal to the communication unit 33, the input/output device 34, etc.

The server device 40 is installed within the premises of the car sharing business entity. The server device 40 may be located outside the premises of the car sharing business entity, and may be configured on the cloud, for example, using a virtual server function. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the server device 40 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the server device 40 has a calculation unit 41, a memory unit 42, a communication unit 43, and an input/output device 44.

The communication unit 43 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the in-vehicle terminal 10, the user terminal 20, and the administrator terminal 30 via the network 50. The input/output device 24 is a general term for devices that input and output various commands and information, and includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor, a touch panel, etc.

The memory unit 42 stores various programs and data executed by the calculation unit 41. The memory unit 42 has a vehicle database 421, a parking lot database 422, and a user database 423 as functional configurations.

The vehicle DB 421 stores vehicle information for each of the multiple shared vehicles 1 provided for car sharing and usage plan information for each shared vehicle 1 along with the vehicle ID. The vehicle information includes information such as the model, year, chassis number, vehicle number, mileage, maintenance history, and operating rate of each shared vehicle 1. The usage plan information includes usage history information indicating the usage history of each shared vehicle 1, current and future vehicle reservation information for each shared vehicle 1, and maintenance information indicating the maintenance plan for the shared vehicle 1 to be performed between reservations.

The parking lot D/B 422 stores parking lot information for the dedicated parking lots where the shared vehicles 1 used for car sharing are parked, specifically, the address of each dedicated parking lot, the location of the parking space in each dedicated parking lot, the vehicle ID of the shared vehicle 1 parked in the parking space, etc., along with a parking lot ID that can identify the parking lot. The dedicated parking lot is the location where the shared vehicle 1 is rented out and returned, and when a user uses car sharing, the same parking lot (parking space) is usually the location where the shared vehicle 1 is rented out and returned.

The user D/B 423 stores the user information of each user input via the user terminal 20 (input/output device 24) and information indicating whether or not each user will be able to rent out the shared vehicle 1 next time, together with the user ID.

The calculation unit 41 executes a predetermined process based on signals received from outside the server device 40 via the communication unit 43, signals input via the input/output device 44, and programs and data stored in the memory unit 42, and outputs control signals to the communication unit 43, the input/output device 44, etc.

The calculation unit 41 has, as its functional configuration, a user reservation management unit 411, a lock control unit 412, a dirt level determination unit 414, an odor determination unit 415, a remaining fuel acquisition unit 416, a coupon issuing unit 417, a rental determination unit 418, and an output unit 419.

The user reservation management unit 411 accepts a request to use the shared vehicle 1 from a user via the user terminal 20 (input/output device 34). Specifically, the user reservation management unit 411 receives vehicle reservation information input by the user via the user terminal 20 (input/output device 34) from the user terminal 20 via the communication unit 43. The user reservation management unit 411 searches for a reservable shared vehicle 1 that meets the conditions of the use date and time specified in the received vehicle reservation information. The user reservation management unit 411 transmits information on the searched shared vehicle 1 to the user terminal 20 via the communication unit 43. The user terminal 20 displays a list of the searched shared vehicles 1 on the input/output device 34 (display) based on the received information on the shared vehicle 1. When the user selects the desired shared vehicle 1 from the list of shared vehicles 1 displayed on the input/output device 34, the reservation is confirmed with the selected shared vehicle 1 as the reserved vehicle.

The user reservation management unit 411 generates usage plan information for each shared vehicle 1 and registers the generated usage plan information in the vehicle DB 421. Specifically, when the reservation of the shared vehicle 1 is confirmed, the user reservation management unit 411 generates vehicle reservation information for the shared vehicle 1 and stores the generated vehicle reservation information together with the vehicle ID of the shared vehicle 1 in the vehicle DB 421. In addition, when the use of the shared vehicle 1 ends, the user reservation management unit 411 generates usage history information including the user ID of the user who used the shared vehicle 1 and the date and time when the shared vehicle 1 was used (the start date and time of use and the end date and time of use), and stores the generated usage history information in the vehicle DB 421 in association with the vehicle ID of the shared vehicle 1.

When the lock control unit 412 receives user information read by the card reader 16 from the in-vehicle terminal 10, it searches and acquires the user ID corresponding to the user information from the user database 423. The lock control unit 412 also determines whether vehicle reservation information corresponding to the acquired user ID exists in the vehicle database 421. When vehicle reservation information corresponding to the user ID exists, the lock control unit 412 transmits an unlock signal to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43. This puts the shared vehicle 1 into a rented state. On the other hand, when vehicle reservation information corresponding to the user ID does not exist, the lock control unit 412 transmits a lock signal to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43.

When the lock control unit 412 determines that the shared vehicle 1 has been returned, it transmits a locking signal to the shared vehicle 1 (on-board terminal 10) via the communication unit 43. The return of the shared vehicle 1 is completed by bringing the authentication card close to the card reader 16 while the shared vehicle 1 is parked in the return location (private parking lot). At this time, the user information read by the card reader 16 is transmitted from the on-board terminal 10 to the server device 40. When the lock control unit 412 receives user information from the on-board terminal 10 via the communication unit 43 while the shared vehicle 1 is being rented out, it checks the transmission position of the user information, and when the transmission position is included in the private parking lot, it determines that the shared vehicle 1 has been returned to the private parking lot. The transmission position of the user information can be detected based on the position information of the shared vehicle 1 transmitted from the on-board terminal 10.

The air conditioning control unit 413 controls the air conditioning device 18 mounted on the shared vehicle 1. Specifically, when a predetermined time t has elapsed since the shared vehicle 1 was returned, the air conditioning control unit 413 sends an air conditioning start command to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43. When the in-vehicle terminal 10 (calculation unit 11) receives the air conditioning start command via the communication unit 13, it outputs a start signal to the air conditioning device 18. This causes the air conditioning device 18 to operate. In addition, when the odor determination unit 415 has completed odor determination, the air conditioning control unit 413 sends an air conditioning stop command to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43. When the in-vehicle terminal 10 (calculation unit 11) receives the air conditioning stop command via the communication unit 13, it outputs a stop signal to the air conditioning device 18. This causes the air conditioning device 18 to stop.

The dirtiness determination unit 414 determines the dirtiness of the interior of the shared vehicle 1 based on the interior images at the time of rental and at the time of return received from the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43. First, the dirtiness determination unit 414 compares the interior images at the time of rental and the interior images at the time of return to detect dirt, etc., at the time of return of the shared vehicle 1 that did not exist when the shared vehicle 1 was rented. More specifically, the dirtiness determination unit 414 calculates the difference in pixel value between the interior images at the time of rental and the interior images at the time of return for each pixel position, and detects pixels whose pixel value difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Next, the dirtiness determination unit 414 calculates the ratio of the detected pixels to the entire image (total number of pixels), and determines the dirtiness of the interior of the shared vehicle 1 at the time of return based on that ratio. Specifically, the dirtiness determination unit 414 determines that the lower the calculated ratio, i.e., the smaller the change between the two interior images, the lower the dirtiness of the interior of the vehicle.

When the air conditioning start command is sent from the air conditioning control unit 413 to the in-vehicle terminal 10, the odor determination unit 415 sends an odor detection start command to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43. When the in-vehicle terminal 10 (calculation unit 11) receives the odor detection start command via the communication unit 13, it outputs a start signal to the odor detection sensor 193. This starts odor detection by the odor detection sensor 193. The detection value detected by the odor detection sensor 193 (hereinafter referred to as the odor detection value) is sent by the in-vehicle terminal 10 (calculation unit 11) to the server device 40 via the communication unit 13. The odor determination unit 415 stores the odor detection value received from the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43 in the memory unit 42 together with the user ID of the user of the shared vehicle 1 (the user who most recently used the shared vehicle 1).

When a user applies to use the shared vehicle 1, more specifically, when new vehicle reservation information is registered in the vehicle DB 421, the odor determination unit 415 obtains the user IDs of the user who rented the shared vehicle 1 two times before last (hereinafter referred to as the two times before user) and the user who rented it last (hereinafter referred to as the previous user) from the usage history information stored in the vehicle DB 421. The odor determination unit 415 obtains odor detection values stored in association with each obtained user ID, that is, the odor detection value obtained by the odor detection sensor 193 when the air conditioner 18 was operated after the shared vehicle 1 was used by the two times before last (hereinafter referred to as the two times before last detection value) and the odor detection value obtained by the odor detection sensor 193 when the air conditioner 18 was operated after the shared vehicle 1 was used by the previous user (hereinafter referred to as the previous detection value) from the storage unit 42. The odor determination unit 415 calculates the difference between the two times before last detection value and the previous detection value, and generates difference data indicating the difference.

In addition, the odor determination unit 415 determines the odor of the shared vehicle 1 when it is determined from the generated difference data that a change in odor has occurred. As a specific example, the odor determination unit 415 uses machine learning or the like to analyze the odor components detected as the detection value before last and the previous detection value, and recognizes the type of odor and the intensity of the odor in the interior of the shared vehicle 1. If there is a change in the type of odor or the intensity of the odor, it determines that the odor was generated by the previous use by the user. Note that the odor components of the previous detection value may simply be analyzed using machine learning or the like, and the odor determination unit 415 may determine that an unpleasant odor is present in the interior of the shared vehicle 1 when the type of odor in the interior of the shared vehicle 1 belongs to a specific type (such as a cigarette odor or a rotten food odor) and the intensity of the odor is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In this case, when the type of odor in the interior of the shared vehicle 1 does not belong to a specific type, or when the intensity of the odor is less than the predetermined threshold, the odor determination unit 415 determines that an unpleasant odor is not present in the interior of the shared vehicle 1.

The remaining fuel acquisition unit 416 acquires information indicating the remaining fuel at the time of return of the shared vehicle 1 (hereinafter, remaining fuel information). In detail, when the shared vehicle 1 is returned, the remaining fuel acquisition unit 416 transmits a remaining fuel transmission command to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43. When the in-vehicle terminal 10 (calculation unit 11) receives the remaining fuel transmission command via the communication unit 13, it acquires the latest detection value of the remaining fuel detection sensor 192 and transmits the acquired detection value as remaining fuel information to the server device 40 via the communication unit 13. The remaining fuel acquisition unit 416 receives the remaining fuel information from the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43.

When the odor determination unit 415 determines that an unpleasant odor is present in the interior of the shared vehicle 1, the coupon issuing unit 417 determines the usage fee for the shared vehicle 1 according to the strength of the odor. More specifically, the coupon issuing unit 417 determines the usage fee for the shared vehicle 1 so that the fee is lower the stronger the odor, that is, the greater the difference indicated by the difference data generated by the odor determination unit 415. Hereinafter, the fee determined by the coupon issuing unit 417 is referred to as a discount fee. Based on the determined discount fee, the coupon issuing unit 417 issues an electronic coupon (discount coupon) that discounts the usage fee for the shared vehicle 1 predetermined by the car sharing business entity, and stores the discount coupon in the storage unit 42. Thereafter, when a new application for use of the shared vehicle 1 is accepted, more specifically, when new vehicle reservation information is received by the user reservation management unit 411, the discount coupon stored in the storage unit 42 is transmitted (distributed) to the user terminal 20 that is the source of the vehicle reservation information via the communication unit 43. By using this discount coupon, a user who has applied to use the shared vehicle 1 can use the shared vehicle 1 at a discounted rate that is lower than the usage fee predetermined by the car sharing business entity. This allows car sharing to be used even when there is an unpleasant odor inside the shared vehicle 1, reducing opportunity loss.

The rental determination unit 418 determines whether or not the shared vehicle 1 can be rented out to a user next time based on the result of the dirtiness determination by the dirtiness determination unit 414, the result of the odor determination by the odor determination unit 415, and the remaining fuel information acquired by the remaining fuel acquisition unit 416.

In car sharing, it is desirable that the shared vehicle 1 is clean and has sufficient fuel at the time of rental so that the user can use the shared vehicle 1 comfortably. Therefore, the rental judgment unit 418 judges whether or not the shared vehicle 1 can be rented out to the user who used the shared vehicle 1 next time based on the dirtiness, odor, and remaining fuel of the shared vehicle 1 at the time of return as described above. For example, when the dirtiness of the shared vehicle 1 at the time of return is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the rental judgment unit 418 does not permit the user to rent out the shared vehicle 1 next time. Also, for example, when the odor judgment unit 415 judges that an unpleasant odor is present in the interior of the shared vehicle 1 at the time of return, the rental judgment unit 418 does not permit the user to rent out the shared vehicle 1 next time. Also, for example, when the remaining fuel of the shared vehicle 1 at the time of return is less than a predetermined amount, the rental judgment unit 418 does not permit the user to rent out the shared vehicle 1 next time. The rental judgment unit 418 stores the result of whether or not the shared vehicle 1 can be rented out next time in the user D/B 423. In this way, by imposing a penalty (denying permission to rent the shared vehicle 1 the next time) on users who use the shared vehicle 1 in a bad manner, the users can be motivated to keep the shared vehicle 1 clean. As a result, the car sharing operator can reduce the effort required to manage the shared vehicle (cleaning, etc.).

The output unit 419 outputs information on the degree of dirtiness of the shared vehicle 1 determined by the dirtiness determination unit 414 (hereinafter referred to as dirtiness information) in a manner recognizable by the manager and the user who applied to use the shared vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as the application applicant). Specifically, the output unit 419 generates display information for displaying the dirtiness information on an input/output device (display) and transmits the display information to the manager terminal 30 and the application applicant's user terminal 20 via the communication unit 43. Similarly, the output unit 419 outputs information on the odor of the shared vehicle 1 determined by the odor determination unit 415 (hereinafter referred to as odor information) in a manner recognizable by the manager and the application. Similarly, the output unit 419 outputs information indicating the discounted rate determined by the coupon issuing unit 417 in a manner recognizable by the manager and the application.

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process (odor detection process) executed by the calculation unit 41 (CPU) of the server device 40 according to a predetermined program. The process shown in the flowchart in Figure 4 is started when the server device 40 is powered on, and is repeated at a predetermined interval.

First, in step S11, it is confirmed whether the shared vehicle 1 has been returned. Specifically, when the user information read by the card reader 16 is received, it is determined whether the shared vehicle 1 is being rented out and whether the transmission location of the user information is included in the private parking lot. Then, when the shared vehicle 1 is being rented out and the transmission location is included in the private parking lot, it is determined that the shared vehicle 1 has been returned. If the result is negative in step S11, the process is terminated. If the result is positive in step S11, it is determined in step S12 whether a predetermined time has passed since the result in step S11 was positive, that is, since the shared vehicle 1 was returned. Step S12 is repeated until the result is positive. If the result is positive in step S12, in step S13, an air conditioning start command is sent to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43. This activates the air conditioning device 18 mounted on the shared vehicle 1. In step S14, an odor detection start command is sent to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43. This causes odor detection by the odor detection sensor 193 in the in-vehicle terminal 10. The odor detection value obtained by the odor detection sensor 193 is transmitted by the in-vehicle terminal 10 (calculation unit 11) to the server device 40. In step S15, the odor detection value received from the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the communication unit 43 is stored in the memory unit 42 together with the user ID of the user of the shared vehicle 1 (the user who returned the shared vehicle 1).

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of another process (odor determination process) executed by the calculation unit 41 (CPU) of the server device 40 according to a predetermined program. The process shown in the flowchart in Figure 5 is started when the server device 40 is powered on, and is repeated at a predetermined interval.

First, in step S21, it is determined whether or not an application for use of the shared vehicle 1 has been made. Specifically, it is determined whether or not vehicle reservation information has been received from the user terminal 20 via the communication unit 43. If the result in step S21 is negative, the process is terminated. If the result in step S21 is positive, it is determined in step S22 whether or not the previous detection value and the detection value before last are stored in the memory unit 42. If the result in step S22 is negative, the process is terminated. If the result in step S22 is positive, in step S23, the previous detection value and the detection value before last are read from the memory unit 42. In step S24, the difference between the previous detection value and the detection value before last read in step S23 is calculated, and difference data indicating the difference is generated. In step S25, it is determined whether or not an unpleasant odor is present in the interior of the shared vehicle 1 based on the difference data generated in step S24. If the result in step S25 is negative, the process proceeds to step S27. If the result in step S25 is positive, in step S26, an electronic coupon (discount coupon) for discounting the car sharing usage fee is issued. In step S27, the odor information including the determination result of step S25 is sent to the user terminal 20, which is the sender of the vehicle reservation information received in step S21, and to the administrator terminal 30.

The operation of the vehicle management system including the server device (vehicle management device) according to this embodiment can be summarized as follows. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the timing at which odor detection is performed by the odor detection sensor 193. The periods UP1 and UP2 shown in FIG. 6 respectively represent the usage periods (periods from the usage start date and time to the usage end date and time) of the shared vehicle 1 by the user before last and the previous user. The time points T1 and T2 respectively represent the time points at which a predetermined time t has elapsed from the end of the usage periods UP1 and UP2. When the predetermined time t has elapsed (time point T1) from the time point at which the user before last returned the shared vehicle 1 (the end of the period UP1), an air conditioning start command and an odor detection start command are transmitted from the server device 40 to the vehicle-mounted terminal 10. This activates the air conditioning device 18 of the shared vehicle 1, and odor detection is performed by the odor detection sensor 193 (S13, S14). As a result, the detection value before last is stored in the memory unit 42 (S15). Thereafter, when a predetermined time t has elapsed (time T2) since the previous user used the shared vehicle 1 and returned the shared vehicle 1 (the end time of period UP2), an air conditioning start command and an odor detection start command are sent from the server device 40 to the in-vehicle terminal 10. This activates the air conditioning device 18 of the shared vehicle 1, and odor detection is performed by the odor detection sensor 193 (S13, S14). As a result, the previous detection value is stored in the memory unit 42 (S15).

After that, when an application for use of the shared vehicle 1 is made for a usage period that is a period UP3 after time T2 (S21), the detection value before last and the previous detection value are read from the memory unit 42, and difference data is generated based on the difference between the two detection values (S22-S24). Then, based on the generated difference data, it is determined whether or not an unpleasant odor is present in the interior of the shared vehicle 1, and odor information including the determination result is sent to the user terminal 20 of the applicant and the administrator terminal 30 (S27). Furthermore, when it is determined that an unpleasant odor is present in the interior of the shared vehicle 1, a discount coupon is sent to the user terminal 20 of the applicant (S26).

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.
(1) The vehicle management device is mainly composed of a server device 40 and an in-vehicle terminal 10, and manages a shared vehicle 1 that can be used by multiple people. The vehicle management device comprises an air conditioning unit 18 mounted on the shared vehicle 1, an odor detection sensor 193 that detects odors in the vehicle cabin, an air conditioning control unit 413 that controls the air conditioning unit 18 so that the air conditioning unit 18 is activated when a predetermined time has elapsed since the use of the shared vehicle 1 has ended, a memory unit 42 that stores a first detection value (the detection value before last) detected by the odor detection sensor 193 when the air conditioning unit 18 is activated after the shared vehicle 1 has been used by a first user (the user before last), and a second detection value (the previous detection value) detected by the odor detection sensor 193 when the air conditioning unit 18 is activated after the shared vehicle 1 has been used by a second user (the previous user) who is the next user after the first user, and an output unit 419 that outputs differential data between the first detection value and the second detection value stored in the memory unit 42 in a manner recognizable by the third user when the shared vehicle 1 is used by a third user who is the next user after the second user. This allows the user to recognize the smell inside the shared vehicle in advance, and allows the user to select a shared vehicle with a more comfortable interior environment when applying.

(2) The vehicle management device further includes a coupon issuing unit 417 that determines the usage fee for the shared vehicle 1 based on the magnitude of the difference data between the first detection value and the second detection value stored in the memory unit 42, more specifically, so that the usage fee is lower as the difference data is larger. The output unit 419 outputs information indicating the usage fee for the shared vehicle 1 determined by the coupon issuing unit 417 in a manner recognizable by the third user. This encourages users to actively use the shared vehicle even when there is still an odor of food, drink, etc. remaining in the interior of the shared vehicle, thereby promoting the use of the shared vehicle. In addition, the frequency of cleaning the interior of the shared vehicle 1 can be reduced, reducing the effort required of the car sharing operator to manage the shared vehicle (cleaning, etc.).

The above embodiment can be modified in various ways. Modifications are described below. In the above embodiment, when the air conditioning control unit 413 transmits an air conditioning start command to the in-vehicle terminal 10, the odor determination unit 415 transmits an odor detection start command to the in-vehicle terminal 10. However, the odor determination unit may transmit the odor detection start command repeatedly (multiple times) to the in-vehicle terminal 10 while the air conditioning device 18 is operating, that is, may perform odor detection multiple times. The odor determination unit may then perform the odor determination process of FIG. 5 using a statistical value (such as an average value) of the odor detection values obtained by the multiple odor detections. In addition, the odor determination unit may wait a certain time from when the air conditioning start command is transmitted to the in-vehicle terminal 10 by the air conditioning control unit 413 until the effect of the air conditioning by the air conditioning device 18 is sufficiently apparent, and then transmit the odor detection start command to the in-vehicle terminal 10.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the odor determination unit 415 determines that an unpleasant odor is present in the interior of the shared vehicle 1 when the type of odor in the interior of the shared vehicle 1 belongs to a specific type and the strength of the odor is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. However, the odor determination unit may determine that an unpleasant odor is present in the interior of the shared vehicle 1 regardless of the type of odor when the strength of the odor in the shared vehicle 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In addition, in the above embodiment, the odor determination unit 415 calculates the difference between the detection value before last and the previous detection value, and generates differential data indicating the difference. However, when generating the differential data, the odor determination unit may use, instead of the detection value before last, the odor detection value detected when the air conditioning unit 18 is operated after the interior of the shared vehicle 1 is cleaned by the car sharing operator.

In the above embodiment, the coupon issuing unit 417 as the determination unit determines the usage fee (discounted fee) for the shared vehicle 1 based on the difference data generated by the odor determination unit 415. However, the determination unit may determine the usage fee (discounted fee) for the shared vehicle 1 based on the result of the determination of the degree of dirtiness by the dirtiness determination unit 414 or the remaining fuel information acquired by the remaining fuel acquisition unit 416 instead of or in addition to the difference data generated by the odor determination unit 415. More specifically, the discount fee may be determined so that it is lower as the degree of dirtiness by the dirtiness determination unit 414 is higher. The discount fee may be determined so that it is lower as the remaining fuel indicated by the remaining fuel information acquired by the remaining fuel acquisition unit 416 is lower. The determination unit may also issue a privilege equivalent to the determined discount fee (e.g., provide points).

In the above embodiment, the dirtiness determination unit 414 determines the dirtiness of the interior of the shared vehicle 1 based on the interior image obtained by the camera 15 installed in the interior of the shared vehicle 1. However, a camera (not shown) provided in the user terminal 20 may acquire the interior image of the shared vehicle 1 based on a user operation via the input/output device 24. The dirtiness determination unit may determine the dirtiness of the interior of the shared vehicle 1 based on the interior image of the shared vehicle transmitted from the user terminal 20. The dirtiness determination unit may also determine the dirtiness of the exterior of the shared vehicle 1 based on a captured image of the exterior of the shared vehicle 1. The exterior image of the shared vehicle 1 may be acquired by a camera (not shown) installed in a private parking lot for the shared vehicle 1, or the exterior image of the shared vehicle 1 may be acquired by the camera of the user terminal 20 based on a user operation via the input/output device 24 of the user terminal 20. The determination unit may determine the usage fee (discount fee) of the shared vehicle 1 based on the result of the determination of the dirtiness of the exterior of the shared vehicle 1 by the dirtiness determination unit, in detail, so that the higher the dirtiness of the exterior, the lower the usage fee (discount fee).

The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine one or more of the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples, and it is also possible to combine modified examples together.

10 In-vehicle terminal, 20 User terminal, 30 Administrator terminal, 40 Server device, 11, 21, 31, 41 Calculation unit, 12, 22, 32, 42 Memory unit, 411 User reservation management unit, 412 Lock control unit, 413 Air conditioning control unit, 414 Dirt level determination unit, 415 Odor determination unit, 416 Remaining fuel acquisition unit, 417 Coupon issuing unit, 418 Rental determination unit, 419 Output unit

Claims (3)

A vehicle management device for managing a shared vehicle that can be used by multiple people,
An air conditioning device installed in the shared vehicle;
an odor detection sensor that detects an odor in the interior of the shared vehicle;
an air conditioning control unit that controls the air conditioning device so that the air conditioning device is operated when a predetermined time has elapsed since the use of the shared vehicle has ended;
a memory unit that stores a first detection value detected by the odor detection sensor when the air conditioning device is operating after the shared vehicle is used by a first user, and a second detection value detected by the odor detection sensor when the air conditioning device is operating after the shared vehicle is used by a second user who is the next user after the first user;
A vehicle management device characterized by having an output unit that, when the shared vehicle is used by a third user who is the next user after the second user, outputs differential data indicating the difference between the first detection value and the second detection value stored in the memory unit in a manner recognizable by the third user. 2. The vehicle management device according to claim 1,
a determination unit that determines a usage fee for the shared vehicle based on the size of the difference data,
A vehicle management device characterized in that the output unit outputs information indicating the usage fee for the shared vehicle determined by the determination unit in a manner recognizable by the third user. 3. The vehicle management device according to claim 2,
The vehicle management device is characterized in that the determination unit determines the usage fee for the shared vehicle so that the usage fee becomes lower as the difference data becomes larger.

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