Car sharing system and geofence setting method

Abstract

A car sharing system comprises a location information acquisition device for acquiring location information of a vehicle, a memory device for storing map information including three-dimensional data of buildings located around a car station for renting and returning a vehicle, and a control device for setting a geofence which is a returnable range of a vehicle corresponding to the car station. The control device acquires map information from the memory device, and based on the acquired map information, if it is estimated that the accuracy of the location information at the car station acquired by the location information acquisition device is lower than a preset threshold value because the car station is surrounded by buildings of a predetermined height or higher in a predetermined ratio, the control device performs a control to expand the geofence.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a car sharing system and a geofence setting method. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-086170 discloses a car-sharing service in which a vehicle (car-sharing vehicle) shared among members who have registered in advance is rented and returned at a car station. In this car-sharing service, for example, when returning a vehicle, a determination to return it to a car station is made by using the vehicle's location information via GPS. More specifically, for example, an administrator manually sets a geofence corresponding to a car station for the car-sharing system. Then, based on the vehicle's location information via GPS, a determination to return is made depending on whether the vehicle being returned has entered the geofence. The problem to be solved

[0003] However, since the setting of geofences corresponding to car stations by the administrator is based on the administrator's rules of thumb, there is a concern that if the geofences are not set properly, the determination of the vehicle's return may not be made correctly.

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problem, and its purpose is to provide a car sharing system and a geofence setting method that can appropriately set a geofence corresponding to a car station. means of solving the problem

[0005] In order to solve the aforementioned problems and achieve the objective,

[0006] The car sharing system according to the present invention is,

[0007] A location information acquisition device for acquiring location information of a vehicle jointly used among users who have registered in advance, and

[0008] A memory device storing map information including three-dimensional data of buildings located around a car station for renting and returning the above-mentioned vehicle, and

[0009] A control device for setting a geofence, which is the returnable range of the vehicle corresponding to the above car station

[0010] Equipped,

[0011] The above control device is,

[0012] When map information is acquired from the memory device and, based on the acquired map information, the accuracy of the location information at the car station acquired by the location information acquisition device is estimated to be lower than a preset threshold value because the car station is surrounded by the building of a predetermined height or higher in a predetermined ratio, control to expand the geofence is executed.

[0013] Accordingly, in the car sharing system according to the present invention, a geofence corresponding to the car station can be appropriately set so that the return of the vehicle by the user can be completed even if the accuracy of the vehicle location information at the car station is low.

[0014] In addition, the geofence setting method according to the present invention is,

[0015] Based on map information including 3D data of buildings located around a car station that performs the rental and return of a vehicle shared among users who have registered in advance, the accuracy of the location information of the vehicle by GPS at the car station is estimated, and if the accuracy of the location information is estimated to be lower than a preset threshold, the geofence, which is the returnable range of the vehicle corresponding to the car station, is expanded.

[0016] Accordingly, in the geofence setting method according to the present invention, a geofence corresponding to a car station can be appropriately set so that the user can complete the return of the vehicle even if the precision of the vehicle location information by GPS at the car station is low.

[0017] In addition, the geofence setting method according to the present invention is,

[0018] When parts of multiple geofences, which are returnable ranges of the vehicle corresponding to each of the multiple car stations that perform rental and return of the vehicle shared among users who have registered in advance, overlap each other, at least one geofence is narrowed so that the multiple geofences do not overlap.

[0019] Accordingly, in the geofence setting method according to the present invention, a geofence corresponding to a car station can be appropriately set to prevent the vehicle from returning to a car station that is not intended by the user among a plurality of car stations.

[0020] In addition, the geofence setting method according to the present invention is,

[0021] After the operation of a car-sharing service in which a vehicle is shared among users who have registered in advance begins, the actual location information of the vehicle at the time of return is collected, and if the change in the location information is greater than a preset threshold, the geofence, which is the returnable range of the vehicle corresponding to the car station where the vehicle is returned, is expanded.

[0022] Accordingly, in the geofence setting method according to the present invention, a geofence corresponding to a car station can be appropriately set so that the variation of the vehicle return position is reduced.

[0023] In addition, the geofence setting method according to the present invention is,

[0024] In cases where it is determined that the vehicle has been returned to the car station, even though the actual vehicle return location at the time of return of a vehicle shared among users who have registered in advance is a location other than the car station where the vehicle is rented and returned, the geofence, which is the returnable range of the vehicle corresponding to the car station, is narrowed so as not to include the vehicle return location.

[0025] Accordingly, in the geofence setting method according to the present invention, a geofence corresponding to a car station can be appropriately set so as to prevent the vehicle from being returned despite being located at a location other than a car station.

[0026] The car sharing system and geofence setting method according to the present invention have the effect of being able to appropriately set a geofence corresponding to a car station. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0027] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, where similar numbers in the drawings indicate similar elements. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a car sharing system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2a is a perspective view showing an outdoor parking lot equipped with a car station according to embodiment 1. Figure 2b is a drawing showing a state in which a geofence is set up in a narrow range to surround a car station. FIG. 2c is a drawing showing the state in which a geofence is set up by extending the range to the entrance of an outdoor parking lot. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of geofence setting control performed by the control unit of a geofence device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4a is a perspective view showing a building with a car station provided in an indoor parking lot. FIG. 4b is a perspective view showing a building with a car station provided in an underground parking lot. FIG. 4c is a drawing showing the state in which the geofence has been extended to the entrance of the building. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of geofence setting control performed by the control unit of a geofence device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 6a is a diagram showing a state in which parts of geofences corresponding to each of a plurality of car stations overlap each other. FIG. 6b is a diagram showing a state in which geofences corresponding to each of a plurality of car stations do not overlap each other. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of geofence setting control performed by the control unit of a geofence device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 8a is a diagram showing a state in which a vehicle return location, which allows for the return of a vehicle even outside of a car station, is included within a geofence. FIG. 8b is a diagram showing a state in which a vehicle return location, where a vehicle can be returned even outside of a car station, is not included within the geofence. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of geofence setting control performed by the control unit of the geofence device according to embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of geofence setting control performed by the control unit of a geofence device according to embodiment 5. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0028] Embodiment 1

[0029] Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the car sharing system and geofence setting method according to the present invention will be described. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 1.

[0031] The car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 1 is composed of a management device (10), a geofence device (20), and a vehicle (30), as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, although only one vehicle (30) is shown in FIG. 1, multiple vehicles (30) may be rented.

[0032] The management device (10), the geofence device (20), and the vehicle (30) are all equipped with communication functions and are configured to communicate with each other through a network (100). This network (100) is configured by a public communication network, such as an internet network or a mobile phone network.

[0033] The management device (10) is a device for performing processing related to the management of a car sharing service that rents and returns a vehicle (30) shared among members who have registered in advance at a car station. The management device (10) is realized by a general-purpose computer, such as a workstation or a personal computer, for example.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the management device (10) is equipped with a control unit (11), a display unit (12), an input unit (13), a communication unit (14), and a memory unit (15). The control unit (11) is equipped with a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a memory (main memory) consisting of RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). The control unit (11) loads a program stored in the memory unit (15) into a work area of ​​the memory (main memory) and executes it, and by controlling each component unit through the execution of the program, it realizes a function that meets a predetermined purpose.

[0035] The display unit (12) is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an OLED (organic EL display), and displays various information for a manager to refer to based on the control of the control unit (11). In addition, "manager" refers to a person who manages the car sharing service.

[0036] The input section (13) is composed of a touch panel or the like that has an input function for receiving operations by a manager's finger or pen, etc.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, the display unit (12) and the input unit (13) are integrally formed by a touch panel display, etc. The touch panel display has a display function that displays various information based on the control of the control unit (11), and an input function that receives operations by the manager's finger or pen, etc.

[0038] The communication unit (14) is composed of, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication. The communication unit (14) is connected to the network (100) via wired or wireless connection and communicates between the geofence device (20) and the vehicle (30).

[0039] The memory unit (15) is composed of a recording medium such as a hard disk drive. The memory unit (15) can store an operating system, various programs, various tables, and various databases. In addition, the memory unit (15) stores fence setting information, such as information regarding the range of a geofence. In addition, in addition to the fence setting information, vehicle location information, etc., is stored in the memory unit (15) via a network (100) as needed.

[0040] The geofence device (20) is a device for performing processing regarding a geofence that sets the returnable range of the vehicle (30) for a car station that performs rental and return of the vehicle (30). The geofence device (20) is realized by a general-purpose computer, such as a workstation or a personal computer, for example.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the geofence device (20) is equipped with a control unit (21), a communication unit (22), and a memory unit (23). The control unit (21) functions as a fence determination unit (211) by executing a program stored in the memory unit (23). The communication unit (22) can communicate between the management device (10) and the vehicle (30) by connecting to the network (100) via a wired or wireless connection. Additionally, the memory unit (23) stores fence information, such as the range in which a geofence is set for a car station, for example. The control unit (21) transmits fence information stored in the memory unit (23), for example, from the communication unit (22) to the management device (10) via the network (100).

[0042] The fence determination unit (211) determines whether the vehicle (30) has entered the geofence set for, for example, the car station at the return location. The fence determination unit (211) obtains location information of the vehicle (30) (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle location information") from the vehicle (30) through the network (100) via the communication unit (22). Subsequently, the fence determination unit (211) determines whether the vehicle (30) has entered the geofence set for the car station at the return location based on the vehicle location information and the fence information stored in the memory unit (23). Then, the fence determination unit (211) outputs the fence determination information, which is information regarding whether the vehicle (30) has entered the geofence, to the management device (10) via the network (100) from the communication unit (22). Additionally, the fence judgment unit (211) transmits fence judgment information to the management device (10) when the vehicle (30) enters the geofence and when the vehicle (30) exits the geofence.

[0043] The vehicle (30) is a car-sharing vehicle used jointly among members who have registered in advance for a car-sharing service. The vehicle (30) is a mobile body capable of communicating with the outside and is composed of an electrified vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle (30) may be either a manual driving vehicle or an automatic driving vehicle.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle (30) is equipped with an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (31), a communication unit (32), and a vehicle-mounted device (33). The ECU (31) comprehensively controls the operation of various components mounted on the vehicle (30). The communication unit (32) is composed of, for example, a Data Communication Module (DCM). The communication unit (32) is capable of communicating between the management device (10) and the geofence device (20) via wireless communication through the network (100).

[0045] The vehicle-mounted device (33) is equipped with a control unit (331), a memory unit (332), a display unit (333), and a positioning unit (334). The control unit (331) controls the display unit (333) and the positioning unit (334), etc., by executing a program stored in the memory unit (332).

[0046] The display unit (333) is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an OLED (organic EL display) and displays various information to the user based on the control of the control unit (331). Additionally, "user" refers to a passenger of the vehicle (30), including the driver. Furthermore, the display unit (333) may be composed of a touch panel display having an input function that receives operations by the user's finger or pen, and a display function that displays various information based on the control of the control unit (331).

[0047] The positioning unit (334) receives radio waves from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite and detects vehicle location information. The positioning unit (334) is controlled by the control unit (331) and outputs the detected vehicle location information from the communication unit (32) to the management device (10) and the geofence device (20) through the network (100).

[0048] FIG. 2a is a perspective view showing an outdoor parking lot (41) equipped with a car station (42) according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2b is a drawing showing a state in which a geofence (400) is set up in a narrow range to surround the car station (42). FIG. 2c is a drawing showing a state in which a geofence (400) is set up by extending the range to the entrance (41a) of the outdoor parking lot (41).

[0049] In the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 2a, a car station (42) is provided in an outdoor parking lot (41) in an urban area lined with high-rise buildings (43A, 43B, 43C, 43D, 43E). In addition, in the following description, if the high-rise buildings (43A, 43B, 43C, 43D, 43E) are not specifically distinguished, they are simply referred to as high-rise buildings (43).

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 2b, the outdoor parking lot (41) has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, with a high-rise building (43A) adjacent to one short side and a high-rise building (43D) adjacent to the other short side. Additionally, a road faces one long side of the outdoor parking lot (41), and an entrance (41a) is provided between the outdoor parking lot (41) and the road for vehicles (30) to enter and exit. High-rise buildings (43B, 43C) are adjacent to the other long side of the outdoor parking lot (41). In this way, the outdoor parking lot (41) and the car station (42) are surrounded by high-rise buildings (43) in a predetermined ratio.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 2b, a car station (42) provided in an outdoor parking lot (41) has a geofence (400) set up to surround the car station (42) and indicate the returnable range of the vehicle (30). In the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 1, when the vehicle (30) is within the geofence (400), the return of the vehicle (30) is completed by the user performing a return operation of the vehicle (30).

[0052] Here, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 1, the positioning unit (334) (GPS) of the vehicle (30) functions as a location information acquisition device for acquiring location information of the vehicle (30) that is jointly used among users who have registered in advance. In addition, the memory unit (23) of the geofence device (20) functions as a memory device for storing map information including three-dimensional data of buildings such as high-rise buildings (43) located around the car station (42) that rents and returns the vehicle (30). In addition, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) functions as a control device for setting a geofence (400) which is the returnable range of the vehicle (30) corresponding to the car station (42).

[0053] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of geofence setting control performed by the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) according to embodiment 1.

[0054] First, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) obtains map information including three-dimensional data of a building located around the car station (42) of the return location from the memory unit (23) of the geofence device (20) (S1). Next, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) estimates the precision of the location information of the vehicle (30) at the car station (42) obtained by GPS based on the obtained map information (S2). Next, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines whether the precision of the estimated location information of the vehicle (30) is lower than a preset threshold value (S3). The control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines that the accuracy of the estimated vehicle (30) location information is lower than a preset threshold value ("Yes" in S3) because the car station (42) is surrounded by a high-rise building (43) of a predetermined height or higher in a predetermined ratio, and extends the geofence (400) corresponding to the car station (42) to the entrance (41a) of the outdoor parking lot (41) (S4). For example, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines the information of the entrance (41a) of the outdoor parking lot (41) included in the map information, or the entrance (41a) of the outdoor parking lot (41) from the map information, and performs control to extend the geofence (400) to the entrance (41a). After that, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) terminates a series of geofence setting controls. Meanwhile, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) maintains the geofence (400) corresponding to the car station (42) when it is determined that the car station (42) is not surrounded by a high-rise building (43) of a certain height or higher in a certain ratio, and that the accuracy of the estimated vehicle (30) location information is not lower than a preset threshold value (above the threshold value) ("No" in S3). After that, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) terminates a series of geofence setting controls.

[0055] In the above, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 1, as a method for setting a geofence, when the car station (42) is surrounded by a high-rise building (43) in a predetermined ratio, the geofence (400) is extended to the entrance (41a) of the outdoor parking lot (41), as shown in FIG. 2C. By doing so, the fence determination unit (210) of the geofence device (20) can determine that the vehicle (30) has entered the geofence (400) by the vehicle (30) entering the outdoor parking lot (41) from the entrance (41a), even if the accuracy of the GPS of the car station (42) is low. And, the control unit (11) of the management device (10) can determine the return of the vehicle (30) as OK by estimating that the vehicle (30) has been returned to the car station (42) based on fence determination information obtained from the fence determination unit (210) of the geofence device (20). Accordingly, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 1, even if the car station (42) is provided in an outdoor parking lot (41) that is surrounded by high-rise buildings (43) in a predetermined ratio and has low GPS precision, the return of the vehicle (30) by the user can be completed.

[0056] Additionally, based on the above map information, etc., if the car station (42) is surrounded by a high-rise building (43) in a predetermined ratio, information recommending the expansion of the geofence (400) may be displayed on the display unit (12) of the management device (10) to notify the manager. Then, the manager may set the geofence (400) by expanding it to the entrance (41a) of the outdoor parking lot (41) where the car station (42) is provided, for example, by operating the input unit (13) of the management device (10).

[0057] Embodiment 2

[0058] Below, Embodiment 2 of the car sharing system and geofence setting method according to the present invention will be described. In addition, descriptions similar to those in Embodiment 1 in this embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

[0059] FIG. 4a is a perspective view showing a building (50) with a car station (52) provided in an indoor parking lot (51). FIG. 4b is a perspective view showing a building (50) with a car station (52) provided in an underground parking lot (51). FIG. 4c is a drawing showing a state in which a geofence (500) is extended to the entrance (50a) of the building (50).

[0060] In the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 2, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, a car station (52) is provided in an indoor or underground parking lot (51) of a building (50). Entry and exit of a vehicle (30) to the car station (52) is performed through an entrance (50a) of the building (50). That is, the entrance (50a) of the building (50) serves as an entrance to the indoor or underground parking lot (51) and further to the car station (52).

[0061] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of geofence setting control performed by the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) according to embodiment 2.

[0062] First, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) obtains map information regarding a building (50) where a car station (52) is provided from the memory unit (23) of the geofence device (20) (S11). Next, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines whether the entrance (50a) of the building (50) can be identified based on the obtained map information (S12). If the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines that the entrance (50a) of the building (50) can be identified based on the obtained map information ("Yes" in S12), it extends the geofence (500) corresponding to the car station (52) to the entrance (50a) (S13). For example, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) identifies the entrance (50a) of the building (50) from the map information or the entrance (50a) of the building (50) from the map information and performs control to extend the geofence (500) to the entrance (50a). After that, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) terminates the series of geofence setting controls. Meanwhile, if the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines that the entrance (50a) of the building (50) cannot be identified based on the acquired map information ("No" in S12), it maintains the geofence (500) corresponding to the car station (52) (S14). After that, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) terminates the series of geofence setting controls.

[0063] In the above, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 2, as a method for setting a geofence, the geofence (500), which is the return range of the vehicle (30), is extended to the entrance (50a) of the building (50) where the car station (52) is provided. Accordingly, the fence determination unit (210) of the geofence device (20) can determine that the vehicle (30) has entered the geofence (500) by the vehicle (30) entering the building (50) from the entrance (50a), even if it is difficult to obtain location information of the vehicle (30) by GPS. Then, the control unit (11) of the management device (10) can determine that the vehicle (30) has entered the geofence (500) by estimating that the vehicle (30) has been returned to the car station (52) based on the fence determination information obtained from the fence determination unit (210) of the geofence device (20). Accordingly, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 2, even if a car station (52) is provided in an indoor or underground parking lot (51) where it is difficult to obtain location information of the vehicle (30) by GPS, the return of the vehicle (30) can be completed by the user's return operation.

[0064] In addition, if a car station (52) is provided in an indoor or underground parking lot (51) of a building (50), information recommending the expansion of the geofence (500) may be displayed on the display unit (12) of the management device (10) to notify the manager. Then, the manager may set the geofence (500) by expanding it to the entrance (50a) of the building (50) where the car station (52) is provided, for example, by operating the input unit (13) of the management device (10).

[0065] Embodiment 3

[0066] Below, Embodiment 3 of the car sharing system and geofence setting method according to the present invention will be described. In addition, descriptions similar to those in Embodiment 1 in this embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

[0067] FIG. 6a is a drawing showing a state in which parts of the geofences (600, 700) corresponding to each of the plurality of car stations (62, 72) overlap each other. FIG. 6b is a drawing showing a state in which the geofences (600, 700) corresponding to each of the plurality of car stations (62, 72) do not overlap each other.

[0068] In the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 3, as illustrated in FIG. 6a, a car station (62, 72) is provided in each of the adjacent ground parking lots (61, 71). The ground parking lots (61, 71) each have a rectangular shape when viewed from above and are adjacent to each other on the long side that forms the boundary. Additionally, a car station (62, 72) is provided within the ground parking lots (61, 71) by being located near the long side that forms the boundary between the ground parking lots (61, 71). Furthermore, the ground parking lots (61, 71) have an entrance (61a, 71a) for a vehicle (30) to enter and exit the ground parking lot (61, 71) on the long side opposite to the boundary between them. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 6a, the geofences (600, 700), which are returnable ranges of the vehicle (30) corresponding to each of the multiple car stations (62, 72), overlap in parts of each other.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of geofence setting control performed by the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) according to embodiment 3.

[0070] First, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) obtains information (fence information) regarding geofences (600, 700) corresponding to each of the plurality of car stations (62, 72) from the memory unit (23) of the geofence device (20) (S21). Next, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines whether parts of the geofences (600, 700) of the plurality of car stations (62, 72) overlap each other based on the obtained information (fence information) regarding the geofences (600, 700) (S22). If the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines that parts of the geofences (600, 700) overlap each other ("Yes" in S22), it narrows at least one geofence so that the geofences (600, 700) do not overlap (S23). Then, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) terminates a series of geofence setting controls. Meanwhile, if the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines that parts of the geofences (600, 700) do not overlap each other ("No" in S22), it maintains the geofences (600, 700) (S24). After that, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) terminates a series of geofence setting controls.

[0071] In the above, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 3, as a method for setting geofences, when parts of geofences (600, 700) overlap, at least one geofence (600, 700) is narrowed so that they do not overlap, as shown in FIG. 6b. In addition, in FIG. 6b, each geofence (600, 700) of a plurality of car stations (62, 72) is narrowed together so that parts of each do not overlap. By doing so, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 3, it is possible to prevent the vehicle (30) from being returned to a car station that the user did not intend. For example, in the case of a one-way car sharing service, it is possible to prevent the vehicle (30) from being returned to a car station that the user did not intend. In a one-way car sharing service, the car station for renting the vehicle (30) and the car station for returning the vehicle (30) are different.

[0072] In addition, if parts of the geofences (600, 700) overlap each other, information recommending narrowing at least one geofence may be displayed on the display unit (12) of the management device (10) to notify the manager. Also, the manager may set the geofences (600, 700) by narrowing at least one geofence so that parts of the geofences (600, 700) do not overlap each other, for example, by operating the input unit (13) of the management device (10).

[0073] Embodiment 4

[0074] Below, Embodiment 4 of the car sharing system and geofence setting method according to the present invention will be described. In addition, descriptions similar to those in Embodiment 1 in this embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

[0075] FIG. 8a is a drawing showing a state in which a vehicle return location (810) in which the vehicle (30) can be returned even outside the car station (82) is included within the geofence (800). FIG. 8b is a drawing showing a state in which a vehicle return location (810) in which the vehicle (30) can be returned even outside the car station (82) is not included within the geofence (800).

[0076] In the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 4, as shown in FIG. 8a, a car station (82) is provided in a parking lot (81). The parking lot (81) has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and an entrance (81a) for a vehicle (30) to enter and exit the outdoor parking lot (41) is provided on one long side. Also, as shown in FIG. 8a, the geofence (800), which is the return range of the vehicle (30) corresponding to the car station (82), is set to a wider range than the parking lot (81). Therefore, in FIG. 8a, there are cases where the vehicle (30) can be returned to the car station (82) even though the actual vehicle return location (810) at the time of vehicle return is a location other than the car station (82).

[0077] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of geofence setting control performed by the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) according to embodiment 4.

[0078] First, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) acquires information regarding the actual vehicle return location when the vehicle is returned (S31). Next, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines whether there is a case where the vehicle (30) can be returned outside the car station (82) of the return location based on the acquired information regarding the vehicle return location (S32). If the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines that there is a case where the vehicle (30) can be returned outside the car station (82) ("Yes" in S32), it narrows the geofence (800) corresponding to the car station (82) so as not to include the corresponding vehicle return location (810) (S33). After that, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) terminates a series of geofence setting controls. Meanwhile, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines that there is no case where the vehicle (30) can be returned outside of the car station (82) ("No" in S32), and maintains the geofence (800) for the car station (82) (S34). After that, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) terminates a series of geofence setting controls.

[0079] In the above, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 4, as a method for setting a geofence, the geofence (800) is narrowed so as not to include a vehicle return location (810) that corresponds to a case where the vehicle (30) can be returned even outside the car station (82), as shown in FIG. 8b. By doing so, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 4, the return of the vehicle (30) (the return of the vehicle (30) is completed) can be suppressed even outside the car station (82).

[0080] In addition, if there is a case where the vehicle (30) is returned to a location other than the car station (82), the manager may receive a notification from the next user (customer) stating that the vehicle (30) was not returned to the designated location. In this case, the manager may display a vehicle return location (810) where the vehicle (30) can be returned even outside the car station (82) by overlaying map information or a geofence (800) on the display unit (12) of the management device (10), and the manager may set the geofence (800) by the management device (10). That is, the manager may narrow the geofence (800) by operating the input unit (13) of the management device (10) so that the vehicle return location (810) displayed on the display unit (12) of the management device (10) is not included (so that the vehicle return location (810) is offset from within the geofence (800)).

[0081] Embodiment 5

[0082] Below, Embodiment 5 of the car sharing system and geofence setting method according to the present invention will be described. In addition, descriptions similar to those in Embodiment 1 in this embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

[0083] In the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 5, actual vehicle location information is collected at the time of vehicle return within a predetermined period after the operation of the car sharing service begins. Then, if there is a large change in the vehicle location information, the geofence, which is the return range of the vehicle (30) corresponding to the car station at the return location, is expanded.

[0084] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of geofence setting control performed by a control unit (21) of a geofence device (20) according to embodiment 5.

[0085] First, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) collects information regarding the actual vehicle return location when the vehicle is returned within a predetermined period (S41). Next, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines whether the variation in the vehicle return location is large based on the collected information regarding the vehicle return location (S42). Additionally, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines, for example, whether the variation in the vehicle return location is large or small based on a preset threshold value. If the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) determines that the variation in the vehicle return location is large ("Yes" in S42), it expands the geofence corresponding to the car station at the return location (S43). After that, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) terminates a series of geofence setting controls. Meanwhile, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) maintains a geofence corresponding to the car station when it determines that the change in the vehicle return position is small ("No" in S42) (S44). After that, the control unit (21) of the geofence device (20) terminates a series of geofence setting controls.

[0086] In the above, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 5, when there is a large change in the vehicle return location, the geofence corresponding to the car station is widened. By doing so, in the car sharing system (1) according to embodiment 5, the change in the vehicle return location when returning the vehicle (30) to the car station of the return location can be reduced.

Claims

Claim 1 A car sharing system comprising: a location information acquisition device for acquiring location information of a vehicle shared among users who have registered in advance; a storage device for storing map information including 3D data of a building located around a car station for renting and returning the vehicle; and a control device for setting a geofence which is a returnable range of the vehicle corresponding to the car station; wherein the control device acquires the map information from the storage device, and based on the acquired map information, if it is estimated that the precision of the location information at the car station acquired by the location information acquisition device is lower than a preset threshold value because the car station is surrounded by the building of a predetermined height or higher in a predetermined ratio, the control device executes a control to expand the geofence. Claim 2 A geofence setting method, wherein the precision of the location information of the vehicle by GPS at the car station is estimated based on map information including 3D data of a building located around a car station that performs the rental and return of a vehicle jointly used among users who have registered in advance, and if the precision of the location information is estimated to be lower than a preset threshold, the geofence, which is the returnable range of the vehicle corresponding to the car station, is expanded. Claim 3 A geofence setting method, wherein when parts of multiple geofences, which are returnable ranges of vehicles corresponding to each of multiple car stations for renting and returning vehicles jointly used among users who have registered in advance, overlap each other, at least one geofence is narrowed so that the multiple geofences do not overlap. Claim 4 A geofence setting method, wherein after the commencement of operation of a car-sharing service in which a vehicle is jointly used among users who have registered in advance, actual location information of the vehicle at the time of return is collected, and if the change in the location information is greater than a preset threshold, a geofence is expanded to be a returnable range of the vehicle corresponding to the car station where the vehicle is returned. Claim 5 A geofence setting method, wherein, when the actual vehicle return location at the time of return of a vehicle jointly used among users who have registered in advance is a location other than the car station where the rental and return of the vehicle are performed, but it is determined that the vehicle has been returned to the car station, the geofence, which is the returnable range of the vehicle corresponding to the car station, is narrowed so as not to include the vehicle return location.

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