Retread management system, retread management device, retread business identification method, and program

Abstract

A retread management system (100) according to the present disclosure is a system capable of easily identifying a business location capable of retreading a tire (1) of a subject vehicle using a retread suitable for the tire (1). The retread management system (100) acquires tire information of the tire (1) to be treaded (S12), determines the retread to be applied to the tire (1) on the basis of the tire information (S13), determines a retreading store that can carry out retreading work using the retread (S15), and outputs store information of the retreading store to an information terminal (20) (S19).

Description

Retread Management System, Retread Management Device, Retread Business Office Identification Method, and Program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a retread management system, a retread management device, a retread business office identification method, and a program.

[0002] Conventionally, a retread tire is known in which the tread portion of a tire whose primary life has ended is replaced with a new tread rubber to restore the function of the tire (see Patent Document 1). The retread tire is excellent in economy and is also friendly to the environment, so its penetration rate has been increasing in recent years. In addition, the number of construction business offices (construction contractors) capable of installing retread tires is also increasing. The retread tire is also referred to as a recycled tire or a regenerated tire.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-1351

[0004] However, although the number of construction business offices for retread tires is increasing, users who wish to retread their tires cannot easily find a construction business office that can install a retread on their vehicle tires with a recycled tread that fits their vehicle tires. This is also one of the reasons for the slow growth of the penetration rate of retread tires.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a retread management system, a retread management device, a retread business office identification method, and a program that can easily identify a construction business office capable of installing a retread on a tire with a recycled tread that fits the tires of a vehicle.

[0006] A retread management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an acquisition processing unit that acquires tire-related information regarding a tire, a retread determination unit that determines a recycled tread corresponding to the tire based on the tire-related information acquired by the acquisition processing unit, a business office identification unit that identifies a retread business office capable of installing the recycled tread determined by the retread determination unit on the tire based on a plurality of pre-registered business office information, and an output processing unit that outputs specific business office information regarding the retread business office identified by the business office identification unit.

[0007] According to this disclosure, users can easily identify service providers capable of retreading their tires with a retread suitable for their vehicle's tires.

[0008] Figure 1 is a network diagram showing the configuration of a retread management system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vehicle fitted with a tire to be retreaded. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information terminal used by a user of the retread management system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management server provided by the retread management system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen (login screen) running on an information terminal. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen (home screen) running on an information terminal. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen (tire information input screen) running on an information terminal. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the state in which tire information has been entered on the tire information input screen of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the screen when a tire tread image has been captured on the tire information input screen of Figure 8. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen (usage status input screen) running on an information terminal. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the screen when the tire usage status has been entered on the usage status input screen of Figure 11. Figure 13 shows an example of a screen (desired conditions input screen) of an application running on an information terminal. Figure 14 shows an example of a screen when user desired conditions are entered on the desired conditions input screen of Figure 13. Figure 15 shows a tire information management table used in the retread management system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 16 shows a tire condition management table used in the retread management system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 17 shows a work shop management table used in the retread management system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a shop search process procedure executed in the retread management system according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiments described below are merely examples of the embodiments of this disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0010] Figure 1 is a network diagram showing the configuration of a retread management system 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as the management system 100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the management system 100 is an example of the retread system of the present disclosure.

[0011] The management system 100 is configured to determine a retread that can be applied to the tire 1 (see Figure 2) used for driving the vehicle 50, identify a retreading shop (an example of a retreading business in this disclosure) that can apply the retread to the tire 1, and present information about the retreading shop.

[0012] For example, a user of vehicle 50 (a user of the management system 100) launches a predetermined application on their information terminal 20 and registers information about the tire 1 mounted on vehicle 50 (tire information, tire usage status information, desired conditions information, etc.) in the application. Based on the registered information, the management system 100 determines the retread tread applicable to tire 1, identifies a retreading shop capable of applying the retread tread to tire 1, and displays the information of the retreading shop on the information terminal 20.

[0013] Tire 1 can be any type of tire as long as it has a tread portion in contact with the road surface. Tire 1 may be, for example, a pneumatic tire filled with compressed air, or a non-pneumatic tire not filled with compressed air.

[0014] Furthermore, tire 1 may be a retreaded tire that has already undergone retreading.

[0015] The retreaded tread is, for example, a component that replaces a tread portion that has been determined to have reached the end of its primary lifespan. The primary lifespan is defined as the appearance of a wear indicator or similar on the surface of the tread portion in a pneumatic tire to be retreaded. If the tire to be retreaded is a non-pneumatic tire, the retreaded tread is a component that replaces the tread ring of the non-pneumatic tire (the portion corresponding to the tread portion of a pneumatic tire).

[0016] Various types of retreads are available from the manufacturers that produce them. When a user wishes to have the tires 1 of their vehicle 50 retreaded, they select one of the retreads and have the retreading work (replacement of the tread portion) performed at a retreading shop.

[0017] The aforementioned retreading shop provides a service that restores the tire's function by removing the tread portion of the tire 1 of the vehicle 50 brought in, and then attaching the retread, which is suitable for the tire 1, to the base tire after the tread portion has been removed.

[0018] [Configuration of the Retread Management System 100] As shown in Figure 1, the management system 100 comprises a management server 10 (an example of a retread management device in this disclosure), an information terminal 20, and a database 30, which are connected to each other via a wired or wireless communication network. The communication network is, for example, a wired communication network connected by a LAN, or a wireless communication network such as a dedicated line or a public line.

[0019] The management server 10 is one element of the management system 100. The management server 10 uses the information about the tire 1 (tire information, tire usage status information, desired conditions information, etc.) input from the user's information terminal 20 to perform the retread determination process (see Figure 18) described below. This determines one or more retreads that can be applied to the tire 1. Furthermore, the management server 10 performs a store search process (see Figure 18). The store search process handles the determined retread and searches for a retreading shop that can perform retreading by replacing the tread portion of the tire 1 with the determined retread, and outputs the information of the retreading shop to the information terminal 20.

[0020] The management server 10 is an information processing device or server device capable of performing various calculations, and specifically, it is a computer such as a server computer, cloud server, or personal computer connected to the communication network. The management server 10 may consist of a single computer, or it may be a computer system or cloud computing system in which multiple computers work together.

[0021] Furthermore, the various processes performed on the management server 10 may be distributed and executed by one or more processors. The management server 10 has programs or computer software installed for running the management system 100.

[0022] The information terminal 20 is an information processing device or terminal device for inputting information about the tire 1 that is to be retreaded. The information terminal 20 is a portable device such as a smartphone or tablet. The information terminal 20 may also be a so-called desktop computer or notebook computer. In this embodiment, the information terminal 20 will be described using a portable device used by the owner of the tire 1 as an example.

[0023] The information terminal 20 may also be an in-vehicle terminal or display device installed in the vehicle 50. Furthermore, if the vehicle 50 is a so-called connected car that has the functionality of an ICT terminal, the vehicle 50 itself can be considered as the information terminal 20.

[0024] The information terminal 20 has an application installed that operates in conjunction with the management system 100. The application is a program or computer software that registers tire information related to the tire 1 to be retreaded, information indicating the usage status of the tire 1 (tire usage status information), and information indicating the user's desired conditions (user desired conditions information) that are referenced when searching for a retreading service store (user desired conditions information) in the management system 100, and displays on the information terminal 20 information related to the retreaded tread and information about the retreading service store output from the management system 100.

[0025] The database 30 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD that is connected to the communication network in a communication manner. The database 30 stores various data handled by the management system 100. The database 30 is configured as an external device such as another server device or other storage device that can communicate data with the management server 10. The database 30 may also be a so-called cloud storage connected via an internet line. Furthermore, the database 30 may be a storage device provided on the management server 10, or it may be an external storage device connected to the management server 10 via a local network.

[0026] [Vehicle 50] The vehicle 50 with the tire 1 attached will be described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of vehicle 50. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of vehicle 50.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle 50 is, for example, a four-wheeled passenger car, equipped with a total of four wheels, front and rear, with a tire 1 mounted on each wheel. In this embodiment, the vehicle 50 is, for example, a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FF) vehicle. The tires 1F mounted on the front wheels of the vehicle 50 are the drive tires, and the tires 1R mounted on the rear wheels are the driven tires. The drive system and steering system of the vehicle 50 are not particularly limited. The vehicle 50 may have a drive system different from an FF vehicle, and a steering system different from a front-wheel steering system.

[0028] Furthermore, vehicle 50 is not limited to four-wheeled passenger cars, but may also include passenger cars other than four-wheeled vehicles, large vehicles such as trucks and buses, motorcycles, racing vehicles, industrial vehicles such as forklifts, construction vehicles such as road rollers, asphalt finishers and bulldozers, load-carrying vehicles such as trailers and trolleys, special vehicles, and other vehicles not belonging to these categories.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the vehicle 50 is equipped with various sensors, including a wheel speed sensor 51, a lateral acceleration sensor 52, a pressure sensor 53, a temperature sensor 54, a thickness sensor 55, a steering angle sensor 56, a brake sensor 57, and a tread surface sensor 58. Sensors 51 to 55 are fixed to the inner surface of the tire 1 via mounting members (not shown).

[0030] Each of the sensors 51 to 55 is connected to a transmitter (not shown) provided on the tire 1, and the detection values ​​of each of the sensors 51 to 55 are transmitted to the control unit 60 via the transmitter.

[0031] The wheel speed sensor 51 detects the wheel speed signal (rotation speed information) of the tire 1 while the vehicle 50 is in motion. The control unit 61 of the control unit 60 calculates the rotation speed of the tire 1, the rotation speed, and the vehicle 50's travel speed based on the wheel speed signal.

[0032] The lateral acceleration sensor 52 detects the lateral acceleration (lateral acceleration) applied to the tire 1 of the vehicle 50 while it is in motion.

[0033] The pressure sensor 53 detects the air pressure (tire pressure) filled into the tire 1.

[0034] The temperature sensor 54 detects the temperature of the tire 1 (tire temperature).

[0035] The thickness sensor 55 detects the thickness of the tread portion of the tire 1 (thickness from the band portion to the surface). Two thickness sensors 55 are provided on the inner surface of each tire 1 and are mounted at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the tire 1.

[0036] Each of the sensors 51 to 55 can have any configuration as long as it can output a detected value of the object to be detected or a signal indicating that detected value, and there are no particular limitations on its mounting position or detection method. If each of the sensors 51 to 55 is connected to the control unit 60 wirelessly or via a wired connection, the detected value may be transmitted individually from each of the sensors 51 to 55 to the control unit 60.

[0037] The steering angle sensor 56 detects the steering angle, which is the rotation angle of the steering wheel 503. The steering angle sensor 56 is, for example, mounted on the steering shaft of the steering wheel 503. The steering angle sensor 56 is connected to the control unit 60 wirelessly or via a wired connection. The steering angle (detected value) detected by the steering angle sensor 56 is transmitted to the control unit 60. The steering angle sensor 56 can have any configuration as long as it can detect the steering angle of the steering wheel 503, and there are no particular limitations on its mounting position or detection method.

[0038] The brake sensor 57 detects whether or not the brakes are applied by the driver, and the amount of pedal depression (amount of operation). The brake sensor 57 is, for example, a rotary encoder or potentiometer provided on the brake pedal. The brake sensor 57 is connected to the control unit 60 wirelessly or via a wired connection for communication. The presence or absence of operation (detected value) and the amount of pedal depression (detected value) detected by the brake sensor 57 are transmitted to the control unit 60. The brake sensor 57 can have any configuration as long as it is capable of detecting values ​​related to brake operation, and there are no particular limitations on its mounting position or detection method.

[0039] The tread surface sensor 58 detects information for measuring the presence or absence of grooves on the surface (tread surface) of the tread portion of the tire 1, and for measuring the groove depth. As the tread surface sensor 58, for example, a scanning optical distance sensor installed on the inner surface of the wheel well of the vehicle 50 can be used.

[0040] The optical distance sensor measures the distance to the tread surface of the object to be detected by emitting laser light that scans the tread surface in the tire width direction and emitting reflected light from the tread surface. The optical distance sensor also generates and outputs trace data that traces the uneven shape of the tread surface in the width direction. Therefore, the control unit 61 of the control unit 60 can measure the presence or absence of grooves in the tread and the depth of the grooves based on the trace data.

[0041] It is also possible to replace the optical distance sensor with a plurality of reflective photointerrupters (also called photoreflectors) arranged along the width direction on the inner surface of the wheel well. Furthermore, it is also possible to replace the optical distance sensor with a camera that captures an image of the tread surface or a line sensor capable of detecting the shape in the width direction of the tire.

[0042] Furthermore, the tire 1 is provided with a memory 67 in which identification information of the tire 1 is stored. The memory 67 is a storage device that has the function of communicating data with other devices. The memory 67 is fixed to the inner surface of the tire 1 by a predetermined mounting member. The identification information can be any information that can distinguish tire 1 from other tires. The identification information is an ID number assigned to each tire. The identification information may also include the size of tire 1, brand name, manufacturer name, model number, product brand name, manufacturing date, etc. When the control unit 60 communicates with the memory 67 and obtains the identification information of tire 1 mounted on the vehicle 50, it stores the identification information in the storage unit 62.

[0043] In addition, when each of the sensors 51 to 55 described above is not communicably connected to the control unit 60, for example, the detection values of the sensors 51 to 55 may be stored in the memory 67. In this case, the control unit 61 may acquire the detection values by communicating with the memory 67 and calculate the rotational speed, lateral acceleration, etc. of the tire 1.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 50 includes a control unit 60 that performs overall control of the vehicle 50. The control unit 60 is an information processing device capable of executing various arithmetic processes. The control unit 60 includes a control unit 61, a storage unit 62, a communication unit 63, a GPS reception unit 64, an output unit 65, an input unit 66, and the like.

[0045] The communication unit 63 is a communication interface. The communication unit 63 wirelessly connects the control unit 60 to a predetermined communication network and performs data communication according to a predetermined communication protocol with external devices outside the vehicle 50 via the communication network. For example, the communication unit 63 is communicably connected to the information terminal 20.

[0046] The GPS reception unit 64 acquires position information of the traveling position of the vehicle 50. The GPS reception unit 64 receives signals from GPS satellites and further performs predetermined arithmetic processing to detect the position of the vehicle 50 on the earth. The detected position information is transmitted to the control unit 61. The control unit 61 specifies the traveling position of the vehicle 50 based on the position information and specifies the traveling route of the vehicle 50. The control unit 61 stores traveling route information indicating the traveling route in the storage unit 62.

[0047] The storage unit 62 is a non-volatile storage medium or storage device that stores various types of information. For example, a control program for causing the control unit 61 to execute various processes is stored in the storage unit 62. The control program is stored in an external storage device such as a server device or an external storage that can be communicatively connected to the communication unit 63, and is read from the external storage device and copied to the storage unit 62. Alternatively, the control program may be non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and read by a reading device (not shown) electrically connected to the control unit 60 and copied to the storage unit 62.

[0048] Further, in the storage unit 62, detection values and data transmitted from the respective sensors 51 to 58, various types of information (such as tire rotation speed and traveling speed) converted or generated based on the detection values and the data, information on the traveling position of the vehicle 50 detected by the GPS reception unit 64 (traveling position information), and the traveling route information generated based on the traveling position information are stored.

[0049] The output unit 65 is an interface that outputs the results of various processes executed by the control unit 61. For example, the instrument unit 501 and the display device 502 mounted on the vehicle 50 are connected to the output unit 65. The control unit 61 outputs, for example, the traveling speed of the vehicle 50 to the instrument unit 501, and outputs various types of information according to a display request from the driver of the vehicle 50 or the like to the display device 502.

[0050] The input unit 66 is an interface that is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the various sensors 51 to 58 provided in the vehicle 50 and the memory 67. Signals output from the sensors 51 to 58 and the like are input to the input unit 66.

[0051] The control unit 61 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM is a non-volatile memory in which control programs for causing the CPU to execute various processes are stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory that stores various types of information and is used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU. Then, the control unit 61 controls the vehicle 50 by causing the CPU to execute various control programs stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 62.

[0052] The control unit 61 includes various processing units, such as a conversion processing unit 611. The control unit 61 functions as one of these processing units by executing various processes according to the control program using the CPU. Some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 61 may be composed of electronic circuits. Furthermore, the processes described later, performed by the conversion processing unit 611, may be executed by separate processing units. The control program may also be a program that causes multiple processors to function as the various processing units.

[0053] The conversion processing unit 611 performs a process to convert the detected values ​​and data input to the input unit 66 from the various sensors 51 to 58 into state data related to the detected values ​​and data. The conversion processing unit 611 also performs a process to generate the state data related to the detected values ​​and data based on the detected values ​​and data input to the input unit 66 from the various sensors 51 to 58.

[0054] Here, the state data includes, for example, the rotational speed of the tire 1, the driving speed of the vehicle 50, the acceleration of the vehicle 50, the distance traveled by the vehicle 50, the lateral acceleration applied to the tire 1 during driving, the air pressure of the tire 1 during driving of the vehicle 50, the temperature of the tire 1 during driving of the vehicle 50, the thickness and wear amount of the tread portion of the tire 1, the groove depth of the tread portion of the tire 1, and the amount of uneven wear on the tread portion of the tire 1. The state data may also include the steering angle of the vehicle 50, the number of times the brakes are applied, and the amount the brakes are pressed.

[0055] Furthermore, the status data may include the ratio of the distance traveled in rainy weather to the total distance traveled by the vehicle 50 (rainy weather travel ratio).

[0056] For example, if the vehicle 50 is equipped with a well-known rain sensor for detecting rainfall, the control unit 61 of the control unit 60, upon detecting rainfall while the vehicle 50 is in motion, measures the distance traveled during the rainfall detection period (rainy weather travel distance), calculates the ratio of the rainy weather travel distance to the total travel distance (rainy weather travel ratio), and stores it in the storage unit 62.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, if the weather forecast for the area where the vehicle 50 is traveling is rain, the control unit 61 may calculate the rainy-day travel ratio based on the rainy-day travel distance while traveling in the rainy-day area and the total travel distance, and store it in the storage unit 62. The rainy-day forecast is a weather forecast in which the probability of precipitation indicated in the weather forecast is above a predetermined threshold. The threshold can be set arbitrarily. In addition, if the control unit 60 of the vehicle 50 is able to connect to an internet line, the control unit 60 can obtain the rainy-day forecast data from a database that stores the weather forecast data, etc., through a so-called weather forecast API (API: Application Programming Interface).

[0058] Such condition data is used as determination material to determine the appropriate retread for tire 1 when replacing the tread portion of tire 1 with the retread.

[0059] The tire rotation speed, the driving speed, and the acceleration can be converted or generated based on the detected value (wheel speed signal) of the wheel speed sensor 51. The lateral acceleration can be converted or generated based on the detected value of the lateral acceleration sensor 52. The tire air pressure can be converted or generated based on the detected value of the pressure sensor 53. The tire temperature can be converted or generated based on the detected value of the temperature sensor 54.

[0060] The groove depth of the tread portion can be converted or generated based on data output from the tread surface sensor 58.

[0061] The wear amount can be converted or generated based on the detection value of the thickness sensor 55. The uneven wear amount indicates the degree of uneven wear in the tread portion of the tire 1. One specific example of the uneven wear amount is, for example, the difference in thickness at both ends of the tread portion in the width direction, which can be converted or generated based on the difference in detection values ​​of a pair of thickness sensors 55 provided on the inner surface of the tire 1, separated in the width direction.

[0062] The uneven wear that occurs on tire 1 includes so-called one-sided wear (outer wear, inner wear), shoulder wear, center wear, toe-in wear, toe-out wear, localized wear, wavy wear, pit-like wear, and sawtooth-like wear (heel-and-toe wear). The presence or absence of these uneven wears and the degree of uneven wear (amount of uneven wear) can be determined and measured by appropriately adjusting the number and position of the thickness sensors 55 attached to tire 1.

[0063] The steering angle can be converted or generated based on the value detected by the steering angle sensor 56. The number of brake strokes and the amount of brake depression can be converted or generated based on the value detected by the brake sensor 57.

[0064] The state data, including the various information described above, obtained by the conversion processing unit 611, is stored in the storage unit 62 for each tire identification information. Furthermore, the state data stored in the storage unit 62 is transferred to the memory 67 of each tire 1 and stored in the memory 67, for example, when the vehicle 50 stops and the key is turned off. Therefore, even if the tire 1 is removed from the vehicle 50 and mounted on another vehicle 50 as a used tire, the state data of the tire 1 can be inherited by the other vehicle 50.

[0065] Of the aforementioned state data, the tire rotation count is stored in the storage unit 62 as the cumulative number of rotations of the tire 1 while the vehicle 50 is in motion. The driving speed is stored in the storage unit 62 as the average value (average speed) of the driving speed detected during driving. The acceleration is stored in the storage unit 62 as the number of times (frequency) overacceleration exceeding a predetermined reference value occurs. The lateral acceleration is stored in the storage unit 62 as the number of times (frequency) excessive lateral acceleration exceeding a predetermined reference value occurs. The tire temperature is stored in the storage unit 62 as the average value (average tire temperature) of the temperature detected during driving. The wear amount and the uneven wear amount are stored in the storage unit 62 as their original numerical values. The steering angle is stored in the storage unit 62 as the number of times oversteering angle exceeding a predetermined reference value (reference angle) occurs. The number of brakes is stored in the storage unit 62 as the cumulative number. The aforementioned pedal depression amount is stored in the memory unit 62 as the number of occurrences of excessive pedal depression (over-depression) that exceeds a predetermined standard value.

[0066] Furthermore, among the status data, the average value of the pressure values ​​detected during driving (average air pressure) is stored in the storage unit 62. The maximum and minimum values ​​of the tire air pressure during driving may also be stored in the storage unit 62.

[0067] Furthermore, among the state data, the groove depth is stored in the storage unit 62 as a numerical value.

[0068] The maximum and minimum values ​​of the tire temperature during driving may be stored in the storage unit 62.

[0069] Furthermore, the conversion processing unit 611 performs processes to generate a driving route for the vehicle 50 from the location information of the vehicle 50, and to calculate the driving distance, based on the location information of the vehicle 50 input from the GPS receiving unit 64 to the input unit 66.

[0070] The aforementioned travel route is included in the status data. For example, the travel distance for each type of road surface condition (road surface type) along the travel route can be considered as information about the travel route. Specifically, examples of road surface conditions include flat roads, mountain roads, and expressways. The status data includes the travel distance or travel distance ratio for each road surface type. Specifically, the distance traveled on flat roads (flat road travel distance) or its ratio, the distance traveled on mountain roads (mountain road travel distance) or its ratio, the distance traveled on expressways (expressway travel distance) or its ratio are accumulated and stored in the storage unit 62. This information is also used as determination material for determining the appropriate retread for the tire 1. The road surface type along the travel route traveled by the vehicle 50 can be obtained, for example, by referring to road map data that includes road type information.

[0071] [Database 30] Database 30 stores a tire information management table 31 (see Figure 15) containing tire information about the tire 1 to be retreaded, and a tire condition management table 32 (see Figure 16) containing the condition data of the tire 1 to be retreaded. Database 30 also has a store management table 33 (see Figure 17) pre-stored, which contains information about the retreading service shops (service shops).

[0072] In this embodiment, when a user who wishes to retread a tire inputs the tire information and the state data of the tire 1 using the information terminal 20, the tire information is registered in the tire information management table 31 and the state data is registered in the tire state management table 32.

[0073] [Information Terminal 20] The specific configuration of the information terminal 20 will be described below with reference to Figure 4. Here, Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information terminal 20.

[0074] As shown in Figure 4, the information terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation display unit 23, an imaging unit 27, a communication unit 28, and the like. The information terminal 20 is a portable terminal used by a user who wishes to retread the tire 1 (for example, the owner or manager of the vehicle 50), and is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet device.

[0075] The communication unit 28 is a communication interface. The communication unit 28 connects the information terminal 20 to the network and performs data communication with the management server 10 and the database 30 via the network in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0076] The memory unit 22 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores various types of information. The memory unit 22 stores control programs that cause the control unit 21 to execute various calculation processes, the application programs mentioned above, and data used in various calculation processes.

[0077] The operation display unit 23 is a user interface comprising a display unit 23A, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, which displays various types of information, and an operation unit (not shown), such as a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel, which accepts user input. The operation unit is, for example, a touch panel.

[0078] The display unit 23A of the operation display unit 23 displays the screen used for the application. Specifically, the display screen of the display unit 23A displays operation screens such as the login screen 41 (see Figure 6), home screen 42 (see Figure 7), tire information input screen 43 (see Figures 8 to 10), usage status input screen 44 (see Figures 11 and 12), and desired conditions input screen 45 (see Figure 13).

[0079] The login screen 41 is an operation screen for activating the application that works in conjunction with the management system 100, and is the first screen displayed when the application is launched on the information terminal 20. As shown in Figure 6, the login screen 41 has an input field 601 for entering a user ID to identify the user, and an input field 602 for entering a password. When the user ID is entered in input field 601 and the password is entered in input field 602, and the login button 201 is pressed, login authentication is performed. If the login is approved, the application is launched. When the application is launched, the home screen 42, described later, is displayed on the display unit 23A.

[0080] The home screen 42 is an operation screen for selecting information items to be registered in the database 30. The home screen 42 has operation buttons 604, 605, and 606. Operation button 604 is an operation button that is pressed when inputting tire information related to tire 1. Operation button 605 is an operation button that is pressed when inputting the usage status of tire 1 (tire usage status). Operation button 606 is an operation button that is pressed when inputting the user's desired conditions (user desired conditions) used to search for retreading service shops. When operation button 604 is pressed, the tire information item is selected, and the tire information input screen 43 shown in Figure 8 is displayed on the display unit 23A. When operation button 605 is pressed, the tire usage status item is selected, and the usage status input screen 44 shown in Figure 11 is displayed on the display unit 23A. Then, when operation button 606 is pressed, the user desired conditions item is selected, and the desired conditions input screen 45 shown in Figure 13 is displayed on the display unit 23A.

[0081] The home screen 42 also has a search execution key 202. The search execution key 202 is an operation key that is pressed to perform a search for stores that handle the refurbished treads that match the entered information. When the search execution key 202 is pressed, the management server 10 executes a store search process (see Figure 18).

[0082] As shown in Figure 8, the tire information input screen 43 is an operation screen for inputting tire information related to tire 1, and has a plurality of input fields 68 to 74 for inputting the tire information. The tire information input screen 43 also has a display frame 75, operation buttons 76 and 77, an execution key 78, and a registration key 79. The display frame 75 displays the image of the target to be captured. The operation buttons 76 and 77 are operation units for specifying the target to be captured by the imaging unit 27 (see Figure 4). The execution key 78 is an operation key that is pressed when the imaging is executed. The registration key 79 is an operation key that sends the entered information to the management server 10 and registers it in the tire information management table 31 (see Figure 15) of the database 30.

[0083] Input field 68 is used to enter the date and time (registration date and time) of the photograph of the tire information for tire 1 to be retreaded. Input field 69 is used to enter the brand name of tire 1. Note that the name of the tire manufacturer may be entered in input field 69 instead of the brand name. Input field 70 is used to enter the product brand name to identify the type of tire 1. Input field 71 is used to enter the pattern name to identify the tread pattern of tire 1. Input field 72 is used to enter the tire size of tire 1. Input field 73 is used to enter the identification number of tire 1. Input field 74 is used to enter the manufacturing date of tire 1. Note that a sequence of numbers indicating the manufacturing date may be entered in input field 74 instead of the manufacturing date. All of the above information, except for the date and time of the photograph, is printed on the sidewall of tire 1.

[0084] In this embodiment, as a means for acquiring tire information, when a user images the sidewall of the tire 1 to be retreaded with the imaging unit 27 (see Figure 4), the control unit 21 of the information terminal 20 analyzes the image and automatically inputs the information recognized from the sidewall image into input frames 69 to 74, and automatically inputs the date and time of imaging as the registration date into input frame 68. Specifically, the user presses the operation button 76 to specify the sidewall as the imaging target, then displays the sidewall of the tire 1 on the display frame 75, and when the execution key 78 is pressed in this state, the control unit 21 analyzes the sidewall image, recognizes the tire information and the date and time of imaging contained in the sidewall, and automatically inputs them into the corresponding input frames 68 to 74. As a result, the information terminal 20 can acquire the aforementioned information.

[0085] Another example of the means for acquiring the tire information is a method in which the user reads each piece of information from the sidewall of the tire 1 to be retreaded and manually transcribes it into each input field 69 to 74 to input the information.

[0086] Figure 9 shows the state in which information has been entered into input fields 68 to 74. When the tire information is entered, the entered tire information is stored in the storage unit 22 of the information terminal 20.

[0087] After inputting the tire information, the user inputs an image of the tread portion of the tire 1 to be retreaded, if necessary. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the user presses the operation button 77 to specify the tread portion as the target for imaging, then points the imaging unit 27 towards the tread portion of the tire 1 and displays the tread portion in the display frame 75, and then presses the execute key 78. As a result, an image of the tread portion of the tire 1 is captured, and the image data is stored in the storage unit 22 of the information terminal 20. The captured still image of the tread portion is displayed in the display frame 75.

[0088] Subsequently, when the registration key 79 is pressed, the information entered in each input field 68 to 74, as well as the image data of the captured tread portion, are read from the storage unit 22 and sent to the management server 10. The management server 10 assigns a management number to the received information and registers it in the tire information management table 31 (see Figure 15) of the database 30.

[0089] Furthermore, the user can, at any time, capture an image of only the tread portion of the tire 1 using the imaging unit 27 via the tire information input screen 43 and send that image data to the management server 10. For example, when the operation button 77 is pressed while the tire information input screen 43 shown in Figure 8 is displayed on the display unit 23A, the tread portion is specified as the target for imaging. In this state, the user can capture an image of the tread portion of the tire 1 by displaying the tread portion in the display frame 75 and pressing the execute key 78. Then, when the registration key 79 is pressed, the image data of the tread portion is sent to the management server 10.

[0090] As shown in Figure 11, the usage status input screen 44 is an operation screen for inputting information indicating the usage status of the tire 1 to be retreaded (tire usage status information). The usage status input screen 44 has a plurality of input fields 81 to 84 for inputting the tire usage status information. The usage status input screen 44 also has an execution key 88 and a registration key 89. The execution key 88 is an operation key that communicates with the memory 67 (see Figure 3) or control unit 60 provided in the tire 1 to retrieve the status data stored in the memory 67 or storage unit 62 and executes a process to register it in the tire status management table 32 (see Figure 16) of the database 30. The registration key 89 is an operation key that sends the input information to the management server 10 to register the information in the tire status management table 32 (see Figure 16) of the database 30.

[0091] Input field 81 is used to input the mileage of the vehicle 50 equipped with the tire 1 to be retreaded. This mileage is the distance traveled with tire 1 and does not include the distance traveled with other tires. Input field 82 is used to input the number of times the tire has been retreaded in the past. Input field 83 is used to input the average air pressure of tire 1 during driving with tire 1. Input field 84 is used to input the average speed at which tire 1 was driven. Each of the above pieces of information can be checked, for example, on the instrument unit 501 or display device 502 of the vehicle 50, and the user inputs each piece of information by manually transferring the information checked on the instrument unit 501 or display device 502 to each of the input fields 81 to 84. As a result, the information terminal 20 can acquire each of the above pieces of information.

[0092] Another example of a means for acquiring the tire usage status information is to communicate with the memory 67 (see Figure 3) of the tire 1 and acquire the status data in the memory 67 as the tire usage status information. Specifically, the user brings the information terminal 20 within the communication range of the memory 67 and presses the execution key 88. When the execution key 88 is pressed, data communication between the information terminal 20 and the memory 67 begins. As a result, the information terminal 20 can acquire the status data in the memory 67 as the tire usage status information.

[0093] Furthermore, as another example of the means for acquiring the tire usage status information, for example, the control unit 21 of the information terminal 20 may access the storage unit 62 of the control unit 60 and read the status data in the storage unit 62, or have it transferred to the control unit 61 of the control unit 60.

[0094] When the aforementioned status data is acquired, the information contained in the status data may be displayed in the input frames 81 to 84. Alternatively, a display frame 85 (see Figure 12) for displaying other information contained in the status data may be provided on the usage status input screen 44, and that information may be displayed in the display frame 85.

[0095] Figure 12 shows the state in which information is displayed in input frames 81 to 84 and display frame 85. When the tire usage status information is input or acquired, the tire usage status information is stored in the storage unit 22 of the information terminal 20.

[0096] After the tire usage status information is acquired, when the registration key 89 is pressed, the information entered in each input field 81 to 84, or the status data shown in the display field 85 acquired from memory 67, etc., is read from the storage unit 22 and sent to the management server 10. The management server 10 assigns the same management number as the management number of the tire information to the received information and registers it in the tire status management table 32 (see Figure 16) of the database 30.

[0097] As shown in Figure 13, the desired conditions input screen 45 is an operation screen for inputting the user's desired conditions (user desired conditions) used to search for retreading service stores. The desired conditions input screen 45 has a plurality of input fields 91 to 97 for inputting the user desired conditions. The desired conditions input screen 45 also has an operation key 98 for displaying a map to specify the store search area, and a registration key 99 for transmitting the entered information to the management server 10 and registering it in the storage unit 12 of the management server 10.

[0098] In this embodiment, the user manually enters information into each input field 91 to 97. Note that entering information into input fields 91 to 97 is not mandatory; it is sufficient if information is entered into at least one of them. Furthermore, it is not necessary for information to be entered into all input fields 91 to 97.

[0099] The distance from the user's current location to the construction store is entered into the input field 91. The current location is, for example, the current location obtained by the GPS receiver 25 (the current location of the information terminal 20), or the user's residential address which has been registered in advance. In other words, the distance condition from the current location to the construction store is entered into the input field 91.

[0100] The search area for the construction store is entered into input field 92. The search area is entered into input field 92 by selecting from multiple regions (for example, prefectures or municipalities) listed in the pull-down menu.

[0101] As another example of the input means for the search area, for example, when the operation key 98 is pressed, the user can input an area touched on the map displayed on the display unit 23A as the search area, or the user can input an area arbitrarily enclosed on the map as the search area.

[0102] The desired brand name of the retread is entered in input field 93. Alternatively, the manufacturer name of the retread manufacturer may be entered in input field 93 instead of the brand name. The date on which the vehicle 50 or tire 1 fitted with the tire to be retreaded is deposited is entered in input field 94. The date on which the vehicle 50 or tire 1 will be picked up after retreading is entered in input field 95. The deposit period for the vehicle 50 or tire 1 is entered in input field 96.

[0103] The user enters the desired price information into the input field 97. This price information is, for example, the desired purchase price or price range for the retreaded tread. This price information may also include, for example, information on the labor cost required for the retreading work. Furthermore, this price information may be the upper limit of the desired purchase price.

[0104] Figure 14 shows the state in which information is displayed in input fields 91 to 97. When the user's desired conditions are entered, the entered information (desired conditions information) is stored in the storage unit 22 of the information terminal 20.

[0105] After the desired conditions information is entered into input fields 91 to 97, when the registration key 99 is pressed, the desired conditions information entered into each input field 91 to 97 is read from the storage unit 22 and sent to the management server 10. The management server 10 temporarily stores the received desired conditions information in the storage unit 12.

[0106] Once the user has finished entering the required information on the tire information input screen 43, the usage status input screen 44, and the desired conditions input screen 45, the user returns the display content of the display unit 23A to the home screen 42 and presses the search execution key 202 on the home screen 42. As a result, the control unit 21 of the information terminal 20 sends a search execution request to the management server 10 to execute the store search process (see Figure 18).

[0107] The GPS receiver 25 acquires the current location information of the information terminal 20. The GPS receiver 25 receives signals from GPS satellites and performs predetermined calculation processing to detect the location of the information terminal 20 on Earth.

[0108] The imaging unit 27 is located on the back of the information terminal 20. Specifically, the imaging unit 27 is a camera. The imaging unit 27 is used to record photographic images of the sidewall or tread of the tire 1 to be retreaded. When the execution key 78 on the tire information input screen 43 is pressed, the image data of the image displayed in the display frame 75 is recorded.

[0109] The control unit 21 controls the operation of each part of the information terminal 20. The control unit 21 has control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage medium in which control programs such as a BIOS and OS are pre-stored to cause the CPU to perform various arithmetic operations. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage medium that stores various information and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various arithmetic operations performed by the CPU. The control unit 21 controls the information terminal 20 by executing various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or storage unit 22 using the CPU.

[0110] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 21 includes various processing units such as a tire information recognition unit 211 (an example of an acquisition processing unit in this disclosure), a tread type determination unit 212, a tire state acquisition unit 213, a registration processing unit 214, and an image transmission processing unit 215. The control unit 21 functions as the various processing units by having the CPU execute various calculation processes according to the control program. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 operates the application on the information terminal 20 by executing the application program stored in the storage unit 22 using the CPU. The control unit 21 or the CPU is an example of a computer that executes the control program. Some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 21 may be composed of electronic circuits. The control program may also be a program that causes multiple processors to function as the various processing units.

[0111] When the tire information recognition unit 211 receives image data of the sidewall of the tire 1 (an example of a side view image in this disclosure) captured by the imaging unit 27 (see Figure 4), it recognizes the tire information contained in the sidewall based on the image data and acquires the tire information.

[0112] For example, the tire information recognition unit 211 extracts one or more character information contained in the image data using well-known OCR technology or AI-OCR technology, and clusters each character information into predetermined groups. These groups include, for example, a group that classifies the identifying characters of the tire 1's brand name, a group that classifies the identifying characters of the tire 1's product brand name, a group that classifies the string representing the size, a group that classifies the string representing the manufacturing date, a group that classifies the string representing the pattern name, and a group that classifies the tire's identification number.

[0113] In this embodiment, the tire information recognition unit 211 preprocesses the image data into multiple sub-images containing character information, extracts character information from each sub-image, and inputs the character information into a trained judgment model generated by machine learning based on a predetermined recognition algorithm. As a result, the judgment model classifies the character information into one of the above-mentioned groups. Each classified character information is recognized as representing the characteristics of the group to which it belongs. Each classified character information is displayed in the input frames 69 to 74 on the tire information input screen 43 corresponding to the group to which it belongs. Furthermore, each classified character information is stored in the storage unit 22 of the information terminal 20 as tire information.

[0114] One example of machine learning is supervised learning using deep learning.

[0115] The tread type determination unit 212 determines the type of tread pattern of the tire 1 based on image data of the tire tread captured by the imaging unit 27 (see Figure 4). There are four types of tread patterns: rib type, lug type, rib-lug type, and block type, each having unique design features. The tread type determination unit 212 determines the type of the captured tire tread based on the features included in the image data. The type information indicating the determined type is transmitted to the management server 10 along with the tire information during the registration process by the registration processing unit 214 (described later), and registered in the tire information management table 31 (see Figure 15).

[0116] The tire status acquisition unit 213 communicates with the memory 67 (see Figure 3) of the tire 1 and acquires the status data in the memory 67 as tire usage status information. In this embodiment, when the execution key 88 is pressed, the tire status acquisition unit 213 determines whether the information terminal 20 is within range of data communication with the memory 67, and if it determines that it is within range, it starts data communication with the memory 67. As a result, the status data in the memory 67 is acquired as tire usage status information. The acquired status data is stored in the storage unit 22 of the information terminal 20.

[0117] The tire status acquisition unit 213 may access the storage unit 62 of the control unit 60 and read the status data in the storage unit 62, or it may output a transfer request to the control unit 61 of the control unit 60 and have the status data in the storage unit 62 transferred to the information terminal 20.

[0118] The registration processing unit 214 performs a registration process (registration process) to register the information entered on the tire information input screen 43, the usage status input screen 44, or the desired conditions input screen 45, etc., into the tire information management table 31 of the database 30, the tire status management table 32, or the storage unit 62 of the management server 10. The registration process is performed when a user who wishes to retread the tire 1 enters predetermined information into the information terminal 20 via each screen 43 to 45 and the registration keys 79, 89, or 99 are pressed.

[0119] When registration keys 79, 89, and 99 are pressed, the registration processing unit 214 of the control unit 21 sends a registration request to the management server 10, along with the information entered via each screen 43 to 45, requesting that the entered information be registered in the database 30 and the storage unit 62. The management server 10 registers the information received along with the registration request in the database 30 and the storage unit 62.

[0120] The image transmission processing unit 215 performs the process of transmitting image data of the tread portion of the tire 1, captured by the information terminal 20, to the management server 10. The image transmission processing unit 215 transmits the image data to the management server 10 each time image data of the tread portion is captured by the user. Image data of the tread portion is captured through the tire information input screen 43.

[0121] [Management Server 10] The specific configuration of the management server 10 will be described below with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management server 10.

[0122] The management server 10 is for realizing the management system 100 of this embodiment, and as shown in Figure 5, it comprises a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a display unit 14, and an operation unit 15.

[0123] The communication unit 13 is a communication interface. The communication unit 13 connects the management server 10 to the communication network and performs data communication with the information terminals 20 and database 30 connected to the communication network according to a predetermined communication protocol.

[0124] The storage unit 12 is a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD or SSD that stores various types of information. The storage unit 12 stores control programs for executing store search processing (see Figure 18) by the control unit 11, control programs for executing other various processes, data, thresholds, reference values ​​used in various processes, and information and image data received from the information terminal 20.

[0125] The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays various types of information. The operation unit 15 is an input device such as a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel that accepts input from the operator.

[0126] The control unit 11 controls the management server 10. The control unit 11 includes control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage medium in which control programs for causing the CPU to perform various arithmetic operations are pre-stored. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage medium that stores various information and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various arithmetic operations performed by the CPU. The control unit 11 controls the management server 10 by having the CPU execute various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or storage unit 12.

[0127] As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 11 includes various processing units such as an information acquisition unit 111 (an example of an information acquisition processing unit in this disclosure), a retread determination unit 112 (an example of a retread determination unit in this disclosure), a store identification processing unit 113 (an example of a business establishment identification unit in this disclosure), an output processing unit 114 (an example of an output processing unit in this disclosure), an evaluation reception unit 115 (an example of an evaluation reception processing unit in this disclosure), a reservation registration unit 116 (an example of a reservation registration unit in this disclosure), a tread image reception unit 117 (an example of a tire image reception unit in this disclosure), a benefit granting unit 118 (an example of a benefit granting processing unit in this disclosure), and a replacement timing determination unit 119 (an example of a retread timing determination unit in this disclosure). The control unit 11 functions as one of the various processing units by the CPU executing various calculation processes according to the control program. The control unit 11 or the CPU is an example of a computer or processor that executes the control program. Some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 11 may be composed of electronic circuits. The control program may also be a program that causes multiple processors to function as the various processing units.

[0128] The information acquisition unit 111 performs the process of acquiring the tire information (an example of tire-related information in this disclosure) of the tire 1 to be retreaded. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 111 acquires the tire information sent from the information terminal 20. Alternatively, the information acquisition unit 111 reads and acquires the tire information corresponding to the tire 1 registered in the tire information management table 31 (see Figure 15) from the tire information management table 31. Note that it is not necessary for the information acquisition unit 111 to acquire information on all items included in the tire information; it is sufficient to acquire information on at least one item.

[0129] Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 111, as a usage status acquisition processing unit of this disclosure, performs the process of acquiring the usage status information indicating the usage status of the tire 1 to be retreaded. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 111 acquires the status data sent from the information terminal 20. Alternatively, the information acquisition unit 111 reads and acquires the usage status information corresponding to the tire 1 registered in the tire status management table 32 (see Figure 16) from the tire status management table 32. Note that it is not necessary for the information acquisition unit 111 to acquire information on all items included in the usage status information; it is sufficient to acquire information on at least one item.

[0130] Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 111, as the requested information acquisition processing unit of this disclosure, performs the process of acquiring the user's desired conditions which are referenced when searching for a service store that will perform retreading work on the tire 1 to be retreaded. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 111 acquires the desired conditions information (an example of the requested information of this disclosure) which indicates the user's desired conditions sent from the information terminal 20. Note that it is not necessary for the information acquisition unit 111 to acquire information on all items included in the desired conditions information, and it is sufficient to acquire information on at least one item.

[0131] The retread determination unit 112 performs a process to determine the retreaded tread corresponding to the tire 1 to be retreaded, based on the tire information acquired by the information acquisition unit 111.

[0132] For example, the retread determination unit 112 refers to predetermined retread data and extracts a retread to be applied to tire 1 from the retread data. Here, the retread data is data that includes identification codes indicating multiple retreads provided by each manufacturer of retreads, and tire information associated with each identification code. The retread data is stored in a network storage that can communicate with the storage unit 12, the database 30, or the management server 10.

[0133] In this embodiment, for example, the retread determination unit 112 refers to the retread data and extracts all retreads, including the tire information acquired by the information acquisition unit 111, from the retread data.

[0134] In addition, as another embodiment of the retread determination unit 112, the retread corresponding to tire 1 may be determined based on the tire information acquired by the information acquisition unit 111 and the usage status information. The retread determination unit 112 may, for example, extract a retread that matches the usage status information from among a plurality of retreads determined based on the tire information.

[0135] For example, the retread determination unit 112 extracts a retread made of a highly wear-resistant material from among the plurality of retreads if the mileage included in the usage status information is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance.

[0136] Furthermore, if the number of retreading cycles included in the usage status information is equal to or greater than a predetermined standard number, the retreading determination unit 112 may exclude from the plurality of retreads those with a retreading limit of less than the standard number, and extract the remaining retreads from the plurality of retreads.

[0137] In another embodiment of the retread determination unit 112, a predictive model generated by machine learning based on a predetermined determination algorithm may be used to extract retreads corresponding to the tire information and the usage status information from the retread data. The predictive model is a trained model for predicting and determining retreads. The predictive model extracts one or more retreads from the retread data based on the tire information and the usage status information acquired by the information acquisition unit 111.

[0138] One example of machine learning is supervised learning, which utilizes deep learning to learn how to extract features themselves.

[0139] If the machine learning includes supervised learning, the training data used in the supervised learning includes numerous tire information and usage status information as explanatory variables, and retread information (retread information), which is the answer to each explanatory variable, is registered as the target variable. Here, the retread information may be the identification code registered in the retread data, or it may be a brand name, product brand name, identification number, etc., that can identify the retread.

[0140] Furthermore, when the state data is acquired as tire usage state information, and the state data includes the rainy weather driving ratio, the retread tread determination unit 112 may determine the retread based on the rainy weather driving ratio. For example, the retread tread determination unit 112 determines whether the rainy weather driving ratio is above a predetermined threshold, and if it is above the predetermined threshold, it determines that the rainy weather driving ratio is high. In this case, the retread tread determination unit 112 extracts a retread with a high groove ratio in the tread portion from among a plurality of retreads output from the prediction model.

[0141] The store identification processing unit 113 performs the process of identifying a retreading shop capable of applying the retread determined by the retreading tread determination unit 112 to the tire 1. This identification process is performed based on a store management table 33 (see Figure 17) which contains information on a plurality of pre-registered retreading shops.

[0142] As shown in Figure 17, the store management table 33 registers information such as the store's identification code, shop name, annual number of retreads installed, cumulative number of retreads installed, price of retreads, labor costs for retreading work, and customer reviews. In addition, the store management table 33 may also register the brands of retreads that can be handled and the product brand names. In this embodiment, for example, the store identification processing unit 113 determines whether or not a store handles the retreads determined by the retread determination unit 112 based on the information in the store management table 33, and extracts the stores that handle them from the store management table 33.

[0143] Although not shown in Figure 17, the store management table 33 may also contain information about the store's contact details and reservation website.

[0144] In addition, as another embodiment of the store identification processing unit 113, if multiple retreading stores are identified, the retreading stores may be further narrowed down based on the user's desired conditions.

[0145] For example, the store identification processing unit 113 may extract stores from among multiple tread application stores that are located within a range less than the desired distance included in the user's desired conditions.

[0146] Furthermore, the store identification processing unit 113 may extract stores located within the area included in the user's desired conditions from among multiple tread application stores.

[0147] Furthermore, the store identification processing unit 113 may extract stores from among multiple tread application stores that meet the user's desired conditions, such as the deposit date, pick-up date, deposit period, and desired price.

[0148] The output processing unit 114 outputs the information of the retreading shops identified by the shop identification processing unit 113 to the information terminal 20. Specifically, it outputs the information of the retreading shops to the information terminal 20, which is the source of the search execution request for executing the shop search process (see Figure 18) described later. The information terminal 20 displays the information of the retreading shops on its display unit 23A. In this embodiment, the information of the retreading shops is displayed on the display unit 23A in a selectable format.

[0149] Furthermore, the output processing unit 114 outputs information for each construction store to the information terminal 20 when, for example, multiple construction stores are identified by the store identification processing unit 113. The output processing unit 114 outputs information for each construction store to the information terminal 20 so that it is displayed in a display order sorted according to a predetermined rule. On the information terminal 20, the information for multiple stores is displayed on the display unit 23A in the aforementioned display order.

[0150] Furthermore, the output processing unit 114, referring to the user's desired conditions, sorts the service shops in order of how close the price of the retreaded treads offered is to the user's desired price. Alternatively, the output processing unit 114 may sort the service shops in order of how close they are to the user's location. The output processing unit 114 may also sort the service shops in order of the shortest available deposit period for retreading work.

[0151] The output processing unit 114 may transmit the retreading information determined by the retreading tread determination unit 112, along with the information of the retreading shop, to the information terminal 20, which is the source of transmission. The retreading information includes, for example, the type of tread pattern of the retread, the material of the retread, the price of the retread, and labor costs. For example, when a retreading shop displayed on the display unit 23A is selected on the information terminal 20, the retreading information is displayed on the display unit 23A along with the details of the retreading shop.

[0152] The evaluation reception unit 115 processes the input of evaluations for each construction store registered in the store management table 33. For example, when a user who has had retreading work done at a particular construction store inputs an evaluation of the construction store via the application on the information terminal 20, the evaluation is sent from the information terminal 20 to the management server 10. When the evaluation reception unit 115 receives the evaluation sent from the information terminal 20, it registers the evaluation in the store management table 33.

[0153] In this embodiment, the output processing unit 114 transmits to the information terminal 20 the evaluation of the retreading store, along with the information of the retreading store identified by the store identification processing unit 113. The evaluation may include, for example, a ranking on a five-point scale, or user comments on the retreading work.

[0154] The reservation registration unit 116 performs the process of registering a reservation for retreading work at the selected service store when the store information displayed on the display unit 23A of the information terminal 20 is selected by the user. Specifically, the reservation registration unit 116 sends predetermined reservation information to the contact information of the selected store. The reservation information includes not only the information of the person making the reservation, but also the brand name, deposit date, pick-up date, deposit period, and desired price included in the desired conditions information. The reservation information may also include the tire information and usage status information of the tire 1 that is scheduled to be retreaded. The reservation registration unit 116 may also access the reservation site of the selected service store and register the reservation information through the reservation site.

[0155] The tread image receiving unit 117 processes a tire image showing the appearance of the tire 1 to be retreaded. When the tread image data of the tread portion of the tire 1 to be retreaded (an example of a tread image in this disclosure) is transmitted from the information terminal 20 by the image transmission processing unit 215, the tread image receiving unit 117 receives the image data and stores it in the storage unit 12.

[0156] The reward granting unit 118 grants predetermined rewards to the information terminal 20 that transmitted the tread image data, according to the number of times the tread image data has been received by the tread image receiving unit 117. The rewards are, for example, points or discounts that can be used by the user of the information terminal 20 at retreading service stores registered in the store management table 33. The rewards are stored in the storage unit 22 in association with the user ID entered when logging into the application on the information terminal 20.

[0157] The replacement timing determination unit 119 performs a process to determine the timing for changing the tread portion of the tire 1 to the retreaded tread. This determination process is performed by analyzing a plurality of tread image data received by the tread image receiving unit 117 to determine the amount of change over time of the tread portion of the tire 1, and is based on this amount of change over time. The amount of change over time is, for example, the amount of change in the groove depth of the tread portion. Each time the replacement timing determination unit 119 receives the tread image data, it determines the groove depth by image formation and estimates the timing based on the decreasing trend of the groove depth. In this case, the output processing unit 114, acting as the retread timing notification unit of this disclosure, notifies the timing to the information terminal 20 that transmitted the tread image data.

[0158] [Store Search Process] The method for identifying a retreading business in this disclosure will be described below, along with an example of the procedure for the store search process executed in the management system 100, with reference to the flowchart in Figure 18. The store search process executed by the control unit 11 of the management server 10 will be described below. Here, the store search process is a process that searches for a suitable store to perform retreading on the tire 1 to be retreaded and presents the store information to the user. The store search process includes a retreading tread determination process that determines a retread that is suitable for the tire 1 to be retreaded.

[0159] One or more steps included in the store search process described below may be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the execution order of each step in the store search process may differ to the extent that similar effects are produced.

[0160] As shown in Figure 18, in step S11, the control unit 11 of the management server 10 determines whether or not the search execution request has been input. The search execution request is a command signal output from the information terminal 20 to the management server 10 when the search execution key 202 is pressed by a user operating the information terminal 20.

[0161] When the control unit 11 receives the search execution request from the information terminal 20, in step S12, it acquires information (such as the tire information and the usage status information) to be used in the retread determination process of the retread determination unit 112. Step S12 is an example of the acquisition steps of this disclosure.

[0162] In the next step S13, the control unit 11 performs a determination process for the re-groomed tread by the re-groomed tread determination unit 112. Step S13 is an example of the re-groomed tread determination step of this disclosure.

[0163] If the retread determination unit 112 does not determine that a retread is present (No. in S14), the control unit 11 terminates the series of store search processes.

[0164] On the other hand, if the retread determination unit 112 determines that the retread is retread (Yes in S14), the control unit 11 performs the store identification processing by the store identification processing unit 113 in the next step S15. Step S15 is an example of the business establishment identification step of this disclosure.

[0165] If the retreading store is not identified by the identification process performed by the store identification processing unit 113 (No. in S16), the control unit 11 terminates the series of store search processes.

[0166] On the other hand, if the retreading store is identified by the identification process of the store identification processing unit 113 (Yes in S16), the control unit 11 determines in the next step S17 whether or not there are multiple identified stores.

[0167] If it is determined in step S17 that there are multiple stores, the control unit 11 performs a process to sort the display order of the store information in the next step S18. If there are not multiple stores, the process in step S18 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S19.

[0168] Once the store information sorting process is completed, the control unit 11 then transmits the store information to the information terminal 20, which is the source of the search execution request, in step S19. After that, the series of store search processes is completed.

[0169] If no search execution request is entered in step S11, the control unit 11 determines in the next step S20 whether or not the tread image data has been received.

[0170] If the tread image data is received in step S20, the control unit 11 performs the process of granting the benefit by the benefit granting unit 118 in the next step S21. If the tread image data is not received in step S20, the control unit 11 terminates the series of store search processes.

[0171] After the aforementioned benefit is granted, the control unit 11 determines in the next step S22 whether the number of times the tread image data has been received is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Here, it is preferable that the threshold is at least two times.

[0172] If the number of receptions is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 11 performs a process to determine the timing for replacing the tread portion of the tire 1 by the replacement timing determination unit 119. If, in step S22, the number of receptions of the tread image data is less than the threshold, the control unit 11 terminates the series of store search processes.

[0173] Once the replacement timing is determined, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S19 and transmits the replacement timing to the information terminal 20, which is the source of the tread image data. After that, the series of store search processes are completed.

[0174] As described above, in the management system 100 of this embodiment, the tire information of the tire 1 to be treaded is acquired (S12), the retreading tire to be applied to the tire 1 is determined based on the tire information (S13), a retreading shop capable of performing the retreading work with this retreading tire is determined (S15), and the shop information of the retreading shop is output to the information terminal 20. Therefore, the user who made the request to execute the search can check the shop information received by the information terminal 20 and displayed on the display unit 23A, and as a result, the user can easily find a shop (work establishment) capable of performing retreading on the tire 1 with a retreading tread that is suitable for the tire 1 of the vehicle 50 under their management.

[0175] [Other Embodiments] The management system 100 of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the control unit 21 of the information terminal 20 or the control unit 61 of the control unit 60 may execute all or part of the processing in the management server 10.

[0176] [Addendum to the Invention] The following is an outline of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described in the following addendum can be selected and combined as desired.

[0177] <Note 1> A retread management system comprising: an acquisition processing unit for acquiring tire-related information relating to a tire; a retread determination unit for determining a retread tread appropriate to the tire based on the tire-related information acquired by the acquisition processing unit; a business identification unit for identifying a retread business capable of applying the retread determined by the retread determination unit to the tire based on a plurality of business information registered in advance; and an output processing unit for outputting specific business information relating to the retread business identified by the business identification unit.

[0178] <Note 2> The retread management system described in Note 1, wherein the output processing unit outputs retread information relating to the retread determined by the retread determination unit, along with the specified business information.

[0179] <Note 3> The retread management system according to Note 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition processing unit includes a usage status acquisition processing unit that acquires usage status information relating to the usage status of the tire, and the retread determination unit determines the retread according to the tire based on the tire-related information and the usage status information.

[0180] <Note 4> The acquisition processing unit includes a request information acquisition processing unit that acquires request information for the retreading business, and the business identification unit narrows down the retreading business based on the request information, the retreading management system according to any one of Notes 1 to 3.

[0181] <Note 5> The retreading management system according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, further comprising an evaluation acceptance processing unit for receiving evaluations for the retreading business establishment, wherein the output processing unit outputs evaluation information indicating the evaluation along with the specific business establishment information.

[0182] <Note 6> When multiple retreading business locations are identified by the business location identification unit, the output processing unit outputs the information of the multiple identified business locations to a predetermined display unit in a predetermined display order, as described in any of Notes 1 to 5, for the retreading management system.

[0183] <Appendix 7> The retread management system according to any one of Appendix 1 to 6, further comprising a reservation registration unit for registering reservations for tire retreading work on the tires by the retreading business establishments identified by the business establishment identification unit.

[0184] <Note 8> The retread management system described in Note 7, wherein the reservation registration unit registers usage status information regarding the usage status of the tire subject to reservation, along with the reservation of the tire retreading work.

[0185] <Note 9> The retread management system according to any one of Notes 1 to 8, wherein the acquisition processing unit receives a side image showing the side of the tire and acquires tire-related information based on the received side image.

[0186] <Note 10> The retread management system according to any one of Notes 1 to 9, wherein the acquisition processing unit receives a tread image showing the tread surface of the tire, acquires the received tread image as tire-related information, and further comprises a reward granting processing unit that grants a predetermined reward to the source of the tread image input according to the number of times the tread image has been received.

[0187] <Note 11> The retread management system according to Note 10, further comprising: a retread timing determination unit that determines the timing for changing the tread portion of the tire to the retreaded tread based on the changes over time obtained from the tread image; and a retread timing notification unit that notifies the input source of the retread timing.

[0188] <Note 12> A retread management device comprising: an acquisition processing unit for acquiring tire-related information relating to a tire; a retread determination unit for determining a retread tread corresponding to the tire based on the tire-related information acquired by the acquisition processing unit; a business identification unit for identifying a retread business capable of applying the retread tread determined by the retread determination unit to the tire, based on a plurality of business information registered in advance; and an output processing unit for outputting specific business information relating to the retread business identified by the business identification unit.

[0189] <Note 13> A method for identifying a retreading business, comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring tire-related information relating to a tire; a retreading tread determination step of determining a retreading tread corresponding to the tire based on the tire-related information acquired in the first acquisition step; and a business identification step of identifying a retreading business capable of applying the retreading tread determined in the retreading tread determination step to the tire, based on a plurality of business information registered in advance, with one or more processors performing these steps.

[0190] <Note 14> A program for causing one or more processors to execute: a first acquisition step for acquiring tire-related information relating to a tire; a retreading tread determination step for determining a retreading tread corresponding to the tire based on the tire-related information acquired in the first acquisition step; and a business identification step for identifying a retreading business capable of applying the retreading tread determined in the retreading tread determination step to the tire, based on a plurality of business information registered in advance; or a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium in which the program is stored.

Claims

1. A retread management system comprising: an acquisition processing unit for acquiring tire-related information about a tire; a retread determination unit for determining a retread tread appropriate to the tire based on the tire-related information acquired by the acquisition processing unit; a business identification unit for identifying a retread business capable of applying the retread determined by the retread determination unit to the tire, based on a plurality of pre-registered business information; and an output processing unit for outputting specific business information relating to the retread business identified by the business identification unit.

2. The retreading management system according to claim 1, wherein the output processing unit outputs retreading information relating to the retreading tread determined by the retreading tread determination unit, together with the specific business information.

3. The retread management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition processing unit includes a usage status acquisition processing unit that acquires usage status information relating to the usage status of the tire, and the retread determination unit determines the retread according to the tire based on the tire-related information and the usage status information.

4. The retreading management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition processing unit includes a request information acquisition processing unit that acquires request information for the retreading business, and the business identification unit narrows down the retreading business based on the request information.

5. The retreading management system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an evaluation acceptance processing unit for receiving evaluations for the retreading business establishment, wherein the output processing unit outputs evaluation information indicating the evaluation together with the specific business establishment information.

6. The retreading management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when a plurality of retreading business locations are identified by the business location identification unit, the output processing unit outputs the information of the plurality of identified business locations to a predetermined display unit in a predetermined display order.

7. The retread management system according to claim 1, further comprising a reservation registration unit for registering reservations for tire retreading work on the tire by the retreading business identified by the business identification unit.

8. The retread management system according to claim 7, wherein the reservation registration unit registers usage status information relating to the usage status of the tire subject to reservation, along with the reservation of the tire retreading work.

9. The retread management system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition processing unit receives a side image showing the side of the tire and acquires tire-related information based on the received side image.

10. The retread management system according to claim 1, further comprising: an acquisition processing unit that receives a tread image showing the tread surface of the tire, acquires the received tread image as tire-related information, and grants a predetermined benefit to the source of the tread image input according to the number of times the tread image has been received.

11. The retread management system according to claim 10, further comprising: a retread timing determination unit that determines a retread timing for changing the tread portion of the tire to the retreaded tread based on the changes over time obtained from the tread image; and a retread timing notification unit that notifies the input source of the retread timing.

12. A retread management device comprising: an acquisition processing unit for acquiring tire-related information relating to a tire; a retread determination unit for determining a retread tread appropriate to the tire based on the tire-related information acquired by the acquisition processing unit; a business identification unit for identifying a retread business capable of applying the retread determined by the retread determination unit to the tire based on a plurality of business information registered in advance; and an output processing unit for outputting specific business information relating to the retread business identified by the business identification unit.

13. A retreading business identification method comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring tire-related information relating to a tire; a retreading tread determination step of determining a retreading tread corresponding to the tire based on the tire-related information acquired in the first acquisition step; and a business identification step of identifying a retreading business capable of applying the retreading tread determined in the retreading tread determination step to the tire, based on a plurality of pre-registered business information, with one or more processors performing these steps.

14. A program for causing one or more processors to execute the following steps: a first acquisition step for acquiring tire-related information relating to a tire; a retread determination step for determining a retread appropriate to the tire based on the tire-related information acquired in the first acquisition step; and a business identification step for identifying a retread business capable of applying the retread determined in the retread determination step to the tire, based on a plurality of pre-registered business information.

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