Server, information processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program

Abstract

The server communicates with a terminal device used by a user and an external server. The server includes a memory, a server communication device, and a processor. The memory stores map information and public transportation schedule information. The server communication device acquires a rental location and a ride start time of a vehicle reserved by a user from an external server. The processor sets the rental location as a destination and the ride start time as an arrival time based on the map information and the schedule information, and performs a route search. The processor controls the server communication device so that the server communication device outputs a route, a mode of transportation, and an estimated travel time acquired from the route search, and causes the second application to display the route, the mode of transportation, and the estimated travel time as a schedule of the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a server, an information processing method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, a technology for managing a travel route acquired through a route search is known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-266900 (JP 2005-266900 A) discloses a route search system that stores a plurality of scheduler formats and converts the format of a travel route so that it can be used on a scheduler of a user who has set a travel route. Summary of the invention

[0003] A technology for reserving a vehicle to be shared using a dedicated application in a mobile terminal such as a smartphone is known. However, the technology disclosed in JP 2005-266900 A cannot be used in combination with an application other than an application for route search. In other words, in the technology disclosed in JP 2005-266900 A, after a user reserves a vehicle to be shared, a route to a rental location of the vehicle and the like are not reflected in the dispatcher, and for this reason, it is inconvenient for the user to reserve a vehicle to be shared.

[0004] The present invention provides a server, an information processing method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that can improve the convenience of a user when the user reserves a vehicle.

[0005] The server according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured to communicate with a terminal device used by a user and an external server. The terminal device is configured to: when communicating with the external server, execute a first application for the user to reserve a rental location and a ride start time of a vehicle, and execute a second application for displaying the user's schedule. The server includes: a memory configured to store map information and public transportation schedule information; a server communication device configured to obtain the rental location and the ride start time of the vehicle reserved by the user from the external server; and a processor configured to set the rental location as the destination and the ride start time as the arrival time based on the map information and the schedule information, and perform a route search. The processor is configured to control the server communication device so that the server communication device outputs the route, transportation mode, and estimated travel time obtained from the route search to the terminal device, and causes the second application of the terminal device to display the route, transportation mode, and estimated travel time as the user's schedule.

[0006] The memory may store a management database including a schedule of the user used in the second application. The processor may update the management database to reflect the route, transportation mode, and estimated travel time acquired from the route search in the management database. In addition, the processor may control the server communication device so that the server communication device outputs a notification indicating that the management database is updated to the terminal device.

[0007] When a predetermined operation of the user on the second application is detected, the processor can control the server communication device so that the server communication device outputs map information to the terminal device and the second application displays the searched route on the map of the terminal device.

[0008] The transportation mode may include at least one of walking, bus and train.

[0009] According to the information processing method of the second aspect of the present invention, the method uses a server, and the server is configured to communicate with a terminal device used by a user and an external server. The terminal device is configured to: when communicating with the external server, execute a first application, the first application is used for the user to reserve a rental location and a ride start time of a vehicle, and execute a second application, the second application displays the user's schedule. The information processing method includes: a step of storing map information and public transportation schedule information in the server; a step of acquiring the rental location and the ride start time of the vehicle reserved by the user from the external server through the server; a step of setting the rental location as the destination and the ride start time as the arrival time based on the map information and the schedule information through the server, and performing a route search through the server; and a step of outputting the route, transportation mode and estimated travel time obtained from the route search to the terminal device through the server, so that the second application of the terminal device displays the route, transportation mode and estimated travel time as the user's schedule.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a server to perform control processing. The server is configured to communicate with a terminal device used by a user and an external server. The terminal device is configured to: when communicating with the external server, execute a first application for the user to reserve a rental location and a ride start time for a vehicle, and execute a second application for displaying the user's schedule. The control processing includes: a step of storing map information and public transportation schedule information; a step of acquiring the rental location and the ride start time of the vehicle reserved by the user from the external server; a step of setting the rental location as the destination and the ride start time as the arrival time based on the map information and the schedule information, and performing a route search; and a step of outputting the route, transportation mode, and estimated travel time obtained from the route search to the terminal device so that the second application of the terminal device displays the route, transportation mode, and estimated travel time as the user's schedule.

[0011] By using a server, an information processing method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to various aspects of the present invention, the convenience of a user can be improved when the user reserves a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of example embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a vehicle;

[0015] Figure 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a terminal device;

[0016] Figure 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a server;

[0017] Figure 5 is a table showing an example of a management database stored in a server;

[0018] Figure 6 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an external server;

[0019] Figure 7 is a table showing an example of a vehicle sharing database stored in an external server;

[0020] Figure 8is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle sharing reservation screen;

[0021] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule screen;

[0022] Fig.10 is a diagram showing another example of a schedule screen;

[0023] Fig.11 is a diagram showing an example of a route guidance screen;

[0024] Fig.12 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating an information processing method using a server; and

[0025] Fig.13 is from Fig.12 Continue with the sequence diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In each of the drawings mentioned in the following description, like reference numerals denote like elements, and repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0027] Configuration of information processing system

[0028] Figure 1 Schematically shows the configuration of the information processing system 1. The information processing system 1 includes one or more vehicles 10, one or more terminal devices 20, and a server 30. Although for ease of description, Figure 1 One vehicle 10 and one terminal device 20 are shown, but the number of vehicles 10 and the number of terminal devices 20 can be determined arbitrarily. Here, the vehicle 10 and the terminal device 20 are included in the information processing system 1. The vehicle 10, the terminal device 20, and the server 30 are connected to a network 40, such as the Internet. In addition, one or more terminal devices 20 and the server 30 can communicate with an external server 50 via the network 40. The external server 50 is a manager of a system outside the information processing system 1. In the present embodiment, the external server 50 manages the reservation of a shared vehicle.

[0029] The vehicle 10 is, for example, a car, but is not limited thereto, and may be any vehicle in which a person can ride. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 10 may also be used as a shared vehicle. The terminal device 20 is, for example, a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, but is not limited thereto, and may be any mobile terminal such as a device dedicated to the information processing system 1. The terminal device 20 is carried by a user. The server 30 includes one server device or a plurality of server devices capable of communicating with each other. The server 30 is installed in, for example, an information center that collects and analyzes information of the vehicle 10. In the present embodiment, for the convenience of description, it is assumed that the server 30 is a server device.

[0030] For example, the user of the terminal device 20 can reserve a shared vehicle 10 using a dedicated application (hereinafter referred to as a "reservation application") downloaded to the terminal device 20. In order to ride the reserved vehicle 10, the user of the terminal device 20 travels to the parking location of the vehicle 10 (hereinafter referred to as a "rental location") before the reserved ride start time. Figure 1 In the example shown, the user carrying the terminal device 20 is located at the departure point A. In addition, the parked vehicle 10 is located at the rental point B.

[0031] The information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment assists the user in reserving a vehicle 10. In summary, the information processing system 1 searches for a route and determines a mode of transportation for traveling from the user's departure location A to the rental location B, and reflects the travel schedule to the user's scheduler. Details of the assistance to the user performed by the information processing system 1 will be described as follows.

[0032] Vehicle Configuration

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle 10 includes a communication device 11. The communication device 11 is connected to be able to communicate with the vehicle 10 via, for example, an in-vehicle network (eg, a controller area network (CAN) or the like) or a dedicated line.

[0034] The communication device 11 may be, for example, an on-vehicle communicator, such as a data communication module (DCM), etc. Specifically, the communication device 11 includes an on-vehicle communication unit 111 , an on-vehicle storage unit 112 , and an on-vehicle control unit 113 .

[0035] The vehicle-mounted communication unit 111 includes a communication module connected to the network 40. For example, the vehicle-mounted communication unit 111 may include a communication module corresponding to a mobile communication standard (e.g., fourth generation (4G) mobile communication). In the present embodiment, the communication device 11 is connected to the network 40 via the vehicle-mounted communication unit 111. Here, the vehicle 10 may include one or more receivers corresponding to any satellite positioning system. For example, the vehicle 10 may include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The communication device 11 may send the location information of the vehicle 10 acquired by the GPS receiver to the server 30.

[0036] The on-board storage unit 112 includes one or more memories. In the present embodiment, examples of "memory" include semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, and optical memory, but are not limited thereto. Each memory included in the on-board storage unit 112 can be used as, for example, a primary storage device, a secondary storage device, or a cache memory. The on-board storage unit 112 stores any information used for the operation of the communication device 11. For example, the on-board storage unit 112 can store system programs and application programs. The information stored in the on-board storage unit 112 can be updated using information obtained from the network 40 via the on-board communication unit 111, for example.

[0037] The vehicle control unit 113 includes one or more processors. In this embodiment, the "processor" is a general-purpose processor or a processor dedicated to a specific process, but is not limited thereto. The vehicle control unit 113 controls the overall operation of the communication device 11.

[0038] Terminal device configuration

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, the terminal device 20 includes a communication unit 21 , a storage unit 22 , a position information acquisition unit 23 , a sensor unit 24 , an output unit 25 , an input unit 26 , and a control unit 27 .

[0040] The communication unit 21 includes a communication module connected to the network 40. For example, the communication unit 21 may include a communication module corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as 4G mobile communication. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 20 is connected to the network 40 via the communication unit 21.

[0041] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 can be used as, for example, a primary storage device, a secondary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used for the operation of the terminal device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 can store system programs, application programs, identification information of the terminal device 20, and identification information of the user. Here, the identification information of the terminal device 20 can be used as the identification information of the user. The information stored in the storage unit 22 can be updated using information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 21, for example.

[0042] The location information acquisition unit 23 includes one or more receivers corresponding to any satellite positioning system. For example, the location information acquisition unit 23 may include a GPS receiver. The location information acquisition unit 23 acquires the location information of the terminal device 20. The location information acquisition unit 23 may output the location information of the terminal device 20 to at least one of the server 30 and the external server 50.

[0043] The sensor unit 24 includes one or more sensors that detect information about the operation of the terminal device 20 or the surrounding environment. For example, the sensor unit 24 may include an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a magnetic sensor, and an atmospheric pressure sensor. However, the sensor included in the sensor unit 24 is not limited thereto, and may be any sensor, such as a light intensity sensor, a temperature sensor, or an image sensor (camera). The sensor unit 24 acquires information detected by each of the sensors as sensor information. For example, the sensor information of the sensor unit 24 may include the acceleration and angular velocity of the terminal device 20, and the magnetic field and atmospheric pressure around the terminal device 20.

[0044] The output unit 25 includes one or more output interfaces that output information to a user. Examples of the output interface included in the output unit 25 include a panel display that outputs information in a video form and a speaker that outputs information in an audio form, but are not limited thereto.

[0045] The input unit 26 includes one or more input interfaces that detect user input. Examples of the input interface included in the input unit 26 include a touch screen mounted integrally with the panel display of the output unit 25 and a microphone that receives audio input, but are not limited thereto.

[0046] The control unit 27 includes one or more processors. For example, the control unit 27 may include a general-purpose processor and a processor dedicated to a specific process. For example, the control unit 27 may be a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit 27 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 20.

[0047] For example, the control unit 27 accumulates the position information of the terminal device 20 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 23 and the sensor information acquired by the sensor unit 24 in the storage unit 22. The control unit 27 notifies the identification information of the user, and the position information and sensor information of the terminal device 20 accumulated in the storage unit 22 to at least one of the server 30 and the external server 50 via the communication unit 21. Here, the notification can be performed at any given time (for example, at a predetermined time interval). The control unit 27 can delete the notified position information and sensor information of the terminal device 20 from the storage unit 22.

[0048] Furthermore, the control unit 27 executes a reservation application and a scheduler. The reservation application is a first application for the user to reserve the vehicle 10 using the terminal device 20 as described above. Furthermore, the scheduler is a second application for the user to register and manage the user's schedule (activity schedule).

[0049] Server Configuration

[0050] like Figure 4As shown, the server 30 includes a server communication unit 31, a server storage unit 32, and a server control unit 33. The server 30 is a server device that provides traffic assistance to the user of the terminal device 20 and the user of the vehicle 10. Traffic assistance includes, for example, route search to the destination, and provision of map information and traffic information. In addition, in the present embodiment, the server 30 also manages a dispatcher.

[0051] The server communication unit 31 includes a communication module connected to the network 40. For example, the server communication unit 31 may include a communication module corresponding to a wired local area network (LAN) standard. In the present embodiment, the server 30 is connected to the network 40 via the server communication unit 31.

[0052] The server storage unit 32 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the server storage unit 32 can be used as, for example, a primary storage device, a secondary storage device, or a cache memory. The server storage unit 32 stores any information used for the operation of the server 30. For example, the server storage unit 32 can store system programs, application programs, map information, traffic information, schedule information for public transportation (such as buses and trains), and a management database to be described below. The information stored in the server storage unit 32 can be updated using information obtained from the network 40 via the server communication unit 31, for example.

[0053] like Figure 5 As shown, the management database includes, for example, a user's schedule. The schedule includes identification information of the user, a title indicating the content of the schedule, a location of the schedule, and a start time and an end time of the schedule. The user can activate the scheduler on the terminal device 20 and register and manage (e.g., confirm, modify, or delete) the schedule. Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 1 , a user with U1 identification information (hereinafter referred to as "user U1") is scheduled to attend XXXX meeting at Tower A from 12:30 to 13:30 on O / O / OO. In addition, user U1 is scheduled to attend YYY meeting at Building B from 15:00 to 16:00 on O / O / OO. In addition, construction is scheduled at the residence of user U1 from 10:00 to 15:00 on O / X / OO. Here, the identification information of the user used by the server 30 is set to be used together with the identification information of the user used by the external server 50 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 7 ).

[0054] The server control unit 33 includes one or more processors. For example, the server control unit 33 may include a general-purpose processor and a processor dedicated to a specific process. For example, the server control unit 33 may be a CPU. The server control unit 33 controls the overall operation of the server 30.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the server control unit 33 performs traffic assistance and dispatch management. For traffic assistance, the server control unit 33 performs a route search to a destination based on map information, etc. In addition, for schedule management, the server control unit 33 updates the management database to reflect, for example, a newly acquired user's schedule in the management database.

[0056] In addition, the server control unit 33 can infer the user's current mode of transportation. For example, the server control unit 33 can infer that the user's current mode of transportation is walking, bicycle, passenger car, bus, train, etc. based on the location information and sensor information of the terminal device 20. Any algorithm can be used to infer the mode of transportation. The server control unit 33 can infer that the user is traveling, for example, on a train based on the location information and the detection values ​​of the acceleration sensor and the magnetic sensor. For schedule management, the server control unit 33 can use the train delay information obtained from the network 40, etc. to determine whether the user is traveling as planned.

[0057] External server configuration

[0058] like Figure 6 As shown, the external server 50 includes an external server communication unit 51, an external server storage unit 52, and an external server control unit 53. As described above, the external server 50 is a server device that is external to the information processing system 1 and manages reservations of the vehicle 10 to be shared. In addition, the external server 50 also manages a reservation application. The external server 50 can communicate with the terminal device 20 and the server 30 via the network 40.

[0059] The external server communication unit 51 includes a communication module connected to the network 40. The external server communication unit 51 may include, for example, a communication module corresponding to the wired LAN standard. In the present embodiment, the external server 50 is connected to the network 40 via the external server communication unit 51.

[0060] The external server storage unit 52 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the external server storage unit 52 can be used as, for example, a primary storage device, a secondary storage device, or a cache memory. The external server storage unit 52 stores any information used for the operation of the external server 50. For example, the external server storage unit 52 can store system programs, application programs, map information, traffic information, and a vehicle sharing database to be described below. The information stored in the external server storage unit 52 can be updated using information obtained from the network 40 via the external server communication unit 51, for example.

[0061] The vehicle sharing database includes, for example, Figure 7The reservation table shown. The reservation table includes identification information of the user who made the reservation, identification information of the vehicle 10 that has been reserved, the rental location, the ride start time, and the scheduled time to return the vehicle 10 (ride end time). The user can activate the reservation application on the terminal device 20 to reserve the vehicle 10, and manage (e.g., confirm, modify, or delete) the reservation of the vehicle 10. When the user reserves the vehicle 10 on the reservation application, the external server 50 reflects the reservation content in the reservation table. Figure 7 In the example of FIG. 1 , user U1 reserves the right to borrow vehicle 10 with identification information Y1 (hereinafter referred to as “vehicle 10-Y1”) at X Station Parking Lot at 14:10 on 0 / 0 / 0000 and return it at 17:10 on the same day. In addition, user U2 reserves the right to borrow vehicle 10-Y2 at Z City Parking Lot at 12:30 on 0 / 0 / 0000 and return it at 15:00 on the same day. In addition, user U3 reserves the right to borrow vehicle 10-Y1 at X Station Parking Lot at 10:00 on 0 / 0 / 0000 and return it at 15:00 on the same day.

[0062] The external server control unit 53 includes one or more processors. For example, the external server control unit 53 may include a general-purpose processor and a processor dedicated to a specific process. For example, the external server control unit 53 may be a CPU. The external server control unit 53 controls the overall operation of the external server 50.

[0063] The external server control unit 53 receives various types of information notified from the vehicle 10 and the terminal device 20 via the external server communication unit 51. For example, the external server control unit 53 receives the identification information of the user and the reserved content of the vehicle 10 to be shared from the terminal device 20. As described above, the identification information of the user is generally used by the server 30 as well as the terminal device 20 and the external server control unit 53.

[0064] Display screen example

[0065] Figure 8 An example of a vehicle sharing reservation screen displayed on the terminal device 20 is shown. The vehicle sharing reservation screen is displayed, for example, on a touch screen display in which an output unit 25 and an input unit 26 are integrated. The vehicle sharing reservation screen includes a rental location selection area 250 for selecting a rental location, a ride start time input area 252 for inputting a ride start time, and a ride end time input area 253 for inputting a ride end time. The rental location selection area 250 displays a parking location 251 on a map that is located near the user's current location or a designated location where the vehicle 10 to be shared is parked. Here, the designated location is pre-designated by the user, and may be, for example, a residence or a workplace. Figure 8In the example of , the parking place 251 is displayed as an image of a pin. The user touches one of the parking places 251 in the rental place selection area 250 and designates it as the rental place. The user rides the vehicle 10 at the designated rental place. In addition, the user can input the ride start time into the ride start time input area 252. In addition, the user can input the ride end time into the ride end time input area 253. In this embodiment, the time may also include the date, month, and year. Here, a map does not need to be displayed on the rental place selection area 250. For example, the address of the parking place 251 may be displayed as a drop-down list on the rental place selection area 250 to allow the user to select one of the addresses. In addition, the input of the ride end time may be omitted.

[0066] The reservation application executed by the terminal device 20 displays a vehicle sharing reservation screen. The reservation application outputs the rental place designated by the user, the ride start time input by the user, and the ride end time input by the user to the external server 50. The external server 50 stores the rental place, the ride start time, and the ride end time acquired from the reservation application into the vehicle sharing database. As described below, the rental place and the ride start time stored in the vehicle sharing database are output from the external server 50 to the server 30.

[0067] Fig. 9 An example of a user's schedule screen displayed on the terminal device 20 is shown. The schedule screen is displayed on, for example, a touch panel display in which the output unit 25 and the input unit 26 are integrated. For example, by touching a displayed schedule (e.g., XXXX meeting), the user can cause the reservation application to display an edit screen and edit the contents. In addition, for example, by touching a portion of the screen where a schedule is not displayed (e.g., a blank portion at the outer edge of the screen), the user can cause the reservation application to display a new registration screen and input a new schedule. Fig. 9 In the example of , the schedule screen displays the user's schedule for 00 / 0 / 0 in order of start time. Specifically, the schedule screen displays the first activity schedule (XXXX meeting will be held in Tower A from 12:30 to 13:00) on area 254A. In addition, the schedule screen displays the second activity schedule (YYYY meeting will be held in Building B from 15:00 to 16:00) on area 254B. Here, the schedule screen includes an image of a map (MAP button) for displaying the location of each of the first activity schedule and the second activity schedule. Fig. 9 In the example of , when the user touches the MAP button included in the area 254B, the location of the second event schedule is displayed on the map.

[0068] The scheduler executed by the terminal device 20 displays a schedule screen based on the management database stored by the server 30. The user manages his or her own schedule using the scheduler. For this reason, when a new travel schedule is generated, if it is automatically reflected in the scheduler, the convenience of the user will be improved.

[0069] Fig.10 Another example of the user schedule screen displayed on the terminal device 20 is shown. Fig.10 Shown in the display Fig. 9 After the schedule screen shown, a schedule screen reflecting the searched route to the rental location of the vehicle 10 reserved by the user, etc. Fig.10 As shown, the third activity schedule (traveling to the parking lot of Station X, i.e., the rental location, from 1:00 p.m. to 14:05 p.m.) is displayed on area 254C. In area 254C, all the modes of transportation required to go to the rental location are described in order. In addition, in area 254C, the total amount of fees (fares) required to go to the rental location is also described. In addition, the schedule screen also displays the user's schedule in the order of start time. Therefore, the third activity schedule is displayed between the first activity schedule (the XXXX meeting will be held in Tower A from 12:30 to 13:00) and the second activity schedule (the YYYY meeting will be held in Building B from 15:00 to 16:00). Here, the server 30 automatically adds the third activity schedule. In other words, the third activity plan is not entered by the user.

[0070] In addition, the schedule screen may include an image (navigation button) for guiding a travel route of the third activity schedule. Fig.10 In the example of , when the user touches the navigation button included in the area 254C, the dispatcher notifies the server 30 of the fact that the navigation button included in the touch area 254C is touched. When a predetermined operation of the user on the dispatcher (i.e., the user's touch on the navigation button) is detected, the server control unit 33 outputs the map information to the terminal device 20 so that the searched route to the rental place is displayed on the map of the dispatcher.

[0071] Fig.11 FIG. 2 shows an example of a route guidance screen displayed on the terminal device 20. The route guidance screen displays the searched route to the rental place on a map. When the user touches Fig.10 When you press the navigation button on the schedule screen in Fig.11The route guidance screen shown in FIG. 25 is a screen including a map area 255 and a transportation method display area 256. On the map area 255, the route from the departure location A to the rental location B is displayed by superimposing the road or train track on the map. On the map area 255, the user's current location can be displayed. In the transportation method display area 256, the transportation method to the route and the estimated travel time are displayed. Fig.11 In the example of , the first mode of transportation of the route (i.e., the mode of transportation of the section from the departure point A to the first intermediate point A1) is "walking". The mode of transportation of the section from the first intermediate point A1 to the second intermediate point A2 is "bus". The mode of transportation of the section from the second intermediate point A2 to the third intermediate point A3 is "train". The last mode of transportation of the route (i.e., the mode of transportation of the section from the third intermediate point A3 to the rental location B) is "walking". The user can leave the departure point A at 13:00 and arrive at the rental location B at 14:05. On the transportation mode display area 256, the estimated travel time of each section is displayed. For example, in the first section, the user can leave the departure point A at 13:00 and arrive at the first intermediate point A1 at 13:10. Here, as a mode of transportation, public transportation is given priority. In this embodiment, the modes of transportation include at least one of walking, bus and train.

[0072] Communication Processing

[0073] The server 30 performs communication processing (information processing method) which will be described below. In this way, when the user reserves the vehicle 10 using the reservation application, the server 30 automatically reflects the travel route to the rental place and the like into the dispatcher.

[0074] Fig.12 and Fig.13 An example of a sequence diagram of a communication process performed by the presentation server 30 together with the terminal device 20 and the external server 50 is shown.

[0075] The terminal device 20 activates the reserved application in response to the user's operation (for example, the user's click on the icon of the reserved application) (step S1).

[0076] The reservation application executed by the terminal device 20 displays a car sharing reservation screen. The terminal device 20 obtains the information input by the user. Here, at least the rental location and the ride start time are input (step S2). The terminal device 20 outputs the rental location and the ride start time input by the user to the external server 50.

[0077] The external server 50 acquires the rental location and the ride start time from the terminal device 20 (step S3).

[0078] The external server 50 stores the rental location and ride start time acquired from the terminal device 20 in the vehicle sharing database. In other words, the external server 50 updates the vehicle sharing database (step S4). Then, the external server 50 outputs a reservation completion notification indicating that the reservation of the vehicle 10 is completed to the terminal device 20.

[0079] When the terminal device 20 acquires the reservation completion notification from the external server 50 , the terminal device 20 displays reservation completion (step S5 ). The reservation completion is displayed to notify the user that the reservation of the vehicle 10 is completed.

[0080] Furthermore, after the external server 50 updates the vehicle sharing database, the external server 50 outputs the rental location and the ride start time acquired from the terminal device 20 to the server 30 (step S6 ).

[0081] The server 30 acquires the rental location and the ride start time from the external server 50 (step S7).

[0082] The server 30 performs a route search (step S8). Here, the server 30 sets the rental location obtained from the external server 50 as the destination. In addition, the server 30 sets the ride start time obtained from the external server 50 as the arrival time. Here, the server 30 can obtain the location information of the terminal device 20 and set the user's current location as the departure location. As another example, the server 30 can extract the user's schedule immediately before the ride start time obtained from the external server 50 from the management database, and set the location of the user's extracted schedule as the departure location. In addition, the server 30 can give priority to public transportation as a means of transportation.

[0083] The server 30 updates the management database to reflect the route, transportation mode, and estimated travel time acquired from the route search in the management database (step S9). Hereinafter, the route, transportation mode, and estimated travel time acquired from the route search and reflected in the management database are referred to as "updated information". The server 30 then provides the terminal device 20 with an update notification indicating that the management database has been updated.

[0084] When the terminal device 20 obtains the update notification from the server 30, the terminal device 20 may display a popup or the like prompting the user to activate the scheduler. Then, the terminal device 20 activates the scheduler in response to the user's operation (eg, the user clicks on the scheduler icon) (step S10).

[0085] The scheduler executed by the terminal device 20 requests updated information from the server 30. In other words, the scheduler issues an update request to the server 30 (step S11), so that the server 30 outputs updated information of the management database to the terminal device 20.

[0086] When the server 30 receives the update request from the terminal device 20 , the server 30 extracts the updated information from the management database (step S12 ), and outputs the updated information to the terminal device 20 .

[0087] When the terminal device 20 acquires the updated information from the server 30, the terminal device 20 displays the route, transportation method, and estimated travel time acquired from the route search as a schedule (step S13). The updated information is displayed as, for example Fig.10 The third activity schedule in (travel to the parking lot of Station X, which is the rental location, from 13:00 to 14:05).

[0088] When the terminal device 20 detects the predetermined operation of the user (step S14), the terminal device 20 outputs a detection notification signal indicating that the predetermined operation has been detected to the server 30. Here, the predetermined operation is, for example, the user touching the navigation button and is detected by the input unit 26 of the terminal device 20.

[0089] When the server 30 receives the detection notification signal from the terminal device 20 , the server 30 extracts necessary map information and outputs it to the terminal device 20 (step S15 ).

[0090] The terminal device 20 displays the searched route to the rental place on a map on the route guidance screen (step S16).

[0091] As described above, with the above configuration, the server 30 of the information processing system 1 automatically reflects the new travel schedule to the rental place into the scheduler when the user reserves the vehicle 10. In this way, when the user reserves the vehicle 10, the server 30 can improve the convenience of the user.

[0092] In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, the server 30 notifies the terminal device 20 that the management database including the user schedule has been updated. The server 30 obtains the required information from the external server 50 that manages the shared vehicle 10, and automatically sets a new travel schedule to the rental location. In this way, the notification issued from the server 30 to the terminal device 20 enables the user to recognize that a new travel schedule has been automatically added at an appropriate time.

[0093] In addition, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, a new travel route to the rental location of the shared vehicle 10 can be displayed on the map. In this way, the user can easily reach the rental location. Here, since the new travel route is for the user to travel to the rental location of the shared vehicle 10, the server 30 selects appropriate public transportation or the like as a transportation method. For example, the server 30 can select at least one of walking, bus, and train as a transportation method.

[0094] The present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make changes and modifications to it based on the disclosure of the present invention. Therefore, it should also be noted that these changes and modifications belong to the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each element, step, etc. can be rearranged as long as it is not logically contradictory, and multiple elements, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided.

[0095] For example, the information processing system 1 may be configured to include the external server 50. In addition, the configuration of the vehicle 10, the terminal device 20, the server 30, and the external server 50 is only an example. The vehicle 10, the terminal device 20, the server 30, and the external server 50 do not need to include Figure 2 , 3 , 4 and 6. The vehicle 10, the terminal device 20, the server 30 and the external server 50 may include all the components shown in FIG. Figure 2 , 3 , constituent elements other than those shown in 4 and 6.

[0096] In addition, although the server 30 and the terminal device 20 cooperate with each other to perform various processes, the sharing of processes between the server 30 and the terminal device 20 in the above-mentioned embodiment is only illustrative. For example, the terminal device 20 may perform at least a portion of the processes performed by the server 30 in the above-mentioned embodiment. Alternatively, for example, the server 30 may perform at least a portion of the processes performed by the terminal device 20 in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0097] In addition, although the server 30 and the external server 50 cooperate with each other to perform various processes, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the sharing of the processes between the server 30 and the external server 50 is only illustrative. For example, the external server 50 may perform at least a part of the processes performed by the server 30 in the above-mentioned embodiment. Alternatively, for example, the server 30 may perform at least a part of the processes performed by the external server 50 in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0098] In addition, processors mounted on general electronic devices, such as mobile information terminals and server devices (corresponding to the terminal device 20 and the server 30), can be used as the control unit 27 and the server control unit 33. Specifically, the present invention according to the present embodiment can be implemented by storing a program describing the processing details of each function of the electronic device in a storage unit (memory) of the electronic device, and reading and executing the program via a processor of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A server configured to communicate with a terminal device used by a user and an external server, characterized in that: The terminal device is configured to execute a first application for the user to reserve a rental location and a ride start time of a vehicle and execute a second application for displaying the user's schedule when communicating with the external server, the external server manages the reservation of a shared vehicle and manages the first application, the server manages the second application, and the server includes: a memory configured to store map information and public transportation schedule information; Server communication means configured to acquire the rental place and the ride start time of the vehicle reserved by the user from the external server; and a processor configured to extract a user's schedule immediately before the ride start time acquired from the external server, set a location of the extracted user's schedule as a departure location, set the rental location as a destination, and set the ride start time as an arrival time based on the map information and the schedule information, and perform a route search; wherein the processor is configured to control the server communication device so that the server communication device outputs the route, transportation mode, and estimated travel time acquired from the route search to the terminal device, and causes the second application of the terminal device to automatically reflect a new travel schedule to the reserved rental place when the user reserves the vehicle by displaying the route, the transportation mode, the estimated travel time, and the activity schedule that has been input by the user as the user's schedule, and The processor is further configured to: infer that the user is traveling on a train based on the location information of the terminal device and the detection values ​​of the acceleration sensor and magnetic sensor of the terminal device, and use the train delay information obtained from the network to determine whether the user is traveling as planned.

2. The server according to claim 1, characterized in that: the memory is configured to store a management database including the schedule of the user used in the second application; the processor being configured to update the management database to reflect the route, the mode of transportation, and the estimated travel time obtained from the route search in the management database; as well as The processor is configured to control the server communication device so that the server communication device outputs a notification indicating that the management database is updated to the terminal device.

3. The server according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processor is configured to: when detecting a predetermined operation of the user on the second application, control the server communication device so that the server communication device outputs the map information to the terminal device, and the second application displays the searched route on the map of the terminal device.

4. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The transportation mode includes at least one of walking, bus and train.

5. An information processing method using a server, characterized in that The server is configured to communicate with a terminal device used by a user and an external server, and the terminal device is configured to: when communicating with the external server, execute a first application program for the user to reserve a rental location and a ride start time of a vehicle, and execute a second application program for displaying the user's schedule, the external server manages reservation of a shared vehicle and manages the first application program, and the server manages the second application program, and the information processing method includes: storing map information and public transportation schedule information in the server; acquiring, by the server, from the external server, the rental location and the ride start time of the vehicle reserved by the user; extracting, by the server, a schedule of the user immediately before the ride start time acquired from the external server, and setting, by the server, based on the map information and the schedule information, a location of the extracted schedule of the user as a departure location, the rental location as a destination, and the ride start time as an arrival time, and performing a route search by the server; outputting, by the server, the route, the transportation means, and the estimated travel time acquired from the route search to the terminal device, so that, by the second application of the terminal device, the route, the transportation means, the estimated travel time, and the activity schedule that has been input by the user are displayed as the user's schedule, thereby automatically reflecting a new travel schedule to the reserved rental place when the user reserves the vehicle; and Through the server, based on the location information of the terminal device and the detection values ​​of the acceleration sensor and magnetic sensor of the terminal device, it is inferred that the user is traveling on a train, and through the server, the train delay information obtained from the network is used to determine whether the user is traveling as planned.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a server to perform control processing, characterized in that The server is configured to communicate with a terminal device used by a user and an external server, and the terminal device is configured to: when communicating with the external server, execute a first application program for the user to reserve a rental location and a ride start time of a vehicle, and execute a second application program for displaying the user's schedule, the external server manages reservation of a shared vehicle and manages the first application program, and the server manages the second application program, and the control process includes: Store map information and public transportation schedule information; acquiring, from the external server, the rental location and the ride start time of the vehicle reserved by the user; extracting a user's schedule immediately before the ride start time acquired from the external server, setting a location of the extracted user's schedule as a departure location, setting the rental location as a destination, and setting the ride start time as an arrival time based on the map information and the schedule information, and performing a route search; outputting the route, transportation mode, and estimated travel time acquired from the route search to the terminal device so that the second application of the terminal device automatically reflects a new travel schedule to the reserved rental place when the user reserved the vehicle by displaying the route, the transportation mode, the estimated travel time, and the activity schedule that has been input by the user as the user's schedule; and Based on the position information of the terminal device and the detection values ​​of the acceleration sensor and the magnetic sensor of the terminal device, it is inferred that the user is traveling on a train, and train delay information acquired from the network is used to determine whether the user is traveling as planned.

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