Information processing device and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a vehicle, the information processing apparatus comprising: a communication unit that communicates with the vehicle; and a control unit that acquires reservation information including a schedule for a user to use the vehicle and a service option selected as a function that the user wishes to use in the vehicle, creates service activation information on the basis of the acquired reservation information, and transmits the created service activation information to the vehicle via the communication unit in accordance with the schedule. The service activation information enables a function selected as a service option among one or more functions provided in a vehicle by being downloaded to the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-189776 describes a settlement system based on electronic currency for use in car sharing, which outputs information comparing the fees involved in extending car sharing with a loaned vehicle and the balance of electronic currency registered as a settlement method for car sharing.

[0003] Rental car services and car sharing services in which multiple users share a car are becoming popular. In car sharing services, the usage fees for rental cars and shared cars are generally set the same according to the vehicle specifications and the vehicle usage period. For example, in the settlement system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-189776, it is recorded that the usage fee for car sharing is a fee system in which a distance fee corresponding to the distance and a time fee corresponding to the time are added.

[0004] In recent years, the functions available in vehicles have become more diverse and more advanced. It is conceivable that each user who uses a disposable vehicle that is used by an uncertain number of users each time in a rental car service or a car sharing service would like to select a function that meets his or her needs from among these functions and use it as needed.

[0005] The technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-189776 does not achieve the selective activation of vehicle functions as needed. Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to selectively enable vehicle functions as needed.

[0007] The information processing device involved in the present disclosure comprises:

[0008] a communication unit for communicating with the vehicle; and

[0009] The control unit obtains reservation information including a schedule for a user to use the vehicle and a service option selected as a function that the user wishes to use in the vehicle, creates service activation information based on the obtained reservation information, and sends the created service activation information to the vehicle via the communication unit according to the schedule. The service activation information is downloaded to the vehicle to enable the function selected as the service option among one or more functions of the vehicle.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to selectively enable the functions of a vehicle as needed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Hereinafter, features, advantages, technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like components, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] In each figure, the same reference numerals are attached to the same or corresponding parts. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts is appropriately omitted or simplified.

[0018] Reference Figure 1 , the structure of the information processing system 10 involved in this embodiment is described.

[0019] The information processing system 10 includes at least one information processing device 20, at least one vehicle 30, and a terminal device 40 of a user U1. In addition, the number of the information processing device 20, the number of the vehicle 30, and the number of the terminal device 40 may be plural.

[0020] The information processing device 20 can communicate with the vehicle 30 and the terminal device 40 via the network 50 .

[0021] The information processing device 20 is installed in a facility such as a data center. The information processing device 20 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing systems.

[0022] The vehicle 30 is any type of vehicle such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, a HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or a FCEV. "HEV" is the abbreviation of a hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is the abbreviation of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is the abbreviation of a battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is the abbreviation of a fuel cell electric vehicle.

[0023] In this embodiment, the terminal device 40 is held by the user U1. The terminal device 40 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, or a tablet, or a general-purpose terminal such as a PC. "PC" is an abbreviation of personal computer.

[0024] The network 50 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or a combination thereof. "WAN" is the abbreviation of wide area network. "MAN" is the abbreviation of metropolitan area network. The network 50 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. The wireless network is, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is the abbreviation of local area network.

[0025] Reference Figure 1 The outline of this embodiment will be described.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the vehicle 30 is a so-called one-time-use vehicle such as a rental car or a shared car. "One-time-use vehicle" means that one or more users use the vehicle in different schedules that do not overlap with each other. The vehicle 30 may be a vehicle selected from a plurality of vehicles. One or more users respectively specify a schedule SH including a date and time and / or a period during which they wish to use the vehicle 30 to make a reservation. It is assumed that the one or more users include the user U1. For example, when the user U1 specifies the schedule SH1 and reserves the vehicle 30, the vehicle 30 is used by the user U1 during the period P1 of the schedule SH1.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the vehicle 30 is provided with one or more functions F that each user can use in the vehicle 30 during riding. The function F includes a function that is pre-installed in the vehicle 30 as an application and can be used by activating the application. The hardware required for using the function F can be pre-installed in the vehicle 30. Examples of such functions F include, but are not limited to, a car navigation function, an electronic fee collection function such as ETC (registered trademark), a disabled safety function, an accident response function such as a driving recorder, a parking lot search function, a voice dialogue function, and a sightseeing guide function.

[0028] In the present embodiment, a user U1 who wants to reserve a vehicle 30 accesses an arbitrary reservation system via a terminal device 40. The user U1 inputs login information such as a user ID1 and a password into the reservation system to log in. "ID" is an abbreviation for identifier. The user U1 uses the terminal device 40 to input reservation information D1 including a timetable SH1 such as a period P1 during which the user wishes to use the vehicle 30 and a service option OP selected as a function f1 that the user wishes to use in the vehicle 30 into the reservation system. In the present embodiment, the reservation system is constructed on a reservation platform operated by a rental car company or a shared car company. The reservation system may also be constructed on a reservation platform operated by a reservation management company.

[0029] In the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the information processing device 20 accesses the reservation platform and obtains reservation information D1. The reservation information D1 includes information indicating a schedule SH1 for the user U1 to use the vehicle 30 and a service option OP selected as the function f1 that the user U1 wishes to use in the vehicle 30. The reservation information D1 may also include information indicating the user ID 1 of the user U1. The information processing device 20 creates service activation information D2 based on the obtained reservation information D1. The service activation information D2 is information that enables the function f1 selected as the service option OP among one or more functions F possessed by the vehicle 30 by being downloaded to the vehicle 30. The information processing device 20 transmits the created service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30 according to the schedule SH1. When the vehicle 30 receives the service activation information D2 transmitted from the information processing device 20, the function f1 selected as the service option OP among the one or more functions F indicated by the service activation information D2 is enabled. The information processing device 20 calculates the fee for each function f1 enabled in the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of the schedule SH1 , and notifies the user U1 of the total of the calculated fees.

[0030] According to the present embodiment, if the user U1 who wants to reserve the vehicle 30 selects the function f1 that he wants to use when using the vehicle 30 among the functions F as the service option OP, the service activation information D2 is sent to the vehicle 30 according to the schedule SH1 of the user U1 to use the vehicle 30. Then, the function f1 is activated in the vehicle 30. Therefore, the function f1 required by the user U1 among the functions F possessed by the vehicle 30 can be selectively activated as needed. Moreover, the user U1 obtains the right to use the activated function f1. That is, according to the present embodiment, the time required for the function required by the user can be activated. Moreover, by calculating the cost of each activated function and notifying the user of the total calculated cost, the user will not be asked to pay for the use of unnecessary functions, so that reasonable use can be made. That is, according to the present embodiment, detailed services can be provided according to user needs.

[0031] Reference Figure 2 , the structure of the information processing device 20 involved in this embodiment is described.

[0032] The information processing device 20 includes a control unit 21 , a storage unit 22 , and a communication unit 23 .

[0033] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor customized for specific processing. "CPU" is the abbreviation of central processing unit. "GPU" is the abbreviation of graphics processing unit. A programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is the abbreviation of field-programmable gate array. A dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is the abbreviation of application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 controls each part of the information processing device 20 to perform processing related to the operation of the information processing device 20.

[0034] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of them. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. "RAM" is the abbreviation of random access memory. "ROM" is the abbreviation of read only memory. RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is the abbreviation of static random access memory. "DRAM" is the abbreviation of dynamic random access memory. ROM is, for example, EEPROM. "EEPROM" is the abbreviation of electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used in the operation of the information processing device 20 and data obtained through the operation of the information processing device 20. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 22 can store history information D3. The history information D3 will be described later.

[0035] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 23 receives data used in the operation of the information processing device 20, and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 20. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 23 communicates with the vehicle 30. The communication unit 23 also communicates with the terminal device 40.

[0036] The functions of the information processing device 20 are realized by executing the information processing program involved in this embodiment on the processor as the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the information processing device 20 are realized by software. The information processing program causes the computer to function as the information processing device 20 by causing the computer to execute the operation of the information processing device 20. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 20 by executing the operation of the information processing device 20 according to the information processing program.

[0037] The program can be pre-stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media are flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, or ROMs. The program is circulated, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending removable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs that store the program. "SD" is the abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is the abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is the abbreviation for compact disc readonly memory. The program can be circulated by storing it in a storage device of a server and transferring it from the server to other computers. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0038] The computer temporarily stores a program stored in a portable medium or a program transferred from a server in a main storage device, for example. Then, the computer uses a processor to read the program stored in the main storage device, and the processor executes processing according to the read program. The computer can also directly read the program from the portable medium and execute processing according to the program. Whenever a program is transferred from a server to the computer, the computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received program. It is also possible to execute processing by a so-called ASP-type service that does not transfer the program from the server to the computer, but only implements functions through execution instructions and result acquisition. "ASP" is the abbreviation of application service provider. The program includes information based on the program in the information used for processing involving the electronic computer. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has the nature of specifying the processing of the computer qualifies as "information based on the program."

[0039] A part or all of the functions of the information processing device 20 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. That is, a part or all of the functions of the information processing device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0040] Reference Figure 3 , the structure of the vehicle 30 involved in this embodiment is described.

[0041] The vehicle 30 includes a vehicle control unit 31 , a vehicle storage unit 32 , a vehicle communication unit 33 , and a function F.

[0042] The vehicle control unit 31 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor customized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. The vehicle control unit 31 controls each functional component of the vehicle 30 to perform processing related to the operation of the vehicle 30.

[0043] The vehicle storage unit 32 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of them. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The vehicle storage unit 32 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The vehicle storage unit 32 stores data used in the operation of the vehicle 30 and data obtained through the operation of the vehicle 30. In the present embodiment, the vehicle storage unit 32 can store service activation information D2 downloaded from the information processing device 20.

[0044] The vehicle communication unit 33 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The vehicle communication unit 33 receives data used in the operation of the vehicle 30 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the vehicle 30 .

[0045] Furthermore, the vehicle 30 is provided with a function F which is constituted by pre-set hardware and / or pre-installed application programs and is available to the user. In the present embodiment, the function F can be enabled to provide the service option OP to the user. Examples of such functions F include, but are not limited to, a car navigation function, an electronic fee collection function such as ETC (registered trademark), a disabled safety function, an accident response function such as a driving recorder, a parking lot search function, a voice dialogue function, and a sightseeing guide function.

[0046] Reference Figure 4 , the operation of the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. This operation corresponds to the information processing method according to the present embodiment.

[0047] Assume that a user U1 who wishes to use the vehicle 30 makes a reservation for the vehicle 30. The reservation for the vehicle 30 can be made through any procedure. For example, the user U1 logs into the reservation system by inputting the user ID 1 and the password that identify the user U1 via the terminal device 40, and makes a reservation for the vehicle 30. The user U1 inputs a period P1 as a schedule SH1 for the user U1 to use the vehicle 30 into the terminal device 40, and selects a function f1 that the user U1 wishes to use in the vehicle 30, and inputs the selected function f1 as a service option OP. The input of the period P1 is not limited, and for example, it can be input in units of hours or days. The terminal device 40 sends the information representing the period P1 as the schedule SH1 and the function f1 as the service option OP input by the user U1 to the reservation system as reservation information D1. The reservation system receives the reservation information D1 and stores it in the storage of the reservation system.

[0048] In S101, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 obtains the reservation information D1. Specifically, the control unit 21 communicates with the reservation system. The reservation information D1 is sent from the reservation system to the information processing device 20. The control unit 21 receives the reservation information D1 sent from the reservation system via the communication unit 23. The reservation information D1 includes information indicating the period P1 during which the user U1 uses the vehicle 30 as a timetable SH1 and information indicating the function f1 selected by the user U1 as a service option OP. The reservation information D1 may also include information indicating the user ID1 of the user U1 or the attribute T1 of the user U1.

[0049] In S102, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 creates service activation information D2 based on the reservation information D1 obtained in S101. In the present embodiment, the service activation information D2 is information for activating a function f indicated as a service option OP among one or more functions F in the vehicle 30. The function f indicated as the service option OP may include, in addition to the function f1 selected by the user U1, an additional function f2 described later. When the service activation information D2 is downloaded to the vehicle 30, the function f selected as the service option OP among one or more functions F of the vehicle 30 is activated and becomes available to the user U1.

[0050] As a variation of the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may select, in addition to the function f1 selected by the user U1 as the service option OP, an additional function f2 recommended to the user U1 as a candidate for the function f to be activated according to the service activation information D2. Furthermore, the control unit 21 may send a notification N1 of recommending the use of the selected additional function f2 to the terminal device 40 of the user U1 via the communication unit 23. Specifically, the control unit 21 may further perform the following processes of S103 and S104.

[0051] In S103, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 selects an additional function f2 to be recommended to the user U1. The additional function f2 can be selected arbitrarily, for example, in the following steps.

[0052] As a step of selecting the additional function f2, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 retrieves and obtains the history information D3 indicating the driving record of the user U1 based on the user ID1. The control unit 21 selects the additional function f2 based on the obtained history information D3. As an example, it is assumed that the driving record of the user U1 represented by the history information D3 includes a record of the types of functions used by the user U1 in the vehicle used in the past. The control unit 21 determines the type of function frequently used by the user U1 based on the history information D3, and selects a function corresponding to the determined type of function and a function other than the function f1 as the additional function f2. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may select a function of the same type or similar function as the function used by the user U1, a function whose version has been upgraded or a function with improved performance and a function other than the function f1 as the additional function f2. In the present embodiment, the history information D3 is stored in the storage unit 22. The history information D3 may also be stored in an external storage device and referred to by the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20.

[0053] As another step of selecting the additional function f2, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 can select the additional function f2 using the learned model M. As the learned model M, for example, a learned model M1 can be used which takes the attribute T of the user as input and outputs a function that is expected to be of high concern to the user and has not been used by the user. As an example, the reservation information D1 obtained by S101 includes, for example, the age, gender, and occupation of the user U1 as the attribute T1 of the user U1. The control unit 21 can select the function output from the learned model M1 by inputting the attribute T1 of the user U1 included in the reservation information D1 to the learned model M1 as the additional function f2 recommended to the user U1.

[0054] In S104, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 transmits a notification N1 recommending the use of the additional function f2 selected in S103 to the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23. In the case where a notification indicating the user U1's consent to use of the additional function f2 is received as a response R1 from the user U1 to the notification N1, the control unit 21 adds the additional function f2 as a function f enabled according to the service activation information D2 in addition to the function f1. On the other hand, in the case where a notification indicating the user U1's refusal to use of the additional function f2 is received as a response R1, the control unit 21 may not add the additional function f2 as a function f enabled according to the service activation information D2.

[0055] According to this variation, in addition to the functions selected by the user, functions that the user is most concerned about or that are determined to be useful to the user can be recommended by adding. Thus, the breadth of service options that can be provided to the user can be expanded. That is, since the user can have more opportunities to use more functions, the quality of the service is improved.

[0056] In S105, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines whether the period P1 of the schedule SH1 indicated by the reservation information D1 has started. If it is determined that the period P1 has started, the process of S106 is performed. If it is determined that the period P1 has not started, the process of S105 is performed again after a predetermined time has passed.

[0057] In S106, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 transmits the created service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23. The service activation information D2 may be transmitted at any time within the period P1 of the schedule SH1. For example, the control unit 21 transmits the service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30 if it is detected that the vehicle 30 is started within the period P1 after the period P1 of the schedule SH1 starts.

[0058] In S107, when the vehicle control unit 31 of the vehicle 30 receives the service activation information D2 transmitted from the information processing device 20 via the vehicle communication unit 33, it performs control to enable the function F of the vehicle 30. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 31 downloads the received service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30. As a result, among the functions F of the vehicle 30, the function f of providing the service option OP indicated by the service activation information D2 is enabled.

[0059] In this way, the information processing device 20 obtains the schedule SH1 for the user U1 to use the vehicle 30 and the reservation information D1 of the service option OP selected as the function f1 that the user U1 wants to use in the vehicle 30. The information processing device 20 creates the service activation information D2 based on the obtained reservation information D1. The service activation information D2 is downloaded to the vehicle 30, so that the function f selected as the service option OP among the one or more functions F possessed by the vehicle 30 is activated. In the service activation information D2, in addition to the function f1 selected as the service option OP by the user U1, an additional function f2 recommended to the user U1 can be added as the function f to be activated in the vehicle 30. The information processing device 20 sends the service activation information D2 created in this way to the vehicle 30 according to the schedule SH1.

[0060] According to this embodiment, when a user reserves a vehicle, he or she can select functions available in the vehicle as service options. Moreover, the functions on the vehicle are automatically enabled and available according to the scheduled schedule. Therefore, in the vehicle, the functions required by the user can be selectively enabled. Moreover, the user can communicate with the information processing device 20 even when riding in the vehicle, and can add further functions as service options. In this case, since the required services can be enabled after riding in the vehicle, the right to use the services can be obtained according to the user's needs during the loan period of the vehicle.

[0061] As a variation of the present embodiment, a trial period P2 may be set for the function f of the vehicle 30 that is activated in S107. The "trial period P2" is a period during which no usage fee is incurred for a function even if the function is activated. The trial period P2 may be set for all of the function f or for part of the function f. Before the end of the trial period P2, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 sends a notification N2 to the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23, prompting continued use of the function ft for which the trial period P2 is set. Alternatively, the communication unit 23 of the information processing device 20 also communicates with a vehicle-mounted terminal device mounted on the vehicle 30. Furthermore, before the end of the trial period P2, the control unit 21 sends a notification N2 to the vehicle-mounted terminal device via the communication unit 23. Specifically, the following processes of S108 and S109 are performed.

[0062] In S108, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines whether the remaining period P2' of the trial period P2 is less than the threshold value TH. The threshold value TH can be any value, for example, it can be set arbitrarily in a range of values ​​such that the time from the current time to the end time of the trial period P2 is within X minutes, so that the user U1 knows that the trial period P2 is about to end. If it is determined that the remaining period P2' is less than the threshold value TH, the process of S109 is performed. If it is determined that the remaining period P2' is greater than the threshold value TH, the process of S108 is performed again after a predetermined time has passed.

[0063] In S109, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 sends a notification N2 to prompt the continued use of the function ft to the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23. Alternatively, the communication unit 23 of the information processing device 20 may also communicate with the vehicle-mounted terminal device mounted on the vehicle 30, and the control unit 21 sends the notification N2 to the vehicle-mounted terminal device via the communication unit 23. The control unit 21 receives, via the communication unit 23, information indicating that the function f' selected by the user U1 in the function ft is a function that he wishes to continue to use, as a response R2 from the user U1 to the notification N2. Based on the received response R2, the control unit 21 controls the invalidation of functions f" other than function f' in the function ft. In addition, the user U1 may also send information indicating that the function that he does not wish to continue to use, that is, the function that he wishes to invalidate, is a function f" as a response R2.

[0064] According to this variant, before the end of the trial period P2 set for the function ft, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 sends a notification N2 prompting the continued use of the function ft to the terminal device 40 or the vehicle-mounted terminal device via the communication unit 23. By setting the trial period P2 in this way, the user U1 can try out the functions he wants to use and use them free of charge. In addition, before the end of the trial period P2, the user U1 can select the required function f' among the functions ft. Moreover, after the end of the trial period P2, the function f" that is not necessary for the user U1 is invalidated. As a result, the user U1 can continue to use only the favorite function f' for a fee even after the trial period P2 ends. Therefore, the user U1 uses the function f' that is still needed after the end of the trial period P2 for a fee, and does not need to pay for the unnecessary function f". That is, according to this embodiment, the user can obtain the right to use the required service only when necessary. Therefore, according to this variant, more reasonable use of the vehicle for the user can be achieved.

[0065] In S110, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines whether the period P1 of the timetable SH1 has ended. If it is determined that the period P1 has ended, the process of S111 is performed. If it is determined that the period P1 has not ended, the process of S110 is performed again after a predetermined time has passed.

[0066] In S111, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 calculates the fee for each function f that is enabled in the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of the timetable SH1. The fee can be calculated by any procedure, and the fee per unit time can be set for each function F possessed by the vehicle 30 and calculated by multiplying the fee per unit time set for the function f enabled during the period P1 by the time when the function f is enabled. In the case where a trial period P2 is set for the function f, the control unit 21 calculates the fee for each function f' that is enabled during the period from the end of the trial period P2 to the end of the period P1. Specifically, the control unit 21 calculates the fee by multiplying the fee per unit time set for the function f' by the time when the function f' is enabled during the period from the end of the trial period P2 to the end of the period P1.

[0067] In S112, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 notifies the user U1 of the total of the charges calculated in S111. For example, the control unit 21 transmits information indicating the total of the charges calculated in S111 as the usage charge of the service option OP in addition to the usage charge of the vehicle 30 in the period P1 to the terminal device 40 of the user U1 via the communication unit 23. The control unit 21 may also transmit the calculated total of the charges to a vehicle-mounted terminal device mounted on the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23.

[0068] According to the present embodiment, the cost of each function enabled in the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of the timetable SH1 can be calculated. Therefore, in a one-time-use vehicle, when a function in the requested vehicle is added or deleted, the requested function can be enabled or disabled, and the corresponding fee change can be reflected in the user's payment amount. That is, since the user can disable the required service and obtain the right to use the required service only at the necessary time, reasonable use can be made. As an enterprise, the hardware required for the use of function F can also be pre-installed in the vehicle 30. In the present application method that can expand the service function according to the needs of the user, there is an advantage that it does not increase the load.

[0069] As a modified example of the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may transmit the service activation information D2 after receiving the service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of the schedule SH1. Specifically, in the above-mentioned S105, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may determine whether the period P1 of the schedule SH1 indicated by the reservation information D1 has started, and determine whether there is a service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30. The service activation request RQ may be transmitted by any steps, for example, the start of the vehicle 30 may be used as a trigger to transmit the service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30 to the information processing device 20. In S105, if the control unit 21 receives the service activation request RQ transmitted from the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23, the process of S106 is performed. The determination of whether there is a service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30 is repeated until the control unit 21 receives the service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30.

[0070] According to this modification, the period during which the function f is enabled in the vehicle 30 and the period P1 during which the vehicle 30 is rented can be managed separately. Therefore, when the usage fee of the function f is calculated by a metered charge according to the length of the period during which the function f is enabled, the usage fee can be calculated more accurately.

[0071] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, multiple modules recorded in the block diagram may be integrated, or one module may be divided. Multiple steps recorded in the flowchart may be executed in parallel or in a different order according to the processing capacity of the device executing each step or as needed, instead of executing multiple steps recorded in the flowchart in a time series according to the description. In addition, changes can be made within the scope of the main purpose of the present disclosure.

[0072] For example, in S110, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may determine whether a prescribed time has passed after the start of the period P1, instead of determining whether the period P1 of the timetable SH1 has ended. Furthermore, if it is determined that the prescribed time has passed, the fee may be calculated in S111 and notified to the user U1 in S112. In this way, in the loan of the vehicle 30, the user U1 can know the passage of the fee for the use of the function f as the utilization status of the service option OP. Therefore, it is easy for the user U1 to make a utilization plan for the function f according to the budget. Therefore, the convenience is further improved.

Claims

1. An information processing device, wherein: have: a communication unit for communicating with the vehicle; and A control unit obtains reservation information including a schedule for a user to use the vehicle and a service option selected as a function that the user wishes to use in the vehicle, creates service activation information based on the obtained reservation information, and sends the created service activation information to the vehicle via the communication unit according to the schedule, wherein the service activation information is downloaded to the vehicle to enable the function selected as the service option among one or more functions of the vehicle.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit calculates a fee for each function enabled in the vehicle during the schedule period, and notifies the user of a total of the calculated fees.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The communication unit also communicates with the user's terminal device, The control unit selects an additional function recommended to the user as a candidate for the function enabled by the service activation information in addition to the function selected as the service option indicated by the reservation information, and transmits a notification recommending the use of the selected additional function to the terminal device via the communication unit.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The above function has a trial period during which no fees are incurred even if it is activated. The communication unit also communicates with the user's terminal device or a vehicle-mounted terminal device mounted on the vehicle, Before the end date of the trial period, the control unit transmits a notification to urge continued use of the function to the terminal device or the in-vehicle terminal device via the communication unit.

5. A vehicle, wherein: have: a vehicle communication unit that communicates with the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and a vehicle control unit that receives the service activation information sent from the information processing device via the vehicle communication unit, The vehicle has one or more pre-installed functions, which can provide the service option by being activated. The vehicle control unit performs control to enable, when receiving the service activation information, a function that provides a service option indicated by the service activation information among the one or more functions.

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