INFORMATION SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM

Abstract

Information system that manages collection from and delivery to one or more areas in a vehicle that can be used as a collection / delivery destination for an item, wherein the information system comprises: a receiving unit configured to receive a request to pick up the item from the areas and deliver the item to the areas; a retrieval unit configured to obtain parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a named vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space in which the named vehicle is parked, and the named vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pick-up / delivery destination of the item; and an administrative unit configured to determine, based on parking position information and attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, where the parking position is a position where the named vehicle is parked in the parking lot, characterized by the fact that the administrative unit is configured to to identify a nearby parking area close to the parking area where the named vehicle is parked; and to request from an end device (40) of a requesting user whether the named vehicle can be moved to the nearby parking space, wherein the requesting user is a user who requests the collection and delivery of the item.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an information system, an information processing method and a storage medium. 2. Description of the related art

[0002] Recently, a trunk sharing system is under development, which uses the luggage compartment of a user-designated vehicle as the pickup / delivery location for a pickup / delivery item, as a means for efficiently receiving and delivering a pickup / delivery item (cargo) between a pickup / delivery service user and a delivery company that picks up and delivers items. For example, Japanese Patent Application JP 2006-206225 A discloses a technique in which a professional-use communication device provided in the delivery company's vehicle is used to perform two-way authentication with a delivery-receiving vehicle at a delivery time for placing a delivery item in the trunk.This technology allows the receipt of a delivery item using a vehicle that accepts the delivery item, even in the absence of the recipient.

[0003] According to the preamble of the independent claims, DE 10 2015 111 888 A1 discloses a method for the autonomous delivery and / or collection of at least one consignment using at least one distribution vehicle, wherein a distribution vehicle approaches a customer vehicle at least partially autonomously and at least partially via public road traffic, the distribution vehicle at least partially autonomously causes a locking unit of the customer vehicle to be opened, the distribution vehicle, with the locking unit open, at least partially autonomously brings a consignment into the customer vehicle and / or at least partially autonomously removes a consignment from the customer vehicle, the distribution vehicle, after bringing and / or removing the consignment, at least partially autonomously causes the locking unit of the customer vehicle to be closed.For the state of the art, reference is also made to US 2017 / 0 352 124 A1, US 2016 / 0 189 098 A1, CN 1 07 006 044 A and WO 2016 / 054 200 A1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] When picking up or delivering a pickup / delivery item as described above, a vehicle used as the pickup / delivery location of a pickup / delivery item is parked in an agreed parking space or at a location designated in advance for receiving the delivery item. However, in the technique disclosed in JP 2006-206225 A, a route by which the delivery vehicle carrying a pickup / delivery item reaches the parking space or parking location of the vehicle parked at the designated location is not considered. This sometimes leads to a situation where the delivery vehicle carrying a pickup / delivery item cannot reach the parking space where the vehicle is parked or a designated location, or cannot reach the parking location from the entrance of the parking space.In such a case, there is a possibility that the collection / delivery item cannot be received or delivered using the luggage compartment.

[0005] The present invention provides a technique for improving the reliability of pickup and delivery to or from a vehicle parked at a predetermined position.

[0006] The information system according to a first aspect of the present invention manages the pickup and delivery to one or more areas in a vehicle usable as a pickup / delivery destination of an item. The information system includes: a receiving unit configured to receive a request to pick up the item from the areas and deliver the item to the areas; an acquiring unit configured to acquire parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a designated vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space where the designated vehicle is parked, and the designated vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the item;and a management unit configured to determine, based on the parking position information and the attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, wherein the parking position is a position where the designated vehicle is parked in the parking lot;

[0007] According to the aspect described above, when a pickup / delivery request is received, it can be determined based on the parking position information and the parking space attribute information whether the delivery vehicle carrying the pickup / delivery item will be able to reach the parking position where the vehicle is parked in the parking space. Examples of one or more areas in the vehicle that can be used as the pickup / delivery destination of a pickup / delivery item include pickup / delivery positions such as the hood, the front passenger seat, the rear passenger seat, the rear driver seat, and the luggage compartment.Examples of parking space attribute information include the configurations, such as whether the parking space is a paid parking space or a free parking space, whether the parking space is a level parking space or a multi-level parking garage, and whether the parking space is an indoor space (the ground floor or basement, etc. of an apartment) or an outdoor space (outdoor parking area of ​​an apartment), the need for a permit when entering the parking space, and height or weight restrictions when entering the parking space. As a result, the information system according to this embodiment improves the reliability of pickup from or delivery to a vehicle parked at a predetermined location.

[0008] In a first embodiment of the invention according to claim 1, the management unit is configured to identify a nearby parking space near the parking space where the designated vehicle is parked; and to inquire with a terminal of a requesting user whether the designated vehicle can be moved to the nearby parking space, wherein the requesting user is a user requesting the pickup of the item and the delivery of the item.

[0009] According to the aspect described above, since a pickup / delivery item can be received or delivered at the nearby parking space near the designated parking space, it is possible to increase the convenience of a user even if it is determined that the delivery vehicle will not be able to reach the designated parking space.

[0010] In a second embodiment of the invention according to claim 2, the management unit is configured to identify a nearby parking space near the parking space where the designated vehicle is parked; and to request from a terminal device of a requesting user, for authorization to issue key information used to move the designated vehicle to the nearby parking space, wherein the requesting user is a user who requests the pickup of the item and the delivery of the item.

[0011] According to the aspect described above, even if a user of the pickup / delivery service cannot move the vehicle for any reason on the pickup / delivery date and time, the pickup / delivery employee can move the vehicle parked in the designated parking space to pick up or deliver the pickup / delivery item and return the vehicle to the designated parking space after pickup / delivery. According to the aspect described above, the pickup / delivery service can be provided that offers more convenience.

[0012] In a third embodiment of the invention according to claim 3, the management unit is configured to request at least one of an authorization for additional costs required to approach the parking position and an authorization for additional costs required to use a nearby parking space near the parking space where the designated vehicle is parked from a terminal device of a requesting user, wherein the requesting user is a user who requests the collection of the item and the delivery of the item.

[0013] According to the aspect described above, it is expected that the user experience for a requesting user who requests the pickup / delivery of a pickup / delivery item will be improved.

[0014] In the aspect described above, the management unit may be configured to output a determination result indicating whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the parking position. The management unit may be configured to determine whether pickup and delivery to the areas will be performed based on a determination result indicating whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the parking position. The management unit may be configured to: identify route information between the delivery vehicle and the parking position based on the parking position information; and determine whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the parking position based on at least one of the route information and the attribute information.

[0015] Examples of route information include road information about a plurality of routes leading to the designated parking space (including road width, height restriction, weight restriction, traffic regulations such as a school zone), and regulatory information such as construction site regulations on the pickup / delivery date and time zone. According to the above-described aspect, considering the road information and regulatory information about a route to the designated parking space, it can be determined at least whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the designated parking space. It can also be determined at least whether the delivery vehicle will be able to move close enough to the vehicle parked in the designated parking space. Therefore, this configuration increases the accuracy of determining whether pickup from or delivery to a vehicle parked in the designated parking space is feasible.

[0016] In the aspect described above, the route information may include at least one of traffic regulation information about a route between the delivery vehicle and the parking position and traffic restriction information about the route between the delivery vehicle and the parking position.

[0017] According to the aspect described above, the accuracy of determining whether the delivery vehicle carrying a pickup / delivery item will be able to reach the designated parking space can be increased.

[0018] In the aspect described above, the attribute information may include at least one of information about height restrictions applicable to a vehicle approaching the parking position, information about weight restrictions applicable to the vehicle approaching the parking position, information about the need for permission to approach the parking position, and information about a cost.

[0019] According to the aspect described above, the accuracy of determining whether the delivery vehicle carrying a pickup / delivery item will be able to move close enough to a vehicle parked in the designated parking space can be increased.

[0020] According to the invention, an information processing method having the features of independent claims 9 to 11 and a non-transitory storage medium having the features of independent claims 16 to 18 are further proposed; advantageous developments emerge from the respective subclaims.

[0021] The present invention can provide a technique for improving the reliability of pickup and delivery to or from a vehicle parked at a predetermined position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like elements and in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a trunk sharing system according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an on-board device, a request user terminal, a pickup / delivery worker terminal, a pickup / delivery management server, and a center server; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing vehicle information communicated to a pickup / delivery operator terminal; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing pickup / delivery management information; Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of delivery possibility determination processing; Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of delivery possibility determination processing; and Fig. Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a pickup / delivery processing flow. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] A trunk sharing system according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiment described below is an example, and the trunk sharing system is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment. <1. System configuration>

[0024] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a trunk sharing system 1 according to this embodiment. The trunk sharing system 1 is a system that provides the pick-up / delivery service. In this pick-up / delivery service, the vehicle interior or the luggage compartment (trunk) of a vehicle 30 is shared as the pick-up / delivery location of a pick-up / delivery item between a person requesting the pick-up / delivery operation of a pick-up / delivery item (cargo) and a person performing the pick-up / delivery operation of the pick-up / delivery item. The vehicle 30 used as the pick-up / delivery location of a pick-up / delivery item is a vehicle that can be locked / unlocked using an electronic key. The vehicle 30 is designated by the person requesting the pick-up / delivery operation.In the embodiment described below, the shared use of the vehicle interior or the luggage compartment of the vehicle 30 is referred to as trunk sharing. Also, the pick-up / delivery service provided by the trunk sharing system 1 is referred to as a trunk sharing service. Furthermore, the trunk sharing service is also simply referred to as trunk sharing. Note that the trunk sharing system 1 according to this embodiment can provide a service that allows a plurality of people to co-own at least a part of the vehicle 30. In the description below, "sharing" includes at least one of sharing and co-owning.In the trunk sharing system 1, a "person requesting a pickup / delivery activity" is a user who uses the vehicle interior or the luggage compartment of the vehicle 30 as the delivery destination of a delivery item or as the pickup destination of a cargo item. This user is also referred to as a "requesting user." For example, requesting users include not only the owner or legal occupant of the vehicle 30, but also a user who borrows a vehicle lent for trunk sharing and uses the vehicle as the delivery destination or pickup destination. The requesting user has a requesting user terminal 40."A person performing a pickup / delivery activity" is a business operator who picks up or delivers a delivery item or cargo as a pickup / delivery item, then delivers a pickup / delivery item to the vehicle interior or the luggage compartment of the vehicle 30, or picks up cargo from the vehicle interior or the luggage compartment of the vehicle 30 in which the cargo is stored. This user is also referred to as a "pickup / delivery user." Pickup / delivery users include a delivery company that provides the delivery service for delivering delivery items to a delivery destination and a distribution company that provides the transportation service between delivery locations of delivery items. A pickup / delivery operator is an employee of a pickup / delivery user or a person who performs a pickup / delivery activity on behalf of a pickup / distribution user.The pickup / delivery worker has a pickup / delivery worker terminal 50. The vehicle interior or luggage compartment used as the pickup / delivery location for a pickup / delivery item includes an area of ​​the vehicle 30 in which a pickup / delivery item can be placed and which can be locked / unlocked, such as a hood, a passenger seat, and a rear seat. In the following description, the vehicle interior or luggage compartment is also simply referred to as a "luggage compartment."

[0025] The Fig. The trunk sharing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a pickup / delivery management server 10, a central server 20, a communication device 32 mounted on the vehicle 30, the request user terminal 40, and the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50, which are connected to each other by a network N. The network N includes a public network such as the Internet, the wireless network of a cellular network, a dedicated network such as a virtual private network (VPN), and a network such as a local area network (LAN). An on-board device 31 mounted on the vehicle 30 is connected to the request user terminal 40 and the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 via short-range wireless communication.A plurality of other components (not shown) may be connected to the network N, including pickup / delivery management servers 10, central servers 20, communication devices 32 of the vehicles 30, request user terminals 40, and pickup / delivery worker terminals 50. In addition, other servers not shown are connected to the network N, including a server operated by an e-commerce merchant that provides network shopping on a business-like basis and a server that provides point-of-interest (POI) information to a vehicle navigation system.

[0026] The pickup / delivery management server 10 is a computer used by users, each of whom functions as a pickup / delivery user. These users include a delivery company that provides the delivery service for delivering a delivery item to a delivery destination, and a distribution company that provides transportation services between the locations of delivery items. The pickup / delivery management server 10 manages the receipt / delivery of pickup / delivery items to and from the requesting users who collectively use the luggage compartment of the vehicle 30 as the pickup / delivery destination. The pickup / delivery management server 10 has a pickup / delivery management database (DB) 200. The pickup / delivery management server 10 provides the information processing functions of at least a delivery request receipt unit 110, a delivery possibility determination unit 120, and a delivery management unit 130.It should be noted that the pickup / delivery management server 10 may be a single computer or a group of a plurality of computers (for example, a system called a cloud). Similarly, the pickup / delivery management DB 200 may be constructed from a single database server or a plurality of database servers. For example, the pickup / delivery management server 10 may be operated by an e-commerce merchant that offers online shopping as a business. Furthermore, the pickup / delivery management server 10 may be operated by a cooperating association of delivery companies, distribution companies, or e-commerce companies. Furthermore, the pickup / delivery management server 10 may be jointly operated by intermediaries, such as a trading company or a dealer that facilitates the sale of the vehicle 30, or by rental agencies or leasing agencies that provide the rental or lending service of the vehicle 30.

[0027] The pickup / delivery management server 10 according to this embodiment receives a request for pickup / delivery of a pickup / delivery item, which specifies the vehicle 30 as the pickup / delivery destination, from the request user terminal 40 of a requesting user. An application program (hereinafter also referred to as a "predetermined application") for utilizing the pickup / delivery service of the trunk sharing system 1 has been installed in the request user terminal 40 used by a requesting user. For example, when requesting the delivery user to deliver an item purchased from an online shopping site as a pickup / delivery item, the requesting user can use the predetermined application to register the pickup / delivery information of the pickup / delivery item in the pickup / delivery management server 10.The pickup / delivery management server 10 according to this embodiment accepts the registration of the pickup / delivery information of the pickup / delivery item as a pickup / delivery request. At the same time, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines whether the pickup / delivery item is picked up / delivered based on the arrival route information indicating a route to the parking position of the vehicle 30 designated as the delivery / pickup destination, as described later. The arrival route information includes, for example, the road information about the road to the parking space where the vehicle 30 is parked, the parking space attribute information, and the approach restrictions applicable to the pickup / delivery vehicle carrying the pickup / delivery items when approaching the area where the vehicle 30 is parked.The road information includes information about road construction regulations, height restrictions when driving on the road, road width, and so on.

[0028] In this embodiment, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines the condition of the road leading to the parking lot entrance on the delivery date and delivery time zone of a pickup / delivery item based on, for example, the arrival route information, and then determines whether the delivery vehicle will be able to deliver the pickup / delivery item. Even if it is possible to reach the parking lot entrance, the pickup / delivery management server 10 further determines whether the pickup / delivery vehicle will be able to approach the parking position of the vehicle 30 based on various restrictions depending on the parking lot attribute.For example, the “parking space attribute” includes the following: configuration types, such as whether the parking space is a paid parking space or a free parking space, whether the parking space is an at-grade parking space or a multi-level parking garage, and whether the parking space is an indoor space (the ground floor or the basement, etc. of an apartment) or an outdoor space (outdoor parking area of ​​an apartment), the need for a permit to enter the parking space, and height or weight restrictions when entering the parking space.Even if the above determination determines that pickup from or delivery to the vehicle 30 designated as the pickup / delivery destination is difficult, the pickup / delivery management server 10 identifies another parking space near the parking position of the vehicle 30 and notifies the requesting user whether the requesting user approves the use of the identified parking space or whether the vehicle can be moved to the identified parking space. In this way, the pickup / delivery management server 10 increases the possibility of pickup / delivery of a pickup / delivery item. If the requesting user does not obtain approval to use another parking space or consent to move the vehicle to another parking space, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines that the pickup / delivery item cannot be picked up or delivered.In this case, the pickup / delivery management server 10 notifies the requesting user to input the instruction information about the next delivery of the pickup / delivery item. The pickup / delivery management server 10 in this embodiment repeatedly makes the same determination based on the instruction information about the next delivery of the pickup / delivery item that has been determined to be non-deliverable. As a result, the pickup / delivery management server 10 in this embodiment increases the accuracy of determining whether the pickup / delivery item can be picked up or delivered when accepting a pickup / delivery request, while simultaneously increasing the reliability of pickup from or delivery to the vehicle 30 parked at a predetermined location.

[0029] When a pickup / delivery request is received and it is determined that the pickup / delivery item can be picked up or delivered, the pickup / delivery management server 10 registers the request information in the pickup / delivery management DB 200 as the pickup / delivery management information. As described below with reference to Fig. 4, at least the pickup / delivery information about a pickup / delivery item received from the requesting user and the status information indicating whether the pickup / delivery of the pickup / delivery item is completed are stored in the pickup / delivery management information in association with the identification information (vehicle ID) about the vehicle 30.

[0030] When a key information issuance request for temporarily locking / unlocking the vehicle 30 is received, for example, from a requesting user or a pickup / delivery employee, the pickup / delivery management server 10 notifies the central server 20 that the key information issuance request has been received. The pickup / delivery management server 10 notifies the central server 20 of the issuance request, which includes, for example, the identification information about the vehicle 30 and the information indicating the pickup / delivery position in the vehicle 30.Based on the information including the identification information about the vehicle 30, the information indicating the reception / delivery position (pick-up / delivery position) in the vehicle 30, and the time information indicating the time at which the issuance request was received, the central server 20 issues key information that causes the request user terminal 40 or the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 to function as a temporary electronic key. The issued key information is sent to the request user terminal 40 or the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 via, for example, the pickup / delivery management server 10.

[0031] The central server 20 is a computer, such as a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), or a server of a management company that manages the key information for locking and unlocking the vehicle 30. The central server 20 may be a single computer or a system consisting of a group of computers, such as a cloud. Note that the management company that owns the central server 20 may be, for example, a division or affiliate of the manufacturer of the vehicle 30, or a business entity that performs key information management on behalf of the manufacturer.

[0032] The central server 20 cooperates with the pickup / delivery management server 10 to manage the key information for locking and unlocking the luggage compartment of the vehicle 30, which is registered in advance as the pickup / delivery location of a pickup / delivery item. The central server 20 accepts a key information issuance request from the pickup / delivery management server 10, which operates in cooperation with the central server 20, and simultaneously issues the key information corresponding to the area in the vehicle 30 designated as the pickup / delivery location of the pickup / delivery item. The "key information" is the authentication information required when using the vehicle 30, which can be locked / unlocked using an electronic key. The vehicle-side authentication information is registered in the on-board device 31 mounted on the vehicle 30.The central server 20 manages the vehicle-side authentication information in conjunction with the identification information about the vehicle 30 on which the on-board device 31 is mounted.

[0033] Upon receiving the key information issuance request from the pickup / delivery management server 10, the central server 20 issues the authentication information used to temporarily lock / unlock the vehicle 30 as the key information (one-time key) based on the vehicle-side authentication information associated with the vehicle 30. The issued one-time key is sent via the network N to the requesting user terminal 40 or the pickup / delivery staff terminal 50 that issued the issuance request. If the one-time key delivered to the requesting user terminal 40 or the pickup / delivery staff terminal 50 is used to successfully authenticate the on-board device 31, the requesting user or the pickup / delivery staff can lock / unlock the luggage compartment of the vehicle 30 via the on-board device 31.

[0034] The communication device 32 mounted on the vehicle 30 is a wireless communication device connectable to the network N. The communication device 32 is connected to an on-vehicle network such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) in the vehicle 30. The communication device 32 operates with, for example, a vehicle navigation device and a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit (both not shown) mounted on the vehicle 30 to obtain various information such as traffic jam information, road conditions, weather information, and news information related to the current position of the vehicle 30.In this embodiment, the communication device 32 acquires the position information (latitude and longitude) of the host vehicle in response to a request from the central server 20 connected to the network N and reports the acquired position information to the central server 20. The communication device 32, having received the position information notification request, acquires the position information (latitude / longitude) of the parking position where the host vehicle is parked from the GPS unit mounted on the vehicle 30 and then responds to the central server 20 with the acquired position information. For example, the pickup / delivery management server 10 acquires the parking position information (latitude / longitude) of the position where the vehicle 30 is parked from the central server 20.Based on the acquired position information, the pickup / delivery management server 10 can determine whether a pickup / delivery item can be delivered. <2. Hardware configuration>

[0035] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of each of the components (pickup / delivery management server 10, central server 20, on-board device 31, request user terminal 40, and pickup / delivery worker terminal 50) that constitute the trunk sharing system 1. In this embodiment, the on-board device 31 includes a key unit 80 and a locking / unlocking device 90. The key unit 80, having a wireless interface similar to that of an electronic key (hereinafter referred to as a mobile device), which is called a smart key, communicates with the existing locking / unlocking device 90 constituting the on-board device 31.A requesting user using the luggage compartment of the vehicle 30 as the pickup / delivery destination of an item authenticates the authentication information held in the requesting user terminal 40 by authenticating the key unit 80. This allows the requesting user to lock / unlock the luggage compartment or the vehicle interior of the vehicle 30 without using a physical key.That is, the key unit 80 performs short-distance wireless communication with the request user terminal 40 or the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 (in the following description, “the request user terminal 40 or the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50” is collectively referred to as the request user terminal 40 or the like) in which the authentication information is held, and determines whether the key unit 80 will behave as the electronic key of the vehicle 30 based on the result of the authentication of the request user terminal 40 or the like.

[0036] For example, when accessing the luggage compartment of the vehicle 30 for delivery / collection of a pickup / delivery item, the requesting user terminal 40 or the like has the authentication information for locking / unlocking the luggage compartment issued from the central server 20 via the pickup / delivery management server 10, as described above. The authentication information sent from the requesting user terminal 40 or the like to the key unit 80 is verified against the vehicle-side authentication information previously stored in the key unit 80. If the authentication is successful, the requesting user terminal 40 or the like is authenticated as a terminal that authentically activates the on-board device 31.When the request user terminal 40 or the like is authenticated, the key unit 80 transmits the key ID of the vehicle 30, which is stored in advance in the key unit 80 and associated with the vehicle-side authentication information, to the locking / unlocking device 90 along with the locking / unlocking signal. When the key ID received by the key unit 80 matches the key ID stored in advance in the locking / unlocking device 90, the locking / unlocking device 90 locks / unlocks the vehicle 30. Note that the key ID stored in advance in the key unit 80 may be encrypted with the vehicle-side authentication information.In this case, if the authentication of the requesting user terminal 40 is successful, the key unit 80 only needs to decrypt the key ID with the vehicle-side authentication information and then send the decrypted key ID to the locking / unlocking device 90. The key unit 80 and the locking / unlocking device 90 operate with power supplied from a battery mounted on the vehicle 30. Note that the key unit 80 and the locking / unlocking device 90 can operate not only with electric power supplied from the battery mounted on the vehicle 30, but also with electric power supplied from a commercially available battery.

[0037] The locking / unlocking device 90, a device for locking and unlocking the vehicle interior doors and the trunk door of the vehicle 30, is an existing device that forms part of the smart key system. The locking / unlocking device 90 locks and unlocks the door of the vehicle 30 in response to the locking signal and the unlocking signal transmitted via radio waves in the high frequency (hereinafter referred to as RF) band from the mobile device corresponding to the vehicle 30. The locking / unlocking device 90 also has a function of transmitting radio waves in a low frequency (hereinafter also referred to as LF) band, which are used to search for the mobile device.

[0038] In this embodiment, the key unit 80 for the above-described mobile device transmits and receives radio waves in the RF band and the LF band to and from the locking / unlocking device 90 to lock / unlock the door of the vehicle 30. In the following description, the communication destination of the locking / unlocking device 90 is limited to the key unit 80 unless otherwise specified.

[0039] The locking / unlocking device 90 includes an LF transmitter 91, an RF receiver 92, a verification ECU 93, a body ECU 94, and a door lock actuator 95. The LF transmitter 91 is a unit for transmitting radio waves in a low frequency band (for example, 100 kHz to 300 kHz) to search for (retrieve) the key unit 80. The LF transmitter 91 is integrated in the vehicle interior, for example, near the center console or the steering wheel. The RF receiver 92 is a unit for receiving radio waves in a high frequency band (for example, 100 MHz to 1 GHz) transmitted from the key unit 80. The RF receiver 92 is integrated at any position in the vehicle interior.

[0040] The verification ECU 93 is a computer that controls the locking and unlocking of the interior doors and the trunk of the vehicle 30 based on the signal (lock signal or unlock signal) transmitted from the key unit 80 via radio waves in the RF band. The verification ECU 93 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer. In the following description, the lock signal and the unlock signal are also referred to as the lock / unlock signal. The term lock / unlock signal is a generic term and represents at least one of the lock signal and the unlock signal.

[0041] The verification ECU 93 authenticates that the lock / unlock signal transmitted from the key unit 80 is transmitted from an authentic device. Specifically, the verification ECU 93 determines whether the key ID included in the lock / unlock signal matches the key ID previously stored in the storage unit of the verification ECU 93. Based on the result of this determination, the verification ECU 93 sends the unlock command or the lock command to the body ECU 94. This unlock command or the lock command is transmitted via an in-vehicle network such as CAN.

[0042] The body ECU 94 is a computer that performs body control of the vehicle 30. The body ECU 94 controls the door lock actuator 95 based on the unlock command or the lock command received from the verification ECU 93, thereby unlocking and locking the vehicle interior door or the trunk door of the vehicle 30 simultaneously or independently. After unlocking the vehicle interior door, the hood of the vehicle 30 is accessed by operating a predetermined part provided near the driver's seat. The verification ECU 93 and the body ECU 94 are integrated with each other.

[0043] The door lock actuator 95 is an actuator for locking and unlocking the doors of the vehicle 30, including the vehicle entry and exit doors, the rear door, and the trunk door, which is opened or closed when cargo is loaded into or unloaded from the trunk. The door lock actuator 95 operates based on the signal sent from the body ECU 94. The door lock actuator 95 may be configured to lock and unlock the vehicle entry and exit doors and the trunk door of the vehicle 30 independently of the trunk door of the vehicle 30.

[0044] Next, the key unit 80 will be described. The key unit 80 is a device arranged at a predetermined location (for example, in a glove box) in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 30. The key unit 80 has the following two functions: first, the function of authenticating the requesting user terminal 40 or the like through short-range wireless communication with the requesting user terminal 40 or the like, and second, the function of transmitting the locking / unlocking signal using radio waves in the RF band based on the authentication result. The key unit 80 includes an LF receiver 81, an RF transmitter 82, a short-range communication unit 83, and a control unit 84.

[0045] The LF receiver 81 is a unit for receiving the polling signal transmitted from the locking / unlocking device 90 via radio waves in the LF band. The LF receiver 81 has an antenna (hereinafter referred to as an LF antenna) for receiving radio waves in the LF band. The RF transmitter 82 is a unit for transmitting the locking / unlocking signal to the locking / unlocking device 90 via radio waves in the HF band.

[0046] The short-range communication unit 83 is a unit for communicating with the request user terminal 40 or the like. The short-range communication unit 83 performs short-range communication (as far as communication can be performed between the inside and outside of the vehicle interior) according to a predetermined wireless communication standard.

[0047] In this embodiment, the short-range communication unit 83 performs data communication according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) low-energy standard (hereinafter referred to as BLE). BLE, a Bluetooth-based low-energy communication standard, is characterized in that communication can be started immediately upon detection of a partner, without the need for pairing between the devices. Although BLE is used as an example in this embodiment, other wireless communication standards are also usable. For example, near-field communication (NFC), ultra-wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and so on can be used.

[0048] The control unit 84 is a computer that controls the authentication of the request user terminal 40 or the like through short-range wireless communication with the request user terminal 40 or the like via the short-range communication unit 83, and also controls the transmission of the lock / unlock signal generated based on the authentication result. The control unit 84 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer.

[0049] The control unit 84 includes a storage unit 84a and an authentication unit 84b. The storage unit 84a stores the control program for controlling the key unit 80. The control unit 84 can cause the central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) to execute the control program stored in the storage unit 84a to implement various functions, including the function of the authentication unit 84b.The control unit 84 has the following functions: the function of receiving the polling signal transmitted from the locking / unlocking device 90 as radio waves in the low-frequency band via the low-frequency receiver 81, the function of transmitting the locking / unlocking signal as radio waves in the high-frequency band to the locking / unlocking device 90 via the high-frequency transmitter 82, the function of processing communication with the requesting user terminal 40 or the like performed via the short-range communication unit 83, and the function of generating the locking / unlocking signal when the requesting user terminal 40 or the like is successfully authenticated by the authentication unit 84b.

[0050] The authentication unit 84b authenticates the requesting user terminal 40 or the like based on the authentication information included in the locking request or unlocking request (hereinafter, generally referred to as a locking / unlocking request) sent from the requesting user terminal 40 or the like. Specifically, the authentication unit 84b compares the vehicle-side authentication information stored in the storage unit 84a with the authentication information sent from the requesting user terminal 40 or the like, and determines that the authentication is successful if they satisfy the predetermined relationship.If the vehicle-side authentication information and the authentication information sent from the request user terminal 40 or the like do not satisfy the predetermined relationship, the authentication unit 84b determines that the authentication has failed.The predetermined relationship is one of the following cases: the vehicle-side authentication information stored in the storage unit 84a matches the authentication information sent from the request user terminal 40 or the like, the processing results of predetermined encryption and decryption using the two pieces of authentication information match (one of which is the vehicle-side authentication information and the other of which is the authentication information sent from the request user terminal 40 or the like), and the result of decryption processing of one of the two pieces of authentication information matches the other piece of authentication information.

[0051] If the authentication unit 84b succeeds in authenticating the requesting user terminal 40 or the like, the unlock / lock signal generated according to the request received from the requesting user terminal 40 or the like is transmitted to the locking / unlocking device 90 via the RF transmitter 82. The authentication method performed by the authentication unit 84b may be a method of simply comparing the two pieces of authentication information to check that they are the same, as described above, or a method of using asymmetric encryption.In the following description, the vehicle-side authentication information stored in the key unit 80 may be referred to as the device authentication information, and the authentication information sent from the requesting user terminal 40 may be referred to as the terminal authentication information. The key unit 80 transmits the above-described key ID along with the locking / unlocking signal to the locking / unlocking device 90.

[0052] The pickup / delivery management server 10 is configured as a typical computer. The pickup / delivery management server 10 includes a CPU 11, a main storage device 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a communication interface (IF) 14, and an input / output IF 15. These components are interconnected by a connection bus 16. The main storage device 12 and the auxiliary storage device 13 are computer-readable recording media. A plurality of units may be provided for each of the above-described components, or some components may not be provided.

[0053] The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that controls the entire computer. The CPU 11 is also called a microprocessor unit (MPU) or a processor. The configuration of the CPU 11 is not limited to a single-processor configuration but may be a multi-processor configuration. Moreover, a single CPU connected through a single slot may have a multi-core configuration. For example, the CPU 11 expands a program stored in the auxiliary storage device 13 in executable form into the work area of ​​the main storage device 12, and then controls the peripheral devices through the execution of the program to provide the function that achieves the predetermined purpose.

[0054] The main storage device 12 stores computer programs to be executed by the CPU 11 and data to be processed by the CPU 11. The main storage device 12 includes, for example, a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM), and a read-only memory (ROM). The auxiliary storage device 13 stores various programs and various data in a recording medium such that programs and data can be read from or written to the recording medium. The auxiliary storage device 13 is, for example, a flash memory, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), a silicon wafer, and a hard disk drive (HDD). The auxiliary storage device 13 includes a portable recording medium such as a USB (universal serial bus) memory and a disk recording medium such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD).The auxiliary storage device 13 stores, for example, an operating system (OS), various programs, and various tables. The OS includes, for example, a communication interface program that exchanges data with another information processing device connected to the network N via the communication IF 14.

[0055] The communication IF 14 is a communication interface with the network N. For example, a LAN interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication is used as the communication IF 14. The input / output IF 15 is an interface for inputting / outputting data to or from a device connected to the computer. Input devices are connected to the input / output IF 15; for example, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a touch panel and a mouse, and an input device such as a microphone are connected. An operation instruction from an operator who operates the input device is received through this input / output IF 15.In addition, output devices are connected to the input / output IF 15; for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electroluminescent (EL) panel, or an organic EL panel, as well as a speaker, are connected. Data and information processed by the CPU 11 or stored in the main storage device 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 are input or output via the input / output IF 15.

[0056] The pickup / delivery management server 10 causes the CPU 11 to execute programs to provide at least the following information processing functions: the delivery request receiving unit 110, the delivery possibility determining unit 120, and the delivery management unit 130. Note that at least some of the above-described processing functions may be provided by a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a graphics processing unit (GPU). Furthermore, at least some of the above-described processing functions may be provided by a dedicated large-scale integration (LSI) such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a numerical control processor, or an image processing processor, or by other digital circuitry.

[0057] The delivery request receiving unit 110 receives pickup / delivery request information received via the request user terminal 40. The received pickup / delivery request information is temporarily stored in a predetermined area of ​​the main storage device 12 in association with identification information (telephone number, IP address, MAC address, etc.) of the request user terminal 40. The delivery request receiving unit 110 delivers the received pickup / delivery request information to the delivery possibility determination unit 120.

[0058] The delivery possibility determination unit 120 determines whether a pickup / delivery can be performed based on the parking lot address and parking position included in the pickup / delivery request information, and based on the arrival route information indicating a route by which the pickup / delivery vehicle will reach the parking location in the pickup / delivery time zone on the requested pickup / delivery date. For example, the delivery possibility determination unit 120 determines whether the pickup / delivery can be performed based on the information about the road to the parking lot where the vehicle 30 is parked and the access restrictions applicable to the pickup / delivery vehicle according to the parking lot attribute when the pickup / delivery vehicle carrying the pickup / delivery item approaches the parking location.The result of the determination of whether the pickup / delivery can be performed is notified to the requesting user. If it is determined that the pickup / delivery can be performed, the delivery management unit 130 registers the pickup / delivery request information in the pickup / delivery management DB 200 as the delivery management information and manages the pickup / delivery status of each vehicle. The detailed processing of the delivery request receiving unit 110, the delivery possibility determining unit 120, and the delivery management unit 130 will be described later with reference to FIG. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 described.

[0059] Just like the pickup / delivery management server 10, the central server 20 includes a CPU 21, a main storage device 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a communication IF 24, and an input / output IF 25, which are connected to each other by a connection bus 26. The configuration of each of the CPU 21, the main storage device 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, the communication IF 24, and the input / output IF 25 is similar to that of the CPU 11, the main storage device 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, the communication IF 14, and the input / output IF 15 of the pickup / delivery management server 10 and will therefore not be described.

[0060] The central server 20 has a vehicle management database (not shown) integrated in the auxiliary storage device 23. Key information is stored in this database. This key information is associated with the vehicle identification information about the vehicle 30 used as the pickup / delivery destination of a pickup / delivery item. The vehicle identification information includes the following: identification information (address, name, contact address) that uniquely identifies the owner of the vehicle, as well as the type, year of manufacture, engine displacement, vehicle type, color, production number, insurance number, and vehicle registration number (VIN) of the vehicle 30. The vehicle identification information also includes information that identifies the parking position of the vehicle 30 and identification information about the communication device 32 mounted on the vehicle 30.The information identifying the parking position of the vehicle 30 includes address information (parking space address) indicating the location of the parking space where the vehicle 30 is parked, and information (latitude / longitude) indicating the parking position in the parking space. The information indicating the parking position is obtained, for example, from the communication device 32 mounted on the vehicle 30 or the vehicle navigation device with the communication function. The identification information about the communication device 32 includes the IP address and the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the communication device 32.

[0061] The request user terminal 40 and the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 are each a compact computer such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a personal information terminal, or a wearable computer (smart watch, etc.). The request user terminal 40 may be a PC connected to the pickup / delivery management server 10 via the network N.

[0062] The request user terminal 40 includes a CPU 41, a main storage device 42, an auxiliary storage device 43, a communication IF 44a, a short-range communication IF 44b, and an input / output IF 45, which are interconnected by a connection bus 46. The configuration of each of the CPU 41, the main storage device 42, the auxiliary storage device 43, and the input / output IF 45 is similar to that of the CPU 11, the main storage device 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, and the input / output IF 15 of the pickup / delivery management server 10 and will therefore not be described. The communication IF 44a is a communication circuit for accessing a public network such as the Internet through the wireless network of the mobile network to perform data communication with the pickup / delivery management server 10, etc.The short-range communication IF 44b is a communication circuit for performing short-range communication according to a predetermined communication standard. The predetermined communication standard is, for example, BLE, NFC, and UWB. Note that the input / output IF 45 may include an input device such as a push button, as well as an input device for receiving videos or images captured by a camera or other devices.

[0063] The request user terminal 40 is connected to a server operated by, for example, an e-commerce merchant or the like that offers online shopping by running a browser program on the CPU 41. In response to an operation input input from the requesting user, the request user terminal 40 can designate the information about the vehicle 30 shared with the pickup / delivery user as the delivery destination of a purchase item. Furthermore, the request user terminal 40 is connected to the pickup / delivery management server 10 by running the predetermined application on the CPU 41. In response to an operation input from the requesting user, the request user terminal 40 makes a pickup / delivery request for a pickup / delivery item that designates a predetermined area in the vehicle 30 as the pickup / delivery destination.

[0064] Just like the request user terminal 40, the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 includes a CPU 51, a main storage device 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, a communication IF 54a, a short-range communication IF 54b, and an input / output IF 55, which are connected to each other by a connection bus 56. The configuration of each of the above components is similar to that of the CPU 41, the main storage device 42, the auxiliary storage device 43, the communication IF 44a, the short-range communication IF 44b, and the input / output IF 45 of the request user terminal 40 and will therefore not be described.

[0065] The pickup / delivery operator terminal 50 is connected to the pickup / delivery management server 10 by executing the predetermined application on the CPU 51. In response to an operation input input from the pickup / delivery operator, the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50 notifies the pickup / delivery operator of the information about the vehicle 30 that can be used as the pickup / delivery location of the pickup / delivery item. On the display device such as the LCD of the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50, the information about the vehicle 30 registered in the pickup / delivery management information as the pickup / delivery destination of the pickup / delivery item is displayed as content encoded in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) or the like.

[0066] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the information about the vehicle 30 reported to the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50. Fig. 3 shows an example of the information about the vehicle 30 in table form. As in Fig. 3, the table is configured to include the following fields of information about the vehicle 30: vehicle manufacturer, vehicle type, number, parking space address, vehicle position, color, pickup / delivery position, pickup / delivery date and time, pickup / delivery classification, and restrictions. The identification number is the identification information assigned to the vehicle 30. The vehicle manufacturer is the information that indicates the manufacturer that manufactured the vehicle. The vehicle type is the information that indicates the type of vehicle, such as a sedan or a minivan. The number is the vehicle registration number on the license plate affixed to the front and rear of the vehicle. The parking space address is the address information that indicates the location of the parking space where the vehicle is parked. The vehicle position is the information that indicates the parking position in the parking space.For example, the longitude / latitude of the position where the vehicle is parked is specified as the vehicle position. Color is information indicating the color of the vehicle. Instead of color, image information showing the vehicle may be displayed. The pickup / delivery position is information indicating an area in the vehicle 30 used as the pickup / delivery destination. Examples of the pickup / delivery position include, for example, the hood, the front passenger seat, the rear passenger seat, the rear driver seat, and the luggage compartment. The pickup / delivery date and time is information indicating the date and time and time zone for performing the pickup / delivery operation for the vehicle 30. The pickup / delivery classification is the classification indicating which of pickup or delivery is performed during the pickup / delivery operation.The hood, front passenger seat, rear passenger seat, rear driver seat, and luggage compartment correspond to "one or more areas in the vehicle that can be used as the pickup / delivery destination of a pickup / delivery item." The restrictions specify various conditions that apply when determining whether a pickup / delivery item can be delivered (which is described later) specifies that the pickup / delivery item can be delivered under certain conditions. The precise content of the restrictions is described later with reference to . Fig. 6. It should be noted that the data about the restrictions can also be described in another table to which a pointer points. (Pickup / Delivery Management DB)

[0067] As in Fig. 1, the pickup / delivery management DB 200 of the pickup / delivery management server 10 stores at least the pickup / delivery management information and the pickup / delivery employee management information.

[0068] The pickup / delivery management information is the information for managing the pickup / delivery status of each vehicle used as the pickup / delivery destination of a pickup / delivery item. Fig. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the pickup / delivery management information. Fig. 4 shows an example of the pickup / delivery management information in the form of a table stored in the pickup / delivery management DB 200. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the pickup / delivery management information includes the following fields: vehicle ID, pickup / delivery date / time, pickup / delivery classification, pickup / delivery status, cargo attribute, user ID, user terminal, pickup / delivery location, parking space address, vehicle location, and restrictions. The vehicle ID is the identification information for identifying the vehicle 30. The identification information about the vehicle 30 is associated, for example, with the vehicle identification information about the vehicle 30 managed by the central server 20. The pickup / delivery date and time is the information indicating the pickup / delivery date and time zone for which the pickup / delivery from or to the vehicle 30 is reserved. The pickup / delivery classification is the information indicating the classification of the pickup / delivery.The pickup / delivery status is the information indicating the completion / non-completion status of a reserved pickup / delivery, and the user ID is the identification information for identifying the requesting user. The user terminal is the identification information about the requesting user terminal 40, and the pickup / delivery position is the information indicating an area in the vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the pickup / delivery item. The parking space address is the address information indicating the location of the parking space where the vehicle 30 is parked, and the vehicle position is the information indicating the parking position in the parking space. For example, the latitude / longitude of the parking position obtained via the communication device 32 is stored as the vehicle position.The restrictions specify various conditions that apply when the determination of whether a pickup / delivery item can be delivered (which is described later) specifies that the pickup / delivery item can be delivered under certain conditions. In the example in . Fig. 4, the pickup / delivery vehicle cannot enter the designated parking space, and the use of a paid parking space near the designated parking space is indicated. Note that when a reserved pickup / delivery is completed, the pickup / delivery management information may include the identification information of the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 to which the key information was issued, as well as the completion time of the pickup / delivery activity.

[0069] The pickup / delivery worker management information is the information for managing the employees of a pickup / delivery user or pickup / delivery workers who perform pickup / delivery work on behalf of a pickup / delivery user. The pickup / delivery worker management information includes the following: identification information that uniquely identifies a pickup / delivery worker, a name, a contact address different from the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50, and identification information about the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 used by the pickup / delivery worker. The identification information about the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 includes, for example, the telephone number, IP address, email address, and MAC address of the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50.The pickup / delivery worker management information is registered by the pickup / delivery management server 10 or a computer that cooperates with the pickup / delivery management server 10. When a pickup / delivery worker performs a pickup / delivery activity on behalf of a pickup / delivery user, information identifying the vehicle used for the pickup / delivery activity may be stored. <3. Processing procedure>

[0070] Next, the pick-up / delivery possibility determination processing performed by the pick-up / delivery management server 10 according to this embodiment will be described. This processing is performed based on the arrival route information indicating a route to the parking position of the vehicle 30 designated as the pick-up / delivery destination. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are flowcharts showing an example of delivery possibility determination processing considering a route to reach the parking position. The pickup / delivery management server 10 causes the CPU 11 to read and execute various programs and various data stored in the auxiliary storage device 13 to determine the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The processing shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is provided by the information processing functions of the delivery request receiving unit 110, the delivery possibility determining unit 120, and the delivery management unit 130.

[0071] In the flowchart of Fig. 5, processing is started when the request user terminal 40 connects to the pickup / delivery management server 10 via the network N. The pickup / delivery management server 10 receives the information from the connected request user terminal 40 and simultaneously determines whether the received information includes a pickup / delivery request (S1). Whether the information includes a pickup / delivery request is specified by a command from the predetermined application installed in the request user terminal 40. Note that the pickup / delivery management server 10 can also determine whether the information received from the request user terminal 40 includes information related to the pickup / delivery of a pickup / delivery item performed via the predetermined application.The information related to the pickup / delivery of a pickup / delivery item includes at least the information for identifying the vehicle 30 used as the pickup / delivery destination, the pickup / delivery item, the pickup / delivery location, the pickup / delivery date, the pickup / delivery time zone, the parking space address, the vehicle location, and the parking space attribute information. If the information received from the request user terminal 40 is not a pickup / delivery request (S1, "No"), the pickup / delivery management server 10 terminates the processing described in . Fig. 5. Then, the pickup / delivery management server 10 performs other processing according to the received information. The processing performed by the pickup / delivery management server 10 of the trunk sharing system 1 in S1 corresponds to an example of a unit for receiving a request to pick up / deliver a pickup / delivery item to or from one or more areas.

[0072] If the information received from the request user terminal 40 includes a pickup / delivery request (S1, "Yes"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 proceeds to the processing in S2. In the processing in S2, the pickup / delivery management server 10 associates the information about the pickup / delivery of the pickup / delivery item received in the processing in S1 with the time information and temporarily stores the associated information in a predetermined area in the main storage device 12. Furthermore, the pickup / delivery management server 10 acquires the parking lot address (address of the designated parking lot) and the vehicle position information included in the above information.The pick-up / delivery management server 10 can request the cooperating central server 20 to search for the corresponding vehicle 30 based, for example, on the number information included in the information identifying the vehicle 30. The central server 20 searches the vehicle management database based, for example, on the number information to extract the vehicle identification information associated with the vehicle 30. Then, from the extracted vehicle identification information about the vehicle 30, the central server 20 can identify the latitude / longitude information indicating the parking address and the parking position in the parking space of the vehicle 30 as the vehicle position information and report the identified information to the pick-up / delivery management server 10.

[0073] In the processing of S3, the pickup / delivery management server 10 acquires road information about a plurality of routes from a predetermined pickup / delivery location to the designated parking space based on the information acquired in the processing of S1 and S2. For example, the pickup / delivery management server 10 connects to a server that provides map information and POI information and acquires road information (including travel regulations such as road width, height restrictions, school zones, etc.) about a plurality of routes leading to the designated parking space, as well as regulatory information such as construction site regulations on the pickup / delivery date and time zone. Then, based on the acquired road information, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines whether it is possible to reach the designated parking space (parking space entrance) (S4).The processing in S2-S3 executed by the pick-up / delivery management server 10 of the trunk sharing system 1 corresponds to an example of a unit that acquires the parking position information of the vehicle designated as the pick-up / delivery destination of the pick-up / delivery item and the attribute information of the parking space where the vehicle is parked.

[0074] Based on the acquired road information and the vehicle width and height of the pickup / delivery vehicle used for pickup / delivery (e.g., a two-ton van), the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines whether it is possible to travel to the designated parking lot via each route. Furthermore, based on the regulatory information on the designated pickup / delivery date and time zone, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines whether it is possible to travel to the designated parking lot via each route. If a route leading to the designated parking lot is unusable due to construction regulations or the road width or height is insufficient for the pickup / delivery vehicle to travel, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines that the pickup / delivery vehicle cannot travel along the route.The pickup / delivery management server 10 determines that the pickup / delivery vehicle will be able to reach the designated parking space if the pickup / delivery vehicle can travel on at least one route.

[0075] If, based on the acquired road information, it is determined that the pickup / delivery vehicle will be able to reach the designated parking space (parking lot entrance) (S4, "Yes"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S5. On the other hand, if, based on the acquired road information, it is determined that the pickup / delivery vehicle will not be able to reach the designated parking space (parking lot entrance) (S4, "No"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S11 in Fig. 6. The pickup / delivery management server 10 may associate the route information indicating that the pickup / delivery vehicle will be able to reach the designated parking space with the information about the pickup / delivery of the pickup / delivery item and then temporarily stores the associated information in a predetermined area in the main storage device 12. If, as a result of the processing in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 that pickup / delivery is possible, the pickup / delivery management server 10 may provide the above-described route information to the navigation device mounted on the pickup / delivery vehicle.

[0076] In the processing in S5, the pickup / delivery management server 10 obtains the attribute information about the parking space where the vehicle 30 is parked from the information about the pickup / delivery of the pickup / delivery item. Note that the pickup / delivery management server 10 may connect to a server providing the map information and POI information, identify the POI information associated with the address of the designated parking space and the vehicle position (latitude, longitude), and obtain the attribute information about the corresponding parking space.

[0077] Based on the parking space attribute information obtained in the processing at S5, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines whether restrictions apply when the pickup / delivery user (the pickup / delivery vehicle) enters the parking space (S6). If entry into the parking space is not subject to restrictions (S6, "No"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing at S19. Fig. 6. For example, entry into the parking space is not subject to restrictions if the designated parking space is a free, level outdoor parking space and, furthermore, entry into the parking space is not restricted. However, if there are restrictions on entry into the parking space (S6, "Yes"), processing on the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with processing in S7.

[0078] In the processing at S7, it is determined whether the restrictions for entering the designated parking space are physical restrictions (conditions) such as the height and weight of the entering vehicle. If the height and total weight of the pickup / delivery vehicle meet the above condition (are below the limit) (S7, "Yes"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing at S8. Conversely, if the height and total weight of the pickup / delivery vehicle do not meet the above condition (S7, "No"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing at S11 in Fig. 6 continued.

[0079] In the processing in S8, it is determined whether a cost (a predetermined fee) is incurred when the pickup / delivery vehicle enters the designated parking space. For example, if the designated parking space is a paid parking space, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines that a cost is incurred when entering the designated parking space; if the designated parking space is not a paid parking space, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines that no cost is incurred when entering the designated parking space. If a cost is incurred when entering the designated parking space (S8, "Yes"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S16. Fig. 6. However, if no costs are incurred when entering the designated parking space (S8, "No"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S9.

[0080] The processing in S9 determines whether entering the designated parking space requires prior authorization from the requesting user, the parking space manager, or the like. The parking space manager includes a company that manages the property and a private individual who owns the property. If entering the designated parking space requires prior authorization (S9, "Yes"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S10. Conversely, if entering the designated parking space does not require prior authorization (S9, "No"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S19. Fig. 6. In the processing in S10, it is determined whether a permit to enter the designated parking space is available. For example, if the parking lot manager does not allow the pickup / delivery vehicle to enter the designated parking space, it is determined that no permit is available. If it is determined that a permit to enter the designated parking space is available (S10, "Yes"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S19 in Fig. 6. If, however, it is determined that no authorization to enter the designated parking space is available (S10, “No”), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S11 in Fig. 6 continued.

[0081] Next, the flowchart is Fig. 6. In the processing at S11, the pickup / delivery management server 10 searches for another parking space near the designated parking space. The pickup / delivery management server 10 searches for another parking space near the designated parking space, for example, through a server that provides the map information or the POI information to a vehicle navigation device or the like used in the pickup / delivery operation. In the processing at S11, the pickup / delivery management server 10 searches for another parking space that the pickup / delivery vehicle can reach on the designated pickup / delivery date and time zone. The pickup / delivery management server 10 determines whether there is another parking space near the designated parking space based on the result of the processing at S11 (S12).If there is another parking space near the designated parking space (S12, "Yes"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S13. Conversely, if there is no other parking space near the designated parking space (S12, "No"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S18.

[0082] In the processing at S13, the pickup / delivery management server 10 requests whether the vehicle 30 can be moved to another parking space near the designated parking space. The vehicle movement request is sent to the requesting user terminal 40. For example, the pickup / delivery management server 10 reports that it is difficult for the pickup / delivery vehicle to reach and enter the parking space designated by the requesting user. At the same time, the pickup / delivery management server 10 presents on the map information about another parking space that the pickup / delivery vehicle can reach and enter, and then requests whether the vehicle 30 can be moved. Specifically, as an example of a request, a request content message (text, voice, image, video, etc.) requesting whether the vehicle 30 can be moved is sent to the requesting user terminal 40.Sending a request content message to the request user terminal 40 is also referred to as "inquiring the request user terminal 40 about something." The inquiry procedure described below may be similar to that for inquiring whether the vehicle can be moved.

[0083] In the processing in S13, the pickup / delivery management server 10 may optionally include authorization to issue an electronic key that can start the engine of the vehicle 30. If the requesting user is the owner of the vehicle 30, this electronic key allows the pickup / delivery employee to move the vehicle from the designated parking space to drop off or pick up a pickup / delivery item, return the vehicle to the designated parking space, and lock the vehicle. This can provide greater convenience for pickup / delivery services when the requesting user, who is the owner of the vehicle 30, cannot move the vehicle on the pickup / delivery date and time, or when the pickup / delivery item is heavy, and the distance between the designated parking space and another parking space is relatively large.

[0084] In the processing in S 14, the pick-up / delivery management server 10 determines whether to approve a vehicle movement based on the requesting user's inquiry about a vehicle movement or based on the result of the requesting user's inquiry about authorization to issue an electronic key that can start the engine of the vehicle 30. If a vehicle movement or the issuance of an electronic key that can start the engine of the vehicle 30 is permitted by the requesting user, the pick-up / delivery management server 10 determines to approve a vehicle movement from the designated parking space to another parking space. If a vehicle movement or the issuance of an electronic key that can start the engine of the vehicle 30 is not permitted by the requesting user, the pick-up / delivery management server 10 determines to disapprove a vehicle movement.If a vehicle movement is approved (S14, "Yes"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S15. However, if the vehicle movement is not approved (S14, "No"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S18.

[0085] In the processing at S15, it is determined whether the other parking space to which the vehicle can be moved after the requesting user's authorization is a paid parking space or a free parking space. If it is determined that the parking space is a paid parking space (S15, "paid"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 proceeds to the processing at S16. Conversely, if the parking space is a free parking space (S15, "free"), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 proceeds to the processing at S19.

[0086] During processing at S16, the pickup / delivery management server 10 queries the requesting user regarding payment of the fees incurred during processing at S8 or S15. The request regarding payment of the fees is sent to the requesting user terminal 40. For example, during processing at S8, the pickup / delivery management server 10 notifies the requesting user that fees are incurred when entering the designated parking space and queries the requesting user as to whether the requesting user intends to pay. Similarly, during processing at S15, the pickup / delivery management server 10 notifies the requesting user that fees are incurred when using the other parking space to which the vehicle can be moved after the requesting user's authorization, and queries the requesting user as to whether the requesting user intends to pay.

[0087] In the processing at S17, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines whether the requesting user has authorized the payment of charges based on the result of the request for payment of charges incurred in the processing at S8 or S15. If the requesting user intends to pay the charges incurred in the processing at S8 or S15, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines that the payment of charges is authorized. If the requesting user intends to refuse payment of charges incurred in the processing at S8 or S15, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines that the payment of charges is not authorized. If the payment of charges is authorized (S17, "Yes"), the processing at the pickup / delivery management server 10 proceeds to the processing at S19.If, however, the payment of costs is not approved (S17, “No”), the processing of the pickup / delivery management server 10 continues with the processing in S18.

[0088] During processing in S18, the pickup / delivery management server 10 notifies the requesting user that the requested pickup / delivery cannot be performed. The notification that the requested pickup / delivery cannot be performed is sent to the requesting user terminal 40. For example, the pickup / delivery management server 10 sends a message requesting the input of information for the next delivery, such as "Pickup / delivery item will be delivered at a later time. Please enter information for the next delivery," along with a message indicating that the requested pickup / delivery cannot be performed. After processing in S18, the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 processing is completed.

[0089] During processing in S19, the pickup / delivery management server 10 determines the pickup / delivery destination of the requested pickup / delivery item and the applicable fees. The pickup / delivery management server 10 then notifies the requesting user of the pickup / delivery destination of the specified pickup / delivery item and the breakdown of the applicable fees. For example, if the pickup / delivery vehicle can drive along the route to the designated parking lot (entrance of the parking lot) and there are no restrictions on the pickup / delivery vehicle entering the designated parking lot, the designated parking lot is reported as the pickup / delivery destination. If the designated parking lot is a paid parking lot, the fees incurred when entering the designated parking lot are reported.If movement of the vehicle to another parking space near the designated parking space is authorized, the other parking space will be reported as the pickup / delivery destination of the pickup / delivery item and, at the same time, the costs incurred when using the other parking space will be reported.

[0090] After the processing in S19, the pickup / delivery management server 10 registers the information about the pickup / delivery of the pickup / delivery item received from the requesting user in the processing in S2 in the pickup / delivery management DB 200 (S20). For example, the pickup / delivery management server 10 assigns unique identification information to the vehicle 30 designated as the pickup / delivery destination and registers the identification information in the pickup / delivery management information. The pickup / delivery date and pickup / delivery time zone obtained from the requesting user are stored in the pickup / delivery date / time field of the pickup / delivery management information. Similarly, the classification of the requested pickup / delivery is stored in the pickup / delivery classification field of the pickup / delivery management information, and "not completed" is stored in the pickup / delivery status field.The size (vertical width, horizontal width, depth, etc.), weight, etc. of the pickup / delivery item are stored in the Cargo Attribute field of the pickup / delivery management information, and the unique identification information assigned to the requesting user is stored in the User ID field. The information for identifying the requesting user terminal 40 (phone number, IP address, MAC address, etc.) is stored in the User Terminal field, and the drop-off location of the pickup / delivery item obtained from the requesting user is stored in the Pick-up / Delivery Location field. The address of the designated parking space is stored in the Parking Space Address field, and the latitude and longitude indicating the parking location of the vehicle 30 are stored in the Vehicle Location field.The various pickup / delivery statuses determined in processing from S7 to S17 are stored in the Restriction field of the pickup / delivery management information. For example, information about obtaining permission to enter the designated parking space, prohibiting entry into the designated parking space, the type of other parking space used for pickup / delivery (paid or free), permission for vehicle movement including the issuance of the engine start key, and so on are stored in the Restriction field. After processing in S20, the processing in . Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 finished.

[0091] If the designated parking space included in the pickup / delivery information of a pickup / delivery item received from the requesting user is a paid parking space, the pickup / delivery management server 10 may skip the processing in S16-S17, provided that payment of fees is approved in advance. Furthermore, if the requesting user is able to drive the vehicle to move it, the pickup / delivery management server 10 may provide, via the central server 20, information about the route identified, for example, in the processing in S11 to the vehicle navigation device mounted on the vehicle 30. The route information is provided to the vehicle navigation device mounted on the vehicle 30 via the vehicle-mounted communication device 32.The information about the route to the other parking space, if provided in this way, allows the requesting user to move to the other parking space at the destination based on the route information provided by the pickup / delivery management server 10 via the central server 20. The information stored in the pickup / delivery management DB 200 as the pickup / delivery management information as shown in FIG. Fig. 3 is reported to the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50. The information about the vehicle 30 includes the information acquired by the pickup / delivery management server 10 via the central server 20. The processing from S4 to S19 executed by the pickup / delivery management server 10 of the trunk sharing system 1 corresponds to an example of a management unit that determines, based on the parking position information and the parking space attribute information, whether the delivery vehicle carrying the pickup / delivery item will be able to reach the parking position where the vehicle is parked in the parking space.

[0092] In processing in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, a pickup / delivery request for picking up / delivering a pickup / delivery item sent from the requesting user terminal 40 was described. To perform the above processing procedure for the requesting user, a server providing an online shopping site and the pickup / delivery management server 10 may cooperate. For example, when a requesting user designates the vehicle 30 as the delivery destination of a purchase item on an online shopping site, the site's server accesses the pickup / delivery management server 10 to request the pickup / delivery of the pickup / delivery item. Information about the pickup / delivery of a pickup / delivery item is also provided when the online shopping site server makes a pickup / delivery request for a pickup / delivery item.The pickup / delivery management server 10 executes the processing from S2 to S20 based on the pickup / delivery information of the pickup / delivery item obtained from the online shopping site server. Note that the vehicle movement request at S13 and the fee payment request at S16 are performed via the online shopping site server. The online shopping site server sends the above request to the requesting user terminal 40 to confirm the requesting user's intention for the request. Thereafter, the online shopping site server obtains a response to the above request from the requesting user terminal 40 and, based on the response, notifies the pickup / delivery management server 10 of the requesting user's intention. The result of the processing in . Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is reported in a similar manner. Information about the specific pickup / delivery destination of a pickup / delivery item, the breakdown of applicable costs, or the prohibition of pickup / delivery is reported to the requesting user terminal 40 via the server of the online shopping site.

[0093] Next, the flow of pickup / delivery processing using the key information in the trunk sharing system 1 is described. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of pick-up / delivery processing performed for the vehicle 30 using the key information. Fig. 7 shows an example in which the central server 20, having received a key information issuing request from the pickup / delivery management server 10, issues key information. In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. Fig. In the pickup / delivery processing shown in Fig. 7, it is assumed that the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 has been notified of the information (vehicle manufacturer name, vehicle type, color or vehicle image, number, etc.) identifying the vehicle 30 used as the pickup / delivery destination, the parking position information (parking lot address, parking position, etc.), the deposit position of a pickup / delivery item, and the restrictions.

[0094] For example, on the specified delivery date and time, the pickup / delivery worker arrives at the parking position of the vehicle 30 designated as the pickup / delivery destination while checking the address indicated by the parking position information using the vehicle navigation device. When the vehicle 30 designated as the pickup / delivery destination is identified from the vehicle identification information, the pickup / delivery worker uses the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 to send a key information issuance request for locking / unlocking the luggage compartment door or the vehicle interior door corresponding to the storage position of the pickup / delivery item to the pickup / delivery management server 10 (S31). The key information issuance request from the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 includes at least the information identifying the vehicle 30 designated as the delivery destination.

[0095] Upon receiving the key information issuance request from the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50, the pickup / delivery management server 10 requests the central server 20 to issue a one-time key. The pickup / delivery management server 10 identifies the pickup / delivery management information about the vehicle 30 based on the information identifying the vehicle 30 included in the key information issuance request from the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50, and then identifies the storage location (pickup / delivery location) of the pickup / delivery item. The pickup / delivery management server 10 then requests the central server 20 to issue a one-time key including the storage location information about the pickup / delivery item and the identification information about the vehicle 30 (S32).

[0096] The central server 20 receives the one-time key issuance request sent from the pickup / delivery management server 10 and issues the key information (S33). Based on at least the vehicle identification information about the vehicle 30 included in the one-time key issuance request, the storage location information about the pickup / delivery item, and the time information about when the issuance request was received, the central server 20 issues the key information that allows the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50 to function as a temporary electronic key. The issuance of key information according to the storage location information about the pickup / delivery item, such as that described above, can be prearranged between the pickup / delivery management server 10 and the central server 20.The central server 20 can issue the key information according to the storage position of the pickup / delivery item (e.g., engine hood, passenger seat, passenger seat side rear seat, driver seat side rear seat, luggage compartment).

[0097] After the central server 20 delivers the issued key information to the pickup / delivery management server 10 as a one-time key, the pickup / delivery management server 10 delivers the one-time key delivered from the central server 20 to the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50 (S34). The pickup / delivery operator terminal 50 receives the one-time key delivered from the pickup / delivery management server 10 and temporarily stores the received one-time key in a predetermined area of ​​the main storage device 52 (S35). Note that the one-time key may be issued directly from the central server 20 to the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50.

[0098] The pickup / delivery worker causes the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50, in which the key information is stored, to function as a temporary electronic key and sends the request to unlock the door corresponding to the storage position of the pickup / delivery item (S36). The key unit 80 of the in-vehicle device 31 mounted on the vehicle 30 authenticates the unlock request received from the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50. If the authentication is successful, the key unit 80 sends the lock / unlock signal and the key ID to the lock / unlock device 90. The lock / unlock device 90 performs unlock processing according to the lock / unlock signal and the key ID sent from the key unit 80 to unlock the door corresponding to the pickup / delivery position of the vehicle 30 (S37).The unlocking notification is sent from the on-board device 31 to the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50 and the pickup / delivery management server 10 (S38). The pickup / delivery management server 10 can acquire the information about the time at which the unlocking notification was transmitted and record the time information in the pickup / delivery management information about the vehicle 30. The pickup / delivery operator opens / closes the unlocked door of the vehicle 30 to deposit the delivery item at the deposit position or to retrieve the pickup item deposited at the deposit position, and then locks the door (S39). When locking the door, processing similar to that described in S37 and S38 is performed (S40, S41). The pickup / delivery worker sends the pickup / delivery completion notification to the pickup / delivery management server 10 via the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 (S42).In the pickup / delivery management server 10, the time information about the receipt of the pickup / delivery completion notification is recorded in the pickup / delivery management information about the vehicle 30, and at the same time, the status “completed” is recorded in the pickup / delivery status field corresponding to the pickup / delivery date / time (S43).

[0099] The pickup / delivery management server 10 invalidates the one-time key retained in the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50 (S44). For example, the pickup / delivery management server 10 issues an instruction to delete the retained key information to the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50 when the pickup / delivery completion notification is recorded in the pickup / delivery management information. In the pickup / delivery operator terminal 50, the key information corresponding to the one-time key temporarily retained in a predetermined area of ​​the main storage device 52 is deleted, for example, through processing by the predetermined application that received the key information deletion instruction (S45).It should be noted that the pickup / delivery worker terminal 50 may delete the key information corresponding to the one-time key temporarily held in a predetermined area of ​​the main storage device 52 when the pickup / delivery completion notification is sent.

[0100] The process of Fig. The processing illustrated in Figure 7 is applied analogously to the request user terminal 40 of the requesting user who receives a delivery item from the storage position or deposits a pickup item there.

[0101] As described above, when a pickup / delivery request is received from a pickup / delivery user, the pickup / delivery management server 10 according to this embodiment can determine, based on the parking position information and the parking space attribute information, whether the delivery vehicle carrying a delivery item will be able to reach the parking position where the delivery vehicle is parked in the parking space. As a result, the pickup / delivery management server 10 according to this embodiment can provide a technique for improving the reliability of pickup from or delivery to a vehicle parked at a predetermined location.

[0102] Furthermore, the pickup / delivery management server 10 identifies the route information between the delivery vehicle and the vehicle's parking position based on the parking position information. The pickup / delivery management server 10 can determine, based on one of the identified route information and the parking space attribute information, whether the delivery vehicle carrying a pickup / delivery item will be able to reach the parking position where the vehicle is parked in the parking space. For example, the pickup / delivery management server 10 can determine whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the designated parking space by considering at least the road information (road width, height restriction, and passage weight restriction) about the route leading to the designated parking space, as well as the regulatory information.The pickup / delivery management server 10 can also determine whether the delivery vehicle will be able to approach a position sufficiently close to the vehicle parked in the designated parking space. In this way, the pickup / delivery management server 10 can increase the accuracy of determining whether the pickup / delivery can be performed for a vehicle parked in the designated parking space.

[0103] Furthermore, the pickup / delivery management server 10 may include, as the parking space attribute information, at least one of information about height and weight restrictions applicable when approaching the parking position, information about the need for permission when approaching the parking position, and information about a fee. By using the parking space attribute information in this way, the pickup / delivery management server 10 can increase the accuracy of determining whether the delivery vehicle carrying a pickup / delivery item will be able to approach the vehicle parked in the designated parking space.

[0104] Furthermore, the pickup / delivery management server 10 can identify a nearby parking space near the parking space where the vehicle is parked and simultaneously send a request to the terminal of a user requesting the pickup / delivery of a pickup / delivery item, asking whether the vehicle can be moved to the nearby parking space. By utilizing a nearby parking space in this way, the pickup / delivery management server 10 enables the requesting user to receive / deliver a pickup / delivery item via the nearby parking space near the designated parking space even if it is determined that the delivery vehicle will not be able to reach the designated parking space, thus improving the convenience of a user using the pickup / delivery service.

[0105] Furthermore, the pickup / delivery management server 10 can identify a nearby parking space near the parking space where the vehicle is parked and simultaneously send a request to the terminal device of a user requesting the pickup / delivery of a pickup / delivery item, asking whether the vehicle can be moved to the nearby parking space. Even if the pickup / delivery service user cannot move the vehicle for some reason on the pickup / delivery date and time, the above-described function allows the pickup / delivery employee to move the vehicle parked in the designated parking space to pick up or deliver the pickup / delivery item and return the vehicle to the designated parking space after the pickup / delivery. As a result, the pickup / delivery management server 10 can provide the pickup / delivery service with greater convenience.

[0106] Furthermore, the pickup / delivery management server 10 may request approval of costs required to approach the parking location or additional costs required to use a nearby parking space near the parking space where the vehicle is parked. As a result, the pickup / delivery management server 10 may improve the user experience for a requesting user. <4. Variants>(First Modification)

[0107] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the vehicle 30 is locked / unlocked by the locking / unlocking device 90 when the key unit 80 successfully performs the authentication processing. In the first modification, the processing of the key unit 80 may be executed in the locking / unlocking device 90. That is, the locking / unlocking device 90 may include a control unit (ECU) for authenticating the authentication information received from the requesting user terminal 40 or the like. This control unit may transmit the unlocking command or the locking command to the body ECU 94 via an in-vehicle network such as CAN when the requesting user terminal 40 or the like is successfully authenticated.The trunk sharing system 1 in the first modification makes it possible to provide the trunk sharing service without installing the key unit 80, which simplifies the configuration. (Second modification)

[0108] In the embodiment, the request user terminal 40 or the like receives the key information issued by the central server 20, and when the request user terminal 40 or the like is authenticated based on the received authentication information indicated by the received key information, the lock / unlock signal is sent from the key unit 80 to the lock / unlock device 90 to lock / unlock the vehicle 30. In the second modification, the authentication information is not the information used to authenticate the request user terminal 40 or the like, but the information including the key ID information for locking / unlocking the vehicle 30.

[0109] In this case, the request user terminal 40 or the like receives the key information containing the key ID for locking / unlocking the vehicle 30 from the central server 20 and transmits the received key ID along with the locking / unlocking signal to the locking / unlocking device 90. The locking / unlocking device 90 compares the received key ID with the key ID previously stored in the locking / unlocking device 90 and locks / unlocks the vehicle 30 if the two key IDs match. The key ID can be transmitted and received in encrypted form between the request user terminal 40 or the like and the central server 20, or between the request user terminal 40 or the like and the locking / unlocking device 90.For example, the central server 20 can generate a one-time key by encrypting the key ID and the time information using a predetermined algorithm. The locking / unlocking device 90 can decrypt the received one-time key using the same predetermined algorithm as that used by the central server 20 and then compare the decrypted one-time key with the key ID prestored in the locking / unlocking device 90. When a predetermined time elapses from the receipt of the one-time key, the requesting user terminal 40 or the like can delete the one-time key to invalidate it.The trunk sharing system 1 according to the second modification uses the one-time key generated from the key ID and the time information as the key information, and thus allows the center server 20 to send temporarily valid key information to the request user terminal 40 or the like each time an issuance request is received. (Third modification)

[0110] In the embodiment and the second modification, the central server 20 sends the authentication information to the requesting user terminal 40 or the like, which corresponds to the set authentication information unique to the key unit 80 or the key ID pre-stored in the locking / unlocking device 90 of the vehicle 30. Note that the authentication information between the requesting user terminal 40 or the like and the key unit 80 is not limited to the above-described authentication information.For example, in the third modification, the central server 20 may issue new authentication information each time a key information issuance request is received from the requesting user terminal 40 or the like, and issue the newly generated authentication information to the requesting user terminal 40 or the like. In this case, the central server 20 may store the vehicle-side authentication information for the key unit 80 corresponding to the new authentication information in the key unit 80 via the communication device 32. The key unit 80 is connected to the communication device 32 through an on-vehicle network such as CAN.Note that the central server 20 may generate the authentication information issued to the requesting user terminal 40 or the like using the identification information for identifying the vehicle 30 and the time information, and then send the authentication information and the time information to the requesting user terminal 40 or the like. In this case, the key unit 80 of the vehicle 30 may generate the vehicle-side authentication information using the same algorithm as that of the central server 20. The requesting user terminal 40 or the like may send the authentication information and time information issued as the key information to the key unit 80 for authentication. (Miscellaneous)

[0111] In the trunk sharing system 1 in the embodiment and the modifications, it is assumed that when the vehicle 30 is locked / unlocked, only the trunk door is locked / unlocked, but the vehicle interior doors are not locked / unlocked but remain locked for safety reasons. However, in the vehicle 30 having a body structure in which the trunk and the vehicle interior are not separated (the type of vehicle commonly called a minivan), not only the trunk but also the vehicle interior can be accessed when the trunk door is unlocked. As a result, the owner or user of the vehicle 30 may have a safety concern.

[0112] To address this problem, in the vehicle 30 in which the luggage compartment and the vehicle interior are not separated, a tracking camera or the like capable of capturing the vehicle interior to generate a video of the vehicle interior when the luggage compartment door is opened is provided, so that it can be determined based on the generated video whether a person has moved from the luggage compartment to the vehicle interior. For example, if it is determined that a person has moved from the luggage compartment to the vehicle interior, the ECU controlling the tracking camera saves the generated video, activates the vehicle alarm, notifies the security company, or notifies the owner of the vehicle. On the other hand, if it is determined that no one has moved to the vehicle interior, the ECU can delete the generated video when the luggage compartment door is closed and locked.As part of the user service, the tracking camera can send the generated video to the terminal 40 of the requesting user who provides the vehicle 30, regardless of whether a person has entered the vehicle interior. <Computerlesbares Aufzeichnungsmedium>

[0113] A program that performs any of the functions described above on a device such as an information processing device or other machine or device (hereinafter referred to as a computer) may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer can read a program from the computer-readable recording medium to execute the program to provide the function thereof.

[0114] A computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium that stores information such as data and programs electrically, magnetically, optically, mechanically, or chemically for later retrieval by a computer. Of these recording media, recording media that can be removed from a computer include a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM disc, a CD-R / W disc, a DVD disc, a Blu-ray disc, a DAT, an 8mm tape, and memory cards such as flash memory. Furthermore, recording media that are permanently attached to a computer include a hard disk, a ROM, and so on.

Claims

[1] An information system that manages a pickup and delivery to one or more areas in a vehicle that can be used as a pickup / delivery destination of an item, the information system comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a request to pick up the item from the areas and deliver the item to the areas; an acquisition unit configured to acquire parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a designated vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space in which the designated vehicle is parked, and the designated vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the item; and a management unit configured to determine, based on the parking position information and the attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, wherein the parking position is a position at which the designated vehicle is parked in the parking lot, characterized by that the management unit is configured to identify a nearby parking space near the parking space where the nominated vehicle is parked; and to request from a terminal (40) of a requesting user whether the named vehicle can be moved to the nearby parking space, wherein the requesting user is a user requesting the collection of the item and the delivery of the item. [2] An information system that manages a pickup and delivery to one or more areas in a vehicle that can be used as a pickup / delivery destination of an item, the information system comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a request to pick up the item from the areas and deliver the item to the areas; an acquisition unit configured to acquire parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a designated vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space in which the designated vehicle is parked, and the designated vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the item; and a management unit configured to determine, based on the parking position information and the attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, wherein the parking position is a position at which the designated vehicle is parked in the parking lot, characterized by that the management unit is configured to identify a nearby parking space near the parking space where the nominated vehicle is parked; and to request authorization from a terminal (40) of a requesting user for issuing key information used to move the designated vehicle to the nearby parking area, wherein the requesting user is a user requesting the collection of the item and the delivery of the item. [3] An information system that manages a pickup and delivery to one or more areas in a vehicle that can be used as a pickup / delivery destination of an item, the information system comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a request to pick up the item from the areas and deliver the item to the areas; an acquisition unit configured to acquire parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a designated vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space in which the designated vehicle is parked, and the designated vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the item; and a management unit configured to determine, based on the parking position information and the attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, wherein the parking position is a position at which the designated vehicle is parked in the parking lot, characterized by in that the management unit is configured to request at least one of an authorization for additional costs required to approach the parking position and an authorization for additional costs required to use a nearby parking space near the parking space where the designated vehicle is parked from a terminal (40) of a requesting user, the requesting user being a user requesting the collection of the item and the delivery of the item. [4] The information system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the management unit is configured to output a determination result indicating whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the parking position. [5] The information system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the management unit is configured to determine whether the pickup and delivery to the areas is performed based on a determination result indicating whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the parking position. [6] Information system according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the management unit is configured to: to identify route information between the delivery vehicle and the parking position based on the parking position information; and to determine whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the parking position based on at least one of the route information and the attribute information. [7] The information system according to claim 6, wherein the route information includes at least one of traffic regulation information about a route between the delivery vehicle and the parking position and traffic restriction information about the route between the delivery vehicle and the parking position. [8] The information system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the attribute information includes at least one of information about height restrictions applicable to a vehicle approaching the parking position, information about weight restrictions applicable to the vehicle approaching the parking position, information about the necessity of a permission to approach the parking position, and information about a cost. [9] Information processing methods comprising: Receiving, by circuitry, a request to pick up an item from one or more areas in a vehicle and to deliver the item to the areas, wherein the circuitry is circuitry of an information system that manages pickup from and delivery to the areas, and the vehicle is a vehicle usable as a pickup / delivery destination of the item; Obtaining, by the circuit arrangement, parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a designated vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space in which the designated vehicle is parked, and the designated vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the item; and Determining, by the circuit arrangement, based on the parking position information and the attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, wherein the parking position is a position at which the designated vehicle is parked in the parking space, whereby the information processing method characterized by is that it also includes: Identifying, by the circuit arrangement, a nearby parking space near the parking space where the designated vehicle is parked; and Inquiring, by the circuit arrangement, at a terminal (40) of a requesting user whether the named vehicle can be moved to the nearby parking space, wherein the requesting user is a user requesting the collection of the item and the delivery of the item. [10] Information processing methods comprising: Receiving, by circuitry, a request to pick up an item from one or more areas in a vehicle and to deliver the item to the areas, wherein the circuitry is circuitry of an information system that manages pickup from and delivery to the areas, and the vehicle is a vehicle usable as a pickup / delivery destination of the item; Obtaining, by the circuit arrangement, parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a designated vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space in which the designated vehicle is parked, and the designated vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the item; and Determining, by the circuit arrangement, based on the parking position information and the attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, wherein the parking position is a position at which the designated vehicle is parked in the parking space, whereby the information processing method characterized by is that it also includes: Identifying, by the circuit arrangement, a nearby parking space near the parking space where the designated vehicle is parked; and Requesting, by the circuit arrangement, from a terminal (40) of a requesting user for authorization to issue key information used to move the designated vehicle to the nearby parking area, the requesting user being a user requesting the collection of the item and the delivery of the item. [11] Information processing method, comprising: Receiving, by circuitry, a request to pick up an item from one or more areas in a vehicle and to deliver the item to the areas, wherein the circuitry is circuitry of an information system that manages pickup from and delivery to the areas, and the vehicle is a vehicle usable as a pickup / delivery destination of the item; Obtaining, by the circuit arrangement, parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a designated vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space in which the designated vehicle is parked, and the designated vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the item; and Determining, by the circuit arrangement, based on the parking position information and the attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, wherein the parking position is a position at which the designated vehicle is parked in the parking space, whereby the information processing method characterized by is that it also includes: Requests, by the circuit arrangement, from a terminal (40) of a requesting user for at least one of an authorization for additional costs required to approach the parking position and an authorization for additional costs required to use a nearby parking space near the parking space in which the named vehicle is parked, wherein the requesting user is a user requesting the collection of the item and the delivery of the item. [12] Information processing method according to one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising: Determining, by the circuit arrangement, based on a determination result indicating whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the parking position, whether the pickup from and delivery to the areas will be performed. [13] The information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the circuit arrangement determines whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the parking position based on at least one of route information between the delivery vehicle and the parking position and the attribute information. [14] The information processing method according to claim 13, wherein the route information includes at least one of traffic regulation information about a route between the delivery vehicle and the parking position and traffic restriction information about the route between the delivery vehicle and the parking position. [15] The information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the attribute information includes at least one of information about height restrictions applicable to a vehicle approaching the parking position, information about weight restrictions applicable to the vehicle approaching the parking position, information about the necessity of a permission to approach the parking position, and information about a cost. [16] A non-transitory storage medium for storing a program, the program comprising a circuit arrangement of an information system that causes a pickup from and delivery to one or more areas in a vehicle that can be used as a pickup / delivery destination of an object, receive a request to collect the item from the areas and to deliver the item to the areas; to obtain parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a designated vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space in which the designated vehicle is parked, and the designated vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the item; and to determine, based on the parking position information and the attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, wherein the parking position is a position at which the designated vehicle is parked in the parking space, characterized by that the program causes the circuit arrangement identify a nearby parking space near the parking space where the nominated vehicle is parked; and to request from a terminal (40) of a requesting user whether the named vehicle can be moved to the nearby parking space, wherein the requesting user is a user requesting the collection of the item and the delivery of the item. [17] A non-transitory storage medium for storing a program, the program comprising a circuit arrangement of an information system that causes a pickup from and delivery to one or more areas in a vehicle that can be used as a pickup / delivery destination of an object, receive a request to collect the item from the areas and to deliver the item to the areas; to obtain parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a designated vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space in which the designated vehicle is parked, and the designated vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the item; and to determine, based on the parking position information and the attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, wherein the parking position is a position at which the designated vehicle is parked in the parking space, characterized by that the program causes the circuit arrangement identify a nearby parking space near the parking space where the nominated vehicle is parked; and to request authorization from a terminal (40) of a requesting user to issue key information used to move the designated vehicle to the nearby parking space, wherein the requesting user is a user requesting the collection of the item and the delivery of the item. [18] A non-transitory storage medium for storing a program, the program comprising a circuit arrangement of an information system that causes a pickup from and delivery to one or more areas in a vehicle that can be used as a pickup / delivery destination of an object, receive a request to collect the item from the areas and to deliver the item to the areas; to obtain parking position information and attribute information, wherein the parking position information relates to a position of a designated vehicle, the attribute information relates to an attribute of a parking space in which the designated vehicle is parked, and the designated vehicle is a vehicle designated as the pickup / delivery destination of the item; and to determine, based on the parking position information and the attribute information, whether a delivery vehicle carrying the item will be able to reach a parking position, wherein the parking position is a position at which the designated vehicle is parked in the parking space, characterized by that the program causes the circuit arrangement to request at a terminal (40) of a requesting user at least one of an authorization for additional costs required to approach the parking position and an authorization for additional costs required to use a nearby parking space near the parking space where the designated vehicle is parked, wherein the requesting user is a user requesting the collection of the item and the delivery of the item. [19] The storage medium according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the program further causes the circuitry to determine whether the pickup and delivery to the areas will be performed based on a determination result indicating whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the parking position. [20] A storage medium according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the program causes the circuit arrangement to determine whether the delivery vehicle will be able to reach the parking position based on at least one of route information between the delivery vehicle and the parking position and the attribute information. [21] The storage medium according to claim 20, wherein the route information includes at least one of traffic regulation information about a route between the delivery vehicle and the parking position and traffic restriction information about the route between the delivery vehicle and the parking position. [22] The storage medium according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the attribute information includes at least one of information about height restrictions applicable to a vehicle approaching the parking position, information about weight restrictions applicable to the vehicle approaching the parking position, information about the necessity of a permission to approach the parking position, and information about a cost.

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