Information processing method, program, and system

JP2024024299A5Pending Publication Date: 2025-07-17SMARTDRIVE INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022127053
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-08-09
Publication Date
2025-07-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional technologies do not effectively manage the usage time of shared vehicles by identifying the time a driver uses a mobile device, leading to inefficiencies in managing shared fleets.

Method used

An information processing method that includes acquiring traveling information chronologically, determining key receipt and return times, and generating analysis information based on this data to efficiently manage shared vehicles.

Benefits of technology

Enables efficient management of shared vehicles by accurately dividing usage time based on key receipt and return, allowing for precise analysis and reporting of driving information.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide information processing technology for efficiently managing a mobile object in the case of using a share vehicle.SOLUTION: An information processing method comprises the steps of: acquiring pieces of travel information regarding a mobile object in a time series manner; specifying receiving time of a key of the mobile object; specifying return time of the key; specifying the travel information in a use period to be specified by the receiving time and the return time among the pieces of travel information acquired in the time series manner; and generating analysis information regarding an operation of the mobile object on the basis of the specified travel information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing technique for improving the efficiency of management of mobile objects. [Background technology]

[0002] In the management of mobile objects and their drivers, such as fleet management for managing multiple mobile objects, there is a social demand for efficient management and for improving the driving quality of the drivers through management. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an operation management device for managing the operation status of a vehicle. Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method and system for sharing vehicles among fleets, and discloses that a vehicle sharing entity is permitted to use some of the vehicles of a vehicle rental company on weekends or the like when the vehicles are idle. Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses that in a sharing service for sharing vehicles, the start and end of the usage time are identified by reading user identification information from the user's IC card in order to simplify the payment of the usage fee. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-38672 A [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2017-519270 [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2022-035847 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, for example, when managing vehicles including those that are subject to sharing services, these conventional technologies did not disclose or imply how to appropriately and easily identify the vehicle usage time of the drivers under management.

[0005] The present invention aims to efficiently manage moving objects when using shared vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing method includes acquiring driving information regarding a mobile body in a chronological order, identifying a key receipt time for the mobile body, identifying a key return time for the key, identifying driving information from the chronologically acquired driving information during a usage period identified by the receipt time and the return time, and generating analytical information regarding the operation of the mobile body based on the identified driving information. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the information processing method of the present invention, when a shared vehicle is used, the mobile object can be efficiently managed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a vehicle management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of a server 10. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a travel information acquisition device 20. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a mode of data communication between a traveling information acquisition device 20 and a server 10. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device 30. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing terminal 40 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing division of the usage time of a moving body 1 by a driver D1 in the first embodiment. [Figure 8]11 is a flowchart of a mobile object usage time division process performed by the server 10 in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is an output example of a process for displaying the positions of a plurality of moving bodies including a moving body 1 on a map, which is an example of an analysis output process in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart of a process of plotting a moving object position on a map, which is an example of the analysis output process in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is an example of report information created in step S1013 in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a vehicle management system in a first modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted. Furthermore, the components described in these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0010] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment for realizing the information processing technology of the present invention will be described. The contents described in this embodiment are applicable to any of the other examples and modified examples.

[0011] In the following, for example, a case will be described in which a vehicle operator manages a moving object that is a shared vehicle. The shared vehicle is operated not only by a driver associated with the vehicle operator, but also by other drivers not associated with the vehicle operator.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a vehicle management system according to the present embodiment. The system is a mechanism that includes a server 10, a driving information acquisition device 20, an information processing device 30, an information processing terminal 40, etc., and that executes processing in cooperation with these devices. In the vehicle management system of this embodiment, for example, a server 10, a driving information acquisition device 20 provided on a mobile body 1, an information processing device 30 held by a driver D1 linked to an operator A1 (e.g., an employee), and an information processing terminal 40 capable of viewing report information resulting from analysis of the driving information by the server 10 are communicatively connected via a network NW (e.g., the Internet).

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the moving object 1 is shared with other users, and is driven by a driver D2 in addition to the driver D1. The driver D2 may or may not be linked to the business operator A1, like the driver D1. That is, in this embodiment, the main purpose is to collect driving information related to the driving of the moving object 1 by the driver D1, but driving information related to the driving of the moving object 1 by the driver D2 may also be collected in a manner separate from the driving information of the driver D1. If the driver D2 is also linked to the business operator A1, the collected driving information by the driver D2 may be analyzed, and if the driver D2 is not linked to the business operator A1 (for example, if the driver D2 is linked to a company different from the business operator A1), the driving information may not be analyzed. In addition, in the vehicle management system in this embodiment, a plurality of servers 10 may be connected.

[0014] In this embodiment, the moving object 1 is at least a part of the object of the driving information analysis, and is, for example, an automobile used for business purposes, but is not limited to an automobile and can be any moving object (including motorcycles, trucks, bicycles, etc.). The moving object 1 is equipped with a driving information acquisition device 20, which will be described later.

[0015] The server 10 has a function of dividing the driving information for each driver, for example. The server 10 also has a function of generating report information based on the driving information accumulated for each driver and outputting the report information through the network NW.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the server 10. The server 10 is configured, for example, as a single server, or as a distributed server configured with separate servers for each function. The server 10 can also be configured as a distributed virtual server created in a cloud environment called a cloud server. As shown in Fig. 2, the server 10 is configured to include, for example, a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a processing unit 130, and a clock unit 140.

[0017] The communication unit 110 is a communication device for transmitting and receiving information used inside the server 10 to and from an external device via a network. As a communication method of the communication unit 110, various methods can be applied, such as a wired connection method via a cable conforming to a predetermined communication standard such as Ethernet or USB (Universal Serial Bus), a wireless connection method using a wireless communication technology conforming to a predetermined communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or 5G (fifth generation mobile communication system), and a connection method using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0018] The storage unit 120 is a storage device configured to include a volatile or non-volatile memory such as a ROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, a RAM, etc., a hard disk device, etc. The storage unit 120 stores, for example, various programs such as programs corresponding to each process performed in this embodiment and system programs, the driving information received from the driving information acquisition device 20, and the processing results of the various programs.

[0019] The processing unit 130 is a processing device that comprehensively controls each part of the server 10 in accordance with various programs such as system programs stored in the memory unit 120 and performs various processes related to information processing, and is configured with processors such as a CPU, GPU, DSP, etc., and integrated circuits such as ASIC.

[0020] The clock unit 140 is a built-in clock of the server 10, and outputs time information (timekeeping information) acquired based on a clock using a crystal oscillator, for example. The clock unit 140 may acquire the time information via the communication unit 110 and the network NW in accordance with the NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone) standard or the like.

[0021] The travel information acquisition device 20 has a function of acquiring travel information about the moving object 1 equipped with the travel information acquisition device 20. The travel information acquisition device 20 also has a function of transmitting the collected travel information to the server 10 via the network NW. For example, the traveling information acquisition device 20 can be inserted into a socket (such as a cigarette lighter socket, an electricity supply socket, or a connection socket) of the moving object 1 and fixed inside the automobile. The electricity supply socket or the connection socket is, for example, a socket that supports USB (Universal Serial Bus). Of course, the traveling information acquisition device 20 is not limited to such a socket, and may be, for example, a drive recorder or any other IoT device, and may be provided in the vehicle in any manner as long as each component of the traveling information acquisition device 20 is provided, either alone or by combining multiple devices.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the driving information acquisition device 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the driving information acquisition device 20 is configured to include, for example, a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, a communication unit 230, a position information acquisition unit 240, a speed information acquisition unit 250, and an acceleration information acquisition unit 260.

[0023] The control unit 210 executes a predetermined program (e.g., a program stored in the storage unit 220) to realize each function of the traveling information acquisition device 20. For example, the control unit 210 performs control to link the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 240, the speed information acquired by the speed information acquisition unit 250, and the acceleration information acquired by the acceleration information acquisition unit 260 with time information corresponding to the acquisition time, and transmits the information to an external device, for example, the server 10, via the communication unit 230.

[0024] The storage unit 220 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like, and stores the control program processed by the control unit 210 and various data, for example, the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 240, the speed information acquired by the speed information acquisition unit 250, and the acceleration information acquired by the acceleration information acquisition unit 260. The storage unit 220 is not limited to being built into the traveling information acquisition device 20, and may be an external storage device connected by a digital input / output port such as a universal serial bus (USB), or the like.

[0025] The communication unit 230 is a module that can connect to a public network NW such as the Internet using, for example, mobile communications such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 3G, 4G, 5G, or narrowband communications such as DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), and can perform data communication with each device, such as the server 10, connected to the network NW. For example, the traveling information acquisition device 20 transmits data to the server 10 via the communication unit 230 .

[0026] The position information acquisition unit 240 acquires position information (e.g., latitude and longitude information) of the traveling information acquisition device 20 in chronological order based on, for example, radio waves arriving from a GNSS satellite (e.g., a GPS satellite). It is preferable that this position information is acquired at a predetermined time interval (e.g., every second). That is, it is possible to acquire position information of the moving body 1 equipped with the traveling information acquisition device 20. The acquired position information is associated with the time (current time) at which the position information was acquired and stored in the storage unit 220. Here, the location information acquisition unit 240 may acquire location information by GPS and an accuracy value indicating the accuracy of the location information (for example, a location accuracy of 5 m, 10 m, or 100 m, a DOP value, etc.). In this case, the acquired location information and accuracy value are associated with the current time and stored in the storage unit 220.

[0027] The method of acquiring the location information by the location information acquiring unit 240 is not limited to the above, and any location information acquiring method may be applied. For example, the location information of the traveling information acquiring device 20 may be acquired by the location information acquiring unit 240 receiving radio waves including location information specific to a roadside device installed on the side of a road when the mobile object 1 equipped with the traveling information acquiring device 20 approaches the mobile object 1.

[0028] The speed information acquisition unit 250 periodically acquires the traveling speed of the moving body 1 and supplies the traveling speed to the control unit 210. The speed acquisition unit 250 may have any configuration, and may, for example, calculate the speed information based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 240. In this case, the speed information acquisition unit 250 may not be provided. Alternatively, the speed information acquisition unit 250 may acquire vehicle speed pulse information acquired by a vehicle speed pulse acquisition unit (not shown) mounted on the moving body 1, and calculate the speed of the moving body 1 based on the vehicle speed pulse information.

[0029] The acceleration information acquisition unit 260 acquires the acceleration of the vehicle, and is configured to acquire the acceleration by, for example, a piezoelectric acceleration sensor. Note that the acceleration of the vehicle may be calculated based on the speed information acquired from the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 240, and in such a case, the acceleration information acquisition unit 260 may not be provided.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a mode of data communication between the traveling information acquisition device 20 and the server 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the traveling information acquisition device 20 is connected to the server 10 via a mobile terminal T or directly. The traveling information acquisition device 20 is not limited to being provided in the moving object 1, and may be a device such as a smartphone carried by a passenger of the moving object 1. In this case, for example, each function of the traveling information acquisition device 20 may be included in an information processing device 30 described later.

[0031] The information processing device 30 has, for example, a virtual key function that enables the use of the moving object 1. In this case, for example, the virtual key function is realized through an application or the like provided in a service for sharing the moving object 1. The information processing device 30 also has a function of recording the delivery time of the virtual key related to the moving object 1 and transmitting it to the server 10, a function of displaying the results of analyzing the traveling information of the moving object 1, and the like.

[0032] Fig. 5 shows an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device 30. As shown in Fig. 5, the information processing device 30 is configured to include, for example, a processing unit 310, a storage unit 320, a first communication unit 330, a display unit 340, an audio output unit 350, an operation unit 360, a second communication unit 370, a clock unit 380, and the like.

[0033] The processing unit 310 is a processing device that comprehensively controls each part of the information processing device 30 in accordance with various programs such as system programs stored in the memory unit 320, and performs various processes related to information processing, and is configured with processors such as a CPU, GPU, and DSP, and integrated circuits such as ASIC.

[0034] The storage unit 320 is a storage device configured to include volatile or non-volatile memory such as ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, RAM, etc., a hard disk device, etc., similar to the storage unit 220. The storage unit 320 stores, for example, various programs such as programs corresponding to the processes performed in this embodiment and system programs, information received from the server 10, etc., and processing results by the various programs.

[0035] The first communication unit 330 is a communication device for transmitting and receiving information used inside the information processing device 30 with an external device via the network NW. The configuration of the communication unit 330 can be configured similarly to the communication unit 210, for example, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0036] The display unit 340 is a display device configured to include an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OELD (Organic Electro-luminescence Display), or the like, and performs various displays based on a display signal output from the processing unit 310. For example, the display unit 340 displays information related to the virtual key function corresponding to the moving object 1 (such as whether the virtual key is available / unavailable) and various information generated based on the traveling information of the moving object 1.

[0037] The sound output unit 350 is a sound output device including a D / A converter, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various sounds based on the sound output signal output from the processing unit 310. For example, in a situation where some information should be notified to the driver, such as when dangerous driving is detected based on the driving information acquired by the driving information acquisition device 20, the sound output unit 350 notifies the driver of the situation by voice or beep.

[0038] The operation unit 360 is configured to have input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse that allow a user to input various operations to the information processing device 30. The operation unit 360 outputs an operation signal corresponding to a user operation to the processing unit 310. For example, the operation unit 360 accepts information input by the user in response to the information displayed on the display unit 340.

[0039] The operation unit 360 has a touch panel (not shown) that is configured integrally with the display unit 340, and this touch panel may function as an input interface between the user (administrator) and the information processing device 30.

[0040] The second communication unit 370 is a communication device that can transmit and receive data with, for example, a key function mounted on the mobile object 1 and function as a virtual key in cooperation with an installed application to make the information processing device 30 function as a virtual key. As a communication method of the second communication unit 370, various methods can be applied, such as a wireless connection method using a wireless communication technology conforming to a predetermined communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or 5G (fifth generation mobile communication system), and a connection method using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0041] The clock unit 380 can be configured in the same manner as the clock unit 240 of the server 10, for example.

[0042] Fig. 6 shows an example of a functional configuration of the information processing terminal 40. As shown in Fig. 6, the information processing terminal 40 is configured to include, for example, a processing unit 410, a storage unit 420, a communication unit 430, a display unit 440, an audio output unit 450, an operation unit 360, and the like. These functional units can be configured in the same manner as the processing unit 310, memory unit 320, first communication unit 330, display unit 340, audio output unit 350, and operation unit 360 of the information processing device 30, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] The network NW is a communication network that connects devices together via wired or wireless connections, or both.

[0044] [First Example] In the first embodiment, when the driver D1 gets on and off the vehicle 1, the information processing device 30 hands over the virtual key, records the handover time, and transmits it to the server 10. The server 10 then divides the usage time of the vehicle 1 by the driver D1 based on the received information on the handover time, and generates and outputs report information based on the driving information identified based on the divided times. The contents described in the first embodiment are applicable to any of the other embodiments and modifications.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of division of the usage time of the moving body 1 by the driver D1 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the usage time of the vehicle 1 by each driver is divided based on the receipt and return of the key. The example shown in Fig. 7 shows how the usage time of the vehicle 1 by each driver is divided in a situation where the driver D2 belonging to company B uses the vehicle 1 on the basis of the receipt and return of the key, then the driver D1 belonging to company A uses the vehicle 1, and then the driver D2 of company B uses the vehicle 1 again.

[0046] As shown in the upper part of Fig. 7, the usage time of the vehicle 1 by each driver is divided based on the time of receipt and return of the key, so first, the usage start time of driver D2 is recorded when driver D2 receives the key, and the usage end time of driver D2 is recorded when driver D2 returns the key. Similarly, the usage start time of driver D1 is recorded when driver D1 receives the returned key, and the usage end time of driver D1 is recorded when driver D1 returns the key. The server 10 divides the usage time based on the usage start time and usage end time of each of these drivers.

[0047] For example, as shown in the lower part of Figure 7, if we try to divide each driver's usage time based on the reservation time, it is possible that the driver will use the mobile unit 1 beyond the reserved time, so there is a risk that accurate division will not be possible.

[0048] [Mobile usage time segmentation processing] An example of the process procedure in this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the mobile object usage time division process performed by the server 10. Note that the flowchart described below merely shows one example of the information processing procedure in this embodiment, and other steps may be added, some steps may be deleted, or some steps may be executed in a processing unit of another device.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the key of the mobile object 1 to be received and returned is assumed to be a virtual key by way of example and not by way of limitation. Specifically, the virtual key application installed in the information processing device 30 enables the opening and closing of the doors of the mobile object 1 and the starting of the engine through authentication processing by the server 10 (or a separate authentication server) and data transmission and reception by the communication unit 370. In addition, to realize a virtual key in the information processing device 30, a corresponding virtual key application is installed, and information about the driver to be used (e.g., the driver's name, affiliation, etc.) is registered in the server 10 as account information through the virtual key application.

[0050] Furthermore, independent of the mobile object use time division process, the server 10 acquires travel information from the mobile object 1 in a time series manner through the travel information acquisition device 20 (S1101). The travel information includes, but is not limited to, acceleration information, speed information, position information, and the like, and is not particularly limited as long as it is information related to the travel of the mobile object 1. In this embodiment, the acquired travel information is configured to include at least one of the acceleration information, speed information, position information, and the like. Correspondingly, the travel information acquisition device 20 may be configured to include at least one of, for example, the position information acquisition unit 140, the speed information acquisition unit 150, and the acceleration information acquisition unit 160.

[0051] First, the server 10 determines whether or not a request for authorization to use the key has been made through the information processing device 30 (S1001). Whether or not a request for authorization to use the key has been made is determined, for example, by whether or not an input to the virtual key application in the information processing device 30 to the effect that the key of the moving object 1 is to be made available through the operation unit 360.

[0052] If it is determined that there has been no request for authorization to use the key (S1001; N), the process returns to step S1001 and the same determination is made again. When it is determined that a request for key usage authority has been made (S1001; Y), the driver who requested the key usage authority is identified (S1003). Specifically, for example, the driver is identified by referring to the account information using the virtual key application that accepted the request for key usage authority.

[0053] Then, the driver is granted authority to use the key, and the time when the authority was granted is obtained and recorded from the clock unit 380 (S1005). The authority to use the key is granted when a predetermined condition (for example, the moving object 1 is not in use at that time, it is within the period of the reservation made in advance, the user who made the reservation has requested it, etc.) is satisfied. In addition, granting authority to use the key means that the information processing device 30 in which the virtual key application for which the authority to use has been requested is installed is enabled to open and close the doors of the mobile object 1 and start the engine, etc., via the second communication unit 370, etc.

[0054] After step S1005, since it is possible to recognize which driver is using the moving body 1, an analysis output process is performed (S1007) to perform an analysis based on the traveling information of the moving body 1 acquired in chronological order. The analysis output process will be described later.

[0055] After step S1007, it is determined whether the authority to use the key has been returned (S1009). Whether the authority to use the key has been returned is determined based on whether an input to the effect that the key of the moving object 1 should be returned has been made via the operation unit 360 in the virtual key application on the information processing device 30, similar to the request for authority to use the key. Furthermore, by returning the authority to use the key, it becomes impossible to open / close the doors of the moving object 1 or start the engine, which were possible via the second communication unit 370, etc.

[0056] If it is determined in step S1009 that the authority to use the key has not been returned (S1009; N), the process returns to step S1007 and continues the analysis and output process. If it is determined that the authority to use the key has been returned (S1009; Y), the time when the authority to use the key was returned is recorded (S1011).

[0057] After step S1011, report information is created based on the travel information of the moving object 1 acquired during a period including the time when the key use authority was granted and the time when the key was returned (hereinafter referred to as the "specific period"). Note that step S1013 is optional and does not have to be performed. The report information will be described later.

[0058] [Analysis output processing] The analysis output process performed in step S1007 will be described below. The analysis output process in this embodiment is a process performed based on driving information acquired about the moving body 1, and examples of such processes include displaying the position of the moving body 1 on a map and displaying changes in the driving quality of the moving body 1, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. In the analysis and output process, the driving information is acquired at any time, and the processing is performed at any time in response to the information, so that the analysis and output process is performed in real time.

[0059] 9 is an example of an output of a process for displaying on a map the positions of multiple moving bodies including the moving body 1, which is an example of an analysis output process. Such an output is displayed, for example, on the display unit 440 of the information processing terminal 40 connected to the server 10 via the network NW. 9, on the map, the position of a moving object is indicated by a round icon, and the position of a stopped moving object is indicated by a square icon. This output is performed based on the position information included in the travel information acquired at the time of executing step S1007, and the latest position display of each moving object is updated by repeatedly executing step S1007.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process for plotting the position of a moving object on a map, which is an example of the analysis output process. In the moving object position plot process, first, the position information included in the latest travel information acquired at the time of executing step S1007 is extracted (S10071).

[0061] Next, it is determined whether the moving object 1 is moving based on the latest predetermined number (e.g., 5) of travel information pieces acquired when step S1007 is executed (S10072). The method of determining whether the moving object 1 is moving based on the latest predetermined number of travel information pieces is not particularly limited, and it may be determined based on the magnitude of the difference in position information included in each of the predetermined number of travel information pieces, for example.

[0062] Then, the moving object 1 is plotted on the map based on the position information extracted in step S10071 in a display mode based on the content determined in step S10072 (S10073). In this way, the current location of each moving object can be grasped in real time.

[0063] In addition, when the moving object 1 is a shared vehicle, the same display as other vehicles is made from the time when the authority to use the key is received until the authority to use the key is returned, but it is preferable that the corresponding icon is not displayed before the authority to use the key is received or after the authority to use the key is returned. Alternatively, while the travel information is being acquired, the icon may be displayed in the form of an icon indicating the end of the business by stopping at the position where the authority to use the key was last returned. In other words, for the use of the mobile body 1, which is a shared vehicle, by a driver not under management, the server 10 may continue to acquire driving information, but the output will not reflect the usage status.

[0064] [Create report information] In the above description, it is assumed that report information is created in step S1013, and an example of this report information will be described below. Note that the contents described below are merely examples of the report information, and the report information is not limited to these contents. The report information may be configured to include any information generated based on the acquired travel information.

[0065] Fig. 11 is an example of report information created in step S1013. The report information shown in Fig. 11 is created in response to a creation request made through, for example, the operation unit 460 of the information processing device 40. Then, the created report information is displayed, for example, on the display unit 440, and the contents are viewed by an administrator or the like who manages multiple moving bodies including the moving body 1.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 11, the report information includes, for example, the following areas.

[0067] The area U11 is configured to include information (e.g., name and affiliation) about the driver for whom the report information is to be created (hereinafter referred to as the "target driver"), and the target period for which the report information is to be created (hereinafter referred to as the "target period"). Here, the target period can be set arbitrarily, and each analysis process is performed based on the driving information corresponding to the set target period, and each output is produced. However, since the target driver D1 does not use the mobile unit 1 outside the specific period, the driving information outside the specific period is not used to create the report information. Therefore, when creating the report information for the mobile unit 1, if the target period is set to include a period outside the specific period, each element of the report information will be created with some of the driving information during the target period missing. In this embodiment, the following describes an example in which the target driver uses only the shared vehicle 1 during a specific period and does not use any other vehicles. However, if the target driver uses another vehicle outside the specific period, analysis processing and output are performed based on the driving information of that other vehicle.

[0068] Area U12 is each driving-related score (e.g., driving score, acceleration score, deceleration score, steering score) calculated based on driving information during a target period for a moving body driven by a target driver. Here, the driving-related score is, by way of example and not limitation, a score obtained by calculating the quality of driving by a target driver of a moving body from various viewpoints. Acceleration is an evaluation value of the quality of forward acceleration of the moving body, deceleration is an evaluation value of the quality of backward acceleration of the moving body, steering is an evaluation value of the quality of left-right acceleration of the moving body 1, and the driving score is an evaluation value of the quality of all accelerations of acceleration, deceleration, and steering.

[0069] The region U13 is a driving information map generated based on the driving information of the moving object driven by the target driver during the target period. The driving information map is, for example, a two-dimensional map of acceleration information included in the acquired driving information based on the direction and magnitude. In this embodiment, the occurrence frequency of the acceleration information is counted for each predetermined division, and the display based on the count value is performed for each division. Note that the display for each division in the acceleration map is not limited to the occurrence frequency, and may be based on, for example, the occurrence probability. The generated travel information map may be a map of speed information, not a map of acceleration information. Alternatively, it may be a map of both acceleration information and speed information. In this case, the speed information may be the speed information acquired by the speed information acquisition unit 150 in the data processing device 10, or the speed information (for example, a state value of the speed) calculated based on the position information.

[0070] Area U14 is timeline information related to driving by the target driver during the target period. The timeline information is a compilation of information about each event that occurred while the target driver was driving a moving object, and in this embodiment, the start time (start time), event content, event content category, and occurrence period are output. By providing the timeline information, the manager or the like can confirm what tasks the target driver performed and what the driving quality was. Here, when the target period is set to include a period outside the specific period, timeline information of the moving object during the period outside the specific period is not generated. That is, as shown in area U14, timeline information for the period outside the specific period is not displayed, but is displayed in gray, and a message is written indicating that the period is "outside the target period for collecting driving information."

[0071] Area U15 is information that maps the trajectory of the mobile object driven by the target driver and the locations where a specific driving was observed, based on the location information included in the driving information of the target driver during the target period. By providing such information, the manager or the like can confirm how the target driver operated the mobile object, and in what locations and with what driving quality. Similarly, in the case where the target period is set to include a period other than the specific period, mapping is not performed using the location information of the moving object 1 during the period other than the specific period. In other words, it is not possible to know how the moving object 1 moved during the period other than the specific period.

[0072] Area U16 is information showing the timing and magnitude of score deductions that affect the driving score calculation for the driving quality during the target period for the moving object driven by the target driver in a chronological order. That is, it shows the extent of the score deductions that occurred based on the output linked to the time information. By providing such information, it is possible to understand when and why the score was lowered. The time information referred to here may be time information that is linked and stored when the corresponding driving information is acquired and stored in the memory unit 220, or the time at the time of output may be acquired from the clock unit 240 and used; there is no particular limitation on the method of acquiring the time information.

[0073] In the above description, the demerit score is derived for each acceleration information item according to its direction and magnitude, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least, the demerit score is derived according to the content of each driving information item, and the final driving score is calculated based on the demerit score for each driving information item. The plus / minus score may be a positive value when the driving information corresponds to favorable driving, or may be 0 or a negative value. In calculating the final driving score, for example, if the base score is 70 points, the sum of these plus / minus scores is added to calculate the driving score.

[0074] In addition, in the case where an add / deduct score is calculated instead of a deduction score, area U16 may chronologically indicate the timing and magnitude of the add / deduct score during the target driver's driving in the target period.

[0075] By outputting the report information in this manner, it is possible to grasp the operation details of the mobile body by the target driver all at once. At this time, since the report information is generated and output in a form that excludes the period during which a driver who is not the target driver was driving the mobile body 1, which is a shared vehicle, even when managing the shared vehicle, the report information can be generated from the driving information that appropriately extracts the necessary parts.

[0076] [Variation 1] As a modified example, a case where the key is not a virtual key but a physical key will be described below. The usage time is divided based on the time of receiving and returning the key, as in the above embodiment. In the case of a physical key, which is a modified example, the division is performed as follows, for example.

[0077] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a vehicle management system in a modified example. In the modified example, the system is a mechanism that includes the server 10, the driving information acquisition device 20, the information processing terminal 40, the key box 50, etc., and that executes processing in cooperation with these devices. In a vehicle management system in a modified example, for example, a server 10, a driving information acquisition device 20 provided in a mobile body 1, an information processing terminal 40 capable of viewing report information resulting from analysis of the driving information by the server 10, a key box 50 that stores the key for the mobile body 1 and can recognize its removal, etc. are communicatively connected via a network NW (e.g., the Internet).

[0078] The key box 50 is a container for storing and compensating for a physical key, and is placed, for example, near the location where the mobile object 1, which is a shared vehicle, is normally parked (for example, a parking lot where the shared vehicle is located). The key box 50 is configured to be able to obtain information about whether or not a physical key is present, or whether the physical key has been removed or returned, and to be able to transmit this information to the server 10 via the connected network NW.

[0079] First, similar to S1001, the server 10 determines whether or not the physical key has been removed from the key box 50. Whether or not the physical key has been removed is determined, by way of example and not by way of limitation, by means capable of detecting the presence or absence of the physical key inside the key box 50 (for example, a sensor that detects a signal from a tag attached to the physical key). As another example of the means, whether or not the physical key has been removed may be determined by a means for measuring the weight inside the key box 50. Furthermore, the physical key may be linked to a switch provided in the key box 50, and when the physical key is removed, the switch may be activated, and information that the physical key has been removed may be transmitted to the server 10. There is no particular limitation on the means.

[0080] Next, similar to step S1003, the driver who removed the physical key is identified. In the modified example, to identify the driver, by way of example and not limitation, a means for accepting input of driver information when opening the key box 50 is provided, and when appropriate driver information is input, the key box 50 can be opened and closed, and the input driver information is transmitted to the server 10 to identify the driver. As another example of the means, the driver D1 may input the identification number written on the physical key removed from the key box 50 and his / her own driver information into an information processing device (not shown) having the same functions as the information processing device 30 in Figure 1, and transmit the input information to the server 10, and the identification may be performed by any means other than those specifically limited.

[0081] The process from step S1003 onwards is the same as in the above-mentioned embodiment. Note that, similar to step S1009, the determination as to whether the physical key has been returned may be realized by performing the reverse of the determination as to whether the physical key has been removed, or any other arbitrary means may be applied.

[0082] [Other variations] In the above description, only the virtual key function is realized in the information processing device 30, but the function is not limited to the virtual key function. For example, at least one of the display unit 340 and the sound output unit 350 may be used to notify a passenger of the moving object 1 holding the information processing device 30 of some information. For example, in association with the virtual key function, when the time to receive the virtual key approaches (for example, 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of use) based on scheduled time information for receiving and returning the authority to use the key, a message to that effect may be displayed on the display unit 340 to notify the holder of the information processing device 30. The same applies to the return of the authority to use the key.

[0083] Furthermore, since this is a shared vehicle, the location where the key is picked up and returned coincides with the storage location of the mobile object 1. Therefore, while the mobile object 1 is being used, road information in the vicinity of the storage location when the return time approaches, such as construction information or traffic congestion information, may be displayed on the display unit 340, or an audio notification may be given by the sound output unit 350, to encourage the user to return the mobile object 1 in time for return. For the same reason, when the distance between the moving object 1 and the storage location becomes large and it is considered that it will be difficult to return the moving object 1 at the return time (when the return time is within a predetermined time and the distance between the moving object 1 and the storage location is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance), in order to notify the user of the situation, a message to that effect may be displayed on the display unit 340 or a message may be output by sound from the sound output unit 350. In this case, the message to the computer of the manager who manages the shared vehicle or the computer of the person who has made a reservation to use the moving object 1 next may be notified via the network NW that it will be difficult to return the moving object 1 at the return time.

[0084] Furthermore, an administrator or the like may register in advance areas where dangerous driving is likely to occur, identified from previously acquired driving information, and when the moving body 1 approaches such an area, a message or a beep may be generated from the sound output unit 350 to alert the passengers of the moving body 1 to drive with caution. Such an area is preferably shown in area U15 in FIG.

[0085] Furthermore, in cases where the information processing device 30 includes the functions of the driving information acquisition device 20, the information processing device 30 may perform processing based on the driving information acquired by such functions to determine whether or not dangerous driving has occurred, and if dangerous driving has occurred, may notify the passengers of the moving body 1 of this fact via the sound output unit 350 or the like.

[0086] In the above description, the virtual key is realized by installing a virtual key application in the information processing device 30. In this case, the receipt and return of the virtual key may be detected within the virtual key application, or when detecting from outside the virtual key application, for example, the virtual key application side API may be opened to inquire whether the target driver's virtual key is active (i.e., whether the virtual key has been received but not yet returned).

[0087] The information processing device 30 may also notify the driver D1 of information related to driving. For example, based on the reservation time of the virtual key, when it is a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) before the scheduled return time, the display unit 340 may display that the return time is approaching, or the audio output unit 350 may output a message that the scheduled return time is approaching. Furthermore, the server 20 may calculate information regarding the driving quality of the moving body 1 (e.g., a driving score) based on the acquired driving information, receive this calculated information regarding the driving quality, and display it on the display unit 340 as appropriate.

[0088] Furthermore, based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 240 in the traveling information acquisition device 20, the distance between the position of the moving object 1 and a return position registered in advance may be calculated, and compared with the time until the scheduled return time to determine whether it is difficult to return the moving object 1 to the return position at the scheduled return time, and a notification according to the determination result may be given through the display unit 340, etc. For example, if the moving object 1 is located at a distance greater than or equal to such a distance that it is difficult to return the moving object 1 within the time limit when a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) is remaining until the scheduled return time, a message may be displayed on the display unit 340 or a message may be output through the audio output unit 350 to the effect that it may be difficult to return the moving object 1 within the time limit when a separate predetermined time (e.g., 15 minutes) is remaining before the predetermined time. In addition, when it is close to the scheduled return time (for example, 30 minutes or more before), the device detects whether there is any traffic congestion near the return location or between the return location and the mobile body 1, and if there is traffic congestion, the device may display this on the display unit 340 or output a message via the audio output unit 350 to notify the driver that return may be difficult.

[0089] Furthermore, in the case where the information processing device 30 is configured to include the driving information acquisition device 20, the processing unit 310 judges whether dangerous driving has occurred in the moving body 1 based on information acquired by the acceleration information acquisition unit 260, etc., and if dangerous driving has occurred, the driver is notified by displaying it on the display unit 340 or outputting a message through the audio output unit 350. In other words, while the virtual key is valid, even if the moving object 1 is a shared vehicle, the driver can be notified of any dangerous driving.

[0090] In addition, in the above description, the time of use of the mobile body 1 is divided based on the time of acquisition and return of the virtual key, but this is not limited to the above. For example, when the virtual key function is enabled when the virtual key is in the vicinity of the mobile body 1, the time of use of the mobile body 1 may be divided based on the detection that the virtual key is in the vicinity of the mobile body 1, i.e., the establishment of communication between the information processing device 30 and the mobile body 1, and the detection that the virtual key is not in the vicinity of the mobile body 1, i.e., the interruption of communication between the information processing device 30 and the mobile body 1. Here, it is needless to say that the device connected to the information processing device 30 by communication may not be the mobile body 1, but a device compatible with the virtual key provided in the mobile body 1. In this way, the usage time of the mobile object 1 can be divided without requiring a user to perform an operation regarding the authority to use the key. Besides, the method of dividing the utilization time of the moving object 1 is not particularly limited, and any method can be applied.

[0091] In the above embodiments, various programs and data relating to various processes are stored in the storage unit, and the processing unit reads and executes these programs to realize the processes in the above embodiments. In this case, the storage unit of each device may have internal storage devices such as ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, hard disk, and RAM, as well as recording media (recording media, external storage devices, storage media) such as memory cards (SD cards), CompactFlash (registered trademark) cards, memory sticks, USB memories, CD-RWs (optical disks), and MOs (magneto-optical disks), and the above various programs and data may be stored in these recording media.

[0092] Although the embodiment and the modified examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples can be variously improved and modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples can be combined.

[0093] [effect] This invention allows the proper separation of driving information for the desired portion, so that even shared vehicles can be managed. Therefore, for proper management, shared vehicles can be utilized without the need to purchase or maintain additional vehicles, which reduces costs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1. Mobile 10 Server 20. Driving information acquisition device 30 Information processing device 40 Information processing terminal 50 key box

Claims

1. Acquiring travel information related to a moving object in time series, Identifying the reception time of the key of the moving object, Identifying the return time of the key, Among the travel information acquired in time series, identifying the travel information during the usage period specified based on the reception time and the return time, Generating operation information related to the operation of the moving object based on the identified travel information, An information processing method comprising the above.

2. Updating the operation information based on newly acquiring the travel information, The information processing method according to Claim 1, further comprising the above.

3. The key is a virtual key realized by an application installed in an information processing device, The reception time of the key corresponds to the time when the usage right of the virtual key is granted, The return time of the key corresponds to the time when the usage right of the virtual key is returned, The information processing method according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The key is a virtual key realized by an application installed in an information processing device, The reception time of the key corresponds to the time when communication is established between the information processing device and the moving object or a virtual key device provided in the moving object, The return time of the key corresponds to the time when communication between the information processing device and the moving object or a virtual key device provided in the moving object is interrupted, The information processing method according to Claim 1 or 2.

5. The key is a virtual key realized by an application installed in an information processing device, Releasing the API on the application side, Judging whether the virtual key is active through the released API, Further comprising the above, The reception time of the key corresponds to the time when the virtual key becomes active, The return time of the key corresponds to the time when the virtual key becomes inactive, The information processing method according to Claim 1 or 2.

6. The operation information includes a timeline showing events related to the moving object during a predetermined period, Within the predetermined period, events related to the moving object are not displayed during a period other than the usage period, The information processing method according to Claim 1 or 2.

7. The operation information includes information that shows the increase and decrease of the driving score related to the moving body over a predetermined period in chronological order. During the predetermined period, and outside the usage period, the increase and decrease of the driving score related to the moving body are not displayed. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

8. Cause a computer to chronologically acquire travel information related to a moving body; specify the reception time of the key of the moving body; specify the return time of the key; specify, among the travel information acquired chronologically, the travel information during the usage period specified based on the reception time and the return time; generate operation information related to the operation of the moving body based on the specified travel information; A program for causing the above to be executed.

9. An acquisition unit that chronologically acquires travel information related to a moving body; A reception time specifying unit that specifies the reception time of the key of the moving body; A return time specifying unit that specifies the return time of the key; A travel information specifying unit that specifies, among the travel information acquired chronologically, the travel information during the usage period specified based on the reception time and the return time; A generation unit that generates operation information related to the operation of the moving body based on the specified travel information; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.