vehicle

Abstract

To provide a cashless service for a user of a vehicle opening a store even in a state or a region where a communication environment is bad in an area where the vehicle opens the store.SOLUTION: In an information processing system S including an information processing apparatus 1 and a vehicle 2 which can communicate with each other via a network NW, the vehicle 2 including a control section, a communication section, and a settlement terminal 28, determines a communication state of the settlement terminal 28 in a store opening area, and switches a network used for the settlement terminal 28 to a vehicle network when the communication state is equal to or less than a predetermined value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an electronic payment terminal is not connected to an information processing device that manages electronic payments via a network, an information processing device that transmits payment information using another communication means is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-134958 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above background art does not disclose providing cashless services to users in poor communication environments or areas, and there is room for improvement in this regard.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in consideration of such circumstances, is to provide cashless services to users even in conditions or areas with poor communication environments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A vehicle including a control unit, a communication unit, and a payment terminal determines the communication status of the payment terminal in a store area, and when the communication status is below a predetermined value, switches the network used by the payment terminal to the vehicle network. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cashless service is provided to a user even in a poor communication environment or area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system S according to the present embodiment. The information processing system S includes an information processing device 1 and a vehicle 2 that are capable of communicating with each other via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, a mobile communication network, the Internet, or a fixed communication network.

[0010] For ease of explanation, one information processing device 1 and one vehicle 2 are illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the number of information processing devices 1 and vehicles 2 is not limited to this. For example, the process executed by the information processing device 1 may be executed by a plurality of information processing devices 1 that are distributed. The information processing device 1 may be capable of communicating with a plurality of vehicles 2.

[0011] The information processing device 1 may be a server that supports the provision of services by a business operator. The information processing device 1 may be installed, for example, in a facility dedicated to the business operator or in a shared facility including a data center. As an alternative example, the information processing device 1 may be mounted on a vehicle 2.

[0012] The vehicle 2 includes any type of automobile, such as, for example, a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. The operation of the vehicle 2 may be automated at any level. The level of automation may be, for example, any of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE level classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. The vehicle 2 may be a MaaS-only vehicle. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service. As an alternative, the vehicle 2 may be driven by a driver.

[0013] The internal configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0014] The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The components of the information processing device 1 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via, for example, a dedicated line.

[0015] The control unit 11 includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. Instead of including a processor, the control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may be, for example, a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 11 may include an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The control unit 11 transmits and receives any information via the communication unit 12.

[0016] The communication unit 12 includes a communication module compatible with one or more wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standards for connecting to a network. The communication unit 12 may include a module compatible with one or more mobile communication standards including LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 12 may include a communication module compatible with one or more short-range communication standards or specifications including Bluetooth (registered trademark), AirDrop (registered trademark), IrDA, ZigBee (registered trademark), Felica (registered trademark), or RFID. The communication unit 12 transmits and receives any information via the network.

[0017] The memory unit 13 includes, but is not limited to, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The memory unit 13 may function as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 13 may store information resulting from analysis or processing by the control unit 11. The memory unit 13 may store various information related to the operation or control of the information processing device 1, etc. The memory unit 13 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc. The memory unit 13 may be provided outside the information processing device 1 and accessed by the information processing device 1.

[0018] The internal configuration of the vehicle 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0019] The vehicle 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, an imaging unit 24, a display unit 25, an input unit 26, an output unit 27, and a payment terminal 28. The components of the vehicle 2 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The vehicle 2 functions as a communication device.

[0020] The hardware configuration of the control unit 21, the communication unit 22, and the storage unit 23 may be the same as the hardware configuration of the control unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the storage unit 13. The description here is omitted.

[0021] The imaging unit 24 includes a camera and captures an image. The image may be either a still image or a video image. The imaging unit 24 may generate an image and record the generated image in the storage unit 23.

[0022] The display unit 25 is, for example, a display. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for liquid crystal display. "EL" is an abbreviation for electro luminescence. The display unit 25 may be connected to the vehicle 2 as an external output device instead of being provided in the vehicle 2. As a connection method, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used. "USB" is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. "HDMI (registered trademark)" is an abbreviation for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. The display unit 25 may be a signage. The display unit 25 may be a touch panel.

[0023] The input unit 26 is, for example, a microphone, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touch screen that is integral with a display. The input unit 26 accepts an operation for inputting information used for the operation of the vehicle 2. The input unit 26 may be connected to the vehicle 2 as an external input device instead of being provided in the vehicle 2. As a connection method, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used.

[0024] The output unit 27 includes one or more output interfaces that output information to notify a user. For example, the output interface included in the output unit 27 may be a speaker that outputs information by voice, but is not limited to this. For example, the output unit 27 may be any broadcasting device.

[0025] The settlement terminal 28 is a terminal through which a user as a customer executes settlement to make a payment to a business operator.

[0026] An information processing method executed by the information processing system S of this embodiment will be described in detail. Here, as an example, the vehicle 2 is used by a business operator. The business is, for example, a restaurant or a cafe. Goods or services are provided to customers in the vehicle 2.

[0027] The vehicle 2 may be able to use multiple communication paths (e.g., paths provided by multiple communication carriers or paths using Wi-Fi) for the purpose of remote monitoring or support via the communication unit 22. As such, the cost of communication in the vehicle 2 is relatively high. The vehicle network may be, for example, a 700 MHz band network.

[0028] The payment terminal 28 provided in the vehicle 2 is a terminal that provides a cashless service to a customer. For example, the payment terminal 28 supports a customer to make a payment by electronic money, a QR code (registered trademark), a credit card, a debit card, a cryptocurrency, or the like. The network normally used by the payment terminal 28 may be, for example, a network that utilizes a frequency band allocated for mobile communications.

[0029] Each business may contract with a different payment provider (cashless service).

[0030] The business operator, the owner of the vehicle 2, and the payment service provider may be different entities. In this case, the business operator, the owner of the vehicle 2, and the payment service provider are linked by the information processing device 1. In other words, matching is executed.

[0031] The vehicle 2 determines the communication state of the payment terminal 28 in the business operator's shop area, and if the communication state is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, switches the network used for the payment terminal 28 to a vehicle network (for example, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication network).

[0032] If the vehicle 2 cannot switch to the vehicle network, the vehicle 2 may suggest to the business operator that they move to a location where the communication performance of the payment terminal 28 is restored. The suggestion may be made via the output unit 27. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle 2 may make the above suggestion when it determines that there is no customer in the vehicle 2. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle 2 may suggest to move to a location where the communication performance is restored and then return when it determines that there is a customer in the vehicle 2. With this configuration, the vehicle 2 can return the customer to their original location.

[0033] Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle 2 does not switch over to the vehicular network while moving, which allows the vehicle 2 to avoid congestion on the vehicular network.

[0034] As described above, according to this embodiment, the vehicle 2 determines the communication state of the payment terminal 28 in the shop area, and when the communication state is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the network used for the payment terminal 28 is switched to the vehicle network. With this configuration, the vehicle 2 can provide a cashless service to the user even in a state or area with a poor communication environment.

[0035] Although the present disclosure will be described based on various drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means or step can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple means or steps can be combined into one or divided.

[0036] For example, in the above embodiment, a program for executing all or part of the functions or processes of the information processing device 1 or the vehicle 2 can be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The program is distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) on which the program is recorded. The program may also be distributed by storing the program in the storage of an arbitrary server and transmitting the program from the arbitrary server to another computer. The program may also be provided as a program product. The present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

[0037] A computer temporarily stores a program recorded on a portable recording medium or a program transferred from a server in a main storage device. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor and executes processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. The computer may execute processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer. Processing may be executed by a so-called ASP-type service that realizes functions only by execution instructions and result acquisition without transferring a program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. Programs include information used for processing by a computer and equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has the property of defining computer processing falls under " equivalent to a program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] S Information Processing System

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle including a control unit, a communication unit, and a payment terminal, which determines the communication status of the payment terminal in a store area, and when the communication status is below a predetermined value, switches the network used for the payment terminal to the vehicle network.

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