Vehicle management apparatus, vehicle management method, and vehicle management system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle management apparatus, a vehicle management method, and a vehicle management system configured to allow a user to use a reserved vehicle in an interior environment suitable for the user at the start of using the vehicle in a car sharing system.SOLUTION: A vehicle management apparatus 10 includes a transmission unit 13, a management unit 19, a determination unit 21, and a generation unit 23. The management unit 19 secures a vehicle 7 on the basis of reservation information on the vehicle 7. The determination unit 21 determines, based on a state of the secured vehicle 7, whether to transmit setting information to be used for adjusting interior environment, to the vehicle 7. The generation unit 23 generates, when the determination unit 21 determines to transmit the setting information, timing information to designate a timing at which the vehicle 7 starts adjusting the interior environment on the basis of the setting information. When the generation unit 23 generates the timing information, the transmission unit 13 transmits an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the vehicle 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle management device, a vehicle management method, and a vehicle management system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Car sharing systems have been proposed to provide a car sharing service in which a vehicle is shared among a plurality of users.

[0003] In the car sharing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a user reserves a vehicle, information about the vehicle's travel (e.g., the distance that can be traveled, etc.) is presented to the user. This allows the user to decide whether or not to reserve the vehicle based on the presented information, thereby improving convenience. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-149411 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional car sharing systems, a user must set up the vehicle's interior environment (e.g., seat position) after starting to use the reserved vehicle, which means it takes time to use the reserved vehicle in an interior environment that is suitable for the user.

[0006] Therefore, further improvements are required so that when a user starts using a reserved vehicle, the vehicle can be used in an in-vehicle environment that is suitable for the user.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle management device, a vehicle management method, and a vehicle management system that enable a user to use a reserved vehicle in an in-vehicle environment suitable for the user when the user starts using the reserved vehicle in a car sharing system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A vehicle management device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a receiving unit that receives vehicle reservation information and setting information used to adjust the vehicle's in-vehicle environment from a user terminal, a management unit that reserves the vehicle based on the reservation information, a determination unit that determines whether or not to send the setting information to the vehicle based on the state of the reserved vehicle, a generation unit that generates timing information specifying the timing at which the vehicle will start adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information when the determination unit determines to send the setting information, and a transmission unit that transmits an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the vehicle when the generation unit generates the timing information.

[0009] A vehicle management method according to a second aspect of the present invention is executed by a computer and receives vehicle reservation information and setting information used to adjust the vehicle's in-vehicle environment from a user terminal, reserves the vehicle based on the reservation information, and determines whether to send the setting information to the vehicle based on the state of the reserved vehicle.If it is determined that the setting information should be sent, it generates timing information that specifies the timing at which the vehicle will start adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information, and once the timing information is generated, transmits an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the vehicle.

[0010] A vehicle management system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an on-board device that manages vehicles in a car sharing service and is mounted on the vehicle, and a vehicle management device. The vehicle management device includes a receiving unit that receives reservation information for the vehicle and setting information used to adjust the vehicle's in-vehicle environment from a user terminal, a management unit that reserves the vehicle based on the reservation information, a determining unit that determines whether or not to transmit the setting information to the on-board device based on a state of the reserved vehicle, a generating unit that generates timing information specifying a timing at which the on-board device starts adjusting the vehicle's in-vehicle environment based on the setting information when the determining unit determines to transmit the setting information, and a transmitting unit that transmits an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the on-board device when the generating unit generates the timing information. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle management device, a vehicle management method, and a vehicle management system in a car sharing system that enable a user to use a reserved vehicle in an in-vehicle environment suitable for the user when the user begins using the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle management system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the vehicle management device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the vehicle control device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle information according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of reservation information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of setting information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the vehicle-mounted device according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a procedure for adjusting the in-vehicle environment according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of the transmission determination process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle information according to the first modified example of the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of reservation information according to the first modified example of the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle information according to the second modified example of the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of a vehicle exchange process according to the second modified example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, a vehicle management device, a vehicle management method, and a vehicle management system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or similar reference numerals are used to designate the same functions and configurations, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0014] [Overall outline of vehicle management system] First, the configuration of the vehicle management system 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of the vehicle management system 1. In this embodiment, the vehicle management system 1 is a system that manages multiple vehicles in a car sharing system. The vehicles managed by the vehicle management system 1 are, for example, electric vehicles (Electrified Vehicles).

[0015] In this embodiment, each vehicle belongs to one parking station (not shown) in the vehicle management system 1, and is parked in that parking station while not being rented to a user. Therefore, when the user has finished using the vehicle, the user needs to return the vehicle to the parking station where it was parked when the user started using the vehicle.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle management system 1 includes a user terminal 3, a management center 5, a vehicle 7, and a network 60. Note that Fig. 1 only shows the vehicle 7 reserved by the user. The user terminal 3 is, for example, a mobile terminal carried by the user. In this embodiment, the user reserves the vehicle 7 from among vehicles available at the desired date and time via the user terminal 3.

[0017] The management center 5 has a vehicle management device 10. The management center 5 manages vehicle rental reservations using the vehicle management device 10. The vehicle 7 has an in-vehicle device 30. The vehicle 7 uses the in-vehicle device 30 to adjust the in-vehicle environment.

[0018] In the vehicle management system 1, the user terminal 3, the vehicle management device 10, and the in-vehicle device 30 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network 60. The user terminal 3 transmits reservation information and setting information for the vehicle 7 input by the user to the vehicle management device 10. The reservation information and setting information will be described in detail later.

[0019] The vehicle management device 10 reserves the vehicle 7 based on the reservation information of the vehicle 7. The vehicle management device 10 determines, based on the state of the vehicle 7, whether or not to transmit setting information to the vehicle 7.

[0020] When the vehicle management device 10 determines to transmit the setting information, it generates timing information that specifies the timing at which the vehicle 7 starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information. After generating the timing information, the vehicle management device 10 transmits an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the vehicle-mounted device 30.

[0021] On the other hand, when the vehicle management device 10 determines not to transmit the setting information, it temporarily stores the setting information. After a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined not to transmit the setting information, the vehicle management device 10 again determines whether or not to transmit the setting information to the vehicle 7 based on the state of the vehicle 7.

[0022] The in-vehicle device 30 starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information at the timing specified by the timing information, and finishes adjusting the in-vehicle environment by the start time when the user starts using the vehicle 7. This allows the user to use the vehicle 7 in an in-vehicle environment that is suitable for the user when the user starts using the vehicle 7.

[0023] When the user finishes using the vehicle 7, the vehicle-mounted device 30 transmits to the vehicle management device 10 the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment.

[0024] [Functional configuration of vehicle management device] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the vehicle management device 10. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the vehicle management device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle management device 10 includes a receiving unit 11, a transmitting unit 13, a control unit 15, a storage unit 17, a management unit 19, a determination unit 21, and a generation unit 23.

[0025] The receiving unit 11 receives various information via the network 60. In this embodiment, the receiving unit 11 receives reservation information and setting information for the vehicle 7 from the user terminal 3. The receiving unit 11 receives setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment of the vehicle 7 from the in-vehicle device 30. As will be described later, the receiving unit 11 receives a message notifying that use of the vehicle 7 has started and a message notifying that use of the vehicle 7 has ended from a parking station usage management device (not shown).

[0026] The transmission unit 13 transmits various information via the network 60. In this embodiment, the transmission unit 13 transmits a reservation completion notification to the user terminal 3. In addition, the transmission unit 13 transmits an adjustment instruction including timing information and setting information to the vehicle-mounted device 30.

[0027] The control unit 15 controls the overall processing in the vehicle management device 10. Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the operation of each of the receiving unit 11, the transmitting unit 13, the storage unit 17, the managing unit 19, the determining unit 21, and the generating unit 23.

[0028] The memory unit 17 stores vehicle information, reservation information, setting information, etc. The vehicle information is used by the management unit 19 to manage vehicle rental reservations. The reservation information is used by the management unit 19 to reserve the reserved vehicle. The setting information is used by the reserved vehicle to adjust the in-vehicle environment. When the receiving unit 11 receives the reservation information and setting information, the control unit 15 stores this information in the memory unit 17.

[0029] The management unit 19 manages vehicle rental reservations using the vehicle information stored in the storage unit 17. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle information. As shown in Fig. 4, vehicle information is set for each vehicle, and a station ID, a reservation status, a user ID, and a current status are associated with a vehicle ID.

[0030] A vehicle ID is assigned to a vehicle managed by the vehicle management system 1 and is used to identify each vehicle. A station ID is assigned to a parking station in the vehicle management system 1 and is used to identify each parking station. Linking a vehicle ID with a station ID indicates that a vehicle to which the vehicle ID is assigned belongs to a parking station to which the station ID is assigned. The vehicle ID is also referred to as vehicle identification information, and the station ID is also referred to as parking station identification information.

[0031] The reservation status records the time period (start time and end time) during which a user reserves a vehicle. The user ID is assigned to users who use the car sharing service and is used to identify each user who reserves a vehicle. The linking of the vehicle ID, reservation status, and user ID indicates that the vehicle assigned with the vehicle ID has been reserved by the user assigned with the user ID during the time period recorded in the reservation status. The user ID is also referred to as user identification information.

[0032] The current status indicates the current status of the vehicle, and can be one of the following states: "in use" or "parked." "In use" indicates that the vehicle has been rented and is being used by a user. "Parked" indicates that the vehicle has not been rented and is parked in a parking station. The linking of the vehicle ID with the current status indicates that the vehicle to which the vehicle ID is assigned is currently being used by a user or is not being used by a user.

[0033] In this embodiment, when starting to use the vehicle 7, the user inputs the start of use of the vehicle 7 to the parking station's usage management device using the user terminal 3 or a pre-registered user card. When the start of use of the vehicle 7 is input, the usage management device transmits a message to the vehicle management device 10 notifying that use of the vehicle 7 has started. Based on the message, the management unit 19 sets the current status in the vehicle information of the vehicle 7 to "in use".

[0034] In this embodiment, when the user has finished using the vehicle 7, the user inputs the end of use of the vehicle 7 to the parking station's usage management device using the user terminal 3 or a pre-registered user card. When the end of use of the vehicle 7 is input, the usage management device transmits a message to the vehicle management device 10 notifying that the use of the vehicle 7 has ended. Based on the message, the management unit 19 sets the current status in the vehicle information of the vehicle 7 to "parked".

[0035] In the example of vehicle information shown in FIG. 4, vehicle information of vehicle 7 is shown. Vehicle 7 is assigned a vehicle ID of "C001" and belongs to a parking station assigned a station ID of "S002". As the reservation status of vehicle 7, a user assigned a user ID of "U002" has reserved vehicle 7 from 9:00 to 12:00 on April 1st. Also, a user assigned a user ID of "U005" has reserved vehicle 7 from 13:00 to 14:00 on April 1st. Furthermore, a user assigned a user ID of "U001" has reserved vehicle 7 from 15:00 to 18:00 on April 1st. The current status of vehicle 7 is "in use", and vehicle 7 is rented out and used by a user.

[0036] The management unit 19 secures the reserved vehicle and updates the vehicle information of the vehicle using the reservation information received by the receiving unit 11. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of reservation information. As shown in Fig. 5, the reservation information is set for each user, and the vehicle ID and the time period (start time and end time) for reserving the vehicle are linked to the user ID.

[0037] 5 shows an example of reservation information in which a user reserves a vehicle 7 from among vehicles available at a desired date and time via the user terminal 3. When reserving a vehicle 7, the user inputs into the user terminal 3 the user ID given to the user, the vehicle ID of the vehicle 7, and the time period (start time and end time) for reserving the vehicle 7.

[0038] Specifically, the user inputs the user ID "U001", the vehicle ID "C001", the start time "April 1st 15:00", and the end time "April 1st 18:00" into the vehicle reservation screen displayed on the user terminal 3. Based on the input information, the user terminal 3 links the vehicle ID, start time, and end time to the user ID, generates reservation information, and transmits it to the vehicle management device 10.

[0039] The management unit 19 refers to the vehicle ID "C001" included in the reservation information received from the user terminal 3, and acquires the vehicle information of the vehicle 7 from the storage unit 17. When the management unit 19 acquires the vehicle information of the vehicle 7, the management unit 19 registers the user ID "U001", the start time "April 1st 15:00", and the end time "April 1st 18:00", which are included in the reservation information, in the vehicle information of the vehicle 7, and secures the reserved vehicle 7 (see FIG. 4). In this way, the management unit 19 updates the vehicle information of the vehicle to be reserved based on the reservation information received from the user terminal 3.

[0040] The determination unit 21 determines whether or not to transmit the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 to the vehicle, based on the vehicle status secured by the management unit 19. Specifically, the determination unit 21 reads the reservation status and current status of the vehicle from the vehicle information of the vehicle updated by the management unit 19, and determines whether or not to transmit the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 to the vehicle.

[0041] The determination unit 21 reads the reservation status and current status of the vehicle from the vehicle information of the vehicle updated by the management unit 19, and determines that the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 should be transmitted to the vehicle if the following two conditions are met. The first condition is that the vehicle is not reserved by another user between the current time and the start time linked to the user ID included in the reservation information received by the receiving unit 11. The second condition is that the current status of the vehicle is not in use.

[0042] On the other hand, when at least one of the above two conditions is not satisfied, the determination unit 21 determines not to transmit the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 to the vehicle. When the determination unit 21 determines not to transmit the setting information, it temporarily stores the setting information in the storage unit 17. When a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when it was determined not to transmit the setting information, the determination unit 21 again determines whether or not to transmit the setting information temporarily stored in the storage unit 17 to the vehicle based on the state of the vehicle secured by the management unit 19.

[0043] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the setting information. As shown in Fig. 6, the setting information includes in-vehicle environment parameters used to adjust the in-vehicle environment. The setting information is linked to the reservation information and transmitted from the user terminal 3 to the vehicle management device 10. In this embodiment, the in-vehicle environment parameters include the interior temperature, the seat position, the steering wheel position, and the mirror position.

[0044] The interior temperature indicates the set temperature in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the set temperature is specified in degrees Celsius.

[0045] The seat position indicates, for example, the front-rear position of the driver's seat. In this embodiment, the front-rear position of the driver's seat is specified by three levels (front CP1, center CP2, and rear CP3). The front-rear position of the driver's seat is not limited to three levels, and may be specified by a plurality of levels. Furthermore, the seat position may include the height of the driver's seat, the angle of the backrest of the driver's seat, etc. in addition to the front-rear position of the driver's seat.

[0046] The handle position indicates, for example, the height of the handle. In this embodiment, the handle height is specified by three levels (high position HP1, middle position HP2, low position HP3). Note that the handle height is not limited to three levels, and it is sufficient if it can be specified by a plurality of levels. Furthermore, the handle position may include the front and rear positions of the handle in addition to the handle height.

[0047] The mirror position indicates, for example, the left-right angle of the side mirror. Although the side mirror is installed outside the vehicle, in this embodiment, it is included in the adjustment target of the vehicle interior environment. In this embodiment, the left-right angle of the side mirror is specified in three stages (large angle MP1, medium angle MP2, small angle MP3). Note that the left-right angle of the side mirror is not limited to three stages, and it is sufficient if it can be specified in multiple stages. Furthermore, the mirror position may include the up-down angle of the side mirror in addition to the left-right angle of the side mirror.

[0048] 6 shows an example of setting information when a user reserves a vehicle 7 from among vehicles available at a desired date and time via the user terminal 3. When reserving the vehicle 7, the user sets values ​​of in-vehicle environment parameters used to adjust the in-vehicle environment of the vehicle 7 as setting information. When setting values ​​of the in-vehicle environment parameters, the user inputs values ​​of the interior temperature, the seat position, the steering wheel position, and the mirror position into the user terminal 3.

[0049] Specifically, the user inputs an interior temperature value of "20," a seat position value of "CP2," a steering wheel position value of "HP1," and a mirror position value of "MP2" into the interior environment setting screen displayed on the user terminal 3. Based on the input information, the user terminal 3 links the interior temperature value, seat position value, steering wheel position value, and mirror position value to one another, generates setting information, and transmits it to the vehicle management device 10.

[0050] When a user reserves a vehicle, the user terminal 3 may receive from the vehicle management device 10 the values ​​of the in-vehicle environment parameters previously set by the user (for example, the values ​​of the in-vehicle environment parameters most recently set) and display them on the in-vehicle environment setting screen. When a user reserves a vehicle, the user terminal 3 may receive from the vehicle management device 10 the value of the in-vehicle environment parameter that has been set most frequently among the values ​​of the in-vehicle environment parameters previously set by the user, as a recommended value of the in-vehicle environment parameter, and display it on the in-vehicle environment setting screen. This allows the user to select the value of the in-vehicle environment parameter previously set or the recommended value of the in-vehicle environment parameter, simplifying the input of the in-vehicle environment parameter.

[0051] When the determination unit 21 determines that the setting information is to be transmitted, the generation unit 23 generates timing information that specifies the timing at which the vehicle starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information. Specifically, when the determination unit 21 determines that the setting information is to be transmitted, the generation unit 23 refers to the setting information and calculates an adjustment time required for the vehicle to adjust the in-vehicle environment.

[0052] After calculating the adjustment time, the generation unit 23 reads the reservation status of the vehicle from the vehicle information of the vehicle updated by the management unit 19, and obtains the start time linked to the user ID included in the reservation information received by the receiving unit 11. Based on the start time and the adjustment time, the generation unit 23 generates timing information that specifies the timing at which the vehicle starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information.

[0053] In this embodiment, the generation unit 23 sets a time that is prior to the start time by the adjustment time as the adjustment start time, and generates timing information including the set adjustment start time. The timing information includes the vehicle ID of the vehicle that adjusts the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information, and the adjustment start time set by the generation unit 23. When the vehicle receives an adjustment instruction that includes the timing information and the setting information, when the in-vehicle time reaches the adjustment start time, the vehicle starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the value of the in-vehicle environment parameter included in the setting information. The setting information is linked to the timing information and transmitted from the vehicle management device 10 to the vehicle.

[0054] Instead of setting the adjustment start time, the generation unit 23 may set the time from the current time to the adjustment start time as the timer operation time. In this case, the generation unit 23 generates timing information including the set timer operation time. When the vehicle receives the timing information and the setting information, the vehicle starts counting the timer upon receiving the timing information. After operating the timer for the timer operation time included in the setting information, the vehicle starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information.

[0055] As described above, when the user finishes using the vehicle, the vehicle transmits the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment to the vehicle management device 10. At this time, the vehicle transmits the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment to the vehicle management device 10 while linking it to the ID of the vehicle.

[0056] When the receiving unit 11 receives the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment, the management unit 19 reads the user ID of the user who most recently reserved the vehicle from the vehicle information of the vehicle that has been assigned a vehicle ID linked to the received setting information.

[0057] When the management unit 19 reads the user ID, it associates the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment with the user ID and stores it. As a result, as described above, the vehicle management device 10 can present the values ​​of the in-vehicle environment parameters previously set by the user to the user terminal when the user reserves a vehicle.

[0058] The vehicle may transmit the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment to the vehicle management device 10 by directly linking the setting information to the user ID of the user who has finished using the vehicle.

[0059] [Hardware configuration of vehicle management device] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the vehicle management device 10. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the vehicle management device 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle management device 10 is configured by a computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 105, a storage 107, a communication device 109, an RTC (Real-Time Clock) 111, and an external interface 113.

[0060] The CPU 101 executes a program stored in the ROM 103. The CPU 101 performs calculations on data loaded into the RAM 105 in accordance with the program, and comprehensively controls each unit of the vehicle management device 10. The CPU is also called a processor.

[0061] ROM 103 stores programs executed by CPU 101. In this embodiment, ROM 103 stores at least a program for controlling an adjustment procedure for the in-vehicle environment and a transmission determination process, which will be described later. RAM 105 temporarily holds calculation data when CPU 101 executes the programs stored in ROM 103. ROM and RAM are also called non-volatile memory and volatile memory, respectively.

[0062] Storage 107 stores reservation information, vehicle information, setting information, etc. CPU 101 controls reading and writing of data from and to storage 107 in accordance with a program stored in ROM 103. Storage 107 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and storage 107 may use both an HDD and an SSD.

[0063] The communication device 109 communicates with the outside via the network 60 under the control of the CPU 101. The RTC 111 generates time information. In this embodiment, the RTC 11 is synchronized with the in-vehicle time of each vehicle. The external interface 113 is connected to an external device 200. The CPU 101 transmits and receives data to and from the external device 200 via the external interface 113. The external device 200 is, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as a memory card.

[0064] [Configuration of on-board device] Next, a functional configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 30 will be described. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 30. As shown in Fig. 7, the vehicle-mounted device 30 includes a receiving unit 31, a transmitting unit 33, a control unit 35, a communication control unit 37, a storage unit 39, an air conditioning management unit 41, an in-vehicle environment management unit 43, and a time management unit 45.

[0065] The receiving unit 31 receives various information via the antenna ANT. In this embodiment, the receiving unit 31 receives an adjustment instruction including timing information and setting information from the vehicle management device 10.

[0066] The transmission unit 33 transmits various information via the antenna ANT. In this embodiment, the transmission unit 33 transmits the setting information used for adjusting the in-vehicle environment of the vehicle 7 to the vehicle management device 10.

[0067] The control unit 35 controls the overall processing in the vehicle-mounted device 30. Specifically, the control unit 35 controls the operation of each of the receiving unit 31, the transmitting unit 33, the communication control unit 37, the storage unit 39, the air conditioning management unit 41, the in-vehicle environment management unit 43, and the time management unit 45.

[0068] When the control unit 35 determines that the vehicle ID included in the timing information received by the receiving unit 31 matches the vehicle ID assigned to the vehicle itself, it operates the air conditioning management unit 41, the in-vehicle environment management unit 43, and the time management unit 45 based on the timing information and setting information received by the receiving unit 31. When the control unit 35 determines that the user has finished using the vehicle, it instructs the transmission unit 33 to transmit the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment of the vehicle 7 to the vehicle management device 10.

[0069] The communication control unit 37 performs modulation processing for transmitting various information via radio waves, demodulation processing for extracting various information carried by the radio waves, etc. The storage unit 39 stores control parameters necessary for wireless communication, a vehicle ID assigned to the vehicle, timing information, setting information, etc.

[0070] The air conditioning management unit 41 manages the operation of an in-vehicle air conditioner provided in the vehicle 7. In this embodiment, the air conditioning management unit 41 sets a target temperature for the in-vehicle air conditioner based on an instruction from the in-vehicle environment management unit 43, and operates the in-vehicle air conditioner.

[0071] The in-vehicle environment management unit 43 manages the operation of the air conditioning management unit 41 and the operation of the adjustment mechanisms that adjust the positions of the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors provided in the vehicle 7 based on the values ​​of the in-vehicle environment parameters contained in the setting information received by the receiving unit 31.

[0072] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle environment management unit 43 instructs the air conditioning management unit 41 to set the value of the interior temperature included in the setting information received by the receiving unit 31 as the target temperature for the in-vehicle air conditioner and operate the in-vehicle air conditioner based on an instruction from the time management unit 45. Also, the in-vehicle environment management unit 43 sets the values ​​of the seat position, steering wheel position, and mirror position included in the setting information received by the receiving unit 31 as target values ​​for the adjustment mechanisms and operates the adjustment mechanisms based on an instruction from the time management unit 45. The in-vehicle environment management unit is also referred to as a vehicle state management unit.

[0073] The time management unit 45 manages the in-vehicle time of the vehicle 7. In this embodiment, when the in-vehicle time of the vehicle 7 reaches the adjustment start time included in the timing information received by the receiving unit 31, the time management unit 45 instructs the in-vehicle environment management unit 43 to adjust the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information received by the receiving unit 31.

[0074] The time management unit 45 may start adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the timer operation time described above instead of the adjustment start time. In this case, the time management unit 45 starts counting the timer when the receiving unit 31 receives timing information. The time management unit 45 operates the timer for the timer operation time included in the timing information, and then instructs the in-vehicle environment management unit 43 to adjust the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information received by the receiving unit 31.

[0075] The hardware configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 30 is obtained by adding an antenna ANT to the hardware configuration of the vehicle management device 10 shown in Fig. 3. In the hardware configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 30, the above-mentioned in-vehicle air conditioner and adjustment mechanism are connected to the external interface. When the vehicle-mounted device 30 starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on a timer operation time instead of the adjustment start time, the hardware configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 30 is obtained by further adding a timer to the hardware configuration of the vehicle management device 10 shown in Fig. 3.

[0076] [Procedure for adjusting the in-car environment] Next, a description will be given of an operation example of a procedure for adjusting the in-vehicle environment in the vehicle management system 1. In this operation example, the operation of the user terminal 3, the vehicle management device 10, and the in-vehicle device 30 will be described in a case where a user reserves a vehicle 7 from among vehicles available at a desired date and time.

[0077] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a procedure for adjusting an in-vehicle environment. As shown in Fig. 8, the user terminal 3 accepts an input of reservation information for the vehicle 7 from the user via a vehicle reservation screen displayed on the terminal, and also accepts an input of setting information from the user via an in-vehicle environment setting screen displayed on the terminal (step S1).

[0078] When a transmission instruction is input by the user, the user terminal 3 links the setting information to the reservation information of the vehicle 7 and transmits the reservation information and setting information of the vehicle 7 to the vehicle management device 10 (step S3). Upon receiving the reservation information and setting information of the vehicle 7, the vehicle management device 10 reserves the vehicle 7 based on the received reservation information (step S5). Specifically, the management unit 19 reserves the vehicle 7 using the reservation information received by the receiving unit 11, and updates the vehicle information of the vehicle 7.

[0079] When the vehicle management device 10 secures the vehicle 7, it transmits a reservation completion notification to the user terminal 3 to notify the user terminal 3 that the reservation of the vehicle 7 has been completed (step S7). Specifically, when the management unit 19 secures the vehicle 7 and updates the vehicle information of the vehicle 7, the control unit 35 instructs the transmission unit 13 to transmit a reservation completion notification to the user terminal 3.

[0080] After transmitting the reservation completion notification to the user terminal 3, the vehicle management device 10 performs a transmission determination process (step S9). The transmission determination process will be described in detail later.

[0081] In the transmission determination process, the vehicle management device 10 determines that the received setting information should be transmitted to the vehicle 7 and generates timing information.The vehicle management device 10 then links the setting information to the timing information and transmits an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the vehicle-mounted device 30 (step S11).

[0082] When the vehicle-mounted device 30 receives the timing information and the setting information, it adjusts the vehicle environment based on the setting information at the timing specified by the timing information (step S13). Specifically, when the receiver 31 receives the timing information and the setting information, the controller 35 determines whether the vehicle ID included in the received timing information matches the vehicle ID assigned to the vehicle 7.

[0083] When the control unit 35 determines that the vehicle ID included in the timing information matches the vehicle ID assigned to the vehicle 7, it operates the air conditioning management unit 41, the in-vehicle environment management unit 43, and the time management unit 45 based on the timing information and the setting information. On the other hand, when the vehicle ID included in the timing information does not match the vehicle ID assigned to the vehicle 7, the control unit 35 discards the timing information and the setting information.

[0084] When the in-vehicle time of the vehicle 7 reaches the adjustment start time included in the timing information, the time management unit 45 instructs the in-vehicle environment management unit 43 to adjust the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information. As described above, the time management unit 45 may start adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the timer operation time instead of the adjustment start time.

[0085] Based on instructions from the time management unit 45, the in-vehicle environment management unit 43 sets the value of the interior temperature included in the setting information as the target temperature of the in-vehicle air conditioner and instructs the air conditioning management unit 41 to operate the in-vehicle air conditioner. Also, based on instructions from the time management unit 45, the in-vehicle environment management unit 43 sets the values ​​of the seat position, steering wheel position, and mirror position included in the setting information as target values ​​of the adjustment mechanisms and operates the adjustment mechanisms. Based on instructions from the in-vehicle environment management unit 43, the air conditioning management unit 41 sets the target temperature of the in-vehicle air conditioner and operates the in-vehicle air conditioner.

[0086] Through such operations, the in-vehicle device 30 finishes adjusting the in-vehicle environment by the time the user starts using the vehicle 7. If the control unit 35 determines that the adjustment of the in-vehicle environment will not be completed by the start time when the user starts using the vehicle 7, for example, because congestion occurs in the network 60 and it takes time to transmit timing information and setting information, the control unit 35 may notify the user terminal 3 via the vehicle management device 10 that the in-vehicle environment cannot be adjusted. If the control unit 35 determines that the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 7 is insufficient and that the in-vehicle environment cannot be adjusted based on the setting information, the control unit 35 may notify the user terminal 3 via the vehicle management device 10 that the in-vehicle environment cannot be adjusted.

[0087] When a user starts using vehicle 7, the user uses the user terminal 3 or a pre-registered user card to input the start of use of vehicle 7 to the parking station's usage management device. When the start of use of vehicle 7 is input, the usage management device transmits a message to the vehicle management device 10 notifying that use of vehicle 7 has started (not shown). Based on the message, the management unit 19 sets the current status in the vehicle information of vehicle 7 to "in use".

[0088] When the user ends use of the vehicle 7, the user inputs the end of use of the vehicle 7 to the parking station's usage management device using the user terminal 3 or a pre-registered user card. When the end of use of the vehicle 7 is input, the usage management device transmits a message to the vehicle management device 10 notifying that the use of the vehicle 7 has ended (not shown). Based on the message, the management unit 19 sets the current status in the vehicle information of the vehicle 7 to "parked".

[0089] In this embodiment, when input is received to start using vehicle 7, the usage management device also transmits a message to the vehicle-mounted device 30 notifying that use of vehicle 7 has started, and when input is received to end using vehicle 7, the usage management device also transmits a message to the vehicle-mounted device 30 notifying that use of vehicle 7 has ended (not shown).

[0090] When the in-vehicle device 30 receives a message from the usage management device notifying that the usage of the vehicle 7 has ended, it transmits the setting information used for adjusting the in-vehicle environment to the vehicle management device 10 (step S15). Specifically, the control unit 35 instructs the transmission unit 33 to link the setting information used for adjusting the in-vehicle environment of the vehicle 7 to the vehicle ID of the vehicle 7 and transmit it to the vehicle management device 10.

[0091] When the vehicle management device 10 receives the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment, it stores the received setting information (step S17). Specifically, when the receiver 11 receives the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment, the management unit 19 reads the user ID of the user who most recently reserved the vehicle 7 from the vehicle information of the vehicle 7 to which the vehicle ID linked to the received setting information is assigned. When the management unit 19 reads the user ID, it links the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment to the user ID and stores it.

[0092] [Transmission decision process] Next, an example of the operation of the transmission determination process executed by the vehicle management device 10 in step S9 of Fig. 8 will be described. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the transmission determination process. As shown in Fig. 9, the determination unit 21 checks the status of the vehicle 7 secured by the management unit 19 (step S31). Specifically, the determination unit 21 reads the reservation status and current status of the vehicle 7 from the vehicle information of the vehicle 7 updated by the management unit 19.

[0093] The determination unit 21 determines whether or not to transmit the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 to the vehicle 7 based on the reservation status and current status of the vehicle 7 (step S33). Specifically, the determination unit 21 determines that the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 should be transmitted to the vehicle 7 when the above-mentioned two conditions are satisfied based on the reservation status and current status of the vehicle 7. On the other hand, the determination unit 21 determines that the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 should not be transmitted to the vehicle when at least one of the above-mentioned two conditions is not satisfied.

[0094] When it is determined in step S33 that the setting information is not to be transmitted, the determination unit 21 temporarily stores the setting information in the storage unit 17 (step S35). After temporarily storing the setting information in the storage unit 17, the determination unit 21 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the setting information is not to be transmitted (step S37).

[0095] When the determination unit 21 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S37 after a predetermined interval, and determines again whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, when the determination unit 21 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step S33, and determines again whether or not to transmit the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 to the vehicle 7, based on the reservation status and current status of the vehicle 7.

[0096] If the judgment unit 21 judges in step S33 that the setting information is to be transmitted, the generation unit 23 generates timing information that specifies the timing at which the vehicle 7 starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information (step S39), and terminates the transmission judgment process.

[0097] [Actions and Effects] According to this embodiment, the vehicle management device 10 includes a receiving unit 11, a transmitting unit 13, a management unit 19, a determination unit 21, and a generation unit 23. The receiving unit 11 receives reservation information for the vehicle 7 and setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment of the vehicle 7 from the user terminal 3. The management unit 19 reserves the vehicle 7 based on the reservation information for the vehicle 7.

[0098] The determination unit 21 determines whether or not to transmit the setting information to the vehicle 7 based on the state of the secured vehicle 7. When the determination unit 21 determines to transmit the setting information, the generation unit 23 generates timing information that specifies the timing at which the vehicle 7 starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information. When the generation unit 23 generates the timing information, the transmission unit 13 transmits an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the vehicle 7.

[0099] With this configuration, the vehicle 7 can adjust the in-vehicle environment to suit the user by the time the user starts using the reserved vehicle 7. Therefore, the user can use the vehicle 7 in an in-vehicle environment suitable for the user when the user starts using the reserved vehicle 7. This can improve the comfort and convenience of the user in the car sharing system.

[0100] According to this embodiment, the vehicle management device 10 further includes a storage unit 17 that temporarily stores the setting information when the determination unit 21 determines not to transmit the setting information. After a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when it was determined not to transmit the setting information, the determination unit 21 again determines whether or not to transmit the setting information to the vehicle 7 based on the state of the secured vehicle 7.

[0101] With this configuration, when the reserved vehicle 7 becomes in a suitable state to start adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information, the vehicle management device 10 transmits the setting information to the vehicle 7. Therefore, the vehicle 7 can reliably adjust the in-vehicle environment to one suitable for the user based on the setting information.

[0102] According to this embodiment, the judgment unit 21 judges that the setting information should be sent if the reserved vehicle 7 is not being used by another user and has not been reserved by another user by the time reserved by the user.

[0103] With this configuration, the vehicle management device 10 transmits setting information to the vehicle 7 during a period when the vehicle 7 is not being used by other users until the start time of the vehicle 7 reserved by the user. Therefore, the vehicle 7 can reliably adjust the in-vehicle environment to suit the user based on the setting information of the user while avoiding interference with the setting information of other users.

[0104] According to this embodiment, when the user finishes using the vehicle 7, the receiving unit 11 receives the setting information used for adjusting the in-vehicle environment from the vehicle 7. The storage unit 17 stores the setting information used for adjusting the in-vehicle environment in association with the user's identification information.

[0105] With this configuration, the vehicle management device 10 can present, to the user terminal, setting information previously set by the user when the user reserves the vehicle 7. This can simplify the input of setting information, thereby reducing the burden on the user when reserving the vehicle 7.

[0106] According to this embodiment, the vehicle management method is executed by a computer. The vehicle management method receives reservation information for the vehicle 7 and setting information used to adjust the interior environment of the vehicle 7 from the user terminal 3. The vehicle management method reserves the vehicle 7 based on the reservation information.

[0107] The vehicle management method determines whether or not to transmit setting information to the vehicle 7 based on the state of the secured vehicle 7. When the vehicle management method determines to transmit the setting information, it generates timing information that specifies the timing at which the vehicle 7 starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information. After generating the timing information, the vehicle management method transmits an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the vehicle 7.

[0108] With this configuration, the vehicle 7 can adjust the in-vehicle environment to be suitable for the user by the time the user starts using the reserved vehicle 7. Therefore, the user can use the vehicle 7 in an in-vehicle environment suitable for the user at the time the user starts using the reserved vehicle 7.

[0109] According to this embodiment, the vehicle management system 1 manages vehicles in car sharing and includes an on-board device 30 mounted on a vehicle 7, and a vehicle management device 10. The vehicle management device 10 includes a receiving unit 11, a transmitting unit 13, a management unit 19, a determination unit 21, and a generation unit 23. The receiving unit 11 receives reservation information for the vehicle 7 and setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment of the vehicle 7 from the user terminal 3. The management unit 19 reserves the vehicle 7 based on the reservation information for the vehicle 7.

[0110] The determination unit 21 determines whether or not to transmit setting information to the in-vehicle device 30 based on the state of the secured vehicle 7. When the determination unit 21 determines to transmit the setting information, the generation unit 23 generates timing information that specifies the timing at which the in-vehicle device 30 starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information. When the generation unit 23 generates the timing information, the transmission unit 13 transmits an adjustment instruction including the setting information and the timing information to the in-vehicle device 30.

[0111] With this configuration, the in-vehicle device 30 can adjust the in-vehicle environment to be suitable for the user by the time the user starts using the reserved vehicle 7. Therefore, the user can use the vehicle 7 in an in-vehicle environment suitable for the user at the time the user starts using the reserved vehicle 7.

[0112] [First Modification] In the above-described embodiment, each vehicle belongs to one parking station in the vehicle management system 1, but this is not limited thereto. Each vehicle may belong to multiple parking stations in the vehicle management system 1. This eliminates the need for the user to return the vehicle, at the end of using the vehicle, to the parking station where the vehicle was parked at the beginning of use.

[0113] 10 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle information according to this modification, in which the management unit 19 manages vehicle rental reservations using vehicle information as shown in FIG.

[0114] 10, vehicle information is set for each vehicle, and the vehicle ID is associated with the reservation status, user ID, and current status. The vehicle ID, user ID, and current status in this modification are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0115] The reservation status records the time period (start time and end time) during which the user reserves the vehicle, the location of the vehicle when use begins (start location of use), and the location of the vehicle when use ends (end location of use). In this modified example, the station ID assigned to the parking station from which the vehicle is rented out when use begins is recorded as the start location of use, and the station ID assigned to the parking station to which the vehicle is returned when use ends is recorded as the end location of use.

[0116] The linking of the vehicle ID, reservation status, and user ID indicates that a vehicle assigned with a vehicle ID has been reserved by a user assigned with a user ID during the time period recorded in the reservation status, and that the user will start using the vehicle at the parking station recorded as the start location of use and will end using the vehicle at the parking station recorded as the end location of use.

[0117] 10 shows an example of vehicle information for vehicle 7. Vehicle 7 is assigned a vehicle ID of "C001." The current status of vehicle 7 is "in use," meaning that vehicle 7 has been rented out and is being used by a user.

[0118] The reservation status of vehicle 7 shows that a user with a user ID of "U002" has reserved vehicle 7 from 9:00 to 12:00 on April 1. The user starts using the vehicle at a parking station with a station ID of "S002" and ends using the vehicle at a parking station with a station ID of "S005."

[0119] A user with a user ID of "U005" reserves vehicle 7 from 13:00 to 14:00 on April 1. The user starts using the vehicle at a parking station with a station ID of "S005" and ends using the vehicle at a parking station with a station ID of "S002."

[0120] A user with the user ID "U001" reserves vehicle 7 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on April 1. The user starts using the vehicle at a parking station with the station ID "S002" and ends using the vehicle at a parking station with the station ID "S009."

[0121] The management unit 19 secures the reserved vehicle and updates the vehicle information of the vehicle using the reservation information received by the receiving unit 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of reservation information according to this modified example. As shown in Fig. 11, the reservation information is set for each user, and the vehicle ID, the time period for reserving the vehicle (start time and end time), the location of the vehicle at the start of use (use start location), and the location of the vehicle at the end of use (use end location) are linked to the user ID.

[0122] 11 shows an example of reservation information in which a user reserves a vehicle 7 from among vehicles available at a desired date and time via the user terminal 3. When reserving a vehicle 7, the user inputs into the user terminal 3 the user ID given to the user, the vehicle ID of the vehicle 7, the time period (start time and end time) for reserving the vehicle 7, the location of the vehicle 7 at the start of use (use start location), and the location of the vehicle 7 at the end of use (use end location).

[0123] Specifically, the user inputs a user ID "U001", a vehicle ID "C001", a start time "April 1st 15:00", an end time "April 1st 18:00", a start location "S002", and an end location "S009" into a vehicle reservation screen displayed on the user terminal 3. Based on the input information, the user terminal 3 links the vehicle ID, start time, end time, start location, and end location to the user ID, generates reservation information, and transmits it to the vehicle management device 10.

[0124] When the management unit 19 receives the reservation information from the user terminal 3, it refers to the vehicle ID "C001" included in the reservation information and acquires the vehicle information of the vehicle 7 from the storage unit 17. When the management unit 19 acquires the vehicle information of the vehicle 7, it registers the user ID "U001", the start time "April 1st 15:00", the end time "April 1st 18:00", the start location of use "S002", and the end location of use "S009" included in the reservation information in the vehicle information of the vehicle 7, and secures the reserved vehicle 7 (see FIG. 10).

[0125] [Second modified example] In the first modified example described above, the vehicle management device 10 does not manage the remaining battery charge of each vehicle, but this is not limiting. The vehicle management device 10 may manage the remaining battery charge of each vehicle. In this modified example, when the user has finished using the vehicle, the user does not need to return the vehicle to the parking station where the vehicle was parked when the user started using the vehicle. Therefore, when the remaining battery charge of the reserved vehicle is insufficient, the user can switch to another vehicle while the vehicle is in use.

[0126] 12 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle information according to this modified example, in which the management unit 19 manages vehicle rental reservations using vehicle information as shown in FIG.

[0127] 12, vehicle information is set for each vehicle, and the vehicle ID is associated with the reservation status, user ID, current status, and current battery level. The vehicle ID, reservation status, user ID, and current status in this modification are the same as those in the first modification, and therefore will not be described.

[0128] The current remaining battery charge indicates the current remaining battery charge of the vehicle. In this modification, an on-board device mounted on the vehicle periodically acquires the remaining battery charge of the vehicle and transmits the acquired remaining battery charge to the vehicle management device 10. When the receiving unit 11 in the vehicle management device 10 receives the remaining battery charge of the vehicle, the management unit 19 rewrites the current remaining battery charge in the vehicle information of the vehicle to the received remaining battery charge, thereby updating the vehicle information of the vehicle.

[0129] 12 shows an example of vehicle information about a vehicle 7. The current remaining battery charge of the vehicle 7 is 20%.

[0130] Next, a description will be given of an operation example of vehicle exchange processing in the vehicle management device 10. In this operation example, a user assigned with a user ID "U001" reserves a vehicle 7 to move from a usage start position "S002" to a destination X, complete some business at the destination X, and return from the destination X to a usage end position "S009" (see FIG. 12).

[0131] Here, a parking station with station ID "S003" exists on the route from the usage start position "S002" to the usage end position "S009" via the destination X. In addition, the parking station with station ID "S003" has sufficient battery power to travel the route, and another reservable vehicle with vehicle ID "C003" is parked there. Vehicle 7 also belongs to this parking station.

[0132] In this modification, a navigation system and a display are connected to the external interface of the vehicle-mounted device 30.

[0133] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of a vehicle exchange process. When a user starts using the vehicle 7 at a use start position "S002" and inputs a destination X into the navigation system, the vehicle-mounted device 30 transmits the input location information of the destination X to the vehicle management device 10.

[0134] 13, in the vehicle management device 10, the receiver 11 receives location information of destination X (step S51). The determiner 21 refers to the vehicle information of the vehicle 7 and determines whether the current remaining battery charge in the vehicle 7 is sufficient for the vehicle 7 to move from the usage start position "S002" to the usage end position "S009" via the destination X (step S53).

[0135] If the determination unit 21 determines that the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 7 is sufficient, the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination unit 21 determines that the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 7 is not sufficient, the management unit 19 acquires other vehicles that are parked in the parking station with the station ID "S003", have sufficient battery charge, and can be reserved (step S55). The other acquired vehicles are assigned the vehicle ID "C003".

[0136] When the management unit 19 acquires other vehicles that can be reserved, the control unit 15 instructs the transmission unit 13 to transmit information about the other vehicles to the vehicle-mounted device 30 along with a message notifying that the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 7 is insufficient (step S57).

[0137] The in-vehicle device 30 displays on the display the message transmitted from the vehicle management device 10 notifying that the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 7 is insufficient, together with information on other vehicles that can be reserved. The user recognizes that the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 7 is insufficient and reserves another vehicle. This allows the user to switch from the vehicle 7 to the other vehicle at the parking station assigned the station ID "S003".

[0138] When the receiving unit 11 receives the reservation information of another vehicle (step S59), the management unit 19 updates the vehicle information of the other vehicle and reserves the other vehicle (step S61). The management unit 19 rewrites the usage end position "S009" linked to the user ID "U001" in the reservation status of the vehicle information of the vehicle 7 to "S003".

[0139] In the vehicle-mounted device 30, when a user reserves another vehicle, the control unit 35 instructs the transmission unit 33 to link the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment to the vehicle ID of the vehicle 7 and transmit it to the vehicle management device 10.

[0140] In the vehicle management device 10, when the receiving unit 11 receives the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment (step S63), the generating unit 23 generates timing information that specifies the timing at which other vehicles will start adjusting their in-vehicle environments based on the setting information (step S65).

[0141] When the generating unit 23 generates the timing information, the control unit 15 instructs the transmitting unit 13 to transmit an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the vehicle-mounted device 30 (step S67).

[0142] The in-vehicle device of the other vehicle starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information at the timing specified by the timing information, and finishes adjusting the in-vehicle environment by the start time when the user starts using the other vehicle. This allows the user to use vehicle 7 in an in-vehicle environment that is suitable for the user when transferring to another vehicle.

[0143] When the user finishes using the other vehicle, the in-vehicle device of the other vehicle transmits the setting information used for adjusting the in-vehicle environment to the vehicle management device 10.

[0144] According to this modification, in the vehicle management device 10, when the user transfers to another vehicle while using the vehicle 7, the receiving unit 11 receives setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment from the vehicle 7. The generating unit 23 generates timing information that specifies the timing at which the other vehicle starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information. When the generating unit 23 generates the timing information, the transmitting unit 13 transmits the setting information and an adjustment instruction including the timing information to the other vehicle.

[0145] With this configuration, even if the user changes from vehicle 7 to another vehicle during the use of vehicle 7, the other vehicle can adjust its in-vehicle environment to suit the user by the time the user starts using the other vehicle that he or she has reserved. Therefore, even if the user changes from vehicle 7 to another vehicle, the user can use the other vehicle in an in-vehicle environment suitable for the user.

[0146] [Third Modification] In the above-described embodiment, each vehicle managed by the vehicle management system 1 is an electric vehicle, but may be a rechargeable electric vehicle. Examples of rechargeable electric vehicles include a battery electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

[0147] In the embodiment described above, in step S33 of the transmission determination process shown in Fig. 9, the determination unit 21 determines whether or not to transmit the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 to the vehicle 7 based on the reservation status and current status of the vehicle 7. On the other hand, in this modified example, the determination unit 21 determines whether or not to transmit the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 to the vehicle 7 based on the reservation status, current status, and current connection status of the vehicle.

[0148] In this modification, vehicle information is set for each vehicle, and the vehicle ID is associated with the reservation status, user ID, current status, current battery remaining amount, and current connection status. The vehicle ID, reservation status, user ID, current status, and current battery remaining amount in this modification are the same as the vehicle ID, reservation status, user ID, current status, and current battery remaining amount in the second modification described above, so the description will be omitted.

[0149] The current connection status indicates whether or not the vehicle is connected to a charging device. In this modified example, an on-board device mounted on the vehicle periodically detects whether or not the vehicle is connected to a charging device, and transmits the detection result to the vehicle management device 10. When the receiving unit 11 in the vehicle management device 10 receives the detection result, the management unit 19 sets the current connection status to "connected" or "not connected" based on the received detection result, and updates the vehicle information of the vehicle.

[0150] In this modification, the determination unit 21 determines whether or not to transmit the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 to the vehicle 7, based on the vehicle reservation status, current status, and current connection status. Specifically, based on the reservation status and current status of the vehicle, if the two conditions described in the above-mentioned embodiment are satisfied, the judgment unit 21 further judges whether the current connection status of the vehicle is “connected” or “not connected”.

[0151] When the current connection status of the vehicle is "connected", the determination unit 21 determines that the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 should be transmitted to the vehicle. This enables the vehicle to adjust the in-vehicle environment by using the power source of the charging device.

[0152] On the other hand, when the current connection status of the vehicle is "not connected", if the current remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the determination unit 21 determines that the setting information received by the receiving unit 11 should be transmitted to the vehicle. This makes it possible to avoid in advance a situation in which the vehicle is unable to adjust the in-vehicle environment due to insufficient remaining battery charge.

[0153] [Other variations] In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the vehicle information includes the reservation status and the user ID, but is not limited to this. As the vehicle information, only the station ID and the current status may be linked to the vehicle ID. In this case, the storage unit 17 separately stores reservation management information in which the reservation status and the user ID are linked to the vehicle ID.

[0154] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 1 Vehicle management system 3. User terminal 7. Vehicles 10 Vehicle management device 11 Receiving section 13 Transmitter 17 Memory section 19 Management Department 21 Judgment section 23 Generation part 30 Vehicle-mounted device

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives vehicle reservation information and setting information used to adjust an interior environment of the vehicle from a user terminal; a management unit that reserves the vehicle based on the reservation information; a determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit the setting information to the vehicle based on the secured state of the vehicle; a generation unit that generates timing information specifying a timing at which the vehicle starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information when the determination unit determines that the setting information is to be transmitted; a transmission unit that transmits, when the generation unit generates the timing information, an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the vehicle; A vehicle management device comprising:

2. a storage unit that temporarily stores the setting information when the determination unit determines that the setting information should not be transmitted; The vehicle management device of claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not to send the setting information to the vehicle again based on the state of the secured vehicle after a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination was made not to send the setting information.

3. A vehicle management device as described in claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the setting information is to be sent if the reserved vehicle is not being used by another user and has not been reserved by another user by the time reserved by the user.

4. Further comprising a storage unit, When the user finishes using the vehicle, the receiving unit receives, from the vehicle, setting information used for adjusting the in-vehicle environment; The vehicle management device according to claim 1 , wherein the storage unit stores the setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment in association with identification information of the user.

5. When the user transfers to another vehicle during use of the vehicle, the receiving unit receives setting information used to adjust the in-vehicle environment from the vehicle, the generation unit generates timing information that specifies a timing at which the other vehicle starts adjusting an in-vehicle environment based on the setting information; The vehicle management device according to claim 1 , wherein when the generation unit generates the timing information, the transmission unit transmits an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the other vehicle.

6. 1. A computer-implemented vehicle management method, comprising: receiving vehicle reservation information and setting information used to adjust an interior environment of the vehicle from a user terminal; Securing the vehicle based on the reservation information; determining whether to transmit the setting information to the vehicle based on the secured state of the vehicle; When it is determined that the setting information is to be transmitted, timing information is generated that specifies a timing at which the vehicle starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information; When the timing information is generated, an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information is transmitted to the vehicle.

7. A vehicle management system for managing vehicles in a car sharing system, An on-board device mounted on the vehicle; A vehicle management device; Equipped with The vehicle management device includes: a receiving unit that receives reservation information for the vehicle and setting information used to adjust an in-vehicle environment of the vehicle from a user terminal; a management unit that reserves the vehicle based on the reservation information; a determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit the setting information to the vehicle-mounted device based on the confirmed state of the vehicle; a generation unit that generates timing information specifying a timing at which the in-vehicle device starts adjusting the in-vehicle environment based on the setting information when the determination unit determines that the setting information is to be transmitted; a transmission unit that transmits, when the generation unit generates the timing information, an adjustment instruction including the timing information and the setting information to the vehicle-mounted device; A vehicle management system comprising:

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