Information processing device and vehicle

Abstract

To selectively enable a vehicle function on demand.SOLUTION: An information processing device 20 includes: a communication unit that communicates with a vehicle 30; and a control unit that obtains reservation information including both a schedule on which a user U1 uses the vehicle 30 and a service option which is selected as a function that the user U1 desires to use in the vehicle 30; creates service activate information, on the basis of the obtained reservation information, that enables the function which is selected as a service option from among one or more functions included in the vehicle 30 by downloading to the vehicle 30; and transmits the created service activate information to the vehicle 30 via a communication unit according to the schedule.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a payment system using electronic money to use car sharing, which outputs information obtained by comparing the fee for extending the car sharing period for lending a vehicle with the balance of electronic money registered as a payment method for car sharing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-189776 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Rental car services and car sharing services in which a car is shared among multiple users are becoming popular. In car sharing services, the rental and shared car usage fees are generally set uniformly depending on the class of the car and the period of use of the vehicle. For example, the payment system described in Patent Document 1 describes a fee system in which the car sharing usage fee is a distance fee according to the distance plus an hourly fee according to the time.

[0005] In recent years, the functions available in vehicles have become more diverse and sophisticated. It is expected that each user of a one-time-use vehicle, which is used by an unspecified number of users in a rental car service, a car sharing service, or the like, would like to select a function that meets his / her needs from the functions and use it on demand.

[0006] The technology described in Patent Document 1 does not aim to selectively enable vehicle functions on demand.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to allow vehicle features to be selectively enabled on demand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The information processing device according to the present disclosure includes: A communication unit that communicates with a vehicle; acquiring reservation information including a schedule for a user to use the vehicle and a service option selected by the user as a function that the user desires to use in the vehicle, and creating service activation information based on the acquired reservation information, which is downloaded to the vehicle to activate a function selected as the service option among one or more functions provided in the vehicle; a control unit that transmits the created service activation information to the vehicle via the communication unit in accordance with the schedule; Equipped with. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, vehicle features can be selectively enabled on demand. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0013] The configuration of an information processing system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] The information processing system 10 includes at least one information processing device 20, at least one vehicle 30, and a terminal device 40 of a user U1. Note that there may be a plurality of each of the information processing devices 20, the vehicles 30, and the terminal devices 40.

[0015] The information processing device 20 is capable of communicating with the vehicle 30 and the terminal device 40 via a network 50 .

[0016] The information processing device 20 is installed in a facility such as a data center, etc. The information processing device 20 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system.

[0017] The vehicle 30 may be any type of automobile, such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen 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.

[0018] In this embodiment, the terminal device 40 is held by a user U1. The terminal device 40 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, or a general-purpose terminal such as a PC. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer.

[0019] Network 50 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or a combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 50 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. A wireless network may be, for example, an ad-hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0020] The present embodiment will be outlined with reference to FIG.

[0021] In this embodiment, the vehicle 30 is a so-called one-time use vehicle, such as a rental car or a shared car. The term "one-time use vehicle" means that one or more users use the vehicle on different schedules that do not overlap with each other. The vehicle 30 may be a vehicle selected from a plurality of vehicles. The one or more users make a reservation by designating a schedule SH including the date and / or period when the user wishes to use the vehicle 30. The one or more users include a user U1. For example, when the user U1 designates the schedule SH1 and reserves the vehicle 30, the vehicle 30 will be used by the user U1 during the period P1 of the schedule SH1.

[0022] In this embodiment, the vehicle 30 has one or more functions F that can be used by each user while riding in the vehicle 30. The functions F include those that are pre-installed in the vehicle 30 as application programs and become available by activating the application programs. Hardware required for using the functions F is installed in the vehicle 30 in advance. Examples of such functions F include, but are not limited to, a car navigation function, an electronic toll collection function such as ETC (registered trademark), a stop safety function, an accident response function such as a drive recorder, a parking lot search function, a voice dialogue function, and a tourist information function.

[0023] In this embodiment, a user U1 who wishes to reserve a vehicle 30 accesses an arbitrary reservation system via a terminal device 40. The user U1 logs in by inputting login information such as a user ID1 and a password into the reservation system. "ID" is an abbreviation of identifier. The user U1 inputs reservation information D1, including a schedule SH1 such as a period P1 during which the user wishes to use the vehicle 30 and a service option OP selected as a function f1 that the user wishes to use in the vehicle 30, into the reservation system using the terminal device 40. In this embodiment, the reservation system is built on a reservation platform operated by a rental car company or a shared car company. The reservation system may be built on a reservation platform operated by a reservation management company.

[0024] In the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the information processing device 20 accesses a reservation platform and acquires reservation information D1. The reservation information D1 includes a schedule SH1 in which the user U1 uses the vehicle 30 and information indicating a service option OP selected as a function f1 that the user U1 desires to use in the vehicle 30. The reservation information D1 may include information indicating a user ID1 of the user U1. The information processing device 20 creates service activation information D2 based on the acquired reservation information D1. The service activation information D2 is information that is downloaded to the vehicle 30 to activate a function f1 selected as a service option OP among one or more functions F provided in the vehicle 30. The information processing device 20 transmits the created service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30 in accordance with the schedule SH1. When the vehicle 30 receives the service activation information D2 transmitted from the information processing device 20, the vehicle 30 activates the function f1 selected as a service option OP indicated in the service activation information D2 among one or more functions F. The information processing device 20 calculates the fee for each function f1 that is enabled in the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of the schedule SH1, and notifies the user U1 of the total of the calculated fees.

[0025] According to this embodiment, when a user U1 who is trying to reserve a vehicle 30 selects a function f1 that the user U1 wishes to use when using the vehicle 30 as a service option OP among the functions F, service activation information D2 is transmitted to the vehicle 30 in accordance with a schedule SH1 in which the user U1 uses the vehicle 30. Then, the function f1 is enabled in the vehicle 30. Thus, among the functions F provided in the vehicle 30, the function f1 required by the user U1 is selectively enabled on demand. Then, the user U1 obtains a right to use the enabled function f1. That is, according to this embodiment, a function required by the user can be enabled for only the required time. Furthermore, by calculating a fee for each enabled function and notifying the user of the total calculated fee, the user is not charged a usage fee for an unnecessary function, and therefore can use the service at a reasonable price. That is, according to this embodiment, a detailed service can be provided according to user on demand.

[0026] The configuration of the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0027] The information processing device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0028] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 20 while controlling each part of the information processing device 20.

[0029] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used in the operation of the information processing device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 20. In this embodiment, the storage unit 22 may store history information D3. The history information D3 will be described later.

[0030] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 23 receives data used in the operation of the information processing device 20, and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 20. In this embodiment, the communication unit 23 communicates with the vehicle 30. The communication unit 23 also communicates with the terminal device 40.

[0031] The functions of the information processing device 20 are realized by executing an information processing program according to this embodiment in a processor serving as the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the information processing device 20 are realized by software. The information processing program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 20. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 20 by executing the operations of the information processing device 20 in accordance with the information processing program.

[0032] The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The program may be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as an SD card, DVD, or CD-ROM on which the program is stored. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program may be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transferring the program from the server to another computer. The program may be provided as a program product.

[0033] A computer temporarily stores a program stored in a portable medium or 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 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 command to a computer but has the property of defining computer processing falls under " equivalent to a program.

[0034] A part or all of the functions of the information processing device 20 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the information processing device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0035] The configuration of a vehicle 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0036] The vehicle 30 includes a vehicle control unit 31, a vehicle memory unit 32, a vehicle communication unit 33, and a function F.

[0037] The vehicle control unit 31 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. The vehicle control unit 31 executes processes related to the operation of the vehicle 30 while controlling each functional component of the vehicle 30.

[0038] The vehicle storage unit 32 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of 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 vehicle storage unit 32 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The vehicle storage unit 32 stores data used in the operation of the vehicle 30 and data obtained by the operation of the vehicle 30. In this embodiment, the vehicle storage unit 32 may store service activation information D2 downloaded from the information processing device 20.

[0039] The vehicle communication unit 33 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The vehicle communication unit 33 receives data used in the operation of the vehicle 30 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the vehicle 30.

[0040] Furthermore, the vehicle 30 is configured with pre-installed hardware and / or pre-installed application programs and has a function F available to the user. In this embodiment, the function F can be enabled to provide a service option OP to the user. Examples of such a function F include, but are not limited to, a car navigation function, an electronic toll collection function such as ETC (registered trademark), a stop safety function, an accident response function such as a drive recorder, a parking lot search function, a voice dialogue function, and a tourist information function.

[0041] The operation of the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. This operation corresponds to the information processing method according to the present embodiment.

[0042] Assume that a user U1 who wishes to use the vehicle 30 has made a reservation for the vehicle 30. The reservation for the vehicle 30 may be made by any procedure. For example, the user U1 logs into the reservation system by inputting a user ID1 and a password that identify the user U1 via the terminal device 40, and makes a reservation for the vehicle 30. The user U1 inputs a period P1 as a schedule SH1 for which the user U1 wishes to use the vehicle 30 into the terminal device 40, selects a function f1 that the user U1 wishes to use in the vehicle 30, and inputs the selected function f1 as a service option OP. The input of the period P1 can be, for example, input in units of hours or days, although this is not limited thereto. The terminal device 40 transmits information indicating the period P1 as the schedule SH1 and the function f1 as the service option OP input by the user U1 to the reservation system as reservation information D1. The reservation system receives the reservation information D1 and stores it in the storage of the reservation system.

[0043] In S101, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires reservation information D1. Specifically, the control unit 21 communicates with a reservation system. The reservation information D1 is transmitted from the reservation system to the information processing device 20. The control unit 21 receives the reservation information D1 transmitted from the reservation system via the communication unit 23. The reservation information D1 includes information indicating a period P1 during which the user U1 uses the vehicle 30 as a schedule SH1 and information indicating a function f1 selected by the user U1 as a service option OP. The reservation information D1 may include information indicating a user ID1 of the user U1 or an attribute T1 of the user U1.

[0044] In S102, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 creates service activation information D2 based on the reservation information D1 acquired in S101. In this embodiment, the service activation information D2 is information for activating a function f indicated as a service option OP among one or more functions F in the vehicle 30. The function f indicated as a service option OP may include an additional function f2 described below in addition to the function f1 selected by the user U1. When the service activation information D2 is downloaded to the vehicle 30, the function f selected as the service option OP among one or more functions F provided in the vehicle 30 is activated and becomes available to the user U1.

[0045] As a modified example of this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may select an additional function f2 recommended to the user U1 as a candidate for the function f to be enabled in the service activation information D2, in addition to the function f1 selected as the service option OP by the user U1. Then, the control unit 21 may transmit a notification N1 recommending the use of the selected additional function f2 to the terminal device 40 of the user U1 via the communication unit 23. Specifically, the control unit 21 may further perform the following processes of S103 and S104.

[0046] In S103, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 selects an additional function f2 to be recommended to the user U1. The additional function f2 may be selected arbitrarily, but is selected, for example, in the following procedure.

[0047] As one procedure for selecting the additional function f2, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 searches and acquires history information D3 indicating the driving record of the user U1 based on the user ID1. The control unit 21 selects the additional function f2 based on the acquired history information D3. As an example, the driving record of the user U1 indicated by the history information D3 includes a record of the type of function used by the user U1 in a vehicle used in the past. The control unit 21 determines the type of function used frequently by the user U1 based on the history information D3, and selects a function other than the function f1 that corresponds to the determined type of function as the additional function f2. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may select, as the additional function f2, a function that is an upgraded function or a high-performance function other than the function f1 among functions of the same type or similar to the function used by the user U1. In this embodiment, the history information D3 is stored in the storage unit 22. The history information D3 may be stored in an external storage and referred to by the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20.

[0048] As another procedure for selecting the additional function f2, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may select the additional function f2 using a trained model M. As the trained model M, for example, a trained model M1 may be used that inputs the user's attribute T and outputs a function that is expected to be of high interest to the user and that the user has not yet used. As an example, the reservation information D1 acquired in S101 includes, for example, the age, gender, and occupation of the user U1 as the attribute T1 of the user U1. The control unit 21 may input the attribute T1 of the user U1 included in the reservation information D1 to the trained model M1, and select the function output from the trained model M1 as the additional function f2 to be recommended to the user U1.

[0049] In S104, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 transmits a notification N1 recommending the use of the additional function f2 selected in S103 to the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23. When the control unit 21 receives a notification indicating the user U1's consent to the use of the additional function f2 as a response R1 from the user U1 to the notification N1, the control unit 21 adds the additional function f2 as a function f to be enabled in the service activation information D2 in addition to the function f1. On the other hand, when the control unit 21 receives a notification indicating the user U1's refusal to use the additional function f2 as the response R1, the control unit 21 does not add the additional function f2 as a function f to be enabled in the service activation information D2.

[0050] According to this modification, in addition to the function selected by the user, it is possible to recommend additional functions that are of high interest to the user or that are determined to be useful to the user. This makes it possible to broaden the range of service options that can be provided to the user. In other words, it is possible to increase the opportunities for the user to use more functions, thereby improving the quality of the service.

[0051] In S105, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 judges whether the period P1 of the schedule SH1 indicated by the reservation information D1 has started. If it is judged that the period P1 has started, the process of S106 is performed. If it is judged that the period P1 has not started, the process of S105 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0052] In S106, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 transmits the created service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23. The service activation information D2 may be transmitted at any timing within the period P1 of the schedule SH1. For example, when the control unit 21 detects that the vehicle 30 has been started within the period P1 after the start of the period P1 of the schedule SH1, it transmits the service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30.

[0053] In S107, when the vehicle control unit 31 of the vehicle 30 receives the service activation information D2 transmitted from the information processing device 20 via the vehicle communication unit 33, it performs control to activate the function F of the vehicle 30. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 31 downloads the received service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30. As a result, among the functions F of the vehicle 30, the function f that provides the service option OP indicated in the service activation information D2 is activated.

[0054] In this way, the information processing device 20 acquires reservation information D1 including a schedule SH1 in which the user U1 uses the vehicle 30 and a service option OP selected as a function f1 that the user U1 desires to use in the vehicle 30. The information processing device 20 creates service activation information D2 based on the acquired reservation information D1. By downloading the service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30, a function f selected as a service option OP among one or more functions F provided in the vehicle 30 is activated. In addition to the function f1 selected as a service option OP by the user U1 as a function f to be activated in the vehicle 30, an additional function f2 recommended to the user U1 may be added to the service activation information D2. The information processing device 20 transmits the service activation information D2 created in this way to the vehicle 30 in accordance with the schedule SH1.

[0055] According to this embodiment, when reserving a vehicle, the user can select functions available in the vehicle as service options. Then, the functions in the vehicle are automatically enabled and available in accordance with the reservation schedule. Therefore, functions necessary for the user can be selectively enabled in the vehicle. Furthermore, the user may be able to communicate with the information processing device 20 while in the vehicle and add further functions as service options. In this case, necessary services can be enabled after boarding, so that the user can obtain service usage rights on demand during the vehicle rental period.

[0056] As a modified example of this embodiment, a trial period P2 may be set for the function f of the vehicle 30 that is enabled in S107. The "trial period P2" is a period during which no usage fee is charged for a function that is enabled. The trial period P2 may be set for all of the function f, or may be set for a part of the function f. The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 transmits a notification N2 encouraging continued use of the function ft for which the trial period P2 is set, to the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23, by the end of the trial period P2. Alternatively, the communication unit 23 of the information processing device 20 further communicates with an in-vehicle terminal device mounted on the vehicle 30. Then, the control unit 21 transmits the notification N2 to the in-vehicle terminal device via the communication unit 23 by the end of the trial period P2. Specifically, the following processes of S108 and S109 are performed.

[0057] In S108, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 judges whether the remaining period P2' of the trial period P2 is less than the threshold value TH. The threshold value TH can be any value, but can be set arbitrarily within a range of values ​​such that the time from the current time to the end time of the trial period P2 is within X minutes so that the user U1 knows that the trial period P2 will end soon. If it is judged that the remaining period P2' is less than the threshold value TH, the process of S109 is performed. If it is judged that the remaining period P2' is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH, the process of S108 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0058] In S109, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 transmits a notification N2, which encourages the user to continue using the function ft, to the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23. Alternatively, the communication unit 23 of the information processing device 20 may further communicate with an in-vehicle terminal device mounted on the vehicle 30, and the control unit 21 may transmit the notification N2 to the in-vehicle terminal device via the communication unit 23. The control unit 21 receives, as a response R2 from the user U1 to the notification N2, information indicating a function f' selected by the user U1 among the functions ft as a function that the user U1 wishes to continue using, via the communication unit 23. Based on the received response R2, the control unit 21 performs control to disable functions f'' other than function f' among the functions ft. The user U1 may transmit, as the response R2, information indicating a function that the user U1 does not wish to continue using, that is, a function that the user U1 wishes to disable, as function f''.

[0059] According to this modification, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 transmits a notification N2 encouraging the continued use of the function ft to the terminal device 40 or the in-vehicle terminal device via the communication unit 23 by the end of the trial period P2 set for the function ft. By providing the trial period P2 in this way, the user U1 can try out the function he or she wants to use for free. In addition, before the end of the trial period P2, the user U1 can select a necessary function f' from among the functions ft. After the end of the trial period P2, the function f'' not required by the user U1 is disabled. As a result, the user U1 can continue to use only the function f' that he or she likes for a fee even after the end of the trial period P2. Therefore, the user U1 does not need to pay for the unnecessary function f'' while using the necessary function f' for a fee even after the end of the trial period P2. That is, according to this embodiment, the user can obtain the right to use the necessary service for the necessary time. Therefore, according to this modification, the user can use the vehicle more reasonably.

[0060] In S110, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 judges whether the period P1 of the schedule SH1 has ended. If it is judged that the period P1 has ended, the process of S111 is performed. If it is judged that the period P1 has not ended, the process of S110 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0061] In S111, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 calculates the fee for each function f that was enabled in the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of the schedule SH1. The fee may be calculated by any procedure, but it can be calculated by setting a fee per unit time for each function F equipped in the vehicle 30, and multiplying the fee per unit time set for the function f that was enabled in the period P1 by the time during which the function f was enabled. When the trial period P2 is set for the function f, the control unit 21 calculates the fee for each function f' that was enabled from the end of the trial period P2 until the end of the period P1. Specifically, the control unit 21 calculates the fee by multiplying the fee per unit time set for the function f' by the time during which the function f' was enabled from the end of the trial period P2 until the end of the period P1.

[0062] In S112, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 notifies the user U1 of the total fee calculated in S111. For example, the control unit 21 transmits information indicating the total fee calculated in S111 as the usage fee for the service option OP in addition to the usage fee for the vehicle 30 in the period P1 to the terminal device 40 of the user U1 via the communication unit 23. The control unit 21 may transmit the calculated total fee to an in-vehicle terminal device mounted on the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23.

[0063] According to this embodiment, a fee is calculated for each function enabled in the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of the schedule SH1. Therefore, in a one-time use vehicle, when a request is made to add or remove a function in the vehicle, the requested function is enabled or disabled, and the corresponding change in fee can be reflected in the amount of payment by the user. In other words, the user can disable the necessary service and obtain the right to use the necessary service for the necessary time, which allows for reasonable use. For the business operator, the proposed method has the advantage that the load does not increase because the hardware required for using function F is installed in the vehicle 30 in advance and the service function can be expanded on demand by the user.

[0064] As a modified example of this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may transmit the service activation information D2 after receiving a service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of the schedule SH1. Specifically, in the above-mentioned S105, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may determine whether the period P1 of the schedule SH1 indicated by the reservation information D1 has started, and further determine whether a service activation request RQ has been received from the vehicle 30. The service activation request RQ may be transmitted by any procedure. For example, the service activation request RQ may be transmitted from the vehicle 30 to the information processing device 20, triggered by the start of the vehicle 30. In S105, when the control unit 21 receives the service activation request RQ transmitted from the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23, the process of S106 is performed. The determination of whether a service activation request RQ has been received from the vehicle 30 is repeated until the control unit 21 receives the service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30.

[0065] According to this modification, the period during which function f is enabled in the vehicle 30 and the period P1 during which the vehicle 30 is rented can be managed separately. Therefore, for example, when the usage fee for function f is calculated on a pay-per-use basis according to the length of the period during which function f is enabled, the usage fee can be calculated more accurately.

[0066] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, multiple blocks shown in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing multiple steps shown in the flowchart in chronological order as described, each step may be executed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capacity of the device executing each step, or as necessary. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0067] For example, in S110, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may determine whether a predetermined time has passed since the start of the period P1, instead of determining whether the period P1 of the schedule SH1 has ended. Then, when it is determined that the predetermined time has passed, the fee may be calculated in S111 and notified to the user U1 in S112. In this way, the user U1 can know the progress of the usage fee for function f as the usage status of the service option OP while renting the vehicle 30. Therefore, the user U1 can easily make a usage plan for function f according to the budget. Therefore, convenience is further improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10. Information Processing Systems 20 Information processing device 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 30 Vehicles 31 Vehicle control unit 32 Vehicle memory unit 33 Vehicle Communication Unit 40 Terminal Equipment 50 Network U1 User F Function

Claims

1. A communication unit that communicates with a vehicle; acquiring reservation information including a schedule for a user to use the vehicle and a service option selected by the user as a function that the user desires to use in the vehicle, and creating service activation information based on the acquired reservation information, which is downloaded to the vehicle to activate a function selected as the service option among one or more functions provided in the vehicle; a control unit that transmits the created service activation information to the vehicle via the communication unit in accordance with the schedule; An information processing device comprising:

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

3. The communication unit further communicates with a terminal device of the user; 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects additional functions recommended to the user as candidates for functions to be enabled in the service activation information in addition to the functions selected as service options indicated in the reservation information, and transmits a notification recommending use of the selected additional functions to the terminal device via the communication unit.

4. The above features have a trial period during which no charges will be incurred even if they are enabled. The communication unit further communicates with a terminal device of the user or an in-vehicle terminal device mounted in the vehicle, The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit transmits a notification to the terminal device or the in-vehicle terminal device via the communication unit, the notification prompting continued use of the function, before an end date of the trial period.

5. A vehicle communication unit that communicates with the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; A vehicle control unit that receives the service activation information transmitted from the information processing device via the vehicle communication unit, the vehicle includes one or more pre-installed features that can be enabled to provide the service option; A vehicle, wherein when the vehicle control unit receives the service activation information, the vehicle control unit performs control to activate a function that provides a service option indicated in the service activation information, among the one or more functions.

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