Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To make a more accurate assessment of a vehicle remotely.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes a controller configured to: acquire and accumulate plural types of data collected in a vehicle and correlated to deterioration of the vehicle; generate the relationship between the accumulated plural types of data and the result of an actual assessment of the vehicle corresponding to the plural types of data; and output information on the assessment of a first vehicle according to the plural types of data accumulated for the first vehicle and the relationship.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a technique of reading and analyzing a fault code recorded in an in-vehicle fault diagnosis device of a vehicle to be appraised and reflecting the predicted repair cost in the purchase price (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to perform vehicle appraisal more accurately remotely.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus including a control unit configured to acquire and store a plurality of types of data collected in a vehicle, the plurality of types of data being correlated with deterioration of the vehicle, generate a relationship between the stored plurality of types of data and a result of an actual appraisal of the vehicle corresponding to the plurality of types of data, and output information regarding the appraisal of the first vehicle according to the plurality of types of data stored for the first vehicle and the relationship.

[0006] The present disclosure can also be regarded as an information processing method in which a computer executes the processing of the above information processing apparatus. Further, the present disclosure can also be regarded as an information processing program for causing a computer to execute the above information processing method or a non-transitory storage medium storing the information processing program.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, vehicle appraisal can be performed more accurately remotely.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] When a vehicle user wishes to appraise a vehicle, it is conceivable to perform the appraisal remotely. For example, it is assumed that the appraisal is performed based on an image of the vehicle taken or information obtained by fault diagnosis. However, in some cases, the information obtained by the image or fault diagnosis may not sufficiently represent the state of the vehicle. For example, deterioration in locations where it is difficult for the user to take a picture and deterioration in locations that cannot be diagnosed by fault diagnosis require the appraiser to actually view the vehicle and make a judgment. Also, it is conceivable to acquire GPS information from the vehicle and perform an appraisal based on the places traveled. However, information about the places visited by the user may involve personal information and may be difficult to use. Also, it is conceivable to estimate the usage status of the vehicle by acquiring the age of the vehicle driver, but the age of the driver may also involve personal information and may be difficult to use. There is a risk of including personal information and it may be difficult to use.

[0010] On the other hand, in the information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure, vehicle appraisal is remotely performed using information that does not include personal information. Therefore, the control unit acquires and accumulates a plurality of types of data collected in the vehicle, which are correlated with the deterioration of the vehicle. The plurality of types of data are stored, for example, in the storage unit of the information processing apparatus. The plurality of types of data are data correlated with the deterioration of the vehicle and do not include information for identifying a user, information dependent on the user, or information for identifying the position of the user. For example, it may include at least two of data related to the operation angle of the steering wheel, data related to the moving distance of the accelerator pedal, data related to the moving distance of the brake pedal, and data related to the operating time of the engine. These data may be detected by, for example, sensors mounted on the vehicle. By using at least two pieces of data, the influence received due to disturbances or the like can be reduced.

[0011] The operation angle of the steering wheel may also be the operation amount of the steering wheel. When the steering wheel is turned during vehicle travel, force is applied to the vehicle components, causing the vehicle to deteriorate. Therefore, the operation angle of the steering wheel is correlated with the deterioration of the vehicle. Also, the movement distance of the accelerator pedal may be the amount by which the accelerator pedal is depressed or the movement amount of the accelerator pedal. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, the vehicle accelerates, applying force to the vehicle components and loading the engine, resulting in the progression of vehicle deterioration. Therefore, the movement distance of the accelerator pedal is correlated with the deterioration of the vehicle. Also, the movement distance of the brake pedal may be the amount by which the brake pedal is depressed or the movement amount of the brake pedal. When the brake pedal is depressed, force is applied to the vehicle components, causing the vehicle to deteriorate. Therefore, the movement distance of the brake pedal is correlated with the deterioration of the vehicle. Also, the operating time of the engine may be the time from IG-ON to IG-OFF. It is considered that the vehicle travel distance increases according to the operating time of the engine, and the vehicle deterioration progresses. Also, the deterioration of the engine progresses according to the operating time of the engine. Therefore, the operating time of the engine is correlated with the deterioration of the vehicle. By acquiring and accumulating such multiple types of data, it becomes possible to accumulate data correlated with the deterioration of the vehicle.

[0012] In addition, the control unit generates the relationship between the accumulated plurality of types of data and the actual appraisal results of the vehicle corresponding to the plurality of types of data. For example, when an appraiser actually appraises a vehicle, the correlation with the plurality of types of data accumulated for that vehicle can be obtained. For example, the control unit is a model that uses the accumulated plurality of types of data as input data and the information related to the appraisal of the vehicle as output data, and uses the accumulated plurality of types of data and the data related to the actual appraisal results of the vehicle corresponding to the plurality of types of data as teacher data, and can generate a model that uses the actually accumulated plurality of types of data and the actual deterioration of the vehicle as teacher data. By the control unit generating this model, the control unit can obtain the relationship between the plurality of types of data and the actual appraisal results. As another example, statistical methods can also be used to generate the relationship between the plurality of types of data and the actual appraisal results.

[0013] Then, the control unit outputs information related to the appraisal of the first vehicle according to the plurality of types of data accumulated for the first vehicle and the relationship. For example, by inputting the plurality of types of data accumulated for the first vehicle into the model, information related to the appraisal of the first vehicle is output. The information related to the appraisal of the first vehicle is information representing the value of the first vehicle. The information related to the appraisal of the first vehicle may be, for example, information related to the score or rank when the value of the first vehicle is indicated by a score or rank.

[0014] In this way, by the control unit outputting information related to the appraisal of the first vehicle, it is possible to remotely appraise the vehicle without the appraiser actually appraising the vehicle. In addition, the appraisal can be performed based on data that is not linked to personal information.

[0015] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The hardware configuration, module configuration, functional configuration, etc. described in the following embodiments are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure only to these without special description.

[0016] <Embodiment> Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example of applying the information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure to a system that provides services for a vehicle will be described.

[0017] (System Configuration) FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of system 1 in this embodiment. System 1 in this embodiment is a system that provides services regarding the appraisal of vehicle 10 to a user, and includes vehicle 10, user terminal 100, and server 200. In the example shown in FIG. 1, only one vehicle 10 and one user terminal 100 are illustrated, but a plurality of vehicles 10 and user terminals 100 may be included in system 1.

[0018] User terminal 100 is a terminal used by the user of vehicle 10, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer), etc. In user terminal 100 in this embodiment, a browser application program is installed. User terminal 100 has a processor such as a CPU or a GPU, a storage device such as a RAM and a ROM, an input unit that receives a user's input operation, and a display that presents information to the user. The input unit and the display may be configured as one touch panel display.

[0019] User terminal 100 requests an appraisal of vehicle 10 from server 200 according to the user's input operation. At this time, the vehicle ID, which is the identification information of vehicle 10, and the user ID, which is the identification information of the user, are transmitted to server 200. Then, when user terminal 100 receives information regarding the appraisal from server 200, it is displayed on the display as the result of the appraisal.

[0020] Vehicle 10 includes an ECU 41, which is an electronic control unit, and a sensor group 42. These components are interconnected by a CAN bus, which is a vehicle-mounted network bus.

[0021] The ECU 41 can be configured as a computer having a processor such as a CPU or GPU, a main storage device such as a RAM and a ROM, an auxiliary storage device such as an EPROM, a hard disk drive, or a removable medium, and a communication device which is a wireless communication circuit that communicates with the server 200 via the network N1. The ECU 41 may be a component such as a DCM (Data Communication Module), a head unit, or a car navigation system. It may be.

[0022] The sensor group 42 includes, for example, sensors that detect the state of the vehicle 10 and sensors that detect the driver's operation. The sensor group 42 includes, for example, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an accelerator opening sensor that detects the position of the accelerator pedal, a brake sensor that detects the position of the brake pedal, a steering angle sensor that detects the angle of the steering wheel, an engine speed sensor that detects the rotational speed of the engine, a yaw rate sensor, a wink switch sensor (a sensor that detects the state of the direction indicator switch), a shift position sensor, a position information sensor (GPS sensor), etc. Further, the sensor group 42 may include a sensor that detects that a system such as pre-crash safety has been activated. It may be included.

[0023] The ECU 41 transmits the detection values of the sensor group 42 to the server 200 via the communication device. The detection values of the sensor group 42 may be sequentially transmitted to the server 200 when the vehicle 10 is in the startup state, or may be collectively transmitted to the server 200 for each trip. The ECU 41 transmits the detection values of the sensor group 42 to the server 200 in association with the vehicle ID and the user ID.

[0024] Server 200 is a computer operated by a provider of services for appraising vehicle 10. As an example, the service provider may be an operator who sells or leases vehicle 10 to users, or may be an operator who buys or sells used vehicles. Server 200 can be configured as a computer having a processor such as a CPU or GPU, a main storage device such as RAM and ROM, and an auxiliary storage device such as EPROM, a hard disk drive, or a removable medium. In the auxiliary storage device of server 200, an operating system (OS), various programs, and various tables are stored. The processor of server 200 loads and executes the programs stored in the auxiliary storage device into the staging work area of the main storage device, thereby realizing various functions that meet predetermined purposes as described later. However, some or all of the functions of server 200 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0025] Server 200 in the present embodiment is configured to be able to realize a Web server for interaction with user terminal 100. Server 200 interacts with user terminal 100 through the execution of the Web server, accepts a request for appraising vehicle 10 from the user of vehicle 10, and provides the user with the result of the appraisal. Note that server 200 may provide the above-described services by means other than the Web server. For example, a service that interacts with the dedicated application software installed on user terminal 100 according to a predetermined protocol may be executed on server 200.

[0026] The server 200 that realizes the above-mentioned functions includes a communication unit 210, a control unit 220, and a storage unit 230, as shown in Fig. 1. The storage unit 230 includes a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit. The storage unit 230 stores a vehicle information DB 231 and an appraisal model 232. The vehicle information DB 231 is a database in which data acquired from the vehicle 10 is stored. The appraisal model 232 is a model that outputs data related to the appraisal of the vehicle 10.

[0027] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for connecting the server 200 to the network N1. The communication unit 210 connects to the network N1 via, for example, a LAN or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and communicates with the vehicle 10 and the user terminal 100 via the network N1. The network N1 is, for example, a WAN, which is a global public communication network such as the Internet, or another communication network.

[0028] The control unit 220 is a software module that is realized by the processor of the server 200 executing a program stored in an auxiliary storage device. The control unit 220 interacts with the user terminal 100 through the execution of a web server. In this embodiment, the control unit 220 causes a web page to be displayed on the browser of the user terminal 100. In one example, the web page includes input fields for a user ID and a vehicle ID.

[0029] When the user ID and the vehicle ID are input on the web page, the control unit 220 The control unit 220 generates fixed information. The assessment information is information related to the assessment of the vehicle 10. In generating such assessment information, the control unit 220 extracts vehicle information from the vehicle information DB 231 according to the user ID and vehicle ID input on the web page, and inputs the vehicle information to the assessment model 232. Then, the assessment information is output from the assessment model 232.

[0030] Here, when the control unit 220 receives the detection values of the sensor group 42 from the vehicle 10, it generates vehicle information and stores it in the vehicle information DB 231. The vehicle information is information obtained from the detection values of the sensor group 42 of the vehicle 10, and is information regarding a physical quantity correlated with the deterioration of the vehicle 10. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the table configuration of the vehicle information DB 231 according to the embodiment. The vehicle information DB 231 has fields for vehicle ID, user ID, steering wheel, accelerator, brake, and engine. Records in the vehicle information DB 231 are updated every time the control unit 220 receives the detection values of the sensor group 42 from the vehicle 10.

[0031] In the vehicle ID field, information (vehicle ID) capable of identifying the vehicle 10 is stored. In the user ID field, information (user ID) capable of identifying the user associated with the vehicle 10 is stored. This user ID is associated with the vehicle ID and the user terminal 100.

[0032] In the steering wheel field, information regarding the total operation angle of the steering wheel is input. The total operation angle of the steering wheel is a value obtained by integrating the amount of change in the angle of the steering wheel over a predetermined time. The angle of the steering wheel is obtained by a steering wheel angle sensor. As another example, information regarding the total operation amount of the steering wheel may be input to the steering wheel field. The total operation amount of the steering wheel is the total distance traveled by a predetermined point on the steering wheel. The steering wheel operation amount is calculated based on the rotation angle of the steering wheel and the radius of the steering wheel. The control unit 220 calculates the current operation angle of the steering wheel based on the detection value of the steering wheel angle sensor acquired from the vehicle 10, and adds it to the total operation angle of the steering wheel stored in the steering wheel field of the vehicle information DB 231. By storing this value in the steering wheel field, the steering wheel field is updated. In this way, the control unit 220 stores the total operation amount of the steering wheel from the new vehicle state to the current time in the vehicle information DB 231.

[0033] In the accelerator field, information regarding the total moving distance of the accelerator pedal is input. The total moving distance of the accelerator pedal is a value obtained by integrating the amount of change in the position of the accelerator pedal over a predetermined time. The position of the accelerator pedal is obtained by an accelerator opening sensor. The control unit 220 calculates the current moving distance of the accelerator pedal based on the detection value of the accelerator opening sensor acquired from the vehicle 10, and adds it to the total moving distance of the accelerator pedal stored in the accelerator field of the vehicle information DB 231. By storing this value in the accelerator field, the accelerator field is updated. In this way, the control unit 220 stores in the vehicle information DB 231 the total moving distance of the accelerator pedal from the new vehicle state to the current time point.

[0034] In the brake field, information regarding the total moving distance of the brake pedal is input. The total moving distance of the brake pedal is a value obtained by integrating the amount of change in the position of the brake pedal over a predetermined time. The position of the brake pedal is obtained by a brake sensor. The control unit 220 calculates the current moving distance of the brake pedal based on the detection value of the brake sensor acquired from the vehicle 10, and adds it to the total moving distance of the brake pedal stored in the brake field of the vehicle information DB 231. By storing this value in the brake field, the brake field is updated. In this way, the control unit 220 stores in the vehicle information DB 231 the total moving distance of the brake pedal from the new vehicle state to the current time point.

[0035] In the engine field, information regarding the total operating time of the engine since new in the vehicle 10 is input. The total operating time of the engine is, for example, from IG-ON to IG-OFF It may be the integrated time at [a certain point], or it may be the integrated time when the engine rotation speed detected by the engine rotation speed sensor is higher than 0. In the case of the vehicle 10 driven by an electric motor, information regarding the total operating time of the electric motor may be input to the engine field. For example, the control unit 220 calculates the current engine operating time based on the detection value of the engine rotation speed sensor acquired from the vehicle 10 and adds it to the total of the engine operating time stored in the engine field of the vehicle information DB 231. By storing this value in the engine field, the engine field is updated. In this way, the control unit 220 stores the total engine operating time from the new vehicle state to the current time in the vehicle information DB 231.

[0036] In the example shown in FIG. 2, it has fields for the steering wheel, accelerator, brake, and engine, but not all of these are essential. It is sufficient if at least two of these data are stored. Also, the fields for the steering wheel, accelerator, brake, and engine are just examples, and it can also have fields storing other physical quantities correlated with the deterioration of the vehicle 10. For example, the vehicle information DB 231 may further store information regarding the total mileage of the vehicle 10.

[0037] Also, the control unit 220 generates an appraisal model 232 and stores it in the storage unit 230. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of the appraisal model 232. The appraisal model 232 is a machine learning model that takes vehicle information as input data and appraisal information as output data. The appraisal model 232 is a machine learning model constructed using actual vehicle information (real vehicle information) and information obtained by an appraiser actually appraising the vehicle 10 (real appraisal information) as teacher data. The real vehicle information is the information stored in the vehicle information DB 231. The real appraisal information corresponding to the real vehicle information is acquired, for example, from the appraiser's terminal. Note that the real appraisal information corresponds to data regarding the results of the actual appraisal of the vehicle corresponding to multiple types of data.

[0038] The vehicle information and actual vehicle information input into the appraisal model 232 are information corresponding to at least two fields among the steering wheel, accelerator, brake, and engine shown in FIG. 2. The appraisal information may be, for example, information representing the value of the vehicle 10 in numerical values or ranks. The appraisal information may be, for example, information representing the state of the vehicle 10 in four levels such as excellent, good, fair, and poor.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing executed in the server 200. Note that the appraisal model 232 will be described as being pre-trained.

[0040] When the user inputs information for requesting an appraisal of the vehicle 10 through the web browser of the user terminal 100, an appraisal request is sent from the user terminal 100 to the server 200. In step S101, the control unit 220 determines whether it has received an appraisal request from the user terminal 100. If the control unit 220 makes an affirmative determination in step S101, the process proceeds to step S102, and if the control unit 220 makes a negative determination, the process ends.

[0041] In step S102, the control unit 220 extracts vehicle information. The control unit 220 extracts the vehicle information by extracting the record corresponding to the vehicle ID and user ID included in the appraisal request from the vehicle information DB 231. In step S103, the control unit 220 acquires appraisal information. The control unit 220 acquires the appraisal information as output data by inputting the vehicle information extracted in step S102 into the appraisal model 232 as input data. The acquired appraisal information is stored in the storage unit 230.

[0042] In step S104, the control unit 220 sends the acquired appraisal information to the user terminal 100. At this time, the control unit 220 issues a command to display the appraisal information on the user terminal 100 It may be generated and transmitted to the user terminal 100. Further, the appraisal information may include information regarding the data used for the appraisal. For example, the user may be notified of what data the appraisal was based on. Thereby, the user can know the basis of the appraisal.

[0043] (Functions and Effects of the Embodiment) In the embodiment described above, since the appraisal of the vehicle 10 can be performed using the detection values of the sensor group 42 of the vehicle 10, the appraisal of the vehicle 10 can be performed remotely. Also, the appraisal of the vehicle 10 can be performed without the need for an appraiser. Further, since information related to personal information is not used for the appraisal of the vehicle 10, the user's personal information can be protected. Also, the user can easily obtain the appraisal result of the vehicle 10. Also, since the user can know that the appraisal changes depending on the way the vehicle 10 is operated, the way the vehicle 10 is operated can be improved.

[0044] Note that in this embodiment, the server 200 corresponds to the "information processing apparatus" according to the present disclosure. Also, the control unit 220 of the server 200 corresponds to the "control unit" according to the present disclosure. Further, the storage unit 230 of the server 200 corresponds to the "storage unit" according to the present disclosure.

[0045] <Other Embodiments> The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present disclosure can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the processing performed by the server 200 may be performed by the vehicle 10 or the user terminal 100. In that case, the vehicle 10 or the user terminal 100 corresponds to the "information processing device" according to the present disclosure. Further, the "control unit" according to the present disclosure is achieved by the processor of the vehicle 10 or the user terminal 100 executing a dedicated application program. Further, the vehicle 10 may have the functions of the user terminal 100. For example, when the user makes a predetermined input on the touch panel display provided in the vehicle 10, the vehicle 10 may transmit an appraisal request to the server 200. Further, information regarding the appraisal of the vehicle 10 may be displayed on the display of the vehicle 10 that has received information regarding the appraisal from the server 200.

[0046] Also, in the above embodiment, the appraisal information is acquired based on the appraisal model 232 which is a machine learning model. However, the method of acquiring the appraisal information is not limited to this. For example, the appraisal information may be obtained by a statistical method. Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of acquiring the appraisal information. The appraisal information here is information indicating whether the state of the vehicle 10 corresponds to "good" or "bad". "Brake" on the horizontal axis in FIG. 5 corresponds to the information input to the brake field shown in FIG. 2. "Accelerator" on the vertical axis in FIG. 5 corresponds to the information input to the accelerator field shown in FIG. 2. Then, the boundary line between "good" and "bad" is obtained by a statistical method. When acquiring the appraisal information, based on the vehicle information, the point corresponding to the brake and the accelerator in FIG. 5 is plotted, and the control unit 220 determines whether the position of the point belongs to "good" or "bad". The control unit 220 outputs information regarding this determination result as the appraisal information. In FIG. 5, the state of the vehicle 10 is represented in two stages of "good" and "bad", but it is not limited to this, and for example, it can also be represented in four stages such as "excellent", "good", "fair", and "poor". Even in the above manner, the control unit 220 can obtain the appraisal information.

[0047] In addition, the processes and configurations described in the present disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradictions occur. Further, the processes described as being performed by one device may be executed in a distributed manner by a plurality of devices. Also, the processes described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, it is possible to flexibly change how each function is realized in terms of hardware configuration to be

Description of Reference Numerals

[0048] 10... Vehicle, 100... User terminal, 200... Server, 210... Communication unit, 220... Control unit, 230... Storage unit, 231... Vehicle information DB, 232... Appraisal model

Claims

1. Obtaining and accumulating a plurality of types of data collected in a vehicle, the plurality of types of data being correlated with deterioration of the vehicle; Generating a relationship between the accumulated plurality of types of data and the results of actual appraisals of the vehicle corresponding to the plurality of types of data; Outputting information regarding the appraisal of the first vehicle according to the plurality of types of data accumulated for the first vehicle and the relationship; An information processing apparatus including a control unit configured to execute the above.

2. The control unit is a model that uses the accumulated plurality of types of data as input data and outputs information regarding the appraisal of the vehicle as output data, and generates a model using the accumulated plurality of types of data and data regarding the results of actual appraisals of the vehicle corresponding to the plurality of types of data as teacher data. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The plurality of types of data includes at least two of data regarding the operation angle of a steering wheel, data regarding the movement distance of an accelerator pedal, data regarding the movement distance of a brake pedal, and data regarding the operating time of an engine. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. The control unit When outputting information regarding the appraisal of the first vehicle, transmits a command to cause a terminal of a user of the first vehicle to display the information regarding the appraisal of the first vehicle. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

5. The control unit Is a model that uses the accumulated plurality of types of data as input data and outputs information regarding the appraisal of the vehicle as output data, generates a model using the accumulated plurality of types of data and data regarding the results of actual appraisals of the vehicle corresponding to the plurality of types of data as teacher data, and stores the model in a storage unit; In response to a request for information regarding the appraisal of the first vehicle from a terminal of a user, inputs the plurality of types of data corresponding to the first vehicle into the model to obtain information regarding the appraisal of the vehicle; Transmits the obtained information regarding the appraisal of the vehicle to the terminal of the user. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

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