Information processing device

Abstract

To provide an improved pre-delivery information provision technique.SOLUTION: An information processing device is provided, comprising a control unit configured to present vehicle delivery schedule information prior to delivery at a dealer during a first time period, and present delivery schedule detail information that is more detail than the delivery schedule information during a second time period after the first time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, information on the progress status of a specific vehicle corresponding to its identification information is acquired from information on the progress status of a plurality of vehicles before delivery stored in a progress management DB, and the acquired information is provided to the user terminal from which the identification information was sent (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] There are cases where the user feels stressed because the vehicle has arrived at the dealer but has not yet been delivered and wonders what is being done even though it is in the final stage. Thus, there is room for improvement in the technology related to information provision before delivery.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure made in view of such circumstances is to improve the information provision technology before delivery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that presents vehicle delivery schedule information before delivery at a dealer at a first time, and presents delivery schedule detailed information that is more detailed than the delivery schedule information at a second time after the first time.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the information providing technology before vehicle parking is improved.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0010] (Overview of Embodiment) With reference to FIG. 1, the outline and configuration of the system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0011] The system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 10 and a terminal device 20. The information processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 20 are communicably connected to a network 30 including, for example, a mobile communication network and the Internet.

[0012] The information processing apparatus 10 is, for example, a server device installed in a data center or the like. For example, the information processing apparatus 10 is a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing systems. The information processing apparatus 10 can communicate with the terminal device 20 via the network 30. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the system 1 includes one information processing apparatus 10, the present invention is not limited thereto. The system 1 may include two or more information processing apparatuses 10.

[0013] The terminal device 20 is an arbitrary device used by a user. The user includes a customer waiting for vehicle storage at a dealership. For example, a general-purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or a dedicated electronic device can be adopted as the terminal device 20. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the system 1 includes one terminal device 20, it is not limited thereto. The system 1 may include two or more terminal devices 20.

[0014] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The information processing device 10 presents vehicle delivery schedule information before delivery at a dealership at a first time. Further, the information processing device 10 presents delivery schedule detailed information that is more detailed than the delivery schedule information at a second time after the first time.

[0015] As described above, according to this embodiment, delivery schedule detailed information that is more detailed than the delivery schedule information is presented at a second time after the first time when the delivery schedule information is presented. Since more detailed information is provided to the user at a time closer to vehicle storage in this way, the information provision technology before vehicle storage is improved.

[0016] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0017] (Configuration of Information Processing Device) As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, an output unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

[0018] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). While controlling each part of the information processing apparatus 10, the control unit 11 executes processing related to the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0019] The storage unit 12 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 (random access memory) or a ROM (read only memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (static random access memory) or a DRAM (dynamic random access memory). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0020] The input unit 13 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touch screen provided integrally with the display. The input interface may also be, for example, a sound sensor that receives voice input, or a camera that receives gesture input. The input unit 13 receives an operation for inputting data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. Instead of being provided in the information processing apparatus 10, the input unit 13 may be connected to the information processing apparatus 10 as an external input device. As a connection method, for example, any method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0021] The output unit 14 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as video, or a speaker that outputs information as audio. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. The output unit 14 performs display output of data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. Instead of being provided in the information processing apparatus 10, the output unit 14 may be connected to the information processing apparatus 10 as an external output device. As a connection method, for example, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0022] The communication unit 15 includes at least one interface for external communication. The communication interface may be either a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation), or an interface corresponding to short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 15 receives data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0023] The functions of the information processing apparatus 10 are realized by executing the program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the information processing apparatus 10. That is, the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing apparatus 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing apparatus 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing apparatus 10 by executing the operations of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the program.

[0024] In this embodiment, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The distribution of the program is performed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium such as a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) on which the program is recorded. Also, the distribution of the program may be performed by storing the program in the storage of an external server and transmitting the program from the external server to other computers. Also, the program may be provided as a program product.

[0025] Some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 11. That is, some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0026] (Configuration of the terminal device) As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

[0027] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The control unit 21 executes processes related to the operation of the terminal device 20 while controlling each part of the terminal device 20.

[0028] 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 (random access memory) or a ROM (read only memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (static random access memory) or a DRAM (dynamic random access memory). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (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 for the operation of the terminal device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the terminal device 20.

[0029] The input unit 23 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touch screen provided integrally with a display. The input interface may also be, for example, a sound sensor that receives voice input, or a camera that receives gesture input. The input unit 23 receives an operation for inputting data used for the operation of the terminal device 20. Instead of being provided in the terminal device 20, the input unit 23 may be connected to the terminal device 20 as an external input device. As a connection method, for example, any method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0030] The output unit 24 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information visually, or a speaker that outputs information audibly, etc. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. The output unit 24 displays and outputs data obtained by the operation of the terminal device 20. Instead of being provided in the terminal device 20, the output unit 24 may be connected to the terminal device 20 as an external output device. As a connection method, for example, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0031] The communication unit 25 includes at least one external communication interface. The communication interface may be either a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation), or an interface corresponding to short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 25 receives data used for the operation of the terminal device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the terminal device 20.

[0032] The functions of the terminal device 20 are realized by executing the program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the terminal device 20. That is, the functions of the terminal device 20 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the terminal device 20, thereby enabling the computer to function as the terminal device 20. That is, the computer functions as the terminal device 20 by executing the operations of the terminal device 20 according to the program.

[0033] Some or all of the functions of the terminal device 20 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 21. That is, some or all of the functions of the terminal device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0034] (Operation of the information processing device) With reference to FIG. 4, the operation of the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0035] Step S100: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 presents the delivery schedule information of the vehicle before delivery at the dealer at the first time period. The first time period is within the first predetermined period from when the vehicle is transported from the manufacturing factory to the dealer. The first predetermined period may be arbitrarily determined, for example, several months (e.g., 3 months) starting from the completion of the transportation of the vehicle from the factory to the dealer's base.

[0036] The delivery schedule information includes, for example, approximate information on the time when the vehicle will be delivered to the user. For example, the approximate information may be about six months later, around spring, around summer, around autumn, around winter, etc.

[0037] Any method can be adopted for presenting the delivery schedule information of the vehicle. For example, the control unit 11 may present the delivery schedule information through the user interface displayed and output by the output unit 24 of the terminal device 20. Such a user interface may be provided by the information processing device 10 or the web server to which the terminal device 20 accesses via browser software. Alternatively, an application related to the system 1 is installed in the terminal device 20, and the user interface may be provided by the terminal device 20 appropriately communicating with the information processing device 10 or the application server via the application. In this case, authentication processing related to the user may be appropriately performed by the terminal device 20 and the information processing device 10, or the terminal device 20 and the web server.

[0038] Step S200: At the second period, the control unit 11 presents delivery schedule detailed information that is more detailed than the delivery schedule information. The second period is a period after the first period and within a second predetermined period before the delivery schedule. The second predetermined period may be arbitrarily determined, for example, several months (e.g., 3 months) before the delivery scheduled date, etc.

[0039] The delivery schedule detailed information includes, for example, information indicating the number of remaining days until the delivery time. The delivery schedule detailed information may also include information related to the number of vehicles waiting for delivery. In other words, the control unit 11 may indicate the progress status by the number of vehicles waiting for delivery.

[0040] For presenting the delivery schedule detailed information of the vehicle, any method as described above can be adopted. For example, the control unit 11 may present the delivery schedule detailed information through a user interface that is displayed and output by the output unit 24 of the terminal device 20.

[0041] As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment presents delivery schedule detailed information that is more detailed than the delivery schedule information at the second period after the first period when the delivery schedule information was presented. In this way, since more detailed information is provided to the user at a time closer to vehicle delivery, the information providing technology before vehicle delivery is improved.

[0042] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions etc. included in each component or each step etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and it is possible to combine a plurality of components or steps etc. into one or divide them.

[0043] For example, in this embodiment, the control unit 11 showed a two-stage presentation method of presenting the delivery schedule information in the first period and presenting the detailed delivery schedule information in the second period. However, the number of stages is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 11 may present the detailed delivery schedule information in more stages (for example, three or more stages). That is, the control unit 11 may present more detailed delivery schedule information as it approaches the delivery scheduled date.

[0044] Also, for example, the control unit 11 may present a plurality of panels showing the remaining days until the delivery time based on the detailed delivery schedule information. For example, the plurality of panels may be configured in 5 rows and 5 columns. The control unit 11 may present an image in which such a panel is turned over one by one per day. By doing so, the progress status until the vehicle is received can be visualized without becoming monotonous.

[0045] Also, the control unit 11 may present an image showing a vehicle corresponding to the remaining days until the delivery time based on the detailed delivery schedule information. For example, the control unit 11 may first present an incomplete image (such as a handwritten picture) and finally present a completed image of the car running. The completed image may be generated by an image generation AI. For example, the completed image may be an image generated by inputting a prompt specified by the purchaser into the image generation AI. The completed image may be available as a stamp, icon, etc. of the social media used by the user.

[0046] Also, when presenting the progress status by the number of vehicles waiting to be received, the control unit 11 may give points to the user according to the numerical value of the remaining number of vehicles when the user accesses via an app or the like. For example, when the numerical value of the remaining number of vehicles is a consecutive number (for example, 11 vehicles, 22 vehicles, 33 vehicles, etc.) or a nice round number (for example, 10 vehicles, 20 vehicles, 30 vehicles, etc.), the control unit 11 may give points to the user. Also, recommended information, additional purchase methods such as popular dealer options, etc. may be displayed when accessing via the app.

[0047] In the present system 1, the delivery schedule may be changed based on a mechanism that compares a predetermined user with other users and gives priority to advancing the delivery date. For example, by charging a user for a priority service, the delivery date of the vehicle of the charged user may be given priority over the delivery date of the vehicle of the uncharged user.

[0048] Note that the first period and the second period may be determined according to the types, contents, etc. of the remaining work at the dealer. For example, a period in which there is remaining work with uncertain factors affecting the delivery time may be set as the first period. The remaining work with uncertain factors affecting the delivery time refers to work such as the installation of optional parts whose delivery date to the dealer is uncertain. On the other hand, a period when there is no remaining work with uncertain factors affecting the delivery time may be set as the second period. By doing so, when there are uncertain factors affecting the delivery time, an estimated delivery time can be presented to the user, and when the uncertain factors disappear, a detailed delivery time can be presented to the user.

Explanation of Signs

[0049] 1 System 10 Information Processing Device 11 Control Unit 12 Storage Unit 13 Input Unit 14 Display Unit 15 Communication Unit 20 Terminal Device 21 Control Unit 22 Storage Unit 23 Input Unit 24 Display Unit 25 Communication Unit 30 Network

Claims

1. A control unit that presents vehicle delivery schedule information before delivery at a dealer in a first period, and presents delivery schedule detailed information more detailed than the delivery schedule information in a second period after the first period. An information processing apparatus comprising the same.

2. The first period is within a first predetermined period from when the vehicle is transported from a manufacturing plant to the dealer, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second period is within a second predetermined period before the delivery time based on the delivery schedule information.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit presents a plurality of panels indicating the number of remaining days until the delivery time based on the delivery schedule detailed information.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit presents an image of the vehicle according to the number of remaining days until the delivery time based on the delivery schedule detailed information.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the delivery schedule detailed information includes information related to the number of vehicles waiting for delivery. ​

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