Rental vehicle management system

Abstract

To provide a new technique for leasing a rental vehicle to a user using a portable terminal of the user.SOLUTION: A rental vehicle management system includes: a short-range wireless communication unit 32 mounted on each rental vehicle and having a function of transmitting a signal unique to each rental vehicle; and a management server 50 which can communicate with a portable terminal 90 of a user of each rental vehicle. When a user inputs a rental request to the portable terminal 90 in one of a plurality of stations, the management server 50 permits one of a plurality of rental vehicles, as a leased vehicle, to be leased to the user. The management server 50 and / or the portable terminal 90 determines, after the rental of the leased vehicle is permitted, whether the portable terminal has transitioned from a state in which the signal is to be effectively received from the short-range wireless communication unit 32 corresponding to the leased vehicle to a state in which the signal is not received, thereby determining whether the user has got out of and separated from the leased vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for managing rental objects, and more particularly to a technique for managing rental objects using a portable terminal of a user to whom the rental object is lent.

Background Art

[0002] There already exists a technique for managing rental objects, which are examples of movable properties existing in a station that is real estate, using a portable terminal carried by a user of the rental object.

[0003] One example is a service in which lending and returning of rental objects, which are movable properties, are performed for a user at any location or station (or port) that is real estate. As the rental objects, there are vehicles for moving people and luggage, and the types of such vehicles include automobiles, bicycles, and motorcycles.

[0004] Vehicle rental services such as lending and returning rental vehicles are classified into a round-trip method in which return must be made at the same station where lending was performed, and a one-way method in which return is permitted at a location different from the location where lending was performed.

[0005] By the way, as a nomenclature for rental vehicles, for example, in the case of a bicycle, it may be referred to as a "rental cycle" or a "shared cycle", but there is no substantial difference in meaning between the two. In this specification, for convenience, a bicycle as a rental vehicle will be referred to as a "rental cycle" or a "rented bicycle".

[0006] Similarly, in the case of an automobile, it may be referred to as a "rental car" or a "shared car", but there is no substantial difference in meaning between the two. In this specification, for convenience, a bicycle as a rental vehicle will be referred to as a "rental car".

[0007] Furthermore, one-way vehicle rental services are classified into a station type in which lending and return must be performed at any station (or port), and a free-floating type in which lending and return are each permitted to be performed at any location.

[0008] By the way, when a vehicle rental service is implemented in a way that rental vehicles are stored at any station (regardless of whether it is a round-trip method or a one-way method), the rented vehicle that has been lent out should originally be returned to any station by the user after its use.

[0009] However, if the user forgets or neglects to return the rented vehicle to any station for some reason, the rented vehicle that has been lent out may be left (abandoned) at a location other than the station.

[0010] Therefore, as a rental company, it is necessary to perform an additional task of searching for the abandoned rental vehicle and recovering it at any station.

[0011] On the other hand, when a vehicle rental service is implemented in the aforementioned free-floating one-way method, the rented vehicle that has been lent out is not returned to any station, that is, a fixed location, by the user.

[0012] Therefore, as a rental company that implements a vehicle rental service in the free-floating one-way method, it is necessary to search for the location where the rented vehicle has actually been returned by the user (here, since the act of "return" does not correspond to the act of recovering the rental vehicle at any station, from the perspective of the station-type one-way method, it can also be expressed as the act of "abandonment").

[0013] Thanks to such search, rental companies providing vehicle rental services in a free-floating one-way system can guide multiple other potential users to the location where the return was actually made (the apparent return station) as the location where the rental vehicle returned can be lent to another user (the apparent lending station).

[0014] Based on the circumstances described above, several techniques for searching for abandoned rental vehicles have already been proposed.

[0015] For example, in the system described in Patent Document 1, an abandoned rental cycle is searched for as an abandoned bicycle, and the location where the abandoned bicycle is placed is assigned to a virtual station different from the actual station. Route guidance is provided to another potential user to arrive at the virtual station and use the abandoned bicycle as a rental cycle. When the abandoned bicycle is lent to a user, the virtual station is deleted on the computer. The abandoned bicycle is recovered by another user at one of the actual stations.

[0016] Furthermore, in the system described in this Patent Document 1, an in-vehicle device is installed on the rental cycle. The in-vehicle device has a position acquisition unit (GPS (Global Positioning System)) for acquiring the position of the rental cycle. The user uses a terminal device. The terminal device also has a position acquisition unit, similar to the rental cycle.

[0017] In the system described in Patent Document 2, an IC chip (an example of a transmitter) is installed on the bicycle. Data is read from the IC chip by a terminal (an example of a mobile terminal, but not corresponding to the user's mobile terminal) held by a manager.

[0018] The terminal has a GPS. The terminal acquires position information by means of the GPS of the terminal at the timing of reading data from the IC chip. The terminal communicates with a parked bicycle management device (an example of a management server) via a terminal installed in the manager's management room.

[0019] According to the system described in this Patent Document 2, when the position information transmitted from the terminal to the parked bicycle management device indicates the same location over a long period of time, the manager can confirm that the bicycle is an abandoned bicycle.

[0020] In the system described in Patent Document 3, a position acquisition unit (PHS or GPS) is installed on a bicycle, and the bicycle position acquired by the position acquisition unit is directly transmitted to a server without passing through the user's mobile terminal.

[0021] In the system described in Patent Document 4, in the field of car sharing where automobiles rather than bicycles are shared among a plurality of users, a first transmitter that transmits a unique identification signal is installed at a station where the automobile is lent and / or returned to the user, and a second transmitter that transmits a unique identification signal is installed on the automobile. In this system, lending and / or returning of the automobile to the user is permitted based on the signals received by the user's mobile terminal from the first transmitter and the second transmitter.

[0022] Furthermore, in the system described in this Patent Document 4, when the user's mobile terminal is receiving a signal from the second transmitter but not receiving a signal from the first transmitter, it is determined that the user is attempting to get off the automobile midway.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0023]

Patent Document 1

[0024] According to the system described in Patent Document 1, the existence and location of an abandoned rental vehicle are detected, and the detected abandoned rental vehicle is rented out to another user, whereby the abandoned rental vehicle is recovered without bothering the rental company.

[0025] However, in the system described in this Patent Document 1, in order to detect the location of an abandoned rental vehicle, it is necessary to install a GPS on the rental vehicle. In this system, although a GPS is also installed in the user's terminal device, in this system, the GPS installed in the terminal device cannot be used to detect the abandonment position of the rental vehicle.

[0026] Similarly, in the system described in Patent Document 3, the GPS installed in the user's mobile terminal cannot be used to detect the position of the bicycle.

[0027] In contrast, according to the system described in Patent Document 2, in order to detect the location of an abandoned rental vehicle, the GPS installed in the terminal held by the administrator is used. As a result, it is not necessary to install a GPS on the rental vehicle.

[0028] However, in the system described in Patent Document 2, in order to detect the location of the abandoned rental vehicle, it is not possible to use the user's mobile terminal of the rental vehicle or the GPS of the mobile terminal. Therefore, in this system, even if an abandoned rental vehicle appears, the administrator cannot be aware of the existence of the abandoned rental vehicle until the administrator approaches the abandoned rental vehicle instead of the user.

[0029] Also, in the system described in Patent Document 4, the management server can detect the possibility that the vehicle is abandoned midway, that is, left unattended, based on the state of the signals received by the user's mobile terminal from the above-mentioned two transmitters. However, in this system, when the management server detects the possibility that the vehicle is left unattended, the management server forcibly locks the vehicle door remotely so that the user cannot unlock it at will, thereby preventing the vehicle from being abandoned by the user.

[0030] Therefore, since Patent Document 4 has adopted a technology to prevent the abandonment of vehicles, the necessity of detecting the abandonment location of vehicles is not even described. That is, there is no mention or suggestion in this document about measuring the abandonment location of vehicles using the GPS of the user's mobile terminal.

[0031] On the other hand, if the location of the rental vehicle can be detected using the user's mobile terminal, for example, in a free-floating one-way rental business, it is possible to detect the location of the rental vehicle when the user borrows it at an arbitrary location and the location when the user returns the rental vehicle to an arbitrary location using the user's mobile terminal.

[0032] Based on the above findings, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel technology that enables lending a rental object to a user using at least the user's mobile terminal among the user's mobile terminal to which the rental object is lent and the short-range wireless communication unit mounted on the rental object.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0033] To solve the problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rental vehicle management system for managing a plurality of rental vehicles at a plurality of stations, One the rental vehicle management system including: a short-range wireless communication unit mounted on each rental vehicle and having a function of transmitting a signal unique to each rental vehicle; a management server capable of communicating with a mobile terminal of a user of each rental vehicle and including: the management server When the user inputs a lending request to the mobile terminal at any one of the plurality of stations, it includes a lending permission unit that permits lending to the user using any one of the plurality of rental vehicles as a lending vehicle. After the lending is permitted, the management server and / or the mobile terminal determine whether the user has alighted from and separated from the lending vehicle by determining whether the mobile terminal has transitioned from a state of effectively receiving the signal from the short-range wireless communication unit corresponding to the lending vehicle to a state of not effectively receiving the signal. a rental vehicle management system including a part is provided.

[0034] The following aspects are obtained by the present invention. Each aspect is divided into items, each item is numbered, and is described in a form that quotes the numbers of other items as necessary. This is for facilitating the understanding of some of the technical features that the present invention can adopt and combinations thereof, and it should not be construed that the technical features that the present invention can adopt and combinations thereof are limited to the following aspects. That is, although not described in the following aspects, it should be construed that it is not prohibited to appropriately extract and adopt the technical features described in this specification as the technical features of the present invention.

[0035] Furthermore, describing each item in a form that quotes the numbers of other items does not necessarily mean that the technical features described in each item are separated and made independent from the technical features described in other items, and it should be construed that the technical features described in each item can be appropriately made independent according to their nature.

[0036] (1) A rental vehicle management method, wherein when the mobile terminal of a user transitions from a reception state in which a signal unique to a transmitter mounted on a rental vehicle being borrowed is effectively received by a short-range communication method to a non-reception state in which the signal is not effectively received, the current position measured by the mobile terminal at the start time of the non-reception state is recognized as the abandonment position of the rental vehicle.

[0037] In one example, the rental vehicle identified by the signal received by the mobile terminal from the transmitter before the transition is recognized as an abandoned vehicle, and the measured current position is recognized as the abandonment position of the abandoned vehicle.

[0038] The invention according to the above item (1) is particularly useful when implementing a vehicle rental business in a station-type one-way method that makes the concept of rental vehicle abandonment more recognizable than the free-floating type.

[0039] (2) A method for managing rental vehicles, A user who has rented the rental vehicle carries his / her mobile terminal during the use of the rental vehicle, The rental vehicle is equipped with a transmitter that transmits a signal capable of specifying a unique vehicle identification code, The mobile terminal is capable of receiving the transmitter by a short-range communication method and has a positioning function for sequentially measuring its own current position, The method includes: A vehicle identification step of identifying the rental vehicle by the mobile terminal and / or a management server communicable with the mobile terminal obtaining a vehicle identification code specified by a signal received by the mobile terminal from the transmitter; When the mobile terminal and / or the management server transitions from a reception state in which the mobile terminal effectively receives a signal from the transmitter to a non-reception state in which it does not effectively receive the signal, the current position of the mobile terminal measured at the start time of the non-reception state is stored in a memory as a temporary abandonment position of the identified rental vehicle, and when the duration of the non-reception state exceeds a predetermined time, the temporary abandonment position stored in the memory is recognized as the final abandonment position of the identified rental vehicle. A rental vehicle management method including the above.

[0040] (3) A method for managing rental vehicles that are lent and returned to users at the same station or at a plurality of different stations, comprising: The user who has rented the rental vehicle carries his / her mobile terminal during the use of the rental vehicle. The station is provided with a first transmitter that transmits a signal capable of identifying a unique station identification code. The rental vehicle is equipped with a second transmitter that transmits a signal capable of identifying a unique vehicle identification code. The mobile terminal is capable of receiving the first and second transmitters by a short-range communication method and has a positioning function for sequentially measuring its own current position. The method includes: A vehicle identification step in which the mobile terminal and / or a management server communicable with the mobile terminal acquire a vehicle identification code identified by the signal received by the mobile terminal from the second transmitter, thereby identifying the rental vehicle; When the mobile terminal and / or the management server transitions from a reception state in which the mobile terminal effectively receives a signal from the second transmitter to a non-reception state in which the mobile terminal does not effectively receive a signal from the second transmitter while the mobile terminal does not effectively receive a signal from the first transmitter, the current position of the mobile terminal measured by the mobile terminal at the start time of the non-reception state is stored in a memory as a temporary parking position of the identified rental vehicle, and when the duration of the non-reception state exceeds a predetermined time, the temporary parking position stored in the memory is recognized as the final parking position of the identified rental vehicle. A parking position recognition step; A rental vehicle management method including the above steps.

[0041] (4) Further, The mobile terminal and / or the management server include a parked vehicle recognition step of recognizing the identified rental vehicle as a parked vehicle when transitioning from the reception state to the non-reception state. The parked vehicle recognition step includes: When the elapsed time from the start time of the non-reception state exceeds a predetermined time, a step of recognizing the rental vehicle as an abandoned vehicle; When the rental vehicle is not returned to any station even after the permitted rental time of the rental vehicle permitted to the user has elapsed, a step of recognizing the rental vehicle as an abandoned vehicle; After the non-reception state is started, the mobile terminal visually, audibly or tactilely stimulates the user to urge the return of the rental vehicle to any station, and if the user does not respond to the mobile terminal in response to the urging, a step of recognizing the rental vehicle as an abandoned vehicle The rental vehicle management method according to item (3), including at least one of the above.

[0042] (5) Further, A recovery promotion step in which the mobile terminal and / or the management server simultaneously transmit a request to a plurality of other potential user mobile terminals to go to the abandonment location, borrow the abandoned vehicle, and return the abandoned vehicle to any station, thereby promoting the recovery of the abandoned vehicle. The rental vehicle management method according to item (3) or (4).

[0043] (6) When the mobile terminal of the user transitions from a non-reception state in which a signal unique to the transmitter mounted on the rental vehicle before borrowing is not effectively received by a short-range communication method to a reception state in which the signal is effectively received, the current position measured by the mobile terminal at the start time of the reception state is recognized as the lending position of the rental vehicle. Rental vehicle management method.

[0044] According to this method, a vehicle rental business that enables a user to rent a vehicle at any station and a vehicle rental business that enables a user to rent a vehicle at an arbitrary location are realized.

[0045] In one example of this method, the reception range of the transmitter is set to a short range described later. As a result, when the user holds the mobile terminal over the transmitter, the transition from the non-reception state to the reception state is performed.

[0046] In another example, the reception range of the transmitter is set to a medium range (a range in which the mobile terminal can receive the transmitter even if the user does not hold the mobile terminal over the transmitter as long as the user is in the rental vehicle). As a result, when the user approaches the rental vehicle and the transmitter together with the mobile terminal, the transition from the non-reception state to the reception state is performed.

[0047] (7) A rental vehicle management method in which when the mobile terminal of the user transitions from a reception state in which a unique signal of the transmitter mounted on the rented vehicle is effectively received by a short-range communication method from the transmitter to a non-reception state in which it is not effectively received, the current position measured by the mobile terminal at the start time of the non-reception state is recognized as the return position of the rental vehicle.

[0048] According to this method, a vehicle rental business that enables the user to return the rental vehicle to any station and a vehicle rental business that enables the user to return the rental vehicle to an arbitrary location are realized.

[0049] In one example of this method, the reception range of the transmitter is set to the medium range. As a result, when the user separates from or retreats from the rental vehicle and the transmitter together with the mobile terminal, the transition from the reception state to the non-reception state is performed.

[0050] (8) A rental vehicle management method in which when the mobile terminal of the user transitions from a non-reception state in which a unique signal of the transmitter mounted on the rented vehicle is not received by a short-range communication method to a reception state in which it is received, the current position measured by the mobile terminal within a reference time from the transition is recognized as the return position of the rental vehicle.

[0051] According to this method, a vehicle rental business that enables a user to return a rental vehicle to any station, or a vehicle rental business that enables a user to return a rental vehicle to an arbitrary location, can be realized.

[0052] In an example of this method, the reception range of the transmitter is set to the short range, so that when the user approaches the rental vehicle and the transmitter together with the mobile terminal, the transition from the non-reception state to the reception state is performed.

[0053] (9) The rental vehicle management method according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the rental vehicle includes at least one of a bicycle, an automobile, and a motorcycle.

[0054] (10) A program executed by a computer of the mobile terminal for implementing the mobile terminal according to any one of (1) to (9).

[0055] The programs according to this item and other items can be interpreted, for example, as meaning a combination of instructions executed by a computer to perform their functions, or as including not only those combinations of instructions but also files and data processed according to each instruction, but are not limited thereto.

[0056] Also, this program can be configured to achieve the intended purpose when executed alone by a computer, or to achieve the intended purpose when executed together with other programs by a computer, but is not limited thereto. In the latter case, the program according to this item can be mainly data, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] (11) A program executed by a computer of the management server for implementing the management server according to any one of (2) to (5).

[0058] (12) A recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to item (10) or (11) in a computer-readable manner.

[0059] This recording medium can adopt various forms. For example, it can adopt any of magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, optical recording media such as CDs and CD-ROMs, magneto-optical recording media such as MOs, and non-removable storage such as ROMs, but is not limited thereto.

[0060] (13) A system for managing rental objects, a transmitter mounted on the rental object and transmitting a unique signal, a portable terminal carried by a user of the rental object during use of the rental object, capable of measuring its own current position and capable of receiving the signal from the transmitter by a short-range communication method, including, the portable terminal and / or a management server capable of communicating with the portable terminal, a rental object management system including a placement position recognition unit that recognizes, as the placement position of the rental object, the current position measured by the portable terminal at the start time of the non-reception state when the portable terminal transitions from a reception state in which the portable terminal effectively receives a signal from the transmitter because the user is approaching the rental object being borrowed to a non-reception state in which the portable terminal does not effectively receive a signal from the transmitter because the user has moved away from the rental object.

[0061] In one example, it further has a placement target recognition unit that recognizes, as the placement target, the rental object identified by the signal received by the portable terminal from the transmitter before the transition.

[0062] (14) A system for managing rental objects, a transmitter mounted on the rental object and transmitting a unique signal, A mobile terminal carried by a user during use of the rental target, capable of measuring its own current position and receiving the signal from the transmitter by a short-range communication method including The mobile terminal and / or a management server communicable with the mobile terminal When transitioning from a non-reception state where the mobile terminal does not effectively receive a signal from the transmitter because the user is away from the rental target during standby, to a reception state where the mobile terminal effectively receives a signal from the transmitter because the user approaches the rental target, a lending target recognition unit that recognizes the rental target identified by the signal received by the mobile terminal from the transmitter as the rental target to be lent to the user A lending position recognition unit that recognizes the current position measured by the mobile terminal at the start time of the reception state as the lending position of the rental target A rental target management system including

[0063] (15) Further A lending permission unit that permits lending the rental target to a user on condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied When the lending is permitted, a unlocking command unit that transmits an unlocking signal to a locking device in a locked state that prohibits use of the rental target by the user, thereby automatically switching the locking device to a permitted state that permits use of the rental target The rental target management system according to item (14) including

[0064] (16) A system for managing a rental target A transmitter mounted on the rental target that transmits a unique signal A mobile terminal carried by a user during use of the rental target, capable of measuring its own current position and receiving the signal from the transmitter by a short-range communication method including The mobile terminal and / or the management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal recognize that when the mobile terminal transitions from a reception state in which the mobile terminal effectively receives a signal from the transmitter because the user is approaching the rental target being rented to a non-reception state in which the mobile terminal does not effectively receive a signal from the transmitter because the user has moved away from the rental target, a return target recognition unit that recognizes the rental target identified by the identification signal received by the mobile terminal from the transmitter at the time of the transition as a rental target to be returned by the user; a return position recognition unit that recognizes the current position measured by the mobile terminal at the start time of the non-reception state as the return position of the rental target A rental target management system including.

[0065] (17) Further, a return permission unit that permits the user to return the rental target on the condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied; a locking confirmation unit that confirms that the user has manually switched a locking device in a state where the use of the rental target is permitted to a locked state where the use is prohibited The rental target management system according to item (16), including.

[0066] (18) The rental target management system according to any one of items (13) to (17), wherein the rental target includes movable property or immovable property.

[0067] (19) The rental target management system according to item (18), wherein the movable property includes a moving body.

[0068] (20) The rental target management system according to item (19), wherein the moving body includes a bicycle, an automobile, a motorcycle, a recreational or racing go-kart, a shopping cart, a baby stroller, a handcart, a wheelchair, or a golf cart.

[0069] (21) The movable property includes furniture, clothing, electrical appliances, accessories (such as batteries or chargers) that are detachably attached to the electrical appliances, or recording media (such as CDs) on which audiovisual content is recorded and can be reproduced by the user, and is the rental target management system described in paragraph (18).

[0070] (22) The immovable property includes rooms in accommodation facilities (such as hotels) where users can stay short-term, rooms in staying facilities (such as apartments) where users can stay long-term, rooms in staying facilities (such as detached houses, condominiums, etc.) where individuals live and are temporarily lent to others (such as rooms for private accommodation), coin lockers, public or private parking lots, or private parking lots that are temporarily lent to others (sublease of a privately owned parking lot or a parking lot where private parking lots can be temporarily shared with others), and is the rental target management system described in paragraph (18).

[0071] (23) A rental target management method in which a first transmitter that emits a unique identification signal is installed at a station, a second transmitter that emits a unique identification signal is installed on a rental target that is lent to and / or returned to a user at the station, and the user's mobile terminal permits the lending and / or return of the rental target to the user based on the signal received from the first transmitter and the signal received from the second transmitter.

[0072] (24) The rental target management method according to paragraph (23), wherein the lending and / or return of the rental target to the user is permitted on the condition that the user's mobile terminal detects a state in which both the signal from the first transmitter and the signal from the second transmitter are being received.

[0073] (25) The rental target management method according to paragraph (23) or (24), wherein the effective reception radius of the effective reception area of the second transmitter is variably controlled according to the behavior of the user.

[0074] (26) A rental object management method that permits lending and / or return of the rental object to / from a user based on a signal received by the user's mobile terminal from a transmitter installed on the rental object for which lending and / or return is performed for the user and that transmits a unique identification signal, and variably controls the reception range of the transmitter according to the behavior of the user.

[0075] (27) The rental object management method according to item (26), wherein the reception range is controlled to become longer when the lending process of the user is completed.

[0076] (28) The rental object management method according to item (26) or (27), wherein the reception range is controlled to become shorter when the return process of the user is completed.

[0077] (29) In a reception state where the user's mobile terminal effectively receives a signal unique to the transmitter mounted on the rental vehicle being borrowed by the user in a short-range communication method, when the absolute value of the speed and / or acceleration measured by the mobile terminal is equal to or greater than a reference value, it is determined that the user is riding in and moving the rental vehicle, and when the reception state transitions from the reception state to a non-reception state where the mobile terminal does not effectively receive a signal from the transmitter, it is determined that the user has gotten off the rental object, and in that state, when the absolute value of the speed and / or acceleration measured by the mobile terminal is equal to or greater than a reference value, it is determined that the user is separated from the rental vehicle. A rental vehicle management method.

[0078] According to this method, it becomes relatively easy and accurate to grasp whether the user is riding in the rental vehicle or separated from the rental vehicle, and it becomes easy to perform rental vehicle management with different contents according to the result.

[0079] (30) A method for managing rental vehicles for which lending and return are performed for a user at the same or different stations, The user who borrows the rental vehicle carries his / her own mobile terminal during the use of the rental vehicle. The rental vehicle is equipped with a transmitter that transmits a signal capable of identifying a unique vehicle identification code. The mobile terminal is capable of receiving the transmitter by a short-range communication method and has a positioning function for sequentially measuring its own current position. The method is as follows: A vehicle identification step of identifying the rental vehicle, in which the mobile terminal and / or a management server communicable with the mobile terminal obtains a vehicle identification code specified by the signal received by the mobile terminal from the transmitter; A parked position recognition step of recognizing, as the parked position of the identified rental vehicle, the current position measured by the mobile terminal within a reference time from the transition when the mobile terminal and / or the management server transitions from a reception state in which the mobile terminal effectively receives a signal from the transmitter to a non-reception state in which it does not effectively receive the signal in a state where the user, the mobile terminal, and the rental vehicle are not present at any station; A rental vehicle management method including the above steps.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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[0108] Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0109] <First embodiment>

[0110] 1(a) and 2 show a bicycle rental system (hereinafter simply referred to as the "system") 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This system 10 is an example of a rental vehicle management system according to the present invention, and in this system 10, a bicycle rental management method, which is an example of a rental vehicle management method according to the present invention, is implemented.

[0111] According to this system 10, a rental business is provided in which rental bicycles 12, which are an example of a rental vehicle, are rented to users for a fee.

[0112] The rental business employs a one-way system in which a user is permitted to return a bicycle 20 to a station 20 other than the station 20 from which the bicycle 20 was rented.

[0113] Furthermore, the rental business adopts a station-type one-way system. Therefore, according to this rental business, users are prohibited from abandoning the bicycle 12 rented at any station 20 at any place.

[0114] However, according to this rental business, any abandoned bicycle 12, that is, a parked bicycle, is automatically searched for. As a result of the search, when the parked bicycle 12 is discovered, the location of the parked bicycle 12 is simultaneously notified (distributed or broadcast) to a plurality of potential other users as a place where they can start riding after borrowing the parked bicycle 12.

[0115] Thereby, it is promoted that the parked bicycle 12 is returned and recovered to any station 20 by any other user. As a result, the rental operator is at least partially freed from the trouble of the additional work of specifically traveling to recover the parked bicycle 12 and returning it to any station 20.

[0116] According to this rental business, when it is confirmed by the management server 50 that a user has abandoned the rented bicycle 12, a penalty is imposed, but the bicycle 12 is regarded as having been returned. Therefore, focusing on this point, it can be considered that this rental business partially adopts a free-floating type one-way system.

[0117] In short, it is possible to consider that this rental business adopts a hybrid type one-way system in which the station type and the free-floating type are combined.

[0118] In addition, in the present embodiment, if a user who has rented the bicycle 12 gets off the bicycle 12 at an arbitrary location other than the station 20 and leaves it there, such an act is expressed by the term "abandonment". However, if the bicycle 12 is abandoned, the abandonment location functions as if it were a new station 20, and there is a possibility that another user may borrow the abandoned bicycle as if it were a properly returned bicycle.

[0119] Then, in the present embodiment, the term "abandonment" is synonymous with "return", which is a proper act, when another user borrows the abandoned bicycle and returns it to any of the stations 20. On the other hand, when the rental company retrieves the abandoned bicycle because there is no such user, it is interpreted as a term whose meaning varies depending on the situation, meaning "abandonment" as an improper act.

[0120] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the term "abandonment" may be interpreted as being synonymous with "return".

[0121] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 2, this system 10 is a system for providing a service for lending and returning the bicycles 12 to users at a plurality of stations 20 (only a representative station 20 among those stations 20 is shown in FIG. 1(a)) that can store a plurality of bicycles 12 each. Each station 20 is assigned to a corresponding bicycle parking lot 22. The bicycle parking lot 22 is a site for storing rental bicycles, and in the illustrated example, it is rectangular in plan view.

[0122] As management methods for the stations 20, there are a self-management method in which each station 20 is independently (not individually or self-sufficiently) managed using only the facilities installed in that station 20, and a centralized management method in which a plurality of stations 20 communicate with a management server located remotely to centrally manage those stations 20. The system 10 according to the present embodiment employs the latter centralized management method.

[0123] In order to implement the centralized management method, this system 10 includes a plurality of first transmitters 30 respectively installed in a plurality of stations 20, a plurality of second transmitters (vehicle-mounted devices) 32 respectively mounted on a plurality of bicycles 12, and a management server 50 installed in a management center 40 for centrally managing the plurality of stations 20. The management center 40 is operated by the owner of the land where the station 20 is installed, the above-mentioned rental company or the parking lot management company that acts on behalf of the owner.

[0124] Here, when focusing on the installation position, the first transmitter 30 is referred to as a station-side transmitter, and when focusing on the motion characteristics, it is referred to as a fixed transmitter, a stationary transmitter, or a transmitter with an unchanged position. Similarly, when focusing on the installation position, the second transmitter 32 is referred to as a bicycle-side transmitter or a vehicle-mounted transmitter, and when focusing on the motion characteristics, it is referred to as a movable transmitter, a mobile transmitter, or a transmitter with a variable position.

[0125] Each of the plurality of stations 20 is pre-assigned a unique station ID. Similarly, each of the plurality of bicycles 12 is pre-assigned a unique bicycle ID. The first transmitter 30 installed in each station 20 and the management server 50 do not communicate directly, but communicate via the user's mobile terminal 90. Similarly, the second transmitter 32 installed in each bicycle 12 and the management server 50 do not communicate directly, but communicate via the user's mobile terminal 90.

[0126] In the present embodiment, each first transmitter 30 is configured to transmit a local identification signal that can identify the station ID unique to the corresponding station 20. Also, each second transmitter 32 is configured to transmit a local identification signal that can identify the bicycle ID unique to the corresponding bicycle 12. For the plurality of bicycles 12 stored in the same station 20, the same station ID is commonly used.

[0127] The number and type of bicycles 12 scheduled to be stored at the same station 20 may be predetermined and may not change daily, but in this embodiment, they are not predetermined and can change daily.

[0128] Therefore, in the former case, the same bicycle ID always corresponds to the same station ID, whereas in this embodiment, the same bicycle ID corresponds to a plurality of different station IDs.

[0129] Specifically, in this embodiment, the same bicycle ID corresponds to the station ID of station A, for example, at the time of rental, but corresponds to the station ID of station B at the time of return. In this way, each user action of renting and returning the bicycle 12 is defined by the combination of the station ID and the bicycle ID.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 1(b), a corresponding second transmitter 32 is mounted on a specific part of each bicycle 12. An example of such a specific part is the front part (for example, the basket part), the rear part (for example, the luggage rack), the central part (for example, the saddle 62 of the bicycle 12, the triangular frame 64 that supports the saddle 62 from below of the bicycle 12), etc. of each bicycle 12.

[0131] Also, the part of each bicycle 12 where the second transmitter 32 is mounted is in a state where the user is riding on the bicycle 12 (including the state of starting to sit on the saddle 62 of the bicycle 12 (also referred to as the "riding state") and the state of sitting on the saddle 62 of the bicycle 12 and driving and moving the bicycle 12 (also referred to as the "riding state", "riding", "riding and moving state")), and is selected to be a part (for example, the basket part, the luggage rack, etc.) where the portable terminal 90 carried by the user can receive the signal transmitted from the second transmitter 32 without obstacles.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 1(a), this system 10 includes, at each station 20, the above-described first transmitter 30 as a fixture installed in the corresponding bicycle parking lot 22, and a bicycle rack (bicycle storage device) 70 for storing a plurality of bicycles 12.

[0133] In the example shown in FIG. 1(a), one first transmitter 30 is installed at one station 20. However, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6(c), a plurality of first transmitters 30 may be installed at one station 20.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the bicycle rack 70 includes a plurality of bicycle stalls (small compartments) 72 for storing the bicycles 12 one by one. In one example, the frame 74 installed in the bicycle parking lot 22 divides the bicycle rack 70 into a plurality of bicycle stalls 72. Prior to lending to the user, each bicycle 12 is stored (kept) in each bicycle stall 72.

[0135] In one example, although not shown, each bicycle 12 is equipped with a lock that can selectively lock its wheels (front wheel and / or rear wheel) or handlebars to the bicycle frame. In another example, although not shown, each bicycle stall 72 is equipped with a lock that can selectively lock the bicycle 12 to the bicycle stall 72.

[0136] In any of the examples, such locks include, for example, a password type (dial lock, push-button lock, etc.) that the user unlocks by entering a password, a remote type that is unlocked by a signal from the user's mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50, a mechanical lock that operates without using power (electricity), and an electronic lock that operates using power (electricity).

[0137] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in this system 10, the user uses his / her portable terminal 90 to simultaneously receive, in a contact or non-contact state with the first and second transmitters 30 and 32 (performing short-range one-way wireless communication), an identification signal from the first transmitter 30 installed at the station 20 where the user is currently staying and an identification signal from the second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12 reserved or locally selected by the user among the plurality of bicycles 12 stored at the current station 20. The portable terminal 90 further performs long-distance two-way wireless communication with the management server 50 of the management center 40.

[0138] The user's portable terminal 90 is a device carried by the user and having a wireless communication function, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a PDA, etc.

[0139] <The first and second transmitters>

[0140] Since the first transmitter 30 installed at each station 20 and the second transmitter 32 mounted on each bicycle 12 are common to each other in terms of hardware configuration (see FIG. 4) and software configuration (see FIG. 5), for the sake of convenience of explanation, the configurations of the first and second transmitters 30 and 32 will be described by treating them as the same transmitter.

[0141] Each transmitter 30, 32 actively, locally, and permanently transmits a unique identification signal without requiring an external trigger signal as long as the supply power is sufficient.

[0142] Each transmitter 30, 32 is generally a device also known by names such as a beacon device that transmits a beacon signal as an identification signal, a wireless tag, etc. In one example, each transmitter 30, 32 generates an identification signal representing the corresponding station ID by modulating the original signal, and locally transmits the generated identification signal as an IR signal, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) signal, an NFC (near-field wireless communication) signal, etc.

[0143] Next, to describe the hardware configuration with reference to FIG. 4, which is a functional block diagram, each transmitter 30, 32 mainly includes a computer 104 having a processor 100 and a memory 102 that stores a plurality of applications executed by the processor 100.

[0144] Each transmitter 30, 32 further has a replaceable disposable battery 106 as a power source. Instead of the battery 106, a rechargeable battery can be adopted, a commercial power source as an external power source can be adopted, or a solar cell as renewable energy can be adopted in place of or in addition to them.

[0145] Each transmitter 30, 32 further has a transmission unit 108 that generates and transmits an identification signal representing its own unique regular transmitter ID (an example of a "transmitter code"). Each first transmitter 30 transmits an identification signal representing a unique regular first transmitter ID, while each second transmitter 32 transmits an identification signal representing a unique regular second transmitter ID.

[0146] The transmission unit 108 is operated by the battery 106 and controlled by a controller 110. The controller 110 is controlled by the computer 100.

[0147] Next, to describe the software configuration of each transmitter 30, 32 with reference to FIG. 5, the processor 100 of each transmitter 30, 32 repeatedly executes the program conceptually represented by the flowchart in FIG. 5.

[0148] At each execution of the program, first, in step S1, from the memory 102, the regular transmitter ID corresponding to each transmitter 30, 32 (that is, among the regular first transmitter ID corresponding to the first transmitter 30 and the regular second transmitter ID corresponding to the second transmitter 32, the one corresponding to the program being described this time) is read. The regular first transmitter ID corresponds one-to-one to one station ID, and the regular second transmitter ID corresponds one-to-one to one bicycle ID.

[0149] Next, in step S2, the remaining amount of the battery 106 is estimated.

[0150] Subsequently, in step S3, a signal for modulating the original signal (e.g., a carrier signal) is output to the controller 110 so that the read normal transmitter ID and the estimated remaining battery amount are reflected. The controller 110 controls the transmitter 108, and as a result, the transmitter 108 generates an identification signal to be transmitted this time.

[0151] Thereafter, in step S4, the generated identification signal is transmitted from the transmitter 108. Subsequently, the process returns to step S1.

[0152] It should be noted that in each transmitter 30, 32, an algorithm or procedure for generating an identification signal so that at least the corresponding ID among the station ID and the bicycle ID (the corresponding ID) and the remaining battery amount is reflected can be different from the algorithm or procedure shown in FIG. 5.

[0153] <Hardware Configuration of User's Mobile Terminal>

[0154] Here, to explain a function of the user's mobile terminal 90 in association with each transmitter 30, 32, when the mobile terminal 90 is receiving an identification signal from each transmitter 30, 32 and a certain program pre-installed in the computer of the mobile terminal 90, that is, a dedicated application for transmitter processing (hereinafter referred to as the "transmitter application") is started (logged in), the received identification signal is demodulated, and thereby the station ID and the bicycle ID are decoded.

[0155] Specifically, the mobile terminal 90 acquires the station ID from the identification signal received from the first transmitter 30 and acquires the bicycle ID from the identification signal received from the second transmitter 32.

[0156] The mobile terminal 90 further transmits the decoded station ID and bicycle ID to the management server 50.

[0157] Furthermore, when the mobile terminal 90 starts the application for the transmitter while receiving the identification signals from the respective transmitters 30, 32, based on the received identification signals, the mobile terminal 90 also measures the distance between the positions of the respective transmitters 30, 32 when the identification signals were transmitted and the position of the mobile terminal 90 when the identification signals were received. The measurement of the distance is performed, for example, based on the intensity of the signals received by the mobile terminal 90 from the respective transmitters 30, 32.

[0158] That is, based on the identification signals received from the respective transmitters 30, 32, the mobile terminal 90 is configured to acquire both the station ID unique to the station 20 where the first transmitter 30 is actually installed, the bicycle ID unique to the bicycle 12 selected by the user and where the second transmitter 32 is installed, and the distances from the respective transmitters 30, 32 at that time.

[0159] <Setting of the reception range of each transmitter>

[0160] As conceptually shown in a plan view in FIG. 6(a), two types of reception areas are assigned to each of the transmitters 30, 32. They are a receivable area (not shown) and a valid reception area (hereinafter also referred to as the "reception range").

[0161] All of these areas are generally defined by circles with each transmitter 30, 32 as the emission source. The receivable area has a maximum reception radius (for example, about 50 m), while the valid reception area has a valid reception radius (for example, in the range from a radius of 0 m to a radius of about 50 m or less). The maximum reception radius is a fixed value, while the valid reception radius is a variable value that can be changed at any time by the mobile terminal 90 as described later.

[0162] The receivable area means an area where an identification signal from each of the transmitters 30, 32 can reach when the power supply of each of the transmitters 30, 32 is normal, that is, an area where the mobile terminal 90 can receive the identification signal as long as it exists within the area.

[0163] On the other hand, the effective reception area has an effective reception radius smaller than the maximum reception radius of the receivable area. The maximum reception radius cannot be arbitrarily set, whereas the effective reception radius can be arbitrarily set by the mobile terminal 90.

[0164] That is, it is possible to say that the maximum reception radius means the reception limit determined by hardware, while the effective reception radius means the reception limit determined by software.

[0165] As described above, the mobile terminal 90 measures the distance to each of the transmitters 30, 32 when it transmits the identification signal it has received. The distance measurement value may or may not exceed the effective reception radius. When the distance measurement value does not exceed the reception effective radius, it means that the mobile terminal 90 is present within the effective reception area, whereas when the distance measurement value exceeds the reception effective radius, it means that the mobile terminal 90 is present within the receivable area but not within the effective reception area.

[0166] The mobile terminal 90 determines whether the distance measurement value is less than or equal to the set value of the effective reception radius by starting the application for transmitter processing. If it is determined that the value is less than or equal to the set value, since the mobile terminal 90 is currently located within the effective reception area (reception range), the mobile terminal 90 determines that "the identification signal from each of the transmitters 30, 32 has been effectively received (hereinafter, also simply referred to as 'the identification signal has been received')."

[0167] On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 90 determines that the distance measurement value is greater than the set value, since the mobile terminal 90 is currently located outside the effective reception areas of the transmitters 30 and 32, the mobile terminal 90 determines that "the identification signals from the transmitters 30 and 32 are not being effectively received (hereinafter, simply referred to as 'the identification signals are not being received')."

[0168] That is, in this embodiment, when the mobile terminal 90 is located outside the effective reception area, actually, even though the mobile terminal 90 is receiving the identification signal, ostensibly, the mobile terminal 90 will be treated as not receiving the identification signal in software.

[0169] Here, the geometric relationship of the effective reception areas between the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 will be described.

[0170] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(a), one first transmitter 30 is installed in one station 20, and the first effective reception area (first reception range) of the first transmitter 30 is arranged inside the second effective reception area (second reception range) of the second transmitter 32 as long as the corresponding bicycle 12 exists within the site of the station 20 (inside the boundary line). The first reception radius of the first effective reception area and the second reception radius of the second effective reception area are set relatively.

[0171] Specifically, the second reception radius is set to be shorter than the first reception radius. As a result, the second effective reception area is a short range or a medium range, and the first effective reception area is a long range.

[0172] Here, specific examples of these three reception ranges will be described.

[0173] 1) Short range

[0174] If the user does not bring the mobile terminal 90 into contact with the transmitting unit of the transmitter or hold it in a non-contact state, the mobile terminal 90 cannot effectively receive the transmitter within the reception range (the set value is, for example, within the range of about 0 cm to about 30 cm).

[0175] 2) Medium range

[0176] As long as the user is riding the bicycle 12 or pushing the bicycle 12 to move, the user neither brings the mobile terminal 90 into contact with the transmitting unit of the transmitter nor holds it (keeps it in a non-contact / approaching state), and the mobile terminal 90 can effectively receive the transmitter within the reception range (the set value is, for example, within the range of about 0 m to about 2 m).

[0177] 3) Long range

[0178] As long as the user is present at any position within the station 20, the user neither brings the mobile terminal 90 into contact with the transmitting unit of the transmitter nor holds it, and the mobile terminal 90 can effectively receive the transmitter within the reception range (the set value is, for example, within the range of about 0 m to about 10 m).

[0179] In the example shown in FIG. 6(a), the first effective reception area is set to completely cover the entire area of the station 20 in plan view and partially have an area deviating from the boundary line of the station 20. Instead of this, in another example, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the first effective reception area may be set not to have an area deviating from the boundary line of the station 20 in plan view.

[0180] In the two examples shown in FIGS. 6(a) and (b) respectively, one first transmitter 30 is installed in one station 20. Instead of this, as illustrated in FIG. 6(c), it is also possible to implement the present invention in a mode where a plurality of first transmitters 30 are installed in one station 20.

[0181] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the site of the station 20 has a rectangular shape. On the other hand, the first effective reception area is spherical in three dimensions and circular in two dimensions. Therefore, if one first effective reception area is assigned to the station 20, as shown in Fig. 6(b), a gap (reception leakage area) remains between the boundary line of the site of the station 20 and the boundary line of the first effective reception area.

[0182] On the other hand, in yet another example, as shown in Fig. 6(c), if a plurality of first effective reception areas are assigned to the station 20, the combined areas of these effective reception areas will be the apparent effective reception area, and the gap between the boundary line of this area and the boundary line of the station 20 will decrease.

[0183] As a result, so-called reception leakage, where the mobile terminal 90 cannot effectively receive the signal from the first transmitter 30 even though the user carrying the mobile terminal 90 is present within the station 20, is prevented.

[0184] In the example shown in Fig. 6(c), a plurality of second transmitters 30 are assigned different transmitter IDs from each other while being assigned a common station ID. Therefore, when the mobile terminal 90 receives the signal from at least one of those first transmitters 30, the transmitter ID represented by the received signal is associated (converted) with the corresponding station ID, and as a result, the mobile terminal 90 can identify the current station 20.

[0185] Here, the mobile terminal 90 identifying (recognizing) the current station 20 is equivalent to the fact that the presence of the user carrying the mobile terminal 90 within the station 20 has been detected through the cooperation between the mobile terminal 90 and the transmitter 30.

[0186] <Software Configuration of User's Mobile Terminal>

[0187] Next, to describe the hardware configuration of the user's mobile terminal 90 with reference to FIG. 7, which is a functional block diagram, the mobile terminal 90 mainly includes a computer 134 having a processor 130 and a memory 132 that stores a plurality of applications executed by the processor 130.

[0188] This mobile terminal 90 further includes a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) 136 that displays information on a screen (having a window with a finite and variable or invariable area), indicated by the reference numeral "135" in FIG. 15 for example, a receiving unit 138 that receives signals from the first transmitter 30, the second transmitter 32, and the management server 50, and a transmitting unit 140 that generates a signal and transmits the signal to the management server 50.

[0189] This mobile terminal 90 further includes an input unit 150 for inputting data and commands from the user. The input unit 150 has, for example, an operation unit that can be operated by the user to input desired information (e.g., commands, data, etc.) into the mobile terminal 90.

[0190] Examples of the operation unit include a touch screen that displays icons (e.g., virtual buttons) operable by the user, a physical operation unit (e.g., a keyboard, a keypad, buttons, etc.) operable by the user, a microphone that senses sound, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0191] This mobile terminal 90 further includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 152. As is well known, the GPS receiver 152 receives a plurality of GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites and measures the position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the GPS receiver 152 on the earth by triangulation based on those GPS signals. That is, this mobile terminal 90 has a positioning function that utilizes satellites.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 7, the memory 132 has a plurality of data memories including a map data memory 161, a station data memory 163, a bicycle data memory 165, and a reservation status table memory 167.

[0193] In the map data memory 161, map data downloaded by the user's mobile terminal 90 from the management server 50 or another map database (not shown) is temporarily stored according to the user's current position. Based on the map data, a map (an example of a "partial map") is displayed on the screen 135 (see FIG. 15) of the display unit 136. The map displayed on the screen 135 changes moment by moment as the user moves.

[0194] As conceptually shown in FIG. 8, in the station data memory 163, the correspondence relationship between a plurality of station IDs, a plurality of regular first transmitter IDs, and a plurality of station position data can be downloaded and stored from the management server 50. The plurality of station IDs respectively correspond to a plurality of stations 20 centrally managed by the system 10. Also, the plurality of station position data respectively represent the latitude and longitude (latitude x, longitude y) of the ground position of the corresponding station 20.

[0195] In the station data memory 163, a plurality of station position data corresponding to a plurality of stations 20 are temporarily stored together with the corresponding plurality of station IDs and a plurality of regular first transmitter IDs.

[0196] In the mobile terminal 90, a map based on the map data is displayed on the screen 135, and further, on the map, at each moment, based on a plurality of station position data stored in the station data memory 163 at that time, among the plurality of downloaded stations 20, the positions of a small number of candidate stations 20 located in the vicinity of the current position of the mobile terminal 90 are overlaid and displayed (see FIG. 15).

[0197] Here, the "few candidate stations 20" refers to a plurality of stations 20 that are displayed on the screen 135 for geographical reasons of being close to the current location of the mobile terminal 90 among the plurality of downloaded stations 20. Stations 20 that are off the screen 135 for geographical reasons of being far from the current location of the mobile terminal 90 are excluded from the target.

[0198] As conceptually shown in FIG. 9, in the bicycle data memory 165 of FIG. 7, a correspondence relationship between a plurality of station IDs, a plurality of bicycle IDs (for example, "2001", which is fixedly displayed on the bicycle 12 in FIG. 1(b) by printing, painting, stickers, etc.), and a plurality of regular second transmitter IDs can be downloaded and stored from the management server 50. If any one of the plurality of bicycles 12 is selected by the user, one corresponding bicycle ID is determined, and thus one corresponding regular second transmitter ID is determined.

[0199] In the reservation status table - memory 167, a reservation status table described later is appropriately downloaded and stored from the management server 50.

[0200] As shown in FIG. 11(a), in the memory 132 of the mobile terminal 90, a bicycle rental program for the mobile terminal 90 is stored, and the bicycle rental program has the following plurality of modules.

[0201] 1) Reservation module

[0202] This is a module that assists the user in reserving any one of the bicycles 12 before arriving at the station 20, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 14. Here, "reserving" is equivalent to the operation of the user inputting location information of the desired station 20, identification information of the desired bicycle 12 (an example of rental target identification information), and time information such as the scheduled lending time and the scheduled return time.

[0203] 2) Lending process module when there is a reservation

[0204] This is a module that assists a user in receiving the rental of a reserved bicycle 12 at a reserved station 20 according to the user's reservation, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 16.

[0205] 3) Rental processing module without reservation

[0206] This is a module that assists a user in selecting any available bicycle 12 at any station 20 without reservation and receiving the rental of the selected bicycle 12, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 17.

[0207] 4) Return processing module

[0208] This is a module that assists a user in returning the rented bicycle 12 at the same or a different station 20 as the station 20 where the rental of the bicycle 12 was made, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 18.

[0209] 5) Abandoned bicycle search module

[0210] This is a module that determines whether, after renting a bicycle 12 to a user, the user has left the bicycle 12 at an arbitrary location (abandoned location) not assigned to any station 20, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 19.

[0211] More specifically, in this abandoned bicycle search module, when the mobile terminal 90 of the user transitions from a reception state in which the mobile terminal 90 effectively receives an identification signal from the second transmitter 32 by a short-range communication method to a non-reception state in which it does not effectively receive the signal, the bicycle 12 identified by the signal received by the mobile terminal 90 from the second transmitter 32 before the transition is recognized as an abandoned bicycle.

[0212] Furthermore, the current position measured by the mobile terminal 90 within a reference time from the transition (for example, substantially simultaneously with the transition, immediately after the transition, or until a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, etc.) has elapsed from the transition) is recognized as the parking position of the parked bicycle.

[0213] Here, the "receiving state in which the mobile terminal 90 effectively receives the identification signal from the second transmitter 32 by means of a short-range communication method" means a state in which the mobile terminal 90 receives the identification signal from the second transmitter 32 because the mobile terminal 90 is within the effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 when the effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 is set to be narrower than the receivable area.

[0214] In contrast, the above-mentioned "receiving state" means a state in which the mobile terminal 90 receives the identification signal from the second transmitter 32 because the mobile terminal 90 is within the receivable area of the second transmitter 32 when the effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 is set to be the same as the receivable area.

[0215] Also, the "non-receiving state" means a state in which the mobile terminal 90 receives the identification signal from the second transmitter 32 because the mobile terminal 90 is within the receivable area of the second transmitter 32 and outside the effective reception area, or a state in which the mobile terminal 90 cannot receive the identification signal from the second transmitter 32 because the mobile terminal 90 is outside the receivable area of the second transmitter 32 when the effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 is set to be narrower than the receivable area.

[0216] In contrast, the above-mentioned "non-receiving state" means a state in which the mobile terminal 90 cannot receive the identification signal from the second transmitter 32 because the mobile terminal 90 is outside the receivable area of the second transmitter 32 when the effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 is set to be the same as the receivable area.

[0217] 6) Parked Bicycle Recovery Module

[0218] This is a module that, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 20, when an abandoned bicycle 12 is found, sends a request to a plurality of potential other user's mobile terminals 90 to go to the location where the bicycle 12 is abandoned and return the abandoned bicycle 12 to any station 20 after borrowing it, thereby assisting in recovering the abandoned bicycle 12 by using users.

[0219] <Management Server>

[0220] Next, to explain the hardware configuration of the management server 50 with reference to FIG. 10 which is a functional block diagram, the management server 50 mainly consists of a computer 164 having a processor 160 and a memory 162 that stores a plurality of applications executed by the processor 160.

[0221] This management server 50 further includes a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) 166 for displaying information, a receiving unit 168 for receiving signals from the mobile terminal 90, a transmitting unit 170 for generating signals and transmitting the signals to the mobile terminal 90, and a clock 172 for measuring the current time. This management server 50 does not directly receive signals from the transmitter 30 and, in fact, receives them via the mobile terminal 90.

[0222] As shown in FIG. 11(b), a bicycle rental program for the management server 50 is stored in the memory 162 of the management server 50, and the bicycle rental program has the following plurality of modules.

[0223] 1) Reservation module

[0224] This is a module that has the same function as the reservation module of the mobile terminal 90, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 14.

[0225] 2) Rental processing module when there is a reservation

[0226] This is a module that has the same function as the lending process module with reservation of the mobile terminal 90, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 16.

[0227] 3) Lending process module without reservation

[0228] This is a module that has the same function as the lending process module without reservation of the mobile terminal 90, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 17.

[0229] 4) Return process module

[0230] This is a module that has the same function as the return process module of the mobile terminal 90, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 18.

[0231] 5) Abandoned bicycle search module

[0232] This is a module that has the same function as the abandoned bicycle search module of the mobile terminal 90, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 19.

[0233] 6) Abandoned bicycle collection module

[0234] This is a module that has the same function as the abandoned bicycle collection module of the mobile terminal 90, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 20.

[0235] <Overview of reservation sequence>

[0236] FIG. 12(a) shows an example of a reservation status table for managing the reservation status of a plurality of bicycles 12 by a plurality of users for each station 20 by executing the reservation module by the mobile terminal 90 and the management server 50.

[0237] This reservation status table is created and updated in the management server 50, and its latest version is shared with the mobile terminal 90. This reservation status table displays the presence or absence of reservations and the scheduled rental time period (including date and time) for each station 20 and for each bicycle 12.

[0238] The user visually checks this reservation status table on the screen 135 of their own mobile terminal 90, refers to it, searches for a station 20 where at least one waiting bicycle 12 exists, searches for one with available time among at least one waiting bicycle 12 at that station 20, and specifies the desired date and time period.

[0239] In FIG. 12(a), among the time axes (from 0:00 to 23:59) for each bicycle 12 in the reservation status table, at the latest update time of the reservation status table, the time period in which the horizontally hatched bar exists indicates the time period in which there is already a reservation, that is, the pre-reserved time period, while the time period in which the bar does not exist indicates the time period in which there is no reservation yet, that is, the non-pre-reserved time period.

[0240] The user inputs into their own mobile terminal 90 the identification information of the selected station 20, the identification information of the selected bicycle 12, the rental date and time, and the return date and time, as exemplified in FIG. 15(c), thereby making a reservation for both the corresponding station 20 and bicycle 12.

[0241] FIG. 11(b) shows an example of a user-specific reservation content file for managing the reservation contents of multiple users by the execution of the reservation module by the mobile terminal 90 and the management server 50.

[0242] This per-user reservation content file is created and updated on the management server 50. This per-user reservation content file contains, for each user, authentication information (such as user ID, password, etc.), location information (ID unique to the selected station 20) for identifying the location of the selected station 20, location information (ID unique to the selected bicycle 12) for identifying the location of the selected bicycle 12, time information (such as scheduled start time, scheduled end time, scheduled usage duration, etc.) for defining the scheduled usage time period for the selected bicycle 12, and the type of penalty imposed on the user for violating the rules that the user is required to comply with for receiving this bicycle rental service, etc.

[0243] <Overview of the main sequence>

[0244] An overview of the main sequence by the system 10, which is performed subsequent to the above-described reservation sequence, will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

[0245] In FIG. 13, the time chart labeled "Reception for station recognition" represents, for the convenience of explanation, whether the mobile terminal 90 is receiving the regular first transmitter ID from the first transmitter 30 at each moment, as a pulse signal that is at a low level when the mobile terminal 90 is not receiving the regular first transmitter ID and at a high level when it is receiving the regular first transmitter ID.

[0246] Similarly, in the same figure, the time chart labeled "Reception for bicycle recognition" represents, for the convenience of explanation, whether the mobile terminal 90 is receiving the regular second transmitter ID from the second transmitter 32 at each moment, as a pulse signal that is at a low level when the mobile terminal 90 is not receiving the regular second transmitter ID and at a high level when it is receiving the regular second transmitter ID.

[0247] <Overview of the main sequence when there is a reservation>

[0248] Fig. 13(a) shows an example in which a user reserves a reserved bicycle 12 in a reserved station 20 with a scheduled rental start time (lending time) of 15:00 and a scheduled rental end time (return time) of 18:00, and the outline of the main sequence is illustrated by a plurality of time charts.

[0249] 1) Lending process

[0250] First, assume that the user enters the reserved station (lending station) 20 at 15:30 on a certain day to borrow the reserved bicycle 12, and thus the mobile terminal 90 enters the first effective reception area. Then, the mobile terminal 90 starts to effectively receive the first transmitter 30 (the "reception signal for station recognition" in the figure rises).

[0251] Next, assume that the user approaches the reserved bicycle 12 existing in the current station 20 and holds the mobile terminal 90 over the second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12, and thus the mobile terminal 90 enters the second effective reception area. Then, the mobile terminal 90 starts to effectively receive the second transmitter 32 (the "reception signal for bicycle recognition" in the figure rises).

[0252] As a result, at 15:30, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state where it receives signals from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 simultaneously. That is, it transitions from a non-simultaneous reception state where the mobile terminal 90 does not effectively receive signals from either transmitter 30, 32 or effectively receives signals from only one of the transmitters 30, 32 to a simultaneous reception state where it effectively receives signals from both transmitters 30, 32.

[0253] Here, the "state where the mobile terminal 90 is receiving signals from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 simultaneously" means a state where the mobile terminal 90 is receiving both the signal from the first transmitter 30 and the signal from the second transmitter 32, and it is not necessarily required that the timing at which the mobile terminal 90 starts receiving the signal from the first transmitter 30 coincides with the timing at which the mobile terminal 90 starts receiving the signal from the second transmitter 32.

[0254] At this time, the mobile terminal 90 (or the management server 50) determines that the user has actually started using (rented) the bicycle 12.

[0255] Subsequently, within a first limit time of, for example, 5 minutes from the start time of use, the user inputs a rental request to the mobile terminal 90.

[0256] In response to the rental request, the management server 50 permits the user to rent the bicycle 12. That time is the start time of the actual rental period, but in principle, charging to the user starts from the scheduled rental time of 15:00. Specifically, from the scheduled rental time, the count of the total rental time that is referred to for calculating the amount of the final rental fee for the user starts.

[0257] After that, the user gets off the bicycle 12 and exits the rental station 20. At this time, since the mobile terminal 90 exits the first effective reception area, it transitions to a state where it cannot effectively receive the first transmitter 30 (the reception signal for station recognition goes low).

[0258] On the other hand, as long as the user is on the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 effectively receives the second transmitter 32, so the reception signal for bicycle recognition is maintained at a high level.

[0259] 2) Return process

[0260] Assume that the user enters a station (return station) 20 that is the same as or different from the current lending station 20 at 17:30 on the same day to return the bicycle 12 in use, and thus the mobile terminal 90 enters the first effective reception area. Since the user has been riding the bicycle 12 before that, the mobile terminal 90 is in a state of continuously and effectively receiving the second transmitter 32.

[0261] As a result, at 17:30, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state of receiving signals from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 simultaneously (both-reception state). That is, it transitions from a non-simultaneous reception state where the mobile terminal 90 effectively receives signals only from the second transmitter 32 to a simultaneous reception state where it receives signals from both transmitters 30 and 32.

[0262] At this time, the mobile terminal 90 (or the management server 50) determines that the user has actually ended the use of the bicycle 12.

[0263] Subsequently, within a second limit time of, for example, 5 minutes from the end time of use, the user inputs a return request to the mobile terminal 90.

[0264] In response to the return request, the management server 50 permits the user to return the bicycle 12. Although that time is the end time of the actual rental period, in principle, the charging to the user continues until 18:00, which is the scheduled return time. Specifically, at the scheduled return time, the count of the entire rental time ends.

[0265] After that, assume that the user gets off the bicycle 12 and the mobile terminal 90 exits the second effective reception area. Then the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state where it cannot effectively receive the second transmitter 32, and the bicycle recognition reception signal drops. Since the user is not riding the current bicycle 12 after that, this bicycle recognition reception signal is maintained at a low level.

[0266] Next, assuming that the user has moved away from the bicycle 12 and left the current return station 20, and thus the mobile terminal 90 has exited the first effective reception area, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state where it cannot effectively receive the second transmitter 32 (the reception signal for station recognition drops).

[0267] In the management server 50, when the calculation of the rental fee based on the length of the total rental time is completed, the user electronically settles the rental fee via the mobile terminal 90.

[0268] <Outline of the main sequence when there is no reservation>

[0269] In Fig. 13(b), taking as an example the case where the user enters any of the stations 20, selects any of the bicycles 12 within that station 20, and starts the rental service, the outline of the main sequence is illustrated by a plurality of time charts. Since these time charts are basically the same as those shown in Fig. 13(a) except for the billing process and the like, the common elements will be briefly described.

[0270] 1) Rental process

[0271] First, assuming that the user enters a certain station (rental station) 20 at 15:30 on a certain day in order to borrow any of the bicycles 12, and thus the mobile terminal 90 enters the first effective reception area, the mobile terminal 90 starts to effectively receive the first transmitter 30.

[0272] Next, assuming that the user approaches any of the bicycles 12 and holds the mobile terminal 90 near the second transmitter 32 installed on that bicycle 12, and thus the mobile terminal 90 enters the second effective reception area, the mobile terminal 90 starts to effectively receive the second transmitter 32.

[0273] As a result, at the time of 15:30, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state (both-reception state) where it is receiving signals from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 simultaneously.

[0274] At this time, the mobile terminal 90 (or the management server 50) determines that the user has actually started using the bicycle 12 (the rental has been made).

[0275] Subsequently, the user inputs a rental request to the mobile terminal 90 within the first restricted time from the start time of use.

[0276] In response to the rental request, the management server 50 permits the user to rent the bicycle 12. That time is the start time of the actual rental period, and in this case, charging to the user starts from 15:30, which is the actual rental time. Specifically, from the actual rental time, the count of the total rental time starts.

[0277] After that, the user gets off the bicycle 12 and exits the rental station 20. At that time, since the mobile terminal 90 exits the first effective reception area, it transitions to a state where it cannot effectively receive the first transmitter 30.

[0278] On the other hand, as long as the user is on the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 effectively receives the second transmitter 32, so the bicycle recognition reception signal is maintained at a high level.

[0279] 2) Return process

[0280] Assume that the user enters the same or a different station (return station) 20 as the current rental station 20 at 17:30 on the same day to return the used bicycle 12, and thus the mobile terminal 90 enters the first effective reception area. Then, the station recognition reception signal rises. Since the user has been on the bicycle 12 before that, the mobile terminal 90 continues to be in a state of effectively receiving the second transmitter 32.

[0281] As a result, at the time of 17:30, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state (both-reception state) where it simultaneously receives signals from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32.

[0282] At this time, the mobile terminal 90 (or the management server 50) determines that the user has actually ended the use of the bicycle 12.

[0283] Subsequently, within the second limit time from the end time of the use, the user inputs a return request to the mobile terminal 90.

[0284] In response to the return request, the management server 50 permits the user to return the bicycle 12. That time is the end time of the actual rental period, and the charging to the user continues until 17:30, which is the actual return time. Specifically, at the actual return time, the count of the entire rental time ends.

[0285] After that, assuming that the mobile terminal 90 has exited the second effective reception area because the user has dismounted from the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state where it cannot effectively receive the second transmitter 32, and the bicycle recognition reception signal drops. Since the user is not riding the current bicycle 12, this bicycle recognition reception signal is maintained at a low level.

[0286] Subsequently, assuming that the mobile terminal 90 has exited the first effective reception area because the user has left the bicycle 12 and moved away from the current return station 20, the mobile terminal 90 transitions to a state where it cannot effectively receive the second transmitter 32.

[0287] When the calculation of the rental fee based on the length of the entire rental time is completed in the management server 50, the user electronically settles the rental fee via the mobile terminal 90.

[0288] <Reservation sequence>

[0289] In FIG. 14, an example of communication performed between a mobile terminal 90 and a management server 50 located at a remote location is represented in a sequence flow in chronological order for a user to connect the mobile terminal 90 to the management server 90 at a location away from the station 20 to be reserved (for example, at home as shown in FIG. 1) and reserve any one of the bicycles 12 in the station 20.

[0290] When the user starts the bicycle rental program (already downloaded from the management server 50 and installed in the memory 132 of the mobile terminal 90) on the mobile terminal 90, a plurality of buttons (display targets selectable by the user) for the user to issue a plurality of modes and a plurality of requests are displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 90.

[0291] The plurality of modes and the plurality of requests include the following.

[0292] 1) Reservation mode

[0293] An execution mode selected by the user to reserve the station 20 and the bicycle 12

[0294] 2) Rental processing mode with reservation

[0295] An execution mode selected by the user to activate the rental processing module with reservation at the station 20 to rent the bicycle 12 in a state with a reservation

[0296] 3) Rental processing mode without reservation

[0297] An execution mode selected by the user to activate the rental processing module without reservation at the station 20 to rent the bicycle 12 in a state without a reservation

[0298] 4) Return processing mode

[0299] The execution mode selected by the user to activate the return processing module for the user to return the bicycle 12 to the station 20

[0300] 5) Rental request

[0301] After the activation of the rental processing module with reservation or the rental processing module without reservation, the request issued by the user to obtain permission from the user to rent the bicycle 12

[0302] 6) Return request

[0303] After the activation of the return processing module, the request issued by the user to obtain permission from the user to return the bicycle 12

[0304] This time, when the user selects the button "Reservation Mode", among the bicycle rental programs for the mobile terminal 90, the reservation module is executed by the processor 130 of the mobile terminal 90, and among the bicycle rental programs for the management server 50, the reservation module is executed by the processor 160 of the management server 50.

[0305] When the reservation module for the mobile terminal 90 is executed by the processor 130 of the mobile terminal 90, first, in step 101, the mobile terminal 90 operates so that the current position (latitude and longitude) of the user is measured based on the GPS signal received by the GPS receiver 152 from the outside.

[0306] Next, in step S102, the measured current position of the user is used as a reference position (the position (latitude and longitude) of the display reference point) to be referred to by the processor 130 for displaying on the screen 135 of the display unit 136. Further, among the entire map, the portion having a size that can be displayed at once within the window on the screen 135 and where the reference position exists is determined as the display range of the map (that is, among the entire map, the area displayed within the window at each moment).

[0307] As illustrated in FIG. 15(a), when the user moves on the ground over time, the reference position 202 (indicated by a black triangle in the figure) also moves over time so as to follow the user. As a result, as the user moves, the display range of the map also moves over time on the overall map, and consequently, the map image displayed within the window also changes over time.

[0308] Subsequently, in step S103, a login request (an example of a "service start signal") for logging in to the management server 50 is transmitted to the management server 50 together with a user ID and a password for identifying the current user.

[0309] On the other hand, when a reservation module for the management server 50 is executed by the processor 160 of the management server 50, the management server 50 receives the login request together with the user ID and the password in step S201, and subsequently, in step S202, searches for the station data regarding the plurality of stations 20 (for the plurality of components of the station data, refer to FIG. 8), the bicycle data regarding the plurality of bicycles 12 belonging to those stations 20 (for the plurality of components of the bicycle data, refer to FIG. 9), and the reservation status table (refer to FIG. 12(a)) in the memory 162 (or another memory) of the management server 50.

[0310] Thereafter, in step S203, the retrieved station data, bicycle data, and reservation status table are transmitted to the mobile terminal 90.

[0311] On the other hand, in step S104, the mobile terminal 90 receives the station data, the bicycle data, and the reservation status table. The received station data is stored in the station data memory 163 shown in FIG. 7, and as a result, the table shown in FIG. 8 is constructed. Also, the received bicycle data is stored in the bicycle data memory 165 shown in FIG. 7, and as a result, the table shown in FIG. 9 is constructed. The received reservation status table (see FIG. 12(a)) is stored in the reservation status table memory 167.

[0312] Subsequently, in step S105, based on the stored station data, among the plurality of stations 20, those located in the vicinity of the current position are overlaid and displayed as a small number of candidate stations 20 on the map displayed on the screen 135.

[0313] In this step S105, not all of the plurality of stations 20 represented by the received plurality of station data are displayed on the screen 135. Only a plurality of stations 20 that are fewer than the plurality of stations 20 determined by the user's current position and the size of the screen 135 are displayed on the screen 135. That is, the plurality of stations 20 received from the management server 50 are further narrowed down to a small number of candidate stations 20 according to the user's current position and the size of the screen 135.

[0314] In one example, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the user's current position is overlaid and displayed using a black triangle 202 on the map displayed on the screen 135, and a plurality of candidate stations 20 are overlaid and displayed using a plurality of station display icons 204. In this example, the three station display icons 204 are configured as figures in which the alphabets "A", "B", and "C" are surrounded by a square frame.

[0315] In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience in explanation, it is possible to consider that the part of the system 10 that executes this step S105 constitutes an example of the "candidate station display unit" and an example of the "candidate station display process" in the above item (8).

[0316] Incidentally, the same as this step S105 can be adopted in the return processing sequence·flow that will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 18, so that the user can select any one of the stations 20 as the return destination of the bicycle 12 from among a plurality of candidates using prior information, taking into account, for example, the distance from the user's current position or the distance from the user's nearest station.

[0317] Subsequently, in step S106, the user touches the display position of any one of the candidate stations 20 with a finger on the screen 135, thereby selecting any one of the stations 20 as the selected station 20 for this time.

[0318] Specifically, when the user touches the display position of any one of the candidate stations 20 with a finger on the screen 135, the touch position is detected by the touch screen of the display unit 136, and the touch position is converted into map coordinate information (position information) that is, for example, the longitude and latitude on the map (defined by the global coordinate system which is an absolute coordinate system) or the corresponding xy coordinate information (defined by the device coordinate system which is a relative coordinate system). Based on the map coordinate information, any one of the candidate stations 20 is specified.

[0319] Thereafter, in step S107, as illustrated in FIG. 15(b), the reservation status table is displayed on the screen 135.

[0320] Subsequently, in step S108, the user inputs the identification information (e.g., name) of the station (rental station) 20 that the user wishes to reserve, the identification information (e.g., number) of the bicycle (rented bicycle) 12 that the user wishes to reserve, the rental date and time (scheduled), and the return date and time (scheduled), as illustrated in FIG. 15(c). Here, the user inputting the identification information of the bicycle 12 that the user wishes to reserve to the portable terminal 90 is equivalent to the user performing an operation for selecting any one of the bicycles 12 on the portable terminal 90.

[0321] Thereafter, in step S109, the portable terminal 90 transmits the input reservation details to the management server 50 in association with the user (e.g., together with the user ID).

[0322] As a result, the identification information of the rental station 20 and the identification information of the rented bicycle 12 are paired (linked), and the pair is associated with the identification information of the current user, and that information is transmitted from the portable terminal 90 to the management server 50.

[0323] On the other hand, in step S204, the management server 50 receives the reservation details in association with the user (e.g., together with the user ID). Subsequently, in step S205, the management server 50 registers the received reservation details in the one of the plurality of user-specific reservation detail files (see FIG. 12(b)) associated with the current user, and further updates the reservation status table stored in the memory 162 so that the received reservation details are reflected.

[0324] Thereafter, in step S206, the management server 50 transmits a message indicating that the reservation has been completed to the portable terminal 90.

[0325] On the other hand, the portable terminal 90 displays the received message on the screen 135 or outputs it as voice. By this display, the user is informed that his / her reservation has been established.

[0326] <Rental Processing Sequence When There is a Reservation>

[0327] Figure 16 shows an example of communication performed between a first transmitter 30 located at the station 20, a second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12, a user's mobile terminal 90, and a management server 50 in chronological sequence flow, in which a user enters the reserved station 20, then approaches the reserved bicycle 12, and obtains permission to rent the bicycle 12.

[0328] Both the first and second transmitters 30 and 32 spontaneously and continuously transmit their unique identification signals. If the user enters the reserved station 20, the mobile terminal 90 will be within the first effective reception area of the first transmitter 30 (see Figure 6), so the mobile terminal 90 effectively receives the identification signal from the first transmitter 30. Soon, if the user holds the mobile terminal 90 over the second transmitter 32 of the reserved bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 will be within the second effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 (see Figure 6).

[0329] In this embodiment, regardless of whether there is a reservation, the reception range of the first effective reception area of the first transmitter 30 is the long range, while the reception range of the second effective reception area of the second transmitter 32 is the short range. This setting is effective regardless of whether it is a rental process or a return process.

[0330] This time, a button labeled "Rental Processing Mode with Reservation" is selected by the user on the screen of the mobile terminal 90. In response, a rental processing module for the mobile terminal 90 with reservation is executed by the mobile terminal 90. By this execution, first, in step 151, a login request for the mobile terminal 90 to log in to the management server 50 is sent to the management server 50 together with the user ID and password for identifying the current user.

[0331] On the other hand, when the reservation-based lending process module for the management server 50 is executed by the management server 50, in step S251, the management server 50 receives the login request together with the user ID and password.

[0332] Subsequently, in step S252, among the plurality of user-specific reservation content files, the one associated with the current user is searched for in the memory 162. Further, in the searched user-specific reservation content file, among the plurality of stations 20, information regarding the reserved station 20 (lending station) and, among the plurality of bicycles 12 of that station 20, information regarding the reserved bicycle 12 (lent bicycle) are searched for as the current user reservation-related information.

[0333] Thereafter, in step S253, the searched current user reservation-related information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 90.

[0334] On the other hand, in step S152, the mobile terminal 90 receives the current user reservation-related information. Subsequently, in step S153, in the current user reservation-related information, the transmitter code pre-assigned to the regular first transmitter 30 that should be installed at the reserved station 20 is searched for as the regular first transmitter code, and the transmitter code pre-assigned to the regular second transmitter 32 that should be installed on the reserved bicycle 12 is searched for as the regular second transmitter code. Thus, the regular first and second transmitter codes for the user are obtained.

[0335] Subsequently, in step S154, the mobile terminal 90 receives a signal from at least one of at least one first transmitter 30 and at least one second transmitter 32 existing within the current station 20.

[0336] On the one hand, as described above, when the mobile terminal 90 is currently located outside the first receivable area of the first transmitter 30, the mobile terminal 90 cannot receive any identification signal from the first transmitter 30. In contrast, when the mobile terminal 90 is currently located within the first receivable area of the first transmitter 30, the mobile terminal 90 can receive the identification signal from the first transmitter 30.

[0337] Moreover, even if the mobile terminal 90 receives an identification signal from the first transmitter 30, there is a possibility that the mobile terminal 90 is currently located outside the first effective receivable area of the first transmitter 30 or there is also a possibility that it is within the effective receivable area.

[0338] Such circumstances also apply equally to the second transmitter 32.

[0339] The mobile terminal 90 can receive a plurality of signals from a plurality of transmitters simultaneously and distinguishable from each other. Each transmitter transmits a unique signal. For example, the source address (corresponding to the transmitter ID) in the header of each packet of the signal is different from that of other transmitters. Paying attention to this, the mobile terminal 90 can handle each of the plurality of simultaneously received signals individually.

[0340] Therefore, following step S154, in step S155, the mobile terminal 90 makes the following three types of determinations.

[0341] 1) A first effective reception determination as to whether the mobile terminal 90 has effectively received an identification signal from the first transmitter 30, that is, a determination as to whether the measured value of the distance between the mobile terminal 90 and the first transmitter 30 is less than the effective reception radius (long range) of the first effective reception area

[0342] 2) A second effective reception determination as to whether the mobile terminal 90 has effectively received an identification signal from the second transmitter 32, that is, a determination as to whether the measured value of the distance between the mobile terminal 90 and the second transmitter 32 is less than the effective reception radius (short range) of the second effective reception area

[0343] 3) Determination of simultaneous reception as to whether the mobile terminal 90 has received simultaneously from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32, that is, determination as to whether the timing at which the first valid reception determination of the first transmitter 30 is affirmed and the timing at which the first valid reception determination of the second transmitter 32 is affirmed are substantially the same time

[0344] The mobile terminal 90 can refer to the already stored station data (FIG. 8) to determine which transmitter corresponds to the first transmitter 30 (station-side transmitter), and can also refer to the already stored bicycle data (FIG. 9) to determine which transmitter corresponds to the second transmitter 32 (bicycle-side transmitter). Therefore, the mobile terminal 90 can also determine which transmitter's valid reception determination to apply the valid reception radius of the first valid reception area (for example, the long range), and which transmitter's valid reception determination to apply the valid reception radius of the second valid reception area (for example, the short range).

[0345] When executing this step 155, if any of the first valid reception determination, the second valid reception determination, and the simultaneous reception determination is negative, the determination of this step 155 becomes NO, and the process returns to step S154. On the other hand, if any of the first valid reception determination, the second valid reception determination, and the simultaneous reception determination is affirmative, the determination of this step 155 becomes YES, and the process proceeds to step S156.

[0346] In this step S156, the mobile terminal 90 demodulates the received identification signal. Subsequently, in step S157, the mobile terminal 90 decodes the transmitter ID represented by the demodulated identification signal as the actual transmitter ID. Specifically, the mobile terminal 90 acquires the actual first transmitter ID represented by the signal received from the first transmitter 30 and the actual second transmitter ID represented by the signal received from the second transmitter 32.

[0347] When the demodulated identification signal is a code represented by a multi-digit binary number, for example, the code is converted into a transmitter ID using a pre-prepared conversion table (for example, one downloaded in advance from the management server 50). However, in terms of usage, the difference between whether it is a "code" or an "ID" is not important as long as its use is for identification.

[0348] Subsequently, in step S158, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the actually decoded first and second actual transmitter IDs match the normal first and second transmitter IDs acquired by executing step S153, respectively. That is, ID verification is performed.

[0349] Here, the "actual first transmitter ID" means the first transmitter ID corresponding to the first transmitter (the selected actual first transmitter) 30 actually installed on the one actually selected and accessed by the user among the plurality of stations 20. On the other hand, the "normal first transmitter ID" means the first transmitter ID corresponding to the first transmitter (the selected virtual first transmitter) 30 that should be installed on the one virtually selected by the user operating the mobile terminal 90 among the plurality of stations 20.

[0350] Similarly, the "actual second transmitter ID" means the second transmitter ID corresponding to the second transmitter (the selected actual second transmitter) 32 actually installed on the one actually selected by the user among the plurality of bicycles 12. On the other hand, the "normal second transmitter ID" means the transmitter ID corresponding to the second transmitter (the selected virtual second transmitter) 32 that should be installed on the one virtually selected by the user operating the mobile terminal 90 among the plurality of bicycles 12.

[0351] Thereafter, in step S159, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether each actual transmitter ID matches each normal transmitter ID, that is, whether the ID verification is successful.

[0352] If the ID verification fails, the determination in step S159 will be NO. Subsequently, in step S160, the mobile terminal 90 urges the user to retry detecting the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 again by the mobile terminal 90, for example, by displaying an appropriate message on the screen 135 or outputting it by voice. Then, it returns to step S154.

[0353] On the contrary, if the ID verification is successful, the determination in step S159 will be YES. Subsequently, in step S161, the mobile terminal 90 determines that the bicycle 12 before lending exists at the current station 20 at the current time. This determination is equivalent to the determination that the user has started using the current bicycle 12 (lending has been performed) at the current station 20.

[0354] In one example, after the user activates the lending process module and arrives at the current station 20 but has not yet arrived at the reserved bicycle 12, the determination in step S155 will be NO. When the user eventually arrives at the bicycle 12, the determination in step S155 will transition from NO to YES.

[0355] At this time, if the mobile terminal 90 receives a signal representing the regular second transmitter ID, the ID verification is successful, and the determination in step S159 will be YES. Subsequently, in step S161, it is determined that the first transition has occurred for the first time at the current time.

[0356] Here, the timing when the determination in step S159 becomes YES coincides with the timing of the transition from the state where the mobile terminal 90 does not receive the regular second transmitter ID to the state where it receives it (coincides with the time position of the "rising edge" of the "reception signal for bicycle recognition" in the example of Fig. 13(a)).

[0357] Thereafter, in step S162, it is determined whether a lending request has been input from the user to the mobile terminal 90 (for example, whether a virtual button (for example, a "lending button") operated to command the "lending request" has been operated by the user). If a lending request has been input, the determination in step S162 is YES.

[0358] Subsequently, in step S163, the fact that a lending request has been issued from the user and the determination result that the user has actually started using the reserved bicycle 12 at the reserved station 20 are associated with the user (for example, together with the user ID) and transmitted to the management server 50.

[0359] On the other hand, in step S254, the management server 50 receives the information transmitted by the mobile terminal 90 by executing the step S163.

[0360] Thereafter, in step S255, the current time is measured using the clock 172. Subsequently, in step S256, the current time is recognized as the actual lending time. Subsequently, in step S257, the lending of the bicycle 12 to the user this time is permitted.

[0361] Thereafter, in step S258, the charging start time is determined for the user. In principle, charging starts from the scheduled lending time, and an amount corresponding to the length of the elapsed time (usage time, lending time, rental time) from the scheduled lending time is calculated as the rental amount.

[0362] As described above, the case where a lending request is normally issued from the user immediately after the mobile terminal 90 has validly received two regular transmitters 30 and 32 simultaneously (both reception states are established) has been described. If the request is not issued, the determination in step S162 is NO. Thereafter, in step S164, it is determined whether the elapsed time from the execution time of step S161 is within the first limit time (for example, 5 minutes).

[0363] If it is within the first time limit, the determination in step S164 becomes YES. In step S165, the user is urged to input a lending request, for example, by displaying an appropriate message on screen 135 or outputting it by voice. Subsequently, the process returns to step S162.

[0364] On the other hand, if the elapsed time from the execution time of step S161 currently exceeds the first time limit, the determination in step S164 becomes NO. Thereafter, in step S166, it is determined that the user has committed a first violation.

[0365] Subsequently, in step S167, it is sent to the management server 50 that the user has committed a first violation this time. The content of the transmission is received by the management server 50 in step S254, and this time, the lending of bicycle 12 is prohibited.

[0366] <Lending process sequence without reservation>

[0367] In FIG. 17, an example of the communication performed between the first transmitter 30 located at the station 20, the second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12, the user's mobile terminal 90, and the management server 50 is represented in a chronological sequence flow when the user enters any station 20 without reservation, then approaches any bicycle 12, and obtains permission to lend that bicycle 12. Since this flow has many elements in common with the flow shown in FIG. 16, only the different elements will be described in detail.

[0368] This time, a button labeled "Lending process mode without reservation" is selected by the user on the screen of the mobile terminal 90. In response, the lending process module without reservation for the mobile terminal 90 is executed by the mobile terminal 90.

[0369] By executing this, first, in step 201, in the same manner as step S151 described above, a login request for logging in to the management server 50 is sent to the management server 50 together with a user ID and password for identifying the current user.

[0370] On the other hand, when the reservation-free time lending process module for the management server 50 is executed by the management server 50, the management server 50 receives the login request together with the user ID and password in step S271 in the same manner as step S251 described above.

[0371] Subsequently, in step S272, the reservation status table (FIG. 12(a)) is searched in the memory 162. Then, in step S273, the searched reservation status table is transmitted to the mobile terminal 90.

[0372] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 90 receives the reservation status table in step S202. Subsequently, in step S203, the received reservation status table is displayed on the screen 135.

[0373] Subsequently, in step S204, in the same manner as step S154 described above, the mobile terminal 90 receives a signal from at least one of at least one first transmitter 30 and at least one second transmitter 32 existing within the current station 20.

[0374] Thereafter, in step S205, in the same manner as step S155 described above, the mobile terminal 90 performs the first valid reception determination, the second valid reception determination, and the simultaneous reception determination.

[0375] If the determination in this step 205 is NO, the process returns to step S204, but if the determination in step 205 is YES, the process proceeds to step S206.

[0376] In this step S206, similar to the aforementioned step S156, the mobile terminal 90 demodulates the received identification signal. Subsequently, in step S207, similar to the aforementioned step S157, the mobile terminal 90 obtains the actual first transmitter ID of the first transmitter 30 and the actual second transmitter ID of the second transmitter 32 from the demodulated identification signal.

[0377] Subsequently, in step S208, as a result of the reception from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32, the user's selection of the current station (rental station) 20 and the current bicycle (rental bicycle) 12 is displayed on the screen 135 together with the reservation status table. Thereby, the user can confirm the station 20 and the bicycle 12 that the user has selected.

[0378] Furthermore, in this step S208, the user inputs the scheduled return time for the current bicycle 12 to the mobile terminal 90.

[0379] Thereafter, in step S209, the mobile terminal 90 extracts the individual reservation status corresponding to the current station 20 and the current bicycle 12 from the reservation status table, and determines whether the reserved time period in the individual reservation status overlaps with the scheduled usage time period from the current actual rental time to the scheduled return time, that is, whether there is a prior reservation.

[0380] If there is a prior reservation, the determination in step S209 is NO. Thereafter, in step S210, similar to step S160, the mobile terminal 90 urges the user to retry detecting the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32 again by the mobile terminal 90. Then, it returns to step S204.

[0381] On the contrary, if there is no prior reservation, the determination in step S209 becomes YES. Thereafter, in step S211, the mobile terminal 90 determines that the bicycle 12 exists at the current station 20 before the current lending at the current time. This determination is equivalent to the determination that the user has started using (lent) the current bicycle 12 at the current station 20.

[0382] Thereafter, in step S212, similar to step S162 described above, it is determined whether a lending request has been input from the user to the mobile terminal 90. If a lending request has been input, the determination in step S212 becomes YES.

[0383] Subsequently, in step S213, in accordance with step S163 described above, the determination result that the user has actually started using (lent) the current bicycle 12 at the current station 20 is associated with the user (for example, together with the user ID) and transmitted to the management server 50.

[0384] As a result, the identification information of the lending station 20 and the identification information of the lent bicycle 12 are paired (linked), and the pair is associated with the identification information of the current user, and that information is transmitted from the mobile terminal 90 to the management server 50.

[0385] On the contrary, in step S274, the management server 50 receives the information transmitted by the mobile terminal 90 by executing step S213, similar to step S254 described above.

[0386] Subsequently, in step S275, similar to step S255 described above, the current time is measured using the clock 172. Subsequently, in step S276, similar to step S256 described above, the current time is recognized as the actual lending time. Subsequently, in step S277, similar to step S257 described above, the lending of the current bicycle 12 to the user is permitted.

[0387] After that, in step S278, similar to step S258 described above, the charging start time is determined for the user. Subsequently, in step S279, the details of the current rental, namely, those including the identification information of the rental station 20, the identification information of the rented bicycle 12, the actual rental time, and the scheduled return time, are registered in the one associated with the current user among the plurality of user-specific reservation content files (see FIG. 12(b)).

[0388] Furthermore, in this step S278, the reservation status table stored in the memory 162 is updated so that the details of the current rental are reflected.

[0389] The above describes the case where the determination in step S212 is YES. If the determination is NO, in step S214, similar to step S164 described above, it is determined whether the elapsed time from the execution time of step S211 is within the first limit time.

[0390] If it is within the first limit time, the determination in step S214 is YES, and in step S215, similar to step S165, the user is urged to input a rental request. Subsequently, the process returns to step S212.

[0391] On the contrary, if the elapsed time from the execution time of step S211 currently exceeds the first limit time, the determination in step S214 is NO, and then, in step S216, similar to step S166 described above, it is determined that a first violation has occurred for the user.

[0392] Subsequently, in step S217, similar to step S167 described above, this time, it is transmitted to the management server 50 that a first violation has occurred for the user. The transmitted content is received by the management server 50 in step S254, and this time, the rental of the bicycle 12 is prohibited.

[0393] <Return processing sequence>

[0394] In FIG. 18, an example of communication performed between the user's mobile terminal 90 and the management server 50 is represented in a sequence flow in chronological order, as the user rides and drives the borrowed bicycle 12, or while pushing the borrowed bicycle 12, enters the same or another station (return station) 20 as the lending station, and then requests permission to return the bicycle 12. This involves a first transmitter 30 located at the station 20 and a second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12.

[0395] This time, a button labeled "Return Processing Mode" is selected by the user on the screen of the mobile terminal 90. In response, a return processing module for the mobile terminal 90 is executed by the mobile terminal 90.

[0396] Upon its execution, first, in step S 300, a login request for logging in to the management server 50 is sent to the management server 50 together with a user ID and password for identifying the current user, similar to the previous step S151.

[0397] In contrast, when a return processing module for the management server 50 is executed by the management server 50, the management server 50 receives the login request together with the user ID and password in step S400, similar to the previous step S251.

[0398] In contrast, the mobile terminal 90 performs the first valid reception determination, the second valid reception determination, and the simultaneous reception determination in step S302, similar to the previous step S155.

[0399] If the determination in this step 302 is NO, the process returns to step S301, but if the determination in step 302 is YES, the process proceeds to step S303.

[0400] In this step S303, similar to the aforementioned step S156, the mobile terminal 90 demodulates the received identification signal. Subsequently, in step S304, similar to the aforementioned step S157, the mobile terminal 90 obtains the actual first transmitter ID of the first transmitter 30 and the actual second transmitter ID of the second transmitter 32 from the demodulated identification signal.

[0401] Subsequently, in step S305, as a result of the reception from the first transmitter 30 and the second transmitter 32, it is displayed on the screen 135 that the user has selected the current station (return station) 20 and the current bicycle (return bicycle) 12. Thereby, the user confirms the station 20 and the bicycle 12 that the user has selected.

[0402] Furthermore, in this step S305, the mobile terminal 90 determines at the current time that there is a bicycle (the bicycle that the user is about to return) 12 that has been returned to the current station 20. This determination is equivalent to the determination that the user has ended the use (returned) of the current bicycle 12 at the current station 20.

[0403] Thereafter, in step S306, in accordance with the aforementioned step S162, it is determined whether a return request has been input from the user to the mobile terminal 90 (for example, a virtual button (for example, a "return button") for instructing the "return request" has been operated). If a return request has been input, the determination in step S306 is YES.

[0404] Subsequently, in step S307, in accordance with the aforementioned step S163, the fact that a return request has been issued from the user and the determination result that the user has actually ended the use (returned) of the current bicycle 12 at the current station 20 (the identification information of the current return station 20 and the identification information of the current return bicycle 12) are associated with the user (for example, together with the user ID) and transmitted to the management server 50.

[0405] As a result, the identification information of the return station 20 and the identification information of the returned bicycle 12 are paired (linked), and the pair is associated with the identification information of the current user, and these pieces of information are transmitted from the mobile terminal 90 to the management server 50.

[0406] On the other hand, in step S401, the management server 50 receives the information transmitted by the mobile terminal 90 by executing the step S307 in the same manner as in the aforementioned step S254.

[0407] After that, in step S402, the current time is measured using the clock 172. Subsequently, in step S403, the current time is recognized as the actual return time. After that, in step S404, the user's return of the current bicycle 12 is permitted.

[0408] After that, in step S405, for the user, the time from the charging start time individually determined for each user as described above to the charging end time (the scheduled return time in the case of a reservation, and the actual return time in the case of no reservation) is calculated as the total rental time.

[0409] Subsequently, in step S406, based on the calculated length of the total rental time and the fare rate (rate of increase) according to a fare table (not shown), the current rental amount is calculated.

[0410] After that, in step S407, the reservation status table is updated so that the rental information for the current bicycle 12 is deleted from the reservation status table. Subsequently, in step S408, information such as the calculated rental amount is transmitted to the mobile terminal 90.

[0411] On the other hand, in step S308, the mobile terminal 90 receives information such as the rental amount from the management server 50, and subsequently, in step S309, the rental amount is displayed on the screen. After that, in step S310, electronic payment by the user is performed.

[0412] Subsequently, in step S311, the mobile terminal 90 transmits a logout request for requesting logout from the management server 50 to the management server 50.

[0413] In response, in step S409, the management server 50 receives the logout request. Subsequently, in step S410, a confirmation response signal ACK indicating that the reception of the logout request has been completed normally is transmitted to the mobile terminal 90.

[0414] In response, in step S312, the mobile terminal 90 receives the confirmation response signal ACK from the management server 50.

[0415] The case where the determination in step S306 is YES has been described above. When the determination is NO, in step S313, in accordance with step S164 described above, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the execution time of step S305 is within the second limit time.

[0416] If it is within the second limit time, the determination in step S313 is YES, and in step S314, in accordance with step S165, the user is urged to input a return request. Subsequently, the process returns to step S306.

[0417] In contrast, if the elapsed time from the execution time of step S305 exceeds the second limit time at present, the determination in step S313 is NO, and then, in step S315, it is determined that a second violation has occurred to the user. Subsequently, in step S316, it is transmitted to the management server 50 that a second violation has occurred to the user.

[0418] <Abandoned Bicycle Search Sequence>

[0419] In FIG. 19, after a user rides and drives the borrowed bicycle 12 and then gets off the bicycle 12 and abandons it at a location other than the station 20 for some reason, an example of the communication performed between the second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12, the user's mobile terminal 90, and the management server 50 is represented in a chronological sequence flow.

[0420] This abandoned bicycle search sequence starts when the user borrows any bicycle 12 and the lending process is completed.

[0421] First, the user's mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive from the first and / or second transmitters 30, 32 in step S1901. Next, in step S1902, it is determined whether a valid reception has been made from any of the first transmitters 30 (for example, whether the mobile terminal 90 is located within the first reception range (for example, the distance from any of the first transmitters 30 is about 10 m)).

[0422] If the mobile terminal 90 is validly receiving from any of the first transmitters 30, it means that the user is staying within any of the stations 20 with the bicycle 12. In this case, it is not necessary to execute this abandoned bicycle search sequence.

[0423] If the mobile terminal 90 is validly receiving from any of the first transmitters 30, the determination in step S1902 becomes YES and it returns to step S1901. However, as shown in FIG. 22(a), if the mobile terminal 90 is not validly receiving from any of the first transmitters 30, the determination in step S1902 becomes NO.

[0424] Here, the fact that the mobile terminal 90 is not validly receiving from any of the first transmitters 30 is represented as the reception signal level from the first transmitter 30 being at the low level L for the sake of convenience of explanation in the time chart shown in FIG. 22(a). This notation method is the same for other time charts regarding the second transmitter.

[0425] Subsequently, in step S1903, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive from the first and / or second transmitters 30, 32. Thereafter, in step S1904, it is then determined whether it has successfully received from any of the second transmitters 32 (for example, whether the mobile terminal 90 is located within a second reception range shorter than the first reception range (for example, within about 5 m from any of the second transmitters 32)).

[0426] If the mobile terminal 90 has successfully received from any of the second transmitters 32, as illustrated in FIG. 21(a), it is likely that the user is riding the bicycle 12. In this case as well, it is not necessary to execute this abandoned bicycle search sequence.

[0427] If the mobile terminal 90 has not successfully received from any of the second transmitters 32, the determination in step S1904 is NO and it returns to step S1903. However, if the mobile terminal 90 has successfully received from any of the second transmitters 32, the determination in step S1904 is YES.

[0428] The determination in step S1904 being YES is equivalent to determining that the current user is currently riding the current bicycle 12.

[0429] However, based on the time differential value (equivalent to speed) of the GPS measurement position of the mobile terminal 90 and / or the detection value of an acceleration sensor (not shown) mounted on the mobile terminal 90 (for example, by determining whether its absolute value is equal to or greater than a reference value), it is determined whether the user is moving. On the condition that it is determined that the user is moving, when the determination in step S1904 is YES, it is possible to determine that the current user is riding and moving on the current bicycle 12.

[0430] Subsequently, in step S1905, the mobile terminal 90 acquires the actual second transmitter ID represented by the identification signal effectively received from any one of the second transmitters 32, and converts the acquired actual second transmitter ID into a bicycle ID corresponding to the actual second transmitter ID according to the correspondence shown in FIG. 9. Thereby, the bicycle 12 detected by the mobile terminal 90, that is, the bicycle 12 borrowed by the user is identified.

[0431] Thereafter, in step S1906, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive from the first and / or second transmitters 30, 32. Subsequently, in step S1907, it is determined whether or not the mobile terminal 90 has effectively received (for example, the mobile terminal 90 is located within the second reception range of the same transmitter 32 as the previous time) from the same second transmitter 32 that was determined to have been effectively received in step S1904.

[0432] That is, in this step S1907, it is determined whether or not the mobile terminal 90 has effectively received from the second transmitter (the same transmitter as the previous time) 32 a signal representing the same bicycle ID as the bicycle ID represented by the signal that the mobile terminal 90 has effectively received from the second transmitter 32 in step S1904.

[0433] As illustrated in FIG. 21(b), when the user abandons and leaves the current bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 of the user separates from or retreats from the second transmitter 32 mounted on the bicycle 12, and as a result, the mobile terminal 90 deviates from the second reception range. Then, the mobile terminal 90 transitions from a reception state in which it could effectively receive from the same second transmitter 32 as the previous time to a non-reception state in which it cannot effectively receive.

[0434] When the mobile terminal 90 is still effectively receiving from the same second transmitter 32 as the previous time, the determination in step S1907 becomes YES, and the process returns to step S1906. The determination in step S1907 being YES is equivalent to determining that the current user is on the current bicycle 12 (in a state of sitting on the saddle 62 of the bicycle 12, or in a state of riding and moving on the bicycle 12).

[0435] On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 90 is not effectively receiving from the same second transmitter 32 as the previous time this time, the determination in step S1907 becomes NO.

[0436] This determination result is equivalent to determining that, as shown in FIGS. 22(a) and (b), the mobile terminal 90 has transitioned from a reception state of effectively receiving a signal from the same second transmitter 32 as the previous time to a non-reception state of not effectively receiving the signal during a state (period) of not effectively receiving a signal from the first transmitter 30.

[0437] This determination result is further equivalent to determining that the user has transitioned from a state of riding on the bicycle 12 to a state of getting off the bicycle 12 (for example, a state of being separated from the bicycle 12) during a period when the user, the mobile terminal 90, and the bicycle 12 are not present at any of the stations 20.

[0438] In this embodiment, the determination of whether the user, the mobile terminal 90, and the bicycle 12 are not present at any of the stations 20 is made using the first transmitter 30 installed at each station 20. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented in a mode where the GPS of the mobile terminal 90 is used to determine whether the current positions of the user and the mobile terminal 90, which are measured by the GPS, do not match the map positions of any of the stations 20.

[0439] Thereafter, in step S1908, the mobile terminal 90 measures its current position by GPS. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 22(c), in step S1909, it stores the measured current position (x, y) (x: longitude, y: latitude) in the memory 132 as a provisional abandonment position.

[0440] Thereafter, in step S1910, for a user who has moved away from the bicycle 12, instead of abandoning the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 displays, on the screen 135, an icon and / or a message for prompting the user to board the bicycle 12 and move to any one of the stations 20 and return it there.

[0441] Subsequently, in step S1911, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the user has started to effectively receive from the current second transmitter 32 again because the user has boarded the current bicycle 12. If the effective reception from the current second transmitter 32 has started, this determination becomes YES, and thereafter, it returns to step S1901.

[0442] On the contrary, if the effective reception from the current second transmitter 32 has not started, the determination in step S1911 becomes NO, and the mobile terminal 90 determines, in step S1912, as shown in FIG. 22(d), whether a predetermined limit time (for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour) has elapsed. That is, it determines whether the time during which the same determination result has continued since the time when the determination result in step S1911 first became NO has reached the threshold time.

[0443] If the determination in this step S1912 is NO, it returns to step S1910, but if the determination in this step S1912 is YES, the mobile terminal 90 determines, in step S1913, as shown in FIG. 22(e), that the current bicycle 12 is an abandoned bicycle. As a result, an abandoned bicycle is discovered.

[0444] As described above, in this embodiment, when the elapsed time from the start time of the non-reception state of the second transmitter 32 exceeds the limit time (the "predetermined time" in the above item (4)), the mobile terminal 90 recognizes the current bicycle 12 as an abandoned bicycle.

[0445] Here, the length of the "limit time" may be set according to the convenience of the rental company. However, the user can set it according to their own convenience and schedule as the length of the waiting time from the time when the user stops the bicycle 12, gets off, and starts waiting for the bicycle 12 (the time when the state transitions from the reception state to the non-reception state) until the time when the user eventually returns to the bicycle 12, gets on, and starts resuming the use of the bicycle 12 (the time when the state transitions from the non-reception state to the reception state).

[0446] During that waiting time, in order to prevent another person from arbitrarily starting to use the bicycle 12, the original user should lock the electronic lock of the bicycle 12 before leaving the bicycle 12. When the use of the bicycle 12 is resumed, the mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50 may send an unlocking signal to the electronic lock to unlock the electronic lock.

[0447] Instead of or in addition to such a determination method for abandonment, when the permitted rental time of the rental vehicle permitted to the user has elapsed, that is, when the scheduled return time has elapsed, and the current bicycle 12 has not been returned to any station 20, the mobile terminal 90 may recognize the current bicycle 12 as an abandoned bicycle.

[0448] Instead of or in addition to those determination methods for abandonment, after the non-reception state of the second transmitter 32 is started, the mobile terminal 90 visually, auditorily, or tactilely stimulates the user to urge the user to return the current bicycle 12 to any station. If the user does not respond to the mobile terminal 90 for such an urge, the current bicycle 12 may be recognized as an abandoned bicycle.

[0449] Subsequently, in step S1914, as shown in FIG. 22(f), the mobile terminal 90 treats the temporary parking position (x, y) stored in the memory 132 as the final parking position (x, y). Thereafter, in step S1915, the mobile terminal 90 transmits the current user's authentication information, the current bicycle ID representing the parked bicycle, and the final parking position (x, y) to the management server 50 as parked bicycle information.

[0450] On the other hand, in step S1951, the management server 50 receives the parked bicycle information transmitted by the mobile terminal 90 as a result of the execution of step S1915.

[0451] Thereafter, in step S1952, although the current bicycle 12 has not actually been returned to any of the stations 20, since the parking position of the bicycle 12 is treated as a lending station 20 that temporarily appears in fact and the same bicycle 12 will be lent to another user, the management server 50 determines that the parked bicycle 12 exists as if it has been returned. That is, the act of parking is treated as the act of returning.

[0452] Subsequently, in step S1953, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172. Subsequently, in step S1954, the management server 50 recognizes the current time as the return time. Thereafter, in step S1955, for each user, the management server 50 calculates the total rental time from the billing start time determined individually for each user as described above to the billing end time (in this case, the assumed return time).

[0453] Subsequently, in step S1956, the management server 50 calculates the current rental amount based on the calculated length of the total rental time and the rate of increase in the rental rate according to a rate table (not shown).

[0454] Thereafter, in step S1957, the management server 50 calculates a surcharge as a penalty imposed on the user on the grounds that the user has not returned the bicycle 12 to any of the stations 20.

[0455] Subsequently, in step S1958, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the management server 50 associates and stores in the memory 162 the identification information of the user who left the current bicycle 12, the bicycle ID that identifies the bicycle 12, the placement position (x, y) of the bicycle 12, the start time of the placement (i.e., for example, the assumed return time or the transition time from the reception state to the non-reception state of the second transmitter 32), information indicating whether the operation of collecting the bicycle 12 by another user has been started, and information indicating whether the operation has ended. As a result, the list of abandoned bicycles is registered in the memory 162.

[0456] Furthermore, in this step S1958, the management server 50 updates the reservation status table so that the rental information for the current bicycle 12 is deleted from the reservation status table.

[0457] Subsequently, in step S1959, the management server 50 transmits information such as the total value of the calculated rental amount and the surcharge, that is, the total rental amount that the user should pay, to the mobile terminal 90.

[0458] On the other hand, in step S1916, the mobile terminal 90 receives information such as the total rental amount from the management server 50, and then, in step S1917, displays the total rental amount on the screen 135. Thereafter, in step S1918, electronic payment by the user is enabled.

[0459] <Abandoned Bicycle Recovery Sequence>

[0460] In FIG. 20, when an abandoned bicycle 12 is found, an example of the communication performed between the second transmitter 32 installed on the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 of another user, and the management server 50 to lend the abandoned bicycle 12 at its abandoned position to another user and have the user return it to any of the stations 20 is represented in a chronological sequence flow.

[0461] This abandoned bicycle recovery sequence starts when the abandoned bicycle 12 is found by the aforementioned abandoned bicycle search sequence.

[0462] First, in step S2051, the management server 50 reads out the bicycle ID and the abandoned position of each abandoned bicycle 12 before recovery from the aforementioned abandoned bicycle list illustrated in FIG. 23. Next, in step S2052, for each abandoned bicycle 12, the abandoned bicycle data formed by associating the bicycle ID and the abandoned position with each other is transmitted to the mobile terminals 90 of a plurality of potential other users all at once. The abandoned bicycle data is stored in the memory 132 of the mobile terminal 90 of each other user.

[0463] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 90 of each other user receives the abandoned bicycle data transmitted from the management server 50 in step S2001. Subsequently, in step S2002, the current position of itself is measured by GPS. Thereafter, in step S2003, as illustrated in FIG. 24, a map in the vicinity of the current position (indicated by the black triangle 202 in the figure) is displayed on the screen 135.

[0464] Subsequently, in step S2004, the mobile terminal 90 of each other user, as shown in the figure, overlays and displays the abandoned position of each abandoned bicycle 12 represented by the abandoned bicycle data (indicated by a figure with "D" appended in a square frame in the figure) on the screen 135 with respect to the map.

[0465] Subsequently, in step S2005, the mobile terminal 90 of each other user attempts to effectively receive from the first and / or second transmitters 30, 32. Subsequently, in step S2006, it is determined whether or not effective reception has been performed from any of the second transmitters 32 (the mobile terminal 90 is within the second reception range).

[0466] If the mobile terminal 90 of each other user does not effectively receive from any of the second transmitters 32, the determination in this step S2006 is NO, and the process returns to step S2005.

[0467] On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 21(c), assume that one of the plurality of potential other users (hereinafter referred to as "other user") approaches one of the parked bicycles 12 in order to borrow it relying on the above-mentioned guidance information displayed on the screen 135 of the mobile terminal 90 of the other user.

[0468] Furthermore, eventually, as shown in FIG. 21(d), assume that the other user gets on the parked bicycle 12, and as a result, the mobile terminal 90 of the other user effectively receives from any of the second transmitters 32. In this case, the determination in step S2006 is YES.

[0469] Subsequently, in step S2007, the mobile terminal 90 of the other user acquires the bicycle ID of the parked bicycle 12 on which the second transmitter 32 should be mounted from the identification signal effectively received from any of the second transmitters 32.

[0470] Subsequently, in step S2008, the mobile terminal 90 of the other user determines whether or not the acquired bicycle ID matches any of the bicycle IDs of at least one parked bicycle 12 stored in the memory 132. If it does not match the bicycle ID of any of the parked bicycles 12, the determination in this step S2008 is NO, and the process returns to step S2005. However, if it matches the bicycle ID of any of the parked bicycles 12, the determination in step S2008 is YES.

[0471] Subsequently, the mobile terminal 90 of another user assists, in step S2009, the user in entering the time when the user plans to return the current bicycle 12, i.e., a certain parked bicycle 12, to any station 20 after using it.

[0472] Subsequently, the mobile terminal 90 of another user determines, in step S2010, whether the user has entered a lending request for the bicycle 12 (for example, a virtual button (such as a "lend button") operated to command a "lending request" has been operated by the user). If a lending request has been entered, the determination in this step S2010 becomes YES.

[0473] Subsequently, the mobile terminal 90 of another user transmits, in step S2011, the fact that a lending request has been issued from the user and the fact that the user has started using the current bicycle 12 to the management server 50 in association with the user (for example, together with the user ID).

[0474] In contrast, the management server 50 receives, in step S2053, the information transmitted by the mobile terminal 90 of each other user as a result of the execution of the step S2011. Subsequently, in step S2054, the parked bicycle table is updated so that the information about the current bicycle 12 is deleted from the parked bicycle table illustrated in FIG. 23.

[0475] Subsequently, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172 in step S2055 in the same manner as in the aforementioned step S255. Subsequently, in step S2056, the current time is recognized as the actual lending time in the same manner as in the aforementioned step S256. Subsequently, in step S2057, the lending of the current bicycle 12 (in this case, a parked bicycle) to the user is permitted in the same manner as in the aforementioned step S257.

[0476] After that, in step S2058, the management server 50 determines the charging start time for each user in the same manner as in step S258 described above. Subsequently, the management server 50 transmits the necessary information to the mobile terminal 90 of another user, whereby the user can know that the bicycle 12 has been rented out and charging has started at the abandonment location.

[0477] As described below, the present invention can be implemented in a mode where the first transmitter 30 is not installed at each station 20. However, in the present embodiment, since the first transmitter 30 is installed at each station 20, the effects resulting therefrom can be obtained.

[0478] That is, in the present embodiment, at the time of renting out and returning the bicycle 12 at each station 20, each bicycle 12 is associated with the station 20 where the bicycle 12 actually exists. Therefore, the management server 50, that is, the rental company, can remotely monitor the number of bicycles 12 existing at each station 20 in real time.

[0479] Therefore, the rental company can remotely monitor in real time the surplus or deficiency of the number of bicycles 12 stored at each station 20, and while suppressing users from using stations 20 where the number of stored bicycles 12 is insufficient, it is possible to guide potential users so as to encourage users to use stations 20 where the number of stored bicycles 12 is excessive.

[0480] In this way, since multiple users will perform the operation of optimally distributing the stored bicycles 12 among a plurality of stations 20 on behalf of the rental company, the necessity for the rental company to go to each station 20 to perform the operation of eliminating the surplus or deficiency of the stored bicycles 12 at each station 20 is reduced.

[0481] In the present embodiment, since the first transmitter 30 is installed in each station 20, it is possible to determine whether the user is currently staying at any of the stations 20 or staying at a location other than the stations 20 (i.e., not staying at any of the stations 20), and it is also possible to know at which of the stations 20 the user is currently staying.

[0482] However, instead of the first transmitter 30, the present invention may be implemented in such a manner that a display object (a fixed display object or a variable display object) that visualizes a code (e.g., a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark)) capable of identifying each station 20 is installed at each station 20.

[0483] <Second Embodiment>

[0484] Next, with reference to FIGS. 25 to 28, a system 10 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, for the parts common to the system 10 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals and names are used for citation, and duplicate descriptions are omitted, and only the different parts will be described in detail.

[0485] In the foregoing first embodiment, in order to implement a one-way bicycle rental business that is basically station-based, a plurality of bicycles 12 are temporarily parked at a plurality of stations 20 that are fixedly assigned to a location on the land, and at each station 20, the lending and returning of the bicycles 12 are performed. Further, a first transmitter 30 is installed at each station 20.

[0486] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 25, in order to implement a free-floating one-way bicycle rental business, the lending and returning of the bicycles 12 are performed at arbitrary locations. Of course, the first transmitter 30 is not installed at such arbitrary locations.

[0487] In the example shown in FIG. 25, a user X selects a roadside bicycle parking lot 300, which is one of a plurality of roadside bicycle parking lots (bicycle parking lots dedicated to rental bicycles) assigned to both sides of a public road, and borrows a bicycle 12 there. When the user X has achieved the purpose, the user X selects another roadside bicycle parking lot 300 and returns the bicycle 12 there.

[0488] Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is no concept of leaving the bicycle 12 unattended. However, in the first embodiment described above, as described above, the term "leaving unattended" may be synonymous with the term "returning".

[0489] Therefore, the term "returning" in the present embodiment means the latter of the term "returning (returning to any of the stations 20 by the user himself / herself, and preparing to lend the bicycle 12 to others at the station 20)" and the term "leaving unattended (preparing to lend the bicycle 12 to others at the place where it is left unattended)" in the first embodiment.

[0490] <Lending sequence>

[0491] FIG. 26 shows a lending process module executed by the user's mobile terminal 90 to execute a lending process and a lending process module executed by the management server 50 to execute a lending process as a lending sequence flow.

[0492] Specifically, in step S2601, the mobile terminal 90 transmits a request to log in to the website of the management server 50 to the management server 50.

[0493] In response to this, in step S2651, the management server 50 receives the login request. Subsequently, in step S2652, the management server 50 searches the memory 162 for storage location data representing the positions of a plurality of storage locations 300 where the bicycle 12 is currently stored.

[0494] The plurality of storage locations 300 effectively function as a plurality of temporary stations (any location where the rental and return of the bicycle 12 are temporarily conducted) for the user. Subsequently, in step S2653, the management server 50 transmits the storage location data representing the map positions (x, y) of the storage locations 300 to the mobile terminal 90 in association with each temporary station ID.

[0495] In response, in step S2602, the mobile terminal 90 receives the transmitted storage location data and stores it in the memory 132. Subsequently, in step S2603, the mobile terminal 90 measures its current position, i.e., the user's current position, by means of GPS.

[0496] Thereafter, in step S2604, the mobile terminal 90 displays a map in the vicinity of its current position on the screen 135, and further, overlays and displays on the displayed map those of the plurality of stored storage locations 300 (i.e., the temporary stations 300) that are in the vicinity of the current position.

[0497] Thereby, the user can know several temporary stations 300 existing in the vicinity of his or her current position. Thereafter, the user selects one of the temporary stations 300, moves towards that position, and eventually, the user will approach that temporary station 300 and the bicycle 12 existing there.

[0498] Subsequently, in step S2605, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive from the second transmitter 32 mounted on one of the bicycles 12 under the short range (or the medium range that requires the user to bring the mobile terminal 90 close to or near the second transmitter 32 (or, if the user is riding the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 can effectively receive from the second transmitter 32 without bringing the mobile terminal 90 close to the second transmitter 32)).

[0499] After that, in step S2606, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether it has transitioned from a non-reception state in which it does not effectively receive a signal from any of the second transmitters 32 to a reception state in which it effectively receives the signal. If there is no such transition, the determination in step S2606 is NO, and the process returns to step S2605. However, if there is such a transition and the determination in step S2606 is YES, the process proceeds to step S2607.

[0500] As illustrated in FIG. 28, before the user gets on the bicycle 12 and when the user is moving away from the second transmitter 32, the mobile terminal 90 cannot effectively receive signals from the second transmitter 32. The received signal at that time is conceptually at a low level L. Eventually, when the user approaches the second transmitter 32 or gets on the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 starts to effectively receive signals from that second transmitter 32. The received signal at that time is conceptually at a high level H.

[0501] In step S2607 described above, the mobile terminal 90 determines that "rental start". Subsequently, in step S2608, it measures its current position by GPS. That position is also the current position of the user, the position of one temporary station 300 (which functions as a rental station this time) where the user is currently located, or the location of one bicycle 12 parked at that temporary station 300.

[0502] After that, in step S2609, the mobile terminal 90 obtains the bicycle ID corresponding to the current bicycle 12 from the effectively received signal. That bicycle ID is stored in the memory 132 as the rented bicycle ID. Subsequently, in step S2610, the rented bicycle ID is displayed on the screen 135, and further, a "rental button", which is an icon operated by the user to indicate a desire to rent that bicycle 12, is displayed on the screen 135.

[0503] After that, in step S2611, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the user has operated the "rent button" because the bicycle ID displayed on the bicycle 12 actually selected by the user (for example, "2001" in the example shown in FIG. 1(b)) matches the bicycle ID displayed on the screen 135.

[0504] If the user has not operated the "rent button", the determination in step S2611 is NO, and the process returns to the same step S2611. However, if the user has operated the "rent button", the determination in step S2611 is YES, and in step S2612, it is determined that a rent request has been issued by the user to rent the current bicycle 12, and this is associated with the current bicycle ID, the location on the map of the current temporary station 300 (in this case, the rent station location), and the user ID, and is transmitted to the management server 50.

[0505] In response to this, in step S2654, the management server 50 receives the rent request, and then, in step S2655, measures the current time using the clock 172. Subsequently, in step S2656, the current time is recognized as the actual rent time. Subsequently, in step S2657, the management server 50 permits the user to rent the current bicycle 12.

[0506] After that, in step S2658, the management server 50 determines the billing start time as the actual rent time for the user. Subsequently, in step S2659, the management server 50 transmits data indicating that the rental has been permitted and the billing start time to the mobile terminal 90.

[0507] In response to this, in step S2613, the mobile terminal 90 receives the transmitted data.

[0508] In accordance with this, the mobile terminal 90 can transmit an unlocking signal to the electronic lock (e.g., wheel lock, handle lock) mounted on the bicycle 12 this time by means of a short-range communication method, thereby unlocking the electronic lock. After unlocking, the user can use the bicycle 12 this time. Alternatively, the management server 50 may transmit the same unlocking signal by means of a long-range communication method.

[0509] Thereafter, in step S2614, the mobile terminal 90 displays the data received in the preceding step S2613 on the screen 135.

[0510] As illustrated in FIG. 28, when the lending of the bicycle 12 to the user is permitted as described above and the necessary unlocking is completed, the user can board the bicycle 12 and start riding. In this case, the rental time is strictly calculated from the actual lending time, but substantially from the time when the user boards the bicycle 12.

[0511] <Return sequence>

[0512] FIG. 27 shows a return processing module executed by the user's mobile terminal 90 to execute a return process and a return processing module executed by the management server 50 to execute a return process as a return sequence flow.

[0513] This return sequence flow is executed subsequent to the end of the aforementioned lending sequence flow. Further, in this return sequence flow, when the user is on the bicycle 12, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive from the second transmitter 32 under the medium range in which the mobile terminal 90 can effectively receive from the second transmitter 32 without holding the mobile terminal 90 in front of the second transmitter 32.

[0514] Specifically, in step S2701, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive from the second transmitter 32 mounted on any of the bicycles 12 under the medium range.

[0515] Thereafter, in step S2702, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether it has transitioned from a reception state in which it effectively receives a signal from any one of the second transmitters 32 to a non-reception state in which it does not effectively receive the signal. If there is no such transition, the determination in step S2702 is NO, and the process returns to step S2701. However, if there is such a transition and the determination in step S2702 is YES, the process proceeds to step S2703.

[0516] As illustrated in FIG. 28, when the user is riding the bicycle 12 and approaching the second transmitter 32, the mobile terminal 90 effectively receives a signal from the second transmitter 32. The received signal at that time is conceptually at a high level H. Eventually, when the user dismounts from the bicycle 12 and moves away from the second transmitter 32, a state in which the mobile terminal 90 does not effectively receive a signal from the second transmitter 32 is started. The received signal at that time is conceptually at a low level L.

[0517] The mobile terminal 90 determines "return start" in step S2703 described above. Subsequently, in step S2704, it measures its current position by GPS. That position is also the current position of the user, the position of one temporary station 300 where the user is currently located (which functions as a return station this time), or the location of one bicycle 12 parked at that temporary station 300.

[0518] Thereafter, in step S2705, the mobile terminal 90 obtains the bicycle ID corresponding to the current bicycle 12 from the signal that was effectively received during the execution of step S2701. Subsequently, in step S2706, it determines whether the bicycle ID matches the rented bicycle ID stored in the memory 132. If they do not match, the determination in step S2706 is NO, and the process returns to step S2701. However, if they match, the determination in step S2706 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S2707.

[0519] In step S2707, the mobile terminal 90 displays a "return button", which is an icon operated by the user to indicate a desire to return the bicycle 12, on the screen 135. Further, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the "return button".

[0520] If the user does not operate the "return button", the determination is NO and the process returns to step S2707. If the user operates the "return button", the determination is YES, and in step S2708, a return request from the user indicating the desire to return the current bicycle 12 is sent to the management server 50, associated with the current bicycle ID, the location of the current temporary station 300 on the map (in this case, the return station location), and the user ID.

[0521] In response, in step S2751, the management server 50 receives the return request, and then, in step S2752, updates the list of a plurality of storage locations where available bicycles 12 are stored and saved in the memory 162 so that the fact that the current bicycle 12 is returned to the location on the map of the current temporary station 300 is reflected.

[0522] Thereafter, in step S2753, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172. Subsequently, in step S2754, the current time is recognized as the actual return time. Thereafter, in step S2755, the user is permitted to return the current bicycle 12.

[0523] Subsequently, in step S2756, for the user, the management server 50 calculates the time from the charging start time determined as described above to the charging end time (actual return time) as the total rental time. Thereafter, in step S2757, according to a rate table (not shown), the management server 50 calculates the current rental amount based on the length of the calculated total rental time and the rate (increase rate). Subsequently, in step S2758, information such as the calculated rental amount is sent to the mobile terminal 90.

[0524] In contrast, in step S2709, the mobile terminal 90 receives information such as the rental amount from the management server 50, and then, in step S2710, displays the rental amount on the screen 135. After that, in step S2711, electronic settlement is performed by the user.

[0525] For example, in step S2710, the mobile terminal 90 may display, on the screen 135, a message for instructing the user to manually lock the electronic lock mounted on the bicycle 12 this time. When the user actually locks it and this is confirmed by the electronic lock and received by the mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50, it may be determined at that time that the return stage is completed.

[0526] As illustrated in FIG. 28, after the user parks the bicycle 12 at an arbitrary location, gets off the bicycle there, and then the user moves away from the bicycle 12 as described above, the mobile terminal 90 enters a state where it cannot effectively receive the signal from the second transmitter 32. At this time, if the return of the bicycle 12 from the user is permitted and the necessary locking is performed, the return stage is completed. In this case, the rental time is strictly added up to the actual return time, but substantially, it is added up to the time when the user gets off the bicycle 12.

[0527] Note that in this embodiment, the reception range of the second transmitter 32 is set such that the mobile terminal 90 is within the reception range of the second transmitter 32 as long as the user is riding on the bicycle 12. When the user moves away from the bicycle 12 and accordingly the mobile terminal 90 deviates from the reception range of the second transmitter 32, thereby transitioning from the reception state of the second transmitter 32 to the non-reception state, it is presumed that the user may return the bicycle 12.

[0528] Alternatively, the present invention is configured such that the reception range of the second transmitter 32 is set so that the mobile terminal 90 does not enter the reception range of the second transmitter 32 unless the user intentionally approaches the second transmitter 32 by holding the mobile terminal 90 over the second transmitter 32 while the user is riding the bicycle 12. Then, when the user approaches the second transmitter 32 by holding the mobile terminal 90 over the second transmitter 32, etc., and accordingly the mobile terminal 90 enters the reception range of the second transmitter 32, and thereby the second transmitter 32 transitions from the non-reception state to the reception state, the present invention may be implemented in such a manner that it is estimated that the user may return the bicycle 12.

[0529] <Some other modifications>

[0530] In some of the embodiments described above, a user ID is used as an example of the user's identification information, and thereby the behavior of the user is monitored over time.

[0531] Instead of or in addition to this, as another example of the user's identification information (personal authentication information), a unique device address such as the phone number, email address, or MAC address of the mobile terminal 90 may be used.

[0532] Also, some of the embodiments described above may be improved so that at least a part of the data processing by the mobile terminal 90 is executed by the management server 50, or conversely, at least a part of the data processing by the management server 50 is executed by the mobile terminal 90.

[0533] Also, some of the embodiments described above are configured to implement a rental business that rents out the bicycle 12 to the user for a fee and on a post-payment basis. However, for example, it is possible to improve the embodiments to implement a rental business that rents out the bicycle 12 to the user on a pre-payment basis or a rental business that rents out the bicycle 12 to the user for free.

[0534] Although the above-described embodiments are exemplary embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a rental bicycle as a rental vehicle, the present invention may be applied to other moving objects that are rented to a user for a fee or free of charge and move with the user. Examples of such moving objects include motorcycles, automobiles (rental cars, etc.), engine-powered boats or jet skis, recreational or competitive go-karts, shopping carts, baby strollers, pushcarts, wheelchairs, and golf carts.

[0535] Although a "bicycle" is usually a type having two wheels, the number of wheels is not limited to this, and it may be, for example, a type having three wheels or a type having four wheels.

[0536] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied when the rental item is furniture, an electrical appliance, an accessory that can be removably attached to an electrical appliance, or a recording medium on which audiovisual content is recorded (e.g., a rental CD) that can be played by the user.

[0537] Additionally, the present invention may be applied when the rental item is a hotel or apartment room in which the user can reside, an individual storage space in a coin locker, or an individual parking space in a parking garage.

[0538] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the aspects described in the "Summary of the Invention" section above.

Claims

1. A rental vehicle management system for managing a plurality of rental vehicles at a plurality of stations, a short-range wireless communication unit mounted on each rental vehicle and having a function of transmitting a signal unique to each rental vehicle, a management server capable of communicating with a mobile terminal of a user of each rental vehicle and including, the management server includes a lending permission unit that permits lending to the user of any one of the plurality of rental vehicles as a lending vehicle when the user inputs a lending request to the mobile terminal at any one of the plurality of stations, the management server and / or the mobile terminal includes a separation determination unit that can determine whether the user has alighted from and separated from the lending vehicle by determining whether the mobile terminal has transitioned from a state of effectively receiving the signal from the short-range wireless communication unit corresponding to the lending vehicle to a state of not effectively receiving the signal after the lending is permitted. A rental vehicle management system.

2. The management server further includes a lending vehicle identification unit that identifies any one of the plurality of rental vehicles as the lending vehicle based on the received signal when the mobile terminal receives the signal from the short-range wireless communication unit corresponding to any one of the plurality of rental vehicles because the user has approached any one of the plurality of rental vehicles at any one of the plurality of stations. The rental vehicle management system according to claim 1.

3. The management server and / or the mobile terminal includes a lending vehicle position identification unit that identifies the position of the lending vehicle based on the current position measured by a positioning unit of the mobile terminal. The rental vehicle management system according to claim 1.

4. A program for causing a computer to function as the management server according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A recording medium having the program according to claim 4 recorded thereon in a computer-readable manner.

Images