Information processing device, terminal device, and information processing system

Abstract

To provide a technique that heightens expectations of users for vehicle delivery.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 is configured to acquire user information for identifying a user and a vehicle purchased by the user from a terminal device 20, determine whether a condition that the vehicle has not been delivered yet is satisfied or not, and, if the condition is satisfied, send an invitation message for a corresponding community to the terminal device 20 in each step up to delivery of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for providing a user with information about a vehicle before delivery. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses providing a user terminal with information about the progress of delivery of a vehicle purchased by a user before delivery (images taken during assembly, location information during transportation, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-297954 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, simply providing the user (purchaser) with vehicle images, location information, etc. does not necessarily increase the likelihood of the user's anticipation for the delivery of the vehicle. As such, there is room for improvement in the technology for increasing the user's anticipation for the delivery of the vehicle.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in consideration of such circumstances, is to improve technology that increases users' expectations regarding vehicle delivery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing device that includes a control unit and communicates with a terminal device, and the control unit acquires user information from the terminal device that identifies a user and a vehicle purchased by the user, determines whether the condition that the vehicle has not yet been delivered is met, and if the condition is met, notifies the terminal device of an invitation message to a corresponding community for each step leading up to the delivery of the vehicle.

[0007] A terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a terminal device that includes a control unit and communicates with an information processing device, and the control unit transmits user information identifying a user and a vehicle purchased by the user to the information processing device, and, if the vehicle has not yet been delivered, obtains an invitation message to a corresponding community from the information processing device for each step leading up to the delivery of the vehicle.

[0008] An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the information processing device and the terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the technology for increasing a user's expectations regarding vehicle delivery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <Configuration of information processing system> The configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes an information processing device 10 and a terminal device 20. The information processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 30 including, for example, the Internet.

[0013] The terminal device 20 is a device used by a user, and is, for example, a mobile device such as a PC (personal computer), a smartphone, or a tablet. The terminal device 20 transmits user information that identifies the user and the vehicle purchased by the user to the information processing device 10. Then, when the vehicle purchased by the user has not yet been delivered, the terminal device 20 receives, from the information processing device 10, an invitation message to join the corresponding community for each process up to the delivery of the vehicle. The community is, for example, a chat room or a bulletin board.

[0014] The information processing device 10 is a server that transmits data to the terminal device 20, and is, for example, a general web server. The information processing device 10 receives user information from the terminal device 20 and determines whether or not a condition is met that the vehicle purchased by the user has not yet been delivered. If this condition is met, the information processing device 10 then transmits an invitation message to the terminal device 20 to join the corresponding community for each step up to the delivery of the vehicle. The community site may utilize an existing community, such as the GAZOO community.

[0015] The network 30 may include the Internet, at least one wide area network (WAN), at least one metropolitan area network (MAN), or any combination thereof. The network 30 may also include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. The wireless network may be, for example, an ad-hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless local area network (LAN), a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network.

[0016] <Configuration of information processing device> Next, the configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. An information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0017] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The dedicated circuit is, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit 11 controls each unit of the information processing device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0018] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or a flash memory. The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The flash memory is, for example, a solid-state drive (SSD). The magnetic memory is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 associates user information, which identifies a user and a vehicle purchased by the user, with process information indicating the process leading up to delivery of the vehicle, and stores the associated information as “pre-delivery information.” In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the user information is information indicating the user's name, contact information such as an email address, the date of purchase of the vehicle, and the model of the purchased vehicle. The process may include any process, such as “on order,” “in production at the manufacturer,” “in transport to the dealership,” or “installing and inspecting options at the dealership.” When the vehicle purchased by the user is delivered, the information processing device 10 may nullify the process information associated with the vehicle stored in the storage unit 12, or may store information indicating that the vehicle has been delivered in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 may delete the pre-delivery information after a predetermined period has elapsed since the vehicle was delivered. The storage unit 12 also stores website data provided by the information processing device 10, community data corresponding to each process leading up to delivery of the vehicle, and the like.

[0020] The communication unit 13 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 13 receives data from the terminal device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10 to the terminal device 20.

[0021] The control unit 11 acquires user information from the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 13. Then, the control unit 11 compares the acquired user information with pre-delivery information stored in the storage unit 12, and determines whether or not the condition that the vehicle purchased by the user has not yet been delivered is met. If this condition is met, the control unit 11 notifies the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 13 of an invitation message to the corresponding community for each process up to the delivery of the vehicle.

[0022] <Configuration of terminal device> Next, the configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The terminal device 20 shown in Fig. 1 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25.

[0023] The control unit 21, like the control unit 11, includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The control unit 21 executes processes related to the operation of the terminal device 20 while controlling each unit of the terminal device 20.

[0024] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof, similar to the storage unit 12. The storage unit 22 stores information used in the operation of the terminal device 20 and information obtained by the operation of the terminal device 20.

[0025] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface, similar to the communication unit 13. The communication unit 23 receives data from the information processing device 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the terminal device 20 to the information processing device 10.

[0026] The input unit 24 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone. The input unit 24 accepts an operation to input data used for the operation of the terminal device 20. The input unit 24 may be connected to the terminal device 20 as an external input device instead of being provided in the terminal device 20. The connection interface may be an interface compatible with standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface, registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0027] The output unit 25 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as a video, or a speaker that outputs information as a sound. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescent) display. The output unit 25 outputs data obtained by the operation of the terminal device 20. The output unit 25 may be connected to the terminal device 20 as an external output device instead of being provided in the terminal device 20. The connection interface may be an interface compatible with standards such as USB, HDMI, or Bluetooth.

[0028] The control unit 21 transmits user information that identifies the user and the vehicle purchased by the user to the information processing device 10 via the communication unit 23. Then, when the vehicle has not yet been delivered, the control unit 21 acquires invitation messages to the corresponding communities from the information processing device 10 via the communication unit 23 for each step up to the delivery of the vehicle.

[0029] <Operation of information processing system> Next, the operation of the information processing system according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In the following, it is assumed that communication between the information processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 is performed via the communication unit 13, the communication unit 23, and the network 30. Furthermore, the user of the terminal device 20 is referred to as user U.

[0030] In step S101, the user U operates the input unit 24 to send a request based on a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) to the information processing device 10, thereby causing the terminal device 20 to access a website provided by the information processing device 10.

[0031] In step S102, the information processing device 10 transmits a response to the request received from the terminal device 20, thereby transmitting the requested website data to the terminal device 20.

[0032] In step S103, the terminal device 20 displays the website on the output unit 25. Then, the terminal device 20 accepts an operation by the user U on the input unit 24, inputs user information that identifies the user and the vehicle purchased by the user, and transmits the user information to the information processing device 10.

[0033] In step S104, the information processing device 10 compares the user information received from the terminal device 20 with the pre-delivery information stored in the storage unit 12, and determines whether or not the condition that the vehicle purchased by the user U has not yet been delivered is met. The information processing device 10 performs the subsequent processing only if this condition is met (step S104: Yes), that is, only if the user U has purchased the vehicle but has not yet been delivered.

[0034] In step S105, the information processing device 10 acquires, from the storage unit 12, process information indicating the process up to delivery of the vehicle identified by the user information.

[0035] In step S106, the information processing device 10 transmits an invitation message to the terminal device 20 to join the corresponding community for each process indicated by the process information.

[0036] In step S107, the user U operates the input unit 24 to send a request based on the URL indicated in the invitation message to the information processing device 10, whereby the terminal device 20 accesses the community site provided by the information processing device 10.

[0037] In step S108, the information processing device 10 transmits a response to the request received from the terminal device 20, thereby transmitting the requested data of the community site to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 displays the community site on the output unit 25.

[0038] The information processing device 10 may notify various pieces of information about each process up to the delivery of a vehicle on a community site. For example, if the process is "on order," the information processing device 10 may notify information that may affect the delivery date, such as a shortage of semiconductors. For example, if the process is "in production at the manufacturer," the information processing device 10 may notify information about the manufacturer. For example, if the process is "in transport to the dealer," the information processing device 10 may notify information about the dealer. For example, if the process is "options being installed and inspected at the dealer," the information processing device 10 may notify the inspection details.

[0039] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 may analyze information posted on a community site. For example, the information processing device 10 may extract topics that users are discussing. For example, when multiple users post about a specific topic, the information processing device 10 may publish information about the topic on the community site. For example, when multiple users ask questions about a specific topic, the information processing device 10 may publish answers to the questions on the community site.

[0040] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment receives user information from the terminal device 20, determines whether the condition that the vehicle has not yet been delivered is met, and if this condition is met, notifies the terminal device 20 of an invitation message to the corresponding community for each step up to vehicle delivery. The terminal device 20 according to this embodiment transmits user information to the information processing device 10, and if the vehicle has not yet been delivered, receives from the information processing device 10 an invitation message to the corresponding community for each step up to vehicle delivery.

[0041] This configuration can encourage communication between buyers who are waiting for delivery at the same time. Users can also obtain various information through the community site before delivery. They can also join new communities as the process progresses. This can increase vehicle buyers' expectations for delivery. Even if delivery takes time, users can be supported during that time, which can prevent a decline in customer satisfaction. Furthermore, when an existing community site such as GAZOO is used as the community site, it can increase the name recognition of the community site.

[0042] <Modification> When the condition that the vehicle purchased by the user has not yet been delivered is satisfied, the control unit 11 may notify the terminal device 20 of an invitation message to join the corresponding community for each process indicated by the process information and for each vehicle model specified by the user information. In this case, it becomes possible for users who have purchased a common vehicle model to form a community.

[0043] The user information may include information identifying the dealer of the purchased vehicle. When the condition that the vehicle purchased by the user has not yet been delivered is satisfied, the control unit 11 may notify the terminal device 20 of an invitation message to join the corresponding community for each process up to the delivery of the vehicle and for each dealer identified by the user information. In this case, it becomes possible to form a community among nearby users who purchased vehicles from a common dealer.

[0044] <Program> The functions of the information processing device 10 or the terminal device 20 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the control unit 11 or the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the information processing device 10 or the terminal device 20 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 10 or the terminal device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10 or the terminal device 20. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 or the terminal device 20 by executing the operations of the information processing device 10 or the terminal device 20 in accordance with the program.

[0045] The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The program can be distributed by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium, such as an SD (Secure Digital) card, a DVD (digital versatile disc), or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), on which the program is stored. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in a server's storage and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0046] A computer temporarily stores a program stored on a portable medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP (application service provider) type service that achieves functions simply by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results, without transferring a program from a server to the computer. A program is information used for processing by a computer and includes anything equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under the category of "something equivalent to a program."

[0047] Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 or the terminal device 20 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 11 or the control unit 21. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 or the terminal device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0048] Although the above-described embodiments have been described as representative examples, various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, with regard to the constituent blocks or processing steps described in the embodiments, multiple blocks or processing steps may be combined into one, or one block or step may be divided into multiple blocks.

[0049] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the information processing device 10 may be distributed among a plurality of computers that can communicate with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Information Processing Systems 10. Information processing equipment 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 20 Terminal equipment 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 24 Input section 25 Output section 30 Network

Claims

1. An information processing device that includes a control unit and communicates with a terminal device, The control unit acquires user information identifying a user and a vehicle purchased by the user from the terminal device, and determines whether the vehicle has not yet been delivered; When the condition is satisfied, the information processing device notifies the terminal device of an invitation message to a corresponding community for each process up to delivery of the vehicle.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit that stores the user information and process information indicating the process in association with each other.

3. A terminal device that includes a control unit and communicates with an information processing device, The control unit transmitting user information identifying a user and a vehicle purchased by the user to the information processing device; When the vehicle has not yet been delivered, the terminal device acquires, from the information processing device, invitation messages to the corresponding communities for each step up to the delivery of the vehicle.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2; The terminal device according to claim 3; An information processing system comprising:

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