Computer programs and communication terminals

Abstract

This information and communication technology helps reduce the probability of accidents by increasing practice opportunities equivalent to practical driving lessons, while also reducing the financial burden of obtaining a driver's license. [Solution] A communication terminal comprising: an enrollment data transmission means for transmitting attribute data necessary for identifying trainees; a data provision permission receiving means for receiving inquiries regarding permission to provide the attribute data to a third party; a data provision permission intention transmission means for transmitting permission data in response to the inquiry to grant permission to provide the data to a third party; and a monetary substitute data receiving means for receiving monetary substitute data transmitted from a communication terminal related to a third party.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology that contributes to the economic and rational operation of a driving school for automobiles.

Background Art

[0002] In order to obtain a driver's license for an automobile, it is necessary to pass the practical and theoretical national examinations related to automobile driving. To support such passing, there are driving schools (driving schools) where practical and theoretical subjects can be learned. Driving schools are private profit-making organizations and are operated by the tuition fees paid by the students of the driving school.

[0003] In recent years, it has become difficult to manage many driving schools. One of the reasons is that the total number of young people expected to be new students (entrants) has decreased due to changes in the social structure such as the declining birthrate and aging population. In addition, mobile phones (smartphones) and their maintenance costs are highly prioritized for young people, and continuous expenses are essential for everyone. Such financial situations of young people are an obstacle to the motivation for obtaining a driver's license, and as a result, the number of students at driving schools has decreased. In addition, the magnitude of the economic burden before and after entering a driving school is not limited to young people. Most people who consider obtaining a driver's license have a need to reduce their economic burden.

[0004] By the way, accidents are inevitable in automobile driving. In addition to mandatory liability insurance for automobile owners (drivers), the participation rate in optional insurance is also high. However, the insurance premium for optional insurance fluctuates depending on the level of the accident rate. Therefore, the insurance premium for generations with a low accident rate is low, and the insurance premium for generations with a high accident rate is high.

[0005] Figure 1 is a summary of the above-mentioned problems among three parties: driving schools, young people, and property insurance companies (abbreviated as "property insurance companies"). In other words, driving schools want young people to obtain driver's licenses, and young people feel that the cost of driving lessons to obtain a license is high. Also, non-life insurance companies feel that young people have a high accident rate, and young people feel that voluntary car insurance is expensive.

[0006] A search of the patent information platform for prior patents potentially related to this application yielded the following patent documents, which were then examined.

[0007] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for diagnosing the driving characteristics of a vehicle that reflect the characteristics of each driver operating the vehicle.

[0008] Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that facilitates the introduction of infrastructure for telematics insurance and enables the provision of accurate driving improvement suggestions to insurance policyholders.

[0009] Patent Document 3 discloses a technology that, when a user practices using a driving simulation training device, provides training content tailored to that user, ensures that the training results are not wasted, and automatically and appropriately certifies the user's performance in place of a driving school. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-184968 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6600536 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-181997 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] Figure 2 examines the problems young people face after enrolling in driving school. First, as a premise, the content of driving instruction at a driving school is briefly explained below. For those who enroll in a driving school (abbreviated as "trainees"), the driving school provides both classroom instruction and practical training (2a). Classroom instruction consists of attending a prescribed number of lectures in a classroom setting. Practical training consists of completing a prescribed number of sessions within the driving school grounds and on public roads. This practical training is further divided into detailed stages such as driving in a zigzag pattern, starting on a hill, crossing railway tracks, and parallel parking. Trainees will become proficient in driving a car by following this practical training curriculum.

[0012] For trainees, there are times when they feel they haven't practiced enough in certain stages of practical driving lessons and want to become more proficient (2b). For example, they may feel they have mastered hill starts, but feel they haven't practiced enough with parallel parking and want to repeat lessons to become more proficient. However, since driving schools provide practical training to students according to a set curriculum, they cannot offer such additional training free of charge at the request of the students (2c). This reveals a latent need to increase opportunities for practical training for students.

[0013] For non-life insurance companies, even after trainees graduate from driving schools and are issued driver's licenses, the accident rate among drivers who have recently obtained their licenses remains high. Therefore, by increasing opportunities for practical driving instruction and allowing trainees to become more proficient at driving, a decrease in the accident rate among drivers who have recently obtained their licenses can be expected. As a result, it should also be possible to lower insurance premiums (2d). This reveals a latent need to increase opportunities for practical driving instruction for trainees.

[0014] Now, in car-sharing businesses, many users are drivers who do not own private cars, and a significant number of users are young people who cannot afford to buy a car. On the other hand, they face the problem that profitability decreases when vehicles provided for car-sharing become temporarily unusable due to accidents. In other words, if the accident rate when young people use car-sharing is reduced, it is expected that the profitability of the business will improve. This also indicates a latent need to increase opportunities for practical driving lessons for trainees.

[0015] We have conducted extensive research on information and communication technologies to address the challenges mentioned above. The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide information and communication technology that contributes to reducing the probability of accidents by increasing practice opportunities equivalent to practical driving lessons, while also reducing the financial burden of obtaining a driver's license. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a first invention relating to a management server for managing data on trainees at a driving school, a second invention relating to a computer program for controlling a communication terminal for trainees that communicates with the management server relating to the first invention, and a third invention relating to a computer program for controlling the management server relating to the first invention.

[0017] (First invention) The first invention relates to a driving school management server (a communication terminal for the driving school in Figure 3) that manages data related to trainees at the driving school. In other words, a trainee database that stores attribute data necessary for identifying trainees, A data provision permission transmission means for requesting permission from a communication terminal related to a trainee to provide attribute data stored in the aforementioned trainee database to a third party (for example, a designated non-life insurance company), A data provision permission intention receiving means for receiving permission data, which is an indication of permission, when the permission data is transmitted to a communication terminal related to a learner who has received a permission inquiry from the above-described data provision permission transmission means; A learner data provision means for providing learner data related to the permission data received by the above-described data provision permission intention receiving means to the above-described third party; The driving school management server is provided with (see Fig. 3).

[0018] (Term Explanation) "Attribute data" refers to data related to the attributes of a learner, which is required when the learner enrolls in a driving school. Examples of data related to the attributes of a learner include data for identifying or contacting the learner, such as name, address, contact information (mainly the phone number or email address of a mobile information terminal), age, etc. Furthermore, it includes various types of data referred to when a driving school provides training, such as the presence or absence of other types of licenses, and the distinction between manual / automatic limited licenses for ordinary motor vehicles.

[0019] (Function) Attribute data and the like related to learners are stored in the learner database of the driving school. The driving school may inquire learners whether it is acceptable to provide the attribute data and the like stored in its learner database to a third party (for example, a predetermined insurance company). The learner transmits permission data, which is an indication of permission to provide attribute data, to the driving school via their communication terminal. The permission data is received by the communication terminal related to the driving school. The communication terminal related to the driving school provides the learner data related to the permission data received by the data provision permission intention receiving means to the communication terminal related to the above-described third party.

[0020] As a driving school, it can obtain the permission of the learner and provide attribute data and the like to a third party, and in return for such provision, it can obtain direct benefits (such as a monetary consideration) or indirect benefits (such as an increase in the number of enrollees). As a third party, we can obtain attribute data related to trainees (such as contact information for potential customers) and use that attribute data to provide new services to trainees (such as additional lessons). As a trainer, you can receive direct benefits (such as monetary compensation) or indirect benefits (such as improved driving skills through additional lessons or reduced insurance premiums) in exchange for providing attribute data, etc.

[0021] (Variation 1 of the first invention) The first invention is more preferably formed as follows: In other words, a driving school management database that stores data on the content of driving lessons, the location of lessons, and the duration of lessons at driving schools, A means for transmitting available time data that uses the training center management database and the aforementioned trainee database to extract available time data relating to trainees who have sent the permission data and provide it to the aforementioned third party, It also includes (see Figure 4).

[0022] (action) The training center management database of the communication terminals related to driving schools stores training content data, including training content, training location, and training time. In the communication terminals related to the driving school, the system refers to the driving school management database and the trainee database, extracts the available time data for trainees who have sent the aforementioned permission data, and provides it to the communication terminals related to the third party.

[0023] As a third party, by understanding the trainees' free time and the situation at the driving school, it becomes possible to provide more detailed services to the trainees.

[0024] (Second invention) The second invention relates to a computer program executed in a communication terminal used by a trainee receiving instruction at a driving school. In other words, the enrollment data transmission procedure involves sending attribute data necessary for identifying the trainee, A data provision permission reception procedure for receiving a request for permission to provide the attribute data transmitted in the aforementioned enrollment data transmission procedure to a third party, A data provision permission transmission procedure that transmits permission data indicating permission to provide data to a third party in response to a permission request received in the aforementioned data provision permission reception procedure, A procedure for receiving monetary substitute data, which receives monetary substitute data transmitted from a third-party communication terminal based on the permission data transmitted in the aforementioned procedure for transmitting permission to provide data, This is a computer program that is to be executed on a communication terminal related to the trainee (see Figure 3).

[0025] (Explanation of terms) "Monetary substitute data" refers to electronic data that is guaranteed to be equivalent to monetary value, such as electronic money and electronic coupons. It can also include payment confirmation data for recipients.

[0026] The computer program according to the second invention can be provided as an application program executed on a communication terminal, but it does not need to be downloaded and executed on the communication terminal as an application program. For example, if it is provided as a program that runs on the web, downloading to the communication terminal is unnecessary.

[0027] (Variation 1 of the second invention) The second invention can also be formed as follows: In other words, an additional training data reception procedure for receiving additional training data transmitted from a third-party communication terminal based on the permission data transmitted in the aforementioned data provision permission transmission procedure, A training application data transmission procedure for transmitting training application data to a third-party communication terminal in response to additional training data received in the above-mentioned additional training data reception procedure, This is a computer program that is to be executed on a communication terminal related to the trainee (see Figure 4).

[0028] (Explanation of terms) "Additional training data" refers to data used to inform students about available training times and other information that can be taken in addition to the regular curriculum provided by the driving school, based on information such as the availability of training facilities at the driving school and the training schedules of trainees.

[0029] (Variation 2 of the second invention) The second invention can also be formed as follows: In other words, a driving simulator receiving procedure that receives a driving simulator application program that can run a car driving simulation on the output screen of a communication terminal, The driving simulator execution procedure involves executing the driving simulator application program received in the aforementioned driving simulator reception procedure, A driving operation data transmission procedure that transmits the operation data performed by the trainee when the driving simulator execution procedure is performed to a designated communication terminal (for example, a communication terminal related to an insurance company), This is a computer program that is to be executed on a communication terminal related to the trainee (see Figure 11).

[0030] (Third invention) The third invention relates to a computer program that controls a driving school management server (a communication terminal for the driving school in Figure 3) that manages data related to trainees at the driving school. The computer program, A procedure for accumulating trainee data, which stores attribute data necessary for identifying trainees in a trainee database, A data provision permission transmission procedure that solicits permission from the communication terminal of a trainee to provide attribute data etc. stored in the aforementioned trainee database to a third party (for example, a designated non-life insurance company), and A data provision permission intention receiving procedure, which receives permission data when a communication terminal of a trainee who has received a permission request via the aforementioned data provision permission transmission procedure transmits permission data that is an expression of intent to grant permission, and A trainee data provision procedure which provides the trainee data related to the permission data received in the above-mentioned data provision permission acceptance procedure to the above-mentioned third-party communication terminal, This is a computer program that is executed on the driving school management server.

[0031] (Variation 1 of the third invention) The third invention can also be formed as follows: In other words, a procedure for accumulating training content data, which includes data on the content, location, and duration of training at a driving school, in a driving school management database. A procedure for transmitting available time data, which involves using the aforementioned driving school management database and the aforementioned trainee database to extract available time data pertaining to trainees who have sent the aforementioned permission data and providing it to the aforementioned third-party communication terminal, This will be a computer program that is executed on the driving school management server.

[0032] The computer programs relating to the second and third inventions can also be provided by storing them on a recording medium. Here, "recording medium" refers to a medium that can carry a program that cannot occupy space on its own. Examples include flexible disks, hard disks, DVD-Rs, and flash memory. Furthermore, it is possible to transmit the program according to this invention from a computer (or communication terminal) storing the program to another computer (including a server) or communication terminal via a communication line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0033] According to the first invention, it is possible to provide a management server that contributes to reducing the probability of accidents by increasing practice opportunities equivalent to practical driving lessons while reducing the financial burden of obtaining a driver's license. According to the second invention, it is possible to provide a control program for a communication terminal that contributes to reducing the probability of accidents by increasing practice opportunities equivalent to practical driving lessons while reducing the financial burden of obtaining a driver's license. According to the third invention, it is possible to provide a control computer program for a management server that contributes to reducing the probability of accidents by increasing practice opportunities equivalent to practical driving lessons while reducing the financial burden of obtaining a driver's license. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1] This diagram summarizes the problems between three parties: driving schools, young people, and non-life insurance companies. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the problems young people face when enrolling in driving schools. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the flow of data exchanged between a driving school, a trainee, and an insurance company, as well as the configuration for data exchange. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the sequence for providing additional training to trainees in a system that offers additional training. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the operational status of a driving school stored in the driving school management database. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of free time data. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the sequence for providing additional training. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the case where vehicles provided by car-sharing companies are used as additional training. [Figure 9] This figure shows another example where vehicles provided by a car-sharing company are used for additional training. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the points displayed on a communication device used by a trainee. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of conducting additional training using a communication device. [Figure 12]This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the interests of driving schools, trainees, insurance companies, and car-sharing operators. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 3 to 12. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather is a form for interpreting the present invention. In the figures, database is abbreviated as "DB".

[0036] (Figure 3) Figure 3 shows the flow of data exchanged between driving schools, trainees, and insurance companies, as well as the configuration for data exchange, as part of a system designed to reduce the burden on young people obtaining driver's licenses.

[0037] Figure 3 shows the relationship between trainees (and their communication terminals) who have enrolled in a driving school, the driving school (and its communication terminals), and the insurance company (and its communication terminals). The communication terminal for trainees is equipped with means for transmitting enrollment data, means for receiving permission to provide data, means for transmitting intent to provide permission to provide data, and means for receiving monetary substitute data, and each of these means is functional.

[0038] The communication terminal for the driving school includes means for receiving enrollment data, a trainee database, means for transmitting data provision permission, means for receiving data provision permission intention, means for providing trainee data, and means for receiving report data, and each of these means functions accordingly. The communication terminal for the non-life insurance company is equipped with means for receiving trainee data, a prospective customer database, and means for transmitting monetary substitute data, and each of these means functions accordingly.

[0039] When a student enrolls in a driving school, they use their own communication device to transmit their personal data as enrollment data to the driving school. This communication device may include, but is not limited to, a smartphone, personal computer, or tablet owned by the student. The communication device has the function of receiving enrollment data input through the student's operation and transmitting it to the driving school's communication device via a communication line or other means. This function constitutes the means of transmitting enrollment data.

[0040] Attribute data refers to data about the attributes of a trainee that is required when a trainee enrolls in a driving school. This data includes, for example, name, contact information such as address, and age. It also includes data necessary for the driving school to determine the content of the training it will provide to the trainee, such as whether or not they hold other types of licenses, and, in the case of a regular car, whether it is a manual or automatic transmission license.

[0041] Enrollment data transmitted from the trainee's communication terminal is received by the driving school's communication terminal. The driving school's communication terminal functions as a means of receiving enrollment data. Once the enrollment data receiving means receives the enrollment data, this data is stored in the trainee database.

[0042] The communication terminals at the driving school search the enrollment data stored in this trainee database. Then, trainees who meet certain conditions are extracted. These conditions include those who are expected to feel a financial burden when obtaining a license, or those who wish to become more proficient in practical driving lessons. Alternatively, trainees below a certain age may be extracted.

[0043] The aforementioned "certain conditions" are merely examples, and various other conditions may be applied when selecting trainees. It is also possible to select all currently enrolled trainees without setting any specific conditions, or to include past enrollees. Note that the search for enrollment data and the selection of trainees are performed by employees of the driving school operating communication terminals.

[0044] The communication terminals of the driving school then transmit data provision permission to the communication terminals of the trainees that have been extracted in this manner, by functioning as a means of transmitting data provision permission. "Data provision permission" is a request to obtain the trainees' consent to provide their enrollment data, or a portion of their enrollment data, to the insurance company from the driving school.

[0045] The trainee decides whether or not to grant permission for the driving school to provide their enrollment data, or a portion of their enrollment data, to an insurance company, based on the data provision permission sent to their communication terminal. If permission is granted, the trainee will send a message to the driving school's communication terminal indicating their consent to provide data. This message will be displayed on the trainee's communication terminal screen (not shown) with a question such as, "Is it alright to provide your data to the insurance company?" The trainee will then indicate their consent by selecting the "YES" option. If the trainee does not wish to provide their data to the insurance company, they should select the "NO" option in response to the same question.

[0046] The trainee's response is transmitted to the driving school's communication terminal by the trainee's communication terminal functioning as a means of transmitting consent to provide data. The trainee's response is received by the driving school's communication terminal functioning as a means of receiving consent to provide data.

[0047] In this embodiment, the trainee's answer, whether "YES" or "NO," is transmitted to the communication terminal related to the driving school. However, if the trainee selects the "NO" option in response to the question, this answer may not be transmitted to the communication terminal related to the driving school.

[0048] If a trainee answers "YES," the driving school will determine that the trainee has given permission to provide the insurance company with enrollment data (or part of the enrollment data) related to that trainee.

[0049] The communication terminal at the driving school transmits enrollment data (or part of the enrollment data) regarding the trainee to the communication terminal of the non-life insurance company as trainee data. The enrollment data must include information that can identify the trainee, such as the trainee's name, address, and age. On the other hand, it also includes attributes that are necessary for management purposes at the driving school, but it is not necessary to provide data on such attributes to the non-life insurance company.

[0050] Trainee data is transmitted via communication lines, etc., using the communication terminals at the driving school as a means of transmitting data during downtime.

[0051] The communication terminals used by the non-life insurance company function as a means of receiving trainee data, and upon receiving the trainee data, they store this data in the prospective customer database. Monetary compensation data is transmitted from the insurance company's communication terminal to the communication terminals of trainees stored in the prospective customer database. Furthermore, the insurance company's communication terminal functions as a means of transmitting monetary compensation data, and reports regarding trainees who have received monetary compensation data are transmitted to the driving school's communication terminal.

[0052] The monetary substitute data transmitted from the non-life insurance company is received by the communication terminal of the trainee, which functions as a means of receiving monetary substitute data. Furthermore, the monetary substitute data transmitted from the non-life insurance company is received as reporting data by the communication terminal of the driving school, which functions as a means of receiving reporting data.

[0053] Monetary substitute data is generally provided as electronic data, such as electronic money or electronic coupons, but it can also be provided as proof of payment data to the recipient. Once the trainee indicates their willingness to provide data, the enrollment data of this trainee is provided to the insurance company. This enrollment data allows the insurance company to take steps such as contacting the trainee to inquire about additional training (see Figure 4).

[0054] It is believed that if trainees receive additional instruction and become proficient in driving, the number of accidents involving novice drivers will decrease. Therefore, insurance companies have an incentive to first provide training to trainees who agree to provide data. On the other hand, trainees can use the monetary equivalent data they receive to offset part of the fees they pay to driving schools. If this scheme is widely publicized, it is expected to motivate people who do not yet have a driver's license to obtain one.

[0055] Driving schools can use the data (monetary substitute data) received from insurance companies to inform students about a scheme that effectively lowers tuition fees, for example, by revising their enrollment guides.

[0056] (Figure 4) Figure 4 shows the sequence for providing additional lessons to trainees in a system that offers additional lessons. It describes the sequence from determining available time slots based on the operating status of the driving school, presenting these available slots to trainees, to receiving requests for additional lessons from trainees.

[0057] The communication terminals used by trainees function as means for receiving additional training data and for transmitting training application data (it is desirable for the driving school to provide a dedicated application program in advance for this function to work). Here, "additional training data" refers to data used to inform students about available training times and other information that can be taken in addition to the regular curriculum provided by the driving school, based on information such as the availability of training facilities at the driving school and the training schedules of trainees.

[0058] Communication terminals related to driving schools function not only as data storage means such as a driving school management database and a trainee database, but also as means for transmitting idle time data and receiving report data.

[0059] The communication terminals for non-life insurance companies function not only as data storage means such as an instructor management database, a prospective customer database, and an additional trainee database, but also as means for transmitting additional training data, receiving training application data, and receiving available time data.

[0060] In communication terminals related to driving schools, the operational status of the driving school is entered into the driving school management database. "Driving school operational status" refers to data on the content of driving lessons, the location of lessons, and the duration of lessons. For example, it includes information on what kind of lessons the training vehicles are used for, whether the training vehicles are operational or not, whether operational training vehicles are used for in-house lessons or on-road lessons, and the number of operational training vehicles that can be used for additional lessons (described later) from among the non-operational training vehicles. This operational status is entered according to the driving school's timetable.

[0061] (Figure 5) Figure 5 shows an example of the operational status of a driving school stored in the driving school management database. The data structure and content of the driving school management database can be created in various other ways as well.

[0062] This shows how each of the training vehicles owned by the driving school is used during different training times. For example, it records that training vehicle 1 was out on public roads for one hour from 9:00 and not driving within the training grounds, was used for training within the grounds for one hour from 10:00, and was not in use and was parked within the grounds for one hour from 11:00.

[0063] As shown in Figure 4, driving schools need to provide insurance companies with data on the availability of at least one training vehicle, distinguishing between operational and inactive status. However, in this embodiment, information on both on-road and in-school training is also entered and recorded. This allows the school to understand situations such as whether the in-school is empty if many training vehicles are out on the road for training, or conversely, whether the in-school is crowded if few training vehicles are out on the road for training.

[0064] Driving schools can use their driving school management database to determine how many training vehicles are idle at what times. They can also refer to their trainee database to create a list of trainees who do not have training scheduled during those times. Trainees have previously indicated to the driving school whether or not they consent to this list being provided to the insurance company. Therefore, driving schools will only include trainees who have given prior consent (indicating permission to provide data) in the list provided to the insurance company.

[0065] The communication terminals at the driving school transmit the number of idle training vehicles obtained from the driving school management database, and a list of trainees who do not have training scheduled, obtained from the trainee database, as available time data to the insurance company's communication terminals. Furthermore, instead of creating "available time data" for all non-operating training vehicles, it is also acceptable to estimate the level of congestion within the training grounds based on the number of vehicles used for on-road training and on-site training, and use the time periods when the congestion level falls below a predetermined level as "available time data."

[0066] (Figure 6) Figure 6 shows an example of available time data. It summarizes the number of idle training vehicles and information on trainees who do not have training reservations during those times, broken down by day of the week and training time slot. The format of the available time data shown in Figure 6 is just one example; it could, for example, be created separately for each trainee.

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, the communication terminal of the non-life insurance company receives available time data transmitted from the communication terminal of the driving school. The non-life insurance company refers to the received available time data and the instructor management database to determine how many instructors can be arranged for each available time slot. Then, based on the number of instructors that can be arranged, it decides how many of the trainees to send an invitation for additional lessons.

[0068] For example, in Figure 6, it is found that three training vehicles are not in use at 9:00 AM on Monday, and by referring to the instructor management database, it is found that two instructors are available during that time. As a result, the insurance company will be able to provide additional lessons to two trainees, and will send invitations for additional lessons to at least two trainees. Considering the possibility that some trainees may not wish to receive additional lessons at the time in question, it will be decided to send invitations for additional lessons to three trainees (for example, trainees A, D, and F).

[0069] The insurance company's communication terminal generates a message such as, "I am available Monday from 10:00 to 11:00." Then, it retrieves the contact information of trainees A, D, and F by referring to the prospective customer database, and sends this message as additional training data to the communication terminals of trainees A, D, and F (see Figure 4).

[0070] An instructor is someone who, in addition to the regular curriculum at a driving school, provides advice on driving techniques to students who wish to further improve their skills in specific driving operations. These instructors are registered individuals who are highly proficient in driving. Driving school instructors may also register and work as instructors during their free time or holidays.

[0071] For trainees who have given permission to provide their data to an insurance company, additional training data will be sent to their communication terminal from the insurance company. Upon receiving this additional training data, trainees decide whether or not to take additional training during their free time, taking into consideration their own schedule and the areas they wish to master, such as hill starts, parallel parking, and parking in a garage.

[0072] If a trainee wishes to take additional lessons, they apply for lessons by replying to the additional lesson data. This lesson application data includes information such as "Monday, 10:00 to 11:00" which was specified in the additional lesson data. A format may be prepared in advance for this lesson application data so that the trainee can include the items they wish to master, such as parallel parking or garage parking.

[0073] The trainee uses their own communication terminal to send this training application data to the insurance company's communication terminal. The insurance company's communication terminal receives the training application data and stores it in its additional trainee database.

[0074] (Figure 7) Figure 7, following on from Figure 4, shows the sequence for providing additional instruction to trainees in a system that offers additional instruction. The following explains how insurance companies and driving schools prepare when they receive a request for additional training from a trainee.

[0075] The insurance company refers to the additional trainee database (see Figure 4) to the time slots included in the training application data, and then refers to the instructor management database (see Figure 4) to determine which instructors are available for that time slot. On the day of the additional training, the insurance company dispatches an instructor to the time slot requested by the trainee.

[0076] Driving schools lend their facilities to dispatched instructors and the students they teach, and also lend training vehicles as needed. The phrase "as needed" is used because instructors can also drive their own vehicles to the training grounds to instruct students. Note that the training vehicles lent "as needed" are those that are not in operation during that time slot.

[0077] The time slots for additional lessons include early mornings and evenings, as well as times when the driving school is not operating its training grounds as a school, and times when the driving school is not crowded. During that time slot, the trainee and instructor go to the driving school and drive a vehicle (either a vehicle provided by the instructor or one arranged by the driving school) as additional training. In this way, the trainee drives a vehicle with the instructor riding along, and becomes proficient in driving.

[0078] The aforementioned additional training should ideally be provided free of charge by the insurance company, without any financial burden on the trainees. The funds for this free provision should come from the reduction in financial burden resulting from the decrease in the accident rate among newly licensed drivers.

[0079] In addition, once the insurance company confirms that the trainee has completed the additional training, it may send the trainee monetary surrogacy data (for example, points with monetary value). This monetary surrogacy data is sent from the insurance company's communication terminal to the trainee's communication terminal (see Figure 3).

[0080] For driving schools, this is expected to reduce the accident rate among their graduates. In addition, if they provide unused training vehicles for additional training, it will also increase the utilization rate of their training vehicles.

[0081] (Figure 8) Figure 8 shows a case where vehicles provided by a car-sharing company are used as vehicles for additional training. The insurance company that receives the training application data determines which instructors are available and notifies the car-sharing operator of the trainee's preferred date and time. The instructor and trainee then travel to the designated location and conduct additional training using a vehicle provided by the car-sharing operator for car-sharing purposes (hereinafter, the car-sharing operator's vehicle used for additional training will be abbreviated as "shared training vehicle").

[0082] The shared training vehicles are equipped with various sensors and sensor data transmission means capable of transmitting the sensor data acquired by those sensors. A communication terminal for a car-sharing operator includes a means for receiving sensor data, a sensor data database, a means for processing sensor data, and a means for transmitting processed data. The communication terminals used by non-life insurance companies are equipped with means for receiving processed data and a database for use during operation.

[0083] The shared training vehicles are vehicles that car-sharing operators had deployed at various locations, and which have ceased to be used for car-sharing rentals. The shared training vehicles are equipped with various sensors to acquire driving data for purposes such as improving services in the car-sharing business. Examples of sensors include GPS (Global Positioning System) to detect the vehicle's position, acceleration sensors to detect sudden acceleration and braking, gyro sensors to detect the vehicle's vertical movement, engine speed sensors to indicate engine speed, gear position sensors to detect the transmission's gear, and steering angle sensors to detect steering wheel operation. The vehicles are not limited to these, and may also have sensors necessary for the car-sharing business, as well as additional sensors necessary for the training described in this embodiment.

[0084] These sensor data are transmitted to the car-sharing operator's communication terminal via data transmission means installed in the shared training vehicle. The sensor data received by the car-sharing operator's communication terminal is stored in a sensor data database.

[0085] The sensor data processing means in the car-sharing operator's communication terminal processes the sensor data stored in the sensor data database and uses it for analyzing and evaluating the driving performance of trainees (referred to as "practicers" as only those trainees who wish to do so take additional lessons). Here, processing sensor data involves analyzing and evaluating the content of additional training sessions taken by trainees, and quantifying or scoring their driving performance. The sensor data acquired by various sensors includes acceleration, engine speed, steering angle, and vehicle position, and this sensor data is used to determine the trainee's level of proficiency in driving operations.

[0086] The following explanation uses the example of quantifying proficiency levels. If sudden acceleration is detected by the acceleration sensor or engine speed sensor, it will be determined that the driver is not proficient in accelerator operation, and points will be deducted according to the degree of this. If a sudden steering maneuver is detected by the steering angle sensor, it will be determined that the driver is not proficient in steering, and points will be deducted according to the degree of this proficiency. If the gyro sensor or position detection sensor detects that the vehicle rolled backward during a hill start, it will be determined that the vehicle is not proficient at hill starts, and points will be deducted according to the degree of this.

[0087] On the other hand, points are added if smooth acceleration and deceleration, or smooth steering, are detected. Of course, if the instructor determines that applying the brakes suddenly was appropriate in a given situation, no points should be deducted. In other words, car-sharing operators are free to calculate points as they see fit. Scoring proficiency is just one example of how sensor data can be processed, and processing sensor data is not limited to scoring.

[0088] The processed data, thus created, is transmitted from the car-sharing operator's communication terminal to the insurance company's communication terminal, where it is received by the processing data receiving device on the insurance company's communication terminal. The insurance company's communication terminal stores the received processed data in a driving database. This driving database is designed to store processed sensor data for each trainee who has received additional training. In other words, if the same trainee takes multiple additional training sessions, the processed sensor data for multiple sessions will be stored in chronological order.

[0089] For non-life insurance companies, this driving database allows them to understand the driving skills of trainees. This information can also be used to calculate monetary compensation data. Furthermore, when trainees graduate from driving school and purchase a car, if they choose to purchase the company's auto insurance, the company can refer to this driving database to offer premium discounts based on the trainee's driving skills.

[0090] (Figure 9) Figure 9 shows the details of using training vehicles provided by car-sharing operators as additional training. Specifically, it shows that the content of the additional training using the shared training vehicles is received as sensor data by a communication terminal related to the car-sharing operator, and analysis and evaluation are performed based on that sensor data.

[0091] Shared training vehicles are equipped with various sensors and sensor data transmission means for transmitting the sensor data acquired by those sensors as on-board equipment. A communication terminal for a car-sharing operator includes a sensor data receiving means for receiving sensor data transmitted from a shared training vehicle, a sensor data database for storing the received sensor data, a sensor data processing means for processing the stored sensor data, a scoring processing means for converting the processed sensor data into points, an attribute data input means for inputting attribute data relating to a trainee who has received additional training, a trainee database for storing the trainee's attribute data and the points converted by the scoring processing means for each trainee, and a points transmission means for communicating to the communication terminal relating to the trainee.

[0092] The communication terminal for the trainee receives the score data transmitted by the communication terminal for the car-sharing operator. In other words, it functions as a means of receiving scores. Furthermore, the score data processed by the scoring system is modified to make it easier to understand when provided to the user. This modification will be described later using Figure 10.

[0093] The method for inputting trainee attribute data should ideally involve electronically obtaining the necessary attribute data for the trainee database from sources such as driving schools and insurance companies. However, if electronic acquisition is not possible, a person in charge at the car-sharing company should manually input the data and store it in the trainee database.

[0094] Although not illustrated in Figure 9, the score data is easy for insurance companies to understand, so it may be received by the processing data receiving means of the communication terminal related to the insurance company in place of, or together with, the processing data shown in Figure 8.

[0095] (Figure 10) Figure 10 shows an example of the points displayed on the communication terminal held by the trainee. Specifically, scores for four items—slow driving, garage parking, parallel parking, and hill starts—are displayed in the form of a radar chart. The display screen also shows advice to the user, such as, "Next time, let's try a little harder on parallel parking!" Users can refer to the radar chart and message to understand which items they have mastered and which they need to improve.

[0096] (Figure 11) Figure 11 shows an example where additional training sessions for trainees are conducted using the trainee's own communication device (or portable game console), rather than using the training vehicles of the driving school or the shared training vehicles of a car-sharing company.

[0097] The car-sharing operator's communication terminal is equipped with an application database containing a driving simulator application program (abbreviated as "driving simulator app" in the diagram) and a means for transmitting driving simulator data. The communication terminal for the trainee functions as a simulator application receiving means for receiving a driving simulator application from the car-sharing operator's communication terminal, a simulator application execution means for executing the received driving simulator application, and a driving operation data transmission means for transmitting driving operation data when the driving simulator application is executed. A communication terminal for an insurance company includes a means for receiving driving operation data transmitted from a communication terminal for a trainee, and a simulator driving operation database for storing the received driving operation data.

[0098] While some trainees may download and use the driving simulator application program if they wish, it is preferable to semi-mandate its download to all trainees. This is because it is expected to contribute to improving driving skills by allowing them to utilize their free time during their training period at the driving school.

[0099] The driving simulator application program is illustrated as being provided by a car-sharing company, but it could also be provided by an insurance company.

[0100] The trainee will launch a driving simulator application (hereinafter referred to as "the application") on their own information terminal and practice operating a car using this application. The application may be available in multiple versions to suit the content of the training and the trainee's skill level, and may also allow the trainee to select from multiple skill levels from the start.

[0101] When the simulator application execution device runs the application, an operation screen is displayed on the communication terminal's display screen. This operation screen displays the main screen and operation buttons. The main screen can display multiple viewpoints, such as the view from the driver's seat, or the view of the car from above or the side, as is typical in driving simulators. The operation buttons accept commands to move the car displayed on the main screen and may be buttons displayed on an LCD screen.

[0102] Figure 11 shows the main screen displaying the user's own car and other cars from a top-down perspective, and the user will use the control buttons to practice parallel parking.

[0103] This app allows users to gain experience in operating a vehicle, even though they are not actually driving a real car. It also offers unique benefits, such as simulating perspectives from above and the side—viewpoints not typically experienced in actual driving lessons—and helping users understand the objective behavior of a vehicle. These experiences are considered useful when learners actually get into a car and start driving. In addition, they can be easily practiced in free time without having to go to a driving school, and are considered effective for mastering driving skills.

[0104] The general procedure is similar when conducting additional training using a portable game console. When using a portable game console, it has advantages in terms of operability and responsiveness because it allows the use of the physical control buttons that the game console has.

[0105] When a user practices driving using the app, the details of those operations are transmitted to a communication terminal belonging to the insurance company via a driving operation data transmission device. The driving operation data received by the insurance company's communication terminal is stored in a driving operation record database for each user.

[0106] The way driving operation data is utilized is similar to the processed data received from car-sharing operators. In other words, non-life insurance companies can refer to this driving operation database to understand the driving skills of trainees. This result can then be reflected in the calculation of monetary compensation data. If a trainee subscribes to the company's auto insurance, it will also be possible to refer to this driving operation database and propose insurance premium discounts or other measures based on the trainee's driving skills.

[0107] (Figure 12) In Figure 12, This document explains the benefits that trainees, driving schools, insurance companies, and car-sharing operators will each receive from providing additional training to trainees.

[0108] First, for students, by sending their consent to provide data to an insurance company upon enrollment in a driving school, they can receive monetary compensation data. This reduces the financial burden of enrolling in a driving school. Furthermore, they can also receive monetary compensation data by taking additional lessons. This reduces the financial burden of taking additional lessons, effectively lowering the cost of obtaining a driver's license.

[0109] Furthermore, taking additional driving lessons will make you more proficient at driving a car. This will allow you to drive a car on public roads with confidence once you actually obtain your driver's license. In addition, since insurance companies are aware of the results of taking additional driving lessons, you can expect a reduction in insurance premiums if you purchase a car and contract with that insurance company.

[0110] For driving schools, this can lead to a reduction in the financial burden on students, which can result in an increase in the number of young people enrolling in the school or an increase in the number of students taking additional lessons. Furthermore, since trainees can take additional lessons to become more proficient in driving, it can be expected that graduates will drive more safely. Furthermore, if teachers at their own schools register as instructors during their free time, it will also enable more efficient use of teachers' resources.

[0111] For non-life insurance companies, obtaining consent from trainees to provide their data allows them to treat those trainees as potential future customers. Furthermore, by providing monetary surrogacy data to trainees who have given their consent to provide data, or to trainees (practicers) who have received additional training, it is expected that the likelihood of those trainees (practicers) subscribing to the company's insurance services in the future will increase. Furthermore, since trainees (practicing drivers) have taken additional lessons and become sufficiently proficient in driving, it is possible to offer them discounts on insurance premiums, which is expected to increase the likelihood that trainees will subscribe to the company's insurance service.

[0112] For car-sharing operators, this is expected to increase the rate of license acquisition among young people and others who were hesitant to obtain a driver's license for financial reasons. Therefore, an increase in potential future customers is anticipated. Because sensor data is collected when additional driving lessons are taken, it is possible to accumulate data on how novice drivers drive. [Industrial applicability]

[0113] This invention has potential applications in driving schools, non-life insurance businesses, car-sharing and car-rental businesses, data communication equipment manufacturing, data management in data communications, and application software development.

Claims

1. A computer program that is executed on a communication terminal used by a student receiving instruction at a driving school, The procedure for transmitting enrollment data includes sending attribute data such as name and contact information necessary to identify the trainee, A data provision permission reception procedure to receive a request for permission to provide the attribute data transmitted in the aforementioned enrollment data transmission procedure to a third party, A data provision permission transmission procedure that transmits permission data indicating permission to provide data to a third party in response to a permission request received in the aforementioned data provision permission reception procedure, A procedure for receiving monetary substitute data, which receives monetary substitute data transmitted from a third-party communication terminal based on the permission data transmitted in the aforementioned procedure for transmitting permission to provide data, A computer program that is to be executed on a communication terminal related to the trainee.

2. An additional training data reception procedure for receiving additional training data transmitted from a third-party communication terminal based on the permission data transmitted in the aforementioned data provision permission transmission procedure, A training application data transmission procedure for transmitting training application data to a third-party communication terminal in response to additional training data received in the above-mentioned additional training data reception procedure, This will be performed using the communication terminal used by the trainees. The computer program according to claim 1.

3. A procedure for receiving a driving simulator application program that allows a car driving simulation to be run on the output screen of a communication terminal, The driving simulator execution procedure involves executing the driving simulator application program received in the aforementioned driving simulator reception procedure, A driving operation data transmission procedure for transmitting the operation data by the trainee to a designated communication terminal when the aforementioned driving simulator execution procedure is performed, A computer program according to either claim 1 or claim 2, which is to be executed on a communication terminal related to a trainee.

4. A communication terminal for trainees receiving instruction at a driving school, An enrollment data transmission means for transmitting attribute data including name and contact information necessary for identifying the trainee, A data provision permission receiving means that receives a request for permission to provide attribute data transmitted by the aforementioned enrollment data transmission means to a third party, A data provision permission transmission means that transmits permission data indicating permission to provide the data to a third party in response to a permission request received by the aforementioned data provision permission receiving means, A means for receiving monetary substitute data that receives monetary substitute data transmitted from a third-party communication terminal based on the permission data transmitted by the aforementioned data provision permission transmission means, A communication terminal equipped with [a specific feature / equipment].

5. An additional training data receiving means that receives additional training data transmitted from a third-party communication terminal based on the permission data transmitted by the aforementioned data provision permission transmission means, A training application data transmission means transmits training application data to a third-party communication terminal in response to the additional training data received by the aforementioned additional training data receiving means, A communication terminal according to claim 4, comprising:

6. A driving simulator receiving means that receives a driving simulator application program that can run a car driving simulation on the output screen of a communication terminal, The aforementioned driving simulator receiving means executes a driving simulator application program, and A driving operation data transmission means that transmits the operation data by the trainee when the aforementioned driving simulator execution means is executed to a predetermined communication terminal, A communication terminal according to claim 4 or claim 5, comprising:

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