Servers that provide storage rental services

Abstract

To provide a rental service for storage facilities capable of housing industrial machinery. [Solution] The server 10 that provides the rental service for the storage facility 100 includes a reception unit 11 that receives rental requests from terminals 30, and a notification unit 13 that notifies terminals 30 of a storage facility 100A that can store and rent out the work machine 50 related to the rental request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a server that provides a rental service for storage facilities.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, working machines have been stored in various types of storage facilities according to their types.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, in recent years, the types of working machines have increased significantly, and there has been a problem that it is burdensome for users of working machines to prepare all the storage facilities corresponding to each of the various types of working machines.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a server that can provide a rental service for a storage facility capable of accommodating a working machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The technical means of the present invention for solving this technical problem is characterized by the following points. The server according to the first feature of the present invention is a server that provides a rental service for a storage facility, and includes a reception unit that receives a lending request from a terminal, and a notification unit that notifies the terminal of a storage facility capable of storing and lending the working machine related to the lending request.

[0007] A server according to a second feature of the present invention is a server according to the first feature described above, wherein the work machine is at least one of a traveling body and a mounting body, the traveling body is capable of traveling in a first direction and has a mounting surface facing a second direction that faces upward with respect to the first direction, the mounting body is configured to be detachable from the mounting surface, moves integrally with the traveling body when attached to the mounting surface and mounted on the traveling body, and is positioned separately from the traveling body when detached from the mounting surface and not mounted on the traveling body, and the notification unit notifies the terminal of a storage facility capable of storing and lending at least one of the traveling body and the mounting body related to the loan request.

[0008] The server according to the third feature of the present invention is equipped with an instruction unit that, when the rental of the storage unit is decided in the server according to the first feature described above, gives instructions to move the rental storage unit, which is the storage unit that has been decided to be rented, to a designated location specified by the terminal.

[0009] The server according to the fourth feature of the present invention is the server according to the third feature described above, wherein the instruction unit instructs the transporter that carries the rental storage unit to move to the designated location.

[0010] The server according to the fifth feature of the present invention includes a processing unit that, when the lending of the storage unit is decided in the server according to the second feature described above, associates the lending storage unit, which is the storage unit for which lending has been decided, with at least one of the vehicle and the mounted unit.

[0011] The server according to the sixth feature of the present invention, in the server according to the fifth feature described above, the processing unit calculates a fee according to the rental period of the rental storage facility associated with at least one of the vehicle and the mounted body.

[0012] In the server according to the seventh feature of the present invention, the processing unit in the server according to the fifth feature described above calculates the fee according to the usage status of the rental storage unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, a rental service for storage facilities capable of accommodating work equipment can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the rental service provision system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a work machine 50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a storage cabinet 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a functional block of the server 10 of the rental service provision system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the contents stored in the storage unit 12 of the server 10 of the rental service provision system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the contents stored in the storage unit 12 of the server 10 of the rental service provision system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the rental service provision system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] [First Embodiment] The rental service provision system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the directions described below in this embodiment, upward / downward, left / right, and forward / backward correspond to the upward / downward, left / right, and forward / backward directions of the arrows shown as appropriate in each drawing.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the rental service providing system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system that provides a rental service for the storage 100, and includes the storage 100, the server 10, the terminal 30, and the carrier 40. Here, the storage 100, the server 10, the terminal 30, and the carrier 40 can communicate with each other via a wireless network.

[0017] The terminal 30 is a terminal operated by a user who uses the rental service of the storage 100.

[0018] The carrier 40 is a moving body capable of transporting the storage 100. Here, the carrier 40 may be any moving body as long as it can transport the storage 100, and for example, it may be a four-wheeled vehicle or the like.

[0019] <Storage 100> The storage 100 is a housing capable of accommodating the work machine 50. Here, the work machine 50 may be an agricultural machine or a construction machine, or may be at least one of the traveling body 51 and the mounting body 52 shown in FIG. 2.

[0020] Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, a case where the work machine 50 accommodated in the storage 100 is at least one of the traveling body 51 and the mounting body 52 will be described as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to a case where the work machine 50 accommodated in the storage 100 is an arbitrary work machine such as an agricultural machine or a construction machine.

[0021] The traveling body 51 can travel in the first direction. Here, the "first direction" is any one of forward / backward, left / right, front oblique left / front oblique right, and rear oblique left / rear oblique right, and corresponds to the horizontal direction. The oblique angles of the front oblique left / front oblique right and the rear oblique left / rear oblique right are arbitrary respectively.

[0022] In addition, the "first direction" also corresponds to a direction parallel to the traveling surface. That is, the traveling body 51 can travel in all directions along the traveling surface.

[0023] <00001The traveling body 51 has a mounting surface 511 that faces a second direction which is upward relative to the first direction. The mounting surface 511 is included in the upper surface of the traveling body 51. Here, the "second direction" corresponds to upward. The "second direction" also corresponds to the vertical direction away from the traveling surface.

[0024] Furthermore, a third direction opposite to the second direction is also defined. Here, the "third direction" corresponds to downward and also corresponds to the vertical direction close to the running surface. Additionally, a fourth direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions is defined. Here, the "fourth direction" corresponds to the horizontal direction and also corresponds to the direction parallel to the running surface. For example, if the first direction is forward, the fourth direction will be left or right.

[0025] Furthermore, the mounting body 52 is configured to be detachable from the mounting surface 511 of the traveling body 51. When the mounting body 52 is detached (see, for example, Figure 2), first, the bottom surface of the mounting body 52, which faces the third direction, is brought into contact with the mounting surface 511, which faces the second direction. Then, by bringing both sides relatively close together, the mounting body 52 can be attached to the mounting surface 511.

[0026] More specifically, if the mounting body 52 is positioned above the mounting surface 511, the vehicle 51 is driven to the mounting position of the mounting body 52 so that both sides face each other. Then, with both sides facing each other, the mounting body 52 may be moved in a third direction to achieve mounting. If the mounting body 52 is mounted on the mounting surface 511 and mounted on the vehicle 51, it moves integrally with the vehicle 51.

[0027] On the other hand, while the mounting body 52 is attached, the mounting body 52 can be detached from the mounting surface 511 by relatively separating the lower surface of the mounting body 52 from the mounting surface 511.

[0028] More specifically, with both sides facing each other, the mounted body 52 is moved from the traveling body 51 in a second direction. Then, the mounted body 52 is positioned above the mounting surface 511, and the traveling body 51 is driven from the position where the mounted body 52 is positioned, thereby achieving detachment. When the mounted body 52 has detached from the mounting surface 511 and is not mounted on the traveling body 51, it is positioned separately from the traveling body 51.

[0029] The mounting unit 52 attached to the vehicle 51 is a so-called attachment, and the same unit may be attached and detached. Alternatively, after detaching one type of mounting unit 52, a different type of mounting unit 52 may be attached. In other words, multiple types of different mounting units 52 may be attached to a single type of vehicle 51, depending on the situation. When attached to the vehicle 51, the mounting unit 52 may be configured to perform various tasks such as farming, construction, and transportation, or it may be configured to be a rideable mobility device; the configuration is arbitrary. For example, if the configuration of the mounting unit 52 is adapted for farming, it may be configured to perform tasks such as mowing, sowing, spraying, and ridging.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the storage unit 100 is a housing capable of accommodating the entire implement 50. The storage unit 100 has a rectangular bottom surface 110, and the longitudinal and transverse directions of the bottom surface 110 correspond to the vehicle length and vehicle width directions of the implement 50. The longitudinal dimension of the bottom surface 110 is larger than the vehicle length dimension of the implement 50. The transverse dimension of the bottom surface 110 is larger than the vehicle width dimension of the implement 50.

[0031] On each long side of the base portion 110, side portions 120 are erected facing upward. On one short side of the front of the base portion 110, a front portion 130 is erected facing upward. At the very top, a roof portion 140 is provided so as to face the base portion 110 in the vertical direction.

[0032] An entrance is provided on the other short side of the rear of the bottom surface 110, allowing the work machine 50 to enter and exit. A ramp section 150 is connected to this short side via a hinge. When the storage unit 100 is grounded, the bottom surface 110 is slightly elevated from the ground surface. The ramp section 150 forms a downward slope toward the outside from the entrance of the storage unit 100.

[0033] When the work machine 50 enters or exits the storage facility 100, it travels along the ramp section 150. That is, the ramp section 150 can guide the machine from the entrance of the storage facility 100 to the outside, or from the outside of the storage facility 100 to the entrance. On the other hand, the ramp section 150 is configured to be able to be raised. When the end of the ramp section 150 is raised toward the roof section 140, the opening that serves as the entrance is closed.

[0034] The storage unit 100 is equipped with a placement section 160. The placement section 160 is used to position the mounted body 52. ​​The placement section 160 is composed of an inverted L-shaped plate member when viewed from the front. The two placement sections 160 are each positioned inside the storage unit 100 so as to extend in a direction along the long side of the bottom surface 110.

[0035] More specifically, one of the two faces that make up the inverted L shape in each arrangement section 160 is connected to each side section 120. The other of these two faces protrudes from each side section 120 toward the center of the interior. The other of these two faces is approximately parallel to the bottom section 110, and the mounting body 52 can be placed on its upper part.

[0036] The configuration of the storage unit 100 is not limited to those described above; any configuration that allows the mounted unit 52 to be placed inside is acceptable. For example, the storage unit 100 may be simply constructed with only a placement section 160 and members supporting the placement section 160.

[0037] Furthermore, the storage facility 100 may have a framework structure to allow visibility into the interior, or it may have a wall structure to shield it from wind and rain from the outside, or for security purposes.

[0038] Furthermore, the front section 130 may be removable from the storage unit 100, and when the front section 130 is removed, the work machine 50 can move forward from the storage unit 100.

[0039] Furthermore, the position of the mounted body 52 inside the storage unit 100 (the installation position of the mounting section 160) is preferably above the bottom surface 110, but is arbitrary. The storage unit 100 may be configured such that the mounted body 520 is positioned, for example, on the front side (first direction side), the side (fourth direction side), or above side (second direction side) of the traveling body 51 inside the storage unit 100.

[0040] Furthermore, the storage unit 100 may also function as the transporter 40 described above and may be configured to move on its own.

[0041] <Server 10> Server 10 is a server that provides storage rental services in the rental service provision system 1.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, the server 10 includes a reception unit 11, a storage unit 12, a notification unit 13, an instruction unit 14, a processing unit 15, and a billing unit 16.

[0043] The reception unit 11 receives a loan request from the terminal 30. Here, such a loan request is a request to use the rental service for the storage unit 100. Such a loan request includes the type of work equipment 50 to be stored in the storage unit 100 and a designated location indicating where the storage unit 100 will be used. The loan request may also include the loan period for the storage unit 100.

[0044] The memory unit 12 stores information related to the storage unit 100. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the memory unit 12 may store information related to the storage unit 100, such as "storage unit ID", "type of work equipment that can be stored", "storage location", "on loan flag", and "shareable flag", in association with each other.

[0045] Here, "Storage ID" is the identification information for storage 100. "Types of work equipment that can be stored" is the type of work equipment that can be stored in storage 100 (e.g., agricultural machinery, construction machinery, vehicles, mounts, etc.). "Storage location" is the location where storage 100 is currently stored. "On loan flag" is a flag indicating whether or not storage 100 is currently on loan. "Shareable flag" is a flag indicating whether or not storage 100 can be loaned to multiple users simultaneously. For example, storage 100 with a "Shareable flag" of Yes can accommodate work equipment 50 for multiple users simultaneously.

[0046] Furthermore, the memory unit 12 stores the usage status of the storage unit 100. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the memory unit 12 may store the usage status of the storage unit 100 by associating it with "User ID", "Storage Unit ID", "Type of Work Machine", "Loan Period", "Designated Location", and "Fee".

[0047] Here, "User ID" is the identification information of the user who leased storage unit 100 (i.e., the user who rented storage unit 100). "Storage Unit ID" is the identification information of storage unit 100 that is currently leased. "Type of Work Equipment" is the type of work equipment stored in storage unit 100 that is currently leased. "Lease Period" is the lease period for storage unit 100. "Designated Location" is the location where storage unit 100 is currently leased. "Fee" is the rental fee for storage unit 100.

[0048] Furthermore, the reception unit 11 searches for a storage facility 100 that is capable of storing and renting out the work equipment 50 related to the received loan request.

[0049] Specifically, the reception unit 11 refers to the storage unit 12 based on the type of work equipment 50 included in the loan request and searches for a storage unit 100 that is available for loan to the user.

[0050] For example, when the reception unit 11 receives a loan request that includes a traveling body 51 and a mounted body 52 as types of work equipment, it refers to the stored contents shown in Figure 5 and selects the storage unit 100 with "Storage Unit ID=C" as the storage unit 100 available for loan to the user.

[0051] Furthermore, if multiple storage units 100 available for loan to a user are found, the reception unit 11 may select multiple storage units 100, or it may select the storage unit 100 that is closest to the specified location included in the loan request.

[0052] The notification unit 13 notifies the terminal 30 of a storage facility that can store and lend out the work equipment related to the loan request received by the reception unit 11.

[0053] Specifically, the notification unit 13 notifies the terminal 30 that the storage unit 100 retrieved by the reception unit 11 is a storage unit 100 that can store and lend out the user's work equipment 50.

[0054] Furthermore, when the reception unit 11 receives identification information of a storage unit 100 selected by the user via the terminal 30 in response to a notification from the notification unit 13, it decides to lend the storage unit 100 to that user.

[0055] When the loan of storage unit 100 is decided, the instruction unit 14 issues an instruction to move the loaned storage unit 100A, which is storage unit 100 that has been decided to be loaned, to the designated location specified by the terminal 30.

[0056] For example, the instruction unit 14 instructs the transporter 40 that transports the aforementioned rental storage unit 100A to move to the aforementioned designated location, that is, it transmits an instruction to move to such a designated location.

[0057] If the storage unit 100 is able to move on its own, the instruction unit 14 instructs the aforementioned rental storage unit 100A to move to the aforementioned designated location, that is, it transmits an instruction to move to such designated location.

[0058] Furthermore, the instruction unit 14 may specify the date and time for moving to the designated location in the above-mentioned movement instruction. Alternatively, the instruction unit 14 may specify the route to move to the designated location in the above-mentioned movement instruction.

[0059] Furthermore, since the user does not have a place to install the storage unit 100, if they wish to use the storage unit 100 at the location where it is currently stored, they may communicate this by submitting a loan request. In such a case, the instruction unit 14 may be configured not to send the aforementioned movement instruction.

[0060] When the processing unit 15 decides to lend out the storage unit 100, it associates the loaned storage unit 100A with the work machine 50 (for example, at least one of the traveling body 51 and the mounted body 52). Specifically, the processing unit 15 stores this association in the storage unit 12. Based on this association, the storage unit 12 can manage the usage status of the storage unit 100 as shown in Figure 6.

[0061] Furthermore, the processing unit 15 calculates the fee to be charged to the user according to the loan period of the loan storage unit 100A stored in the memory unit 12.

[0062] Furthermore, the processing unit 15 manages the usage status of the rental storage unit 100A stored in the memory unit 12 and calculates the fee to be charged to the user according to the managed usage status. For example, the processing unit 15 may calculate the fee to be charged to the user according to the type of work machine 50 stored in the rental storage unit 100A. Alternatively, the processing unit 15 may calculate the fee to be charged to the user according to the number of times the vehicle 51 and the mounted vehicle 52 enter and exit the rental storage unit 100A. In addition, if the rental storage unit 100A is capable of accommodating the vehicle 51 and the mounted vehicle 52, the processing unit 15 may calculate the fee to be charged to the user according to the amount of power consumed in the rental storage unit 100A, the amount of battery consumption, etc.

[0063] The billing unit 16 bills the user via the terminal 30 at a predetermined timing for the charges calculated by the processing unit 15.

[0064] An example of the operation of the rental service provision system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 7.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, in step S1001, the user sends a rental request to the server 10 using the terminal 30 in order to use the rental service for the storage facility 100.

[0066] Here, such a loan request includes the type of work equipment 50 to be stored in the storage facility 100, a designated location indicating where the storage facility 100 will be used, and the loan period for the storage facility 100.

[0067] In step S1002, the reception unit 11 of the server 10 receives the loan request and searches for a storage facility 100 that can store and lend out the work machine 50 related to the loan request. Specifically, the reception unit 11 of the server 10 refers to the storage unit 12 based on the type of work machine 50 included in the loan request and searches for a storage facility 100 that can lend to the user.

[0068] In step S1003, the notification unit 13 of the server 10 notifies the terminal 30 of one or more storage units 100 that were found in step S1002. Specifically, the notification unit 13 of the server 10 transmits identification information of one or more storage units 100 that were found to the terminal 30.

[0069] In step S1004, the user sends the identification information of the storage 100 selected from the storage 100 notified in step S1003 to the server 10 using the terminal 30.

[0070] If, in step S1003, a storage unit 100 is notified, and the user determines that there is no problem in renting such storage unit 100, the user sends the identification information of such storage unit 100 to the server 10 using the terminal 30.

[0071] In step S1005, the reception unit 11 of the server 10 decides to lend out the storage unit identified by the storage unit identification information received from the terminal 30 in step S1004.

[0072] In step S1006, the instruction unit 14 of the server 10 instructs the transport body 40 to move the loaned storage unit 100A, which is the storage unit 100 whose loan has been decided; in other words, it transmits an instruction to move the loaned storage unit 100A.

[0073] Here, the transporter 40 transports the rental storage unit 100A from its current location to the designated location in response to the instruction to move the rental storage unit 100A.

[0074] If the rental storage unit 100A is capable of moving under its own power, in step S1006, the instruction unit 14 of the server 10 transmits a movement instruction to the rental storage unit 100A. Subsequently, the rental storage unit 100A moves from its current location to the designated location in accordance with this movement instruction.

[0075] In step S1007, the processing unit 15 of the server 10 starts managing the usage status of the rental storage unit 100A. Here, the processing unit 15 of the server 10 associates, for example, the rental storage unit 100A with the work machine 50 to be stored in the rental storage unit 100A. Alternatively, the processing unit 15 of the server 10 may associate, for example, the rental storage unit 100A with the rental period.

[0076] In step S1008, the processing unit 15 of the server 10 calculates the fee according to the rental period of the storage unit and the usage status of the work machine 50.

[0077] In step S1009, the billing unit 16 of the server 10 bills the user for the charges calculated in step S1008 via the terminal 30.

[0078] [summary] The server 10 according to this embodiment is a server 10 that provides a rental service for a storage facility 100, and includes a reception unit 11 that receives rental requests from terminals 30, and a notification unit 13 that notifies terminals 30 of a storage facility 100A that can store and rent out the work machine 50 related to such rental request.

[0079] With this configuration, users can utilize the rental service for the storage facility 100 by communicating with the server 10 using the terminal 30.

[0080] In the server 10 according to the second feature of the present invention, the work machine 50 is at least one of a traveling body 51 and a mounting body 52, the traveling body 51 is capable of traveling in a first direction and has a mounting surface 511 facing upward in a second direction relative to the first direction, the mounting body 52 is configured to be detachable from the mounting surface 511, moves integrally with the traveling body 51 when attached to the mounting surface 511 and mounted on the traveling body 51, and is positioned separately from the traveling body 51 when detached from the mounting surface 511 and not mounted on the traveling body 51, and the notification unit 13 may notify the terminal 30 of a storage facility 100A capable of storing and lending at least one of the traveling body 51 and the mounting body 52 related to the above-mentioned lending request.

[0081] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a rental service for a storage facility 100 capable of accommodating the work machine 50, which is composed of a traveling body 51 and a mounted body 52.

[0082] A server according to the third feature of the present invention may include an instruction unit 14 that, when the lending of storage unit 100A is decided, issues an instruction to move the lending storage unit 100A to a designated location specified by the terminal 30.

[0083] With this configuration, when using the rental service for storage unit 100, the user can have the rental storage unit 100A transported to their desired location (designated location).

[0084] In the server 10 according to the fourth feature of the present invention, the instruction unit 14 may instruct the transporter 40 that transports the rental storage unit 100A to move to the designated location described above.

[0085] With this configuration, the transporter 40 can transport the rental storage unit 100A to the location (designated location) desired by the user.

[0086] The server 10 according to the fifth feature of the present invention may include a processing unit 15 that associates the loaned storage unit 100A with at least one of the traveling body 51 and the mounted body 52 when the loan of the storage unit 100A is decided.

[0087] With this configuration, the rental service for storage unit 100 can manage the rental status (usage status) of storage unit 100A.

[0088] In the server 10 according to the sixth feature of the present invention, the processing unit 15 may calculate the fee according to the rental period of the rental storage unit 100A associated with at least one of the traveling body 51 and the mounted body 52.

[0089] With this configuration, the rental fee for the storage facility 100 can be automatically calculated and billed to the user.

[0090] In the server 10 according to the seventh feature of the present invention, the processing unit 15 calculates the fee according to the usage status of the rental storage unit 100A.

[0091] With this configuration, flexible pricing can be achieved in the rental service for storage unit 100.

[0092] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 1…Rental service provision system 10… Server 11…Reception Department 12...Storage section 13…Notification section 14…Instruction section 15… Processing Section 16…Billing Department 30… Terminal 40... Carrier 50, 50A, 50B... Work equipment 51... Running body 511… Mounting surface 52... Mounted unit 100, 100A, 100B…Storage

Claims

1. A server that provides a storage facility rental service, The reception area accepts loan requests from terminals, A server comprising: a notification unit that notifies the terminal of a storage facility capable of storing and lending out the work equipment related to the loan request.

2. The aforementioned work machine consists of at least one of a traveling body and a mounted body, The traveling body is capable of traveling in a first direction and has a mounting surface facing a second direction that faces upward with respect to the first direction. The aforementioned mounting body is configured to be detachably attached to the mounting surface, moves integrally with the traveling body when attached to the mounting surface and mounted on the traveling body, and is positioned separately from the traveling body when detached from the mounting surface and not mounted on the traveling body. The server according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the terminal of a storage facility capable of storing and lending at least one of the vehicle and the mounted vehicle related to the loan request.

3. The server according to claim 1, further comprising an instruction unit that, when the lending of the aforementioned storage unit is decided, issues an instruction to move the lending storage unit, which is the storage unit whose lending has been decided, to a designated location specified by the terminal.

4. The server according to claim 3, wherein the instruction unit gives instructions to a transporter that transports the rental storage unit to move to the designated location.

5. The server according to claim 2, further comprising a processing unit that associates the leased storage unit, which is the storage unit for which the lease has been decided, with at least one of the vehicle and the mounted unit, when the lease of the storage unit has been decided.

6. The server according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit calculates a fee according to the rental period of the rental storage facility associated with at least one of the driving body and the mounted body.

7. The server according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit calculates the fee according to the usage status of the rental storage unit.

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