Matching system, matching method, program

Abstract

To provide a matching system, matching method, and program that can mediate between users who want to provide tires and users who want to use tires. [Solution] The matching system comprises a first reception processing unit 81 that receives a read operation to read written information previously written to a wireless tag provided on a tire, a registration processing unit 82 that registers the tire from which the written information has been read by the read operation, a second reception processing unit 88 that receives an input operation for a narrowing condition used in a narrowing process to narrow down candidate tires from one or more of the tires registered by the registration processing unit 82, and an output processing unit 89 that outputs candidate tire information relating to the candidate tires narrowed down by the narrowing process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a matching system, a matching method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A matching system that mediates between a user who wants to provide a parking space and a user who wants to use the parking space close to the destination is known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, if there is a matching system that mediates between a user who wants to provide a tire and a user who wants to use the tire, it is possible to satisfy the needs of both the user who has surplus tires and the user who wants to use the tires. However, conventionally, there has been no matching system that mediates between a user who wants to provide the tire and a user who wants to use the tire.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a matching system, a matching method, and a program capable of mediating between a user who wants to provide a tire and a user who wants to use a tire.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A matching system relating to one aspect of this disclosure comprises a first reception processing unit, a registration processing unit, a second reception processing unit, and an output processing unit. The first reception processing unit receives a read operation to read written information previously written to a wireless tag provided on a tire. The registration processing unit registers the tire from which the written information has been read by the read operation. The second reception processing unit receives an input operation for filtering conditions used in a filtering process to narrow down candidate tires from one or more of the tires registered by the registration processing unit. The output processing unit outputs candidate tire information relating to the candidate tires narrowed down by the filtering process.

[0007] According to this matching system, users who wish to provide the tires can register them in the matching system through a simple procedure. Furthermore, users who wish to use the tires can have the matching system output tires that meet their desired conditions from among the registered tires. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to mediate between users who want to provide the tires and users who want to use the tires. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the matching system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the first terminal device of the matching system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the configuration of the second terminal device of the matching system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the server configuration of the matching system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the registration acceptance process performed in the matching system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the application acceptance process performed in the matching system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the server configuration of a matching system according to another embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of a map display screen displayed on the second terminal device of the matching system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the embodiments of this disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0011] [Configuration of Matching System 100] First, the configuration of the matching system 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0012] The matching system 100 can mediate between users who want to provide tires 200 (see Figure 1) and users who want to use tires 200. Specifically, the matching system 100 can mediate between users who want to lend out tires 200 and users who want to borrow tires 200.

[0013] Here, tire 200 is a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle. For example, the vehicle is a passenger car.

[0014] Furthermore, the tire 200 is equipped with a wireless tag 201 as shown in Figure 1.

[0015] The wireless tag 201 is a so-called passive RFID tag. The wireless tag 201 is embedded inside the tire 200 during the manufacture of the tire 200.

[0016] The wireless tag 201 includes a main body portion and a first antenna. The first antenna is used for receiving radio waves transmitted by the first terminal device 1 (see FIG. 1) and transmitting radio waves toward the first terminal device 1. The main body portion is an integrated circuit that operates by receiving the energy of the radio waves of the first terminal device 1 received by the first antenna. The main body portion includes a control unit and a storage unit. The storage unit is a non-volatile storage device. A tire ID used for identifying the tire 200 is stored in advance in the storage unit. The tire ID is information assigned to each tire 200 by the manufacturer of the tire 200. The control unit executes a read process of reading data from the storage unit in response to a request from the first terminal device 1 and a transmission process of transmitting the data read by the read process to the first terminal device 1.

[0017] Note that the tire 200 is not limited to a pneumatic tire and may be a non-pneumatic tire such as a so-called solid tire. Also, the tire 200 may be a resin tire using a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0018] Also, the vehicle to which the tire 200 is mounted is not limited to a passenger car and may be any moving body that travels using the tire 200. For example, the vehicle may be a bus, a truck, a motorcycle, a three-wheeled passenger vehicle, a motorized bicycle, or a bicycle. Also, the vehicle may be a load-carrying vehicle such as a trailer and a cart.

[0019] Also, the wireless tag 201 is not limited to a passive RFID tag and may be an active RFID tag. Also, the wireless tag 201 may be attached to the inner surface of the tire 200 during the manufacture of the tire 200.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the matching system 100 comprises a first terminal device 1, a second terminal device 2, and a server 3. In the matching system 100, the first terminal device 1 and the server 3 are connected to each other via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). In the matching system 100, the second terminal device 2 and the server 3 are also connected to each other via the same communication network.

[0021] The first terminal device 1 is an information processing device used by users who wish to provide tires 200. For example, the first terminal device 1 is a smartphone with an application program installed to function as part of the matching system 100. The application program is provided by the server 3. Users of the first terminal device 1 may be consumers who own tires 200, or businesses that have received tires 200 from consumers who wish to rent them out. Users of the first terminal device 1 may also be tire manufacturers.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the first terminal device 1 comprises a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a first communication unit 14, a second communication unit 15, a storage unit 16, a camera 17, and a GPS receiver 18.

[0023] The control unit 11 comprehensively controls the first terminal device 1. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 11 comprises a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 23. The CPU 21 is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM 22 is a non-volatile memory device in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU 21 to perform various operations is pre-stored. The RAM 23 is a volatile or non-volatile memory device used as temporary storage memory (work area) for the various operations performed by the CPU 21. The CPU 21 executes the various control programs pre-stored in the ROM 22. In this way, the CPU 21 comprehensively controls the first terminal device 1.

[0024] The operation unit 12 and the display unit 13 are the user interface of the first terminal device 1. The operation unit 12 inputs various information to the control unit 11 in response to user operations. For example, the operation unit 12 includes operation keys and a touch panel. The display unit 13 displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 11. For example, the display unit 13 is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display.

[0025] The first communication unit 14 is a communication interface capable of performing data communication with the wireless tag 201 (see Figure 1). The first communication unit 14 is equipped with a second antenna that emits electromagnetic waves of a predetermined specific frequency. When the first communication unit 14 is within the communication range of the wireless tag 201, the first communication unit 14 uses the second antenna to request the wireless tag 201 to transmit data recorded on the wireless tag 201. The first communication unit 14 also uses the second antenna to receive data transmitted from the wireless tag 201. For example, the specific frequency is a frequency included in the UHF (ultra-high frequency) band. The communication range is approximately 1 meter.

[0026] The second communication unit 15 is a communication interface capable of performing data communication with the server 3.

[0027] The memory unit 16 is a non-volatile memory device. For example, the memory unit 16 is a non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The application program is pre-stored in the memory unit 16.

[0028] Camera 17 is capable of capturing images of a subject and outputting image data that includes the image of the subject.

[0029] The GPS receiver 18 is capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from GPS satellites. The first terminal device 1 can acquire its location information based on the information contained in the radio waves received by the GPS receiver 18.

[0030] The first terminal device 1 is not limited to a smartphone, but may also be an information processing device such as a personal computer. The first communication unit 14 may also be a handheld RFID reader connected to the first terminal device 1. Furthermore, the first terminal device 1 may be equipped with a wear detection device capable of detecting the amount of wear on the tire 200. For example, the wear detection device may be a depth gauge capable of detecting the remaining tread depth of the tire 200. Also, the first terminal device 1 is not limited to a general-purpose information processing device, but may also be a dedicated device developed to realize the matching system 100.

[0031] The second terminal device 2 is an information processing device used by users who wish to use the tire 200. For example, the second terminal device 2 is a smartphone on which the application program is installed.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the second terminal device 2 comprises a control unit 31, an operation unit 32, a display unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

[0033] The control unit 31 comprehensively controls the second terminal device 2. As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 31 includes a CPU 41, ROM 42, and RAM 43. The configuration of the CPU 41, ROM 42, and RAM 43 is the same as that of the CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 of the first terminal device 1.

[0034] The operation unit 32 and the display unit 33 are the user interface of the second terminal device 2. The configuration of the operation unit 32 and the display unit 33 is the same as that of the operation unit 12 and the display unit 13 of the first terminal device 1.

[0035] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface capable of performing data communication with the server 3.

[0036] The memory unit 35 is a non-volatile memory device. For example, the memory unit 35 is a non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The application program is pre-stored in the memory unit 35.

[0037] Note that the second terminal device 2 is not limited to a smartphone, but may also be an information processing device such as a personal computer.

[0038] Server 3 is an information processing device that facilitates communication between users who want to provide Tire 200 and users who want to use Tire 200.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the server 3 comprises a control unit 51, an operation unit 52, a display unit 53, a communication unit 54, and a storage unit 55.

[0040] The control unit 51 provides overall control of the server 3. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 51 includes a CPU 61, ROM 62, and RAM 63. The configuration of the CPU 61, ROM 62, and RAM 63 is the same as that of the CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 of the first terminal device 1.

[0041] The operation unit 52 and the display unit 53 are the user interface of the server 3. The operation unit 52 inputs various information to the control unit 51 in response to user operations. For example, the operation unit 52 includes a keyboard, mouse, and touch panel. The display unit 53 displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 51. For example, the display unit 53 is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display.

[0042] The communication unit 54 is a communication interface capable of performing data communication with external communication devices such as the first terminal device 1 and the second terminal device 2.

[0043] The memory unit 55 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the memory unit 55 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory like flash memory, an SSD (solid state drive), or an HDD (hard disk drive).

[0044] The storage unit 55 includes a user database 71, as shown in Figure 4. User data corresponding to each user of the matching system 100 is pre-registered in the user database 71. For example, the user data consists of a user ID used to identify the user, a password for the user to log in to the matching system 100, terminal identification information for the first terminal device 1 or second terminal device 2 corresponding to the user, personal information such as the user's name and address, the user's telephone number, the user's email address, and card information related to the user's credit card.

[0045] When a user of the matching system 100 inputs information from among the multiple pieces of information constituting the user data, excluding the user ID, the server 3 generates the user ID corresponding to the input information. The server 3 then registers the combination of the generated user ID and the information input by the user as new user data in the user database 71.

[0046] Furthermore, the memory unit 55 includes a first memory area 72 and a second memory area 73, as shown in Figure 4. The first memory area 72 is used for registering tires 200 that are available for loan. The second memory area 73 is used for registering tires 200 that are currently on loan.

[0047] Server 3 is connected to an external database server, including a tire database, in a communicative manner. For example, the tire database is built by the manufacturer of tire 200. The tire database contains tire data corresponding to each tire 200. For example, the tire data consists of the tire ID, tire name information, tire size information, and manufacturing date information. The tire name information indicates the product name of tire 200. The tire size information indicates the size of tire 200. The manufacturing date information indicates the manufacturing date of tire 200. Note that the information included in the tire data is not limited to the information described above, but may include any information relating to tire 200.

[0048] Server 3 may also include the aforementioned tire database.

[0049] [Functional configuration of the control unit 51] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 51 will be described with reference to Figure 4.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the server 3 includes a first reception processing unit 81, a registration processing unit 82, a detection processing unit 83, a first acquisition processing unit 84, a first decision processing unit 85, a second acquisition processing unit 86, an association processing unit 87, a second reception processing unit 88, an output processing unit 89, and an exclusion processing unit 90.

[0051] Specifically, the storage unit 55 of server 3 contains a matching program pre-stored in it that causes the control unit 51 to function as each of the processing units shown in Figure 4. The CPU 61 of the control unit 51 functions as each of the processing units shown in Figure 4 by executing the matching program.

[0052] Furthermore, some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 51 may be composed of electronic circuits. Also, the matching program may be a program that causes multiple processors to function as the processing units shown in Figure 4.

[0053] The first reception processing unit 81 receives a read operation from the wireless tag 201 provided on the tire 200 to read the written information that has been previously written to the wireless tag 201. The read operation is performed by a user possessing the first terminal device 1, and involves moving the first communication unit 14 of the first terminal device 1 within the communication range of the wireless tag 201, causing the first communication unit 14 to read the written information from the wireless tag 201.

[0054] Specifically, when a predetermined registration start operation is received by the operation unit 12 of the first terminal device 1, the first reception processing unit 81 displays a read operation reception screen used for receiving the read operation on the display unit 13 of the first terminal device 1. The read operation reception screen includes a message prompting the user possessing the first terminal device 1 to perform the read operation.

[0055] When the reading operation is performed by a user possessing the first terminal device 1, the tire ID (the written information) stored in the storage unit of the wireless tag 201 is read from the wireless tag 201.

[0056] The registration processing unit 82 registers the tire 200 from which the written information was read by the reading operation.

[0057] Specifically, the registration processing unit 82 stores the tire ID read by the reading operation in the first storage area 72 of the storage unit 55. As a result, the tire 200 of the user who owns the first terminal device 1 is registered as a tire available for loan to the user who owns the second terminal device 2. Note that the storage location of the written information is not limited to the first storage area 72.

[0058] The detection processing unit 83 detects the amount of wear on the tire 200.

[0059] Specifically, when the reading operation is received, the detection processing unit 83 displays an imaging operation reception screen on the display unit 13 of the first terminal device 1, which is used to receive an imaging operation to image the tire 200 using the camera 17 of the first terminal device 1. The imaging operation reception screen includes a message prompting the user possessing the first terminal device 1 to perform the imaging operation.

[0060] Furthermore, the detection processing unit 83 detects the amount of tire wear of the tire 200 based on the imaging data, which includes the imaging results of the tire 200 output from the camera 17 in response to the imaging operation. The detection processing unit 83 can detect the amount of tire wear of the tire 200 from the image of the tire 200 using a known method.

[0061] In the matching system 100, the amount of wear of the tire 200 detected by the detection processing unit 83 is expressed as a wear index ranging from "0" to "100". The value of the wear index decreases as the amount of wear of the tire 200 increases. In other words, the wear index of a new tire 200 is "100". Conversely, the wear index of a tire 200 that has reached the end of its lifespan is "0".

[0062] Furthermore, if the first terminal device 1 is equipped with the wear amount detection device, the detection processing unit 83 may acquire the detection result from the wear amount detection device as the wear amount of the tire 200. In this case, instead of the imaging operation reception screen, the detection processing unit 83 may display a detection operation reception screen on the display unit 13 of the first terminal device 1, which is used to receive a detection operation to detect the wear amount of the tire 200 using the wear amount detection device. The detection operation reception screen may be any screen that includes a message prompting the user possessing the first terminal device 1 to perform the detection operation.

[0063] The first data acquisition processing unit 84 acquires deterioration information regarding the deterioration status of the tire 200.

[0064] Here, the deterioration information refers to the elapsed time since the tire 200 was manufactured.

[0065] Specifically, when the read operation is received, the first acquisition processing unit 84 uses the tire ID read by the read operation to obtain the manufacturing date information corresponding to the tire ID from the tire database. Then, the first acquisition processing unit 84 uses the obtained manufacturing date information to calculate the elapsed time since the tire 200 was manufactured.

[0066] The first decision processing unit 85 determines the rental fee for the tire 200 based on the deterioration information acquired by the first acquisition processing unit 84. The rental fee for the tire 200 determined by the first decision processing unit 85 is the rental fee for the tire 200 per unit of time, such as one day.

[0067] Specifically, in the matching system 100, a first table data showing the correspondence between the elapsed time since the tire 200 was manufactured and the rental fee for the tire 200, corresponding to each product name of the tire 200 identified by the tire name information, is pre-stored in the storage unit 55 of the server 3. In the first table data, the elapsed time since the tire 200 was manufactured and the rental fee for the tire 200 are associated in such a way that the rental fee for the tire 200 decreases as the elapsed time since the tire 200 was manufactured increases.

[0068] The first decision processing unit 85 determines the rental fee for the tire 200 using the first table data. Specifically, the first decision processing unit 85 uses the tire ID read by the reading operation to obtain the tire name information corresponding to the tire ID from the tire database. The first decision processing unit 85 also uses the obtained tire name information to obtain the first table data corresponding to the tire name information from the storage unit 55. Then, the first decision processing unit 85 determines the rental fee for the tire 200 as the rental fee associated with the deterioration information (elapsed time since the tire 200 was manufactured) obtained by the first acquisition processing unit 84 in the obtained first table data.

[0069] The deterioration information may also be the amount of wear on the tire 200. In other words, the detection processing unit 83 may be the first acquisition processing unit of this disclosure. In this case, the storage unit 55 may store, in place of the first table data, a second table data that shows the correspondence between the amount of wear on the tire 200 (the wear index) and the rental fee for the tire 200, corresponding to each product name of the tire 200. The first determination processing unit 85 may then use the second table data to determine the rental fee for the tire 200.

[0070] The second acquisition processing unit 86 acquires the position information of the tire 200.

[0071] Specifically, when the reading operation is received, the second acquisition processing unit 86 instructs the first terminal device 1 to acquire the location information of the first terminal device 1 using the GPS receiver 18. The second acquisition processing unit 86 then acquires the location information of the first terminal device 1 acquired by the first terminal device 1 as the location information of the tire 200.

[0072] Furthermore, if the first terminal device 1 is a stationary information processing device, the second acquisition processing unit 86 only needs to acquire information indicating the installation location of the first terminal device 1, which is pre-registered in the server 3, as the location information of the tire 200.

[0073] The association processing unit 87 associates the detection result from the detection processing unit 83 with the tire 200 registered by the registration processing unit 82.

[0074] Furthermore, the association processing unit 87 associates the rental fee for the tire 200 determined by the first decision processing unit 85 with the tire 200 registered by the registration processing unit 82.

[0075] Furthermore, the association processing unit 87 associates the position information of the tire 200 acquired by the second acquisition processing unit 86 with the tire 200 registered by the registration processing unit 82.

[0076] Furthermore, the association processing unit 87 associates the tire 200 registered by the registration processing unit 82 with the user ID corresponding to the user who registers the tire 200. When the read operation is accepted, the association processing unit 87 can use the terminal identification information of the first terminal device 1 obtained from the first terminal device 1 used to accept the read operation to obtain the user ID corresponding to the user who owns the first terminal device 1 (the user who registers the tire 200) from the user database 71.

[0077] Specifically, the association processing unit 87 adds the detection result from the detection processing unit 83, the rental fee for the tire 200 determined by the first decision processing unit 85, the location information of the tire 200 acquired by the second acquisition processing unit 86, and the user ID corresponding to the user who registers the tire 200 to the tire ID stored in the first storage area 72 of the storage unit 55 by the registration processing unit 82.

[0078] The association between the information detected by the detection processing unit 83 and the tire 200 registered by the registration processing unit 82, performed by the association processing unit 87, may be achieved by known methods other than adding such information to the tire ID stored in the first storage area 72.

[0079] The second reception processing unit 88 receives input operations for filtering conditions used in a filtering process to narrow down candidate tires from one or more tires 200 (the available tires for loan) registered by the registration processing unit 82. The candidate tires are candidates for loan tires to be loaned to users who possess the second terminal device 2.

[0080] Specifically, when the second reception processing unit 88 receives a predetermined application start operation from the operation unit 32 of the second terminal device 2, it displays an input operation reception screen used for receiving the input operation on the display unit 33 of the second terminal device 2. The input operation reception screen includes condition input fields used for inputting each of the filtering conditions. The input operation reception screen also includes a message prompting the user holding the second terminal device 2 to perform the input operation.

[0081] Specifically, on the input operation reception screen, it is possible to specify (input) the product name of the candidate tire as a filtering condition. Furthermore, on the input operation reception screen, it is possible to specify (input) the size of the candidate tire as a filtering condition. Furthermore, on the input operation reception screen, it is possible to specify (input) the acceptable range of elapsed time since the manufacture of the candidate tire as a filtering condition. Furthermore, on the input operation reception screen, it is possible to specify (input) the acceptable range of the wear index of the candidate tire as a filtering condition. Furthermore, on the input operation reception screen, it is possible to specify (input) the region including the location of the candidate tire as a filtering condition. Furthermore, on the input operation reception screen, it is possible to specify (input) the acceptable range of the rental fee for the candidate tire as a filtering condition. Note that the filtering conditions that can be entered on the input operation reception screen are not limited to those described above.

[0082] When the input operation is performed by a user possessing the second terminal device 2, the filtering process based on the filtering conditions entered by the input operation is executed.

[0083] The output processing unit 89 outputs candidate tire information relating to the candidate tires narrowed down by the filtering process.

[0084] Here, the candidate tire information includes the tire data corresponding to the candidate tire. The candidate tire information also includes the wear amount of the candidate tire (detection result by the detection processing unit 83). The candidate tire information also includes the rental fee for the candidate tire. The candidate tire information also includes the location information of the candidate tire, and the candidate tire information also includes information about the user who registered the candidate tire (name, contact information, etc.).

[0085] Specifically, when the filtering process is executed, the output processing unit 89 displays a temporary designation operation reception screen on the display unit 33 of the second terminal device 2, which is used to receive a temporary designation operation to tentatively designate one or more of the candidate tires narrowed down by the filtering process. The temporary designation operation reception screen includes an information display field corresponding to each of the candidate tires narrowed down by the filtering process. The information display field is a display area used to display the candidate tire information. The temporary designation operation reception screen also includes a message prompting the user holding the second terminal device 2 to perform the temporary designation operation. The temporary designation operation is a touch operation on the information display field, etc. The temporary designation operation reception screen also includes a first cancel operation key used to cancel the filtering process.

[0086] Furthermore, only a portion of the candidate tire information may be displayed in the information display field. In this case, the information display field only needs to include a detailed information display key used to display candidate tire information that is not displayed in the information display field. The output processing unit 89 may also display additional candidate tire information that is not displayed in the information display field in response to user operations on the detailed information display key.

[0087] Furthermore, the information display area may include a map display key used to display a map image of the region including the location of the candidate tire. In this case, the output processing unit 89 may additionally display the map image in response to the user's operation on the map display key. For example, the output processing unit 89 displays the map display screen SC10 shown in Figure 8 on the display unit 33 of the second terminal device 2 in response to the user's operation on the map display key. The map display screen SC10 shown in Figure 8 includes a message image IM11 showing a message to the user, a tire image IM12 showing the candidate tire, an information image IM13 showing information about the candidate tire, and a map image IM14 which is an example of the map image.

[0088] In response to a designation operation in which the output processing unit 89 has output candidate tire information for one or more candidate tires, the exclusion processing unit 90 excludes the candidate tire specified by the designation operation from the output target of the output processing unit 89.

[0089] Specifically, when the provisional designation operation is accepted on the provisional designation operation acceptance screen, the exclusion processing unit 90 displays a setting operation acceptance screen on the display unit 33 of the second terminal device 2, which is used for setting the rental period of the provisionally designated candidate tire. The setting operation acceptance screen includes a period input field used for inputting the rental period of the candidate tire. The setting operation acceptance screen also includes a message prompting the user possessing the second terminal device 2 to perform the setting operation.

[0090] Furthermore, when the setting operation is accepted on the setting operation acceptance screen, the exclusion processing unit 90 displays a confirmation operation acceptance screen on the display unit 33 of the second terminal device 2, which is used to accept a confirmation operation to confirm the rental conditions of the provisionally designated candidate tire. The confirmation operation acceptance screen includes a rental conditions display field used to display the rental conditions of the provisionally designated candidate tire. The rental conditions of the candidate tire include the rental fee for the candidate tire during the rental period, which is calculated based on the rental period of the candidate tire set by the setting operation. The confirmation operation acceptance screen also includes a confirmation operation key used for the confirmation operation. The confirmation operation acceptance screen also includes a message prompting the user holding the second terminal device 2 to perform the confirmation operation. The confirmation operation acceptance screen also includes a second cancellation operation key used to cancel the provisional designation operation and the setting operation.

[0091] Then, in response to the confirmation operation, the exclusion processing unit 90 excludes the provisionally designated candidate tire from the output target of the output processing unit 89. Specifically, the exclusion processing unit 90 moves the tire ID of the provisionally designated candidate tire from the tire IDs stored in the first storage area 72 of the storage unit 55 to the second storage area 73.

[0092] As a result, the provisionally designated candidate tire is set as the loaner tire. In other words, the confirmation operation also serves as the designation operation. Furthermore, the confirmation operation is also the operation of designating the provisionally designated candidate tire as the loaner tire.

[0093] The designation operation may also be an operation to designate multiple of the one or more candidate tires whose candidate tire information has been output by the output processing unit 89. In this case, the provisional designation operation may be an operation to provisionally designate multiple candidate tires. The setting operation may be an operation to set the rental period for each of the provisionally designated candidate tires. The confirmation operation may be an operation to confirm the rental conditions for each of the provisionally designated candidate tires.

[0094] Furthermore, the method by which the output processing unit 89 outputs the candidate tire information is not limited to displaying the provisional designation operation acceptance screen, but may also be printing using an image forming device such as a printer connected to the second terminal device 2.

[0095] [Registration Processing] The following describes a part of the matching method of this disclosure, along with an example of the procedure for registration acceptance processing executed by the control unit 51 of the server 3, with reference to Figure 5. Here, steps S11, S12, etc. represent the processing procedure (step) numbers executed by the control unit 51. The registration acceptance processing is executed when the registration start operation is received at the operation unit 12 of the first terminal device 1.

[0096] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 51 displays the reading operation reception screen on the display unit 13 of the first terminal device 1 and accepts the reading operation. The processing in step S11 is an example of the first reception step of this disclosure and is performed by the first reception processing unit 81 of the control unit 51.

[0097] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the reading operation has been received on the reading operation reception screen.

[0098] Specifically, the control unit 51 determines that the reading operation has been accepted when the tire ID of the wireless tag 201 read by the first communication unit 14 is transmitted from the first terminal device 1.

[0099] Here, if the control unit 51 determines that the read operation has been received (Yes side of S12), it proceeds to step S13. If the read operation has not been received (No side of S12), the control unit 51 waits for the read operation in step S12.

[0100] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 51 determines whether the tire 200 whose tire ID was read by the reading operation is the rental tire.

[0101] Specifically, the control unit 51 determines that the tire 200 whose tire ID was read by the reading operation is the loaned tire if the tire ID read by the reading operation matches any of the tire IDs stored in the second storage area 73 of the storage unit 55.

[0102] Here, if the control unit 51 determines that the tire 200 whose tire ID was read by the reading operation is the loaned tire (Yes side of S13), it moves the process to step S21. If the tire 200 whose tire ID was read by the reading operation is not the loaned tire (No side of S13), the control unit 51 moves the process to step S14.

[0103] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 51 registers the tire 200 whose tire ID was read by the reading operation. The processing in step S14 is an example of the registration step of this disclosure and is performed by the registration processing unit 82 of the control unit 51.

[0104] Specifically, the control unit 51 stores the tire ID read by the reading operation in the first storage area 72 of the storage unit 55.

[0105] Furthermore, if the tire 200 whose tire ID was read by the reading operation is already registered, the control unit 51 can simply re-register the tire 200.

[0106] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 51 detects the amount of wear on the tire 200. The process in step S15 is performed by the detection processing unit 83 of the control unit 51.

[0107] Specifically, the control unit 51 displays the image capture operation reception screen on the display unit 13 of the first terminal device 1 and accepts the image capture operation. The control unit 51 also detects the amount of wear of the tire 200 (the wear index) based on the image data, including the image capture result of the tire 200 output from the camera 17 in response to the image capture operation.

[0108] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 51 acquires the elapsed time (deterioration information) of the tire 200 since its manufacture. The processing in step S16 is performed by the first acquisition processing unit 84 of the control unit 51.

[0109] Specifically, the control unit 51 uses the tire ID read by the reading operation to obtain the manufacturing date information corresponding to the tire ID from the tire database. Then, the control unit 51 uses the obtained manufacturing date information to calculate the elapsed time since the tire 200 was manufactured.

[0110] <Step S17> In step S17, the control unit 51 determines the rental fee for the tire 200 based on the elapsed time since the tire 200 was manufactured (the deterioration information) obtained by the processing in step S16. The processing in step S17 is performed by the first determination processing unit 85 of the control unit 51.

[0111] Specifically, the control unit 51 uses the tire ID read by the reading operation to obtain the tire name information corresponding to the tire ID from the tire database. The control unit 51 also uses the obtained tire name information to obtain the first table data corresponding to the tire name information from the storage unit 55. Then, the control unit 51 determines the rental fee for tire 200 as the rental fee for tire 200, which is associated with the elapsed time since the tire 200 was manufactured, obtained by the processing in step S16, in the obtained first table data.

[0112] <Step S18> In step S18, the control unit 51 acquires the position information of the tire 200. The processing in step S18 is performed by the second acquisition processing unit 86 of the control unit 51.

[0113] Specifically, the control unit 51 instructs the first terminal device 1 to acquire the location information of the first terminal device 1 using the GPS receiver 18. The control unit 51 then acquires the location information of the first terminal device 1 acquired by the first terminal device 1 as the location information of the tire 200.

[0114] <Step S19> In step S19, the control unit 51 obtains the user ID corresponding to the first terminal device 1.

[0115] Specifically, the control unit 51 uses the terminal identification information of the first terminal device 1 obtained from the first terminal device 1 to obtain the user ID corresponding to the first terminal device 1 from the user database 71.

[0116] <Step S20> In step S20, the control unit 51 performs an association process to associate information such as the amount of tire wear detected in step S15 with the tire 200 registered in step S14. The process in step S20 is performed by the association processing unit 87 of the control unit 51.

[0117] Specifically, in the association process, the amount of tire wear detected by the process in step S15, the rental fee for the tire 200 determined by the process in step S17, the location information of the tire 200 obtained by the process in step S18, and the user ID obtained by the process in step S19 are added to the tire ID stored in the first storage area 72 of the storage unit 55 by the process in step S14.

[0118] Note that the process in step S14 may be performed after the processes from step S15 to step S20 have been executed. In this case, the association process only needs to add information such as the amount of wear of the tire 200 to the tire ID read by the reading operation. In step S14, the control unit 51 may store the tire ID, to which the information such as the amount of wear of the tire 200 has been added, in the first storage area 72 of the storage unit 55.

[0119] <Step S21> In step S21, the control unit 51 deletes the registration information related to the rental tires.

[0120] Specifically, the control unit 51 deletes the tire IDs stored in the second storage area 73 of the storage unit 55 that match the tire ID read by the reading operation. This makes it possible to re-register the loaned tire as a loanable tire.

[0121] Furthermore, when deleting the registration information relating to the rental tire, the control unit 51 may accept an operation to select whether or not to re-register the rental tire as a rentalable tire. In this case, if the control unit 51 receives an operation to select whether or not to re-register the rental tire as a rentalable tire, it should execute the processes from steps S14 to S20. Alternatively, if the control unit 51 receives an operation not to select whether or not to re-register the rental tire as a rentalable tire, it should execute the process in step S21 and then terminate the registration acceptance process.

[0122] Furthermore, if the execution of step S21 occurs after the expiration of the tire 200's loan period, the control unit 51 may notify the user holding the first terminal device 1 of this fact and the elapsed time since the expiration of the loan period. This allows the tire lessor to recognize that the tire 200 was returned late and the duration of the delay. Therefore, it is possible to support the tire lessor in billing the tire lessor for late fees.

[0123] [Application processing] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the remainder of the matching method of this disclosure will be described along with an example of the procedure for application acceptance processing performed by the control unit 51 of server 3. Note that the application acceptance processing is performed when the application start operation is received by the operation unit 32 of the second terminal device 2.

[0124] <Step S31> First, in step S31, the control unit 51 displays the input operation reception screen on the display unit 33 of the second terminal device 2 and accepts the input operation. The processing in step S31 is an example of the second reception step of this disclosure and is performed by the second reception processing unit 88 of the control unit 51.

[0125] <Step S32> In step S32, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the input operation has been received on the input operation reception screen.

[0126] If the control unit 51 determines that the input operation has been received (Yes in S32), it proceeds to step S33. If the input operation has not been received (No in S32), the control unit 51 waits for the input operation in step S32.

[0127] <Step S33> In step S33, the control unit 51 executes the filtering process using the filtering conditions input by the input operation.

[0128] <Step S34> In step S34, the control unit 51 displays the provisional designation operation acceptance screen, which includes information on one or more candidate tires corresponding to one or more candidate tires narrowed down by the narrowing process, on the display unit 33 of the second terminal device 2, and accepts the provisional designation operation. The processing in step S34 is an example of an output step of the present disclosure and is executed by the output processing unit 89 of the control unit 51.

[0129] <Step S35> In step S35, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the provisional designation operation has been accepted on the provisional designation operation acceptance screen.

[0130] If the control unit 51 determines that the provisional designation operation has been accepted (Yes side of S35), it proceeds to step S36. If the provisional designation operation has not been accepted (No side of S35), the control unit 51 waits for the provisional designation operation in step S35.

[0131] Furthermore, the control unit 51 should proceed to step S31 when it receives a user operation for the first cancel operation key on the provisional designation operation reception screen.

[0132] <Step S36> In step S36, the control unit 51 displays the setting operation reception screen on the display unit 33 of the second terminal device 2 and accepts the setting operation.

[0133] <Step S37> In step S37, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the setting operation has been received on the setting operation reception screen.

[0134] If the control unit 51 determines that the setting operation has been accepted (Yes in S37), it proceeds to step S38. If the setting operation has not been accepted (No in S37), the control unit 51 waits for the setting operation in step S37.

[0135] <Step S38> In step S38, the control unit 51 displays the confirmation operation acceptance screen on the display unit 33 of the second terminal device 2 and accepts the confirmation operation.

[0136] <Step S39> In step S39, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the confirmation operation has been received on the confirmation operation reception screen.

[0137] If the control unit 51 determines that the confirmation operation has been received (Yes side of S39), it proceeds to step S40. If the confirmation operation has not been received (No side of S39), the control unit 51 waits for the confirmation operation in step S39.

[0138] Furthermore, the control unit 51 may proceed to step S31 or step S34 if it receives a user operation for the second cancel operation key on the confirmation operation reception screen.

[0139] <Step S40> In step S40, the control unit 51 excludes the candidate tire that was provisionally designated by the provisional designation operation from the output target of the output processing unit 89. The processing from step S36 to step S40 is performed by the exclusion processing unit 90 of the control unit 51.

[0140] Specifically, the control unit 51 moves the tire ID of the candidate tire that was provisionally designated by the provisional designation operation from among the tire IDs stored in the first storage area 72 of the storage unit 55 to the second storage area 73.

[0141] <Step S41> In step S41, the control unit 51 uses the card information corresponding to the user possessing the second terminal device 2 to perform a settlement process to settle the rental fee for the rental tire specified by the confirmation operation for the rental period set by the setting operation.

[0142] Furthermore, the control unit 51 may use the terminal identification information of the second terminal device 2 obtained from the second terminal device 2 to obtain the card information corresponding to the user who possesses the second terminal device 2 from the user database 71.

[0143] <Step S42> In step S42, the control unit 51 performs a notification process to inform the user who registered the tire 200 that a user (borrower) who will use the tire 200 has been determined.

[0144] For example, in the notification process, a notification screen is displayed on the display unit 13 of the first terminal device 1 corresponding to the user (lessor) who registered the tire 200. This screen includes a message indicating that a borrower for the tire 200 has been decided, information about the tire 200 to be lent out (such as the tire ID), information about the borrower (such as name and contact information), and information about the rental conditions for the tire 200 (such as rental period and rental fee). This allows the lessor of the tire 200 to recognize that a borrower for the tire 200 has been decided and to discuss with the borrower how to hand over the tire 200.

[0145] Furthermore, the method of delivery and return of Tire 200 may be specified in advance by the user who registered Tire 200. In this case, the specified method of delivery and return of Tire 200 should be displayed in the loan conditions display field on the confirmation operation acceptance screen.

[0146] In this way, a user of the matching system 100 can use the first terminal device 1 to register their tire 200 as a tire available for rental. Furthermore, a user of the matching system 100 can use the second terminal device 2 to output one or more of the tires registered in the matching system 100 that meet their desired conditions. Therefore, the matching system 100 can act as an intermediary between users who want to provide tires 200 and users who want to use tires 200.

[0147] [Other embodiments] The server 3 of the matching system 100 may include the calculation processing unit 91 and the second decision processing unit 92 shown in Figure 7, instead of the first acquisition processing unit 84 and the first decision processing unit 85.

[0148] The calculation processing unit 91 calculates the amount of wear of the excluded tire from the time the specified operation was received, i.e., the amount of wear of the tire 200 during the rental period, if the tire 200 whose wear amount is detected by the detection processing unit 83 is an excluded tire that has been excluded from the output target by the output processing unit 89, that is, the returned rental tire.

[0149] Specifically, the calculation processing unit 91 determines that the tire 200 whose wear amount is detected by the detection processing unit 83 is the excluded tire when the tire ID read by the reading operation matches any of the tire IDs stored in the second storage area 73. The calculation processing unit 91 then obtains the difference between the wear amount of tire 200 assigned to the tire ID of the excluded tire and the wear amount of tire 200 detected by the detection processing unit 83 after the reading operation as the wear amount of the excluded tire since the acceptance of the specified operation.

[0150] The second decision processing unit 92 determines the rental fee for the excluded tires based on the calculation results from the calculation processing unit 91.

[0151] Specifically, the second decision processing unit 92 uses the third table data to determine the rental fee for the excluded tires. The third table data is data that shows the correspondence between the amount of wear on the tires 200 during the rental period and the rental fee for the tires 200. In the third table data, the amount of wear on the tires 200 during the rental period is associated with the rental fee for the tires 200, such that the rental fee for the tires 200 increases as the amount of wear on the tires 200 increases. The third table data only needs to be stored in the storage unit 55 in advance.

[0152] This makes it possible to reflect the amount of wear on the tire 200 during the rental period in the rental fee for the tire 200.

[0153] Furthermore, the information pre-stored in the storage unit of the wireless tag 201 is not limited to the tire ID. For example, the information pre-stored in the storage unit of the wireless tag 201 may be the tire data. In this case, the information to be written, which is read by the read operation, may be the tire data. The registration processing unit 82 may store the tire data read by the read operation in the first storage area 72 of the storage unit 55. Also, the server 3 does not need to be connected to the database server in a communicative manner.

[0154] Furthermore, the matching system 100 is not limited to a system that mediates between those who wish to rent tires 200 and those who wish to borrow tires 200, but may also be a system that mediates between those who wish to sell tires 200 and those who wish to buy tires 200.

[0155] The embodiments of this disclosure described above include the following disclosures (1) to (7).

[0156] Disclosure item (1) is a matching system comprising: a first reception processing unit that receives a read operation to read written information previously written to a wireless tag provided on a tire; a registration processing unit that registers the tire from which the written information has been read by the read operation; a second reception processing unit that receives an input operation for a narrowing condition used in a narrowing process to narrow down candidate tires from one or more of the tires registered by the registration processing unit; and an output processing unit that outputs candidate tire information relating to the candidate tires narrowed down by the narrowing process.

[0157] According to this system, users who wish to provide the tires can register them in the matching system through a simple procedure. Furthermore, users who wish to use the tires can have the matching system output tires that meet their desired conditions from among those registered in the system. Therefore, it is possible to mediate between users who wish to provide the tires and users who wish to use them.

[0158] Disclosure item (2) is the matching system described in disclosure item (1), comprising a detection processing unit for detecting the amount of wear of the tire, and an association processing unit for associating the detection result by the detection processing unit with the tire registered by the registration processing unit, wherein the candidate tire information includes the detection result by the detection processing unit.

[0159] This system makes it possible to disclose the wear levels of candidate tires to users who wish to use the aforementioned tires.

[0160] Disclosure item (3) is a matching system as described in disclosure item (1) or (2), comprising a first acquisition processing unit for acquiring deterioration information regarding the deterioration status of the tire, and a first determination processing unit for determining the rental fee for the tire based on the deterioration information acquired by the first acquisition processing unit.

[0161] This system makes it possible to reflect the deterioration status of the tires in the rental fee for those tires.

[0162] Disclosure item (4) is a matching system as described in disclosure item (2), comprising: an exclusion processing unit that excludes the candidate tires specified by the specification operation from the output target of the output processing unit in response to a specification operation in which the candidate tire information of one or more candidate tires output by the output processing unit is specified by the specification operation; a calculation processing unit that calculates the wear amount of the excluded tire from the time of receipt of the specification operation when the tire whose wear amount is detected by the detection processing unit is an excluded tire that has been excluded from the output target of the output processing unit; and a second determination processing unit that determines the rental fee for the excluded tire based on the calculation result of the calculation processing unit.

[0163] This system makes it possible to reflect the deterioration status of the tires during the rental period in the rental fee for those tires.

[0164] Disclosure item (5) is a matching system according to any of disclosure items (1) to (4), comprising a second acquisition processing unit for acquiring the position information of the tire, and an association processing unit for associating the position information acquired by the second acquisition processing unit with the tire registered by the registration processing unit, wherein the candidate tire information includes the position information.

[0165] According to this system, it is possible to disclose the location information of candidate tires to users who wish to use the tires.

[0166] Disclosure item (6) is a matching method in which one or more processors perform a first reception step of receiving a read operation to read written information previously written to a wireless tag provided on a tire; a registration step of registering the tire from which the written information has been read by the read operation; a second reception step of receiving an input operation for a narrowing condition used in a narrowing process to narrow down candidate tires from one or more of the tires registered by the registration step; and an output step of outputting candidate tire information relating to the candidate tires narrowed down by the narrowing process.

[0167] This method makes it possible to mediate between users who want to provide the tires and users who want to use the tires, similar to the system described in disclosure item (1).

[0168] Disclosure item (7) is a program that causes one or more processors to execute a first reception step that receives a read operation to read written information previously written to a wireless tag provided on a tire; a registration step that registers the tire from which the written information has been read by the read operation; a second reception step that receives an input operation for a filtering condition used in a filtering process to narrow down candidate tires from one or more of the tires registered by the registration step; and an output step that outputs candidate tire information relating to the candidate tires narrowed down by the filtering process.

[0169] According to this program, similar to the system described in disclosure item (1), it is possible to mediate between users who want to provide the tires and users who want to use the tires.

[0170] Furthermore, this disclosure may also be a computer-readable recording medium on which the program described in disclosure item (7) is recorded non-temporarily. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0171] 1. First terminal device 2. Second Terminal Device 3 servers 11 Control Unit 12 Control section 13 Display section 14. First Communications Department 15. Second Communications Department 16 Memory section 17 Cameras 18 GPS receivers 31 Control Unit 32 Operation section 33 Display section 34 Communications Department 35 Storage section 51 Control Unit 52 Operation section 53 Display section 54 Communications Department 55 Storage section 71 User Database 72 1st storage area 73 2nd storage area 81 First Reception Processing Unit 82 Registration Processing Unit 83 Detection Processing Unit 84 First Acquisition Processing Unit 85 First Decision Processing Unit 86 Second Acquisition Processing Unit 87 Association Processing Unit 88 Second Reception Processing Unit 89 Output Processing Unit 90 Exclusion Processing Unit 91 Calculation Processing Unit 92 Second Decision Processing Unit 100 Matching Systems 200 tires 201 Wireless Tag

Claims

1. A first reception processing unit that receives a reading operation to read information previously written to a wireless tag installed on a tire, A registration processing unit that registers the tire from which the written information has been read by the aforementioned reading operation, A second receiving processing unit that receives input operations for filtering conditions used in a filtering process to narrow down candidate tires from one or more tires registered by the registration processing unit, An output processing unit that outputs candidate tire information relating to the candidate tires narrowed down by the above-mentioned narrowing process, A matching system equipped with the following features.

2. A detection processing unit for detecting the amount of wear on the tire, An association processing unit that associates the detection result by the detection processing unit with the tire registered by the registration processing unit, Equipped with, The candidate tire information includes the detection result by the detection processing unit, The matching system according to claim 1.

3. A first acquisition processing unit that acquires deterioration information regarding the deterioration status of the aforementioned tire, A first determination processing unit determines the rental fee for the tire based on the deterioration information acquired by the first acquisition processing unit, The matching system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. In response to a designation operation in which the output processing unit outputs candidate tire information for one or more of the candidate tires, an exclusion processing unit excludes the candidate tires specified by the designation operation from the output target of the output processing unit. If the tire whose wear amount is detected by the detection processing unit is an excluded tire that has been excluded from the output target by the output processing unit, a calculation processing unit calculates the wear amount of the excluded tire from the time the specified operation was received, A second determination processing unit determines the rental fee for the excluded tires based on the calculation results from the calculation processing unit, The matching system according to claim 2, comprising:

5. A second acquisition processing unit that acquires the position information of the aforementioned tire, An association processing unit that associates the position information acquired by the second acquisition processing unit with the tire registered by the registration processing unit, Equipped with, The candidate tire information includes the position information, The matching system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A first reception step that accepts a reading operation to read information previously written to a wireless tag attached to a tire, A registration step of registering the tire from which the written information was read by the aforementioned reading operation, A second reception step that accepts input operations for filtering conditions used in a filtering process to narrow down candidate tires from one or more tires registered in the registration step, An output step which outputs candidate tire information relating to the candidate tires narrowed down by the above-mentioned filtering process, A matching method performed by one or more processors.

7. A first reception step that accepts a reading operation to read information previously written to a wireless tag attached to a tire, A registration step of registering the tire from which the written information was read by the aforementioned reading operation, A second reception step that accepts input operations for filtering conditions used in a filtering process to narrow down candidate tires from one or more tires registered in the registration step, An output step which outputs candidate tire information relating to the candidate tires narrowed down by the above-mentioned filtering process, A program designed to run on one or more processors.

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