Information processing device

Abstract

To facilitate mounting equipment on a vehicle.SOLUTION: When acquiring information indicating a first component X1 for adding a first function to a vehicle 10, a control unit 21 of a server 3 outputs information indicating a second component Y1 capable of adding a second function, which is different from the first function, to the vehicle 10 by combination with the first component X1 and discount information related to a cost for mounting the first and second components on the vehicle 10. The control unit 21 outputs discount information with lower cost when the same process is included in mounting the first component X1 and in mounting the second component Y1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique for updating software in an electronic control unit (ECU) mounted in a vehicle (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 009020 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device that can promote the installation of equipment in a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device. The information processing device includes a control unit that, when acquiring information indicating a first part for imparting a first function to a vehicle, outputs information indicating a second part associated with the information indicating the first part and capable of imparting a second function different from the first function to the vehicle in combination with the first part, and outputs discount information indicating a discount on the cost of installing the first part and the second part to the vehicle when the second part is installed to the vehicle together with the first part. When there is a common process between the process of installing the first part and the process of installing the second part, the control unit outputs discount information indicating a lower cost than the cost in the case where there is no common process.

[0006] In addition to the information processing device described above, aspects of the present disclosure may include at least one of an information processing method having similar characteristics to the information processing device, a program, a recording medium having the above program recorded thereon, and an information processing system including the above information processing device. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to facilitate installation of equipment in a vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device that can be used as a terminal and a server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a data structure of the management table. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the server. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a quotation creation process by the server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The information processing device according to the embodiment includes a control unit. When the control unit acquires information indicating a first part for imparting a first function to a vehicle, the control unit outputs information indicating a second part and discount information. The second part is associated with the information indicating the first part and is capable of imparting a second function, different from the first function, to the vehicle in combination with the first part. The discount information is information indicating a discount for the first part and the second part when the second part is attached to the vehicle together with the first part. The information indicates a discount on the cost of installing the product in the vehicle. In addition, when there is a common process between the process of installing the first part and the process of installing the second part, the control unit outputs discount information indicating a cost that is cheaper than the cost in the case where there is no common process.

[0010] According to the information processing device, when the installation of the first part in the vehicle is being considered, the information indicating the second part and the discount information are displayed, so that the user of the vehicle can be encouraged to purchase the second part, and the installation of the second part (equipment) can be promoted. The user can obtain the first part and the second part at a lower cost than when the first part and the second part are installed separately, and can use the first and second functions provided by these parts. Furthermore, when there is a common installation process between the first and second parts, discount information indicating a lower cost than when there is no common process is output, so that the purchase of the second part can be further promoted and the installation of the second part can be promoted. When the first function and the second function contribute to improving the safety of the vehicle 10, the safety of the vehicle 10 can be improved and a better driving environment can be provided to the user 11.

[0011] Here, the type of the first function and the first part does not matter. The first part may be, for example, an advanced safety system (a collision damage mitigation brake, a false start prevention control device, a vehicle distance control device, a lane departure prevention device, a rear side approaching vehicle warning device, a parking assistance device, or an automatic headlamp switching device). However, the first part and the function are not limited to the above. In addition, the type of the second part and the type of the second function do not matter as long as the second part can impart (supply) a second function different from the first function by combining with the first part. The first and second parts may be not only a single part but also a set consisting of two or more parts. In addition, the first and second parts may include not only hardware but also software.

[0012] Hereinafter, an information processing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the embodiments are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments.

[0013] <Configuration of information processing system> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment. In Fig. 1, the information processing system includes a network 1, a terminal 2 connected to the network 1 and used by a user of a vehicle 10, a server 3 connected to the network 1, and a terminal 4 placed in an automobile maintenance shop 5. The server 3 is an example of an "information processing device."

[0014] In the information processing system, for example, a company such as an automobile manufacturer operates a website using the server 3 and provides the user of the vehicle 10 with information to assist in the installation of parts in the vehicle 10. The information to assist in the installation of parts may be provided using an application pre-installed in the terminal 2.

[0015] The network 1 is, for example, a public communication network such as the Internet, and provides communication lines to the terminal 2, the server 3, the terminal 4, and the like. A wireless communication network may be connected to the network 1. The wireless communication network conforms to or complies with a wireless communication standard that can be used by the terminal 2. The wireless communication standard is, for example, 4G (LTE (Long Term Evolution)), 5G, wireless LAN (Local Area Network: including Wi-Fi), BLE, and the like, but may be other standards.

[0016] The terminal 2 is used by a user 11 of the vehicle 10 to view information provided by the server 3 and to input necessary information. The terminal 2 may be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal. The vehicle 10 is, for example, an automobile (such as a passenger car, truck, or bus), and the type of the vehicle does not matter.

[0017] The server 3 manages information related to the sale of parts that can be installed in the vehicle 10. The terminal 4 is a terminal installed in the maintenance factory 5 and used by employees of the maintenance factory 5. The staff accepts the vehicle 10 in stock according to the information provided by the server 3, and installs the parts purchased by the user in the vehicle 10.

[0018] <Device configuration> 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a terminal device 20 capable of operating as the terminal 2, the server 3, and the terminal 4. The terminal device 20 can be configured using, for example, a general-purpose information processing device (computer) such as a personal computer (PC) or a workstation, or a dedicated information processing device such as a server machine. The terminal device 20 used as the terminal 2 or the terminal 4 may be a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The terminal device 20 has a communication function and can be connected to the network 1 by wire or wirelessly.

[0019] 2, the terminal device 20 includes a processor 21 as a processing unit or control unit (controller), a storage device 22, a communication device 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25, which are interconnected via a bus 26. The server 3 may be one terminal device 20 or a collection (cloud) of two or more terminal devices 20.

[0020] The storage device 22 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device is used as a storage area for programs and data, a program development area, a program work area, a buffer area for communication data, etc. The main storage device is configured with a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a combination of a RAM and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary storage device is used as a storage area for data and programs. As the auxiliary storage device, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk, a Solid State Drive (SSD), a flash memory, or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) can be applied.

[0021] The communication device 23 is a circuit that performs communication processing and operates as a transmitting unit and a receiving unit (communication unit). For example, the communication device 23 is a network interface card (NIC). The communication device 23 also supports wireless communication (LTE, 5G, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), BLE, etc. The communication device 23 may include both a circuit for performing wired communication processing and a wireless communication circuit.

[0022] The input device 24 includes keys, buttons, a pointing device, a touch panel, etc., and is used to input information. The input device 24 may include a microphone (audio input device). The output device 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, etc., and displays information and data. The output device 25 may include a speaker (audio output device).

[0023] The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU 21 executes various programs stored in the storage device 22 to perform various processes.

[0024] For example, the processor 21 of the terminal device 20 operating as the terminal 2 accesses the server 3 to obtain information related to the purchase of parts that can be installed in the vehicle 10. The processor 21 of the terminal device 20 operating as the server 3 performs a process of supplying the terminal 2 with information on parts of the vehicle 10 in response to a request from the terminal 2 (user 11), and a process of generating quotation data in response to a request from the user 11 and providing it to the terminal 2. The processor 21 of the terminal device 20 operating as the terminal 4 receives information indicating the entry of the vehicle 10 and the parts to be installed from the server 3, and presents it to an employee of the maintenance workshop 5.

[0025] In addition, even if a plurality of CPUs are applied as the above-mentioned processor 21, it is possible to use a multi-core type. At least a part of the processing performed by the CPU may be performed by a device other than the CPU, such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit). The processing performed by the CPU may be performed by another processor. At least a part of the processing performed by the CPU may be performed by a dedicated or general-purpose integrated circuit (hardware). The integrated circuit includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Alternatively, at least a part of the processing performed by the CPU may be executed by a combination of a processor and an integrated circuit. The combination is called, for example, a microcontroller (MCU), a SoC (System-on-a-chip), a system LSI, or a chipset.

[0026] <Management table> 3 shows an example of the data structure of a management table stored in the storage device 22 of the terminal device 20 operating as the server 3. The management table is made up of records for each part ID (part identifier). The record includes the part name, information indicating the price, information indicating labor cost 1, information indicating labor cost 2, and information indicating the discount rate. In the example shown in FIG. 3, parts X1, X2, and X3 each correspond to an example of a first part, and parts Y1, Y2, and Y3 each correspond to an example of a second part.

[0027] The part name is the name of the part. The information indicating the price indicates the selling price (price) of the part. The information indicating labor cost 1 is the labor cost required to install that part. The information indicating labor cost 2 indicates the labor cost applied when the installation process of that part has a common process with the installation process of another part (any of X1 to X3) and the part is installed together with the other parts. The amount of labor cost 2 is lower than the amount of labor cost 1. The discount rate indicates the discount rate applied when each of parts Y1, Y2, and Y3 is purchased (installed) together with, for example, any of parts X1, X2, and X3.

[0028] The storage device 22 stores, in association with the part ID, information on a maintenance shop 5 capable of installing a part having the part ID (information indicating the shop name, contact information, network address, etc.).

[0029] <Example of operation> 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the processor 21 of the terminal device 20 operating as the server 3 (the processor 21 of the server 3). The processing shown in FIG. 4 is performed by the processor 21 of the server 3 executing a program.

[0030] When a user 11 of the vehicle 10 considers installing a part such as an optional part for the vehicle 10, the user 11 operates the terminal 2 and accesses a website provided by the server 3 via the network 1.

[0031] In step S001, the processor 21 of the server 3 accepts access from the terminal 2, and transmits information on the page of the parts of the vehicle 10 designated by the terminal 2 (user 11) to the terminal 2 (step S002).

[0032] The parts page includes, for example, a list of parts (parts names) that can be installed on the vehicle 10, and the processor 21 of the terminal 2 displays the list on the output device 25 (display) of the terminal 2. The user 11 uses the input device 24 to select the name of a part that the user 11 is considering installing from among the parts in the list. The selection result of the user 11 is transmitted to the server 3.

[0033] In the server 3, the processor 21 waits for the user 11 to select a part (step When the server 3 receives the information indicating the part selection result from the terminal 2, the processor 21 transmits information of the detail page of the part selected by the user 11 (referred to as a selected part) to the terminal 2 (step S004).

[0034] In the terminal 2, a detail page of the selected part is displayed on the output device 25 (display). The detail page displays detailed information about the selected part and information indicating the price of the selected part. The detail page also displays information indicating parts (referred to as recommended parts) that are recommended to be installed together with the selected part, information indicating the price of the recommended parts, and discount information. The discount information is information indicating that when the recommended parts are installed together with the selected part, there is a discount on the cost of installing the selected part and the recommended parts on the vehicle 10. The discount information may include information indicating the amount of discount or the discount rate. The selected part is an example of a first part, and the recommended part is an example of a second part.

[0035] For example, assume that the selected part, which is the first part, is an ultrasonic sensor that provides (gives) to the vehicle 10 an erroneous start prevention control function (an example of a first function) that detects an obstacle and prevents an erroneous start. In this case, the details page recommends the installation of a camera that captures images of the outside of the vehicle as a recommended part, which is the second part. This makes it possible to provide the vehicle 10 with a parking assistance function (an example of a second function) that uses obstacle detection by the ultrasonic sensor and images captured by the camera to assist the steering operation of the user 11 of the vehicle 10. The details page displays discount information indicating that the costs associated with installing such an ultrasonic sensor and camera will be discounted.

[0036] Here, the first part may be a single part, or may be regarded as a module, unit, or device consisting of two or more parts. For example, when a set of an ultrasonic sensor and a camera that provides a parking assistance function is attached to the vehicle 10, the set corresponds to the first part that provides the parking assistance function that is the first function. Also, when a camera is attached to the vehicle 10 equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, the camera corresponds to the first part that provides the parking assistance function. For such a first part, software that provides a sign recognition function as a second function may be recommended as a second part on the details page. The sign recognition function is a function that recognizes road signs such as "No Entry" by analyzing an image captured by a camera and alerts the driver.

[0037] Alternatively, when the software realizing the above-mentioned sign recognition function (first function) is a selected part (first part), for example, information on the software realizing the lane departure prevention function (second function) may be displayed as information on the recommended part, which is the second part, on the details page. The lane departure prevention function is a function that detects lanes (white or yellow lines) by analyzing camera images and issues an alarm to the driver if the line is crossed. The software is installed in an on-board computer equipped in the vehicle 10.

[0038] The details page includes a quote request button, and when the user 11 presses the quote request button with the selected part or the selected part and recommended parts selected, a message requesting a quote for the purchase of the selected part is sent to the server 3. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that part X1 is selected as the selected part, part Y1 is introduced (displayed) on the details page as a recommended part for part X1, and user 11 has requested quotes for the purchase of parts X1 and Y1.

[0039] In the server 3, the processor 21 waits for a message of a request for quotation (step S005). When the processor 21 receives the message of a request for quotation, the processor 21 executes a quotation creation process (step S006).

[0040] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for creating a quotation. The processor 21 of the server 3 uses the part ID of the selected part (part X1) included in the message of the request for quotation to extract the record of part X1 from the management table (FIG. 3) stored in the storage device 22. The processor 21 acquires information indicating the price (fee) and labor cost of part X1 from the record, thereby identifying the cost of installing the selected part.

[0041] In step S102, the processor 21 determines whether or not a part ID of a recommended part (second part: part Y1) is included in the message of the quotation request, thereby determining whether or not a selection input of a recommended part is present. If it is determined that a selection input (part ID) of a recommended part is present, the process proceeds to step S103, and if not, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0042] In step S103, the processor 21 reads out the corresponding record from the management table using the part ID of the recommended part (part Y1). In step S104, the processor 21 identifies the discount rate from the record of the recommended part. The discount rate in the record of part Y1 stores information indicating the discount rate when part Y1 is purchased together with part X1 (attached to vehicle 10).

[0043] In step S105, the processor 21 determines whether the installation process of part Y1 includes a common process with the installation process of part X1. For example, this determination can be made based on whether data on labor cost 2 is stored in the record of the recommended part (part Y1). If only data on labor cost 1 is stored, this indicates that there is no common process. However, the determination method is not limited to this.

[0044] If it is determined in step S105 that there is a common process, the process proceeds to step S106, where the processor 21 decides to apply labor cost 2 as the labor cost of the recommended part, and the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no common process, the process proceeds to step S107, where the processor 21 decides to apply labor cost 1 as the labor cost of the recommended part, and the process proceeds to step S108. In this way, if there is a common process between the installation process of part X1 and the installation process of part Y1, the labor cost of part Y1 becomes cheaper. However, at least one of the price of part Y1, the price of part X1, and the labor cost of part X1 may be reduced along with or instead of the labor cost of part Y1.

[0045] In step S108, processor 21 of server 3 calculates an estimated price. That is, if a recommended part is not selected, processor 21 calculates the total of the price (fee) of the selected part (part X1) and the labor cost as the estimated price. In contrast, if a recommended part (part Y1) is selected, processor 21 calculates the estimated price by multiplying the total of the price of the selected part, the labor cost, the price of the recommended part, and the labor cost 1 or labor cost 2 of the recommended part by the discount rate identified in step S104. At this time, the price including taxes such as consumption tax may be calculated.

[0046] In step S109, processor 21 generates quotation data. The quotation data displays the part ID, part name, price, and labor cost of the selected part in a quotation format, and if a recommended part is selected, the part ID, part name, price, and labor cost of the recommended part are further included in the format. The format further includes an estimated amount. When the quotation data is created, the process of FIG. 4 ends, and the process proceeds to step S007.

[0047] In step S007, the quotation data is transmitted to the terminal 2. The terminal 2 displays a quotation based on the quotation data on a display, and the user 11 can refer to the quotation and consider whether or not to purchase the part. If the user decides to purchase the part, the user 11 transmits information indicating the completion of the transaction from the terminal 2.

[0048] The processor 21 of the server 3 judges whether or not there is a reply from the terminal 2 regarding the completion of the transaction transmitted from the terminal 2. If it is judged that there is a reply, the processor 21 replies to the terminal 2 that the transaction has been completed and that information regarding the installation will be sent later (step S009). If it is judged that there is no reply, the processor 21 judges whether or not to end the process (step S010), and if it is judged not to end the process, the process returns to step S002, and if not, the process of FIG. 4 is ended.

[0049] Thereafter, using the information related to the maintenance factory 5 stored in the storage device 22 of the server 3, the server 3 sends an inquiry to the terminal 4 regarding whether the part X1 or the parts X1 and Y1 can be installed, and an employee of the maintenance factory 5 replies to the server 3 with the date on which the vehicle can be accommodated. Thereafter, an exchange is carried out between the server 3 and the terminal 2 to arrange the date of arrival at the maintenance factory 5. Once the date of arrival has been decided, the user 11 brings the vehicle 10 into the maintenance factory 5, and the employee installs the parts X1 and Y1.

[0050] <Effects of the embodiment> A control unit (processor 21) of an information processing device (server 3) according to an embodiment acquires information indicating a first part for imparting a first function to a vehicle 10 (for example, a request for a details page of part X1 that imparts an erroneous start suppression control function). In this case, the processor 21 outputs information on a details page including information indicating a recommended part (for example, part Y1 that imparts a parking assistance function) that is a second part capable of imparting a second function and discount information for purchasing (attaching) parts X1 and Y1 to the vehicle 10, and transmits the information to the terminal 2. A user 11 of the terminal 2 can decide to purchase parts X1 and Y1 by referring to the details page. When purchasing parts X1 and Y1, a discount based on a predetermined discount rate can be received, and the cost of attaching parts X1 and Y1 can be reduced. In addition, when parts X1 and Y1 have a common attachment process, a labor charge 2 that is cheaper than labor charge 1 when there is no common process is applied, and the cost of attaching parts X1 and Y1 can be reduced. This can facilitate the attachment of the part Y1, which is the second part, together with the part X1, which is the first part.

[0051] <Other> The above embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0052] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors of the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the system bus of the computer, or may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is, for example, any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc.). The non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, an optical card, and any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 network, 2, 4 terminal, 3 server, 20 terminal device 21 Processor, 22 Storage device, 23 Communication device, 24 Input device, 25 Output device

Claims

[Claim 1] An information processing device including a control unit and a storage device that stores a management table, The management table includes: Information indicating a first part for imparting a first function that contributes to improving safety of the vehicle; Information indicating a second part that is associated with the information indicating the first part and that can impart to the vehicle a second function that is different from the first function and contributes to improving safety of the vehicle when combined with the first part; and a first labor cost required for mounting the second part; is configured to keep a record of When the installation process of the second part has a common process with the installation process of the first part, the management table is configured to further hold, in a record, a second labor cost applied to installing the second part together with the first part; When the control unit acquires information indicating the first part, information indicative of the second part; discount information indicating that a cost associated with the installation of the first part and the second part is to be discounted when the second part is installed on the vehicle together with the first part; configured to output Outputting the discount information determining that there is a common process between the process of attaching the first part and the process of attaching the second part when data of the second labor cost is stored in a record of the second part in the management table; and when it is determined that there is a common process between the process of attaching the first part and the process of attaching the second part, outputting the discount information indicating a cost that is cheaper than a cost in a case where there is no common process, according to the second labor cost; Consists of: Information processing device.

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