Control system, management system, control method, program, and mobile object

Abstract

To improve convenience.SOLUTION: A control system 1 comprises an obtaining part 111, a generating part 112, a communicating part 12 and a lock control part 113. The obtaining part 111 obtains a signal from an operating device 23 having an operating part 230 that receives operation for activating the movable body 2. The generating part 112 generates an inquiry signal for inquiring whether a lock device (a circle lock 6) provided in the movable body 2 is unlocked, on the basis of the obtained signal by the obtaining part 111. The communicating part 12 transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generating part 112 to a specific device (an external device 3). When the communicating part 12 receives, from the specific device, an unlock-permitting signal for permitting the lock device to be unlocked as a response signal to the inquiry signal, the lock control part 113 unlocks the lock device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a control system, a management system, a control method, a program, and a mobile object, and more particularly to a control system, a management system, a control method, a program, and a mobile object that perform control regarding a lock device attached to a mobile object. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an electronic lock (locking device) that is installed on a bicycle (mobile object). The electronic lock described in Patent Document 1 includes a drive unit and a microcomputer unit. The microcomputer unit wirelessly communicates with a mobile phone, analyzes the electrical signal from the mobile phone, and transmits an unlocking signal to the drive unit. When the drive unit receives the unlocking signal from the microcomputer unit, it operates the locking portion of the ring lock to unlock the electric lock. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-14254 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With the electronic lock described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the electronic lock is installed on an electric bicycle, in addition to starting the electric bicycle, it is necessary to unlock the electronic lock, and these two operations need to be performed in different places on the electric bicycle, which is not very convenient.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a control system, a management system, a control method, a program, and a moving body that can improve convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, a generation unit, a communication unit, and a lock control unit. The acquisition unit acquires a lock control signal from an operation device having an operation unit that receives an operation for starting a moving object. , relating to said operation The generating unit generates an inquiry signal inquiring about unlocking a lock device attached to the mobile body based on the signal acquired by the acquiring unit. The communication unit transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generating unit to a specific device. When the communication unit receives an unlock permission signal from the specific device as a response signal to the inquiry signal, which permits the lock device to be unlocked, the lock control unit unlocks the lock device.

[0007] A control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, a generation unit, a communication unit, and a lock control unit. The acquisition unit acquires an unlocking signal from an operation device. The operation device has a first operation unit and a second operation unit. The first operation unit accepts a first operation for starting a moving body. The second operation unit accepts a second operation for unlocking a locking device attached to the moving body. The unlocking signal is output from the operation device when the second operation unit accepts the second operation. The generation unit generates an inquiry signal inquiring about unlocking the locking device based on the unlocking signal acquired by the acquisition unit. The communication unit transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit to a specific device. The lock control unit unlocks the locking device when the communication unit receives an unlocking permission signal from the specific device that permits unlocking the locking device as a response signal to the inquiry signal. The moving object is an electric bicycle, and the first operation includes an operation for starting a motor unit of the electric bicycle.

[0008] A management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the control system and the specific device.

[0009] A control method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step, a generation step, a communication step, and a lock control step. The acquisition step includes a step of acquiring a lock status from an operation device having an operation unit that accepts an operation for starting a moving object. , relating to said operationThe generating step is a step of generating an inquiry signal inquiring about unlocking a lock device attached to the mobile body based on the signal acquired in the acquiring step. The communicating step is a step of transmitting the inquiry signal generated in the generating step to a specific device. The lock control step is a step of unlocking the lock device when an unlock permission signal that permits unlocking of the lock device is received from the specific device as a response signal to the inquiry signal in the communicating step.

[0010] A control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step, a generation step, a communication step, and a lock control step. The acquisition step is a step of acquiring an unlocking signal from an operation device. The operation device has a first operation unit and a second operation unit. The first operation unit accepts a first operation for starting a moving body. The second operation unit accepts a second operation for unlocking a locking device attached to the moving body. The unlocking signal is output from the operation device when the second operation unit accepts the second operation. The generation step is a step of generating an inquiry signal inquiring about unlocking the locking device based on the unlocking signal acquired in the acquisition step. The communication step is a step of transmitting the inquiry signal generated in the generation step to a specific device. The lock control step is a step of unlocking the locking device when an unlocking permission signal that permits unlocking the locking device is received from the specific device as a response signal to the inquiry signal in the communication step. The moving object is an electric bicycle, and the first operation includes an operation for starting a motor unit of the electric bicycle.

[0011] A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the control method.

[0012] A moving body according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the control system and a moving body body to which the control system is attached. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to a control system, a management system, a control method, a program, and a moving object according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve convenience. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of an electric bicycle equipped with a control system according to a first embodiment and a management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the electric bicycle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of the management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an overview of an electric bicycle equipped with a control system according to the second embodiment and a management system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of the management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electric bicycle equipped with a control system according to the third embodiment and a management system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example 1 of the management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a second operation example of the management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example 3 of the management system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a control system 1, a management system 10, and a moving object 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] (1) Overview First, an overview of a control system 1, a management system 10, and a moving object 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0017] In the first embodiment, the moving object 2 is a bicycle. More specifically, in the first embodiment, the moving object 2 is an electric bicycle. Therefore, hereinafter, the "moving object 2" will be described as an "electric bicycle 2" unless otherwise specified.

[0018] The control system 1 and management system 10 according to the first embodiment are used, for example, when a user rents an electric bicycle 2. That is, in the first embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is managed by a rental service provider and is temporarily rented out to a user who has signed a contract with the provider. When not in use, the electric bicycle 2 is, in principle, parked in a bicycle parking area (bicycle parking port) prepared by the provider.

[0019] 1, the management system 10 includes a control system 1 and an external device 3. The external device 3 is not attached to the electric bicycle 2, but is installed at a location away from the electric bicycle 2. The external device 3 is, for example, a server operated by a rental service provider.

[0020] In the first embodiment, the control system 1 is attached to an electric bicycle 2. More specifically, the control system 1 is provided in a circle lock 6 attached to the electric bicycle 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 1 includes an acquisition unit 111, a generation unit 112, a communication unit 12, and a lock control unit 113.

[0021] The acquisition unit 111 acquires a signal from the operation device 23 having an operation unit 230 that accepts an operation for starting the electric bicycle 2. The operation unit 230 is, for example, a power switch provided on the operation device 23. In the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 111 acquires, as the above-mentioned signal, a start-up signal output from the operation device 23 when the operation unit 230 accepts an operation. The start-up signal is a signal for starting the electric bicycle 2, and this start-up signal supplies power to a control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 described below, thereby making the motor unit 5 operable.

[0022] The generation unit 112 generates an inquiry signal based on the signal (here, the activation signal) acquired by the acquisition unit 111. The inquiry signal is a signal for inquiring of the external device 3 about unlocking the circle lock (lock device) 6 attached to the electric bicycle 2.

[0023] The communication unit 12 transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit 112 to the external device 3. The communication unit 12 also receives an unlock permission signal from the external device 3. As described above, the external device 3 is a server installed at a location away from the electric bicycle 2. The communication unit 12 is capable of bidirectional communication with the external device 3, for example, via a network N1 such as the Internet. In the control system 1 according to the first embodiment, the external device 3 is a specific device.

[0024] When the communication unit 12 receives an unlock permission signal from the external device 3, the lock control unit 113 unlocks the circle lock 6 in accordance with the unlock permission signal. The unlock permission signal is a response signal to an inquiry signal from the communication unit 12, and is a signal for permitting the circle lock 6 to be unlocked.

[0025] As described above, in the control system 1 according to the first embodiment, by operating the operation unit 230 for starting the electric bicycle 2, it is possible to start the electric bicycle 2 and unlock the circle lock 6. As a result, in the control system 1 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to improve convenience compared to a case in which starting the electric bicycle 2 and unlocking the circle lock 6 are performed by separate operations.

[0026] (2) Details Next, the control system 1, the management system 10, and the electric bicycle 2 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0027] The electric bicycle 2 according to the first embodiment includes a control system 1 and a motor unit 5 capable of communicating with the control system 1. The management system 10 according to the first embodiment includes the control system 1 attached to the electric bicycle 2 and an external device 3 provided separately from the electric bicycle 2 and capable of communicating with the control system 1.

[0028] In the first embodiment, a user can rent an electric bicycle 2 managed by the external device 3 by accessing the external device 3 using a terminal (external terminal) 8. The terminal 8 is a device carried by the user, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. The terminal 8 communicates with a communication unit 32 of the external device 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet using a wireless communication module, for example, optical wireless communication using light such as infrared or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. For the wireless communication, a mobile phone communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) may be used, for example.

[0029] 1, the electric bicycle 2 includes an operating device 23, a battery unit 4, a motor unit 5, and a circle lock (lock device) 6. The motor unit 5 will be described in detail in "(3) Electric Bicycle" below.

[0030] The circle lock 6 is attached to the frame 7 (see FIG. 2) described below, and can be in a locked or unlocked state. The locked state prohibits the electric bicycle 2 from traveling by restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 89. The unlocked state allows the electric bicycle 2 to travel without restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 89. In the first embodiment, the circle lock 6 is in principle in a locked state when the electric bicycle 2 is not in use. In the first embodiment, the control system 1 is provided in the circle lock 6. The circle lock 6 is attached, for example, to the seat stay 74 of the frame 7.

[0031] 1, the control system 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. In the first embodiment, the circle lock 6 (i.e., the control system 1) and the motor unit 5 are connected by, for example, a wire harness, and are capable of communicating with each other via this wire harness. In the first embodiment, the control system 1 receives power from a battery 41 and, as long as the remaining charge of the battery 41 is sufficient, operates at all times in principle.

[0032] The control unit 11 includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The processor executes a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, thereby realizing the functions of the control unit 11 (including an acquisition unit 111, a generation unit 112, and a lock control unit 113 described below). The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 11 includes an acquisition unit 111, a generation unit 112, and a lock control unit 113.

[0034] The acquisition unit 111 executes a process of acquiring a signal from the operation device 23 by communicating with the motor unit 5 as an acquisition step S3 (see FIG. 3) described later. In the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 111 acquires, as the above signal, a start signal output from the operation device 23 when the operation unit 230 accepts an operation for starting the electric bicycle 2. Specifically, the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 acquires the start signal from the operation device 23 when the operation unit 230 accepts the above operation, and transmits the acquired start signal to the control system 1. In this way, the acquisition unit 111 acquires the start signal from the operation device 23.

[0035] The generating unit 112 executes a process of generating an inquiry signal based on the activation signal acquired by the acquiring unit 111 as a generating step S4 (see FIG. 3) described later. As described above, the inquiry signal is a signal for inquiring of the external device 3 about unlocking the circle lock 6. The inquiry signal includes identification information (e.g., an address) of the electric bicycle 2 that is the sender of the inquiry signal. Therefore, the external device 3 transmits an unlock permission signal as a response signal to the inquiry signal to the electric bicycle 2 (control system 1) that is assigned the identification information included in the inquiry signal.

[0036] The lock control unit 113 executes processing to unlock the circle lock 6 based on an unlock permission signal acquired from the external device 3 via the communication unit 12 as a lock control step S8 (see FIG. 3) described below. As described above, the unlock permission signal is a signal for permitting unlocking of the circle lock 6. When the electric bicycle 2 that is the source of the inquiry signal is an electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification processing described below, the external device 3 transmits an unlock permission signal to the electric bicycle 2 (control system 1) that is the source of the inquiry signal. Therefore, the unlock permission signal includes identification information assigned to the electric bicycle 2 that is the destination of the signal.

[0037] The communication unit 12 is a communication interface for communicating with the external device 3. The communication unit 12 has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 12 communicates with a communication unit 32 (described later) of the external device 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet, for example, by optical wireless communication using light such as infrared light or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium, using the wireless communication module. For example, the wireless communication may use a mobile phone communication standard such as LTE.

[0038] The communication unit 12 executes a process of transmitting an inquiry signal generated by the generation unit 112 to the external device 3 as a communication step S5 (see FIG. 3) described later. The communication unit 12 also executes a process of receiving an unlocking permission signal from the external device 3 as a communication step S7 (see FIG. 3) described later. As described above, the unlocking permission signal is a response signal to the inquiry signal, and is a signal for permitting the unlocking of the circle lock (lock device) 6. As described above, the communication unit 12 is capable of bidirectional communication with the external device 3.

[0039] The storage unit 13 includes, for example, an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 13 stores, for example, the state (locked state, unlocked state) of the circle lock 6. The storage unit 13 also stores, for example, an identifier and identification information assigned to the electric bicycle 2.

[0040] The operation device 23 is attached to a handle 83 (described later) of the electric bicycle 2. The operation device 23 has an operation unit 230. The operation unit 230 is, for example, a power switch that is pressed by the user. When the operation unit 230 is pressed, the operation device 23 transmits a start-up signal to the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5. The operation device 23 also has a switch that accepts an input for changing the degree to which the motor 51 assists the user's pedaling force (pedaling power), and a display that displays parameters such as the remaining charge of the battery 41. In the first embodiment, the handle 83 of the electric bicycle 2 constitutes a specific part 20 of the electric bicycle 2 (see FIG. 2). That is, in the first embodiment, the operation device 23 is provided on the specific part 20 of the electric bicycle 2, and the specific part 20 is the handle 83.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery unit 4 includes a battery 41 and a battery control unit .

[0042] The battery 41 supplies power to the motor 51 and control unit 52 of the motor unit 5, and the control system 1. The battery 41 also supplies power to, in addition to the motor 51, for example, the headlight and the operating device 23. The battery 41 is removably attached to a seat tube 73 (see FIG. 2) described below. In other words, the electric bicycle 2 has the battery 41 used as a power source for controlling the electric bicycle 2.

[0043] Each time the electric bicycle 2 is used, the battery control unit 42 determines the amount of power (battery power consumption) consumed by the battery 41 when the electric bicycle 2 is traveling (when in use). Power consumption information indicating the amount of battery power consumption is output from the battery control unit 42 to the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5. The battery control unit 42 also manages the remaining capacity of the battery 41. More specifically, the battery control unit 42 determines the difference between the remaining capacity of the battery 41 before use and the amount of battery power consumption as the remaining capacity of a new battery 41. The remaining capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery 41 is output from the battery control unit 42 to the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5.

[0044] The remaining charge of the battery 41 is corrected taking into consideration deterioration of the battery 41. The deterioration of the battery 41 can be found from a charge / discharge history indicating charging / discharging of the battery 41. The charge / discharge history is stored together with an ID (Identification) of the battery 41. The charge / discharge history may be stored in the external device 3, for example, via the communication unit 12 of the control system 1.

[0045] As described above, the external device 3 is a server installed at a location away from the electric bicycle 2. The external device 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a storage unit 33, as shown in FIG.

[0046] The control unit 31 includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The function of the control unit 31 is realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system.

[0047] The control unit 31 has the function of executing an authentication process, a specification process, and an unlocking process.

[0048] The authentication process is a process in which, when the communication unit 32 acquires authentication information transmitted from the terminal 8, it determines whether or not the authentication information is included in the first database stored in the memory unit 33, that is, whether or not a user based on the authentication information is registered.

[0049] The identification process is a process in which, when the communication unit 32 acquires an identifier transmitted from the terminal 8, the communication unit 32 refers to the second database stored in the memory unit 33 to identify the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier. The identifier is written on, for example, a sticker 931 (see FIG. 2) attached to the electric bicycle 2. The user can obtain the identifier of the electric bicycle 2 by reading the identifier written on the sticker 931 using an imaging device (reading device) built into the terminal 8.

[0050] The unlocking process is a process that generates an unlocking permission signal for transitioning the electric bicycle 2 from a locked state to an unlocked state by remotely controlling the circle lock 6 of the electric bicycle 2 through communication between the electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification process and the external device 3. In the unlocking process, the control unit 31 generates an unlocking permission signal based on an inquiry signal received from the electric bicycle 2 (control system 1), and causes the communication unit 32 to transmit the generated unlocking permission signal to the electric bicycle 2.

[0051] The communication unit 32 is a communication interface for communicating with the electric bicycle 2 (control system 1) or the terminal 8. The communication unit 32 has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 32 communicates with the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 or the terminal 8 via a network N1 such as the Internet, for example, by optical wireless communication using light such as infrared or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium, using the wireless communication module. As an example, the wireless communication may use a mobile phone communication standard such as LTE.

[0052] The communication unit 32 receives an inquiry signal transmitted from the control system 1. In addition, the communication unit 32 transmits an unlock permission signal generated by the control unit 31 based on the inquiry signal to the control system 1. In addition, the communication unit 32 receives authentication information and identifier information transmitted from the terminal 8.

[0053] The memory unit 33 includes, for example, an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and a volatile memory such as a RAM. The memory unit 33 stores a first database including authentication information for one or more users who have contracts with the rental service provider of the electric bicycle 2. The memory unit 33 also stores a second database including identifiers of one or more electric bicycles 2 managed by the rental service provider of the electric bicycle 2. The memory unit 33 also stores the usage status of the electric bicycle 2 managed by the rental service provider of the electric bicycle 2.

[0054] (3) Electric bicycles Next, the structure of the electric bicycle 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2, which is referred to in the first embodiment and the like, is a schematic diagram, and the size and thickness ratios of each component in the diagram do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions.

[0055] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the running surface 100 is assumed to be a horizontal surface. However, in reality, the running surface 100 does not have to be a horizontal surface, and may be inclined relative to the horizontal surface or may be an uneven surface.

[0056] Furthermore, in the following, the direction in which the electric bicycle 2 moves is defined as the "forward direction", the opposite direction to the forward direction is defined as the "rearward direction", and the forward and rearward directions collectively are defined as the "front-rear direction". In addition, two directions perpendicular to the front-rear direction and opposite to each other along the horizontal plane are defined as the "left-right direction". Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is defined as the "up-down direction". However, the definitions of these directions are not intended to limit the manner in which the electric bicycle 2 is used. Furthermore, the arrows indicating each direction in the drawings are merely shown for explanatory purposes and do not have any substance.

[0057] The electric bicycle 2 is a bicycle capable of traveling on a riding surface 100 by electric power. In the first embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is an electrically assisted bicycle in which the pedaling force (pedaling force) of the user of the electric bicycle 2 is assisted by a motor 51 (see FIG. 1).

[0058] As shown in Fig. 2, the electric bicycle 2 includes a motor unit 5 and a frame 7. The electric bicycle 2 also includes a plurality of wheels 81 (two in Fig. 2), a front fork 82, a handlebar 83, a saddle 84, a pair of crank arms 85 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 2), a pair of pedals 86 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 2), a power transmission body 87, and a battery 41. The electric bicycle 2 also includes a circle lock 6, a basket 91, a front fender 92, and a rear fender 93. In the first embodiment, the frame 7 forms a mobile body (hereinafter, also referred to as "mobile body 7"). That is, the mobile body (electric bicycle) 2 includes the above-mentioned control system 1 and the mobile body 7 to which the control system 1 is attached.

[0059] (3.1) Wheels The multiple wheels 81 are members that support the frame 7 above the riding surface 100. In the first embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is equipped with a front wheel 88 and a rear wheel 89 as the multiple wheels 81. The front wheel 88 has a hub 881 at its center, and the rear wheel 89 has a hub 891 at its center. The multiple wheels 81 are attached to the frame 7, and rotate by the pedaling force of the user of the electric bicycle 2 and by power output from the motor 51 (see FIG. 1).

[0060] The front wheel 88 is the front wheel of the two wheels 81 arranged in the front-rear direction. The front wheel 88 is supported by a pair of legs 821 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. In the first embodiment, the front wheel 88 is a wheel that does not receive power transmitted from the motor unit 5.

[0061] A front fender 92 that is curved along the circumferential direction of the front wheel 88 is provided above the front wheel 88. The front fender 92 functions as a mudguard that prevents water splashes or mud, etc., splashed up by the front wheel 88 from being splashed toward the user of the electric bicycle 2 while the electric bicycle 2 is traveling.

[0062] The rear wheel 89 is the rear wheel of the two wheels 81 aligned in the front-rear direction. The rear wheel 89 is supported by two chain stays 75 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. The rear wheel 89 is equipped with a rear sprocket 892 that is concentric with a hub 891 and is attached integrally to the hub 891. The rear sprocket 892 is connected to a drive sprocket (described later) of the motor unit 5 via a power transmission body 87. As a result, the power output from the motor unit 5 is transmitted to the rear wheel 89.

[0063] A rear fender 93 curved along the circumferential direction of the rear wheel 89 is provided above the rear wheel 89. The rear fender 93 functions as a mudguard that prevents water splashes or mud, etc., splashed up by the rear wheel 89 from being splashed toward the user of the electric bicycle 2 while the electric bicycle 2 is traveling. In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, a sticker 931 with a two-dimensional code written thereon as an identifier of the electric bicycle 2 is affixed to the rear fender 93. In addition, a circle lock 6 is attached to the rear wheel 89.

[0064] (3.2) Front fork The front fork 82 is a member that supports the front wheel 88. The front fork 82 includes a pair of legs 821 (only one is shown in FIG. 2), a crown 822, and a steering column 823. The crown 822 connects the upper ends of the pair of legs 821. The steering column 823 protrudes from the crown 822. The front wheel 88 is rotatably attached to the pair of legs 821 via a shaft that passes through a hub 881. The rotation axis of the front wheel 88 is parallel to the running surface 100. The protruding direction (longitudinal direction) of the steering column 823 extends from the crown 822 so as to go rearward as it goes upward, and is inclined with respect to the running surface 100.

[0065] (3.3) Handle The handlebars 83 are attached to the upper end of a steering column 823 and fixed to the front fork 82. The steering column 823 passes through a head tube 71 of a frame 7 (described later) and is rotatably attached to the frame 7. The rotation axis of the steering column 823 is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the steering column 823. Therefore, the handlebars 83 can rotate the front wheel 88 about an axis along the longitudinal direction of the steering column 823.

[0066] A basket 91 for storing belongings of the user of the electric bicycle 2 is attached above the connection between the handlebar 83 and the steering column 823. In addition, an operating device 23 is attached to the handlebar 83. In the first embodiment, the specific part 20 of the electric bicycle 2 is the handlebar 83 to which the operating device 23 is attached.

[0067] (3.4) Frame The frame 7 is a framework to which the wheels 81, the front fork 82, the handlebars 83, the saddle 84, the battery 41, and the motor unit 5 are attached. In the first embodiment, as described above, the frame 7 constitutes the moving body 7. The material of the frame 7 is, for example, an aluminum alloy containing aluminum as a main component. However, the material of the frame 7 is not limited to the aluminum alloy, and may be, for example, iron, chrome molybdenum steel, high tensile steel, titanium, or magnesium. Furthermore, the material of the frame 7 is not limited to metal, and may be, for example, carbon, wood, bamboo, or fiber reinforced synthetic resin (for example, CFRP; Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics).

[0068] In the first embodiment, the frame 7 includes a head tube 71, a down tube 72, a seat tube 73, a pair of seat stays 74 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2), and a pair of chain stays 75 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2). The frame 7 also includes a bracket 76. In this disclosure, a "pipe" refers to a thin and hollow member. The cross-sectional shape of the pipe may be, for example, a circle (including a perfect circle, an oval, and an ellipse), a rectangle (including a square), a hexagon, or an octagon. A motor 51 (see FIG. 1) and a battery 41 are attached to the frame 7.

[0069] (3.4.1) Head tube The head tube 71 is a pipe that supports the front fork 82. The central axis of the head tube 71 is inclined with respect to the riding surface 100 so that it approaches the rear as it goes upward. The steering column 823 passes through the head tube 71 so that the central axis of the head tube 71 and the central axis of the steering column 823 are aligned. This allows the head tube 71 to rotatably support the steering column 823. In the first embodiment, the rotation axis of the steering column 823 is the same as the central axis of the head tube 71.

[0070] (3.4.2) Downtube The down tube 72 is a pipe that connects the head tube 71 and the seat tube 73. The front end of the down tube 72 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the head tube 71. The rear end of the down tube 72 in the longitudinal direction is connected to a bracket 76. In the first embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the down tube 72 is inclined with respect to the riding surface 100 so as to extend downward in the rearward direction.

[0071] (3.4.3) Seat tube The seat tube 73 is a pipe that holds a saddle 84. The lower end of the seat tube 73 in the longitudinal direction is connected to a bracket 76. The saddle 84 is movably attached to the upper end of the seat tube 73 in the longitudinal direction. The central axis of the seat tube 73 is inclined with respect to the riding surface 100 so as to move rearward as it moves upward from the lower end. The rear end of the down tube 72 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the lower end of the seat tube 73 via the bracket 76. In the first embodiment, a battery 41 is removably attached to the seat tube 73.

[0072] (3.4.4) Chainstay The pair of chain stays 75 are pipes that support the shaft of a rear wheel 89. The longitudinal front end of each chain stay 75 is connected to a bracket 76. The longitudinal rear end of each chain stay 75 is connected to the rear end of the seat stay 74. The pair of chain stays 75 are separated in the left-right direction, and the rear wheel 89 is rotatably attached to the rear end of the pair of chain stays 75 via a shaft that passes through a hub 891. The rotation axis of the rear wheel 89 is approximately parallel to the riding surface 100 and is the same as the central axis of the shaft that supports the rear wheel 89.

[0073] (3.4.5) Seat stays The pair of seat stays 74 are pipes that connect the pair of chain stays 75 and the seat tube 73. In the first embodiment, the rear end of each seat stay 74 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the rear end of each chain stay 75 in the longitudinal direction. The front end of each seat stay 74 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the seat tube 73.

[0074] (3.4.6) Brackets The bracket 76 is a portion to which the motor unit 5 is attached. The longitudinal rear end of the down tube 72, the longitudinal lower end of the seat tube 73, and the longitudinal front end of the chain stay 75 are connected to the bracket 76. As a result, the longitudinal rear end of the down tube 72, the longitudinal lower end of the seat tube 73, and the longitudinal front end of the chain stay 75 are fixed to one another.

[0075] (3.5) Saddle The saddle 84 has a seat pillar 841. The seat pillar 841 passes through the seat tube 73 along the central axis of the seat tube 73. The seat pillar 841 protrudes downward from a portion of the saddle 84 where the user sits. In the first embodiment, the seat pillar 841 is inclined with respect to the riding surface 100 so as to move forward as it goes downward. The seat pillar 841 is attached to the seat tube 73 so as to be movable along the central axis of the seat tube 73.

[0076] (3.6) Pedals Each pedal 86 is attached to one of the longitudinal ends of each crank arm 85, the end opposite the crankshaft (described later). The pedal 86 is rotatably attached to the crank arm 85. The rotation axis of the pedal 86 is approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the crankshaft.

[0077] (3.7) Power transmission body The power transmission member 87 transmits the power output from the motor unit 5 to at least one of the multiple wheels 81. In the first embodiment, the power transmission member 87 is a chain that is stretched between a drive sprocket of the motor unit 5 and a rear sprocket 892 of the rear wheel 89 so as to be capable of transmitting power. The power transmission member 87 may be, for example, a belt, a shaft, a wire, or a gear.

[0078] (3.8) Motor unit As shown in Fig. 1, the motor unit 5 includes a motor 51, a control unit 52, a storage unit 53, a crankshaft, and a drive sprocket. The crankshaft and the drive sprocket are not shown. The motor unit 5 is a device capable of outputting a driving auxiliary output. In the first embodiment, the motor unit 5 adds the driving auxiliary output to the pedaling force, which is a human-powered driving force, and transmits the added output to the rear wheel 89 via the power transmission body 87.

[0079] The control unit 52 includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The function of the control unit 52 is realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system.

[0080] The control unit 52 executes a process of controlling the motor 51. More specifically, the control unit 52 outputs a drive control signal to the motor 51 to control the motor 51 so that the motor 51 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed. For example, the control unit 52 controls the motor 51 so as to assist the pedaling force of the user at a predetermined speed.

[0081] The storage unit 53 includes, for example, an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and a volatile memory such as a RAM. The storage unit 53 stores unit information. The unit information may include, for example, remaining charge information indicating the remaining charge of the battery 41, or power consumption information indicating the amount of battery power consumed by the battery 41 when the electric bicycle 2 is traveling (when in use). The unit information may also include, for example, device status information indicating the status of a device (for example, the operating device 23 or a headlight) connected to the battery unit 4. The unit information may also include abnormality information regarding an abnormality in the motor unit 5.

[0082] 2, a pair of crank arms 85 are attached to the crankshaft of the motor unit 5. The longitudinal direction of the crank arms 85 intersects with (here, perpendicular to) the rotation axis of the crankshaft. The pair of crank arms 85 are aligned in a straight line when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the crankshaft.

[0083] The drive sprocket is, for example, made up of multiple sprockets, and constitutes a transmission together with the rear sprocket 892. By changing the shift position of this transmission, it is possible to change the gears of the electric bicycle 2.

[0084] The motor 51 is configured to provide rotational power to the wheel 81 of the electric bicycle 2. The motor 51 is provided near the crankshaft of the electric bicycle 2, and is driven by electric power from the battery 41 to transmit power to the crankshaft.

[0085] (4) Operation Next, the operation of the management system 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0086] First, the terminal 8 carried by the user uses a built-in imaging device to read the identifier written on the sticker 931 affixed to the electric bicycle 2, thereby acquiring the identifier of the electric bicycle 2 (step S1). After that, the user operates the terminal 8, which causes the terminal 8 to transmit the acquired identifier of the electric bicycle 2 to the external device 3 (step S2). The control unit 31 of the external device 3 identifies the electric bicycle 2 associated with the identifier received from the terminal 8, based on the second database stored in the memory unit 33.

[0087] When the user presses the operation section 230 of the operation device 23, the acquisition section 111 of the control system 1 acquires a start signal by communicating with the motor unit 5 (acquisition step S3). That is, the acquisition section 111 acquires the start signal from the operation device 23 via the motor unit 5. After that, the generation section 112 of the control system 1 generates an inquiry signal inquiring about unlocking the circle lock 6 based on the start signal acquired by the acquisition section 111 (generation step S4). The communication section 12 of the control system 1 transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation section 112 to the external device 3 (communication step S5). At this time, the control section 52 of the motor unit 5 starts controlling the motor 51 based on the start signal from the operation device 23. This starts the electric bicycle 2.

[0088] If the electric bicycle 2 that sent the inquiry signal is the electric bicycle 2 identified by the identifier, the control unit 31 of the external device 3 creates an unlock permission signal that permits unlocking of the circle lock 6 (step S6). After that, the communication unit 32 of the external device 3 transmits the unlock permission signal created by the control unit 31 to the control system 1 (communication step S7). The lock control unit 113 of the control system 1 unlocks the circle lock 6 based on the unlock permission signal received from the external device 3 (lock control step S8). This allows the user to use the electric bicycle 2.

[0089] On the other hand, if the external device 3 has not acquired the identifier of the electric bicycle 2 from the terminal 8, it does not transmit an unlock permission signal to the control system 1 even if an inquiry signal is sent from the control system 1. That is, in the management system 10 according to the first embodiment, if the external device 3 has received an identifier of the moving body (electric bicycle) 2 from the terminal (external terminal) 8, and receives an inquiry signal from the communication unit 12 of the control system 1, it transmits an unlock permission signal to the communication unit 12 of the control system 1. Note that if the external device 3 has not acquired the identifier of the electric bicycle 2 from the terminal 8 and an inquiry signal is sent from the control system 1, the external device 3 may transmit a signal different from the unlock permission signal (for example, an unlock non-permission signal) to the control system 1.

[0090] Meanwhile, the external device 3 according to the first embodiment performs charging for the rental of the electric bicycle 2 according to the following procedure. First, the control unit 31 of the external device 3 starts charging when the circle lock 6 is unlocked. For example, the control unit 31 acquires status information of the circle lock 6 (information on unlocked or locked status) from the control system 1 via communication between the control system 1 and the external device 3, and judges whether the circle lock 6 is unlocked or not based on this status information. Then, the control unit 31 starts charging when it judges that the circle lock 6 is unlocked. In this case, the control unit 31 may determine that the circle lock 6 is unlocked when it receives the above-mentioned inquiry signal, and start charging.

[0091] On the other hand, the control unit 31 ends the charging when the electric bicycle 2 is returned to the bicycle parking lot and the circle lock 6 is locked. The control unit 31 acquires status information of the circle lock 6 from the control system 1, for example, via communication between the control system 1 and the external device 3, and judges whether the circle lock 6 is locked or not based on this status information. The control unit 31 also acquires return information from the control system 1, for example, via communication between the control system 1 and the external device 3, and judges whether the electric bicycle 2 is returned to the bicycle parking lot or not based on this return information. The return information is information indicating that the electric bicycle 2 has been returned to the bicycle parking lot. For example, the control unit 11 of the control system 1 attached to the electric bicycle 2 determines that the electric bicycle 2 has been returned to the bicycle parking lot by receiving a beacon periodically transmitted from a transmitter installed in the bicycle parking lot, and creates return information indicating that fact. Then, the external device 3 ends the charging when it determines that the electric bicycle 2 has been returned to the bicycle parking lot and the circle lock 6 is locked.

[0092] Although the case where the external device 3 performs billing has been described here, for example, the control system 1 may perform billing. Furthermore, each of the control system 1 and the external device 3 may perform at least one process for billing.

[0093] (5) Effects As described above, the control system 1 according to the first embodiment includes an acquisition unit 111, a generation unit 112, a communication unit 12, and a lock control unit 113. The acquisition unit 111 acquires a signal (e.g., a start signal) from an operation device 23 having an operation unit 230 that accepts an operation for starting an electric bicycle (moving body) 2. The generation unit 112 generates an inquiry signal inquiring about unlocking a circle lock (lock device) 6 attached to the electric bicycle 2 based on the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 111. The communication unit 12 transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit 112 to an external device (specific device) 3. The lock control unit 113 unlocks the circle lock 6 when the communication unit 12 receives an unlock permission signal that permits unlocking of the circle lock 6 from the external device 3 as a response signal to the inquiry signal.

[0094] The management system 10 according to the first embodiment includes the above-mentioned control system 1 and an external device 3.

[0095] As described above, in the control system 1 and management system 10 according to the first embodiment, the user can both start the electric bicycle 2 and unlock the circle lock 6 by operating the operation unit 230 of the operating device 23. This makes it possible to improve convenience compared to a case where starting the electric bicycle 2 and unlocking the circle lock 6 are performed by separate operations.

[0096] In addition, in the electric bicycle 2 of embodiment 1, the operating device 23 is provided on the handle 83 (specific part 20) of the electric bicycle 2, which has the advantage that it is easier for the user to operate than, for example, when the operating device 23 is provided on the battery 41 or the circle lock 6.

[0097] (6) Variations The first embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Various modifications of the first embodiment are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. In addition, functions similar to those of the control system 1 may be embodied not only in a control method, but also in a (computer) program, a non-transitory recording medium on which a program is recorded, or the like.

[0098] The control method according to one embodiment includes an acquisition step S3, a generation step S4, communication steps S5 and S7, and a lock control step S8. The acquisition step S3 is a step of acquiring a signal (e.g., a start signal) from an operation device 23 having an operation unit 230 that accepts an operation for starting the electric bicycle (moving body) 2. The generation step S4 is a step of generating an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking the circle lock (lock device) 6 attached to the electric bicycle 2 based on the signal acquired in the acquisition step S3. The communication step S5 is a step of transmitting the inquiry signal generated in the generation step S4 to an external device (specific device) 3. The lock control step S8 is a step of unlocking the circle lock 6 when an unlock permission signal that permits unlocking the circle lock 6 is received from the external device 3 as a response signal to the inquiry signal in the communication step S7. The program according to one embodiment is a program that causes one or more processors to execute the above-mentioned control method.

[0099] Below, we will list some modified examples of the embodiment 1. The modified examples explained below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0100] The control system 1 in the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The function of the control system 1 in the present disclosure is realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits such as IC or LSI referred to here are called by different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) that is programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device that can reconfigure the connection relationship inside the LSI or reconfigure the circuit partition inside the LSI, can also be adopted as a processor. The electronic circuits may be integrated in one chip or distributed across multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into one device, or may be distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0101] Furthermore, it is not essential for the control system 1 that multiple functions in the control system 1 are concentrated in one housing. The components of the control system 1 may be distributed across multiple housings. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the control system 1 may be realized by, for example, a server device and cloud (cloud computing), etc. Conversely, as in embodiment 1, all of the functions of the control system 1 may be concentrated in one housing.

[0102] In the first embodiment, the specific part 20 of the electric bicycle 2 is the handle 83 of the electric bicycle 2, but is not limited to this. The specific part 20 of the electric bicycle 2 may be, for example, the battery 41. That is, the operating device 23 having the operating unit 230 may be provided in the battery unit 4 including the battery 41. The specific part 20 of the electric bicycle 2 may also be, for example, a circle lock (lock device) 6. That is, the operating device 23 having the operating unit 230 may be provided in the circle lock 6.

[0103] In the first embodiment, the entire control system 1 is provided in the circle lock 6, but for example, at least a part of the functions of the control system 1 (for example, the acquisition unit 111) may be provided in the motor unit 5. Furthermore, at least a part of the functions of the control system 1 may be provided in, for example, the battery unit 4 or the operating device 23. In short, at least a part of the functions of the control system 1 may be provided in a component other than the circle lock 6.

[0104] In the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 111 of the control system 1 acquires, as a signal from the operation device 23, an activation signal output when the operation unit 230 is operated, but is not limited to this. The acquisition unit 111 may acquire, as a signal from the operation device 23, a signal different from the activation signal (for example, an unlocking signal). In this case, the generation unit 112 of the control system 1 generates an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking the circle lock 6, based on the unlocking signal acquired by the acquisition unit 111.

[0105] In the first embodiment, the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits an inquiry signal to the external device 3 via the Internet, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the communication unit 12 may transmit an inquiry signal via a LAN (Local Area Network) to an external device located within an area in which the LAN is established.

[0106] In the first embodiment, the locking device 6 is not limited to the circle lock 6. In other words, the locking device 6 may be any device capable of locking the electric bicycle 2.

[0107] In the first embodiment, the motor unit 5 is a two-shaft motor unit, but may be a single-shaft motor unit. Also, in the first embodiment, the motor unit 5 is a center unit type motor unit, but this is not limited to this. For example, the motor unit 5 may be a front hub unit type motor unit in which a motor is attached to a hub 881 of a front wheel 88. Also, for example, the motor unit 5 may be a rear hub unit type motor unit in which a motor is attached to a hub 891 of a rear wheel 89.

[0108] In the first embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is an electrically assisted bicycle that uses the motor 51 to assist the pedaling force of the user, but is not limited to this. For example, the electric bicycle 2 may be a bicycle (a bicycle that can run only on the power output from the motor 51) in which a drive system (human-powered drive system) that applies power to the wheels 81 using pedaling force and a drive system (motor drive system) that applies power to the wheels 81 using the motor 51 are separate. In short, the electric bicycle 2 may be an electrically assisted bicycle, or a bicycle that can run only on the power output from the motor 51.

[0109] In the first embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is a two-wheeled bicycle having one front wheel 88 and one rear wheel 89, but is not limited to this. For example, the electric bicycle 2 may be a three-wheeled bicycle having one front wheel 88 and two rear wheels 89. Alternatively, the electric bicycle 2 may be a three-wheeled bicycle having two front wheels 88 and one rear wheel 89. Furthermore, the electric bicycle 2 may be a four-wheeled bicycle having two front wheels 88 and two rear wheels 89.

[0110] (Embodiment 2) A control system 1, a management system 10, and an electric vehicle 2A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0111] An electric bicycle 2A according to embodiment 2 differs from the electric bicycle 2 according to embodiment 1 in that an operating device 23A has a first operating unit 231 and a second operating unit 232. Other than that, the electric bicycle 2A according to embodiment 2 is similar to the electric bicycle 2 according to embodiment 1, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0112] (1)Details In the electric bicycle 2A according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the operating device 23A has a first operating unit 231 and a second operating unit 232. The first operating unit 231 is, for example, a power switch, and accepts a first operation for starting the electric bicycle 2A. The second operating unit 232 is, for example, an unlocking switch, and accepts a second operation for unlocking the circle lock 6 attached to the electric bicycle 2A. In short, in the electric bicycle 2A according to the second embodiment, the first operating unit 231 for starting the electric bicycle 2A and the second operating unit 232 for unlocking the circle lock 6 are provided separately. Also, in the electric bicycle 2A according to the second embodiment, the first operating unit 231 and the second operating unit 232 are provided in the same operating device 23A.

[0113] For example, a push button (push operation section) as the first operation section 231 and a push button (push operation section) as the second operation section 232 are provided adjacent to each other. Note that the push button of the first operation section 231 is, for example, round, but may be of other shapes. Also, the push button of the second operation section 232 is, for example, round, but may be of other shapes.

[0114] The operation device 23A outputs an activation signal when the first operation part 231 is operated, and outputs an unlock signal when the second operation part 232 is operated. The activation signal output from the operation device 23A is transmitted to the motor unit 5, and the motor unit 5 becomes operable. The unlock signal output from the operation device 23A is transmitted to the control system 1 by communication between the control system 1 and the motor unit 5.

[0115] 4, the control system 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The control unit 11 also includes an acquisition unit 111, a generation unit 112, and a lock control unit 113.

[0116] The acquisition unit 111 acquires an unlock signal output from the operation device 23 by communicating with the motor unit 5. More specifically, the acquisition unit 111 acquires an unlock signal output from the operation device 23 when the second operation unit 232 accepts a second operation by communicating with the motor unit 5. The unlock signal is a signal for requesting the circle lock (lock device) 6 to be unlocked.

[0117] The generation unit 112 generates an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking the circle lock 6, based on the unlocking signal acquired by the acquisition unit 111. As described above, the inquiry signal includes identification information (e.g., address) of the electric bicycle 2A that is the sender of the inquiry signal.

[0118] When the communication unit 12 receives an unlock permission signal from the external device 3, the lock control unit 113 unlocks the circle lock 6. The unlock permission signal is a response signal to the above-mentioned inquiry signal, and is a signal for permitting the circle lock 6 to be unlocked.

[0119] The communication unit 12 transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit 112 to the external device 3. In addition, the communication unit 12 receives the above-mentioned unlocking permission signal from the external device 3. That is, the communication unit 12 is capable of bidirectional communication with the external device 3. In the control system 1 according to the second embodiment, the external device 3 is a specific device.

[0120] (2) Operation Next, the operation of the management system 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0121] First, the terminal 8 carried by the user uses a built-in imaging device to read the identifier written on the sticker 931 affixed to the electric bicycle 2A, thereby acquiring the identifier of the electric bicycle 2A (step S11). After that, the user operates the terminal 8, which causes the terminal 8 to transmit the acquired identifier of the electric bicycle 2A to the external device 3 (step S12). The control unit 31 of the external device 3 identifies the electric bicycle 2A associated with the identifier received from the terminal 8, based on the second database stored in the memory unit 33.

[0122] When the user presses the second operation unit 232 of the operation device 23A, the acquisition unit 111 of the control system 1 acquires an unlocking signal by communicating with the motor unit 5 (acquisition step S13). That is, the acquisition unit 111 acquires the unlocking signal from the operation device 23 via the motor unit 5. Thereafter, the generation unit 112 of the control system 1 generates an inquiry signal inquiring about unlocking the circle lock 6 based on the unlocking signal acquired by the acquisition unit 111 (generation step S14). The communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit 112 to the external device 3 (communication step S15).

[0123] If the electric bicycle 2A that sent the inquiry signal is the electric bicycle 2A identified by the identifier, the control unit 31 of the external device 3 creates an unlock permission signal that permits unlocking of the circle lock 6 (step S16). After that, the communication unit 32 of the external device 3 transmits the unlock permission signal generated by the control unit 31 to the control system 1 (communication step S17). The lock control unit 113 of the control system 1 unlocks the circle lock 6 based on the unlock permission signal received from the external device 3 (lock control step S18). This allows the user to use the electric bicycle 2A.

[0124] On the other hand, if the external device 3 has not acquired the identifier of the electric bicycle 2A from the terminal 8, it will not transmit an unlock permission signal to the control system 1 even if an inquiry signal is sent from the control system 1. That is, in the management system 10 according to the second embodiment, if the external device 3 has received an identifier of the moving body (electric bicycle) 2 from the terminal (external terminal) 8, and receives an inquiry signal from the communication unit 12 of the control system 1, it transmits an unlock permission signal to the communication unit 12 of the control system 1. Note that if the external device 3 has not acquired the identifier of the electric bicycle 2 from the terminal 8 and an inquiry signal is sent from the control system 1, the external device 3 may transmit a signal different from the unlock permission signal (for example, an unlock non-permission signal) to the control system 1.

[0125] (3) Effects As described above, the control system 1 according to the second embodiment includes the acquisition unit 111, the generation unit 112, the communication unit 12, and the lock control unit 113. The acquisition unit 111 acquires an unlocking signal from the operation device 23A. The operation device 23A has a first operation unit 231 and a second operation unit 232. The first operation unit 231 accepts a first operation for starting the moving body (electric bicycle) 2. The second operation unit 232 accepts a second operation for unlocking the locking device (circle lock) 6 attached to the moving body 2. The unlocking signal is a signal output from the operation device 23A when the second operation unit 232 accepts the second operation. The generation unit 112 generates an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking the locking device 6 based on the unlocking signal acquired by the acquisition unit 111. The communication unit 12 transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit 112 to the external device (specific device) 3. The lock control unit 113 unlocks the lock device 6 when the communication unit 12 receives an unlock permission signal permitting the unlocking of the lock device 6 from the external device 3 as a response signal to the inquiry signal.

[0126] As described above, in the control system 1 according to the second embodiment, the first operation unit 231 and the second operation unit 232 are provided in the same (single) operation device 23A. Therefore, it is possible to improve convenience compared to a case where the first operation unit and the second operation unit are provided in separate operation devices.

[0127] (4) Variations The second embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Various modifications of the second embodiment are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Furthermore, functions similar to those of the control system 1 may be embodied not only in a control method, but also in a (computer) program, a non-transitory recording medium on which a program is recorded, or the like.

[0128] The control method according to one embodiment includes an acquisition step S13, a generation step S14, communication steps S15 and S17, and a lock control step S18. The acquisition step S13 is a step of acquiring an unlocking signal from the operation device 23A. The operation device 23A has a first operation unit 231 and a second operation unit 232. The first operation unit 231 accepts a first operation for starting the moving body (electric bicycle) 2. The second operation unit 232 accepts a second operation for unlocking the locking device (circle lock) 6 attached to the moving body 2. The unlocking signal is a signal output from the operation device 23A when the second operation unit 232 accepts the second operation. The generation step S14 is a step of generating an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking the locking device 6 based on the unlocking signal acquired in the acquisition step S13. The communication step S15 is a step of transmitting the inquiry signal generated in the generation step S14 to the external device (specific device) 3. A lock control step S18 is a step of unlocking the lock device 6 when an unlock permission signal permitting unlocking of the lock device 6 is received from the external device 3 as a response signal to the inquiry signal in the communication step S17. Moreover, a program according to one embodiment is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the above-mentioned control method.

[0129] The configuration described in the second embodiment (including the modified example) can be applied in appropriate combination with the configuration described in the first embodiment (including the modified example).

[0130] (Embodiment 3) A control system 1, a management system 10, and an electric vehicle 2B according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0131] An electric bicycle 2B according to embodiment 3 differs from the electric bicycle 2 according to embodiment 1 in that the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 is not connected to the network N1, and is capable of communicating with an external device 3 via the terminal 8 and the network N1. Other than that, the electric bicycle 2B according to embodiment 3 is similar to the electric bicycle 2 according to embodiment 1, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0132] (1) Composition In an electric bicycle 2B according to the third embodiment, the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 is not connected to the network N1 as shown in FIG. 6, and can communicate with a terminal 8 by wireless communication conforming to BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). On the other hand, the terminal 8 can be connected to the network N1 as shown in FIG. 6, and can communicate with an external device 3 via the network N1. That is, in an electric bicycle 2B according to the third embodiment, the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 can communicate with the external device 3 via the terminal 8 and the network N1. Note that the wireless communication between the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 and the terminal 8 is not limited to wireless communication conforming to BLE, and may be wireless communication conforming to Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or wireless communication conforming to ZigBee (registered trademark), for example.

[0133] (2) Operation (2.1) Example 1 Next, a first operation example of the management system 10 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0134] First, the terminal 8 carried by the user uses a built-in imaging device to read the identifier written on the sticker 931 (see FIG. 2) affixed to the electric bicycle 2B, thereby acquiring the identifier of the electric bicycle 2B (step S21). After that, the user operates the terminal 8, which causes the terminal 8 to transmit the acquired identifier of the electric bicycle 2B to the external device 3 (step S22). The control unit 31 of the external device 3 identifies the electric bicycle 2B associated with the identifier received from the terminal 8, based on the second database stored in the memory unit 33.

[0135] When the user presses the operation unit 230 of the operation device 23, the acquisition unit 111 of the control system 1 acquires an activation signal by communicating with the motor unit 5 (acquisition step S23). That is, the acquisition unit 111 acquires an activation signal from the operation device 23 via the motor unit 5. After that, the generation unit 112 of the control system 1 generates an inquiry signal inquiring about unlocking the circle lock 6 based on the activation signal acquired by the acquisition unit 111 (generation step S24). The communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit 112 to the external device 3 (communication steps S25, S26). Here, "the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits the inquiry signal to the external device 3" includes a case where the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits the inquiry signal directly to the external device 3 and a case where the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits the inquiry signal to the external device 3 via the terminal 8. In the operation example 1, the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits the inquiry signal to the external device 3 via the terminal 8. At this time, the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 starts controlling the motor 51 based on the start signal from the operation device 23. This starts the electric bicycle 2.

[0136] If the electric bicycle 2B that has sent the inquiry signal is the electric bicycle 2B identified by the identifier, the control unit 31 of the external device 3 creates an unlock permission signal that allows the circle lock 6 to be unlocked (step S27). After that, the communication unit 32 of the external device 3 transmits the unlock permission signal created by the control unit 31 to the control system 1 (communication steps S28 and S29). Here, "the communication unit 32 of the external device 3 transmits the unlock permission signal to the control system 1" includes a case where the communication unit 32 of the external device 3 transmits the unlock permission signal directly to the control system 1 and a case where the communication unit 32 of the external device 3 transmits the unlock permission signal to the control system 1 via the terminal 8. In the operation example 1, the communication unit 32 of the external device 3 transmits the unlock permission signal to the control system 1 via the terminal 8. The lock control unit 113 of the control system 1 unlocks the circle lock 6 based on the unlock permission signal received from the external device 3 via the terminal 8 (lock control step S30). This allows the user to use the electric bicycle 2B.

[0137] On the other hand, if the external device 3 has not acquired the identifier of the electric bicycle 2B from the terminal 8, it does not transmit an unlock permission signal to the control system 1 even if an inquiry signal is sent from the control system 1. That is, in the management system 10 according to the third embodiment, if the external device 3 has received an identifier of the moving body (electric bicycle) 2B from the terminal (external terminal) 8, and receives an inquiry signal from the communication unit 12 of the control system 1, it transmits an unlock permission signal to the communication unit 12 of the control system 1. Note that if the external device 3 has not acquired the identifier of the electric bicycle 2B from the terminal 8 and an inquiry signal is sent from the control system 1, the external device 3 may transmit a signal different from the unlock permission signal (for example, an unlock non-permission signal) to the control system 1. In the first operation example, the external device 3 is a specific device.

[0138] (2.2) Example 2 Next, a second operation example of the management system 10 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0139] First, the terminal 8 carried by the user uses a built-in imaging device to read the identifier written on the sticker 931 (see FIG. 2) affixed to the electric bicycle 2B, thereby acquiring the identifier of the electric bicycle 2B (step S31). After that, the user operates the terminal 8, which causes the terminal 8 to transmit the acquired identifier of the electric bicycle 2B to the external device 3 (step S32). The control unit 31 of the external device 3 identifies the electric bicycle 2B associated with the identifier received from the terminal 8, based on the second database stored in the memory unit 33.

[0140] The control unit 31 of the external device 3 creates an unlock permission signal that permits unlocking of the circle lock 6 of the identified electric bicycle 2B (step S33). After that, the communication unit 32 of the external device 3 transmits the unlock permission signal created by the control unit 31 to the terminal 8 (step S34).

[0141] When the user presses the operation unit 230 of the operation device 23, the acquisition unit 111 of the control system 1 acquires a start signal by communicating with the motor unit 5 (acquisition step S35). That is, the acquisition unit 111 acquires the start signal from the operation device 23 via the motor unit 5. After that, the generation unit 112 of the control system 1 generates an inquiry signal inquiring about unlocking the circle lock 6 based on the start signal acquired by the acquisition unit 111 (generation step S36). The communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit 112 to the terminal 8 (communication step S37). At this time, the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 starts controlling the motor 51 based on the start signal from the operation device 23. This starts the electric bicycle 2B.

[0142] In response to the inquiry signal from the control system 1, the terminal 8 transmits an unlock permission signal to the control system 1 (communication step S38). The lock control unit 113 of the control system 1 unlocks the circle lock 6 based on the unlock permission signal received from the terminal 8 (lock control step S39). This allows the user to use the electric bicycle 2B.

[0143] On the other hand, if the external device 3 does not acquire the identifier of the electric bicycle 2B from the terminal 8, it does not transmit an unlocking permission signal to the terminal 8. Therefore, in this case, even if the terminal 8 receives an inquiry signal from the communication unit 12 of the control system 1, it does not transmit an unlocking permission signal to the control system 1. Note that in this case, the terminal 8 may transmit a signal different from the unlocking permission signal (for example, an unlocking non-permission signal) to the control system 1. In operation example 2, the terminal 8 is a specific device.

[0144] (2.3) Example 3 Next, a third operation example of the management system 10 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0145] First, when the user presses the operation unit 230 of the operation device 23, the acquisition unit 111 of the control system 1 acquires an activation signal by communicating with the motor unit 5 (acquisition step S41). That is, the acquisition unit 111 acquires the activation signal from the operation device 23 via the motor unit 5. After that, the generation unit 112 of the control system 1 generates an inquiry signal inquiring about unlocking the circle lock 6 based on the activation signal acquired by the acquisition unit 111 (generation step S42). The communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit 112 to the external device 3 (communication steps S43, S45). In the operation example 3, the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits the inquiry signal to the external device 3 via the terminal 8. In addition, the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits an instruction signal including an instruction to acquire the identifier of the electric bicycle 2B to the terminal 8 (communication step S43). At this time, the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 starts controlling the motor 51 based on the activation signal from the operation device 23. This starts the electric bicycle 2B.

[0146] The terminal 8 carried by the user, in accordance with an instruction signal from the control system 1, uses a built-in imaging device to read the identifier written on the sticker 931 (see FIG. 2) affixed to the electric bicycle 2B, thereby acquiring the identifier of the electric bicycle 2B (step S44). The user then operates the terminal 8, causing the terminal 8 to transmit the acquired identifier of the electric bicycle 2B to the external device 3 (communication step S45). In operation example 3, the terminal 8 transmits an inquiry signal and identifier information to the external device 3 in communication step S45. The control unit 31 of the external device 3 identifies the electric bicycle 2B associated with the identifier received from the terminal 8, based on the second database stored in the memory unit 33.

[0147] If the electric bicycle 2B that has sent the inquiry signal is the electric bicycle 2B identified by the identifier, the control unit 31 of the external device 3 creates an unlock permission signal that allows the circle lock 6 to be unlocked (step S46). After that, the communication unit 32 of the external device 3 transmits the unlock permission signal created by the control unit 31 to the control system 1 (communication steps S47, S48). In operation example 3, the communication unit 32 of the external device 3 transmits the unlock permission signal to the control system 1 via the terminal 8. The lock control unit 113 of the control system 1 unlocks the circle lock 6 based on the unlock permission signal received from the external device 3 via the terminal 8 (lock control step S49). This allows the user to use the electric bicycle 2B.

[0148] On the other hand, if the external device 3 has not acquired the identifier of the electric bicycle 2B from the terminal 8, it does not transmit an unlocking permission signal to the control system 1 even if an inquiry signal is sent from the control system 1. That is, in operation example 3, if the external device 3 has received an identifier of the moving body (electric bicycle) 2B from the terminal (external terminal) 8, and receives an inquiry signal from the communication unit 12 of the control system 1, it transmits an unlocking permission signal to the communication unit 12 of the control system 1. Note that if the external device 3 has not acquired the identifier of the electric bicycle 2B from the terminal 8, when an inquiry signal is sent from the control system 1, the external device 3 may transmit a signal different from the unlocking permission signal (for example, an unlocking non-permission signal) to the control system 1. In operation example 3, the external device 3 is a specific device.

[0149] According to the control system 1 of the third embodiment, communication can be performed between the control system 1 and the external device 3 without connecting the communication unit 12 to the network N1.

[0150] The configuration described in the third embodiment (including the modified examples) can be applied in appropriate combination with the configurations described in the first and second embodiments (including the modified examples).

[0151] (Aspect) The present specification discloses the following aspects.

[0152] The control system (1) according to the first aspect includes an acquisition unit (111), a generation unit (112), a communication unit (12), and a lock control unit (113). The acquisition unit (111) acquires a signal from an operation device (23) having an operation unit (230) that accepts an operation for starting a mobile body (2; 2B). The generation unit (112) generates an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking a lock device (6) attached to the mobile body (2; 2B) based on the signal acquired by the acquisition unit (111). The communication unit (12) transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit (112) to the specific device (3; 8). The lock control unit (113) unlocks the lock device (6) when the communication unit (12) receives an unlock permission signal from the specific device (3; 8) that permits unlocking of the lock device (6) as a response signal to the inquiry signal.

[0153] According to this aspect, it is possible to improve convenience.

[0154] The control system (1) according to the second aspect includes an acquisition unit (111), a generation unit (112), a communication unit (12), and a lock control unit (113). The acquisition unit (111) acquires an unlocking signal from an operation device (23A). The operation device (23A) has a first operation unit (231) and a second operation unit (232). The first operation unit (231) accepts a first operation for starting the mobile body (2A). The second operation unit (232) accepts a second operation for unlocking the lock device (6) attached to the mobile body (2A). The unlocking signal is a signal output from the operation device (23A) when the second operation unit (232) accepts the second operation. The generation unit (112) generates an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking the lock device (6) based on the unlocking signal acquired by the acquisition unit (111). The communication unit (12) transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit (112) to the specific device (3; 8). When the communication unit (12) receives an unlock permission signal that permits unlocking of the lock device (6) from the specific device (3; 8) as a response signal to the inquiry signal, the lock control unit (113) unlocks the lock device (6).

[0155] According to this aspect, it is possible to improve convenience.

[0156] In the control system (1) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the operation device (23; 23A) is provided on a specific portion (20) of the moving body (2; 2A; 2B).

[0157] According to this aspect, it is possible to improve convenience.

[0158] In the control system (1) according to the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the moving body (2; 2A; 2B) has a moving body main body (7) and a handle (83) attached to the moving body main body (7). The specific part (20) is the handle (83).

[0159] According to this aspect, the user can easily operate the device.

[0160] In the control system (1) according to the fifth aspect, in the third aspect, the moving body (2; 2A; 2B) has a motor (51) and a battery (41) that supplies power to the motor (51). The specific part (20) is the battery (41).

[0161] According to this embodiment, it is difficult for a third party to operate the device.

[0162] In the control system (1) according to the sixth embodiment, the specific part (20) is a lock device (6) in the third embodiment.

[0163] According to this embodiment, it is difficult for a third party to operate the device.

[0164] A management system (10) according to a seventh aspect includes a control system (1) according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and a specific device (3; 8).

[0165] According to this aspect, it is possible to improve convenience.

[0166] In the management system (10) according to the eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, when the specific device (3) receives an identifier of the mobile object (2; 2A; 2B) from the external terminal (8), upon receiving an inquiry signal from the communication unit (12) of the control system (1), it transmits an unlocking permission signal to the communication unit (12) of the control system (1).

[0167] According to this embodiment, it becomes possible for the user to unlock the lock device (6) of the moving object (2; 2A; 2B) selected by the user.

[0168] The control method according to the ninth aspect includes an acquisition step (S3; S23; S35; S41), a generation step (S4; S24; S36; S42), a communication step (S5, S7; S25, S26, S28, S29; S37, S38; S43, S45, S47, S48), and a lock control step (S8; S30; S39; S49). The acquisition step (S3; S23; S35; S41) is a step of acquiring a signal from an operation device (23) having an operation unit (230) that accepts an operation for starting a moving body (2; 2B). The generating step (S4; S24; S36; S42) is a step of generating an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking the lock device (6) attached to the moving body (2; 2B) based on the signal acquired in the acquiring step (S3; S23; S35; S41). The communicating step (S5; S25, S26; S37; S43, S45) is a step of transmitting the inquiry signal generated in the generating step (S4; S24; S36; S42) to the specific device (3; 8). The lock control step (S8; S30; S39; S49) is a step of unlocking the lock device (6) when an unlock permission signal for permitting unlocking of the lock device (6) is received from the specific device (3; 8) as a response signal to the inquiry signal in the communicating step (S7; S28, S29; S38; S47, S48).

[0169] According to this aspect, it is possible to improve convenience.

[0170] The control method according to the tenth aspect includes an acquisition step (S13), a generation step (S14), communication steps (S15, S17), and a lock control step (S18). The acquisition step (S13) is a step of acquiring an unlocking signal from the operation device (23A). The operation device (23A) has a first operation unit (231) and a second operation unit (232). The first operation unit (231) accepts a first operation for starting the mobile body (2). The second operation unit (232) accepts a second operation for unlocking the lock device (6) attached to the mobile body (2). The unlocking signal is a signal output from the operation device (23A) when the second operation unit (232) accepts the second operation. The generation step (S14) is a step of generating an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking the lock device (6) based on the unlocking signal acquired in the acquisition step (S13). The communication step (S15) is a step of transmitting the inquiry signal generated in the generation step (S14) to the specific device (3; 8). The lock control step (S18) is a step of unlocking the lock device (6) when an unlock permission signal that permits unlocking of the lock device (6) is received from the specific device (3; 8) as a response signal to the inquiry signal in the communication step (S17).

[0171] According to this aspect, it is possible to improve convenience.

[0172] A program according to an eleventh aspect is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the control method according to the ninth or tenth aspect.

[0173] According to this aspect, it is possible to improve convenience.

[0174] A moving body (2; 2A; 2B) according to a twelfth aspect includes a control system (1) according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and a moving body (7). The moving body (7) is equipped with the control system (1).

[0175] According to this aspect, it is possible to improve convenience.

[0176] The configurations according to the second to sixth aspects are not essential for the control system (1) and may be omitted as appropriate.

[0177] The configuration according to the eighth aspect is not essential for the management system (10) and may be omitted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0178] 1. Control System 2, 2A, 2B Electric bicycle (mobile object) 3 External device (specific device) 6 Circle lock (locking device) 7 Frame (moving body) 8 Terminal (specific device) 10 Management Systems 12 Communications Department 20 Specific parts 23,23A operating device 41 Battery 83 Handle 111 Acquisition Department 112 Generation part 113 Lock control section 230 Operation section 231 1st operation section 232 2nd operation section S3, S13, S23, S35, S41 Acquisition steps S4, S14, S24, S36, S42 Generation steps S5, S7, S15, S17, S25, S26, S28, S29, S37, S38, S43, S45, S47, S48 Communication steps S8, S18, S30, S39, S49 Lock control steps

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a signal related to an operation from an operation device having an operation unit that accepts an operation for starting a moving object; a generation unit that generates an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking a lock device attached to the mobile object based on the signal acquired by the acquisition unit; a communication unit that transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit to a specific device; and a lock control unit that unlocks the lock device when the communication unit receives an unlock permission signal that permits unlocking of the lock device from the specific device as a response signal to the inquiry signal. Control system.

2. an acquisition unit that acquires an unlocking signal output from an operating device having a first operation unit that accepts a first operation for starting a moving body and a second operation unit that accepts a second operation for unlocking a locking device attached to the moving body when the second operation unit accepts the second operation; a generation unit that generates an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking the lock device based on the unlocking signal acquired by the acquisition unit; a communication unit that transmits the inquiry signal generated by the generation unit to a specific device; a lock control unit that unlocks the lock device when the communication unit receives an unlock permission signal that permits unlocking of the lock device from the specific device as a response signal to the inquiry signal, the moving object is an electric bicycle, The first operation includes an operation for starting a motor unit of the electric bicycle. Control system.

3. The operation device is provided on a specific part of the moving body.

3. A control system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The moving body is A mobile body, A handle attached to the movable body, The specific part is the handle. The control system of claim 3.

5. The moving body is A motor; a battery for supplying power to the motor; The specific part is the battery. The control system of claim 3.

6. The specific part is the lock device. The control system of claim 3.

7. A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6; The specific device, Management system.

8. when the specific device receives the inquiry signal from the communication unit of the control system in a case where the specific device has received the identifier of the moving object from an external terminal, the specific device transmits the unlock permission signal to the communication unit of the control system. The management system according to claim 7.

9. an acquisition step of acquiring a signal related to an operation from an operation device having an operation unit that accepts an operation for starting a moving object; a generating step of generating an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking a lock device attached to the mobile object based on the signal acquired in the acquiring step; a communication step of transmitting the inquiry signal generated in the generation step to a specific device; and a lock control step of unlocking the lock device when an unlock permission signal for permitting unlocking of the lock device is received from the specific device as a response signal to the inquiry signal in the communication step. Control methods.

10. an acquisition step of acquiring an unlocking signal outputted from an operating device having a first operation unit that accepts a first operation for starting a movable body and a second operation unit that accepts a second operation for unlocking a locking device attached to the movable body when the second operation unit accepts the second operation; a generating step of generating an inquiry signal for inquiring about unlocking of the lock device based on the unlocking signal acquired in the acquiring step; a communication step of transmitting the inquiry signal generated in the generation step to a specific device; a lock control step of unlocking the lock device when an unlock permission signal for permitting unlocking of the lock device is received from the specific device as a response signal to the inquiry signal in the communication step, the moving object is an electric bicycle, The first operation includes an operation for starting a motor unit of the electric bicycle. Control methods.

11. A program for causing one or more processors to execute the control method according to claim 9 or 10.

12. A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6; A mobile body to which the control system is attached. Mobile body.

Images