Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide a technique for facilitating establishment of a reservation for using car sharing.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 11 and a control unit 13. The control unit 13 receives, by the communication unit 11, desired conditions that a user desires regarding a car sharing usage reservation, separate from the car sharing usage reservation. If the control unit 13 determines that the user's desired conditions cannot be met based on the status of car sharing usage reservations before the desired start date and time at which the user desires to start using a vehicle, the control unit generates, in order to meet the desired conditions, usage conditions for other users of car sharing. The control unit 13 determines to provide incentives to other users if the other users make car sharing usage reservations so as to fulfill the usage conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] A system for making reservations for car sharing has been known in the past. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a management server having a database that accumulates data related to reservations for car sharing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-86170 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the reservation status of vehicles, parking spaces, etc., a car sharing reservation may not be completed.

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide technology that makes it easier to make reservations for car sharing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: The Communications Department and a control unit that receives desired conditions for a car sharing reservation by the communication unit separately from the car sharing reservation, The control unit is if it is determined that the desired conditions of the user are not satisfied based on the status of car sharing reservations prior to a desired start date and time at which the user wishes to start using the vehicle, generate usage conditions of other users of the car sharing to satisfy the desired conditions; If another user makes a reservation for car sharing so as to satisfy the usage conditions, it is determined that an incentive is to be given to the other user.

[0007] An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: The information processing device; and a terminal device of the user.

[0008] An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: receiving, by the communication unit, desired conditions desired by a user regarding a car sharing reservation separately from the car sharing reservation; generating usage conditions for other users of the car sharing service to satisfy the desired conditions when it is determined that the desired conditions of the user are not satisfied based on the status of car sharing reservations prior to a desired start date and time at which the user desires to start using the vehicle; The method includes determining to provide an incentive to another user when the other user makes a reservation for car sharing in such a way that the usage conditions are satisfied. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a technology can be provided that makes it easier to complete a car sharing reservation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing system shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the timing of executing a determination process. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a reservation screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a reservation screen. [Figure 6] 3 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the information processing device shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (System Configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing system 1 includes at least one information processing device 10, at least one terminal device 20A, and at least one terminal device 20B.

[0013] Hereinafter, when there is no particular distinction between the terminal device 20A and the terminal device 20B, they are also collectively referred to as "terminal device 20."

[0014] The information processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 are capable of communicating with each other via a network 2. The network 2 may be any network including a mobile communication network, the Internet, and the like.

[0015] The information processing device 10 can provide a platform for a car sharing service. The car sharing service is a service in which vehicles are rented out to pre-registered members. The pre-registered members are, for example, a user 3A and a user 3B.

[0016] The car sharing service according to this embodiment is a one-way type service. However, the car sharing service is not limited to a one-way type service, as described below. The one-way type car sharing service is a service that allows users to have a rental station where a vehicle is rented out and a return station where the vehicle is returned differently. The station is, for example, a parking lot where unused vehicles wait. The rental station is also referred to as the "starting point." The return station is also referred to as the "destination."

[0017] The information processing device 10 manages reservations for car sharing. A reservation for car sharing according to this embodiment includes a reservation for a vehicle to be rented at a rental station, i.e., a departure point, and a reservation for a parking space for returning the vehicle at a return station, i.e., a destination.

[0018] The information processing device 10 can accept desired conditions desired by a user for a car sharing reservation separately from the car sharing reservation. Accepting the user's desired conditions is also called "pre-reservation." The details of the desired conditions will be described later. In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 accepts the desired conditions of the user 3A.

[0019] When the information processing device 10 determines that the desired conditions of the user 3A are not satisfied based on the status of the car sharing reservation, it generates car sharing usage conditions for other users to satisfy the desired conditions of the user 3A. If the other users make car sharing reservations so as to satisfy these usage conditions, the user's desired conditions can be satisfied. When the other users make car sharing reservations so as to satisfy the usage conditions, the information processing device 10 determines to grant an incentive to the other users. By granting an incentive, it is possible to motivate the other users to make car sharing reservations so as to satisfy the usage conditions. With this configuration, the possibility that the desired conditions of the user 3A are satisfied increases, making it easier to make car sharing reservations.

[0020] The information processing device 10 may be operated by an entity that provides a car sharing service. The information processing device 10 is, for example, a dedicated computer configured to function as a server, a general-purpose personal computer, or a cloud computing system.

[0021] The terminal device 20A is used by the user 3A. The user 3A uses the terminal device 20A and transmits desired conditions of the user 3A from the terminal device 20A to the information processing device 10.

[0022] The terminal device 20B is used by a user 3B. The user 3B is a user who is considering making a reservation for car sharing. The user 3B can use the terminal device 20B to view the usage conditions generated by the information processing device 10. The user 3B views the usage conditions generated by the information processing device 10 and considers whether or not to make a reservation for car sharing under those usage conditions.

[0023] A reservation app may be downloaded to the terminal device 20. The reservation app is a dedicated application for making reservations for car sharing.

[0024] The terminal device 20 may be any device that can be connected to the network 2. The terminal device 20 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer (PC).

[0025] (Configuration of information processing device) As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0026] The communication unit 11 includes at least one communication module that can be connected to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module that is compatible with standards such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. However, the communication module is not limited to this. The communication module may be compatible with any communication standard. The communication unit 11 is connected to the network 2 via the wired LAN or wireless LAN by the communication module.

[0027] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 12 may function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0028] The control unit 13 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 13 executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10 while controlling each part of the information processing device 10.

[0029] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a processing program according to this embodiment in a processor corresponding to the control unit 13. That is, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The processing program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by executing the operations of the information processing device 10 in accordance with the processing program.

[0030] In the present disclosure, a "program" can be recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The program is distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) on which the program is recorded. The program may be stored in a server storage. The program stored in the server storage may be distributed by transferring it to another computer. The program may be provided as a program product.

[0031] In the present disclosure, a "computer" temporarily stores, for example, a program recorded on a portable recording medium or a program transferred from a server in a main storage device. Furthermore, the computer reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor and executes processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. The computer may execute processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. The computer may execute processing by a so-called ASP (Application Service Provider) type service that does not transfer a program from a server to the computer and realizes functions only by execution instructions and result acquisition. Programs include information used for processing by an electronic computer and equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has a nature that specifies computer processing corresponds to "something equivalent to a program."

[0032] A part or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit equivalent to the control unit 13. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0033] The control unit 13 accepts desired conditions desired by the user regarding a car sharing reservation, separately from the car sharing reservation. The control unit 13 receives the desired conditions of the user 3A from the terminal device 20A via the network 2 by the communication unit 11. The control unit 13 accepts the desired conditions of the user 3A by receiving the desired conditions of the user 3A.

[0034] The user's desired conditions include, for example, at least one of a desired start date and time, a desired departure point, a desired end date and time, and a desired destination. The desired start date and time is the date and time at which the user wishes to start using the vehicle. The desired departure point is the departure point of the vehicle desired by the user. The desired departure point is, for example, a rental station. The desired end date and time is the date and time at which the user wishes to end using the vehicle. The desired destination is the destination of the vehicle desired by the user. The desired destination is, for example, a return station.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 13 may be capable of accepting the user's desired conditions before the acceptance start date and time t1 at which the acceptance of reservations for car sharing begins. The acceptance start date and time t1 is, for example, a date and time that is a set time T1 before the scheduled start date and time t2 at which the vehicle usage is scheduled to begin. The user's desired start date and time may be treated as the scheduled start date and time t2. The set time T1 may be appropriately set based on the number of vehicles in the car sharing service, etc. The set time T1 is, for example, 30 minutes.

[0036] The control unit 13 determines whether the desired conditions of the user 3A are met based on the status of the car sharing reservation before the desired start date and time of the user 3A. The status of the car sharing reservation may include at least one of the status of the reservation of the vehicle at the rental station, which is the desired departure point, and the status of the reservation of the parking space at the return station, which is the desired destination. Hereinafter, the process of determining whether the desired conditions of the user are met is also referred to as a "determination process."

[0037] Regarding the timing of executing the determination process, the control unit 13 may execute the determination process at a set time T2 before the acceptance start date and time t1 as shown in FIG. 3, for example, at date and time t0. The date and time t0 is a date and time that is a set time T2 before the acceptance start date and time t1. The set time T2 may be set appropriately in consideration of the time when other users look at the usage conditions and consider whether or not to make a usage reservation. As described above, the user's desired start date and time may be treated as the scheduled start date and time t2. For example, the set time T1 is 30 minutes, and the set time T2 is 2 hours. In this case, the control unit 13 executes the determination process at date and time t0 that is 2 hours and 30 minutes before the user's desired start date and time, for example, the scheduled start date and time t2.

[0038] The date and time for executing the determination process is not limited to date and time t0 as shown in Fig. 3. For example, in the configuration shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 13 may accept the desired conditions of the user 3A after date and time t0. In this case, the control unit 13 may execute the determination process by the acceptance start date and time t1 or by the scheduled start date and time t2 according to the specifications of the car sharing service.

[0039] When the control unit 13 determines that the desired conditions of the user 3A are satisfied based on the status of the car sharing reservation, it decides to establish the car sharing reservation under the desired conditions of the user 3A. The control unit 13 transmits a completion notification indicating that the car sharing reservation under the desired conditions of the user 3A has been established to the terminal device 20A via the network 2 by the communication unit 11.

[0040] When the control unit 13 determines that the desired conditions of the user 3A are not satisfied based on the status of the car sharing reservation, it generates usage conditions for other users of the car sharing to satisfy the desired conditions of the user 3A. As described above, if the other users make reservations for the car sharing service in such a way as to satisfy these usage conditions, the desired conditions of the user 3A can be satisfied. The usage conditions may include any condition depending on the desired conditions. The usage conditions include, for example, at least any of the usage start date and time when the other users start using the vehicle, the departure point, the usage end date and time when the other users end using the vehicle, and the destination.

[0041] As an example, the desired conditions of the user 3A include a desired start date and time and a desired departure point. In this case, when the control unit 13 determines that there is no vehicle available for rental at the station that is the desired departure point at the desired start date and time based on the status of the vehicle use reservation in car sharing, it determines that the desired conditions of the user 3A are not satisfied. The control unit 13 generates a use condition as a use condition of the other user in which the desired start date and time of the user 3A is set as the use end date and time, and the desired departure point of the user 3A is set as the destination, i.e., the return station. If the other user makes a use reservation so as to satisfy this use condition, the other user may end the use of the vehicle at the desired start date and time of the user 3A and return the vehicle to the station at the desired departure point of the user 3A. With this configuration, a vehicle available for rental is available at the station at the desired departure point of the user 3A at the desired start date and time of the user 3A. Therefore, the desired conditions of the user 3A are satisfied.

[0042] As another example, the desired conditions of the user 3A include a desired end date and time and a desired destination. In this case, when the control unit 13 determines that there is no parking space available for parking the vehicle at the station that is the desired destination at the desired end date and time based on the status of the parking space use reservation in the car sharing, it determines that the desired conditions of the user 3A are not satisfied. The control unit 13 generates a use condition that sets the desired end date and time of the user 3A as the use start date and time and sets the desired destination of the user 3A as the departure point as the use condition of the other user. If the other user makes a use reservation to satisfy this use condition, the other user may start using the vehicle at the desired end date and time of the user 3A and depart the vehicle from the parking space at the station that is the desired destination of the user 3A. With this configuration, a parking space available for parking the vehicle is available at the desired destination at the desired end date and time of the user 3A. Therefore, the desired conditions of the user 3A are satisfied.

[0043] When the control unit 13 generates the use conditions for the other users, the control unit 13 may notify the other users of the generated use conditions as conditions for granting an incentive. The control unit 13 may notify the other users of the use conditions by any method.

[0044] As an example, the control unit 13 may notify other users of the terms of use by posting the terms of use on a car sharing service site. The car sharing service site may be accessible by the terminal device 20 via a reservation app. With this configuration, the terms of use may be displayed as a condition for granting an incentive to the terminal device 20B, as shown in FIG. 5 described later.

[0045] As another example, the control unit 13 may send a notification such as an email indicating the usage conditions to the terminal device 20 of the other user via the communication unit 11. In other words, the control unit 13 may notify the other user of the usage conditions by sending a notification indicating the usage conditions to the terminal device 20 of the other user.

[0046] The control unit 13 determines to grant an incentive to another user when the other user makes a reservation for car sharing that satisfies the usage conditions, for example, before the acceptance start date and time t1 as shown in FIG. 3. For example, the control unit 13 may receive an application notification for applying for a reservation for car sharing under the usage conditions from the terminal device 20B via the network 2 by the communication unit 11, before the acceptance start date and time t1. In this case, the control unit 13 determines to grant an incentive to the user 3B. The incentive may be granted in the form of returning profits in the car sharing service to the user. The incentive may be a discount on the usage fee for the car sharing service. The incentive may be points that can be applied to the payment of the usage fee for the car sharing service.

[0047] When another user makes a reservation for car sharing that satisfies the usage conditions, the control unit 13 determines whether the reservation for car sharing is accepted under the desired conditions of the user 3A. The control unit 13 transmits a notification of the acceptance to the terminal device 20A via the network 2 through the communication unit 11.

[0048] The control unit 13 may determine that the car sharing reservation under the desired conditions of the user 3A is not established if another user does not make a reservation for the use of the vehicle so as to satisfy the use conditions by the acceptance start date and time t1 as shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the control unit 13 transmits a non-establishment notice to the terminal device 20A via the network 2 by the communication unit 11, the notice indicating that the car sharing reservation under the desired conditions of the user 3A was not established.

[0049] (Terminal Device Configuration) As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, an output unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0050] The communication unit 21 is configured to include at least one communication module that can be connected to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). However, the communication module is not limited to this. The communication module may be compatible with any communication standard.

[0051] The input unit 22 can receive input from a user. The input unit 22 includes at least one input interface capable of receiving input from a user. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen or a microphone that is integral with a display. However, the input interface is not limited to these.

[0052] The output unit 23 is capable of outputting data. The output unit 23 is configured to include at least one output interface capable of outputting data. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. However, the output interface is not limited to this.

[0053] The storage unit 24 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit 24 may function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 24 stores data used in the operation of the terminal device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the terminal device 20.

[0054] The control unit 25 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 25 executes processes related to the operation of the terminal device 20 while controlling each part of the terminal device 20.

[0055] The functions of the terminal device 20 are realized by executing a terminal program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the control unit 25. That is, the functions of the terminal device 20 are realized by software. The terminal program causes a computer to execute the operations of the terminal device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the terminal device 20. That is, the computer functions as the terminal device 20 by executing the operations of the terminal device 20 in accordance with the terminal program.

[0056] A part or all of the functions of the terminal device 20 may be realized by a dedicated circuit equivalent to the control unit 25. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the terminal device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0057] <Processing of Terminal Device 20A> Hereinafter, the communication unit 21, input unit 22, output unit 23, memory unit 24 and control unit 25 provided in the terminal device 20A will also be referred to as the "communication unit 21A," the "input unit 22A," the "output unit 23A," the "memory unit 24A" and the "control unit 25A," respectively.

[0058] The control unit 25A receives an input instructing the activation of the reservation application through the input unit 22A. When the control unit 25A receives this input through the input unit 22A, the control unit 25A activates the reservation application. After activating the reservation application, the control unit 25A causes the output unit 23A to output a reservation screen 30 as shown in FIG. 4 based on the input of the user 3A received through the input unit 22A. In FIG. 4, the output unit 23A is a display. Furthermore, the input unit 22A is a touch screen provided integrally with the output unit 23A which is a display. The reservation screen 30 includes an area 31, an area 32, and an area 33. The area 31 is an area for inputting a desired start date and time. The area 32 is an area for inputting a desired departure point. The area 33 is an area for inputting a desired destination.

[0059] The control unit 25A receives the desired conditions of the user 3A through the input unit 22A. The control unit 25A transmits the desired conditions of the user 3A to the information processing device 10 via the network 2 through the communication unit 21A.

[0060] After transmitting the desired conditions of user 3A, the control unit 25A receives a success or failure notification from the information processing device 10 via the network 2 through the communication unit 21A. When the control unit 25A receives a success notification, it causes the output unit 23A to output information indicating that the car sharing usage reservation has been made under the desired conditions of user 3A. When the control unit 25A receives a failure notification, it causes the output unit 23A to output information indicating that the car sharing usage reservation has not been made under the desired conditions of user 3A.

[0061] <Processing of Terminal Device 20B> Hereinafter, the communication unit 21, input unit 22, output unit 23, memory unit 24 and control unit 25 provided in terminal device 20B will also be referred to as "communication unit 21B," "input unit 22B," "output unit 23B," "memory unit 24B," and "control unit 25B," respectively.

[0062] The control unit 25B receives an input instructing the activation of the reservation application through the input unit 22B. When the control unit 25B receives this input through the input unit 22B, the control unit 25B activates the reservation application. After activating the reservation application, the control unit 25B causes the output unit 23B to output a reservation screen 40 as shown in FIG. 5 based on the input of the user 3B received through the input unit 22B. In FIG. 5, the output unit 23B is a display. Moreover, the input unit 22B is a touch screen provided integrally with the output unit 23B which is a display. The reservation screen 40 displays the usage conditions under which an incentive is granted as an "incentive target list". For example, the reservation screen 40 includes an area 41 and an area 42. The area 41 displays the usage conditions that the usage start date and time is "a:b" and the departure point is "AAA Station". The area 42 displays the usage conditions that the usage end date and time is "c:d" and the destination is "BBB Station". User 3B looks at these usage conditions output from output unit 23B and considers which usage conditions to select to make a reservation for car sharing.

[0063] The control unit 25B may receive an input for selecting the usage conditions through the input unit 22B. In FIG. 5, the input for selecting the usage conditions is a touch operation by the user 3B on an area where the usage conditions are displayed, such as areas 41 and 42. When the control unit 25B receives an input for selecting the usage conditions through the input unit 22B, the control unit 25B generates an application notification based on the input of the user 3B received through the input unit 22B. The application notification is a notification for applying for a car sharing reservation under the selected usage conditions. The control unit 25B transmits the application notification to the information processing device 10 via the network 2 through the communication unit 21B.

[0064] (Operation of information processing device) Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation executed by the information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 2. This operation corresponds to an example of the information processing method according to the present embodiment. For example, when the desired conditions of the user 3A are transmitted from the terminal device 20A to the information processing device 10, the control unit 13 starts the process of step S1.

[0065] The control unit 13 receives the desired conditions of the user 3A from the terminal device 20A via the network 2 through the communication unit 11 (step S1). When the current date and time becomes date and time t0 as shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 13 determines whether the desired conditions of the user 3A are satisfied based on the status of the car sharing reservation use (step S2).

[0066] If the control unit 13 determines that the desired conditions of the user 3A are satisfied (step S2: YES), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if the control unit 13 determines that the desired conditions of the user 3A are not satisfied (step S2: NO), the process proceeds to step S5.

[0067] In the process of step S3, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the car sharing reservation is established under the desired conditions of the user 3A. In the process of step S4, the control unit 13 transmits a notification of establishment to the terminal device 20A via the network 2 through the communication unit 11.

[0068] In the process of step S5, the control unit 13 generates usage conditions for other users of the car sharing that satisfy the desired conditions of the user 3A.

[0069] In the process of step S6, the control unit 13 notifies the other users of the generated desired conditions as conditions under which an incentive is to be provided.

[0070] In the process of step S7, the control unit 13 judges whether or not the current date and time is the acceptance start date and time t1 as shown in Fig. 3. If the control unit 13 judges that the current date and time is the acceptance start date and time t1 (step S7: YES), the control unit 13 proceeds to the process of step S12. If the control unit 13 judges that the current date and time is not the acceptance start date and time t1 (step S7: NO), the control unit 13 proceeds to the process of step S8.

[0071] In the process of step S8, the control unit 13 judges whether or not an application notification has been received by the communication unit 11 from the terminal device 20 of another user via the network 2. If the control unit 13 judges that an application notification has been received (step S8: YES), the control unit 13 proceeds to the process of step S9. If the control unit 13 judges that an application notification has not been received (step S8: NO), the control unit 13 executes the process of step S7 again.

[0072] In the process of step S9, the control unit 13 determines to grant an incentive to the other user who sent the application notification, i.e., the other user who made a reservation for car sharing so as to satisfy the usage conditions. The control unit 13 may send a notification such as an email notifying the granting of the incentive to the terminal device 20 of the other user via the network 2 by the communication unit 11. By the process of steps S7, 8, and 9, the control unit 13 determines to grant an incentive to the other user if the control unit 13 receives an application notification from the terminal device 20 of the other user before the acceptance start date and time.

[0073] In the process of step S10, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the car sharing reservation is accepted under the desired conditions of the user 3A. In the process of step S11, the control unit 13 transmits a notification of the acceptance to the terminal device 20A via the network 2 through the communication unit 11.

[0074] In the process of step S12, the control unit 13 determines that the car sharing reservation under the desired conditions of the user 3A is not established. If another user does not make a car sharing reservation that satisfies the usage conditions by the acceptance start date and time through the processes of steps S7, S8, and S12, it is determined that the car sharing reservation under the desired conditions of the user 3A is not established.

[0075] In the process of step S13, the control unit 13 transmits a failure notification to the terminal device 20A via the network 2 through the communication unit 11.

[0076] When the control unit 13 has posted the terms of use as the conditions for granting an incentive on the car sharing service site in the process of step S6, the control unit 13 ends the posting of the terms of use in the processes of steps S10 and S12.

[0077] In this way, in the information processing device 10, when the control unit 13 determines that the desired conditions of the user 3A are not satisfied, it generates the use conditions of the other users of the car sharing to satisfy the desired conditions of the user 3A. When the other users make a reservation for car sharing in such a way that the use conditions are satisfied, the control unit 13 decides to grant an incentive to the other users. By granting an incentive, it is possible to motivate the other users to make a reservation for car sharing in such a way that the use conditions are satisfied. With this configuration, the possibility that the desired conditions of the user 3A are satisfied is increased, and therefore the reservation for car sharing becomes easier to be made. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a technology that makes it easier to make a reservation for car sharing.

[0078] Furthermore, in the information processing device 10, the control unit 13 may notify other users of the generated usage conditions as conditions for granting an incentive. By notifying other users of the usage conditions as conditions for granting an incentive, it is possible to increase the motivation of other users to make reservations for car sharing so as to satisfy the usage conditions. This makes it even easier to make reservations for car sharing.

[0079] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0080] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 has been described as being capable of accepting the user's desired conditions up to the acceptance start date and time t1 as shown in Fig. 3. However, when the control unit 13 executes the determination process at the date and time t0 as shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 13 may be capable of accepting the user's desired conditions up to the date and time t0.

[0081] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the car sharing service has been described as a one-way type service. However, the car sharing service is not limited to the one-way type service. As another example, the car sharing service may be a trip type service. In a trip type car sharing service, a vehicle is required to be returned to a station from which the vehicle is rented. In a trip type car sharing service, a reservation for car sharing use may be a reservation for a time frame in which the vehicle is planned to be used. In this case, the user's desired conditions may include a desired time frame in which the user desires to use the vehicle. The desired time frame is, for example, a time period from a desired start date and time to a desired end date and time. In the information processing device 10, the control unit 13 may receive the user's desired time frame as the user's desired conditions from the terminal device 20 via the network 2 by the communication unit 11. If the user's desired time frame has already been reserved by another user based on the status of the car sharing use reservation, the control unit 13 may determine that the user's desired conditions are not met. The control unit 13 may generate a usage condition for changing the reserved time frame to avoid the desired time frame as a usage condition for other users. The control unit 13 may send a notification such as an email indicating the terms of use to the terminal device 20 of the other user via the network 2 by the communication unit 11. In this case, the other user may use the terminal device 20 to shift the reserved time slot forward or backward by 30 minutes to avoid the desired time slot. When the other user changes the reserved time slot to avoid the desired time slot, the control unit 13 may decide to grant an incentive to the other user.

[0082] For example, there may be cases where the control unit 13 receives the same desired conditions multiple times from different users. In this case, the control unit 13 may accept only the desired conditions that were received earliest among the multiple desired conditions.

[0083] For example, an embodiment is also possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the information processing device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Information Processing Systems 2 Network 3A,3B User 10. Information processing device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control section 20, 20A, 20B Terminal equipment 21,21A,21B Communication Department 22, 22A, 22B Input section 23,23A,23B output section 24,24A,24B Storage section 25, 25A, 25B Control section 30,40 Reservation screen 31,32,33,41,42 area

Claims

1. The Communications Department and a control unit that receives desired conditions desired by a user for a car sharing reservation by the communication unit before a start date and time of accepting reservations for the car sharing service, and accepts the desired conditions of the user as a pre-reservation, The desired conditions include a desired end date and time and a desired destination, The control unit is determining whether or not the desired conditions for pre-reservation of the user are satisfied before a set time from the acceptance start date and time; If it is determined that there is no parking space available for parking the vehicle at the desired destination at the desired end date and time before the desired start date and time at which the user wishes to start using the vehicle, it is determined that the desired conditions for the pre-reservation of the user are not satisfied; When it is determined that the desired conditions of the pre-reservation of the user are not satisfied, a usage condition of another user of the car sharing for satisfying the desired conditions is generated, the usage condition being a condition in which the desired end date and time is a usage start date and time and the desired destination is a departure point; When the usage conditions are generated, notifying other users of the generated usage conditions as conditions for granting an incentive; The information processing device determines, when another user makes a reservation for car sharing so as to satisfy the usage conditions, to provide an incentive to the other user.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines that the user's reservation for use of the car sharing service is established under the desired conditions of the pre-reservation of the user when the other user makes a reservation for use of the car sharing service so as to satisfy the usage conditions.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, when determining that the desired conditions for the pre-reservation of the user are satisfied, determines to establish the utilization reservation of the user under the desired conditions for the pre-reservation of the user.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit notifies other users of the terms of use by publishing the terms of use on a site of a car sharing service.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit notifies the other user of the usage conditions by transmitting a notification indicating the usage conditions to the terminal device of the other user via the communication unit.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the other user is a member who is registered in advance in a car sharing service.

7. The desired conditions include a desired departure point, The control unit is If it is determined that there is no vehicle available for rental at the desired departure location at the desired start date and time, it is determined that the desired conditions for the pre-reservation of the user are not satisfied; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the usage condition is a condition that the desired start date and time is set as a usage end date and time, and the desired departure point is set as a destination.

8. The desired conditions include a desired time frame, The control unit determines that the desired condition for pre-reservation of the user is not satisfied when the desired time slot has already been reserved by another user, The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the use condition is a condition that a reserved time slot is changed so as to avoid the desired time slot.

9. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the incentive is a discount on a usage fee for a car sharing service.

10. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the incentive is points that can be applied to payment of a usage fee for a car sharing service.

11. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and a terminal device of the user.

12. The information processing device receives desired conditions desired by a user regarding a car sharing reservation before a start date and time at which the acceptance of reservations for the car sharing service begins, and accepts the desired conditions of the user as a pre-reservation, the desired conditions including a desired end date and time and a desired destination; The information processing device determines whether or not the user's desired conditions for pre-reservation are satisfied a set time before the acceptance start date and time, and when it is determined that there is no parking space available for parking the vehicle at the desired destination at the desired end date and time before the desired start date and time at which the user wishes to start using the vehicle, it determines that the user's desired conditions for pre-reservation are not satisfied; When the information processing device determines that the desired conditions for the pre-reservation of the user are not satisfied, it generates usage conditions for other users of car sharing to satisfy the desired conditions, the usage conditions being a condition in which the desired end date and time is a usage start date and time and the desired destination is a departure point; When the information processing device generates the use conditions, the information processing device notifies other users of the generated use conditions as conditions for granting an incentive; The information processing method includes determining, by the information processing device, to grant an incentive to the other user when the other user makes a reservation for car sharing in such a way as to satisfy the usage conditions.

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