Information provision system, information provision method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information providing system, an information providing method, and a program that provide more appropriate information, regarding the use of vehicles.SOLUTION: In an information providing system, a vehicle 100 estimates weight information including weight of occupants of the vehicle and weight of objects loaded on the vehicle, estimates an amount of energy consumption of a power source mounted on the vehicle, acquires vehicle information including at least one of travel distance for detecting travel distance of the vehicle, vehicle acceleration, and positional information on the vehicle, and transmits the estimated weight information and amount of energy consumption, and the acquired vehicle information to an information providing server 300. The server 300 estimates a consideration corresponding to the use of the vehicle based on at least one of the received weight information, amount of energy consumption, and vehicle information, and provides an estimated result to a terminal device 500 or 700 possessed by an owner or a user of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing system, an information providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are known techniques relating to navigation devices and on-board computing devices that divide the cost required for traveling a vehicle among the number of passengers to calculate the amount per person (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-133420 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional technology does not take into consideration a mechanism for estimating the compensation for vehicle use or the residual value of the vehicle according to the vehicle usage state, etc. Therefore, there are cases where appropriate information regarding the vehicle cannot be provided to the owner or user.

[0005] The aspects of the present invention have been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one of the objects is to provide an information provision system, an information provision method, and a program that can provide more appropriate information regarding vehicle use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information providing system, the information providing method, and the program according to the present invention employ the following configuration. (1): An information provision system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle and a server that communicates with the vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a weight estimation unit that estimates weight information including the weight of an occupant of the vehicle and the weight of an object loaded on the vehicle, an energy consumption estimation unit that estimates the energy consumption of a power source mounted on the vehicle, a vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information including at least one of a mileage detection unit for detecting a mileage of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and a position information of the vehicle, and a vehicle-side communication unit that communicates with the server, and the server includes an estimation unit that estimates a fee corresponding to the use of the vehicle based on at least one of the weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information transmitted by the vehicle-side communication unit, and a provision unit that provides the result estimated by the estimation unit to a terminal device carried by an owner or user of the vehicle.

[0007] (2): In the above aspect (1), the estimation unit estimates the compensation for the section from when the user gets in the vehicle to when he or she gets out of the vehicle, or for the period from when the vehicle is loaned to the user to when it is returned.

[0008] (3): In the above aspect (1) or (2), the vehicle further includes a contact estimation unit that estimates contact between the vehicle and an object based on the acceleration, and the estimation unit estimates the consideration based on the result estimated by the contact estimation unit.

[0009] (4): In any one of the above aspects (1) to (3), the vehicle further includes a storage condition estimation unit that estimates a storage condition of the vehicle based on location information of the vehicle, and the estimation unit estimates the consideration based on the result estimated by the storage condition estimation unit.

[0010] (5): In the above aspect (4), the storage condition estimation unit estimates that the vehicle is stored indoors when the vehicle is located above or below the ground level by a predetermined distance or more based on the location information.

[0011] (6): In any one of the above aspects (1) to (5), the server further includes a rental determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is being rented out to a user other than the owner, and the rental determination unit determines that the vehicle is being rented out to the user when the vehicle is moving within a predetermined distance from a terminal device carried by a user other than the owner.

[0012] (7): In the above aspect (6), when the rental determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a rental state to the user, the estimation unit estimates the remuneration if the user uses the vehicle under conditions different from the estimated conditions of the remuneration if the owner uses the vehicle.

[0013] (8): In any one of the above aspects (1) to (7), the estimation unit estimates a residual value of the vehicle based on at least one of the weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information transmitted by the vehicle-side communication unit.

[0014] (9): Another aspect of the present invention is an information provision method in which a computer acquires weight information including the weight of a vehicle's occupants and the weight of an object loaded on the vehicle, acquires energy consumption of a power source installed in the vehicle, acquires vehicle information including at least one of a mileage to detect a mileage of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and a position information of the vehicle, estimates a compensation for use of the vehicle based on at least one of the acquired weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information, and provides information regarding the estimated compensation to a terminal device carried by an owner or user of the vehicle.

[0015] (10): Another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to acquire weight information including the weight of a vehicle's occupants and the weight of an object loaded on the vehicle, acquire energy consumption of a power source installed in the vehicle, acquire vehicle information including at least one of a mileage detecting a mileage of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and a position information of the vehicle, estimate a compensation for use of the vehicle based on at least one of the acquired weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information, and provide information regarding the estimated compensation to a terminal device carried by an owner or user of the vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the above aspects (1) to (10), more appropriate information regarding the vehicle can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information providing system 1 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a vehicle-side estimation unit 180. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an information providing server 300 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the contents of a user information DB 372. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a first terminal device 500 according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the accelerator opening and the acceleration for each number of passengers. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram for explaining the function of a contact estimation unit 185. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram for explaining acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle 100 in the traveling direction (X direction). [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the contents of a consideration table 374. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between time and residual value. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a residual value and a deterioration index. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining residual value estimation when lending from an owner to a borrower. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of a process executed by the information providing system. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process executed by the information providing server 300. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information providing system, an information providing method, and a program of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle used in the information providing system of the embodiment is, for example, a two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or four-wheeled vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle may be a vehicle that is driven by the owner of the vehicle, or a vehicle that is driven by a user other than the owner to whom the vehicle is loaned. In the following description, the vehicle is assumed to be a two-wheeled vehicle.

[0019] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information providing system 1 according to an embodiment. The information providing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a vehicle 100, an information providing server 300, a first terminal device 500, and a second terminal device 700. The vehicle 100, the information providing server 300, the first terminal device 500, and the second terminal device 700 are communicably connected, for example, via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a provider device, a wireless base station, and the like. The information providing system 1 may include one or more of each of the vehicle 100, the first terminal device 500, and the second terminal device 700. Also, in the example of FIG. 1, user U1 is, for example, the owner of vehicle 100, and user U2 is, for example, a passenger sharing the vehicle 100 driven by user U1, or a borrower (or a borrowee) of vehicle 100 loaned from user U1. Vehicle 100 may be used by user U1. Information providing server 300 is an example of a "server." First terminal device 500 and second terminal device 700 are examples of "terminal devices."

[0020] The vehicle 100 is, for example, a saddle-type two-wheeled vehicle that runs on power output in response to the operation of an internal combustion engine that runs on fuel such as gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen. The vehicle 100 may also be an electric two-wheeled vehicle that runs on an electric motor driven by power supplied from a battery. The battery is, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery (LIB), a nickel-metal hydride battery, or an all-solid-state battery. The vehicle 100 may also be a hybrid vehicle that uses the above-mentioned internal combustion engine or electric motor as a drive source. The fuel and the battery are examples of a power source (energy) mounted on the vehicle 100. In the following, the vehicle 100 will be described as a saddle-type two-wheeled vehicle that can run on power output by the operation of an internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline.

[0021] The information providing server 300 receives information transmitted from the vehicle 100, and estimates the compensation for the users U1 and U2's use of the vehicle 100, the residual value of the vehicle 100, and the like, based on the received information. The residual value is, for example, the remaining price of the vehicle 100, and is an index value indicating the current value of the vehicle 100. The residual value may also be, for example, an estimated appraisal price at the time of sale. The information providing server 300 also provides the estimated information and the like to the first terminal device 500, the second terminal device 700, and the like. The information providing server 300 may also provide the estimated information and the like to the vehicle 100.

[0022] The first terminal device 500 is a communication terminal carried by a user U1. The second terminal device 700 is a communication terminal carried by a user U2. The first terminal device 500 or the second terminal device 700 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The configurations of the vehicle 100, the information providing server 300, the first terminal device 500, and the second terminal device 700 will be specifically described below.

[0023] [Vehicle 100] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment. The vehicle 100 includes, for example, a fuel storage unit 110, an engine 120, a vehicle control unit 130, a driving force output device 140, a vehicle sensor 150, an HMI (Human machine Interface) 160, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 170, a vehicle side estimation unit 180, a vehicle information acquisition unit 190, and a vehicle side communication unit 200. The vehicle control unit 130, the vehicle side estimation unit 180, and the vehicle information acquisition unit 190 are each realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as a large scale integration (LSI), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. Some or all of the functions of these components may be realized by a dedicated LSI. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (storage device having a non-transient storage medium) such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory provided in the vehicle 100, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and the storage medium may be installed in the HDD or flash memory provided in the vehicle 100 by being attached to a drive device provided in the vehicle 100.

[0024] The fuel storage unit 110 is a tank that stores fuel (an example of energy) such as gasoline. The engine 120 is an internal combustion engine that outputs power by burning fuel such as gasoline. The engine 120 is, for example, a reciprocating engine that includes a cylinder and a piston, an intake valve, an exhaust valve, a fuel injector, an ignition plug, a connecting rod, a crankshaft, and the like. The engine 120 outputs power according to the fuel supplied based on, for example, the accelerator opening.

[0025] The vehicle control unit 130 acquires information such as the detection result of the vehicle sensor 150 and the position of the vehicle 100 from the GNSS receiver 170. Based on the acquired information, the vehicle control unit 130 controls the driving force output device 140 in response to an operation by a user U1 or U2 on an operator that accepts driving operations for steering and speed of the vehicle 100, or by autonomous driving. The vehicle control unit 130 outputs the position information of the vehicle 100 acquired from the GNSS receiver 170, the vehicle type information of the vehicle 100, and the like to the vehicle information acquisition unit 190. The vehicle control unit 130 may also manage the on / off state and the driving state (presence or absence of an error, etc.) of the engine 120. The vehicle control unit 130 may also control the contents of the output by the HMI 160, or perform control based on the information received by the HMI 160.

[0026] The driving force output device 140 outputs a driving force (torque) for causing the vehicle 100 to travel to the driving wheels, based on the power output by the engine 120, for example.

[0027] The vehicle sensor 150 includes a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor (three-axis G sensor), a rotation speed sensor, an odometer, a distance sensor (distance traveled from a reset position or a reference position), and various other sensors mounted on the vehicle 100. The vehicle sensor 150 may also include, for example, an accelerator opening sensor and a brake sensor. The accelerator opening sensor is attached to an operator (for example, an accelerator lever) that receives an acceleration instruction from the driver. The accelerator opening sensor detects the amount of operation of the accelerator lever and detects the detected amount of operation as the accelerator opening. The brake sensor is attached to a brake lever or a brake pedal. The brake sensor detects the amount of operation of the brake lever or the brake pedal and detects the detected amount of operation as a brake depression amount. The vehicle sensor 150 may also include, for example, a throttle opening sensor of the engine 120, a fuel discharge sensor that measures the amount of fuel discharged from the fuel storage unit 110, a suspension stroke sensor, and a suspension vibration input sensor that detects vibration input from the road surface to the suspension.

[0028] The vehicle sensor 150 may also include a weight sensor that detects the weight of passengers riding in the vehicle 100 and objects loaded on the vehicle 100. The weight sensor detects the load on each of the seat ST, the loading platform LP, or the basket BK of the vehicle 100, for example. If the seat ST of the vehicle 100 is, for example, a double seat that can accommodate two people, the weight sensor may detect the load separately on the front side and the rear side of the vehicle 100, and if the seat ST is divided into a front seat and a rear seat, the weight sensor may detect the load on each seat. The vehicle sensor 150 may also include an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance around the vehicle 100 and an air temperature sensor that detects the outside air temperature.

[0029] The vehicle sensor 150 may also include an energy remaining amount detection sensor that detects the remaining amount (volume) of fuel stored in the fuel storage unit 110. The vehicle sensor 150 may also include an oil remaining amount detection sensor that detects the remaining amount (volume) of engine oil in the vehicle 100. The engine oil, for example, allows the engine 120 to run smoothly, absorbs heat inside the engine to prevent overheating, removes dirt from inside the engine, and prevents rust caused by moisture and acid in the engine.

[0030] The vehicle sensor 150 outputs the detection results of each sensor, etc., to the vehicle control unit 130 and the vehicle information acquisition unit 190 at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing includes, for example, timing based on a predetermined cycle, timing requested by the information providing server 300, timing instructed by the user, etc. The predetermined cycle may be, for example, a fixed cycle (one day, one week), etc., or one driving cycle (hereinafter referred to as "1DC"). 1DC is, for example, a cycle based on driving from a departure point to a destination, or driving from picking up a passenger to getting off the vehicle.

[0031] Under the control of the vehicle control unit 130, the HMI 160 outputs various information (e.g., information obtained from the vehicle control unit 130, the vehicle sensor 150, the information providing server 300, etc.) to users U1 and U2 of the vehicle 100, and also accepts input operations by the users U1 and U2. The HMI 160 includes, for example, various display devices such as a meter display unit (which may be a touch panel), a speaker, a microphone, switches, etc. The input operations by the occupants include, for example, the occupant's identification information (authentication information), the number of passengers, the start and end of lending, the start and end of carpooling, etc. Furthermore, the input operations by the occupants may be touch input operations using a touch panel, or may be voice input operations.

[0032] The GNSS receiver 170 measures the position of the vehicle 100 based on radio waves arriving from GNSS satellites such as GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. The position information measured by the GNSS receiver 170 includes latitude and longitude. The position information may also include height position information of the vehicle 100 from a reference plane (for example, the ground line).

[0033] The vehicle-side estimation unit 180 estimates the usage status, storage state, and the like of the vehicle 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle-side estimation unit 180. The vehicle-side estimation unit 180 includes, for example, a weight estimation unit 181, an energy consumption estimation unit 182, a passenger number estimation unit 183, a storage state estimation unit 184, and a contact estimation unit 185. The weight estimation unit 181 estimates weight information including the weight of the occupant of the vehicle 100 and the weight of the object loaded on the vehicle 100 based on, for example, the detection result of a weight sensor included in the vehicle sensor 150. For example, the weight estimation unit 181 determines the load applied to the seat ST of the vehicle 100 detected by the weight sensor as the weight of the occupant, and the load applied to the loading platform LP or basket BK as the weight of the object loaded on the vehicle 100.

[0034] The energy consumption estimation unit 182 estimates the energy consumption in a predetermined section. The predetermined section is, for example, a section from when the user U1 or U2 gets in the vehicle 100 until the user U2 gets off the vehicle, or a period from when the vehicle 100 is lent to the user U2 until the vehicle is returned. The predetermined section may be a predetermined period (for example, one day, one week, one month) or one DC. The energy consumption estimation unit 182 may estimate the amount of change (amount of decrease) of fuel in the predetermined section detected by an energy remaining amount detection sensor included in the vehicle sensor 150 as the energy consumption, or may estimate the energy consumption by performing a calculation such as multiplying or adding a predetermined value to the amount of change. The energy consumption estimation unit 182 may estimate the energy consumption based on the travel distance or travel time of the vehicle 100 in the predetermined section.

[0035] The passenger number estimation unit 183 estimates the number of passengers in the vehicle 100. For example, the passenger number estimation unit 183 estimates the number of passengers based on the weight estimated by the weight estimation unit 181 or the energy consumption estimated by the energy consumption estimation unit 182. The passenger number estimation unit 183 may also inquire of the passenger number of passengers via the HMI 160 of the vehicle 100, the first terminal device 500, or the second terminal device 700, and obtain the number of passengers based on the result of the inquiry. The function of the passenger number estimation unit 183 will be described in detail later.

[0036] The storage state estimation unit 184 estimates the storage state of the vehicle 100 based on the position information of the vehicle 100. For example, the storage state estimation unit 184 estimates the storage state, such as whether the vehicle 100 is stored indoors or outdoors. The function of the storage state estimation unit 184 will be described in detail later.

[0037] The contact estimation unit 185 estimates that the vehicle 100 has come into contact with an object. The object may be, for example, another vehicle, a traffic participant such as a pedestrian, or a road structure (for example, a curb, a median strip, a traffic light, a guardrail, or a traffic sign). The object may also be, for example, an obstacle that impedes the travel of the vehicle 100 (for example, luggage carried by a vehicle ahead, or a tree that has fallen on the road). The contact estimation unit 185 may also estimate the number of times the vehicle 100 has come into contact with an object, the degree of contact, the frequency of contact, and the like. The function of the contact estimation unit 185 will be described in detail later.

[0038] Returning to FIG. 2, the vehicle information acquisition unit 190 acquires the travel distance and acceleration information of the vehicle 100 obtained from the vehicle sensor 150 in a predetermined section. In addition, the vehicle information acquisition unit 190 acquires the position information of the vehicle 100 by the GNSS receiver 170. The vehicle information acquisition unit 190 transmits vehicle information including at least one of the travel distance, acceleration, and position information of the vehicle 100 to the information providing server 300 via the vehicle-side communication unit 200. In addition, the vehicle information acquisition unit 190 may transmit information other than the estimation result of the vehicle-side estimation unit 180 and the travel distance and acceleration information obtained from the vehicle sensor 150 to the information providing server 300 via the vehicle-side communication unit.

[0039] The vehicle-side communication unit 200 includes, for example, a TCU (Telematics Control Unit). The vehicle-side communication unit 200 communicates with the information providing server 300, the first terminal device 500, the second terminal device 700, and other external devices via the network NW.

[0040] [Information providing server 300] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an information providing server 300 according to an embodiment. The information providing server 300 shown in FIG. 4 includes, for example, a server-side communication unit 310, an authentication unit 320, an acquisition unit 330, a lending judgment unit 340, a server-side estimation unit 350, a provision unit 360, and a server-side storage unit 370. The authentication unit 320, the acquisition unit 330, the lending judgment unit 340, the server-side estimation unit 350, and the provision unit 360 are each realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI, ASIC, FPGA, or GPU, or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. Some or all of the functions of these components may be realized by a dedicated LSI. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium) such as a HDD or flash memory equipped in the information providing server 300, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the HDD or flash memory equipped in the information providing server 300 by mounting the storage medium in a drive device equipped in the information providing server 300. The information providing server 300 may be realized in a server device or a storage device incorporated in a cloud computing system. In this case, the functions of the information providing server 300 may be realized by a plurality of server devices and storage devices in the cloud computing system.

[0041] The server-side storage unit 370 may be realized by the above-mentioned various storage devices, or a solid state drive (SSD), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a read only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM). The server-side storage unit 370 stores, for example, a user information database (DB) 372, a consideration table 374, map information 376, a program, and various other information. The user information DB 372 is a database that stores, for each user, information for identifying a user who uses the service provided by the information providing system 1, the authentication process by the authentication unit 320, and the results estimated by the server-side estimation unit 350. The consideration table 374 is information used for calculating the consideration based on the use of the vehicle 100. The map information 376 may include, for example, road information associated with location information, point of interest (POI) information, traffic regulation information, address information (address and zip code), facility information, and telephone number information. The location information may include information on the height (altitude) of the ground (ground line) in addition to latitude and longitude. The map information 376 may be updated as needed by the server-side communication unit 310 communicating with an external device.

[0042] The server side communication unit 310 communicates with the vehicle 100, the first terminal device 500, the second terminal device 700, and other external devices via the network NW.

[0043] The authentication unit 320 registers information about users (users U1, U2, etc.) who use the information provision system 1. For example, when the authentication unit 320 receives a user registration request from the first terminal device 500 or the second terminal device 700, it generates an image for inputting various information included in the user information DB 372, displays it on each terminal device that received the registration request, and acquires the information about the user input from each terminal device. Then, the authentication unit 320 registers the information about the user acquired from each terminal device in the user information DB 372.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the user information DB 372. In the user information DB 372, for example, authentication information for authenticating a user when using a service by the information providing system 1 is associated with information such as address, name, age, sex, contact information, owned vehicle information, use information, and consideration. The authentication information includes, for example, a user ID and a password that are identification information for identifying a user. The authentication information may also include biometric authentication information such as fingerprint information and iris information. The contact information is, for example, address information for communication between a terminal device (first terminal device 500, second terminal device 700) used by the user and the information providing server 300. The contact information may also include the user's telephone number, email address, terminal identification information, and the like. The user information DB 372 may also include information on the user's family structure, occupation, and the like. The information providing server 300 communicates with the user's terminal device based on the contact information and provides various information. The owned vehicle information is information on the vehicle 100 owned by the user. Based on the contact information and the owned vehicle information, the vehicle 100 can be linked to the first terminal device 500 of the owner (user U1). The usage information is information indicating the usage status of the vehicle 100 for each user. The usage status of the vehicle 100 includes, for example, a situation in which the owner uses the vehicle alone (owner single-rider mode), a situation in which the owner shares a ride with a third party (owner-shared ride mode), a situation in which a borrower who has been lent the vehicle 100 uses the vehicle alone (rented single-rider mode), and a situation in which the borrower shares a ride with a third party (rented-shared ride mode). The usage information may include information on the documented vehicle and information on the rider. The usage information may be accumulated together with time information each time the vehicle is used. The consideration is, for example, information on the usage fee of the vehicle 100. The consideration is a consideration estimated by the consideration estimation unit 351. In addition, the user information DB 372 may store information on the residual value of each vehicle owned by the user.

[0045] The authentication unit 320 authenticates a user who uses a service provided by the information provision system 1 based on the user information DB 372. For example, the authentication unit 320 authenticates a user at the timing of receiving a request to use the service (information provision service) according to the embodiment from the vehicle 100 or a terminal device (first terminal device 500, second terminal device 700). For example, when receiving a use request, the authentication unit 320 generates an authentication image for inputting authentication information such as a user ID and a password, and displays the generated image on the HMI 160 or terminal device of the vehicle 100 that made the request, and refers to authentication information in the user information DB 372 based on input authentication information input using the displayed image, and determines whether or not to permit use of the service depending on whether authentication information matching the input authentication information is stored. For example, the authentication unit 320 permits use of the service when authentication information matching the input authentication information is included in the user information DB 372, and performs processing for refusing use of the service or for making a new registration when matching information is not included.

[0046] The acquisition unit 330 acquires information input by an administrator of the information providing server 300, and various information transmitted from the vehicle 100 connected to the network NW, the first terminal device 500, the second terminal device 700, and an external device. For example, the acquisition unit 330 acquires information estimated by the vehicle side estimation unit 180 from the vehicle 100, and vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 190. For example, the acquisition unit 330 acquires at least one of the weight information, energy consumption, and vehicle information estimated by the vehicle side estimation unit 180.

[0047] The lending determination unit 340 determines whether the vehicle 100 is being lent from the owner user U1 to the borrower user U2. For example, based on the location information of the vehicle 100 and the location information of the first terminal device 500 of the user U1, the lending determination unit 340 determines that the owner user U1 is using the vehicle 100 (not lending it out) when the respective location information has moved within a predetermined distance. In addition, the lending determination unit 340 determines that the vehicle 100 is being lent out to the user U2 when the location information of the vehicle 100 and the first terminal device 500 is not within a predetermined distance, and the location information of the vehicle 100 and the second terminal device 700 has moved within a predetermined distance.

[0048] In addition, the lending determination unit 340 may determine that only the owner is using (driving) the vehicle (owner single-rider mode) when only the position information of the first terminal device 500 is moving within a predetermined distance from the position information of the vehicle 100. In addition, the lending determination unit 340 may determine that the owner and a passenger are using the vehicle (owner-rider mode) when not only the position information of the first terminal device 500 but also the position information of other terminal devices are moving within a predetermined distance from the position information of the vehicle 100. In addition, the lending determination unit 340 may determine that the borrower is using (driving) alone (rented single-rider mode) when only the position information of one second terminal device 700 is moving within a predetermined distance from the position information of the vehicle 100. In addition, the lending determination unit 340 may determine that the lending-rider mode is in a case where two or more second terminal devices 700 are moving within a predetermined distance from the position information of the vehicle 100.

[0049] The server-side estimation unit 350 includes, for example, a price estimation unit 351 and a residual value estimation unit 352. The price estimation unit 351 estimates the price according to the use of the vehicle 100 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 330. For example, the price estimation unit 351 estimates the price according to the use of the vehicle 100 based on at least one of the estimation results (for example, weight information, energy consumption) and the vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle 100. In addition, for example, the price estimation unit 351 estimates the price for a predetermined section such as a section from when the user U1 lets the user U2 ride (share) in the vehicle 100 to when the user U2 gets off the vehicle (owner ride-sharing mode section), a section from when the vehicle 100 is lent to the user U2 to when it is returned (rented single-rider mode section), and a section in which the borrower user U2 shares a ride with another person (third party) (rented ride-sharing mode). Details of the function of the price estimation unit 351 will be described later.

[0050] Residual value estimation unit 352 estimates the residual value depreciation amount based on the new car price of vehicle 100, based on the information acquired by acquisition unit 330. Furthermore, residual value estimation unit 352 estimates the residual value of vehicle 100, based on the estimated residual value depreciation amount. The function of residual value estimation unit 352 will be described in detail later.

[0051] The providing unit 360 generates information to be provided for outputting the information estimated by the server-side estimating unit 350 to the first terminal device 500 or the second terminal device 700, and transmits the generated information to the first terminal device 500 or the second terminal device 700. For example, the providing unit 360 generates an image to be displayed on the display of the first terminal device 500 or the second terminal device 700, or a sound to be output from a speaker, as the information to be provided. The image and sound include, for example, information on the consideration and information on the residual value. For example, the providing unit 360 transmits information on the consideration to the second terminal device 700 of the user U2 who pays the consideration for using the vehicle 100, and the first terminal device 500 of the user U1 who is the owner of the vehicle 100. In addition, the providing unit 360 transmits information on the residual value to the first terminal device 500 of the user U1 who is the owner of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the providing unit 360 may generate information for inquiring of the user about the number of passengers or the storage status, and transmit the generated information to the first terminal device 500 and the second terminal device 700. Furthermore, the providing unit 360 may provide the information to be provided to the first terminal device 500 and the second terminal device 700 to the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the information providing server 300 may have a function of mediating settlement between the second terminal device 700 of the user U2 who pays the fee for using the vehicle 100, and the first terminal device 500 of the user U1 who is the owner of the vehicle 100.

[0052] [First terminal device 500 (second terminal device 700)] Next, the configuration of the first terminal device 500 will be described. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the first terminal device 500 according to the embodiment. The first terminal device 500 shown in FIG. 6 includes, for example, a terminal side communication unit 510, an input unit 520, a display 530, a speaker 540, a microphone 550, a position information acquisition unit 555, an imaging unit 560, an application execution unit 570, an output control unit 580, and a terminal side storage unit 590. The position information acquisition unit 555, the application execution unit 570, and the output control unit 580 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). In addition, some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a GPU, or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as a HDD or flash memory (a storage device with a non-transient storage medium), or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device of the first terminal device 500 by inserting the storage medium into a drive device, card slot, etc.

[0053] The terminal side storage unit 590 may be realized by the above-mentioned various storage devices, or an SSD, an EEPROM, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The terminal side storage unit 590 stores, for example, a vehicle use application 592, a program, and various other information.

[0054] The terminal side communication unit 510 communicates with the vehicle 100, the information providing server 300, the second terminal device 700, and other external devices, for example, by using the network NW.

[0055] The input unit 520 accepts input from the user U1 by operating various keys, buttons, etc., for example. The display 530 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. The input unit 520 may be configured integrally with the display 530 as a touch panel. The display 530 displays various information in the embodiment under the control of the output control unit 580. The speaker 540 outputs a predetermined sound, for example, under the control of the output control unit 580. The microphone 550 accepts voice input from the user U1, for example, under the control of the output control unit 580.

[0056] The position information acquisition unit 555 acquires position information of the first terminal device 500 by a built-in GPS device (not shown). The position information may be, for example, latitude and longitude information, or may include height information from a reference plane such as a grind line in addition to the latitude and longitude. The position information acquisition unit 555 may also acquire the moving direction and moving speed of the first terminal device 500.

[0057] The imaging unit 560 is, for example, a digital camera using a solid-state imaging element (image sensor) such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The imaging unit 560 captures an image of the user U1 or a passenger (fellow passenger) by, for example, an operation by the user U1.

[0058] The application execution unit 570 is realized by executing a vehicle usage application 592 stored in the terminal-side storage unit 590. The vehicle usage application 592 is an application program that controls the output control unit 580 to output consideration information, residual value information, inquiry information, and the like provided by the information providing server 300 to the display 530 or from the speaker 540. In addition, the vehicle usage application 592 may output information indicating the start or end of an application, information indicating the start or end of use or lending, various types of error information, and the like from the display 530 or the speaker 540.

[0059] The vehicle usage application 592 is, for example, downloaded from an external device via the network NW and installed in the first terminal device 500. The vehicle usage application 592 displays an authentication screen or the like on the display 530 during authentication, and transmits information input by the input unit 520 to the information providing server 300 via the terminal side communication unit 510. In addition, the vehicle usage application 592 outputs, to the information providing server 300, location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 555, images captured by the imaging unit 560, various information processed by the vehicle usage application 592, and the like, via the network NW.

[0060] Under the control of application execution unit 570, output control unit 580 controls the content and display mode of images displayed on display 530, and the content and output mode of audio output from speaker 540.

[0061] Since the second terminal device 700 has a similar configuration to that of the first terminal device 500, a detailed description of the configuration of the second terminal device 700 will be omitted. In the case of the second terminal device 700, the above-mentioned "user U1" will be read as "user U2".

[0062] [Estimated number of passengers] Next, the function of the passenger number estimation unit 183 will be described in detail. The passenger number estimation unit 183 estimates the number of passengers based on, for example, weight information estimated by the weight estimation unit 181. For example, the passenger number estimation unit 183 estimates the number of passengers to be one when the magnitude of the load on the seat ST is equal to or greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold, and estimates the number of passengers to be two when the magnitude of the load on the seat ST is equal to or greater than the second threshold. In addition, when the seat ST is a double seat, the passenger number estimation unit 183 may estimate that one passenger is riding on the vehicle when the magnitude of the load on either the front or rear of the seat is equal to or greater than a threshold, and may estimate that two passengers are riding on the vehicle when the magnitudes of the load on both the front and rear of the seat are equal to or greater than a threshold. In addition, when the seat is divided into a front seat and a rear seat, the passenger number estimation unit 183 may estimate that one passenger is riding on the vehicle when only the magnitude of the load on the front seat is equal to or greater than a threshold, and may estimate that two passengers are riding on the vehicle when the magnitudes of the load on both the front seat and the rear seat are equal to or greater than a threshold. Furthermore, the passenger number estimation unit 183 may estimate the number of passengers by providing one or more seating sensors on each of the front seat and the rear seat. For example, in a country where two or more passengers are permitted to ride in a vehicle, in the case of a vehicle with two passengers on the front seat, the passenger number estimation unit 183 may estimate the number of passengers on the front seat based on the detection results of multiple seating sensors provided on the front seat.

[0063] The passenger number estimation unit 183 may estimate the number of passengers based on the relationship between the accelerator opening acquired by the accelerator opening detection sensor included in the vehicle sensor 150 and the acceleration in the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 detected by the acceleration sensor. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the accelerator opening and the acceleration for each number of passengers. In the example of FIG. 7, the ratio of the increase in acceleration after t seconds to the increase in the accelerator opening in the case of one passenger and the case of two passengers is shown. In the example of FIG. 7, the increase in acceleration based on the increase in the accelerator opening is smaller in the case of two passengers than in the case of one passenger. In other words, the time response based on the accelerator opening is slower in the case of two passengers than in the case of one passenger. Therefore, the passenger number estimation unit 183 can estimate whether the vehicle 100 is currently being used by one passenger or two passengers by referring to the graph of FIG. 7 based on the actual accelerator opening and acceleration acquired from the vehicle 100.

[0064] 7 differs depending on the type of vehicle 100. Therefore, the number of passengers estimation unit 183 may obtain the relationship between the accelerator opening and acceleration associated with the vehicle type information, etc., obtained from the vehicle 100 from the information providing server 300, and estimate the number of passengers based on the obtained information.

[0065] Also, depending on the vehicle model, there may be cases where there is no difference (or only a small difference) in the relationship between the accelerator opening and the acceleration for each number of passengers. In this case, the number-of-passengers estimation unit 183 may cause the vehicle control unit 130 to output information inquiring about the number of passengers to the HMI 160 or the user's terminal device (the first terminal device 500, the second terminal device 700). In this case, for example, when the vehicle 100 stops in a predetermined section, the vehicle control unit 130 causes the HMI 160 to display inquiry information such as "How many passengers are there now?" and accepts input of the number of passengers by the user's operation of the HMI 160. In addition to the inquiry about the number of passengers, the vehicle control unit 130 may also request input of information identifying the user (for example, a user ID) and capture of a face image of the user by the imaging unit 560.

[0066] Furthermore, the passenger number estimation unit 183 may estimate the number of passengers using the relationship between the opening degree of the engine 120 and a three-axis G sensor (front-rear G sensor) or a vehicle speed differential value, instead of the relationship between the access opening degree and the acceleration. The passenger number estimation unit 183 may estimate the number of passengers based on the relationship between the fuel discharge amount and the acceleration, or the magnitude or fluctuation value of a value obtained from a suspension stroke sensor or the like. The passenger number estimation unit 183 may also estimate the usage time based on the estimated number of passengers. The passenger number estimation unit 183 may also estimate the overcapacity difference or the usage time in an overcapacity state based on the capacity number preset in the vehicle 100 and the estimated number of passengers.

[0067] [Estimated storage conditions] Next, the details of the function of the storage state estimation unit 184 will be described. For example, the storage state estimation unit 184 estimates the storage state of the vehicle 100 based on the position information of the vehicle 100 acquired by the GNSS receiver 170, the reception state of the GNSS receiver 170, and the detection results of the illuminance sensor and the temperature sensor included in the vehicle sensor 150. For example, the storage state estimation unit 184 refers to the map information 376 based on the latitude and longitude information included in the position information of the vehicle 100, and acquires the position of a reference position (for example, a road surface or a ground line) associated with the latitude and longitude. In addition, the storage state estimation unit 184 compares the acquired position with the height information of the vehicle 100, and determines whether or not the height of the vehicle 100 is above or below the reference position by a predetermined distance (for example, 3 to 5 [m]) or more. If it is the predetermined distance or more, the storage state estimation unit 184 estimates that the vehicle 100 is stored indoors (for example, an indoor parking lot), and if it is less than the predetermined distance, estimates that the vehicle 100 is stored outdoors. In this way, the storage condition of the vehicle 100 can be appropriately determined based on the distance of the vehicle 100 from the reference position.

[0068] Furthermore, the storage state estimation unit 184 may estimate that the vehicle 100 is stored indoors when an error between the altitude data obtained by the GNSS receiver 170 and the altitude of the map information based on the position information of the vehicle 100 is equal to or greater than a predetermined error. Furthermore, the storage state estimation unit 184 may estimate that the vehicle 100 is stored indoors when, for example, the vehicle 100 is in an engine-off state and the reception state of the GNSS receiver 170 is poor and the position information cannot be received, and may estimate that the vehicle 100 is stored outdoors when the vehicle 100 is in an engine-off state and the position information can be acquired by the GNSS receiver 170.

[0069] In addition, the storage condition estimation unit 184 may acquire an outside air temperature (Web outside air temperature) associated with the location information from an external device connected to the network NW based on the location information of the vehicle 100, compare the acquired Web outside air temperature with the outside air temperature acquired from an air temperature sensor included in the vehicle sensor 150, and infer that the vehicle 100 is stored indoors if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to a threshold, and infer that the vehicle 100 is stored outdoors if the temperature difference is less than the threshold.

[0070] Furthermore, the storage state estimation unit 184 may estimate that the vehicle 100 is stored indoors when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor included in the vehicle sensor 150 is within a threshold value, and may estimate that the vehicle 100 is stored outdoors when the illuminance is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Note that the storage state estimation unit 184 may perform the estimation using the illuminance described above only during a predetermined time period (for example, during daylight hours or a time period from 7:00 to 17:00). Furthermore, the storage state estimation unit 184 may change the threshold value to be compared with the illuminance depending on the position information of the vehicle 100 and the weather.

[0071] The storage state estimation unit 184 may also cause the vehicle control unit 130 to output information inquiring about the storage state to the HMI 160 or the user's terminal device (the first terminal device 500, the second terminal device 700). In this case, the vehicle control unit 130 causes the HMI 160 to display inquiry information such as "Is the vehicle stored indoors?" at the timing when the engine 120 of the vehicle 100 changes from an on state to an off state or from an on state to an off state, and accepts input of a response by the user's operation of the HMI 160. The storage state estimation unit 184 may estimate the storage state by combining two or more of the above-mentioned estimation methods. The storage state estimation unit 184 may also estimate the storage time (indoor storage time, outdoor storage time) in the estimated storage state.

[0072] [Contact Estimation] Next, the function of the contact estimation unit 185 will be described in detail. The contact estimation unit 185 estimates that the vehicle 100 has come into contact with an object, for example, based on acceleration information included in the vehicle sensor 150. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the function of the contact estimation unit 185. The horizontal axis of FIG. 8 indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the resultant acceleration of the three-axis G sensor. If the accelerations measured on each axis of the three-axis acceleration are X, Y, and Z, the resultant acceleration can be expressed as, for example, √(X 2 +Y 2 +Z 2 The contact estimation unit 185 estimates that the vehicle 100 has come into contact with an object when the resultant acceleration is equal to or greater than a threshold value Th1, and estimates that the vehicle 100 has not come into contact with an object when the resultant acceleration is less than the threshold value Th1.

[0073] Furthermore, when the resultant acceleration becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1, the contact estimation unit 185 acquires a difference ΔG between the threshold value Th1 and the maximum value of the acceleration, and estimates the degree of contact based on the magnitude of the acquired difference ΔG. In this case, the contact estimation unit 185 increases the degree of contact as the difference ΔG increases. Furthermore, the contact estimation unit 185 may acquire the number of times or frequency that the resultant acceleration becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1 within a predetermined period of time.

[0074] Note that the contact estimation unit 185 may compare each acceleration of each axis with a threshold instead of the composite acceleration to estimate the contact of the vehicle 100 with an object and the degree, number, frequency, etc. of the contact. The contact estimation unit 185 may also compare each acceleration or deceleration with a threshold to estimate contact between the vehicle 100 and an object. Note that when the continuous time during which the acceleration or deceleration is equal to or greater than the threshold (acceleration duration, deceleration duration) is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, the contact estimation unit 185 may estimate the number of accelerations, decelerations, etc., assuming that acceleration or deceleration has simply been caused by an operation by the occupant, rather than that there has been contact.

[0075] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the state of acceleration or deceleration in the traveling direction (X direction) of the vehicle 100. The horizontal axis of FIG. 9 indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates acceleration (positive acceleration) and deceleration (negative acceleration). For example, when the acceleration in the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 is equal to or greater than a threshold value Th2 and the duration of the acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, the contact estimation unit 185 determines that the occupant has accelerated, and estimates the number of accelerations and the duration of the acceleration. In addition, when the deceleration in the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 is equal to or greater than a threshold value Th3 and the duration of the deceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, the contact estimation unit 185 determines that the occupant has decelerated, and estimates the number of decelerations and the duration of the deceleration.

[0076] [Estimate of Consideration] Next, the function of the consideration estimation unit 351 will be described in detail. The consideration estimation unit 351 estimates the consideration for the use of the vehicle 100 in a predetermined section using at least one of the information estimated by the vehicle side estimation unit 180 transmitted from the vehicle 100 and the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 190. For example, when the rental determination unit 340 determines that the vehicle 100 is in a state of being rented to the user U2, the consideration estimation unit 351 estimates the consideration when the user U2 uses the vehicle 100 under conditions different from the estimated conditions of the consideration when the user U1 uses the vehicle. In this case, the consideration estimation unit 351 estimates the consideration by referring to, for example, a consideration table 374 stored in the server side storage unit 370.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the price table 374. The price table 374 shown in FIG. 10 includes a price table for a case where the vehicle 100 is used for carpooling and a case where the vehicle is used for lending to a person other than the owner. Carpooling includes, for example, a case where the owner user U1 allows a user U2 to ride along, and a case where the user U2 who is lent the vehicle 100 allows a third party to ride along. The price table for carpooling is, for example, information in which the price is associated with weight information, energy consumption, contact degree, and vehicle information. Also, the price table for lending is information in which the price is associated with weight information, energy consumption, contact degree, storage state, and vehicle information. The vehicle information includes, for example, at least one of the travel distance, information on acceleration, and location information. The information on acceleration may include information on the number of accelerations, the duration of acceleration, the number of decelerations, and the duration of deceleration. The location information may include information on the traveled position (traveling conditions, the presence or absence of a bad road), altitude information, and the like.

[0078] The consideration estimation unit 351 may estimate the consideration based on at least one of the information shown in Fig. 10. For example, the consideration estimation unit 351 estimates the consideration based on at least one of weight information, energy consumption, and vehicle information. The consideration estimation unit 351 can estimate a more appropriate consideration by estimating the consideration with reference to a consideration table 374 associated with a usage status (usage mode) based on information acquired from the vehicle 100.

[0079] In addition to (or instead of) the information shown in FIG. 10, the compensation estimation unit 351 may estimate the compensation using the estimation result acquired from the vehicle 100 or other information of the vehicle information. The compensation estimation unit 351 may estimate the compensation using a predetermined calculation formula without using the compensation table 374. For example, the compensation estimation unit 351 may calculate the compensation of the ride-sharing person by calculating "compensation = energy consumption during ride / number of passengers x fuel price of the day" using the estimated results of the energy consumption of the vehicle 100 at the time of use and the number of passengers. The fuel price may be acquired from an external device via the network NW, for example. The compensation estimation unit 351 may calculate the compensation of the ride-sharing person by calculating "compensation = mileage / number of passengers" using the mileage and the number of passengers. The compensation estimation unit 351 may perform a calculation to add the compensation according to the weight of the object loaded on the vehicle 100 included in the weight information.

[0080] In addition, when the borrower user U2 fills up the car with energy such as gasoline during the rental period, the consideration estimation unit 351 may subtract the amount paid by the user U2 for the fueling from the consideration. The consideration estimation unit 351 stores the estimated residual value in the user information DB 372 or outputs it to the provision unit 360.

[0081] [Estimated Residual Value] Next, the function of the residual value estimation unit 352 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between time and residual value. The horizontal axis of FIG. 11 indicates the usage time of the vehicle 100, and the vertical axis indicates the residual value. FIG. 11 also shows the decrease in the residual value based on the new car price P1 over time when the vehicle 100 is always used by one person and when it is always used by two people. Time T1 indicates the cumulative usage time from the time of purchase of the new car until it is estimated that the vehicle cannot run due to a malfunction or the like when it is always used by two people. Time T2 indicates the cumulative usage time from the time of purchase of the new car until it is estimated that the vehicle cannot run due to a malfunction or the like when it is always used by one person. The cumulative usage time is calculated by summing up the usage time for each number of passengers estimated by the passenger number estimation unit 183 for each vehicle 100.

[0082] The residual value estimation unit 352 can estimate the residual value of the vehicle 100 by, for example, referring to Fig. 11 based on the number of passengers and the usage time estimated by the number of passengers estimation unit 183. Note that the vehicle 100 may be used, for example, as a single-seater, but may be temporarily used as a two-seater. In this case, the amount of decrease in the residual value is greater compared to when the vehicle is always used as a single-seater. Conversely, when the vehicle is always used as a two-seater, but is temporarily used as a single-seater, the rate of decrease in the residual value is smaller compared to when the vehicle is always used as a two-seater.

[0083] Furthermore, the residual value estimation unit 352 may estimate the residual value using other estimation results or vehicle information acquired from the vehicle 100 instead of (or in addition to) the information on the number of passengers. In this case, for example, a residual value table (not shown) in which "compensation" included in the compensation table 374 shown in Fig. 10 is replaced with "residual value" is stored in the server-side storage unit 370, and the residual value estimation unit 352 estimates the residual value using the residual value table.

[0084] Furthermore, the residual value estimating unit 352 may calculate the residual value of the vehicle 100 at an arbitrary deterioration index Z, for example, using the residual value estimating formula shown in the following formula (1). Residual value Y=aZ+b-ω1(c1t1)-ω2(t2)-ω3(c3t3)-ω4(c4t4) ···(1)

[0085] In formula (1), ω1 (c1t1), ω2 (t2), ω3 (c3t3), and ω4 (c4t4) are parameters (e.g., monetary amount) indicating the amount of value loss. ω1 to ω5 each indicate a weighting coefficient. c1 indicates the overcapacity difference, and t1 indicates the usage time in the overcapacity state. t2 indicates the number of contacts with objects, c3 indicates the number of accelerations or decelerations, and t4 indicates the duration of acceleration or deceleration. c4t4 indicates the duration of indoor storage. The deterioration index Z is determined, for example, using the mileage or age. a and b are values ​​according to the type of vehicle 100. The deterioration index Z is calculated, for example, by using the following formula (2) where the mileage is x1 and the age is x2. Deterioration index Z = (mileage x 1 / 120000) x 0.5 + (age x 2 / 12) x 0.5 (2)

[0086] In formula (2), 120000 indicates the guaranteed durability value of the mileage [km] set for the vehicle 100, and 12 indicates the guaranteed time [Year] of the aging period set for the vehicle 100.

[0087] The residual value estimation unit 352 may estimate the residual value using information showing the relationship between the residual value and the deterioration index Z. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the residual value and the deterioration index. The horizontal axis of FIG. 12 shows the deterioration index Z, and the vertical axis shows the estimated residual value. In the example of FIG. 12, if the maximum value of the deterioration index Z is set to 10,000 and the estimated residual value Y at the time of a new car is set to the new car purchase price, a graph as shown in FIG. 12 is obtained. Note that the slope of the graph may correspond to the value a in the above formula (1), and the maximum value of the estimated residual value, 600,000, may correspond to the value b in the above formula (1). The residual value estimation unit 352 obtains the estimated residual value by referring to FIG. 12 using the deterioration index Z calculated using the formula (2), for example. Furthermore, the residual value estimation unit 352 estimates the value obtained by subtracting the value loss in the formula (1) from the estimated residual value as the final residual value of the vehicle 100.

[0088] Note that, instead of (or in addition to) the above example, residual value estimating unit 352 may use an amount of money according to the time period during which the remaining amount of engine oil detected by vehicle sensor 150 is less than a predetermined amount as the value loss amount.

[0089] Furthermore, the residual value estimating unit 352 may estimate the residual value when the vehicle 100 is rented or sold, instead of (or in addition to) the above-mentioned residual value estimating method. Each estimation method will be described below.

[0090] [Estimated residual value when loaned from user U1 to user U2] The residual value estimation when the vehicle 100 is lent from the user U1, who is the owner, to the user U2 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the residual value estimation when the vehicle 100 is lent from the owner to the borrower. In the example of FIG. 13, for example, the user U1 lends the vehicle 100 to the user U2. The start of lending may be estimated, for example, when the vehicle use application 592 of the first terminal device 500 selects a lending button displayed on the display 530, or when a change in the characteristics of the vehicle operation of the vehicle 100 is detected and the driver is changed. In addition, when lending is started, the vehicle information acquisition unit 190 acquires the lending date, the remaining amount of fuel (gasoline), the mileage since lending, and the like.

[0091] When the vehicle 100 is used by the borrower user U2, the consideration estimation unit 351 estimates the consideration described above for each DC. In addition, the consideration estimation unit 351 may output the consideration for the entire rental period when the rental ends. The residual value estimation unit 352 estimates the residual value for each DC. In this case, the residual value estimation unit 352 estimates the residual value based on the number of passengers, the residual value estimation based on the contact estimation result, the residual value estimation based on the acceleration information, the remaining oil amount, and other vehicle information, etc., for each DC. Then, when the rental ends, the residual value estimation unit 352 estimates the accumulated deterioration price during the rental period and the residual value based on the accumulated deterioration price. The accumulated deterioration price is calculated by adding the deterioration price of the vehicle 100 for each DC to the deterioration price based on the indoor storage time or the outdoor storage time. The end of the rental is recognized, for example, by the vehicle use application 592 selecting the return button. In this way, even if the vehicle 100 is rented out, the residual value can be estimated.

[0092] [Estimated residual value when vehicle 100 is sold] Next, the residual value estimation when the vehicle 100 is bought and sold will be described. The residual value estimation unit 352 can estimate the residual value based on, for example, the used car market price of the vehicle 100. The used car market price may be acquired from an external device connected to the network NW at a predetermined cycle, or may be acquired from an external device by a user inquiring to the external device via the network NW. The residual value estimation unit 352 may also correct the residual value based on the used car market price. For example, the residual value estimation unit 352 increases the residual value when the market price increases, and decreases the residual value when the market price decreases. The residual value estimation unit 352 sets the residual value to zero (0) when the vehicle 100 is bought and sold to one or more users through used car sales, etc., and is worn out. Note that since the vehicle 100 can be bought and sold in parts even after it is worn out, the minimum value of the residual value may be set to a value greater than zero.

[0093] Furthermore, when the vehicle 100 is sold to a user, the residual value estimation unit 352 may estimate the residual value based on the market price of used cars after the lapse of time. Furthermore, the residual value estimation unit 352 may estimate the residual value of the vehicle 100 by estimating the market price of used cars after the lapse of time, based on the residual value estimation based on the estimation result of the number of passengers estimation unit 183, the residual value estimation based on the estimation result of the contact estimation unit 185, the residual value estimation based on the acceleration and deceleration count, the residual value estimation based on the storage state, the residual value estimation based on the oil change, etc.

[0094] [Processing sequence] Next, a flow of processing executed by the information provision system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the information provision system. In the example of FIG. 14, it is assumed that authentication processing of a user who uses the vehicle 100 is executed, and the user's use is permitted. In the example of FIG. 14, the vehicle 100 causes the vehicle side estimation unit 180 to perform various estimations on the vehicle side based on the user's usage status (step S100), and causes the vehicle information acquisition unit 190 to acquire vehicle information at the time of use (step S102). Next, the vehicle 100 transmits the estimation results and vehicle information to the information provision server 300 (step S104).

[0095] The information providing server 300 receives the information transmitted from the vehicle 100, and performs a consideration estimation and a residual value estimation based on the received information (steps S106, S108). Next, the providing unit 360 transmits information on the estimated consideration and information on the residual value to the terminal device (the first terminal device 500 or the second terminal device 700) of the user who used the vehicle 100 (step S110).

[0096] The terminal device (the first terminal device 500 or the second terminal device 700) receives the information transmitted from the information providing server 300, and displays it on the display 530 or the like, or outputs it as sound from the speaker 540 (step S112). This ends the process of FIG. 14. The information providing server 300 may perform only one of the processes of steps S106 and S108 shown in FIG. 14. The information providing server 300 may transmit information on the consideration and information on the residual value to the vehicle 100, and output them from the HMI 160 of the vehicle 100. The information providing server 300 may also have a function of mediating settlement between the second terminal device 700 of the user U2 who pays the consideration for using the vehicle 100, and the first terminal device 500 of the user U1 who is the owner of the vehicle 100.

[0097] [Process flow for estimating consideration and residual value] Next, among the processes in the information providing server 300, the process particularly related to the consideration estimation process and the residual value estimation process will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process executed by the information providing server 300. In the example of FIG. 15, the lending judgment unit 340 judges whether the vehicle 100 is driven only by the owner based on, for example, the location information of the first terminal device 500, the second terminal device 700, and the location information of the vehicle 100 (step S200). If it is determined that only the owner is driving, the server side estimation unit 350 is set to the single owner mode (step S202). Next, when the 1DC ends (step S204), the residual value estimation unit 352 estimates the residual value of the vehicle 100 based on the information estimated by the vehicle side estimation unit 180, the vehicle information, etc. (step S206). Next, the provision unit 360 provides information related to the estimated residual value to the first terminal device 500 (step S208). This allows the user U1, who is the owner of the vehicle 100, to obtain the residual value of the vehicle 100 each time the vehicle 100 is used.

[0098] In addition, in the process of step S200, if the vehicle is not driven by the owner alone, the rental determination unit 340 determines whether the vehicle 100 is being rented to a user other than the owner (step S210). If it is determined that the vehicle is being rented, the server-side estimation unit 350 determines whether the vehicle 100 is being carpooled (step S212). If it is determined that the vehicle is being carpooled, the server-side estimation unit 350 sets the vehicle to a carpooling mode during rental (step S214). Next, the compensation estimation unit 351 acquires the number of passengers (step S216), and when 1DC ends (step S218), estimates the compensation for the ride-sharer's use of the vehicle 100 based on the estimated information and vehicle information, etc. (step S220). Next, the provision unit 360 provides the estimated compensation to the ride-sharer's terminal device (second terminal device 700) (step S222). This makes it possible to manage the compensation to the ride-sharer even if the borrower is carpooling.

[0099] Also, if it is determined in the process of step S212 that the vehicle is not being shared, the server-side estimation unit 350 sets the vehicle 100 as being in a single-person mode during rental (step S224). Next, when the 1DC ends (step S226), the remuneration estimation unit 351 estimates the remuneration for the borrower's use of the vehicle 100 based on the estimated information, vehicle information, etc. (step S228). Next, the provision unit 360 provides the estimated remuneration to the passenger's terminal device (second terminal device 700) (step S230). After the process of step S222 or S230, the rental determination unit 340 determines whether the rental has ended (step S232). If it is determined that the rental has not ended, the process returns to step S212. When it is determined that the loan has ended, the remaining value estimation unit 352 estimates the remaining value during the loan (step S234) and provides information regarding the estimated remaining value to the first terminal device 500 of the owner (step S236). This allows the owner to grasp the estimated result of the remaining value during the loan.

[0100] Also, if it is determined in the process of step S210 that the vehicle is not being lent, the server-side estimation unit 350 sets the vehicle to owner ride-sharing mode (step S238). Next, the consideration estimation unit 351 acquires the number of passengers (step S240), and when 1DC ends (step S242), estimates the consideration for the ride-sharing person's use of the vehicle 100 based on the estimated information, vehicle information, etc. (step S244). Next, the provision unit 360 provides the estimated consideration to the ride-sharing person's terminal device (second terminal device 700) (step S246). Next, the residual value estimation unit 352 estimates the residual value of the vehicle 100 (step S248). Next, the provision unit 360 provides information on the estimated residual value to the first terminal device 500 (step S250). As a result, even if the owner rides together, it is possible to request the consideration from the ride-sharing person and provide the residual value to the owner. With the above, the process of this flowchart ends. In addition to the above-mentioned processing, the information providing server 300 may also have the function of mediating payments between the second terminal device 700 of user U2, who pays the fee for using the vehicle 100, and the first terminal device 500 of user U1, who is the owner of the vehicle 100.

[0101] [Variations] In the information providing system 1, at least a part of the functions of the vehicle 100 may be provided in the information providing server 300, and at least a part of the functions of the information providing server 300 may be provided in the vehicle 100. For example, some or all of the weight estimation unit 181, the energy consumption estimation unit 182, the number of passengers estimation unit 183, the storage state estimation unit 184, and the contact estimation unit 185 may be provided in the server-side estimation unit 350. In addition, some or all of the rental determination unit 340, the consideration estimation unit 351, and the residual value estimation unit 352 may be provided in the vehicle 100.

[0102] Furthermore, when the ride-sharer or lender has a specific relationship with the owner at the time of sharing or lending the vehicle 100, the consideration estimation unit 351 does not need to estimate the consideration. The specific relationship includes, for example, a special relationship due to family, relatives, or other contract. The residual value estimation unit 352 estimates the residual value even if the ride-sharer or lender has a specific relationship with the owner. Furthermore, although the present embodiment has been described as being for one ride-sharer (two people), it can also be applied to a case where three or more people share a ride.

[0103] According to the embodiment described above, more appropriate information regarding the use of a vehicle can be provided. Specifically, according to the embodiment, a price according to the usage status is calculated based on values ​​detected by various sensors of the vehicle, so that a quantitative price can be requested even when a third party is given a ride in the vehicle or when the vehicle is rented out. Also, according to the embodiment, the residual value of the vehicle can be more appropriately estimated by quantifying the wear and tear of the vehicle according to the usage status of the vehicle. Also, according to the present embodiment, the residual value (such as the degree of wear and tear of the value) of the vehicle due to rental use, carpooling, etc. can be provided to the user. This allows the user to buy and sell vehicles at an appropriate time.

[0104] The above-described embodiment can be expressed as follows. A storage device storing a program; a hardware processor; The hardware processor executes the program stored in the storage device, acquiring weight information including a weight of an occupant of the vehicle and a weight of an object loaded on the vehicle; Obtaining an energy consumption of a power source mounted on the vehicle; Obtaining vehicle information including at least one of a travel distance for detecting a travel distance of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and a position information of the vehicle; estimating a compensation for the use of the vehicle based on at least one of the acquired weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information; providing information about the estimated price to a terminal device carried by an owner or user of the vehicle; An information provision system configured as follows.

[0105] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1...information provision system, 100...vehicle, 110...fuel storage unit, 120...engine, 130...vehicle control unit, 140...driving force output device, 150...vehicle sensor, 160...HMI, 170...GNSS receiver, 180...vehicle side estimation unit, 181...weight estimation unit, 182...energy consumption estimation unit, 183...passenger number estimation unit, 184...storage state estimation unit, 185...contact estimation unit, 190...vehicle information acquisition unit, 200...vehicle side communication unit, 310...server side communication unit, 320...authentication unit, 330...acquisition unit, 340...rental determination unit, 350...server side estimation unit, 351...value estimation unit, 352...residual value estimation unit, 360...provision unit, 370...server side memory unit, 500...first terminal device, 700...second terminal device

Claims

1. An information providing system including a vehicle and a server that communicates with the vehicle, The vehicle is a weight estimation unit that estimates weight information including a weight of an occupant of the vehicle and a weight of an object loaded on the vehicle; an energy consumption estimation unit that estimates an energy consumption of a power source mounted on the vehicle; a vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information including at least one of a travel distance that detects a travel distance of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and a position information of the vehicle; a vehicle-side communication unit that communicates with the server, The server, an estimation unit that estimates a compensation for use of the vehicle based on at least one of the weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information transmitted by the vehicle-side communication unit; a providing unit that provides a result of the estimation by the estimating unit to a terminal device carried by an owner or user of the vehicle, The vehicle further includes a storage state estimation unit that estimates a storage state of the vehicle based on position information of the vehicle, The estimation unit estimates the consideration based on the result estimated by the storage condition estimation unit, the storage state estimation unit estimates that the vehicle is stored indoors when the engine of the vehicle is off and the location information cannot be acquired. Information provision system.

2. An information providing system including a vehicle and a server that communicates with the vehicle, The vehicle is a weight estimation unit that estimates weight information including a weight of an occupant of the vehicle and a weight of an object loaded on the vehicle; an energy consumption estimation unit that estimates an energy consumption of a power source mounted on the vehicle; a vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information including at least one of a travel distance that detects a travel distance of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and a position information of the vehicle; a vehicle-side communication unit that communicates with the server, The server, an estimation unit that estimates a compensation for use of the vehicle based on at least one of the weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information transmitted by the vehicle-side communication unit; a providing unit that provides a result of the estimation by the estimating unit to a terminal device carried by an owner or user of the vehicle, The server further includes a rental determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is being rented out to a user other than the owner, the rental determination unit determines that the vehicle is being rented to the user when the vehicle is moving within a predetermined distance from a terminal device owned by a user other than the owner; Information provision system.

3. The estimation unit estimates a price for a section from when the user gets in the vehicle to when he / she gets out of the vehicle, or for a period from when the vehicle is loaned to the user to when it is returned.

3. The information providing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The vehicle further includes a contact estimation unit that estimates contact between the vehicle and an object in accordance with the acceleration, The estimation unit estimates the consideration based on a result estimated by the contact estimation unit.

4. An information providing system according to claim 1.

5. The server further includes a rental determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is being rented out to a user other than the owner, the rental determination unit determines that the vehicle is being rented to the user when the vehicle is moving within a predetermined distance from a terminal device owned by a user other than the owner; 2. The information providing system according to claim 1.

6. When the rental determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a rental state to the user, the estimation unit estimates a remuneration for the user's use of the vehicle under conditions different from the estimated conditions for the remuneration for the owner's use of the vehicle. The information providing system according to claim 2.

7. The estimation unit estimates a residual value of the vehicle based on at least one of the weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information transmitted by the vehicle-side communication unit.

7. An information providing system according to claim 1.

8. The computer obtaining weight information including a weight of a vehicle occupant and a weight of an object loaded on the vehicle; Obtaining an energy consumption of a power source installed in the vehicle; Obtaining vehicle information including at least one of a travel distance for detecting a travel distance of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and a position information of the vehicle; estimating a compensation for the use of the vehicle based on at least one of the acquired weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information; providing information about the estimated price to a terminal device carried by an owner or user of the vehicle; Estimating a storage condition of the vehicle based on the location information of the vehicle; Estimating the consideration based on the estimated result; When the engine of the vehicle is off and the location information cannot be acquired, the vehicle is assumed to be stored indoors. Information provision method.

9. The computer obtaining weight information including a weight of a vehicle occupant and a weight of an object loaded on the vehicle; Obtaining an energy consumption of a power source installed in the vehicle; Obtaining vehicle information including at least one of a travel distance for detecting a travel distance of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and a position information of the vehicle; estimating a compensation for the use of the vehicle based on at least one of the acquired weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information; providing information about the estimated price to a terminal device carried by an owner or user of the vehicle; determining whether the vehicle is being rented out to a user other than the owner; determining that the vehicle is being lent to a user when the vehicle is moving within a predetermined distance from a terminal device carried by a user other than the owner; Information provision method.

10. On the computer, obtaining weight information including a weight of an occupant of a vehicle and a weight of an object loaded on the vehicle; acquiring an energy consumption of a power source mounted on the vehicle; acquiring vehicle information including at least one of a travel distance for detecting a travel distance of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and a position information of the vehicle; estimating a compensation for use of the vehicle based on at least one of the acquired weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information; providing information about the estimated price to a terminal device carried by an owner or user of the vehicle; estimating a storage state of the vehicle based on location information of the vehicle; Estimating the consideration based on the estimated result; When the engine of the vehicle is off and the location information cannot be acquired, the vehicle is estimated to be stored indoors. program.

11. On the computer, obtaining weight information including a weight of an occupant of a vehicle and a weight of an object loaded on the vehicle; acquiring an energy consumption of a power source mounted on the vehicle; acquiring vehicle information including at least one of a travel distance for detecting a travel distance of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and a position information of the vehicle; estimating a compensation for use of the vehicle based on at least one of the acquired weight information, the energy consumption, and the vehicle information; providing information about the estimated price to a terminal device carried by an owner or user of the vehicle; determining whether the vehicle is being lent to a user other than the owner; determining that the vehicle is being lent to a user when the vehicle is moving within a predetermined distance from a terminal device carried by a user other than the owner; program.

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