Vehicle condition monitoring system and vehicle condition monitoring method

Abstract

To provide a vehicle state grasping system and a vehicle state grasping method capable of prompting a driver who is currently driving a vehicle to take an action such as tire replacement when the air pressure of a tire of the vehicle has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value in a vehicle state grasping system in which a plurality of drivers share the vehicle under an administrator.SOLUTION: A system management server 3 determines that the air pressure of a tire of a vehicle 2 dropped to a predetermined abnormal value and then has returned to a normal value without tire replacement work or tire repair work (for example, there is a driver who continues to drive the vehicle 2 by refilling the tire with air without performing tire replacement even when the tire is flat), and transmits abnormal notification information to an administrator terminal device 4. Thus, warning information is provided to a current driver of the vehicle 2 with an operation of the administrator terminal device 4 by an administrator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle state monitoring system and a vehicle state monitoring method. In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement in a response to a situation in which the tire pressure of a vehicle drops to a predetermined abnormal value in a vehicle state monitoring system in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under an administrator. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system for grasping the condition of a vehicle is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses that the system includes a tire management server, which receives data indicating the condition of the tire from a vehicle terminal, and when it determines that an emergency action (such as tire repair) is required for the tire, notifies the vehicle terminal of the tire condition. More specifically, all tires are equipped with transponders, and tire pressure data is sent to the tire management server together with the tire ID at a predetermined time interval. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-132994 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in cases where multiple drivers share a vehicle under an administrator (for example, when multiple drivers take turns using the same taxi vehicle under the management of a taxi company), there may be a driver who, even if a tire is punctured (punctured to the point where air gradually leaks out), will continue to drive the vehicle (avoiding the troublesome task of changing a tire) by refilling the air (adding air at a service station, etc.) without changing the tire (tire changing work).

[0005] In this case, the driver who gets in after the driver will be forced to change the tire or repair the puncture, which places a heavy burden on the driver. In addition, there is also the issue that the driver will be dissatisfied because he or she will have to change the tire or repair the puncture even if the driver did not puncture the tire (for example, even if the tire was already punctured at the time of boarding the vehicle (at the time of the start-of-day inspection in the case of a taxi)).

[0006] Patent Document 1 does not have a technical idea for solving such a problem, and there is room for improvement in this respect. In other words, the system of Patent Document 1 notifies the driver of the occurrence of a puncture when it is determined that the tire is punctured based on the information provided by the transponder, so if the driver refills the tire without changing the tire as described above, the notification is canceled, and there is no deterrent effect against this behavior. In addition, tire air pressure can be reduced to an abnormal value not only when the tire is punctured, but also when the tire air valve is damaged, etc.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and its object is to provide a vehicle condition monitoring system and a vehicle condition monitoring method that can prompt the driver currently driving the vehicle to take action such as changing tires when a situation occurs in which the air pressure in the vehicle's tires drops to a predetermined abnormal value in a vehicle condition monitoring system in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under an administrator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The solution of the present invention for achieving the above object is based on a vehicle status grasping system capable of grasping the status of a vehicle in a vehicle usage form in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under the supervision of an administrator. The vehicle status grasping system includes an air pressure recognition unit that recognizes the tire pressure of the vehicle, an air pressure information transmission unit that transmits information on the tire pressure recognized by the air pressure recognition unit, and a system management server that receives the tire pressure information transmitted by the air pressure information transmission unit. The system management server also includes an abnormality notification information creation unit that creates abnormality notification information based on the received tire pressure information when the tire pressure returns to a normal value without performing either a tire replacement work or a tire repair work after the tire pressure has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value, and an abnormality notification information transmission unit that transmits the abnormality notification information to a communication device operated by the administrator when the abnormality notification information is received from the abnormality notification information creation unit. The communication device is characterized in that it is configured to provide warning information to at least one of a user interface device mounted on the vehicle and a terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle by the operation of the administrator.

[0009] With this specification, when the tire pressure information received by the system management server from the tire pressure information transmission unit indicates that the tire pressure has returned to a normal value without performing either a tire change or a tire repair after dropping to a predetermined abnormal value, the abnormality notification information creation unit creates abnormality notification information, and the abnormality notification information transmission unit transmits the abnormality notification information to the communication device operated by the administrator. This allows the administrator to recognize that the current driver of the vehicle has returned the tire pressure to a normal value without performing either a tire change or a tire repair, even though the tire pressure dropped to the predetermined abnormal value. Then, the administrator provides warning information to at least one of the user interface device mounted on the vehicle and the terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle by operating the communication device. In other words, the administrator is warned that the current driver of the vehicle needs to perform a tire change or a tire repair. If a driver who receives this warning information performs tire change or tire repair work, other drivers who get in the vehicle after him will not be forced to perform tire change or tire repair work, which reduces the burden on that driver (the driver who gets in the vehicle after the tire change or tire repair work has been performed).

[0010] Another solution of the present invention for achieving the above object is based on a vehicle status monitoring system capable of monitoring the status of a vehicle in a vehicle usage form in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under the supervision of an administrator. The vehicle status monitoring system includes an air pressure recognition unit that recognizes the tire pressure of the vehicle, an air pressure information transmission unit that transmits information on the tire pressure recognized by the air pressure recognition unit, and a system management server that receives the tire pressure information transmitted by the air pressure information transmission unit. The system management server is characterized by including an abnormality notification information creation unit that creates abnormality notification information based on the received tire pressure information when the tire pressure returns to a normal value without performing either a tire replacement work or a tire repair work after the tire pressure has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value, and a warning information transmission unit that transmits warning information to at least one of a user interface device mounted on the vehicle and a terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle when the abnormality notification information is received from the abnormality notification information creation unit.

[0011] In this particular case, when the tire pressure information received by the system management server from the tire pressure information transmission unit indicates that the tire pressure has returned to a normal value without performing either tire replacement or tire repair after dropping to a predetermined abnormal value, the abnormality notification information creation unit creates abnormality notification information, and the warning information transmission unit that receives the abnormality notification information transmits warning information to at least one of the user interface device mounted on the vehicle and the terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle. That is, in this case, the system management server automatically performs an operation of warning the current driver of the vehicle that tire replacement or tire repair is required. Then, when the driver who receives this warning information performs tire replacement or tire repair, the driver who rides thereafter will not be forced to perform tire replacement or tire repair, and the burden on the driver can be eliminated.

[0012] Further, as another solution for achieving the above object, the present invention is based on a vehicle status grasping system capable of grasping the status of a vehicle in a vehicle usage form in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under the supervision of an administrator. The vehicle status grasping system includes an air pressure recognition unit that recognizes the tire pressure of the vehicle, an air pressure information transmission unit that transmits information on the tire pressure recognized by the air pressure recognition unit, and a system management server that receives the tire pressure information transmitted by the air pressure information transmission unit. The system management server also includes an abnormality notification information creation unit that creates abnormality notification information based on the received tire pressure information when the tire pressure returns to a normal value without performing either a tire replacement work or a tire repair work after the tire pressure has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value, an abnormality notification information transmission unit that transmits the abnormality notification information to a communication device operated by the administrator on condition that the abnormality notification information is received, and a warning information transmission unit that transmits warning information to at least one of a user interface device mounted on the vehicle and a terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle on condition that the abnormality notification information is received. The vehicle state grasping system further includes a destination switching unit capable of switching between a first transmission form for transmitting the abnormality notification information to the abnormality notification information transmitting unit and a second transmission form for transmitting the abnormality notification information to the warning information transmitting unit, and a history information storage unit for storing driving history information of each of the drivers. When the tire pressure returns to a normal value without performing any tire change or tire repair work after the tire pressure has dropped to the predetermined abnormal value, the destination switching unit refers to the driving history information of each of the drivers stored in the history information storage unit, and selects the first transmission form if the current driver of the vehicle is a driver who has a history of returning the tire pressure to a normal value without performing any tire change or tire repair work after the tire pressure has dropped to the predetermined abnormal value, and selects the second transmission form if the current driver is any other driver.

[0013] A driver who has a history of restoring the tire pressure to a normal value without performing any tire replacement or tire repair work after the tire pressure has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value in the past is likely to perform the same action again. In view of this, in this solution, when a situation occurs in which the tire pressure returns to a normal value without performing any tire replacement or tire repair work after the tire pressure has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value, if the driver of the vehicle has performed such an action in the past, the system management server transmits the warning information (a second transmission form in which the warning information is transmitted to at least one of a user interface device mounted on the vehicle and a terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle by transmitting the abnormality notification information to the warning information transmission unit) but the administrator transmits the warning information (a first transmission form in which the abnormality notification information is transmitted to a communication device operated by the administrator by transmitting the abnormality notification information to the abnormality notification information transmission unit). This allows the administrator to give an artificial warning (advice) to the current driver of the vehicle. This can increase the force of forcing the driver to carry out tire changing or tire repair work.

[0014] In addition, after the system management server transmits warning information from the warning information transmission unit to at least one of the user interface device mounted on the vehicle and the terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle, if the air pressure of a tire in the same vehicle again drops to a predetermined abnormal value and then returns to a normal value without either tire replacement or tire repair work being performed, the system management server increases the warning level of the warning information transmitted from the warning information transmission unit.

[0015] This is to increase the warning level of the warning information in order to prohibit the same driver from returning the tire pressure to the normal value without changing or repairing the tire after the tire pressure has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value. This can increase the deterrent effect against the repetition of such an action.

[0016] In addition, when multiple vehicles are managed by the administrator, the tire pressure information transmitted from the air pressure information transmission unit to the system management server is associated with individual information assigned to each of the vehicles.

[0017] According to this, in a situation where a plurality of vehicles are managed, it is possible to identify which vehicle the above action (the action of restoring the tire pressure to a normal value without performing either a tire change or a tire repair after the tire pressure had dropped to a predetermined abnormal value) was performed in. Therefore, it is possible to accurately identify the vehicle or driver to which the warning information is to be sent, and to appropriately send the warning information only to that vehicle or driver.

[0018] The vehicle state grasping method implemented in the vehicle state grasping system is also within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. In other words, the vehicle state grasping method is premised on a vehicle usage form in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under an administrator, and is capable of grasping the state of the vehicle. The vehicle state grasping method is characterized by comprising an air pressure recognition operation of recognizing the air pressure of the tires of the vehicle, an operation of creating abnormality notification information based on the recognized air pressure information of the tires when the air pressure of the tires drops to a predetermined abnormal value and then returns to a normal value without performing either a tire replacement operation or a tire repair operation, and an operation of providing warning information to at least one of a user interface device mounted on the vehicle and a terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle upon the creation of the abnormality notification information.

[0019] This vehicle state grasping method can also warn the current driver of the vehicle that tire change or tire repair is necessary, as in the above-mentioned vehicle state grasping system. If the driver who received this warning information performs tire change or tire repair, the driver who gets in after that will not be forced to change or repair the tire, and the burden on the driver can be relieved. Effect of the Invention

[0020] In the present invention, when the tire pressure drops to a predetermined abnormal value and then returns to a normal value without tire replacement or tire repair (for example, when there is a driver who continues to drive a vehicle by refilling air without replacing a punctured tire), warning information can be provided to the current driver of the vehicle. As a result, if the driver who receives the warning information replaces or repairs the tire, the driver who gets in afterwards will not be forced to replace or repair the tire, and the burden on the driver can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle state grasping system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of a tire for explaining the principle of tire puncture detection. [Diagram 3] 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of each of a vehicle, a system management server, and an administrator terminal device in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle state determination system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of each of a vehicle and a system management server in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle state grasping system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of each of the vehicle, the system management server, and the administrator terminal device in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, a number of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, the vehicle status grasping system according to the present invention will be described as an example in which the system is applied as a system that performs part of the functions of a vehicle management system (a system that manages the operation of multiple taxi vehicles) in a taxi company. That is, in each of the embodiments, the "vehicle usage form in which multiple drivers share a vehicle under a manager" in the present invention corresponds to a vehicle usage form in which multiple (e.g., two) drivers take turns riding multiple taxi vehicles (e.g., take turns riding during the day and night) under the operation manager of a taxi company.

[0023] -First embodiment- First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0024] (Outline of vehicle condition monitoring system) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle state determination system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle state determination system 1 includes a plurality of vehicles (taxi vehicles) 2, 2, ..., a system management server (e.g., a cloud server) 3, and an administrator terminal device (a communication device operated by an administrator in the present invention) 4. The system management server 3 and the administrator terminal device 4 are installed in, for example, a taxi company. The system is configured so that communication is possible between the vehicles 2, 2, ..., the system management server 3, and the administrator terminal device 4 using a predetermined communication network 5.

[0025] The communication form between the vehicles 2, 2, ..., the system management server 3, and the administrator terminal device 4 may be a form in which two-way communication is performed through a mobile phone network, an Internet network, a dedicated communication network, or the like having a large number of base stations (a form in which communication between the vehicles 2, 2, ..., the system management server 3, and the administrator terminal device 4 is performed using the same communication network, hereinafter referred to as a first pattern of communication form), or the communication form between the vehicles 2, 2, ..., and the system management server 3 may be a form in which two-way communication is performed through a mobile phone network, an Internet network, a dedicated communication network, or the like, and the communication form between the vehicles 2, 2, ..., and the administrator terminal device 4 may be a form in which two-way communication is performed through an existing dedicated communication network (a wireless communication network for dispatching vehicles) (hereinafter referred to as a second pattern of communication form). The following will explain the first pattern of communication form as an example.

[0026] <Vehicle> The vehicles 2, 2, ... managed under an operations manager (manager) will be described. The configuration of the parts related to the vehicle state monitoring system 1 in each of the vehicles 2, 2, ... shown in Fig. 1 is the same as each other. Fig. 1 shows the configuration of the parts related to the vehicle state monitoring system 1 by representing one vehicle 2.

[0027] The vehicle 2 is equipped with a wheel speed sensor 21, a DCM (Data Communication Module) 22, a speaker (user interface device) 23, a display monitor (user interface device) 24, and a vehicle state grasping ECU 25. These devices are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other through an in-vehicle network such as a CAN.

[0028] The wheel speed sensor 21 detects the rotation speed (number of rotations per unit time) of each of the wheels (four wheels: hereinafter, sometimes referred to as tires instead of wheels) T, T, ... of the vehicle 2. As this wheel speed sensor 21, a well-known magnetic sensor, typified by an electromagnetic pickup or a Hall sensor, can be used.

[0029] The DCM 22 is a communication device that performs two-way communication with the system management server 3 and the administrator terminal device 4 via the communication network 5 .

[0030] The speaker 23 is installed inside the vehicle cabin (for example, installed on the inner surface of the front door, etc.) and outputs audio for issuing a warning, which will be described later, to the driver of the vehicle 2. This speaker 23 may be a dedicated speaker for the vehicle state determination system 1, or may be a speaker shared with a speaker of a car audio system (not shown) or a speaker of a car navigation system (not shown).

[0031] The display monitor 24 displays an image for issuing a warning, which will be described later, to the driver of the vehicle 2. This display monitor 24 is, for example, configured with a touch panel type liquid crystal display, and may be dedicated to the vehicle state determination system 1, or may be shared with a display monitor of a car navigation system (not shown).

[0032] The vehicle state grasping ECU 25 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read-Only Memory) for storing a control program, a RAM (Random-Access Memory) for temporarily storing data, and input / output ports.

[0033] The vehicle state grasping ECU 25 includes an air pressure recognition unit 25a as a functional unit realized by the control program. The air pressure recognition unit 25a has a function of individually recognizing the air pressure (internal pressure) of each tire (four tires) T, T, ... of the vehicle 2. The principle of recognizing the air pressure of the tire T will be described below.

[0034] When a tire T is punctured by a nail or the like, if the puncture is such that air gradually escapes, the vehicle 2 can still travel even after the puncture has occurred. However, as the air gradually escapes, the tire T is deformed at the road surface contact portion, as shown in FIG. 2, and the amount of deformation gradually increases. In addition, at this time, the air pressure of the tire T gradually decreases. When the vehicle 2 travels under such a condition, the tire radius of the tire T at the road surface contact portion (radius r1 in FIG. 2) becomes shorter than the original tire radius (the tire radius at the portion other than the road surface contact portion, which is radius r0 in FIG. 2). Therefore, the perimeter of the tire T with the puncture becomes shorter than the perimeter of the other tires (tires without the puncture) T. In other words, the time required for the tire T with the puncture to rotate once becomes shorter than the time required for the other tires T to rotate once. That is, when the vehicle 2 is traveling straight, the rotational speed (rotational angular velocity) of the punctured tire T becomes higher than the rotational speed of the non-punctured tire T. Since there is a proportional relationship to some extent between the shortening of the tire radius r1 of the tire T at the road surface contact portion and the amount of decrease in the air pressure of the tire T, the air pressure of each tire T, T, ... can be individually recognized (estimated) by utilizing information on the difference in the rotational speeds of the tires T, T, ...

[0035] For example, it is assumed that the air pressure of the tire T with the lowest rotation speed among the tires T, T, ... is the appropriate value, and the air pressure of each tire T, T, ... is estimated from the difference in rotation speed with respect to that tire (the tire with the lowest rotation speed) T (the tire T with the larger difference in rotation speed is estimated to have a lower air pressure). In addition, the air pressure may be estimated by comparing the rotation speeds of a pair of tires T, T, ..., not limited to the case of comparing the rotation speeds of all the tires T, T, .... For example, it is also possible to compare the rotation speeds of front tires (front wheels), rear tires (rear wheels), right tires (right front wheel and right rear wheel), left tires (left front wheel and left rear wheel), and tires on a diagonal line (right front wheel and left rear wheel, left front wheel and right rear wheel).

[0036] The relationship between the difference in rotation speed and the amount of decrease in air pressure described above is determined in advance by experiments and simulations depending on the type of tire T, and the air pressure of the tire T can be estimated in accordance with this relationship.

[0037] The wheel speed sensor 21 detects the rotation speed of each wheel (each tire T, T, ...), and the output from the wheel speed sensor 21 (rotation speed information of each tire T, T, ...) is transmitted to the air pressure recognition unit 25a, which recognizes the air pressure of each tire T, T, ... individually at a predetermined time interval (for example, every few seconds) using the above-mentioned principle. In addition, the air pressure information of each tire T, T, ... recognized by the air pressure recognition unit 25a is associated (linked) with individual information (ID information) of the vehicle 2 and individual information of the tire T.

[0038] The air pressure information of each tire T, T, ... estimated (recognized) in this manner (air pressure information associated with the individual information of the vehicle 2 and the individual information of the tire T) is transmitted to the DCM 22 at predetermined time intervals, and the DCM 22 transmits this air pressure information to the system management server 3 via the communications network 5 at predetermined time intervals. Therefore, the DCM 22 corresponds to the air pressure information transmission unit referred to in this invention (air pressure information transmission unit that transmits information on the air pressure of the tires recognized by the air pressure recognition unit).

[0039] <System Management Server> The system management server 3 performs information processing according to the air pressure information of each tire T, T, ... received from the DCM 22 of each vehicle 2, 2, ..., and includes, as its functional parts, an abnormality notification information creation part 31 and an abnormality notification information transmission part 32. The functions of these parts 31, 32 are realized by a program stored in a computer provided in the system management server 3.

[0040] As mentioned above, when multiple drivers take turns riding in the same taxi vehicle under the management of a taxi company (operation manager), there is a possibility that a driver may continue to drive the vehicle 2 (avoiding the troublesome tire replacement work) by refilling the tire (adding air at a service station, etc.) without changing the tire even if the tire T is punctured (punctured to the extent that the air gradually leaks out). Hereinafter, this driver's behavior will be referred to as "inappropriate air pressure restoration behavior." When this inappropriate air pressure restoration behavior is performed, the driver who rides thereafter will be forced to change the tire or repair the puncture, which will increase the burden on the driver. In addition, there is also a problem that the driver will be dissatisfied because he or she will have to change the tire or repair the puncture even though the tire T has not been punctured by the driver.

[0041] In consideration of this, the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 creates abnormality notification information based on the air pressure information of each of the tires T, T, ... received from the DCM 22, when the air pressure of the tire T drops to a predetermined abnormal value and then returns to a normal value without performing either a tire replacement operation or a tire repair operation (when the aforementioned inappropriate air pressure return action is performed). A specific description will be given below.

[0042] Based on the information on the air pressure of each tire T, T, ... of each vehicle 2, 2, ... received from the DCM 22, the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 determines that the tire T (the tire whose rotation speed is high as described above) is punctured when the air pressure of the tire T has dropped by more than 30% compared to the appropriate value (below 70% of the appropriate value: equivalent to dropping to an abnormal value as referred to in the present invention). Since the information on the air pressure of each tire T, T, ... is associated with the individual information of the vehicle 2 and the individual information of the tire T, when it is determined that the tire T is punctured, it is possible to identify which tire T of which vehicle 2 is punctured. Note that the threshold value for puncture determination described above is not limited to 30% and can be set arbitrarily. In addition, the appropriate air pressure value is predefined according to the type of the tire T.

[0043] In this way, if the tire T is determined to be punctured, and the air pressure of the tire T is restored to a normal value (for example, 80% or more of the proper value) without the driver performing either a tire replacement or tire repair work, it is determined that an inappropriate air pressure restoration action has been performed by continuing to drive the vehicle 2 by refilling the tire T with air (adding air at a service station or the like) without performing a tire replacement or tire repair work despite the tire T being punctured (a state in which the driver has avoided troublesome tire replacement work), and the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 transmits abnormality notification information to the abnormality notification information transmission unit 32. Since the individual information of the vehicle 2 and the individual information of the tire T are also associated with this abnormality notification information, it is possible to identify which tire T of which vehicle 2 has been subjected to an inappropriate air pressure restoration action.

[0044] The detection of no tire change operation is performed by detecting whether the tire T has been removed. For example, a predetermined switch (a switch that turns OFF when removed from the hub) is provided on the tire T, and whether the tire change operation has been performed is determined by detecting the ON / OFF state of this switch. In other words, if the air pressure returns to the normal value while the ON state of the switch is maintained, it is determined that the inappropriate air pressure return action has been performed. In addition, a switch (a switch that turns OFF when the spare tire is removed) that detects the removal of a spare tire stored in the trunk room or the like of the vehicle is provided, and whether the tire change operation has been performed is determined by detecting the ON / OFF state of this switch. In this case, too, if the air pressure returns to the normal value while the ON state of the switch is maintained, it is determined that the inappropriate air pressure return action has been performed. The method of detecting that no tire change operation has been performed is not limited to the above-mentioned one, and an IC chip may be attached to each tire T, T, ... and identification information of the IC chip may be used.

[0045] In addition, detection of no tire repair work being performed can be performed by providing a switch that detects the removal of a tire repair agent container stored in the trunk or the like of the vehicle (a switch that turns OFF when the tire repair agent container is removed from the trunk or the like) and determining whether tire repair work has been performed by detecting whether this switch is ON / OFF. In other words, if the air pressure returns to normal while the switch remains ON, it is determined that an improper air pressure restoration action has been performed. Methods for detecting no tire repair work being performed are not limited to those described above.

[0046] When the abnormality notification information transmitting section 32 receives the abnormality notification information from the abnormality notification information creating section 31 , it transmits the abnormality notification information to the manager terminal device 4 through the communication network 5 .

[0047] <Administrator terminal device> The manager terminal device 4 is, for example, a personal computer installed in the management department of a taxi company, and is operable by an operations manager to issue various instructions, warnings, etc. to the drivers of each vehicle 2, 2 . . .

[0048] Furthermore, when the manager terminal device 4 in this embodiment receives abnormality notification information from the abnormality notification information transmission unit 32 of the system management server 3, it displays the abnormality notification information on the display screen and provides the operation manager with information about the presence of a vehicle 2 in which an inappropriate air pressure recovery action has been performed, individual information (such as the vehicle number) of the vehicle 2, and individual information of the tire T in which the puncture has occurred (information on which tire T among the four tires). Furthermore, if the system management server 3 stores driving information of each driver (information on which vehicle 2 the driver is in and at what time of day), it also provides personal information of the driver in the vehicle 2 in which the puncture has occurred to the operation manager.

[0049] When the operation manager receives such information, the operation manager will issue a warning to the driver who has improperly restored the air pressure via the communication network 5. In other words, the operation manager will issue a warning to the driver (the current driver of the vehicle 2) that a tire change or tire repair is required.

[0050] Specifically, the manager terminal device 4 includes an input unit 41 and a warning information transmitting unit 42 as its functional units.

[0051] The input unit 41 is composed of a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., through which the operation manager inputs operations. By operating this input unit 41, the operation manager identifies the vehicle 2 that is the target of the warning and performs an operation to transmit the warning information.

[0052] The warning information transmitting unit 42 transmits warning information from the administrator terminal device 4 to the communication network 5 in response to the operation of the input unit 41. As a form of this warning, warning information is transmitted to the relevant vehicle 2 (the vehicle in which the driver who performed the inappropriate air pressure resetting act is riding) via the communication network 5, whereby one or both of a voice warning from the speaker 23 mounted on the vehicle 2 and a visual warning on the display monitor 24 are given. An example of the content of the warning is the provision of a voice (voice from the speaker 23) or a visual (image on the display monitor 24) such as "The left front tire is flat. Please change or repair the tire immediately."

[0053] In this manner, if a driver who has received a warning performs tire change or tire repair work, other drivers who get in the vehicle after him will not be forced to perform tire change or tire repair work, thereby reducing the burden on that driver (the driver who gets in the vehicle after the tire change or tire repair work has been performed).

[0054] (Operation when a puncture occurs) Next, the operation when a flat tire occurs in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the vehicle 2, the system management server 3, and the administrator terminal device 4. From the left, Fig. 3 shows an information processing operation in the vehicle 2 (recognizing the air pressure of the tire T), an information processing operation in the system management server 3 (creating and transmitting abnormality notification information), and an operation in the administrator terminal device 4 (warning operation by the operation manager). Note that Fig. 3 shows an example of communication between one vehicle 2 and the system management server 3 and the administrator terminal device 4, but communication between other vehicles 2 and the system management server 3 and the administrator terminal device 4 is also performed in the same way.

[0055] First, the air pressure of each tire T, T, ... is recognized by the air pressure recognition unit 25a installed in the vehicle 2 (S1: air pressure recognition operation as referred to in this invention), and information on this recognized air pressure of each tire T, T, ... is transmitted from the DCM 22 to the system management server 3.

[0056] Based on the received air pressure information of each tire T, T, ..., the system management server 3 performs a determination process to determine whether or not the air pressure of tire T has returned to a normal value after dropping to a predetermined abnormal value without either tire replacement or tire repair work being performed (a determination process to determine whether or not an inappropriate return of air pressure has occurred) (S2).

[0057] Then, if it is determined that an improper return of air pressure has occurred because the air pressure has returned to normal without the need for either tire change or tire repair work, abnormality notification information is created by the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 (the operation of creating abnormality notification information as referred to in this invention), and the abnormality notification information is transmitted from the system management server 3 to the administrator terminal device 4.

[0058] The manager terminal device 4 displays on the display screen (display of abnormality notification information) information that a vehicle 2 in which improper air pressure recovery has been performed is present, individual information of the vehicle 2, and individual information of the punctured tire T, and provides this abnormality notification information to the operations manager (S3).

[0059] In such a situation, the operation manager operates the manager terminal device 4 (warning information transmission operation) to transmit warning information to the relevant vehicle (the vehicle in which the driver who performed the inappropriate tire pressure reset act is riding) 2 via the communication network 5 (the operation of providing warning information as referred to in the present invention). As a result, one or both of a voice warning from the speaker 23 mounted on the vehicle 2 and a visual warning on the display monitor 24 are issued.

[0060] In this way, if a driver who has received a warning performs tire changing or tire repair work, other drivers who get on the vehicle after him will not be forced to perform tire changing or tire repair work.

[0061] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, if the air pressure of the tire T drops to a predetermined abnormal value and then returns to a normal value without performing either a tire change or tire repair, abnormality notification information is displayed on the manager terminal device 4, and the operation manager issues warning information to the driver accordingly. That is, the current driver of the vehicle is warned that a tire change or tire repair is required. If the driver who receives this warning information performs a tire change or tire repair, the driver who gets on the vehicle afterwards will not be forced to perform a tire change or tire repair, and the burden on the driver can be eliminated.

[0062] In this embodiment, the air pressure information of each tire T, T, ... recognized by the air pressure recognition unit 25a is associated with the individual information of the vehicle 2 and the individual information of the tire T. This makes it possible to identify in which vehicle 2 the improper air pressure recovery action was performed, and to accurately identify the vehicle 2 or driver to which the warning information is to be sent, making it possible to appropriately send the warning information only to that vehicle 2 or driver.

[0063] -Second embodiment- Next, a second embodiment will be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the process of issuing warning information to the driver. Other configurations and processing operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the process of issuing warning information to the driver will be mainly described here.

[0064] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle state determination system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the vehicle state determination system 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of vehicles 2, 2, ... and a system management server 3. The vehicle state determination system 1 is configured to be capable of communicating between the vehicles 2, 2, ... and the system management server 3 using a predetermined communication network 5.

[0065] <Vehicle> The configuration of the parts related to the vehicle state determination system 1 in each of the vehicles 2, 2, ... is similar to that in the first embodiment. That is, information on the estimated (recognized) air pressure of the tires T, T, ... of each of the vehicles 2, 2, ... is transmitted from the DCM 22 to the system management server 3 via the communication network 5 at predetermined time intervals.

[0066] <System Management Server> The system management server 3 includes, as its functional units, an abnormality notification information generating unit 31 and a warning information transmitting unit .

[0067] As in the first embodiment, the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 is capable of identifying which tire T of which vehicle 2 is punctured when it determines that a tire T is punctured based on the air pressure information of each tire T, T, ... of each vehicle 2, 2, ... received from the DCM 22.

[0068] In this embodiment, if the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 determines that a tire T is punctured and the air pressure returns to the normal value without the driver performing either a tire change or tire repair work on that tire T, it determines that an improper air pressure restoration action has been performed and transmits abnormality notification information to the warning information transmission unit 34.

[0069] When the warning information transmitting unit 34 receives the abnormality notification information from the abnormality notification information creating unit 31, it warns the driver who performed the improper air pressure resetting act that a tire change or tire repair work is required via the communication network 5. In other words, by using the individual information of the vehicle 2 associated with the air pressure information of the tire T, it is possible to identify in which vehicle 2 the improper air pressure resetting act was performed, and by transmitting warning information to that vehicle 2, one or both of an audio warning from the speaker 23 mounted on the vehicle 2 and an image warning on the display monitor 24 are performed.

[0070] In this embodiment as well, if a driver who receives a warning performs tire change or tire repair work, the driver who gets in the vehicle after him will not be forced to perform tire change or tire repair work, thereby eliminating the burden on that driver (the driver who gets in the vehicle after the tire change or tire repair work has been performed).

[0071] (Operation when a puncture occurs) Next, the operation when a flat tire occurs in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the vehicle 2 and the system management server 3. From the left, Fig. 5 shows an information processing operation in the vehicle 2 (recognizing the air pressure of the tire T) and an information processing operation in the system management server 3 (creating abnormality notification information and transmitting warning information). Note that Fig. 5 also shows an example of communication between one vehicle 2 and the system management server 3, but communication between other vehicles 2 and the system management server 3 is also performed in the same way.

[0072] First, the air pressure of each tire T, T, ... is recognized by the air pressure recognition unit 25a installed in the vehicle 2 (S1), and information on the recognized air pressure of each tire T, T, ... is transmitted from the DCM 22 to the system management server 3.

[0073] Based on the received air pressure information of each tire T, T, ..., the system management server 3 performs a determination process to determine whether or not the air pressure of tire T has returned to a normal value after dropping to a predetermined abnormal value without either tire replacement or tire repair work being performed (a determination process to determine whether or not an inappropriate return of air pressure has occurred) (S2).

[0074] Then, when it is determined that an improper air pressure restoration action has been performed because the tire pressure has returned to the normal value without the need for tire replacement or tire repair, warning information is transmitted from the system management server 3 to the vehicle 2. As a result, one or both of a voice warning from the speaker 23 mounted on the vehicle 2 and a visual warning on the display monitor 24 are issued.

[0075] When the driver who received the warning performs the tire changing or repair work (S5), work completion information is transmitted to the system management server 3. This work completion information is transmitted in response to the detection of the ON / OFF state of the switch provided on the tire T described above. Alternatively, the work completion information is transmitted to the system management server 3 by the driver operating a terminal carried by the driver. Upon receiving this work completion information, the system management server 3 performs a process of stopping the warning information that was being transmitted to the vehicle 2 (warning stop process) (S6), thereby stopping the audio warning from the speaker 23 mounted on the vehicle 2 and the visual warning on the display monitor 24.

[0076] (Effects of the embodiment) This embodiment can also achieve the same effect as the first embodiment (when a driver who has received warning information performs tire changing or tire repair work, the driver who gets in the vehicle after that is not forced to perform tire changing or tire repair work, and the burden on the driver can be eliminated). In addition, this embodiment can transmit warning information to the vehicle 2 without going through the manager terminal device 4, so that the burden on the operation manager can be reduced.

[0077] (Warning level change process in the second embodiment) In the second embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned processing operations, the following warning level change processing may be performed. This warning level change processing will be described below.

[0078] In a state where warning information is transmitted from the warning information transmitting unit 34 of the system management server 3 to the vehicle 2 and one or both of a voice warning from the speaker 23 and an image warning on the display monitor 24 are issued, if an improper air pressure restoration action is performed again in the same vehicle 2, the warning level of the warning information transmitted from the warning information transmitting unit 34 of the system management server 3 to the vehicle 2 is increased. For example, the sound of the warning from the speaker 23 is made louder (louder than the sound of the warning from the speaker 23 performed for the previous improper air pressure restoration action). Also, the size of the warning image on the display monitor 24 is made larger (louder than the size of the warning image on the display monitor 24 performed for the previous improper air pressure restoration action). Specifically, in a situation where the schedule management of the riding time period of each driver in each vehicle 2 is performed, if a certain driver performs an improper air pressure restoration action again during the riding time period, the warning level of the warning information transmitted to the vehicle 2 is increased.

[0079] This is to increase the warning level of the warning information in order to prohibit the same driver from resetting the tire pressure again if the same driver resets the tire pressure again, thereby increasing the deterrent effect against the repetition of the resetting of the tire pressure.

[0080] -Third embodiment- Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the process of issuing warning information to the driver is different from that of the first and second embodiments. Since the other configurations and processing operations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, the process of issuing warning information to the driver will be mainly described here.

[0081] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle state determination system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the vehicle state determination system 1 according to this embodiment is configured to include a plurality of vehicles 2, 2, ..., a system management server 3, and an administrator terminal device 4. The system is configured so that communication can be performed between the vehicles 2, 2, ..., the system management server 3, and the administrator terminal device 4 using a predetermined communication network 5.

[0082] <Vehicle> The configuration of the parts related to the vehicle state determination system 1 in each of the vehicles 2, 2, ... is similar to that in the first embodiment. That is, information on the estimated (recognized) air pressure of the tires T, T, ... of each of the vehicles 2, 2, ... is transmitted from the DCM 22 to the system management server 3 via the communication network 5 at predetermined time intervals.

[0083] <System Management Server> The system management server 3 includes, as its functional sections, an abnormality notification information generating section 31, an abnormality notification information transmitting section 32, a warning information transmitting section 34, a history information storing section 36, and a transmission destination switching section 37.

[0084] As in the first embodiment, the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 is capable of identifying which tire T of which vehicle 2 is punctured when it determines that a tire T is punctured based on the air pressure information of each tire T, T, ... of each vehicle 2, 2, ... received from the DCM 22.

[0085] In this embodiment, when the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 determines that a tire T is punctured and the air pressure of that tire T returns to a normal value without the driver performing either a tire change or tire repair work, it determines that an improper air pressure restoration action has been performed and transmits abnormality notification information to the destination switching unit 37.

[0086] The abnormality notification information sending unit 32 sends abnormality notification information to the administrator terminal device 4 via the communication network 5 on the condition that it receives the abnormality notification information sent by the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 (more specifically, when it receives the abnormality notification information sent by the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 via the destination switching unit 37).

[0087] The warning information transmitting unit 34 transmits warning information to the vehicle 2 in which the driver who performed the improper air pressure restoration act is riding, on the condition that the abnormality notification information transmitted by the abnormality notification information creating unit 31 is received (more specifically, when the abnormality notification information transmitted by the abnormality notification information creating unit 31 is received via the destination switching unit 37).

[0088] The history information storage unit 36 ​​stores driving history information of each driver who is pre-registered in the vehicle state grasping system 1. Specifically, if there is a driver who has a history of performing an inappropriate tire pressure resetting action, the history information storage unit 36 ​​stores information on the driver (personal information of the driver).

[0089] The destination switching unit 37 is capable of switching between a first transmission form in which the abnormality notification information received from the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 is transmitted to the abnormality notification information transmission unit 32, and a second transmission form in which the abnormality notification information received from the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 is transmitted to the warning information transmission unit 34.

[0090] Specifically, when an improper air pressure resetting action is performed, the driving history information of each driver stored in the history information storage unit 36 ​​is referenced, and if the current driver of the vehicle 2 (the driver who performed the improper air pressure resetting action) is a driver who has a history of performing an improper air pressure resetting action in the past, a first transmission mode is used. That is, the abnormality notification information received from the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 is transmitted to the abnormality notification information transmission unit 32. On the other hand, if the current driver of the vehicle 2 (the driver who performed the improper air pressure resetting action) is a driver who has no history of performing an improper air pressure resetting action in the past, a second transmission mode is used. That is, the abnormality notification information received from the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 is transmitted to the warning information transmission unit 34.

[0091] A driver who has a history of improperly resetting the air pressure in the past is likely to do the same thing again. In view of this, in this embodiment, when an improper air pressure reset is performed and the driver of the vehicle 2 has also performed improper air pressure reset in the past, warning information is not automatically transmitted from the system management server 3 to the vehicle 2, but is transmitted from the operation manager. This allows the operation manager to manually issue a warning (advice) to the current driver of the vehicle 2. This increases the force of forcing the driver to change or repair the tires.

[0092] (Operation when a puncture occurs) Next, the operation when a flat tire occurs in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the vehicle 2, the system management server 3, and the administrator terminal device 4. From the left, Fig. 7 shows an information processing operation in the vehicle 2 (recognizing the air pressure of the tire T), an information processing operation in the system management server 3 (creating and transmitting abnormality notification information), and an operation in the administrator terminal device 4 (warning operation by the operation manager). Note that Fig. 7 also shows an example of communication between one vehicle 2 and the system management server 3 and the administrator terminal device 4, but communication between other vehicles 2 and the system management server 3 and the administrator terminal device 4 is also performed in the same way.

[0093] First, the air pressure of each tire T, T, ... is recognized by the air pressure recognition unit 25a installed in the vehicle 2 (S1), and information on the recognized air pressure of each tire T, T, ... is transmitted from the DCM 22 to the system management server 3.

[0094] Based on the received air pressure information of each tire T, T, ..., the system management server 3 performs a determination process to determine whether or not the air pressure of tire T has returned to a normal value after dropping to a predetermined abnormal value without either tire replacement or tire repair work being performed (a determination process to determine whether or not an inappropriate return of air pressure has occurred) (S2).

[0095] Then, if it is determined that an improper air pressure reset has occurred because the tire pressure has returned to normal without the need for either a tire change or tire repair, the system management server 3 refers to the driving history information of the driver who performed the improper air pressure reset, and performs a determination process (history determination process) as to whether or not the driver has a history of performing an improper air pressure reset in the past (S7).

[0096] If the driver has no history of performing an improper tire pressure reset action in the past, the abnormality notification information received from the abnormality notification information creation unit 31 is sent to the warning information sending unit 34, and warning information is sent from the system management server 3 to the vehicle 2 (see the arrow indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 7). As a result, one or both of a voice warning from the speaker 23 mounted on the vehicle 2 and a visual warning on the display monitor 24 are issued.

[0097] When the driver who received the warning performs a tire changing or repairing operation (S5), work completion information is transmitted to the system management server 3. This work completion information is transmitted in conjunction with the detection of the ON / OFF state of the switch provided on the tire T described above. Upon receiving this work completion information, the system management server 3 performs a process of stopping the warning information that was being transmitted to the vehicle 2 (warning stop process) (S6), whereby the audio warning from the speaker 23 mounted on the vehicle 2 and the visual warning on the display monitor 24 are stopped.

[0098] On the other hand, if the driver has a history of performing an inappropriate tire pressure reset action in the past, the abnormality notification information received from the abnormality notification information generating unit 31 is transmitted to the manager terminal device 4 .

[0099] The manager terminal device 4 displays on the display screen (display of abnormality notification information) information that a vehicle 2 exists in which an inappropriate air pressure reset has been performed, information that the driver of the vehicle 2 is a driver who has a history of performing an inappropriate air pressure reset in the past, individual information of the vehicle 2, and individual information of the tire T in which the puncture has occurred, and provides this abnormality notification information to the operations manager (S3).

[0100] Then, the operations manager operates the manager terminal device 4 (warning information transmission operation) to transmit warning information to the relevant vehicle 2 (the vehicle in which the driver who performed the inappropriate tire pressure resetting act is riding) via the communication network 5. As a result, one or both of a voice warning from the speaker 23 mounted on the vehicle 2 and a visual warning on the display monitor 24 are issued.

[0101] This allows the operations manager to give an artificial warning (advice) to the current driver of the vehicle 2, and can increase the force of forcing the driver to change or repair the tire. As a means for further increasing this force, it is preferable to have the voice of the operations manager emitted from the speaker 23 (to increase the force of forcing by direct conversation between the operations manager and the driver) or to display text information input by the operations manager by operating the input unit 41 as an image on the display monitor 24 (to display text information that is a strong warning from the manager).

[0102] (Effects of the embodiment) This embodiment can also achieve the same effect as the first embodiment (when a driver who has received the warning information performs tire changing or tire repair work, other drivers who get on the vehicle after that will not be forced to perform tire changing or tire repair work, and the burden on the driver can be relieved). In addition, this embodiment can increase the force of enforcement against repeated attempts to restore the inappropriate air pressure.

[0103] -Other embodiments- The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and all modifications and applications within the scope of the claims and equivalents thereto are possible.

[0104] For example, in each of the above embodiments, the vehicle status monitoring system 1 according to the present invention has been described as being applied to a vehicle management system in a taxi company. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to vehicle management systems in rental car companies and other car sharing companies.

[0105] In each of the above embodiments, the air pressure recognition unit 25a recognizes the air pressure of each of the tires T, T, ... individually by utilizing information on the difference in rotation speed of each of the tires T, T, .... The present invention is not limited to this, and each of the tires T, T, ... may be provided with a pressure sensor to recognize the air pressure of each of the tires T, T, ... individually.

[0106] In each of the above embodiments, warning information is transmitted to a vehicle (a vehicle in which a driver who performed an improper air pressure restoration act is riding) 2 via the communication network 5, so that one or both of a voice warning from the speaker 23 mounted on the vehicle 2 and a visual warning on the display monitor 24 are issued. The present invention is not limited to this, and warning information may be transmitted to a terminal (such as a smartphone) carried by the driver, and one or both of a voice warning from the terminal and a visual warning on the display screen of the terminal may be issued.

[0107] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the air pressure information of each tire T, T, ... recognized by the air pressure recognition unit 25a is associated with individual information of the vehicle 2 and individual information of the tire T. The present invention is not limited to this, and only the individual information of the vehicle 2 may be associated with the air pressure information. [Industrial Applicability]

[0108] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to a vehicle state monitoring system capable of monitoring the state of a vehicle in a vehicle usage scenario in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under an administrator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Vehicle status monitoring system 2 Vehicles 3 System Management Server 4. Administrator terminal device (communication device) 5. Communication Network 22 DCM (Air Pressure Information Transmission Department) 23 Speaker (user interface device) 24 Display monitor (user interface device) 25a Tire pressure sensor 31 Abnormality Notification Information Creation Department 32. Abnormality Notification Information Transmission Department 34 Warning Information Transmission Department 36 History information storage unit 37 Call destination switching unit T Tire

Claims

1. A vehicle status monitoring system capable of monitoring a status of a vehicle in a vehicle usage pattern in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under an administrator, comprising: an air pressure recognition unit that recognizes the air pressure of tires of the vehicle; an air pressure information transmission unit that transmits information on the air pressure of the tire recognized by the air pressure recognition unit; a system management server that receives the tire pressure information transmitted by the tire pressure information transmission unit, The system management server includes: an abnormality notification information creation unit that creates abnormality notification information when the tire pressure returns to a normal value without performing either a tire replacement operation or a tire repair operation after the tire pressure has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value based on the received tire pressure information; an abnormality notification information transmission unit that transmits the abnormality notification information to a communication device operated by the administrator when the abnormality notification information is received from the abnormality notification information creation unit, The communication device is configured to provide warning information to at least one of a user interface device mounted in the vehicle and a terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle, by operation of the administrator.

2. A vehicle status monitoring system capable of monitoring a status of a vehicle in a vehicle usage pattern in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under an administrator, comprising: an air pressure recognition unit that recognizes the air pressure of tires of the vehicle; an air pressure information transmission unit that transmits information on the air pressure of the tire recognized by the air pressure recognition unit; a system management server that receives the tire pressure information transmitted by the tire pressure information transmission unit, The system management server includes: an abnormality notification information creation unit that creates abnormality notification information when the tire pressure returns to a normal value without performing either a tire replacement operation or a tire repair operation after the tire pressure has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value based on the received tire pressure information; a warning information transmission unit that, when receiving the abnormality notification information from the abnormality notification information creation unit, transmits warning information to at least one of a user interface device mounted on the vehicle and a terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle status monitoring system capable of monitoring a status of a vehicle in a vehicle usage pattern in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under an administrator, comprising: an air pressure recognition unit that recognizes the air pressure of tires of the vehicle; an air pressure information transmission unit that transmits information on the air pressure of the tire recognized by the air pressure recognition unit; a system management server that receives the tire pressure information transmitted by the tire pressure information transmission unit, The system management server includes: an abnormality notification information creation unit that creates abnormality notification information when the tire pressure returns to a normal value without performing either a tire replacement operation or a tire repair operation after the tire pressure has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value based on the received tire pressure information; an abnormality notification information transmitting unit that transmits the abnormality notification information to a communication device operated by the administrator on condition that the abnormality notification information has been received; a warning information transmission unit that transmits warning information to at least one of a user interface device mounted on the vehicle and a terminal carried by a current driver of the vehicle, on condition that the abnormality notification information has been received; a transmission destination switching unit capable of switching between a first transmission form in which the abnormality notification information is transmitted to the abnormality notification information transmitting unit and a second transmission form in which the abnormality notification information is transmitted to the warning information transmitting unit; a history information storage unit that stores driving history information of each of the drivers, The vehicle condition grasping system is characterized in that, when the air pressure of the tire drops to the specified abnormal value and then returns to a normal value without performing either tire changing or tire repair work, the call destination switching unit refers to the driving history information of each driver stored in the history information storage unit, and if the current driver of the vehicle is a driver who has a history of returning the air pressure of the tire to a normal value without performing either tire changing or tire repair work after the air pressure of the tire drops to the specified abnormal value, the call destination switching unit switches to the first call form if the current driver of the vehicle is a driver who has a history of returning the air pressure of the tire to a normal value without performing either tire changing or tire repair work after the air pressure of the tire drops to the specified abnormal value, and switches to the second call form if the current driver is any other driver.

4. 3. The vehicle state determination system according to claim 2, The system management server transmits warning information from the warning information transmission unit to at least one of the user interface device mounted on the vehicle and a terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle, and then, when the air pressure of a tire in the same vehicle drops to a predetermined abnormal value again and then returns to a normal value without either a tire change or tire repair being performed, increases the warning level of the warning information transmitted from the warning information transmission unit.

5. In the vehicle state determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A plurality of the vehicles are managed under the control of the manager, A vehicle condition monitoring system characterized in that the tire air pressure information transmitted from the air pressure information transmission unit to the system management server is associated with individual information assigned to each of the vehicles.

6. A vehicle status grasping method capable of grasping a status of a vehicle in a vehicle usage form in which a plurality of drivers share a vehicle under an administrator, comprising: An air pressure recognition operation for recognizing an air pressure in a tire of the vehicle; an operation of generating abnormality notification information when the air pressure of the tire returns to a normal value without performing either a tire replacement operation or a tire repair operation after the air pressure of the tire has dropped to a predetermined abnormal value based on the recognized air pressure information of the tire; A vehicle condition grasping method characterized by comprising an operation of providing warning information to at least one of a user interface device mounted on the vehicle and a terminal carried by the current driver of the vehicle upon creation of the abnormality notification information.

Images