Passenger Compartment Management Device, Vehicle-mounted Device, and Passenger Compartment Management System

Abstract

To provide a technique for supporting a return of a vehicle of car sharing to a determined car room.SOLUTION: A car room management apparatus comprises a short-range wireless communicator (A) which executes short-range wireless communication with a share car to be parked in a car room for care sharing, and a vehicle detection device (B) which detects that the share car to be parked in the car room for car sharing is parked in the car room for car sharing. The short-range wireless communicator (A) is capable of receiving ON / OFF data relating to ON / OFF of an engine of the share car. In a case where the vehicle detection device (B) detects parking in the car room for car sharing, upon detecting OFF data of the engine of the share car, a normal return is transmitted to the share car. In a case where the vehicle detection device (B) does not detect parking in the car room for car sharing, upon detecting OFF data of the engine of the share car, an abnormal return is transmitted to the share car.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology that contributes to returning a vehicle (including a shared car and a rental car) used for car sharing to the correct return location.

Background Art

[0002] An entity providing car sharing as a service business offers shared cars used for car sharing and a car sharing cabin for parking the shared cars. In addition, it is equipped with an information system infrastructure that allows members who have registered in advance to reserve shared cars, open and close the door locks of shared cars, and pay usage fees.

[0003] In a car sharing where a single vehicle is jointly purchased and used, it is premised that a user who is a resident of a shared house returns the borrowed automobile from the parking lot to the original parking lot, and it targets car sharing conducted within a limited narrow range.

[0004] In such car sharing, as a technology that allows a user to abandon the automobile at an arbitrary location, there is the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Using FIG. 1, the problems to be solved by the invention will be described. The car-sharing vehicle compartments where car-sharing operators park share cars may be mixed with monthly lease compartments leased under a monthly lease contract, hourly rental compartments secured for hourly rental, or reservation-only compartments available only by reservation (see Fig. 1(a)).

[0007] In Fig. 1(a), they are arranged side by side, such as a monthly lease compartment, a car-sharing compartment, an hourly rental compartment, a monthly lease compartment or a reservation-only compartment available only by reservation. Suppose the vehicle in the leftmost monthly lease user compartment has left the warehouse. Subsequently, assume that a share car parked in the car-sharing compartment is used by a car-sharing user.

[0008] There are cases where a user who has used a share car may mistakenly return the vehicle to the wrong compartment and return it not to the car-sharing compartment but to the adjacent available monthly lease compartment (see Fig. 1(b)). In this state, when the monthly lease vehicle returns, since another vehicle is parked in the compartment with which the user has contracted, the user will be troubled.

[0009] On the road surface of the car-sharing compartment, there is a painted sign or a signboard indicating "Exclusive for Car-sharing", but it is difficult to see at night. In addition, users who use share cars may use the vehicle less frequently or use the parking lot less frequently than the contract holders who have a monthly lease contract, resulting in a situation where users who use share cars mistakenly return the vehicle to the wrong compartment.

[0010] Regarding the above-mentioned problems, no document that could lead to a solution was found among the search keywords used when extracting Patent Document 1.

[0011] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technology that contributes to assisting the return of a vehicle (share car) used for car-sharing to a determined compartment.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0012] To solve the above-described problems, there are provided a first invention related to a passenger compartment management device installed in a passenger compartment for car-sharing, a second invention related to an in-vehicle device that executes data communication and data processing with the passenger compartment device according to the first invention, and a third invention related to a computer program that controls the in-vehicle device according to the second invention.

[0013] (First Invention) The first invention is a passenger compartment management device installed in a passenger compartment for car-sharing in a parking lot, comprising a short-range wireless communication device (A) that executes short-range wireless communication with a shared car parked in the passenger compartment for car-sharing, and a vehicle detection device (B) that detects that a shared car parked in the passenger compartment for car-sharing has parked in the said passenger compartment for car-sharing. The short-range wireless communication device (A) can receive on / off data regarding the on / off of the engine of the shared car, and when the vehicle detection device (B) detects that the shared car has parked in the passenger compartment for car-sharing and then detects off data of the engine of the shared car, it transmits a message indicating normal return to the shared car, and when the vehicle detection device (B) does not detect that the shared car has parked in the passenger compartment for car-sharing and then detects off data of the engine of the shared car, it transmits a message indicating abnormal return to the shared car (see FIGS. 2(a), 3, and 4).

[0014] (Term Explanation) A "shared car" is a vehicle provided by a car-sharing business operator. The car-sharing business shall include a car rental business. Therefore, rental cars are also included. A "passenger compartment" is a space in a parking lot that is distinguished from other spaces as a space for one vehicle to park. It is generally indicated on the road surface of the parking lot, but it may also be surrounded as a passenger compartment.

[0015] The "short-range wireless communication device (A)" is a device that starts two-way wireless communication when it approaches approximately 10 to 20 meters, and is called a wireless PAN (Personal Area Network). A typical device is, for example, Bluetooth (a registered trademark of The Bluetooth SIG Inc.).

[0016] The "vehicle detection device (B)" is, for example, a device that forms magnetic lines of force by passing a coil through an alternating current generated from a vibrator, and detects a magnetic field disturbed by the generation of eddy currents in a metal when the metal enters the magnetic field by electromagnetic induction. The vehicle detection device used in the embodiments described later is, for example, a metal detector that produces an output by sound or light when it detects a metal approaching from approximately several centimeters to several tens of centimeters. Detection is difficult at a distance of 1 meter or more, and for example, a vehicle parked in the next passenger compartment cannot be detected.

[0017] In addition to using the detection method based on the magnetic field change of the coil as the vehicle detection device (B), ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, distance measurement sensors, etc. can be used. Selection according to the purpose is also possible, such as reducing the power consumption of the vehicle detection device (B) body. For example, if a method of capturing the reflected wave of the oscillated ultrasonic wave reflected from the vehicle is adopted, the speed of the vehicle can also be detected by measuring the Doppler effect of the reflected wave.

[0018] (Function) Suppose a shared car driven by a user using carsharing enters a parking lot with a carsharing passenger compartment equipped with a passenger compartment management device and attempts to park. When the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the passenger compartment management device approaches a distance at which two-way communication with the shared car is possible, it starts communication with the short-range wireless communication device (C) installed in the shared car.

[0019] When the engine of the shared car is turned off for parking, the fact that it has been turned off is transmitted from the short-range wireless communication device (C) of the shared car to the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the vehicle compartment management device. At this time, if the vehicle detection device (B) detects that the vehicle has parked in the car-sharing compartment, the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the vehicle compartment management device transmits a message indicating a normal return to the short-range wireless communication device (C) of the shared car. For the shared car that has received the message indicating a normal return, the in-vehicle car-sharing device operates so that the vehicle return procedure can be completed.

[0020] When the vehicle detection device (B) does not detect that the vehicle has parked in the car-sharing compartment, the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the vehicle compartment management device transmits a message indicating an abnormal return to the short-range wireless communication device of the shared car. For the shared car that has received the message indicating an abnormal return, the in-vehicle car-sharing device operates so that the vehicle return procedure cannot be completed.

[0021] (Variation 1 of the First Invention) In the first invention, the vehicle compartment management device may be fixed to the road surface of the vehicle compartment to be managed (see Fig. 2).

[0022] (Variation 2 of the First Invention) In the first invention, the vehicle compartment management device may be formed so as to be separable from the road surface of the vehicle compartment to be managed (see Fig. 8; built into the vehicle compartment display cone). For example, it is preferable to make it possible to separate and move it so that it can be fixed normally but the fixed location can be changed. This makes it easier to respond to changes in use for monthly contract vehicle compartments, car-sharing compartments, hourly rental vehicle compartments, monthly contract vehicle compartments or reservation-only dedicated vehicle compartments available only by reservation.

[0023] (Variation 3 of the First Invention) The first invention may be formed as follows. That is, the parking lot is provided with a guide display board for the users of the parking lot to obtain information. The guide display board is provided with a variable display section whose display content can be changed. When the vehicle detection device described above transmits a message indicating an abnormal return to the shared car, the passenger compartment to be returned is to be displayed on the variable display unit via the short-range wireless communication device (see Fig. 10).

[0024] (Term Explanation) The "variable display unit" in the "guidance display board" is a part where the display content can be changed by a large number of small LED groups or a liquid crystal panel. The "guidance display board" may be provided with a part for notifying users of the parking lot of fixed information such as precautions and usage fees.

[0025] (Variation 4 of the First Invention) The first invention may be formed as follows. That is, the passenger compartment for car sharing is provided with a locking device for eliminating unauthorized parking, when the short-range wireless communication device starts short-range wireless communication with the shared car, the locking device is to be operated so that the car can enter the passenger compartment for car sharing (see Fig. 10).

[0026] (Term Explanation) The "locking device" is, for example, a locking plate buried near the center of the road surface of the parking passenger compartment. When the compartment is empty, the locking plate stands up to prevent parking, and for a vehicle permitted to park (the shared car to be parked in this passenger compartment), the locking plate is positioned parallel to the road surface to enable parking.

[0027] (Second Invention) The second invention is provided as a vehicle used for car sharing, and relates to an in-vehicle device mounted on a shared car that can detect when a vehicle detection device installed in the passenger compartment where the vehicle parks stops in the passenger compartment. That is, a short-range wireless communication device (C) that executes short-range wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the passenger compartment sensor installed in the passenger compartment where the shared car parks, A completion device (F) that completes the use of the shared car based on the data received by the short-range wireless communication device (C) of the in-vehicle sensor from the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the in-vehicle sensor; It is provided with. The short-range wireless communication device (C) transmits on / off data regarding the on / off of the engine of the vehicle to the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the in-vehicle sensor. The completion device (F) can complete the use of the shared car based on the data indicating normal return from the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the in-vehicle sensor, and if it is based on the data indicating abnormal return, the use of the shared car cannot be completed (see FIGS. 2(b), 3, and 4).

[0028] (Term Explanation) If the data from the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the in-vehicle sensor indicates normal return, the completion device (F) enables the completion of the use of the shared car. If the data indicates abnormal return, the use of the shared car cannot be completed. In the embodiments described later, a card reader that performs non-contact communication with a membership card to start the completion procedure of use will function as a part of the completion device. Note that in some cases, a mobile information terminal (typically a smartphone) related to a member user may be used instead of the membership card.

[0029] (Operation) The short-range wireless communication device (a) of the in-vehicle sensor installed in the vehicle compartment where the shared car is parked performs short-range wireless communication with the shared car, and the short-range wireless communication device (C) of the in-vehicle device executes it. Then, the short-range wireless communication device (C) of the in-vehicle device transmits on / off data regarding the on / off of the engine of the vehicle to the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the in-vehicle sensor. If the use of the shared car cannot be completed, the driver of the shared car can easily notice that the parking location is different. Then, park in a normal parking location and complete the use of the shared car. As a result, it will assist in returning the vehicle of the car-sharing to the determined vehicle compartment.

[0030] (Variation 1 of the Second Invention) It is more preferable that the second invention includes an output device (E) that notifies the driver of the shared car that an abnormal return has occurred when the short-range wireless communication device (C) of the in-vehicle device receives data indicating an abnormal return.

[0031] (Term Explanation) The "output device (E)" is, for example, a speaker. The speaker is pre-embedded with voice data to be output in the case of an abnormal return. When the short-range wireless communication device (C) receives data indicating an abnormal return, the voice data is output. As the output device (E), for example, a multifunctional car navigation device may be used. If it is a multifunctional car navigation device, in addition to the aforementioned speaker, output to the screen is also possible.

[0032] (Operation) When the short-range wireless communication device (C) of the in-vehicle device receives data indicating an abnormal return from the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the passenger compartment sensor, the output device notifies the driver of the shared car that an abnormal return has occurred. The driver of the shared car will notice the abnormal return before recognizing the inability to complete with the completion device and will attempt to park at a normal passenger destination.

[0033] (Variation 2 of the Second Invention) The second invention is a locking / unlocking device for the door of the shared car, and when the short-range wireless communication device receives data indicating an abnormal return, it can be set so that locking / unlocking cannot be performed.

[0034] (Operation) When the short-range wireless communication device receives data indicating an abnormal return, locking / unlocking cannot be performed, so the return procedure of car sharing is not completed. Then, the charging state continues. It can be expected that the driver of the shared car will make a normal return in order to avoid the continuous charging state.

[0035] (Third Invention) A third invention relates to a computer program for controlling an in-vehicle device mounted on a shared car that can detect when a vehicle detection device installed in a passenger compartment where the vehicle parks has stopped in the passenger compartment. The in-vehicle device includes a short-range wireless communication device that performs short-range wireless communication with a short-range wireless communication device of a passenger compartment sensor installed in a passenger compartment where the shared car parks, and a completion device that completes the use of the shared car based on data received by the short-range wireless communication device from the short-range wireless communication device of the passenger compartment sensor. The computer program includes an on / off data transmission procedure for causing the short-range wireless communication device to transmit on / off data regarding on / off of an engine of the vehicle to the short-range wireless communication device of the passenger compartment sensor, a normal return processing procedure for operating the completion device so that the use of the shared car can be completed when data indicating normal return is received from the short-range wireless communication device of the passenger compartment sensor, and an abnormal return processing procedure for operating the completion device so that the use of the shared car cannot be completed based on data indicating abnormal return, to be executed by the in-vehicle device (see FIG. 3).

[0036] It is also possible to transmit the computer program according to the third invention from a computer storing the program to other terminal means through a communication line. In addition, the computer program according to the third invention can be stored in a recording medium and provided. Here, the "recording medium" is a medium that can carry a program that cannot occupy space by itself. For example, a hard disk, CD-R, DVD-R, flash memory, etc.

Advantages of the Invention

[0037] According to the first invention, it was possible to provide a passenger compartment management device that contributes to returning a shared car to the correct return location. According to the second invention, an in-vehicle device that contributes to returning the shared car to the correct return location could be provided. According to the third and fourth inventions, a computer program for controlling an in-vehicle device that contributes to returning the shared car to the correct return location could be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0039] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the drawings and embodiments. The drawings used here are FIGS. 2 to 10. Refer to FIG. 1 as well if necessary.

[0040] (FIG. 2) In FIG. 2(a), in the same arrangement as in FIG. 1, the lunar pole contract car cabin, the car-sharing car cabin, the hourly rental car cabin (or reservation-only car cabin), and the lunar pole contract car cabin are arranged side by side. Near the center of the road surface in the car-sharing car cabin, a short-range wireless communication device (A) and a vehicle detection device (B) as a metal detector are embedded as a car cabin management device (car cabin sensor). The distance at which the vehicle detection device (B) can detect metal is when a vehicle exists in that car cabin.

[0041] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2(b), in addition to the engine (D) that powers the vehicle, the share car is equipped with a short-range wireless communication device (C) that performs short-range wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication device (A) embedded in the car cabin, a multifunctional car navigation device (E) that also functions as an output device for various data, and a locking and unlocking device (F).

[0042] Users of the car-sharing ring who can use the share car have completed membership registration in advance and hold a membership card in which an ID associated with their own attribute data is stored. They use that ID to make a reservation to use the share car or to lock and unlock the reserved share car.

[0043] (FIG. 3) FIG. 3 shows how the aforementioned hardware operates in a flowchart. First, assume that the share car has returned to the parking lot where there is a car-sharing car cabin to be returned. Then, it enters the parking lot (S1). Although the illustration is omitted, the fact that it has entered is detected by a gate device installed at the entrance (or access) of the parking lot.

[0044] When the shared car approaches the parking bay where it should be parked, the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the parking bay management device and the short-range wireless communication device (C) installed in the shared car start wireless communication (S2). The driver of the shared car drives it to park.

[0045] Suppose the driver of the shared car parks the shared car and turns off the engine (D) of the shared car. Then, the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the parking bay management device receives a notification to that effect from the short-range wireless communication device (C) of the shared car (S3). At this time, if the engine (D) of the shared car is turned off in the car-sharing parking bay, the vehicle detection device (B) will detect that the shared car has been parked in the dedicated parking bay for shared cars (S4).

[0046] Even if the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the parking bay management device and the short-range wireless communication device (C) installed in the shared car start wireless communication when the vehicle approaches, if the engine (D) of the shared car is not turned off, two-way communication will continue until the shared car goes out of the communication range (No in S3).

[0047] The engine (D) of the shared car is turned off, and the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the parking bay management device receives a notification to that effect from the short-range wireless communication device (C) (S3). However, if the vehicle detection device (B) cannot detect the shared car (No in S4), it means that the shared car is not parked in the car-sharing parking bay. (S4). This is because there is no vehicle in the car-sharing parking bay where metal detection is possible.

[0048] In this case, an in-house voice announcement saying "The return location is incorrect" is output via the speaker of the multifunctional car navigation device installed (S7). In addition, the return procedure cannot be completed. For example, even if the membership card is touched to the card reader, the return process of the shared car vehicle is not executed, and the state where the member still has the shared car vehicle borrowed continues. That is, since the end of the borrowing time does not occur, the charging process continues.

[0049] The driver of the shared car, who is a member user, will notice that the returned passenger compartment is incorrect, turn on the vehicle engine, and start driving to change the parking location. As a result, it returns to S2 and parks in the car-sharing passenger compartment, which is the original return passenger compartment, and turns off the engine. Then, it is determined that the return is normal, the card reader lights up, and the return process can be executed (S5). The driver of the shared car, who is a member user, holds the membership card near the card reader to read the ID in the membership card through non-contact communication and completes the return procedure (S6).

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the return of the shared car vehicle is completed by using a membership card with a built-in memory chip storing a membership ID or the like. However, in some cases, a mobile information terminal (typically a smartphone) related to the member user may be used instead of the membership card. The present invention does not depend on either the membership card method or the smartphone method.

[0051] (Figure 4) Figure 4(a) is a plan view showing a state where the shared car has parked in the car-sharing passenger compartment for return and has completed a normal return. Figure 4(b) is a side view.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4(a), the monthly contract user room, the car-sharing passenger compartment, the hourly rental car room, and the monthly contract car room are arranged in a row, and it is assumed that the shared car has been normally returned to the car-sharing passenger compartment. As shown in Figure 4(b), the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the passenger compartment management device can perform two-way communication with the short-range wireless communication device (C) of the in-vehicle device, and the vehicle detection device (B) can detect the shared car.

[0053] (Figure 5) Figure 5 shows in what order the passenger compartment management device and the in-vehicle device of the shared car parked in the car-sharing passenger compartment for return process information.

[0054] When the shared car approaches the car-sharing passenger compartment, the short-range wireless communication devices (A, C) start two-way communication (1). When the shared car parks in the car-sharing passenger compartment and turns off the engine (D), the engine (D) transmits a signal indicating that the engine has been turned off to the short-range wireless communication device (C) (2), which is then transmitted from the short-range wireless communication device (C) to the short-range wireless communication device (A) (3).

[0055] The vehicle detection device (B) detects that the body of the shared car, which is a metal mass, is approaching (4). Based on this detection, it can be determined that the car has parked in the normal passenger compartment (car-sharing passenger compartment) (5), and a signal indicating a normal parking is transmitted from the short-range wireless communication device (A) to the short-range wireless communication device (C) (6).

[0056] A signal indicating a normal parking is transmitted to the multifunctional car navigation device (E), and the multifunctional car navigation device (E) outputs a message indicating a normal parking to the driver of the shared car by voice or on the screen display (7). Also, a signal indicating that it is possible to lock / unlock is transmitted to the locking / unlocking device (F) (8).

[0057] (Figure 6) Figure 6(a) is a plan view showing a state where the shared car has parked for return to the car-sharing passenger compartment but has made an incorrect return. Figure 6(b) is a perspective view.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6(a), assume that the monthly contract customer room, car-sharing passenger compartment, hourly rental car room (or reserved-only car room), and monthly contract car room are arranged in a row, and the shared car has parked trying to return to the monthly contract customer room adjacent to the car-sharing passenger compartment. As shown in Figure 6(b), the short-range wireless communication device (A) of the passenger compartment management device can perform two-way communication with the short-range wireless communication device (C) of the in-vehicle device, but the vehicle detection device (B) cannot detect the shared car.

[0059] (Figure 7) Figure 7 shows the order in which the in-vehicle device of a shared car that attempts to park in the wrong passenger compartment for return and the passenger compartment management device process information.

[0060] When the shared car approaches the passenger compartment for car sharing, the short-range wireless communication devices (A, C) start two-way communication (1). When the shared car parks in the passenger compartment for car sharing and turns off the engine (D), the engine (D) transmits a signal indicating that the engine has been turned off to the short-range wireless communication device (C) (2), and it is transmitted from the short-range wireless communication device (C) to the short-range wireless communication device (A) (3).

[0061] The vehicle detection device (B) cannot detect the body of a shared car that has not parked in the passenger compartment for car sharing (4). At this stage, it can be determined that parking has been made in a passenger compartment that is not the normal passenger compartment (the passenger compartment for car sharing) (5), and a signal indicating that it is an abnormal parking is transmitted from the short-range wireless communication device (A) to the short-range wireless communication device (C) (6).

[0062] A signal indicating that it is an abnormal parking is transmitted to the multifunctional car navigation device (E), and the multifunctional car navigation device (E) outputs a message indicating that it is an abnormal parking to the driver of the shared car by voice or on the screen display (7). Also, a signal indicating that locking is not possible is transmitted to the locking / unlocking device (F) (8).

[0063] If the use of the shared car cannot be completed, the driver of the shared car is likely to notice that the parking location is different. After that, the driver will park at the correct parking location and complete the use of the shared car. This contributes to preventing a situation where the shared car parks in a different passenger compartment (for example, a monthly contract passenger compartment) when the contract holder of the monthly contract passenger compartment tries to park.

[0064] (Figure 8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a variation of the vehicle interior management device. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the vehicle interior management device has been described as being buried in the road surface of the vehicle interior for car-sharing. In FIG. 8, the short-range wireless communication device (A) and the vehicle detection device (B) that constitute the vehicle interior management device are built into and can be moved within a vehicle interior display cone for displaying that it is a dedicated vehicle interior for car-sharing.

[0065] The vehicle interior display cone is for making it easier for the reservation user of the shared car to find the shared car when the shared car is parked in the vehicle interior for car-sharing, and for prompting attention so that other vehicles do not park when the shared car is in use.

[0066] When starting to use the shared car, the driver of the shared car takes the shared car out of storage and installs the vehicle interior display cone in the vehicle interior for car-sharing.

[0067] When returning the shared car, the driver of the shared car moves the vehicle interior display cone to the back side of the vehicle interior for car-sharing and parks the shared car in the vehicle interior for car-sharing. Then, the short-range wireless communication device (A) and the vehicle detection device (B) operate as described above.

[0068] If the driver of the shared car uses a non-vehicle-interior-for-car-sharing vehicle interior for return at the time of return, although the short-range wireless communication device (A) performs two-way communication with the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device (C), the vehicle detection device (B) cannot detect the shared car, so the return process cannot be executed.

[0069] (FIG. 9) The main difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is that the former is provided with an LED guide display board (J) as a guide display for the parking lot. It will also be described later that there may be a case where a lock plate (K) indicated by a dashed line is also provided.

[0070] Output a message indicating abnormal parking to the driver of the shared car through the voice and screen display of the multifunctional car navigation device (7). At the same time, display "The cabin for return is here" on the LED guidance display board (J). Although this illustration shows the case where the shared car is parked in a different cabin, by displaying the cabin to be returned when the LED guidance display board (J) starts operating for parking, it contributes to preventing parking in the wrong parking cabin.

[0071] Near the center of the road surface of the cabin dedicated to car sharing, a lock plate (K) is embedded. When the cabin is empty, the lock plate stands up to prevent parking. Also, for a vehicle permitted to park (the shared car that should park in this cabin), the lock plate is positioned parallel to the road surface to enable parking. If the vehicle detection device (B) can recognize the speed information detected by the in-vehicle device for car sharing, it is possible to lower the lock plate earlier according to the speed of the vehicle.

[0072] (Figure 10) The embodiment shown in Figure 10 shows the relationship between the car sharing ring management server (abbreviated as "car sharing management server" in the figure) that executes management related to the shared car and the in-vehicle device of the shared car.

[0073] The in-vehicle device of the shared car is equipped with a server communication unit (N) that executes data communication with the car sharing ring management server, a memory (M) that temporarily stores the data received from the car sharing ring management server, and a control unit (H) that controls an output device (multifunctional car navigation device E), a locking and unlocking device (F), a card reader (R), etc.

[0074] This figure shows the case where data indicating that the cabin to be returned has been changed (return cabin data) is received from the car sharing ring management server. For example, when another vehicle is parked in the cabin where the shared car should park, the driver of the shared car is notified of the cabin to park instead as the return cabin data.

[0075] When the server communication unit (N) receives the returned passenger compartment data, it is transmitted to the control unit (H) via the memory (M). Then, the output device (multifunctional car navigation device E) provides screen display and voice guidance to notify the driver of the shared car. The operations from parking to locking completion after that have already been described and are thus omitted. The fact that the return is completed is also received by the car-sharing management server.

[0076] Note that it shows that the in-vehicle device of the shared car acquires and utilizes position data by receiving radio waves from GPS satellites. For example, the car-sharing management server grasps that the shared car is approaching the parking lot where the passenger compartment to be returned is located, and determines the timing to transmit the returned passenger compartment data as described above.

Industrial Applicability

[0077] The present invention has applicability in the operation management industry of parking lots, the manufacturing and maintenance industries of equipment necessary for parking lot operation, the data service industry that handles data related to parking lots, and the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] A. Short-range wireless communication device B. Vehicle detection device C. Short-range wireless communication device D. Engine (On / Off) E. Output device (multifunctional car navigation) F. Locking / unlocking device G. Control unit H. GPS receiver J. LED guidance display board K. Locking plate L. Reading camera M. Memory N. Server communication unit R. Card reader

Claims

1. A vehicle compartment management device installed in a vehicle compartment for car-sharing in a parking lot, a short-range wireless communication device that performs short-range wireless communication with an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle parked in the car-sharing vehicle compartment and used for car-sharing, and a vehicle detection device that detects that the vehicle parked in the car-sharing vehicle compartment has parked in the car-sharing vehicle compartment, wherein the in-vehicle device includes a server communication unit that performs two-way communication with a car-sharing management server that manages the vehicle, an in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device that performs short-range wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication device, an engine state transmission unit that transmits on / off data regarding on / off of the engine of the vehicle to the short-range wireless communication device of the vehicle compartment sensor, a GPS receiver that acquires position data of the vehicle, a control unit that determines whether the use of the vehicle can be completed based on data received by the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device from the short-range wireless communication device of the vehicle compartment sensor, and determines the timing to transmit return vehicle compartment data regarding which vehicle compartment should be returned to the output device in communication from the car-sharing management server that has grasped that the vehicle is approaching a parking lot with a vehicle compartment to be returned using the position data received by the GPS receiver, a completion device that enables the use of the vehicle to be completed based on data indicating normal return from the short-range wireless communication device of the vehicle compartment sensor based on the determination of the control unit, and makes the use of the vehicle impossible to complete based on data indicating abnormal return, and an output device that outputs a notification of the return vehicle compartment to be returned and completion of return, wherein the short-range wireless communication device can receive on / off data regarding on / off of the engine of the vehicle from the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device via the engine state transmission unit related to the in-vehicle device, when the vehicle detection device detects that the vehicle has parked in the car-sharing vehicle compartment by two-way communication with the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device and detects off data of the engine of the vehicle from the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device via the engine state transmission unit, the vehicle detection device transmits a message indicating normal return to the vehicle to the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device via the short-range wireless communication device, When the vehicle detection device does not detect that the vehicle has parked in the car-sharing vehicle compartment, if it detects by receiving the engine-off data of the vehicle from the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device via the engine state transmission unit, it shall transmit to the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device that it is an abnormal return to the vehicle via the short-range wireless communication device. A vehicle compartment management device is configured in this way.

2. The vehicle compartment management device is to be fixed to the road surface of the vehicle compartment to be managed. The vehicle compartment management device according to claim 1.

3. The parking lot is provided with a guide display board for users of the parking lot to obtain information. The guide display board is provided with a variable display unit whose display content can be changed. When the vehicle detection device transmits that it is an abnormal return to the vehicle, the vehicle compartment to be returned is to be displayed on the variable display unit via the short-range wireless communication device. The vehicle compartment management device according to any one of claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The car-sharing vehicle compartment is provided with a locking device for preventing unauthorized parking. When the short-range wireless communication device starts short-range wireless communication with the vehicle, it is to operate the locking device so that entry into the car-sharing vehicle compartment is possible. The vehicle compartment management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. An in-vehicle device provided as a vehicle used for car-sharing, and mounted on the vehicle so that when a vehicle detection device installed in the vehicle compartment where the vehicle parks detects that the vehicle has stopped in the vehicle compartment, it can detect that the vehicle has parked. A server communication unit for two-way communication with a car-sharing management server that manages the vehicle. An in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device that performs short-range wireless communication with a short-range wireless communication device as a vehicle compartment sensor installed in the vehicle compartment where the vehicle parks. An engine state transmission unit that transmits on / off data regarding the on / off of the engine of the vehicle to the short-range wireless communication device of the vehicle compartment sensor. A GPS receiver that acquires the position data of the vehicle. A control unit that determines whether the use of the vehicle can be completed based on the data received by the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device from the short-range wireless communication device of the vehicle compartment sensor. A completion device that enables the use of the vehicle based on data indicating normal return from the short-range wireless communication device of the vehicle compartment sensor based on the determination of the control unit, and disables the use of the vehicle when based on data indicating abnormal return. An output device that outputs a return compartment to be returned and a notification of return completion, and the control unit determines the timing to transmit return compartment data regarding which return compartment is to the output device in communication from the car-sharing management server that has grasped that the vehicle is approaching a parking lot having a compartment to be returned, using the position data received by the GPS receiver. An in-vehicle device.

6. The completion device is a locking / unlocking device for the doors of the vehicle, and when the short-range wireless communication device receives data indicating an abnormal return, locking / unlocking cannot be performed. The in-vehicle device according to claim 5.

7. A compartment management system including a compartment management device installed in a car-sharing compartment in a parking lot and an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle parked in the car-sharing compartment and used for car-sharing, wherein the compartment management device includes a short-range wireless communication device that performs short-range wireless communication with an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle used for car-sharing and parked in the car-sharing compartment, and a vehicle detection device that detects that the vehicle parked in the car-sharing compartment has parked in the car-sharing compartment. The in-vehicle device includes a server communication unit that performs two-way communication with a car-sharing management server that manages the vehicle, an in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device that performs short-range wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication device, an engine state transmission unit that transmits on / off data regarding on / off of the engine of the vehicle to the short-range wireless communication device of the compartment sensor, a GPS receiver that acquires position data of the vehicle, a control unit that determines whether the use of the vehicle can be completed based on data received by the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device from the short-range wireless communication device of the compartment sensor, and determines the timing to transmit return compartment data regarding which return compartment is to the output device in communication from the car-sharing management server that has grasped that the vehicle is approaching a parking lot having a compartment to be returned, using the position data received by the GPS receiver, and a completion device that enables the use of the vehicle to be completed based on data indicating a normal return from the short-range wireless communication device of the compartment sensor based on the determination of the control unit, and disables the use of the vehicle when based on data indicating an abnormal return. An output device that outputs a return compartment to be returned and a notification of return completion, comprising: The short-range wireless communication device can receive on / off data regarding on / off of the engine of the vehicle from the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device via the engine state transmitter related to the in-vehicle device, When the vehicle detection device detects that the vehicle has parked in the car-sharing compartment by two-way communication with the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device and detects off data of the engine of the vehicle from the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device via the engine state transmitter, it transmits a message indicating normal return to the vehicle to the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device via the short-range wireless communication device, When the vehicle detection device does not detect that the vehicle has parked in the car-sharing compartment and detects off data of the engine of the vehicle from the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device via the engine state transmitter, it transmits a message indicating abnormal return to the vehicle to the in-vehicle short-range wireless communication device via the short-range wireless communication device. A compartment management system is provided.

8. The compartment management device is fixed to the road surface of the compartment to be managed. The compartment management system according to claim 7.

9. The parking lot is provided with a guide display board for users of the parking lot to obtain information, The guide display board is provided with a variable display section capable of changing the display content, When the vehicle detection device transmits a message indicating abnormal return to the vehicle, the compartment to be returned is displayed on the variable display section via the short-range wireless communication device. The compartment management system according to any one of claims 7 or 8.

10. The car-sharing compartment is provided with a locking device for preventing unauthorized parking, When the short-range wireless communication device starts short-range wireless communication with the vehicle, it operates the locking device so that entry into the car-sharing compartment is possible. The compartment management system according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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