Management method, program, and management system

Abstract

To improve a user's convenience when using a moving body.SOLUTION: A terminal control method includes a guidance step S3, an output step S7, and a notification step S13. The guidance step S3 is a step of displaying a screen for urging a user to acquire an identifier of a moving body scheduled to be used on a terminal that the user uses. The output step S7 is a step of outputting an identifier acquired through the guidance step S3 to a control system for controlling the moving body from the terminal. The notification step S13 is a step of displaying a screen for reporting that the moving body is shifted from a locked state to an unlockable state through the output step S7 on the terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to Management method , programs, and Management system . More specifically, the present disclosure relates to Management method , Pu log programs, and Management system used when using a mobile body.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bicycle rental system. In this bicycle rental system, after a user grasps their current location using the GPS (Global Positioning System) function of a mobile phone or the like, the user accesses a rental host via the base station and the Internet of the mobile phone. From the rental host, a parking lot map corresponding to the user's location information is sent. Also, from the rental host, the key number for renting a bicycle is notified.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a Management method , program, and Management system that can improve the convenience of users when using a mobile body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is executed by one or more processors. The management method includes a guidance step, a display control step, a detection step, and a control processing step. In the guidance step, a screen for prompting the acquisition of an identifier of a moving body that the user plans to use is displayed on the terminal used by the user. In the display control step, a confirmation screen is displayed on the terminal. The confirmation screen includes the identifier obtained through the guidance step and the remaining battery level information of the moving body corresponding to the identifier. In the detection step, in response to a first operation on the terminal by the user on the confirmation screen, an operation method for enabling the moving body to travel is displayed on the terminal, and a second operation of the user is detected. In the control processing step, when the second operation of the user is detected in the detection step, Before the startup of the moving body To is performed.

[0006] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the above Management method thereof.

[0007] A management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a guidance unit, a display control unit, a detection unit, and a control processing unit. The guidance unit displays a screen for prompting the acquisition of an identifier of a moving body that the user plans to use on the terminal used by the user. The display control unit displays a confirmation screen on the terminal. The confirmation screen includes the identifier and the remaining battery level information of the moving body corresponding to the identifier. The detection unit, in response to a first operation on the terminal by the user on the confirmation screen, displays an operation method for enabling the moving body to travel on the terminal, and detects a second operation of the user. The control processing unit, when the detection unit detects the second operation of the user, Before the startup of the moving body To is performed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure has the advantage of being able to improve the convenience of the user when using the moving body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (1) Overview Hereinafter, the terminal control method, program, and moving body 2 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the moving body 2 is a bicycle. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the moving body 2 is an electric bicycle. Therefore, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, "moving body 2" will be described as "electric bicycle 2".

[0011] The terminal control method of this embodiment is used when user A1 (see Fig. 3) rents the electric bicycle 2 (see Figs. 1 and 2). That is, in this embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is managed by a rental service provider and is temporarily lent to user A1 who has concluded a contract with the provider. In the unused state, the electric bicycle 2 is generally parked in a parking lot prepared by the provider.

[0012] The terminal control method is executed, for example, when user A1 activates a general-purpose browser installed on the terminal 1 (see Fig. 1) owned by user A1 and accesses a dedicated website. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the dedicated website can be obtained, for example, by reading a two-dimensional code (e.g., QR code (registered trademark)) written on a sticker attached to the electric bicycle 2 with a reader 14 (described later) of the terminal 1. Alternatively, the terminal control method may be executed when user A1 activates a dedicated application installed on the terminal 1.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 4, the terminal control method has at least a guidance step S3, an output step S7, and a notification step S13.

[0014] The guidance step S3 is a step of causing the terminal 1 used by user A1 to display a screen (guidance screen P2 (see Fig. 7)) that prompts the acquisition of the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle (mobile object) 2 that user A1 plans to use. The "identifier 10" referred to in this disclosure is unique information assigned to each electric bicycle 2. Therefore, when there are multiple electric bicycles 2, it is possible to specify one electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier 10 by referring to the identifier 10.

[0015] The output step S7 is a step of causing the identifier 10 obtained through the guidance step S3 to be output from the terminal 1 to the control system 3 (see FIG. 1) that controls the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2. The "control system 3" referred to in the present disclosure is not a control unit provided in the electric bicycle 2, but a server or the like at a remote location away from the electric bicycle 2. In the present embodiment, the control system 3 remotely controls the electric bicycle 2 by wirelessly communicating with the electric bicycle 2. However, the "remote control" referred to here does not include the control for running the electric bicycle 2.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the output step S7 is executed after the user A1 who has viewed the guidance screen P2 in the guidance step S3 operates the terminal 1 to cause the terminal 1 to acquire the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2.

[0017] The notification step S13 is a step of causing the terminal 1 to display a screen (notification screen P6 (see FIG. 11)) that notifies that the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 has shifted from the locked state to the unlockable state through the output step S7. Although it will be described in detail later, the "locked state" referred to in the present disclosure is a state in which the lock (in the present embodiment, the circular lock 6 (see FIG. 1)) provided in the electric bicycle 2 is locked. Further, the "unlockable state" referred to in the present disclosure is a state in which the lock provided in the electric bicycle 2 is locked, but it is possible to unlock it by the operation of the user A1. In other words, the unlockable state is a state in which the electric bicycle 2 is unlocked when the user A1 performs a specific operation on the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2. In the present embodiment, the specific operation is a press operation of the power switch of the operation device 23 (described later).

[0018] In this embodiment, the notification step S13 is executed after the control system 3 that has acquired the identifier 10 output from the terminal 1 in the output step S7 wirelessly communicates with the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier 10 to shift the electric bicycle 2 from the locked state to the unlockable state. Then, user A1 who has viewed the notification screen P6 in the notification step S13 can shift the electric bicycle 2 to the unlocked state by operating the operation device 23 (described later) of the electric bicycle 2. After that, user A1 can ride on the electric bicycle 2 and travel. In this way, the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 is controlled by the control system 3 that communicates with the terminal 1 by the terminal control method.

[0019] As described above, in this embodiment, user A1 can use the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 by performing the procedure while viewing the screens displayed on the terminal 1 in each of the guidance step S3, the output step S7, and the notification step S13. That is, user A1 can complete the procedure to use the electric bicycle 2 only by using the terminal 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is an advantage that the convenience of user A1 when using the electric bicycle 2 can be improved.

[0020] (2) Overall configuration First, the overall configurations of the terminal 1, the electric bicycle 2, and the control system 3 in which the terminal control method of this embodiment is used will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0021] The terminal 1 is a device carried by user A1, and is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet-type computer. The terminal 1 includes a processing unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, and a reading device 14.

[0022] The processing unit 11 includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system mainly includes a processor and a memory as hardware. By executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system by the processor, the functions as the processing unit 11 are realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system.

[0023] The processing unit 11 executes the terminal control method by controlling the communication unit 12, the display unit 13, and the reading device 14. In the present embodiment, in addition to the guidance step S3, the output step S7, and the notification step S13 already described, the processing unit 11 executes an authentication step S1, a presentation step S10, determination steps S10, S11, and a confirmation step S10 (see FIG. 4). Each step will be described in detail in the " (4) Operations " described later.

[0024] The communication unit 12 is a communication interface for communicating with the control system 3 and has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 12 communicates with the communication unit 32 (described later) of the control system 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet by optical wireless communication using light such as infrared rays or visible light or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium by the wireless communication module. The communication unit 12 may be connected to the network N1 via a communication device such as a router.

[0025] The display unit 13 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. In the present embodiment, the content of the dedicated website acquired via the network N1 is displayed on the display unit 13. When the terminal control method is executed by a dedicated application, the content read from the memory of the terminal 1 by this application is displayed on the display unit 13.

[0026] The reading device 14 has a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor. In the present embodiment, the reading device 14 is an imaging device (camera) built into the terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 3, when the user A1 faces the terminal 1 toward the sticker 931 on which the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 is written, the reading device 14 reads and acquires the identifier 10. That is, in the present embodiment, the identifier 10 is attached to the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 and is read by the reading device 14.

[0027] The electric bicycle 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, an operation device 23, a battery unit 4, a motor 51, and a circle lock 6. The motor 51 and the circle lock 6 will be described in detail in the later-mentioned “(3) Electric Bicycle”.

[0028] The control unit 21 includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system mainly includes a processor and a memory as hardware. By the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the functions as the control unit 21 are realized. The program may be recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system.

[0029] The control unit 21 has functions of executing drive processing, transmission processing, and lock control processing.

[0030] The drive processing is processing for controlling the motor 51. More specifically, in the drive processing, the control unit 21 outputs a drive control signal to the motor 51 to control the motor 51 so that the motor 51 rotates at a predetermined rotational speed. For example, the control unit 21 controls the motor 51 to assist the pedaling force of the user A1 at a predetermined speed.

[0031] When the transmission process receives request information (described later) transmitted from the control system 3 by the communication unit 22, it acquires remaining amount information from the battery control unit 42 of the battery unit 4, and transmits the acquired remaining amount information to the control system 3. When the control unit 21 periodically acquires remaining amount information from the battery control unit 42 and stores it in the memory, the control unit 21 may transmit the latest remaining amount information stored in the memory to the control system 3.

[0032] The lock control process includes a process of controlling the circular lock 6 to shift the circular lock 6 from the locked state to the unlockable state or from the unlockable state to the locked state by communicating with the control system 3. Further, when the circular lock 6 is in the unlockable state and the lock control process receives an activation signal (described later) from the operating device 23, it is a process of shifting the circular lock 6 from the unlockable state to the unlocked state. In other words, even if the control unit 21 receives an activation signal from the operating device 23 when the circular lock 6 is in the locked state, the control unit 21 does not shift the circular lock 6 to the unlocked state and maintains the locked state.

[0033] The communication unit 22 is a communication interface for communicating with the control system 3 and has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 22 communicates with the communication unit 32 (described later) of the control system 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet by optical wireless communication using light such as infrared rays or visible light or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium by the wireless communication module. The communication unit 22 may be connected to the network N1 via a communication device such as a router.

[0034] The operating device 23 is attached to the handle 83 (described later) of the electric bicycle 2. The operating device 23 has a power switch that is pressed by the user A1. When the power switch of the operating device 23 is pressed, it transmits an activation signal to the control unit 21. Further, the operating device 23 further has a switch for receiving an input for changing the degree of assisting the pedaling force (pedaling force) of the user A1 by the motor 51, and a display for displaying parameters such as the remaining amount of the battery 41.

[0035] The battery unit 4 includes a battery 41 and a battery control unit 42.

[0036] The battery 41 supplies power to the motor 51 of the motor unit 5 (see FIG. 2). In addition to the motor 51, the battery 41 supplies power to, for example, the headlight and the operating device 23. The battery 41 is detachably attached to the seat tube 73 (described later). That is, the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 has a battery 41 used as a power source for controlling the electric bicycle 2.

[0037] Each time the electric bicycle 2 is used, the battery control unit 42 obtains the amount of power consumed by the battery 41 (battery power consumption) during the running (use) of the electric bicycle 2. The power consumption information representing the battery power consumption is output from the battery control unit 42 to the control unit 21. In addition, the battery control unit 42 manages the remaining amount of the battery 41. More specifically, the battery control unit 42 obtains the difference between the remaining amount of the battery 41 before use and the battery power consumption as the new remaining amount of the battery 41. The remaining amount information representing the remaining amount of the battery 41 is output from the battery control unit 42 to the control unit 21.

[0038] Note that the remaining amount of the battery 41 is corrected in consideration of the deterioration of the battery 41. The deterioration of the battery 41 can be obtained from the charge and discharge history representing the charge and discharge of the battery 41. The charge and discharge history is stored together with the ID (Identification) of the battery 41. If the charge and discharge history has a communication function, it may be stored in an external device such as a server.

[0039] As already described, the control system 3 is a server or the like at a remote location away from the electric bicycle 2. The control system 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a storage unit 33.

[0040] The control unit 31 includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. The functions of the control unit 31 are realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system.

[0041] The control unit 31 has functions to execute an authentication process, an identification process, an acquisition process, a determination process, an unlocking process, and a notification process.

[0042] The authentication process is a process of determining whether the authentication information included in the database stored in the storage unit 33 when the authentication information transmitted from the terminal 1 is acquired by the communication unit 32, that is, whether the user A1 based on the authentication information is registered. When the authentication process is successful, that is, when the user A1 is registered, the control unit 31 transmits response information indicating the success of the authentication process to the terminal 1. On the other hand, when the authentication process fails, that is, when the user A1 is not registered or the authentication information input by the user A1 is incorrect, the control unit 31 transmits response information indicating the failure of the authentication process to the terminal 1.

[0043] The identification process is a process of identifying the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier 10 by referring to the database stored in the storage unit 33 when the identifier 10 transmitted from the terminal 1 is acquired by the communication unit 32. When the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier 10 is identified, the control unit 31 subsequently executes the acquisition process.

[0044] The acquisition process is a process of acquiring the remaining amount information (information regarding the remaining amount of the battery 41) that the electric bicycle 2 has by communicating with the electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification process. The control unit 31 transmits request information for requesting the remaining amount information to the electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification process.

[0045] The determination process is a process of determining whether the electric bicycle 2 specified in the specification process is usable based on the remaining amount information acquired in the acquisition process. Specifically, if the remaining amount of the battery 41 based on the remaining amount information is equal to or greater than a threshold value (for example, 20% in terms of SOC (State Of Charge: charge rate)), the control unit 31 determines that the electric bicycle 2 is usable; if it is less than the threshold value, the control unit 31 determines that the electric bicycle 2 is unusable. The control unit 31 transmits the remaining amount information acquired in the acquisition process and the determination result of the determination process to the terminal 1.

[0046] The unlocking process is a process of remotely controlling the circle lock 6 of the electric bicycle 2 by communicating with the electric bicycle 2 specified in the specification process, thereby shifting the electric bicycle 2 from the locked state to the unlockable state. Here, the unlocking process is merely a process of shifting the electric bicycle 2 from the locked state to the unlockable state, not a process of shifting the electric bicycle 2 from the locked state to the unlocked state. When the unlocking process is executed, the control unit 31 subsequently executes the notification process.

[0047] The notification process is a process of notifying, by communicating with the terminal 1, that the electric bicycle 2 specified in the specification process has shifted from the locked state to the unlockable state. The control unit 31 transmits notification information indicating that the specified electric bicycle 2 has shifted from the locked state to the unlockable state to the terminal 1.

[0048] The communication unit 32 is a communication interface for communicating with the terminal 1 or the electric bicycle 2 and has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 32 communicates with the communication unit 12 of the terminal 1 or the communication unit 22 of the electric bicycle 2 via a network N1 such as the Internet by optical wireless communication using light such as infrared rays or visible light or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium by the wireless communication module. The communication unit 32 may be connected to the network N1 via a communication device such as a router.

[0049] Here, in the present embodiment, the communication unit 12 of the terminal 1 does not communicate with the communication unit 22 of the electric bicycle 2. That is, in the present embodiment, each step such as the guidance step S3 executed on the terminal 1 is executed without communication between the terminal 1 and the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2. For this reason, in the present embodiment, for example, information regarding the user A1 possessed by the terminal 1 is not transmitted to the electric bicycle 2, so there is an advantage that it is easy to prevent information regarding the user A1 from leaking to a third party via the electric bicycle 2.

[0050] The storage unit 33 includes, for example, an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 33 stores a database including the authentication information of each of one or more users A1 who have a contract with the rental service provider of the electric bicycle 2. Further, the storage unit 33 stores a database including the identifiers 10 of one or more electric bicycles 2 managed by the rental service provider of the electric bicycle 2.

[0051] (3) Electric Bicycle Next, the electric bicycle 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 referred to in the following embodiments and the like is a schematic diagram, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component in the figure does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio.

[0052] Also, in the following, unless otherwise specified, the running surface 100 (see FIG. 2) will be described as being a horizontal plane. However, in reality, the running surface 100 does not necessarily have to be a horizontal plane, and it may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane or may be a surface with unevenness.

[0053] Furthermore, in the following, the direction in which the electric bicycle 2 travels is defined as the "forward direction", the direction opposite to the forward direction is defined as the "backward direction", and the forward and backward directions together are defined as the "front-back direction". Also, two directions that are orthogonal to the front-back direction and perpendicular to the horizontal plane and opposite to each other are defined as the "up-down direction". Also, two directions that are orthogonal to the front-back direction and along the horizontal plane and opposite to each other are defined as the "left-right direction". However, these definitions of directions are not intended to limit the usage mode of the electric bicycle 2. Also, the arrows indicating each direction in the drawings are only shown for the purpose of explanation and do not have an actual entity.

[0054] The electric bicycle 2 is a bicycle capable of traveling on the traveling surface 100 by electric power. In this embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is an electric assist bicycle that assists the pedaling force (pedaling power) of the user A1 (see FIG. 3) by the motor 51.

[0055] The electric bicycle 2 includes a motor unit 5 and a frame 7. Also, the electric bicycle 2 includes a plurality (two in FIG. 2) of wheels 81, a front fork 82, a handlebar 83, a saddle 84, a pair (one in FIG. 2) of crank arms 85, a pair (one in FIG. 2) of pedals 86, a power transmission body 87, and a battery 41. Furthermore, the electric bicycle 2 includes a circular lock 6, a basket 91, a front fender 92, and a rear fender 93.

[0056] (3.1) Wheels The plurality of wheels 81 are members that support the frame 7 on the traveling surface 100. In this embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 includes a front wheel 88 and a rear wheel 89 as the plurality of wheels 81. The front wheel 88 has a hub 881 at its center, and the rear wheel 89 has a hub 891 at its center. The plurality of wheels 81 are attached to the frame 7 and rotate by the pedaling force of the user A1 and the power output from the motor 51.

[0057] The front wheel 88 is the front wheel among the two wheels 81 arranged in the front-rear direction. The front wheel 88 is supported by a pair (one in FIG. 2) of legs 821 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the front wheel 88 is a wheel that does not receive power transmission from the motor unit 5.

[0058] Above the front wheel 88, a front fender 92 that curves along the circumferential direction of the front wheel 88 is provided. The front fender 92 functions as a mudguard that prevents water droplets, mud, etc. splashed up by the front wheel 88 from scattering toward the user A1 during the running of the electric bicycle 2.

[0059] The rear wheel 89 is the rear wheel among the two wheels 81 arranged in the front-rear direction. The rear wheel 89 is rotatably supported by two chain stays 75 about an axis along the left-right direction. The rear wheel 89 includes a rear sprocket 892 that is concentric with the hub 891 and is integrally attached to the hub 891. The rear sprocket 892 is connected to a drive sprocket (described later) of the motor unit 5 via a power transmission body 87. Thereby, the power output from the motor unit 5 is transmitted to the rear wheel 89.

[0060] Above the rear wheel 89, a rear fender 93 that curves along the circumferential direction of the rear wheel 89 is provided. The rear fender 93 functions as a mudguard that prevents water droplets, mud, etc. splashed up by the rear wheel 89 from scattering toward the user A1 during the running of the electric bicycle 2. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a seal 931 with a two-dimensional code as the identifier 10 is attached to the rear fender 93.

[0061] In addition, a circle lock 6 is attached to the rear wheel 89. The circle lock 6 can be in any one of a locked state, an unlocked state, and an unlockable state. The locked state is a state in which the running of the electric bicycle 2 is prohibited by restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 89. The unlocked state is a state in which the running of the electric bicycle 2 is permitted without restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 89. The unlockable state is a state in which the running of the electric bicycle 2 is prohibited by restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 89, but can be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state when an operation on the operation device 23 is received. That is, in the locked state, the circle lock 6 cannot be switched to the unlocked state even if the user A1 operates the operation device 23, but in the unlockable state, the circle lock 6 can be switched to the unlocked state when the user A1 operates the operation device 23. In the present embodiment, when the electric bicycle 2 is in an unused state, the circle lock 6 is generally in the locked state.

[0062] (3.2) Front Fork The front fork 82 supports the front wheel 88. The front fork 82 includes a pair of legs 821, a crown 822, and a steering column 823. The crown 822 connects the upper ends of the pair of legs 821. The steering column 823 protrudes from the crown 822. The front wheel 88 is rotatably attached to the pair of legs 821 via a shaft passed through the hub 881. The rotation axis of the front wheel 88 is parallel to the running surface 100. The protruding direction (longitudinal direction) of the steering column 823 extends from the crown 822 so as to go backward as it goes upward, and is inclined with respect to the running surface 100.

[0063] (3.3) Handlebar The handle 83 is attached to the upper end of the steering column 823 and is fixed to the front fork 82. The steering column 823 is passed through the head tube 71 of the frame 7 described later and is rotatably attached to the frame 7. The rotation axis of the steering column 823 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the steering column 823. Therefore, the handle 83 can rotate the front wheel 88 with an axis along the longitudinal direction of the steering column 823 as the rotation axis.

[0064] Above the connection portion between the handle 83 and the steering column 823, a basket 91 for accommodating the belongings of the user A1 and the like is attached. Further, an operating device 23 is attached to the handle 83.

[0065] (3.4) Frame The frame 7 is a framework to which a plurality of wheels 81, front forks 82, handle 83, saddle 84, battery 41, and motor unit 5 are attached. The material of the frame 7 is, for example, an aluminum alloy mainly composed of aluminum. However, the material of the frame 7 is not limited to aluminum alloy and may be, for example, iron, chromium molybdenum steel, high-tensile steel, titanium, or magnesium. Further, the material of the frame 7 is not limited to metal and may be, for example, carbon, wood, bamboo, or fiber-reinforced synthetic resin (e.g., CFRP; Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics).

[0066] In the present embodiment, the frame 7 includes, as a plurality of pipes, a head tube 71, a down tube 72, a seat tube 73, a pair (one in FIG. 2) of seat stays 74, and a pair (one in FIG. 2) of chain stays 75. The frame 7 also includes a bracket 76. The "pipe" referred to in the present disclosure means an elongated and hollow member. The cross-sectional shape of the pipe of the present disclosure may be, for example, circular (including a perfect circle, an oval, and an ellipse), rectangular (including a square), hexagonal, or octagonal. The motor 51 and the battery 41 are attached to the frame 7.

[0067] (3.4.1) Head tube The head tube 71 is a pipe that supports the front fork 82. The central axis of the head tube 71 is inclined with respect to the running surface 100 so as to go backward as it goes upward. The steering column 823 is passed through the head tube 71 so that the central axis of the head tube 71 and the central axis of the steering column 823 are aligned. Thereby, the head tube 71 rotatably supports the steering column 823. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the steering column 823 is the same as the central axis of the head tube 71.

[0068] (3.4.2) Down tube The down tube 72 is a pipe that connects the head tube 71 and the seat tube 73. The front end in the longitudinal direction of the down tube 72 is connected to the head tube 71. The rear end in the longitudinal direction of the down tube 72 is connected to the seat tube 73. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the down tube 72 is inclined with respect to the running surface 100 so as to go downward as it goes backward.

[0069] (3.4.3) Seat tube The seat tube 73 is a pipe that holds the saddle 84. The lower end in the longitudinal direction of the seat tube 73 is connected to the bracket 76. The central axis of the seat tube 73 is inclined with respect to the running surface 100 so as to go backward as it goes upward from the lower end. The rear end in the longitudinal direction of the down tube 72 is connected to the lower end of the seat tube 73. In this embodiment, the battery 41 is removably attached to the seat tube 73.

[0070] (3.4.4) Chain stay A pair of chain stays 75 are pipes that support the shaft of the rear wheel 89. The longitudinal front end of the chain stay 75 is connected to the bracket 76. The longitudinal rear end of the chain stay 75 is connected to the rear end of the seat stay 74. The pair of chain stays 75 are separated in the left - right direction, and the rear wheel 89 is rotatably attached to the rear ends of the pair of chain stays 75 via a shaft passed through the hub 891. The rotation axis of the rear wheel 89 is substantially parallel to the running surface 100 and is the same as the central axis of the shaft that supports the rear wheel 89.

[0071] (3.4.5) Seat stay A pair of seat stays 74 are pipes that connect the chain stays 75 and the seat tube 73. In this embodiment, the longitudinal rear end of the seat stay 74 is connected to the longitudinal rear end of the chain stay 75. The longitudinal front end of the seat stay 74 is connected to the middle portion of the seat tube 73. Here, the "middle portion of the seat tube 73" means the portion excluding the lower end and the upper end in the longitudinal direction of the seat tube 73.

[0072] (3.4.6) Bracket The bracket 76 is the portion where the motor unit 5 is attached. To the bracket 76, the longitudinal rear end of the down tube 72, the longitudinal lower end of the seat tube 73, and the longitudinal front end of the chain stay 75 are connected. As a result, the longitudinal rear end of the down tube 72, the longitudinal lower end of the seat tube 73, and the longitudinal front end of the chain stay 75 are fixed to each other.

[0073] (3.5) Saddle The saddle 84 has a seat pillar 841. The seat pillar 841 is passed through the seat tube 73 along the central axis of the seat tube 73. The seat pillar 841 projects downward from the part where the user sits on the saddle 84. In the present embodiment, the seat pillar 841 is inclined with respect to the running surface 100 so as to go forward as it goes downward. The seat pillar 841 is movably attached to the seat tube 73 along the central axis of the seat tube 73.

[0074] (3.6) Pedal The pedal 86 is attached to the end of each crank arm 85 in the longitudinal direction, on the side opposite to the crankshaft (described later) side. The pedal 86 is rotatably attached to the crank arm 85. The rotation axis of the pedal 86 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the crankshaft.

[0075] (3.7) Power transmission body The power transmission body 87 transmits the power output from the motor unit 5 to at least one of the plurality of wheels 81. In the present embodiment, the power transmission body 87 is a chain that can transmit power between the drive sprocket of the motor unit 5 and the rear sprocket 892 of the rear wheel 89. However, in the present disclosure, the power transmission body 87 may be, for example, a belt, a shaft, a wire, or a gear.

[0076] (3.8) Motor unit As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the motor unit 5 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a motor 51, a crankshaft, and a drive sprocket. The illustration of the crankshaft and the drive sprocket is omitted. The motor unit 5 is a device capable of outputting a drive assist output. In the present embodiment, the motor unit 5 adds a drive assist output to the pedaling force, which is a human power driving force, and transmits it to the rear wheel 89 via the power transmission body 87.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of crank arms 85 are attached to the crankshaft of the motor unit 5. The longitudinal direction of the crank arms 85 intersects (here, is orthogonal to) the rotation axis of the crankshaft. The pair of crank arms 85 are aligned in a straight line when viewed in the rotation axis direction of the crankshaft.

[0078] The drive sprocket is composed of, for example, a plurality of sprockets and constitutes a transmission together with the rear sprocket 892. By changing the shift position of this transmission, the electric bicycle 2 can be shifted.

[0079] The motor 51 is configured to apply rotational power to the wheel 81 of the electric bicycle 2. The motor 51 is provided in the vicinity of the crankshaft of the electric bicycle 2, is driven by the power from the battery 41, and transmits power to the crankshaft.

[0080] (4) Operation Hereinafter, the terminal control method of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11 in conjunction with the operations of the terminal 1, the electric bicycle 2, and the control system 3. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the user A1 is standing near the electric bicycle 2 that is planned to be used and has completed access to a dedicated website using the terminal 1. Also, hereinafter, the terminal control method will be mainly described with reference to FIG. 4, and the operations of the terminal 1, the electric bicycle 2, and the control system 3 will be mainly described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0081] First, when user A1 accesses a dedicated website using terminal 1, terminal 1 causes the authentication screen P1 shown in FIG. 6 to be displayed on the display unit 13 (S1 (S101)). On the authentication screen P1, a string prompting the input of authentication information necessary to authenticate user A1 is displayed. Also, on the authentication screen P1, a text box P11 for inputting the identification number of user A1, a text box P12 for inputting the password of user A1, and an icon P13 for accepting the completion of the input are displayed. That is, the terminal control method of this embodiment further has an authentication step S1 of causing the terminal 1 to display a screen (authentication screen P1) that prompts the input of authentication information used for authenticating user A1.

[0082] Having seen the authentication screen P1, user A1 operates terminal 1 to input the identification number and password into text boxes P11 and P12 respectively (that is, inputs the authentication information), and selects icon P13 (S102). Then, terminal 1 transmits the authentication information to control system 3 (S103).

[0083] Upon receiving the authentication information, control system 3 executes an authentication process using the received authentication information (S104). If the authentication process is successful (S2: Yes), control system 3 transmits response information indicating the success of the authentication process to terminal 1 (S105). Terminal 1 that has received the response information causes the guidance screen P2 shown in FIG. 7 to be displayed on the display unit 13 (S3 (S106)). On the other hand, if the authentication process fails (S2: No), control system 3 transmits response information indicating the failure of the authentication process to terminal 1. Terminal 1 that has received the response information causes, for example, the authentication screen P1 to be displayed again on the display unit 13, and causes a string indicating the failure of the authentication process to be displayed on the display unit 13. In this case, user A1 may input the authentication information again, or may give up using the electric bicycle 2.

[0084] On the guidance screen P2, a string is displayed prompting the user A1 to obtain the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 that the user A1 plans to use. Also, on the guidance screen P2, an icon P21 representing the reading device 14 (here, a camera) is displayed. That is, the terminal control method of this embodiment has a guidance step S3 of causing the terminal 1 used by the user A1 to display a screen (guidance screen P2) that prompts the acquisition of the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle (moving body) 2 that the user A1 plans to use. And in the terminal control method of this embodiment, when the authentication of the user A1 is successful through the authentication step S1, the guidance step S3 is executed.

[0085] The user A1 who has seen the guidance screen P2 operates the terminal 1 to select the icon P21 (S4: Yes). Then, the terminal 1 activates the reading device 14 (S5). As shown in FIG. 3, the user A1 faces the terminal 1 toward the sticker 931 attached to the rear fender 93 of the electric bicycle 2 that is planned to be used. Thereby, the reading device 14 reads the identifier 10 written on the sticker 931 (S107).

[0086] When the identifier 10 is read by the reading device 14, that is, when the acquisition of the identifier 10 is successful (S6: Yes), the terminal 1 transmits the acquired identifier 10 to the control system 3 (S7 (S108)). That is, the terminal control method of this embodiment has an output step S7 of causing the identifier 10 acquired through the guidance step S3 to be output from the terminal 1 to the control system 3 that controls the electric bicycle (moving body) 2.

[0087] On the other hand, when the identifier 10 is not read by the reading device 14, that is, when the acquisition of the identifier 10 fails (S6: No), the terminal 1 causes the error screen P3 shown in FIG. 8 to be displayed on the display unit 13 (S8). On the error screen P3, a string indicating that the acquisition of the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 has failed is displayed. Also, on the error screen P3, an icon P31 prompting the retry of the acquisition of the identifier 10 is displayed. The user A1 who has seen the error screen P3 can reactivate the reading device 14 and try to acquire the identifier 10 again by selecting the icon P31.

[0088] When the identifier 10 is received, the control system 3 executes a specific process using the received identifier 10 (S109). As a result, the control system 3 identifies the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the received identifier 10. Then, the control system 3 transmits request information for requesting transmission of remaining amount information to the identified electric bicycle 2 by executing an acquisition process (S110). The electric bicycle 2 that has received the request information transmits the remaining amount information to the control system 3 by executing a transmission process (S111).

[0089] When the remaining amount information is received, the control system 3 executes a determination process using the received remaining amount information (S112). When the remaining amount of the battery 41 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S9: Yes), the control system 3 transmits presentation information including the acquired identifier 10 and the remaining amount information to the terminal 1 (S113). The terminal 1 that has received the presentation information causes the confirmation screen P4 shown in FIG. 9 to be displayed on the display unit 13 (S10 (S114)). That is, the terminal control method of the present embodiment further includes a presentation step S10 of causing a screen (confirmation screen P4) including moving body information (here, remaining amount information) regarding the electric bicycle (moving body) 2 to be displayed on the terminal 1 via the output step S7. In the present embodiment, the moving body information is information regarding the remaining amount, that is, the remaining amount of the battery 41.

[0090] Furthermore, in the terminal control method of the present embodiment, the remaining amount information (moving body information) is acquired from the electric bicycle (moving body) 2 via the output step S7. That is, in the present embodiment, since the remaining amount information is to be displayed on the terminal 1 at the timing when the user A1 plans to use the electric bicycle 2, the user A1 can grasp the latest state (the latest remaining amount of the battery 41) of the electric bicycle 2 that the user A1 plans to use by viewing the confirmation screen P4.

[0091] On the confirmation screen P4, a character string prompting user A1 to input their intention to use the electric bicycle 2 is displayed. Also, on the confirmation screen P4, an image P41 representing the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 that user A1 plans to use, an image P42 representing the remaining quantity information, an icon P43 indicating the intention to use, and an icon P44 indicating no intention to use are displayed. That is, the terminal control method of this embodiment further includes a confirmation step S10 of causing the terminal 1 to display a screen (confirmation screen P4) that prompts user A1 to input whether to use the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2.

[0092] On the other hand, when the remaining quantity of the battery 41 is less than the threshold value (S9: No), the control system 3 transmits to the terminal 1 unavailability information indicating that the electric bicycle 2 is unavailable. The terminal 1 that has received the unavailability information causes the display unit 13 to display the unavailability screen P5 shown in FIG. 10 (S11). On the unavailability screen P5, a character string indicating that the electric bicycle 2 that user A1 plans to use is unavailable is displayed. Also, on the unavailability screen P5, an image P51 representing the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 that user A1 plans to use, an image P52 representing the remaining quantity information, and an icon P53 prompting the use of another electric bicycle 2 are displayed. That is, the terminal control method of this embodiment further includes determination steps S10 and S11 of causing the terminal 1 to display a screen (confirmation screen P4 or unavailability screen P5) including determination information on whether the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 determined based on the remaining quantity information (mobile body information) is available for use.

[0093] If user A1 who has seen the unavailability screen P5 intends to use another electric bicycle 2, they select the icon P53. In this case, the terminal 1 causes the display unit 13 to display the guidance screen P2 again. Thereby, user A1 can attempt to obtain the identifier 10 of another electric bicycle 2. Of course, user A1 may give up using the electric bicycle 2.

[0094] User A1 who has seen the confirmation screen P4 checks the remaining amount information. If user A1 intends to use the electric bicycle 2, user A1 selects icon P43; if user A1 does not intend to use the electric bicycle 2, user A1 selects icon P44. When icon P43 is selected, that is, when user A1 intends to use the electric bicycle 2 (S12: Yes), the terminal 1 sends confirmation information indicating the presence or absence of user A1's intention to use to the control system 3 (S115). On the other hand, when icon P44 is selected, that is, when user A1 does not intend to use the electric bicycle 2 (S12: No), the terminal 1 again causes the guidance screen P2 to be displayed on the display unit 13. In this case, user A1 may attempt to obtain the identifier 10 of another electric bicycle 2, or may give up using the electric bicycle 2.

[0095] The control system 3 that has received the confirmation information executes the unlocking process. That is, the control system 3 transmits control information for causing the electric bicycle 2 specified in the specific process to shift from the locked state to the unlockable state to the electric bicycle 2 (S116). The electric bicycle 2 that has received the control information executes the lock control process to shift the circular lock 6 from the locked state to the unlockable state (S117).

[0096] Also, after executing the unlocking process, the control system 3 executes a notification process to send notification information indicating that the electric bicycle 2 has shifted from the locked state to the unlockable state to the terminal 1 (S118). The terminal 1 that has received the notification information causes the notification screen P6 shown in FIG. 11 to be displayed on the display unit 13 (S13(S119)). That is, the terminal control method of the present embodiment has a notification step S13 of causing the terminal 1 to display a screen (notification screen P6) notifying that the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 has shifted from the locked state to the unlockable state through the output step S7.

[0097] On the notification screen P6, a character string indicating that the unlocking process has been completed and the lock has shifted from the locked state to the unlockable state is displayed. Also, on the notification screen P6, an image P61 representing the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 that user A1 plans to use and an image P62 representing the unlocking operation for unlocking the circle lock 6 are displayed. The image P62 represents the operation device 23 of the electric bicycle 2. Also, the image P62 includes an image P621 prompting the pressing operation of the power switch of the operation device 23.

[0098] User A1 who has seen the notification screen P6 presses the power switch of the operation device 23 of the electric bicycle 2 (S120). Thereby, the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 receives the activation signal from the operation device 23, executes the drive process to activate the motor 51, and executes the lock control process to shift the circle lock 6 from the unlockable state to the unlocked state (S121). That is, in the terminal control method of the present embodiment, the specific operation (pressing operation of the power switch of the operation device 23) also serves as an operation for starting the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2. Thereby, user A1 can ride on the electric bicycle 2 and travel.

[0099] (5) Advantages As described above, in the present embodiment, user A1 can use the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 by performing the procedure while viewing the screens displayed on the terminal 1 in each of the guidance step S3, the output step S7, and the notification step S13. For example, when authentication of user A1 and confirmation of the intention to use by user A1 are not required, user A1 can use the electric bicycle 2 by only performing the procedure of acquiring the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 using the terminal 1 and the procedure of operating the operation device 23 of the electric bicycle 2. That is, user A1 can complete the procedure until using the electric bicycle 2 only by using the terminal 1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is an advantage that the convenience of user A1 when using the electric bicycle 2 can be improved.

[0100] Further, in the present embodiment, at the time when the notification step S13 is executed, the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 has only shifted to an unlockable state and has not shifted to an unlocked state yet. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 shifts to the unlocked state only when the user A1 operates it, so there is an advantage that it is easier to prevent unauthorized use by a third party compared to the case where it automatically shifts to the unlocked state. That is, in the case of automatically shifting to the unlocked state, if the user A1 is temporarily away from around the electric bicycle 2, there is a possibility that a third party who sees the electric bicycle 2 in the unlocked state may use it illegally. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, at first glance, the electric bicycle 2 is in the locked state, so the possibility of illegal use by a third party who sees the electric bicycle 2 can be reduced. Further, in the present embodiment, since the electric bicycle 2 does not perform an unlocking operation in a state unintended by the user A1, the safety of the user A1 is easily ensured.

[0101] By the way, in the present embodiment, the motor unit 5 has a function of detecting whether the circle lock 6 is in the locked state or the unlocked state. Further, the electric bicycle 2 has a function of transmitting the state of the circle lock 6 to the terminal 1 via the network N1. Therefore, the user A1 can confirm the state of the circle lock 6 on the display unit 13 of the terminal 1.

[0102] Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 is configured to start the electric bicycle 2 only when the circle lock 6 shifts from the unlockable state to the unlocked state. In other words, the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 is configured not to start the electric bicycle 2 when the circle lock 6 is in the unlocked state without going through the unlockable state. Specifically, when the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 receives a start signal from the operating device 23, that is, when the power switch of the operating device 23 is pressed, it inquires of the control system 3 whether the circle lock 6 was in the unlockable state immediately before. And if the circle lock 6 was not in the unlockable state immediately before, the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 does not start the electric bicycle 2.

[0103] In this aspect, there are the following advantages. That is, assume a case where user A1 leaves the electric bicycle 2 with the circle lock 6 unlocked (i.e., with the circle lock 6 in the unlocked state). In this case, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed and the power supply of the electric bicycle 2 automatically turns off, there is a possibility that the power supply of the electric bicycle 2 turns off while maintaining the unlocked state of the circle lock 6. In such a case, even if a third party tries to steal the electric bicycle 2 and presses the power switch, the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 does not start the electric bicycle 2. Therefore, in this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easy to prevent a third party from misusing the electric bicycle 2 even when the electric bicycle 2 is left with the circle lock 6 in the unlocked state.

[0104] (6) Variation The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be variously modified according to the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Further, the terminal control method may be embodied by a (computer) program, a non-temporary recording medium recording the program, or the like. That is, a program according to one aspect may cause one or more processors to execute the above-described terminal control method.

[0105] Hereinafter, variations of the above-described embodiment will be listed. The variations described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0106] In the terminal control method according to the present disclosure, for example, the terminal 1 (or the control system 3) includes a computer system. The computer system mainly includes a processor and a memory as hardware. By the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the functions of the terminal 1 (or the control system 3) in the present disclosure are realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). Here, integrated circuits such as the IC or LSI have different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, for an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) that is programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the bonding relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit section inside the LSI, it can also be adopted as a processor. The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be provided distributed on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be provided distributed in a plurality of devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0107] Also, it is not an essential configuration for the terminal 1 (or the control system 3) that a plurality of functions in the terminal 1 (or the control system 3) are integrated in one housing. The components of the terminal 1 (or the control system 3) may be provided distributed in a plurality of housings. Further, at least some functions of the control system 3 may be realized by, for example, a server device and a cloud (cloud computing), etc. Conversely, all functions of the control system 3 may be integrated in one housing as in the above-described embodiment.

[0108] In the above-described embodiment, a process of shifting the electric bicycle 2 from the locked state to the unlockable state is executed by a combination of communication between the terminal 1 and the control system 3 and communication between the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 and the control system 3, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a process of shifting the electric bicycle 2 from the locked state to the unlockable state may be executed by communication between the terminal 1 and the electric bicycle 2.

[0109] In the above-described embodiment, the authentication information used for the authentication of the user A1 may be information unique to each user A1, and for example, may be information regarding a biological feature (fingerprint, vein, iris, etc.) of the user A1. In this case, the terminal 1 only needs to be provided with a device capable of acquiring information regarding a biological feature of the user A1 such as a fingerprint reader.

[0110] In the above-described embodiment, the identifier 10 may be information unique to the electric bicycle 2 and is not limited to a QR code (registered trademark). For example, the identifier 10 may be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, a three-dimensional code, etc., other than a two-dimensional code other than the QR code (registered trademark), or may be a simple character string. Further, the identifier 10 may be the electric bicycle 2 itself. In this case, for example, by appropriately performing image analysis processing on an image of the electric bicycle 2 captured by a camera of the terminal 1, it is possible to acquire the identifier 10 based on the image of the electric bicycle 2 itself.

[0111] In the above-described embodiment, when the control system 3 acquires the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2, the electric bicycle 2 may be shifted from the locked state to the unlockable state without confirming the usage intention of the user A1. In this case, the terminal control method may not have the confirmation step S10.

[0112] In the above-described embodiment, the motor unit 5 is a two-axis type motor unit, but it may be a single-axis type motor unit. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the motor unit 5 is a center unit type motor unit, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the motor unit 5 may be a front hub unit type motor unit in which a motor is attached to the hub 881 of the front wheel 88. Also, for example, the motor unit 5 may be a rear hub unit type motor unit in which a motor is attached to the hub 891 of the rear wheel 89.

[0113] In the above-described embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is an electric assist bicycle that assists the pedaling force of the user A1 by the motor 51, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the electric bicycle 2 may be a bicycle in which a drive system (human power drive system) that applies power to the wheels 81 by pedaling force and a drive system (motor drive system) that applies power to the wheels 81 by the motor 51 are independent (a bicycle that can run only by the power output from the motor 51). In short, the electric bicycle 2 may be an electric assist bicycle or a bicycle that can run only by the power output from the motor 51.

[0114] In the above-described embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is a two-wheeled bicycle having one front wheel 88 and one rear wheel 89, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the electric bicycle 2 may be a three-wheeled bicycle having one front wheel 88 and two rear wheels 89. Or, the electric bicycle 2 may be a three-wheeled bicycle having two front wheels 88 and one rear wheel 89. Also, the electric bicycle 2 may be a four-wheeled bicycle having two front wheels 88 and two rear wheels 89.

[0115] In the above-described embodiment, the moving body 2 is an electric bicycle, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the moving body 2 may be a bicycle that does not have the motor 51 and the battery 41. Further, for example, the moving body 2 may be a bicycle that does not have the motor 51 but has a communication function and the battery 41.

[0116] In the above-described embodiment, the moving body 2 is a bicycle, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the moving body 2 may be an automobile, a motorcycle, or a ship, etc., as long as it can take a locked state, an unlocked state, and a state where it can be unlocked.

[0117] (Summary) As described above, the terminal control method according to the first aspect includes a guidance step (S3), an output step (S7), and a notification step (S13). The guidance step (S3) is a step of causing the terminal (1) used by the user (A1) to display a screen (guidance screen (P2)) that prompts for the acquisition of the identifier (10) of the moving body (2) that the user (A1) plans to use. The output step (S7) is a step of causing the identifier (10) acquired through the guidance step (S3) to be output from the terminal (1) to the control system (3) that controls the moving body (2). The notification step (S13) is a step of causing the terminal (1) to display a screen (notification screen (P6)) that notifies that the moving body (2) has shifted from the locked state to the unlockable state through the output step (S7).

[0118] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the convenience of the user (A1) when using the moving body (2) can be improved.

[0119] The terminal control method according to the second aspect further includes an authentication step (S1) in the first aspect. The authentication step (S1) is a step of causing the terminal (1) to display a screen (authentication screen (P1)) that prompts for the input of authentication information used for authenticating the user (A1). In the terminal control method, when the authentication of the user (A1) is successful through the authentication step (S1), the guidance step (S3) is executed.

[0120] According to this aspect, only the user (A1) permitted to use the moving body (2) can be made to use the moving body (2), and there is an advantage that unauthorized use of the moving body (2) by a third party can be easily avoided.

[0121] The terminal control method according to the third aspect further includes a presentation step (S10) in the first or second aspect. The presentation step (S10) is a step of causing the terminal (1) to display a screen (confirmation screen (P4)) including moving body information regarding the moving body (2) through the output step (S7).

[0122] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the user (A1) can use the moving body (2) after grasping the state of the moving body (2).

[0123] In the terminal control method according to the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the moving body information is acquired from the moving body (2) through the output step (S7).

[0124] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the user (A1) can easily grasp the latest state of the moving body (2).

[0125] The terminal control method according to the fifth aspect further includes a determination step (S10, S11) in the third or fourth aspect. The determination step (S10, S11) is a step of causing the terminal (1) to display a screen (confirmation screen (P4) or unavailable screen (P5)) including determination information as to whether the moving body (2) determined based on the moving body information is available for use.

[0126] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the user (A1) can grasp whether the moving body (2) scheduled to be used is available for use.

[0127] In the terminal control method according to the sixth aspect, in any of the third to fifth aspects, the moving body (2) has a battery (41) used as a control power source for the moving body (2). The moving body information is information regarding the remaining amount of the battery (41).

[0128] According to this aspect, when the user (A1) uses the moving body (2), there is an advantage that it is easy to grasp whether the remaining amount of the battery (41) is sufficient.

[0129] The terminal control method according to the seventh aspect further includes a confirmation step (S10) in any of the third to sixth aspects. The confirmation step (S10) is a step of causing the terminal (1) to display a screen (confirmation screen (P4)) that prompts an input as to whether the user (A1) uses the moving body (2).

[0130] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the user (A1) can select whether to actually use the moving body (2).

[0131] In the terminal control method according to the eighth aspect, in any of the first to seventh aspects, the unlockable state is a state in which the moving body (2) is unlocked when the user (A1) performs a specific operation on the moving body (2).

[0132] According to this aspect, since the moving body (2) is unlocked by a specific operation of the user (A1), there is an advantage that it is easy to avoid unauthorized unlocking by a third party who does not know the specific operation.

[0133] In the terminal control method according to the ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the specific operation also serves as an operation for starting the moving body (2).

[0134] According to this aspect, compared with the case where the user (A1) performs both the operation of unlocking the moving body (2) and the operation of starting the moving body (2), the number of operations that the user (A1) has to perform until the moving body (2) becomes available can be reduced, and there is an advantage that the convenience of the user (A1) is improved.

[0135] In the terminal control method according to the tenth aspect, in any of the first to ninth aspects, the identifier (10) is attached to the moving body (2) and read by the reading device (14).

[0136] According to this aspect, since the user (A1) can acquire the identifier (10) only by having the reading device read the identifier (10), there is an advantage that the convenience of the user (A1) is improved as compared with the case where the user (A1) manually inputs the identifier (10).

[0137] In the terminal control method according to the eleventh aspect, in any of the first to tenth aspects, the steps executed by the terminal (1) are executed without going through the communication between the terminal (1) and the moving body (2).

[0138] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easy to prevent information about the user (A1) from leaking to a third party via the moving body (2).

[0139] In the terminal control method according to the twelfth aspect, in any of the first to eleventh aspects, the moving body (2) is a bicycle.

[0140] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the convenience of the user (A1) when using the bicycle can be improved.

[0141] The program according to the thirteenth aspect causes one or more processors to execute the terminal control method according to any of the first to twelfth aspects.

[0142] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the convenience of the user (A1) when using the moving body (2) can be improved.

[0143] The moving body (2) according to the fourteenth aspect is controlled by a control system (3) that communicates with the terminal (1) by the terminal control method according to any of the first to twelfth aspects.

[0144] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the convenience of the user (A1) when using the moving body (2) can be improved.

[0145] Regarding the methods according to the second to twelfth aspects, they are not essential methods for the terminal control method and can be omitted as appropriate.

Explanation of Signs

[0146] 1 Terminal 10 Identifier 14 Reading Device 2 Electric Bicycle (Moving Body) 3 Control System 41 Battery A1 User S1 Authentication Step S3 Guidance Step S7 Output Step S10 Presentation Step, Confirmation Step, Judgment Step S11 Judgment Step S13 Notification Step

Claims

1. A management method executed by one or more processors, comprising: a guidance step of causing a terminal used by the user to display a screen prompting acquisition of an identifier of a moving object that the user plans to use; a display control step of causing the terminal to display a confirmation screen including the identifier acquired through the guidance step and remaining battery level information of the moving object corresponding to the identifier; a detection step of causing the terminal to display an operation method for enabling the moving object to travel in response to a first operation on the terminal by the user on the confirmation screen and detecting a second operation of the user; a control processing step of starting the moving object when the second operation of the user is detected in the detection step. The management method.

2. The remaining battery level information of the moving object displayed on the terminal in the display control step is acquired from the moving object. The management method according to Claim 1.

3. The management method according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a determination step of determining whether the moving object can be used based on the remaining battery level information of the battery of the moving object. The management method according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. In the guidance step, the identifier of the moving object is acquired from the terminal by reading a two-dimensional code provided in the moving object with the terminal. The management method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. One or more processors cause the management method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 to be executed. The program.

6. a guidance unit that causes a terminal used by the user to display a screen prompting acquisition of an identifier of a moving object that the user plans to use; a display control unit that causes the terminal to display a confirmation screen including the identifier and remaining battery level information of the battery of the moving object corresponding to the identifier; a detection unit that causes the terminal to display an operation method for enabling the moving object to travel in response to a first operation on the terminal by the user on the confirmation screen and detects a second operation of the user; a control processing unit that starts the moving object when the detection unit detects the second operation of the user. The management system.

Images