Information processing apparatus and method

Abstract

To suppress prolonging of a storage period of a vehicle after the vehicle is returned from a lease.SOLUTION: An information processor determines whether a first vehicle may be leased again after the vehicle is returned from a lease. The information processor has a control unit which acquires a result of evaluation of a state of the first vehicle by a predetermined method for evaluation, outputs a notification showing that the first vehicle is to be an object of a lease again if the result of evaluation shows that the first vehicle has nothing to repair, and outputs a notification showing that the first vehicle is an object for sale if the result of evaluation shows that there is need to repair the first vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and a method.

Background Art

[0002] A technique for calculating a lease fee for each unit period (for example, monthly) based on the total lease amount and the lease scheduled period is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing and method capable of suppressing an increase in the storage period of a vehicle after return from a lease.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is for a first vehicle after return from a lease, obtaining an evaluation result of the state by a predetermined evaluation method; when the evaluation result indicates that the first vehicle does not require repair, outputting that the first vehicle is to be a target for re-lease, and when the evaluation result indicates that the first vehicle requires repair, outputting that the first vehicle is to be a target for sale; and a control unit that executes an information processing apparatus comprising.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a computer for a first vehicle after return from a lease, obtaining an evaluation result of the state by a predetermined evaluation method; When the evaluation result indicates that the first vehicle does not require repair, output that the first vehicle is to be leased again, and when the evaluation result indicates that the first vehicle requires repair, output that the first vehicle is to be sold. This is a method of execution.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the processing in the above information processing apparatus or system, or a storage medium that stores the program non-temporarily.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress an increase in the storage period of the vehicle after return from lease.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] For example, when attempting to re-offer a vehicle after return from a lease for another lease contract, the returned vehicle may be stored in a storage space until the next lease contract is determined. Depending on the condition of the vehicle, repairs may be required, and vehicles undergoing repairs will have a longer storage period for the duration of the repairs. However, since the storage space for vehicles at the facilities of the operator providing the vehicle lease service is limited, it is not preferable for the storage space to be occupied by vehicles awaiting repair.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus that determines whether a first vehicle after return from a lease can be re-offered for lease. The information processing apparatus includes a control unit. The control unit obtains an evaluation result of the state of the first vehicle by a predetermined evaluation method. When the evaluation result indicates that the first vehicle does not require repair, the control unit outputs that the first vehicle is to be the subject of re-lease. When the evaluation result indicates that the first vehicle requires repair, the control unit outputs that the first vehicle is to be the subject of sale.

[0012] The information processing apparatus is, for example, a computer such as a server, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, and also a smartphone. The control unit is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The method for evaluating the state of the vehicle is a well-known method and the vehicle It may be either the independent evaluation method or the like in both leasing companies or vehicle management companies, and is not limited to a specific evaluation method. For example, regarding the evaluation method of the vehicle state, when the evaluation result is a score and it is shown that the higher the score, the better the state, it is shown that no repair is required for the vehicle when the evaluation result is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. For example, regarding the evaluation method of the vehicle state, when the evaluation result is a rank and it is shown that the higher the rank, the better the state, it is shown that no repair is required for the vehicle when the evaluation result is equal to or higher than a predetermined rank. Note that the objects of vehicle state evaluation and repair are, for example, within the range that can be visually confirmed for the vehicle, such as the vehicle body, window glass, mirrors, tires, wheels, and interior. However, it is not limited to this, and the objects of vehicle state evaluation and repair may include, in addition to the range that can be visually confirmed, each component in the engine room and the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) etc. mounted on the vehicle. It may also be included.

[0013] The control unit may obtain the evaluation result of the state of the first vehicle, for example, by receiving it from another device, or may obtain it by calculating according to a predetermined evaluation method based on the information regarding the state of the first vehicle input from another device. Further, the control unit may output whether the first vehicle is the object of either lease or sale from the output device provided in the information processing device, or may output it by transmitting it to another device. When transmitting to another device, the other device as the transmission destination may be, for example, the transmission source device of the information regarding the state of the first vehicle, or may be a device different from the transmission source device.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, if the first vehicle does not require repair after being returned from a lease, the first vehicle is again subject to lease. In this case, since the first vehicle can be immediately offered for lease again, it is possible to suppress an increase in the period during which the first vehicle is stored in a storage space. Also, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, if the first vehicle requires repair after being returned from a lease, the first vehicle is subject to sale. A vehicle determined to be subject to sale can be purchased, for example, even in an unrepaired state, or taken over by a used car dealer. Therefore, when the first vehicle is subject to sale, it is possible to suppress an increase in the period during which the first vehicle is stored in a storage space. When this is the case, it is possible to suppress an increase in the period during which the first vehicle is stored in a storage space.

[0015] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may output that the first vehicle is subject to sale regardless of the evaluation result when the mileage of the first vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. Vehicles with a large mileage tend to be difficult to lease regardless of their condition. Therefore, vehicles with a large mileage are likely to have a long period of being stored in a storage space even as a lease target. In one aspect of the present disclosure, when the mileage of the first vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, by making it a target for sale, it is possible to suppress an increase in the period during which the first vehicle is stored in a storage space.

[0016] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may output that the first vehicle is subject to sale regardless of the evaluation result when it is predicted that the profit when the first vehicle is leased again will be less than a predetermined value. Vehicles for which the profit from leasing is predicted to be less than a predetermined value can quickly obtain profit by selling them as used cars, and furthermore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the period during which they are stored in a storage space.

[0017] In one aspect of the present disclosure, when the lease contract is not concluded even after a predetermined period has elapsed since the first vehicle is targeted for release again based on the evaluation result, the control unit may output to change the first vehicle to a target for sale. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the extension of the period during which the first vehicle is stored in the storage space.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. Also, the following embodiments can be combined as much as possible.

[0019] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a vehicle management system 100 according to the first embodiment. The vehicle management system 100 is a system that manages the vehicle 3 whose lease contract has ended and has been returned. The vehicle management system 100 includes a server 1 and a facility terminal 2. The facility terminal 2 is a terminal used in a facility that manages the vehicle 3. The facility in the first embodiment is a place where maintenance, sales, or lending of the vehicle 3 is performed, such as a vehicle leasing company, an automobile dealer, or an auction venue. Also, the facility is provided with a storage space for storing a predetermined number of vehicles 3.

[0020] The server 1 and the facility terminal 2 are connected to a network N1 and can communicate with each other. The network N1 may be, for example, a public line network such as the Internet, a physical or virtual dedicated line, or a LAN (Local Area Network) laid in the facility. Also, the network N1 may include a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone or a wireless communication network such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0021] For the facility terminal 2, information regarding the state of the vehicle 3 is input, for example, by the staff of the facility. In the first embodiment, information regarding the state of the vehicle 3 is acquired within the range that can be visually confirmed by the staff of the facility. The information regarding the state of the vehicle 3 includes, for example, information such as the size and number of scratches on the vehicle body, window glass, side mirrors, lights, and wheels, the size of dents on the vehicle body, and the size of color fading or peeling of the vehicle body paint. The facility terminal 2 transmits the information regarding the state of the vehicle 3 to the server 1. Note that the information regarding the state of the vehicle 3 is not limited to the information acquired within the range that can be visually confirmed.

[0022] The server 1 receives the information regarding the state of the vehicle 3 from the facility terminal 2, and determines whether the vehicle 3 can be provided for lease again based on the information regarding the state of the vehicle 3. The criterion for determining whether the vehicle 3 can be provided for lease again is whether the vehicle 3 needs repair. When it is determined that the vehicle 3 does not need repair, the server 1 determines to provide the vehicle 3 for lease again. When it is determined that the vehicle 3 needs repair, the server 1 determines to sell the vehicle 3 as a used car without providing it for lease again. Hereinafter, providing for lease again is also referred to as the lease target. Selling as a used car is also referred to as the sales target.

[0023] The server 1 determines whether the vehicle 3 needs repair based on the evaluation result obtained by evaluating the state of the vehicle 3 in a predetermined method. In the first embodiment, the server 1 evaluates the state of the vehicle 3 from the information regarding the state of the vehicle 3 based on, for example, the evaluation criteria for the state of the vehicle defined by the administrator of the vehicle management system 100, and obtains a score as the evaluation result. In the evaluation method according to the first embodiment, it is assumed that the higher the score, the better the state of the vehicle 3. When the score is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is determined that the vehicle 3 does not need repair. When the score is less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the vehicle 3 needs repair. In the evaluation method according to the first embodiment, the score is assumed to be out of 5 points. In this case, the threshold for determining whether the vehicle 3 needs repair is, for example, 4.5 points.

[0024] That is, in the first embodiment, the server 1 determines that the vehicle 3 is a target for lease when the score of the state of the vehicle 3 is 4.5 or more. The server 1 determines that the vehicle 3 is a target for sale when the score of the state of the vehicle 3 is less than 4.5. The server 1 transmits the determination result of whether the vehicle 3 can be re-leased to, for example, the facility terminal 2 or outputs it to a predetermined output device. Note that the method for evaluating the vehicle 3 is not limited to a method in which a score is obtained as an evaluation result, and for example, a method in which a rank is obtained as an evaluation result may be used. In this case, the necessity of repairing the vehicle 3 is determined based on the rank.

[0025] In the first embodiment, based on the evaluation result of the state of the vehicle 3, it is determined whether the vehicle 3 is a target for lease or a target for sale. As a result, when the vehicle 3 does not need to be repaired, the vehicle 3 can be directly provided for lease, and it is possible to suppress the extension of the storage period of the vehicle 3 in the storage space. Further, when the vehicle 3 needs to be repaired, the vehicle 3 is sold as a used vehicle. For example, when the vehicle 3 is taken over by a used vehicle dealer in an unrepaired state, it is possible to suppress the extension of the storage period of the vehicle 3 in the storage space of the facility.

[0026] FIG. 2 is an example of the hardware configuration of the server 1 and the facility terminal 2. The server 1 is a computer such as a PC or a dedicated computer. The server 1 includes a processor 101, a main storage unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, and a communication unit 104. These are interconnected by a bus. Note that the server 1 is an example of an "information processing device". The processor 101 is an example of a "control unit". The main storage unit 102 and the auxiliary storage unit 103 are examples of a "storage unit".

[0027] The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or the like. The processor 101 controls the server 1 and performs various information processing operations. The main memory unit 102 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like. The auxiliary storage unit 103 is, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable medium, or the like. The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, and the like. The processor 101 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the working area of the main memory unit 102 and executes them. Through the execution of these programs, each component and the like are controlled. As a result, the server 1 realizes a function that meets a predetermined purpose. The main memory unit 102 and the auxiliary storage unit 103 are computer-readable recording media. Note that the server 1 may be a single computer or a combination of multiple computers that cooperate with each other.

[0028] The communication unit 104 is a means for communicating with the facility terminal 2 via the network N1. The communication unit 104 is, for example, a LAN interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication. The LAN interface board and the wireless communication circuit are connected to the network N1.

[0029] Next, the facility terminal 2 is, for example, a computer such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a personal information terminal, a wearable computer (such as a smartwatch), or a PC.

[0030] The facility terminal 2 includes a processor 201, a main memory unit 202, an auxiliary memory unit 203, an input unit 204, a display 205, and a communication unit 206. These are interconnected by a bus. Since the processor 201, the main memory unit 202, and the auxiliary memory unit 203 of the facility terminal 2 are the same as those of the server 1's processor 101, main memory unit 102, and auxiliary memory unit 103, the description thereof is omitted.

[0031] The input unit 204 is a means for receiving input operations performed by the user, such as a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, or a microphone, etc. The display 205 is a means for presenting information to the user, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or an EL (Electroluminescence) panel, etc. Note that the input unit 204 and the display 205 may be configured as a single touch panel display.

[0032] The communication unit 206 is a communication means for connecting the facility terminal 2 to the network N1. The communication unit 206 uses, for example, a mobile communication service (such as a telephone communication network like 6G (6th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), 4G (4th Generation), 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution), etc.), or a wireless communication network such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) to communicate with other devices (such as the server 1, etc.) via the network N1. The communication unit 206 may be a LAN interface board for connecting to a wired network. Note that the hardware configurations of the server 1 and the facility terminal 2 shown in FIG. 2 are examples, and the hardware configurations of the server 1 and the facility terminal 2 are not limited to the hardware configurations shown in FIG. 2.

[0033] Figure 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of server 1. Server 1 includes, as functional components, a control unit 11, an evaluation unit 12, an evaluation criterion information DB 13, and a stored vehicle information DB 14. The processing of these functional components is achieved by the processor 101 of server 1 executing a predetermined program.

[0034] The control unit 11 receives information about vehicle 3 from the facility terminal 2 together with a re-release determination request for determining whether vehicle 3 can be provided for re-release again. The information about vehicle 3 includes the type, model, manufacturing date, mileage, and information about the state of vehicle 3, etc. The control unit 11 outputs an evaluation request and information about the state of vehicle 3 to the evaluation unit 12, and receives an input of a score as a response to the evaluation request from the evaluation unit 12. Server 1 determines whether vehicle 3 can be provided for re-release again based on the score of the state of vehicle 3. Server 1 transmits re-release determination result information regarding the determination result of whether vehicle 3 can be provided for re-release again to the facility terminal 2. The re-release determination result information of vehicle 3 is a response to the re-release determination request and includes either information indicating that vehicle 3 is a target for release or information indicating that vehicle 3 is a target for sale.

[0035] In addition, when the mileage of vehicle 3 is equal to or more than a predetermined distance, and when it is assumed that the profit in the case of releasing vehicle 3 is less than a predetermined value, the control unit 11 also determines that vehicle 3 is a target for sale. In the first embodiment, for example, when vehicle 3 has traveled 100,000 kilometers or more, deterioration of the driving function such as the engine is assumed, or the probability of not being selected by the user even if it is put up for lease becomes high, so it is not made a target for lease.

[0036] ​Whether the profit when leasing vehicle 3 is less than a predetermined value is determined based on, for example, the value obtained by subtracting the cost incurred when offering vehicle 3 for lease from the revenue obtained when leasing vehicle 3. The cost when offering vehicle 3 for lease is obtained, for example, as the sum of the depreciation expense during the contract period and the costs such as vehicle inspection and repair. The depreciation expense during the contract period can be obtained, for example, from a residual value table showing the change in the residual value of the vehicle over time. The revenue obtained when leasing vehicle 3 is obtained, for example, as the sum of the value obtained by multiplying the monthly lease amount of the lease by the number of contract months and the application fee. The application fee may be set, for example, to be equivalent to six months' worth of the monthly lease amount. The monthly lease fee of the vehicle is preset and publicly available based on, for example, the size of the vehicle and the type of the vehicle. Note that information such as the residual value table according to the type of vehicle, the monthly lease fee, and the costs for vehicle inspection and repair is held in the auxiliary storage unit 103 in advance.

[0037] When it is predicted that the profit when leasing vehicle 3 is less than a predetermined value, by making it a target for sale, profit can be obtained promptly. Furthermore, by making vehicle 3 a target for sale, it is possible to suppress the extension of the storage period of vehicle 3.

[0038] The evaluation unit 12 evaluates the state of vehicle 3. The evaluation unit 12 holds, for example, a calculation formula or a machine learning model according to the evaluation criteria defined by the administrator of the vehicle management system 100. The evaluation unit 12 inputs the value indicated by the information regarding the state of vehicle 3 into the parameters of the calculation formula or the machine learning model, and obtains, as its output, the score of the state of vehicle 3. The evaluation unit 12 outputs the score of the state of vehicle 3 to the control unit 11. In the first embodiment, the evaluation unit 12 obtains a score out of 5 as the score of the state of vehicle 3.

[0039] The evaluation criterion information DB 13 and the stored vehicle information DB 14 are created in the storage area of the auxiliary storage unit 103 of the server 1. The evaluation criterion information DB 13 holds the evaluation criterion information for the state of the vehicle 3 by the evaluation unit 12. The evaluation criterion information held in the evaluation criterion information DB 13 holds, for example, a plurality of items related to the state of the vehicle 3 and values corresponding to each item. For example, there are items such as the vehicle body having a scratch less than a predetermined size, the vehicle body having a scratch equal to or greater than the predetermined size, the vehicle body having a dent less than the predetermined size, and the vehicle body having a dent equal to or greater than the predetermined size, and values are assigned to each item. The evaluation unit 12 acquires the value of each item from the evaluation criterion information held in the evaluation criterion information DB 13 based on, for example, information related to the state of the vehicle 3, and inputs the value of each item into a predetermined calculation formula or machine learning model to obtain a score for the state of the vehicle 3.

[0040] The stored vehicle information DB 14 holds stored vehicle information regarding the vehicle 3 stored in the storage space of the facility of the vehicle management system 100. For example, the stored vehicle information includes the identification information of the vehicle 3, the identification information of the parking space where the vehicle 3 is stored, the re-release determination result (lease or sale) of the vehicle 3, and information regarding the storage period of the vehicle 3. The information regarding the storage period of the vehicle 3 is, for example, the date and time when the vehicle 3 was stored in the storage space, or the number of days elapsed since the vehicle 3 was stored in the storage space.

[0041] The control unit 11 registers the re-release determination result of the vehicle 3 in the stored vehicle information DB 14. Further, when a lease contract of the vehicle 3 is concluded and the vehicle 3 is released, the control unit 11 deletes the stored vehicle information of the vehicle 3 from the stored vehicle information DB 14. Further, the control unit 11 refers to the stored vehicle information DB 14 at a predetermined timing, for example, once a day, once a week, etc. If vehicle 3 is the subject of a lease and the storage period exceeds a predetermined period, the re-lease determination result of vehicle 3 is changed from lease to sale. The fact that the storage period exceeds a predetermined period indicates that the lease contract has not been concluded even after the predetermined period has elapsed for vehicle 3. The change in the re-lease determination result of vehicle 3 from lease to sale is transmitted to a predetermined device such as facility terminal 2, for example, and notified to the staff. Note that the functional configuration of server 1 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3.

[0042] FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of the re-lease determination process of vehicle 3 by server 1. The process shown in FIG. 4 is repeatedly executed, for example, at a predetermined cycle. The execution entity of the process shown in FIG. 4 is processor 101 of server 1, but for convenience, the description will be based on the functional components.

[0043] In OP101, control unit 11 determines whether a re-lease determination request has been received from facility terminal 2. If a re-lease determination request has been received (OP101: YES), the process proceeds to OP101. If a re-lease determination request has not been received (OP101: NO), the process shown in FIG. 4 ends.

[0044] In OP102, control unit 11 outputs an evaluation request for the state of vehicle 3 to evaluation unit 12, and acquires a score as the evaluation result of the state of vehicle 3 from evaluation unit 12. In OP103, control unit 11 determines whether the mileage of vehicle 3 is less than a predetermined distance. If the mileage of vehicle 3 is less than the predetermined distance (OP103: YES), the process proceeds to OP104. If the mileage of vehicle 3 is equal to or more than the predetermined distance (OP103: NO), the process proceeds to OP107.

[0045] In OP104, control unit 11 determines whether the score of the state of vehicle 3 is 4.5 points or more. If the score of the state of vehicle 3 is 4.5 points or more (OP104: YES), the process proceeds to OP105. If the score of the state of vehicle 3 is less than 4.5 points (OP104: NO), the process proceeds to OP107.

[0046] In OP105, the control unit 11 determines whether it is predicted that the revenue when the vehicle 3 is provided for lease is less than a predetermined value. If it is predicted that the revenue when the vehicle 3 is provided for lease is less than the predetermined value (OP105: NO), the process proceeds to OP106. If it is predicted that the revenue when the vehicle 3 is provided for lease is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (OP105: YES), the process proceeds to OP107.

[0047] In OP106, the control unit 11 determines that the vehicle 3 is a target for lease, and generates re-lease determination result information including information indicating that the vehicle 3 is a target for lease. In OP107, the control unit 11 determines that the vehicle 3 is a target for sale, and generates re-lease determination result information including information indicating that the vehicle 3 is a target for sale. In OP106 and OP107, the control unit 11 registers the re-lease determination result information in the storage vehicle information DB 14. In OP108, the control unit 11 transmits the re-lease determination result information about the vehicle 3 to the facility terminal 2. Then, the process shown in FIG. 4 ends.

[0048] FIG. 5 is an example of the storage management process of the vehicle 3 by the server 1. The process shown in FIG. 5 is executed at a determined date and time at a cycle such as once a day or once a week. Further, the process shown in FIG. 5 is executed for each vehicle 3 stored in the storage space where the storage vehicle information is held in the storage vehicle information DB 14.

[0049] In OP201, the control unit 11 determines whether the vehicle 3 stored in the storage space (hereinafter, the target vehicle) is a target for lease. If the target vehicle is a target for lease ( OP201: YES), the process proceeds to OP202. If the target vehicle is a target for sale (OP201: NO), the process shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0050] In OP202, the control unit 11 determines whether the storage period of the target vehicle is equal to or longer than a predetermined period. If the storage period of the target vehicle is equal to or longer than the predetermined period (OP202: YES), the process proceeds to OP203. If the storage period of the target vehicle is less than the predetermined period (OP202: NO), the process shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0051] In OP203, the control unit 11 changes the target vehicle from a lease target to a sales target. The control unit 11 updates the storage vehicle information of the target vehicle in the storage vehicle information DB 14. In OP204, the control unit 11 transmits release determination result information including information indicating that the target vehicle is a sales target to the facility terminal 2. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0052] <Operational Effects of the First Embodiment> In the first embodiment, for the vehicle 3 returned from the lease, it is determined whether it is a lease target or a sales target based on the necessity of repair. When the repair is unnecessary, the vehicle 3 is determined to be a lease target, and thus it is provided for lease again, suppressing the extension of the storage period in the storage space. When the repair is necessary, the vehicle 3 is determined to be a sales target, and thus, for example, it can be taken over or purchased by a used car dealer etc. without repair, suppressing the extension of the storage period in the storage space. That is, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the extension of the storage period in the storage space of the vehicle 3 returned from the lease of the vehicle management system 100.

[0053] Note that in the first embodiment, information regarding the vehicle 3 is transmitted from the facility terminal 2 to the server 1, and the server 1 evaluates the state of the vehicle 3, but it is not limited to this. For example, the state of the vehicle 3 may be evaluated by a device other than the server 1 such as the facility terminal 2, and the score of the state of the vehicle 3 may be transmitted from the facility terminal 2 to the server 1 as one of the information regarding the vehicle 3.

[0054] In addition, the re-rental determination process for the vehicle 3 returned from the lease described in the first embodiment can also be applied to the determination of whether a vehicle used in a vehicle rental service or a car-sharing service can be provided to the service again.

[0055] <Other Embodiments> The above embodiments are merely examples, and the present disclosure can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope not departing from the gist thereof.

[0056] The processes and means described in the present disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0057] In addition, the process described as being performed by one device may be executed in a distributed manner by a plurality of devices. Alternatively, the process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, it is possible to flexibly change how each function is realized by a hardware configuration (server configuration).

[0058] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program that implements the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and causing one or more processors included in the computer to read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the computer system bus, or may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes, for example, any type of disk such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc.), any type of disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, an optical card, and any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0059] 1... Server 2... Facility Terminal 3... Vehicle 11... Control Unit 12... Evaluation Unit 13... Evaluation Criterion Information DB 14... Stored Vehicle Information DB 100... Vehicle Management System 101... Processor 102... Main Memory Unit 103... Auxiliary Memory Unit 104... Communication Unit 201... Processor 202... Main Memory Unit 203... Auxiliary Memory Unit 204... Input Unit 205... Display 206... Communication Unit

Claims

1. a communication unit, a memory unit, for a first vehicle after return from a lease, receiving information regarding the state of the first vehicle from a terminal of a facility via the communication unit; calculating a rating result of the first vehicle based on the information regarding the state of the first vehicle and a rating criterion regarding the state of a vehicle; determining whether repair is necessary for the first vehicle based on the rating result; when repair is not necessary for the first vehicle, generating first re-release determination result information including information indicating that the first vehicle is to be made a target for re-lease again, and information regarding the storage period of the first vehicle including the date and time when the first vehicle was stored in the storage space of the facility, and registering the information in the memory unit; transmitting the first re-release determination result information to the terminal via the communication unit; when repair is necessary for the first vehicle, generating second re-release determination result information including information indicating that the first vehicle is to be made a target for sale, and registering the information in the memory unit; transmitting the second re-release determination result information to the terminal via the communication unit; when a lease contract for a vehicle that has been made a target for re-lease and registered in the memory unit is concluded, deleting the first re-release determination result information and the information regarding the storage period of the vehicle that has been made a target for re-lease from the memory unit; determining whether a predetermined period or more has elapsed since the first vehicle was made a target for re-lease based on the information regarding the storage period of the first vehicle that has been made a target for re-lease and registered in the memory unit; when a predetermined period or more has elapsed since the first vehicle was made a target for re-lease, generating third re-release determination result information including information indicating that the first vehicle has been changed to a target for sale, and changing the first re-release determination result information to the third re-release determination result information in the memory unit for the first vehicle; transmitting the third re-release determination result information to the terminal via the communication unit; a control unit that executes the above; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

2. The control unit receives the mileage of the first vehicle from the terminal via the communication unit, determines whether the mileage of the first vehicle is equal to or more than a predetermined distance, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the travel distance of the first vehicle is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance, the second release determination result information is transmitted to the terminal via the communication unit regardless of the evaluation result.

3. The control unit receives, from the terminal via the communication unit, at least the type of the first vehicle, determines whether it is predicted that the profit when the first vehicle is released again is less than a predetermined value based on at least the type of the first vehicle, when it is predicted that the profit when the first vehicle is released again is less than the predetermined value, the second release determination result information is transmitted to the terminal via the communication unit regardless of the evaluation result. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. A computer receives, from a terminal of a facility via a communication unit of the computer, information regarding the state of a first vehicle after return from a lease, calculates an evaluation result of the first vehicle based on the information regarding the state of the first vehicle and an evaluation criterion regarding the state of the vehicle, determines whether the first vehicle needs repair based on the evaluation result, when the first vehicle does not need repair, generates first release determination result information including information indicating that the first vehicle is to be a target for re-release, and information regarding a storage period of the first vehicle including a date and time when the first vehicle was stored in a storage space of the facility, and registers the information in a storage unit of the computer, transmits the first release determination result information to the terminal via the communication unit, when the first vehicle needs repair, generates second release determination result information including information indicating that the first vehicle is to be a target for sale, and registers the information in the storage unit, transmits the second release determination result information to the terminal via the communication unit, when a lease contract for a vehicle targeted for re-release registered in the storage unit is concluded, deletes the first release determination result information and the information regarding the storage period of the vehicle targeted for re-release from the storage unit. Based on the information regarding the storage period of the first vehicle that is the target of re-rental registered in the memory unit, determining whether or not a predetermined period or more has elapsed since the first vehicle became the target of re-rental; When a predetermined period or more has elapsed since the first vehicle became the target of re-rental, generating third re-rental determination result information including information indicating that the first vehicle has been changed to a target for sale, and changing, in the memory unit, the first re-rental determination result information to the third re-rental determination result information for the first vehicle; Transmitting the third re-rental determination result information to the terminal via the communication unit; A method for executing.

Images