Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processor capable of improving the utilization rate of a storage unit mounted on a vehicle.SOLUTION: A control unit of the information processor executes a series of predetermined determination processing to determine whether or not a user exists in a first range from the current position of a first vehicle mounting a storage unit for storing a load. The control unit of the information processor is configured so as to, when a positive determination is made in the predetermined determination processing, transmit a piece of proposal information for proposing to use the storage unit mounted on the first vehicle to a terminal associated with the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a locker management device. In the locker management device in Patent Document 1, a management unit determines a locker for a user to use based on the usage status of lockers equipped in an autonomous vehicle and the user's locker usage request. The locker management device then dispatches an autonomous vehicle equipped with the determined locker to the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-96201 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to improve the operating rate of a storage device mounted on a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: Executing a predetermined determination process to determine whether or not a user is present within a first range from a current location of a first vehicle equipped with a storage device for storing luggage; If a positive determination is made in the predetermined determination process, transmitting proposal information to a terminal related to the user to propose using the storage device mounted on the first vehicle; The control unit executes the above.

[0006] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes: 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Executing a predetermined determination process to determine whether or not a user is present within a first range from a current location of a first vehicle equipped with a storage device for storing luggage; If a positive determination is made in the predetermined determination process, transmitting proposal information to a terminal related to the user to propose using the storage device mounted on the first vehicle; Includes: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure makes it possible to improve the operating rate of storage devices mounted on vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining vehicles managed in the management system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the current location of the user and the current location of the vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the current location of the user and the planned travel route of the vehicle. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the management server. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of locker information held in the locker information database. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of user information held in the user information database in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the proposal process. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of user information held in the user information database in the second embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the schedule confirmation process. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of user information held in a user information database in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the product confirmation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a device that manages a first vehicle and a storage device. Here, the storage device is a device that stores luggage and is mounted on the first vehicle. Therefore, when the first vehicle moves, the storage device also moves. While the first vehicle is traveling, the first vehicle may be located near the user's current location. In this case, the user can meet up with the first vehicle and deposit the user's luggage in the storage device.

[0010] A control unit of an information processing device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure executes a predetermined determination process to determine whether a user is present within a first range from a current location of a first vehicle. Here, the first range is set, for example, as a range within which the user can travel on foot to the current location of the first vehicle within a predetermined time. Furthermore, the first range may be set, for example, as a range within which the first vehicle can travel from the current location of the first vehicle to the current location of the user within a predetermined time.

[0011] If a positive determination is made in the predetermined determination process, the control unit of the information processing device transmits the proposal information to a terminal related to the user (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "user terminal"). Here, the proposal information is information for proposing to use the storage device mounted on the first vehicle.

[0012] As described above, when the user is within a first range from the current location of the first vehicle, the information processing device transmits the proposal information to the user terminal. As a result, when the first vehicle is within a range where the user can easily meet up with the first vehicle, the user is encouraged to use the storage device installed in the first vehicle, increasing the likelihood that the storage device will actually be used. As a result, it is possible to improve the utilization rate of the storage device installed in the first vehicle.

[0013] The control unit may further acquire information about the user's schedule. In this case, the control unit determines whether the user is in a predetermined situation based on the information about the user's schedule. Then, when the control unit determines that the user is in the predetermined situation and makes a positive determination in the predetermined determination process, the control unit transmits the proposal information to the user terminal.

[0014] Here, the predetermined situation is a situation in which there is a possibility of a need to deposit luggage in a storage device. A situation in which there is a possibility of a need to deposit luggage in a storage device is, for example, while traveling. While traveling, a user is likely to feel bothered by luggage such as a suitcase and consider depositing the luggage in a storage device. Therefore, by transmitting suggested information to a user who is traveling, it is possible to transmit suggested information to users who may have a need to deposit luggage in a storage device. In this way, it is possible to improve the utilization rate of the storage device installed in the first vehicle.

[0015] The control unit also controls the product purchased by the user at the store (hereinafter referred to as the "first product"). In this case, the control unit determines whether the first product satisfies a predetermined condition based on the information about the first product. Then, when the control unit determines that the first product satisfies the predetermined condition and makes a positive determination in the predetermined determination process, it transmits suggested information to the user terminal.

[0016] Here, the predetermined condition is a condition that indicates a possibility of a demand for depositing the first product in the storage device. For example, it is assumed that a user purchases a first product that is difficult to carry. If the user is carrying a first product that is difficult to carry, the user is likely to find it inconvenient to carry the first product and consider depositing the first product in the storage device. Therefore, the predetermined condition may be, for example, that the first product is larger than a predetermined size. In this way, by transmitting suggestion information to a user who has purchased a first product that meets the predetermined condition at a store, it is possible to transmit suggestion information to users who may have a demand for depositing the first product in the storage device. This also makes it possible to improve the utilization rate of the storage device installed in the first vehicle.

[0017] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments.

[0018] First Embodiment (System Overview) A management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management system 1 according to this embodiment. The management system 1 includes a user terminal 100, a management server 200, and a vehicle 300. In the management system 1, the user terminal 100, the management server 200, and the vehicle 300 are interconnected by a network N1. The network N1 may be, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network), which is a global public communication network such as the Internet, or a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone.

[0019] (vehicle) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 300 managed by the management system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 300 is equipped with lockers 400 for storing luggage. Therefore, when the vehicle 300 moves, the lockers 400 also move. The lockers 400 are also provided with a plurality of compartments 40 for storing luggage. Each compartment 40 of the lockers 400 is configured to be lockable and unlockable.

[0020] Furthermore, the vehicle 300 equipped with the locker 400 is a vehicle capable of autonomous driving. However, the vehicle 300 does not necessarily have to be an unmanned vehicle. For example, the vehicle 300 may have security personnel on board. Furthermore, the vehicle 300 does not necessarily have to be a vehicle capable of completely autonomous driving. For example, the vehicle 300 may be a vehicle in which a person drives or assists in driving depending on the situation.

[0021] In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle 300 travels around a predetermined area along a planned travel route. In this case, while the vehicle 300 is traveling, the vehicle 300 may be located near the current location of the user 10. At this time, the user 10 can meet up with the vehicle 300 and deposit their luggage in the locker 400. Thereafter, the user 10 can meet up with the vehicle 300 again and retrieve their luggage from the locker 400. However, the vehicle 300 is not limited to traveling around a predetermined area along a planned travel route, and the vehicle 300 may also provide an on-demand service in which the vehicle 300 travels to a location specified by the user when a request for use is received from the user.

[0022] Note that the location where the user 10 deposits their luggage in the locker 400 and the location where the user 10 collects their luggage from the locker 400 may be the same location. Also, the location where the user 10 deposits their luggage in the locker 400 and the location where the user 10 collects their luggage from the locker 400 may be different locations. Also, these locations may be locations determined by the management server 200. Or, they may be locations specified by the user 10. In this case, if it is necessary to change the planned driving route of the vehicle 300 in order to move to the location specified by the user 10, the vehicle 300 may change the planned driving route. In this way, a service of temporarily storing the luggage of the user 10 is provided by the locker 400 mounted on the vehicle 300.

[0023] (user terminal) Returning to FIG. 1, the user terminal will now be described. The user terminal 100 is a terminal used by the user 10. The user terminal 100 is, for example, a mobile information terminal used by the user 10. The user terminal 100 transmits information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "first location information") relating to the current location of the user 10 (the current location of the user terminal 100) to the management server 200 via the network N1. This enables the management server 200 to ascertain the current location of the user 10.

[0024] (Management Server) The management server 200 is a server that manages the vehicle 300 and the locker 400. The management server 200 manages the current location and planned driving route of the vehicle 300 in which the locker 400 is installed. The management server 200 also manages the usage status of each section 40 in the locker 400.

[0025] The management server 200 receives first location information from the user terminal 100 via the network N1, thereby ascertaining the current location of the user 10. The management server 200 also receives information relating to the current location of the vehicle 300 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "second location information") from the vehicle 300 via the network N1. This allows the management server 200 to ascertain the current location of the vehicle 300.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the current location of user 10 and the current location of vehicle 300. In FIG. 3, the current location of user 10 is indicated by a star. Also, in FIG. 3, the current location of vehicle 300 is indicated by a circle. As shown in FIG. 3, user 10 is present within a first range from the current location of vehicle 300. Here, the first range is set, for example, as a range within which user 10 can travel on foot to the current location of vehicle 300 within a predetermined time. Also, the first range may be set, for example, as a range within which vehicle 300 can travel from the current location of vehicle 300 to the current location of user 10 within a predetermined time.

[0027] When the user 10 is present within a first range from the current location of the vehicle 300, the management server 200 transmits suggested information to the user terminal 100 via the network N1. Here, the suggested information is information for suggesting to the user 10 that the user 10 use the locker 400 mounted on the vehicle 300.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the current position of the user 10 and the planned driving route of the vehicle 300. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a part of the planned driving route of the vehicle 300 (a part of the tour route) is shown. As shown in FIG. 4, the user 10 is present within a second range from the planned driving route of the vehicle 300. Here, the second range is set as, for example, a range within which the user 10 can walk to the planned driving route of the vehicle 300 within a predetermined time. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user 10 moves to a specific point on the driving route, whereby the user 10 can meet up with the vehicle 300 at the specific point. As a result, the user 10 can move to a specific point on the driving route. At a fixed location, it is possible to store luggage in a locker 400.

[0029] Even when the user 10 is present within the second range from the planned driving route of the vehicle 300, the management server 200 transmits the proposal information to the user terminal 100 via the network N1.

[0030] The method by which the management server 200 transmits the proposal information to the user terminal 100 based on the current location of the user 10 and the planned driving route of the vehicle 300 will be described in detail later.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 1 , the hardware configuration of the management server 200 will be described. The management server 200 includes a computer having a processor 210, a main memory 220, an auxiliary memory 230, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 240. The processor 210 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP). The main memory 220 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The auxiliary memory 230 is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM). The auxiliary memory 230 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a disc recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disc, or a Blu-ray disc. The auxiliary memory 230 may also be removable media (portable storage media). Examples of removable media include a USB memory or an SD card. The communication I / F 240 is, for example, a local area network (LAN) interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.

[0032] In the management server 200, the auxiliary storage unit 230 stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various information tables, and the like. In addition, in the management server 200, the processor 210 can implement various functions, as described below, by loading programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 230 into the main storage unit 220 and executing them. However, some or all of the functions of the management server 200 may be implemented by hardware circuits such as ASICs or FPGAs. Note that the management server 200 does not necessarily have to be implemented by a single physical configuration, and may be implemented by multiple computers that work together.

[0033] (Functional configuration) Next, the functional configuration of the management server 200 that constitutes the management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is a block diagram that schematically shows an example of the functional configuration of the management server 200.

[0034] The management server 200 is configured to include a control unit 201, a communication unit 202, a route information database (route information DB) 203, a locker information database (locker information DB) 204, and a user information database (user information DB) 205. The control unit 201 performs arithmetic processing for controlling the management server 200. The control unit 201 can be realized by a processor 210 in the management server 200. The communication unit 202 connects the management server 200 to a network N1. The communication unit 202 can be realized by a communication I / F 240 in the management server 200.

[0035] The locker information DB 204 holds locker information. The locker information is information related to the lockers 400. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of the locker information held in the locker information DB 204. As shown in Fig. 6, the locker information has a vehicle ID field, a section ID field, a size field, a remarks field, and a usage status field.

[0036] An identifier (vehicle ID) for identifying the vehicle 300 is entered in the vehicle ID field. An identifier (compartment ID) for identifying each compartment of the locker 400 installed in the vehicle 300 is entered in the compartment ID field. The size field is entered with the size of the compartment 40 corresponding to the compartment ID entered in the compartment ID field. For example, the width, depth, and height of the compartment 40 are entered in the size field. This allows the control unit 201 to determine the size of luggage that can be stored in each compartment 40 of the locker 400. The remarks field is entered with remarks regarding the compartment 40 corresponding to the compartment ID entered in the compartment ID field. For example, information regarding whether the compartment 40 can store luggage in a refrigerated or frozen state is entered in the remarks field. This allows the control unit 201 to determine whether each compartment 40 of the locker 400 can store luggage in a refrigerated or frozen state.

[0037] The usage status field is entered with information regarding whether the section 40 corresponding to the section ID entered in the section ID field is available for use. If no luggage is stored in the section 40 corresponding to the section ID entered in the section ID field, "unused" is entered in the usage status field. If luggage is stored in the section 40 corresponding to the section ID entered in the section ID field, "in use" is entered in the usage status field. The control unit 201 updates the usage status field by receiving information regarding the usage status of the locker 400 from the vehicle 300 via the network N1. The control unit 201 determines whether there is availability in each section 40 of the locker 400 based on the usage status field in the locker information.

[0038] Returning to FIG. 5 , the route information DB 203 will be described. The route information DB 203 holds route information. The route information is information relating to the current position and planned driving route of the vehicle 300. The route information DB 203 can be implemented by the auxiliary storage unit 230 in the management server 200. The control unit 201 acquires second position information from the vehicle 300 via the communication unit 202 and records the current position of the vehicle 300 in the route information. Furthermore, the control unit 201 updates the planned driving route in the route information held in the route information DB 203 to the planned driving route from the current position of the vehicle 300, based on the current position of the vehicle 300. In this way, the route information is information including the current position of the vehicle 300 and the planned driving route from the current position of the vehicle 300. By acquiring the route information from the route information DB 203, the control unit 201 can ascertain the current position of the vehicle 300 and the planned driving route from the current position of the vehicle 300.

[0039] The user information DB 205 holds user information. The user information is information related to the user 10. The user information DB 205 can be realized by the auxiliary storage unit 230 in the management server 200. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of user information held in the user information DB 205 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the user information has a user ID field and a first location field.

[0040] An identifier (user ID) for identifying the user 10 is entered in the user ID field. Information about a location (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "first location") that the user 10 excludes as a candidate location for using the locker 400 is entered in the first location field. The first location is entered into the user information held in the user information DB 205 by the user 10 registering it in the management server 200 using the user terminal 100. Here, it is assumed that the user 10 thinks that if the user 10 is at home or at work, it is sufficient to store luggage at the user's home or at work. In this case, the user 10 is unlikely to use the locker 400 when he or she is at home or at work. Therefore, the user 10 uses the user terminal 100 to register the user's home or at work as the first location in the management server 200. The user 10 can register any location as the first location.

[0041] The control unit 201 receives the first location information from the user terminal 100 via the communication unit 202. This allows the control unit 201 to grasp the current location of the user 10. Based on the first location information received from the user terminal 100 and the user information held in the user information DB 205, the control unit 201 determines whether or not the user 10 is present in the first location.

[0042] The control unit 201 performs a first determination process to determine whether the user 10 is present within a first range from the current location of the vehicle 300, based on the first location information and the current location of the vehicle 300 in the route information. If the control unit 201 determines that the user 10 is present within the first range from the current location of the vehicle 300, the control unit 201 transmits proposal information to the user terminal 100 via the communication unit 202.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 201 performs a second determination process to determine, based on the first position information and the route information, whether or not the user 10 is present within a second range from the planned driving route of the vehicle 300. When the control unit 201 determines that the user 10 is present within the second range from the planned driving route of the vehicle 300, the control unit 201 transmits the proposal information to the user terminal 100 via the communication unit 202.

[0044] Here, if the control unit 201 determines that there is no vacant space in the section 40 of the locker 400 based on the usage status field in the locker information stored in the locker information DB 204, the control unit 201 does not perform either the first determination process or the second determination process. In other words, if the control unit 201 determines that there is no vacant space in the section 40 of the locker 400, the control unit 201 does not transmit the suggested information to the user terminal 100. Furthermore, if the control unit 201 determines that the user 10 is present in the first location based on the first position information and the user information stored in the user information DB 205, the control unit 201 does not perform either the first determination process or the second determination process. In other words, if the control unit 201 determines that the user 10 is present in the first location, the control unit 201 does not transmit the suggested information to the user terminal 100.

[0045] (Proposal processing) Next, the proposal process executed by the control unit 201 of the management server 200 in the management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The proposal process is a process for transmitting proposal information to the user terminal 100. Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the proposal process. The proposal process is executed periodically at predetermined intervals.

[0046] In the suggestion process, first in S101, it is determined whether or not there is space available in each section 40 of the locker 400. If a negative determination is made in S101, the locker 400 cannot store the user 10's luggage, and the suggestion process is temporarily terminated. In other words, if there is no space available in the locker 400, the suggestion information is not sent to the user terminal 100. This makes it possible to prevent suggestion information from being sent to the user terminal 100 even when the user 10 cannot use the locker 400.

[0047] Furthermore, if a positive determination is made in S101, first location information is acquired from the user terminal 100 in S102. This allows the control unit 201 to grasp the current location of the user 10. Furthermore, user information is acquired from the user information DB 205 in S102. This allows the control unit 201 to grasp the first location. Therefore, in S103, it is determined whether the user 10 is present in the first location. If a positive determination is made in S103, the user 10 is present in the first location where the user 10 does not use the locker 400, and therefore the proposal process is temporarily terminated. In other words, if the user 10 is present in the first location, the proposal information is not transmitted to the user terminal 100. This makes it possible to prevent the proposal information from being transmitted to the user terminal 100 even though the user 10 is present in the first location and is therefore unlikely to use the locker 400.

[0048] If a positive determination is made in S103, then in S104, route information is acquired from the route information DB 203. Next, in S105, it is determined whether or not the user 10 is present within a first range from the current position of the vehicle 300, based on the current position of the user 10 in the first position information and the current position of the vehicle 300 in the route information. That is, in S105, a first determination process is performed. Furthermore, if a positive determination is made in S105, proposal information is transmitted to the user terminal 100 in S107. Then, the proposal process is temporarily terminated.

[0049] If a negative determination is made in S105, the user 10 is not within a range that allows the user 10 to travel on foot to the current location of the vehicle 300 within a predetermined time. Therefore, in S106, it is determined whether or not the user 10 is within a second range from the planned travel route of the vehicle 300, based on the current location of the user 10 in the first position information and the planned travel route of the vehicle 300 in the route information. That is, in S106, a second determination process is performed. If a negative determination is made in S106, the user 10 is not within a range that allows the user 10 to travel to the planned travel route of the vehicle 300, and therefore the proposal process is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in S106, proposal information is transmitted to the user terminal 100 in S107. Then, the proposal process is temporarily terminated.

[0050] The order of execution of S101, S103, S105, and S106 in the proposal process is not limited to the order shown in Fig. 8 and may be any order. For example, if a positive determination is made in the determination process of S105 or S106, the determination processes of S101 and S103 may be executed. In this case, if a positive determination is made in S101 and a negative determination is made in S103, the process of S107 is executed.

[0051] As described above, the management system 1 transmits the proposed information to the user terminal 100 when the user 10 is present within a first range from the current location of the vehicle 300. Furthermore, the management system 1 transmits the proposed information to the user terminal 100 when the user 10 is present within a second range from the planned driving route of the vehicle 300. In other words, the proposed information is transmitted to the user terminal 100 when a positive determination is made in the first determination process or the second determination process. As a result, when there is a vehicle 300 in which the user 10 can use the locker 400, the user 10 is encouraged to use the locker 400, increasing the likelihood that the locker 400 will actually be used. As a result, it is possible to improve the utilization rate of the lockers 400 installed in the vehicle 300.

[0052] (Variation) The management server 200 may execute the first determination process and the second determination process when the user 10 is present at the second location. Here, the second location is a location where there is a possibility of demand for storing luggage in the locker 400. For example, it is assumed that the user 10 will have a demand to store items purchased at a shopping mall in the locker 400. Therefore, the second location is set to, for example, a shopping mall or a shopping street. The second location may be set by the user 10 or by an administrator of the management server 200.

[0053] In the process of S103 in the proposal process, the management server 200 determines whether the user 10 is present in the second location instead of determining whether the user 10 is present in the first location. If the management server 200 determines that the user 10 is present in the second location, it can determine that the user 10 is present in a location where there is a possibility of a demand for the user 10 to deposit luggage in a locker 400. Therefore, the processes of S104 to S107 are executed. Furthermore, if the management server 200 determines that the user 10 is not present in the second location, it can determine that the user 10 is present in a location where there is a possibility of a demand for the user 10 to deposit luggage in a locker 400. Therefore, the proposal process is temporarily terminated. Note that in the first embodiment, As with the determination processes of S101, S103, S105 and S106 in the previous section, the processes may be performed in any order.

[0054] In this way, when it is determined that the user 10 is present at the second location and a positive determination is made in the first determination process or the second determination process, the proposal information is transmitted. This makes it possible to encourage the user 10 to use the locker 400 when there is a possibility of a demand for storing luggage in the locker 400. Note that in the proposal process, the first determination process and the second determination process may be executed when the user 10 is present at the first location and the user 10 is present at the second location.

[0055] Second Embodiment In this embodiment, the management server 200 transmits proposed information to the user terminal 100 further based on information relating to the schedule of the user 10 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "schedule information"). Only the differences from the first embodiment will be explained below.

[0056] Using the user terminal 100, the user 10 inputs the user 10's schedule using a predetermined application. The predetermined application is an application that manages the user 10's schedule. When the user 10 inputs the schedule into the predetermined application (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "schedule application"), the user terminal 100 generates schedule information. Furthermore, the user 10 uses the user terminal 100 to configure a link between the schedule application and an application (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "specific application") for using a service that temporarily stores the user 10's luggage. This enables the specific application to acquire the schedule information generated by the schedule application. The user terminal 100 then transmits the schedule information acquired by the specific application from the schedule application to the management server 200. This enables the management server 200 to grasp the user 10's schedule even if the user 10 does not directly register his or her schedule in the management server 200.

[0057] The control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives schedule information from the user terminal 100 via the communication unit 202. The control unit 201 updates the user information based on the schedule information and stores it in the user information DB 205. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of user information held in the user information DB 205 in this embodiment.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 9, the user information further has a date field and a schedule field. The date on which the user 10 has an appointment is input into the date field. The schedule field is input with the details of the user 10's schedule for the date input into the date field. If the user 10 is traveling, "travel" is input into the schedule field. The control unit 201 inputs information into the date field and the schedule field based on the schedule information received from the user terminal 100. The control unit 201 can grasp the schedule of the user 10 by acquiring the user information from the user information DB 205. Note that the number of first location fields and the number of date fields (schedule fields) may be different.

[0059] (Schedule confirmation process) Next, the schedule confirmation process executed by the control unit 201 of the management server 200 in the management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The schedule confirmation process is a process for confirming the schedule of the user 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the schedule confirmation process. The schedule confirmation process is executed periodically at predetermined intervals.

[0060] In the schedule confirmation process, first, in S201, user information is acquired. This allows the control unit 201 to grasp the schedule of the user 10. Then, in S202, it is determined whether the user 10 is traveling. If the user 10 is traveling, it is highly likely that the user 10 will find baggage such as a suitcase bothersome and will consider depositing the baggage in a storage device. Therefore, it is assumed that there is a possibility that the user 10 will need to deposit baggage such as a suitcase in a locker 400 while traveling. Therefore, if a positive process is performed in S202, a proposal process is performed in S203. Here, the proposal process performed in S203 is the same process as the proposal process described in the first embodiment. In other words, if it is determined that the user 10 is traveling and a positive determination is made in the first determination process or the second determination process, proposal information is transmitted to the user terminal 100. Then, the schedule confirmation process is temporarily terminated.

[0061] Furthermore, if a negative determination is made in S202, it is assumed that the user 10 is unlikely to have a need to deposit luggage in the locker 400. Therefore, if a negative determination is made in S202, the proposal process is not executed in S203, and the schedule confirmation process is temporarily terminated.

[0062] In this embodiment, the determination process of S202 is executed first, and then the proposal process of S203 is executed. However, the determination process of S202 does not necessarily have to be executed before the proposal process. For example, in the proposal process, if a positive determination is made in the determination process of S105 or S106, the determination process of S202 may be executed. In this case, if a positive determination is made in the determination process of S202, the proposal information is transmitted to the user terminal 100. Furthermore, if a negative determination is made in the determination process of S202, the proposal information is not transmitted to the user terminal 100.

[0063] In this way, when it is assumed that there is a possibility of demand for storing luggage in the locker 400, the suggested information is transmitted to the user 10, which promotes the use of the locker 400 by the user 10. As a result, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the storage device installed in the vehicle.

[0064] (Variation) In this embodiment, the management server 200 executes the suggestion process when the user 10 is traveling. However, the management server 200 does not necessarily execute the suggestion process when the user 10 is traveling. The management server 200 may execute the suggestion process when it is determined that the user 10 is in a predetermined situation based on the schedule of the user 10 in the user information. The predetermined situation is a situation in which there is a possibility of a need to deposit luggage in a locker 400. An example of a situation in which there is a possibility of a need to deposit luggage in a locker 400 is a situation in which the user is shopping. In this case, it is assumed that there is a high possibility that the user 10 will deposit purchased items in the locker 400. Therefore, the predetermined situation may be, for example, shopping.

[0065] <Third embodiment> In this embodiment, the management server 200 transmits suggested information to the user terminal 100 based on information about the product purchased by the user 10 in the store (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "product information"). Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0066] When the user 10 pays for a product using a predetermined application (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "payment application"), the user terminal 100 generates product information. The payment application is an application for making payments for products. The user 10 also uses the user terminal 100 to set up a link between the specific application and the payment application. This allows the specific application to acquire the product information generated by the payment application. The user terminal 100 then transmits the product information acquired by the specific application to the management server 200. Here, the product information is information including an identifier (product ID) for identifying the product, as well as the date, time, and place of purchase of the product. This allows the management server 200 to grasp the products that the user 10 has purchased in the store.

[0067] It should be noted that the terminal that transmits product information to the management server 200 is not necessarily limited to the user terminal 100. A terminal other than the user terminal 100 may transmit product information to the management server 200. Furthermore, the product information transmitted by a terminal other than the user terminal 100 does not necessarily have to be information about a product paid for using a payment app. For example, assume that the user 10 purchases a product using a credit card. In this case, usage information of the credit card used by the user 10 may be transmitted from a predetermined server device to the management server 200. Here, the usage information is information that includes product information.

[0068] The control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives product information from the user terminal 100 via the communication unit 202. The control unit 201 updates the user information based on the product information and stores it in the user information DB 205. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of user information held in the user information DB 205 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the user information further has a product ID field, purchase date and time, purchase location, type field, size field, and weight field. Note that the number of first location fields and the number of product ID fields (type fields, etc.) may be different.

[0069] The product ID field is entered with the product ID of the product that the user 10 purchased using the payment app. The purchase date and time field is entered with the date and time that the user 10 purchased the product corresponding to the product ID entered in the product ID field. The purchase location field is entered with the location where the user 10 purchased the product corresponding to the product ID entered in the product ID field. The purchase location field is entered with, for example, the name of the store where the user 10 purchased the product. Each piece of information entered in the product ID field, purchase date and time field, and purchase location field is entered based on the product ID of the product included in the product information and the date, time, and location where the product was purchased.

[0070] The type field is entered with the type of product corresponding to the product ID entered in the product ID field. For example, the type of product entered in the type field is "fresh food" or "frozen food." If the product corresponding to the product ID entered in the product ID field is neither fresh food nor frozen food, "regular" is entered in the type field. This enables the control unit 201 to determine whether the product needs to be stored in a refrigerated or frozen state. The size field is entered with the size of the product corresponding to the product ID entered in the product ID field. The size field is entered with the width, length, and height of the product. The weight field is entered with the weight of the product corresponding to the product ID entered in the product ID field.

[0071] The information to be input into the type field, size field, and weight field is input by the control unit 201 by acquiring the type, size, and weight of the product based on the product ID included in the product information. The control unit 201 acquires the type, size, and weight of the product based on the product ID from, for example, another server device.

[0072] By acquiring the user information stored in the user information DB 205, the control unit 201 can ascertain the products (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "purchased products") that the user 10 has purchased at the store. Therefore, the control unit 201 determines whether the purchased products satisfy a predetermined condition based on the user information. The predetermined condition is a condition for determining whether there is a possibility of a demand for depositing the purchased products in the locker 400.

[0073] For example, a user 10 may purchase an item in a store that is too large to carry. In this case, the user 10 may find it troublesome to carry the purchased item and may consider depositing the purchased item in a storage device. Therefore, it is expected that there may be a demand for depositing purchased items in the locker 400. Therefore, the predetermined condition may be that the size of the purchased item is equal to or larger than a predetermined size.

[0074] Furthermore, for example, there may be cases where user 10 purchases a heavy product at a store that is difficult to carry. In this case, user 10 may find it troublesome to carry the purchased product and may consider depositing the purchased product in a storage device. Therefore, it is expected that there may be a demand for depositing purchased products in locker 400. Therefore, the predetermined condition may be that the weight of the purchased product is equal to or greater than a predetermined weight.

[0075] Also, for example, user 10 may purchase a product that needs to be stored in a refrigerated or frozen state. In this case, user 10 is likely to consider depositing the purchased product in locker 400, which is capable of storing the purchased product in a refrigerated or frozen state, in order to refrigerate or freeze the purchased product. Therefore, if the first product is a product that needs to be stored in a refrigerated or frozen state, it is expected that there will be a demand for depositing the purchased product in locker 400. Therefore, the predetermined condition may be that the type of the purchased product is a predetermined type (a type that requires storage in a refrigerated or frozen state). Note that in this case, the product needs to be stored in section 40, which is capable of storing the product in a refrigerated or frozen state.

[0076] In this way, if the purchased item satisfies at least one of the three predetermined conditions described above, it is assumed that there is a possibility that there is a demand for depositing the purchased item in a locker 400. Therefore, the control unit 201 determines whether the purchased item satisfies at least one of the three conditions described above. Note that the three conditions described above are examples of conditions that are assumed to indicate a possibility that there is a demand for depositing the purchased item in a locker 400. Other well-known conditions can be used by the control unit 201 to determine whether there is a possibility that there is a demand for depositing the purchased item in a locker 400 based on the purchased item.

[0077] The control unit 201 also determines whether there is a vacant section 40 in which the purchased items can be stored, based on the locker information stored in the locker information DB 204. Specifically, the control unit 201 acquires the type, size, and weight of the purchased items based on the user information stored in the user information DB 205. The control unit 201 then determines whether there is a vacant section 40 in which the purchased items can be stored, based on the type, size, and weight of the purchased items. For example, the control unit 201 determines whether there is a vacant section 40 of a size in which the purchased items can be stored, based on the size of the purchased items and the locker information stored in the locker information DB 204.

[0078] Furthermore, if the purchased product is a product that needs to be stored in a refrigerated state, the control unit 201 determines whether or not there is a vacant section 40 that can store the product in a refrigerated state, based on the remarks field in the locker information. Furthermore, if the purchased product is a product that needs to be stored in a frozen state, the control unit 201 determines whether or not there is a vacant section 40 that can store the product in a frozen state, based on the remarks field in the locker information.

[0079] (Product confirmation process) Next, the product confirmation process executed by the control unit 201 of the management server 200 in the management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The product confirmation process is a process for confirming purchased products. Fig. 12 is a flowchart of the product confirmation process. The product confirmation process is executed periodically at predetermined intervals.

[0080] In the product confirmation process, first, in S301, user information is acquired. This allows the control unit 201 to grasp the purchased product. Then, in S302, it is determined whether the purchased product satisfies at least one of the three predetermined conditions described above. If the result in S302 is affirmative, it is assumed that there is a possibility of a demand for storing the purchased product in the locker 400. Then, in S303, a suggestion process is executed. Then, the product confirmation process ends.

[0081] Furthermore, if a negative determination is made in S302, it is assumed that there is a low possibility that there will be a demand for depositing purchased items in the locker 400. Therefore, if a negative determination is made in S302, the item confirmation process is temporarily terminated.

[0082] (Proposal processing) Next, the proposal process executed in S303 of the product confirmation process will be described. In the proposal process executed in S303 of the product confirmation process, in the process of S101, instead of the process of S101 in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not there is space in the section 40 in which the purchased product can be stored. That is, the control unit 201 determines whether or not there is space in the section 40 in which the purchased product can be stored based on the type, size, and weight of the purchased product. If a negative determination is made in S101, the locker 400 is not a locker in which the purchased product can be stored, and the proposal process is temporarily terminated. This prevents proposal information from being sent to the user terminal 100 even though the purchased product cannot be stored. Furthermore, if a positive determination is made in S101, the locker 400 is a locker in which the purchased product can be stored, and the processes of S102 to S107 are executed.

[0083] In this embodiment, the determination process of S302 is executed first, and then the proposal process of S303 is executed. However, the determination process of S302 does not necessarily have to be executed before the proposal process. For example, in the proposal process, if a positive determination is made in the determination process of S105 or S106, the determination process of S302 may be executed. In this case, if a positive determination is made in the determination process of S302, the proposal information is transmitted to the user terminal 100. Furthermore, if a negative determination is made in the determination process of S302, the proposal information is not transmitted to the user terminal 100.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the proposal process is executed in S303 of the product confirmation process. However, the proposal process does not necessarily have to be executed in the proposal process executed in S303 of the product confirmation process. That is, the management server 200 may execute the proposal process without executing the product confirmation process. In this case, instead of the process of S101 of the proposal process, user information is acquired, and it is determined whether there is space in the section 40 where the purchased product can be stored. Then, if it is determined that there is space in the section 40 where the purchased product can be stored, the processes of S102 to S107 are executed.

[0085] As described above, when a purchased item satisfies a predetermined condition, the management system 1 transmits suggested information to the user terminal 100. This encourages the user 10 to use the locker 400 when there is a possibility of demand for storing purchased items in the locker 400. As a result, it is possible to improve the utilization rate of the locker 400 installed in the vehicle 300.

[0086] <Other embodiments> The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the processes and means described in the present disclosure may be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0087] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0088] The present disclosure can also be realized by providing a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer via a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the computer's system bus or via a network. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include any type of medium suitable for retaining electronic instructions, such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk or a hard disk drive (HDD)), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk), a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, or an optical card. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Management System 10 users 100 user terminals 200 Management Server 201 Control section 202··Communications Department 203 Route Information DB 204··Locker Information DB 205··User Information DB 210 processor 220 Main memory 230...Auxiliary storage section 240··Communication I / F 300 vehicles 40·· Section 400 Locker

Claims

1. Executing a first determination process to determine whether or not a user is present within a first range from a current location of a first vehicle equipped with a storage device that stores luggage; If a positive determination is made in the first determination process, transmitting proposal information for proposing to use the storage device mounted on the first vehicle to a terminal related to the user; a control unit that executes the The control unit Executing a second determination process to determine whether the user is present in a predetermined location that has been registered in advance; determining whether or not to transmit the proposal information according to a determination result of the second determination process; Further execute The predetermined location is: A place registered in advance by the user as a place where the storage device is not used; and a location previously registered by the user as a location where the storage device is to be used; At least one of the following is true: Information processing device.

2. The control unit acquiring information about a planned travel route that the first vehicle is scheduled to travel from a current location; When the user is not present within the first range from the current position of the first vehicle, determining whether or not the user is present within a second range from a planned driving route of the first vehicle in the first determination process; Further execute When the user is present within the second range from the planned driving route of the first vehicle, the proposal information is transmitted to the terminal. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit further performing obtaining information regarding the user's schedule; prohibiting transmission of the proposed information when it is determined that the user is not in a predetermined situation based on information about the user's schedule; The predetermined situation is that the user is traveling.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

4. The information regarding the user's schedule is information acquired by the terminal from an application that manages the user's schedule. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The control unit further performing acquiring information about a first product that is a product purchased by the user at a store; prohibiting transmission of the suggestion information when it is determined based on the information about the first product that the first product does not satisfy a predetermined condition; The predetermined condition is: The type of the first product is a type that requires storage in a refrigerated or frozen state; The size of the first product is equal to or larger than a predetermined size; and The weight of the first product is equal to or greater than a predetermined weight; At least one of the following is true: The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the information about the first product is information acquired by the terminal from an application used by the user for payment of the product; The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The control unit prohibiting transmission of the suggestion information when it is determined based on the information on the first product that none of the type, size, and weight of the first product satisfies the predetermined conditions; 7. The information processing device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. the predetermined location is a location registered in advance by the user as a location where the storage device is not used, When the control unit determines in the second determination process that the user is present at the predetermined location, the control unit prohibits transmission of the proposal information. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. the predetermined location is a location that is registered in advance by the user or administrator as a location where the storage device is used, When the control unit determines in the second determination process that the user is not present at the predetermined location, the control unit prohibits transmission of the proposal information. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. The control unit prohibiting transmission of the proposal information when it is determined that there is no free space in the storage device mounted on the first vehicle; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

11. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Executing a first determination process to determine whether or not a user is present within a first range from a current location of a first vehicle equipped with a storage device that stores luggage; If a positive determination is made in the first determination process, transmitting proposal information for proposing to use the storage device mounted on the first vehicle to a terminal related to the user; Including, Executing a second determination process to determine whether the user is present in a predetermined location that has been registered in advance; determining whether or not to transmit the proposal information according to a determination result of the second determination process; further comprising The predetermined location is a location that the user has registered in advance as a location where the storage device is not used. Information processing methods.

12. acquiring information about a planned travel route that the first vehicle is scheduled to travel from a current location; When the user is not present within the first range from the current position of the first vehicle, determining whether or not the user is present within a second range from a planned driving route of the first vehicle in the first determination process; further comprising When the user is present within the second range from the planned driving route of the first vehicle, the proposal information is transmitted to the terminal. The information processing method according to claim 11.

13. obtaining information about the user's schedule; prohibiting transmission of the proposed information when it is determined that the user is not in a predetermined situation based on information about the user's schedule; The predetermined situation is that the user is traveling.

13. The information processing method according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The information regarding the user's schedule is information acquired by the terminal from an application that manages the user's schedule. The information processing method according to claim 13.

15. The method further includes acquiring information about a first product that is a product purchased by the user at a store; prohibiting transmission of the suggestion information when it is determined based on the information about the first product that the first product does not satisfy a predetermined condition; The predetermined condition is: The type of the first product is a type that requires storage in a refrigerated or frozen state; The size of the first product is equal to or larger than a predetermined size; and The weight of the first product is equal to or greater than a predetermined weight; At least one of the following is true: The information processing method according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

16. the information about the first product is information acquired by the terminal from an application used by the user for payment of the product; The information processing method according to claim 15.

17. prohibiting transmission of the suggestion information when it is determined based on the information on the first product that none of the type, size, and weight of the first product satisfies the predetermined conditions; 17. The information processing method according to claim 15 or 16.

18. If the second determination process determines that the user is present at the predetermined location, execution of the first determination process is prohibited.

18. The information processing method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

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