Server device, system, information processing device, program, and system operation method

The server and information processing devices accurately track and display consent and non-consent periods of vehicle usage, improving the assessment of past usage patterns and resale value determination.

JP7747137B2Active Publication Date: 2025-10-01TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024128940
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-08-05
Publication Date
2025-10-01
Estimated Expiration
2041-01-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing systems fail to provide a comprehensive and accurate understanding of how vehicles and other items have been used in the past, which is crucial for determining their resale value.

Method used

A server device and information processing device that store and display information on consent and non-consent periods of user usage, allowing for the accurate collection and presentation of vehicle usage patterns, including maintenance and status information.

Benefits of technology

Enables accurate assessment of a vehicle's past usage and condition, enhancing the reliability of resale value determination by distinguishing between periods with and without user consent for data collection.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a server device, a system, an information processing device, a program and a system operating method that precisely grasp a past use mode of an object.SOLUTION: In an information processing system that has one or more server devices, an information processing device and one or more vehicles which are communicably connected with each other via a network, the server device includes: a storing unit that stores information representing a first time period at which a user who agrees with the provision of mode information representing a use mode of an object uses the object, mode information in the first time period, and information representing a second time period at which a user who does not agree with the provision of the mode information uses the object; and a control unit that outputs, to the information processing device, information to display, at the information processing device, first time period information and second time period information representing the first time period and the second time period, respectively, and state information representing a state of the object based on the mode information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device, a system, an information processing device, a program, and a system operation method. [Background technology]

[0002] Used car dealers or prospective buyers use the usage patterns of the vehicle by past owners as a basis for determining the resale value of the vehicle. As an example of a technology to support such a determination, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that provides information including the driving habits of past drivers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-086609 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Sellers and prospective buyers of not only vehicles but also other items are required to have a more accurate understanding of how vehicles and other items have been used in the past.

[0005] The following describes a server device and the like that makes it possible to accurately grasp the past usage patterns of an object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The server device in the present disclosure has a memory unit that stores information indicating a first period during which a user who has agreed to the provision of behavior information indicating the usage behavior of an object will use the object, the behavior information for the first period, and information indicating a second period during which a user who has not agreed to the provision of the behavior information will use the object, and a control unit that outputs to the information processing device information for displaying on the information processing device first and second period information indicating the first and second periods, respectively, and status information indicating the status of the object based on the behavior information.

[0007] The information processing device of the present disclosure has a communication unit that sends and receives information to and from a server device that stores information indicating a first period during which a user who has agreed to the provision of behavior information indicating the usage behavior of an object will use the object, the behavior information for the first period, and information indicating a second period during which a user who has not agreed to the provision of the behavior information will use the object; a display unit that displays the information; and a control unit that causes the display unit to display first and second period information indicating the first and second periods, respectively, based on the information sent from the server device, and the state of the object based on the behavior information.

[0008] The system operation method of the present disclosure is a system operation method having a server device and an information processing device that communicate with each other, and includes the steps of: the server device storing information indicating a first period during which a user who has agreed to the provision of behavior information indicating the usage behavior of an object will use the object, the behavior information for the first period, and information indicating a second period during which a user who does not agree to the provision of the behavior information will use the object; the server device outputting information for displaying first and second period information indicating the first and second periods, respectively, and status information indicating the status of the object based on the behavior information; and the information processing device displaying the first and second period information and the status information based on the information sent from the server device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the server device and the like of the present disclosure, it becomes possible to accurately grasp how an object has been used in the past. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of a server device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the server device and the information processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the server device and the information processing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the server device and the in-vehicle device. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the server device and the information processing device. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the server device and the information processing device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example by an information processing device. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a display example by the information processing device. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a display example by the information processing device. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a display example by the information processing device. [Figure 10D] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a display example by the information processing device. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a display example by the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes the embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of an information processing system including a server device in one embodiment. The information processing system 1 is a system for providing information to dealers and prospective buyers in the sale of used cars. The information processing system 1 includes, for example, one or more server devices 10 and one or more information processing devices 11, which are communicatively connected to each other via a network 13. One or more vehicles 12 are also communicatively connected to the network 13 via their respective in-vehicle devices. The server device 10 is, for example, a server device that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system operated by a dealer of the vehicle 12 and implements various functions. The information processing device 11 is, for example, an information processing device used by prospective buyers of used cars, sales staff or mechanics of the dealer, and is, for example, a personal computer (PC), tablet terminal, mobile phone, smartphone, or the like. The vehicle 12 is a vehicle being sold as a used car. The network 13 is, for example, the Internet, but may also include an ad hoc network, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), other networks, or any combination thereof.

[0013] In this embodiment, server device 10 stores information indicating a period during which a user who has agreed to the provision of behavior information indicating the usage behavior of vehicle 12 uses vehicle 12 (hereinafter referred to as consent period), behavior information during the consent period, and information indicating a period during which a user who does not agree to the provision of behavior information uses vehicle 12 (hereinafter referred to as non-consent period). Server device 10 also outputs to information processing device 11 information for displaying information indicating the consent period and non-consent period (hereinafter referred to as consent period information and non-consent period information, respectively), and status information indicating the status of vehicle 12 based on the behavior information. Information processing device 11 then displays the consent period information, non-consent period information, and status information.

[0014] By the time the vehicle 12 is sold as a used car, it has been used by one or more owners (hereinafter, the owner is included in the term "user" as a person who has the right to use the vehicle based on ownership). Furthermore, in order for the server device 10 to collect the vehicle's condition information, the consent of the current user is required. The server device 10 collects the condition information during the consent period, but does not collect the condition information during the non-consent period. According to this embodiment, a salesperson at a sales business or a prospective purchaser can ascertain the extent to which the condition information on which the vehicle 12's condition is based has been collected by checking the consent period information and the non-consent period information. In other words, the salesperson or the prospective purchaser can determine the reliability of the condition information by checking the period over which the condition information on the vehicle 12 is based. This allows the condition of the vehicle 12 to be more accurately ascertained.

[0015] In the following explanation, an example is taken of a case where a user purchases and sells a vehicle 12 sold as a used car, but the present embodiment also includes a case where the vehicle 12 is used under a lease contract. In the case of leasing, the user acquires the right to use the vehicle 12 based on the contract and acquires the vehicle 12 from the sales company, and after using the vehicle 12, the right to use is lost when the contract ends and the vehicle 12 is returned to the sales company. The following explanation also applies to the case of leasing by replacing the purchase and sale of the vehicle 12 with the start of use and return, etc.

[0016] 2 shows an example configuration of server device 10. Server device 10 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 25, and an output unit 26. Server device 10 is, for example, a server that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system operated by a dealer of vehicle 12 and that implements various functions.

[0017] The control unit 21 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 21 executes information processing related to the operation of the server device 10 while controlling each unit of the server device 10.

[0018] The storage unit 22 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, SRAM (Static RAM) or DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) is, for example, EEPROM. The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores information used in the operation of the server device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the server device 10.

[0019] The communication unit 23 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 23 receives information used in the operation of the server device 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the server device 10. The server device 10 is connected to the network 13 by the communication unit 23 and communicates information with other devices via the network 13.

[0020] The input unit 25 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone for accepting voice input. The input interface may further include a camera for capturing captured images or image codes, or an IC card reader. The input unit 25 accepts an operation for inputting information used in the operation of the server device 10 and sends the input information to the control unit 21.

[0021] The output unit 26 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The output unit 26 outputs information obtained by the operation of the server device 10.

[0022] The functions of server device 10 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in control unit 21. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute processing of steps included in the operation of server device 10, thereby causing the computer to realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as server device 10. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of server device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in control unit 21.

[0023] In this embodiment, the memory unit 22 of the server device 10 stores consent period information, non-consent period information, and mode information for each vehicle 12. The consent period information and non-consent period information are associated with the identification information of the vehicle 12 and include the start and end dates of each period, the identification information of the user for each period, and consent / non-consent information indicating the user's consent or non-consent to the provision of mode information for each period. The mode information is associated with the identification information of the vehicle 12 and includes maintenance information regarding various maintenance performed on the vehicle 12 and various reported information reported by the user. The maintenance information includes odometer readings confirmed by a mechanic, warning light or diagnostic code notifications, replacement information and date and time information for parts replaced during vehicle maintenance, such as batteries, lamps, and oil filters, and replacement information and date and time information for oils such as engine oil and brake oil. The reported information includes information such as whether the vehicle has a history of accidents, whether it has a history of flooding, and whether any recalls have been addressed.

[0024] 3 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing device 11. The information processing device 11 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, an input unit 35, and an output unit 36. The information processing device 11 is an information processing device used by, for example, a person wishing to purchase a used car, a salesperson of a sales company, a vehicle inspection and maintenance company, or an owner of a vehicle 12, and is a PC, tablet terminal, mobile phone, smartphone, or the like.

[0025] The control unit 31 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 31 controls each unit of the information processing device 11 and executes information processing related to the operation of the information processing device 11.

[0026] The storage unit 32 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The storage unit 32 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 32 stores information used in the operation of the information processing device 11 and information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 11.

[0027] The communication unit 33 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation), or a LAN interface. The communication unit 33 receives information used in the operation of the information processing device 11 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 11. The information processing device 11 is connected to the network 13 by the communication unit 33 via a nearby router device or a mobile communication base station, and communicates information with other devices via the network 13.

[0028] The input unit 35 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone that accepts voice input. The input interface may further include a camera that captures captured images or image codes, or an IC card reader. The input unit 35 accepts an operation to input information used in the operation of the information processing device 11 and sends the input information to the control unit 31.

[0029] The output unit 36 ​​includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, an external or built-in display that outputs information as an image or video, a speaker that outputs information as sound, or a connection interface with an external output device. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 36 ​​outputs information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 11. The output unit 36 ​​corresponds to a "display unit."

[0030] The operation of the information processing device 11 is realized by a processor included in the control unit 31 executing a program. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The program is distributed in a state recorded on a portable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM on which the program is recorded. The program may be distributed by storing the program in a server storage and transferring the program from the server device to another computer. Some or all of the operation of the information processing device 11 may be executed by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 31.

[0031] 4 shows an example of the configuration of an in-vehicle device 40 mounted on a vehicle 12. The in-vehicle device 40 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a communication unit 43, a positioning unit 44, an input unit 45, an output unit 46, an imaging unit 47, and a detection unit 48. The in-vehicle device 40 is, for example, a navigation device, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC.

[0032] The control unit 41 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 41 controls each part of the in-vehicle device 40 and executes information processing related to the operation of the in-vehicle device 40.

[0033] The storage unit 42 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The storage unit 42 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 42 stores information used in the operation of the in-vehicle device 40 and information obtained by the operation of the in-vehicle device 40.

[0034] The communication unit 43 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interfaces are interfaces compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. The communication unit 43 receives information used for the operation of the in-vehicle device 40 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the in-vehicle device 40. The communication unit 43 connects the in-vehicle device 40 to the network 13 via a mobile communication base station, and communicates information with other devices via the network 13.

[0035] The positioning unit 44 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. GNSS includes at least one of the following: GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo. The positioning unit 44 acquires location information of the in-vehicle device 40.

[0036] The input unit 45 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone for accepting voice input. The input interface may further include a camera for capturing captured images or image codes, or an IC card reader. The input unit 45 accepts an operation for inputting information used in the operation of the in-vehicle device 40 and sends the input information to the control unit 41.

[0037] The output unit 46 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 46 outputs information obtained by the operation of the in-vehicle device 40.

[0038] The imaging unit 47 has one or more cameras and their control circuits installed in positions where they can capture images of the periphery of the vehicle 12 or the interior of the vehicle. The cameras included in the imaging unit 47 may be monocular cameras or stereo cameras. The imaging unit 47 captures images of the periphery of the vehicle 12 or the interior of the vehicle at any time interval and sends the captured images to the control unit 41.

[0039] The detection unit 48 has sensors or an interface with sensors that detect vehicle information of the vehicle 12. The sensors include sensors that detect, for example, the speed of the vehicle 12, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, deceleration, accelerator operation amount, brake operation amount, steering angle, fuel consumption per unit time, eco mode selection status, odometer value, safety equipment operation information, engine specifications, and the state of the drive battery (if the vehicle 12 is a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle). The detection unit 48 sends vehicle information indicating various states of the vehicle 12 detected by the sensors to the control unit 41.

[0040] The functions of the in-vehicle device 40 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in the control unit 41. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute processing of steps included in the operation of the in-vehicle device 40, thereby causing the computer to realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as the in-vehicle device 40. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the in-vehicle device 40 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 41.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation procedure by the server device 10 and the information processing device 11 for storing consent period information and non-consent period information in the server device 10. The procedure in Fig. 5 is an example of the operation procedure executed by the information processing device 11 used by a salesperson of the sales company and the server device 10 when a user purchases a vehicle 12 from a sales company and when selling the vehicle 12 to the sales company. Steps S500 to S508 are executed when the vehicle 12 is purchased, and steps S510 to S516 are executed when the vehicle 12 is sold.

[0042] In step S500, the information processing device 11 acquires vehicle identification information and user identification information. When a new user purchases a vehicle 12, the salesperson inputs the vehicle identification information and user identification information into the information processing device 11. The vehicle identification information includes, for example, the name, grade, color, chassis number, model, year, date and time of first registration, and year and month of manufacture of the vehicle 12. The user identification information includes the name, address, and so on of the user. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 receives the vehicle identification information and user identification information from the salesperson via the input unit 35.

[0043] In step S502, the information processing device 11 sends the vehicle identification information and the user identification information to the server device 10. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 sends the vehicle identification information and the user identification information to the server device 10 via the communication unit 33. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 receives the vehicle identification information and the user identification information via the communication unit 23.

[0044] In step S504, the information processing device 11 acquires consent / disagreement information. When a salesperson of a sales business obtains the user's consent or disagreement to the provision of mode information indicating the mode of use of the vehicle 12 in writing or the like, the salesperson inputs consent / disagreement information indicating that consent or disagreement has been obtained into the information processing device 11. Alternatively, the user may input their intention of consent or disagreement into the information processing device 11. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 receives the consent / disagreement information via the input unit 35.

[0045] In step S506, the information processing device 11 sends the agreement / disagreement information and the user identification information to the server device 10. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 sends the agreement / disagreement information and the user identification information acquired in step S500 to the server device 10 via the communication unit 33. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 receives the agreement / disagreement information and the user identification information via the communication unit 23.

[0046] In step S508, the server device 10 associates the vehicle identification information, user identification information, and consent / disagreement information, and stores them together with the current date and time information. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 associates the vehicle identification information with the user identification information, and stores them in the memory unit 22 together with the current date and time information. At this time, status information indicating that the user has ownership or a right to use the vehicle 12 is added to the user identification information. At this point, the user acquires the right to use the vehicle 12.

[0047] In step S510, the information processing device 11 acquires vehicle identification information, user identification information, and a status change instruction. When the user sells the vehicle 12 to a sales company, the salesperson inputs the vehicle identification information and user identification information into the information processing device 11 and inputs an instruction to change the user's status. In this case, the sale of the vehicle 12 causes the user to lose ownership of or the right to use the vehicle 12. Therefore, the status change instruction is an instruction to change the status information added to the user identification information by the server device 10 to status information indicating that the ownership of or the right to use the vehicle 12 has been lost. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 receives the vehicle identification information, user identification information, and status change instruction from the salesperson via the input unit 35.

[0048] In step S512, the information processing device 11 sends the vehicle identification information, the user identification information, and the status change request to the server device 10. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 sends the vehicle identification information, the user identification information, and the status change request to the server device 10 via the communication unit 33. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 receives the vehicle identification information, the user identification information, and the status change request via the communication unit 23.

[0049] In step S514, the server device 10 changes the status information of the user identification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 reads the association between the vehicle identification information and the user identification information from the storage unit 22, changes the status information added to the user identification information to status information indicating that the ownership or right of use of the vehicle 12 has been lost, and stores the status information in the storage unit 22.

[0050] In step S516, the server device 10 stores the consent period information or the non-consent period information. The control unit 21 determines the consent period or the non-consent period according to the consent / non-consent information, starting from the date and time when the user obtained the authority to use the vehicle 12 in step S502 and ending from the date and time when the user lost the ownership or the authority to use the vehicle in step S514, and stores the consent period information or the non-consent period information in the memory unit 22.

[0051] When a user sells a vehicle 12 to a sales company, a salesperson at the sales company inputs vehicle identification information and user identification information corresponding to the sales company into the information processing device 11, and also inputs consent / disagreement information indicating consent. If the vehicle 12 is under the management of the sales company, the status information can be reliably collected by the server device 10. Therefore, by newly executing the procedures from step S500 onwards, the period during which the vehicle 12 is under the management of the sales company can be treated as the consent period, and the status information can be collected by the server device 10. Alternatively, after executing step S516, the server device 10 may obtain location information of the vehicle 12 from the in-vehicle device 40 of the vehicle 12, and if the vehicle 12 is located within a sales company facility, the vehicle identification information, user identification information corresponding to the sales company, and consent / disagreement information indicating consent may be associated and stored in the storage unit 32 without receiving information from the information processing device 11.

[0052] Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation procedure by the server device 10 and the information processing device 11 for storing the aspect information in the server device 10. The procedure in Fig. 6 is an example of the operation procedure executed by the server device 10 and the information processing device 11 when the user brings the vehicle 12 to a dealer's maintenance facility and various maintenance is performed on the vehicle 12. The procedure in Fig. 6 is executed between step S508 and step S510 in the procedure in Fig. 5.

[0053] In step S600, the information processing device 11 acquires vehicle identification information and user identification information. When a mechanic at the dealer inputs the vehicle identification information and user identification information for the vehicle 12 that he or she has serviced into the information processing device 11, the control unit 31 receives the vehicle identification information and user identification information via the input unit 35.

[0054] In step S602, the information processing device 11 sends the vehicle identification information and the user identification information to the server device 10. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 sends the vehicle identification information and the user identification information to the server device 10 via the communication unit 33. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 receives the vehicle identification information and the user identification information via the communication unit 23.

[0055] In step S604, the server device 10 reads out the consent / disagreement information associated with the vehicle identification information and the user identification information. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 reads out the consent / disagreement information associated with the vehicle identification information and the user identification information from the storage unit 22.

[0056] In step S606, the server device 10 sends the agreement / disagreement information to the information processing device 11. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 sends the agreement / disagreement information to the information processing device 11 via the communication unit 23. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 receives the agreement / disagreement information via the communication unit 33.

[0057] In step S608, the information processing device 11 outputs the agreement / disagreement information. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 displays the agreement / disagreement information associated with the vehicle identification information and the user identification information via the output unit 36. If the mechanic confirms agreement, he / she inputs the behavior information into the information processing device 11, and the information processing device 11 executes step S610. Here, the behavior information includes various maintenance information. Alternatively, the behavior information may include notification information based on a notification from the user. If the mechanic confirms disagreement, he / she does not input the behavior information into the information processing device 11, and the procedures from step S610 onwards are omitted.

[0058] In step S610, the information processing device 11 acquires the behavior information. When the mechanic inputs the behavior information into the information processing device 11, the control unit 31 receives the behavior information via the input unit .

[0059] In step S612, the information processing device 11 sends the mode information to the server device 10. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 sends the mode information to the server device 10 via the communication unit 33. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 receives the mode information via the communication unit 23.

[0060] In step S614, the server device 10 stores the mode information. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 stores the vehicle identification information and the mode information in the storage unit 22 in association with each other.

[0061] The procedure in Figure 6 described above is shown as a procedure to be executed when the vehicle 12 undergoes maintenance, but it may also be executed, for example, when a user issues a notification when selling the vehicle 12 to a sales company and the information processing device 11 sends the notification information to the server device 10.

[0062] 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation procedure performed by the server device 10 and the in-vehicle device 40 of the vehicle 12 for the server device 10 to collect vehicle information about the vehicle 12. The procedure in FIG. 7 is an example of the operation procedure executed by the server device 10 and the in-vehicle device 40 when the user uses the vehicle 12. The procedure in FIG. 7 is executed at any period (for example, every few minutes to every few days).

[0063] In step S700, the in-vehicle device 40 sends the vehicle identification information and the vehicle information to the server device 10. The control unit 41 of the in-vehicle device 40 reads out the vehicle identification information of the vehicle that is stored in advance in the memory unit 42, and sends it to the server device 10 via the communication unit 43 together with the vehicle information acquired by the detection unit 48. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 receives the vehicle identification information and the vehicle information via the communication unit 23.

[0064] In step S702, the server device 10 stores the vehicle information. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 associates the vehicle identification information with the vehicle information, and stores the information in the storage unit 22 with the date and time.

[0065] 5 to 7 are sent from the server device 10 to the information processing device 11 and output by the information processing device 11. For example, when a vehicle 12 is sold by a user to a sales company, the various information collected by the server device 10 is displayed by the information processing device 11 so that the sales company can present it to a new prospective purchaser.

[0066] 8A and 8B are sequence diagrams showing operation procedures by the server device 10 and the information processing device 11 for outputting various information collected by the server device 10. The procedures in Fig. 8 are an example of operation procedures executed by the server device 10 and the information processing device 11 when a sales company sells a vehicle 12.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 8A, in step S800, a request for vehicle identification information and status information is sent to server device 10. When a salesperson or a prospective purchaser inputs the vehicle identification number of a vehicle 12 that the salesperson or the prospective purchaser is considering purchasing into information processing device 11 and inputs a request for status information of the vehicle 12, control unit 31 of information processing device 11 accepts the input via input unit 34. Then, control unit 31 sends the vehicle identification information and the status information request to server device 10 via communication unit 33. Control unit 21 of server device 10 receives the vehicle identification information and the status information request via communication unit 23.

[0068] In step S802, the server device 10 generates status information. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 reads out the behavior information associated with the vehicle identification information from the storage unit 22, and generates status information indicating the status of the vehicle 12 based on the behavior information. The status information includes mileage, accident history, flooding history, unaddressed recalls, engine evaluation, drive battery evaluation, fuel economy, driving frequency, mileage per trip, driving tendencies of past drivers of the vehicle, warning light illumination history, maintenance history, etc. Furthermore, vehicle information sent from the vehicle 12 is added to the status information.

[0069] In step S804, the server device 10 sends the consent period information, non-consent period information, and status information corresponding to the vehicle identification information to the information processing device 11. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 sends the consent period information, non-consent period information, and status information to the information processing device 11 via the communication unit 23. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 receives the consent period information, non-consent period information, and status information via the communication unit 33.

[0070] In step S806, the information processing device 11 outputs the consent period information, non-consent period information, and status information. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 forms an image for displaying the consent period information, non-consent period information, and status information associated with the vehicle identification information, and displays the image on the output unit 36.

[0071] Fig. 8B is a modified example of Fig. 8A. Fig. 8B shows the procedure when state information is generated by the information processing device 11. The same steps as in Fig. 8A are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 8A.

[0072] In step S800, the information processing device 11 sends a request for vehicle identification information and status information to the server device 10.

[0073] In step S801, the server device 10 sends the consent period information, the non-consent period information, the behavior information for generating status information, and the vehicle information to the information processing device 11. The control unit 21 of the server device 10 sends the consent period information, the non-consent period information, the behavior information, and the vehicle information to the information processing device 11 via the communication unit 23. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 receives the consent period information, the non-consent period information, the behavior information, and the vehicle information via the communication unit 33.

[0074] In step S802, the information processing device 11 generates status information. The control unit 31 generates status information indicating the status of the vehicle 12 based on the mode information. Then, in step S806, the information processing device 11 outputs consent period information, non-consent period information, and status information. The control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 forms an image for displaying the consent period information, non-consent period information, and status information associated with the vehicle identification information, and displays the image on the output unit 36.

[0075] FIG. 9 shows an example of the display of consent period information, non-consent period information, and status information by the information processing device 11. The screen 9 displayed by the output unit 36 ​​of the information processing device 11 includes a bar graph-like period display 90 showing the consent period and non-consent period. The total length of the period display 90 corresponds to the total length of the period during which the subject vehicle 12 was used by one or more users. The consent period is displayed as "data available" and the non-consent period is displayed as "no data," depending on the length of each period relative to the total period. Furthermore, the consent period is displayed in a different manner from the non-consent period, for example, using a different color or hatching pattern. The screen 9 also includes items such as basic information 91 including vehicle identification information, important matters 92 corresponding to status information, and vehicle information 93. The basic information 91 includes information on items such as the vehicle name, grade, color, chassis number, model, year, first registration date and time, and manufacturing date and year. The important matters 92 also include information on items such as whether the odometer can be replaced or rewritten, total mileage based on data, warning light illumination, diagnostic code detection, recall status, and impact detection exceeding the standard. Information on these items is generated based on the status information acquired when the vehicle 12 is serviced. The vehicle information 93 displays the status of items such as the engine specifications, transmission, motor system status, suspension status, brake pressure, and battery status in three levels: normal, inspection required, and abnormal. The vehicle information 93 also includes information on items such as fuel efficiency based on past driving records, average number of driving days, average driving distance, and number of driving trips in coastal areas and heavy snow areas.

[0076] The screen 9 allows the salesperson or prospective buyer to check the status information and vehicle information of the vehicle 12 and use it as a basis for making a purchase decision. The period display 90 allows the salesperson or prospective buyer to visually check the ratio of consent periods to non-consent periods, allowing the salesperson or prospective buyer to determine the reliability of the status information, for example, based on the presence or absence of non-consent periods or the proportion of their length to the total. Specifically, the longer the non-consent period, the greater the likelihood that the aspect information on which the status information is based will be missing, thereby reducing the reliability of the status information. Furthermore, on the screen 9, items whose reliability is reduced due to the presence of a non-consent period longer than a given threshold may be displayed in a different manner from other items, for example by adding a warning notice 94. Such a notice allows the salesperson or prospective buyer to more reliably consider the reduced reliability of the status information, thereby enabling them to more accurately grasp the status of the vehicle 12.

[0077] 10A to 10D show examples of displaying consent period information and non-consent period information in a modified example.

[0078] 10A, the bar graph-like period display 90 shows the total percentage of each period instead of showing the consent periods and non-consent periods intermittently in their actual order. This allows the salesperson or the prospective buyer to visually and intuitively grasp the percentage of the non-consent periods during which the vehicle 12's condition information was not acquired, thereby enabling the salesperson or the prospective buyer to more accurately grasp the condition of the vehicle 12.

[0079] FIG. 10B shows an example in which the period display 90 shown as a bar graph in FIG. 10A is shown as a pie chart.

[0080] In FIG. 10C , the period display 90 shown in FIG. 9 displays the period from when the vehicle 12 is sold by one user until when it is purchased by the next user, i.e., the period during which the vehicle 12 is under the management of the sales company (hereinafter referred to as the intermediation period) 100. During the intermediation period 100, if the sales company performs maintenance on the vehicle 12, the maintenance information can be sent from the information processing device 11 to the server device 10 and stored, so this period can be considered equivalent to the consent period. Therefore, the control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 displays the intermediation period 100 in the same or similar manner as the consent period (FIG. 10C shows an example in which the period is displayed in a similar manner), and distinguishes it from the non-consent period. This allows the salesperson or the prospective purchaser to more accurately grasp the period during which the condition information of the vehicle 12 was acquired, thereby enabling them to more accurately grasp the condition of the vehicle 12.

[0081] In FIG. 10D , the time period indicator 90 is represented by a stack of blocks representing units of time. In this variation, each block corresponds to a year, and the blocks are represented differently depending on the length of the consent or non-consent period in each year. For example, if the non-consent period lasts for the entire year, it is represented by a white block like block 102, and if the consent period lasts for the entire year, it is represented by hatching like block 104. If the consent period switches between consent and non-consent due to a change in user during the year, i.e., if the consent period and non-consent period coexist within a year, it is represented by a different block than blocks 102 and 104, like block 106. For example, if the consent period is six months or longer, that block is represented by a different color or hatching than block 104, and if the consent period is less than six months, that block is represented similarly to block 102, which represents the non-consent period. Alternatively, block 106 may be colored or hatched in the same manner as block 104. Furthermore, the information processing device 11 may divide the length of the non-consent period in the block 106 into three or more stages and display the block 106 in a manner corresponding to each stage. In this way, the control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 displays the total time of the past consent periods and non-consent periods as a stack of unit times. This allows the salesperson or the prospective purchaser to understand the past usage time of the vehicle 12 more realistically, and therefore makes it possible to understand the condition of the vehicle 12 more accurately.

[0082] It should be noted that instead of or in addition to the graphical displays shown in Figures 9 and 10A to 10D, the information processing device 11 may display the lengths of the consent period and non-consent period, respectively, as character strings, such as "3 years and 5 months."

[0083] FIG. 11 shows an example of displaying consent period information, non-consent period information, and status information by the information processing device 11 in a further modified example. In this example, the status information includes a table 110 in which inspection information is sorted chronologically, and consent periods 111 and non-consent periods 112 corresponding to the time series in the table 110. The table 110 displays, in order of the date and year of entry of the vehicle 12 into the maintenance facility, the mileage at entry, icons indicating inspection items, icons indicating bodywork and painting, icons indicating the application of the manufacturer's warranty, icons indicating the execution of an engine oil and filter change, and the like. The consent periods 111 and non-consent periods 112 are displayed on the left side of the table 110 in accordance with the date and year of entry in the table 110. In this way, the control unit 31 of the information processing device 11 chronologically displays maintenance information indicating maintenance performed during past consent periods and non-consent periods, allowing the salesperson or potential buyer to visually grasp the maintenance history of the vehicle 12 and more accurately understand the condition of the vehicle 12.

[0084] In the above explanation, a used car sale is used as an example, but this embodiment can also be applied to a used home sale. In this case, the condition information is information indicating the details of inspections, repairs, renovations, etc., performed on the home. Furthermore, the condition information includes an index of the livability of the home based on the condition information.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the processing and control programs that define the operation of the information processing device 11 and the in-vehicle device 40 may be stored in the memory unit 22 of the server device 10 or in the memory unit of another server device, and may be downloaded to each device via the network 14, or may be stored in a portable, non-transitory recording and storage medium that can be read by each device, and may be read from the medium by each device.

[0086] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, multiple blocks shown in the block diagrams may be integrated, or a single block may be divided. Instead of executing multiple steps shown in the flowcharts in chronological order as described, steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capabilities of the device executing each step, or as needed. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Server device 11 Information processing equipment 12 vehicles 13 Network 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 25 Input section 26 Output section 31 Control Unit 32 Storage section 33 Communications Department 35 Input section 36 Output section 40 Onboard equipment 41 Control Unit 42 Storage section 43 Communications Department 44 Positioning unit 45 Input section 46 Output section 47 Imaging unit 48 Detection unit

Claims

1. A memory unit that stores information indicating a first period during which a user who has previously agreed to the provision of behavior information indicating the usage behavior of an object will use the object, and information indicating a second period during which a user who has not previously agreed to the provision of the behavior information will use the object; a control unit that outputs, to an information processing device, first information for displaying, on the information processing device, the existence of the second period and a state of the object based on the aspect information acquired during the first period; A server device having the above configuration.

2. In claim 1, the first information includes a length of the second period; Server device.

3. In claim 1, the first information includes a display manner for the second period that is different from a display manner for the first period; Server device.

4. A server device that stores information indicating a first period during which a user who has previously agreed to the provision of mode information indicating the mode of use of an object will use the object, and information indicating a second period during which a user who has not previously agreed to the provision of said mode information will use the object, and a communication unit that sends and receives information to and from the server device; a display unit that displays information; a control unit that displays on the display unit, based on information sent from the server device, that the second period exists and a state of the object based on the aspect information acquired during the first period; An information processing device having the above.

5. In claim 4, the control unit causes the display unit to display the length of the second period. Information processing device.

6. In claim 4, the control unit causes the display unit to display the second period in a manner different from a manner of displaying the first period. Information processing device.

7. A storage unit for storing information on a period during which a user of an object has agreed or disagreed to the provision of mode information indicating the mode of use of the object; a control unit that outputs, to the information processing device, first information for displaying, on the information processing device, behavior information whose reliability decreases when there is a period of non-consent to the provision of the behavior information in a manner different from other behavior information; A server device having the above configuration.

8. In claim 7, the control unit outputs the first information on the condition that the length of the period of non-consent to the provision of the behavior information satisfies a criterion. Server device.

9. A communication unit that receives information on a period during which a user of an object has agreed or disagreed to the provision of behavior information indicating the behavior of the object from a server device; a display unit that displays information; a control unit that displays, on the display unit, first status information, among the status information, whose reliability decreases when there is a period of non-consent to the provision of the status information, in a manner different from other status information; An information processing device having the above.

10. In claim 9, the control unit causes the display unit to display the first behavior information in a manner different from other behavior information, on condition that the length of the period of non-consent to the provision of the behavior information satisfies a criterion. Information processing device.

11. A storage unit for storing information on a period during which a user of an object has agreed or disagreed to the provision of behavior information indicating the behavior of the object; a control unit that outputs, when a period of non-consent to the provision of the aspect information exists, first information to the information processing device for displaying, on the information processing device, predetermined aspect information among the aspect information in a manner different from other aspect information; A server device having the above configuration.

12. In claim 11, The predetermined behavioral information is behavioral information whose reliability decreases when there is a period of non-consent in providing the behavioral information. Server device.

13. In claim 11, the control unit outputs the first information on the condition that the length of the period of non-consent to the provision of the behavior information satisfies a criterion. Server device.

14. A communication unit that receives information on a period during which a user of an object has agreed or disagreed to the provision of behavior information indicating a behavior of the object from a server device; a display unit that displays information; a control unit that, when there is a period of non-consent to the provision of the behavior information, causes predetermined behavior information among the behavior information to be displayed on the display unit in a manner different from other behavior information; An information processing device having the above.

15. In claim 14, The predetermined behavioral information is behavioral information whose reliability decreases when there is a period of non-consent in providing the behavioral information. Information processing device.

16. In claim 14, the control unit causes the display unit to display the predetermined behavior information in a manner different from other behavior information, on condition that the length of the period of non-consent to the provision of the behavior information satisfies a criterion. Information processing device.

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