Server, mobile terminal, and management method

Abstract

To provide a server which can prevent a digital ticket from becoming unusable because of running-out of the battery of a portable terminal.SOLUTION: A server 1 is formed to communicate with a portable terminal 3 carried by a user. The server 1 has a processor 11 which provides a user with an incentive when the power storage amount (SOC) of a battery 38 when a user is using a digital ticket 333 is larger than 50% (a first predetermined amount).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server, a mobile terminal, and a management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-346197 (Patent Document 1) discloses an electronic ticket system that uses a mobile terminal equipped with a memory card storing an electronic ticket when passing through an automatic ticket gate. This makes it possible to use the electronic ticket by inserting the memory card into another terminal even if the battery of the mobile terminal runs out or the mobile terminal breaks down. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-346197 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using an electronic ticket (digital ticket) with a mobile device, the electronic ticket may become unusable due to the battery running out of power. It is desirable to prevent such a situation.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a server, a mobile terminal, and a management method that can prevent digital tickets from becoming unusable due to the mobile terminal's battery running out. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A server according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is configured to communicate with a mobile device carried by a user. The mobile device includes a display configured to display a digital ticket for use in a public transport facility using power supplied from a battery included in the mobile device. The server includes a processor that provides an incentive to the user when the amount of power stored in the battery during use of the digital ticket by the user is greater than a first predetermined amount.

[0007] As described above, in the server according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, an incentive is provided to a user when the amount of stored power in the battery is greater than a first predetermined amount when the user is using a digital ticket. This prevents the battery of the mobile device from running out when the digital ticket is being used. As a result, it is possible to prevent the digital ticket from becoming unusable due to the mobile device running out of battery.

[0008] In the server according to the first aspect, the processor preferably further provides an incentive to the user when the amount of stored power in the battery increases while the user is using the transportation facility. This configuration more reliably prevents the battery of the mobile terminal from running out when using the digital ticket.

[0009] In the server according to the first aspect, the processor preferably imposes a penalty on the user if the amount of power stored in the battery when the user is using the digital ticket is even smaller than a second predetermined amount that is equal to or smaller than the first predetermined amount. With this configuration, the user reduces the consumption of power stored in the battery to avoid the penalty, which more reliably prevents the mobile terminal from running out of power when using the digital ticket.

[0010] A mobile terminal according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a mobile terminal carried by a user, and includes: a battery; a display configured to display a digital ticket for using a means of transportation using power supplied from the battery; a control device that controls the display; and a communication unit that communicates with a server. When the amount of power stored in the battery when the user uses the digital ticket is greater than a predetermined amount, the control device controls to send a signal requesting an incentive to the user to the server via the communication unit.

[0011] In the mobile terminal according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, if the amount of stored power in the battery is greater than a predetermined amount while the user is using the digital ticket, a signal requesting an incentive for the user is transmitted to the server. This makes it possible to provide a mobile terminal that can prevent the digital ticket from becoming unusable due to the mobile terminal's battery running out.

[0012] A management method according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a management method for managing a mobile device. The mobile device includes a display configured to display a digital ticket for use in a transportation facility using power supplied from a battery installed in the mobile device. The management method includes a step of causing the mobile device to obtain an incentive if the amount of power stored in the battery when the digital ticket is used is greater than a predetermined amount.

[0013] In the management method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, the mobile device acquires an incentive if the amount of stored power in the battery during use of the digital ticket is greater than a predetermined amount. This provides a management method that can prevent the digital ticket from becoming unusable due to the mobile device's battery running out. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a digital ticket from becoming unusable due to a mobile device's battery running out. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a digital ticket management system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a digital ticket. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing control of the server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a digital ticket management system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing sequence control between a server and a mobile terminal according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0017] [First embodiment] <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of a digital ticket management system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The digital ticket management system 100 includes a server 1, multiple public transportation vehicles (buses in this example) 2, and multiple mobile terminals 3. The public transportation is not limited to buses, but may also be trains, ships, or a combination of these. The bus 2 is an example of the "transportation" of the present disclosure.

[0018] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of server 1. Server 1 is typically an operator server operated by an operator of bus 2. Server 1 includes, for example, a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, and a communication module 14.

[0019] The processor 11 is a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). The memory 12 is a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The processor 11 reads a system program 131 and a control program 132 (described later), expands them into the memory 12, and executes them to realize various processes.

[0020] The storage 13 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory. The storage 13 stores a system program 131 including an OS (Operating System), a control program 132 including computer-readable code necessary for control calculations, an operation database 133, and a fare table 134. The operation database 133 stores the operation schedule and operation history of each of the multiple buses 2. The fare table 134 manages the fares (digital ticket fares) for each of the operation routes of the multiple buses 2.

[0021] The communication module 14 includes a communication interface with a network such as the Internet. The communication module 14 is configured to enable two-way communication with external devices (such as multiple buses 2 and multiple mobile terminals 3) of the server 1. For example, the communication module 14 may receive, from each of the multiple mobile terminals 3, information on the SOC (State Of Charge) of a battery 38, location information of the mobile terminal 3 based on a GPS module 36 (described later), and the like at predetermined time intervals.

[0022] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 is a terminal carried by a user (passenger) using the bus 2, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, or a smartwatch. The mobile terminal 3 may be a laptop PC (Personal Computer). The mobile terminal 3 includes, for example, a processor 31, a memory 32, a storage 33, a communication module 34, a display 35, a GPS (Global Positioning System) module 36, an attitude sensor 37, and a battery 38.

[0023] The processor 31 is a microprocessor such as a CPU or an MPU. The memory 32 is a volatile memory such as a RAM. The processor 31 reads a system program 331 and a control program 332 (described later), expands them into the memory 32, and executes them to realize various processes.

[0024] The storage 33 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. The storage 33 stores a system program 331 including an OS, a control program 332 including computer-readable code necessary for control calculations, and a digital ticket 333. The digital ticket 333 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0025] The communication module 34 includes a communication interface that complies with a wireless communication standard. The wireless communication standard may be LTE (Long Term Evolution) such as 4G or 5G, or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), or both. The communication module 34 is configured to enable bidirectional communication with the server 1.

[0026] The display 35 is a mobile display such as an organic electroluminescence (EL) display or a liquid crystal display. The display 35 is configured to display various information in accordance with control commands from the processor 31. In this example, the display 35 is a display with a touch panel that can accept input operations from the user.

[0027] The GPS module 36 acquires information (GPS information) indicating the current position of the mobile terminal 3 based on signals from multiple artificial satellites, and outputs the GPS information to the processor 31. Note that the mobile terminal 3 may include a beacon receiver (not shown) instead of or in addition to the GPS module 36.

[0028] The attitude sensor 37 is, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor, a three-axis gyro sensor, or a geomagnetic sensor. The attitude sensor 37 detects the attitude (rotational movement) of the mobile terminal 3 and outputs the detection result to the processor 31.

[0029] The battery stores power used in the mobile terminal 3. For example, the display 35 displays the digital ticket 333 using power supplied from the battery .

[0030] A control program 332 (application software) for purchasing and displaying digital tickets 333 is installed in the mobile terminal 3. By operating the mobile terminal 3, the user can purchase a desired digital ticket 333 for the route of the bus 2. Furthermore, by operating the mobile terminal 3 to display the face of the digital ticket 333 on the display 35, the user can present the digital ticket 333 to a crew member (such as a driver) of the bus 2 when using the bus 2 (for example, when getting off). This allows the user to prove that they (and their family members, etc.) are legitimate passengers.

[0031] <Digital tickets and advertising displays> 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display aspect of the display 35 of the mobile terminal 3. A digital ticket 333 is displayed on the display 35. As shown in FIG. 4, the digital ticket 333 includes, for example, the range of travel permitted (within the city in this example), the validity period of the digital ticket 333 (six hours in this example), the remaining time (more than two hours in this example), and the number of adults / children (one of each in this example). However, the type of digital ticket 333 is not limited to a free pass as shown in FIG. 4, and any type may be used.

[0032] Here, if the battery of the mobile terminal 3 is dead (the power of the battery 38 is 0), the digital ticket 333 cannot be displayed on the display 35. In this case, the driver of the bus 2 or the like must take a predetermined action to allow the user carrying the dead mobile terminal 3 to board or disembark. As a result, this may cause delays in the operation of the bus 2.

[0033] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the processor 11 of the server 1 grants an incentive to the user when the amount of power stored in the battery 38 when the user is using the digital ticket 333 is greater than a predetermined amount. For example, the processor 11 grants an incentive to the user when the SOC of the battery 38 is greater than 50% when the user gets off the bus 2. This makes it possible to encourage the user who uses the digital ticket 333 to maintain the SOC of the battery 38 at 50% or more. The incentive may be, for example, the granting of points that can be used to pay the fare for the bus 2, a discount on the fare for the bus 2, or the like.

[0034] <Method of granting incentives to users who have digital tickets> 5 shows a control flow executed by the processor 11 of the server 1. This control flow provides an incentive to a user who has a digital ticket 333.

[0035] In step S1, the processor 11 determines whether or not the user having the digital ticket 333 has boarded the bus 2. If the user has boarded the bus (YES in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. If the user has not boarded the bus (NO in step S1), the process of step S1 is repeated.

[0036] In step S1, for example, the processor 11 may detect that the user has boarded the bus 2 based on the digital ticket 333 being read by a ticket reader provided on the bus 2. The processor 11 may also detect that the user has boarded the bus 2 based on location information of the user based on the GPS module 36 and location information of the bus 2. The processor 11 may also detect that the user has boarded the bus 2 based on a change in the detection value of the attitude sensor 37 caused by the user's actions when presenting the digital ticket 333 to the driver or holding the mobile terminal 3 over a ticket reader or the like. Note that the method of detecting that the user has boarded the bus 2 is not limited to the above example.

[0037] In step S2, processor 11 determines whether the SOC of battery 38 of mobile terminal 3 carried by a user on bus 2 is lower than 20%. If the SOC is lower than 20% (YES in S2), the process proceeds to step S3. If the SOC is 20% or higher (NO in S2), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0038] In step S3, the processor 11 performs control to warn the user that a penalty may be incurred due to a low SOC. Specifically, the processor 11 transmits a command signal to the portable terminal 3 via the communication module 14 to display the warning on the display 35 of the portable terminal 3.

[0039] In step S4, processor 11 determines whether or not the user has gotten off bus 2. If the user has gotten off the bus (YES in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. If the user has not gotten off the bus (NO in step S4), the process returns to step S2.

[0040] In step S4, for example, the processor 11 may detect that the user has alighted from the bus 2 based on the digital ticket 333 of the user who was on the bus 2 being read by the ticket reader. The processor 11 may also detect that the user has alighted from the bus 2 based on the user's location information obtained from the GPS module 36 and the location information of the bus 2. The processor 11 may also detect that the user has alighted from the bus 2 based on a change in the detection value of the attitude sensor 37 caused by the user's actions when presenting the digital ticket 333 to the driver or holding the mobile terminal 3 over a ticket reader or the like. Note that the method of detecting that the user has alighted from the bus 2 is not limited to the above example.

[0041] In step S5, processor 11 determines whether the SOC of battery 38 is higher than 50% when the user gets off bus 2. If the SOC is higher than 50% (YES in S5), the process proceeds to step S6. If the SOC is 50% or less (NO in S5), the process proceeds to step S7. Note that processor 11 may perform control to send a signal requesting information about the SOC of battery 38 to mobile terminal 3 when the user gets off bus 2. Also, 50% is an example of the "first predetermined amount" and "predetermined amount" in the present disclosure.

[0042] In step S6, processor 11 performs control to grant an incentive to the user. For example, processor 11 grants the user points or a coupon that can be used to pay the fare for the next or subsequent bus 2 rides. Note that examples of incentives are not limited to these. Next, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0043] In step S7, processor 11 determines whether the SOC of battery 38 when the user gets off bus 2 is lower than 10%. If the SOC is lower than 10% (YES in S7), the process proceeds to step S8. If the SOC is 10% or higher (NO in S7), the process ends. Note that 10% is an example of the "second predetermined amount" in the present disclosure.

[0044] In step S8, processor 11 performs control to impose a penalty on the user. For example, processor 11 may perform control to reduce the user's accumulated points or to increase the fare for the next bus 2 ride. Note that examples of the penalty are not limited to these. Then, the process ends.

[0045] In step S9, the processor 11 determines whether the SOC of the portable terminal 3 has increased while the user was riding the bus 2. For example, the SOC of the portable terminal 3 may increase when the user charges the portable terminal 3 using a mobile battery (not shown). If the SOC has increased (YES in S9), the process proceeds to step S10. If the SOC has not increased (NO in S9), the process ends.

[0046] For example, processor 11 determines whether the increase in the SOC of battery 38 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 5%). Specifically, processor 11 determines whether the total increase in the SOC of battery 38 during the period in which it is increasing is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. Alternatively, processor 11 may determine whether the difference between the SOC when boarding and the SOC when disembarking is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

[0047] In step S10, processor 11 performs control to provide an incentive to the user, similar to step S6. Then, the process ends. Note that the incentive in step S10 may be increased according to the increase in SOC corresponding to step S9.

[0048] The processes of steps S9 and S10 may be performed while the user is on the bus 2.

[0049] As described above, in the first embodiment, an incentive is provided to a user when the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 38 is greater than 50% when the user is using the digital ticket 333. This encourages the user to refrain from consuming the SOC of the battery 38 in order to receive the incentive. As a result, it is possible to prevent the battery of the mobile terminal 3 from running out when the digital ticket 333 is being used. This prevents the need for the bus driver 2, the office, etc. to take predetermined measures due to the digital ticket 333 being unusable. As a result, it is possible to reduce the workload of the bus driver 2, the office, etc., and to prevent operational costs from increasing.

[0050] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. In the second embodiment, the mobile terminal 23 requests the server 21 to provide an incentive.

[0051] 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of a digital ticket management system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The digital ticket management system 200 includes a server 21, multiple buses 2, and multiple mobile terminals 23. The server 21 includes a processor 211. The mobile terminal 23 includes a processor 231 and a communication module 234. The processor 231 and the communication module 234 are examples of the "control device" and the "communication unit" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0052] <Method of granting incentives to users who have digital tickets> A method of granting an incentive to a user who has a digital ticket 333 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The sequence shown in Fig. 7 is processing by the processor 211 of the server 21 and the processor 231 of the mobile terminal 23. Note that the processing by the processor 231 may be executed by an application installed on the mobile terminal 23.

[0053] In step S14, the processor 231 of the mobile terminal 23 determines whether or not the user has gotten off the bus 2. Note that, although processing similar to steps S1 to S3 in the first embodiment may be performed before step S14, this is omitted in the second embodiment for simplification. If the user has gotten off the bus 2 (YES in S14), the processing proceeds to step S15. If the user has not gotten off the bus 2 (NO in S14), the processing of step S14 is repeated (or returns to before processing similar to S2 and S3).

[0054] In step S15, the processor 231 determines whether the SOC of the battery 38 when the user gets off the bus 2 is higher than 50%. If the SOC is higher than 50% (YES in S15), the process proceeds to step S16. If the SOC is 50% or less (NO in S15), the process proceeds to step S17. Note that 50% is an example of the "predetermined amount" in the present disclosure.

[0055] In step S16, the processor 231 performs control to transmit a signal requesting an incentive to the server 21 via the communication module 234. Next, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0056] In step S17, processor 231 determines whether the SOC of battery 38 is lower than 10% when the user gets off bus 2. If the SOC is lower than 10% (YES in S17), the process proceeds to step S18. If the SOC is 10% or higher (NO in S17), the process ends.

[0057] In step S18, the processor 231 performs control to transmit a signal requesting a penalty to the server 21 via the communication module 234.

[0058] In step S19, processor 231 determines whether the SOC of battery 38 has increased while the user was riding bus 2. If the SOC has increased (YES in S19), the process proceeds to step S20. If the SOC has not increased (NO in S19), the process ends.

[0059] In step S20, the processor 231 controls to transmit a signal requesting an incentive to the server 21 via the communication module 234. Then, the process ends. Note that the incentive in step S20 may be increased according to the increase in SOC corresponding to step S19.

[0060] The processes of steps S19 and S20 may be performed while the user is on the bus 2.

[0061] In step S21, the processor 211 of the server 21 determines whether or not a request for an incentive based on the SOC of the battery 38 (the request of S16) has been received. If the request has been received (YES in S21), the process proceeds to step S22. At this time, the SOC value of the battery 38 may be referenced to determine whether or not the request is valid. If the request has not been received (NO in S21), the process proceeds to step S23.

[0062] In step S22, processor 211 performs control to grant an incentive to the user, and then the process proceeds to step S25.

[0063] In step S23, processor 211 determines whether or not a request for a penalty based on the SOC of battery 38 (request of S18) has been received. If the request has been received (YES in S23), the process proceeds to step S24. At this time, the SOC value of battery 38 may be referenced to determine whether or not the request is valid. If the request has not been received (NO in S23), the process ends.

[0064] In step S24, processor 211 performs control to impose a penalty on the user, and then the process ends.

[0065] In step S25, processor 211 determines whether or not a request for an incentive based on an increase in SOC during riding (the request of S20) has been received. If the request has been received (YES in S25), the process proceeds to step S26. At this time, the processor 211 may determine whether or not the request is valid by referring to the amount of change in SOC of battery 38. If the request has not been received (NO in S25), the process ends.

[0066] In step S26, processor 211 performs control to grant an incentive to the user, and then the process ends.

[0067] The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described repeatedly.

[0068] In the above first and second embodiments, an incentive is provided when the SOC of the battery 38 is greater than a predetermined amount (50%) when the passenger disembarks from the bus 2, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. An incentive may be provided when the SOC is greater than a predetermined amount when the passenger boards the bus 2. Also, an incentive may be provided when the SOC is greater than a predetermined amount while the passenger is on the bus 2 (between the boarding point and the disembarking point).

[0069] In the above first and second embodiments, an example was shown in which a penalty is given if the SOC of the battery 38 is less than 10% when the digital ticket 333 is used, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Control to give a penalty does not have to be performed.

[0070] In the above first and second embodiments, an incentive is provided when the SOC of the battery 38 increases while the user is riding on the bus 2. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, an incentive may be provided when it is detected that an operation to charge the mobile terminal 3 has been performed while the user is riding on the bus 2, regardless of the amount of increase in SOC. Alternatively, an incentive may be provided based on the fact that a process to suppress a decrease in SOC has been performed while the user is riding on the bus 2 (for example, switching to a power-saving mode or turning off the power).

[0071] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1, 21 Server, 2 Bus (transportation), 3, 23 Mobile terminal, 11, 211 Processor, 35 Display, 38 Battery, 231 Processor (control device), 234 Communication module (communication unit), 333 Digital ticket.

Claims

1. A server configured to communicate with a mobile terminal carried by a user, the mobile terminal includes a display configured to display a digital ticket for use in a transportation facility using power supplied from a battery included in the mobile terminal; The server includes a processor that provides an incentive to the user when the amount of power stored in the battery during use of the digital ticket by the user is greater than a first predetermined amount.

2. The server of claim 1 , wherein the processor further grants the incentive to the user if the amount of stored power in the battery increases while the user is using the transportation facility.

3. The server of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor imposes a penalty on the user if the amount of charge stored in the battery when the user uses the digital ticket is even smaller than a second predetermined amount that is less than the first predetermined amount.

4. A mobile terminal carried by a user, A battery, a display configured to display a digital ticket for use in a transportation facility using power supplied from the battery; a control device for controlling the display; a communication unit that communicates with the server, The control device is a mobile terminal that controls the transmission of a signal requesting an incentive to the user to the server via the communication unit when the amount of power stored in the battery when the user uses the digital ticket is greater than a predetermined amount.

5. A management method for managing a mobile terminal, comprising: the mobile terminal includes a display configured to display a digital ticket for use in a transportation facility using power supplied from a battery installed in the mobile terminal; The management method includes a step of causing the mobile terminal to obtain an incentive if the amount of power stored in the battery when the digital ticket is used is greater than a predetermined amount.

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