Management Server and Computer Program

Abstract

To provide a technology configured to reduce the inconvenience of a user during log-in, in a vehicle rental service, and contribute to safe driving of the user both in a corporate use or personal use.SOLUTION: A member database includes a personal member database which stores personal members and a corporate member database which stores corporate users. A multi-account member database is prepared for a person who is a multi-account member belonging to a company and registered also as a personal member. Log-in data received from a communication terminal related to a multi-account member user includes multi-account identification data for identifying a cooperate member or a personal member. Log-in permission determination means transmits log-in permission based on the multi-account identification data to the communication terminal related to the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology that contributes to the rational management of user accounts used in membership-based car sharing and rental car services. [Background technology]

[0002] Car sharing systems are becoming popular as a business in which service providers who own a large number of vehicles rent out vehicles to users who have completed membership registration. Users of car sharing services register as members and then go directly to a parking lot where a car sharing vehicle (a vehicle eligible for the service, or a shared car) is reserved. Generally, users use a mobile information terminal (such as a smartphone) or a personal computer to reserve the time and other details in advance, and then use the shared car.

[0003] Using Figure 1, we will explain a typical example of information processing when making a reservation for use in a general car sharing service. A car sharing service provider provides a member card, which is an IC card that identifies the member, to a member who has registered in advance. A member user inputs the card number and password printed on their membership card via their personal computer, mobile terminal, or other communication terminal (1) and accesses the car sharing management server via the Internet. The accessed login data receiving means receives login data consisting of the card number and password (2). The login permission determining means then collates the data with data previously registered in the member database to determine whether or not the login is permitted, and then permits the login (3).

[0004] Once a member user has been permitted to log in, they specify the date and time they wish to use the shared car and the location where the shared car is parked, and submit reservation data (4). The car sharing management server refers to the vehicle management database for the service-eligible vehicle (shared car) that the user wishes to use, and the reservation availability determination means determines whether or not the reservation can be made, and transmits the reservation availability data to the terminal associated with the member user (5). If the reservation is possible, the reservation completion output means transmits reservation data indicating that the reservation has been completed to the terminal associated with the member user (6). When the reservation is completed, the reservation data is also sent to the onboard device of the shared car related to the reservation (6).

[0005] The member user goes to the reserved shared car at the reserved time, and when the member identifier read into the member identification device provided in the vehicle is used to verify that the member is the member who made the reservation and the reservation conditions are met, the member user can use the shared car. Many car sharing vehicles are equipped with dedicated car navigation systems. They also have on-board units that communicate with a vehicle management server that manages the vehicles used for car sharing. Through communication between these on-board units and the vehicle management server, management of vehicle rentals and returns is automated (unmanned).

[0006] Car sharing service providers provide cars for car sharing and car sharing spaces to park them in. They also build an information infrastructure that allows pre-registered members to reserve cars, lock and unlock the doors, and pay the usage fee.

[0007] Now, there are two types of member users: individual members and corporate members. A corporate member is a member who is contracted by a corporation, and employees of that corporation register their driver's license data, allowing the corporation to use car sharing. Therefore, if an employee of a corporation that has a corporate contract also signs up as an individual, they will have multiple member IDs (accounts).

[0008] When a user holds multiple accounts to use a certain service, a technique for allowing the user to use the multiple accounts appropriately is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that enables a user to easily log in to any of a plurality of user accounts held by the user using one piece of biometric information.

[0009] In recent years, cloud services have become available for data storage and application program usage. When a company contracts with a cloud service and allows its employees to use it, managing login information becomes complicated when multiple users use multiple multifunction devices and multiple cloud services. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that can realize access control that eliminates the need to manage login information for each user to connect to a cloud service, and enables data sharing without knowing the individual user's login information.

[0010] As shown in Figure 2, Obimu Mametaro belongs to a corporation called Nijitomo Shi Co., Ltd., which has a contract for a car sharing service, but he also has a contract for the car sharing service as an individual. If Nijiyuushi Co., Ltd. does not provide mobile information terminals to its employees as a corporation, Obimu Mametaro will have to choose between using his personal mobile information terminal when using the car sharing service as an employee and when using the car sharing service as an individual (even if a corporation provides mobile information terminals to its employees, many employees tend to prioritize using their personal mobile information terminals, so the following explanation will focus on the case where a personal mobile information terminal is used).

[0011] Car sharing service providers provide dedicated application programs (downloadable or web-based) to enhance the convenience of service use (especially reservations). As shown in Figure 1, the dedicated application program (hereafter referred to as the "dedicated app") requests the entry of a membership card number (ID) and password, and the car sharing management server grants permission to log in.

[0012] For example, if Obimu Mametaro uses the car sharing service as an individual, he will start the reservation by entering "P987-123456" as his personal ID and password. If he uses the car sharing service as an employee of a corporation, he will start the reservation by entering "Q123-987654" as his corporate ID and password.

[0013] On the other hand, in the case of corporate contracts for car sharing services, the car sharing operator collects driving data from its employees and provides this information to the corporation. For example, Nijiyuushi Co., Ltd. employees Obimu Mametaro, Suzuki Kazuo, and Tanaka Ippei provide data to Nijiyuushi Co., Ltd. (the company's administrator) on how many times they used the service in the previous month, how many hours they used it in total, how far they drove, how many times they braked suddenly, how many times they accelerated suddenly, and how many times they turned the steering wheel suddenly.

[0014] As a manager at Nijiyuushi Co., Ltd., I can keep track of how my employees are driving and, if necessary, provide guidance on safe driving. As an employee, you will be expected to drive responsibly as an employee of a corporation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0015] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-108148 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-164594 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] As a user of a car sharing service, both for the corporation to which I belong and also as an individual, I hope to reduce the hassle of having to use different login procedures when reserving a shared car, etc.

[0017] Whether you reserve a car sharing service as an employee of a corporate member or as an individual, the person driving the car sharing vehicle is an individual. Many users are conscious of their driving status. On the other hand, car sharing service operators expect users to drive safely and return the vehicle without any accidents, whether they are using the service as a corporation or as an individual.

[0018] We have used car sharing services as an example, but in the sense that multiple vehicles are used by multiple users, so-called rental car businesses are also similar if they employ a membership or advance registration system. Hereinafter, the car sharing service business and the car rental business will be collectively referred to as the "vehicle rental service."

[0019] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide technology that reduces the hassle for users when logging in to a vehicle rental service and contributes to safe driving by users regardless of whether they are using the service as a corporation or as an individual. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] As a car sharing service operator, the applicant of the present application collects driving status data for both corporate and individual contracts, and has come to understand the following trends. In other words, the rate of safe driving is higher when driven by employees under corporate contracts than when driven by drivers under individual contracts. For example, even when driven by the same person, when using a car sharing service booked as an individual, the rate of sudden braking and sudden acceleration (number of times relative to the total driving time) tends to be higher. The present invention is based on the above-mentioned knowledge, and it is not reasonable to assume that a person without this knowledge could create an invention identical to the present invention based on imagination.

[0021] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first invention relates to a management server for operating a vehicle rental service, and a second invention relates to a computer program executed on the management server.

[0022] (First Invention) A first aspect of the present invention relates to a management server that manages data relating to service target vehicles and member users related to a vehicle rental service. That is, a member database in which attribute data of member users who use the vehicle rental service is registered in advance as member data; a login data receiving means for receiving login data from a communication terminal related to a member user registered in the member database; a login permission determining means for permitting login when authentication data included in the login data matches authentication data registered in the member database; Equipped with The member database includes an individual member database in which member data relating to individual members who will become members is registered as individual members; A corporate member database is provided in which member data relating to corporate members of which the corporation is a member is registered as a corporate user for individuals belonging to the corporation; In the case where an individual belonging to a specified corporation in the corporate member database is a multiple account member who is also registered as the individual, a multiple account member database based on an integrated account that integrates the individual member account and the corporate account is provided; The login data received by the login data receiving means from the communication terminal of the user registered in the multiple account member database includes multiple account identification data that distinguishes whether the login is related to the corporation to which the user belongs or an individual login, The login permission determination means transmits login permission based on the multiple account identification data to the communication terminal of the user (see FIGS. 10 and 12).

[0023] (Terminology) "Authentication data" typically refers to a combination of a member ID and password. It also includes biometric authentication data used to identify individual users. Biometric authentication data includes authentication data that can be achieved using the input device of a mobile information terminal, such as fingerprint authentication, facial authentication, iris authentication, or a combination of these.

[0024] "Multiple account identification data" is data indicating that a user who has multiple accounts has selected one of the accounts (see FIG. 9).

[0025] A "multiple account member database" is a database constructed by duplicating necessary data from the individual member database and the corporate member database. It can be constructed in advance or constructed as needed. Since driver's licenses relate to individuals, it is common to construct it based on the data in the individual member database.

[0026] (action) The member database stores in advance the attribute data of users who use the vehicle rental service as member data. The member database also includes an individual member database that stores member data relating to individual members for which the users themselves are members, and a corporate member database that stores member data relating to corporate members for which the users are individuals who belong to a corporation. The login data receiving means receives login data from a communication terminal associated with a user registered in the member database. The login data received by the login data receiving means from a communication terminal associated with a user registered in the multiple account member database includes multiple account identification data that distinguishes whether the login is associated with a corporation to which the user belongs or an individual login. The login permission determination means permits the login if the authentication data included in the login data matches the authentication data registered in the member database, and transmits login permission based on the multiple account identification data to the communication terminal associated with the user.

[0027] A member user who is also registered as an individual belonging to a specified corporation in the corporate member database can log in by sending multiple account identification data and authentication data, provided that the authentication data is registered in advance.

[0028] (Variation 1 of the first invention) The first invention may be formed as follows. That is, the member database stores driving data for each member user when the member user uses a service-eligible vehicle, a driving data extraction means for extracting driving data stored in the member database relating to the multiple account member; a warning data creation means for creating warning data by comparing the driving data extracted by the driving data extraction means with the driving data of the individual and corporate members of the multiple count members; a warning data transmission means for transmitting the warning data created by the warning data creation means to the information terminals of the multiple count members; (See Figure 14.)

[0029] (Terminology) "Driving data" refers to data such as the distance traveled, the time traveled, the maximum speed while traveling, the number of sudden braking and sudden acceleration, and the number of sudden steering. Data is collected using various sensors installed in the vehicle being serviced. The acceleration sensor that collects acceleration data is used to collect data such as the acceleration in the straight-line direction when the vehicle being serviced starts or when overtaking, the lateral acceleration when turning a corner, the vertical acceleration when going over an obstacle, and the negative acceleration in the straight-line direction when braking.

[0030] A little more information about "acceleration." The acceleration as a predetermined condition is a condition for eliminating data that would otherwise be extracted by a data filter by determining whether the acceleration alone is above a threshold. For example, it is "a duration or averaging time associated with the acceleration depending on the acceleration." More specifically, it is when a straight-line acceleration of 0.2 G or more is applied continuously for 1 second or more (duration), when a lateral acceleration of 0.3 G or more is applied continuously for 100 milliseconds or more, or when a negative straight-line acceleration of 0.3 G or more is applied continuously for 1 second or more. If there is a lot of noise in the acceleration measurement over a "duration," the acceleration over an averaging time obtained by dividing the duration into several periods may be used.

[0031] "Caution data" is created by comparing the driving data of individuals and corporations for multiple-count members, and if there are any differences from a safety perspective, using those differences (as illustrated in the speech bubble in Figure 14).

[0032] As a prerequisite for creating the above-mentioned caution data, the management server is provided with a driving data analysis means for analyzing driving data (see FIG. 13). This "driving data analysis means" infers and analyzes what happened to the vehicle to be serviced, how the driver (member user) of the vehicle to be serviced is driving, etc. based on driving data such as acceleration data. It is possible to extract acceleration above a predetermined value, count it, and infer that the user is driving recklessly, or to analyze the relationship with other driving data (for example, driving speed) to determine the occurrence of an event such as running over a curb or hitting another vehicle or fixed object.

[0033] The onboard device of the vehicle to be serviced that transmits the "driving data" is equipped with a data filter that separates data that should be transmitted to the management server from data that should not be transmitted (see FIG. 13).

[0034] (action) The member database stores driving data for each member user when that member user uses a service-eligible vehicle. Then, the driving data extraction means extracts the driving data stored in the member database relating to the multi-account member. When a multiple account member logs in, the driving data extracted by the driving data extraction means is compared with the individual driving data and corporate driving data of the multiple account member, and the warning data creation means creates warning data. The warning data created by the warning data creation means is transmitted to the information terminal related to the multiple account member by the warning data transmission means.

[0035] Multi-account members will be able to see caution data created by comparing their own driving data with their corporate driving data, which will encourage them to be more attentive to their driving.

[0036] (Variation 2 of the first invention) The first invention is more preferably formed as follows. That is, when a service target vehicle is used by a multiple account member, a data receiving means receives driving data during that use; a driving data comparison means for comparing the driving data received by the data receiving means with the driving data of the multiple account members stored in the member database; a point calculation means for calculating points based on a predetermined point table on the basis of the comparison result by the driving data comparison means; and a point message sending means for sending a message including the points calculated by the point calculation means as point message data to the information terminal of the multi-account member (see FIG. 15).

[0037] (Terminology) The "points table" or "points" is a system that rewards member users for using eligible vehicles (for a fee). Points are converted into a numerical value and converted into cash, which can be used to discount the amount of future purchases, provide cash back, or receive free products or services.

[0038] (action) When a service target vehicle is used by a multiple account member, the driving data for that use is received by the data receiving means, and the driving data comparison means compares the driving data received by the data receiving means with the driving data by the multiple account member stored in the member database. The point calculation means calculates points based on a predetermined point table based on the comparison result by the driving data comparison means. The point message sending means sends point message data, which is a message including the points calculated by the point calculation means, to the information terminals of the multiple account members.

[0039] Multi-account members who receive the point contact data can feel satisfied that their safe driving is reflected in their points. This reflexively raises awareness of safe driving among multi-account members, which also contributes to preventing accidents.

[0040] (Variation 3 of the first invention) The first invention can also be formed as follows. That is, a biometric authentication data receiving means for receiving biometric authentication data relating to a member user; and a biometric authentication data registration means for storing the biometric authentication data received by the biometric authentication data receiving means in the member database (see FIG. 7).

[0041] (Terminology) The term "biometric authentication data" includes cases where biometric authentication data is newly acquired via an input device on the member user's information terminal, as well as cases where biometric authentication data that has been pre-registered on the member user's mobile information terminal can be reused.

[0042] (action) The biometric authentication data related to the member user is received by the biometric authentication data receiving means, and the received biometric authentication data is stored in the member database by the biometric authentication data registering means. The member user can simply input (and send) biometric authentication data instead of login data consisting of an ID and password when logging in next time.

[0043] (Second Invention) A second invention relates to a computer program for controlling a management server that manages data relating to service target vehicles and member users related to a vehicle rental service. The management server is provided with a member database in which attribute data of member users who use the vehicle rental service is registered in advance as member data, The member database includes an individual member database in which member data relating to individual members who will become members is registered as individual members; A corporate member database is provided in which member data relating to corporate members of which the corporation is a member is registered as a corporate user for individuals belonging to the corporation; In the case where an individual belonging to a specified corporation in the corporate membership database is a multiple account member who is also registered as the individual, the multiple account membership database is provided based on an integrated account that integrates the account as an individual member and the account as a corporation. The computer program a login data receiving step of receiving login data from a communication terminal associated with a member user registered in the member database; a login permission determination step for permitting login when the authentication data included in the login data matches the authentication data registered in the member database; The management server executes the following: The login data received by the login data receiving means from the communication terminal of the user registered in the multiple account member database includes multiple account identification data that distinguishes whether the login is related to the corporation to which the user belongs or an individual login, In the login permission determination step, a login permission based on the multiple account identification data is transmitted to the communication terminal of the user. The present invention relates to a computer program (see FIGS. 10 and 12).

[0044] (Variation 1 of the second invention) The second invention may be formed as follows. That is, the member database stores driving data for each member user when the member user uses a service-eligible vehicle, a driving data extraction step of extracting driving data stored in the member database relating to the multiple account member; a warning data creation procedure for creating warning data by comparing the driving data extracted in the driving data extraction procedure with the individual driving data and corporate driving data of the multiple count member; a warning data transmission procedure for transmitting the warning data created in the warning data creation procedure to the information terminals of the multiple count members; The above-mentioned management server is to execute the above.

[0045] (Variation 2 of the second invention) The second invention may be formed as follows. That is, when a service target vehicle is used by multiple account members, a data receiving procedure for receiving driving data from that use; a driving data comparison step of comparing the driving data received in the data reception step with the driving data of the multiple account members stored in the member database; a point calculation step of calculating points based on a predetermined point table on the basis of the comparison result of the driving data comparison step; a point contact sending step of sending a message including the points calculated in the point calculation step as point contact data to the information terminal of the multiple account member; The above-mentioned management server is to execute the above.

[0046] (Variation 3 of the second invention) The second invention can also be formed as follows. a biometric authentication data receiving procedure for receiving biometric authentication data relating to a member user; a biometric authentication data registration procedure for storing the biometric authentication data received in the biometric authentication data reception procedure in the member database; The above-mentioned management server is to execute the above.

[0047] The computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention can also be provided by being stored in a recording medium. Here, a "recording medium" refers to a medium that can carry a program that does not occupy space by itself, such as a flexible disk, hard disk, CD-R, CD-RW, MO (magneto-optical disk), DVD-R, DVD-RW, or flash memory. It is also possible to transmit the program according to the present invention from a computer storing the program to another management server (computer) via a communication line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0048] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology that reduces the hassle for users when logging in to a vehicle rental service and contributes to safe driving by users regardless of whether they are using the service as a corporation or as an individual. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the process from when a member user of a (conventional) car sharing service logs in to when making a reservation. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the (conventional) login procedure for multiple account members. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing an application screen at the time of login on an information terminal of a member user. FIG. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating screens when the login method is changed to biometric authentication on an information terminal for a member user. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen for confirming permission to register for use of biometric authentication on an information terminal of a member user. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a screen diagram showing biometric authentication usage registration on an information terminal of a member user. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the process from when a member user logs in until when they register biometric authentication data. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing how a multiple account member database is constructed within a member database for multiple account members. [Figure 9] 10A shows a login screen of an information terminal for a member user who has registered as an individual only, and FIG. 10B shows a login screen of an information terminal for a multi-account member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the process from when biometric authentication is used to log in until login is permitted. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the process from when an individual member logs in using biometric authentication until the login is permitted. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the process up to when a multiple account member logs in as an individual and is permitted to log in. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the collection of driving data from serviced vehicles. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing that when a multiple account member logs in as an individual, warning data based on driving data is received. [Figure 15] This is a block diagram showing how a multi-account member who logs in as an individual earns rewards (points) if their driving data is excellent. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a data structure constructed in a vehicle management database. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment. The drawings used here are Figures 3 to 16. Figures 1 and 2 are also explained in the prior art, but since the principles and operations of car sharing are not different from those of the present invention, they will be referenced as necessary. In the following embodiment, a car sharing service business will be described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a rental car business that employs a membership system or a pre-registration system.

[0051] For management and operational reasons, users must first complete member registration to use the car sharing service described in this embodiment. That is, as described above with reference to Figure 1, all "reservators" and "users" who can receive the services described in the following embodiments must complete member registration.

[0052] The member registration data is stored in a member database on the car sharing management server and used for member management. The car sharing management server can send reservation completion notices, electronic coupons, necessary messages, etc. to the mobile information terminals of members.

[0053] The car sharing management server manages data related to members, data related to vehicles used for car sharing (hereinafter referred to as "service vehicles" or "shared cars"), and other preferential treatment information. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the vehicles (shared cars) covered by the service are equipped with an onboard device that performs two-way communication with the car sharing management server, a multi-function car navigation device with functions such as sending messages to the member driving, and a vehicle unlocking sensor that can lock the doors of the vehicles covered by the service.

[0054] (Figure 3) FIG. 3 shows an example of an application screen displayed at the time of login on an information terminal of a member user. The screens displayed on the LCD display of the member user's information terminal shown in Figures 3 to 6 are part of a dedicated application for using the car sharing service. The dedicated application may be downloaded to the member user's information terminal in advance, or it may be an application provided on the web.

[0055] At the top of the information terminal screen, there is an input section for logging in using the member card number (management number) written on the IC card that has been distributed in advance to registered member users, and a password set by the member user, and a login button for sending the login data to the management server once the input into the input section has been completed.

[0056] A button labeled "How to use biometric authentication login" is provided at the bottom of the information terminal screen. In this embodiment, biometric authentication will be described using a fingerprint authentication function provided on the operation button as an example. In the present invention, face authentication or iris authentication using a camera provided on the information terminal can also be used.

[0057] (Figure 4) FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen for operation using a setting screen as preparation for logging in using a biometric authentication function on an information terminal related to a member user. Settings that allow biometric authentication data to be acquired can be made from the settings menu at the top of the information terminal screen. After going through procedures such as obtaining permission from the member user, the biometric authentication data will be acquired by the management server (car sharing management server in Figure 7, etc.) that manages various data in the car sharing business.

[0058] (Figure 5) FIG. 5 shows a screen that appears when the member user presses the "Settings" button on the member user's information terminal in FIG. Biometric authentication can be enabled by changing the "Biometric authentication registration" button located near the center of this screen, which is set to "off" by default, to "on."

[0059] (Figure 6) Figure 6 shows a screen on the member user's information terminal that prompts the member user to register biometric authentication data by turning the "off" button in Figure 5 to "on." This figure shows how fingerprint data is registered using an operation button equipped with a fingerprint authentication function.

[0060] Face recognition or iris recognition may be performed in self-portrait mode using the camera, or voice recognition may be performed using a microphone (not shown).

[0061] (Figure 7) Figure 7 shows the steps a member user takes to register biometric authentication after logging in with their ID and password. The numbers in italicized parentheses indicate the order of steps.

[0062] A member user accesses the login screen using their own communication terminal and enters the card number (ID) printed on their membership card and the password they have set (1). Then, they send the login data consisting of the ID and password to the car sharing management server (2). The car sharing management server compares the received login data with data previously registered in the member database (3), and the login permission determining means determines whether or not the login is permitted, and then permits the login (4).

[0063] The car sharing management server transmits biometric authentication introduction data including a statement recommending biometric authentication to simplify login to the communication terminal that has accepted the login data via a biometric authentication introduction data transmission means (5). A member user who wishes to log in using biometric authentication sends biometric authentication data from their own communication terminal (6). The sent biometric authentication data is received by the biometric authentication introduction data receiving means of the car sharing management server and registered in the member database (7). This makes it possible to log in using biometric authentication data from the next time onwards.

[0064] (Figure 8) Figure 8 shows the steps to create a multiple account member database within the member database, separate from the individual member database and corporate member database, when a multiple account member logs in with their individual member ID and password and then registers their biometric authentication.

[0065] Although the figure shows selective communication, even if a selective multiple account member logs in with the corporate member's ID and password and then registers biometric authentication, a multiple account member database is created within the member database.

[0066] (Figure 9) FIG. 9 shows a login screen provided to a communication terminal of a member user who has completed biometric authentication registration. FIG. 9(a) shows that members with only personal contracts can log in using only biometric authentication.

[0067] Figure 9(b) shows the login screen provided to the communication terminal of a member user who has both an individual contract and is also registered as an employee of a corporation that has concluded a corporate contract, and has completed biometric authentication registration. Users can choose whether to log in as an individual or as a corporation by selecting a checkbox, and then log in by performing biometric authentication (for example, pressing an operation button for fingerprint authentication).

[0068] (Figure 10) FIG. 10 shows the data processing sequence from when a member user who has completed biometric authentication registration logs in to the car sharing management server from the communication terminal until the login is permitted. After completing biometric authentication registration, the member user sends the biometric authentication data as login data from their information terminal to the car sharing management server (1). The card number attached to the member card (member ID) is no longer required.

[0069] In the car sharing management server, the login data receiving means receives the biometric authentication data, which is then compared with biometric authentication data already registered in the member database by the biometric authentication data determining means (3). The result of the determination as to whether the verification is possible is sent to the login permission determination means (4). If it is determined that login is possible, a message indicating that login is permitted is sent to the information terminal that has logged in (5).

[0070] If the member user who has completed biometric authentication registration is a multiple account member, the login data includes multiple account identification data for identifying which account the member wishes to log in with (see FIG. 9(b)). If the login data includes the multiple account identification data, the multiple account identification means compares the multiple account identification data with the data registered in the member database (2).

[0071] Member users who have completed biometric authentication registration do not need a membership card to log in, and can log in using only their biometric authentication data, reducing the hassle of logging in. If a multiple account member has completed biometric authentication registration, they can log in using their multiple account identification data (actually, they simply select a selection button) and their biometric authentication data to identify which account they wish to log in with.

[0072] (Figure 11) FIG. 11 shows a case where a member user who has acquired an ID only as an individual and has registered biometric authentication data logs in. You do not need your membership card (the membership card number printed on it) to log in.

[0073] There is no multiple account identification data at the time of login. Because it is unnecessary, it is not presented as an option (see Figure 9(a)). Therefore, the multiple account identification means in the car sharing management server does not function (shown by the dashed line in the figure). In addition, the corporate member database and the multiple account member database in the member database are unrelated (depicted by dashed lines in the figure).

[0074] (Figure 12) Figure 12 shows the case where a multi-account member user who has obtained IDs both as an individual and as an employee of a corporation and has registered biometric authentication data logs in as an individual. The data flow has already been explained in Figure 10, so we will explain some supplementary points.

[0075] The fact that an individual is logging in is received by the login data receiving means as multiple account identification data, and is used by the multiple account identification means. In the member database, the biometric authentication data already registered in the individual member database is also registered (either temporarily or permanently) in the multi-account member database and used in the biometric authentication data determination means.

[0076] (Figure 13) FIG. 13 conceptually illustrates the hardware configuration of the service target vehicle (shared car) and the car sharing management server, as well as the information exchange and information processing within that hardware. The vehicles (shared cars) that are the recipients of the service are equipped with various sensors, such as an onboard device, a GPS (Global Position System), a multi-function car navigation device (not shown), and an acceleration sensor for acquiring driving data of the shared car.

[0077] The car sharing management server includes a member database that stores member data, a vehicle management database that stores vehicle management data, a data receiving means that wirelessly receives data from the in-vehicle device and GPS, and a contact data sending means (not shown) that sends contact data to the multi-function car navigation device. Furthermore, the system is equipped with an operating data analysis means for analyzing the data received by the data receiving means, an analysis database in which analytical data to be used for the analysis is stored in advance, and artificial intelligence (AI) constructed using past data accumulation.

[0078] The vehicle-mounted device is equipped with a data buffer that temporarily stores various data acquired by various sensors, a data filter that extracts data to be sent to the car sharing management server from the various data stored in the data buffer, and a data transmission means that transmits the specified data extracted in the data buffer to the car sharing management server. The data filter is used to ensure that the data transmission means properly transmits the data that should be transmitted and to prevent transmission of data that is empirically useless. This data filter will be described later.

[0079] The "acceleration" that is important in "driving data" refers to the straight-line acceleration when starting the shared car or overtaking, the lateral acceleration when turning a corner, the vertical acceleration when going over an obstacle, and the negative straight-line acceleration when braking.

[0080] The "data filter" sets a predetermined threshold and prevents data exceeding the threshold from being transmitted, or prevents data below the threshold from being transmitted. More specifically, this applies when a straight-line acceleration of 0.2 G or more is applied continuously for one second or more, when a lateral acceleration of 0.3 G or more is applied continuously for 100 milliseconds or more, or when a negative straight-line acceleration of 0.3 G or more is applied continuously for one second or more.

[0081] Data other than driving data (ancillary data) is also transmitted from the data transmission means to the car sharing management server. This ancillary data is data necessary for predicting the occurrence of an "event" (described below). For example, as defined in other claims, this includes the time data when the specified data occurred, the speed of the shared car, the location data of the shared car when the specified data occurred if the shared car is equipped with a GPS, the on / off status and wiper speed of the windshield wipers, and video data if a drive recorder is installed.

[0082] "Events" include, for example, the aforementioned sudden acceleration / deceleration and sudden steering, as well as collisions with obstacles or animals including humans, running over obstacles that damage the tires or chassis, and collisions caused by driving in reverse.

[0083] Although not shown in the figure, the car sharing management server has a call center that receives calls from member users and has an incoming call database that stores incoming call data from member users who call the call center, such as accident reports, complaints about vehicles and services, etc. In some cases, the incoming call data is stored in the incoming call database as voice data, and in other cases, the voice data is converted into text data before being stored. The call center is also promised to be able to make direct calls to the call center of the non-life insurance company, and the call center of the non-life insurance company also accepts direct calls from member users.

[0084] While the shared car is being driven, various data such as speed and acceleration are measured by speed sensors, acceleration sensors, etc. The measured data is temporarily stored in a data buffer. The acceleration data stored in the data buffer is filtered to extract predetermined data that meets a predetermined condition, such as exceeding a threshold value. The predetermined data extracted by the data filter is transmitted by the data transmitting means to the car sharing management server (as detailed data) together with accompanying data that accompanies the predetermined data.

[0085] Thanks to the data filter function, shared cars only need to send the minimum amount of data to the car sharing management server, which reduces the burden on storage devices (data buffers) and the hardware that executes communications (data transmission means), helping to reduce communication volume and associated communication costs.

[0086] In the car sharing management server, a data receiving means receives driving data transmitted from the on-board devices of the shared cars used in the member-based car sharing system. An analysis database stores analysis data for analyzing the driving data. Based on the analytical data in the analytical database and the above-mentioned operational data, the operational data analysis means analyzes what has occurred.

[0087] The analysis result data obtained by the driving data analysis means is stored in a vehicle management database and also in a member database that stores member data for a member-only car sharing service. The analysis results obtained by the acceleration data analysis means may be stored in an analysis database.

[0088] This increases the possibility of obtaining data that can identify the time, location, and member at the wheel when an incident occurs that results in damage to a shared car. As a result, it is expected to prevent member users from failing to self-report when they damage a shared car.

[0089] (Figure 14) Figure 14 shows the process for a multiple ID holder (multiple account member) who logs in as an individual to make a reservation, up to the point where they receive warning data based on past driving data. Login can be done using either an ID and password or biometric authentication data.

[0090] When a multiple account member logs in as an individual, the driving data extraction means extracts driving data from the multiple account member database when the member uses the database as an individual and when the member uses the database as an employee of a corporation. For the extracted driving data, the driving data extraction means compares the number of sudden braking, sudden acceleration, sudden steering, and mileage between the driving data as an individual and the driving data as an employee of a corporation (see the table in the figure).

[0091] The warning data creating means creates warning data from the extracted and compared driving data. Although not shown in the figure, a warning data text database is provided which contains predetermined text to be used when creating the warning data. The warning data creation means creates the text of the warning data for the member user based on the result that the member user's driving as an individual is rougher than that of the employee of the corporation compared to the driving distance.

[0092] The reservation determination means determines whether the reservation desired by the member user is possible based on the data in the vehicle management database, and if it is determined that the reservation is possible, the reservation data, which is a reply indicating that the reservation is permitted, and the warning data created by the warning data creation means are transmitted to the information terminal associated with the member user.

[0093] The created message includes permission for the reservation and a statement such as, "Please drive carefully, just as you would when using the service as an employee of Nijiyuushi Co., Ltd." (Speech bubble in the figure).

[0094] In addition, the warning data transmission means also transmits reservation data to the onboard device of the service target vehicle related to the member user's reservation, and also transmits warning data with the reservation data, so that when the member user carries out the reservation, the warning data is output again via an in-vehicle monitor (such as a multi-function car navigation device).

[0095] (Figure 15) Figure 15 shows how, when a multiple ID holder (multiple account member) logs in as an individual and makes a reservation, driving data is collected by the car sharing management server, and points are received if safe driving is confirmed. The points explained in Figure 13 are omitted here.

[0096] When a multiple ID holder (multiple account member) starts using a service vehicle as an individual, driving data and the like are sent from the on-board device of the service vehicle to the car sharing management server. The driving data received by the car sharing management server is analyzed by the driving data analysis means and sent as analyzed data to the driving data comparison means.

[0097] The driving data comparison means performs a comparison with the past driving data (good data for the multiple account member = in most cases, data relating to a corporate employee) used to create the caution data shown in FIG.

[0098] If the comparison result indicates that the driving was as safe as or better than the good data, the point calculation means calculates points based on a predetermined point conversion table (not shown), and transmits the calculated points to the communication terminal related to the member user via the point notification transmission means.

[0099] Users can feel satisfied with the points they receive for their safe driving. This will automatically raise awareness of safe driving among multiple account members, and will also contribute to preventing accidents.

[0100] (Figure 16) The procedure for acquiring member-specific driving record data will be described with reference to FIG. The analyzed driving data stored in the analyzed driving database is used by the member data in the member database to create driving performance data for each member. The created driving performance data for each member is stored in the driving performance database for each member built in the vehicle management database. Examples of data stored in the member-specific driving record database include the following:

[0101] For example, suppose there is data showing that member A of Company X has a high number of sudden accelerations compared to the total driving time. Based on that data, a score (for example, 59 points) and an overall rating (for example, B) are recorded. In addition, member B of Company X is recorded with a score (for example, 83 points) and an overall rating (for example, A) based on data showing that the number of times acceleration above a certain level was recorded is low. However, if the vehicle position data shows that there is little movement but the driver frequently moves forward and backward while driving at an extremely slow speed, the estimated data that "he is not good at parking" is also added (not shown).

[0102] According to the data in the member database, Mr. C, a member of Company Y, has a long driving history but frequently experiences accelerations above a specified value, and has a history of rear-end collisions, so he is recorded with a score (for example, 39 points) and an overall rating (for example, D). In addition, it is also possible to record the driving tendencies and behavior of each member user (not shown).

[0103] The analytical driving database can be constructed for each user, and also for each shared car model, creating a vehicle management accident history database (see Figure 6). For example, it is possible to accumulate data such as a high number of speeding incidents for a specific model R, and a high number of small accidents at low speeds for model Q. This data is useful because it can be used to consider whether or not shared car manufacturers need to improve their vehicles.

[0104] A database for each vehicle can also be prepared (not shown). In that case, for example, it can be recorded that a specific shared car m has had a collision accident with the left door, and shared car n has had its rear bumper replaced. Accident data for each vehicle type is, for example, data such as five cases of tire damage before wear for vehicle type P and four cases of bumper replacement for vehicle type Q.

[0105] The analytical driving data stored in the analytical driving database, together with the data stored in the car sharing usage history database, is stored as safe driving history data in a safe driving history database constructed within the vehicle management database.

[0106] Meanwhile, the safe driving history data stored in this safe driving history database is also stored in the member-specific driving performance database and in the vehicle management accident history database, which will be described later. The data stored in this vehicle management accident history database is provided by data from an accident database constructed within the server of a non-life insurance company, and the data is then enriched.

[0107] The driving history data for each member mentioned above includes the cumulative time spent using car sharing, the cumulative driving distance, the number and frequency of sudden acceleration and deceleration, whether or not there were any minor accidents, and whether or not there were any accidents serious enough to warrant the application of property insurance. Using this data, it is possible to evaluate a member relative to other members. This relative evaluation can then be used to calculate a score based on multiple items that serve as indicators of safe driving, as well as a safe driving level (grade).

[0108] The vehicle management accident history database stores the following data: For example, information includes whether or not a non-life insurance accident has been handled, the status of insurance payments, the type of insurance accident (bodily injury, property damage, passenger injury, degree of injury, etc.), the cause of the insurance accident, and the location of the insurance accident.

[0109] Although details are omitted, the car sharing management server may also be equipped with an actuarial system and a non-life insurance product database that stores the details of non-life insurance products constructed by the actuarial system (not shown).

[0110] An actuarial system is a mathematical analysis system used when designing non-life insurance products. For example, by using the data stored in the member-specific driving history database anonymously (so that member users cannot be identified), insurance premiums and compensation amounts can be calculated from data such as the number of accidents that occurred in the verification cases, the amount of damage caused by the accidents, and the attributes of the drivers who caused the accidents.

[0111] The actuarial system can also create member-specific non-life insurance products by identifying member users. In this case, the "member-specific non-life insurance product" would be, for example, a non-life insurance product for "members with a lot of sudden acceleration and deceleration," in which the non-life insurance premiums for members who have more sudden acceleration and deceleration than average in the analyzed driving data are higher than those for members who have below average non-life insurance.

[0112] By entering into a contract with a non-life insurance company (or an organization involved in non-life insurance / car sharing collaboration) that requires member users to provide their driving history data, they will be able to receive custom-made insurance products. For example, if a user has demonstrated safe driving standards above a certain level when using car sharing, they will be able to enjoy favorable conditions when purchasing personal property insurance.

[0113] According to the above-described embodiment, the vehicle rental service reduces the hassle for users when logging in and contributes to safe driving by users regardless of whether they are using the service as a corporation or as an individual. This automatically helps to reduce accidents and vehicle wear and tear, leading to a reduction in insurance payments related to accidents and vehicle wear and tear, and a reduction in service business operating costs, which also contributes to saving on usage costs for member users. [Industrial Applicability]

[0114] The present invention has applicability in the service industry that operates car sharing or rental car services as a business, the information and communications service industry that supports the management and operation of car sharing or rental cars, the vehicle maintenance industry for car sharing and rental cars, the software industry that creates computer software for car sharing operations, and the insurance industry that covers vehicles and accidents associated with vehicles.

Claims

1. A management server that manages data related to service target vehicles and member users related to a vehicle rental service, a member database in which data necessary for member registration relating to member users who use the vehicle rental service is registered in advance as member data; a login data receiving means for receiving login data from a communication terminal related to a member user registered in the member database; a login permission determining means for permitting login when authentication data included in the login data matches authentication data registered in the member database; Equipped with The aforementioned member database is an individual member database in which member data relating to individual members who will become members is registered as individual members; a corporate membership database that registers, as corporate users, membership data relating to corporate members for which the corporation is a member, targeting individuals belonging to the corporation; It also has In the case where an individual belonging to a specified corporation in the above-mentioned corporate membership database is a multiple account member who is also registered as such individual, a multiple account membership database based on an integrated account that combines the individual member account and the corporate account Equipped with In addition, driving data is accumulated for each member user when the member user uses a vehicle eligible for the service, The login data received by the login data receiving means from the communication terminal of the member user registered in the multiple account member database includes multiple account identification data that distinguishes whether the login is related to the corporation to which the user belongs or an individual login; the login permission determination means transmits login permission based on the multiple account identification data to the communication terminal of the member user; a driving data extraction means for extracting driving data stored in the member database relating to the multiple account member; a driving data comparison means for comparing the driving data extracted by the driving data extraction means with the driving data of the individual and corporate members of the multiple account members; a warning data creating means for creating warning data to prompt the driver to pay attention to driving when the difference between the results of the comparison by the driving data comparing means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value; a warning data transmission means for transmitting the warning data created by the warning data creation means to the information terminals of the multiple account members; The management server is provided with:

2. a data receiving means for receiving driving data from a vehicle to be serviced when the vehicle is used by a multiple account member; a points calculation means for calculating points based on a points table that defines a system for rewarding member users for using vehicles eligible for the service, based on the results of a comparison between the individual driving data and the corporate driving data by the driving data comparison means; and a point notification sending means for sending a message including the points calculated by the point calculation means as point notification data to the information terminal of the multiple account member. The management server according to claim 1 .

3. a biometric authentication data receiving means for receiving biometric authentication data relating to a member user; and a biometric authentication data registration means for storing the biometric authentication data received by the biometric authentication data receiving means in the member database.

3. The management server according to claim 1.

4. A computer program for controlling a management server that manages data relating to service vehicles and member users related to a vehicle rental service, The management server includes a member database in which data necessary for member registration relating to member users who use the vehicle rental service is registered in advance as member data, The member database includes an individual member database in which member data relating to individual members who will become members is registered as individual members; A corporate member database is provided in which member data relating to corporate members of which the corporation is a member is registered as a corporate user for individuals belonging to the corporation; In the case where an individual belonging to a specified corporation in the corporate member database is a multiple account member who is also registered as the individual, a multiple account member database based on an integrated account that integrates the individual member account and the corporate account is provided; In addition, driving data is accumulated for each member user when the member user uses a vehicle eligible for the service, The computer program a login data receiving step of receiving login data from a communication terminal associated with a member user registered in the member database; a login permission determination step for permitting login when the authentication data included in the login data matches the authentication data registered in the member database; The management server executes the following: The login data received by the login data receiving procedure from the communication terminal of the member user registered in the multiple account member database includes multiple account identification data that distinguishes whether the login is related to the corporation to which the user belongs or an individual login; a driving data extraction step of extracting driving data stored in the member database relating to the multiple account member; a driving data comparison procedure for comparing the driving data extracted by the driving data extraction procedure with the individual driving data and corporate driving data of the multiple account member; a warning data creation procedure for creating warning data to alert the driver to driving caution when a difference between the results of the comparison in the driving data comparison procedure is greater than or equal to a predetermined value; a warning data transmission procedure for transmitting the warning data created in the warning data creation procedure to the information terminals of the multiple account members; causing the management server to execute the above; The computer program is configured such that in the login permission determination step, login permission based on the multiple account identification data is sent to the communication terminal related to the member user.

5. a data receiving procedure for receiving driving data from a vehicle covered by the service when the vehicle is used by multiple account members; a point calculation step for calculating points based on a points table that defines a system for rewarding member users for using vehicles eligible for the service, based on the results of comparing the driving data as an individual and the driving data as a corporation in the driving data comparison step; and a point contact sending procedure for sending contact information including the points calculated in the point calculation procedure as point contact data to the information terminals of the multiple account members.

5. A computer program according to claim 4.

6. a biometric authentication data receiving step for receiving biometric authentication data relating to a member user; a biometric authentication data registration procedure for storing the biometric authentication data received in the biometric authentication data reception procedure in the member database; The above-mentioned management server was made to execute A computer program according to claim 4 or claim 5.

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