Car sharing system

Abstract

This will improve the reliability of vehicle transfers and increase the utilization rate of vehicles. [Solution] The car-sharing system 1 comprises a management device 50, a storage unit 53 that stores registration information of a candidate to transport a vehicle transmitted from a candidate to transport terminal 30, a candidate to transport registration reception unit 122 that writes the registration information of a candidate to transport a vehicle transmitted from the candidate to transport terminal 30 to the storage unit 53 and accepts registration as a candidate to transport a vehicle, a candidate to transport selection unit 113 that selects a candidate to transport from the candidate to transport information stored in the storage unit 53, a candidate to transport request notification that is sent to the candidate to transport terminal 30 of the selected candidate via the communication network N, and an incentive setting unit 114 that sets an incentive to be given to a candidate to transport a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a car-sharing system for managing the rental of vehicles used by a plurality of users, and particularly to a car-sharing system that enables an improvement in the operating rate of vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, car-sharing, in which a plurality of people share a single automobile, has attracted attention as it is expected to contribute to measures against global warming. That is, if car-sharing becomes widespread, a reduction in the total number of automobiles, alleviation of traffic congestion, and reduction in the number of parking lots are expected, and effects such as suppression of global warming caused by carbon dioxide due to reduction in energy consumption and improvement of the atmospheric environment are expected. Here, in order to promote the spread of car-sharing, convenience for users and easy-to-use fee settings are desired, and in order to achieve this, it is required to increase the operating rate of shared cars.

[0003] Therefore, in order to promote the use of car-sharing, for example, in Patent Document 1, reservation reception means for receiving a car-sharing reservation procedure through a communication network from a user's mobile communication terminal, and a taxi, ride-sharing car, or shared bicycle that is expected to be used by the user in order to move to the location of the shared car for which the reservation procedure has been made or to move from the return location of the shared car. Communication means for transmitting a message to the mobile communication terminal, which proposes using any of them together with the presentation of a discounted fee for the shared car. When there is a ride-sharing reservation, it is possible to recruit a transporter who wants to use car-sharing from the ride-sharing location to the return location and cause the ride-sharing vehicle to be transported, and a technology for reducing the cost of transporting the ride-sharing vehicle is proposed.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an information processing device for processing related to a first service, which is a vehicle rental service, and includes a control unit that performs the following actions: acquiring the record of predetermined actions taken by a first user to whom a first vehicle has been rented through the first service in order to maintain the commercial value of the first vehicle; and providing an incentive to the first user if the record of predetermined actions is above a predetermined standard. This information processing device is effective in suppressing the decline in the commercial value of vehicles used in rental services.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a technology that can improve the vehicle utilization rate in a system for lending vehicles to users, using an information processing device having a control unit that performs the following actions: generating a vehicle lending plan for a first user; acquiring demand data regarding the demand for the vehicle; and changing the vehicle return location, which is the point where the first user returns the vehicle, included in the lending plan, based on the demand data.

[0006] Patent Document 4 describes a one-way rental management system including a car-sharing device and a matching device, wherein the car-sharing device includes a user storage unit that stores information of users who are able to drive a car-sharing vehicle, a reservation reception unit that receives reservation information including the start date and time, start location, end date and time, and end location of use of any of the car-sharing vehicles from a user terminal used by the user, and a matching request unit that, for one-way rental reservations where the start location and end location are different, transmits request information to the matching device including the date and time of rental, the location of rental, and the return location, with the end date and time set as the date of rental, the end location as the rental location, and the start location as the return location. A car-sharing car-sharing car-sharing management system is disclosed, which includes a car driver registration unit that registers car drivers set in the registration information received from the matching device to the reservation information, the matching device includes a car driver storage unit that stores information on car drivers which are a subset of the users, a request reception unit that receives the request information from the car-sharing device, a matching recruitment unit that transmits the request information to a car driver terminal used by the car driver, an application reception unit that receives application information in which car drivers are set in the request information from the car driver terminal, and a matching registration unit that transmits registration information to the car-sharing device for registering the car drivers set in the application information to the reservation information, thereby reducing the cost of transporting cars to be dropped off in car-sharing.

[0007] Patent Document 5 discloses an operation planning support device for a car-sharing system that extracts candidates for regular users, who are users who are given an incentive to use the same section regularly. The device comprises: a usage history acquisition means for acquiring a trip group, which is a collection of trips containing information on the section and time of use when a user has used a vehicle in the past; a classification means for classifying the trip group into a first trip group consisting of trips made by users with a bias in usage time or section, and a second trip group consisting of trips made by other users; a time zone determination means for determining a regular usage time zone, which is the target time period for regular use, based on the first trip group; a vehicle placement determination means for determining the optimal number of vehicles to be placed at each target station at the start or end time of the regular usage time zone; and a candidate extraction means for extracting candidates for regular users based on the determined optimal number of vehicles and the first trip group. The device discloses an operation planning support device for extracting candidates for regular users, who are users who are given an incentive to use the same section regularly, in a car-sharing system. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-000811 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-189413 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-174197 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-041197 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-148912 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The technologies described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 all aim to improve the utilization rate by providing incentives to users who actually use shared cars, encouraging them to return the vehicles to a different location (a place with demand) than their original destination. However, users who pay to use car-sharing services are usually in a hurry to reach their desired destination or need to transport luggage, so finding users who actually use car-sharing services is difficult. Furthermore, in the technology described in Patent Document 4, the method involves recruiting drivers from members registered with a car-sharing service. However, since people who use car-sharing services generally have a strong desire to save time and are reluctant to waste time, it is difficult to actually find drivers from members registered with a car-sharing service, resulting in a low success rate for matching and a low feasibility of the actual vehicle transfer. Furthermore, in the technology described in Patent Document 5, incentives are given to users who regularly drive the section where the vehicle should be repositioned, so it is difficult to respond to urgent repositioning requests.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a car-sharing system that can improve the reliability of vehicle transport and increase the utilization rate of vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The car-sharing system of the invention of claim 1 is a car-sharing system that includes a management device connected via a communication network, a user terminal held by a user who uses a vehicle, and a vehicle delivery candidate terminal held by a vehicle delivery candidate who applies to deliver a vehicle, wherein the management device comprises: a vehicle delivery candidate information storage means that stores vehicle delivery candidate registration information transmitted from the vehicle delivery candidate terminal; a vehicle delivery candidate registration receiving means that sequentially writes the vehicle delivery candidate registration information transmitted from the vehicle delivery candidate terminal to the vehicle delivery candidate information storage means and accepts registration as a vehicle delivery candidate; a vehicle delivery candidate selection means that selects a vehicle delivery candidate to request delivery from among the vehicle delivery candidate information stored in the vehicle delivery candidate storage means; a vehicle delivery request means that transmits a vehicle delivery request notification to the vehicle delivery candidate terminal of the selected vehicle delivery candidate via the communication network; and an incentive setting means that sets an incentive to be given to the vehicle delivery candidate who has delivered the vehicle.

[0012] The above-mentioned transfer candidate information storage means stores (saves) transfer candidate information, such as transfer candidate registration information, transmitted from the transfer candidate terminal. The above-mentioned vehicle transport candidate registration acceptance means processes registration of vehicle transport candidates who will transport vehicles abandoned by users. It receives vehicle transport candidate registration information transmitted from the vehicle transport candidate terminal via the communication network and sequentially writes (stores) it in the vehicle transport candidate information storage means. The above-described delivery candidate selection means performs the process of selecting (extracting) a delivery candidate to be requested from among the registered delivery candidates stored in the delivery candidate storage means. For example, it retrieves the delivery candidate registration information stored in the delivery candidate information storage means and performs the process of selecting a delivery candidate based on information such as the delivery area and the time period during which delivery is possible (time leeway information) contained in the delivery candidate registration information. Preferably, the candidates are selected by assigning a priority order for delivery requests through calculation processing. The above-described vehicle transfer request means performs the process of sending a vehicle transfer request notification to the terminal of the selected vehicle transfer candidate via the communication network, requesting the vehicle to be transferred. The above incentive setting method involves setting the type and amount of incentives to be given to each delivery candidate based on the delivery request date after the delivery has been completed. Incentives include cash, gift certificates, discount coupons, special coupons, points (points usable for purchasing other services or products, points from external point services), and rental of portable mobility devices such as folding bicycles, electric assist bicycles, electric bicycles (eBikes), and electric kick scooters.

[0013] Claim 1 The incentive for the car-sharing system of the invention includes a portable mobility device that is mounted on the transport vehicle and lent to the transport candidate after the transport has been completed, and the management device transmits unlock information to the transport candidate's terminal to unlock the locking device of the portable mobility device mounted on the transport vehicle after the transport candidate has completed the transport.

[0014] Car sharing system according to claim 2 In the configuration of claim 1, The management device further includes: reservation information storage means for storing reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal; reservation acceptance means for writing (storing) the reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal to the reservation information storage means and accepting the reservation for vehicle use; demand forecasting means for reading past reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means and estimating a forecast of vehicle use demand based on the reservation information; delivery planning means for creating delivery plan information based on the estimated demand forecast; delivery plan information storage means for storing the delivery plan information created by the delivery planning means; and after accepting the reservation for vehicle use, reading the delivery plan information from the delivery plan information storage means, determining whether delivery is necessary based on the reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal, determining whether the delivery plan information needs to be modified if it is determined that delivery is necessary, and if it is determined that the delivery plan information does not need to be modified, the delivery plan information Turn The transfer request information is stored again in the transfer plan information storage means, and the transfer plan informationIf it is determined that correction is necessary, the transfer plan information will be updated, and the updated transfer plan information Turn The system comprises an update means for re-storing the transfer request information in the transfer plan information storage means, and a transfer candidate selection information storage means for storing transfer candidate selection information selected by the transfer candidate selection means, and when the update means determines that the transfer is necessary after the vehicle usage reservation has been accepted, the transfer request means reads the transfer request information from the transfer plan information storage means, and also the transfer candidate The recipient selection information is read from the recipient selection information storage means, and the recipient request information is sent to the recipient Candidate The notification of the transfer request is transmitted via the communication network to the transfer candidate terminal of the transfer candidate selected by the selection means.

[0015] The above-mentioned reservation information storage means stores reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal. Reservation information includes the departure point (start location) of the vehicle, the destination (return location), the start date and time of use, and the planned end date and time of use. The above-mentioned reservation acceptance method processes the acceptance of vehicle usage reservations from users. It receives vehicle usage reservation information transmitted from the user terminal, converts it into a database, and sequentially writes it to the reservation information storage means for storage. The above-described demand forecasting means reads past reservation information (reservation record, reservation history) stored in the reservation information storage means and makes a prediction of future vehicle usage, i.e., a demand forecast, based on the past reservation information, and performs processing to estimate the demand forecast, such as generating demand forecast information. Furthermore, it may also perform processing to estimate the demand forecast based on usage record information and current reservation information (those for which reservations have already been made). The above-mentioned vehicle dispatch planning means performs the process of creating (generating) vehicle dispatch plan information based on estimated demand forecasts such as generated demand forecast information, and then creating (generating) vehicle dispatch plan information based on that. The above-mentioned transport plan information storage means stores (saves) the transport plan information created by the transport plan means. After the user reserves the use of the vehicle, the above update means reads the return plan information from the return plan information storage means, determines whether a return is necessary based on the reservation information of vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal, and when it is determined that a return is necessary, determines whether it is necessary to modify the return plan information. When it is determined that it is not necessary to modify the return plan information, the return plan information is rewritten as return request information, and based on the reservation information of vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal, the return plan information When it is determined that modification is necessary, the return plan information is updated (regenerated), the updated (regenerated) return plan information is rewritten as return request information, and the return request information is stored (overwritten) in the return plan information storage means. The above return candidate selector information storage unit stores the return candidates selected by the return candidate selector means, and preferably stores the priority order for requesting the selected return candidates for return.

[0016] Claim 3 The car-sharing system of the invention according to claim is a car-sharing system including a management device connected via a communication network, a user terminal possessed by a user who uses a vehicle, and a return candidate terminal possessed by a return candidate who applies for the return of the vehicle. The management device includes return candidate information storage means for storing return candidate registration information transmitted from the return candidate terminal, return candidate registration reception means for sequentially writing the return candidate registration information transmitted from the return candidate terminal into the return candidate information storage means and accepting registration as a return candidate for returning the vehicle, return candidate selection means for selecting the return candidate for return from the return candidate information stored in the return candidate storage means, return request means for transmitting a return request notification to the return candidate terminal of the selected return candidate via the communication network, and incentive setting means for setting an incentive to be given to the return candidate who has carried out the return of the vehicle.

[0017] Claim 3The management device of the car-sharing system of the invention further stores (saves) the response information of the car-sharing request, which includes whether or not the car-sharing is possible, transmitted from the car-sharing candidate terminal. Delivery A request response information storage means, writes (stores) the forwarding request response information transmitted from the user terminal to the forwarding request response information storage means, and receives the forwarding request response information. Delivery The request response receiving means and the forwarding request response information storage means sequentially read the forwarding request response information, Delivery The system includes a means for receiving requests and responses, which determines the candidate who receives the most readily available forwarding request information as the forwarding candidate, and a means for determining the forwarding candidate as the forwarding candidate, and which transmits a forwarding candidate determination notification to the forwarding candidate's terminal via the communication network.

[0018] the above Delivery The request response information storage means stores (saves) the forwarding request response information, including whether or not forwarding is permitted, transmitted from the forwarding candidate terminal. the above Delivery The request response receiving mechanism processes responses from candidates for vehicle transfer regarding whether or not they can proceed with the transfer, and the responses are transmitted from the candidate's terminal via the communication network. Delivery Request response information is received and added to a database. Delivery The information requested and the response is sequentially written to a storage device and stored (saved). The above-mentioned forwarding person determination means sequentially reads forwarding request response information from the forwarding request response information storage means, Delivery The system determines the candidate who receives the earliest available forwarding request response information via the request response reception method to be the forwarding agent, and then sends a forwarding agent determination notification to the forwarding agent's terminal via the aforementioned communication network.

[0019] Claim 3 The management device of the car-sharing system of the invention further includes the incentive Bu's feelings An incentive storage means for storing information, and if the forwarding request response information that allows forwarding was allowed under the condition of changing the incentive, the incentive stored in the incentive storage means Bu's feelings The system comprises an incentive modification means that reads the report and modifies the incentive, and the forwarder determination means, if the forwarding request response information that allows forwarding is conditional on the incentive modification, sends the modified incentive to the forwarder determination notice. Bu's feelings This information, including the report, will be transmitted via the aforementioned communication network. The incentive storage means described above stores (saves) information regarding the incentives set in the incentive setting unit. The above incentive modification means reads the incentive information stored in the incentive storage means and modifies the incentive when the response information for a delivery request that allows delivery is conditional on a change in the incentive. Examples of incentive modifications include increasing the incentive amount or lending portable mobility after the delivery is completed.

[0020] Claim 4 The invention of a car-sharing system In the configuration of claim 3, The management device further includes: reservation information storage means for storing reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal; reservation acceptance means for writing (storing) the reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal to the reservation information storage means and accepting the reservation for vehicle use; demand forecasting means for reading past reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means and estimating a forecast of vehicle use demand based on the reservation information; delivery planning means for creating delivery plan information based on the estimated demand forecast; delivery plan information storage means for storing the delivery plan information created by the delivery planning means; and after accepting the reservation for vehicle use, reading the delivery plan information from the delivery plan information storage means, determining whether delivery is necessary based on the reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal, determining whether the delivery plan information needs to be modified if it is determined that delivery is necessary, and if it is determined that the delivery plan information does not need to be modified, the delivery plan information Turn The transfer request information is stored again in the transfer plan information storage means, and the transfer plan information If it is determined that correction is necessary, the transfer plan information will be updated, and the updated transfer plan information Turn The system comprises an update means for re-storing the transfer request information in the transfer plan information storage means, and a transfer candidate selection information storage means for storing transfer candidate selection information selected by the transfer candidate selection means, and when the update means determines that the transfer is necessary after the vehicle usage reservation has been accepted, the transfer request means reads the transfer request information from the transfer plan information storage means, and also the transfer candidate The person selection information storage means reads out the transfer candidate selection information, and the transfer request information is read out Candidate for forwarding The notification of the transfer request is transmitted via the communication network to the transfer candidate terminal of the transfer candidate selected by the selection means.

[0021] Claim 5 The incentive setting means of the car-sharing system of the invention performs calculations based on the delivery date and the delivery request date, and sets the size of the incentive according to the period between the delivery date and the delivery request date. It calculates the difference in the number of days between the delivery date and the delivery request date, and for example, sets a larger value for the incentive when the delivery request date is close to the delivery date or is the same day as the delivery date, that is, the smaller the difference in the number of days between the delivery date and the delivery request date, the larger the incentive is set.

[0022] Claim 6 The management device of the car-sharing system of the invention further includes a means for receiving response information after the completion of a delivery, which sequentially writes (stores) incentive satisfaction information transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal after the delivery candidate has completed a delivery to the delivery candidate information storage means, and the incentive setting means sets the incentive for each delivery candidate based on the incentive satisfaction information.

[0023] The above-mentioned means for receiving response information after the delivery has been completed processes the receipt of incentive satisfaction information from delivery candidates after the delivery has been completed. It receives incentive satisfaction information transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal via the communication network and sequentially writes it to the delivery candidate information storage means for storage.

[0024] Claim 7 The incentives of the car-sharing system of the invention include, as options, portable mobility devices that are lent to the candidate for delivery in advance, or portable mobility devices that are loaded onto the delivery vehicle and lent to the candidate after the delivery has been completed. Examples of the portable mobility devices mentioned above include electric-assist bicycles, electric bicycles (e-bikes), and electric kick scooters.

[0025] Claim 8 The management device of the car-sharing system of the invention further comprises a delivery notice notification means that reads the delivery plan information from the delivery plan information storage means and transmits the delivery plan information to the delivery candidate terminal as a delivery notice via the communication network before a vehicle usage reservation is transmitted from the user terminal.

[0026] The above-mentioned vehicle transfer notification means reads the vehicle transfer plan information from the vehicle transfer plan information storage means and transmits it to the candidate vehicle transfer terminal as a vehicle transfer notification via the communication network before the reservation for vehicle use is transmitted from the user terminal.

[0027] Claim 9 The demand forecasting means of the car-sharing system of the invention further forecasts the demand based on one or more of the following: the weather forecast for the day of delivery, the expected temperature, and information on events held around the vehicle location. Furthermore, weather forecasts, predicted temperatures, event information, etc., may be obtained by coordinating with various servers that provide those web services and retrieving the information from them via a communication network.

[0028] Car sharing system according to claim 10 In the configuration of claim 2, The transport candidate information storage means stores the transport candidate attribute information, and the transport candidate selection means reads the transport candidate attribute information stored in the transport candidate storage means and reads the transport plan information stored in the transport plan information storage means, and performs a process of selecting the transport candidate based on the transport candidate attribute information and the transport plan information. The above-mentioned delivery candidate attribute information refers to information used to increase the probability of a delivery request being fulfilled. For example, it includes time availability information representing the delivery candidate's ability to handle deliveries on a day of the week and / or time of day, information on the delivery candidate's motivation for the delivery, the delivery candidate's success rate in carrying out deliveries, and the delivery candidate's suitability for delivery based on their delivery record.

[0029] Claim 11 The invention of a car-sharing system In the configuration of claim 4, The transport candidate information storage means stores the transport candidate attribute information, and the transport candidate selection means reads the transport candidate attribute information stored in the transport candidate storage means and reads the transport plan information stored in the transport plan information storage means, and performs a process of selecting the transport candidate based on the transport candidate attribute information and the transport plan information. The above-mentioned delivery candidate attribute information refers to information used to increase the probability of a delivery request being fulfilled. For example, it includes time availability information representing the delivery candidate's ability to handle deliveries on a day of the week and / or time of day, information on the delivery candidate's motivation for the delivery, the delivery candidate's success rate in carrying out deliveries, and the delivery candidate's suitability for delivery based on their delivery record.

[0030] Claim 12The car-sharing system of the invention includes at least one of the following: time availability information representing the availability of the car-sharing candidate for each day of the week and / or time slot; motivation information for the car-sharing candidate for the car-sharing; the success rate of the car-sharing candidate's car-sharing; and the car-sharing eligibility based on the car-sharing candidate's past car-sharing record.

[0031] The above time leeway information represents the possibility of responding to requests for vehicle delivery from the candidate for each day of the week and time slot. This information is based, for example, on data entered from the candidate's terminal and transmitted to the management device when the candidate registers, as well as data on past vehicle delivery records. The above motivation information is information about motivation factors for vehicle transfers, such as how long the time commitment involved in a vehicle transfer is, what means of transportation to and from the vehicle transfer location are most motivating, sunny weather is more motivating, and how much incentive is needed for a vehicle transfer to be highly motivating. This information is based on data entered from the vehicle transfer candidate terminal and transmitted to the management device when the vehicle transfer candidate is registered, and data entered from the vehicle transfer candidate terminal and transmitted to the management device after the vehicle transfer is completed.

[0032] The above-mentioned success rate of vehicle transfer is, for example, the success rate (probability of successful transfer) of a vehicle transfer being carried out in response to a transfer request, and is based on transfer request information and actual transfer information. The suitability of a vehicle for the above vehicle transfer request is determined based on factors such as the cancellation rate (number of transfer cancellations relative to the number of transfers accepted), the cancellation rate on the day of transfer, the unauthorized cancellation rate (number of transfers not carried out despite a transfer request being made and no cancellation), and the tardiness rate (number of times the task was completed without being late for the transfer completion time relative to the total number of transfers performed), and is based on vehicle transfer request information and vehicle transfer performance information.

[0033] Claim 13The car-sharing system of the invention includes the following: the attribute information of the transport candidate, the information transmitted from the transport candidate terminal when the transport candidate is registered, the information transmitted from the transport candidate terminal after the transport candidate has performed the transport, and And transmitted to the aforementioned transfer candidate The aforementioned delivery request information and The aforementioned candidate for transfer It is one or more pieces of information generated by calculations based on the delivery record.

[0034] The information transmitted from the candidate transport terminal via the above-mentioned candidate transport registration acceptance means includes, for example, information on time availability and motivation information for transport, which the candidate transport inputs at the candidate transport terminal when registering as a candidate transport, is transmitted to the management device, and is stored in the candidate transport information storage means. The information transmitted from the transport candidate terminal after the transport candidate has completed the transport is, for example, information such as satisfaction with the incentive for transport and satisfaction with the time spent, which the transport candidate inputs into the transport candidate terminal at the end of the transport, which is then transmitted to the management device and stored in the transport candidate information storage means. The information generated by calculations based on the above-mentioned delivery candidate's delivery record information includes, for example, the degree of successful delivery (probability of successful delivery) for delivery requests based on delivery request information and delivery record information, the cancellation rate on the day of delivery, the no-show cancellation rate, and the lateness rate for not arriving by the delivery completion time. This information is calculated through calculations and stored in the delivery candidate information storage means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0035] The car-sharing system according to claim 1 is a car-sharing system that includes a management device connected via a communication network, a user terminal held by a user who uses a vehicle, and a candidate terminal held by a candidate who applies to transport a vehicle, wherein the management device includes a candidate information storage means that stores candidate registration information transmitted from the candidate terminal, a candidate registration receiving means that sequentially writes the candidate registration information transmitted from the candidate terminal to the candidate information storage means and accepts registration as a candidate to transport the vehicle, and the candidate information stored in the candidate information storage means By providing a vehicle transport candidate selection means for selecting a transport candidate to request transport from among the transport candidates included in the report, a transport request means for transmitting a transport request notification to the transport candidate terminal of the selected transport candidate via the communication network, and an incentive setting means for setting an incentive to be given to the transport candidate who has transported the vehicle, the vehicle transport candidate registration acceptance means accepts registration of transport candidates who will transport vehicles separately from users who will use the vehicle, the vehicle transport candidate selection means selects a transport candidate to request transport from among the registered transport candidates, and the transport request means sends a transport request to the selected transport candidate. Therefore, since an incentive is given to a person who has been registered in advance as a transport candidate for the purpose of receiving transport requests, i.e., a transport candidate who has applied to transport the vehicle, the likelihood of the transport request being fulfilled is increased, the certainty of transport execution can be increased, and the vehicle utilization rate can be increased. In particular, individuals who have been pre-registered as potential transporters for the purpose of receiving transport requests are more likely to be willing to carry out the transport, increasing the likelihood that they will respond to transport requests even on the same day or at the last minute. Furthermore, by narrowing down the candidates from those who have been registered as potential transporters and sending transport requests to them, the processing load on the system can also be reduced.

[0036] Claim 1According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the incentive includes a portable mobility device that is mounted on the transport vehicle and lent to the transport candidate after the transport is completed, and the management device transmits unlocking information to the transport candidate's terminal to unlock the locking device of the portable mobility device mounted on the transport vehicle after the transport candidate has completed the transport. ,times By lending portable mobility vehicles to potential transporters, it becomes possible to increase their motivation and enthusiasm for transporting vehicles, thereby increasing the likelihood of transport requests being accepted and improving the certainty of transport being carried out.

[0037] According to the car-sharing system of claim 2, the management device further includes: reservation information storage means for storing vehicle usage reservation information transmitted from the user terminal; reservation acceptance means for writing (storing) the vehicle usage reservation information transmitted from the user terminal into the reservation information storage means and accepting vehicle usage reservations; and demand forecasting means for reading past reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means and predicting vehicle usage demand based on the reservation information. The forecast of the demand by the demand forecasting means Based on the above, a transfer planning means creates (generates) transfer plan information, a transfer plan information storage means stores the transfer plan information created (generated) by the transfer planning means, and after the vehicle usage reservation, reads the transfer plan information from the transfer plan information storage means, determines whether a transfer is necessary based on the vehicle usage reservation information transmitted from the user terminal, determines whether the transfer is necessary if a transfer is determined to be necessary, and if it is determined that no modification of the transfer plan information is necessary, the transfer plan information Turn The transfer request information is stored (overwritten) in the transfer plan information storage means, and the transfer plan information If it is determined that correction is necessary, the transfer plan information will be updated (regenerated), and the updated (regenerated) transfer plan information will be updated (regenerated) TurnThe system comprises an update means for storing (overwriting) the transfer request information in the transfer plan information storage means, and a transfer candidate selection information storage means for storing the transfer candidate selection information selected by the transfer candidate selection means, and the transfer request means reads the transfer request information from the transfer plan information storage means and transfers candidate The selection information for the transport candidate is read from the transport candidate selection information storage means, and the transport request information is sent to the transport Candidate Since the transfer request notification is transmitted via the communication network to the transfer candidate terminal of the transfer candidate selected by the selection means, if the demand forecasting means forecasts the demand for vehicle use in advance, the transfer planning means creates a transfer plan based on that demand forecast, and the update means modifies and updates the transfer plan based on the actual reservation after the user reserves a vehicle, then the system load concentration can be reduced, and it becomes possible to quickly send a transfer request to the transfer candidate after the user reserves a vehicle and quickly secure a transfer driver. Therefore, in addition to the effects described in claim 1, it becomes easier to respond to vehicle rentals even for same-day or last-minute vehicle use reservations, thereby increasing convenience for the user.

[0038] Claim 3The car-sharing system according to the invention includes a management device connected via a communication network, a user terminal owned by a user who uses a vehicle, and a vehicle delivery candidate terminal owned by a vehicle delivery candidate who applies to deliver a vehicle, wherein the management device includes a vehicle delivery candidate information storage means that stores vehicle delivery candidate registration information transmitted from the vehicle delivery candidate terminal, a vehicle delivery candidate registration receiving means that sequentially writes the vehicle delivery candidate registration information transmitted from the vehicle delivery candidate terminal to the vehicle delivery candidate information storage means and accepts registration as a vehicle delivery candidate, and the vehicle delivery candidate information stored in the vehicle delivery candidate storage means By providing a vehicle transport candidate selection means for selecting a transport candidate to request transport from among the transport candidates included, a transport request means for transmitting a transport request notification to the transport candidate terminal of the selected transport candidate via the communication network, and an incentive setting means for setting an incentive to be given to the transport candidate who has transported the vehicle, the vehicle transport candidate registration acceptance means accepts registration of transport candidates who will transport vehicles separately from users who will use the vehicle, the vehicle transport candidate selection means selects a transport candidate to request transport from among the registered transport candidates, and the transport request means sends a transport request to the selected transport candidate. Therefore, since an incentive is given to a person who has been registered in advance as a transport candidate for the purpose of receiving transport requests, i.e., a transport candidate who has applied to transport the vehicle, the likelihood of the transport request being fulfilled is increased, the certainty of transport execution can be increased, and the vehicle utilization rate can be increased. In particular, individuals who have been pre-registered as potential transporters for the purpose of receiving transport requests are more likely to be willing to carry out the transport, increasing the likelihood that they will respond to transport requests even on the same day or at the last minute. Furthermore, by narrowing down the candidates from those who have been registered as potential transporters and sending transport requests to them, the processing load on the system can also be reduced.

[0039] Claim 3 According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the management device further stores the response information to the car-sharing request, which includes whether or not the car-sharing is permitted, transmitted from the car-sharing candidate terminal. DeliveryA request response information storage means, writes (stores) the forwarding request response information transmitted from the user terminal to the forwarding request response information storage means, and receives the forwarding request response information. Delivery The request response receiving means and the forwarding request response information storage means sequentially read the forwarding request response information, Delivery The system includes a sender determination means that determines the candidate who receives the earliest available forwarding request response information via the request response receiving means to be the forwarding sender, and transmits a sender determination notification to the forwarding candidate's terminal via the communication network. , small Without the processing load of an existing system, it is possible to quickly secure a driver for repositioning. Claim 3 According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the management device further provides the incentive Bu's feelings An incentive storage means for storing information, and if the forwarding request response information that allows forwarding was allowed under the condition of changing the incentive, the incentive stored in the incentive storage means Bu's feelings The system comprises an incentive modification means that reads the report and modifies the incentive, and the forwarder determination means, if the forwarding request response information that allows forwarding is conditional on the incentive modification, sends the modified incentive to the forwarder determination notice. Bu's feelings Because the information will be transmitted via the aforementioned communication network. ,times By including incentive change options when asking whether or not to transport goods, it becomes possible to increase the motivation and enthusiasm of transport candidates, thereby increasing the likelihood of transport requests being accepted and further enhancing the certainty of transport being carried out.

[0040] Claim 4According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the management device further includes: a reservation information storage means for storing reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal; a reservation acceptance means for writing (storing) the reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal into the reservation information storage means and accepting the reservation for vehicle use; and a demand forecasting means for reading past reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means and predicting the demand for vehicle use based on the reservation information. The forecast of the demand by the demand forecasting means Based on the above, a transfer planning means creates (generates) transfer plan information, a transfer plan information storage means stores the transfer plan information created (generated) by the transfer planning means, and after the vehicle usage reservation, reads the transfer plan information from the transfer plan information storage means, determines whether a transfer is necessary based on the vehicle usage reservation information transmitted from the user terminal, determines whether the transfer is necessary if a transfer is determined to be necessary, and if it is determined that no modification of the transfer plan information is necessary, the transfer plan information Turn The transfer request information is stored (overwritten) in the transfer plan information storage means, and the transfer plan information If it is determined that correction is necessary, the transfer plan information will be updated (regenerated), and the updated (regenerated) transfer plan information will be updated (regenerated) Turn The system comprises an update means for storing (overwriting) the transfer request information in the transfer plan information storage means, and a transfer candidate selection information storage means for storing the transfer candidate selection information selected by the transfer candidate selection means, and the transfer request means reads the transfer request information from the transfer plan information storage means and transfers candidate The selection information for the transport candidate is read from the transport candidate selection information storage means, and the transport request information is sent to the transport Candidate Since the transfer request notification is transmitted via the communication network to the transfer candidate terminal of the transfer candidate selected by the selection means, if the demand forecasting means forecasts the demand for vehicle use in advance, the transfer planning means creates a transfer plan based on that demand forecast, and the update means modifies and updates the transfer plan based on the actual reservation after the user reserves a vehicle, then the system load concentration can be reduced, and it becomes possible to quickly send a transfer request to the transfer candidate after the user reserves a vehicle and quickly secure a transfer driver. 3In addition to the effects described above, it will become easier to accommodate vehicle rentals even for same-day or last-minute reservations, thereby improving convenience for users.

[0041] Claim 5 According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the incentive setting means performs a calculation based on the delivery date and the delivery request date, and sets the size of the incentive according to the period between the delivery date and the delivery request date. Therefore, the smaller the difference in the number of days between the delivery date and the delivery request date, the larger the incentive can be set. or claim 3 In addition to the effects described above, it becomes possible to increase the motivation and enthusiasm of candidates for transporting goods, making it more likely that they will accept transport requests even on the same day or at the last minute, thereby increasing the certainty of transport being carried out.

[0042] Claim 6 According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the management device further comprises a means for receiving response information after the completion of a delivery, which sequentially writes (stores) incentive satisfaction information transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal after the delivery candidate has completed the delivery to the delivery candidate information storage means, and the incentive setting means sets the incentive for each delivery candidate based on the incentive satisfaction information, thus, claim 1 or claim 3 In addition to the effects described above, it becomes possible to increase the motivation and enthusiasm of candidates for transporting goods, thereby increasing the likelihood of transport requests being accepted and further enhancing the certainty of transport being carried out.

[0043] Claim 7 According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the incentive includes portable mobility provided to the candidate for delivery in advance, or portable mobility provided on the delivery vehicle after the delivery to the candidate has been completed, therefore, claim 1 or claim 3In addition to the effects described above, lending portable mobility vehicles to potential transport candidates can increase their motivation and enthusiasm for transporting vehicles, thereby increasing the likelihood of transport requests being accepted and further enhancing the certainty of transport being carried out.

[0044] Claim 8 According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the management device further includes a transport notification means that reads the transport plan information from the transport plan information storage means and transmits the transport plan information to the transport candidate terminal as a transport notification via the communication network before the vehicle usage reservation is transmitted from the user terminal. Therefore, the transport candidate is notified of the transport notification by the transport notification means, and upon seeing the transport notification, the transport candidate can adjust their schedule. 2 or claim 4 In addition to the effects described above, it is possible to further increase the likelihood of a transfer request being fulfilled and to increase the certainty of the transfer.

[0045] Claim 9 According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the demand forecasting means further forecasts demand based on one or more of the following: weather forecast for the day of delivery, expected temperature, and event information held around the vehicle location, thereby improving the accuracy of the demand forecast. 2 or claim 4 In addition to the effects described above, the system processing load for modifying the transfer plan using the update mechanism can be reduced, and transfer requests to transfer candidates can be made more quickly after the user has reserved a vehicle, enabling faster securing of transfer candidates.

[0046] According to the car-sharing system of claim 10, the car-sharing system's vehicle delivery candidate information storage means stores vehicle delivery candidate attribute information, and the vehicle delivery candidate selection means reads the vehicle delivery candidate attribute information stored in the vehicle delivery candidate storage means and the vehicle delivery plan information stored in the vehicle delivery plan information storage means, and selects a vehicle delivery candidate based on the vehicle delivery candidate attribute information and the vehicle delivery plan information. As a result, a vehicle delivery request is made to a vehicle delivery candidate with a high probability of being able to deliver the vehicle, and in addition to the effects described in claim 2, the likelihood of the vehicle delivery request being accepted is increased, and the certainty of vehicle delivery is further increased.

[0047] Claim 11 According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the car-sharing system's vehicle transport candidate information storage means stores vehicle transport candidate attribute information, and the vehicle transport candidate selection means reads the vehicle transport candidate attribute information stored in the vehicle transport candidate storage means and the vehicle transport plan information stored in the vehicle transport plan information storage means, and selects the vehicle transport candidate based on the vehicle transport candidate attribute information and the vehicle transport plan information, so that a vehicle transport request is made to a vehicle transport candidate with a high probability of being able to transport the vehicle, 4 In addition to the effects described above, it becomes possible to further increase the likelihood of the transfer request being approved and to further increase the certainty of the transfer being carried out.

[0048] Claim 12 According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the delivery candidate attribute information includes at least one of the following: time availability information representing the delivery candidate's ability to provide delivery on each day of the week and / or time slot; motivation information for the delivery candidate; success rate of the delivery candidate's delivery; and delivery eligibility based on the delivery candidate's delivery record. This makes it possible to request delivery from a delivery candidate with a higher likelihood of providing delivery. 10 or claim 11 In addition to the effects described above, it becomes possible to further increase the likelihood of the transfer request being approved and to further increase the certainty of the transfer being carried out.

[0049] Claim 13According to the car-sharing system of the invention, the vehicle transport candidate attribute information is one or more of the following: information transmitted from the vehicle transport candidate terminal when the vehicle transport candidate is registered, information transmitted from the vehicle transport candidate terminal after the vehicle transport candidate has performed a transport, or information generated by calculation based on the vehicle transport candidate's transport record and the transport request information. Therefore, since it is based on information entered by the vehicle transport candidate and the vehicle transport candidate's performance information, the accuracy of the vehicle transport candidate attribute information is high. 10 or claim 11 In addition to the effects described above, it becomes possible to further increase the likelihood of the transfer request being approved and to further increase the certainty of the transfer being carried out. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0050] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an in-vehicle device, a user terminal, and a candidate terminal for vehicle transfer included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is a functional block diagram illustrating the user registration reception function of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3(b) is a functional block diagram illustrating the return candidate registration reception function of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the operation of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention before a vehicle reservation is made. [Figure 5] This is a functional block diagram illustrating the functions of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, specifically the functions performed before vehicle reservation. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the vehicle usage reservation acceptance and subsequent operation of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]This is a functional block diagram illustrating the vehicle usage reservation reception and subsequent functions of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the response to a car-sharing request and subsequent operations of a management device included in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a functional block diagram illustrating the functions of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, specifically the function of receiving a car-sharing request response and its subsequent functions. [Figure 10] Figure 10(a) is a flowchart showing the acceptance / rejection of vehicle transfer requests and subsequent operations of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10(b) is a functional block diagram illustrating the acceptance / rejection of vehicle transfer requests and subsequent functions of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11(a) is a flowchart showing the reception of the end of vehicle delivery and subsequent operations of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11(b) is a functional block diagram illustrating the reception of the end of vehicle delivery and subsequent functions of a management device included in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure before vehicle use reservation for a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows the processing procedure when a vehicle usage reservation is received in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows the processing procedure after a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention has received a request for vehicle transfer. [Figure 15] This flowchart shows the processing procedure after the car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention has finished being delivered. [Figure 16]Figure 16(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of demand forecasting information for a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16(b) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of delivery plan information and delivery request information for a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] Figure 17(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of delivery candidate information for a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17(b) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of delivery candidate selection information for a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a delivery notice and a delivery request notice displayed on the display device of a delivery candidate terminal in a car-sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0051] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 18. The car-sharing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system that provides a car-sharing service in which multiple users jointly use a vehicle, and is a system that allows vehicle rental, return, and drop-off at multiple locations (bases / stations). The car-sharing system 1 of this embodiment is a one-way (drop-off) car-sharing system in which reservations are required when using a shared car (shared vehicle), and the point where the vehicle is borrowed (departure point) and the point where the vehicle is returned (destination point) may be different. Each point (base / station) has at least one parking space where vehicles can be parked, and there are parking lots etc. prepared in advance for the car-sharing system.

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the car-sharing system 1 according to this embodiment is composed of an in-vehicle device 10, a user terminal 20, a candidate terminal 30 for vehicle transfer, and a car-sharing management device 50 (hereinafter simply referred to as "management device 50"). These in-vehicle device 10, user terminal 20, candidate terminal 30, and management device 50 are connected to each other via a communication network N (a telecommunications network such as the Internet) by wire or wireless means, that is, they are able to exchange information. The communication network N is, for example, a wireless network (mobile communication network, satellite communication network, Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), wired network (short-range network (LAN), wide-area network (WAN), value-added network (VAN), etc.), HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access), etc.), and is usually a communication network in which these are mixed. In other words, the communication network N is a communication system that includes mobile communication networks and the internet, and communicates between the in-vehicle device 10 that accesses the car-sharing system 1, the user terminal 20, the candidate terminal 30 for vehicle transfer, and the management device 50.

[0053] Here, the management device 50 is a computer system owned by the operator of the car-sharing service and used to manage the car-sharing service. A shared car (shared vehicle) refers to a vehicle that is rented out to member users and made available for joint use (shared use) among member users, and will be simply referred to as a vehicle below. The types of vehicles include four-wheeled vehicles such as regular cars, compact cars (including ultra-compact EVs (Electric Vehicles)), and light vehicles, as well as two-wheeled vehicles such as motorized bicycles, as defined by the Road Traffic Act. A user is someone who wishes to use (rent) a vehicle and has registered with a car-sharing service for the purpose of using a vehicle. A vehicle delivery candidate is someone who volunteers to transport a vehicle, and who has registered with a car-sharing service for the purpose of volunteering to transport (move) a vehicle that a user has left behind.

[0054] The in-vehicle device 10 is composed of a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, and the like. The communication unit 11 includes means for communicating with the management device 50, and for example, communicates with the management device 50 in accordance with a predetermined wireless communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or NIC (Network Interface Card). It may also include short-range communication means such as NFC (Near Field Communication) for data communication with the user terminal 20 or the candidate terminal 30, Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB (Ultra Wideband), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0055] The control unit 12 is a computing device that controls various processes and operations in the in-vehicle device 10, and is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In other words, the control unit 12 is realized by a processor that performs arithmetic processing. The processor reads programs and data from auxiliary storage devices (storage) into main memory (memory) and executes various processes accordingly.

[0056] The control unit 12 may have functions to communicate wirelessly with the user terminal 20 and the candidate terminal 30, to authenticate the user terminal 20 and the candidate terminal 30, and to lock and unlock the vehicle's electronic lock based on the authentication result. For example, the management device 50, which has sent a reservation completion notification to the user terminal 20, may send user information and reservation information to the in-vehicle device 10 so that the in-vehicle device 10 can recognize the user terminal 20, and the in-vehicle device 10 can authenticate the user terminal 20 so that the user can board the vehicle. For example, as an authentication device, a device capable of NFC communication may be used to read the user's ID information from the user terminal 20, access the management device 50 from the in-vehicle device 10 to obtain the vehicle's reservation information and user information, and perform user authentication of the user who will board the vehicle. The user may then tap the unlock button displayed on the user terminal 20 to unlock the vehicle's doors, take the key from the vehicle's key box, and be able to drive the vehicle. After arriving at the destination, the user may tap the lock button displayed on the user terminal 20 to lock the vehicle. Alternatively, the management device 50, upon receiving acceptance of the transfer request from the transfer candidate terminal 30, may transmit transfer candidate information and transfer decision information to the in-vehicle device 10 via the transfer confirmation unit 412 described later, thereby enabling the in-vehicle device 10 to recognize the transfer candidate terminal 30. The in-vehicle device 10 may then authenticate the transfer candidate terminal 30, allowing the transfer candidate to board the vehicle. For example, an authentication device capable of NFC communication may be used to read the transfer candidate's ID information from the transfer candidate terminal 30, access the management device 50 from the in-vehicle device 10 to obtain the transfer candidate information and transfer decision information, and perform transfer candidate authentication for the transfer candidate boarding the vehicle. The transfer candidate may then tap the unlock button displayed on the transfer candidate terminal 30 to unlock the vehicle's doors, take the key from the vehicle's key box, and drive the vehicle. After arriving at the transfer destination, the transfer candidate may tap the lock button displayed on the transfer candidate terminal 30 to lock the vehicle.

[0057] The memory unit 13 is a means for storing information and is composed of a main memory device such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory) and an auxiliary memory device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various programs or data executed by the control unit 12.

[0058] Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 10 may be configured to perform a navigation function, for example. That is, the in-vehicle device 10 may function as a navigation device for guiding the vehicle on a route from its current location to its destination. The in-vehicle device 10 may also read vehicle location information, which includes location information detected by a location information detection unit such as GPS (Global Positioning System) and vehicle information (vehicle type, vehicle number, etc.), stored in the storage unit 13, from the storage unit 13 and periodically transmit it to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. That is, the management device 50 may track and monitor the vehicle's current location based on the vehicle location information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 10. In addition, when a user starts using the vehicle, ends using the vehicle, or when a candidate for vehicle transfer starts or ends a transfer, information related to the use or transfer (vehicle information, start of use information, end of use information, start of transfer information, end of transfer information, etc.) may be transmitted to the management device 50 via the communication unit 11 by pressing the vehicle's operation unit (switch, etc.). Furthermore, the management device 50 may determine the start and end of vehicle use or transport based on vehicle location information and information regarding use and transport transmitted from the in-vehicle device 10.

[0059] The user terminal 20 is a terminal device used by the user and is used for user registration with the car-sharing system 1, vehicle usage reservations, vehicle usage, etc. The user terminal 20 is composed of a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, an input unit 24, a display unit (output unit) 25, etc.

[0060] The communication unit 21 is a communication interface for connecting the user terminal 20 to the communication network N. The communication unit 21 connects to the communication network N using, for example, a mobile communication service (cellular network) such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), or a wireless communication network such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and communicates with the management device 50 through the communication network N.

[0061] The control unit 22 is a computing device that controls various processes and operations in the user terminal 20, and is composed of a processor such as a CPU or DSP. In other words, the control unit 22 is realized by a processor that performs arithmetic processing. The processor reads programs and data from auxiliary storage devices (storage) into main memory (memory) and executes various processes accordingly.

[0062] The control unit 22 includes a receiving unit, a transmitting unit, and a processing unit. The receiving unit can receive various information provided by the management device 50 via the communication unit 21. The transmitting unit can transmit various information entered by the user using the input unit 24 to the management device 50 via the communication unit 21. The processing unit controls the entire user terminal 20. For example, the processing unit can output and display various information from the management device 50 received by the receiving unit and various information transmitted by the transmitting unit to the display unit 25. It can also implement functions such as presenting user registration application items and usage reservation application items to the user, accepting input such as user registration applications, vehicle usage reservations, and reservation cancellations / changes, and transmitting user registration applications, usage reservations, and reservation cancellations to the management device 50.

[0063] The storage unit 23 is composed of a main memory and an auxiliary memory, and stores various programs, data, etc., that are executed by the control unit 22. The main memory is a storage device used as a recording area for loading programs stored in the auxiliary storage device, or as a buffer for temporarily storing calculation results from the control unit 22, etc. The auxiliary storage device stores the program to be executed by the control unit 22 and the data used by the control unit 22 when executing the program.

[0064] The input unit 24 is a means for receiving input operations performed by the user, and is, for example, a touch panel, joystick, microphone, keyboard, mouse, or other device placed on a display screen that allows input by the user's fingers, or a microphone that allows input by the user's voice. The display unit (output unit) 25 is a means of presenting or notifying the user of information, and is, for example, a display (liquid crystal display, organic EL display), a speaker, etc. The input / output section 24 and the display section 25 may also be used as, for example, a touch panel display.

[0065] User terminals 20 include, for example, smartphones, mobile phones, personal computers, personal information terminals, wearable devices (smartwatches, head-mounted displays, smart glasses, etc.), and tablet terminals. Functions such as user registration applications, vehicle reservation applications, and vehicle usage on user terminals 20 are implemented, for example, by a web browser running on user terminal 20 or by application programs installed on user terminal 20. Furthermore, if the user terminal 20 is equipped with a GPS function, its location information can also be notified to the management device 50 via wireless communication. That is, the user location information, which includes the location information of the user terminal 20 detected by a location information detection unit such as GPS and user registration information, and is stored in the storage unit 23, may be read from the storage unit 23 and transmitted to the management device 50 via the communication unit 21.

[0066] The vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 is a terminal device used by vehicle transfer candidates. It is used for registering vehicle transfer candidates with the car sharing system 1, receiving transfer notification notices, transfer request notices, transferor selection notices, etc., sending responses to transfer requests and acceptance of transfers, and boarding the vehicle being transferred. Like the user terminal 20, the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 is composed of a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, a storage unit 33, an input unit 34, a display unit 35, etc. The configuration of the communication unit 31, storage unit 33, input unit 34, and display unit 35 is basically the same as the configuration of the communication unit 21, storage unit 23, input / output unit 24, and display unit 25 of the user terminal 20, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. Furthermore, the control unit 32, like the user terminal 20, also has a receiving unit, a transmitting unit, and a processing unit. The receiving unit can receive various information provided by the management device 50 via the communication unit 31. The transmission unit can transmit various information entered by the user using the input unit 34 to the management device 50 via the communication unit 31. The processing unit controls the entire user terminal 30. For example, the processing unit can output and display various information from the management device 50 received by the receiving unit and various information transmitted by the transmitting unit to the display unit 35. It also implements functions such as presenting transfer candidate registration items, transfer notices, transfer request notifications, transferor determination notifications, transfer request response items, and transfer acceptance / rejection response items to transfer candidates, as well as functions to accept input such as transfer candidate registration, transfer request responses, transfer acceptance / rejection responses, and transfer cancellations, and functions to transmit transfer candidate registration, transfer request responses, transfer acceptance / rejection responses, and transfer cancellations to the management device 50.

[0067] Furthermore, the candidate terminal 30 for vehicle transfer, like the user terminal 20, can be, for example, a smartphone, mobile phone, personal computer, personal information terminal, wearable computer (smartwatch, etc.), or tablet terminal. Functions such as registering a candidate for vehicle transfer, receiving transfer request notifications, transfer notices, and transferor selection notifications on the candidate terminal 30, sending responses to transfer requests and responses regarding acceptance or rejection of transfers, and boarding the vehicle for transfer are implemented, for example, by a web browser running on the candidate terminal 30 or an application program installed on the candidate terminal 30. Furthermore, if the candidate terminal 30 is equipped with a GPS function, its location information can also be notified to the management device 50 via wireless communication. That is, the candidate location information, which includes the location information of the candidate terminal 30 detected by the GPS or other location information detection unit and the candidate registration information, is stored in the storage unit 33. This candidate location information is then read from the storage unit 33 and transmitted to the management device 50 via the communication unit 31. Furthermore, the user terminal 20 and the candidate vehicle transport terminal 30 may also function as navigation devices to guide the user and candidate vehicle transport along their respective routes. Map information may be stored in advance in a ROM or similar device provided in the user terminal 20 and the candidate vehicle transport terminal 30. The display units 25 and 35 may then display the map information along with the current location of the user or candidate vehicle transport and the destination set by the user or candidate vehicle transport, guiding the user or candidate vehicle along their route from their current location to their destination.

[0068] The management device 50 performs the necessary processes for providing car-sharing services, such as managing the lending and return of vehicles to users, managing vehicle dispatch and transportation, requesting vehicle transportation (movement) from transportation candidates, managing the provision of incentives to transportation candidates, registering users, registering transportation candidates, accepting vehicle reservations, confirming vehicle returns, and processing payments to users, and centrally manages information related to these processes.

[0069] The management device 50 functions as a server and can be configured using a general-purpose computer. Its hardware resources include, for example, a control unit 52 including a processor such as a CPU or GPU, a storage unit 53 including main memory such as RAM or ROM, auxiliary storage devices such as EPROM, a hard disk drive, and removable media (such as USB memory, CDs, DVDs, and other disk recording media), and a communication unit 51 (communication module). These are connected via a system bus.

[0070] The communication unit 51 is a communication interface (communication means) for connecting the management device 50 to the communication network N. For example, it connects to the communication network N via LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), 5G, LTE, etc., and communicates with the in-vehicle device 10, user terminal 20, and delivery candidate terminal 30 through the communication network N. The communication unit 51 is implemented by, for example, a NIC.

[0071] The control unit 52 is composed of a processor such as a CPU and is responsible for controlling various processes and operations performed by the management device 50. For example, it implements functions such as user registration acceptance, vehicle transfer candidate registration acceptance, vehicle reservation acceptance, demand forecast information generation, vehicle dispatch / transfer plan information generation, vehicle transfer candidate selection, incentive setting, and receiving / transmitting (notification) functions. These functions (modules) are realized by the CPU or other processor executing programs stored in the memory unit 53 (ROM, etc.). Some or all of these functions (modules) may be realized by hardware circuits such as integrated circuits like ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). The car-sharing system 1 is managed and operated by the various functions implemented by the control unit 52 of the management device 50.

[0072] The memory unit 53 is a means for storing information and consists of main memory devices such as RAM and ROM, and auxiliary memory devices such as EPROM, hard disk drives, and removable media. Various programs and data executed by the control unit 52 are stored in it. For example, user information, delivery candidate information, reservation information, demand forecast information, dispatch plan information, delivery plan information, delivery candidate selection information, delivery request information, delivery decision information, delivery request response information, delivery performance information, incentive information, etc. are stored in it. The main memory is a recording device that has the function of storing data that can be read by the processor, and is composed of semiconductor memory such as ROM and RAM. The auxiliary storage device is a recording device that has the function of storing data that can be read by the processor, and is composed of disk recording media such as EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or removable media (portable recording media) such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The programs stored in the auxiliary storage device may include application programs and tables in addition to the operating system (OS).

[0073] The management device 50 may be configured to implement a web server for interacting with the user terminal 20 and the candidate terminal 30, or it may be configured to implement an Application Programming Interface (API) that interacts with application programs installed on the user terminal 20 and the candidate terminal 30 using a predetermined protocol. Furthermore, the management device 50 may be a computer that implements each function through the cooperation of software for implementing the above functions in the control unit 52 and the hardware described above, or it may not be limited to being implemented by a computer, but may be implemented by a cloud system.

[0074] Here, we will explain the process for registering as a user (user member registration) in order to use a vehicle in a car-sharing service. When a user registers, the user terminal 20 displays the member site or app on the display unit 25, and when the user performs an input operation via the input unit 24, an instruction signal corresponding to the input operation is generated and transmitted to the control unit 22 via the bus, and the processing unit of the control unit 22 performs a predetermined operation according to the instruction signal. That is, when a user who wishes to register performs an input operation via the input unit 24, the user registration application items that constitute user registration information (e.g., name, age / date of birth, gender, address, contact information (email address, telephone number, etc.), payment method, license number, etc.) are displayed on the display unit 25. The user registration information entered through the input operation via the input unit 24 (e.g., name, age / date of birth, gender, address, contact information (email address, telephone number, etc.), payment method, license number, etc.) is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. The user registration information entered through the input operation via the input unit 24 is stored in the storage unit 23, and when transmitting, the stored user registration information is read by a transmission operation such as a touch switch, and that user registration information is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. When user registration information is transmitted, or when the user terminal 20 receives a user registration completion notification from the management device 50 via the receiving unit, the user registration completion notification is displayed on the display unit 25 to inform the user that user registration is complete.

[0075] As shown in Figure 3(a), the management device 50 uses the user registration reception unit 121 of the control unit 52 to process user registration procedures from the user terminal 20. Specifically, when user registration information is received from the user terminal 20 via the communication network N through the receiving unit 151, the user registration information (e.g., name, age / date of birth, gender, address, contact information (email address, telephone number, etc.), payment method, etc.) is compiled into a database and sequentially written to the storage unit 53 for storage. If necessary, a user registration completion notification is sent to the user terminal 20 via the transmitting unit 152.

[0076] When the user registration receiving unit 121 receives user registration information from the user terminal 20 via the receiving unit 151, it stores the received user registration information from the user terminal 20 in the user information database 131 held in the storage unit 53. If necessary, it sends a user registration completion notification to the user terminal 20 via the transmission unit 152. This completes the user registration process. The user information database 131 stores user registration information, which is the content of user registration items entered on the user terminal 20, along with identification information (user ID) that identifies the user. In other words, the user information database contains items related to the user, such as user ID (Identifier), name, age / date of birth, gender, home address (which may be converted into location information codes or longitude / latitude), telephone number, email address, payment method, and workplace / school (which may be converted into location information codes or longitude / latitude).

[0077] Next, we will explain the process for registering as a vehicle transport partner (individual) who will transport vehicles. When registering as a vehicle transport candidate, that is, when applying to transport a vehicle, the transport candidate terminal 30 displays a member site or app on the display unit 35 and performs an input operation via the input unit 34. An instruction signal corresponding to the input operation is generated and transmitted to the control unit 32 via the bus, and the processing unit of the control unit 32 performs a predetermined operation according to the instruction signal. In other words, when a person wishing to register as a vehicle transport candidate performs an input operation via the input unit 34, the vehicle transport candidate registration application items, which constitute the vehicle transport candidate registration information, are displayed on the display unit 35. The vehicle transport candidate registration information entered through the input operation via the input unit 34 is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit.

[0078] In this embodiment, the vehicle delivery candidate registration items, which serve as vehicle delivery candidate registration information, include vehicle delivery candidate identification information (name, address, contact information (email address, telephone number), age / date of birth, gender, desired type of incentive (bank account information, etc.), identification document such as driver's license or My Number card, facial photograph, etc.) and vehicle delivery candidate attribute information (vehicle delivery candidate's availability, vehicle delivery candidate's motivation for vehicle delivery, area where vehicle delivery is possible, etc.). Hereinafter, this information entered for the registration items will be referred to as vehicle delivery candidate registration information.

[0079] The time leeway included in the attribute information for potential vehicles to be moved represents the possibility of vehicle movement for each day of the week and / or for each time slot (hour) of the day. For example, it is divided into 5 levels (5 being the highest probability of vehicle movement) and the corresponding numerical value (1 to 5) is entered. The motivation for transport included in the transport candidate attribute information is information about the level of motivation for transport. For example, it includes information such as how much time is required for transport to be highly motivating, whether having portable mobility options for getting to the transport location or returning after transport is highly motivating (for example, whether walking does not affect motivation, or whether having portable mobility options such as folding bikes, electric assist bikes, electric bikes (eBikes), or electric kick scooters increases motivation), whether sunny weather is highly motivating, and how much incentive is required for transport to be highly motivating. The motivation level for these motivation factors (time required, means of getting to and from the transport location, incentives, weather, etc.) is divided into 5 levels (5 being the highest level of motivation), and the input is a numerical value (1-5) on a 5-point scale.

[0080] Here, incentives refer to compensation for vehicle delivery and may include cash, gift certificates, discount coupons, reward coupons, points (points usable for purchasing other services or products, or points from external point services), or the rental of portable mobility devices such as folding bicycles, electric-assist bicycles, electric bicycles (eBikes), and electric scooters. If the portable mobility device is, for example, an electric-assist bicycle, electric bicycle (eBike), or electric scooter, and the vehicle is an electric vehicle, charging can also be done in the vehicle, making it highly convenient for the vehicle delivery candidate. For vehicle delivery candidates who have requested the rental of portable mobility devices or similar items as an incentive when registering, arrangements for mailing or delivery may be made to mail or deliver the portable mobility devices or similar items provided as an incentive to the vehicle delivery candidate's home or other designated location. Alternatively, as will be described later, after the first delivery is completed, the delivery completion reception unit 611 in the management device 50 may receive delivery completion information transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal 30 or the in-vehicle device 10, and then transmit unlock information to the delivery candidate terminal 30 to unlock the portable mobility device installed in the delivery vehicle, thereby providing the delivery candidate with the portable mobility device as an incentive.

[0081] In this embodiment, the incentive system employs dynamic pricing (variable pricing) that adjusts the incentive based on demand (high number of reservations, urgent delivery request) and supply (likelihood of delivery acceptance), taking into account factors such as the delivery request date relative to the delivery date and the number of vehicle reservation applications, as described later. Specifically, if there is an urgent delivery request on the day, many reservations, or it is difficult to find a delivery candidate who will accept the delivery due to rainy weather, a larger incentive is offered to the delivery candidate. Furthermore, the artificial intelligence (machine learning) unit may learn which incentive resulted in the highest request completion (delivery acceptance) for each delivery candidate, and calculate a more effective incentive for each delivery candidate. In addition, based on each delivery candidate's delivery record, the incentive may be adjusted so that the higher the delivery acceptance rate and the number of delivery acceptances, the larger the incentive. In other words, the incentive may be adjusted according to the attributes and delivery record of the delivery candidate. This increases the probability of request completion (delivery acceptance) and improves the certainty of delivery. In other words, by adjusting incentives, it becomes possible to increase the motivation of candidates for vehicle transfers and increase the probability of successful transfer requests (acceptance of transfers) even for urgent requests. A higher probability of successful transfers improves vehicle utilization rates and eliminates the opportunity loss of being unable to lend vehicles to users who have made reservation requests due to unavailability. This means that users who previously missed out on opportunities to use the service because there were no vehicles available at the vehicle rental location can now use vehicles, enabling the provision of a more convenient car-sharing service to users.

[0082] Furthermore, the transfer candidate attribute information includes information on areas where the transfer candidate can handle transfers, and this information may be selected on a map displayed on the display unit 35 through input operations via the input unit. Alternatively, the acquisition of location information by the management device 50 may be permitted, and information indicating that transfer is possible based on the location information may be input.

[0083] In this embodiment, the information transmitted to the management device 50 at the time of registration also includes attribute information of the transport candidate, such as the amount of time available, motivation for transport, and the area in which transport is possible. Thus, the transport candidate inputs the transport candidate registration information, including the transport candidate attribute information, into the transport candidate registration information item displayed on the display unit 35 of the transport candidate terminal 30 and transmits it to the management system 50. The transport candidate registration information, including the transport candidate attribute information and transport candidate identification information, is input via an input operation via the input unit and stored in the storage unit 33. When transmitting, the stored transport candidate registration information is read out by a transmission operation such as a touch switch, and that transport candidate registration information is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit.

[0084] In the management device 50, as shown in Figure 3(b), the transfer candidate registration reception unit 122, which is the transfer candidate registration reception means of the control unit 52, processes the acceptance of transfer candidate registration procedures from the transfer candidate terminal 30. Specifically, when the transfer candidate registration information is received from the transfer candidate terminal 30 via the communication network N through the receiving unit 151, it is converted into a database and sequentially written to the storage unit 53 (transfer candidate information storage means) for storage (saving), and the transfer candidate registration information is reviewed. If it is determined that the review criteria are met, a transfer candidate registration completion notification is sent to the transfer candidate terminal 30 via the transmitting unit 152. The screening criteria include, for example, whether the name, address, date of birth, etc. entered on the identification document match, and whether the facial photograph is clear. If the forwarding candidate registration reception unit 122 determines that the screening criteria are not met, it sends a resubmission notice to the forwarding candidate terminal 30 via the transmission unit 152.

[0085] The vehicle transfer candidate registration reception unit 122, acting as a means for receiving registrations of vehicle transfer candidates, databases the vehicle transfer candidate registration information transmitted from the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30, sequentially writes it to the storage unit 53 (vehicle transfer candidate information storage means), and accepts registrations of vehicle transfer candidates. Specifically, when the transfer candidate registration receiving unit 122 receives transfer candidate registration information from the transfer candidate terminal 30 via the receiving unit 151, it stores the received transfer candidate registration information from the transfer candidate terminal 30 in the transfer candidate information database 132 held in the storage unit 53, and determines whether the screening criteria are met. If it determines that the screening criteria are met, it sends a transfer candidate registration completion notification to the transfer candidate terminal 30 via the transmission unit 152. This completes the transfer candidate registration process. On the other hand, if it determines that the screening criteria are not met, it sends a resubmission notification to the transfer candidate terminal 30.

[0086] Thus, the vehicle transfer candidate registration reception unit 122, which serves as a means for receiving vehicle transfer candidate registrations, accepts registration procedures from the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 via the communication network N. The vehicle delivery candidate information database 132 stores vehicle delivery candidate registration information along with identification information (vehicle delivery candidate ID) indicating the vehicle delivery candidate. The vehicle delivery candidate registration information includes, for example, vehicle delivery candidate identification information such as vehicle delivery candidate ID, name, age / date of birth, gender, address (which may be converted into location information code or longitude / latitude), telephone number, email address, identification document such as driver's license or My Number card, facial photograph, desired form of incentive (money, gift certificates, discount coupons, special coupons, points (points usable for purchasing other services or products, points from external point services), portable mobility rental, etc.), bank account, workplace / school (which may be converted into location information code or longitude / latitude), as well as vehicle delivery candidate attribute information such as time availability, motivation for vehicle delivery, and area where vehicle delivery is possible. In other words, the delivery candidate information database 132 contains information about delivery candidates, such as delivery candidate identification information including delivery candidate ID, name, age, gender, address, telephone number, email address, identification document, facial photograph, desired incentive type, and workplace / school, as well as delivery candidate attribute information including time availability, motivation for delivery, and area where delivery is possible. Furthermore, as will be described later, after delivery is completed, information such as response information after delivery completion (satisfaction with incentives) and delivery performance information (success rate of requests, information on incentives) is stored.

[0087] When the transfer candidate terminal 30 receives a transfer candidate registration completion notification from the management device 50 via the receiving unit, the transfer candidate registration completion notification is displayed on the display unit 35, notifying the transfer candidate that the transfer candidate registration is complete. As a result, the transfer candidate can then receive transfer request notifications from the management device 50. If a resubmission notification is received from the management device 50, the resubmission notification is displayed on the display unit 35, notifying the user of deficiencies in the registration information. The user then re-enters the deficiencies using an input operation via the input unit and sends the information to the management device 50, where the management device 50 processes the information in the same manner as described above, as shown in Figure 3(b).

[0088] Next, the processing that takes place before a vehicle reservation is made in the car-sharing system 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 12. The following processing procedure is executed by the control unit 52 of the management device 50. In the car-sharing system 1 of this embodiment, first, in step S10, when a predetermined timing prior to the delivery date (vehicle rental date) occurs (for example, more than one week before the delivery date), that is, when it is determined to be XX days before the delivery date, in step S11, the demand forecasting unit 111 of the management device 50, acting as a demand forecasting means, acquires reservation information data from the reservation information database 141, and more preferably acquires usage history information data 142 from the usage history information database 142. Based on these, it forecasts the future demand for vehicle use in the car-sharing system 1 and generates demand forecasting information (see Figure 16(a)).

[0089] The demand forecasting unit 111, acting as a demand forecasting tool, performs a process to generate demand forecasting information based on past reservation information and usage history information before a user makes a reservation for vehicle use. The demand forecasting unit 111 retrieves past and present reservation information from the reservation information database 141 held in the storage unit 53, and preferably further retrieves usage history information from the usage history information database 142, and based on this, forecasts future vehicle usage (vehicle rental) demand in the car sharing system 1.

[0090] The reservation information database 141 is a database that records vehicle usage reservations, and it records past and current reservation information. In other words, the reservation information database 141 manages past and current reservation information and stores past and current reservation information (departure point, destination point, start date and time of use, planned end date and time of use, etc.). The reservation information database 141 stored in the memory unit 53 records the reservation status of use from a certain departure point to a certain destination, corresponding to the date, day of the week, and time.

[0091] The usage history database 142 is a database that records the actual usage history of vehicles by users. In other words, the usage history database 142 manages past actual vehicle usage history information by users, and preferably stores usage record information (departure point, return point, rental date and time, return date and time) linked to the weather, temperature, surrounding event information, etc. In other words, the usage history information is a record of the vehicle usage status for past usage sections (departure point, return point) corresponding to the date, day of the week, and time, and preferably further recorded corresponding to the weather, temperature, surrounding event information, etc.

[0092] The demand forecasting unit 111 performs statistical processing on past reservation information and usage data, or uses machine learning by the artificial intelligence unit, and then inputs the day of the week, season, expected weather, expected temperature, and information on surrounding events in each location (e.g., sports competitions / matches, concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and the number of attendees) for future transfer dates. Based on this, it calculates (estimates) the number of vehicles that will travel from a certain departure point to a certain destination point at each time interval, and generates demand forecast information. For example, by using data mining methods such as machine learning (deep learning, RNN (Recurrent Neural Network), or LSTM (Long Short Term Memory)), it estimates the number of vehicles expected to be used at each location for each time period, and uses this as demand forecast information (travel demand data). Furthermore, forecast weather, forecast temperature, and information on nearby events may be obtained by coordinating with various servers that provide such web services and retrieving the information from them via the communication network N.

[0093] Demand forecast information includes the number of users (or vehicles) who wish to use a vehicle from a certain starting point to a certain destination, for each time period. In other words, demand forecast information is information estimated based on past booking history, representing travel demand for each time period between certain points. For example, it may be information that classifies the number of travels between certain points by time period, as shown in Figure 16(a).

[0094] The demand forecasting unit 111 first inputs the date on which vehicle rentals (transfers) are to be predicted, reads data such as the same month and day of the week as the day to be predicted from the reservation information database 141, and calculates the average number of vehicles traveling from a certain departure point to a certain destination point for each time period over the past few days, weeks, or months. The calculated value is set as the first forecast value. Next, it reads variable condition data for the day on which vehicle rentals are to be predicted from the usage history information database 142, for example, the weather, probability of precipitation, and temperature for the day to be predicted obtained from the weather forecast, and reads the correction rule to be applied from the correction rules pre-recorded in the correction rule file based on that variable condition data, for example, a rule calculated in advance by machine learning by the artificial intelligence unit that vehicle reservations increase on rainy days, snowy days, or days with low temperatures. Subsequently, it corrects the first forecast value based on the correction rule according to the variable condition data and estimates the number of vehicles traveling from a certain departure point to a certain destination point for each time period, thereby generating demand forecast information.

[0095] Past and present reservation information is obtained from the reservation information database 141, and usage history information is obtained from the usage history information database 142. Based on this, demand forecast information is generated through calculation processing and stored in the demand forecast information database 143, which is held in the storage unit 53. When demand forecast information is generated, a signal is sent to the transfer planning unit 112.

[0096] Once demand forecast information is generated in step S11, in step S12, the transport planning unit 112 of the management device 50 retrieves demand forecast information from the demand forecast information database 143, and transport plan information is created (generated) based on that demand forecast information (see Figure 16(b)).

[0097] The transfer planning unit 112, acting as a transfer planning means, first generates dispatch plan information based on demand forecast information, and then, based on that, adjusts the vehicle allocation to create transfer plan information that specifies which points to transfer vehicles to and from and at what time of day. The transfer planning unit 112 retrieves demand forecast information from the demand forecast information database 143 stored in the storage unit 53, and based on the demand forecast information of travel demand (departure point and destination of travel, start and end times of travel, etc.) predicted by the demand forecasting unit 111, it identifies travel demand that cannot be met with the current vehicle allocation, generates vehicle allocation plan information to meet that travel demand, and further generates transfer plan information based on that (information on where and when to transfer vehicles, i.e., the transfer section of the transfer start location / departure point and the transfer end location / destination point, as well as the transfer time). In other words, based on the vehicle usage demand (travel demand), it creates transfer plan information such as, for example, "Transfer XX vehicles from point A to point B between XX:XX and XX:XX" (see Figure 16(b)). The generated vehicle dispatch plan information and transfer plan information are stored in the transfer plan information database 144, which is held in the storage unit 53 (transfer plan information storage means). Furthermore, when transfer plan information is created, a signal is sent to the transfer candidate selection unit 113.

[0098] In step S12, once the transport plan information is created, in step S13, the transport candidate selection unit 113, acting as a transport candidate selection means, retrieves the transport plan information stored in the transport plan information database 144 and the transport candidate information stored in the transport candidate information database 132. Based on the transport candidate information and the transport plan information, multiple transport candidates are selected with priority, and the prioritized transport candidate selection information is generated.

[0099] The transfer candidate selection unit 113, acting as a means for selecting transfer candidates, performs a process to select transfer candidates based on transfer candidate information, including transfer candidate attribute information, obtained from the transfer candidate information database 132, and transfer plan information obtained from the transfer plan information database 144. The vehicle transfer candidate selection unit 113 retrieves vehicle transfer candidate information from the vehicle transfer candidate information database 132 held in the storage unit 53 (vehicle transfer candidate information storage means), and also retrieves vehicle transfer plan information from the vehicle transfer plan information database 143 held in the storage unit 53 (vehicle transfer plan information storage means). Based on the vehicle transfer candidate information and the vehicle transfer plan information, it performs a priority calculation process to select (extract) vehicle transfer candidates with a priority of a predetermined value or higher, and generates vehicle transfer candidate selection information with assigned priorities. The generated transfer candidate selection information is stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145, which is held in the storage unit 53 (transfer candidate selection information storage unit). In this embodiment, when the transfer candidate selection information is created, a signal is sent to the incentive setting unit 114.

[0100] Here, we will explain how priority is calculated. The priority calculation process reads the delivery candidate information, specifically the delivery candidate identification information and the associated delivery candidate attribute information, from the delivery candidate information database 132. The delivery candidate information database 132 contains delivery candidate information, including delivery candidate identification information and delivery candidate attribute information. For each delivery candidate, it stores delivery candidate registration information entered by the delivery candidate when they registered, past delivery request information, delivery completion response information entered by the delivery candidate after past deliveries, and delivery performance information. In this embodiment, the delivery candidate attribute information includes information on the delivery candidate's time availability, the delivery candidate's motivation for delivery, the likelihood of delivery being completed in response to a delivery request, the suitability for delivery, and the area where delivery is possible (see Figure 17(a)).

[0101] Time leeway information is calculated and stored in the transport candidate information database 132 based on information such as the registration information of the transport candidate and transport performance information. Specifically, when registering a vehicle transport candidate, the transport candidate inputs a numerical value (1 to 5) into the transport candidate terminal 30, indicating the likelihood of the transport candidate being able to respond to the transport request for each day of the week and / or time slot, for example, in five stages (5 being the highest likelihood of responding to the transport request). This information is then transmitted from the transport candidate terminal 30 to the management device 50 as transport candidate registration information, which is then compiled into a database by the transport candidate registration reception unit 122 of the management device 50 and stored in the storage unit 53. In other words, the transport candidate registration information, including time leeway information, is stored in the transport candidate information database 132 held in the storage unit 53. Furthermore, the past dates and days of the week for each transfer candidate, as well as the number of transfers per time slot, are stored as transfer performance information in the transfer candidate information database 132 and the transfer performance information database 133 for each transfer candidate, in association with the transfer candidate registration information. Then, a calculation unit (not shown) calculates and quantifies the time leeway for each delivery candidate, for each day of the week and / or time slot, based on the information obtained from the delivery candidate information database 132. The result is then re-stored in the delivery candidate information database 132 as time leeway information. Furthermore, when implementing the present invention, various historical information (log data) indicating the actions of the transport candidate may be obtained from the transport candidate terminal 30, for example, location history which is the transport candidate's location information and date and time history, and this may be converted into a five-level numerical value (1 to 5) through calculation processing and stored in a database as time leeway data.

[0102] Motivation information is calculated and stored in the candidate transfer information database 132 based on information provided when the candidate transfers are registered and their responses after the transfers are completed. Specifically, when registering a candidate for vehicle transport, the candidate's motivation level regarding the vehicle transport (time spent, means of transportation to and from the transport location, incentives, and weather) is divided into, for example, five levels (5 being the highest level of motivation), and the candidate inputs this numerical value (1-5) into the candidate transport terminal 30. This information is then transmitted from the candidate transport terminal 30 to the management device 50 as candidate transport registration information, which is then compiled into a database by the candidate transport registration reception unit 122 and stored in the storage unit 53. In other words, candidate transport registration information including motivation information is stored in the candidate transport information database 132 held in the storage unit 53. Furthermore, after the delivery is completed (after the delivery is finished), the satisfaction level of motivational factors (time spent, means of getting to and from the delivery location, incentives, etc.) is divided into, for example, five levels (5 being the highest level of satisfaction), and the delivery candidate inputs this numerical value (1-5) into the delivery candidate terminal 30. This information is transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal 30 to the management device 50 as response information after the delivery is completed, and is then compiled into a database by the response reception unit after the delivery is completed and stored in the delivery candidate information database 132, which is held in the storage unit 53 of the management device 50, in association with the delivery candidate registration information. Then, a calculation unit (not shown) calculates and quantifies the level of motivation for each motivation factor for each candidate for transport based on the information obtained from the candidate transport information database 132. The results are then stored again in the candidate transport information database 132 as motivation information. In implementing the present invention, the number of times and frequency of viewing the web browser or application program running on the candidate terminal 30 may also be used to calculate the motivation level. That is, browsing history information (log data) indicating the viewing of the web browser or application program by the candidate may be obtained from the candidate terminal 30, and this information may be converted into a numerical value (1 to 5) on a 5-point scale (5 being the highest viewing frequency) through calculation processing and stored in a database as motivation information.

[0103] The likelihood of a transfer request being fulfilled is calculated based on transferor selection information, transfer performance information, etc., and stored in the transfer candidate information database 132. As will be described later, the transferor determination information is stored in the transfer decision information database 148 held in the memory unit 53, and the transfer performance information is stored in the transfer performance information database 133 held in the memory unit 53. Then, a calculation unit (not shown) calculates the success rate of vehicle delivery in response to a delivery request (probability of successful delivery = total number of deliveries / total number of delivery requests × 100) for each delivery candidate, based on the vehicle delivery decision information obtained from the vehicle delivery decision information database 148 and the vehicle delivery performance information obtained from the vehicle delivery performance information database 133. These results are stored in the vehicle delivery candidate information database 132 as the success rate of vehicle delivery. For example, a high success rate of vehicle delivery is set to increase the priority when selecting a vehicle delivery candidate, while a low satisfaction level with incentives in the post-delivery response information and a low success rate of vehicle delivery requests are set to decrease the priority when selecting a vehicle delivery candidate.

[0104] The eligibility for forwarding is calculated based on forwarding personnel determination information, forwarding performance information, etc., and stored in the forwarding candidate information database 132. As will be described later, the transferor determination information is stored in the transfer decision information database 148 held in the memory unit 53, and the transfer performance information is stored in the transfer performance information database 133 held in the memory unit 53. Then, a calculation unit (not shown) performs calculations to rank each transport candidate based on the transporter selection information obtained from the transport decision information database 148 and the transport performance information obtained from the transport performance information database 133. This ranking is determined based on the following factors: the cancellation rate (number of transport cancellations relative to the number of transport requests accepted), the cancellation rate on the day of transport (in other words, the number of times a penalty was imposed due to a cancellation on the day of transport), the unauthorized cancellation rate (in other words, the number of times a penalty was imposed due to an unauthorized cancellation) for transports that were requested but not carried out without cancellation, the lateness rate of transports (the punctuality rate for transports made to the scheduled time included in the transport decision information relative to the total number of transports carried out; in other words, the number of times a penalty was imposed due to delays for transports that were not made to the scheduled time), and accident history and traffic violations during transports. The results are then stored in the transport candidate information database 132 as the suitability for transport (faithfulness of the transport candidate, ranking information, and evaluation information). For example, the lateness rate of a candidate for vehicle delivery who fails to strictly adhere to the delivery time (in other words, the punctuality rate of a candidate who can strictly adhere to the delivery time) is calculated by reading the scheduled delivery completion time (scheduled arrival time) and the actual arrival time (actual delivery completion time), which are from the vehicle delivery decision information, from the vehicle delivery person selection information. These are input into the calculation unit, where it is determined whether the vehicle arrived within the scheduled arrival time, and the result can be quantified as a percentage.

[0105] The areas where vehicle delivery is possible are calculated based on the registration information of the vehicle delivery candidates and the data on past delivery records, and stored in the vehicle delivery candidate information database 132.

[0106] The vehicle transport candidate selection unit 113, based on this vehicle transport candidate information and transport plan information, as well as the weather forecast and expected temperature on the day of transport, performs a priority calculation process using a calculation unit that includes an artificial intelligence unit to estimate which vehicle transport candidates have a high probability of being able to transport the vehicle, and generates vehicle transport candidate selection information with a priority assigned to them. In other words, the priority of the vehicle transport candidates is quantified, and vehicle transport candidate selection information is generated with a priority assigned to vehicle transport candidates with higher numerical values ​​so that transport requests are given priority (see Figure 17(b)). In this embodiment, the transfer candidate attribute information stored in the transfer candidate information database 132 is read as a factor for determining the priority of the transfer request, the priority of the transfer candidates is calculated, transfer candidates with a priority of a predetermined value or higher are selected, transfer candidate selection information with assigned priority is generated, and a transfer request is sent to the selected transfer candidates. The transfer candidate selection information, in which the transfer candidates selected with assigned priority are linked to the transfer plan information, is compiled into a database, and stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145, which is stored in the storage unit 53 (transfer candidate selection information storage unit).

[0107] According to this embodiment, by selecting transporters based on the attribute information of transport candidates, that is, by selecting transport candidates who are likely to be able to fulfill the transport request based on the transport candidate attribute information in relation to the transport plan information, the probability of the transport request being fulfilled can be increased and the certainty of transport execution can be increased. Furthermore, since the number of people to be transported is narrowed down, the processing load on the system is also reduced. As a result, the opportunity cost of not being able to lend a vehicle to a user who has made a reservation is eliminated, improving convenience for users in the car-sharing service and increasing the utilization rate of vehicles in the car-sharing service.

[0108] In this embodiment, once the delivery candidate selection information is generated in step S13, in step S14, the incentive setting unit 114, which acts as an incentive setting means, retrieves the delivery candidate information stored in the delivery candidate information database 132, and further retrieves the delivery candidate selection information stored in the delivery candidate selection information database 145. Based on this information and the delivery request date for the delivery implementation date, an incentive is set for each delivery candidate in the delivery candidate selection information.

[0109] The incentive setting unit 114 retrieves the transport candidate information stored in the transport candidate information database 132, and further retrieves the transport candidate selection information stored in the transport candidate selection information database 145. Based on this information and the transport request date relative to the transport implementation date (the period between the transport implementation date and the transport request date), it performs a process to set an incentive for transport implementation for each transport candidate listed in the transport candidate selection information.

[0110] Specifically, the incentive setting unit 114 retrieves the transport candidate selection information stored in the transport candidate selection information database 145 held in the storage unit 53, and the transport candidate information stored in the transport candidate information database 132 held in the storage unit 53, in particular the transport candidate identification information and the transport candidate attribute information associated therewith, which includes information related to incentives. Based on this information and the results of calculation processing corresponding to the transport request date for the transport implementation date, the incentive is set for each transport candidate.

[0111] Here, the incentive is determined based on information regarding the incentives for each candidate for vehicle transfer, and also based on the difference in the number of days between the date of transfer and the date of the transfer request. Information regarding each delivery candidate's incentives is entered into the delivery candidate terminal 30 when the delivery candidate registers for delivery, indicating whether they would like to borrow a portable mobility device such as an eBike as a means of transportation to the delivery departure point or to return from the delivery destination, or whether they would prefer to receive money, gift certificates, discount coupons, reward coupons, or points as compensation for the delivery. This information is then transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal 30 to the management device 50 and stored in the delivery candidate information database 132 of the management device 50 as information regarding the delivery candidate's incentives. Furthermore, as will be described later, the delivery candidate's satisfaction level with the incentives after completing the delivery is entered into the delivery candidate terminal 30 as response information after the delivery is completed, and this information is transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal 30 to the management device 50 and stored in the delivery candidate information database 132 of the management device 50 as information regarding the delivery candidate's incentives, associated with the delivery candidate registration information for each delivery candidate. Furthermore, as will be described later, information regarding incentives for transporters (transport candidates) among the transport performance information is stored in the transport candidate information database 132 of the management device 50, associated with transport candidate registration information and response information after the transport is completed for each transport candidate.

[0112] Based on this incentive information, for example, in the case of a candidate who lends out portable mobility devices such as eBikes, the incentive amount for each delivery may be kept low. If satisfaction with the incentive after a delivery is low and the success rate of deliveries decreases, the incentive may be increased. Alternatively, they may be given a lower priority when selecting delivery candidates. The incentive may be increased as the number of deliveries increases, or the incentive may be increased for deliveries requested immediately before the delivery. In short, the incentive is varied for each delivery candidate, and also based on demand (number of reservations and urgent delivery requests) and supply (likelihood of delivery acceptance). This makes it possible to increase the probability of requests being accepted and improve the certainty of deliveries. In other words, by varying the incentive, it is possible to increase the motivation of delivery candidates and increase the probability of requests being accepted, even for urgent deliveries. This will improve the utilization rate of vehicles and eliminate the opportunity loss of being unable to lend vehicles to users who have made reservation requests. In other words, it will enable users who previously missed out on opportunities to use a vehicle because there were no vehicles available at the vehicle rental location to use one, thereby providing users with a highly convenient car-sharing service.

[0113] Incentive options include money, gift certificates, discount coupons, reward coupons, or point accrual, and preferably include portable mobility devices that are lent to the transport candidate in advance, or portable mobility devices that are mounted on the transport vehicle and lent to the transport candidate after the transport has been completed. The incentive setting means that for transport candidates who have lent portable mobility devices, the incentive amount for one transport will be set to the amount minus the rental fee.

[0114] The incentive setting unit 114 then calculates and generates incentive information for each delivery candidate in advance, depending on the delivery request date relative to the delivery date. For example, it calculates incentives for cases where the request is made more than a week before the delivery date, one day before the delivery date, and on the day of delivery. In other words, it calculates the difference in the number of days between the delivery request date (system processing date) and the delivery date, setting a larger incentive if the difference is small, and a smaller incentive if the difference is large. The incentive information generated in this manner is stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145, which is held in the storage unit 53, in association with the transfer plan information and the transfer candidate selection information. That is, for each transfer candidate selected with priority assigned in association with the transfer plan information, incentive information set according to the transfer request date is created in the database and stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145 (see Figure 17(b)). In this embodiment, when the incentive information is set by the incentive setting unit 114 and stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145, a signal is sent to the transfer notification unit 115.

[0115] In this embodiment, once an incentive is set and incentive information is generated in step S14, in step S15, the transfer notice notification unit 115, acting as a transfer notice notification means, reads the transfer plan information stored in the transfer plan information database 144 and the transfer candidate selection information linked to the transfer plan information stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145, and sends the transfer plan information (provisional transfer request information) as a transfer notice to transfer candidates with a predetermined priority in the transfer candidate selection information (see Figure 18).

[0116] The transfer notification unit 115, acting as a transfer notification means, reads transfer plan information stored in the transfer plan information database 144 and transfer candidate selection information stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145, and based on these, processes to notify the transfer candidates listed in the transfer candidate selection information of the transfer plan information for which a transfer request is planned as a transfer notification.

[0117] Specifically, the transfer notification unit 115 reads the transfer plan information stored in the transfer plan information database 144 held in the storage unit 53, and also reads the transfer candidate selection information stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145 held in the storage unit 53, and based on these, transmits the transfer plan information as a transfer notification to the transfer candidate terminal 30 of the transfer candidate listed in the transfer candidate selection information via the transmission unit 152. From this point onward, the processing for vehicle usage reservations is completed on the management device 50 side.

[0118] Furthermore, when the candidate terminal 30 receives a transfer notice containing transfer plan information from the management device 50 via the receiving unit, the transfer notice is displayed on the display unit 35, and the candidate terminal is informed of the transfer plan information as a transfer notice. Thus, in this embodiment, by notifying potential transport candidates of the transport plan information as a transport notice in advance, before the user makes a vehicle usage reservation, transport candidates can more easily adjust their own schedules, increasing the likelihood that the transport request after a reservation will be accepted and improving the certainty of the transport.

[0119] Next, we will explain the process that takes place after a vehicle reservation is made in car-sharing system 1. First, let's explain the process when a user reserves a vehicle. When a user reserves the use of a vehicle, the user displays a member site or app on the display unit 25 of the user terminal 20 and performs an input operation via the input unit 24. An instruction signal corresponding to the input operation is generated and transmitted to the control unit 22 via the bus, and the processing unit of the control unit 22 performs a predetermined operation according to the instruction signal. That is, when the user performs an input operation via the input unit 24, reservation application items that constitute the reservation information (for example, user identification information, departure point (start location of use, rental location), destination point (return location), start date and time of use, scheduled return date and time (end date and time of use), etc.) are displayed on the display unit 25. The reservation information entered through the input operation via the input unit 24 is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. The reservation information entered through the input operation via the input unit 24 is stored in the storage unit 23, and when transmitting, the stored reservation information is read by a transmission operation such as a touch switch, and that reservation information is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. In other words, in the car-sharing system 1 of this embodiment, a user who wants to use a vehicle displays a member site or app on the user terminal 20, inputs reservation information such as the departure point, destination, start date and time of use, and scheduled return date and time, and transmits it to the management device 50.

[0120] In addition, when making a reservation request at this time, the location information of the user terminal 20 is transmitted to the management device 50 when the user inputs the departure point (starting point, rental location) and destination point (return location). The user terminal 20 may then display, for example, map information showing the current location of the user terminal 20 and nearby rental and return locations (bases, stations) on the display unit 25, allowing the user to select a displayed location. Furthermore, when the user terminal 20 transmits reservation information to the management device 50, or when the user terminal 20 receives a user reservation completion notification from the management device 50 via the receiving unit, a user registration reservation completion notification is displayed on the display unit 25 to inform the user that the reservation is complete.

[0121] Next, the processing performed by the management device 50 when a vehicle reservation is made from the user terminal 20 will be explained with reference to Figures 6, 7, and 13. The following processing procedure is executed by the control unit 52 of the management device 50. In step S21, the management device 50 determines whether or not a vehicle reservation has been made from the user terminal 20. If it is determined that a reservation has been made from the user terminal 20, the reservation acceptance unit 211 processes the acceptance of the reservation from the user terminal 20 in step S22. When reservation information is received from the user terminal 20 via the communication network N through the receiving unit 151, the reservation acceptance unit 211 databases the reservation information from the user terminal 20 and sequentially writes it to the storage unit 53 (reservation information storage means) for storage (storage), and also sends a reservation acceptance signal to the transfer plan update unit 212, which is an update means. If it is determined in step S22 that there are no vehicle reservations from the user terminal 20, the system waits in step S22.

[0122] The reservation acceptance unit 211 processes the reservation information transmitted from the user terminal 20 into a database and sequentially writes it to the reservation information database 141 stored in the storage unit 53 (reservation information storage means), thereby accepting reservations from the user terminal 20. Specifically, when the reservation acceptance unit 211 receives reservation information from the user terminal 20 via the communication network N through the receiving unit 151, it stores the received reservation information from the user terminal 20 in the reservation information database 141 held in the storage unit 53. Then, when the reservation acceptance unit 211 accepts a reservation, it sends the signal to the transfer plan update unit 212, which acts as an update means.

[0123] When a reservation is accepted in step S22, in step S23, the vehicle transfer plan update unit 212, which acts as an update means, retrieves vehicle dispatch plan information and vehicle transfer plan information from the vehicle transfer plan information database 144, and also retrieves current reservation information from the reservation information database 141. Based on this information, it is determined whether or not there is a vehicle available at the reserved departure location, that is, whether or not vehicle transfer is necessary (the necessity of vehicle transfer is determined). If it is determined that there is a vehicle available at the departure location at the reserved start date and time and that vehicle transfer is unnecessary, a signal is sent to the vehicle rental confirmation unit 220. If it is determined in step S22 that a vehicle does not need to be transported, in step S51, the vehicle identification unit 220 retrieves vehicle dispatch plan information and transport plan information from the transport plan information database 144, and also retrieves current reservation information from the reservation information database 141. Based on this information, the vehicle to be transported is identified, and the vehicle information, reservation information, and user information are stored in the reservation confirmation information database (not shown) held in the storage unit 53. At the same time, the reservation information and user information are transmitted to the on-board device 10 of the vehicle to which the vehicle was transported. The vehicle information may also be transmitted to the user terminal 20 that made the vehicle reservation. By transmitting the reservation information and user information to the on-board device 10, and the vehicle information to the user terminal 20, the on-board device 10 is made able to recognize the user terminal 20, and once the on-board device 10 authenticates the user terminal 20, the user can board the vehicle.

[0124] On the other hand, if in step S23 it is determined that there are no vehicles available at the departure point at the reserved start date and time and therefore a vehicle needs to be moved, then in step S24 it is determined whether or not the vehicle dispatch plan information and the vehicle move plan information need to be modified. If in step S24 it is determined that no modification of the vehicle dispatch plan information and the vehicle move plan information is necessary, that signal is sent to the vehicle move request unit 213, which is used as a vehicle move request means. If it is determined that modification of the vehicle dispatch plan information and the vehicle move plan information is necessary, then in step S25 the vehicle dispatch plan information and the vehicle move plan information are modified (regenerated).

[0125] As an update mechanism, the vehicle transfer plan update unit 212 obtains vehicle dispatch plan information and vehicle transfer plan information from the vehicle transfer plan information database 144, and also obtains reservation information from the reservation information database 141. Based on this information, it determines whether vehicle transfer is necessary. If it is determined that a vehicle is available at the reserved vehicle lending point (departure point) and there is no need for vehicle transfer, it sends a signal to the vehicle lending confirmation unit 220. If it is determined that vehicle transfer is necessary, it further determines whether it is necessary to modify the vehicle dispatch plan information and vehicle transfer plan information. If it is determined that no modification is necessary, it sends a signal to the vehicle transfer request unit 213. If it is determined that modification is necessary, it performs a process to regenerate (update) the vehicle dispatch plan information and vehicle transfer plan information.

[0126] The transfer plan update unit 212 determines that the reservation information is a reservation that was predicted by the demand forecast unit 111 (a reservation that matches the demand forecast information generated by the demand forecast unit 111), and that the reservation information (usage section and usage date and time, i.e., departure point (start location, rental location), destination point (return location), start date and time of use, and scheduled return date and time (end date and time of use)) corresponds to the dispatch plan information and transfer plan information, and that no modification of the dispatch plan information and transfer plan information is necessary, and sends that signal to the transfer request unit 215. On the other hand, if a reservation is made that was not predicted by the demand forecasting unit 111 (a reservation is made that differs from the demand forecasting information generated by the demand forecasting unit 111), and it is determined that the reservation information does not correspond to the dispatch plan information and the return trip plan information, and that the dispatch plan information and the return trip plan information need to be corrected, the dispatch plan information and the return trip plan information are rewritten (updated, i.e., regenerated) based on the reservation information, and the rewritten (updated, i.e., regenerated) dispatch plan information and the return trip plan information are re-stored in the return trip plan information database 144 held in the storage unit 53. In addition, a signal indicating that the return trip plan information has been corrected is sent to the return trip candidate selection unit 113.

[0127] In step S25, when the transport plan information is regenerated (modified, updated), in step S26, the transport candidate selection unit 113 retrieves the regenerated transport plan information stored in the transport plan information database 144 held in the storage unit 53, retrieves the transport candidate information stored in the transport candidate information database 132 held in the storage unit 53, and further retrieves the transport candidate selection information stored in the transport candidate selection information database 145 held in the storage unit 53. Based on the transport candidate information and the regenerated transport plan information, transport candidates are selected with priority assigned using the same procedure as described above, and the prioritized transport candidate selection information is rewritten (modified, i.e., regenerated). The regenerated delivery candidate selection information is stored again in the delivery candidate selection information database 145 held in the storage unit 53. At this time, the regenerated delivery candidate selection information is database-created, with the selected delivery candidates assigned priorities linked to the delivery plan information, and then stored again in the delivery candidate information database 145. In this embodiment, when the delivery candidate selection information is regenerated, a signal is sent to the incentive setting unit 114.

[0128] In step S26, when the delivery candidate selection information is regenerated, in step S27, the incentive setting unit 114 retrieves the delivery candidate information stored in the delivery candidate information database 132 held in the storage unit 53, and also retrieves the regenerated delivery candidate selection information stored in the delivery candidate selection information database 145 held in the storage unit 53. Using the same procedure as described above, the incentive information for each delivery candidate in the delivery candidate selection information is rewritten (corrected, i.e., regenerated) based on this information and the calculated period for the delivery request date relative to the delivery implementation date. The regenerated (corrected) incentive information is re-stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145, which is held in the storage unit 53, in association with the transfer plan information and the transfer candidate selection information. That is, for each transfer candidate selected with priority assigned in association with the transfer plan information, the incentive information set according to the transfer request date is created in a database and re-stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145. In this embodiment, when the incentive information is regenerated by the incentive setting unit 114 and re-stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145, a signal is sent to the transfer request unit 213, which acts as a transfer request means.

[0129] In step S24, if the vehicle dispatch plan update unit 212 determines that no correction is needed to the vehicle dispatch plan information and the vehicle dispatch plan information, and in step S27, if the incentive information is regenerated, in step S29, the vehicle dispatch request unit 213, acting as a vehicle dispatch request means, reads the vehicle dispatch plan information (or the regenerated vehicle dispatch plan information if regenerated) stored in the vehicle dispatch plan information database 144, and also reads the vehicle dispatch candidate selection information (or the regenerated vehicle dispatch candidate selection information if regenerated) and the associated incentive information (or the regenerated incentive information if regenerated) stored in the vehicle dispatch candidate selection information database 145. Based on these, the vehicle dispatch plan information is used as vehicle dispatch request information, and a vehicle dispatch request notification containing the vehicle dispatch request information and incentive information is sent via the transmission unit 152 to the vehicle dispatch candidate with a predetermined priority in the vehicle dispatch candidate selection information, thereby making a vehicle dispatch request.

[0130] The vehicle transfer request unit 213, acting as a vehicle transfer request means, reads the vehicle transfer plan information stored in the vehicle transfer plan information database 144, and also reads the vehicle transfer candidate selection information and incentive information stored in the vehicle transfer candidate selection information database 145. Based on these, it performs the process of sending a vehicle transfer request notification containing the vehicle transfer plan information and incentive information as vehicle transfer request information to the selected vehicle transfer candidate in the vehicle transfer candidate selection information.

[0131] Specifically, the vehicle transfer request unit 213 reads the vehicle transfer plan information stored in the vehicle transfer plan information database 144 held in the storage unit 53, and also reads the vehicle transfer candidate selection information stored in the vehicle transfer candidate selection information database 145 held in the storage unit 53. Based on these, it converts the vehicle transfer plan information into vehicle transfer request information (e.g., "Transfer a vehicle from point A to point B on XX:XX-YY:YY on XX / XX"), and transmits the vehicle transfer request information and incentive information to the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 of the selected vehicle transfer candidate listed in the vehicle transfer candidate selection information via the transmission unit 152 (see Figure 18). Furthermore, the vehicle transfer candidate who sent the vehicle transfer request, the vehicle transfer request information, and the vehicle transfer candidate's incentive information are combined into the initial vehicle transfer request notification information and stored in the vehicle transfer request notification information database 146 held in the storage unit 53 (corresponding to the incentive storage means).

[0132] At this time, the transfer request unit 215 determines the number of people to notify based on the transfer request date, whether to send transfer requests to several transfer candidates with the highest priority in the transfer candidate selection information, or to several or more than ten transfer candidates with high priority, and sends transfer request notifications to those selected in order of priority. In other words, depending on the transfer request date relative to the transfer implementation date, for example, if the transfer request date is one day or more before the transfer implementation date, the transfer request is notified to several or more than ten people, and as described later, the transfer candidate who sends a response of "acceptable" (◎ or ○) the earliest is selected as the transferor. This makes it possible to secure people who are willing to transfer while keeping incentives low, increasing the likelihood of the transfer being completed and increasing the certainty of the transfer. If the transfer request date is the day of the transfer, the transfer request is notified to several transfer candidates with high priority, and as described later, the transfer candidate who sends a response of "acceptable" (◎ or ○) the earliest is selected as the transferor. This makes it possible to increase the likelihood of successful delivery and improve the certainty of delivery while reducing the load on system processing. In particular, if the delivery request date is the day of delivery, the system may obtain the current location information via GPS from the delivery candidate terminal 30 of the selected delivery candidate listed in the delivery candidate selection information, identify the delivery candidate who is close to the delivery location (vehicle to be delivered), and notify several of those delivery candidates of the delivery request.

[0133] Furthermore, the vehicle transfer request unit 215 may obtain reservation information from the reservation information database 141, identify the user who used the vehicle immediately before the transfer, and if there is a user who used the vehicle immediately before the transfer (registered separately as a vehicle transfer candidate from user registration) among the selected vehicle transfer candidates in the vehicle transfer candidate selection information, the unit may exclude that user and send a vehicle transfer request notification to the other vehicle transfer candidates. This makes it possible to increase the likelihood of the transfer being completed and to increase the certainty of the transfer while reducing the load on the system processing.

[0134] Next, we will explain the process when a candidate for transfer receives a transfer request notification. When the candidate terminal 30 receives a transfer request notification from the management device 50, including transfer request information and incentive information, via the receiving unit through the communication network N, an input operation via the input unit 34 generates an instruction signal corresponding to the input operation, which is transmitted to the control unit 32 via the bus, and the processing unit of the control unit 32 performs a predetermined operation according to the instruction signal. In other words, when a transfer request notification containing transfer request information and incentive information is received from the management device 50, the device is notified that a transfer request has been made, and by inputting via the input unit 34, the transfer request information (e.g., "Transfer a vehicle from point A to point B on XX:XX-YY:YY on XX / XX") and incentive information are displayed on the display unit 35 of the transfer candidate terminal 30 along with the transfer request response items (see Figure 18). For example, the options for the delivery request response are: delivery possible (◎), delivery possible with conditions for incentive change (〇), and delivery not possible (×). If delivery is possible with conditions (〇), the conditions (reasons) are also entered via the input unit, and the delivery request information, incentive information, and the content of the response thereto (hereinafter collectively referred to as delivery request response information) are displayed on the display unit 35. In this embodiment, "conditional delivery (○)" means providing an option to allow delivery (○) on the condition that, for example, an increased incentive is offered or that a portable mobility device such as an eBike is provided on the return trip. By providing such an option, the likelihood of delivery being completed is increased, and the certainty of delivery is enhanced. (See Figure 18) The forwarding request response information entered in this way is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. The forwarding request response information is entered through an input operation via the input unit and stored in the storage unit 33. When transmitting, the stored forwarding request response information is read out by a transmission operation such as a touch switch, and that forwarding request response information is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. In addition, forwarding request response items are also stored in the storage unit 33 in advance, and when a forwarding request notification is received, the stored forwarding request items are read out by an input operation via the input unit and displayed on the display unit 35 along with the forwarding request information, etc.

[0135] Next, the processing in the management device 50 after sending a transfer request notification to the transfer candidate terminal 30 will be explained with reference to Figures 8, 9, and 14. The following processing procedure is executed by the control unit 52 of the management device 50. In step S31, the management device 50 determines whether or not a forwarding request response has been received from the forwarding candidate terminal 30. If it is determined that a forwarding request response has been received, in step S32, the forwarding request response receiving unit 311, which acts as a forwarding request response receiving means, processes to receive the forwarding request response from the forwarding candidate terminal 30. That is, when the forwarding request response information is received from the forwarding candidate terminal 30 via the communication network N through the receiving unit 151, the forwarding request response receiving unit 311 databases the forwarding request response information and sequentially writes it to the storage unit 53 (forwarding request response information storage means) for storage (saving).

[0136] The forwarding request response receiving unit 311 sequentially writes the forwarding request response information transmitted from the forwarding candidate terminal 30 to the forwarding request response information database 147 stored in the storage unit 53, and processes the forwarding response from the forwarding candidate terminal 30. Specifically, when the forwarding request response receiving unit 311 receives forwarding request response information transmitted from the forwarding candidate terminal 30 via the communication network N through the receiving unit 151, it stores the forwarding request response information in the forwarding request response information database 147 held in the storage unit 53 (forwarding request response information storage means), linking it to the forwarding candidate who sent the forwarding request notification. It also sends a signal that the forwarding request response has been received to the forwarding person determination unit 312.

[0137] In step S32, when a forwarding request response is received, in step S33, the forwarding person determination unit 312 reads the forwarding request response information from the forwarding request response information database 147 and determines whether forwarding is permitted in the forwarding request response information. If the forwarding request response is determined to be permissible (◎ or ○), in step S34, it is determined whether the permissibility is conditional (◎ or ○). If it is determined to be permissible without conditions (◎), in step S35, the forwarding candidate who provided the response is determined to be the forwarding person, and the signal is sent to the forwarding person determination notification unit 313.

[0138] The forwarding person determination unit 312 reads forwarding request response information from the forwarding request response information database 147 and performs a process to determine whether forwarding is permitted or not based on the forwarding request response information. In this embodiment, the forwarding recipient determination unit 312 determines whether the forwarding request response information can be forwarded in the order in which it is received from the forwarding candidate terminals, and repeats this operation until a determination of forwarding is made as "forwardable (◎)" or "conditionally forwardable (〇)". When a forwarding response is determined to be "forwardable (◎)" or "conditionally forwardable (〇)", it is determined in step S34 whether the forwarding is conditional or not. That is, if it is determined that the response information of the forwarding candidate received earliest is "not forwardable (×)", it reads the next earliest received forwarding request response information from the forwarding request response information database 147, performs a process to determine whether the next earliest received forwarding request response information can be forwarded, and repeats this operation until a determination of "forwardable (◎)" or "conditionally forwardable (〇)" is made.

[0139] The vehicle transferor determination unit 312, upon determining that the vehicle transfer candidate's vehicle transfer request response information indicates that vehicle transfer is possible (◎ or ○), further determines whether the vehicle transfer is conditional or not. If it determines that vehicle transfer is possible without conditions (◎), it sends that signal to the vehicle transferor determination notification unit 313. It also reads incentive information and vehicle transfer request information related to the determined vehicle transfer candidate from the vehicle transfer request notification information database 146, and stores the vehicle transfer candidate who has been selected as the vehicle transferor, along with the incentive information and vehicle transfer request information related to that candidate (e.g., "Transfer (remove) the vehicle from point A to point B on XX:XX-YY:YY on XX / XX"), in the vehicle transfer determination information database 148 held in the storage unit 53. Specifically, the forwarding request response information is read in the order it is received from the forwarding candidate terminal 30. If the forwarding response in the forwarding request response information is determined to be "forwarding possible without conditions" (◎), the forwarding candidate is determined to be the forwarder. Once the forwarder is determined, the incentive information and forwarding request information related to the determined forwarding candidate are read from the forwarding request notification information database 146. The forwarding request information and incentive information are linked to the determined forwarder (forwarding candidate) and stored in the forwarding decision information database 148, and a signal indicating that the forwarder has been determined is sent to the forwarder decision notification unit 313.

[0140] In step S35, once the transporter is determined, in step S36, the transporter determination notification unit 313 reads the determined transporter (response candidate) from the transport determination information database 148 and sends a transporter determination notification to the selected transporter's (response candidate's) response candidate terminal 30 via the transmission unit 152. At this time, the system may also read the determined transporter (response candidate), the determined transport request information (e.g., move (transport) the vehicle from point A to point B on XX:XX-YY:YY on XX / XX) and incentive information regarding the determined transport candidate from the transport determination information database 148, and based on these, send a transporter determination notification containing the determined transport request information and incentive information regarding the determined transport candidate to the selected transport candidate's response candidate terminal 30 via the transmission unit 152.

[0141] Next, we will explain the process when the designated forwarder (or forwarding candidate) receives notification of their forwarding status. When the candidate terminal 30 receives a notification of the transferor's selection from the management device 50 via the receiving unit through the communication network N, an input operation via the input unit 34 generates an instruction signal corresponding to the input operation, and this instruction signal is transmitted to the control unit 32 via the bus, and the processing unit of the control unit 32 performs a predetermined operation according to the instruction signal. Specifically, upon receiving a notification of the transferor selection from the management device 50, the transferor selection is notified to the display unit 35 of the transfer candidate terminal 30, and the transferor selection notification is displayed on the display unit 35 of the transfer candidate terminal 30 by an input operation via the input unit 34. The transferor selection notification may include transfer request information and incentive information related to the selected transferor. In this embodiment, an input field for whether to accept or reject the transfer is also displayed. When a transfer candidate who has received the transferor selection notification performs an input operation to accept or reject the transfer via the input unit 34, the entered response of acceptance or rejection of the transfer is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. When a candidate for forwarding who has received a notification of the forwarding person being decided formally accepts the forwarding (forwarding assignment), they perform a forwarding acceptance input operation via the input unit 34, and the entered forwarding acceptance response is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. In this embodiment, the candidate for forwarding who has received a notification of the forwarding person being decided formally confirms their acceptance of the forwarding assignment by inputting the forwarding acceptance and transmitting it to the management device 50 via the transmission unit.

[0142] Furthermore, when implementing the present invention, the initial vehicle transfer request information (e.g., "Transfer a vehicle from point A to point B on XX:XX-YY:YY on XX / XX") and incentive information may be stored in the storage unit 33. When a transfer recipient decision notification is received from the management device 50, the transfer candidate terminal 30 may read the stored initial vehicle transfer request information and incentive information, and display it along with the newly received transfer request decision notification on the display unit 35. In this case, less communication data is required. Alternatively, for example, the transmission signal from the management device 50 could include a flag indicating whether it is the first or second request, and the candidate response terminal 30 could detect this flag to determine whether it is the first or second request. For the second request, the display unit 35 could then display only the notification of the vehicle driver being determined based on an input operation. Or, the candidate response terminal 30 could detect the second request by determining whether the location and time information of the second vehicle request matches the location information of the first vehicle transfer request (e.g., move (transfer) the vehicle from point A to point B at XX:XX-YY:YY on Month Day), and then, for the second request, it could read the stored information (e.g., move (transfer) the vehicle from point A to point B at XX:XX-YY:YY on Month Day) and incentive information from the storage unit 33 via an input operation. In these cases as well, less communication data is required.

[0143] Furthermore, the processing in the management device 50 after sending a notification of the transferor selection to the transfer candidate terminal 30 will be explained with reference to Figures 10 and 14. The following processing procedure is executed by the control unit 52 of the management device 50. In the management device 50, in step S41, it is determined whether or not a response of acceptance or rejection of the forwarding has been received from the forwarding candidate terminal 30 that sent the forwarding recipient determination notice. If a response of acceptance or rejection of the forwarding has been received, in step S42, the response of acceptance or rejection of the forwarding is received by the forwarding recipient determination response receiving unit 411, and in step S43, it is determined whether or not the forwarding is accepted. Specifically, when the receiving unit 151 receives a response from the candidate terminal 30 that sent the forwarding recipient determination notice regarding whether or not the forwarding is accepted, the signal is sent to the forwarding recipient determination response receiving unit 411, which then determines whether or not the forwarding is accepted. If the forwarding recipient determination response receiving unit 411 determines that the forwarding is accepted, the forwarding acceptance information is stored in the forwarding determination information database 148, and the signal indicating that the forwarding has been accepted is sent to the forwarding confirmation unit 412.

[0144] In step S43, if the forwarding recipient response reception unit 411 determines that the forwarding candidate terminal 30 that sent the forwarding recipient notification has responded with forwarding acceptance, then in step S44, the forwarding confirmation unit 412 confirms that the forwarding will be carried out by the forwarding candidate who responded with forwarding acceptance. In this embodiment, when the vehicle transfer confirmation unit 412 confirms a vehicle transfer to a transfer candidate who has responded with acceptance of the transfer, it obtains dispatch plan information and vehicle transfer plan information from the vehicle transfer plan information database 144, and also obtains vehicle transfer decision information from the vehicle transfer decision information database 148. Based on this information, it identifies the vehicle to be transferred and stores the vehicle transfer and the vehicle transfer decision information in the vehicle transfer confirmation information database 149 held in the storage unit 53. In step S44, it transmits the information of the vehicle transfer as a vehicle transfer notification to the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 of the selected transferor via the transmission unit 152. Furthermore, it transmits the vehicle transfer decision information and the vehicle transfer candidate information of the selected transferor to the vehicle transfer device 10. In this way, by transmitting the vehicle transfer decision information and the transfer candidate information of the selected transferor to the in-vehicle device 10, and by transmitting the vehicle transfer information to the transfer candidate terminal 30, the in-vehicle device 10 is made able to recognize the transfer candidate terminal 30, and once the in-vehicle device 10 authenticates the transfer candidate terminal 30, the transfer candidate can board the vehicle and transfer it. In addition, when the vehicle transfer confirmation unit 421 identifies the vehicle to be transferred in step S44, a notification is sent to the rental vehicle confirmation unit 220, and in step S51, the rental vehicle confirmation unit 220 obtains the dispatch plan information and the vehicle transfer plan information from the vehicle transfer plan information database 144, and also obtains the current reservation information from the reservation information database 141, identifies the rental vehicle based on this information, stores the rental vehicle information, reservation information and user information in the reservation confirmation information database (not shown) held in the storage unit 53, and transmits the reservation information and user information to the in-vehicle device 10 of that rental vehicle. In addition, information about the rental vehicle may also be sent to the user terminal 20 that made the vehicle reservation. By sending reservation information and user information to the in-vehicle device 10, and by sending information about the rental vehicle to the user terminal 20, the in-vehicle device 10 is able to recognize the user terminal 20, and once the in-vehicle device 10 authenticates the user terminal 20, the user can board the vehicle. From this point onward, the management device 50 completes the processing of the transfer arrangement and the vehicle reservation.

[0145] On the other hand, returning to step S33, in step S33, the forwarding person determination unit 312 determines that the forwarding request response from the forwarding candidate terminal 30 is acceptable for forwarding (◎ or ○), and in step S34, if it is determined that the forwarding request response is conditionally acceptable for forwarding (○), the signal is sent to the incentive change unit 314.

[0146] In step S34, if the transporter determination unit 312 determines that transport is conditionally permitted (○), the incentive is changed by the incentive change unit 314 in step S37. Once the incentive is changed, in step S35, the transport candidate who responded that transport is conditionally permitted (○) is determined to be the transporter, and this signal is sent to the transporter determination notification unit 312.

[0147] When the forwarding recipient determination unit 312 determines that the forwarding request response information of a forwarding candidate is available for forwarding (◎ or ○), it further determines whether the availability is conditional or not. If it determines that the availability is conditional (○), it sends that signal to the incentive change unit 314. In other words, it reads the forwarding request response information in the order it is received from the forwarding candidate terminal 30, and if the forwarding response in the forwarding request response information is determined to be conditionally available for forwarding (○), it sends an incentive change signal to the incentive change unit 314.

[0148] When the incentive change unit 314 receives a signal from the transporter determination unit 312, it retrieves information regarding the incentives of transport candidates that have been conditionally approved for transport (○) from the incentive information stored in the transport request notification information database 146 held in the memory unit 53, and also retrieves information regarding the incentives of transport candidates that have been conditionally approved for transport (○) from the transport request response information database 147 held in the memory unit 53, and changes the incentives according to the conditions of the transport request response.

[0149] The incentive change unit 314 modifies the incentive information accordingly if the response from the candidate to transport the vehicle is conditionally permissible (○), and the conditions include, for example, an increased incentive or the request to borrow a portable mobility device such as an eBike on the return trip because the transport time is long. The modified incentive information is stored in the transport decision information database 148, which is held in the storage unit 53, and linked to the transport candidate. When the incentive is changed, in step S35 the transport candidate is determined to be the transporter. Once the transporter is determined, the transport request information for the determined transport candidate is read from the transport request notification information database 146, and the determined transport request information is stored in the transport decision information database 148, and a signal is sent to the transporter determination notification unit 213.

[0150] In step S37, the incentive is changed, and in step S35, the sender is determined. In step S36, the sender determination notification unit 313 reads the determined sender (response candidate) from the sender determination information database 148 and sends a sender determination notification to the selected sender's (response candidate's) response candidate terminal 30 via the transmission unit 152. At this time, the unit reads the determined sender (response candidate) and the changed incentive information related to the determined sender from the sender determination information database 148 and sends a sender determination notification including the changed incentive information related to the determined sender to the selected sender's (response candidate's) response candidate terminal 30 via the transmission unit 152. The sender determination notification may also include the sender request information, which has been determined from the sender determination information database 148.

[0151] When the forwarding person determination notification unit 313 receives a signal from the incentive change unit 314 indicating that the incentive information has been changed and a forwarding person has been determined, it sends a forwarding person determination notification containing the changed incentive information to the forwarding candidate terminal 30 of the forwarding candidate who responded that forwarding is conditionally possible (〇). Specifically, in step S36, the forwarder determination notification unit 313 reads the determined forwarder and the modified incentive information regarding the determined forwarding candidate from the forwarding determination information database 148, and sends a forwarder determination notification containing the modified incentive information regarding the determined forwarding candidate to the determined forwarder (responding candidate)'s response candidate terminal 30 via the transmission unit 152. Forwarding request information may also be included in the forwarder determination notification. The process for handling subsequent transfer candidates upon receiving notification of their transfer assignment is the same as described above.

[0152] In this case, since the notification of the vehicle driver selection differs from the vehicle delivery request information only in the content of the incentive, the initial vehicle delivery request information (e.g., move (transport) the vehicle from point A to point B on XX:XX-YY:YY on XX / XX) can be stored in the storage unit 33. When the vehicle driver selection notification is received from the management device 50, the vehicle delivery candidate terminal 30 can retrieve the stored initial vehicle delivery request information and display it, along with the modified incentive information received in the vehicle delivery request selection notification, on the display unit 35. In this case, less communication data is required. Alternatively, for example, the transmission signal from the management device 50 may include a flag indicating whether it is the first or second time, and the responding candidate terminal 30 may detect this flag to determine whether it is the first or second time. For the second time, the display unit 35 may display a notification indicating the delivery person has been changed by the input operation. Or, the responding candidate terminal 30 may detect the second time by determining whether the location and time information of the first delivery request information matches the location and time information of the second delivery request information, and then determine whether it is the first or second time. For the second time, the delivery request information stored in the storage unit 33 may be read by operating the input operation unit. This also reduces the amount of communication data required.

[0153] Incidentally, if, after the forwarding request unit 213 sends a forwarding request notification to the forwarding candidate terminal 30, it does not receive a forwarding request response from the forwarding candidate terminal 30 that sent the forwarding request notification within a predetermined period, or if the forwarding person determination unit 312 determines that all forwarding request responses are not possible (×), a signal is sent to the forwarding request unit 213. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, if the forwarding person determination unit 312 determines in step S31 that there has been no response to the forwarding request, then in step S38, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the forwarding request notification. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, steps S31 and S38 are repeated. If it is determined in step S38 that a predetermined time has elapsed since the forwarding request notification, the process returns to step S28 and sends a forwarding request notification to another forwarding candidate who has not yet sent one. The elapsed time at this point may be set according to the forwarding request date relative to the forwarding implementation date. Specifically, if the forwarding request is for the same day, if a forwarding request response indicating that forwarding is possible is not obtained in a short time, the process immediately returns to step S28 and sends a forwarding request to another forwarding candidate. If the forwarding request date is one day or more before the forwarding implementation date, the time to return to step S28 may be set longer (the waiting time may be set longer) compared to the case of a forwarding request for the same day. Furthermore, if in step S33 it is determined that all received forwarding requests are not available for forwarding (×), the process returns to step S28 and forwarding requests are made to other forwarding candidates.

[0154] When the transfer request unit 213 receives a signal indicating that it has not received a transfer request notification or a transfer candidate terminal 30 after sending a transfer request notification, it reads the transfer plan information stored in the transfer plan information database 144 held in the storage unit 53, reads the candidate selection information stored in the transfer candidate selection information database 145 held in the storage unit 53, and further retrieves the transfer request notification information stored in the transfer request notification information database 146 held in the storage unit 53. Based on these, it identifies (selects) transfer candidates in the transfer candidate selection information who have not previously sent a transfer request notification, and transmits the transfer request information and incentive information regarding those transfer candidates to the identified transfer candidate terminal 30 via the transmission unit 152. Furthermore, the forwarding candidate who sent the forwarding request notification at this time, along with their forwarding request information and incentive information, are stored again as forwarding request notification information in the forwarding request notification information database 146 held in the storage unit 53. The subsequent processing is the same as described above, and the same procedure is repeated until a forwarding request response confirming that forwarding is possible is received from the forwarding candidate terminal 30.

[0155] Furthermore, if, after the forwarding recipient determination notification unit 313 sends a forwarding recipient determination notification to the forwarding candidate terminal 30, no response regarding acceptance or rejection of forwarding is received from the forwarding candidate terminal 30 within a predetermined period, or if the forwarding recipient determination notification response reception unit 411 determines that forwarding is not accepted (forwarding not accepted) (×), the signal is sent to the forwarding recipient determination unit 312, which reads the forwarding request response information from the forwarding request response information database 147, and again performs the process of determining whether forwarding is possible based on the forwarding request response information in the order of earliest reception, repeating this operation until a determination of forwarding is made as possible (◎) or conditionally possible (〇). After that, the same processing procedure as described above is followed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, if the forwarding recipient notification response receiving unit 411 determines in step S41 that there is no response regarding acceptance or rejection of forwarding, then in step S48, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the forwarding recipient notification. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, steps S41 and S48 are repeated. If it is determined in step S48 that a predetermined time has elapsed since the forwarding recipient notification, the process returns to step S33 and again determines whether the forwarding request response information can be forwarded. Note that the elapsed time at this time may be set according to the forwarding recipient notification date relative to the forwarding implementation date. Specifically, if the forwarding request is for the same day, if a forwarding acceptance response is not obtained in a short time, the process returns immediately to step S33 and forwarding requests are made to other forwarding candidates. If the forwarding recipient notification date is one day or more before the forwarding implementation date, the time to return to step S33 may be set longer (the waiting time may be set longer) compared to the case of a forwarding request for the same day. Furthermore, if it is determined in step S43 that the forwarding request cannot be approved (forwarding not accepted) (×), the process returns to step S33 and again determines whether the forwarding request response information can be forwarded. Furthermore, the process for handling cancellations from the designated forwarding candidate's terminal 30, which has been approved for forwarding and selected as the forwarding agent, will be the same as in this case.

[0156] When a user wishes to cancel or change the time of their vehicle reservation, they display the member site or app on the display unit 25 of the user terminal 20 and perform the input operation. The reservation information stored in the storage unit 23 is then read and displayed on the display unit 25, and the user performs the input operation for reservation cancellation or time change. The reservation cancellation or time change is then transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. Once this is complete, a cancellation completion notification or time change notification is displayed on the display unit 25. However, in the case of a time change on the same day, the change is limited to a specified time before the start time of use. When the management device 50 receives a cancellation or time change from the user terminal 20, it processes the reservation cancellation or changes the reservation time. In the case of a time change, it is processed according to the procedures from step S222 onwards.

[0157] Furthermore, in this embodiment, on the day of the transfer, if the management device 50 receives a return delay notification from the onboard device 10 of the transfer vehicle or the user terminal 20 of the user immediately before the transfer, or if it does not receive a signal to start the transfer from the onboard device 10 of the transfer vehicle or the transfer candidate terminal 30 of the determined transferor, i.e., if the transfer candidate cancels without notice, the signal is sent to the transfer plan update unit 212, and the transfer plan update unit 212 retrieves the dispatch plan information and transfer plan information stored in the transfer plan information database 144, and processes the same procedure as in step S24 and later described above. When a new transfer request is required due to a change (regeneration) of the dispatch plan information or transfer plan information, the process is carried out in the same procedure as in step S26 and later described above. Furthermore, by changing (regenerating) the transfer plan information, it is determined whether it is necessary to change the transfer time or transfer location for already determined transferors. If it is determined that it is necessary to change the transfer time or transfer location in the transfer decision information for transferors who have been decided (confirmed) to perform the transfer, a signal is sent to the incentive change unit 314, and in the same procedure as in step S37 and later described above, an increase in incentive is offered to the determined transfer candidate, and the change is transmitted to the transfer candidate terminal 30. If no acceptance of the transfer is received, the process is carried out in the same procedure as in step S33 and later described above, and a new transfer candidate is separately requested to perform the transfer.

[0158] Furthermore, if a candidate cancels immediately before delivery, cancels without notice, or is late in delivering the vehicle to its destination, a penalty may be imposed on the candidate. For example, a candidate who is late and fails to deliver the vehicle by the scheduled end time, a candidate who cancels immediately before delivery, or a candidate who does not show up at the delivery location without notice (a no-show cancellation) may be subject to a penalty. As for penalties for candidates, for example, when registering as a candidate for delivery with the car-sharing service, the details of the penalty (fine, reduction of incentives, etc.) can be presented to the candidate, and the fine according to the presented details can be calculated as part of the candidate's fee and subject to a reduction in incentives. By imposing penalties on candidates for their own actions, disruptive behavior in the car-sharing service can be deterred and the reliability of deliveries can be improved.

[0159] Furthermore, as described above, when the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 accepts the transfer acceptance and the signal is sent to the vehicle transfer confirmation unit 412, the vehicle transfer confirmation unit 412 obtains the vehicle transfer candidate information and the vehicle transferor selection information from the vehicle transfer decision information database 148, and transmits the vehicle transferor selection information to the in-vehicle device 10, and also transmits the vehicle transfer vehicle information to the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 of the vehicle transfer candidate who has been selected as the vehicle transferor, thereby enabling the in-vehicle device 10 to recognize the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30, and enabling the vehicle transferor (vehicle transfer candidate) to board the vehicle after the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 is authenticated.The vehicle transfer candidate may then tap the unlock button displayed on the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 to unlock the vehicle's doors, take the key from the vehicle's key box, and drive the vehicle.

[0160] Furthermore, when the transfer is completed, the transferor (transfer candidate) operates the control unit of the on-board device 10, and the transfer completion information, along with the vehicle information stored in the storage unit 13 of the on-board device 10, is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit of the on-board device 10. Alternatively, the transfer completion information is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit of the on-board device 10 using the location information and vehicle button lock information from the on-board device 10. At this time, the vehicle may be locked by tapping the lock button displayed on the transfer candidate terminal 30. As shown in Figures 11 and 15, when the management device 50 receives information about the end of the vehicle transfer, a signal is sent to the vehicle transfer completion reception unit 611. In step S61, the vehicle transfer completion reception unit 611 retrieves vehicle information and vehicle transfer determination information from the vehicle transfer confirmation information database 149 held in the storage unit 30, and determines that the vehicle transfer has ended. Once the vehicle transfer is determined to be complete, in step S62, the management device 50 sends a vehicle transfer completion notification via the transmission unit 152 to the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 that carried out the vehicle transfer. Furthermore, once the vehicle transfer is determined to be complete, the signal is sent to the incentive granting unit 612, and in step S63, the final incentive is determined.

[0161] In this embodiment, the vehicle transfer completion reception unit 611 further acquires vehicle transfer decision information from the vehicle transfer decision information database 148, including vehicle transfer request information, the selected vehicle transferor, and incentive information related to the vehicle transferor. It also links the actual vehicle transfer start date and time, vehicle transfer end date and time, vehicle transfer location, etc., transmitted from the in-vehicle device 10 with weather, temperature, and surrounding event information on the day of the vehicle transfer, and stores this as vehicle transfer performance information in the vehicle transfer performance information database 133. The vehicle transfer performance information is used as a basis for determining the eligibility of the vehicle transfer as described above and is taken into consideration when selecting candidates for the next vehicle transfer. Furthermore, based on the vehicle transfer performance information and vehicle transfer decision information, as described above, the calculation unit (not shown) calculates the cancellation rate and lateness rate as vehicle transfer eligibility, and calculates the vehicle transfer completion rate as vehicle transfer completion rate, and stores these in the vehicle transfer candidate information database 132.

[0162] The incentive granting unit 612 obtains transfer request information and incentive information included in the transferor determination information from the transferor determination information database 148, and also obtains transfer performance information from the transfer performance information database 133. Based on these, it determines the final incentive and grants the incentive to the transferor. The incentive granting unit 612 determines, based on the delivery performance information and the delivery person selection information, whether or not the delivery was carried out within the delivery time included in the delivery person selection information. If the delivery was carried out within the delivery time included in the delivery person selection information, the incentive granting unit 612 grants an incentive to the delivery person based on the incentive information included in the delivery person selection information. On the other hand, if the delivery was not carried out within the delivery time included in the delivery person selection information and there was a delay, a penalty is imposed on the delivery person, and the incentive granted to the delivery person is reduced from the incentive information included in the delivery person selection information. Finally, once the incentive to be granted is determined, the incentive granting unit 612 transmits information and data to be granted as an incentive to the delivery person via the transmission unit 152. In other words, the incentive granting unit 612 only needs to perform some processing related to the granting of incentives, for example, by transmitting data related to the incentive to the delivery candidate terminal 30 or by lending an item related to the incentive (for example, portable mobility) to the delivery candidate. At this time, if the candidate for vehicle transport responds to the transport request with conditional transport (○), and the condition is the rental of a portable mobility device, the portable mobility device that has been pre-loaded onto the vehicle will be rented out after the transport is completed. When the transport completion reception unit 611 in the management device 50 receives the transport completion information transmitted from the transport candidate terminal 30 after the transport candidate has completed the transport, the incentive granting unit 612 transmits release information to the transport candidate terminal 30 to unlock the portable mobility device mounted on the transported vehicle. When the transport completion notification is transmitted from the management device 50 to the transport candidate terminal 30 that performed the transport of the vehicle via the transmission unit 152, an instruction signal to perform transport completion processing for the transport may also be transmitted. For example, as described later, if the transport candidate has requested the rental of a portable mobility device as an incentive after the transport is completed, release information to unlock the locking device of the portable mobility device mounted on the transported vehicle may also be transmitted.

[0163] Furthermore, in this embodiment, once the incentive to be awarded is determined by the incentive awarding unit 612, information regarding that incentive is stored in the delivery performance information database 133 and the delivery candidate information database 132.

[0164] When the candidate terminal 30 receives a notification of completion of delivery and information regarding incentives from the management device 50 via the receiving unit 151, the notification of completion of delivery and information regarding incentives are displayed, and the post-delivery questionnaire items, which are stored in advance in the storage unit 33, are read out and displayed on the display unit 35.

[0165] In this embodiment, the post-transportation survey item is the satisfaction level after the completion of the transport, as information provided after the transport is completed. For example, satisfaction with the time spent on transport and the incentives is divided into 5 levels (5 being the highest level of satisfaction), and the numerical value (1 to 5) is entered. The post-delivery questionnaire items, which include incentive satisfaction information and are entered via input operations through the input unit 34, are transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. The post-delivery response information entered via input operations through the input unit is stored in the storage unit 33, and when transmitting, the stored post-delivery response information is read out by a transmission operation such as a touch switch, and that post-delivery response information is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit. The questionnaire items at the end of the delivery are entered and stored as response information after the delivery is completed. When transmitting, the stored response information after the delivery is completed is read by operating the transmission operation unit (touch switch, etc.), and this response information after the delivery is completed is transmitted to the management device 50 via the transmission unit.

[0166] In the management device 50, the post-transport response information receiving unit (not shown) of the control unit 22 processes the receiving of post-transport response information from the transport candidate terminal 30. In this embodiment, the post-transport response information receiving unit, acting as a means for receiving post-transport response information, receives post-transport response information, including incentive satisfaction information, from the transport candidate terminal 30 via the communication network N through the receiving unit 151, converts it into a database, and sequentially writes it to the storage unit 53 (transport candidate information storage means) for storage. At this time, the post-transport response information is stored as transport candidate attribute information in the transport candidate information database 132 and the transport performance information database 133 held in the storage unit 53. The post-transport response information includes the time commitment related to transport and satisfaction with the incentive, which constitutes the motivation information described above and is taken into consideration when selecting the next transport candidate.

[0167] As described above, the car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment is a car-sharing system 1 that includes a management device 50 connected via a communication network N, a user terminal 20 for users who use the vehicle, and a candidate terminal 30 for candidates who apply to have the vehicle delivered, wherein the management device 50 has a storage unit 53 as a candidate information storage means for storing candidate registration information transmitted from the candidate terminal 30, and sequentially writes the candidate registration information transmitted from the candidate terminal 30 to the storage unit 53 as a candidate information storage means, and delivers the vehicle. The system comprises a vehicle transport candidate registration reception unit 122 as a vehicle transport candidate registration reception means for accepting registrations of candidates; a vehicle transport candidate selection unit 113 as a vehicle transport candidate selection means for selecting a vehicle transport candidate to be transported from among the vehicle transport candidate information stored in a vehicle transport candidate storage unit 53; a vehicle transport request unit 213 as a vehicle transport request means for sending a vehicle transport request notification to the vehicle transport candidate terminal 30 of the selected vehicle transport candidate via a communication network N; and an incentive setting unit 114 as an incentive setting means for setting an incentive to be given to a vehicle transport candidate who has transported a vehicle.

[0168] Therefore, according to the car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment, the vehicle delivery candidate registration reception unit 122, which serves as a vehicle delivery candidate registration reception means, accepts registrations of vehicle delivery candidates who will deliver the vehicle separately from users who will be using the vehicle. The vehicle delivery candidate selection unit 113, which serves as a vehicle delivery candidate selection means, selects a vehicle delivery candidate to be requested from among the registered vehicle delivery candidates, and the vehicle delivery request unit 213, which serves as a vehicle delivery request means, requests the vehicle to be delivered to the selected vehicle delivery candidate. Thus, since incentives are given to people who have been registered in advance as vehicle delivery candidates for the purpose of receiving vehicle delivery requests, i.e., vehicle delivery candidates who have applied to deliver the vehicle, the likelihood of a vehicle delivery request being fulfilled increases, the certainty of vehicle delivery is increased, and the utilization rate of the vehicle can be increased. In particular, since people who have been registered in advance as vehicle delivery candidates for the purpose of receiving vehicle delivery requests are willing to carry out the delivery, the likelihood of them responding to a vehicle delivery request even on the same day or at the last minute increases. Furthermore, by narrowing down the number of vehicle delivery candidates from among the registered vehicle delivery candidates and making vehicle delivery requests to them, the processing load on the system can also be reduced. In other words, since users who utilize vehicles prioritize efficient travel to their desired destination and have limited human resources, the likelihood of their requests for changes to destinations being fulfilled is low. On the other hand, if individuals who are proactively recruited and registered as candidates to accept vehicle transfer requests are registered with the intention to accept such requests, and there are no constraints on human resources, it becomes possible to efficiently increase the likelihood of fulfilling transfer requests and improve the certainty of successful vehicle transfers.

[0169] The car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment further includes a management device 50, a storage unit 53 as a reservation information storage means that stores reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal 20, a reservation acceptance unit 211 as a reservation acceptance means that sequentially writes (stores) the reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal 20 to the storage unit 53 as a reservation information storage means and accepts vehicle use reservations, and a system that reads past reservation information stored in the storage unit 53 as a reservation information storage means and predicts the demand for vehicle use based on the reservation information. The system includes a demand forecasting unit 111 as a demand forecasting means, a transport planning unit 112 as a transport planning means that creates (generates) transport plan information based on the demand forecast, a storage unit 53 as a transport plan storage information means that stores the transport plan information created (generated) by the transport planning means, and after receiving a vehicle usage reservation, it reads the transport plan information from the storage unit 53 as a transport plan information storage means, determines whether transport is necessary based on the vehicle usage reservation information transmitted from the user terminal 20, and if it is determined that transport is necessary, it determines whether the transport plan information needs to be modified and calculates the transport cost A transfer plan update unit 212, which acts as an update means, stores (overwrites) the transfer plan information as transfer request information in the transfer plan storage unit 53, which acts as a transfer plan information storage means, when it is determined that correction of the transfer plan information is necessary, and updates the transfer plan information and stores (overwrites) the updated transfer plan information in the storage unit 53, which acts as a transfer plan information storage means, and a transfer candidate selection information storage means that stores the transfer candidate selection information selected by the transfer candidate selection unit 113, which acts as a transfer candidate selection means The system is equipped with a storage unit 53 as a transfer plan update unit 212, and when it is determined that a transfer is necessary after a vehicle usage reservation has been received, the transfer request unit 213, as a transfer request means, reads the transfer request information from the storage unit 53 as a transfer plan information storage means, and also reads the transfer candidate selection information from the storage unit 53 as a transfer person selection information storage means, and transmits the transfer request information as a transfer request notification via the communication network N to the transfer candidate terminal 30 of the transfer candidate selected by the transfer candidate selection unit 113 as a transfer candidate selection means.

[0170] Therefore, according to the car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment, if the demand forecasting unit 111, which acts as a demand forecasting means, forecasts the demand for vehicle use in advance, the delivery planning unit 112, which acts as a delivery planning means, creates (generates) a delivery plan based on that demand forecast, and the delivery plan update unit 212, which acts as an update means, modifies and updates the delivery plan based on the actual reservation after the vehicle reservation is received from the user, then the concentration of load on the system can be reduced, and it becomes possible to quickly request delivery from delivery candidates after the vehicle reservation is received from the user and to quickly secure a driver. As a result, it becomes easier to respond to vehicle rentals even for same-day or last-minute vehicle use reservations, and it becomes possible to improve convenience for users.

[0171] Furthermore, according to the car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment, before vehicle use is reserved, the vehicle transfer planning unit 112 generates vehicle transfer plan information, and then the vehicle transfer candidate selection unit 13 selects a vehicle transfer candidate. After vehicle use is reserved, the vehicle transfer plan update unit 212 updates the vehicle transfer plan information as needed, and the vehicle transfer candidate selection unit 13 updates (regenerates) the vehicle transfer candidate selection information accordingly. Therefore, after vehicle use is reserved, a vehicle transfer candidate can be quickly selected and a vehicle transfer request can be made to the selected vehicle transfer candidate. Thus, even if there is a vehicle use reservation on the day of transfer or immediately before transfer, a vehicle transfer person can be quickly secured.

[0172] In the car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment, the management device 50 further includes a delivery notice notification unit 115, which is a delivery notice notification means that reads delivery plan information from a storage unit 53, which is a delivery plan information storage means, before a vehicle usage reservation is transmitted from the user terminal 20, and transmits it to the delivery candidate terminal 30 as a delivery notice via the communication network N. As a result, the delivery notice notification unit 115 notifies the delivery candidate of the delivery notice, allowing the delivery candidate to adjust their schedule after seeing the delivery notice. Therefore, even if the delivery request is made immediately before or on the day of the delivery, the likelihood of the delivery request being accepted can be increased, and the certainty of carrying out the delivery can be increased. Furthermore, when implementing the present invention, provisional incentive information may be included in the delivery notice notification for each delivery candidate.

[0173] In the car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment, the incentive setting unit 114, which acts as an incentive setting means, calculates the period between the delivery date and the delivery request date, and sets the size of the incentive according to the delivery request date relative to the delivery date. This makes it possible to increase the motivation and willingness of candidates for delivery, increase the possibility of same-day or last-minute delivery requests being fulfilled, and further increase the certainty of delivery. Therefore, it becomes easier to respond to vehicle rentals even for same-day or last-minute vehicle usage reservations, thereby increasing convenience for users.

[0174] In the car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment, the management device 50 further stores the response information to the car-sharing request, including whether or not the car-sharing is permitted, which is transmitted from the car-sharing candidate terminal 30. Delivery The storage unit 53 serves as a means for storing request response information, and the forwarding request response information transmitted from the forwarding candidate terminal 30 is written (stored) in the storage unit 53 as a means for storing forwarding request response information, and the forwarding request response information is received. Delivery The forwarding request response receiving unit 311, which is a means for receiving requests and responses, and the forwarding request response information are sequentially read from the storage unit 53, which is a means for storing forwarding request response information, and a response is sent. DeliveryBy providing a forwarding request response receiving unit 311 as a means of receiving response requests, the forwarding candidate who receives the forwarding request response information that is available for forwarding the fastest is selected as the forwarding candidate, and a forwarding candidate notification unit 312 and a forwarding candidate notification unit 313 as means of selecting the forwarding candidate terminal 30 of the forwarding candidate are sent a forwarding candidate notification via the communication network N. As a result, the forwarding candidate can be quickly secured with minimal system processing load because the forwarding candidate can be selected as the forwarding candidate who receives the forwarding request response information that is available for forwarding the fastest is selected as the forwarding candidate. However, when implementing the present invention, the transporter may be selected from among the transport candidates who have received transport request response information within a predetermined period that indicates they are available for transport, by selecting the transport candidate who will respond with the lowest incentive or the transport candidate with the highest transport eligibility.

[0175] In the car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment, the management device 50 further comprises a storage unit 53 as an incentive storage means for storing incentive information, and an incentive change unit 314 as an incentive change means that reads the incentive information stored in the storage unit 53 and changes the incentive when the response information for a delivery request that allows delivery is conditional on changing the incentive. The driver determination unit 312 and the driver determination notification unit 313, as driver determination means, transmit the driver determination notification, including the changed incentive information, via the communication network when the response information for a delivery request that allows delivery is conditional on changing the incentive. By providing an option to allow delivery conditional on changing the incentive and responding to changes in incentives, it is possible to increase the motivation and willingness of delivery candidates, thereby increasing the likelihood of delivery requests being fulfilled and increasing the certainty of delivery.

[0176] The car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment further includes a management device 50 which sequentially writes (stores) incentive satisfaction information transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal 30 after the delivery candidate has completed the delivery to a storage unit 53 which serves as a delivery candidate information storage means, and an incentive setting means which sets the incentive for each delivery candidate based on the incentive satisfaction information, thereby increasing the motivation and willingness of the delivery candidates to make deliveries, thereby increasing the likelihood of delivery requests being accepted and further increasing the certainty of delivery execution.

[0177] In the car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment, the incentive includes portable mobility devices that are lent to the transport candidate in advance, or portable mobility devices that are loaded onto the transport vehicle and lent to the transport candidate after the transport has been completed. Therefore, by lending portable mobility devices to the transport candidate, it is possible to increase the motivation and willingness of the transport candidate to transport the vehicle, thereby increasing the likelihood that the transport request will be accepted and further increasing the certainty of the transport being carried out.

[0178] The car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment includes a portable mobility device that is mounted on the vehicle being transported and lent to the transport candidate after the transport is completed. When the management device 50 receives transport completion information transmitted from the transport candidate terminal 30 or the in-vehicle device 10 after the transport candidate has completed the transport, the incentive granting unit 612 transmits unlock information to the transport candidate terminal 30 to unlock the portable mobility device mounted on the vehicle being transported. By lending the portable mobility device to the transport candidate, it is possible to increase the transport candidate's motivation and willingness to transport, thereby increasing the likelihood of the transport request being accepted and further increasing the certainty of transport being carried out.

[0179] In the car-sharing system 1 of the above embodiment, the storage unit 53, which serves as a means for storing information on candidates for transport, includes attribute information on candidates for transport. The candidate selection unit 113, which serves as a means for selecting candidates for transport, reads the attribute information on candidates for transport stored in the storage unit 53 and the request information for transport stored in the storage unit 53. Based on the attribute information on candidates for transport and the request information for transport, it performs a process to select candidates for transport. As a result, a transport request is made to candidates who have a high probability of being able to transport, thus increasing the likelihood of the transport request being accepted and increasing the certainty of transport being carried out.

[0180] The car-sharing system of the above embodiment includes, in its candidate information, time availability information representing the candidate's ability to provide delivery on each day of the week and / or time slot, motivation information for the candidate to provide delivery, the candidate's success rate in completing delivery, and the candidate's suitability for delivery based on their delivery record. As a result, the system requests delivery to candidates with a higher likelihood of providing delivery, thereby increasing the probability of the delivery request being completed and increasing the certainty of delivery completion. In particular, if the attribute information of the vehicle transfer candidate includes time availability information representing the candidate's ability to handle vehicle transfers on each day of the week and / or time slot, information on the candidate's motivation for vehicle transfers, the likelihood of successful vehicle transfers based on the candidate's vehicle transfer requests and past transfer records, and the candidate's suitability for vehicle transfers based on their past transfer records, then it will be a combination of subjective information and objective information based on the candidate's past transfer records. As a result, it will reflect the candidate's willingness to perform vehicle transfers and their loyalty to avoid causing inconvenience to the operator. Consequently, it will be possible to increase the certainty of vehicle transfers at a low cost, quickly secure a vehicle transfer driver even for same-day or last-minute vehicle usage reservations, and respond to vehicle rental requests more easily, thereby increasing convenience for users.

[0181] In the car-sharing system of the above embodiment, the delivery candidate attribute information is one or more of the following: delivery candidate registration information transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal 30 when the delivery candidate is registered; delivery completion response information transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal 30 after the delivery candidate has completed the delivery; or information generated by calculations based on the delivery candidate's delivery request information and delivery performance information. Therefore, the accuracy of the delivery candidate attribute information is high because it is based on objective information such as information entered by the delivery candidate and the delivery candidate's performance information. Thus, it is possible to increase the likelihood of a delivery request being fulfilled and to increase the certainty of delivery execution. In particular, if the vehicle transfer candidate attribute information is generated by calculations based on the vehicle transfer candidate registration information transmitted from the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 when the vehicle transfer candidate is registered, the vehicle transfer completion response information transmitted from the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 after the vehicle transfer candidate has completed the transfer, and the vehicle transfer request information and vehicle transfer record of the vehicle transfer candidate, then it will be a combination of subjective information transmitted from the vehicle transfer candidate terminal 30 and objective information based on the vehicle transfer candidate's vehicle transfer record. As a result, the vehicle transfer candidate's willingness to perform the transfer and their loyalty to avoid causing inconvenience to the operator will be reflected, and consequently, it will be possible to increase the certainty of vehicle transfer at a low cost, quickly secure a vehicle transfer driver even for same-day or last-minute vehicle usage reservations, making it easier to respond to vehicle rentals and increasing convenience for users.

[0182] In the car-sharing system of the above embodiment, the demand forecasting unit 111, which acts as a demand forecasting means, further forecasts demand based on one or more of the weather forecast for the day of delivery, the expected temperature, and information on events held around the vehicle location, thereby improving the accuracy of demand forecasting. As a result, the system processing load for correcting the delivery plan by the delivery plan update unit 212, which acts as an update means, can be reduced, and delivery requests can be made to delivery candidates more quickly after the user reserves a vehicle, enabling faster securing of delivery personnel. In particular, if the demand forecasting unit 111, as a means of forecasting demand, further forecasts demand based on the weather forecast for the day of the transfer, the expected temperature, and information on events held around the vehicle location, the forecasting accuracy will be improved, making it possible to secure transfer candidates who can carry out the transfer more quickly after the user has reserved a vehicle.

[0183] In the above embodiment, after creating a transport plan information based on demand forecasts, transport candidates are selected based on that transport plan information, and incentives are set for each of the selected transport candidates. That is, provisional transport candidates are selected before vehicle reservations, and provisional incentives are set for each of the selected transport candidates. This transport candidate selection information and incentive information are stored in the storage unit 53, and after vehicle reservations, they are read from the storage unit 53 to determine the transport candidates and incentive information to be actually requested. This makes it possible to quickly request a vehicle transfer from a candidate after an actual vehicle reservation has been made. However, when implementing the present invention, a candidate for transfer may be selected based on the transfer plan information after the vehicle reservation, and an incentive may be set for each of the candidates.

[0184] Incidentally, the above description of the embodiment can also be understood as an information processing device consisting of a management device 50, a candidate terminal 30 for transfer, and a user terminal 20. It can also be understood as an information processing method for realizing the processing performed by each device, or as a program for making the computer that controls each device function. This program may be provided in the form of a recording medium such as an optical disc on which it is stored, or it may be provided in a form such as being downloaded to a computer via a network such as the Internet, and then installed and made available for use. Furthermore, the above-mentioned transfer candidate information storage means, reservation information storage means, transfer plan information storage means, transfer candidate selection information storage means, incentive storage means, and transfer request response information storage means all include a storage medium (device) 53 and only need to be separated within an area on the same storage medium (device) 53. Furthermore, the functions of the management device 50 do not necessarily have to be implemented by a single computer; they may be implemented by multiple computers connected to the communication network N. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0185] 1...Car sharing system, 20...User terminal, 30...Transfer candidate terminal, 53...Storage unit, 111...Demand forecasting unit (demand forecasting means), 112...Transfer planning unit (transfer planning means), 113...Transfer candidate selection unit (transfer candidate selection means), 114...Incentive setting unit (incentive setting means), 115...Transfer notice notification unit (transfer notice notification means), 122...Transfer candidate registration acceptance unit (transfer candidate registration acceptance means), 211...Reservation acceptance unit (reservation acceptance means), 212...Transfer plan update unit (update means), 213...Transfer request unit (transfer request means), 311... Delivery Request response receiving unit (transfer request response receiving means), 312...Transferer determination unit (transferer determination means), 313...Transferer determination notification unit (transferer determination means), 314...Incentive change unit, N...Communication network

Claims

1. A car-sharing system comprising a management device connected via a communication network, a user terminal owned by a vehicle user, and a candidate terminal owned by a candidate who applies to transport a vehicle, The aforementioned control device is A transfer candidate information storage means that stores transfer candidate registration information transmitted from the transfer candidate terminal, A transfer candidate registration receiving means writes the transfer candidate registration information transmitted from the transfer candidate terminal to the transfer candidate information storage means and accepts registration as a transfer candidate to transport the vehicle, A transport candidate selection means for selecting a transport candidate to be requested from among the transport candidate registration information stored in the transport candidate information storage means, A transfer request means that transmits a transfer request notification to the transfer candidate terminal of the selected transfer candidate via the communication network, An incentive setting means for setting an incentive to be given to the transport candidate who carried out the transport of the aforementioned vehicle. It is equipped with, The incentive includes portable mobility devices that are installed in the transport vehicle and lent to the transport candidate after the transport is completed. The car-sharing system is characterized in that, after the delivery candidate completes the delivery, the management device transmits unlocking information to the delivery candidate's terminal for unlocking the portable mobility device installed in the delivery vehicle.

2. The aforementioned control device further, A reservation information storage means that stores the vehicle usage reservation information transmitted from the user terminal, A reservation acceptance means that writes the reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal to the reservation information storage means and accepts the reservation for vehicle use, A demand forecasting means reads past reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means and predicts the demand for vehicle use based on the reservation information, A transport planning means that creates transport plan information based on the demand forecast by the demand forecasting means, A transport plan information storage means that stores the transport plan information created by the transport planning means, After receiving a reservation for the use of the vehicle, the update means reads the transfer plan information from the transfer plan information storage means, determines whether a transfer is necessary based on the vehicle usage reservation information transmitted from the user terminal, determines whether a transfer is necessary if a transfer is determined to be necessary, determines whether the transfer plan information needs to be modified, stores the transfer plan information as a transfer request information in the transfer plan information storage means if a modification of the transfer plan information is determined to be necessary, updates the transfer plan information, and stores the updated transfer plan information as a transfer request information in the transfer plan information storage means. A transport candidate selection information storage means that stores the transport candidate selection information selected by the transport candidate selection means. It is equipped with, The car-sharing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle transfer request means reads the vehicle transfer request information from the vehicle transfer plan information storage means, reads the vehicle transfer candidate selection information from the vehicle transfer candidate selection information storage means, and transmits the vehicle transfer request information as a vehicle transfer request notification via the communication network to the vehicle transfer candidate terminal of the vehicle transfer candidate selected by the vehicle transfer candidate selection means.

3. A car-sharing system comprising a management device connected via a communication network, a user terminal owned by a vehicle user, and a candidate terminal owned by a candidate who applies to transport a vehicle, The aforementioned control device is A transfer candidate information storage means that stores transfer candidate registration information transmitted from the transfer candidate terminal, A transfer candidate registration receiving means writes the transfer candidate registration information transmitted from the transfer candidate terminal to the transfer candidate information storage means and accepts registration as a transfer candidate to transport the vehicle, A transport candidate selection means for selecting a transport candidate to be requested from among the transport candidate registration information stored in the transport candidate information storage means, A transfer request means that transmits a transfer request notification to the transfer candidate terminal of the selected transfer candidate via the communication network, An incentive setting means for setting an incentive to be given to the transport candidate who has transported the aforementioned vehicle, A forwarding request response information storage means stores forwarding request response information, including whether or not forwarding is permitted, transmitted from the forwarding candidate terminal. A forwarding request response receiving means writes forwarding request response information transmitted from the forwarding candidate terminal to the forwarding request response information storage means, and receives the forwarding request response information. A forwarding agent determination means reads the forwarding request response information from the forwarding request response information storage means, determines the forwarding candidate who received the forwarding request response information that was available for forwarding the earliest to be the forwarding agent, and transmits a forwarding agent determination notification to the forwarding candidate terminal of the said forwarding agent via the communication network. An incentive storage means for storing the aforementioned incentive information, If the forwarding request response information indicating that forwarding is permitted is subject to the condition of changing the incentive, the incentive changing means reads the incentive information stored in the incentive storage means and changes the incentive, It is equipped with, The car-sharing system is characterized in that, if the car-sharing request response information indicating that the car-sharing is possible is subject to a change in incentive, the car-sharing decision notification includes the information of the changed incentive and transmits it via the communication network.

4. The aforementioned control device further, A reservation information storage means that stores the vehicle usage reservation information transmitted from the user terminal, A reservation acceptance means that writes the reservation information for vehicle use transmitted from the user terminal to the reservation information storage means and accepts the reservation for vehicle use, A demand forecasting means reads past reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means and predicts the demand for vehicle use based on the reservation information, A transport planning means that creates transport plan information based on the demand forecast by the demand forecasting means, A transport plan information storage means that stores the transport plan information created by the transport planning means, After receiving a reservation for the use of the vehicle, the update means reads the transfer plan information from the transfer plan information storage means, determines whether a transfer is necessary based on the vehicle usage reservation information transmitted from the user terminal, determines whether a transfer is necessary if a transfer is determined to be necessary, determines whether the transfer plan information needs to be modified, stores the transfer plan information as a transfer request information in the transfer plan information storage means if a modification of the transfer plan information is determined to be necessary, updates the transfer plan information, and stores the updated transfer plan information as a transfer request information in the transfer plan information storage means. A transport candidate selection information storage means that stores the transport candidate selection information selected by the transport candidate selection means. It is equipped with, The car-sharing system according to claim 3, characterized in that the vehicle transfer request means reads the vehicle transfer request information from the vehicle transfer plan information storage means, reads the vehicle transfer candidate selection information from the vehicle transfer candidate selection information storage means, and transmits the vehicle transfer request information as a vehicle transfer request notification via the communication network to the vehicle transfer candidate terminal of the vehicle transfer candidate selected by the vehicle transfer candidate selection means.

5. The car-sharing system according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the incentive setting means performs a calculation based on the delivery date and the delivery request date, and sets the size of the incentive according to the period between the delivery date and the delivery request date.

6. The aforementioned control device further, The system includes a means for receiving response information after the delivery candidate has completed the delivery and writes the incentive satisfaction information transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal to the delivery candidate information storage means. The car-sharing system according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the incentive setting means sets the incentive for each of the delivery candidates based on the incentive satisfaction information.

7. The car-sharing system according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the incentive includes a portable mobility device that is provided to the transport candidate in advance, or a portable mobility device that is mounted on the transport vehicle and provided to the transport candidate after the transport has been completed.

8. The aforementioned control device further, The car-sharing system according to claim 2 or 4, further comprising a delivery notice notification means that reads the delivery plan information from the delivery plan information storage means and transmits the delivery plan information to the delivery candidate terminal as a delivery notice via the communication network before a vehicle usage reservation is transmitted from the user terminal.

9. The car-sharing system according to claim 2 or 4, further characterized in that the demand forecasting means forecasts the demand based on one or more of the following: the weather forecast for the day of the vehicle transfer, the expected temperature, and information on events held around the vehicle location.

10. The aforementioned transfer candidate information storage means stores transfer candidate attribute information, The car-sharing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the delivery candidate selection means reads the delivery candidate attribute information stored in the delivery candidate information storage means and the delivery plan information stored in the delivery plan information storage means, and selects the delivery candidate based on the delivery candidate attribute information and the delivery plan information.

11. The aforementioned transfer candidate information storage means stores transfer candidate attribute information, The car-sharing system according to claim 4, characterized in that the transport candidate selection means reads the transport candidate attribute information stored in the transport candidate information storage means and the transport plan information stored in the transport plan information storage means, and selects the transport candidate based on the transport candidate attribute information and the transport plan information.

12. The car-sharing system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the attribute information of the candidate for vehicle transfer includes at least one of the following: time availability information representing the candidate's ability to provide vehicle transfers on a day of the week and / or time of day; motivation information for the candidate for vehicle transfers; the success rate of the candidate for vehicle transfers; and the candidate's vehicle transfer eligibility based on their vehicle transfer record.

13. The car-sharing system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the delivery candidate attribute information is one or more of the following: information transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal when the delivery candidate is registered, information transmitted from the delivery candidate terminal after the delivery candidate has performed a delivery, and information generated by calculations based on the delivery request information transmitted to the delivery candidate and the delivery record of the delivery candidate.

Images