Information processing device

Abstract

To provide an information processing device configured to improve a technique of notifying a user of information on a vehicle product.SOLUTION: An information processing device 20 includes a control unit 23. The control unit 23 acquires information on one or more products, determines whether or not the product satisfies a first condition based on initial specifications of a vehicle owned by the user, determines whether or not the product satisfies a second condition based on a specification change history of the vehicle, determines whether or not the product satisfies a third condition based on individual information of the user, specifies each of products satisfying all of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition as target products, and notifies the user of information on the specified target products.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technology for notifying a user of information on vehicle products has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle manufacturing support system that, when receiving from a user a designation of a vehicle body and a designation of the charging performance of a used battery, provides the user with information indicating a combination of the vehicle body corresponding to the designation and the used battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, for vehicle products, for example, the vehicle models to which they can be attached are predetermined, and a user purchases a product corresponding to the vehicle model of the vehicle they own. However, even a product corresponding to the vehicle model may not be able to be attached, for example, due to interference with another product that the user has previously attached to the vehicle. Thus, when the specifications of the vehicle have been changed from the initial specifications, even if the user purchases a product corresponding to the vehicle model of the vehicle, they may not actually be able to attach it and may feel dissatisfied. Also, in order to promote the sale of vehicle products, it is generally done to notify the user of information on vehicle products. However, for example, if information on vehicle products that the user has previously viewed or purchased is notified, there is a risk of annoying the user, and the possibility of the notification being ignored also increases. Therefore, there has been room for improvement in the technology for notifying a user of information on vehicle products.

[0005] In light of these circumstances, the purpose of this disclosure is to improve the technology for notifying users of information about vehicle products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of this disclosure is An information processing device comprising a control unit, The control unit, Obtain information on one or more products, Based on the initial specifications of the vehicle owned by the user, it is determined whether the product meets the first condition. Based on the specification change history of the aforementioned vehicle, it is determined whether the aforementioned product satisfies the second condition. Based on the user's individual information, it is determined whether the product satisfies the third condition. Each of the above products that satisfies all of the first, second, and third conditions is identified as a target product. The user is notified of the information regarding the identified target product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the technology for notifying users of information about vehicle products is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows a schematic configuration of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the terminal device. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of user information stored in an information processing device. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of vehicle information. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the operation of an information processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below.

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) Referring to Figure 1, an overview of System 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described. System 1 comprises one or more terminal devices 10 and an information processing device 20. Each terminal device 10 and the information processing device 20 can communicate with each other via a network 30, such as the Internet.

[0011] The terminal device 10 is a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet device. In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 is used, for example, by a user who owns a vehicle. The information processing device 20 comprises one or more computers that can communicate with each other.

[0012] In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 provides an e-commerce site where users can purchase vehicle products (hereinafter also simply referred to as "products"). Users create a user account in advance using the terminal device 10 and log in to the e-commerce site after undergoing predetermined user authentication. After logging in, users can view product information and purchase products using electronic payment.

[0013] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The information processing device 20 according to this embodiment acquires information on one or more products. The information processing device 20 determines whether a product satisfies a first condition based on the initial specifications of the vehicle owned by the user. The information processing device 20 determines whether a product satisfies a second condition based on the specification change history of the vehicle. The information processing device 20 determines whether a product satisfies a third condition based on the user's individual information. The information processing device 20 identifies each product that satisfies all of the first, second, and third conditions as a target product. The information processing device 20 then notifies the user of the information on the identified target products.

[0014] According to this embodiment, products that are determined to satisfy the first to third conditions based on the initial specifications and specification change history of the vehicle owned by the user, as well as the user's personal information, are identified as target products. By appropriately defining the first to third conditions, for example, products that can be attached to both the vehicle in the initial specifications and the vehicle after specification changes, and that the user has not viewed product information on the EC site, are identified as target products, and information on the target products is notified to the user. According to such a configuration, for example, the probability that information on products that cannot be attached to the vehicle or products that the user has already viewed product information is notified to the user is reduced, and the technology for notifying the user of information on vehicle products is improved.

[0015] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0016] (Configuration of the vehicle) Referring to FIG. 2, each component included in the terminal device 10 will be described. The terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0017] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces for connecting to the network 30. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited thereto and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0018] The input unit 12 includes one or more input devices for detecting input operations by the user. The input device is, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen provided integrally with a display, a camera, or a microphone, etc., but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the input unit 12 may include an interface for connecting an external input device.

[0019] The output unit 13 includes one or more output devices that output information. These output devices are, for example, a display that outputs information as images, or a speaker that outputs information as sound, but are not limited to these. Alternatively, the output unit 13 may include an interface for connecting an external output device.

[0020] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 may function as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information used for the operation of the terminal device 10. For example, the storage unit 14 may store system programs and application programs, etc.

[0021] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited to this. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited to this. The control unit 15 controls the operation of the entire terminal device 10.

[0022] (Configuration of information processing device) As shown in Figure 3, the information processing device 20 comprises a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0023] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 30. These communication interfaces may support, for example, wired LAN or wireless LAN standards, but are not limited to these and may support any communication standard.

[0024] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, and databases.

[0025] In this embodiment, the storage unit 22 stores a product database. The information stored in the product database may be entered, for example, by an operator. The product database stores the conditions for vehicles on which the product can be installed (hereinafter also referred to as installation conditions) for each product sold on the e-commerce site. Specifically, the installation conditions may include conditions that limit the vehicle type, grade, or year. The installation conditions may also include conditions such as whether or not a specific other product is installed on the vehicle, or whether or not a specific modification has been made to the vehicle.

[0026] The storage unit 22 also stores user information for each user who has already obtained a user account on the e-commerce site. As shown in Figure 4, the user information may include account information, individual information, and vehicle information. The individual information and vehicle information are stored in association with the account information.

[0027] "Account information" includes, but is not limited to, the user's ID and password, and may include any information related to the user account. For example, account information may further include the user's email address, address, and electronic payment information.

[0028] "Individual information" includes, but is not limited to, the event log of a user account, and may include any information specific to a user using the e-commerce site. The event log is information that records, in chronological order, various events that occurred with respect to the user account of a user using the e-commerce site. Events include, but are not limited to, vehicle registration, viewing of product information, and product purchase. In this embodiment, for example, the vehicle registration date, the date and time of viewing each product information, and the product purchase history can be identified from the event log.

[0029] "Vehicle information" includes any information about the vehicle owned by the user. As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, vehicle information includes vehicle identification information, initial specifications, and specification change history.

[0030] "Vehicle identification information" is information that uniquely identifies a vehicle.

[0031] "Initial specifications" refer to information indicating the vehicle's specifications at the time of manufacture or sale. In this embodiment, "initial specifications" may indicate, for example, the vehicle type, grade, year of manufacture, and installed products, but are not limited to these; they may indicate any other specifications of the vehicle. Vehicle identification information and initial specifications may be stored when the user registers the vehicle. For example, a user registers a vehicle by logging into an e-commerce site using terminal device 10 and then entering information about their vehicle into terminal device 10.

[0032] The "specification change history" is information that records the history of specification changes made to a vehicle after its sale in chronological order. In this embodiment, "specification changes" include, but are not limited to, products installed or removed after the sale of the vehicle, and modifications made to the vehicle. The current specifications of a user's vehicle can be identified from the specification change history. The specification change history may be stored when the user or dealer changes the specifications of the vehicle. For example, after a user logs into an e-commerce site using the terminal device 10, the specification change history may be accumulated by inputting the details of the specification changes made to their vehicle into the terminal device 10. Alternatively, the specification change history may be accumulated when a dealer inputs the details of the specification changes made to a user's vehicle into a dedicated terminal.

[0033] If a user owns multiple vehicles, each vehicle may be registered separately. In such cases, the vehicle information for each registered vehicle will include the vehicle identification information, initial specifications, and specification change history described above.

[0034] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 23 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 20.

[0035] (Operation of information processing device) The operation of the information processing device 20 will be explained with reference to Figure 6.

[0036] S100: The control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 acquires information on one or more products.

[0037] Specifically, the control unit 23 retrieves information on one or more products from the product database stored in the storage unit 22. Here, the control unit 23 may retrieve information on one or more products when information on one or more products is newly registered in the product database, or when information on one or more products already registered in the product database is changed. Alternatively, the control unit 23 may retrieve information on one or more products selected by the operator from among multiple products already registered in the product database. The retrieved product information includes the above-mentioned mounting conditions (i.e., the conditions of the vehicle on which the product can be mounted).

[0038] If information for multiple products is obtained in S100, the processes described in S101 to S103 below will be performed for each of those multiple products.

[0039] S101: The control unit 23 determines whether the product meets the first condition based on the initial specifications of the vehicle owned by the user. If it is determined that the product meets the first condition (S101-Yes), the process proceeds to S102. On the other hand, if it is determined that the product does not meet the first condition (S101-No), the process terminates.

[0040] The "first condition" is that the product can be installed on the vehicle in its initial specifications. Specifically, the control unit 23 refers to the initial specifications (e.g., vehicle type, grade, or year of manufacture) included in the vehicle information stored in the memory unit 22, and determines that the product satisfies the first condition if the vehicle in those initial specifications meets the installation conditions for the product.

[0041] S102: The control unit 23 determines whether the product meets the second condition based on the vehicle specification change history. If it is determined that the product meets the second condition (S102-Yes), the process proceeds to S103. On the other hand, if it is determined that the product does not meet the second condition (S102-No), the process terminates.

[0042] The "second condition" is that the product can be installed on a vehicle with the current specifications identified from the specification change history. Specifically, the control unit 23 refers to the specification change history (for example, products installed after the vehicle's sale, products removed, and modifications made to the vehicle) contained in the vehicle information stored in the memory unit 22 to identify the vehicle's current specifications. The control unit 23 then determines that the product satisfies the second condition if the vehicle with the current specifications satisfies the product's installation conditions.

[0043] S103: The control unit 23 determines whether the product meets the third condition based on the user's individual information. If it is determined that the product meets the third condition (S103-Yes), the process proceeds to S104. On the other hand, if it is determined that the product does not meet the third condition (S103-No), the process terminates.

[0044] The "third condition" may be, for example, a condition that the product's information has been added or modified in the product database after the vehicle registration date. In such a case, the control unit 23 identifies the vehicle registration date from the user's individual information (event log) and determines that the product satisfies the third condition if the product's information has been added or modified in the product database after the vehicle registration date.

[0045] Furthermore, the "third condition" may be, for example, that the product information has not been viewed by the user on the e-commerce site. In such a case, the control unit 23 identifies whether or not the product information has been viewed from the user's individual information (event log), and if the product information has not been viewed, it determines that the product satisfies the third condition.

[0046] S104: The control unit 23 identifies each product that satisfies all of the first, second, and third conditions as a target product.

[0047] S105: The control unit 23 notifies the user of the information of the identified target product. The process then terminates.

[0048] Specifically, the control unit 23 notifies the user by transmitting information about the identified target product to the user's terminal device 10. The information about the target product to be notified may include, for example, the product information of the target product, or it may include the URL of the web page on the e-commerce site where the product information of the target product is listed. The notification of information may be made, for example, by sending an email, or by push notification via a dedicated application installed on the terminal device 10.

[0049] Furthermore, if multiple target products are identified in S104, the control unit 23 may aggregate the information of these multiple target products and notify the user. In other words, the control unit 23 may send a single notification containing information on multiple target products to the user's terminal device 10. With this configuration, for example, compared to an embodiment in which multiple notifications corresponding to multiple target products are sent to the terminal device 10, the number of notifications is reduced, thus reducing the likelihood that the user will feel annoyed.

[0050] Furthermore, if a user owns multiple vehicles and each vehicle is registered, the control unit 23 may identify the target product for each vehicle and aggregate information on all identified target products for multiple vehicles and notify the user. With this configuration, for example, compared to an embodiment in which multiple notifications corresponding to each of the multiple vehicles are sent to the terminal device 10, the number of notifications is reduced, thus reducing the likelihood that the user will feel annoyed.

[0051] As described above, the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment acquires information on one or more products. The information processing device 20 determines whether a product satisfies the first condition based on the initial specifications of the vehicle owned by the user. The information processing device 20 determines whether a product satisfies the second condition based on the specification change history of the vehicle. The information processing device 20 determines whether a product satisfies the third condition based on the user's individual information. The information processing device 20 identifies each product that satisfies all of the first, second, and third conditions as a target product. The information processing device 20 then notifies the user of the information on the identified target products.

[0052] With this configuration, products that are determined to meet the first to third conditions based on the initial specifications and specification change history of the vehicle owned by the user, as well as the user's individual information, are identified as target products. By appropriately defining the first to third conditions, for example, products that can be installed on both the vehicle in its initial specifications and the vehicle after specification changes, and whose product information the user has not viewed on the e-commerce site, are identified as target products, and information about such target products is notified to the user. With this configuration, the technology for notifying users of vehicle product information is improved in that, for example, the probability of notifying the user of information about products that cannot be installed on the vehicle or products whose product information the user has already viewed is reduced.

[0053] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two.

[0054] For example, in the embodiment described above, it is also possible to have an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the information processing device 20 are distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, the order of steps S101 to S103 described above may be changed. Also, for example, in the embodiment described above, for example, the second condition (and third condition) is not judged for products that do not satisfy the first condition, but an embodiment in which all three conditions (first, second, and third) are judged is also possible.

[0056] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 may determine the timing for notifying the user of information about the target product based on the user's product purchase history identified from the user's individual information (event log). Specifically, the control unit 23 identifies the time period (for example, 7pm to 8pm) when the user is most likely to purchase the product, based on the user's product purchase history. The control unit 23 then notifies the user of information about the target product during the identified time period. With this configuration, the probability of the user purchasing the target product can be improved.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 23 may notify the target product information up to a predetermined upper limit (e.g., once) at predetermined intervals (e.g., every day). With this configuration, the number of notifications is reduced compared to the embodiment in which multiple notifications are sent to the terminal device 10 within a predetermined period, thus reducing the likelihood that the user will feel annoyed.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 23 may acquire status information indicating the production status or inventory status of the target product, the availability of the target product's installer (e.g., a dealer), or both, and determine the timing for notifying the user of the target product's information based on this status information. Specifically, the control unit 23 may inquire about the production status or inventory status of the target product from, for example, the manufacturer or distributor of the target product. The control unit 23 may also inquire about the availability of the target product's installer from the installer. The control unit 23 then notifies the user of the target product's information if production of the target product is not stalled, there is inventory of the target product remaining, and / or there is availability in the installer's schedule. With this configuration, the likelihood of an unnecessarily long delay between the time the notified user purchases the target product (e.g., purchases electronically on an e-commerce site) and the time the target product is actually installed in the vehicle is reduced.

[0059] Furthermore, it is also possible to implement an embodiment in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 20 according to the above embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content that realizes each function of the information processing device 20 according to the above embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the processor reads and executes the program. Therefore, this disclosure can also be implemented as a program that can be executed by a processor, or as a non-temporary computer-readable medium that stores said program. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1 System 10 Terminal devices 11 Communications Department 12 Input section 13 Output section 14 Storage section 15 Control Unit 20 Information Processing Devices 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 30 Networks

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising a control unit, The control unit, Obtain information on one or more products, Based on the initial specifications of the vehicle owned by the user, it is determined whether the product meets the first condition. Based on the specification change history of the aforementioned vehicle, it is determined whether the aforementioned product satisfies the second condition. Based on the individual user information, it is determined whether the product satisfies the third condition. Each of the above products that satisfies all of the first, second, and third conditions is identified as a target product. The user is notified of the information of the identified target product. The first condition is that the product can be installed on the vehicle in the initial specifications. The second condition is that the product can be installed on the vehicle according to the latest specifications identified from the specification change history. The third condition is that the product information of the product has not been viewed by the user, in this information processing device.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, If the user owns multiple vehicles, the control unit identifies a target product for each vehicle, aggregates information on all the target products identified for the multiple vehicles, and notifies the user of this information processing device.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The control unit is an information processing device that determines the timing for notifying the user of information about the target product based on the user's product purchase history identified from the individual information.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The control unit, Further status information indicating the production status or inventory status of the aforementioned product, the availability of installers for the aforementioned product, or both, is obtained. An information processing device that determines the timing for notifying the user of information about the target product based on the status information.

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