Information processing equipment and vehicles

Abstract

To selectively enable a vehicle function on demand.SOLUTION: An information processing device 20 includes: a communication unit that communicates with a vehicle 30; and a control unit that obtains reservation information including both a schedule on which a user U1 uses the vehicle 30 and a service option which is selected as a function that the user U1 desires to use in the vehicle 30; creates service activate information, on the basis of the obtained reservation information, that enables the function which is selected as a service option from among one or more functions included in the vehicle 30 by downloading to the vehicle 30; and transmits the created service activate information to the vehicle 30 via a communication unit according to the schedule.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and a vehicle. [Background Art]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a payment system using electronic money for car sharing, which outputs information obtained by comparing a fee related to an extension of car sharing for lending a vehicle with the balance of electronic money registered as a payment method for car sharing. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-189776 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] Rental car services and car sharing services, in which a plurality of users jointly use a vehicle, have become widespread. In car sharing services, usage fees for rental cars and shared cars are generally uniformly set in accordance with the vehicle class, the vehicle usage period, and the like. For example, the payment system described in Patent Document 1 discloses that the car sharing usage fee adopts a fee structure obtained by adding a distance fee according to travel distance and a time fee according to usage time.

[0005] In recent years, available functions of vehicles have become increasingly diversified and sophisticated. It is assumed that each user who uses a one-time use vehicle that is used each time by an unspecified number of users in services such as a rental car service or a car sharing service desires to select a function that meets their own needs from such functions and use the selected function on demand.

[0006] The technology described in Patent Document 1 does not attempt to selectively enable vehicle functions on demand.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to enable vehicle functions to be selectively activated on demand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The information processing device related to this disclosure is A communication unit that communicates with the vehicle, The system acquires reservation information including the user's schedule for using the vehicle and the service options selected by the user as functions they wish to use in the vehicle, and based on the acquired reservation information, it creates service activation information that enables the selected function from one or more functions provided by the vehicle when downloaded to the vehicle. A control unit transmits the created service activation information to the vehicle via the communication unit according to the schedule. It is equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, vehicle functions can be selectively enabled on demand. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the figures.

[0012] In each figure, identical or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of identical or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0013] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0014] The information processing system 10 comprises at least one information processing device 20, at least one vehicle 30, and a user U1 terminal device 40. Note that there may be multiple information processing devices 20, vehicles 30, and terminal devices 40.

[0015] The information processing device 20 can communicate with the vehicle 30 and the terminal device 40 via the network 50.

[0016] The information processing device 20 is installed in a facility such as a data center. The information processing device 20 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system.

[0017] Vehicle 30 is any type of automobile, such as a gasoline car, diesel car, hydrogen car, HEV, PHEV, BEV, or FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle.

[0018] In this embodiment, the terminal device 40 is held by user U1. The terminal device 40 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet, or a general-purpose terminal such as a PC. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer.

[0019] Network 50 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or a combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 50 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. The wireless network is, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0020] An overview of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the vehicle 30 is a so-called one-time use vehicle such as a rental car or a shared car. The term "one-time use vehicle" means that one or more users use the vehicle according to different non-overlapping schedules for each user. The vehicle 30 may be a vehicle selected from a plurality of vehicles. One or more users each make a reservation by designating a schedule SH including the desired date and time and / or period of use of the vehicle 30. It is assumed that the one or more users include a user U1. For example, when user U1 reserves the vehicle 30 by designating a schedule SH1, the vehicle 30 will be used by user U1 during the period P1 of the schedule SH1.

[0022] In this embodiment, the vehicle 30 is equipped with one or more functions F that each user can use while riding in the vehicle 30. Functions F include those that are pre-installed in the vehicle 30 as application programs and become available when the application programs are activated. The hardware necessary for using functions F is pre-installed in the vehicle 30. Examples of such functions F include, but are not limited to, car navigation functions, electronic toll collection functions such as ETC (registered trademark), braking safety functions, accident response functions such as drive recorders, parking search functions, voice interaction functions, and tourist information functions.

[0023] In this embodiment, user U1, who wishes to reserve vehicle 30, accesses an arbitrary reservation system via terminal device 40. User U1 logs in to the reservation system by entering login information such as user ID1 and password. "ID" is an abbreviation for identifier. User U1 uses terminal device 40 to input reservation information D1, which includes a schedule SH1 such as the period P1 for which user U1 wishes to use vehicle 30, and service options OP selected as the functions f1 that user U1 wishes to use in vehicle 30, into the reservation system. In this embodiment, the reservation system is built on a reservation platform operated by a rental car operator or a car-sharing operator. The reservation system may also be built on a reservation platform operated by a reservation management operator.

[0024] In the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment, the information processing device 20 accesses the reservation platform and obtains reservation information D1. The reservation information D1 includes information indicating the schedule SH1 under which user U1 will use the vehicle 30 and the service option OP selected as the function f1 that user U1 wishes to use in the vehicle 30. The reservation information D1 may also include information indicating user ID 1 of user U1. Based on the obtained reservation information D1, the information processing device 20 creates service activation information D2. The service activation information D2 is information that, when downloaded to the vehicle 30, activates the function f1 selected as the service option OP from among one or more functions F provided by the vehicle 30. The information processing device 20 transmits the created service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30 according to the schedule SH1. When the vehicle 30 receives the service activation information D2 transmitted from the information processing device 20, it activates the function f1 selected as the service option OP indicated in the service activation information D2 from among one or more functions F. The information processing device 20 calculates the charge for each function f1 activated in the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of schedule SH1, and notifies the user U1 of the total of the calculated charges.

[0025] According to this embodiment, when a user U1 who wishes to reserve vehicle 30 selects a function f1 from among the functions F that they wish to use when using vehicle 30 as a service option OP, service activation information D2 is sent to vehicle 30 according to the schedule SH1 in which user U1 will use vehicle 30. Then, function f1 is activated in vehicle 30. Thus, from among the functions F provided by vehicle 30, the function f1 required by user U1 is selectively activated on demand. User U1 then obtains the right to use the activated function f1. In other words, according to this embodiment, users can activate the functions they need for the time they need. Furthermore, by calculating the fee for each activated function and notifying the user of the total calculated fee, users are not charged for the use of unnecessary functions, making reasonable use possible. In other words, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to provide detailed services according to the user's on-demand needs.

[0026] Referring to Figure 2, the configuration of the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0027] The information processing device 20 comprises a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0028] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 controls each part of the information processing device 20 and executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 20.

[0029] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or at least two combinations thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read-only memory. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read-only memory. The storage unit 22 functions, for example, as a main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used for the operation of the information processing device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 20. In this embodiment, history information D3 may also be stored in the storage unit 22. The history information D3 will be described later.

[0030] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface, which is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 23 receives data used in the operation of the information processing device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 20. In this embodiment, the communication unit 23 communicates with the vehicle 30. The communication unit 23 also communicates with the terminal device 40.

[0031] The functions of the information processing device 20 are realized by executing the information processing program according to this embodiment on the processor acting as the control unit 21. In other words, the functions of the information processing device 20 are realized by software. The information processing program causes the computer to perform the operations of the information processing device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 20. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 20 by performing the operations of the information processing device 20 according to the information processing program.

[0032] The program can be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or ROM. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs containing the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program may also be distributed by storing it in server storage and transferring it from the server to other computers. The program may also be provided as a program product.

[0033] A computer, for example, stores a program stored on a portable medium or a program transferred from a server in its main memory. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main memory with its processor and executes the processing according to the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from the portable medium and execute the processing according to the program. The computer may also execute the processing according to the received program sequentially each time a program is transferred to the computer from a server. Processing may also be performed by a so-called ASP-type service, which does not transfer programs from the server to the computer, but realizes its function only through execution instructions and result retrieval. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program includes information used for processing by an electronic computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has the nature of defining the computer's processing falls under "equivalent to a program".

[0034] Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 20 may be implemented by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as a control unit 21. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 20 may be implemented by hardware.

[0035] The configuration of the vehicle 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3.

[0036] Vehicle 30 comprises a vehicle control unit 31, a vehicle storage unit 32, a vehicle communication unit 33, and function F.

[0037] The vehicle control unit 31 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. The vehicle control unit 31 controls each functional component of the vehicle 30 and executes processes related to the operation of the vehicle 30.

[0038] The vehicle storage unit 32 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or at least two combinations thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The vehicle storage unit 32 functions, for example, as a main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The vehicle storage unit 32 stores data used for the operation of the vehicle 30 and data obtained by the operation of the vehicle 30. In this embodiment, the vehicle storage unit 32 may store service activation information D2 downloaded from the information processing device 20.

[0039] The vehicle communication unit 33 includes at least one communication interface, which is, for example, a LAN interface. The vehicle communication unit 33 receives data used for the operation of the vehicle 30 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the vehicle 30.

[0040] Furthermore, the vehicle 30 is configured with pre-installed hardware and / or pre-installed application programs and is equipped with user-accessible functions F. In this embodiment, when function F is activated, it can provide the user with service options OP. Examples of such functions F include, but are not limited to, a car navigation function, an electronic toll collection function such as ETC (registered trademark), a braking safety function, an accident response function such as a drive recorder, a parking search function, a voice interaction function, and a tourist information function.

[0041] Referring to Figure 4, the operation of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment will be described. This operation corresponds to the information processing method according to this embodiment.

[0042] Assume that a reservation for vehicle 30 has been made by user U1, who wishes to use vehicle 30. The reservation for vehicle 30 may be made by any procedure. For example, user U1 logs into the reservation system via terminal device 40 by entering user ID 1 and password to identify user U1, and makes a reservation for vehicle 30. User U1 inputs a period P1 as the schedule SH1 for which they wish to use vehicle 30 into terminal device 40, and also selects a function f1 that user U1 wishes to use in vehicle 30, and inputs the selected function f1 as a service option OP. There are no restrictions on the input of the period P1, but for example, it can be entered in hours or days. Terminal device 40 transmits the information indicating the period P1 as schedule SH1 and the function f1 as a service option OP entered by user U1 to the reservation system as reservation information D1. The reservation system receives the reservation information D1 and stores it in the reservation system's storage.

[0043] In S101, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires reservation information D1. Specifically, the control unit 21 communicates with the reservation system. The reservation system transmits the reservation information D1 to the information processing device 20. The control unit 21 receives the reservation information D1 transmitted from the reservation system via the communication unit 23. The reservation information D1 includes information indicating the period P1 during which user U1 will use the vehicle 30 as schedule SH1, and information indicating the function f1 selected by user U1 as service option OP. The reservation information D1 may also include information indicating user ID 1 or user attribute T1 of user U1.

[0044] In S102, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 creates service activation information D2 based on the reservation information D1 acquired in S101. In this embodiment, the service activation information D2 is information for activating a function f, which is indicated as a service option OP, from among one or more functions F in the vehicle 30. The function f indicated as a service option OP may include a function f1 selected by user U1, as well as an additional function f2 described later. When the service activation information D2 is downloaded to the vehicle 30, the function f selected as a service option OP from among one or more functions F provided by the vehicle 30 is activated and becomes available to user U1.

[0045] As one modification of this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may select an additional function f2 recommended to user U1 as a candidate for function f to be activated in the service activation information D2, in addition to the function f1 selected by user U1 as a service option OP. The control unit 21 may then send a notification N1 recommending the use of the selected additional function f2 to user U1's terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23. Specifically, the control unit 21 may further perform the following processing S103 and S104.

[0046] In S103, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 selects an additional function f2 that it recommends to user U1. The additional function f2 may be selected arbitrarily, but for example, it may be selected in the following procedure.

[0047] As one procedure for selecting an additional function f2, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 searches for and obtains history information D3, which shows the driving record of user U1, based on user ID 1. Based on the obtained history information D3, the control unit 21 selects an additional function f2. For example, the driving record of user U1 shown in the history information D3 may include a record of the types of functions used by user U1 in vehicles used in the past. Based on the history information D3, the control unit 21 determines the types of functions that user U1 has used most frequently, and selects a function other than function f1 that corresponds to the determined type of function as the additional function f2. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may select a function other than function f1 as the additional function f2, which is the same type of function or a similar function used by user U1, but is an upgraded or high-performance function. In this embodiment, the history information D3 is stored in the storage unit 22. The history information D3 may also be stored in external storage and referenced by the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20.

[0048] Alternatively, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may select the additional function f2 using a trained model M. For example, the trained model M1 can be used, which takes user attributes T as input and outputs functions that are expected to be of high interest to the user but have not yet used. As an example, suppose the reservation information D1 acquired in S101 includes user U1 attributes T1, such as user U1's age, gender, and occupation. The control unit 21 may input the user U1 attributes T1 included in the reservation information D1 into the trained model M1 and select the functions output from the trained model M1 as the additional function f2 recommended to user U1.

[0049] In S104, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 sends a notification N1 to the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23, recommending the use of the additional function f2 selected in S103. If the control unit 21 receives a notification R1 from user U1 indicating user U1's acceptance of using the additional function f2 as a response R1 to notification N1, it adds the additional function f2 to function f1 as a function f enabled in the service activation information D2. On the other hand, if the control unit 21 receives a notification R1 indicating user U1's rejection of using the additional function f2 as a response R1, it does not add the additional function f2 as a function f enabled in the service activation information D2.

[0050] According to this modified version, in addition to the features selected by the user, additional features that are of high interest to the user or deemed useful to the user can be recommended. Therefore, the range of service options that can be offered to the user can be broadened. In other words, the quality of the service can be improved because it increases the opportunities for users to utilize more features.

[0051] In S105, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines whether the period P1 of the schedule SH1 indicated by the reservation information D1 has started. If it is determined that the period P1 has started, the process in S106 is performed. If it is determined that the period P1 has not started, the process in S105 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0052] In S106, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 transmits the created service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23. The service activation information D2 may be transmitted at any time within the period P1 of schedule SH1. For example, after the start of period P1 of schedule SH1, if the control unit 21 detects that the vehicle 30 has been started within period P1, it transmits the service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30.

[0053] In S107, when the vehicle control unit 31 of the vehicle 30 receives the service activation information D2 transmitted from the information processing device 20 via the vehicle communication unit 33, it performs control to activate the function F of the vehicle 30. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 31 downloads the received service activation information D2 to the vehicle 30. As a result, the function f of the vehicle 30 that provides the service option OP indicated by the service activation information D2 is activated.

[0054] In this way, the information processing device 20 obtains reservation information D1, which includes the schedule SH1 for when user U1 will use the vehicle 30 and the service option OP selected by user U1 as the function f1 that user U1 wishes to use in the vehicle 30. Based on the obtained reservation information D1, the information processing device 20 creates service activation information D2. When the service activation information D2 is downloaded to the vehicle 30, the function f selected as the service option OP from among one or more functions F provided by the vehicle 30 is activated. In addition to the function f1 selected by user U1 as the service option OP, the service activation information D2 may also include additional functions f2 recommended to user U1 as functions f to be activated in the vehicle 30. The information processing device 20 transmits the service activation information D2 thus created to the vehicle 30 in accordance with the schedule SH1.

[0055] According to this embodiment, when a user reserves a vehicle, they can select the functions available in the vehicle as service options. Then, according to the reserved schedule, the functions in the vehicle are automatically activated and become available. Thus, the user can selectively activate the functions they need in the vehicle. Furthermore, the user may communicate with the information processing device 20 even while riding in the vehicle and add additional functions as service options. In this case, the necessary services can be activated after boarding, so the user can obtain service usage rights on demand during the vehicle rental period.

[0056] As one variation of this embodiment, a trial period P2 may be set for the function f of the vehicle 30 that was activated in S107. The "trial period P2" is a period during which no usage fee is incurred for a function even if that function is activated. The trial period P2 may be set for all of the functions f, or for some of the functions f. The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 sends a notification N2 to the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23 by the end of the trial period P2, urging continued use of the function ft for which the trial period P2 has been set. Alternatively, the communication unit 23 of the information processing device 20 further communicates with the in-vehicle terminal device installed in the vehicle 30. The control unit 21 then sends the notification N2 to the in-vehicle terminal device via the communication unit 23 by the end of the trial period P2. Specifically, the following processes S108 and S109 are performed.

[0057] In S108, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines whether the remaining period P2' of the trial period P2 is less than the threshold TH. The threshold TH can be any value, but it can be set to any value within a range such that the time from the current time to the end time of the trial period P2 is within X minutes, so that the user U1 will know that the trial period P2 is about to end. If it is determined that the remaining period P2' is less than the threshold TH, the process in S109 is performed. If it is determined that the remaining period P2' is greater than or equal to the threshold TH, the process in S108 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0058] In S109, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 transmits a notification N2 to the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23, prompting the continued use of function ft. Alternatively, the communication unit 23 of the information processing device 20 may further communicate with an in-vehicle terminal device mounted on the vehicle 30, and the control unit 21 may transmit the notification N2 to the in-vehicle terminal device via the communication unit 23. The control unit 21 receives, via the communication unit 23, information indicating the function f' that user U1 has selected as the function of function ft that user U1 wishes to continue using, as response R2 to notification N2. Based on the received response R2, the control unit 21 performs control to disable function f'' other than function f' of function ft. User U1 may also transmit information indicating the function that they do not wish to continue using, i.e., the function they wish to disable, as response R2.

[0059] According to this modified version, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 sends a notification N2 to the terminal device 40 or in-vehicle terminal device via the communication unit 23, prompting continued use of function ft by the end of the trial period P2 set for function ft. By providing a trial period P2 in this way, user U1 can try out the functions they want to use free of charge. Furthermore, before the trial period P2 ends, user U1 can select the necessary functions f' from among the functions ft. After the trial period P2 ends, functions f'' that are unnecessary for user U1 are disabled. As a result, user U1 can continue to use only the functions f' they like for a fee even after the trial period P2 ends. Therefore, even after the trial period P2 ends, user U1 can use the necessary functions f' for a fee, while not having to pay for unnecessary functions f''. In other words, according to this embodiment, the user can obtain the right to use the necessary services for the necessary time. Therefore, according to this modified version, it is possible to make vehicle use even more reasonable for the user.

[0060] In S110, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines whether the period P1 of schedule SH1 has ended. If it is determined that the period P1 has ended, the process in S111 is performed. If it is determined that the period P1 has not ended, the process in S110 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0061] In S111, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 calculates the charge for each function f activated in the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of schedule SH1. The charge can be calculated using any procedure, but it can be calculated by setting a charge per unit time for each function F provided by the vehicle 30, and multiplying the charge per unit time set for the function f activated during period P1 by the time that function f was activated. If a trial period P2 is set for function f, the control unit 21 calculates the charge for each function f' that was activated between the end of the trial period P2 and the end of period P1. Specifically, the control unit 21 calculates the charge by multiplying the charge per unit time set for function f' by the time that function f' was activated between the end of the trial period P2 and the end of period P1.

[0062] In S112, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 notifies user U1 of the total charges calculated in S111. For example, the control unit 21 transmits information to user U1's terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23, indicating that the total charges calculated in S111, in addition to the usage charges for the vehicle 30 during period P1, are the usage charges for service option OP. The control unit 21 may also transmit the calculated total charges to an in-vehicle terminal device installed in the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23.

[0063] According to this embodiment, the fee for each function activated in the vehicle 30 during the period P1 of schedule SH1 is calculated. Therefore, in the case of a one-time use vehicle, if the addition or deletion of functions in the vehicle is requested, the requested function can be activated or deactivated, and the corresponding change in fee can be reflected in the user's payment. In other words, the user can disable the necessary services and obtain the right to use the necessary services for the necessary time, making reasonable usage possible. For the operator, there is also the advantage that the hardware necessary for using function F is pre-installed in the vehicle 30, and the proposed method, which allows the user to expand service functions on demand, does not increase the load.

[0064] As a modification of this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may, during the period P1 of schedule SH1, receive a service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30 and then transmit service activation information D2. Specifically, in S105 described above, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may determine whether the period P1 of schedule SH1 indicated by the reservation information D1 has started, and further determine whether there has been a service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30. The service activation request RQ may be transmitted in any procedure, but for example, the vehicle 30 may be started as a trigger to transmit a service activation request RQ to the information processing device 20 from the vehicle 30. In S105, when the control unit 21 receives the service activation request RQ transmitted from the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23, the process in S106 is performed. The determination of whether there has been a service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30 is repeated until the control unit 21 receives a service activation request RQ from the vehicle 30.

[0065] According to this modified version, the period during which function f is activated in vehicle 30 and the period P1 during which vehicle 30 is rented can be managed separately. Therefore, for example, when the usage fee for function f is calculated on a usage basis according to the length of the period during which function f is activated, the usage fee can be calculated more accurately.

[0066] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, multiple blocks described in the block diagram may be combined, or a single block may be divided. Instead of executing multiple steps described in the flowchart in chronological order as described, they may be executed in parallel or in a different order, depending on the processing capacity of the device performing each step, or as necessary. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0067] For example, in S110, instead of determining whether the period P1 of schedule SH1 has ended, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of period P1. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the charge may be calculated in S111 and notified to user U1 in S112. In this way, user U1 can know the progress of the usage fee for function f as a status of service option OP usage during the rental of the vehicle 30. Therefore, user U1 can more easily plan the use of function f according to their budget. Thus, convenience is further improved. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 10. Information Processing Systems 20 Information Processing Devices 21 Control Unit 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 30 vehicles 31 Vehicle Control Unit 32 Vehicle memory unit 33. Vehicle Communications Department 40 Terminal devices 50 Networks U1 User F Function

Claims

1. A communication unit that communicates with the vehicle, The system acquires reservation information including the user's schedule for using the vehicle and the service options selected by the user as functions they wish to use in the vehicle, and based on the acquired reservation information, it creates service activation information that enables the selected function from one or more functions provided by the vehicle when downloaded to the vehicle. Upon receiving a service activation request triggered by the vehicle starting up after the start of the aforementioned schedule period, the control unit transmits the service activation information to the vehicle via the communication unit. An information processing device comprising, Each of the aforementioned functions has a set fee per unit of time. The control unit calculates the fee for each function that was activated in the vehicle during the scheduled period by multiplying the fee per unit time set for each function by the time that function was activated. The control unit determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the schedule period, and if it determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, it notifies the user of the total amount of the calculated charges. The aforementioned feature has a trial period during which no charges are incurred even if it is activated. The communication unit further communicates with the user's terminal device or an in-vehicle terminal device installed in the vehicle. The control unit transmits a notification to the terminal device or the in-vehicle terminal device via the communication unit to encourage continued use of the function by the end of the trial period. The control unit receives, via the communication unit, information indicating the function that the user has selected as the function they wish to continue using from among the functions for which a trial period has been set, as a response from the user to the notification, and based on the received response, performs control to disable functions other than the function that the user has selected as the function they wish to continue using from among the functions for which a trial period has been set.

2. The communication unit further communicates with the user's terminal device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects additional functions recommended to the user as candidates for functions to be enabled in the service activation information, in addition to the functions selected as service options indicated in the reservation information, and transmits a notification recommending the use of the selected additional functions to the terminal device via the communication unit.

3. A vehicle communication unit that communicates with the information processing device described in claim 1 or claim 2, A vehicle comprising: a vehicle control unit that receives the service activation information transmitted from the information processing device via the vehicle communication unit, The vehicle is equipped with one or more pre-installed functions that, when activated, can provide the service options. A vehicle in which, upon receiving the service activation information, the vehicle control unit performs control to activate one or more functions that provide the service options indicated in the service activation information.

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