Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and recording medium

Abstract

This information processing device comprises a determination unit and an output unit. The determination unit determines the usage of a target vehicle after the expiration of a contract period, on the basis of a first residual value, which is the residual value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period assumed when settling the vehicle use contract, and the market price of the target vehicle. The output unit outputs usage information that is information related to the determined usage.

Description

Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and recording medium

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for evaluating whether a vehicle can be used for a predetermined purpose. The technology described in Patent Document 1 estimates the degree of deterioration of the current vehicle's battery and the degree of deterioration of the body, which is composed of multiple components other than the current vehicle's battery. Then, based on these degrees of deterioration, it is evaluated whether the vehicle can be used for the predetermined purpose.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-038026

[0004] However, since vehicles are used for a variety of purposes, it may be difficult to appropriately determine the vehicle's purpose even if the deterioration levels of the battery and body are used.

[0005] One of the challenges of this disclosure is determining the appropriate use of the vehicle after the contract period has expired.

[0006] The information processing device of the present disclosure includes a determination means for determining the use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on a first residual value, which is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period assumed when the vehicle usage contract was concluded, and the market price of the target vehicle, and an output means for outputting use information, which is information relating to the determined use.

[0007] The information processing system according to the present disclosure includes the information processing device and a management device for managing the vehicle usage contract.

[0008] The information processing method disclosed herein involves one or more computers determining the use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on a first residual value, which is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period assumed when the vehicle usage contract was concluded, and the market price of the target vehicle, and outputting use information, which is information relating to the determined use.

[0009] The recording medium in the present disclosure is a recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing one or more computers to determine the use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on a first residual value, which is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period assumed when the vehicle usage contract was concluded, and the market price of the target vehicle, and output use information, which is information relating to the determined use.

[0010] The present disclosure makes it possible to determine the appropriate use of a vehicle after the contract period has expired.

[0011] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a first information processing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a first information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation example of a first information processing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a first management device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of contract information according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a second information processing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing operation example of a second information processing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a first determination unit according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing operation example of a first determination unit according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a physical configuration of a first information processing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a first contract unit according to the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing operation example of a first contract unit according to the present disclosure.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, in this disclosure, the drawings relate to one or more embodiments.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] (Configuration example of information processing device 100) As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing device 100 includes a determination unit 130 and an output unit 150. The determination unit 130 determines the use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on a first residual value, which is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period assumed when the vehicle usage contract was concluded, and the market price of the target vehicle. The output unit 150 outputs use information, which is information related to the determined use.

[0014] Generally, the first residual value, which is the value of the vehicle assumed when the vehicle usage contract is concluded, may differ from the actual value of the vehicle after the vehicle usage contract is concluded.

[0015] According to the information processing device 100, the use of the vehicle after the expiration of the contract period can be determined based on the first residual value and the market price that is close to the actual value of the vehicle after the conclusion of the vehicle contract. Therefore, it is possible to determine an appropriate use of the vehicle after the expiration of the contract period.

[0016] (Configuration Example of Information Processing System SYS1) As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing system SYS1 includes the above-described information processing device 100 and a management device 50 for managing vehicle usage contracts.

[0017] Generally, the first residual value, which is the value of the vehicle assumed when the vehicle usage contract is concluded, may differ from the actual value of the vehicle after the vehicle usage contract is concluded.

[0018] According to this information processing system SYS1, the use of the vehicle after the expiration of the contract period can be determined based on the first residual value and the market price that is close to the actual value of the vehicle after the conclusion of the vehicle contract. Therefore, it is possible to determine an appropriate use of the vehicle after the expiration of the contract period.

[0019] (Example of Operation of Information Processing Device 100) The information processing device 100 executes information processing as shown in FIG.

[0020] The determination unit 130 determines the use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on the first residual value, which is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period assumed when the vehicle usage contract was concluded, and the market price of the target vehicle (step S130).

[0021] The output unit 150 outputs the use information, which is information relating to the determined use (step S150).

[0022] Generally, the first residual value, which is the value of the vehicle assumed when concluding the vehicle usage contract, may differ from the actual value of the vehicle after concluding the vehicle usage contract. According to this information processing, the use of the vehicle after the expiration of the contract period can be determined based on the first residual value and a market price that is close to the actual value of the vehicle after concluding the vehicle usage contract. Therefore, it is possible to determine the appropriate use of the vehicle after the expiration of the contract period.

[0023] The information processing system SYS1, the information processing apparatus 100, and detailed examples of their operations will be described below.

[0024] (Detailed Example) The information processing system SYS1 is a system for proposing uses of a target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period of the vehicle usage contract. As described above, the information processing system SYS1 includes the management device 50 and the information processing device 100.

[0025] In the information processing system SYS1, the management device 50 and the information processing devices 100 may be connected to each other via a communication network NT that may be wired, wireless, or a combination of these. This allows the management device 50 and the information processing devices 100 to send and receive information to each other via the communication network NT.

[0026] (Regarding the Management Device 50) The management device 50 is a device for managing vehicle usage contracts.

[0027] A vehicle usage contract is a contract regarding the use of a target vehicle for a period specified in the contract (hereinafter referred to as the "contract period"), and is, for example, a vehicle lease contract, a vehicle rental contract, a car sharing contract, etc. In other words, a vehicle usage contract is a contract in which a leasing company, rental company, car sharing company, etc. permits a vehicle user to use a target vehicle for the contract period. A representative of a leasing company, rental company, car sharing company, etc. is a typical user of the management device 50. Hereinafter, when simply referred to as a "user," the user refers to a user of the management device 50.

[0028] Note that leasing companies, rental companies, car sharing companies, etc. are examples of companies that enter into vehicle usage contracts with vehicle users, but are not limited to these.

[0029] The vehicle is, for example, an electric vehicle. In the following, an example in which the vehicle is an electric vehicle will be described.

[0030] The vehicle is not limited to an electric vehicle, and may be a vehicle other than an electric vehicle (for example, a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, etc.) within the scope to which the present disclosure is applicable.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4 , the management device 50 includes a contract storage unit 52 , a charging history storage unit 54 , and an information registration unit 56 .

[0032] The contract storage unit 52 is a storage unit for storing contract information.

[0033] (Regarding Contract Information) Contract information is information relating to a vehicle usage contract.

[0034] The contract information is information that associates the target vehicle ID, user ID, contract period, current price, residual value, battery evaluation value, and usage price, as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

[0035] The target vehicle ID (Identification) is information for identifying the target vehicle. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the target vehicle ID is set to "CAR1."

[0036] The user ID (Identification) is information for identifying the vehicle user, i.e., the user of the target vehicle. The user ID shown in FIG. 5 is set to "USER1".

[0037] The contract period is a period during which a vehicle user identified by the associated user ID can use the target vehicle identified by the associated target vehicle ID. The contract period illustrated in Figure 5 is set to start on September 1, 2023 and end on August 31, 2028.

[0038] The current price is the price of the target vehicle identified using the associated target vehicle ID at the time of conclusion of the vehicle usage contract.

[0039] For example, if the target vehicle is a new car, the current price may be the purchase price, retail price, or the like of the target vehicle.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, if the target vehicle is a used vehicle, the current price may be the market price of the target vehicle, which is, for example, the price of a vehicle equivalent to the target vehicle in the used car market.

[0041] The current price shown in FIG. 5 is set to, for example, "5 million yen," which is the purchase price of a new car.

[0042] The current price is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, but may be a price set by a leasing company, rental company, car sharing company, etc., i.e., a price set by the user.

[0043] The residual value is the remaining value of the vehicle at the end of the contract period assumed when the vehicle usage contract was concluded. The residual value may be, for example, a price determined by a leasing company, rental company, car sharing company, etc., or a price appropriately set by the user.

[0044] The residual value shown in FIG. 5 is set to "2 million yen."

[0045] The battery evaluation value is a value corresponding to the condition of the battery installed in the target vehicle. This battery is, for example, the power source for the motor that drives the target vehicle.

[0046] The battery evaluation value may be, for example, State of Health (SOH), which indicates the battery capacity degradation state as a value between 0(%) and 100(%). In this case, if the target vehicle is a new car, the battery evaluation value is usually 100(%). Alternatively, if the target vehicle is a used car, the battery evaluation value may be calculated based on the current value, voltage value, etc. when charging the battery.

[0047] The battery evaluation value set in the contract information is, for example, a value corresponding to the condition of the battery installed in the target vehicle identified using the associated target vehicle ID at the time the vehicle usage contract is concluded.

[0048] The battery evaluation value shown in FIG. 5 is set to "100%."

[0049] The usage price is the fee for a vehicle user identified by the associated user ID to use the associated target vehicle ID during the contract period.

[0050] The usage price is, for example, a price set by a leasing company, rental company, car sharing company, etc., that is, a price set by the user.

[0051] The usage price may be set to a price calculated based on the current price, residual value, and contract period. In detail, the usage price may be set to a price calculated using a predetermined formula such as (current price - residual value) / contract period. The usage price shown in FIG. 5 is set to "600,000 yen / year," which is the result of using this formula when the current price is 5 million yen, the residual value is 2 million yen, and the contract period is 5 years.

[0052] The structure of the contract information is not limited to that shown in FIG. 5 and may include, for example, some of the contract period, current price, residual value, battery evaluation value, and usage price, or may include other information. The method of calculating the usage price is not limited to the above-described method and may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the usage price is not limited to a price on an annual basis, but may be set in an appropriate time unit such as a month, a day, or an hour, or may be set in other ways.

[0053] Referring again to Figure 4, the charging history storage unit 54 is a storage unit for storing charging history information.

[0054] The charging history information includes the charging history of the battery of the target vehicle. The charging history information is, for example, information that associates the target vehicle ID, the charging time, and one or both of the current value and voltage value during charging. The battery evaluation value of the target vehicle currently being used by the vehicle user can be calculated using the charging history information.

[0055] When the information registration unit 56 acquires the contract information and the charging history information, the information registration unit 56 stores them in the contract storage unit 52 and the charging history storage unit 54, respectively.

[0056] For example, the information registration unit 56 may acquire the contract information from the management device 50 or from a terminal device (not shown) via the communication network NT or a different communication network. The contract information may be transmitted from the management device 50 or a terminal device used by a leasing company, rental company, car sharing company, etc. in response to a user's operation when concluding a vehicle usage contract. The transmitted contract information may then be acquired by the information registration unit 56.

[0057] For example, the information registration unit 56 may acquire the charging history information from a charging device (not shown) via the communication network NT or a different communication network. The charging history information may be transmitted from the charging device when the battery mounted on the target vehicle is charged. The transmitted charging history information may then be acquired by the information registration unit 56.

[0058] This charging device is a device used to charge a battery installed in a target vehicle. Note that information for identifying the charging device (a charging device ID) may be set in the contract information in association with the target vehicle, for example, when a vehicle usage contract is concluded, and may be included in the charging history information. By using this charging device ID, the target vehicle can be associated with the charging history information even if the charging history information transmitted from the charging device does not include the target vehicle ID.

[0059] (Information Processing Device 100) The information processing device 100 is a device that proposes uses of a target vehicle after the contract period of the vehicle usage contract has expired.

[0060] The uses of the target vehicle include, for example, "sale" as the first use, "subject to another vehicle usage contract" as the second use, and "secondary use" as the third use. The information processing device 100 determines the use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period from the above-mentioned first to third uses based on the first residual value and the market price of the target vehicle. "Secondary use" refers to the secondary use (i.e., reuse) of the battery installed in the target vehicle. During secondary use, the battery may be subjected to a regeneration process, such as replacement of parts.

[0061] The uses of the target vehicle are not limited to those exemplified here, and two or more uses may be determined in advance. The two or more predetermined uses may include one or more of the first to third uses, or all or part of the uses may be uses other than the first to third uses.

[0062] Here, the "first residual value" is the residual value set in a certain vehicle usage contract. The term "first residual value" is used to distinguish it from the "second residual value" used in other embodiments. The "second residual value" is the residual value set in the new vehicle usage contract when a new vehicle usage contract is concluded for the same target vehicle after the contract period of the vehicle usage contract expires, i.e., when the target vehicle is used for a second purpose.

[0063] The information processing device 100 includes, for example, a contract unit 110, a determination unit 130, and an output unit 150, as shown in FIG.

[0064] The contract unit 110 generates contract information based on input or designation by the user.

[0065] The determination unit 130 determines the use of the target vehicle after the contract period expires, based on the first residual value and the market price of the target vehicle.

[0066] The output unit 150 outputs use information, which is information relating to the use determined by the determination unit 120 .

[0067] The information processing device 100 executes information processing such as that shown in FIG.

[0068] The contract unit 110 generates contract information based on the user's input or designation (step S110).

[0069] The determination unit 130 determines the use of the target vehicle after the contract period expires, based on the first residual value and the market price of the target vehicle (step S130).

[0070] The output unit 150 outputs the use information, which is information relating to the use determined by the determination unit 120 (step S150).

[0071] (Regarding the contract unit 110) For example, when the contract unit 110 receives an instruction from the user in response to the conclusion of a vehicle usage contract, the contract unit 110 may generate contract information based on inputs or specifications made by the user up to that point. The contract unit 110, for example, transmits the generated contract information to the management device 50. As a result, contract information such as that shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the contract storage unit 52.

[0072] Note that some of the contract information may be set automatically, or the automatically set information may be configured so that the user can change it. For example, the current price and battery evaluation value of the contract information regarding a renewed vehicle usage contract may be set automatically. A detailed example of this will be described in another embodiment.

[0073] (Regarding the determining unit 130) The determining unit 130 may be configured in detail as determining units 130a and 130b described below. Note that the detailed configuration of the determining unit 130 is not limited to determining units 130a and 130b.

[0074] (Regarding the Determining Unit 130a) When the time for proposing a use arrives, for example, the determining unit 130a determines the use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on the first residual value and the market price of the target vehicle.

[0075] The determination unit 130a may include, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a timing determination unit 131, a first residual value acquisition unit 132, a market price acquisition unit 133, and a use determination unit 136a.

[0076] The timing determination unit 131 determines whether the time for use proposal has arrived for the target vehicle.

[0077] The first residual value acquisition unit 132 acquires a first residual value, which is the residual value of a target vehicle whose use proposal time has arrived.

[0078] The market price acquisition unit 133 acquires the market price of the target vehicle for which the time for use proposal has arrived.

[0079] The use determination unit 136a determines the use of the target vehicle to be either a sale (first use) or a subject of a renewed vehicle use contract (second use) based on the result of comparison between the first residual value acquired by the first residual value acquisition unit 132 and the market price acquired by the market price acquisition unit 133. In other words, the use is determined to be either a sale or a subject of a renewed vehicle use contract based on the result of comparison between the first residual value and the market price.

[0080] The determination unit 130a executes a determination process (step S130a) as shown in Fig. 9. The determination process (step S130a) is an example of the determination process (step S130).

[0081] The timing determination unit 131 determines whether the time for use proposal has arrived for the target vehicle (step S131). If the time for use proposal has not arrived (step S131; No), the timing determination unit 131 continues to perform step S131.

[0082] If the time for use proposal has arrived (step S131; Yes), the first residual value acquisition unit 132 acquires the first residual value, which is the residual value of the target vehicle for which the time for use proposal has arrived (step S132).

[0083] The market price acquisition unit 133 acquires the market price of the target vehicle for which the use proposal time has arrived (step S133).

[0084] The use determination unit 136a determines the use of the target vehicle as either a sale (first use) or the subject of a new vehicle usage contract (second use) based on the comparison results between the first residual value obtained in steps S131 to S132 and the market price (step S136a).

[0085] (Regarding the use proposal timing) The use proposal timing is a predetermined time for proposing a use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period. The use proposal timing is a predetermined time during the contract period, for example, a predetermined period before the expiration of the contract period. In other words, the use should be determined a predetermined period before the expiration of the contract period. This predetermined period should be set as appropriate, for example, one month before, three months before, six months before, etc.

[0086] The timing determination unit 131, for example, acquires contract information from the management device 50 and determines whether the time for use proposal for the target vehicle has arrived based on the end of the contract period included in the contract information.

[0087] (Regarding Acquisition of First Residual Value) The first residual value acquisition unit 132 acquires, as the first residual value, the residual value associated with the target vehicle ID in contract information for which it has been determined that the time for use proposal has arrived, for example.

[0088] (Regarding acquisition of market prices)

[0089] The market price acquisition unit 133 acquires the market price of a target vehicle (i.e., a target vehicle for which the time for use proposal has arrived) identified using a target vehicle ID in contract information for which it has been determined that the time for use proposal has arrived, for example.

[0090] The market price is the price when the target vehicle is evaluated in monetary terms at the time of the proposed use, and is, for example, the price of a vehicle equivalent to the target vehicle in the used car market, as described above. The market price acquisition unit 133 may acquire the market price based on, for example, a user input or from an external device (not shown).

[0091] (Regarding the Use Determining Unit 136a) For example, if the first residual value is less than the market price, the use determining unit 136a may determine the vehicle to be sold (first use). For example, if the first residual value is equal to or greater than the market price, the use determining unit 136a may determine the vehicle to be the subject of a new vehicle use contract (second use).

[0092] (Regarding the determination unit 130b) For example, when the time for suggesting the intended use arrives, the determination unit 130b determines the intended use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on the first residual value, the market price, and the battery evaluation value of the target vehicle. That is, the intended use may be determined based on the first residual value, the market price, and the battery evaluation value. As described above, the battery evaluation value is a value according to the condition of the battery installed in the target vehicle.

[0093] The determination unit 130b may include, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a timing determination unit 131, a first residual value acquisition unit 132, a market price acquisition unit 133, a battery evaluation unit 134, and a use determination unit 136b.

[0094] The battery evaluation unit 134 acquires a battery evaluation value of a battery installed in a target vehicle for which the time for use proposal has arrived.

[0095] The use determination unit 136b determines the use of the target vehicle to be either sale (first use), subject to a renewed vehicle use contract (second use), or secondary use (third use) based on, for example, a comparison result between the battery evaluation value acquired by the battery evaluation unit 134 and a predetermined threshold value. In other words, the use may be determined to be either sale, subject to a renewed vehicle use contract, or secondary use of the battery installed in the target vehicle based on a comparison result between the battery evaluation value and a predetermined threshold value.

[0096] The determination unit 130b executes a determination process (step S130b) as shown in Fig. 11. The determination process (step S130b) is an example of the determination process (step S130).

[0097] The battery evaluation unit 134 acquires a battery evaluation value of the battery installed in the target vehicle for which the time for use proposal has arrived (step S134).

[0098] The usage determination unit 136b determines the usage of the target vehicle as either sale (first usage), subject to a new vehicle usage contract (second usage), or secondary use (third usage) based on the comparison result between the battery evaluation value obtained in step S134 and a predetermined threshold value (step S136a).

[0099] (Regarding Battery Evaluation) The battery evaluation unit 134 acquires charging history information linked using the target vehicle ID included in the contract information for which it has been determined that the time for use proposal has arrived (i.e., the target vehicle ID of the target vehicle for which it has been determined that the time for use proposal has arrived). The battery evaluation unit 134 may acquire charging history information including, for example, the most recent charging history. The battery evaluation unit 134 calculates a battery evaluation value for the target vehicle for which it has been determined that the time for use proposal has arrived, using one or both of the current value and voltage value during charging included in the charging history information. An appropriate method may be used to calculate the battery evaluation value, and for example, a general method for evaluating the capacity degradation state of a battery may be used.

[0100] This makes it possible to evaluate the condition of the battery installed in the target vehicle for which it has been determined that the time for use proposal has arrived at the time of use proposal.

[0101] (Regarding the use determination unit 136b) For example, when the battery evaluation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the use determination unit 136b may determine the use of the target vehicle to be either a sale (first use) or a new vehicle use contract (second use). In this case, similar to the use determination unit 136a, for example, the use determination unit 136b may further determine the use of the target vehicle to be either a sale (first use) or a new vehicle use contract (second use) based on a comparison result between the first residual value and the market price.

[0102] For example, if the battery evaluation value is less than a threshold value, the use determining unit 136b may determine the use of the target vehicle to be a secondary use (third use) of the battery installed in the target vehicle.

[0103] (Regarding Use Information) The use information may include at least one of the target vehicle whose use has been determined and the determined use. The use information may further include at least one of contract information and charging history information associated with the target vehicle ID of the target vehicle whose use has been determined.

[0104] The usage information may be output by display or transmission. When the usage information is transmitted, the destination may be the management device 50 or a device not shown (for example, a device specified by the user or a predetermined device). The usage information may be included in a notification that the contract period is about to expire.

[0105] (Example of Physical Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 100) As shown in FIG. 12, the information processing apparatus 100 physically includes a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, a network interface 1050, and a user interface 1060.

[0106] The bus 1010 is a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data among the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, network interface 1050, input interface 1060, and output interface 1070. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0107] The processor 1020 is implemented as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0108] The memory 1030 is a main storage device realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

[0109] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device realized by a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, a read-only memory (ROM), or the like. The storage device 1040 stores program modules for realizing the functions of the device that includes the storage device 1040. The processor 1020 loads each of these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them to realize the function corresponding to that program module.

[0110] The network interface 1050 is an interface for connecting a device equipped with it to a communication network.

[0111] The input interface 1060 is an interface for the user to input information, and is configured from, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

[0112] The output interface 1070 is an interface for presenting information to the user, and is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, or the like.

[0113] In this way, the functions of the information processing device 100 can be realized by the physical components cooperating to execute a software program. Therefore, the present invention may be realized as a software program or as a non-transitory storage medium on which the program is recorded.

[0114] The management device 50 may be physically configured in the same way as the information processing device 100, for example. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 and the management device 50 may be physically configured as a single device, such as the information processing device 100 having the functions of the management device 50. Alternatively, the overall functions of the information processing device 100 and the management device 50 may be provided separately in multiple devices in a manner different from the above example.

[0115] (Actions and Effects) As described above, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 100 includes the determination unit 130 and the output unit 150. The determination unit 130 determines the use of the subject vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on the first residual value, which is the remaining value of the subject vehicle at the expiration of the contract period assumed when the vehicle usage contract was concluded, and the market price of the subject vehicle. The output unit 150 outputs use information, which is information related to the determined use.

[0116] This allows for determining the appropriate use of the vehicle after the contract period has expired, as described above.

[0117] According to this embodiment, the target vehicle is an electric vehicle. The purpose of the target vehicle is determined based on the first residual value, the market price, and a battery evaluation value that is a value according to the condition of the battery installed in the target vehicle.

[0118] This allows the battery evaluation value to be further used to determine the use of the vehicle after the contract period has expired, thereby making it possible to determine a more appropriate use of the vehicle after the contract period has expired.

[0119] According to this embodiment, the use of the vehicle is determined to be either sale or re-entry into a vehicle usage contract based on the result of comparison between the first residual value and the market price.

[0120] This allows the determination of uses including the subject of a new vehicle usage contract and sale, thereby making it possible to determine a more appropriate use of the vehicle after the contract period has expired.

[0121] According to this embodiment, the use is determined a predetermined period before the contract period expires.

[0122] This allows the user to determine a more appropriate use of the vehicle after the contract period expires a predetermined period before the contract period expires, thereby making it possible to determine an appropriate use of the vehicle after the contract period expires at an appropriate time.

[0123] According to this embodiment, the use is determined based on the comparison result between the battery evaluation value and a predetermined threshold value as either sale, subject to a new vehicle usage contract, or secondary use of the battery installed in the target vehicle.

[0124] This allows the vehicle to be used for a new vehicle contract, including for sale and secondary use, and therefore makes it possible to determine a more appropriate use for the vehicle after the contract period has expired.

[0125] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the contract unit 110 generates contract information based on input or specification by the user. In the present embodiment, an example is described in which, when the use is the subject of a re-entry vehicle use contract, the contract unit 110 uses a market price to output contract information that is information regarding the re-entry vehicle use contract.

[0126] For example, when the determination unit 130a determines that the use of the target vehicle is the subject of a renewed vehicle use contract, the contract unit 110 uses the market price acquired by the market price acquisition unit 133 as the current price of the target vehicle and outputs contract information regarding the renewed vehicle use contract.

[0127] The contract unit 110 includes a calculation unit 111 and a contract output unit 112, as shown in FIG. 13, for example.

[0128] For example, when the determination unit 130a determines that the use of the target vehicle is the subject of a renewed vehicle usage contract, the calculation unit 111 calculates the usage price of the target vehicle under the renewed vehicle usage contract based on the second residual value and the market price. The second residual value is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the time of expiration of the contract period expected when the renewed vehicle usage contract is concluded.

[0129] The contract output unit 112 outputs contract information including the usage price calculated by the calculation unit 111 .

[0130] The contract unit 110 executes a contract information generation process (step S110) as shown in Fig. 14. This contract information generation process (step S110) is a process for generating contract information relating to a new vehicle usage contract.

[0131] The contract information generation process (step S110) may be included as part of the information processing executed by the information processing device 100, and may be executed following step S150, for example, in accordance with a user instruction.

[0132] The calculation unit 111 calculates the usage price of the target vehicle in the renewed vehicle usage contract based on the second residual value and the market price (step S111). The second residual value is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the time of expiration of the contract period expected when the renewed vehicle usage contract is concluded.

[0133] The contract output unit 112 outputs the contract information including the usage price calculated by the calculation unit 111 (step S112).

[0134] (Regarding the calculation unit 111) The calculation unit 111, for example, acquires the market price acquired by the market price acquisition unit 133. Furthermore, the calculation unit 111 acquires the contract period and the second residual value of the renewed vehicle usage contract based on, for example, a user input.

[0135] The calculation unit 111 calculates the usage price of the target vehicle in the second vehicle usage contract using a predetermined calculation formula, such as "(current price - residual value) / contract period", and the acquired market price, contract period, and second residual value.

[0136] In more detail, for example, the market price may be used as the current price. The second residual value may be used as the residual value. If the current price (market price) is 2.2 million yen, the residual value (second residual value) is 1 million yen, and the contract period is 5 years, the calculation unit 111 may calculate 240,000 yen / year (= (220 - 100) / 5) as the usage price of the target vehicle in the renewed vehicle usage contract.

[0137] (Regarding the Contract Output Unit 112) The contract output unit 112 generates contract information relating to a new vehicle usage contract using the usage price calculated by the calculation unit 111.

[0138] At this time, the contract output unit 112 may use the same target vehicle ID and vehicle user ID as in the previous vehicle usage contract. The vehicle user ID may be changed, for example, based on user input. The contract output unit 112 may use the contract period based on user input. The contract output unit 112 may use the market price acquired by the market price acquisition unit 133 as the current price. The contract output unit 112 may use the second residual value based on user input as the residual value. The contract output unit 112 may use the battery evaluation unit 134 acquired by the battery evaluation unit 134.

[0139] The contract output unit 112 generates contract information for a new vehicle usage contract by associating these pieces of information. The contract output unit 112 outputs the generated contract information. This contract information may be output by display or transmission. When transmitting usage information, the destination may be the management device 50 or a device not shown (for example, a device specified by the user or a predetermined device).

[0140] When the contract information is transmitted to the management device 50, the information registration unit 56 may acquire the transmitted contract information and store it in the contract storage unit 52. This allows the management device 50 to manage the vehicle usage contract again.

[0141] (Actions and Effects) As described above, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 100 is provided with a contract unit 110 that outputs contract information, which is information regarding the re-entry of a vehicle use contract, using the market price when the use is subject to the re-entry of a vehicle use contract.

[0142] This eliminates the need for the user to input at least part of the contract information, and therefore, when the use is subject to a re-entry vehicle usage contract, the contract information can be easily created.

[0143] According to this embodiment, the contract unit 110 includes a calculation unit 111 and a contract output unit 112. The calculation unit 111 calculates the usage price of the target vehicle in the renewed vehicle usage contract based on the second residual value and the market price. The second residual value is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the end of the contract period expected when the renewed vehicle usage contract is concluded. The contract output unit 112 outputs contract information including the calculated usage price.

[0144] This eliminates the need for the user to input the usage price, and therefore, when the usage is subject to a new vehicle usage contract, the contract information can be easily created.

[0145] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0146] In addition, although the flowcharts used in the above description show a sequence of steps (processes), the order of steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the sequence shown in the flowcharts. In each embodiment, the order of steps shown in the diagrams can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of the content.

[0147] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to them. 1. An information processing device comprising: a determination means for determining the intended use of the target vehicle after expiration of the contract period based on a first residual value, which is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the time of expiration of the contract period assumed when the vehicle usage contract was concluded, and the market price of the target vehicle; and an output means for outputting use information, which is information related to the determined use. 2. The information processing device described in 1., wherein the target vehicle is an electric vehicle, and the use is determined based on the first residual value, the market price, and a battery evaluation value, which is a value according to the condition of a battery installed in the target vehicle. 3. The information processing device described in 1. or 2., wherein the use is determined to be either a sale or the subject of a new vehicle usage contract based on a comparison result between the first residual value and the market price. 4. The information processing device described in any one of 1. to 3., wherein the use is determined a predetermined period before expiration of the contract period. 5. The information processing device according to 2., wherein the use is determined to be either sale, the subject of a renewed vehicle use contract, or secondary use of the battery installed in the target vehicle based on a comparison result between the battery evaluation value and a predetermined threshold value. 6. The information processing device according to 5., further comprising contracting means for outputting contract information that is information regarding the renewed vehicle use contract using the market price when the use is the subject of a renewed vehicle use contract. 7. The information processing device according to 6., wherein the contracting means includes: a calculation means for calculating a usage price of the target vehicle in the renewed vehicle use contract based on the market price and a second residual value that is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period expected when the renewed vehicle use contract is concluded; and a contract output means for outputting the contract information including the calculated usage price. 8. An information processing system comprising: the information processing device according to any one of 1. to 7.; and a management device for managing the vehicle use contract.9. An information processing method in which one or more computers determine the use of the target vehicle after expiration of the contract period based on a first residual value, which is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the time of expiration of the contract period assumed when the vehicle usage contract was concluded, and the market price of the target vehicle, and output use information, which is information related to the determined use. 10. The information processing method described in 9., in which the target vehicle is an electric vehicle, and the use is determined based on the first residual value, the market price, and a battery evaluation value, which is a value according to the condition of the battery installed in the target vehicle. 11. The information processing method described in 9. or 10., in which the use is determined to be either a sale or a subject to a new vehicle usage contract based on a comparison result between the first residual value and the market price. 12. The information processing method described in any one of 9. to 11., in which the use is determined a predetermined period before expiration of the contract period. 13. The information processing method described in 10., in which the use is determined to be either sale, the subject of a renewed vehicle use contract, or secondary use of the battery installed in the target vehicle based on a comparison result between the battery evaluation value and a predetermined threshold value. 14. The information processing method described in 13., further including, if the use is the subject of a renewed vehicle use contract, outputting contract information that is information related to the renewed vehicle use contract using the market price. 15. The information processing method described in 14., in which outputting the contract information includes calculating a usage price of the target vehicle in the renewed vehicle use contract based on the market price and a second residual value that is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period expected when the renewed vehicle use contract is concluded, and outputting the contract information including the calculated usage price. 16. A program for causing one or more computers to execute the following: determining the use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on a first residual value, which is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period assumed when the vehicle usage contract was concluded, and the market price of the target vehicle; and outputting use information, which is information regarding the determined use.17. The program described in 16., wherein the target vehicle is an electric vehicle, and the use is determined based on the first residual value, the market price, and a battery evaluation value that is a value according to the condition of the battery installed in the target vehicle. 18. The program described in 16. or 17., wherein the use is determined to be either sale or a vehicle use contract re-entry based on a comparison result between the first residual value and the market price. 19. The program described in any one of 16. to 18., wherein the use is determined a predetermined period before the contract period expires. 20. The program described in 17., wherein the use is determined to be either sale or a vehicle use contract re-entry, or secondary use of the battery installed in the target vehicle, based on a comparison result between the battery evaluation value and a predetermined threshold. 21. The program described in 20., further including, when the use is a vehicle use contract re-entry, outputting contract information that is information related to the vehicle use contract re-entry using the market price. 22. 23. The program according to 21., wherein outputting the contract information includes calculating a usage price of the target vehicle in the renewed vehicle usage contract based on a second residual value, which is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period expected when the renewed vehicle usage contract is concluded, and the market price, and outputting the contract information including the calculated usage price. 23. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program according to any one of 16. to 22.

[0148] 50 Management device 52 Contract storage unit 54 Charging history storage unit 56 Information registration unit 100 Information processing device 110 Contract unit 111 Calculation unit 112 Contract output unit 120 Determination unit 130, 130a, 130b Determination unit 131 Timing determination unit 132 First residual value acquisition unit 133 Market price acquisition unit 134 Battery evaluation unit 136a Usage determination unit 136b Usage determination unit 150 Output unit

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a determination means for determining the intended use of the target vehicle after expiration of the contract period based on a first residual value, which is the residual value of the target vehicle at the time of expiration of the contract period assumed when concluding the vehicle usage contract, and the market price of the target vehicle; and an output means for outputting intended use information, which is information regarding the intended use.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the target vehicle is an electric vehicle, and the use is determined based on the first residual value, the market price, and a battery evaluation value which is a value according to the condition of a battery installed in the target vehicle.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the use is determined to be either sale or subject to a new vehicle usage contract based on a comparison result between the first residual value and the market price.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the use is determined a predetermined period of time before the contract period expires.

5. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the use is determined to be either sale or subject to a new vehicle usage contract, or secondary use of the battery installed in the target vehicle, based on the result of comparing the battery evaluation value with a predetermined threshold value.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, further comprising a contracting means for outputting, when the use is subject to a re-contract for using a vehicle, contract information which is information relating to the re-contract for using a vehicle, using the market price.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the contracting means includes: a calculation means for calculating a usage price of the target vehicle in the renewed vehicle usage contract based on a second residual value, which is the remaining value of the target vehicle at the time of expiration of the contract period expected when the renewed vehicle usage contract is concluded, and the market price; and a contract output means for outputting the contract information including the calculated usage price.

8. An information processing system comprising: an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a management device for managing the vehicle usage contract.

9. An information processing method in which one or more computers determine the use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on a first residual value, which is the residual value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period assumed when concluding the vehicle usage contract, and the market price of the target vehicle, and output use information, which is information regarding the determined use.

10. A recording medium having a program recorded thereon to cause one or more computers to determine the use of the target vehicle after the expiration of the contract period based on the first residual value, which is the residual value of the target vehicle at the expiration of the contract period assumed when concluding the vehicle usage contract, and the market price of the target vehicle, and output use information, which is information regarding the determined use.

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