Cross-Operator Car Sharing via Virtual User ID
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of car sharing services face inconvenience when they cannot reserve a share car from one business operator, as they must register with each individual operator to access vehicles from other operators, limiting their options and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A sharing system that includes a first server managing a first sharing service, a second server managing a second sharing service from a different operator, and a management server that allows users registered with the first service to access the second service by transmitting user information and utilization data, enabling seamless access without the need for multiple registrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user performs utilization registration with each car sharing business operator separately, then the user can access vehicles from each operator, but the user convenience deteriorates due to the need for multiple registrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal registration system where a single utilization registration with one business operator enables access to vehicles from multiple different business operators. The management server acts as an intermediary that stores user information and facilitates cross-operator access, allowing one registration to serve multiple functions across different operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The management server serves as an intermediary between users and multiple business operators. It receives user information from the first business operator, transmits it to other operators, and manages utilization information across operators. This intermediary eliminates the need for users to directly register with each operator separately.
2Reliability
If a business operator limits the number of vehicles and stations within its service area, then the operator maintains service quality, but the user's ability to access vehicles deteriorates when no nearby stations are available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vehicle fleets and station networks of multiple different business operators into a unified accessible resource. Through the management server that transmits utilization information across operators, users can access vehicles from any operator's fleet at any operator's station, effectively combining multiple previously separate services into one accessible network.
3Ease of operation
If the system allows users to access multiple business operators through a single registration, then user convenience improves, but the system complexity increases due to multiple servers and data transmission requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The management server acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of data transmission between operators. It receives user information from the first operator, validates it, transmits it to other operators, and manages utilization information. This intermediary absorbs the system complexity while presenting a simple interface to users.
Data Source
AI summary
A car sharing system includes a first server configured to manage a first sharing service, a second server configured to manage a second sharing service, and a management server configured to manage virtual user IDs. When a user has performed utilization registration for the first sharing service only, the user makes, to the first server, utilization application for the second sharing service operated by another business operator, from a communication terminal. The first server which has received the utilization application transmits user information to the management server. When the management server receives the user information, the management server allocates the user information to a virtual user ID, and notifies the second server of allocation information. The second server provides the second sharing service using the virtual user ID to which the user information is allocated.