U.S. patent application number 16/412172 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-29 for operator management device, operator management system, and operator management method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Satoshi Chinomi, Satoru Hirose, Masaki Kuno, Yukiko Nagai.
Application Number | 20190266691 16/412172 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54143961 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190266691 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hirose; Satoru ; et
al. |
August 29, 2019 |
OPERATOR MANAGEMENT DEVICE, OPERATOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND
OPERATOR MANAGEMENT METHOD
Abstract
An electronic car sharing determination method is disclosed. The
method uses a shared vehicle management device in communication
with an onboard device and an operator terminal device. The method
includes obtaining a state information of a shared vehicle
comprising an energy amount of the shared vehicle. The method
further includes determining a transportation object vehicle to be
transported to an energy supply facility for restoring is the
shared vehicle, the determination being made based on the energy
amount of the shared vehicle being less than a predetermined
remaining amount threshold. The method additionally includes
transmitting an electronic task instruction to the operator
terminal device to transport the transportation object vehicle to
the energy supply facility.
Inventors: |
Hirose; Satoru; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Chinomi; Satoshi; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Nagai; Yukiko; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Kuno; Masaki;
(Kanagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. |
Kanagawa |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Kanagawa
JP
|
Family ID: |
54143961 |
Appl. No.: |
16/412172 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15126888 |
Sep 16, 2016 |
10339621 |
|
|
PCT/JP2014/057489 |
Mar 19, 2014 |
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16412172 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60L 58/12 20190201;
G06Q 10/02 20130101; G06Q 50/10 20130101; G06Q 10/06311 20130101;
G06Q 50/30 20130101; B60L 53/305 20190201; G01S 19/14 20130101;
G06Q 10/063118 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 50/30 20060101
G06Q050/30; B60L 58/12 20060101 B60L058/12; B60L 53/30 20060101
B60L053/30; G06Q 10/06 20060101 G06Q010/06; G06Q 10/02 20060101
G06Q010/02; G06Q 50/10 20060101 G06Q050/10; G01S 19/14 20060101
G01S019/14 |
Claims
1.-12. (canceled)
13. An electronic car sharing determination method using a shared
vehicle management device in communication with an onboard device
and a first operator terminal device, the method comprising:
obtaining, from the onboard device, a state information of a shared
vehicle comprising an energy amount of the shared vehicle;
determining, by the shared vehicle management device, that the
shared vehicle is a transportation object vehicle to be transported
to an energy supply facility for restoring the energy amount, the
determination being made based on the energy amount being less than
a predetermined remaining amount threshold; specifying, by the
shared vehicle management device, the first operator terminal
device based on a predetermined distance between the transportation
object vehicle and the first operator terminal device; and
transmitting, by the shared vehicle management device, a first
electronic task instruction to the first operator terminal device
to transport the transportation object vehicle to the energy supply
facility.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the determination is
further made based on a utilization rate, the utilization rate
being calculated based on information items among an operation
history of the shared vehicle.
15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
generating, by the shared vehicle management device, a schedule for
the first operator terminal device in which the first electronic
task instruction is planned over time.
16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
transmitting, by the shared vehicle management device, the first
electronic task instruction to the first operator terminal device
when an available time for using the energy supply facility is
before a planned time to start transporting the transportation
object vehicle to the energy supply facility.
17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
transmitting, by the shared vehicle management device, the first
electronic task instruction to the first operator terminal device
when an available time for using the energy supply facility is
before an estimated arrival time at which the shared vehicle is
estimated to arrive at the energy supply facility.
18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
transmitting, by the shared vehicle management device, the first
electronic task instruction to the first operator terminal device
when a time difference between an available time for using the
energy supply facility and an estimated arrival time at which the
shared vehicle is estimated to arrive at the energy supply facility
is within a predetermined time period.
19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
monitoring, by the shared vehicle management device, execution of
the first electronic task instruction; selecting, by the shared
vehicle management device, a station to which the shared vehicle
can be allocated at a time when charging is completed; and
transmitting, by the shared vehicle management device, a second
electronic task instruction to the first operator terminal device
to transport the shared vehicle from the energy supply facility to
the station.
20. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
transmitting, by the shared vehicle management device, a third
electronic task instruction of making a second operator terminal
device ride with the first operator terminal device; and
transmitting, by the shared vehicle management device, the third
electronic task instruction to the second operator terminal
device.
21. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
receiving, by the shared vehicle management device, execution
progress information of the first electronic task instruction from
the first operator terminal device until the transportation object
vehicle arrives at the energy supply facility.
22. An electronic car sharing system, the system comprising: an
onboard device of a shared vehicle; a first operator terminal
device; and a shared vehicle management device in communication
with the onboard device and the first operator terminal device
that: obtains, from the onboard device, a state information of the
shared vehicle comprising an energy amount of the shared vehicle;
determines that the shared vehicle is a transportation object
vehicle to be transported to an energy supply facility for
restoring the energy amount, the determination being made based on
the energy amount being less than a predetermined remaining amount
threshold; specifies the first operator terminal device based on a
predetermined distance between the transportation object vehicle
and the first operator terminal device; and transmits a first
electronic task instruction to the first operator terminal device
to transport the transportation object vehicle to the energy supply
facility.
23. The electronic car sharing system according to claim 22,
wherein the shared vehicle management device further: receives
execution progress information of the first electronic task
instruction from the first operator terminal device until the
transportation object vehicle arrives at the energy supply
facility.
Description
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an operator management
device, an operator management system, and an operator management
method for managing work of an operator who engages in the
operation of a car sharing system that allows users to use shared
vehicles.
Related Art
[0002] With regard to an operator management device, a battery
charging system is known which combines a charging schedule of each
electric car and a vehicle operation schedule of the electric car
to efficiently use electric cars in an adjusted schedule (Patent
Document 1).
[0003] Patent Document 1: JP 2010-231258 A
SUMMARY
[0004] In an one-way type car sharing system in which a shared
vehicle rented at a station is returned to another station, an
operator transports the shared vehicle returned to each station to
a facility such as a charging station and reallocates the shared
vehicle after charging to each station. During this work, the user
cannot use the shared vehicle, and therefore the operation rate of
the shared vehicle may possibly be low depending on the timing of
transportation.
[0005] In a conventional battery charging system, however, the
timing the operator transports the shared vehicle is not taken into
account. Thus, unfortunately, the operation rate of the shared
vehicle cannot be improved.
[0006] One or more embodiments of the present invention improves
the operation rate of the shared vehicle by managing the work of
the operator so that the operator transports the shared vehicle to
the facility at appropriate timing.
[0007] According to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, in a car sharing system that allows users to use shared
vehicles allocated to stations, an object vehicle to be transported
to a facility is specified on the basis of state information of the
shared vehicle and a utilization rate of the shared vehicle for
rental at the station. An operator is made to transport the object
vehicle to a specified facility.
[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the shared vehicle can be transported at appropriate
timing by specifying the shared vehicle on the basis of the state
information and the utilization rate of the shared vehicle and
making the operator transport the specified, shared vehicle. This
may allow the state of the shared vehicle to be good and avoids the
occurrence of a trouble that the user cannot use the shared
vehicle. As a result, the operation rate of the shared vehicle may
be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operator management system
comprising an operator management device according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating stations and facilities for
shared vehicles to which the operator management system according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention is applied.
[0011] FIG. 3A is a view illustrating an example of management
information regarding the shared vehicles according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3B is a view illustrating an example of management
information regarding the facilities according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3C is a view illustrating an example of management
information regarding the chargers of a facility according to one
or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3D is a view illustrating an example of management
information regarding the work of each operator according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an example of the variation
over time of the utilization rate of each station according to one
or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an example of an operator
schedule according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of presentation
information for the user terminal device according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the control procedure of
the operator management device according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Hereinafter, the operator management device according to
embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. In embodiments of the invention,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more
thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may
be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,
well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid
obscuring the invention. In one or more of the embodiments, the
operator management device will be described using an example of an
operator management device that manages operators of a car sharing
system. The car sharing system according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention allows users to use shared vehicles
allocated to stations. According to one or more embodiments of the
present invention, a drop off-type one-way car sharing system is
provided in which the user is permitted to return the shared
vehicle rented at a first station to a second station.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operator management system
1000 that manages the car sharing system according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 is also a block
diagram of an operator management device 100 that manages the work
of each operator who engages in provision of the car sharing
system.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the operator management system
1000 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
has the operator management device 100, a shared vehicle management
device 110, onboard devices 200V1 to 200Vn (which may be
collectively referred to as an "onboard device 200Vn," hereinafter)
carried respectively by shared vehicles V1 to Vn (which may be
collectively referred to as a "shared vehicle Vn" or "shared
vehicles Vn," hereinafter) used by the users, user terminal devices
400X to 400Y (which may be collectively referred to as a "user
terminal device 400X," hereinafter) carried by the users, facility
terminal devices 500X to 500Y (which may be collectively referred
to as a "facility terminal device 500X," hereinafter) disposed at
respective facilities that perform energy resupply and/or
maintenance for the shared vehicles Vn (the maintenance includes
check and repair, here and hereinafter), and operator terminal
devices 600X to 600Y (which may be collectively referred to as an
"operator terminal device 600X," hereinafter) carried by operators
who perform operation as for transportation of the shared vehicles
Vn in the car sharing system. Although not illustrated, the
operator management system 1000 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention may include station terminal
devices 700X to 700Y provided at respective stations PR to which
the shared vehicles Vn are allocated. The numbers of the onboard
devices 200V1 to 200Vn, user terminal devices 400X to 400Y,
facility terminal devices 500X to 500Y, operator terminal devices
600X to 600Y, and station terminal devices 700X to 700Y, which
constitute the operator management system 1000 according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention, are not limited.
[0022] The operator management device 100, onboard devices 200V1 to
200Vn, user terminal devices 400X to 400Y, facility terminal
devices 500X to 500Y, and operator terminal devices 600X to 600Y
include respective communication devices (20, 220, 420, 520, and
620) and can exchange information with one another, such as via the
Internet 300. The communication path may be wired or wireless. The
operator management device 100 can communicate with the onboard
devices 200V1 to 200Vn, user terminal devices 400X to 400Y, and
operator terminal devices 600X to 600Y via the facility terminal
devices 500X to 500Y and station terminal devices 700X to 700Y.
[0023] The user terminal device 400X according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention is a computer comprising: a
ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs applied to the user
terminal device 400X according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention; a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as an operation
circuit that executes the programs stored in the ROM to perform
each function; and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as
an accessible storage device. The user terminal device 400X
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may
be a personal computer, smartphone, PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant), or other handheld terminal device. The user terminal
device 400X according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention includes a communication device 420 that performs
communication with external devices such as the operator management
device 100.
[0024] The operator terminal device 600X according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention is a computer comprising: a
ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs applied to the operator
terminal device 600X according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention; a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as an operation
circuit that executes the programs stored in the ROM to perform
each function; and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as
an accessible storage device. The operator terminal device 600X
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 610 and a
communication device 620 that performs communication with external
devices such as the operator management device 100. The current
position of the operator detected by the GPS receiver is
transmitted to the operator management device 100 via the
communication device 620. The operator terminal device 600X
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may
be a personal computer, smartphone, PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant), or other handheld/portable terminal device.
[0025] Each of the onboard devices 200V1 to 200Vn according to one
or more embodiments of the present invention includes a GPS (Global
Positioning System) receiver 210 to detect the current position of
each shared vehicle Vn and transmits the position of the vehicle to
the operator management system 1000 via a communication device
220.
[0026] The shared vehicle management device 110 according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention accepts rental of a
shared vehicle Vn available from one station PR to a user on the
basis of a rental request that is input via the user terminal
device 400X, and also accepts a return of the shared vehicle Vn
from the user at another station PR. The shared vehicle management
device 110 records execution of the rental and return of the shared
vehicle Vn to a database 30.
[0027] The shared vehicles Vn used in one or more embodiments of
the present invention may be electric vehicles (EVs) that are
driven by electricity stored in batteries. The shared vehicles Vn
are not limited to electric vehicles and may be hybrid vehicles
that utilize electricity or other vehicles, such as gasoline-fueled
vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles, alcohol-fueled vehicles, and
hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating stations PR of the car sharing
system in which the operator management device 100 according to one
or more embodiments of the present invention is used. The stations
PR are provided at points within a predetermined region for use
(region represented by broken lines in the figure) on a map. In
FIG. 2, the stations PR are represented by circles. In the car
sharing system according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, an example is illustrated in which each station PR is
provided at the intersection of two orthogonal lines on the map,
but the arrangement of the stations PR is not particularly limited.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the stations PR are arranged
such that the distance between two adjacent stations PR is equal,
but the arrangement of the stations PR is not limited to this. The
car sharing system according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention does not obligate the user to return the shared
vehicle Vn to the location at which the shared vehicle Vn is
rented, and is a drop off-type car sharing system which permits the
user to return the shared vehicle Vn to a different location than
the location at which the shared vehicle Vn is rented. The user can
rent a shared vehicle Vn at a station for rental PR1 and return the
shared vehicle Vn at a different desired station for return PRX or
PRY.
[0029] In the car sharing system according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention, state information of the
shared vehicle Vn is changed to a predetermined target value at a
facility ST. The state information and the predetermined target
value according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
are information that represents a remaining amount of energy or a
management state.
[0030] In the car sharing system according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention, the charging (energy supply)
for the shared vehicles Vn allocated to the stations PR is
collectively performed at an energy supply facility CST such as a
collective charging station, and the remaining battery charge
(remaining amount of energy) of the shared vehicle Vn is changed to
a predetermined target value. This allows the energy state of the
shared vehicle Vn to be corrected to an appropriate state. The
energy supply facility CST is provided with a plurality of charging
devices BT each of which includes a workshop DC having a space for
charging the shared vehicle Vn. The shared vehicle Vn for which the
charging (energy supply) is completed is allocated again to each
station PR.
[0031] In the car sharing system according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention, the maintenance for the
shared vehicles Vn allocated to the stations PR is collectively
performed at a maintenance facility MST such as a collective
maintenance station, and maintenance state information (such as air
pressure of tires and cleaning state) of the shared vehicle Vn is
changed to a predetermined target value. This allows the
maintenance state of the shared vehicle Vn to be in an appropriate
state. The maintenance facility MST is a facility for performing
maintenance operations including check and repair for the shared
vehicles Vn. The maintenance facility MST includes a plurality of
workshops DC each of which has a maintenance device MM and a space
for performing maintenance processes such as check and repair for
the shared vehicles Vn. The shared vehicle Vn after being corrected
to an appropriate state is allocated again to each station PR.
[0032] In the car sharing system according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention, an operator as an employee is
responsible for transporting a shared vehicle Vn which needs energy
supply and/or maintenance from each station PR to a facility such
as the energy supply facility CST and maintenance facility MST.
Similarly, the operator is responsible for transporting the shared
vehicle Vn for which the energy supply and maintenance are
completed from a facility such as the energy supply facility CST
and maintenance facility MST to each station PR. The work for
"transporting" the shared vehicle Vn includes a "forwarding work"
for transporting the shared vehicle Vn from each station PR to a
facility such as the energy supply facility CST and maintenance
facility MST and an "allocating work" for transporting the shared
vehicle Vn for which the energy supply and maintenance are
completed from a facility such as the energy supply facility CST
and maintenance facility MST to each station. The cost in
association with the work of the operator is accounted for as the
operational cost of the car sharing system.
[0033] Referring again to FIG. 1, the operator device 100 according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises: a
control device 10 that executes a control process for managing the
work of each operator engaged in the car sharing system; a
communication device 20; and a database 30. The operator management
device 100 functions as a server for the operator terminal device
600X, facility terminal device 500X, onboard device 200Vn, and user
terminal device 400X in the operator management system 1000.
[0034] The database 30 according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention stores management information 31 and a rental
request 32 received from the user. The management information 31
includes vehicle state management information 311, facility
management information 312, operator management information 313,
and station management information 314.
[0035] Each information item will be described below.
[0036] The vehicle state management information 311 includes state
information of the shared vehicles Vn, a utilization rate based on
operation information of the shared vehicles Vn, and other
information regarding the shared vehicles Vn. FIG. 3A illustrates
an example of the vehicle state management information 311. As
illustrated in the figure, the vehicle state management information
311 includes specific information (vehicle ID) of each shared
vehicle Vn, identification information that identifies the station
PR and parking area in the station PR at which the shared vehicle
Vn is located (or to be located), information that represents the
remaining amount of energy of the shared vehicle Vn and the
maintenance state of the shared vehicle Vn, operation information
and/or reservation information of the shared vehicle Vn,
information that represents a utilization rate obtained on the
basis of the above information items and variation of the
utilization rate/operation state over time, and information that
represents whether or not the shared vehicle Vn can be rented.
[0037] The facility management information 312 includes operation
state and other information of the facilities such as the energy
supply facility CST and maintenance facility MST. The facility
management information 312 is information that is acquired by the
management server of the energy supply facility CST such as a
charging station and the management server of the maintenance
facility MST such as a maintenance station and manages the state of
each facility in an integrated manner. FIG. 3B illustrates an
example of the facility management information 312. As illustrated
in the figure, the facility management information 312 includes
information that identifies the facility and information that
specifies the workshop DC (an area at which energy supply or
maintenance is performed) which belongs to the facility. The
facility management information 312 may be organized for each
facility or organized for each workshop DC. According to the
facility management information 312, when the shared vehicle Vn
enters each facility or each workshop DC and when the shared
vehicle Vn leaves there can be made clear. The facility management
information 312 includes the operation state of each device which
is acquired from the energy supply device (charger) of the energy
supply facility CST such as a charging station. For example, the
facility management information 312 includes availability of each
energy supply device (charger), the amount of energy of the shared
vehicle Vn being supplied with energy (being charged), and an
estimated time when the energy supply (charging) is completed. Each
facility terminal device 500X estimates the time when the energy
supply (charging) is completed, on the basis of the state of the
shared vehicle Vn to be supplied with energy. Each facility
terminal device 500X calculates the time required for power feeding
from the chargeable electric energy which is obtained on the basis
of the degradation level of the battery of the shared vehicle Vn,
the number of times of charging the battery, etc. The same is true
for the maintenance facility. The facility terminal device 500X of
the energy supply facility CST provides the operation state of the
facility such as the energy supply facility CST and maintenance
facility MST to the operator management device 100.
[0038] FIG. 3C is a view illustrating an example of an operation
state 312A of each charger (workshop DC) in the facility CST. As
illustrated in FIG. 3C, the operation state 312A of each charger
(workshop DC) includes the identification number (No.) of the
shared vehicle Vn to be charged, the remaining charge of battery,
the state of charger, the estimated time at which the charging is
completed, information that specifies the operator in charge (such
as the name and employee number of the operator in charge), and
information that represents the state of the operator in the
facility CST.
[0039] The operator management information 313 is information that
represents the management state of each operator who transports the
shared vehicle Vn to perform charging, maintenance, etc. The
operator management information 313 includes a schedule for each
operator which represents the task for the operator and the task
over time and other information regarding the operator. The control
device 10 identifies each operator who engages in the operation of
the car sharing system. The control device 10 is provided with the
management information 31 including the operator management
information 313 so that the control device 10 can refer to the
management information 31. The operator management information 313
includes an operator schedule. The operator schedule includes a
transportation schedule that defines when, from where, and to
where, a certain operator transports which shared vehicle Vn, and a
work schedule for the same or different operator to perform
charging and/or maintenance of the shared vehicle Vn after
transportation. The control device 10 acquires the vehicle state of
each shared vehicle Vn and determines the facility (energy supply
facility CST/maintenance facility MST) to which the shared vehicle
Vn should be transported and the time when the shared vehicle Vn
should be transported.
[0040] FIG. 3D illustrates an example of the operator management
information 313. As illustrated in the figure, the operator
management information 313 includes information that specifies the
operator, the schedule of vehicle transportation by each operator,
the schedule of maintenance work/charging work, the current
position of each operator, progress information for the schedule
for each operator, and personnel management information of each
operator. The vehicle transportation schedule is defined such that
the operator ID which identifies each operator is associated with
the vehicle transportation schedule for the operator who transports
the shared vehicle Vn. The vehicle transportation schedule includes
the carry-out start time/carry-in completion time for the shared
vehicle Vn, the station PR for rental of the shared vehicle Vn, the
specific information of the shared vehicle Vn, and the carry-in
station PR and parking area for the shared vehicle Vn. The operator
schedule is defined so as to be associated with the schedule of
work to be performed for the shared vehicle Vn for each operator ID
which identifies the operator. Examples of the work may include
energy supply work such as charging, maintenance work such as tire
replacement, air pressure adjustment for tires, vehicle wash and
vehicle interior cleaning, and check work such as a check of the
vehicle control circuit, a program check for the onboard device and
a lighting check.
[0041] The operator management information 313 includes the current
position of the operator. This current position is represented by
positional information detected by the GPS receiver of the operator
terminal device 600X. According to this positional information, the
current position and the history of locations of the operator can
be known. The operator management information 313 also includes
progress information of the work by the operator. The progress
information is information that is transmitted from the operator
terminal device 600X carried by each operator and reports the
progress of each work. For example, the progress information
associates the states of starting transportation, ending
transportation, being in transportation, being in the charging
work, being in cleaning up, being on a break, etc. with the time of
each state. The operator management information 313 includes
personnel management information. The personnel management
information includes the working day, working hours, break time and
the like of each operator. The control device 10 refers to the
position of the shared vehicle Vn and the operator schedules, which
include the current positions of the operators, and detects an
operator who is located near the shared vehicle Vn as the object of
transportation, at the timing of specifying the transportation
object vehicle. The control device 10 makes the operator transport
the shared vehicle Vn specified as the object of transportation.
Thus, the schedule over time is planned for each operator thereby
to allow the operator to perform the task without any loss.
[0042] The control device 10 of the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
comprises: a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 that stores programs for
executing a process to manage the work of each operator who
performs a task as for the car sharing system; a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) 11 as an operation circuit that executes the
programs stored in the ROM 12 to function as the operator
management device 100; and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 that
functions as an accessible storage device.
[0043] The control device 10 of the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
realizes a vehicle state acquisition function, a transportation
object specifying function, and an operator management function.
The control device 10 of the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention also
realizes a rental request acquisition function. In this rental
request acquisition function, the control device 10 may acquire the
rental request, which is acquired by the shared vehicle management
device 110, via the shared vehicle management device 110. The
shared vehicle management device 100 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention is a computer that realizes
each function by cooperation of software for achieving the above
functions and the above-described hardware.
[0044] Each function realized by the control device 10 of the
operator management device 100 will be described below.
[0045] First, the vehicle state acquisition function executed by
the control device 10 according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention will be described. The control device 10 of the
operator management device 100 according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention acquires the state information of each
shared vehicle Vn. The state information of the shared vehicle Vn
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
includes the remaining amount of energy that drives the shared
vehicle Vn. The remaining amount of energy in one or more
embodiments of the present invention is the remaining amount in the
power source which is installed on the shared vehicle Vn and drives
the shared vehicle Vn, such as the remaining charge of battery, the
remaining amount of gasoline, the remaining charge of fuel cells,
the remaining amount of hydrogen gas, and the remaining amount of
alcohol fuel. The control device 10 acquires the remaining amount
of energy, which is detected by an energy amount sensor provided in
the onboard device 200Vn of the shared vehicle Vn, via the
communication device 20. In addition, the control device 10 may
acquire information, such as the period of use of battery, the
number of times of charging, the number of times of rapid charging,
temperature, and presence or absence of the use of air conditioner,
as an index for evaluating the current capacity of battery and the
cruising range from the onboard device 200Vn of the shared vehicle
Vn.
[0046] The state information of each shared vehicle Vn according to
one or more embodiments of the present invention includes
information on the maintenance state of the shared vehicle Vn. The
maintenance state of the shared vehicle Vn in one or more
embodiments of the present invention includes information as to
whether or not the shared vehicle Vn needs maintenance. The
maintenance state of the shared vehicle Vn includes the
self-diagnosis result of abnormality of the shared vehicle Vn and
the self-diagnosis result of the time for maintenance. When an
abnormality determination device of the shared vehicle Vn
determines that the vehicle is in a state that is not normal (in an
abnormal state), this fact is output as the state information. The
control device 10 acquires the output of the abnormality
determination device provided in the onboard device 200Vn of the
shared vehicle Vn, the output of a timer that self-diagnoses the
time for check, and the output of a travel distance calculation
device that self-diagnoses the time for check via the communication
device 20.
[0047] The control device 10 according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention stores the acquired state information of
the shared vehicle Vn in the database 30 as the vehicle state
management information 311 which is a part of the management
information 31. Although not particularly limited, the control
device 10 stores the identification information of the station
PR/parking area to which each shared vehicle Vn is allocated, the
remaining amount of energy such as the remaining charge of battery
of the shared vehicle Vn, the maintenance state of the shared
vehicle Vn, the operation information/reservation information of
the shared vehicle Vn, and the utilization rate based thereon so
that they are associated with the vehicle ID (ID is the
identification information, here and hereinafter), as illustrated
in FIG. 3A.
[0048] In the vehicle state management information 311, the
identification information of the shared vehicle Vn to which the
station PR of allocation is attached is stored so as to be
associated with the operation rate over time at the station PR. The
operation rate of the shared vehicle Vn at each station PR varies
because the movement of the user who uses the shared vehicle Vn
varies over time. In addition, the operation rate of the shared
vehicle Vn varies in accordance with the positional relationship
between stations PR and the ambient environment. As an example,
when the distance between stations PR is large, the operation rate
tends to increase because the users rush to each station PR. As
another example, when a shopping center, station, school and the
like are located near the station PR, the operation rate also tends
to increase because of the rise of needs for use. From the
variation information of the operation rate over time at each
station PR, the control device 10 estimates when the operation rate
of the shared vehicle Vn at each station PR is high and when the
operation rate is low. The control device 10 refers to this
operation rate to allow efficient allocation of the shared vehicle
Vn to each station PR.
[0049] The vehicle state management information 311 of the
management information 31 also includes rent-ability information
that represents whether the shared vehicle Vn is in a rentable
state or is not in a rentable state. When the remaining amount of
energy of the shared vehicle Vn is less than a predetermined
remaining amount threshold and/or when the maintenance state
information of the shared vehicle Vn is not within (is outside) a
predefined appropriate range in which the management is not needed
(when management is needed), rental of the shared vehicle Vn is
prohibited.
[0050] Next, the rental request acquisition function executed by
the control device 10 according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention will be described. The user activates the
communication device 420 of the user terminal device 400X to access
the operator management device 100 and search for the shared
vehicle Vn which can be reserved, and transmits a rental request 32
to rent the shared vehicle Vn. On the other hand, the control
device 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention acquires, from the user via the user terminal device
400X, the rental request that the user desires use of the shared
vehicle Vn. The rental request 32 may be a request for an immediate
use by which the user can start to use the shared vehicle Vn
immediately after the request or a request for a reservation of use
by which the user can start to use the shared vehicle Vn from the
time and date the user specifies. The control device 10 according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention stores the
contents of the acquired rental request in the database 30. The
shared vehicle Vn of which the use is requested has to be allocated
to the reserved station PR before the reserved time after
completing the work.
[0051] The rental request according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention includes "rental information" that requests
use of the shared vehicle Vn. The "rental request" may include
"return information" that includes the specific information of a
desired station for return PR to which the user desires to return
the shared vehicle Vn. The rental request according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention includes a user ID that
specifies the user, a station for rental PR from which the shared
vehicle Vn is rented, and identification information of the shared
vehicle Vn. The specific information of the shared vehicle Vn may
be a parking space ID that specifies a parking space, in which the
shared vehicle Vn to be rented is present, among a plurality of
parking spaces provided in the station for rental PR. The rental
request may include a time when the shared vehicle Vn is rented,
i.e. a time when starting the use. The rental request according to
one or more embodiments of the present invention may or may not
include a return time when the shared vehicle Vn is planned to be
returned. When the planned returned time is not set in the rental
request which is acquired at the time of requesting the use, the
user can return the shared vehicle Vn at arbitrary timing, which is
determined by the user, after the user uses the shared vehicle
Vn.
[0052] Next, the transportation object vehicle specifying function
executed by the control device 10 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention will be described. The control
device 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention specifies a transportation object vehicle to be
transported to a facility ST for restoring the shared vehicle so
that the state information changes to a predetermined target value,
on the basis of the state information of the shared vehicle Vn and
a utilization rate of the shared vehicle Vn at the station PR.
[0053] When the state information of the shared vehicle Vn returned
to each station PR is not within (is outside) a predetermined
target range, the control device 10 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention specifies the shared vehicle
Vn as a transportation object vehicle to be recovered to the
facility ST. The operator recovers the transportation object
vehicle to the facility ST. The operator performs treatment such
that the state information of the recovered, shared vehicle Vn
becomes a target value that is suitable for use. The control device
10 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
specifies the shared vehicle Vn for which the treatment is
completed at the facility ST as the transportation object vehicle
to be allocated to the station PR from which the user needs rental.
The operator allocates the transportation object vehicle to the
station PR. As will be understood, the process of specifying the
transportation object vehicle may make a determination for all of
the shared vehicles Vn or may also make a determination for a
shared vehicle Vn that is specified in the rental request.
[0054] When the state information of the shared vehicle Vn includes
the remaining amount of energy that is used to drive the shared
vehicle Vn, the control device 10 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention specifies the shared vehicle
Vn of which the remaining amount of energy is less than a first
remaining amount threshold as the transportation object vehicle to
be transported to an energy supply facility CST for supplying
energy to the shared vehicle Vn. According to one or more
embodiments of the present invention, the first remaining amount
threshold, which is the criterion for determining whether or not
the shared vehicle Vn is the transportation object vehicle, is
determined in consideration that the shared vehicle Vn does not
become impossible to travel during the use by the user. Although
not particularly limited, the first remaining amount threshold can
be determined with consideration for the largeness of an area to
which the car sharing system service is applied, the interval of
the stations PR, the cruising range of the shared vehicle Vn, etc.
For example, when the shared vehicles Vn are electric cars, the
remaining amount threshold may be, but is not limited to, 20% of
the chargeable amount of battery. The shared vehicle Vn specified
as the transportation object vehicle is temporarily prohibited from
being used and provided again for the use after being supplied with
energy.
[0055] Although not particularly limited, the control device 10
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
specifies a shared vehicle Vn of which the utilization rate at the
station PR is less than a predetermined rate
(probability/utilization rate), among the shared vehicles Vn of
which the remaining amount of energy is not less than the first
remaining amount threshold, as the transportation object vehicle to
be transported to the energy supply facility CST. The control
device 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention may specify a shared vehicle Vn of which the utilization
rate at the station PR is less than a predetermined rate, among the
shared vehicles Vn of which the remaining amount of energy is not
less than the first remaining amount threshold and not more than a
second remaining amount threshold that is higher than the first
remaining amount threshold, as the transportation object vehicle to
be transported to the energy supply facility CST.
[0056] The control device 10 selects the energy supply facility CST
which can supply energy, in accordance with the energy source of
the shared vehicle Vn of which the prohibition of rental is
determined. For example, the shared vehicle Vn of which the
prohibition of rental is determined is an electric car or hybrid
vehicle, the control device 10 selects the energy supply facility
CST which includes a charging facility. The type of energy which
can be supplied is included in the facility management information
312.
[0057] Here, the utilization rate of the shared vehicle Vn at each
station PR will be described. The utilization rate in one or more
embodiments of the present invention is calculated using a
statistical probability model on the basis of the operation history
of the shared vehicle Vn at each station PR. The statistical
probability model to be used is not particularly limited, and a
model known at the time of filing the present application can be
appropriately used. The shared vehicle Vn of a high utilization
rate is highly likely to be in the operation. The utilization rate
may be calculated for each station PR or may also be calculated for
each shared vehicle Vn. This is because the utilization rate of the
shared vehicle Vn may be determined in accordance with the
geographical conditions of the station PR and may also be
determined in accordance with the spec of the shared vehicle Vn
itself. The utilization rate according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention can be calculated over time. In one or
more embodiments of the present invention, it is also possible to
estimate a future utilization rate. When estimating the future
utilization rate, the request to use the shared vehicle Vn (request
of reservation) and the utilization rate over the same period of
the past calendar may be taken into consideration.
[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the variation over time of
the utilization rate. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the utilization
rate varies with time. The form of variation of the utilization
rate is different at each station PR. As an example, the station A
illustrated in FIG. 4 is located at a residential area on a small
hill and busy from morning till noon and in the evening. On the
other hand, the station B is located near tourist facilities and
busy during daytime.
[0059] The control device 10 acquires the utilization rate of the
shared vehicle Vn which is calculated on the basis of the operation
history of the shared vehicle Vn allocated to the station PR. The
utilization rate of the shared vehicle Vn at each station PR can be
calculated on the basis of one or more of the calendar, weather,
and an event that is performed at a point near the station PR. The
utilization rate of the shared vehicle Vn for rent at each station
PR may be calculated by the station terminal device 700X (computer)
provided at the station PR. The utilization rate is uniquely
different depending on the location and environment of each station
PR, such as a case in which the utilization rate increases when it
rains and a case in which the utilization rate increases when it is
sunny. Depending on the location and environment of each station
PR, the utilization rate may increase on weekends or may increase
on weekdays. For each station PR, the utilization rate may increase
when an event is put on or may decrease when an event is put on.
The control device 10 can acquire a correct utilization rate that
is calculated on the basis of such operation history and properties
of each station PR.
[0060] The operator management device 100 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention makes the operator transport
the shared vehicle Vn to the facility ST on the basis of the
utilization rate of the shared vehicle Vn at each station PR which
is obtained in accordance with the operation history and properties
of each station PR. Therefore, the shared vehicle Vn can be
transported to the facility ST at appropriate timing.
[0061] As previously described, the control device 10 according to
one or more embodiments of the present invention specifies, as the
transportation object vehicle, a shared vehicle Vn of which the
remaining amount of energy is not an amount that requires charging,
but of which the utilization rate at the station PR is less than a
predetermined rate at the current time or within a predetermined
time period from the current time. A method for specifying the
transportation object vehicle with reference to the utilization
rate of FIG. 4 will be described. It is defined that the shared
vehicle Vn is transported to the energy supply facility CST when
the remaining charge of battery becomes less than 20%. The
remaining charge of battery of the shared vehicle Vn present at the
station B before 8 a.m. is 25%. Since the remaining charge of
battery is not less than 20%, the shared vehicle Vn need not be
immediately transported to the energy supply facility CST. Then,
the "predetermined rate," which is a determination index when
finely selecting the transportation object vehicle, is raised to
30%. With reference to the utilization rate illustrated in FIG. 4,
the estimated value of the utilization rate from the current time
of 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. two hours later is 23%, which is not more than
the "predetermined rate" of 30%, and the shared vehicle Vn at the
station B is selected as a recovery object vehicle.
[0062] In such a manner, according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the shared vehicle Vn of which the
utilization rate at the station PR is lower than the predetermined
rate is specified as the transportation object vehicle while finely
selecting the transportation object vehicle with two levels of
threshold of the remaining amount of energy. This allows
preliminary energy supply to the shared vehicle Vn which need not
be immediately supplied with energy but of which the operation rate
is still low. Such preliminary energy supply renders the energy
supply unnecessary when the operation rate becomes high, and the
available time of the shared vehicle Vn can thus be increased. As a
result, the operation rate of the shared vehicle Vn can be
increased.
[0063] The control device 10 according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention employs the maintenance state information
of the shared vehicle Vn as the state information of the shared
vehicle Vn and specifies the shared vehicle Vn of which the
utilization rate at the station PR is less than the predetermined
rate, among the shared vehicles Vn of which the maintenance state
information is not within (is outside) a predefined first
appropriate range in which management is not needed (the
maintenance state information exceeds the upper limit of the first
appropriate range or is less than the lower limit of the first
appropriate range), as the transportation object vehicle to be
transported to the energy supply facility CST.
[0064] With regard to the maintenance state which is not within (is
outside) the first appropriate range, the control device 10
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may
further set a second upper limit/lower limit. For example, the
control device 10 may specify the shared vehicle Vn of which the
utilization rate at the station PR is less than the predetermined
rate, among the shared vehicles Vn of which the maintenance state
information exceeds the upper limit of the first appropriate range
and is not more than a second upper limit higher than the upper
limit of the first appropriate range, as the transportation object
vehicle to be transported to the energy supply facility CST. The
control device 10 may also specify the shared vehicle Vn of which
the utilization rate at the station PR is less than the
predetermined rate, among the shared vehicles Vn of which the
maintenance state information is less than the lower limit of the
first appropriate range and is not less than a second lower limit
lower than the lower limit of the first appropriate range, as the
transportation object vehicle to be transported to the energy
supply facility CST.
[0065] The maintenance state information may be the output
information (failure code) from a self-diagnostic failure
determination device such as an OBD (On-board diagnostics) device,
the travel distance of the shared vehicle Vn, the period of use of
battery, the number of times of charging the battery, the number of
times of rapidly charging the battery, etc. When the control device
10 acquires an output value of the state information in which
maintenance is needed (state information outside the first
appropriate range within which maintenance is not needed) from the
self-diagnostic failure determination device of the vehicle, the
control device 10 specifies the shared vehicle Vn as the
transportation object vehicle to be transported to the maintenance
facility MST. In one or more embodiments of the present invention,
when the state information of the shared vehicle Vn is not within
(is outside) the predetermined first appropriate range, the use of
the shared vehicle Vn is temporarily suspended, and the shared
vehicle Vn is transported to the maintenance facility MST to
correct the state of the shared vehicle Vn within a targeted
range.
[0066] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the
maintenance state information may be defined such that, as the
value increases, the necessity of maintenance of the shared vehicle
Vn increases, and as the value decreases, the necessity of
maintenance of the shared vehicle Vn decreases. Alternatively, the
maintenance state information may be defined such that, as the
value decreases, the necessity of maintenance of the shared vehicle
Vn increases, and as the value increases, the necessity of
maintenance of the shared vehicle Vn decreases.
[0067] The control device 10 selects the maintenance facility MST
in accordance with the maintenance information of the shared
vehicle Vn of which the prohibition of rental is determined. For
example, when the maintenance state is information that represents
the time for replacement of the battery, the control device 10
selects the maintenance facility MST which is stocked with
batteries for replacement. When the maintenance state is
information that announces the time for periodical check, the
control device 10 selects the maintenance facility MST which
includes human resources and equipment for the periodical check.
The facility management information 312 includes the contents of
maintenance which each facility can respond to. The energy supply
facility CST may be made to include maintenance equipment and
function as the maintenance facility MST.
[0068] In such a manner, according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the shared vehicle Vn of which the
utilization rate at the station PR is lower than the predetermined
rate is specified as the transportation object vehicle while finely
selecting the transportation object vehicle on the basis of the
maintenance state information. This allows preliminary maintenance
of the shared vehicle Vn which does not immediately need
maintenance but of which the operation rate is still low. Such
preliminary maintenance renders the maintenance unnecessary when
the operation rate becomes high, and the available time for the
shared vehicle Vn can thus be increased. As a result, the operation
rate of the shared vehicle Vn can be increased.
[0069] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the
control device 10 generates an instruction of a task for the
operator at the timing when the transportation object vehicle is
specified, and transmits the generated task to the operator
terminal device 600X. The transportation object vehicle can be
specified on the basis of the utilization rate at that timing or
immediately before that timing. The utilization rate varies over
time and, thus, according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the specified transportation object vehicle is promptly
transported to the facility ST. Thus, the task of transporting the
transportation object vehicle to the facility ST is generated at
the timing when the process to specify the transportation object
vehicle is executed, and the task is transmitted to the operator
terminal device 600X. Then, the operator can execute the task
thereby to perform the work of energy supply and/or maintenance at
appropriate timing without inconvenience to the user.
[0070] Moreover, the control device 10 of the operator management
device 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention has a function to correct the "predetermined rate," which
is a threshold for evaluating the utilization rate, in the process
to specify the transportation object vehicle. When the control
device 10 specifies the shared vehicle Vn of which the utilization
rate at the station PR is less than the predetermined rate as the
transportation object vehicle and thereafter receives a rental
request for the shared vehicle Vn at the station PR, the control
device 10 corrects the "predetermined rate," which is the threshold
for evaluating the utilization rate, to increase. If the shared
vehicle Vn is transported to the energy supply facility CST or
maintenance facility MST, the user cannot use the shared vehicle
Vn. In such a case, because inconvenience may possibly occur to the
user who wants to use the shared vehicle Vn, the "predetermined
rate" as the threshold is corrected to increase in order to make
the criterion severe when specifying the transportation object
vehicle next time. In other words, the shared vehicle Vn becomes
difficult to be forwarded to the facility ST.
[0071] Thus, in the process to specify the transportation object
vehicle, the "predetermined rate," which is the threshold for
evaluating the utilization rate, is corrected with consideration
for the situation of occurrence of an actual rental request thereby
to allow selection of the transportation object vehicle in
accordance with the actual situation of use. This can consequently
prevent the situation in which there is a user who desires to rent
the shared vehicle Vn, but nevertheless, the shared vehicle Vn is
forwarded to the facility ST, so that the opportunity of use of the
shared vehicle Vn is lost. As a result, the operation rate of the
shared vehicle Vn can be improved.
[0072] The control device 10 of the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
temporarily prohibits rental of the shared vehicle Vn which is
specified as the transportation object vehicle on the basis of the
remaining amount of energy or maintenance state. The control device
10 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
transmits a start suppression command, such as for invalidating the
operation input into the ignition, to the shared vehicle Vn of
which the prohibition of rental is determined. In addition, the
control device 10 according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention gives the user, via the user terminal device
400X, notice that the rental of the shared vehicle Vn is not
permitted for the rental request 32 by the user.
[0073] Next, the operator management function executed by the
control device 10 of the operator management device 100 according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention will be
described.
[0074] The control device 10 refers to the operator management
information 313 and plans the vehicle transportation schedule and
the operator schedule so that each operator can perform the
assigned transportation work and maintenance work within the
working hours. The control device 10 refers to the progress
information acquired from the operators to adjust the vehicle
transportation schedules and operator schedules of the whole
operators while evaluating whether or not each operator can
accomplish the assigned transportation work and maintenance work
within the working hours.
[0075] The control device 10 according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention specifies the operator who transports the
specified transportation object vehicle to the facility ST,
generates an instruction of a task to be performed by the operator,
and manages the instruction and execution of the generated
task.
[0076] The control device 10 according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention generates an execution command for the
task for the operator who transports the transportation object
vehicle, and specifies the operator who transports the
transportation object vehicle, on the basis of the position of the
transportation object vehicle and the positional information of the
operator. The control device 10 receives (acquires) the positional
information of the transportation object vehicle, which is detected
by the GPS receiver 210 of the onboard device 200Vn, via the
communication device 220. The positional information of the
transportation object vehicle may be acquired at a predetermined
period or may also be acquired at the timing of receiving a command
for transmitting the positional information. In addition, the
control device 10 acquires the positional information of the
operator, which is detected by the GPS receiver 610 of the operator
terminal device 600X carried by the operator, via the communication
device 620. The positional information of the operator may be
acquired at a predetermined period or may also be acquired at the
timing of receiving a command for transmitting the positional
information.
[0077] The control device 10 according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention compares the location of the specified
transportation object vehicle with the locations of the operators
to select an operator with a short distance from the transportation
object vehicle. The location of the transportation object vehicle
and the locations of the operators to be compared are those at the
same time or within a predetermined time period. The operator who
is capable of arriving first at the transportation object vehicle
at the timing when the transportation object vehicle is specified
is made to transport the transportation object vehicle. The control
device 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention refers to the utilization rate and specifies the
transportation object vehicle. The utilization rate varies over
time and, thus, according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the transportation object vehicle, which is specified on
the basis of the utilization rate at the moment or within a
predetermined time period, is promptly transported to the facility
ST. Thus, the transportation object vehicle is promptly transported
to the facility thereby to allow the operator to perform the work
of energy supply and/or maintenance at appropriate timing without
inconvenience to the user. In addition, the opportunity of use of
the shared vehicle Vn can be ensured because the transportation
object vehicle is promptly transported to a target facility ST for
charging or maintenance.
[0078] The control device 10 may acquire the future positional
information from the schedule for the operator who performs the
task. The control device 10 treats the location at which the work
is performed in the transportation schedule and work schedule of
the operator management information 313 illustrated in FIG. 3D as
the positional information at an estimated time for performing the
work. This allows acquisition of the future positional information
of the operators, and an operator suitable for performing a planned
task in the future can be specified on the basis of the future
positional information.
[0079] The control device 10 of the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
generates an execution command for the task for the operator and
transmits it to the operator's side. The execution command for the
task includes the specific information of the operator in charge,
the specific information of the station PR or facility ST to which
the transportation object vehicle is allocated, the specific
information of the transportation object vehicle, the
transportation start time, the estimated transportation completion
time, and the specific information of the station PR or facility ST
as the destination. According to this command, it is possible to
specify who (which operator) transmits which shared vehicle Vn from
where to where. This command is transmitted to the operator
terminal device 600X carried by the operator. The operator
transports the shared vehicle Vn in accordance with the command
which is output by the display or speaker of the operator terminal
device 600X.
[0080] The control device 10 of the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
creates an operator schedule in which the tasks for the operator
are planned over time. The operator schedule is information in
which the tasks are arranged over time. FIG. 5 illustrates an
example of the operator schedule. As illustrated in the figure, the
operator schedule includes the specific information of the operator
who performs the work, the working hours of the operator, the
specific information of the shared vehicle Vn as the object of the
work, and the contents of the work to be performed. In this
example, the contents of the work to be performed include
recovering (transporting) the shared vehicle Vn, allocating
(transporting) the shared vehicle Vn, charging the shared vehicle
Vn, and cleaning the shared vehicle Vn. The contents of the work
are not limited to them, and may include maintenance of the shared
vehicle Vn. The work in association with the maintenance of the
shared vehicle Vn includes check of each function of the shared
vehicle Vn. The operator schedule is created for each operator over
time. The control device 10 may create the task for each operator
and create the operator schedule on the basis of the task or may
also create the operator schedule and thereafter extract the task
for each operator.
[0081] The control device 10 of the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
refers to the operation state of the facility ST and creates the
task for the operator and/or the operator schedule. The operation
information of the facility ST is included in the facility
management information 312 of the management information 31 stored
in the database 30.
[0082] Specifically, the control device 10 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention refers to the facility
management information 312, which includes the operation state of
the facility, and generates an instruction of a task of
transporting the shared vehicle Vn to a first facility ST1 when the
available time for using the first facility ST1 is before an
estimated execution start time for the task. The control device 10
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
refers to the facility management information 312, which includes
the operation state of the facility, and generates an instruction
of a task of transporting the shared vehicle Vn to a second
facility ST2 when the available time for using the second facility
ST2 is before an estimated arrival time at which the shared vehicle
Vn is estimated to arrive at the second facility ST2. Further, the
control device 10 according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention refers to the facility management information
312, which includes the operation state of the facility, and
generates an instruction of a task of transporting the shared
vehicle Vn to a third facility ST3 when a time difference between
the available time for using the third facility ST3 and the
estimated arrival time at which the shared vehicle Vn is estimated
to arrive at the third facility ST3 is within a predetermined time
period. The operation state includes information whether or not the
energy supply device such as a charger is in operation, the energy
supply state, e.g. a completion time of charging which is estimated
on the basis of information such as a charging ratio (the ratio of
the current charged amount when the full charge is 100%), the
external temperature, the number of times of charging and the
period of use.
[0083] The control device 10 according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention selects any one of the first facility ST1,
the second facility ST2, and the third facility ST3 and creates a
task of transporting the shared vehicle Vn to the selected
facility. The control device 10 may select a facility that is
closest to the station PR at which the shared vehicle Vn is
located, from among the first facility ST1, the second facility
ST2, and the third facility ST3. When the first facility ST1 is
present, the control device 10 can create a task of transporting
the shared vehicle Vn to the first facility ST1. When the first
facility ST1 is not present but the second facility ST2 is present,
the control device 10 can create a task of transporting the shared
vehicle Vn to the second facility ST2. When the first facility ST1
and the second facility ST2 are not present but the third facility
ST3 is present, the control device 10 can create a task of
transporting the shared vehicle Vn to the third facility ST3.
[0084] By referring to the facility management information 312,
which includes the operation state of the facility, to select the
facility ST available before the execution start time of the task
for the operator, the operator who has transported the shared
vehicle Vn need not wait at the facility ST. Similarly, by
selecting the facility ST available at the time when the shared
vehicle Vn arrives at the facility ST, the operator who has
transported the shared vehicle Vn need not wait at the facility ST.
Moreover, since the facility ST to be available within the
predetermined time period from when the shared vehicle Vn arrives
at the facility ST is selected, the operator who has transported
the shared vehicle Vn need not wait at the facility ST over the
predetermined time period. Thus, the operator need not stand by at
the facility and can start the work of charging or maintenance
immediately after the arrival. This can minimize the time required
for execution of the task. As a result, the shared vehicle Vn can
be promptly allocated to the station PR to respond to the use
request by the user. At the same time, the operation rate of the
shared vehicle Vn can be improved.
[0085] In addition, the control device 10 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention further manages an allocating
task of transporting the shared vehicle Vn for which the work is
completed at the facility ST to the station PR. When making the
operator perform the allocating task, the control device 10 selects
a station PR to which the shared vehicle Vn can be allocated at the
timing when the process is completed at the facility ST. When there
is a plurality of shared vehicles Vn, a station PR at which the
utilization rate is relatively high is further selected.
[0086] When the process has been completed at the energy supply
facility CST is when the power feeding has been performed until the
remaining amount of energy of the shared vehicle Vn becomes an
appropriate value. When the process has been completed at the
maintenance facility MST is when the maintenance state information
of the shared vehicle Vn has become an appropriate value, i.e.,
when the contents of maintenance required have been performed. At
this timing, the control device 10 selects a station PR having a
parking area that can accept the shared vehicle Vn. Then, the
control device 10 creates a task of allocation to transport the
shared vehicle Vn from the facility ST to the station PR.
[0087] In a drop off-type one-way car sharing system, the user can
freely select the station PR at which the user rents the shared
vehicle Vn and the station PR at which the user drops off the
shared vehicle Vn. Therefore, when the user arrives at a station
PR, there may not be an unoccupied parking area. According to the
operator management device 100 in one or more embodiments of the
present invention, the station to which the shared vehicle Vn is
transported is determined when the work at the facility ST is
completed and then the allocation is to be started (before the
start of allocation). It is therefore possible to prevent the
occurrence of a situation in which the operator arrives at the
station PR, but there is not an unoccupied parking area to accept
the shared vehicle Vn. If the operator has to wait because the
shared vehicle Vn transported by the operator is not accepted by
the station PR, some loss occurs in the labor cost for the operator
and the opportunities of use of the shared vehicle Vn are lost.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the
shared vehicle Vn is moved after the station as the destination of
allocation is ensured, and therefore the loss in the transportation
work is eliminated. At the same time, the operation rate of the
shared vehicle Vn can be improved.
[0088] Furthermore, when there is a plurality of stations PR that
can accept the shared vehicle Vn, a station PR at which the
utilization rate is relatively high at the timing of the start of
allocation is selected as the destination. This allows the shared
vehicle Vn to be allocated preferentially to the station PR at
which the utilization rate is high, and the needs of the user can
thus be satisfied.
[0089] The control device 10 according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention compares the locations and relevant times
of the operators who perform tasks, extracts tasks of which the
differences between the locations and between the relevant times
are less than predetermined values, and selects one operator from
among the operators who perform the extracted tasks. For the one
operator, the control device 10 generates an another task of making
other operator than the one operator ride with the one operator on
the shared vehicle Vn transported by the one operator, and
transmits an execution command for the task to the operator
terminal device 600X at the one operator. In accordance with the
task of riding with the other operator, the one operator makes the
other operator ride with the one operator on the transportation
object vehicle transported by the one operator.
[0090] The control device 10 of the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
obtains estimated travel paths of tasks to transport the
transportation object vehicles and the time of passing through a
certain point on each of the estimated travel paths. When the
estimated travel paths of the tasks to transport the transportation
object vehicles cross at a point, the control device 10 extracts
tasks of which the time difference in passing through the crossing
point is less than a predetermined value. An operator who performs
the task included in the extracted tasks is expected to encounter
another operator at the crossing point of the estimated travel
paths, and the control device 10 therefore plans for the operators
to ride with one another. The number of operators who ride with one
another may be two or more and is not limited. The transportation
object vehicle on which the operators ride can be appropriately
selected in accordance with the remaining amount of energy of the
transportation object vehicle and the necessity of maintenance. The
operator who drives the transportation object vehicle can be
appropriately selected on the basis of the location at which the
task of each operator is performed.
[0091] The task of riding with another according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention includes the another task in
which one operator makes another operator ride with the one
operator from the point at which the one operator gets on the
shared vehicle Vn to the point at which the one operator gets/drops
off the shared vehicle Vn. In addition, the task of riding with
another according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention includes a task from the point at which one operator gets
on the shared vehicle Vn via the point at which the task for
another operator is performed to the point at which the one
operator gets off the shared vehicle Vn. In this case, the one
operator makes the other operator get off at the point at which the
task for the other operator is performed. The control device 10 can
set a plurality of via-points in accordance with the locations at
which the tasks of the operators who ride with the one operator on
the transportation object vehicle.
[0092] Thus, when the travel paths for the operators who transport
the shared vehicles Vn are partially overlapped, the operators are
made to ride with one another on one shared vehicle Vn, and the
work and energy required for moving the operators can be saved.
This results in a reduced cost for transporting the shared vehicles
Vn.
[0093] The control device 10 of the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
transmits the generated task to the operator terminal device 600X.
The operator performs the task acquired via the operator terminal
device 600X.
[0094] In addition, the control device 10 of the operator
management device 100 according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention exchanges information with the operator terminal
device 600X to manage the progress of the task for the operator
and/or the operator schedule. The progress of the task for the
operator and/or the operator schedule is managed in the operator
terminal device 600X carried by the operator. FIG. 6 illustrates an
example of the management screen for the progress of the task for
the operator and/or the operator schedule.
[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the operator terminal device 600X
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
presents the task for the operator and/or the operator schedule on
the display. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the operator
terminal device 600X according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention presents (I) a task of recovering the shared
vehicle Vn to the facility ST, (II) a task of charging at the
energy supply facility CST, (III) a task of allocating the shared
vehicle Vn to the station PR, (IV) a task of making another
operator ride with the operator on the vehicle, and (V) a task of
making the other operator riding with the operator get off
(dropping off the other operator riding with the operator) at an
indicated location.
[0096] Although not particularly limited, as for the vehicle
transporting (recovering) task (I), the operator terminal device
600X according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
presents the ID and vehicle state of the shared vehicle Vn as the
object of transporting (recovering). After starting this work of
recovering the vehicle, the operator touches the check box CB to
input the check. When the check is input, the time of input is
stamped. Similarly, the operator confirms the time of getting on
the transportation object vehicle and then inputs the check on the
check box. Similarly, upon confirmation of the estimated arrival
time, the operator inputs the check when actually arriving at the
facility ST. When each check is input, the time of check is
stamped. The input of check and the time of check are transmitted
to the operator management device 100 via the communication device
620 of the operator terminal device 600X. The operator management
device 100 records the acquired progress information into the
operator management information 313. For each information item,
processes of the input, transmission, acquisition and update of the
progress information are performed in the same way. Through this
operation, the operator management device 100 determines whether
the task and/or schedule for the operator progress as planned and
whether some delay does not occur in the transportation work, and
can manage the work of the operator.
[0097] As for the charging task (II), the operator checks the start
time and finish time of charging. As for the vehicle allocating
(transporting) task (III), the operator confirms the IDs of the
facility and workshop at which the shared vehicle Vn as the object
of the allocating work is located and the time of getting on the
shared vehicle Vn and then inputs the check after starting the
allocating work. The operator further confirms the IDs of the
station and parking area to be the destination for allocating the
shared vehicle Vn and the finish time. Then, the operator inputs
the check after completion of the allocating work.
[0098] As for the share-riding task (IV), the operator confirms the
ID of another operator who rides with the operator, the time when
they get on the vehicle, and the IDs of the facility and workshop
or the IDs of the station and parking area. Then, the operator
inputs the check after making the other operator as the object of
share-riding ride with the operator.
[0099] As for the dropping-off task (V), the operator confirms the
time of making the other operator for share-riding get off the
vehicle, and the IDs of the facility and workshop or the IDs of the
station and parking area. Then, the operator inputs the check after
making the other operator as the object of share-riding get off at
a given location.
[0100] The operator terminal device 600X receives the
above-described input of the progress information of the presented
task for the operator and/or the operator schedule and acquires it.
The acquired progress information is transmitted to the operator
management device 100 via the communication device 620. The
operator management device 100 stores the received progress
information into the operator management information 313.
[0101] Here, the operator terminal device 600X included in an
operator management system 100' according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention will be described. The
operator terminal device 600X executes programs for managing the
operators. The programs executed by the operator terminal device
600X according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
are downloaded to the operator terminal device 600X via an electric
communication line and stored in the operator terminal device 600X.
As will be understood, the programs according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention may be those which are
provided from an ASP (Application Service Provider) via an electric
communication line and executed in the operator terminal device
600X.
[0102] The programs according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention cause the operator terminal device 600X to
execute a task presentation function and a task progress reception
function. The operator terminal devices 600X to 600Y according to
one or more embodiments of the present invention each include an
input device 610 that receives an input of the progress information
of the task for each operator. The task presentation function is
used to present the task generated by the operator management
device 100 to the operator via letters, images, and/or sound. The
task progress reception function is used to receive the input of
information that represents the progress of the
previously-presented task. The information of which the input is
received is transmitted to the operator management device 100 via
the communication device 620. The operator management device 100
stores the received progress information into the operator
management information 313. The operator management device 100
compares the planned task and schedule with the progress
information to detect the task and schedule which cannot be
executed. The operator management device 100 cancels the task and
schedule which are determined unable to be executed, and plans
again a new task and schedule. This operation can prevent the
situation in which the task and schedule are not actually
executed.
[0103] With reference to FIG. 7, the control procedure of a
management process for the shared vehicle Vn in the operator
management system 1000 according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention will be described below.
[0104] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the control procedure of
the operator management device 100 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0105] In an initiation process, the control device 10 of the
operator management device 100 according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention acquires the rental request from the user.
The user terminal device 400X executes the rental request reception
function to receive the input of the rental request. The rental
request includes a rental request to request the use of the shared
vehicle Vn by the user. The rental request received by the user
terminal device 400X is transmitted to the control device 10 of the
operator management device 100.
[0106] In step S01, the control device 10 of the operator
management device 100 refers to the vehicle state management
information 311 of the management information 31 and extracts the
shared vehicle Vn that is a transportation object to the facility
(energy supply facility CST, maintenance facility MST). In an
example of the extraction scheme, the control device 10 reads the
remaining charge of battery included in the vehicle state
management information 311 and extracts the shared vehicle Vn of
which the remaining charge of battery is less than 20% of the
chargeable amount. According to one or more embodiments of the
present invention, the threshold of the remaining charge of
battery, which is the criterion for determination of the
transportation object vehicle, may be set with an added margin so
that the shared vehicle Vn does not become impossible to travel due
to the remaining charge of battery becoming zero during the use.
The threshold of the remaining charge of battery for determining
the transportation object vehicle is 20% in this example, but is
not limited thereto. Similarly, the control device 10 reads the
maintenance state information included in the vehicle state
management information 311 and extracts the shared vehicle Vn of
which the maintenance state information is not within (is outside)
the appropriate range. As will be understood, the control device 10
may extract the shared vehicle Vn as the transportation object to
the facility at a predetermined period or may also extract the
shared vehicle Vn as the transportation object among the shared
vehicles Vn which the user requests to rent.
[0107] In step S02, the control device 10 specifies the
transportation object vehicle (shared vehicle Vn) which needs
transportation to the facility, and adds a flag indicating it to
the vehicle state management information 311. The control device 10
determines that the rental of the specified transportation object
vehicle is prohibited, and adds a flag indicating the prohibition
of rental to the vehicle state management information 311. The
shared vehicle Vn to which the rental prohibition flag is added is
subjected to a process to temporarily make the shared vehicle Vn
unavailable, such as by the operation control for the ignition
key.
[0108] In step S03, the control device 10 searches for a facility
that can accept the shared vehicle Vn. The control device 10
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
extracts a facility that has an unoccupied workshop DC. The control
device 10 refers to the facility management information 312 of the
management information 31 and acquires information regarding the
operation state of the facility. The control device 10 extracts a
facility having a workshop DC that is currently available, on the
basis of the facility management information 312 as for the
facility of which the distance from the station PR of the shared
vehicle Vn as the transportation object is less than a
predetermined value. When there is a facility having a workshop DC
that is currently available, the process proceeds to step S04.
[0109] When there is not a facility having a workshop DC that is
currently available, the control device 10 extracts a facility of
which the available time for using the workshop DC in the facility
is before an estimated arrival time at which the shared vehicle Vn
is estimated to arrive at the facility. When there is not a
facility having a workshop DC that is available at the time of
arrival of the shared vehicle Vn, the control device 10 extracts a
facility of which the time difference between the available time
for using the workshop DC in the facility and the estimated arrival
time at which the shared vehicle Vn is estimated to arrive at the
facility is within a predetermined time period.
[0110] In other words, the control device 10 extracts first a
facility having a workshop DC that is currently available, extracts
second a facility having a workshop DC that is available at the
time of arrival of the shared vehicle Vn, and extracts third a
facility having a workshop DC that is available within the
predetermined time period from the time of arrival of the shared
vehicle Vn. This operation allows extraction of a facility that is
highly available and ensured that the operator need not wait or
waits for a while within the predetermined time of period, and the
facility can accept the transportation object vehicle. For example,
when the energy supply facility CST does not have an unoccupied
charging device BT, the control device 10 searches for a facility
having a charging device BT that is available within a time period
(e.g. 20 minutes) required for the transportation. When there is
not a charging device BT that becomes unoccupied within a time
period (e.g. 20 minutes) required for the transportation, the
control device 10 searches for a facility having a charging device
BT that becomes unoccupied within a time period (e.g. 30 minutes)
to which the waiting time is added. As will be understood, the time
period required for the transportation can be appropriately set in
accordance with the distance to the facility, the type of road of
the path to the facility, the average speed on the path to the
facility, the degree of traffic jam on the path to the facility,
etc. The waiting time acceptable for the user can be appropriately
set in accordance with the season, the air temperature, and the
ambient environment.
[0111] Next, in step S04, the control device 10 determines whether
or not there is an operator who can perform the transportation
work. The control device 10 searches for an operator who is located
within a predetermined distance from the location at which the
transportation object vehicle is present. The positional
information of the operator is detected by the GPS receiver 620.
The control device 10 extracts the operator who is located within
the predetermined distance from the transportation object vehicle,
and refers to the task and/or schedule for the operator. The
control device 10 determines whether or not the operator can
transport the transportation object vehicle, in addition to or as
substitute for the task and/or schedule which have already been
commanded. When a determination is made that the operator can
perform the transportation task for the transportation object
vehicle, the operator is selected as an operator in charge. The
control device 10 refers to the progress information and current
position of the operator management information 313 to
preferentially select the operator who is located near the shared
vehicle Vn as the transportation object.
[0112] In step S04, when an operator who can perform the task as
for the transportation object vehicle is not present in the
vicinity thereof, the process proceeds to step S05 in which the
control device 10 searches for an operator who is present at a
location of which the distance from the transportation object
vehicle exceeds the predetermined distance, but can perform the
task.
[0113] In step S106, the control device 10 selects the operator who
is searched for in step S04, S05 as an operator in charge who
performs the task as for the transportation of the transportation
object vehicle.
[0114] In step S06, the control device 10 determines whether or not
the transportation object vehicle driven by one operator can accept
another operator who rides with the one operator. The control
device 10 compares the locations and relevant times of operators
when performing the task, extracts tasks of which the differences
between the locations and between the relevant times specified in
the task are less than predetermined values, and determines that
the operators who perform these tasks can ride with one another.
Then, the control device 10 selects one operator from among the
operators who can ride with one another, and imposes the one
operator on the task that another operator or other operators ride
with the one operator on the transportation object vehicle. The
control device 10 records the ID of the operator as the performer
of the task into the operator management information and the
facility management information 312.
[0115] Subsequently, in step S07, the control device 10 creates the
task and schedule for the operator. When there is a task that
commands share-riding, this task is included therein. Then, in step
S08, the control device 10 transmits an execution command for the
task to the operator terminal device 600X carried by the
operator.
[0116] In step S09, the control device 10 refers to the progress
information input by the operator to the operator terminal device
600X to confirm the progress of the task. The above is the process
procedure when the determination result in the flowchart is "Yes,"
i.e. the process to make the operator transport the shared vehicle
Vn.
[0117] Referring again to step S01, the control device 10 according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention extracts a
shared vehicle Vn that should be immediately transported to the
facility ST under the condition that "the remaining amount of
energy of the shared vehicle Vn is less than a predetermined
remaining amount threshold" and/or "the maintenance state
information of the shared vehicle Vn is not within (is outside) a
predefined appropriate range in which management is not needed." As
an example, the control device 10 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention selects "a shared vehicle Vn
of which the remaining charge of battery is 20% or less," "a shared
vehicle Vn of which the period of use from the previous check is 6
months or more," and/or "a shared vehicle Vn of which the travel
distance from the previous check is 5,000 km or more."
[0118] In step S101, when a determination is made that the above
condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S21. In
step S21, the control device 10 extracts a shared vehicle Vn of
which the remaining amount of energy is not less than the remaining
amount threshold. For this operation, the upper limit of the
remaining amount of energy may be defined. In other words, the
control device 10 may extract a shared vehicle Vn of which the
remaining amount of energy is not less than a first remaining
amount threshold and is less than a second remaining amount
threshold. As an example, the control device 10 extracts "a shared
vehicle Vn of which the remaining charge of battery is 21% to 30%."
Similarly, in step S21, the control device 10 extracts a shared
vehicle Vn of which the maintenance state information is within the
appropriate range. For this operation, the range of maintenance
state may be defined. In other words, the control device 10 may
extract a shared vehicle Vn of which the maintenance state
information is not less than a first threshold and is less than a
second threshold. As an example, the control device 10 extracts "a
shared vehicle Vn of which the period of use from the previous
check is 4 months or more and less than 6 months" and/or "a shared
vehicle Vn of which the travel distance from the previous check is
4,000 km or more and less than 5,000 km."
[0119] Next, in step S22, the control device 10 finely selects the
shared vehicle Vn of which the utilization rate during the
treatment time period (e.g. 2 hours) from the timing of
determination in step S21 is less than a predetermined rate. As an
example, the control device 10 extracts a shared vehicle Vn of
which the utilization rate during a predetermined time period (e.g.
2 hours) from the time of determination is less than 30%.
[0120] In step S23, the control device 10 specifies the
transportation object vehicle which satisfies the condition of
steps S21 and S22.
[0121] After specifying the transportation object vehicle, in step
S24, the control device 10 determines whether or not the rental
request for the shared vehicle Vn at the station PR is present.
When the rental request is present, the process proceeds to step
S25 in which the threshold of utilization rate used previously in
the process of finely selecting the transportation object vehicle
is corrected to be high. The control device 10 corrects the
threshold to be high, thereby to suppress the transportation object
vehicle from being specified. The transportation object vehicle is
transported to the facility ST and therefore cannot be provided for
use by the user. The threshold for rental request used in the next
process is corrected. The transportation object vehicle becomes
difficult to be specified by correcting the threshold for rental
request to be high, and the transportation object vehicle can
therefore be finely selected in accordance with the actual
utilization rate. As a result, it is possible to avoid an erroneous
determination that the shared vehicle Vn is transported to the
facility ST despite the presence of the request for use.
[0122] In step S24, when the rental request is not present, the
process of step S03 and subsequent steps are performed for the
specified transportation object vehicle.
[0123] Although not illustrated in this flowchart, after the
process at the facility ST is completed, the shared vehicle Vn of
which the state information becomes a predetermined target value is
transported to each station PR. The operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
further manages a task of transporting the shared vehicle Vn for
which the work is completed at the facility ST to the station PR.
The control device 10 selects a station PR to which the shared
vehicle Vn can be allocated at the timing when the process is
completed at the facility ST and at which the utilization rate of
the shared vehicle Vn is relatively high. Then, the control device
10 generates a task of allocation to transport the shared vehicle
Vn from the facility ST to the station PR.
[0124] The control device 10 of the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
calculates the utilization rate at each station PR within 30
minutes from the timing when the process (charging/maintenance) at
the facility ST is completed. The control device 10 may refer to a
preliminarily-calculated utilization rate at each PR included in
the vehicle state management information 311. The control device 10
specifies the station PR at which the utilization rate is highest,
and confirms the number of rentable shared vehicles Vn among the
shared vehicles Vn allocated to the station PR. When the number of
available shared vehicles Vn allocated to the station PR is less
than a predetermined number or the ratio of the number is less than
a predetermined ratio, the control device 10 specifies the station
PR as a station PR to which the shared vehicle Vn completed with
the process is to be allocated.
[0125] The control device 10 may make a group of adjacent stations
PR and evaluate the number of available shared vehicles Vn. Also in
the task of allocating the shared vehicles Vn, the
previously-described task for share-riding with another operator
may be added.
[0126] According to the operator management device 100 according to
one or more embodiments of the present invention, one or more of
the following effects can be obtained. The below are merely
examples of possible effects, and do not limit the scope of the
claims in any way.
[0127] (1) In a car sharing system that allows users to use shared
vehicles allocated to stations, the operator management device 100
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, on
the basis of state information of the shared vehicle Vn and a
utilization rate of the shared vehicle Vn at the station, specifies
a transportation object vehicle to be transported to a facility ST
for restoring the shared vehicle so that the state information
changes to a predetermined target value, and makes an operator
transport the transportation object vehicle to the facility ST.
[0128] According to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the operator is made to transport the shared vehicle Vn
specified on the basis of the state information and utilization
rate of the shared vehicle Vn to the facility, and the shared
vehicle Vn can thereby be transported to the facility ST at
appropriate timing. It is therefore possible to maintain the state
of the shared vehicle to be good and avoid the occurrence of a
trouble that the user cannot use the shared vehicle Vn. As a
result, the operation rate of the shared vehicle can be
improved.
[0129] (2) The operator management device 100 according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention specifies the shared
vehicle Vn of which the remaining amount of energy is a value that
exceeds a remaining amount threshold and the utilization rate at
the station PR is less than a predetermined rate, as the
transportation object vehicle. Thus, the shared vehicle Vn of which
the utilization rate at the station PR is lower than the
predetermined rate is specified as the transportation object
vehicle while finely selecting the transportation object vehicle on
the basis of the threshold of the remaining amount of energy.
[0130] This allows preliminary energy supply before the shared
vehicle Vn comes into a state in which energy has to be immediately
supplied and when the operation rate is still low. Such preliminary
energy supply at a low operation rate renders the energy supply
unnecessary when the operation rate becomes high. This operation
reduces the unavailable time of the shared vehicle Vn due to energy
supply and can increase the operation rate of the shared vehicle
Vn.
[0131] (3) The operator management device 100 according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention specifies the shared
vehicle Vn of which the maintenance state information is within an
appropriate range and the utilization rate at the station PR is
less than a predetermined rate, as the transportation object
vehicle.
[0132] This allows preliminary maintenance before the shared
vehicle Vn comes into a state in which the maintenance has to be
immediately performed and when the operation rate is still low.
Such preliminary maintenance at a low operation rate renders the
maintenance unnecessary when the operation rate becomes high. This
operation reduces the unavailable time of the shared vehicle Vn due
to maintenance and can increase the operation rate of the shared
vehicle Vn.
[0133] (4) When the operator management device 100 according to one
or more embodiments of the present invention specifies the shared
vehicle Vn of which the utilization rate at the station PR is less
than the predetermined rate as the transportation object vehicle
and thereafter receives the rental request, the operator management
device 100 corrects the predetermined rate for evaluating the
utilization rate to increase. The "predetermined rate," which is a
threshold for evaluating the utilization rate in the process to
specify the transportation object vehicle, is corrected in
accordance with the presence or absence of the actual rental
request thereby to allow selection of the transportation object
vehicle in consideration of the actual situation of use.
[0134] This can consequently prevent the situation in which there
is a user who desires to rent the shared vehicle Vn, but
nevertheless, the shared vehicle Vn is forwarded to the facility
ST, so that the opportunity of use of the shared vehicle Vn is
lost. As a result, the operation rate of the shared vehicle Vn can
be improved.
[0135] (5) When the operator management device 100 according to one
or more embodiments of the present invention makes the operator
transport the shared vehicle Vn to the facility ST on the basis of
one or more information items of the operation history of the
shared vehicle Vn allocated to the station PR, the calendar, the
weather, and an event that is performed at a point near the station
PR. Therefore, the shared vehicle Vn can be transported to the
facility ST at appropriate timing.
[0136] (6) The operator management device 100 according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention selects an operator
relatively close to the location of the transportation object
vehicle and makes the operator perform the task in association with
the transportation.
[0137] Therefore, the time required for the transportation is
reduced and the cost for transportation of the transportation
object vehicle can be reduced. Moreover, the opportunities of use
of the shared vehicle Vn can be ensured because the transportation
object vehicle can be promptly transported to the facility ST for
charging and maintenance.
[0138] (7) The operator management device 100 according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention generates an operator
schedule in which the tasks for the operator in association with
transportation are planned over time. Therefore, redundant works,
vacant time and the like are reduced, and the operator can be made
to perform the tasks without any loss.
[0139] (8) The operator management device 100 according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention refers to the facility
management information 312, which includes the operation state of
the facility, and selects the facility ST available before the
execution start time of the task for the operator in association
with transportation, and thereby the operator who has transported
the shared vehicle Vn need not wait at the facility ST. Similarly,
by selecting the facility ST available at the time when the shared
vehicle Vn arrives at the facility ST, the operator who has
transported the shared vehicle Vn need not wait at the facility ST.
Moreover, since the facility ST to be available within the
predetermined time period from when the shared vehicle Vn arrives
at the facility ST is selected, the operator who has transported
the shared vehicle Vn need not wait at the facility ST over the
predetermined time period.
[0140] Thus, the operator does not wait for a long time after
having arrived at the facility and can start the work of charging
or maintenance. This can minimize the time required for execution
of the task. As a result, the shared vehicle Vn can be promptly
allocated to the station PR to respond to the use request by the
user. At the same time, the operation rate of the shared vehicle Vn
can be improved.
[0141] (9) The operator management device 100 according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention makes the operator
transport the shared vehicle Vn for which the work is completed at
the facility ST to the station PR to which the shared vehicle Vn
can be allocated at the time of completion of the work and at which
the utilization rate of the shared vehicle Vn is relatively
high.
[0142] Therefore, the station to which the shared vehicle Vn is
transported is determined when the work is completed and then the
allocation is to be started (before the start of allocation). It is
thus possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the
operator arrives at the station PR, but there is not an unoccupied
parking area to accept the shared vehicle Vn. That results in
suppression of the loss in the labor cost for the operator, and the
operation rate of the shared vehicle can be improved.
[0143] (10) The operator management device 100 according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention compares the locations
and relevant times of operators when performing the task. When the
travel paths for the operators who transport the shared vehicles Vn
are partially overlapped, the operators are made to ride with one
another on one shared vehicle Vn, and the work and energy required
for moving the operators can be saved. This results in a reduced
cost for transporting the shared vehicles Vn.
[0144] (11) In the operator management system 1000 according to one
or more embodiments of the present invention, the operator terminal
device 600X receives the input of progress information of the task
or schedule for the operator and transmits the progress information
to the operator management device 100. Referring to the progress
information, the control device 10 of the operator management
device 100 can adjust the operator schedules, which include the
tasks, transportation schedules and work schedules, of the whole
operators while evaluating whether or not each operator can
accomplish the assigned transportation work and maintenance work
within the working hours.
[0145] (12) Similar action and effect to the one or more of the
above can be realized by an operator management method according to
one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0146] Embodiments heretofore explained are described to facilitate
understanding of the present invention and are not described to
limit the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the
elements disclosed in the above embodiments include all design
changes and equivalents to fall within the technical scope of the
present invention.
[0147] In the present description, the operator management device
100 is exemplified as a form of the operator management device
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, but
the present invention is not limited to this.
[0148] In the present description, the operator management device
100 comprising the control device 10 (computer) that has a CPU 11,
a ROM 12, and a RAM 13 is exemplified as a form of the operator
management device according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention, but the present invention is not limited to
this.
[0149] In the present description, the operator management device
100 comprising the control device 10 that executes the vehicle
state acquisition function, the transportation object vehicle
specifying function, and the operator management function is
exemplified as a form of the operator management device that has
the vehicle state acquisition unit, the transportation object
vehicle specifying unit, and the operator management unit according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention, but the
present invention is not limited to this.
[0150] In the present description, the operator management system
100' comprising the operator management device 100 and the operator
terminal device 600X is exemplified as a form of the operator
management system according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention, but the present invention is not limited to
this.
[0151] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments
can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention
as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should
be limited only by the attached claims.
Description of Reference Numerals
[0152] 1000 Operator management system [0153] 100 Operator
management device [0154] 100' Operator management system [0155] 10
Control device [0156] 11 CPU [0157] 12 ROM [0158] 13 RAM [0159] 20,
220, 420, 520, 620 Communication device [0160] 30 Database [0161]
31 Management information [0162] 311 Vehicle state management
information [0163] 312 Facility management information [0164] 313
Operator management information [0165] 314 Station management
information [0166] 32 Rental request [0167] V1 to Vn Shared vehicle
[0168] 110 Shared vehicle management device [0169] 200, 200V1 to
200Vn On-board device [0170] 400, 400X to 400Y User terminal device
[0171] 500, 500X to 500Y Facility terminal device [0172] 600, 600X
to 600Y Operator terminal device [0173] PR Station (Port)
* * * * *