JP7620907B2 - Terminal control method - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies. May 16, 2019: Disclosed at the IoT Electric Assisted Bicycle Demonstration Experiment and Service Business Briefing (Denshi Kaikan). May 16, 2019: Disclosed at the IoT Electric Assisted Bicycle Demonstration Experiment and Service Business Briefing (Tsunashima SST). May 16, 2019 1) https://cycle.panasonic.com/release/ 2) Disclosed at https://cycle.panasonic.com/release/pdf/re20190516_1.pdf. May 20, 2019 - Disclosed at the demonstration experiment at "Tsunashima Sustainable Smart Town."

The present disclosure relates generally to a terminal control method , and more particularly, to a terminal control method for a terminal used when using a mobile object.

Patent Document 1 discloses a bicycle rental system. In this bicycle rental system, a user determines his/her current location using the GPS (Global Positioning System) function of his/her mobile phone, and then accesses a rental host via a mobile phone base station and the Internet. The rental host sends the user a bicycle parking area map based on the user's location information. The rental host also notifies the user of the key number used when renting a bicycle.

JP 2005-78223 A

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a terminal control method that can improve the convenience of a user when using a mobile object.

A terminal control method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is executed by one or more processors. The terminal control method includes an authentication step, a guidance step, an output step, a confirmation step, and a notification step. The authentication step is a step of displaying a screen on a terminal used by the user, which prompts the user to input authentication information used for authenticating the user. The guidance step is a step of displaying a screen on the terminal, which prompts the user to obtain an identifier of a mobile object that the user plans to use. The output step is a step of outputting the identifier obtained through the guidance step from the terminal to a control system that controls the mobile object. The confirmation step is a step of displaying a screen on the terminal, which prompts the user to input whether or not to use the mobile object, together with the mobile object information, when it is determined that the mobile object is usable based on mobile object information, which is information regarding the remaining amount of a battery used as a control power source for the mobile object, obtained from the mobile object identified from the identifier through the output step. The notification step is a step in which, after the control system receives the use confirmation information from the terminal via the confirmation step, the control system transitions the mobile object to an unlockable state via the output step, and then causes the terminal to display a screen informing the user that the mobile object has transitioned from a locked state to the unlockable state via the output step. The guidance step is executed when the control system authenticates the user via the authentication step. The unlockable state is a state in which the mobile object transitions to an unlocked state when the user performs an unlocking operation on the mobile object.

The present disclosure has the advantage of improving the convenience of users when using a mobile object.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of a terminal, a control system, and an electric bicycle in which a terminal control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used. FIG. 2 is a side view of the electric bicycle. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the electric bicycle. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the terminal control method according to the above embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of a terminal, a control system, and an electric bicycle using the above terminal control method. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an authentication screen displayed on the terminal of the above embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a guide screen displayed on the terminal of the above embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an error screen displayed on the terminal of the above embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a confirmation screen displayed on the terminal of the above embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an unacceptable screen displayed on the terminal of the above embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a notification screen displayed on the terminal of the above embodiment.

(1) Overview The terminal control method, the program, and the moving object 2 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the moving object 2 is a bicycle. More specifically, in this embodiment, the moving object 2 is an electric bicycle. Therefore, in the following, the "moving object 2" will be described as the "electric bicycle 2" unless otherwise specified.

The terminal control method of this embodiment is used when user A1 (see FIG. 3) rents electric bicycle 2 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). That is, in this embodiment, electric bicycle 2 is managed by a rental service provider and is temporarily rented out to user A1 who has signed a contract with the provider. When not in use, electric bicycle 2 is, in principle, parked in a bicycle parking lot prepared by the provider.

The terminal control method is executed, for example, by user A1 starting a general-purpose browser installed on terminal 1 (see FIG. 1) owned by user A1 and accessing a dedicated website. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the dedicated website can be obtained, for example, by reading a two-dimensional code (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)) printed on a sticker attached to electric bicycle 2 with a reader 14 (described later) of terminal 1. Alternatively, the terminal control method may be executed by user A1 starting a dedicated application installed on terminal 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal control method includes at least a guidance step S3, an output step S7, and a notification step S13.

Guidance step S3 is a step in which a screen (guide screen P2 (see FIG. 7)) that prompts user A1 to obtain the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle (mobile object) 2 that he plans to use is displayed on the terminal 1 used by user A1. In this disclosure, the "identifier 10" is unique information assigned to each electric bicycle 2. Therefore, when there are multiple electric bicycles 2, it is possible to identify one electric bicycle 2 that corresponds to the identifier 10 by referring to the identifier 10.

The output step S7 is a step in which the identifier 10 acquired via the guidance step S3 is output from the terminal 1 to the control system 3 (see FIG. 1) that controls the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2. The "control system 3" in this disclosure is not a control unit provided in the electric bicycle 2, but a server or the like that is located in a remote location away from the electric bicycle 2. In this embodiment, the control system 3 remotely controls the electric bicycle 2 by wirelessly communicating with the electric bicycle 2. However, the "remote control" referred to here does not include control of running the electric bicycle 2.

In this embodiment, the output step S7 is executed after the user A1, who has viewed the guidance screen P2 in the guidance step S3, operates the terminal 1 to cause the terminal 1 to obtain the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2.

Notification step S13 is a step of displaying on the terminal 1 a screen (notification screen P6 (see FIG. 11)) informing that the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 has transitioned from a locked state to an unlockable state via the output step S7. As will be described in detail later, the "locked state" in this disclosure is a state in which the lock (in this embodiment, the circle lock 6 (see FIG. 1)) of the electric bicycle 2 is locked. Also, the "unlockable state" in this disclosure is a state in which the lock of the electric bicycle 2 is locked but can be unlocked by the operation of user A1. In other words, the unlockable state is a state in which the electric bicycle 2 can be unlocked by user A1 performing a specific operation on the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2. In this embodiment, the specific operation is the pressing of the power switch of the operation device 23 (described later).

In this embodiment, notification step S13 is executed after the control system 3, which has acquired the identifier 10 output from the terminal 1 in output step S7, wirelessly communicates with the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier 10, thereby transitioning the electric bicycle 2 from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked. Then, user A1, who has viewed the notification screen P6 in notification step S13, can transition the electric bicycle 2 to an unlocked state by operating the operation device 23 (described later) of the electric bicycle 2. User A1 can then ride the electric bicycle 2. In this way, the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 is controlled by the control system 3, which communicates with the terminal 1 using a terminal control method.

As described above, in this embodiment, user A1 can use the electric bicycle (mobile object) 2 by completing the procedures while viewing the screens displayed on terminal 1 in each of guidance step S3, output step S7, and notification step S13. In other words, user A1 can complete the procedures up to using the electric bicycle 2 simply by using terminal 1. Therefore, this embodiment has the advantage of improving the convenience of user A1 when using the electric bicycle 2.

(2) Overall Configuration First, the overall configuration of a terminal 1, an electric bicycle 2, and a control system 3 for which the terminal control method of this embodiment is used will be described with reference to FIG.

The terminal 1 is a device carried by the user A1, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. The terminal 1 includes a processing unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, and a reading device 14.

The processing unit 11 includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and memory as hardware. The functions of the processing unit 11 are realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided via a telecommunications line, or may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system.

The processing unit 11 executes the terminal control method by controlling the communication unit 12, the display unit 13, and the reading device 14. In this embodiment, the processing unit 11 executes the authentication step S1, the presentation step S10, the determination steps S10 and S11, and the confirmation step S10 in addition to the guidance step S3, the output step S7, and the notification step S13 already described (see FIG. 4). Each step will be described in detail in "(4) Operation" below.

The communication unit 12 is a communication interface for communicating with the control system 3, and has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 12 communicates with a communication unit 32 (described later) of the control system 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet, using the wireless communication module, for example, optical wireless communication using light such as infrared or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. The communication unit 12 may be connected to the network N1 via a communication device such as a router.

The display unit 13 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. In this embodiment, the display unit 13 displays the content of the dedicated website acquired via the network N1. When the terminal control method is executed by a dedicated application, the display unit 13 displays the content read from the memory of the terminal 1 by the application.

The reading device 14 has a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor. In this embodiment, the reading device 14 is an imaging device (camera) built into the terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 3, when the user A1 faces the terminal 1 to a sticker 931 on the electric bicycle 2 on which the identifier 10 is written, the reading device 14 reads and acquires the identifier 10. That is, in this embodiment, the identifier 10 is attached to the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 and is read by the reading device 14.

The electric bicycle 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, an operating device 23, a battery unit 4, a motor 51, and a circle lock 6. The motor 51 and the circle lock 6 will be described in detail in "(3) Electric bicycle" below.

The control unit 21 includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and memory as hardware. The functions of the control unit 21 are realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided via a telecommunications line, or may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system.

The control unit 21 has the function of executing drive processing, transmission processing, and lock control processing.

The drive process is a process for controlling the motor 51. More specifically, in the drive process, the control unit 21 controls the motor 51 by outputting a drive control signal to the motor 51 so that the motor 51 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed. For example, the control unit 21 controls the motor 51 so as to assist the pedaling force of the user A1 at a predetermined speed.

The transmission process is a process in which, when the communication unit 22 receives request information (described later) transmitted from the control system 3, the communication unit 22 acquires remaining capacity information from the battery control unit 42 of the battery unit 4 and transmits the acquired remaining capacity information to the control system 3. Note that, when the control unit 21 periodically acquires remaining capacity information from the battery control unit 42 and stores it in memory, the control unit 21 may transmit the latest remaining capacity information stored in memory to the control system 3.

The lock control process includes a process of controlling the circle lock 6 to transition from a locked state to an unlockable state, or from an unlockable state to a locked state, by communicating with the control system 3. The lock control process is also a process of transitioning the circle lock 6 from an unlockable state to an unlocked state when an activation signal (described later) is received from the operation device 23 when the circle lock 6 is in an unlockable state. In other words, even if the control unit 21 receives an activation signal from the operation device 23 when the circle lock 6 is in a locked state, it does not transition the circle lock 6 to an unlocked state, but maintains the locked state.

The communication unit 22 is a communication interface for communicating with the control system 3, and has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 22 communicates with a communication unit 32 (described later) of the control system 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet, using the wireless communication module, for example, optical wireless communication using light such as infrared or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. The communication unit 22 may be connected to the network N1 via a communication device such as a router.

The operating device 23 is attached to the handle 83 (described later) of the electric bicycle 2. The operating device 23 has a power switch that is pressed by the user A1. When the power switch is pressed, the operating device 23 sends an activation signal to the control unit 21. The operating device 23 also has a switch that accepts input to change the degree to which the motor 51 assists the pedaling force (pedal force) of the user A1, and a display that displays parameters such as the remaining charge of the battery 41.

The battery unit 4 includes a battery 41 and a battery control unit 42.

The battery 41 supplies power to the motor 51 of the motor unit 5 (see FIG. 2). In addition to the motor 51, the battery 41 also supplies power to, for example, the headlight and the operating device 23. The battery 41 is removably attached to the seat tube 73 (described later). In other words, the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 has the battery 41 used as a power source for controlling the electric bicycle 2.

Each time the electric bicycle 2 is used, the battery control unit 42 determines the amount of power (battery power consumption) consumed by the battery 41 when the electric bicycle 2 is traveling (when in use). Power consumption information indicating the amount of battery power consumption is output from the battery control unit 42 to the control unit 21. The battery control unit 42 also manages the remaining capacity of the battery 41. More specifically, the battery control unit 42 determines the difference between the remaining capacity of the battery 41 before use and the amount of battery power consumption as the remaining capacity of the new battery 41. Remaining capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery 41 is output from the battery control unit 42 to the control unit 21.

The remaining charge of the battery 41 is corrected taking into account the deterioration of the battery 41. The deterioration of the battery 41 can be determined from a charge/discharge history indicating the charging and discharging of the battery 41. The charge/discharge history is stored together with the ID (Identification) of the battery 41. If the battery 41 has a communication function, the charge/discharge history may be stored in an external device such as a server.

As already mentioned, the control system 3 is a server or the like located in a remote location away from the electric bicycle 2. The control system 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a memory unit 33.

The control unit 31 includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and memory as hardware. The functions of the control unit 31 are realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided via a telecommunications line, or may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system.

The control unit 31 has the functions of executing authentication processing, identification processing, acquisition processing, determination processing, unlocking processing, and notification processing.

The authentication process is a process in which, when the communication unit 32 acquires authentication information transmitted from the terminal 1, it determines whether the authentication information is included in the database stored in the memory unit 33, that is, whether user A1 based on the authentication information is registered. If the authentication process is successful, that is, if user A1 is registered, the control unit 31 transmits response information indicating that the authentication process was successful to the terminal 1. On the other hand, if the authentication process fails, that is, if user A1 is not registered or the authentication information entered by user A1 is incorrect, the control unit 31 transmits response information indicating that the authentication process failed to the terminal 1.

The identification process is a process in which, when the communication unit 32 acquires an identifier 10 transmitted from the terminal 1, the communication unit 32 refers to the database stored in the memory unit 33 to identify the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier 10. When the control unit 31 identifies the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier 10, the control unit 31 then executes the acquisition process.

The acquisition process is a process for acquiring remaining charge information (information regarding the remaining charge of the battery 41) held by the electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification process by communicating with the electric bicycle 2. The control unit 31 transmits request information requesting remaining charge information to the electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification process.

The determination process is a process for determining whether or not the electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification process can be used based on the remaining charge information acquired in the acquisition process. Specifically, the control unit 31 determines that the electric bicycle 2 can be used if the remaining charge of the battery 41 based on the remaining charge information is equal to or greater than a threshold (e.g., 20% SOC (State Of Charge)), and that the electric bicycle 2 cannot be used if it is less than the threshold. The control unit 31 transmits the remaining charge information acquired in the acquisition process and the determination result of the determination process to the terminal 1.

The unlocking process is a process for transitioning the electric bicycle 2 from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked by remotely controlling the circle lock 6 of the electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification process through communication with the electric bicycle 2. Here, the unlocking process is merely a process for transitioning the electric bicycle 2 from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked, and is not a process for transitioning the electric bicycle 2 from a locked state to an unlocked state. After executing the unlocking process, the control unit 31 subsequently executes a notification process.

The notification process is a process of communicating with the terminal 1 to notify that the electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification process has transitioned from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked. The control unit 31 transmits notification information to the terminal 1 indicating that the identified electric bicycle 2 has transitioned from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked.

The communication unit 32 is a communication interface for communicating with the terminal 1 or the electric bicycle 2, and has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 32 communicates with the communication unit 12 of the terminal 1 or the communication unit 22 of the electric bicycle 2 via a network N1 such as the Internet, using the wireless communication module, for example, optical wireless communication using light such as infrared or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. The communication unit 32 may be connected to the network N1 via a communication device such as a router.

Here, in this embodiment, the communication unit 12 of the terminal 1 does not communicate with the communication unit 22 of the electric bicycle 2. In other words, in this embodiment, each step such as guidance step S3 executed by the terminal 1 is executed without communication between the terminal 1 and the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2. For this reason, in this embodiment, for example, information about user A1 held by the terminal 1 is not transmitted to the electric bicycle 2, which has the advantage that it is easy to prevent information about user A1 from being leaked to a third party via the electric bicycle 2.

The memory unit 33 includes, for example, an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 33 stores a database including authentication information for one or more users A1 who have contracts with the rental service provider for electric bicycles 2. The memory unit 33 also stores a database including identifiers 10 for one or more electric bicycles 2 managed by the rental service provider for electric bicycles 2.

(3) Electric Bicycle Next, the electric bicycle 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2, which is referred to in the following embodiments, is a schematic diagram, and the ratios of sizes and thicknesses of the components in the diagram do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the running surface 100 (see FIG. 2) is assumed to be a horizontal surface. However, in reality, the running surface 100 does not have to be a horizontal surface, and may be inclined relative to the horizontal surface or may be an uneven surface.

Furthermore, in the following, the direction in which the electric bicycle 2 moves is defined as the "forward direction", the opposite direction to the forward direction is defined as the "rearward direction", and the forward and rearward directions together are defined as the "front-rear direction". In addition, two opposite directions that are perpendicular to the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the horizontal plane are defined as the "up-down direction". In addition, two opposite directions that are perpendicular to the front-rear direction and along the horizontal plane are defined as the "left-right direction". However, the definitions of these directions are not intended to limit the manner in which the electric bicycle 2 is used. Furthermore, the arrows indicating each direction in the drawings are merely shown for explanatory purposes and do not have any substance.

The electric bicycle 2 is a bicycle that can travel on the riding surface 100 by electrical power. In this embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is an electrically assisted bicycle that uses a motor 51 to assist the pedaling force (pedaling force) of the user A1 (see FIG. 3).

The electric bicycle 2 includes a motor unit 5 and a frame 7. The electric bicycle 2 also includes multiple (two in FIG. 2) wheels 81, a front fork 82, a handlebar 83, a saddle 84, a pair (one in FIG. 2) of crank arms 85, a pair (one in FIG. 2) of pedals 86, a power transmission body 87, and a battery 41. The electric bicycle 2 also includes a circle lock 6, a basket 91, a front fender 92, and a rear fender 93.

(3.1) Wheels The multiple wheels 81 are members that support the frame 7 above the riding surface 100. In this embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 has a front wheel 88 and a rear wheel 89 as the multiple wheels 81. The front wheel 88 has a hub 881 at its center, and the rear wheel 89 has a hub 891 at its center. The multiple wheels 81 are attached to the frame 7, and rotate by the pedaling force of the user A1 and the power output from the motor 51.

The front wheel 88 is the front wheel of the two wheels 81 aligned in the front-rear direction. The front wheel 88 is supported by a pair of legs 821 (one in FIG. 2) so that it can rotate around an axis along the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the front wheel 88 is a wheel that does not receive power from the motor unit 5.

A front fender 92 that curves along the circumferential direction of the front wheel 88 is provided above the front wheel 88. The front fender 92 functions as a mudguard that prevents water splashes or mud, etc., splashed up by the front wheel 88 from being splashed toward the user A1 while the electric bicycle 2 is traveling.

The rear wheel 89 is the rear wheel of the two wheels 81 aligned in the front-rear direction. The rear wheel 89 is supported by two chain stays 75 so that it can rotate around an axis along the left-right direction. The rear wheel 89 is equipped with a rear sprocket 892 that is concentric with the hub 891 and is attached integrally to the hub 891. The rear sprocket 892 is connected to the drive sprocket (described later) of the motor unit 5 via the power transmission body 87. As a result, the power output from the motor unit 5 is transmitted to the rear wheel 89.

A rear fender 93 curved along the circumferential direction of the rear wheel 89 is provided above the rear wheel 89. The rear fender 93 functions as a mudguard to prevent water splashes or mud, etc., splashed up by the rear wheel 89 from being splashed toward the user A1 while the electric bicycle 2 is traveling. In this embodiment, a sticker 931 with a two-dimensional code as the identifier 10 is attached to the rear fender 93, as shown in FIG. 3.

A circle lock 6 is attached to the rear wheel 89. The circle lock 6 can be in one of the following states: locked, unlocked, or unlockable. The locked state prohibits the electric bicycle 2 from traveling by restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 89. The unlocked state allows the electric bicycle 2 to travel without restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 89. The unlockable state prohibits the electric bicycle 2 from traveling by restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 89, but can be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state when an operation is received from the operating device 23. In other words, in the locked state, the circle lock 6 cannot be switched to the unlocked state even if the user A1 operates the operating device 23, but in the unlockable state, the circle lock 6 can be switched to the unlocked state when the user A1 operates the operating device 23. In this embodiment, the circle lock 6 is in principle in the locked state when the electric bicycle 2 is not in use.

(3.2) Front Fork The front fork 82 supports the front wheel 88. The front fork 82 includes a pair of legs 821, a crown 822, and a steering column 823. The crown 822 connects the upper ends of the pair of legs 821. The steering column 823 protrudes from the crown 822. The front wheel 88 is rotatably attached to the pair of legs 821 via a shaft that passes through a hub 881. The rotation axis of the front wheel 88 is parallel to the running surface 100. The protruding direction (longitudinal direction) of the steering column 823 extends from the crown 822 so as to go rearward as it goes upward, and is inclined with respect to the running surface 100.

(3.3) Handlebars The handlebars 83 are attached to the upper end of a steering column 823 and fixed to the front fork 82. The steering column 823 passes through a head tube 71 of a frame 7 (described below) and is rotatably attached to the frame 7. The rotation axis of the steering column 823 is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the steering column 823. Therefore, the handlebars 83 can rotate the front wheel 88 around an axis along the longitudinal direction of the steering column 823.

A basket 91 for storing user A1's belongings is attached above the connection between the handle 83 and the steering column 823. In addition, an operating device 23 is attached to the handle 83.

(3.4) Frame The frame 7 is a framework to which the multiple wheels 81, the front fork 82, the handlebars 83, the saddle 84, the battery 41, and the motor unit 5 are attached. The material of the frame 7 is, for example, an aluminum alloy containing aluminum as a main component. However, the material of the frame 7 is not limited to an aluminum alloy, and may be, for example, iron, chrome molybdenum steel, high tensile steel, titanium, or magnesium. Furthermore, the material of the frame 7 is not limited to a metal, and may be, for example, carbon, wood, bamboo, or fiber reinforced synthetic resin (e.g., CFRP; Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics).

In this embodiment, the frame 7 includes a head tube 71, a down tube 72, a seat tube 73, a pair of seat stays 74 (one in FIG. 2), and a pair of chain stays 75 (one in FIG. 2) as multiple pipes. The frame 7 also includes a bracket 76. In this disclosure, "pipe" means a thin and hollow member. The cross-sectional shape of the pipe in this disclosure may be, for example, a circle (including a perfect circle, an oval, and an ellipse), a rectangle (including a square), a hexagon, or an octagon. A motor 51 and a battery 41 are attached to the frame 7.

(3.4.1) Head Tube The head tube 71 is a pipe that supports the front fork 82. The central axis of the head tube 71 is inclined with respect to the riding surface 100 so that it approaches the rear as it goes upward. The steering column 823 passes through the head tube 71 so that the central axis of the head tube 71 and the central axis of the steering column 823 are aligned. This allows the head tube 71 to rotatably support the steering column 823. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the steering column 823 is the same as the central axis of the head tube 71.

(3.4.2) Down Tube The down tube 72 is a pipe that connects the head tube 71 and the seat tube 73. The front end of the down tube 72 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the head tube 71. The rear end of the down tube 72 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the seat tube 73. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the down tube 72 is inclined with respect to the riding surface 100 so as to go downward as it goes rearward.

(3.4.3) Seat Tube The seat tube 73 is a pipe that holds the saddle 84. The lower end of the seat tube 73 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the bracket 76. The central axis of the seat tube 73 is inclined with respect to the riding surface 100 so as to move rearward as it moves upward from the lower end. The rear end of the down tube 72 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the lower end of the seat tube 73. In this embodiment, a battery 41 is removably attached to the seat tube 73.

(3.4.4) Chain Stays The pair of chain stays 75 are pipes that support the shaft of the rear wheel 89. The longitudinal front end of the chain stay 75 is connected to the bracket 76. The longitudinal rear end of the chain stay 75 is connected to the rear end of the seat stay 74. The pair of chain stays 75 are separated in the left-right direction, and the rear wheel 89 is rotatably attached to the rear end of the pair of chain stays 75 via a shaft that passes through a hub 891. The rotation axis of the rear wheel 89 is approximately parallel to the riding surface 100 and is the same as the central axis of the shaft that supports the rear wheel 89.

(3.4.5) Seat Stays The pair of seat stays 74 are pipes that connect the chain stays 75 and the seat tube 73. In this embodiment, the longitudinal rear ends of the seat stays 74 are connected to the longitudinal rear ends of the chain stays 75. The longitudinal front ends of the seat stays 74 are connected to the middle portion of the seat tube 73. Here, the "middle portion of the seat tube 73" refers to the portion of the seat tube 73 excluding the lower and upper ends in the longitudinal direction.

(3.4.6) Bracket The bracket 76 is a portion to which the motor unit 5 is attached. The longitudinal rear end of the down tube 72, the longitudinal lower end of the seat tube 73, and the longitudinal front end of the chain stay 75 are connected to the bracket 76. As a result, the longitudinal rear end of the down tube 72, the longitudinal lower end of the seat tube 73, and the longitudinal front end of the chain stay 75 are fixed to one another.

(3.5) Saddle The saddle 84 has a seat pillar 841. The seat pillar 841 passes through the seat tube 73 along the central axis of the seat tube 73. The seat pillar 841 protrudes downward from a portion of the saddle 84 where the user sits. In this embodiment, the seat pillar 841 is inclined with respect to the riding surface 100 so as to move forward as it goes downward. The seat pillar 841 is attached to the seat tube 73 so as to be movable along the central axis of the seat tube 73.

(3.6) Pedal The pedal 86 is attached to one of the longitudinal ends of each crank arm 85, the end opposite the crankshaft (described later). The pedal 86 is attached rotatably to the crank arm 85. The rotation axis of the pedal 86 is approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the crankshaft.

(3.7) Power Transmission Body The power transmission body 87 transmits the power output from the motor unit 5 to at least one of the multiple wheels 81. In this embodiment, the power transmission body 87 is a chain that is stretched between a drive sprocket of the motor unit 5 and a rear sprocket 892 of the rear wheel 89 so as to be capable of transmitting power. However, in the present disclosure, the power transmission body 87 may be, for example, a belt, a shaft, a wire, or a gear.

(3.8) Motor Unit As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the motor unit 5 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a motor 51, a crankshaft, and a drive sprocket. The crankshaft and the drive sprocket are not shown. The motor unit 5 is a device capable of outputting a drive auxiliary output. In this embodiment, the motor unit 5 adds the drive auxiliary output to the pedaling force, which is the human-powered drive force, and transmits it to the rear wheel 89 via the power transmission body 87.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of crank arms 85 are attached to the crank shaft of the motor unit 5. The longitudinal direction of the crank arms 85 intersects with the rotation axis of the crank shaft (here, perpendicular). The pair of crank arms 85 are aligned in a straight line when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the crank shaft.

The drive sprocket is, for example, made up of multiple sprockets, and together with the rear sprocket 892, forms a transmission. By changing the shift position of this transmission, it is possible to change the gears of the electric bicycle 2.

The motor 51 is configured to provide rotational power to the wheel 81 of the electric bicycle 2. The motor 51 is provided near the crankshaft of the electric bicycle 2, is driven by power from the battery 41, and transmits power to the crankshaft.

(4) Operation Below, the terminal control method of this embodiment will be explained using Figures 4 to 11, along with the operations of the terminal 1, electric bicycle 2, and control system 3. Below, it is assumed that user A1 is standing near the electric bicycle 2 that he plans to use, and has completed accessing a dedicated website using the terminal 1. Below, the terminal control method will be explained mainly using Figure 4, and the operations of the terminal 1, electric bicycle 2, and control system 3 will be explained mainly using Figure 5.

First, when user A1 uses terminal 1 to access a dedicated website, terminal 1 causes display unit 13 to display authentication screen P1 shown in FIG. 6 (S1 (S101)). Character strings are displayed on authentication screen P1 to prompt user A1 to enter authentication information required to authenticate user A1. Also displayed on authentication screen P1 are a text box P11 for entering user A1's identification number, a text box P12 for entering user A1's PIN, and an icon P13 for accepting completion of input. In other words, the terminal control method of this embodiment further includes authentication step S1 that causes terminal 1 to display a screen (authentication screen P1) that prompts user A1 to enter authentication information used to authenticate user A1.

After viewing the authentication screen P1, user A1 operates terminal 1 to input the identification number and password into text boxes P11 and P12, respectively (i.e., input authentication information), and selects icon P13 (S102). Terminal 1 then transmits the authentication information to control system 3 (S103).

When the authentication information is received, the control system 3 executes the authentication process using the received authentication information (S104). If the authentication process is successful (S2: Yes), the control system 3 transmits response information indicating that the authentication process was successful to the terminal 1 (S105). The terminal 1 that received the response information displays the guide screen P2 shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 13 (S3 (S106)). On the other hand, if the authentication process is unsuccessful (S2: No), the control system 3 transmits response information indicating that the authentication process has failed to the terminal 1. The terminal 1 that received the response information, for example, displays the authentication screen P1 again on the display unit 13, and also displays a character string indicating that the authentication process has failed on the display unit 13. In this case, the user A1 may re-enter the authentication information, or may give up using the electric bicycle 2.

The guidance screen P2 displays a character string that prompts the user A1 to obtain the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 that the user A1 plans to use. The guidance screen P2 also displays an icon P21 that represents a reading device 14 (here, a camera). In other words, the terminal control method of this embodiment has a guidance step S3 that causes a screen (guidance screen P2) that prompts the user A1 to obtain the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 that the user A1 plans to use to be displayed on the terminal 1 used by the user A1. Then, in the terminal control method of this embodiment, guidance step S3 is executed if authentication of the user A1 is successful after authentication step S1.

After viewing the guidance screen P2, user A1 operates terminal 1 to select icon P21 (S4: Yes). Terminal 1 then starts up the reading device 14 (S5). As shown in FIG. 3, user A1 positions terminal 1 facing the sticker 931 affixed to the rear fender 93 of the electric bicycle 2 that he or she plans to use. This causes the reading device 14 to read the identifier 10 written on the sticker 931 (S107).

When the identifier 10 is read by the reading device 14, that is, when the identifier 10 is successfully acquired (S6: Yes), the terminal 1 transmits the acquired identifier 10 to the control system 3 (S7 (S108)). In other words, the terminal control method of this embodiment has an output step S7 in which the identifier 10 acquired via the guidance step S3 is output from the terminal 1 to the control system 3 that controls the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2.

On the other hand, if the identifier 10 is not read by the reading device 14, i.e., if acquisition of the identifier 10 has failed (S6: No), the terminal 1 displays an error screen P3 shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 13 (S8). A character string indicating that acquisition of the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 has failed is displayed on the error screen P3. The error screen P3 also displays an icon P31 that prompts the user to retry acquiring the identifier 10. Upon viewing the error screen P3, user A1 can select the icon P31 to restart the reading device 14 and attempt to acquire the identifier 10 again.

When the identifier 10 is received, the control system 3 executes an identification process using the received identifier 10 (S109). As a result, the control system 3 identifies the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the received identifier 10. The control system 3 then executes an acquisition process to transmit request information to the identified electric bicycle 2 requesting the transmission of remaining amount information (S110). Having received the request information, the electric bicycle 2 executes a transmission process to transmit the remaining amount information to the control system 3 (S111).

When the remaining charge information is received, the control system 3 executes a judgment process using the received remaining charge information (S112). If the remaining charge of the battery 41 is equal to or greater than the threshold (S9: Yes), the control system 3 transmits presentation information including the acquired identifier 10 and remaining charge information to the terminal 1 (S113). The terminal 1 that has received the presentation information displays the confirmation screen P4 shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 13 (S10 (S114)). In other words, the terminal control method of this embodiment further includes a presentation step S10 that displays a screen (confirmation screen P4) including mobile body information (here, remaining charge information) related to the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 via the output step S7 on the terminal 1. In this embodiment, the mobile body information is remaining charge information, that is, information related to the remaining charge of the battery 41.

Furthermore, in the terminal control method of this embodiment, the remaining charge information (mobile body information) is acquired from the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 via output step S7. In other words, in this embodiment, the remaining charge information is displayed on the terminal 1 at the time when user A1 plans to use the electric bicycle 2, so that user A1 can grasp the latest status of the electric bicycle 2 that he plans to use (the latest remaining charge of the battery 41) by looking at the confirmation screen P4.

The confirmation screen P4 displays a character string that prompts the user A1 to input an intention to use the electric bicycle 2. The confirmation screen P4 also displays an image P41 that represents the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 that the user A1 plans to use, an image P42 that represents remaining charge information, an icon P43 that represents an intention to use, and an icon P44 that represents no intention to use. In other words, the terminal control method of this embodiment further includes a confirmation step S10 that causes the terminal 1 to display a screen (confirmation screen P4) that prompts the user A1 to input whether or not to use the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2.

On the other hand, if the remaining charge of the battery 41 is less than the threshold (S9: No), the control system 3 transmits to the terminal 1 unusable information indicating that the electric bicycle 2 cannot be used. The terminal 1 that has received the unusable information displays the unusable screen P5 shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 13 (S11). The unusable screen P5 displays a character string indicating that the electric bicycle 2 that the user A1 plans to use cannot be used. The unusable screen P5 also displays an image P51 representing the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 that the user A1 plans to use, an image P52 representing the remaining charge information, and an icon P53 encouraging the use of another electric bicycle 2. In other words, the terminal control method of this embodiment further includes a determination step S10, S11 in which the terminal 1 displays a screen (confirmation screen P4 or unusable screen P5) including determination information on whether the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 can be used based on the remaining charge information (mobile body information).

When user A1 sees the "not allowed" screen P5 and wishes to use another electric bicycle 2, he or she selects icon P53. In this case, terminal 1 causes the display unit 13 to display the guidance screen P2 again. This allows user A1 to attempt to obtain the identifier 10 of the other electric bicycle 2. Of course, user A1 may give up on using the electric bicycle 2.

After viewing the confirmation screen P4, user A1 checks the remaining charge information and then selects icon P43 if he or she intends to use the electric bicycle 2, or icon P44 if he or she does not intend to use the electric bicycle 2. If icon P43 is selected, that is, if user A1 intends to use the electric bicycle 2 (S12: Yes), the terminal 1 transmits confirmation information indicating whether or not user A1 intends to use the electric bicycle 2 to the control system 3 (S115). On the other hand, if icon P44 is selected, that is, if user A1 does not intend to use the electric bicycle 2 (S12: No), the terminal 1 causes the display unit 13 to display the guidance screen P2 again. In this case, user A1 may attempt to obtain the identifier 10 of another electric bicycle 2, or may give up using the electric bicycle 2.

The control system 3 that receives the confirmation information executes the unlocking process. That is, the control system 3 transmits control information to the electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification process to transition the electric bicycle 2 from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked (S116). The electric bicycle 2 that receives the control information executes the lock control process to transition the circle lock 6 from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked (S117).

Furthermore, after executing the unlocking process, the control system 3 executes a notification process to send notification information to the terminal 1 indicating that the electric bicycle 2 has transitioned from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked (S118). The terminal 1 that has received the notification information displays the notification screen P6 shown in FIG. 11 on the display unit 13 (S13 (S119)). In other words, the terminal control method of this embodiment has a notification step S13 that causes the terminal 1 to display a screen (notification screen P6) notifying that the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 has transitioned from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked via the output step S7.

The notification screen P6 displays a character string indicating that the unlocking process has been completed and the bicycle has transitioned from a locked state to an unlockable state. The notification screen P6 also displays an image P61 showing the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 that the user A1 plans to use, and an image P62 showing the unlocking operation for unlocking the circle lock 6. The image P62 shows the operating device 23 of the electric bicycle 2. The image P62 also includes an image P621 that prompts the user to press the power switch of the operating device 23.

After viewing the notification screen P6, user A1 presses the power switch of the operation device 23 of the electric bicycle 2 (S120). As a result, the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 receives a start-up signal from the operation device 23, executes a drive process to start the motor 51, and executes a lock control process to transition the circle lock 6 from an unlockable state to an unlocked state (S121). In other words, in the terminal control method of this embodiment, the specific operation (pressing the power switch of the operation device 23) also serves as an operation to start the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2. This allows user A1 to ride the electric bicycle 2.

(5) Advantages As described above, in this embodiment, user A1 can use the electric bicycle (mobile object) 2 by completing the procedures while viewing the screens displayed on the terminal 1 in each of the guidance step S3, output step S7, and notification step S13. For example, if authentication of user A1 and confirmation of user A1's intention to use are not required, user A1 can use the electric bicycle 2 by only completing the procedures of obtaining the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle 2 using the terminal 1 and operating the operation device 23 of the electric bicycle 2. In other words, user A1 can complete the procedures up to using the electric bicycle 2 simply by using the terminal 1. Therefore, this embodiment has the advantage of improving the convenience of user A1 when using the electric bicycle 2.

In addition, in this embodiment, at the time when the notification step S13 is executed, the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 has only transitioned to an unlockable state, and has not yet transitioned to an unlocked state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 transitions to an unlocked state only when the user A1 operates it, which has the advantage that it is easier to prevent unauthorized use by a third party compared to when the electric bicycle 2 automatically transitions to an unlocked state. In other words, if the electric bicycle 2 automatically transitions to an unlocked state, if the user A1 temporarily leaves the area around the electric bicycle 2, a third party who sees the electric bicycle 2 in an unlocked state may use it unauthorizedly. In contrast, in this embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 appears to be in a locked state at first glance, which reduces the possibility of a third party who sees the electric bicycle 2 using it unauthorizedly. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 does not perform an unlocking operation when the user A1 does not intend it to, so the safety of the user A1 is easily ensured.

In this embodiment, the motor unit 5 has a function to detect whether the circle lock 6 is locked or unlocked. The electric bicycle 2 also has a function to transmit the status of the circle lock 6 to the terminal 1 via the network N1. Therefore, the user A1 can check the status of the circle lock 6 on the display unit 13 of the terminal 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 is configured to start the electric bicycle 2 only when the circle lock 6 transitions from an unlockable state to an unlocked state. In other words, the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 is configured not to start the electric bicycle 2 if the circle lock 6 is in an unlocked state without passing through an unlockable state. Specifically, when the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 receives a start signal from the operation device 23, that is, when the power switch of the operation device 23 is pressed, it inquires of the control system 3 whether the circle lock 6 was in an unlockable state immediately before. Then, if the circle lock 6 was not in an unlockable state immediately before, the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 does not start the electric bicycle 2.

This aspect has the following advantages. That is, assume that user A1 leaves the electric bicycle 2 without locking the circle lock 6 (i.e., leaving the circle lock 6 unlocked). In this case, for example, the power of the electric bicycle 2 may be automatically turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the power of the electric bicycle 2 may be turned off while the circle lock 6 remains unlocked. In such a case, even if a third party presses the power switch in an attempt to steal the electric bicycle 2, the control unit 21 of the electric bicycle 2 will not start up the electric bicycle 2. Therefore, this aspect has the advantage that it is easy to prevent a third party from illegally using the electric bicycle 2 even if the electric bicycle 2 is left abandoned with the circle lock 6 unlocked.

(6) Modifications The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. In addition, the terminal control method may be embodied in a (computer) program, a non-transitory recording medium on which a program is recorded, or the like. In other words, a program according to one aspect may cause one or more processors to execute the above-described terminal control method.

Below, we list some variations of the above-mentioned embodiment. The variations described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

In the terminal control method of the present disclosure, for example, the terminal 1 (or the control system 3) includes a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The processor executes a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, thereby realizing the function of the terminal 1 (or the control system 3) of the present disclosure. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits such as IC or LSI referred to here are called different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) that is programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device that allows reconfiguration of the connection relationship within the LSI or reconfiguration of the circuit partition within the LSI, can also be used as a processor. The electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip, or may be distributed among multiple chips. The chips may be integrated into one device, or may be distributed among multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

Furthermore, it is not essential for the terminal 1 (or the control system 3) that multiple functions of the terminal 1 (or the control system 3) are concentrated in one housing. The components of the terminal 1 (or the control system 3) may be distributed across multiple housings. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the control system 3 may be realized, for example, by a server device and the cloud (cloud computing), etc. Conversely, as in the above-described embodiment, all of the functions of the control system 3 may be concentrated in one housing.

In the above embodiment, the process of transitioning the electric bicycle 2 from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked is executed by a combination of communication between the terminal 1 and the control system 3, and communication between the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 and the control system 3, but this is not limited to this. For example, the process of transitioning the electric bicycle 2 from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked may be executed by communication between the terminal 1 and the electric bicycle 2.

In the above-described embodiment, the authentication information used to authenticate user A1 may be information unique to each user A1, and may be, for example, information about the biometric characteristics of user A1 (fingerprint, veins, iris, etc.). In this case, terminal 1 may be equipped with a device capable of acquiring information about the biometric characteristics of user A1, such as a fingerprint reader.

In the above-described embodiment, the identifier 10 is not limited to a QR code (registered trademark) as long as it is information unique to the electric bicycle 2. For example, the identifier 10 may be a two-dimensional code other than a QR code (registered trademark), a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, a three-dimensional code, or a simple character string. Furthermore, the identifier 10 may be the electric bicycle 2 itself. In this case, it is possible to obtain the identifier 10 based on an image of the electric bicycle 2 itself, for example, by performing an appropriate image analysis process on an image of the electric bicycle 2 captured by the camera of the terminal 1.

In the above embodiment, the control system 3 may transition the electric bicycle 2 from a locked state to a state that can be unlocked when it acquires the identifier 10 of the electric bicycle (mobile body) 2 without confirming the user A1's intention to use the bicycle. In this case, the terminal control method may not include the confirmation step S10.

In the above embodiment, the motor unit 5 is a two-shaft motor unit, but it may be a single-shaft motor unit. Also, in the above embodiment, the motor unit 5 is a center unit type motor unit, but this is not limited to this. For example, the motor unit 5 may be a front hub unit type motor unit in which a motor is attached to the hub 881 of the front wheel 88. Also, for example, the motor unit 5 may be a rear hub unit type motor unit in which a motor is attached to the hub 891 of the rear wheel 89.

In the above embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is an electrically assisted bicycle in which the pedaling force of the user A1 is assisted by the motor 51, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the electric bicycle 2 may be a bicycle (a bicycle that can run only on the power output from the motor 51) in which the drive system (human-powered drive system) that powers the wheels 81 with pedaling force and the drive system (motor drive system) that powers the wheels 81 with the motor 51 are separate. In short, the electric bicycle 2 may be an electrically assisted bicycle, or a bicycle that can run only on the power output from the motor 51.

In the above embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is a two-wheeled bicycle with one front wheel 88 and one rear wheel 89, but is not limited to this. For example, the electric bicycle 2 may be a three-wheeled bicycle with one front wheel 88 and two rear wheels 89. Alternatively, the electric bicycle 2 may be a three-wheeled bicycle with two front wheels 88 and one rear wheel 89. The electric bicycle 2 may also be a four-wheeled bicycle with two front wheels 88 and two rear wheels 89.

In the above embodiment, the moving body 2 is an electric bicycle, but is not limited to this. For example, the moving body 2 may be a bicycle that does not have a motor 51 or a battery 41. Also, for example, the moving body 2 may be a bicycle that does not have a motor 51, but has a communication function and a battery 41.

In the above embodiment, the moving object 2 is a bicycle, but is not limited to this. For example, the moving object 2 may be an automobile, a motorcycle, a ship, or the like, as long as it can be in a locked state, an unlocked state, or an unlockable state.

(summary)
As described above, the terminal control method according to the first aspect includes a guidance step (S3), an output step (S7), and a notification step (S13). The guidance step (S3) is a step of displaying a screen (guidance screen (P2)) that prompts the user (A1) to obtain an identifier (10) of the mobile object (2) that the user (A1) plans to use on the terminal (1). The output step (S7) is a step of outputting the identifier (10) obtained through the guidance step (S3) from the terminal (1) to the control system (3) that controls the mobile object (2). The notification step (S13) is a step of displaying a screen (notification screen (P6)) on the terminal (1) that notifies the user that the mobile object (2) has transitioned from a locked state to an unlockable state through the output step (S7).

This aspect has the advantage of improving the convenience of the user (A1) when using the mobile object (2).

The terminal control method according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, further includes an authentication step (S1). The authentication step (S1) is a step of displaying on the terminal (1) a screen (authentication screen (P1)) that prompts the user (A1) to input authentication information to be used for authenticating the user (A1). In the terminal control method, if the authentication of the user (A1) is successful after the authentication step (S1), a guidance step (S3) is executed.

This embodiment has the advantage that only users (A1) who are authorized to use the mobile object (2) can use the mobile object (2), making it easier to prevent unauthorized use of the mobile object (2) by third parties.

The terminal control method according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, further includes a presentation step (S10). The presentation step (S10) is a step of displaying a screen (confirmation screen (P4)) including mobile unit information related to the mobile unit (2) on the terminal (1) via the output step (S7).

This aspect has the advantage that the user (A1) can use the mobile object (2) after understanding the state of the mobile object (2).

In the terminal control method according to the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the mobile object information is acquired from the mobile object (2) via an output step (S7).

This aspect has the advantage that the user (A1) can easily grasp the latest status of the mobile object (2).

The terminal control method according to the fifth aspect, in the third or fourth aspect, further includes a determination step (S10, S11). The determination step (S10, S11) is a step of displaying on the terminal (1) a screen (a confirmation screen (P4) or an unusable screen (P5)) including determination information as to whether or not the mobile object (2) is usable, based on the mobile object information.

This embodiment has the advantage that the user (A1) can know whether the moving object (2) that he or she plans to use is available for use.

In the terminal control method according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the third to fifth aspects, the mobile object (2) has a battery (41) used as a power source for controlling the mobile object (2). The mobile object information is information related to the remaining charge of the battery (41).

This embodiment has the advantage that the user (A1) can easily determine whether the remaining charge of the battery (41) is sufficient when using the mobile object (2).

The terminal control method according to the seventh aspect, in any one of the third to sixth aspects, further includes a confirmation step (S10). The confirmation step (S10) is a step of displaying on the terminal (1) a screen (confirmation screen (P4)) that prompts the user (A1) to input whether or not to use the mobile unit (2).

This aspect has the advantage that the user (A1) can choose whether or not to actually use the mobile unit (2).

In the terminal control method according to the eighth aspect, in any of the first to seventh aspects, the unlockable state is a state in which the mobile object (2) is unlocked by the user (A1) performing a specific operation on the mobile object (2).

According to this embodiment, the mobile object (2) is unlocked by a specific operation performed by the user (A1), which has the advantage that it is easy to prevent unauthorized unlocking by a third party who does not know the specific operation.

In the terminal control method according to the ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the specific operation also serves as an operation to start up the mobile unit (2).

This embodiment has the advantage that the number of operations that the user (A1) must perform before the mobile unit (2) can be used can be reduced, thereby improving the convenience of the user (A1), compared to a case in which the user (A1) performs both the operation of unlocking the mobile unit (2) and the operation of starting the mobile unit (2).

In the terminal control method according to the tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the identifier (10) is attached to the mobile object (2) and is read by a reading device (14).

According to this aspect, the user (A1) can obtain the identifier (10) simply by having the reading device read the identifier (10), which has the advantage of improving convenience for the user (A1) compared to when the user (A1) manually inputs the identifier (10).

In the terminal control method according to the eleventh aspect, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the steps executed by the terminal (1) are executed without communication between the terminal (1) and the mobile object (2).

This embodiment has the advantage that it is easier to prevent information about the user (A1) from being leaked to a third party via the mobile object (2).

In the terminal control method according to the twelfth aspect, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the moving object (2) is a bicycle.

This aspect has the advantage of improving the convenience of the user (A1) when using the bicycle.

The program according to the thirteenth aspect causes one or more processors to execute the terminal control method according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects.

This aspect has the advantage of improving the convenience of the user (A1) when using the mobile object (2).

A mobile object (2) according to the 14th aspect is controlled by a control system (3) that communicates with a terminal (1) using a terminal control method according to any one of the first to 12th aspects.

This aspect has the advantage of improving the convenience of the user (A1) when using the mobile object (2).

The methods according to the second to twelfth aspects are not essential to the terminal control method and may be omitted as appropriate.

1 Terminal 10 Identifier 14 Reading device 2 Electric bicycle (mobile object)
3 Control system 41 Battery A1 User S1 Authentication step S3 Guidance step S7 Output step S10 Presentation step, confirmation step, judgment step S11 Judgment step S13 Notification step

Claims (5)

1. A terminal control method executed by one or more processors, comprising:
an authentication step of displaying a screen on a terminal used by the user, the screen prompting the user to input authentication information used for authenticating the user;
a guidance step of displaying on the terminal a screen prompting the user to obtain an identifier of a moving object that the user plans to use;
an output step of outputting the identifier acquired through the guidance step from the terminal to a control system that controls the moving object;
a confirmation step of displaying on the terminal a screen prompting the user to input whether or not to use the mobile object together with the mobile object information when it is determined that the mobile object is usable based on the mobile object information, which is information regarding the remaining capacity of a battery used as a control power source of the mobile object and obtained from the mobile object identified from the identifier through the output step;
and a notification step of displaying on the terminal a screen notifying the user that the mobile object has been transitioned from a locked state to the unlockable state after the control system has received the use confirmation information from the terminal through the confirmation step and the control system has transitioned the mobile object to an unlockable state ,
the guidance step is executed when the control system authenticates the user through the authentication step,
The unlockable state is a state in which the mobile body is transitioned to an unlocked state when the user performs an unlocking operation on the mobile body.
Terminal control methods. The unlocking operation also serves as an operation for starting up the moving body.
The terminal control method according to claim 1. The identifier is attached to the moving object and is read by a reading device.
The terminal control method according to claim 1 or 2. The step executed by the terminal is executed without communication between the terminal and the mobile object.
The terminal control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The moving object is a bicycle.
The terminal control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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