Vehicle management system

A vehicle management system includes: a vehicle including a control unit and a communication control unit; and a communication terminal configured to communicate with the vehicle. The communication terminal includes: an arithmetic processing unit configured to output an activation signal for activating the control unit when the communication terminal is turned on or when an application stored in the communication terminal is started; a communication unit configured to transmit the activation signal output by the arithmetic processing unit to the communication control unit; and a notification unit configured to notify a vehicle information output from the control unit activated in response to the activation signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-062065 filed on Mar. 28, 2019, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a vehicle management system for managing a vehicle using a communication control unit.

Description of the Related Art

As this type of vehicle management system, there have been known systems enabling transmitting and receiving of a variety of vehicle information using a communication control unit mounted on a vehicle. This type of system is described, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-093289 (JP2017-093289A).

To acquire, in such a vehicle management system, vehicle information that varies after the vehicle has been turned off (e.g., during sleep mode), the vehicle typically has to be turned on to update the vehicle information. However, frequently updating the vehicle information in accordance with requests from a user of the vehicle or the like would unnecessarily consume vehicle power and increase cost for communication between the vehicle and user terminals of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is a vehicle management system, including: a vehicle including a control unit and a communication control unit; and a communication terminal configured to communicate with the vehicle. The communication terminal includes: an arithmetic processing unit configured to output an activation signal for activating the control unit when the communication terminal is turned on or when an application stored in the communication terminal is started; a communication unit configured to transmit the activation signal output by the arithmetic processing unit to the communication control unit; and a notification unit configured to notify a vehicle information output from the control unit activated in response to the activation signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7. A vehicle management system according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used to provide services related to a vehicle having a communication control unit mounted thereon, for example, a service that allows the user to check vehicle information of today while being present at home. The vehicle information includes information about the vehicle itself, as well as information acquirable from sensors or the like disposed on the vehicle, such as information indicating the vehicle inside/outside temperatures.

Examples of services provided using the vehicle management system according to the present embodiment include services provided by providers of vehicle rental services, such as car sharing services, such as a service that allows a vehicle rental user to check the vehicle information of the rental day of a rental vehicle having a communication control unit mounted thereon while being present at home. Hereafter, an example will be described in which this vehicle management system is used in a vehicle rental service provided by a car sharing service provider.

FIG. 1is a drawing showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle management system100according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, in the vehicle management system100according to the present embodiment, a communication control unit10is mounted on each of vehicles (rental vehicles; only one is shown)1owned by a car sharing service provider and used for car sharing services. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit10is a telematics control unit2(hereafter also simply referred to as the “TCU2”), and the TCU2is able to communicate with user terminals3(only one is shown; to be discussed later) and a server unit4(to be discussed later).

The vehicles1include different classes of four-wheel vehicles, such as sedans, wagons, minivans, SUVs, sports cars, coupes, compact cars, and light cars. Since the vehicles1are of various types, users of car sharing services have a large number of options, that is, user convenience is high. Note that the vehicles1may be of a type only for car sharing services.

A station200used for car sharing services is the location in which the vehicles1used for car sharing services are rented and returned and is a location away from the home5of a user of a car sharing service. To use a vehicle1, the user rents and returns the vehicle1at the same station200.

This car sharing service user is a person who has previously registered required information with the car sharing service provider. The user acquires vehicle information using his or her own user terminal3. The user terminal3is able to communicate with the TCU2and server unit4. Note that the vehicle management system100may be configured such that the user acquires vehicle information using a dedicated car sharing service terminal.

In addition to the user terminal3, the communication terminal used by the user to acquire vehicle information may include, for example, a display or speaker-equipped device, such as a television50, a display or speaker-equipped home appliance, or a display-equipped smart speaker51, disposed in the home5and connected to a communication network, such as a wireless communication network, the Internet network, or a telephone line network. That is, the communication terminal may include a device connected to a home network and including a notification unit.

Vehicle rental services, such as car sharing services have problems associated with the state of the vehicle1on the rental day, and the like. Information indicating the state of the vehicle includes information that varies with time, and this time-varying information includes information that needs to be updated to detect the state of the vehicle on that day. For example, remaining fuel amount, remaining charge amount of the battery, air pressure of the tire, and the like may vary with time and correspond to information that needs to be updated.

When the user rents the vehicle1, the vehicle needs to have sufficient fuel amount and charge amount and a proper air pressure of the tire. If the vehicle1has an autonomous driving function or advanced driving assistance system, such a function or system has to be properly available. Also, if the user previously knows the temperature inside or outside the vehicle1parked at the station200, he or she is able to make a preparation suitable to that temperature before going to the station200.

If the user or service provider frequently turns on the vehicle1to acquire such vehicle information by frequently accessing the vehicle1through the TCU2and then a control unit11of the vehicle1(e.g., an electronic control unit of the vehicle1; hereafter simply referred to as the “ECU11”) acquires such vehicle information, the power consumption of the vehicle1or the communication cost of the TCU2would be increased. Also, if the vehicle1is turned on by turning on an ignition switch and then server information is updated by gathering vehicle information using the ECU11, it takes time until the server information is updated. Consequently, necessary information may not be acquired when necessary.

In view of the foregoing, the vehicle management system according to the present embodiment is configured as follows: when the user turns on the user terminal3, the user terminal3turns on the vehicle1placed in a turned-off state (e.g., a sleep state) by outputting an ECU activation signal (control unit activation signal) for activating the ECU11and the activated ECU11acquires vehicle information. That is, when the user gets up in the morning and turns on the user terminal3(e.g., the user terminal3placed in a sleep state), the user terminal3outputs an ECU activation signal for activating the ECU11irrespective of the intention of the user and thus the vehicle information is updated. An ECU activation signal may also be outputted not through the user terminal3. For example, when the user gets up in the morning and turns on the television50or uses the smart speaker51in the home5, an ECU activation signal may be outputted so that the vehicle information is updated, irrespective of the intention of the user.

The updated vehicle information is outputted to the user terminal3, or the television50or the display of the smart speaker51or the like in the home5and temporarily stored in such a device. The updated vehicle information includes vehicle information that may vary after the vehicle1is put into a turned-off state (e.g., a less power-consuming sleep state), such as the remaining fuel amount, the remaining charge amount of the battery, the air pressure of the tire, and the vehicle inside/outside temperatures. This allows for suppression of frequent access to the vehicle1for acquiring vehicle information, a reduction in the power consumption or communication cost of the vehicle1, and efficient acquisition of information that varies after the vehicle is put into a turned-off state (a sleep state). The term “turned-off state of the vehicle1” refers to, for example, a less power-consuming rest state.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing the configuration of main components of the vehicle management system100according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 2, the vehicle management system100includes the vehicle1owned by the car sharing service provider and having the TCU2mounted thereon, the user terminal3owned by the car sharing service user, and the server unit4disposed in the car sharing service provider.

The TCU2, user terminal3, and server unit4are connected to a communication network6, such as a wireless communication network, the Internet network, or a telephone line network. For convenience,FIG. 2shows one of the user terminals3that acquire the vehicle information of the vehicles1. In addition to or instead of the user terminal3, for example, the television50, smart speaker51, or the like in the home5shown inFIG. 1may be used as a communication terminal.

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing the configuration of main components of the user terminal3. The user terminal3consists of a personal computer, a mobile wireless terminal, such as a smartphone, or the like operated by the user. As shown inFIG. 3, the user terminal3includes a communication unit30, an input/output unit31, an arithmetic processing unit32, a memory unit33, and sensors34.

The communication unit30is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the TCU2of the vehicle1and the server unit4through the communication network6. The communication unit30transmits a signal requesting reservation, cancelation, or the like of the vehicle1used for car sharing services to the server unit4along with a user ID identifying the user.

When the user terminal3is turned on, the communication unit30transmits an ECU activation signal for activating the ECU of the vehicle1, to the TCU2through the server unit4or directly along with the user ID. Note that the communication unit30may transmit an ECU activation signal when a predetermined application stored in the memory unit33is started rather than when the user terminal3is turned on.

Examples of when the user terminal3is turned on include when the off-state user terminal3is turned on, as well as when the sleep-state user terminal3is put into an available state. In this case, the communication unit30may transmit an ECU activation signal in a predetermined time slot rather than always transmitting an ECU activation signal. For example, the communication unit30may transmit an ECU activation signal only when the sleep-state user terminal3is put into an available state in a time slot from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM.

The input/output unit31includes a display311(notification unit), a speaker312(notification unit), an input unit313, such as a keyboard or touchscreen, and the like. The user inputs user information through the input unit313. The user information includes the address, name, contact information, and driver's license number of the user, information required for payment (e.g., the credit card number), and the like. The user is allowed to use car sharing services only after the user registers himself or herself as a member by inputting user information.

When making a reservation of the vehicle, the user inputs vehicle reservation information through the input unit313. For example, the user inputs the use dates/times (the use start date/time and use end date/time) of the vehicle1. The inputted information is transmitted to the server unit4, which then retrieves reservable vehicles1satisfying the use data/time conditions and transmits information about the retrieved vehicles1and the station200to the user terminal3. The transmitted vehicle information and station information are displayed on the display311. When the user selects a desired vehicle1from among the displayed vehicles1or accepts the displayed single vehicle1through the input/output unit313, the vehicle reservation is confirmed.

Subsequently, when the user turns on the user terminal3or starts an application for car sharing services stored in the user terminal3, the vehicle information of the vehicle1to be rented is displayed on the display311. Note that the vehicle information may be notified from the speaker312. The display311of the user terminal3displays an image of the vehicle1to be rented, as well as various types of vehicle information including vehicle information that may vary after the vehicle1is turned off.

FIG. 4is a drawing showing an example of the vehicle information outputted to the display311of the user terminal3. As shown inFIG. 4, the display311displays the remaining fuel amount (%), the remaining charge amount (%) of the battery, the driving range (RANGE; km), the air pressure (kPa) of the tire, the vehicle inside temperature (° C.), the vehicle outside temperature (° C.), the air-conditioner setting temperature (° C.), the odometer (ODO; km), the average fuel efficiency (AVG; km), the state of the autonomous driving (AD) function, the state of the advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), and the like.

The vehicle information displayed on the display311is not limited to that described above, and various types of vehicle information acquired by the ECU of the vehicle1can be displayed as necessary. The user may change the setting of the display form of these types of vehicle information displayed on the display311through the input unit313. For example, instead of some types of vehicle information (e.g., the driving range, average fuel efficiency, or the like shown inFIG. 4), a map indicating the location of the station200, the weather in and around the station200, or the like may be displayed. Since the vehicle information displayed on the display311can be changed in accordance with the user preferences, the user convenience of the vehicle management system100is high.

The arithmetic processing unit32inFIG. 3includes a CPU. The arithmetic processing unit32performs predetermined processing on the basis of signals inputted through the input/output unit31, signals received from outside the user terminal3(e.g., the TCU2or server unit4) through the communication unit30, and programs, data, and the like stored in the memory unit33and outputs control signals to the communication unit30, input/output unit31, and memory unit33. Thus, the user is able to perform change, confirmation, or the like of the reservation of the vehicle1through the input/output unit31(the display, etc.).

The arithmetic processing unit32includes a terminal activation signal output unit321, an ECU activation signal output unit322, and an output unit323as function elements. When an operation for turning on the user terminal3is detected or when start of a predetermined application is detected, the terminal activation signal output unit321outputs a signal for activating the user terminal3(a terminal activation signal). The ECU activation signal output unit322receives the terminal activation signal outputted from the terminal activation signal output unit321and outputs a signal for activating the ECU11of the vehicle1to be rented to the user (an ECU activation signal).

At this time, the ECU activation signal output unit322outputs an ECU activation signal to an ECU11previously selected from among multiple ECUs11of the vehicle1. More specifically, the ECU activation signal output unit322outputs an ECU activation signal for activating an ECU11selected from among a battery ECU111, a fuel ECU112, a tire air pressure ECU113, an air-conditioner ECU114, a meter ECU115, an advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) ECU116, and an autonomous driving (AD) ECU117shown inFIG. 6.

The display311of the input/output unit31displays vehicle information acquired by the selected ECU11. That is, the ECU activation signal output unit322selects an ECU11capable of acquiring desired vehicle information, from among the ECUs11and outputs an ECU activation signal to the selected ECU11.

This allows for efficiently acquiring the desired vehicle information. For example, if the desired vehicle information is vehicle information that varies after the vehicle is put into a turned-off state (a sleep state) (first vehicle information), the vehicle information can be acquired by outputting the ECU activation signal from the ECU activation signal output unit322to the selected ECU11. On the other hand, if the desired vehicle information is vehicle information that does not need to be directly acquired from the vehicle1(second vehicle information), the vehicle information can be acquired from vehicle information stored in the server unit4(a vehicle database431(to be discussed later)). This allows for efficiently acquiring the vehicle information. Note that the first vehicle information (the remaining fuel amount, the remaining charge amount of the battery, the vehicle inside temperature, and the like) is vehicle information that has to be updated when turning on the vehicle1, and the second vehicle information is vehicle information that does not have to be updated. The second vehicle information may be previously stored in the server unit4.

The output unit323outputs the ECU activation signal outputted by the ECU activation signal output unit322to the server unit4through the communication unit30. Note that the output unit323may output the ECU activation signal to the TCU2.

The memory unit33includes a volatile memory or non-volatile memory (not shown). The memory unit33stores various types of programs executed by the arithmetic processing unit32and various types of data. The memory unit33includes a vehicle information database331and an application database332as functional elements.

The vehicle information database331stores vehicle information transmitted through the communication unit30. The application database332stores programs for executing applications installed by the user or preinstalled.

The sensors34includes various types of sensors that detect the location or state of the user terminal3, such as a GPS sensor341that detects the location of the user terminal3by receiving signals from a GPS satellite and a gyro sensor342that detects the posture of the user terminal3. Although not shown, the sensors34also include a battery capacity sensor that detects the remaining battery capacity of the user terminal3, a radio-wave receiving sensor that detects the radio-wave reception situation, and the like. For example, the server unit4acquires location information of the user by receiving information detected by the GPS sensor341. The server unit4also acquires posture information of the user terminal3by receiving information detected by the gyro sensor342.

FIG. 5is a block diagram showing the configuration of main components of the server unit4inFIG. 2. The server unit4is disposed in, for example, the car sharing service provider. The server unit4may be formed using virtual server functions on cloud computing. As shown inFIG. 5, the server unit4includes a communication unit40, an input/output unit41, an arithmetic processing unit42, and a memory unit43.

The communication unit (server communication unit)40is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the user terminal3and the TCU2of the vehicle1through the communication network6. For example, the communication unit40transmits an ECU activation signal to the TCU2of the vehicle1.

The input/output unit41includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a display, a touchscreen, and the like and serves as an input/output interface.

The arithmetic processing unit42includes a CPU. The arithmetic processing unit42performs predetermined processing on the basis of signals inputted through the input/output unit41, signals received from outside the server unit4(e.g., the user terminal3or the TCU2of the vehicle1) through the communication unit40, and programs and data stored in the memory unit43and outputs control signals to the input/output unit41and memory unit43. The arithmetic processing unit42includes a user reservation management unit421, a vehicle information acquisition unit422, a fee calculation unit423, and an output unit424as function elements.

The user reservation management unit421accepts a reservation of the vehicle1inputted by the user through the input/output unit31of the user terminal3.

The vehicle information acquisition unit422acquires the vehicle information of the vehicle1to be rented to the user, through the TCU2or from a vehicle database431.

The fee calculation unit423calculates the use fee of the vehicle1to be rented to the user.

When the communication unit40receives the ECU activation signal transmitted from the user terminal3, the output unit424outputs an ECU activation signal corresponding to this ECU activation signal, that is, an ECU activation signal for activating the previously selected ECU11. This ECU activation signal is transmitted to the TCU2through the communication unit40, leading to activation of the previously selected ECU11. The output unit424also outputs the vehicle information of the vehicle1acquired through the TCU2(the first vehicle information) and the vehicle information of the vehicle1acquired from the vehicle database431(the second vehicle information). These types of vehicle information are transmitted to the user terminal3through the communication unit40. Thus, the user is able to grasp the vehicle information of the vehicle1, that is, the previously selected vehicle information. The output unit424also outputs information indicating the use fee of the vehicle1to be rented to the user calculated by the fee calculation unit423. The use fee information is transmitted to the user terminal3through the communication unit40. Thus, the user is able to grasp the use fee of the vehicle1.

The memory unit43includes a volatile memory or non-volatile memory (not shown). The memory unit43stores various types of programs executed by the arithmetic processing unit42and various types of data. The memory unit43includes the vehicle database431and a user database432as functional elements.

The vehicle database431stores vehicle IDs identifying the multiple vehicles1used for car sharing services and the vehicle information of the vehicles1, including information specific to the vehicles1, such as the vehicle types, model years, body numbers, vehicle numbers of the vehicles1, and information indicating the states of the vehicles1, such as the remaining fuel amount, the remaining charge amount of the battery, the air pressure of the tire, the vehicle inside temperature, and the air-conditioner setting temperature of the vehicles1. That is, the vehicle database431stores the vehicle information of the vehicles such that the vehicle information corresponds to the vehicle IDs. The vehicle database431also stores information indicating the current and future time-series reservations, information indicating the plan of maintenance of the vehicles1performed between the reservations, and the like.

The user database432stores the user IDs identifying the users inputted through the input/output units31of the user terminals3and user information, such as the addresses, names, contact information, and driver's license numbers of the users. That is, the user database432stores the user information of the users such that the user information corresponds to the user IDs.

FIG. 6is a block diagram showing the configuration of main components of the vehicle1used in the vehicle management system100according to the present embodiment.FIG. 7is a block diagram showing the configuration of main components of an ECU11. As shown inFIG. 6, the vehicle1includes the TCU2and the multiple ECUs11.

The TCU2includes a communication unit20, an arithmetic processing unit21, a memory unit22, and an activation switch23. The communication unit20is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the user terminal3and server unit4through the communication network6.

The communication unit20receives the ECU activation signal transmitted from the server unit4. Note that the communication unit20may receive the ECU activation signal transmitted from the user terminal3. When the ECU activation signal is inputted to the TCU2through the communication unit20, power is supplied to the TCU2through the activation switch23. That is, when the ECU activation signal is inputted to the TCU2, the TCU2is activated. The ECU activation signal includes an electronic control unit ID (identification information) identifying an ECU11to be activated.

The arithmetic processing unit21includes a CPU. The arithmetic processing unit21performs predetermined processing on the basis of signals received from outside the TCU2through the communication unit20and programs and data stored in the memory unit22and outputs control signals to the ECUs11of the vehicle1and the memory unit22. The arithmetic processing unit21also identifies an ECU to be activated on the basis of the ECU activation signal inputted through the communication unit20and, more specifically, on the basis of electronic control unit IDs identifying the multiple ECUs11included in the ECU activation signal and outputs an ECU activation signal to the identified ECU11through the communication bus12.

The arithmetic processing unit21also controls transmission and reception of signals between the TCU2and server unit4by outputting control signals to the communication unit20. For example, when the ECU11outputs vehicle information, the arithmetic processing unit21transmits the outputted vehicle information to the server unit4through the communication unit20along with a vehicle ID. The server unit4determine a user corresponding to the received vehicle ID and transmits the vehicle information to the user terminal3of the determined user.

The memory unit22stores programs, data, the electronic control unit IDs identifying the ECUs11, and the like.

The multiple ECUs11are connected through the communication bus12and form an in-vehicle communication network13of the vehicle1. The in-vehicle communication network13is, for example, a controller area network (CAN). Note that the in-vehicle network may be another communication standard, such as a local area interconnect network (LIN).

As shown inFIG. 7, each ECU11includes an arithmetic processing unit11a, a memory unit11b, and an activation switch11c. The sensors15are connected to the ECUs11. When the identified ECU11receives the ECU activation signal through the communication unit12, power is supplied to the ECU11through the activation switch11c. That is, the identified ECU11is activated when it receives the ECU activation signal.

The arithmetic processing unit11aincludes a CPU. The arithmetic processing unit11aperforms predetermined processing on the basis of signals inputted through the communication bus12, signals detected by the sensors15, and programs, data, and the like stored in the memory unit11b. The arithmetic processing unit11athen stores vehicle information in the memory unit11band transmits it to the TCU2.

The memory unit11bstores programs, data, control signals indicating the vehicle information outputted by the arithmetic processing unit11a, and the like.

As shown inFIG. 6, the in-vehicle communication network13includes the battery ECU111, the fuel ECU112, the tire air pressure ECU113, the air-conditioner ECU114, the meter ECU115, the advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) ECU116, the autonomous driving (AD) ECU117, and a gateway ECU118.

Connected to the battery ECU111is a battery charge sensor151that detects the remaining charge amount of the battery (not shown) mounted on the vehicle1. The battery ECU111stores information indicating the remaining charge amount of the battery detected by the battery charge sensor151in the memory unit11band transmits it to the TCU2.

Connected to the fuel ECU112is a fuel amount sensor152that detects the amount of the fuel remaining in a fuel tank (not shown) of the vehicle1. The fuel ECU112stores information indicating the remaining fuel amount detected by the fuel amount sensor152in the memory unit11band transmits it to the TCU2.

Connected to the tire air pressure ECU113is a tire air pressure sensor153that detects the air pressure of the tires (not shown) of the vehicle1. The tire air pressure ECU113stores information indicating the tire air pressure detected by the tire air pressure sensor153in the memory unit11band transmits it to the TCU2.

Connected to the air-conditioner ECU114is a vehicle inside temperature sensor154that detects the inside temperature of the vehicle1and a vehicle outside temperature sensor155that detects the outside temperature of the vehicle1. The air-conditioner ECU114stores information indicating the vehicle inside/outside temperatures detected by the vehicle inside temperature sensor154and vehicle outside temperature sensor155in the memory unit11band it to the TCU2.

Connected to the meter ECU115are meters (not shown) of the vehicle1. Examples of those meters include an odometer that detects the travel distance of the vehicle1and an average meter that detects the average fuel efficiency. The meter ECU115stores information indicating meter indications detected by the meters in the memory unit11band transmits it to the TCU2.

Connected to the advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) ECU116is the advanced driving assistance system (not shown) of the vehicle1. The advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) ECU116stores information indicating whether the advanced driving assistance system is functioning properly, in the memory unit11band transmits it to the TCU2.

Connected to the autonomous driving (AD) ECU117is the autonomous driving (AD) system (not shown) of the vehicle1. The autonomous driving (AD) ECU117stores information indicating whether the autonomous driving system is functioning properly, in the memory unit11band transmits it to the TCU2.

The gateway ECU118connects multiple in-vehicle communication networks13and relays exchange of ECU signals between the multiple communication networks. For example, the gateway ECU118connects the in-vehicle communication networks13and the TCU2and relays exchange of various types of control signals therebetween.

The vehicle management system100according to the present embodiment is able to produce the following advantageous effects.

(1) The vehicle management system100includes the vehicles1each including the multiple ECUs11and the TCU2connected thereto and the user terminals3capable of communicating with the vehicles1(FIG. 2). Each user terminal3includes the ECU activation signal output unit322that outputs an ECU activation signal for activating an ECU11when the user terminal3is turned on or when an application stored in the user terminal3is started, the communication unit30that transmits the ECU activation signal outputted by the ECU activation signal output unit322to the TCU2, and the input/output unit31(display311, speaker312) that notifies vehicle information outputted from the ECU11activated in accordance with the activation signal (FIG. 3).

This configuration allows the user terminal3to acquire the vehicle information in accordance with activation of the user terminal3, or the like, irrespective of the intention of the user. Thus, this configuration allows for suppression of frequent access to the vehicle1for acquiring vehicle information in accordance with requests of the user, a reduction in the power consumption or communication cost of the vehicle1, and efficient acquisition of vehicle information that varies after the vehicle is turned off (during sleep mode).

(2) The vehicle management system100also includes the server unit4including the memory unit43that stores vehicle information acquired by the ECUs11(FIGS. 2 and 5). Thus, as long as information that does not vary after the vehicle is turned off, that is, information that does not have to be updated is stored in the server unit4, the ECUs11to be activated are only the ECUs11that acquire information which varies after the vehicle is turned off. This allows for efficiently acquiring vehicle information while suppressing power consumption.

(3) The ECU activation signal output unit322outputs an ECU activation signal to an ECU11that acquires predetermined vehicle information to be notified by the input/output unit31(display311, speaker312). This prevents useless activation of the ECUs11and allows for efficiently acquiring vehicle information while suppressing power consumption.

(4) Each vehicle1includes the multiple ECUs11(FIG. 6). The ECU activation signal output unit322identifies ECUs11that acquire vehicle information previously selected by the user having the user terminal3, from among the multiple ECUs11and outputs ECU activation signals to the identified ECUs11. Thus, only some of the multiple ECUs11are activated, allowing for efficiently acquiring vehicle information while suppressing power consumption.

(5) The input/output unit31includes the display311that displays vehicle information previously selected by the user of the user terminal3(FIG. 3). This allows the user to easily grasp the vehicle information.

(6) The user terminal3owned by the user or a device connected to the home network is used as a communication terminal capable of communicating with the vehicle1(FIG. 1). Thus, for example, the user is able to check the vehicle information of the vehicle1(e.g., a rental vehicle) while being present at home.

(7) When the TCU2receives an ECU activation signal, it transmits ECU activation signals to multiple ECUs11to activate the ECUs11and transmits vehicle information acquired by the activated ECUs11to the user terminal3. Thus, the vehicle information is updated irrespective of the intention of the user. This allows for suppression of frequent access to the vehicle1for acquiring vehicle information, a reduction in the power consumption or communication cost of the vehicle1, and efficient acquisition of information that varies after the vehicle is turned off.

While, in the above embodiment, the vehicle management system100includes the vehicles1, user terminals3, and server unit4, a vehicle management system may be configured otherwise. The vehicle management system only has to include a vehicle and a user terminal, and the user terminal may acquire vehicle information by directly accessing a communication control unit of the vehicle.

While, in the above embodiment, the user terminal3transmits an ECU activation signal to the TCU2through the server unit4, the user terminal3may directly transmit the ECU activation signal to the TCU2.

While, in the above embodiment, the display311notifies vehicle information by displaying the vehicle information, a notification unit may have any configuration as long as it is configured to be able to notify vehicle information. For example, the speaker312of the input/output unit31may notify the vehicle information as a notification unit. By notifying the vehicle information through the speaker312, for example, the user is able to acquire the vehicle information without having to see the display311, that is, the user is able to more easily acquire the vehicle information.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to efficiently acquire vehicle information including information varying after the vehicle is turned off while suppressing power consumption or communication cost of the vehicle.