Patent ID: 12230141

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The watercraft share-ride system1is used to invite a user to share a ride on an owner's watercraft. As shown inFIG.1, the watercraft share-ride system1includes a cloud server3(an example of at least one computer), at least one owner terminal5, and at least one user terminal7.

The cloud server3may include one computer or a plurality of computers. In the present preferred embodiment, an example in which the cloud server3includes one computer is described.

In the present preferred embodiment, an example in which the watercraft share-ride system1includes the cloud server3, the plurality of owner terminals5, and the plurality of user terminals7is illustrated. InFIG.1, the reference numerals “5a,5b,5c” indicate the plurality of owner terminals5respectively, and the reference numerals “7a,7b,7c” indicate the plurality of user terminals7, respectively.

The watercraft share-ride system1further includes a communicator92, a watercraft position detector93, and a fuel detector94, which will be described below (seeFIG.2). The communicator92, the watercraft position detector93, and the fuel detector94are provided on the watercraft9. In other words, the watercraft sharing system1includes the cloud server3, the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft9.

InFIG.1, the reference numerals “9a,9b,9c” indicate the watercrafts9owned by the owners, respectively. The watercrafts9may be, but are not limited to, ships, boats, etc., or any other suitable types of marine vessels. The watercraft9ais owned by the owner of the owner terminal5a. The watercraft9bis owned by the owner of the owner terminal5b. The watercraft9cis owned by the owner of the owner terminal5c. Any one of the plurality of watercrafts9a,9b,9cis used as a watercraft for a share-ride.

The cloud server3, the owner terminal5(5a,5b,5c), the user terminal7(7a,7b,7c), and the watercraft9(9a,9b,9c) are able to communicate with each other via the Internet IN, for example.

The watercraft rental system1further includes a maintenance information providing terminal, which transmits maintenance information indicating an end of maintenance of the watercraft9, to the cloud server3. In the present preferred embodiment, an example in which the maintenance information providing terminal is the owner terminal5is described.

The maintenance information providing terminal may be a third-party terminal other than the user terminal7and the owner terminal5. In this case, for example, the third party terminal is a terminal of a maintenance company that performs the maintenance of the watercraft9(9a,9b,9c).

The word “information” is used in the following description. The word “information” includes the meaning of “data”.

Each of the plurality of owner terminals5a,5b, and5cillustrated inFIG.1includes the following configuration. In the following, each owner terminal5a,5b,5cwill be described with the word “owner terminal5”.

The owner terminal5is a communication terminal which communicates with the cloud server3. For example, the owner terminal5includes a smartphone, a tablet, a desktop personal computer, a notebook personal computer, a wearable terminal, and the like.

As shown inFIG.2, the owner terminal5includes processor circuitry51of the owner terminal5, a display52of the owner terminal5, an information receiver53of the owner terminal5, an information provider54of the owner terminal5, and an input55of the owner terminal5.

The processor circuitry51of the owner terminal5processes various information in the owner terminal5. The processor circuitry51of the owner terminal5controls the display52of the owner terminal5, the information receiver53of the owner terminal5, the information provider54of the owner terminal5, and the input55of the owner terminal5.

For example, the processor circuitry51of the owner terminal5includes a processor51aand a memory51b. The processor51ais, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor51aprocesses various information of the owner terminal5based on the program recorded in the memory51b.

The processor51acontrols the display52of the owner terminal5, the information receiver53of the owner terminal5, and the information provider54of the owner terminal5based on the program recorded in the memory51b.

The input55of the owner terminal5accepts an owner's input. The input information and the input signal for the input55of the owner terminal5are recognized by the processor51a.

The memory51brecords various information which is processed by the processor51aand various programs which are executed by the processor51a. The memory51bincludes a volatile memory such as RAM. The memory51bincludes a non-volatile memory such as a ROM.

The display52of the owner terminal5displays information. Specifically, the display52of the owner terminal5displays the information based on the command of the processor51aof the owner terminal5.

The information receiver53of the owner terminal5receives information and signals from the cloud server3. The information and signals received from the cloud server3are recognized by the processor51aof the owner terminal5. The information received from the cloud server3is recorded in the memory51bof the owner terminal5.

The information provider54of the owner terminal5provides information and signals to the cloud server3. For example, the information provider54of the owner terminal5transmits the information and the signals to the cloud server3based on the command of the processor51aof the owner terminal5. The information provider54of the owner terminal5transmits the information and the signals to the cloud server3when the input55of the owner terminal5receives a transmission command.

The input55of the owner terminal5acquires the input information which is input by the owner. The owner's input information is recognized by the processor51aof the owner terminal5. The input55of the owner terminal5may be realized by hardware or software.

For example, the input55of the owner terminal5may be an input such as a physical button or an input such as a touch panel. When a touch panel or the like is used, it is preferable that the display52of the owner terminal5is used as the input55of the owner terminal5.

Watercraft information and owner information are input from the input55of the owner terminal5. The watercraft information includes watercraft-body information, engine information, equipment information, and the like. The owner information includes name of the owner and identification information of the owner terminal5.

The processor51aof the owner terminal5recognizes the watercraft information and the owner information, and records the watercraft information and the owner information in the memory51bof the owner terminal5. The processor51aof the owner terminal5issues a command, which is used to provide the watercraft information and the owner information to the server3, to the information provider54of the owner terminal5. Thus, the watercraft information and the owner information are provided from the owner terminal5to the server3.

The owner terminal5including the above configuration acquires the share-ride condition input information to input first share-ride condition information of the owner from the cloud server3via the information receiver53of the owner terminal5.

The share-ride condition input information may be pre-recorded in an application used for sharing a ride on the watercraft9. In this case, the owner terminal5may acquire the share-ride condition input information when the application used for sharing a ride on the watercraft9is downloaded from the cloud server3. The owner terminal5may acquire the share-ride condition input information when the application used for sharing a ride on the watercraft9is downloaded from a server different from the cloud server3(for example, a server for application).

The share-ride condition input information includes item information to input date-time information for sharing a ride on the watercraft9, first purpose information indicating a navigation purpose of the owner, route information indicating a route on which the owner navigates, and the like.

The date-time information indicates date information of the share-ride on the watercraft9, start time information to start the share-ride on the watercraft9, end time information to end the share-ride on the watercraft9, and the like. The navigation purpose indicates fishing, cruising, and the like. The route information indicates a departure point, a destination, a route, and the like.

The share-ride condition input information is displayed on the display52of the owner terminal5. For example, the processor51aof the owner terminal5displays the item information to input the date-time information, the first purpose information, the route information, and the like, on the display52of the owner terminal5.

The owner terminal5generates the first share-ride condition information by using the processor51aof the owner terminal5. The first share-ride condition information is provided to the user when each of the plurality of owners invites the user to share a ride on the watercraft9. For example, the first share-ride condition information is generated by inputting the share-ride condition corresponding to the share-ride condition input information.

For example, when the date-time information, the first purpose information, the route information, and the like are input as the item information via the input55of the owner terminal5, the first share-ride condition information is generated.

Specifically, the date-time information, the first purpose information, the route information, and the like are recognized by the processor51aof the owner terminal5by inputting the date-time information, the first purpose information, the route information, and the like on the input55of the owner terminal5.

The processor51aof the owner terminal5records the date-time information, the first purpose information, the route information, and the like in the memory51bof the owner terminal5as the first share-ride condition information.

The owner terminal5displays the first share-ride condition information on the display52of the owner terminal5. For example, the processor51aof the owner terminal5reads the first share-ride condition information from the memory51bof the owner terminal5, and displays the first share-ride condition information on the display52of the owner terminal5.

The owner terminal5provides the first share-ride condition information to the cloud server3via the information provider54of the owner terminal5. For example, when the input55of the owner terminal5receives a transmission instruction, the processor51aof the owner terminal5transmits the first share-ride condition information from the information provider54of the owner terminal5to the cloud server3.

The owner terminal5provides the cloud server3with the maintenance information indicating the end of maintenance of the watercraft9. The maintenance information indicates the end of maintenance of the watercraft9, such as fuel calibration and confirmation of fuel replenishment status.

The owner terminal5acquires the answer input information from the cloud server3via the information receiver53of the owner terminal5. The answer input information is provided from the cloud server3to the owner terminal5when the user requests the owner to share a ride on the watercraft9.

The answer input information may be pre-recorded in an application used for sharing a ride of watercraft9. In this case, the owner terminal5may acquire the answer input information when the application used for sharing a ride on the watercraft9is downloaded from the cloud server3. The owner terminal5may acquire answer input information when the application used for sharing a ride on the watercraft9is downloaded from a server different from the cloud server3(for example, a server for an application).

The answer input information includes item information to input permission information to permit the share-ride on the watercraft9and item information to input refusal information and the like to refuse the share-ride on the watercraft9. The answer input information is displayed on the display52of the owner terminal5.

The answer input information includes a pull-down menu in which permission items and refusal items are able to be directly selected respectively. It may include a check box in which the permission items and the refusal items are able to be selected respectively. It may include an input box to directly input character information of the permission items and the refusal items.

In the owner terminal5, the answer information is input to the answer input information. For example, when the permission item or the refusal item is selected, the processor51aof the owner terminal5recognizes the permission information corresponding to the permission item or the refusal information corresponding to the refusal item as an answer information. The processor51aof the owner terminal5records the answer information in the memory51bof the owner terminal5. The answer information includes permission information or refusal information.

The owner terminal5displays the answer information on the display52of the owner terminal5. For example, the processor51aof the owner terminal5reads the answer information from the memory51bof the owner terminal5, and displays the answer information on the display52of the owner terminal5.

The owner terminal5provides the answer information to the cloud server3. For example, the processor51aof the owner terminal5transmits the answer information to the cloud server3via the information provider54of the owner terminal5. Specifically, when the input55of the owner terminal5receives the transmission instruction, the processor51aof the owner terminal5transmits the answer information to the cloud server3via the information provider54of the owner terminal5.

The owner terminal5acquires contract information from the cloud server3. For example, the owner terminal5acquires the contract information from the cloud server3via the information receiver53of the owner terminal5. The contract information includes the content indicating establishment or non-establishment of the contract and the first share-ride condition information.

The owner terminal5acquires navigation distance information and fuel consumption information from the cloud server3. For example, the owner terminal5acquires the navigation distance information and the fuel consumption information from the cloud server3via the information receiver53of the owner terminal5. The navigation distance information indicates the distance that the watercraft9, which the owner shares a ride with the user, navigates. The fuel consumption information indicates the fuel that the watercraft9, which the owner shares a ride with the user, consumes during navigation.

The owner terminal5acquires the fuel consumption information and the navigation distance information from the cloud server3via the information receiver53of the owner terminal5. The owner terminal5displays the fuel consumption information and the navigation distance information on the display52of the owner terminal5.

The owner terminal5provides the cloud server3with evaluation information of the user indicating the user's evaluation. For example, the owner terminal5transmits the evaluation information to the cloud server3via the information provider54of the owner terminal5. Specifically, when the input55of the owner terminal5receives the transmission instruction, the processor51aof the owner terminal5transmits the evaluation information to the cloud server3via the information provider54of the owner terminal5.

Each of the plurality of user terminals7a,7b,7cillustrated inFIG.1includes the following configuration. In the following, each user terminal7a,7b,7cwill be described with the word “user terminal7”.

The user terminal7is a communication terminal which communicates with the cloud server3. For example, the user terminal7includes a smartphone, a tablet, a desktop personal computer, a notebook personal computer, a wearable terminal, and the like.

As shown inFIG.2, the user terminal7includes processor circuitry71of the user terminal7, a display72of the user terminal7, an information receiver73of the user terminal7, an information provider74of the user terminal7, and an input75of the user terminal7.

The processor circuitry71of the user terminal7processes various information in the user terminal7. The processor circuitry71of the user terminal7controls the display72of the user terminal7, the information receiver73of the user terminal7, and the information provider74of the user terminal7.

For example, the processor circuitry71of the user terminal7includes a processor71aand a memory71b. The processor71ais, for example, a CPU. The processor71aprocesses various information of the user terminal7based on the program recorded in the memory71b. The processor71acontrols the display72of the user terminal7, the information receiver73of the user terminal7, and the information provider74of the user terminal7based on the program recorded in the memory71b.

The input75of the user terminal7accepts a user's input. The input information and the input signal for the input75of the user terminal7are recognized by the processor71a.

The memory71brecords various information processed by the processor71aand various programs which are executed by the processor71a. The memory71bincludes a volatile memory such as RAM. The memory71bincludes a non-volatile memory such as a ROM.

The display72of the user terminal7displays information. Specifically, the display72of the user terminal7displays the information based on the command of the processor71aof the user terminal7.

The information receiver73of the user terminal7acquires information and signals from the cloud server3. The information and signals acquired from the cloud server3are recognized by the processor71aof the user terminal7. The information received from the cloud server3is recorded in the memory71bof the user terminal7.

The information provider74of the user terminal7provides information and signals to the cloud server3. For example, the information provider74of the user terminal7transmits the information and the signals to the cloud server3based on the command of the processor71aof the user terminal7.

For example, when the input75of the user terminal7receives the transmission instruction, the processor71aof the user terminal7transmits the information and the signals from the information provider74of the user terminal7to the cloud server3.

The input75of the user terminal7acquires the user's input. The input75of the user terminal7may be realized by hardware or software. For example, the input75of the user terminal7may be an input such as a physical button or an input such as a touch panel. When a touch panel or the like is used, it is preferable that the display72of the user terminal7is used as the input75of the user terminal7.

The user terminal7including the above configuration acquires various information via the information receiver73of the user terminal7. The user terminal7provides various types of information via the information provider74of the user terminal7.

For example, the user terminal7acquires a plurality of first share-ride condition information from the cloud server3via the information receiver73of the user terminal7. The user terminal7acquires a share-ride list from the cloud server3via the information receiver73of the user terminal7. The share-ride list includes the watercraft information and the owner information.

The processor71aof the user terminal7displays the plurality of first share-ride condition information and the share-ride list on the display72of the user terminal7. For example, the share-ride list includes the plurality of watercraft information on which the user is sharing a ride and/or the plurality of owner information on which the user can request the share-ride.

The share-ride list includes a check box in which the plurality of watercraft information and/or the plurality of owner information are able to be selected respectively.

The share-ride list may include an input box to directly input the plurality of watercraft information and/or the plurality of owner information by characters, symbols, or the like. The share-ride list may include a pull-down menu in which the plurality of watercraft information and/or the plurality of owner information are able to be directly selected respectively.

The user terminal7generates second share-ride condition information of the user by using the processor71aof the user terminal7. The second share-ride condition information is used to request the user's share-ride with respect to the owner's watercraft9. For example, the second share-ride condition information of the user is generated by inputting the second share-ride condition information on the share-ride list.

For example, the second share-ride condition information is generated, when the watercraft information and/or the owner information, on which the user requests the share-ride in the share-ride list, is selected in the input75of the user terminal7.

Specifically, the watercraft information and the owner information, on which the user requests the share-ride, are recognized by the processor71aof the user terminal7, by selecting the watercraft information and/or the owner information on the input75of the user terminal7. The processor71aof the user terminal7records the watercraft information and the owner information in the memory71bof the user terminal7as the second share-ride condition information.

The processor71aof the user terminal7displays item information, on which the user's desired share-ride date-time information for the owner that the user requests the share-ride is input, on the display72of the user terminal, based on the watercraft information and the owner information.

When the user's desired share-ride date-time information is input to the above item information via the input75of the user terminal7, the processor71aof the user terminal7recognizes the user information, the watercraft information, the owner information, and the user's desired share-ride date-time information as the second share-ride condition information.

In other words, the processor71aof the user terminal7generates the second share-ride condition information which includes the user information, the watercraft information, the owner information, and the user's desired share-ride date-time information. The processor71aof the user terminal7records the second share-ride condition information in the memory71bof the user terminal7.

The user terminal7displays the second share-ride condition information on the display72of the user terminal7. For example, the processor71aof the user terminal7reads the second share-ride condition information (the user information, the watercraft information, the owner information, and the user's desired share-ride date-time information) from the memory71bof the user terminal7.

The processor71aof the user terminal7displays the user's desired share-ride date-time information on the display72of the user terminal7. The user's desired share-ride date-time information includes user's desired share-ride date information and user's desired share-ride time information.

The user terminal7provides the second share-ride condition information to the cloud server3via the information provider74of the user terminal7. For example, the processor71aof the user terminal7issues a transmission command, which is used to transmit the second share-ride condition information to the cloud server3, to the information provider74of the user terminal7. Specifically, when the input75of the user terminal7receives a transmission instruction, the processor71aof the user terminal7issues the above transmission command to the information provider74of the user terminal7.

The user terminal7acquires the watercraft information of the owner via the information receiver73of the user terminal7. For example, the user terminal7records the watercraft information of the plurality of owners in the memory71bof the user terminal7. The user terminal7reads the watercraft information of the plurality of owners from the memory71bof the user terminal7and displays it on the display72of the user terminal7.

The user terminal7provides share-ride request information to the cloud server by selecting the watercraft information of the owner. The share ride request information is used to request the share-ride of the owner terminal5. For example, the share-ride request information requests sharing the share-ride of the owner terminal5, which includes the watercraft information and/or owner information selected by the user terminal7.

For example, when the user's desired watercraft information is selected from the watercraft information of the plurality of owners, the user terminal7transmits the share-ride request information to the cloud server via the information provider74of the user terminal7. Specifically, when a certain watercraft information and/or a certain owner information is selected on the input75of the user terminal7, the processor71aof the user terminal7issues a transmission command, which is used to transmit the share-ride request information to the cloud server, to the information provider74of the user terminal7.

The user terminal7acquires the answer information from the cloud server3via the information receiver73of the user terminal7. The user terminal7acquires the contract information from the cloud server3via the information receiver73of the user terminal7.

The user terminal7records the answer information and the contract information in the memory71bof the user terminal7. The user terminal7reads the answer information and the contract information from the memory71bof the user terminal7and displays them on the display72of the user terminal7.

The user terminal7provides confirmation information to the cloud server3via the information provider74of the user terminal7. The confirmation information is information indicating the user's confirmation of the answer information (the owner's permission information or the owner's refusal information).

For example, when a predetermined input is executed on the input75of the user terminal7, the processor71aof the user terminal7recognizes the confirmation information. The processor71aof the user terminal7issues a transmission command, which is used to transmit the confirmation information to the cloud server3, to the information provider74of the user terminal7. Thus, the confirmation signal corresponding to the confirmation information is transmitted from the information provider74of the user terminal7to the cloud server3.

The user terminal7acquires the navigation distance information and the fuel consumption information from the cloud server3via the information receiver73of the user terminal7. The user terminal7records the navigation distance information and the fuel consumption information in the memory71bof the user terminal7. The user terminal7reads the navigation distance information and the fuel consumption information from the memory71bof the user terminal7and displays them on the display72of the user terminal7.

Each of the plurality of watercrafts9a,9b,9cillustrated inFIG.1includes the following configuration. In the following, each watercraft9a,9b,9cwill be described with the word “watercraft9”. As shown inFIG.2, the watercraft9includes processor circuitry91, the communicator92, the watercraft position detector93, and the fuel detector94.

The processor circuitry91for the watercraft is provided on the watercraft9. The processor circuitry91of the watercraft processes various information on the watercraft9. The processor circuitry91of the watercraft controls a communicator92, a watercraft position detector93, and a fuel detector94.

For example, the processor circuitry91of the watercraft9includes a processor91aand a memory91b. The processor91ais, for example, a CPU. The processor91aprocesses various information of the watercraft9according to the program recorded in the memory91b. The processor91acontrols the communicator92, the watercraft position detector93, and the fuel detector94according to the program recorded in the memory91b.

The memory91brecords various information processed by the processor91aand various programs executed by the processor91a. The memory91bincludes a volatile memory such as RAM. The memory91bincludes a non-volatile memory such as a ROM.

The communicator92is provided on the watercraft9. The communicator92provides the cloud server3with information and signals regarding the watercraft9. The communicator92acquires information and signals regarding the watercraft9from the cloud server3.

For example, the communicator92transmits the signal regarding the watercraft9to the cloud server3based on the command of the processor91aof the watercraft9. Specifically, the communicator92transmits the signal corresponding to the watercraft position information (described below) to the cloud server3. Thus, the information of the watercraft9is recognized by a processor31aof the server3(described below). The information of the watercraft9is recorded in a memory31bof the server3(described below).

The watercraft position detector93is provided on the watercraft9. The watercraft position detector93detects the watercraft position information of the watercraft9. The watercraft position detector93is, for example, a GPS receiver (a receiver of the Global Positioning System). The watercraft position detector93acquires the watercraft position information from GPS satellites.

The watercraft position information acquired by the watercraft position detector93is transmitted from the communicator92to the cloud server3. Specifically, the processor91aof the watercraft9issues a transmission command, which is used to transmit the watercraft position information to the cloud server3, to the communicator92.

The fuel detector94detects an amount of fuel injected from the engine during the navigation of the watercraft9. For example, the fuel detector94is a sensor that detects the fuel injection amount. The fuel detector94is provided on the watercraft9. The fuel injection amount is monitored by the processor91aof the watercraft9. The fuel injection amount is recorded in the memory91bof the watercraft9as the fuel consumption information.

The signal corresponding to the fuel consumption information is transmitted from the communicator92to the cloud server3. Specifically, the processor91aof the watercraft9issues a transmission command, which is used transmit a signal corresponding to the fuel consumption information to the cloud server3, to the communicator92.

The cloud server3is used to invite the user to share a ride on the watercraft9of the owner. As shown inFIG.2, the cloud server3includes processor circuitry31, a storage32, an information receiver33, and an information provider34. The cloud server3may include an input (not illustrated) of the server3.

The processor circuitry31of the server3processes various information in the cloud server3. The processor circuitry31of the server3processes the information received by the information receiver33. For example, the processor circuitry31of the server3processes the information acquired from the owner terminal5and the information acquired from the user terminal7. The processor circuitry31of the server3controls the information receiver33of the server3and the information provider34of the server3.

For example, the processor circuitry31of the server3includes the processor31aand the memory31b. The processor31ais, for example, a CPU. The processor31aprocesses various information according to the program recorded in the memory31b. The processor31acontrols the information receiver33of the server3and the information provider34of the server3according to the program recorded in the memory31b.

When the cloud server3includes an input (not illustrated), the input of the server3accepts the input of a server administrator. The input information and the input signal of the input of the server3are recognized by the processor31a.

The memory31brecords various information processed by the processor31aand various programs executed by the processor31a. The memory31bincludes a volatile memory such as RAM. The memory31bincludes a non-volatile memory such as a ROM.

The storage32of the server3records the above various information and various programs. The storage32of the server3includes a storage such as a hard disk and/or SSD. The storage32of the server3is connected to the processor circuitry31of the server3. The storage32of the server3may be included in the processor circuitry31of the server3.

For example, the storage32of the server3is used as a database. The storage32of the server3may be used as an auxiliary storage for the processor circuitry31of the server3, or may be used as an external storage for the processor circuitry31of the server3.

In the following description, the expressions of “the processor31aof the server3records various information in the memory” and “the processor31aof the server3reads various information from the memory” are used. These expressions may interpret “the memory” as “the storage”.

The information receiver33of the server3acquires information and signals from the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft3. For example, the information receiver33of the server3receives information and signals from the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft3. The information and signals acquired from the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft3are recognized by the processor31aof the server3. The information acquired from the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft3is recorded in the memory31bof the server3.

The information receiver33of the server3acquires information and signals from the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft9. For example, the information receiver33of the server3receives the information and the signals from the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft9.

The information and signals acquired from the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft9are recognized by the processor31aof the server3. The information acquired from the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft9is recorded in the memory31bof the server3.

For example, the information receiver33of the server3acquires the watercraft position information, which is detected by the watercraft position detector93of the watercraft9, from the communicator92of the watercraft9. The watercraft position information is recorded in the memory31bof the server3.

The information receiver33of the server3acquires a signal corresponding to the fuel consumption information from the communicator92. This signal is recognized by the processor31aof the server3. The fuel consumption information corresponding to this signal is recorded in the memory31bof the server3.

The information receiver33of the server3acquires the maintenance information of the watercraft9from the owner terminal5(an example of the maintenance information providing terminal). The maintenance information is recognized by the processor31aof the server3. The maintenance information is recorded in the memory31bof the server3.

The information receiver33of the server3acquires the second share-ride condition information and the confirmation information from the user terminal7. The information receiver33of the server3acquires the answer information from the owner terminal5.

The second share-ride condition information, the confirmation information, and the answer information are recognized by the processor31aof the server3. The second share-ride condition information, the confirmation information, and the answer information are recorded in the memory31bof the server3.

The information receiver33of the server3acquires information request signal, navigation start signal, and navigation end signal from the user terminal7. The information request signal, the navigation start signal, and the navigation end signal are recognized by the processor31aof the server3.

The information provider34of the server3provides the above information and signals to the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft3. The information provider34of the server3transmits the information and signals to the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft3.

For example, the processor31aof the server3reads information, which is transmitted to the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft3, from the memory31bof the server3.

The processor31aof the server3issues a command, which is used to transmit the information and the signals to the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft9, to the information provider34of the server3, after the processor31aof the server3executes an encryption process for the information and the signals.

The processor circuitry31of the server3recognizes the first share-ride condition information that the information receiver33of the server3acquires from the information provider54of the owner terminal5. For example, the processor31aof the server3recognizes the first share-ride condition information. The processor31aof the server3records the first share-ride condition information in the memory31bof the server3.

The processor circuitry31of the server3generates the share-ride list based on the first share-ride condition information. For example, the processor31aof the server3reads the first share-ride condition information of at least one owner from the memory31bof the server3. The processor31aof the server3generates the share-ride list based on the first share-ride condition information of at least one owner.

The processor31aof the server3records the share-ride list in the memory31bof the server3. In the present preferred embodiment, an example is shown in which the first share-ride condition information of at least one owner is the first share-ride condition information of a plurality of owners.

The processor circuitry31of the server3provides the user terminal7with a plurality of first share-ride condition information and the share-ride list. For example, the processor circuitry31of the server3transmits the plurality of first share-ride condition information and the share-ride list to the user terminal7when the maintenance information is acquired from the owner terminal5.

Specifically, when the information receiver33of the server3acquires the maintenance information from the information provider54of the owner terminal5, the processor31aof the server3records the maintenance information in the memory31bof the server3. After that, the processor31aof the server3issues a transmission command, which is used to transmit the plurality of first share-ride condition information and the share-ride list to the user terminal7, to the information provider34of the server3.

The processor circuitry31of the server3recognizes the second share-ride condition information that the information receiver33of the server3acquires from the information provider74of the user terminal7.

For example, the processor31aof the server3recognizes the second share-ride condition information. The processor31aof the server3records the second share-ride condition information in the memory31bof the server3.

As described above, the second share-ride condition information includes the user information, the watercraft information, the owner information, and the user's desired share-ride date-time information.

The processor circuitry31of the server3determines whether or not the first share-ride condition information and the second share-ride condition information match. For example, the processor31aof the server3determines whether or not the first share-ride condition information and the second share-ride condition information match.

When the first share-ride condition information and the second share-ride condition information match, the processor31aof the server3issues a transmission command, which is used to transmit the watercraft information of the owner to the user terminal7, to the server information provider34.

The processor circuitry31of the server3recognizes the share-ride request information acquired from the information provider74of the user terminal7. For example, the processor31aof the server3recognizes the share-ride request information. The processor31aof the server3records the share-ride request information in the memory31bof the server3.

The processor circuitry31of the server3provides the owner terminal5with the answer input information which is used to cause the owner to input the answer of the share-ride request information.

For example, the processor31aof the server3reads the item information corresponding to the permission item and the item information corresponding to the refusal item, from the memory31bof the server3. The processor31aof the server3issues a transmission command, which is used to transmit the item information to the owner terminal5, to the information provider34of the server3.

The processor circuitry31of the server3acquires the answer information that the information receiver33of the server3acquires from the information provider54of the owner terminal5.

For example, the processor31aof the server3recognizes the answer information. The processor31aof the server3records the answer information in the memory31bof the server3. As mentioned above, the answer information includes the permission information or the refusal information.

The processor circuitry31of the server3provides the answer information to the user terminal7. For example, the processor31aof the server3reads the answer information from the memory31bof the server3. The processor31aof the server3issues a transmission command, which is used to transmit the answer information to the user terminal7, to the information provider34of the server3.

The processor circuitry31of the server3acquires the confirmation information that the information receiver33acquires from the information provider74of the user terminal7. For example, the processor31aof the server3recognizes the confirmation information. The processor31aof the server3records the confirmation information in the memory31bof the server3.

The processor circuitry31of the server3provides the owner terminal5and the user terminal7with the contract information indicating the establishment or the non-establishment of the contract between the user and the owner.

For example, when the information receiver33of the server3acquires the confirmation information, the processor31aof the server3generates the contract information based on the second share-ride condition information (the user information, the user's desired share-ride date-time information, and the watercraft information) and the answer information (the permission information or the refusal information).

The processor31aof the server3records the contract information in the memory31bof the server3. The processor31aof the server3issues a transmission command, which is used to transmit the contract information to the owner terminal5and the user terminal7, to the information provider34of the server3.

The contract information includes the user information, the user's desired share-ride date-time information, the watercraft information, and the permission information or the refusal information. The user recognizes the contract information regarding the share-ride based on the contract information. The owner recognizes the contract information regarding the share-ride based on the contract information.

The processor circuitry31of the server3acquires the fuel consumption information from the watercraft9. The fuel consumption information includes time-series data of the fuel consumption information. For example, the processor31aof the server3recognizes the fuel consumption information of the watercraft9. The processor31aof the server3records the fuel consumption information of the watercraft9in the memory31bof the server3.

The processor circuitry31of the server3calculates fuel cost information based on the fuel consumption information. For example, the processor31aof the server3calculates the fuel cost information based on the fuel consumption information that the server information receiver33acquires from the communicator92of the watercraft9.

The processor circuitry31of the server3provides the fuel cost information to the user terminal7and the owner terminal5. For example, the processor31aof the server3issues a command, which is used to transmit the fuel cost information to the user terminal7and the owner terminal5, to the information provider34of the server3. Thus, the fuel cost information is displayed on the user terminal7and the owner terminal5.

The processor circuitry31of the server3calculates the navigation distance of the watercraft9based on the watercraft position information acquired by the watercraft position detector93. For example, the processor31aof the server3calculates the navigation distance of the watercraft9based on the watercraft position information that the information acquirer33of the server3receives from the communicator92of the watercraft9.

The navigation distance of the watercraft9may be calculated as follows. The processor circuitry31of the server3calculates the navigation distance of the watercraft9based on the fuel consumption information. For example, the processor31aof the server3calculates the navigation distance of the watercraft9based on the fuel consumption information that the information acquirer33of the server3receives from the communicator92of the watercraft9.

The processor circuitry31of the server3provides the navigation distance information to the user terminal7and the owner terminal5. For example, the processor31aof the server3issues a command, which is used to transmit the navigation distance information to the user terminal7and the owner terminal5, to the information provider34of the server3. Thus, the navigation distance information is displayed on the user terminal7and the owner terminal5.

The processor circuitry31of the server3transmits the fuel consumption information to the user terminal7and the owner terminal5. For example, the processor31aof the server3issues a command, which is used to transmit the fuel consumption information to the user terminal7and the owner terminal5, to the information provider34of the server3.

Thus, the fuel consumption information is displayed on the user terminal7and the owner terminal5. The user and the owner are able to easily understand the fuel consumption information.

At this time, the fuel cost corresponding to the fuel consumption information may be displayed on the user terminal7and the owner terminal5. In this case, the fuel cost is calculated by the processor circuitry31of the server3based on rate information and the fuel consumption information acquired by the processor circuitry31of the server3. The rate information may be directly input by the administrator of the server3or may be acquired from another server or the like.

In addition, the engine usage status is based on engine usage status information such as engine operating time, engine speed during operation (for example, average rotation speed), and engine usage horsepower during operation (average horsepower). The charge according to the above may be displayed on the user terminal7and the owner terminal5. In this case, the charge is calculated by the processor circuitry31of the server3based on the table data showing the correspondence between the charge and the engine usage status information.

In addition, the charge according to engine usage status may be displayed on the user terminal7and the owner terminal5, based on engine usage status information such as engine operating time, engine speed during operation (for example, average rotation speed), and engine usage horsepower during operation (average horsepower).

In this case, the charge is calculated by the processor circuitry31of the server3based on a table data showing a relationship between the charge and the engine usage status information.

The processing mode of the watercraft share-ride system1including the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts inFIGS.3A to6D.

FIGS.3A and3Bshow processing modes of the owner terminal5(5a,5b,5c).FIGS.4A to4Cshow processing modes of the user terminal7(7a,7b,7c).FIG.5shows a processing mode of the watercraft9(9a,9b,9c).FIGS.6A to6Dshow processing modes of the cloud server3.

The first share-ride condition information is input to each of the plurality of owner terminals5. Thus, each of the plurality of owner terminals5recognizes the first share-ride condition information (SO1).

Each owner terminal5transmits each first share-ride condition information and each watercraft information to the cloud server3(SO2). The cloud server3respectively acquires the plurality of first share-ride condition information and the plurality of watercraft information from the plurality of owner terminals5(SC1).

Each owner terminal5transmits the maintenance information to the cloud server3(SO3). The cloud server3acquires the plurality of maintenance information from the owner terminal5(SC2). The cloud server3recognizes the owner terminal5of the owner, the owner of the watercraft9who is ready to share a ride (SC3).

The cloud server3generates the share-ride list based on the first share-ride condition information of the owner terminal5of the owner, the owner of the watercraft9whose maintenance has been completed (SC4).

The user terminal7generates the second share-ride condition information of the user (SU1). The user terminal7displays the second share-ride condition information (SU2). The user terminal7transmits the second share-ride condition information to the cloud server3(SU3).

The cloud server3acquires the second share-ride condition information from the user terminal7(SC5). The cloud server3determines whether or not the second share-ride condition information of the user terminal7matches the first share-ride condition information of the owner terminal5(SC6).

When the first share-ride condition information and the second share-ride condition information match (Yes in SC6), the cloud server3transmits the first share-ride condition information of the owner terminal5and the share-ride list to the user terminal7. The owner terminal5is a terminal of the owner of the watercraft9whose maintenance has been completed.

On the other hand, when the first share-ride condition information and the second share-ride condition information do not match (No in SC6), the cloud server3waits for the second share-ride condition information which matches the first share-ride condition information. In this case, the cloud server3does not transmit the first share-ride condition information and the share-ride list to the user terminal7.

The user terminal7acquires the share-ride list and the first share-ride condition information of the owner terminal5of the owner of the watercraft9whose maintenance has been completed, from the cloud server3(SU4). The user terminal7displays this first share-ride condition information of the owner terminal5and the share-ride list on the display72of the user terminal7(SU5).

Here, the first share-ride condition information of the owner terminal5of the owner, who has the watercraft9whose maintenance has been completed, is displayed on the display72of the user terminal7, so as to correspond to each watercraft information and/or each owner information in the share-ride list.

The watercraft information and/or the owner information is selected on the user terminal7(SU6). The user terminal7transmits the share-ride request information to the cloud server3(SU7).

The cloud server3acquires the share-ride request information from the user terminal7(SC8). The cloud server3recognizes the user terminal7that transmits the share-ride request information (SC9). The cloud server3transmits the answer input information to the owner terminal5(SC10).

The owner terminal5acquires the answer input information from the cloud server3(SO4). The answer information corresponding to the answer input information is input to the owner terminal5. Thus, the owner terminal5recognizes the answer information (SO5). The owner terminal5displays the answer information (SO6). The owner terminal5transmits the answer information to the cloud server3(SO7).

The cloud server3acquires the answer information from the owner terminal5(SC11). The cloud server3transmits the answer information to the user terminal7(SC12). The user terminal7acquires the answer information from the cloud server3(SU8). The user terminal7displays the answer information (SU9). The confirmation information corresponding to the answer information is input to the user terminal7. Thus, the user terminal7recognizes the confirmation information (SU10).

The user terminal7transmits the confirmation information to the cloud server3(SU11). The cloud server3acquires the confirmation information from the user terminal7(SC13). The cloud server3generates the contract information (SC14). The cloud server3transmits the contract information to the owner terminal5and the user terminal7(SC15).

The owner terminal5acquires the contract information from the cloud server3(SO8). The owner terminal5displays the contract information (SO9). The user terminal7acquires the contract information from the cloud server3(SU12). The user terminal7displays the contract information (SU13). Thus, the owner and the user are able to easily understand that the contract has been established or not established.

The cloud server3starts monitoring the watercraft position information of the watercraft9(SC16). Here, the cloud server3requests the transmission of the watercraft position information to the watercraft9. The watercraft9transmits the watercraft position information to the cloud server3(SS1).

The cloud server3acquires the watercraft position information, for example, the time-series data of watercraft position information from the watercraft9(SC17). The cloud server3determines whether or not the watercraft9has started navigating based on the watercraft position information (SC18).

When the cloud server3determines that the watercraft9has started navigating (Yes in SC18), the cloud server3requests the transmission of the fuel consumption information to the watercraft9(SC19). The watercraft9transmits the fuel consumption information to the cloud server3(SS2).

On the other hand, when the cloud server3does not determine that the watercraft9has started navigating (No in SC18), the cloud server3continues to acquire the watercraft position information of the watercraft9and monitors the watercraft position information of the watercraft9.

The cloud server3acquires the fuel consumption information from the watercraft9(SC20). The cloud server3calculates the fuel cost information based on the fuel consumption information (SC21). The fuel cost information is recorded in the cloud server3as time series data. The cloud server3calculates the navigation distance information based on the fuel consumption information (SC22). The navigation distance information is recorded in the cloud server3as time series data.

The cloud server3determines whether or not the watercraft9has finished the navigation based on the watercraft position information (SC23). Here, when the cloud server3determines that the watercraft9has finished the navigation (Yes in SC23), the cloud server3transmits the latest fuel cost information and the latest navigation distance information to the owner terminal5and the user terminal7(SC24).

The owner terminal5acquires the latest fuel cost information and the latest navigation distance information from the cloud server3(SO10). The owner terminal5displays the latest fuel cost information and the latest navigation distance information on the display52of the owner terminal5(SO11). Thus, the owner is able to easily understand the fuel cost information and the navigation distance information.

The user terminal7acquires the latest fuel cost information and the latest navigation distance information from the cloud server3(SU14). The user terminal7displays the latest fuel cost information and the latest navigation distance information on the display72of the user terminal7(SU15). Thus, the user is able to easily understand the fuel cost information and the navigation distance information.

The owner terminal5inputs user evaluation information indicating the user's evaluation (SO12). The owner terminal5transmits the user evaluation information to the cloud server3(SO13). The cloud server3acquires the user evaluation information from the owner terminal5(SC25). The user evaluation information is stored in the cloud server3. This makes it possible to provide the evaluations of the past users to owners who will use the watercraft share-ride system1in the future.

The user terminal7inputs owner evaluation information indicating the owner's evaluation (SU16). The user terminal7transmits the owner evaluation information to the cloud server3(SU17). The cloud server3acquires the owner evaluation information from the user terminal7(SC26). The owner evaluation information is stored in the cloud server3. Thus, it is possible to provide the evaluations of the past owners to the user who will use the watercraft share-ride system1in the future.

In the above-described watercraft sharing system1, the users, who share a ride on the plurality of watercrafts9(9a,9b,9c) managed respectively by the plurality of owners, are invited. Thus, the owner is able to directly invite users who desire to share a ride on the owner's watercraft9. Also, the owner is able to easily invite the users to share a ride on the owner's watercraft9.

In the above-described preferred embodiments, the first share-ride condition information may include user selection condition information indicating a condition when the owner selects the user. In this case, the cloud server3provides the watercraft information of the owner to the user terminal7when the user evaluation information satisfies the user selection condition information.

For example, the user selection condition information is a threshold value for evaluating the user. Specifically, the user selection condition information is the threshold value corresponding to an average evaluation of the users. The user selection condition information may include a threshold value corresponding to the number of the share-rides of the user, the share-ride time of the user, the number of the open sea experiences of the user, the navigation time of the user in the open sea, and the like.

When the user selection condition information (the threshold value) of each owner is input to the shared ride condition input information (the item information) via the input55of the owner terminal5of each owner, the user selection condition information (the threshold value) of each owner is recognized by the processor51aof the owner terminal5. This process is performed in step SO1of the owner terminal5.

In this way, the first share-ride condition information including the user selection condition information (the threshold value) of each owner is generated. The first share-ride condition information including the user selection condition information (the threshold value) of each owner is provided from the owner terminal5to the processor31aof the server3and is stored in the memory31bof the server3. This process is performed in step SO2of the owner terminal5.

Here, the average evaluation information corresponding to the average evaluation of the user is set as follows. Each owner evaluates each user after the share-ride is finished (SO12). For example, the evaluation information of each user is recognized by the processor51aof the owner terminal5by inputting the evaluation information of each user in the input55of each owner terminal5.

The evaluation information of each user is provided to the processor31aof the server3(SO13) and is stored in the memory31bof the server3(SC25). The processor31aof the server3calculates the average evaluation information of each user by averaging the evaluation information of each user.

For example, the processor31aof the server3determines whether or not the user's evaluation information (the user's average evaluation, the user's share-ride number, the user's share-ride time, the number of the open sea experiences of the user, the user's navigation time in the open sea, and the like) satisfies the user selection condition information (the threshold value).

Here, when the user's evaluation information (the user's average evaluation, the user's share-ride number, the user's share-ride time, the number of the open sea experiences of the user, the user's navigation time in the open sea, and the like) satisfies the user selection condition information (the threshold value), the processor31aof the server3recognizes the user terminal7that satisfies the user selection condition information (the threshold value).

The processor31aof the server3provides the user terminal7with the first share-ride condition information and the share-ride list (SC7). The first share-ride condition information and the share-ride list are examples of the watercraft information of the owner.

On the other hand, the processor31aof the server3does not provide the first share-ride condition information and the share-ride list to the user terminal7to the user terminal7that does not satisfy the above conditions. By processing in this way, the owner is able to exclude the user with a bad evaluation from a share-ride target.

In the above-described preferred embodiments, the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft9respectively receive the information from the cloud server3, and the processor circuitry51,71, and91respectively perform the processing of the information in the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft9.

Instead of this, the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft9may directly access the information on the cloud server3, and the processor circuitry51,71, and91may perform the processing of the above-described preferred embodiments on the cloud server3. In this case, for example, the cloud server3is used as a data server.

Also, the owner terminal5, the user terminal7, and the watercraft9may directly access the information on the cloud server3and directly input the information on the cloud server3. In this case, the processor circuitry31of the server3executes the processing of the above-described preferred embodiments.

According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to directly invite a user to share a ride on the owner's watercraft by using the watercraft share-ride system, the computer for a watercraft, and the watercraft share-ride method.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.