Charging control system, charging control device and storage medium

Abstract

This invention provides a charging control system, a charging control device, and a charging control program stored in a storage medium for efficient utilization of electricity stored in a charging device during urban operations such as smart cities. The charging control system includes: a charging device having a first processor configured to store electricity supplied to a pre-defined area; and a charging control device having a second processor configured to acquire brightness information within the area, calculate the charging amount of the charging device based on the acquired brightness information, and implement charging control of the charging device based on the calculated charging amount. The second processor calculates the charging amount in a manner where the greater the brightness within the area, the smaller the charging amount.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a charging control system, a charging control device, and a charging control program. Background Technology

[0002] A technique is known for calculating the most suitable electricity cost based on meteorological data, etc., in smart cities and the like (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-516247. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The aim is to find a technology that can efficiently utilize the electricity stored in charging devices when implementing urban operations such as smart cities.

[0007] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a charging control system, a charging control device, and a storage medium for storing the charging control program that can efficiently utilize the electricity stored in the charging device when implementing urban operations such as smart cities.

[0008] Methods for solving problems

[0009] The charging control system of the present invention comprises: a charging device having a first processor configured to store power supplied to a predetermined area; and a charging control device having a second processor configured to acquire brightness information in the area, calculate the charging amount of the charging device based on the acquired brightness information, and implement charging control of the charging device based on the calculated charging amount. The second processor calculates the charging amount in such a way that the greater the brightness in the area, the smaller the charging amount becomes.

[0010] The charging control device of the present invention includes: a processor configured to acquire brightness information in a preset area, calculate a charging amount for a charging device that stores electricity supplied to the area based on the acquired brightness information, and implement charging control of the charging device based on the calculated charging amount, wherein the processor calculates the charging amount in such a way that the greater the brightness in the area, the smaller the charging amount becomes.

[0011] The charging control program stored in the storage medium of the present invention causes the processor to execute: obtaining brightness information in a preset area, calculating the charging amount of a charging device that stores electricity supplied to the area based on the obtained brightness information, implementing charging control of the charging device based on the calculated charging amount, and calculating the charging amount in such a way that the greater the brightness in the area, the smaller the charging amount.

[0012] The effects of the invention

[0013] According to the present invention, when implementing urban operations such as smart cities, the electricity stored in the charging device can be utilized efficiently. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the details of each component of the charging control system according to the implementation method.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a charging control method executed by the charging control system of an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Referring to the accompanying drawings, a charging control system, a charging control device, and a charging control program stored in a storage medium according to embodiments of the present invention will be described. Furthermore, the constituent elements of the following embodiments include elements that can and are easily substituted by those skilled in the art, or elements that are substantially the same.

[0017] (Charging control system)

[0018] Reference Figure 1 This describes a charging control system that includes an embodiment of a charging control device. The charging control system implements charging control of the charging device, which supplies power to a pre-defined area. The "pre-defined area" refers to an area inhabited or utilized by numerous users, such as a smart city, theme park, or recreational area. In this embodiment, the scenario of a smart city will be used for explanation.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the charging control system 1 includes a charging control device 10, multiple brightness sensors 20, and multiple charging devices 30. The charging control device 10, brightness sensors 20, and charging devices 30 are configured to all have communication capabilities and can communicate with each other via a network NW. This network NW may be, for example, an Internet connection network or a mobile phone connection network.

[0020] (Charging control device)

[0021] The charging control device 10 is installed inside or outside the smart city. This charging control device 10 is implemented, for example, via a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the charging control device 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. Specifically, the control unit 11 includes a processor composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), etc., and a memory (main storage unit) composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

[0023] The control unit 11 loads the program stored in the storage unit 13 into the working area of ​​the main storage unit and executes it. By executing the program, it controls various components, thereby achieving a function consistent with the intended purpose. By executing the program stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 11 functions as the brightness information acquisition unit 111, the charge calculation unit 112, and the charging control unit 113.

[0024] The brightness information acquisition unit 111 acquires brightness information within a pre-defined area (hereinafter referred to as "smart city"). This brightness information may be, for example, information related to the brightness of open areas within the smart city, i.e., the outside of buildings (outdoors).

[0025] The brightness information acquisition unit 111 acquires brightness information, for example, from multiple brightness sensors 20 installed within the smart city. In this case, the average, maximum, or minimum brightness values ​​of the current brightness within the smart city, acquired from the multiple brightness sensors 20, can be used as the brightness information. Furthermore, the brightness information acquisition unit 111 acquires brightness information from the multiple brightness sensors 20 sequentially or at predetermined intervals (e.g., every hour).

[0026] Alternatively, instead of obtaining brightness information via brightness sensor 20, the brightness information can be obtained via brightness sensor 20 and the brightness within the smart city can be inferred, thereby generating brightness information by the brightness information acquisition unit 111. In this case, the brightness information acquisition unit 111 collects weather information, for example, from a server (weather server) installed in a meteorological agency, and based on this weather information, it can infer the current or future brightness within the smart city.

[0027] The charge calculation unit 112 calculates the charge amount of the charging device 30 based on the brightness information obtained or inferred by the brightness information acquisition unit 111. More specifically, the charge calculation unit 112 obtains information (hereinafter referred to as "charging information") related to the current state of the charging device 30 (e.g., charge amount or discharge amount) from the charging device 30, and calculates the charge amount of the charging device 30 based on the brightness information and the charging information. Then, when calculating the charge amount, the charge calculation unit 112 calculates the charge amount in a manner that the greater the brightness in the smart city, the smaller the charge amount. As a result, the charge amount of the charging device 30 can be appropriately determined.

[0028] Furthermore, there is no particular limitation on the specific method for calculating the charging amount based on the charging amount calculation unit 112. For example, various methods can be used, such as the method that uses the power required for the operation of a smart city per unit time plus the power correction amount set according to the brightness, or the method that uses a learning model that learns the relationship between brightness and charging amount in a smart city.

[0029] Furthermore, the charging quantity calculation unit 112 can calculate the charging quantity based, for example, the brightness information obtained or inferred by the brightness information acquisition unit 111 and information related to the phases of the moon. For example, during a full moon, the brightness of nighttime lights can be reduced due to the bright external light, so there is no need to charge this portion of the power to the charging device 30.

[0030] Therefore, in addition to brightness information, the phases of the moon are also considered, thereby enabling a more accurate determination of the charging amount of the charging device 30. Furthermore, information regarding the phases of the moon can be obtained, for example, from a server (hereinafter referred to as a "weather server") located in the Meteorological Agency, etc. Additionally, the charging amount calculation unit 112 may calculate the charging amount using only information related to the phases of the moon, without using brightness information.

[0031] Furthermore, the charging quantity calculation unit 112 can calculate the charging quantity based, for example, the brightness information obtained or inferred by the brightness information acquisition unit 111, and the sunshine amount and sunshine duration of the smart city. For example, in cases where the sunshine amount and sunshine duration are high in a smart city, the lighting time of the lights can be shortened, so there is no need to store this portion of the power in the charging device 30.

[0032] Therefore, in addition to brightness information, the amount of sunshine and sunshine duration in the smart city are also considered, thereby enabling a more accurate determination of the charging capacity of the charging device 30. Furthermore, information regarding the amount of sunshine and sunshine duration in the smart city can be obtained, for example, from a weather server. Alternatively, the charging capacity calculation unit 112 may also calculate the charging capacity using only information related to the phases of the moon, without using the amount of sunshine and sunshine duration in the smart city.

[0033] The charging control unit 113 performs charging control of the charging device 30 based on the charging amount calculated by the charging amount calculation unit 112. The specific charging control method based on the charging control unit 113 is not particularly limited. For example, the charging amount calculation unit 112 may send instructions to the charging device 30 to increase or decrease the current or future charging amount based on the charging amount calculated at a predetermined period, thereby performing charging control.

[0034] The communication unit 12 is composed, for example, of a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board and a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication. The communication unit 12 is connected to a network NW, such as the Internet, which is a public communication network. Then, the communication unit 12 communicates with the brightness sensor 20 and the charging device 30 through the connection with this network NW.

[0035] The storage unit 13 is composed of recording media such as EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), hard disk drive (HDD), and removable media. Examples of removable media include USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and BD (Blu-ray Disc). The storage unit 13 can store operating systems (OS), various programs, various tables, various databases, etc. In addition, the storage unit 13 stores, as needed, information such as brightness information acquired by the brightness information acquisition unit 111 and the charge amount of the charging device 30 calculated by the charge amount calculation unit 112.

[0036] (Brightness sensor)

[0037] Brightness sensors 20 are used to acquire brightness information within the smart city, and multiple sensors are installed in designated locations within the smart city. The brightness sensors 20 then transmit the acquired brightness information sequentially or at predetermined intervals to the charging control device 10.

[0038] (Charging device)

[0039] The charging device 30, used to store electricity for supplying to the smart city, is installed either inside or outside the smart city. This charging device 30 is implemented, for example, using a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer. Furthermore, the charging device 30 incorporates a battery for storing electricity and a control mechanism for controlling the charging and discharging of the electricity. In addition, the charging device 30 sends charging information related to the current charging device 30 sequentially or at predetermined intervals to the charging control device 10.

[0040] (Charging control method)

[0041] Reference Figure 2 This is an example of the processing sequence of the charging control method executed by the charging control system 1 of the embodiment.

[0042] First, the charging device 30 sends charging information to the charging control device 10 (step S1). Next, the brightness sensor 20 sends brightness information to the charging control device 10 (step S2). Alternatively, the order of steps S1 and S2 can be reversed.

[0043] Next, the charging amount calculation unit 112 of the charging control device 10 calculates the charging amount of the charging device 30 based on the brightness information and the charging information (step S3). Then, the charging control unit 113 performs charging control of the charging device 30 based on the calculated charging amount (step S4). As described above, the charging control method is completed.

[0044] As described above, the charging control system, charging control device, and charging control program stored in the storage medium according to the embodiment can efficiently utilize the electricity stored in the charging device 30 when carrying out urban operations such as smart cities using the electricity stored in the charging device 30.

[0045] For example, in well-lit conditions within a smart city, power consumption is reduced, so when more than the consumed power is stored in the charging device 30, power is wasted. Furthermore, storing excess power in the charging device 30, or maintaining a fully charged state for extended periods, may lead to the degradation of the battery built into the charging device 30.

[0046] In contrast, in the charging control system, charging control device, and charging control program stored in the storage medium of the implementation method, in a bright environment in the smart city (intended to be brighter), the amount of charging to the charging device 30 can be reduced compared to a dark environment in the smart city, thus suppressing power waste and battery degradation.

[0047] Those skilled in the art can readily derive further effects and variations. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments described above. Thus, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the comprehensive inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0048] 1. Charging control system;

[0049] 10. Charging control device;

[0050] 11. Control Department;

[0051] 111 Brightness information acquisition unit;

[0052] 112 Charge Calculation Unit;

[0053] 113 Charging Control Unit;

[0054] 12 Ministry of Communications;

[0055] 13. Storage Department;

[0056] 20. Brightness sensor;

[0057] 30. Charging device;

[0058] NW network.

Claims

1. A charging control system, comprising: A charging device having a first processor configured to store power supplied to a predetermined area; A charging control device includes a second processor configured to acquire brightness information within the area, calculate the charging amount of the charging device based on the acquired brightness information, and implement charging control of the charging device based on the calculated charging amount. When calculating the charging amount, the second processor calculates the charging amount in a manner that the greater the brightness within the area, the smaller the charging amount becomes. The second processor calculates the amount of charge based on the brightness information and information related to the phases of the moon.

2. The charging control system according to claim 1, wherein, The brightness information is the average, maximum, or minimum brightness value obtained from multiple brightness sensors located in the area.

3. A charging control device, comprising: The processor is configured to, Obtain brightness information within a pre-defined area. Based on the obtained brightness information, the charging amount of the charging device that stores the power supplied to the area is calculated. Based on the calculated charging amount, the charging control of the charging device is implemented. When calculating the charging amount, the processor calculates the charging amount in a manner that the greater the brightness within the area, the smaller the charging amount. The processor calculates the amount of charge based on the brightness information and information related to the phases of the moon.

4. The charging control device according to claim 3, wherein, The brightness information is the average, maximum, or minimum brightness value obtained from multiple brightness sensors located in the area.

5. A storage medium storing a charging control program, the charging control program causing a processor to execute: Obtain brightness information within a pre-defined area. Based on the obtained brightness information, the charging amount of the charging device that stores the power supplied to the area is calculated. Based on the calculated charging amount, the charging control of the charging device is implemented. When calculating the charging amount, the charging amount is calculated in such a way that the greater the brightness in the area, the smaller the charging amount becomes. The amount of charge is calculated based on the brightness information and information related to the phases of the moon.

6. The storage medium according to claim 5, wherein, The brightness information is the average, maximum, or minimum brightness value obtained from multiple brightness sensors located in the area.

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