Information processing method, information processing device, and information processing program

Abstract

The server acquires a current position of each of a plurality of battery transport moving bodies that transport a first battery, acquires a current position of each of a plurality of electric moving bodies and a charging rate of a second battery of each of the plurality of electric moving bodies, and determines a state of charge of at least one second battery present in each of a plurality of partitions on a map. A current charging rate is calculated for each of the plurality of zones, an undercharge zone for which the current charging rate is lower than a target charging rate among the plurality of zones is determined, and control information for moving at least one of the plurality of battery transport moving bodies to the determined undercharge zone is output.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for supplying electric power from a battery transporting mobile body that transports batteries to an electric vehicle to charge the batteries included in the electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] For example, the following is disclosed in Patent Document 1: a server estimates the planned driving routes of multiple electric vehicles based on detection data including location information and charge remaining amount information of the electric vehicles, estimates the locations of multiple electric vehicles at any time point based on the estimated planned driving route information, estimates the distribution of charging demand in any area based on the estimated location information, predicts the charging waiting time at a specific charging point specified by a user of the electric vehicle who has made an information prompt request, and displays the predicted charging waiting time information on a display of the electric vehicle.

[0003] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, it is difficult to efficiently and stably supply electric power to the electric movable body, and further improvement is required.

[0004] Prior Art Literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2017 / 022010 Summary of the invention

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology capable of efficiently and stably supplying electric power to an electric vehicle.

[0008] The information processing method disclosed in the present invention is an information processing method in a computer, which obtains the current position of each of a plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies that transport a first battery; obtains the current position of each of a plurality of electric mobile bodies and the charging rate of a second battery respectively possessed by the plurality of electric mobile bodies; calculates the current charging rate for each of the plurality of zones based on the charging rate of at least one second battery respectively existing in a plurality of zones on a map; determines an insufficiently charged zone in which the current charging rate is lower than a target charging rate among the plurality of zones; and outputs control information for moving at least one of the plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies to the determined insufficiently charged zone.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, electric power can be efficiently and stably supplied to an electric vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1It is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the battery transport system in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a process of extracting at least one battery transport vehicle to go to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a first flowchart for explaining the battery transport process of the server in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a second flowchart for explaining the battery transport process of the server in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a first flowchart for explaining the battery transport process of the server in the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a second flowchart for explaining the battery transport process of the server in the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing an example of a driver presentation image presented to the driver of the electric vehicle in the first and second embodiments.

[0019] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing an example of a driver presentation image presented to the driver of the electric vehicle when only the battery transport vehicle in the power supply service is displayed in the first and second embodiments.

[0020] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of a driver presentation image presented to a driver of an electric vehicle in a modification of the first and second embodiments.

[0021] Fig.12 This is a diagram showing an example of a manager presentation image presented to managers of a plurality of battery transport vehicles in the first and second embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] (Knowledge that forms the basis of this disclosure)

[0023] In the above-mentioned prior art, the charging waiting time at a specific charging point specified by the user of the electric vehicle who has made an information prompt request is predicted based on the estimated distribution of charging demand, and the predicted charging waiting time information is prompted on a display of the electric vehicle. Therefore, the user can know the charging waiting time at the specific charging point specified by the user of the electric vehicle, but if the charging point near the user is crowded, it is necessary to go to a charging point far away from the user's current location. Therefore, in the prior art, it is difficult to efficiently and stably supply power to the electric vehicle.

[0024] In order to solve the above problems, the following technology is disclosed.

[0025] (1) An information processing method involved in one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method in a computer, which obtains the current position of each of a plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies that transport a first battery; obtains the current position of each of a plurality of electric mobile bodies and the charging rate of a second battery respectively possessed by the plurality of electric mobile bodies; calculates the current charging rate for each of a plurality of zones on a map based on the charging rate of at least one second battery respectively existing in the plurality of zones; determines an insufficiently charged zone in which the current charging rate is lower than a target charging rate among the plurality of zones; and outputs control information for causing at least one of the plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies to move to the determined insufficiently charged zone.

[0026] According to this structure, based on the charging rate of at least one second battery existing in each of the multiple zones on the map, the current charging rate is calculated for each of the multiple zones, and an insufficiently charged zone among the multiple zones where the calculated current charging rate is lower than the target charging rate is determined, and at least one battery transporting mobile body is arranged in the determined insufficiently charged zone, thereby being able to efficiently and stably supply power to the electric mobile body.

[0027] (2) In the information processing method described in (1) above, it may also be that the current charging rate includes a current average charging rate, and the current average charging rate represents the average of the current charging rates of the second battery possessed by at least one of the electric mobile bodies respectively existing in the multiple divisions. Furthermore, a history of the current average charging rate calculated in the past in each of the multiple divisions is obtained. Furthermore, based on the obtained history of the current average charging rate, a statistical average charging rate representing the average of the charging rates per unit time in each of the multiple divisions is calculated for each of the multiple divisions, and in determining the undercharged division, the calculated statistical average charging rate is used as the target charging rate.

[0028] According to this structure, the current average charging rate is compared with the statistical average charging rate representing the average of the charging rates per unit time in the past, and the insufficient charging zone where the current average charging rate is lower than the statistical average charging rate is determined, thereby being able to estimate the zone where the power for charging is insufficient based on past history.

[0029] (3) In the information processing method described in (1) or (2) above, in determining the insufficiently charged zone, a zone among the plurality of zones having a value obtained by subtracting the current charging rate from the target charging rate that is greater than a threshold value may be determined as the insufficiently charged zone.

[0030] According to this configuration, a segment in which a value obtained by subtracting the current charging rate from the target charging rate is greater than a threshold value among the multiple segments is determined as an insufficiently charged segment, so that a segment in which electric power for charging is insufficient can be reliably determined.

[0031] (4) In the information processing method described in any one of the above (1) to (3), it may also be that, further, the remaining capacity of the first battery of each of the multiple battery transporting mobile bodies is obtained, and further, the battery transporting mobile body whose current charging rate to reach the target charging rate The amount of electric power required is less than the remaining capacity is extracted from the multiple battery transporting mobile bodies as the at least one battery transporting mobile body that goes to the insufficiently charged area.

[0032] According to this configuration, it is possible to extract at least one battery-carrying movable body that can sufficiently supply electric power to a plurality of electric movable bodies existing in the insufficiently charged zone.

[0033] (5) In the information processing method described in any one of the above (1) to (3), it may also be that, further, the remaining capacity of the first battery of each of the multiple battery transporting mobile bodies is obtained, and further, the total amount of power required for the battery transporting mobile body to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the amount of power required for the battery transporting mobile body to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery, and the amount of power required for the current charging rate to reach the target charging rate is extracted from the multiple battery transporting mobile bodies as the at least one battery transporting mobile body to go to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0034] According to this structure, at least one battery transporting mobile body can be extracted which can supply sufficient power to multiple electric mobile bodies in the insufficiently charged zone and can move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone and from the insufficiently charged zone to a charging location for charging the first battery.

[0035] (6) In the information processing method described in (4) or (5) above, it may also be that, further, when a plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies heading for the insufficiently charged zone are extracted, a battery transporting mobile body whose total power required to move the battery transporting mobile body from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone and the power required to move the battery transporting mobile body from the insufficiently charged zone to a charging place for charging the first battery is less than a given power is determined to be the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading for the insufficiently charged zone.

[0036] According to this structure, when multiple battery transporting mobile bodies heading to the insufficiently charged zone are extracted, a battery transporting mobile body whose power required for movement is less than a given power is determined as at least one battery transporting mobile body heading to the insufficiently charged zone, thereby suppressing the power required for movement and shortening the movement time.

[0037] (7) In the information processing method described in (4) or (5) above, it may also be that, further, when a plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies heading for the insufficiently charged zone are extracted, the battery transporting mobile body with the smallest amount of electric power obtained by subtracting from the remaining capacity of the battery transporting mobile body the total amount of electric power required for the battery transporting mobile body to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the amount of electric power required for the battery transporting mobile body to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery, and the amount of electric power required for the current charging rate to reach the target charging rate is determined to be the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading for the insufficiently charged zone.

[0038] According to this configuration, when a plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies heading to the insufficiently charged zone are extracted, a battery transporting mobile body that can eliminate power shortage in the insufficiently charged zone with a minimum amount of power can be determined as at least one battery transporting mobile body heading to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0039] (8) In the information processing method described in (4) or (5) above, it may also be that, further, when the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading for the insufficiently charged area is not extracted, the target charging rate is lowered, and in the extraction of the battery transporting mobile body, the lowered target charging rate is used to extract the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading for the insufficiently charged area from among the multiple battery transporting mobile bodies again.

[0040] According to this structure, when at least one battery transporting mobile body heading to the insufficiently charged zone is not extracted, the target charging rate is lowered to reduce the amount of power required to make the current charging rate reach the target charging rate. As a result, the extraction conditions for at least one battery transporting mobile body heading to the insufficiently charged zone can be relaxed, and the possibility of extracting at least one battery transporting mobile body heading to the insufficiently charged zone becomes higher.

[0041] (9) In the information processing method described in (4) or (5) above, it may also be that, further, when the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading to the insufficiently charged zone is not extracted, a combination of two or more battery transporting mobile bodies whose total remaining capacities become greater than the amount of electric power required for the current charging rate to reach the target charging rate is extracted from the multiple battery transporting mobile bodies as the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0042] According to this structure, even if there is no battery transporting mobile body whose remaining capacity is greater than the electric power required for the current charging rate to reach the target charging rate, when there are two or more battery transporting mobile bodies whose total remaining capacity is greater than the electric power required for the current charging rate to reach the target charging rate, a combination of two or more battery transporting mobile bodies can be extracted from multiple battery transporting mobile bodies to serve as at least one battery transporting mobile body to go to the insufficiently charged area.

[0043] (10) In the information processing method described in any one of the above (1) to (9), it may also be that, further, when the current charging rate in the insufficiently charged zone reaches the target charging rate, control information for moving the battery transport moving body from the insufficiently charged zone to a charging location for charging the first battery is output.

[0044] According to this configuration, when the power shortage in the insufficiently charged zone is resolved, the battery transport movable body can be moved from the insufficiently charged zone.

[0045] (11) In the information processing method described in any one of the above (1) to (9), it may also be that, further, the remaining capacity of the first battery of each of the multiple battery transporting mobile bodies is obtained; further, when the current charging rate in the insufficient charging zone reaches the target charging rate, the insufficient charging zone in which the current charging rate is lower than the target charging rate is re-determined among the multiple zones; further, when the re-determined insufficient charging zone exists within a given distance from the current position of the battery transporting mobile body existing in the insufficient charging zone, and the amount of electric power required for the current charging rate in the re-determined insufficient charging zone to reach the target charging rate is less than the remaining capacity of the battery transporting mobile body, control information for putting the battery transporting mobile body existing in the insufficient charging zone into standby mode is output.

[0046] According to this structure, the battery transport moving body in the insufficient charge zone where the power shortage is eliminated can be put on standby and can be moved to another insufficient charge zone within a given distance from the standby position. Therefore, the amount of power required for movement can be suppressed and the movement time can be shortened.

[0047] (12) In the information processing method described in any one of the above (1) to (11), it may also be that, further, a prompt image including a map, a first icon indicating the current position of the electric mobile body on the map, and a second icon indicating the current position of the battery transporting mobile body existing in the insufficiently charged area on the map is output.

[0048] According to this configuration, a prompt image including a map, a first icon indicating the current position of the electric vehicle on the map, and a second icon indicating the current position of the battery transport vehicle in the insufficiently charged zone on the map is output. Therefore, the driver of the electric vehicle can confirm the position of the battery transport vehicle on the map by checking the prompt image, and can move the electric vehicle toward the battery transport vehicle.

[0049] (13) In the information processing method described in any one of the above (1) to (11), it may also be that, further, a prompt image including a map, a first icon indicating the location on the map of a charging point for charging the first battery of the battery transporting mobile body, and a second icon indicating the current location on the map of the battery transporting mobile body in the insufficiently charged area.

[0050] According to this configuration, a prompt image including a map, a first icon indicating the position of a charging location for charging a first battery of the battery transporting mobile body on the map, and a second icon indicating the current position of the battery transporting mobile body in the insufficiently charged zone on the map is output. Therefore, the manager of the battery transporting mobile body can confirm the position of the charging location and the battery transporting mobile body on the map by checking the prompt image, and can confirm whether there is any abnormality in the battery transporting mobile body.

[0051] In addition, the present disclosure can be implemented not only as an information processing method that performs the characteristic processing as described above, but also as an information processing device or the like having a characteristic structure corresponding to the characteristic processing performed by the information processing method. In addition, it can also be implemented as a computer program that enables a computer to perform the characteristic processing included in such an information processing method. Therefore, in the following other modes, the same effect as the above-mentioned information processing method can also be exerted.

[0052] (14) Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing device comprising: a first acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of each of a plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies that transport a first battery; a second acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of each of a plurality of electric mobile bodies and the charging rate of the second battery respectively possessed by the plurality of electric mobile bodies; a calculation unit for calculating the current charging rate for each of a plurality of zones on a map based on the charging rate of at least one second battery respectively existing in the plurality of zones; a determination unit for determining an insufficiently charged zone among the plurality of zones in which the current charging rate is lower than a target charging rate; and an output unit for outputting control information for causing at least one battery transporting mobile body among the plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies to move to the determined insufficiently charged zone.

[0053] (15) Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing program that enables a computer to function so as to: obtain the current position of each of a plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies that transport a first battery; obtain the current position of each of a plurality of electric mobile bodies and the charging rate of a second battery respectively possessed by the plurality of electric mobile bodies; calculate the current charging rate for each of a plurality of zones on a map based on the charging rate of at least one second battery respectively existing in the plurality of zones; determine an insufficiently charged zone among the plurality of zones in which the current charging rate is lower than a target charging rate; and output control information for causing at least one of the plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies to move to the determined insufficiently charged zone.

[0054] (16) Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having an information processing program recorded thereon, which enables a computer to function so as to: obtain the current position of each of a plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies that transport a first battery; obtain the current position of each of a plurality of electric mobile bodies and the charging rate of a second battery respectively possessed by the plurality of electric mobile bodies; calculate the current charging rate for each of a plurality of zones on a map based on the charging rate of at least one second battery respectively existing in the plurality of zones; determine an insufficiently charged zone among the plurality of zones in which the current charging rate is lower than a target charging rate; and output control information for causing at least one of the plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies to move to the determined insufficiently charged zone.

[0055] The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is an example of a specific embodiment of the present disclosure and does not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0056] (Implementation method 1)

[0057] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the battery transport system in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 1 The battery transport system shown includes a plurality of battery transport vehicles 1 , a server 2 , and a plurality of electric vehicles 3 .

[0059] The battery transport vehicle 1 is an example of a battery transport mobile body. The battery transport vehicle 1 is, for example, an electric car, an electric truck, or an electric drone. The battery transport vehicle 1 is equipped with a first battery. The first battery is a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged. The battery transport vehicle 1 transports the first battery. The battery transport vehicle 1 transports the first battery and supplies power from the first battery to the electric vehicle 3. The battery transport vehicle 1 moves using the carried first battery. In addition, the battery transport vehicle 1 can also move using a battery different from the first battery that supplies power to the electric vehicle 3. The battery transport vehicle 1 is an unmanned autonomous driving vehicle that moves by autonomous driving.

[0060] At the charging base, the battery transport vehicle 1 charges the first battery and stands by. Furthermore, the battery transport vehicle 1 moves from the charging base to the charging points of the plurality of zones respectively set on the map according to the instructions of the server 2. The plurality of zones are formed on the map by dividing the map into a grid. For example, the zone is a square area with one side of 5 kilometers, or a rectangular area with a long side of 5 kilometers and a short side of 3 kilometers. In addition, charging points may be set in all of the plurality of zones, or charging points may not be set in zones with less traffic.

[0061] The battery transport vehicle 1 is connected to the server 2 via a network 4 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The network 4 is, for example, the Internet. The battery transport vehicle 1 periodically sends the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1, the maximum charge capacity of the first battery, and the remaining capacity of the first battery to the server 2. The battery transport vehicle 1 is equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, which obtains position information indicating the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1. The battery transport vehicle 1 periodically sends the obtained position information to the server 2. In addition, the battery transport vehicle 1 periodically sends the maximum charge capacity and the remaining capacity of the first battery mounted on the battery transport vehicle 1 to the server 2.

[0062] The electric vehicle 3 is an example of an electric mobile body that moves using the second battery mounted thereon. The second battery is a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged. The electric vehicle 3 is, for example, an electric car, an electric truck, an electric bus, or an electric two-wheeled vehicle, and moves by supplying the electric power charged in the second battery to the motor. At the charging point, the second battery of the electric vehicle 3 is charged.

[0063] In addition, at the charging point, the battery transport vehicle 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected by a cable, and power is supplied from the first battery of the battery transport vehicle 1 to the second battery of the electric vehicle 3 to charge the second battery. In addition, the electric vehicle 3 may also be equipped with a replaceable second battery. In this case, at the charging point, the second battery of the electric vehicle 3 may also be replaced with the first battery of the battery transport vehicle 1. Alternatively, the driver may replace the second battery mounted on the electric vehicle 3 with the first battery transported by the battery transport vehicle 1.

[0064] The electric vehicle 3 is connected to the server 2 via the network 4 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The electric vehicle 3 periodically sends the current position of the electric vehicle 3, the maximum charge capacity of the second battery, the remaining capacity of the second battery, and the charging rate of the second battery to the server 2. The charging rate is SOC (State of Charge) and is represented by (remaining capacity [Ah] / maximum charge capacity [Ah]) * 100. The electric vehicle 3 calculates the charging rate based on the maximum charge capacity and the remaining capacity of the second battery. The electric vehicle 3 has a GPS receiver for acquiring position information indicating the current position of the electric vehicle 3. The electric vehicle 3 periodically sends the acquired position information to the server 2. In addition, the electric vehicle 3 periodically sends the maximum charge capacity, the remaining capacity, and the charging rate of the second battery mounted on the electric vehicle 3 to the server 2.

[0065] The server 2 is, for example, a Web server. The server 2 is an example of an information processing device.

[0066] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 2 in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0067] Figure 2 The server 2 shown includes a communication unit 21 , a memory 22 , and a processor 23 .

[0068] The communication unit 21 periodically receives the current position, maximum charge capacity and remaining capacity transmitted by each of the plurality of battery transport vehicles 1. The communication unit 21 stores the received current position, maximum charge capacity and remaining capacity in the battery transport vehicle DB storage unit 222 in association with the battery transport vehicle ID.

[0069] In addition, the communication unit 21 periodically receives the current position, maximum charge capacity, remaining capacity, and charging rate respectively transmitted by the plurality of electric vehicles 3. The communication unit 21 stores the received current position, maximum charge capacity, remaining capacity, and charging rate in the electric vehicle DB storage unit 223 in association with the electric vehicle ID.

[0070] In addition, in the first embodiment, the electric vehicle 3 calculates the charging rate based on the maximum charging capacity and the remaining capacity, and sends the calculated charging rate to the server 2, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this. The electric vehicle 3 may not send the charging rate to the server 2, but may send the maximum charging capacity and the remaining capacity to the server 2. In this case, the server 2 may also calculate the charging rate of the electric vehicle 3 based on the received maximum charging capacity and the remaining capacity of the electric vehicle 3.

[0071] The memory 22 is a storage device capable of storing various information, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory. The memory 22 implements a map information storage unit 221, a battery transport vehicle database (DB) storage unit 222, an electric vehicle database (DB) storage unit 223, and a current average charging rate storage unit 224.

[0072] The processor 23 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 23 implements a first battery information acquisition unit 201, a second battery information acquisition unit 202, a current average charging rate calculation unit 203, a statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204, an insufficient charging zone determination unit 205, a battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206, a control information generation unit 207, a prompt image generation unit 208, and an output unit 209.

[0073] In addition, the first battery information acquisition unit 201 to the output unit 209 and the map information storage unit 221 to the current average charge rate storage unit 224 may also be constituted by a dedicated hardware circuit. In addition, the first battery information acquisition unit 201 to the output unit 209 and the map information storage unit 221 to the current average charge rate storage unit 224 may also be distributed in multiple devices.

[0074] The map information storage unit 221 stores in advance map information indicating a map divided into a plurality of sections.

[0075] The battery transport vehicle DB storage unit 222 stores a battery transport vehicle DB that associates a battery transport vehicle ID for identifying the battery transport vehicle 1 with the current position, maximum charge capacity, and remaining capacity of the battery transport vehicle 1. Whenever the communication unit 21 receives the battery transport vehicle ID, current position, maximum charge capacity, and remaining capacity of each battery transport vehicle 1, the latest data is stored in the battery transport vehicle DB.

[0076] The electric vehicle DB storage unit 223 stores an electric vehicle DB that associates an electric vehicle ID for identifying the electric vehicle 3 with the current position, maximum charge capacity, remaining capacity, and charge rate of the electric vehicle 3. Whenever the communication unit 21 receives the electric vehicle ID, current position, maximum charge capacity, remaining capacity, and charge rate of each electric vehicle 3, the latest data is stored in the electric vehicle DB.

[0077] Alternatively, the electric vehicle DB storage unit 223 may store an electric vehicle DB that establishes a correspondence between the electric vehicle ID and the current position, maximum charging capacity, and charging rate of the electric vehicle 3. Alternatively, the electric vehicle DB storage unit 223 may store an electric vehicle DB that establishes a correspondence between the electric vehicle ID and the current position, maximum charging capacity, and remaining capacity of the electric vehicle 3.

[0078] The first battery information acquisition unit 201 acquires the current position of each of the plurality of battery transport vehicles 1 and the remaining capacity of the first battery from the battery transport vehicle DB storage unit 222 .

[0079] The second storage battery information acquisition unit 202 acquires the current position of each of the plurality of electric vehicles 3 and the charging rate of the second storage battery included in each of the plurality of electric vehicles 3 from the electric vehicle DB storage unit 223 .

[0080] The current average charging rate calculation unit 203 calculates the current charging rate for each of the plurality of zones based on the charging rate of at least one second battery present in each of the plurality of zones on the map. The current charging rate includes the current average charging rate representing the average of the current charging rates of the second batteries of at least one electric vehicle 3 present in each of the plurality of zones.

[0081] The current average charging rate calculation unit 203 calculates the current average charging rate for each of the plurality of zones, and the current average charging rate represents the average of the current charging rates of the second batteries of the plurality of electric vehicles 3 respectively existing in the plurality of zones on the map. In addition, the current average charging rate calculation unit 203 can identify the plurality of electric vehicles 3 existing in each zone based on the current positions of the plurality of electric vehicles 3.

[0082] The current average charging rate calculation unit 203 stores the calculated current average charging rate for each of the plurality of divided areas in the current average charging rate storage unit 224 .

[0083] The current average charging rate storage unit 224 stores the history of the current average charging rate of each of the plurality of zones calculated by the current average charging rate calculation unit 203. The current average charging rate storage unit 224 stores the zone ID for identifying the zone, the time when the current average charging rate is calculated, and the calculated current average charging rate in association with each other.

[0084] The statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204 obtains the history of the current average charging rate calculated in the past in each of the plurality of partitions from the current average charging rate storage unit 224. The statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204 calculates a statistical average charging rate for each of the plurality of partitions based on the obtained history of the current average charging rate, the statistical average charging rate indicating the average of the charging rates per unit time in each of the plurality of partitions.

[0085] The insufficiently charged zone determination unit 205 determines an insufficiently charged zone whose current average charging rate is lower than the target charging rate among the plurality of zones. The insufficiently charged zone determination unit 205 uses the statistical average charging rate calculated by the statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204 as the target charging rate. That is, the insufficiently charged zone determination unit 205 determines an insufficiently charged zone whose current average charging rate is lower than the statistical average charging rate among the plurality of zones.

[0086] In the first embodiment, the statistical average charging rate is used as the target charging rate, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto, and a target charging rate for each segment pre-stored in the memory 22 may be used.

[0087] Furthermore, the insufficiently charged segment determination unit 205 may determine, as the insufficiently charged segment, a segment in which a value obtained by subtracting the current average charging rate from the target charging rate is greater than a threshold value among the plurality of segments.

[0088] The battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 extracts a battery transport vehicle whose current average charging rate required to reach the target charging rate is less than the remaining capacity from among the plurality of battery transport vehicles as at least one battery transport vehicle to be directed to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0089] In addition, in the first embodiment, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 may also extract at least one battery transport vehicle to go to the insufficiently charged zone by taking into account the amount of electric power required for the movement of the battery transport vehicle 1. That is, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 may extract, from among a plurality of battery transport vehicles, a battery transport vehicle whose total amount of electric power is less than the remaining capacity, including the amount of electric power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the amount of electric power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery, and the amount of electric power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate, as the at least one battery transport vehicle to go to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0090] In addition, based on the moving distance of the battery transport vehicle 1 from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the amount of electric power required for the battery transport vehicle 1 to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone is calculated. The path search algorithm of the prior art is used to calculate the moving path from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone. In the path search algorithm, the moving path with the shortest moving distance or the moving path with the shortest moving time is calculated. The battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 calculates the moving path from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, and calculates the amount of electric power consumed by the battery transport vehicle 1 corresponding to the calculated moving distance of the moving path. In addition, the amount of electric power required for the battery transport vehicle 1 to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place where the first battery is charged is also calculated in the same way as described above.

[0091] In this way, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 extracts a battery transport vehicle whose remaining capacity of the first battery satisfies the extraction condition from among the plurality of battery transport vehicles as at least one battery transport vehicle to go to the insufficiently charged zone. That is, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 extracts a battery transport vehicle that satisfies the extraction condition that the remaining capacity of the first battery is greater than the amount of electric power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate. Alternatively, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 extracts a battery transport vehicle that satisfies the extraction condition that the remaining capacity of the first battery is greater than the total amount of electric power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the amount of electric power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery, and the amount of electric power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate.

[0092] In addition, a plurality of battery transport vehicles satisfying the extraction condition may be extracted. Therefore, when a plurality of battery transport vehicles heading to the insufficiently charged zone are extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 determines a battery transport vehicle whose total power required to move the battery transport vehicle from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone and the power required to move the battery transport vehicle from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery is less than a given power as at least one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0093] In addition, when multiple battery transport vehicles heading for the insufficiently charged zone are extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 may determine as at least one battery transport vehicle heading for the insufficiently charged zone the battery transport vehicle having the least total electric power between the electric power required to move the battery transport vehicle from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone and the electric power required to move the battery transport vehicle from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging location for charging the first battery.

[0094] Furthermore, in the case where multiple battery transport vehicles heading for the insufficiently charged zone are extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 may subtract the total electric power of the remaining capacity of the battery transport vehicle from the electric power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the electric power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging location for charging the first battery, and the electric power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate to obtain the smallest electric power, and determine the battery transport vehicle to be at least one battery transport vehicle heading for the insufficiently charged zone.

[0095] In addition, it may be impossible to extract a battery transport vehicle that meets the extraction conditions. Therefore, if at least one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone is not extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 reduces the target charging rate. Then, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 uses the reduced target charging rate to extract at least one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone from the plurality of battery transport vehicles again.

[0096] In addition, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 may also reduce the target charging rate in stages. For example, in the case where at least one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone is not initially extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 may also reduce the target charging rate by 10%. Furthermore, in the case where at least one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone is again not extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 may further reduce the target charging rate by 10% (from the initial target charging rate of 20%). Furthermore, in the case where at least one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone is not extracted even if the target charging rate is further reduced by 10%, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 may not extract at least one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0097] The control information generating unit 207 generates control information for causing at least one of the plurality of battery transport vehicles 1 to move to the insufficiently charged zone determined by the insufficiently charged zone determining unit 205 .

[0098] The prompt image generation unit 208 generates a driver prompt image (prompt image) including a map, an electric vehicle icon (first icon) indicating the current position of the electric vehicle 3 on the map, and a battery transport vehicle icon (second icon) indicating the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1 existing in the insufficiently charged zone on the map. The driver prompt image is generated to provide a prompt to the driver of the electric vehicle 3.

[0099] The output unit 209 outputs control information for causing at least one of the plurality of battery transport vehicles 1 to move to the insufficient charge zone determined by the insufficient charge zone determination unit 205. The output unit 209 outputs the control information generated by the control information generation unit 207 to the communication unit 21. The communication unit 21 transmits the control information output by the output unit 209 to the at least one battery transport vehicle 1. The at least one battery transport vehicle 1 receives the control information transmitted by the server 2. Then, the at least one battery transport vehicle 1 moves according to the received control information.

[0100] In addition, the output unit 209 outputs the driver prompt image (prompt image) generated by the prompt image generation unit 208 to the communication unit 21. The communication unit 21 sends the driver prompt image output by the output unit 209 to the information terminal. The information terminal may also be a vehicle navigation device mounted on the electric vehicle 3, or a smart phone or tablet computer owned by the driver. The information terminal receives input from the driver and requests the server 2 for a driver prompt image. The server 2 generates a driver prompt image corresponding to the request and sends the generated driver prompt image to the information terminal. The information terminal receives the driver prompt image sent by the server 2 and displays the received driver prompt image.

[0101] In addition, preferably, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 extracts a battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone from among the plurality of battery transport vehicles in the standby state. In addition, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 may also extract a battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone from among the plurality of battery transport vehicles in the charging state and the plurality of battery transport vehicles in the standby state.

[0102] Here, a description will be given of a process of extracting at least one battery transport vehicle heading for the insufficiently charged zone.

[0103] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a process of extracting at least one battery transport vehicle to go to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0104] like Figure 3As shown, the map is divided into a plurality of zones 51 to 56. In zone 54, there is a charging station 541. At the charging station 541, there are battery transport vehicles 1A to 1C in a charging state and battery transport vehicles 1D to 1F in a standby state. The battery transport vehicles 1A to 1C in a charging state are being charged. The battery transport vehicles 1D to 1F in a standby state have been fully charged. The numerical values ​​illustrated for the battery transport vehicles 1A to 1F represent the remaining capacity / maximum charging capacity. For example, the maximum charging capacity of the battery transport vehicle 1A is 100Ah, and the remaining capacity is 1Ah.

[0105] For example, the target charging rate (statistical average charging rate) in zone 51 is 90%, and the current average charging rate is 70%. Figure 3 In the example, the zone 51 among the multiple zones 51 to 56 is determined as the insufficiently charged zone. When the total maximum charging capacity of all electric vehicles 3 in the zone 51 is 250Ah, the total remaining capacity of all electric vehicles 3 in the zone 51 is 175Ah (=250Ah*70%). At this time, the amount of electricity required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate becomes 225Ah (=250Ah*90%)-175Ah=50Ah. When the amount of power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the charging base 541 to the charging point 511 in the zone 51 is 5 Ah, and the amount of power required for the battery transport vehicle to return from the charging point 511 to the charging base 541 is 5 Ah, the total amount of power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the current position (charging base 541) to the insufficiently charged zone (zone 51), the amount of power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the insufficiently charged zone (zone 51) to the charging place (charging base 541) where the first battery is charged, and the amount of power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate is 60 Ah. In this case, the battery transport vehicle 1E whose total power is less than the remaining capacity is extracted from the plurality of battery transport vehicles as at least one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone. The extracted battery transport vehicle 1E moves toward the charging point 511 in the zone 51.

[0106] Next, the battery transport process of the server 2 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0107] Figure 4 is a first flowchart for explaining the battery transport process of the server 2 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 This is a second flowchart for explaining the battery transport process of the server 2 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0108] First, in step S1 , the first battery information acquisition unit 201 acquires the current position of each of the plurality of battery transport vehicles 1 and the remaining capacity of the first battery from the battery transport vehicle DB storage unit 222 .

[0109] Next, in step S2 , the second battery information acquisition unit 202 acquires the current position of each of the plurality of electric vehicles 3 and the charging rate of the second battery included in each of the plurality of electric vehicles 3 from the electric vehicle DB storage unit 223 .

[0110] Next, in step S3 , the current average charging rate calculation unit 203 calculates a current average charging rate indicating the average of the current charging rates of the respective sections based on the current positions and charging rates of the plurality of electric vehicles 3 .

[0111] Next, in step S4 , the current average charging rate calculation unit 203 stores the calculated current average charging rate of each segment in the current average charging rate storage unit 224 .

[0112] Next, in step S5, the statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204 obtains the history of the current average charging rate of each zone from the current average charging rate storage unit 224. The statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204 obtains the history of the current average charging rate of a given time in the past including the same time as the current time from the current average charging rate storage unit 224. For example, when the current time is 12:30, the statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204 obtains the history of the current average charging rate of one hour from 12:00 to 13:00 on the previous day from the current average charging rate storage unit 224.

[0113] Next, in step S6, the statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204 calculates the statistical average charging rate representing the average of the charging rate per unit time of each partition based on the acquired history of the current average charging rate. In addition, the statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204 calculates the statistical average charging rate representing the average of the charging rate of a given time in the past including the same time as the current time. For example, when the current time is 12:30, the statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204 calculates the average of the current average charging rate for one hour from 12:00 to 13:00 on the previous day as the statistical average charging rate. The statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204 calculates the statistical average charging rate of each partition.

[0114] Next, in step S7, the insufficient charging zone determination unit 205 determines an insufficient charging zone in which the current average charging rate is lower than the target charging rate among the multiple zones. The target charging rate is the statistical average charging rate. The insufficient charging zone determination unit 205 determines a zone in which the value obtained by subtracting the current average charging rate from the statistical average charging rate is greater than a threshold value as an insufficient charging zone. The threshold value is, for example, 10%.

[0115] Next, in step S8, the insufficiently charged zone determination unit 205 selects the insufficiently charged zone in which the battery transport vehicle 1 is to be arranged. When a plurality of insufficiently charged zones are determined, the insufficiently charged zone determination unit 205 selects one insufficiently charged zone from among the plurality of insufficiently charged zones.

[0116] Next, in step S9, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 extracts a battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone from among the plurality of battery transport vehicles. At this time, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 extracts a battery transport vehicle whose total power amount is less than the remaining capacity, such as the power amount required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the power amount required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery, and the power amount required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate.

[0117] Next, in step S10 , the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 determines whether a battery transport vehicle heading for the insufficiently charged zone has been extracted.

[0118] Here, when it is determined that the battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone has not been extracted (No in step S10), in step S11, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 reduces the current target charging rate. For example, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 reduces the current target charging rate by 10%. Then, the process returns to step S9, and the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 uses the reduced target charging rate to extract the battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone from the plurality of battery transport vehicles again. That is, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 extracts the battery transport vehicle from the plurality of battery transport vehicles, the amount of power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the amount of power required for the battery transport vehicle to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery, and the total amount of power required for the current average charging rate to reach the reduced target charging rate, which is less than the remaining capacity.

[0119] In addition, in the case where a battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone cannot be extracted even if the target charging rate is lowered, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 further lowers the current target charging rate. For example, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 further lowers the current target charging rate by 10%. Moreover, the battery transport process may be terminated if a battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone cannot be extracted even if the target charging rate is lowered by a given value even if the processing of steps S9 to S11 is repeated. For example, the battery transport process may be terminated if a battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone cannot be extracted even if the target charging rate is lowered by 30% from the initial value.

[0120] On the other hand, when it is determined that a battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone is extracted (Yes in step S10), in step S12, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 determines whether a plurality of battery transport vehicles heading to the insufficiently charged zone are extracted. Here, when it is determined that a plurality of battery transport vehicles heading to the insufficiently charged zone are not extracted, that is, when it is determined that one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone is extracted (No in step S12), the process moves to step S14.

[0121] On the other hand, when it is determined that a plurality of battery transport vehicles heading to the insufficiently charged zone are extracted (Yes in step S12), in step S13, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 determines one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone. At this time, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 determines the battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone as the battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone, which has the smallest total amount of power required to move the battery transport vehicle from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone and the power required to move the battery transport vehicle from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery.

[0122] Next, in step S14, the control information generation unit 207 generates control information for causing one of the battery transport vehicles 1 among the plurality of battery transport vehicles to move to the insufficient charge zone selected by the insufficient charge zone determination unit 205. The control information generation unit 207 calculates a moving path from the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1 extracted by the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 to the charging point of the insufficient charge zone. Furthermore, the control information generation unit 207 generates control information for causing the battery transport vehicle 1 to move along the calculated moving path.

[0123] Next, in step S15, the output unit 209 outputs the control information generated by the control information generating unit 207. The communication unit 21 transmits the control information output by the output unit 209 to the battery transport vehicle 1 extracted by the battery transport vehicle extracting unit 206. The battery transport vehicle 1 receives the control information transmitted by the server 2. Then, the battery transport vehicle 1 moves to the insufficiently charged zone according to the received control information.

[0124] Next, in step S16, the insufficient charge zone determination unit 205 determines whether a battery transport vehicle has been extracted for all insufficient charge zones determined by the insufficient charge zone determination unit 205. Here, if it is determined that a battery transport vehicle has not been extracted for all insufficient charge zones (No in step S16), the process returns to step S8, and the insufficient charge zone determination unit 205 selects another insufficient charge zone in which a battery transport vehicle is to be arranged.

[0125] On the other hand, when it is determined that the battery transport vehicle has been extracted for all the insufficiently charged sections (YES in step S16 ), the battery transport process ends.

[0126] In this way, according to each of the multiple zones, the average current charging rate of the second battery of the multiple electric vehicles 3 respectively existing in the multiple zones on the map is calculated, and the insufficiently charged zone in which the calculated current average charging rate is lower than the target charging rate is determined among the multiple zones, and at least one battery transport vehicle 1 is arranged in the determined insufficiently charged zone, so that power can be supplied to the electric vehicles 3 efficiently and stably.

[0127] In addition, in the first embodiment, the control information generation unit 207 may generate control information for moving the battery transport vehicle 1 from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery when the current average charging rate in the insufficiently charged zone reaches the target charging rate. Furthermore, the output unit 209 may output control information for moving the battery transport vehicle 1 from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery when the current average charging rate in the insufficiently charged zone reaches the target charging rate.

[0128] In addition, in the first embodiment, the insufficient charge zone determination unit 205 may re-determine an insufficient charge zone whose current average charge rate is lower than the target charge rate among the plurality of zones when the current average charge rate in the insufficient charge zone reaches the target charge rate. The control information generation unit 207 may generate control information for making the battery transport vehicle 1 in the insufficient charge zone standby when the re-determined insufficient charge zone exists within a given distance from the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1 in the insufficient charge zone and the amount of power required for the current average charge rate in the re-determined insufficient charge zone to reach the target charge rate is less than the remaining capacity of the battery transport vehicle 1. The output unit 209 may output control information for making the battery transport vehicle 1 in the insufficient charge zone standby when the re-determined insufficient charge zone exists within a given distance from the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1 in the insufficient charge zone and the amount of power required for the current average charge rate in the re-determined insufficient charge zone to reach the target charge rate is less than the remaining capacity of the battery transport vehicle 1.

[0129] (Implementation method 2)

[0130] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, when at least one battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone is not extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 reduces the target charging rate, and uses the reduced target charging rate to extract at least one battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone from the plurality of battery transport vehicles again. In contrast, in the second embodiment, when at least one battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone is not extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit extracts a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles from the plurality of battery transport vehicles, the total remaining capacity of two or more battery transport vehicles being equal to or greater than the amount of electric power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate, as the at least one battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0131] Figure 6 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 2A in the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The configuration of the battery transport system is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0132] Figure 6 The server 2A shown includes a communication unit 21, a memory 22, and a processor 23A. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0133] The processor 23A realizes the first battery information acquisition unit 201, the second battery information acquisition unit 202, the current average charging rate calculation unit 203, the statistical average charging rate calculation unit 204, the insufficient charging area determination unit 205, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A, the control information generation unit 207, the prompt image generation unit 208 and the output unit 209.

[0134] The battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A has the same function as the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206 of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, when at least one battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone is not extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A extracts a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles from among the plurality of battery transport vehicles, the total remaining capacity of two or more battery transport vehicles being equal to or greater than the amount of electric power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate, as the at least one battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0135] For example, when the amount of electricity required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate is 30Ah, there are three battery transport vehicles in standby mode and the remaining capacities of the three battery transport vehicles in standby mode are 5Ah, 10Ah and 20Ah, a combination of two battery transport vehicles with remaining capacities of 10Ah and 20Ah is extracted.

[0136] In this way, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A extracts a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles whose total remaining capacities of two or more first batteries satisfy the extraction condition from among the plurality of battery transport vehicles, as at least one battery transport vehicle heading to the insufficiently charged zone. That is, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A extracts a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles that satisfy the extraction condition that the total remaining capacities of two or more first batteries is equal to or greater than the amount of power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate. Alternatively, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A extracts a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles that satisfy the extraction conditions that the remaining capacities of two or more first batteries are equal to or greater than the total amount of power required for the two or more battery transport vehicles to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the total amount of power required for the two or more battery transport vehicles to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first batteries, and the total amount of power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate.

[0137] In addition, the upper limit of the number of battery transport vehicles to be combined may be determined in advance. For example, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A may allow a combination of up to three battery transport vehicles and may not extract a combination of four or more battery transport vehicles.

[0138] In addition, when multiple combinations are extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A determines a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles as at least one battery transport vehicle going to the insufficiently charged zone based on the average of the total amount of power required for two or more battery transport vehicles to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone and the total amount of power required for two or more battery transport vehicles to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging location for charging the first battery, which is less than a given amount of power.

[0139] In addition, when multiple combinations are extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A may also determine as at least one battery transport vehicle to go to the insufficiently charged zone a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles with the smallest average of the total amount of power required for two or more battery transport vehicles to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone and the total amount of power required for two or more battery transport vehicles to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging location for charging the first battery.

[0140] Furthermore, in the case where multiple combinations are extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A may also deduct the total amount of power required for the two or more battery transport vehicles to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the total amount of power required for the two or more battery transport vehicles to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging location for charging the first battery, and the total amount of power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate from the total of the remaining capacities of the two or more battery transport vehicles, and determine the combination of two or more battery transport vehicles with the smallest amount of power as at least one battery transport vehicle that is going to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0141] Next, the battery transport process of the server 2A in the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0142] Figure 7 is a first flowchart for explaining the battery transport process of the server 2A in the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 This is a second flowchart for explaining the battery transport process of the server 2A in the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0143] The processing of steps S21 to S29 is Figure 4The processes of step S1 to step S9 shown are the same, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

[0144] Next, in step S30, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A determines whether a battery transport vehicle heading for the insufficiently charged zone has been extracted.

[0145] Here, when it is determined that no battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone has been extracted (No in step S30), in step S31, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A extracts a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles from among the multiple battery transport vehicles, the total of the remaining capacities of two or more battery transport vehicles being greater than the amount of electric power required for the current average charging rate to reach the target charging rate, as at least one battery transport vehicle to the insufficiently charged zone.

[0146] Next, in step S32, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A determines whether a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles has been extracted. Here, if it is determined that a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles has been extracted (yes in step S32), the process moves to step S35. In addition, if multiple combinations have been extracted, the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A may determine one combination from the multiple combinations by performing the process described above.

[0147] On the other hand, when it is determined that a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles has not been extracted (NO in step S32 ), the process proceeds to step S37 .

[0148] Furthermore, when it is determined that a battery transport vehicle heading for the insufficiently charged zone has been extracted (YES in step S30 ), in step S33 , the battery transport vehicle extraction unit 206A determines whether a plurality of battery transport vehicles heading for the insufficiently charged zone have been extracted.

[0149] In addition, the processing of step S33 and step S34 is the same as Figure 5 The processes of step S12 and step S13 are the same, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

[0150] Next, in step S35, the control information generating unit 207 generates control information for causing one battery transport vehicle 1 among the plurality of battery transport vehicles to move to the insufficient charge zone selected by the insufficient charge zone determining unit 205. In addition, when a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles is extracted by the battery transport vehicle extracting unit 206A, the control information generating unit 207 generates control information for causing a combination of two or more battery transport vehicles among the plurality of battery transport vehicles to move to the insufficient charge zone.

[0151] Next, in step S36, the output unit 209 outputs the control information generated by the control information generating unit 207. The communication unit 21 transmits the control information output by the output unit 209 to the battery transport vehicle 1 or the combination of two or more battery transport vehicles 1 extracted by the battery transport vehicle extracting unit 206A. The battery transport vehicle 1 receives the control information transmitted by the server 2. Then, the battery transport vehicle 1 or the combination of two or more battery transport vehicles 1 moves to the insufficiently charged zone according to the received control information.

[0152] In addition, the processing of step S37 is the same as Figure 5 The processing of step S16 shown is the same, so the description is omitted.

[0153] Next, the driver presentation image presented to the driver of the electric vehicle 3 in the first and second embodiments will be described.

[0154] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing an example of a driver presentation image presented to the driver of the electric vehicle 3 in the first and second embodiments.

[0155] Information terminal display Fig. 9 The driver prompting image 100 is shown. The driver prompting image 100 includes a map 101, an electric vehicle icon (first icon) 111 indicating the current position of the electric vehicle 3 on the map, and battery transport vehicle icons (second icons) 121 to 125 indicating the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1 existing in the insufficiently charged zone on the map. The electric vehicle icon 111 is displayed at the center of the map 101, and the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 125 are displayed at the position of the charging point in the insufficiently charged zone on the map 101. The battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 125 indicate the position of the battery transport vehicle currently providing power supply service or the position of the battery transport vehicle that will provide power supply service in the future.

[0156] In addition, the time period during which the battery transport vehicle 1 performs the power supply service is displayed above the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 125. For example, the time period during which the power supply service performed by the battery transport vehicle 1 ends is displayed above the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 123. Fig. 9 , indicating that the power supply service is performed until 13:00. The time period during which the battery transport vehicle 1 performs the power supply service indicates the time obtained by acquiring the history of the current average charging rate in the past used in calculating the statistical average charging rate. For example, when the history of the current average charging rate from 12:00 to 13:00 on the previous day is used in calculating the statistical average charging rate, the time period during which the battery transport vehicle 1 performs the power supply service is from 12:00 to 13:00.

[0157] For example, the start time of the power supply service provided by the battery transport vehicle 1 is displayed above the battery transport vehicle icons 124 to 125. Fig. 9 , indicating that the power supply service is provided from 13:00. The time period during which the battery transport vehicle 1 provides the power supply service indicates the time obtained by acquiring the history of the current average charging rate in the past used in calculating the statistical average charging rate. For example, when the history of the current average charging rate from 13:00 to 14:00 on the previous day is used in calculating the statistical average charging rate, the time period during which the battery transport vehicle 1 provides the power supply service is from 13:00 to 14:00.

[0158] The battery transport vehicle icons 124 to 125 indicate the future placement position of the battery transport vehicle 1. The battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 123 for which the battery transport vehicle 1 is currently providing power supply services are displayed in different forms from the battery transport vehicle icons 124 to 125 for which the battery transport vehicle 1 will provide power supply services in the future. For example, the color, pattern, or shape of the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 123 may be different from the color, pattern, or shape of the battery transport vehicle icons 124 to 125.

[0159] Furthermore, when a battery transport vehicle icon for which the battery transport vehicle 1 is currently providing power supply service and a battery transport vehicle icon for which the battery transport vehicle 1 will provide power supply service in the future exist at the same position, the battery transport vehicle icon for which the battery transport vehicle 1 is currently providing power supply service may be displayed preferentially.

[0160] Furthermore, the sizes of the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 125 may be changed according to the maximum charge capacity of the first battery included in the battery transport vehicle 1. For example, the larger the maximum charge capacity, the larger the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 125 are displayed.

[0161] Furthermore, the shapes of the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 125 may also be changed according to the size of the remaining capacity of the first battery included in the battery transport vehicle 1. For example, the smaller the remaining capacity, the smaller the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 125 are displayed. For example, the battery transport vehicle icon 122 is displayed in a semicircular shape with a notch on the left side because the remaining capacity of the first battery included in the battery transport vehicle 1 is 50% of the maximum charge capacity.

[0162] Furthermore, the depth of the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 125 may be changed according to the remaining capacity of the first battery included in the battery transport vehicle 1. For example, the smaller the remaining capacity, the lighter the depth of the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 125.

[0163] In the first and second embodiments, the driver presentation image 100 may include a check box 131 for accepting an input from the driver as to whether to present the display only to the battery transport vehicles in the power supply service.

[0164] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing an example of a driver presentation image presented to the driver of the electric vehicle 3 when only the battery transport vehicle in power supply service is displayed in the first and second embodiments.

[0165] The driver selects Fig. 9 In the case where the check box 131 is included in the driver prompting image 100 shown in FIG. Fig.10 The driver prompting image 100A includes a map 101, an electric vehicle icon (first icon) 111 indicating the current position of the electric vehicle 3 on the map, and battery transport vehicle icons (second icons) 121 to 123 indicating the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1 in the insufficiently charged zone on the map.

[0166] When the driver selects the check box 131 for accepting input on whether to display only the battery transport vehicles currently in service, only the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 123 for which the battery transport vehicle 1 is currently in power supply service are displayed.

[0167] In the modified examples of the first and second embodiments, the driver may designate a time, and the battery transport vehicle icon corresponding to the designated time may be displayed.

[0168] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of a driver presentation image presented to the driver of the electric vehicle 3 in the modified examples of the first and second embodiments.

[0169] The driver prompting image 100B includes a map 101 , an electric vehicle icon (first icon) 111 indicating the current position of the electric vehicle 3 on the map, battery transport vehicle icons (second icons) 121 to 126 indicating the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1 existing in the insufficiently charged zone on the map, and a time slide bar 141 .

[0170] The time slide bar 141 receives the designation of a time by the driver. The driver can advance the displayed time by moving a point 142 on the time slide bar 141 to the right.

[0171] Fig.11 The driver prompting image 100B on the left side of includes battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 126 from the current time (12:30) to a given time later. The battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 123 indicate the positions of battery transport vehicles that are providing power supply services in the first time period (12:00 to 13:00) including the current time period. In addition, the battery transport vehicle icons 124 to 125 indicate the positions of battery transport vehicles that are providing power supply services in the second time period (13:00 to 14:00) following the first time period. In addition, the battery transport vehicle icon 126 indicates the position of a battery transport vehicle that is providing power supply services in the third time period (14:00 to 15:00) following the second time period.

[0172] In addition, when determining the insufficient charging zone in the second time period and the third time period in the future, the insufficient charging zone determination unit 205 may also predict the average charging rate in the second time period and the third time period in the future, and determine the insufficient charging zone in which the predicted average charging rate is lower than the statistical average charging rate. In this case, the insufficient charging zone determination unit 205 may also input a plurality of current average charging rates per unit time in the past into the prediction model, and obtain the predicted value of the average charging rate in the second time period and the third time period in the future from the prediction model. It is also possible to use the current average charging rate at a given moment as an input value and the current average charging rate after a given time as an output value, and pre-generate a prediction model through machine learning.

[0173] Fig.11 The driver prompt image 100B on the right side of the image 100B includes battery transport vehicle icons 124 to 126 from the time (13 o'clock) specified by the driver through the time slider 141 to a given time later. The battery transport vehicle icons 124 to 125 indicate the positions of battery transport vehicles that provide power supply services in the second time period (13 o'clock to 14 o'clock) following the first time period (12 o'clock to 13 o'clock) including the current time. In addition, the battery transport vehicle icon 126 indicates the position of the battery transport vehicle that provides power supply services in the third time period (14 o'clock to 15 o'clock) following the second time period.

[0174] In this way, the driver can confirm the position of the battery transport vehicle that performs the power supply service at any time.

[0175] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the prompt image generation unit 208 generates a driver prompt image for prompting the driver of the electric vehicle 3 with a map, an electric vehicle icon indicating the current position of the electric vehicle 3 on the map, and a battery transport vehicle icon indicating the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1 existing in the insufficiently charged zone on the map, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this. The prompt image generation unit 208 may also generate an administrator prompt image (prompt image) including a map, a charging point icon (first icon) indicating the position of the charging point on the map, and a battery transport vehicle icon (second icon) indicating the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1 existing in the insufficiently charged zone on the map. The administrator prompt image is generated to prompt the administrators of the plurality of battery transport vehicles 1.

[0176] In addition, the output unit 209 outputs the administrator prompt image (prompt image) generated by the prompt image generation unit 208 to the communication unit 21. The communication unit 21 sends the administrator prompt image output by the output unit 209 to the information terminal. The information terminal may also be a personal computer, a smart phone, or a tablet computer used by the administrator. The information terminal receives the input made by the administrator and requests the administrator prompt image from the server 2. The server 2 generates an administrator prompt image corresponding to the request and sends the generated administrator prompt image to the information terminal. The information terminal receives the administrator prompt image sent by the server 2 and displays the received administrator prompt image.

[0177] Fig.12 This is a diagram showing an example of a manager presentation image presented to managers of a plurality of battery transport vehicles 1 in the first and second embodiments.

[0178] Information terminal display Fig.12 The manager prompt image 300 is shown. The manager prompt image 300 includes a map 301, a charging point icon 311 indicating the location of a charging point on the map, and battery transport vehicle icons 321 to 325 indicating the current location of a battery transport vehicle 1 existing in an insufficiently charged zone on the map. The charging point icon 311 is displayed at the center of the map 301, and the battery transport vehicle icons 321 to 325 are displayed at the location of a charging point within the insufficiently charged zone on the map 301. The battery transport vehicle icons 321 to 325 indicate the location of a battery transport vehicle currently providing power supply service or the location of a battery transport vehicle that will provide power supply service in the future.

[0179] In addition, the manager prompt image 300 also includes a first area 302 for prompting information about a battery transport vehicle being charged in the charging base, and a second area 303 for prompting information about a battery transport vehicle being on standby in the charging base. The first area 302 includes a battery transport vehicle icon representing a battery transport vehicle being charged in the charging base. The second area 303 includes a battery transport vehicle icon representing a battery transport vehicle being on standby in the charging base. The numerical values ​​shown in the battery transport vehicle icons in the first area 302 and the second area 303 represent the remaining capacity / maximum charging capacity.

[0180] In addition, the display method of the battery transport vehicle icons 321 to 325 is similar to Fig. 9 The display method of the battery transport vehicle icons 121 to 125 in the driver notification image 100 is the same.

[0181] In addition, Fig.12 The manager presentation image 300 shown shows one charging point icon 311 , but may also show a plurality of charging point icons 311 . The manager presentation image 300 may include not only one charging point icon 311 , but a plurality of charging point icons 311 .

[0182] In addition, the manager prompting image 300 may also include planned movement lines 331, 332, and 333 that connect the current position of the battery transport vehicle 1 and the insufficiently charged zone of the movement destination. The planned movement line 331 indicates that the battery transport vehicle 1 at the charging base moves to the charging point in the zone 341. The planned movement line 333 indicates that the battery transport vehicle 1 at the charging base moves to the charging point in the zone 342. In addition, the planned movement line 332 indicates that the battery transport vehicle 1 supplied with power at the charging point in the zone 343 moves to the charging point in the zone 344.

[0183] In addition, the manager prompt image 300 may also include the current average charging rate and the statistical average charging rate of each partition displayed in the map 301. The current average charging rate and the statistical average charging rate of each partition displayed in the map 301 may also be displayed for each partition. The manager prompt image 300 may also display the total of the maximum charging capacity of multiple electric vehicles existing in each partition displayed in the map 301, and the average per unit time of the total of the maximum charging capacity of multiple electric vehicles in each partition. In addition, the total of the maximum charging capacity of multiple electric vehicles in each partition may also be stored in the memory 22 as history information. The prompt image generation unit 208 may also obtain from the memory 22 the history of the total of the maximum charging capacity of multiple electric vehicles in each partition in a given time period in the past, including the same time as the current time, and calculate the average of the total of the maximum charging capacity of multiple electric vehicles in each partition.

[0184] In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, each component may be formed by dedicated hardware or implemented by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be implemented by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. In addition, the program may be transferred by recording it in a recording medium or transferring it via a network, so that the program is implemented by another independent computer system.

[0185] Part or all of the functions of the device involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure are typically implemented as LSI (Large Scale Integration) as an integrated circuit. They can be monolithic individually or in a manner that includes part or all of them. In addition, integrated circuitization is not limited to LSI, and can also be implemented by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. It is also possible to use an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of the circuit unit inside the LSI.

[0186] Furthermore, a part or all of the functions of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be realized by executing a program by a processor such as a CPU.

[0187] In addition, the numbers used in the above description are all exemplified in order to specifically describe the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplified numbers.

[0188] In addition, the order in which the steps shown in the above flowchart are executed is exemplified for the purpose of specifically describing the present disclosure, and other orders may be used within the scope of obtaining the same effect. In addition, part of the above steps may be executed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.

[0189] Industrial Applicability

[0190] The technology according to the present disclosure can efficiently and stably supply electric power to an electric vehicle, and is therefore useful as a technology for supplying electric power from a battery transporting vehicle that transports batteries to an electric vehicle to charge a battery included in the electric vehicle.

Claims

1. An information processing method is an information processing method in a computer. acquiring the current position of each of a plurality of battery transporting moving bodies transporting the first battery; acquiring a current position of each of the plurality of electric mobile bodies and a charging rate of a second storage battery respectively possessed by the plurality of electric mobile bodies; calculating a current charging rate for each of the plurality of sections on the map based on a charging rate of at least one second storage battery present in each of the plurality of sections; determining an insufficiently charged zone in which the current charging rate is lower than the target charging rate among the plurality of zones; Control information for causing at least one of the plurality of battery transport mobile bodies to move to the determined insufficiently charged section is output.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: The current charging rate includes a current average charging rate, and the current average charging rate indicates an average of current charging rates of the second battery of at least one of the electric mobile bodies respectively existing in the plurality of divided areas. Furthermore, a history of the current average charging rate calculated in the past in each of the plurality of partitions is obtained. Furthermore, based on the acquired history of the current average charging rate, a statistical average charging rate representing the average of the charging rates per unit time in each of the plurality of partitions is calculated for each of the plurality of partitions. In determining the insufficient charge zone, the calculated statistical average charging rate is used as the target charging rate.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: In the determination of the insufficiently charged zone, a zone among the plurality of zones, for which a value obtained by subtracting the current charging rate from the target charging rate is greater than a threshold value, is determined as the insufficiently charged zone.

4. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: Furthermore, the remaining capacity of the first battery of each of the plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies is obtained. Furthermore, a battery transporting mobile body whose current charging rate requires an amount of electric power less than the remaining capacity to reach the target charging rate is extracted from the plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies as the at least one battery transporting mobile body to be directed to the insufficiently charged zone.

5. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: Furthermore, the remaining capacity of the first battery of each of the plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies is obtained. Furthermore, the amount of electric power required for the battery transporting mobile body to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the amount of electric power required for the battery transporting mobile body to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery, and the amount of electric power required for the current charging rate to reach the target charging rate, the total of which is less than the remaining capacity, are extracted from the multiple battery transporting mobile bodies to serve as at least one battery transporting mobile body to go to the insufficiently charged zone.

6. The information processing method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: Furthermore, when multiple battery transporting mobile bodies heading for the insufficiently charged zone are extracted, a battery transporting mobile body whose total amount of electric power required to move the battery transporting mobile body from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone and the amount of electric power required to move the battery transporting mobile body from the insufficiently charged zone to a charging place for charging the first battery is less than a given amount of electric power is determined to be the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading for the insufficiently charged zone.

7. The information processing method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: Furthermore, when multiple battery transporting mobile bodies heading for the insufficiently charged zone are extracted, the battery transporting mobile body with the smallest amount of electric power is obtained by subtracting from the remaining capacity of the battery transporting mobile body the total amount of electric power required for the battery transporting mobile body to move from the current position to the insufficiently charged zone, the amount of electric power required for the battery transporting mobile body to move from the insufficiently charged zone to the charging place for charging the first battery, and the amount of electric power required for the current charging rate to reach the target charging rate, and this is determined to be the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading for the insufficiently charged zone.

8. The information processing method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: Furthermore, if the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading for the insufficiently charged zone is not extracted, the target charging rate is decreased. In the extraction of the battery transporting movable body, the at least one battery transporting movable body heading for the insufficiently charged zone is extracted again from among the plurality of battery transporting movable bodies using the lowered target charging rate.

9. The information processing method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: Furthermore, in the case where the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading to the insufficiently charged area is not extracted, a combination of two or more battery transporting mobile bodies whose total remaining capacities become greater than the electric power required for the current charging rate to reach the target charging rate is extracted from the multiple battery transporting mobile bodies as the at least one battery transporting mobile body heading to the insufficiently charged area.

10. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: Furthermore, when the current charging rate reaches the target charging rate in the insufficiently charged zone, control information for moving the battery transport mobile body from the insufficiently charged zone to a charging location for charging the first battery is output.

11. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: Furthermore, the remaining capacity of the first battery of each of the plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies is obtained. Further, when the current charging rate in the insufficient charging zone reaches the target charging rate, the insufficient charging zone in which the current charging rate is lower than the target charging rate among the plurality of zones is determined again, Furthermore, when there is a re-determined insufficient charging zone within a given distance from the current position of the battery transporting mobile body in the insufficient charging zone, and the amount of electric power required for the current charging rate in the re-determined insufficient charging zone to reach the target charging rate is less than the remaining capacity of the battery transporting mobile body, control information for putting the battery transporting mobile body in the insufficient charging zone into standby mode is output.

12. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: Furthermore, a presentation image including a map, a first icon indicating the current position of the electric mobile body on the map, and a second icon indicating the current position of the battery transport mobile body in the insufficiently charged zone on the map is output.

13. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: Furthermore, a prompt image including a map, a first icon indicating the location on the map of a charging point for charging the first battery of the battery transporting mobile body, and a second icon indicating the current location on the map of the battery transporting mobile body in the insufficiently charged zone is output.

14. An information processing device comprising: a first acquisition unit that acquires a current position of each of a plurality of battery transport moving bodies that transport a first battery; a second acquisition unit that acquires a current position of each of the plurality of electric mobile bodies and a charging rate of a second storage battery included in each of the plurality of electric mobile bodies; a calculation unit that calculates a current charge rate for each of the plurality of sections on the map based on a charge rate of at least one second storage battery present in each of the plurality of sections; A determination unit that determines an insufficiently charged zone in which the current charging rate is lower than a target charging rate among the plurality of zones; and The output unit outputs control information for causing at least one of the plurality of battery transporting mobile bodies to move to the determined insufficiently charged zone.

15. An information processing program that causes a computer to function so that: acquiring the current position of each of a plurality of battery transporting moving bodies transporting the first battery; acquiring a current position of each of the plurality of electric mobile bodies and a charging rate of a second storage battery respectively possessed by the plurality of electric mobile bodies; calculating a current charging rate for each of the plurality of sections on the map based on a charging rate of at least one second storage battery present in each of the plurality of sections; determining an insufficiently charged zone in which the current charging rate is lower than the target charging rate among the plurality of zones; Control information for causing at least one of the plurality of battery transport mobile bodies to move to the determined insufficiently charged section is output.

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