Parking lot management device and parking lot management method

Abstract

The parking lot management device (30) is provided with a cable connection information processing unit (352) and a notification processing unit (354). When a cable connection information processing unit (352) detects that a first electric vehicle (C1) has entered a parking lot (10), the cable connection information processing unit (352) acquires information indicating whether or not the first electric vehicle (C1) is connected to a charger (14) provided in the parking lot (10) via a charging cable. When the notification processing unit (354) determines that the first electric vehicle (C1) and the charger (14) are not connected via the charging cable on the basis of the acquired information, the notification processing unit (354) transmits first notification information indicating that the first electric vehicle (C1) and the charger (14) are not connected via the charging cable to a first user terminal (20-1) held by a user of the first electric vehicle (C1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a parking lot management device and a parking lot management method. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, electric vehicles using battery power as a power source have become popular, and as a result, charging equipment for charging the batteries of electric vehicles is required.

[0003] In view of this, by installing a charger on each pallet in a mechanical parking lot in an apartment building or a large facility, the electric vehicle can be charged while the vehicle is parked in the parking lot (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4703716 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] When charging an electric vehicle while it is parked in a mechanical parking lot, the user connects the vehicle to the charger using a cable when the electric vehicle is parked, thereby enabling charging of the vehicle. In addition, a parking lot management device that manages the equipment in the mechanical parking lot turns on the charger connected to the charging target vehicle according to a predetermined charging reservation schedule, thereby performing charging processing on the vehicle.

[0009] However, if the user forgets to connect the electric vehicle to the charger via a cable when parking the vehicle, there is a problem that the charging process is not performed even if charging is reserved while the vehicle is parked.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and its object is to provide a parking lot management device and a parking lot management method that can avoid the situation where the user forgets to connect the electric vehicle to the charger installed in the parking lot with a cable and cannot perform the charging process of the vehicle.

[0011] Means for solving problems

[0012] The first scheme of the present invention is a parking lot management device, comprising: a cable connection information processing unit, which, when detecting that a first electric vehicle is entering a parking lot, obtains information indicating whether the first electric vehicle is connected to a charger installed in the parking lot via a charging cable; and a notification processing unit, which, when the cable connection information processing unit determines that the first electric vehicle and the charger are not connected via a charging cable based on the information obtained, sends a first notification information indicating that the first electric vehicle and the charger are not connected via a charging cable to a first user terminal held by a user of the first electric vehicle.

[0013] In addition, a second embodiment of the present invention is a parking lot management method, wherein, when a parking lot management device detects that an electric vehicle has entered a parking lot, the parking lot management device obtains information indicating whether the electric vehicle is connected to a charger installed in the parking lot via a charging cable. When the parking lot management device determines that the electric vehicle and the charger are not connected via a charging cable based on the information obtained, the parking lot management device sends a notification message indicating that the electric vehicle and the charger are not connected via a charging cable to a user terminal held by a user of the electric vehicle.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the parking lot management device and the parking lot management method of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a situation where a user forgets to connect an electric vehicle to a charger installed in the parking lot with a cable and thus cannot charge the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking lot management system using the parking lot management device according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a flowchart showing the flow of a charging preparation confirmation process executed by the parking lot management device according to one embodiment when a vehicle enters a garage.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for confirming charging reservation information executed at predetermined time intervals by the parking lot management device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] 〈Structure of parking lot management system〉

[0020] Reference Figure 1The structure of a parking lot management system using a parking lot management device according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. The parking lot management system 1 of this embodiment includes a mechanical parking lot 10, a plurality of user terminals 20-1 to 20-n respectively held by a plurality of users of the mechanical parking lot 10, and a parking lot management device 30 connected to the mechanical parking lot 10 and the user terminals 20-1 to 20-n in a communicable manner.

[0021] The mechanical parking lot 10 includes a plurality of racks (not shown) for storing parking target vehicles, a plurality of trays 11 for loading parking target vehicles, an operating mechanism 12, and an operating panel 13. Figure 1 Only one tray 11 is shown in FIG. 1 . In addition, the mechanical parking lot 10 may have only one tray 11 . The tray 11 is provided with a charger 14 and a cable connection detection sensor 15 .

[0022] The action mechanism 12 transports the pallet 11 so that the vehicle loaded on the pallet 11 is stored in a predetermined rack. The operation panel 13 receives input of operation information related to the entry of the vehicle into the warehouse, operation information related to the exit of the vehicle from the warehouse, and charging reservation information from the user. The charger 14 supplies power to the electric vehicle connected via a charging cable (not shown) to perform charging processing. The cable connection detection sensor 15 detects the charging cable connected to the charger 14. The charger 14 and the cable connection detection sensor 15 have a wireless communication function. In addition, the cable connection detection sensor 15 can also be set in the charger 14.

[0023] The user terminals 20-1 to 20-n each include an input unit 21, a display unit 22, a first communication unit 23, and a first CPU 24. The input unit 21 receives input of various information from the user. The display unit 22 displays information processed by the first CPU 24. The first communication unit 23 communicates with the parking lot management device 30. The first CPU 24 controls the input unit 21, the display unit 22, and the first communication unit 23.

[0024] The parking lot management device 30 includes a second communication unit 31, a third communication unit 32, a fourth communication unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a second CPU 35. The second communication unit 31 communicates with the user terminals 20-1 to 20-n. The third communication unit 32 communicates with the action mechanism 12 and the operating panel 13 in the mechanical parking lot 10 via a communication line. The fourth communication unit 33 communicates with the charger 14 and the cable connection detection sensor 15 in the mechanical parking lot 10 by wireless communication. In addition, the second communication unit 31 is also called a terminal side communication unit. The third communication unit 32 and the fourth communication unit 33 are also called parking lot side communication units.

[0025] The storage unit 34 includes a storage information storage unit 341 and a charging reservation information storage unit 342. The storage information storage unit 341 stores identification information of a vehicle stored in the mechanical parking lot 10, identification information of a pallet assigned to the vehicle, identification information of a rack storing the vehicle, and the like. The charging reservation information storage unit 342 stores charging reservation information of the charger 14 in the mechanical parking lot 10. The charging reservation information storage unit 342 stores the charging reservation information in association with the identification information of the vehicle stored in the mechanical parking lot 10.

[0026] The storage unit 34 stores information related to a user terminal held by a vehicle user in advance. Specifically, the vehicle user registers information related to the user terminal in advance in association with the vehicle identification information in the storage unit 34. Thus, in the parking lot management device 30, information related to the user terminal can be obtained based on the vehicle identification information.

[0027] The second CPU 35 includes a storage information processing unit 351 , a cable connection information processing unit 352 , a charge reservation information processing unit 353 , and a notification processing unit 354 .

[0028] When the storage information processing unit 351 obtains the operation information related to the storage of the vehicle from the operation panel 13 of the mechanical parking lot 10 via the third communication unit 32, it determines the pallet 11 assigned to the vehicle and the rack for storing the vehicle. Then, the storage information processing unit 351 obtains the identification information of the vehicle entering the warehouse, the identification information of the pallet assigned to the vehicle, the identification information of the rack for storing the vehicle, etc., associates these information with each other, and stores them in the storage information storage unit 341 as the storage information of the vehicle.

[0029] The cable connection information processing unit 352 obtains information indicating the detection status of the charging cable connected to the charger 14 from the cable connection detection sensor 15 of the mechanical parking lot 10. Specifically, the cable connection information processing unit 352 obtains information indicating whether the charging cable connected to the charger 14 installed on the tray 11 is detected from the cable connection detection sensor 15 installed on the tray 11. The charging reservation information processing unit 353 obtains the charging reservation information sent from the operation panel 13 of the mechanical parking lot 10 via the third communication unit 32, and stores it in the charging reservation information storage unit 342. The charging reservation information processing unit 353 performs the confirmation process of the charging reservation information stored in the charging reservation information storage unit 342 at a predetermined time interval. The details of the confirmation process of the charging reservation information will be described later. The notification processing unit 354 appropriately generates notification information based on the charging preparation confirmation process performed when the vehicle enters the garage or the confirmation process of the charging reservation information performed by the charging reservation information processing unit 353, and transmits it to the corresponding user terminal among the user terminals 20-1 to 20-n via the second communication unit 31.

[0030] 〈Operation of parking lot management system〉

[0031] Reference Figure 2 , in the parking lot management device 30 of the parking lot management system 1, the first electric vehicle C1 (refer to Figure 1 ) The charging preparation confirmation process performed when entering the warehouse is explained.

[0032] First, when the first electric vehicle C1 is parked in the mechanical parking lot 10, the user uses the operating panel 13 of the mechanical parking lot 10 to input the operation information related to the parking of the vehicle including the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1, and performs the parking operation. When the user performs the parking operation, the operation information is sent to the parking lot management device 30. In the parking lot management device 30, the operation information related to the parking of the vehicle sent from the operating panel 13 is obtained by the parking information processing unit 351 via the third communication unit 32. In addition, the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1 includes information indicating that the first electric vehicle C1 is an electric vehicle. In addition, the user pre-registers the information related to the first user terminal 20-1 in association with the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1 in the storage unit 34 of the parking lot management device 30. In the parking lot management device 30, the information related to the first user terminal 20-1 is appropriately obtained based on the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1.

[0033] When obtaining the operation information related to the entry of the vehicle, the entry information processing unit 351 determines the pallet 11 loaded with the first electric vehicle C1 entered into the warehouse, and sends a pallet movement instruction for moving the determined pallet 11 to the entry and exit area (not shown) to the action mechanism 12. When receiving the pallet movement instruction, the action mechanism 12 moves the determined pallet 11 to the entry and exit area and opens the entry and exit door (not shown).

[0034] The user enters the first electric vehicle C1 through the open access door and stops the first electric vehicle C1 on the pallet 11 moved to the access area. Then, the user connects the first electric vehicle C1 and the charger 14 of the pallet 11 via a charging cable, and uses the operation panel 13 to input charging reservation information and door closing operation information in order to reserve charging processing for the parked first electric vehicle C1.

[0035] The charging reservation information and the door closing operation information input by the user are sent from the operating panel 13 to the parking lot management device 30. In the parking lot management device 30, the charging reservation information related to the first electric vehicle C1 sent from the operating panel 13 is obtained by the charging reservation information processing unit 353 via the third communication unit 32, and is stored in the charging reservation information storage unit 342 in association with the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1 obtained by the parking information processing unit 351. In addition, in the parking lot management device 30, the door closing operation information sent from the operating panel 13 is obtained by the parking information processing unit 351 via the third communication unit 32.

[0036] When the storage information processing unit 351 acquires the door closing operation information, the storage information processing unit 351 generates a door closing instruction for the storage door and sends it to the actuation mechanism 12. The actuation mechanism 12 closes the storage door upon receiving the door closing instruction.

[0037] If the entry and exit doors are closed, the action mechanism 12 sends a message that the door closing is completed to the entry information processing unit 351. When receiving the message that the door closing is completed, the entry information processing unit 351 sends a pallet movement instruction to the action mechanism 12 for moving the pallet 11 to a predetermined shelf in the mechanical parking lot 10. When receiving the pallet movement instruction, the action mechanism 12 moves the pallet 11 to the predetermined shelf, and stores the first electric vehicle C1 on the predetermined shelf. In addition, the entry information processing unit 351 associates the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1 entering the warehouse, the identification information of the pallet 11 loaded with the first electric vehicle C1, and the identification information of the shelf where the first electric vehicle C1 is stored, and stores them in the entry information storage unit 341 as the entry information of the first electric vehicle C1. Through the above series of actions, the entry processing of the first electric vehicle C1 is completed.

[0038] If the storage processing of the first electric vehicle C1 is completed ("Yes" in step S1), the storage information processing unit 351 determines whether the stored vehicle is an electric vehicle based on the storage information (step S2). In this embodiment, the storage information processing unit 351 determines that the stored first electric vehicle C1 is an electric vehicle ("Yes" in step S2).

[0039] When the storage information processing unit 351 determines that the first electric vehicle C1 entering the storage is an electric vehicle, the cable connection information processing unit 352 identifies the cable connection detection sensor 15 provided on the tray 11 based on the identification information of the tray 11 associated with the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1. The cable connection information processing unit 352 sends a transmission instruction of the detection status to the identified cable connection detection sensor 15, and obtains information indicating whether the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is detected from the cable connection detection sensor 15. This information includes, for example, a 1-bit value. In this case, when the cable connection detection sensor 15 receives the transmission instruction of the detection status, if the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is detected, the 1-bit value included in the information is set to "1", and if the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is not detected, the 1-bit value included in the information is set to "0". In addition, the information indicating whether the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is detected is also referred to as information indicating whether the first electric vehicle C1 and the charger 14 are connected via the charging cable.

[0040] The cable connection information processing unit 352 determines whether the first electric vehicle C1 and the charger 14 are connected via a charging cable based on the acquired information and the storage information. Specifically, when the acquired information indicates that the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is not detected, the cable connection information processing unit 352 determines that the first electric vehicle C1 and the charger 14 are not connected via a charging cable based on the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1 associated with the identification information of the tray 11 on which the charger 14 is installed. On the other hand, when the acquired information indicates that the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is detected, the cable connection information processing unit 352 determines that the first electric vehicle C1 and the charger 14 are connected via a charging cable based on the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1 associated with the identification information of the tray 11 on which the charger 14 is installed.

[0041] When the cable connection information processing unit 352 determines that the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is not detected in the cable connection detection sensor 15, that is, when it is determined that the first electric vehicle C1 and the charger 14 are not connected via the charging cable ("No" in step S3), the notification processing unit 354 generates first notification information indicating that the first electric vehicle C1 and the charger 14 are not connected via the charging cable. When generating the first notification information, the notification processing unit 354 obtains information related to the first user terminal 20-1 held by the user of the first electric vehicle C1 from the storage unit 34 based on the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1 included in the storage information, and sends the first notification information to the first user terminal 20-1 (step S4). In the first user terminal 20-1, the first notification information sent from the parking lot management device 30 is received by the first communication unit 23 and displayed on the display unit 22 under the control of the first CPU 24. The user can recognize that the charging cable has been forgotten to be connected and reconnect it by visually confirming the information displayed on the display unit 22.

[0042] On the other hand, when the cable connection information processing unit 352 determines that the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is detected in the cable connection detection sensor 15, that is, when it is determined that the first electric vehicle C1 and the charger 14 are connected via the charging cable ("Yes" in step S3), the charging reservation information processing unit 353 determines whether the charging process of the first electric vehicle C1 has been reserved based on the charging reservation information stored in the charging reservation information storage unit 342 (step S5).

[0043] When the charging reservation information processing unit 353 determines that the charging of the first electric vehicle C1 has not been reserved ("No" in step S5), the notification processing unit 354 generates a second notification information indicating that the charging process of the first electric vehicle C1 has not been reserved. When generating the second notification information, the notification processing unit 354 obtains information related to the first user terminal 20-1 held by the user of the first electric vehicle C1 from the storage unit 34 based on the identification information of the first electric vehicle C1 included in the storage information, and sends the second notification information to the first user terminal 20-1 (step S6). In the first user terminal 20-1, the second notification information sent from the parking lot management device 30 is received by the first communication unit 23 and displayed on the display unit 22 under the control of the first CPU 24. The user can recognize that the reservation operation for the charging process has been forgotten by visually recognizing the information displayed on the display unit 22, and can perform the reservation operation again.

[0044] On the other hand, when the charge reservation information processing unit 353 determines that charging of the first electric vehicle C1 is reserved (Yes in step S5), the notification processing unit 354 does not generate second notification information and does not make a notification to the first user terminal 20-1.

[0045] Next, refer to Figure 3 The flowchart of FIG. 1 illustrates a process of confirming the charging reservation information which is executed at predetermined time intervals in the charging reservation information processing unit 353 of the parking lot management device 30 .

[0046] The charging reservation information processing unit 353 determines whether a preset charging reservation confirmation timing has arrived. The charging reservation confirmation timing is set, for example, every several hours, every half day, or every day.

[0047] When the charging reservation information processing unit 353 determines that the charging reservation confirmation timing has arrived ("Yes" in step S11), based on the information stored in the storage information storage unit 341, it determines whether there is an electric vehicle whose habitual reservation date and time arrives within the first period after the current time among the multiple electric vehicles currently entering the mechanical parking lot 10. The habitual reservation date and time is a date and time when the possibility of using the charger 14 of each electric vehicle is high, which is determined based on the past utilization status of the charger 14, for example, and is represented by a time, a week, or a combination of a week and a time. The first period is, for example, a period of several hours, half a day, or a day. The charging reservation information processing unit 353 counts the same time, the same week, or the same combination of a week and a time when the charger 14 was used in the past, and when the count value of a specific time, a specific week, or a specific combination of a week and a time exceeds a predetermined number, the specific time, the specific week, or the specific combination of a week and a time is identified as a date and time when the possibility of using the charger 14 is high.

[0048] In this embodiment, the charging reservation information processing unit 353 determines the second electric vehicle C2 as an electric vehicle whose customary reservation date and time arrives within the first period after the current time from among the multiple electric vehicles currently entering the mechanical parking lot 10 ("Yes" in step S12). In addition, in this embodiment, before the confirmation processing of the charging reservation information is performed, the registration of information related to the second user terminal 20-2 held by the user of the second electric vehicle C2 and the entry processing of the second electric vehicle C2 are completed.

[0049] Next, the charge reservation information processing unit 353 checks whether the charge process for the corresponding second electric vehicle C2 has been reserved based on the information stored in the charge reservation information storage unit 342 (step S13).

[0050] When the charging reservation information processing unit 353 determines that the charging of the second electric vehicle C2 has not been reserved ("No" in step S13), the notification processing unit 354 generates a third notification information indicating that the charging process of the second electric vehicle C2 has not been reserved. When generating the third notification information, the notification processing unit 354 obtains information related to the second user terminal 20-2 held by the user of the second electric vehicle C2 from the storage unit 34 based on the identification information of the second electric vehicle C2 included in the storage information, and sends the third notification information to the second user terminal 20-2 (step S14). In the second user terminal 20-2, the third notification information sent from the parking lot management device 30 is received by the first communication unit 23 and displayed on the display unit 22 under the control of the first CPU 24. The user can recognize that the reservation operation for the charging process has been forgotten by visually recognizing the information displayed on the display unit 22, and can perform the reservation operation again.

[0051] On the other hand, when the charging reservation information processing unit 353 determines that the charging process of the second electric vehicle C2 is reserved ("Yes" in step S13), the cable connection information processing unit 352 identifies the cable connection detection sensor 15 provided on the tray 11 based on the identification information of the tray 11 associated with the identification information of the second electric vehicle C2. The cable connection information processing unit 352 sends a transmission instruction of the detection status to the identified cable connection detection sensor 15, and obtains information indicating whether the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is detected from the cable connection detection sensor 15. In addition, the information indicating whether the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is detected is also referred to as information indicating whether the second electric vehicle C2 and the charger 14 are connected via the charging cable.

[0052] The cable connection information processing unit 352 determines whether the second electric vehicle C2 and the charger 14 are connected via a charging cable based on the acquired information and the storage information. Specifically, when the acquired information indicates that the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is not detected, the cable connection information processing unit 352 determines that the second electric vehicle C2 and the charger 14 are not connected via a charging cable based on the identification information of the second electric vehicle C2 associated with the identification information of the tray 11 on which the charger 14 is installed. On the other hand, when the acquired information indicates that the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is detected, the cable connection information processing unit 352 determines that the second electric vehicle C2 and the charger 14 are connected via a charging cable based on the identification information of the second electric vehicle C2 associated with the identification information of the tray 11 on which the charger 14 is installed.

[0053] When the cable connection information processing unit 352 determines that the charging cable connected to the charger 14 is not detected in the cable connection detection sensor 15, that is, when it is determined that the second electric vehicle C2 and the charger 14 are not connected via the charging cable ("No" in step S15), the notification processing unit 354 generates fourth notification information indicating that the second electric vehicle C2 and the charger 14 are not connected via the charging cable. When generating the fourth notification information, the notification processing unit 354 obtains information related to the second user terminal 20-2 held by the user of the second electric vehicle C2 from the storage unit 34 based on the identification information of the second electric vehicle C2 included in the storage information, and sends the fourth notification information to the second user terminal 20-2 (step S16). In the second user terminal 20-2, the fourth notification information sent from the parking lot management device 30 is received by the first communication unit 23 and displayed on the display unit 22 under the control of the first CPU 24. The user can recognize that the charging cable has been forgotten to be connected and reconnect it by visually confirming the information displayed on the display unit 22.

[0054] On the other hand, when the cable connection information processing unit 352 determines that a charging cable connected to the charger 14 is detected in the cable connection detection sensor 15, that is, when it is determined that the second electric vehicle C2 and the charger 14 are connected via a charging cable ("Yes" in step S15), the notification processing unit 354 does not generate the fourth notification information and does not notify the second user terminal 20-2.

[0055] According to the embodiment, it is possible to avoid the user forgetting to connect the electric vehicle to the charger provided in the mechanical parking lot with the cable and being unable to charge the vehicle. In addition, it is possible to avoid the user forgetting to schedule the charging process and being unable to charge the vehicle.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the case where the user performs a reservation operation for charging the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle is parked in the mechanical parking lot 10 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the user may perform a reservation operation for charging the parking lot management device using a user terminal. In this case, the user may perform a reservation operation for charging in advance before parking the electric vehicle.

[0057] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the embodiments can be modified or altered based on the above disclosure. All the components of the above embodiments and all the features described in the scope of the claims can be extracted and combined as long as they do not contradict each other.

Claims

1. A parking lot management device, characterized in that: have: a cable connection information processing unit, which, when detecting that a first electric vehicle enters a parking lot, obtains information indicating whether the first electric vehicle is connected to a charger provided in the parking lot via a charging cable; as well as A notification processing unit, which sends first notification information indicating that the first electric vehicle and the charger are not connected via the charging cable to a first user terminal held by a user of the first electric vehicle when the cable connection information processing unit determines that the first electric vehicle and the charger are not connected via the charging cable based on the information obtained.

2. The parking lot management device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The parking lot management device further comprises: a charging reservation information processing unit, which determines whether charging processing for the first electric vehicle is reserved when the cable connection information processing unit determines that the first electric vehicle is connected to the charger via a charging cable based on the information obtained, The notification processing unit transmits second notification information indicating that charging processing for the first electric vehicle has not been reserved to the first user terminal when the charging reservation information processing unit determines that charging processing for the first electric vehicle has not been reserved.

3. The parking lot management device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The charging reservation information processing unit determines, based on the past usage status of the charger, a second electric vehicle that is likely to use the charger within a first period after the current time from among the plurality of electric vehicles parked in the parking lot, and determines in each second period whether a charging process for the second electric vehicle is reserved within the first period. When the charge reservation information processing unit determines that no charge processing is reserved for the second electric vehicle within the first period, the notification processing unit transmits third notification information indicating that no charge processing is reserved for the second electric vehicle to a second user terminal held by a user of the second electric vehicle.

4. The parking lot management device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cable connection information processing unit obtains information indicating whether the second electric vehicle is connected to the charger via a charging cable when the charging reservation information processing unit determines that charging of the second electric vehicle is reserved within the first period. The notification processing unit transmits fourth notification information indicating that the second electric vehicle and the charger are not connected via the charging cable to the second user terminal when the cable connection information processing unit determines based on the acquired information that the second electric vehicle and the charger are not connected via the charging cable.

5. A parking lot management method, characterized in that: When the parking lot management device detects that an electric vehicle has entered the parking lot, it obtains information indicating whether the electric vehicle is connected to a charger installed in the parking lot via a charging cable. When the parking lot management device determines that the electric vehicle and the charger are not connected via the charging cable based on the acquired information, the parking lot management device transmits notification information indicating that the electric vehicle and the charger are not connected via the charging cable to a user terminal held by a user of the electric vehicle.

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