Information processing apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an information processing apparatus which determines the type of a power source of a target vehicle. In addition, the information processing device searches for one or a plurality of stations for providing the power source suitable for the specified type of power source of the target vehicle. Then, the information processing device outputs site position information including the searched positions of the one or more sites to the user terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-020483 discloses a driving mode proposal device that proposes a driving mode up to a destination of a vehicle. The driving mode proposal device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-020483 selects a first driving route up to the destination by a prescribed algorithm independent of non-contact power supply. Further, when assuming travel on a prescribed driving route, the driving mode proposal device estimates a value of a parameter related to an estimated power supply amount to be supplied to a vehicle from a ground power supply device in a power supply section where non-contact power supply is performed in the driving route. When the estimated value of the parameter when assuming travel on the first driving route indicates that the estimated power supply amount is less than a prescribed reference power amount, the driving mode proposal device selects a second driving route such that the estimated power supply amount will be equal to or greater than the reference power amount. Moreover, as the driving route up to the destination, the driving mode proposal device proposes the first driving route and also proposes the second driving route when the second driving route is selected. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An object of the present disclosure is to propose to a user an access to a station suitable for replenishing a power source of a vehicle.

[0004] The information processing device according to the present disclosure includes a control unit configured to execute the following processing:

[0005] Determine the type of the power source of the target vehicle;

[0006] Retrieve one or more stations that provide a power source suitable for the determined type of the power source; and

[0007] Output station location information including the locations of the retrieved one or more stations to a user terminal.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to propose to a user an access to a station suitable for replenishing a power source of a vehicle. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Hereinafter, features, advantages, technology, and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same components, where:

[0010] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a replenishment system.

[0011] Figure 2 is a block diagram briefly showing an example of a functional configuration of a providing server.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the table configuration of vehicle information stored in a vehicle information database.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of the table configuration of station information stored in a station information database.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the processing executed by the control unit. Detailed Embodiments

[0015] Vehicles have various power sources. For example, in the case of a battery electric vehicle, the power source is electricity. In this case, the vehicle needs to access rechargeable stations. In addition, in the case of a fuel cell electric vehicle, the power source is hydrogen fuel. In this case, the vehicle needs to access stations where hydrogen fuel can be replenished. In addition, there is a case where the power source is fossil fuel (gasoline, light oil, or gas). In this case, the vehicle needs to access gas stations, etc. Depending on the power sources available at stations, it can be difficult to determine which stations to visit. The information processing device according to the present disclosure solves such problems.

[0016] The control unit of the information processing device according to the present disclosure determines the type of power source of the target vehicle. The control unit of the information processing device retrieves one or more stations that provide a power source suitable for the type of power source of the determined target vehicle. Then, the control unit outputs station location information including the locations of the retrieved one or more stations to the user terminal.

[0017] As described above, the information processing device outputs station location information including the locations of one or more stations that can provide a power source for the target vehicle to the user terminal. As a result, the user can know the locations of the stations that can provide a power source for the target vehicle. In this way, it is possible to recommend to the user to visit stations suitable for replenishing the power source of the target vehicle.

[0018] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings. Regarding the hardware configuration, module configuration, functional configuration, etc. described in each embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the gist is not to limit the scope of the disclosed technology only to these.

[0019] Embodiment

[0020] Overview of the System

[0021] Based on Figure 1 the replenishment system 1 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 1This is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the supply system 1. The supply system 1 is configured to include a user terminal 100, a provision server 200, and a site management server 300. In the supply system 1, the user terminal 100, the provision server 200, and the site management server 300 are interconnected via a network N1. The network N1 can adopt, for example, the Internet or other WAN (Wide Area Network) as a worldwide public communication network, or a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone.

[0022] User terminal

[0023] The user terminal 100 is an in-vehicle terminal mounted on the vehicle 10. Here, the user terminal 100 is, for example, a car navigation system in the vehicle 10. In addition, the user terminal 100 does not necessarily have to be an in-vehicle terminal of the vehicle 10. The user terminal 100 can also be, for example, a computer or a portable information terminal used by the user. In addition, in this embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a vehicle belonging to either a battery electric vehicle or a fuel cell electric vehicle.

[0024] The user terminal 100 sends destination information to the provision server 200 via the network N1. The destination information is information indicating the destination of the user riding in the vehicle 10. In addition, the destination information includes information indicating the current position of the vehicle 10 (user terminal 100). In addition, the destination information includes an identifier (vehicle ID) for identifying the vehicle 10. In addition, information indicating the remaining amount of the power source of the vehicle 10 (the remaining battery amount or the remaining hydrogen fuel amount of the vehicle 10) is stored in the destination information. For example, if the user of the vehicle 10 inputs a destination to the user terminal 100, the destination information is sent.

[0025] In addition, the user terminal 100 receives route information from the provision server 200 via the network N1. The route information is information including the route from the current position of the vehicle 10 to the destination. The user terminal 100 displays (outputs) the received route information on a display. The user can grasp the route information based on the route information displayed on the display.

[0026] Provision server

[0027] The provision server 200 is a server that provides route information to the user terminal 100. The provision server 200 generates route information based on the current position and destination of the vehicle 10 indicated by the destination information received from the user terminal 100, and sends it to the user terminal 100. At this time, depending on the route of the vehicle 10, there may be a situation where the power source needs to be replenished midway.

[0028] In this case, when the vehicle 10 is a battery electric vehicle, the power source of the vehicle 10 is electricity. In this way, the vehicle 10 needs to access a rechargeable station. On the other hand, when the vehicle 10 is a fuel cell electric vehicle, the power source of the vehicle 10 is hydrogen fuel. In this way, the vehicle 10 needs to access a station where hydrogen fuel can be replenished. Thus, since the available power sources vary from station to station, there are cases where users cannot grasp the stations to be visited for replenishing the power source of the vehicle 10.

[0029] In addition, among the stations that can supply the power source of the vehicle 10, there are cases where vehicles other than the vehicle 10 are replenishing the power source at the station. In this way, even at a station that can supply a power source consistent with the power source of the vehicle 10, there are cases where the vehicle 10 cannot be charged or hydrogen fuel cannot be replenished.

[0030] In view of this, the provision server 200 retrieves the type of the power source of the vehicle 10 and proposes to the user of the vehicle 10 a station to be visited among the stations suitable for supplying the power source (hereinafter, there are cases referred to as "specific stations"). Moreover, the provision server 200 sends path information including a predetermined travel path passing through the specific station to the user terminal 100. Here, the path information includes information indicating the location of the specific station. As a result, the user of the vehicle 10 can access the specific station during the movement to the destination. In addition, details such as the method for determining the specific station will be described later.

[0031] The provision server 200 is configured to include a computer having a processor 210, a main storage unit 220, an auxiliary storage unit 230, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 240. The processor 210 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The main storage unit 220 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The auxiliary storage unit 230 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). In addition, the auxiliary storage unit 230 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a disk recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disc, or a Blu-ray disc. In addition, the auxiliary storage unit 230 may be a removable medium. Here, as the removable medium, for example, a USB memory or an SD card can be exemplified. The communication I / F 240 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board, or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.

[0032] In the provision server 200, an operating system (OS), various programs, various information tables, etc. are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 230. Further, in the provision server 200, the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 230 are loaded into the main storage unit 220 by the processor 210 and executed, enabling various functions as described later. However, some or all of the functions in the provision server 200 can also be implemented by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. In addition, the provision server 200 does not necessarily need to be implemented by a single physical structure and can also be composed of multiple computers that cooperate with each other. Further, the user terminal 100 can also be configured to include a computer in the same way as the provision server 200.

[0033] Site management server

[0034] The site management server 300 is a server device that manages the charging of multiple sites and the replenishment of hydrogen fuel. The site management server 300 is configured to include a computer in the same way as the provision server 200. The site management server 300 obtains information related to the usage status of each site from each site.

[0035] In addition, the site management server 300 obtains the remaining battery capacity at the start of charging of the vehicle and the battery capacity of the vehicle from the vehicle being charged via the site. In addition, the site management server 300 obtains the remaining hydrogen fuel at the start of replenishment of the vehicle and the capacity of the vehicle to replenish hydrogen fuel from the vehicle being replenished with hydrogen fuel via the site. Moreover, when there is a vehicle using the site, the site management server 300 sends the usage information to the provision server 200 in real time. Here, the usage information is information including information for identifying the vehicle (vehicle ID), information indicating the time when the vehicle starts charging or hydrogen fuel replenishment, and information indicating the remaining amount of the power source of the vehicle and the capacity of the power source.

[0036] Functional configuration

[0037] Next, according to Figures 2 to 4 to describe the functional configuration of the provision server 200 that constitutes the supply system 1. Figure 2 is a block diagram briefly showing an example of the functional configuration of the provision server 200. The provision server 200 is configured to include a control unit 201, a communication unit 202, a vehicle information database 203 (vehicle information DB 203), and a site information database 204 (site information DB 204).

[0038] The control unit 201 has a function of executing arithmetic processing for controlling the provision server 200. The control unit 201 can be implemented by the processor 210 in the provision server 200. The communication unit 202 has a function of connecting the provision server 200 to the network N1. The communication unit 202 can be implemented by the communication I / F 240 in the provision server 200.

[0039] The vehicle information DB 203 has a function of storing vehicle information. The vehicle information DB 203 can be implemented by the auxiliary storage unit 230 in the provision server 200. The vehicle information is information on the type of the vehicle and information related to the consumption amount of the power source. Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an example of the table configuration of the vehicle information held in the vehicle information DB 203. As Figure 3 shown, the vehicle information has a vehicle ID field, a type field, and a consumption amount field.

[0040] In the vehicle ID field, an identifier (vehicle ID) for identifying the vehicle is stored. In the type field, information indicating the type of the vehicle represented by the vehicle ID in the corresponding vehicle ID field is stored. When the type of the vehicle represented by the vehicle ID in the corresponding vehicle ID field is a battery electric vehicle, "battery electric vehicle" is stored in the type field. In addition, when the type of the vehicle with the corresponding vehicle ID is a fuel cell electric vehicle, "fuel cell electric vehicle" is stored in the type field.

[0041] In the consumption amount field, information indicating the consumption amount of the power source of the vehicle with the corresponding vehicle ID is stored. When the vehicle with the corresponding vehicle ID is a battery electric vehicle, information indicating the amount of electric power consumed when the vehicle travels a unit distance is stored in the consumption amount field, for example. In addition, when the vehicle with the corresponding vehicle ID is a fuel cell electric vehicle, information indicating the amount of hydrogen fuel consumed when the vehicle travels a unit distance is stored in the consumption amount field, for example. Information registered at the time of sale of the vehicle, etc. is stored in each field in the vehicle information.

[0042] The station information DB 204 has a function of storing station information. The station information DB 204 can be implemented by the auxiliary storage unit 230 in the provision server 200. The station information is information on the power source provided at multiple stations and usage conditions, etc. Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of the table configuration of the station information held in the station information DB 204.

[0043] As Figure 4As shown, the site information has a site ID field, a location field, a power source field, a unit price field, an output volume field, a usage field, and an available time field. In the site ID field, an identifier (site ID) for determining the site is stored. In the location field, information indicating the location of the site corresponding to the site ID is stored. In the power source field, information indicating the power source available at the site corresponding to the site ID is stored. When the power source available at the site is electricity, "electricity" is stored. In addition, when the power source available at the site is hydrogen fuel, "hydrogen fuel" is stored. Furthermore, when both electricity and hydrogen fuel are available at the site, both "electricity" and "hydrogen fuel" can be entered in the power source field.

[0044] In the unit price field, information indicating the unit price of the power source provided at the site corresponding to the site ID is stored. The unit price of the power source is the price of electricity per unit of electricity, etc. In addition, the unit price of the power source is the price of hydrogen fuel per unit quantity, etc.

[0045] In the output volume field, information indicating the output volume per unit time (refueling volume for the vehicle) of the power source at the site corresponding to the site ID is stored. When the power source available at the site corresponding to the site ID is electricity, information indicating the electricity output volume per unit time (charging volume per unit time) is stored in the output volume field. In addition, when the power source available at the site corresponding to the site ID is hydrogen fuel, information indicating the hydrogen fuel output volume per unit time (refilling volume per unit time) is stored in the output volume field.

[0046] In the usage field, information indicating whether the site corresponding to the site ID is in use is stored. When the site corresponding to the site ID is in use, "in use" is stored. In addition, when the site corresponding to the site ID is not in use, "idle" is stored.

[0047] In the available time field, the time (available time) when charging or hydrogen fuel refilling can be performed at the site where "in use" is stored in the corresponding usage field is stored. Here, the control unit 201 calculates the available time with reference to the utilization information received from the site management server 300 via the communication unit 202.

[0048] Specifically, when the power source available at the site is electricity, the control unit 201 acquires the start time of charging included in the utilization information of the site, the remaining battery level at the start of vehicle charging, and the battery capacity of the vehicle. Moreover, the control unit 201 uses the remaining battery level at the start of vehicle charging, the battery capacity of the vehicle, and the electricity output volume per unit time in the output volume field to calculate the end time of charging. Moreover, the control unit 201 stores the end time of charging as the available time in the available time field in the site information.

[0049] In addition, when the power source available at the station is hydrogen fuel, the control unit 201 obtains the remaining amount of hydrogen fuel at the start of replenishment of the vehicle undergoing hydrogen fuel replenishment and the capacity of the vehicle to replenish hydrogen fuel included in the utilization information of the station. The control unit 201 calculates the time when the replenishment of hydrogen fuel ends using the remaining amount of hydrogen fuel at the start of replenishment of the vehicle, the capacity of the vehicle to replenish hydrogen fuel, and the output amount of hydrogen fuel per unit time in the output amount field.

[0050] Here, the case where the power source available at the station is hydrogen fuel is assumed.

[0051] In this case, after the replenishment of hydrogen fuel is completed at the station, hydrogen fuel is refilled at the station. In this way, the station increases the pressure in the hydrogen fuel replenishment machine through the refilling of hydrogen fuel, so that hydrogen fuel can be replenished to the vehicle again. Therefore, the station cannot immediately start replenishing hydrogen fuel after the replenishment of hydrogen fuel for the vehicle is completed.

[0052] In view of this, the control unit 201 calculates the time obtained by adding the time when the replenishment of hydrogen fuel for the vehicle is completed and the time for refilling hydrogen fuel at the station as the available time. Here, the time for refilling hydrogen fuel is, for example, a pre-determined time. In addition, the time for refilling hydrogen fuel may vary for each station. Moreover, the control unit 201 stores the available time in the available time field in the station information.

[0053] Among them, in the present embodiment, the control unit 201 calculates the available time. However, the control unit 201 may also obtain the available time from the station management server 300, for example. In this case, the station management server 300 calculates the available time as described above using the remaining amount of the power source at the start of replenishment of the power source, the capacity of the power source, and the output amount of the power source. Even so, the control unit 201 can grasp the available time.

[0054] The control unit 201 can grasp the location of the station, the power source available at the station, the availability of use of the station, and the available time by obtaining the station information held in the station information DB204.

[0055] The control unit 201 obtains the destination information received from the user terminal 100. The control unit 201 obtains the current position and the destination of the vehicle 10 included in the received destination information. The control unit 201 generates a tentative path from the current position of the vehicle 10 to the destination with reference to the current position and the destination of the vehicle 10. Here, as the tentative path, for example, a path with the shortest driving distance from the current position of the vehicle 10 to the destination, or a path with the shortest driving time, etc. are generated.

[0056] The control unit 201 refers to the vehicle ID of the vehicle 10 included in the destination information and the vehicle information stored in the vehicle information DB 203 to determine the type and consumption of the vehicle 10. Here, the type of the vehicle 10 is either a battery electric vehicle or a fuel cell electric vehicle. Thus, the control unit 201 can understand whether the power source of the vehicle 10 is electricity or hydrogen fuel.

[0057] The control unit 201 determines whether the vehicle 10 needs to be refueled in order to travel to the destination. Specifically, the control unit 201 calculates the travel distance in the generated tentative route. In addition, the control unit 201 obtains information indicating the consumption of the power source of the vehicle 10, the battery remaining amount of the vehicle 10 included in the destination information, or the remaining amount of hydrogen fuel (power source).

[0058] Furthermore, when the value obtained by subtracting the amount of consumption estimated to be consumed when traveling on the tentative route from the remaining amount of the power source of the vehicle 10 included in the destination information is less than a specified value, the control unit 201 determines that the vehicle 10 needs to be refueled in order to travel to the destination. In addition, when the value obtained by subtracting the amount of consumption estimated to be consumed when traveling on the tentative route from the remaining amount of the battery or hydrogen fuel of the vehicle 10 included in the destination information is greater than a specified value, the control unit 201 determines that the vehicle 10 does not need to be refueled in order to travel to the destination. Here, the specified value is a value predetermined as the amount of power source that can fully travel around the destination (can travel more than a specified distance) when the vehicle 10 arrives at the destination.

[0059] When the control unit 201 determines that the vehicle 10 needs to be refueled in order to travel to the destination, it determines the refueling timing of the power source of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the control unit 201 determines the timing when the remaining power source of the vehicle 10 becomes less than a threshold value on the tentative route as the refueling timing. Here, the threshold value is a value determined to be appropriate for refueling the power source.

[0060] The control unit 201 refers to the station information stored in the station information DB 204 to determine a station that is within a predetermined range from the location where the vehicle 10 is predicted to be at the time of replenishment. The predetermined range is, for example, a range determined based on a distance suitable for replenishing the power source. The predetermined range is, for example, a range in which the difference in driving distance or driving time between a case where the station is not visited and a case where the station is visited is less than a threshold value.

[0061] In addition, the control unit 201 extracts stations within a specified range that offer a power source type suitable for the vehicle 10, and determines a station that the vehicle 10 can access during the available time as a specific station. Specifically, the control unit 201 determines the specific station by referring to the information stored in the location field, power source field, and available time field in the station information.

[0062] In addition, there may be a case where multiple stations are determined to be within the specified range, offer a power source type suitable for the vehicle 10, and the vehicle 10 can access them during the available time. In such a case, the control unit 201 refers to the unit price stored in the unit price field in the station information to determine the station with the lowest unit price among the determined multiple stations as the specific station. Thus, the user of the vehicle 10 can replenish the power source at the station with the lowest unit price.

[0063] The control unit 201 corrects the tentative path and generates a planned driving path. Here, the control unit 201 generates the planned driving path in such a way that the specific station is accessed midway through the tentative path. Moreover, the control unit 201 sends the path information including the planned driving path to the user terminal 100. Thus, the user terminal 100 can access the specific station to replenish the power source of the vehicle 10.

[0064] In addition, the control unit 201 can also determine the station closest to the position where the vehicle 10 is expected to be at the replenishment timing from among multiple stations by referring to the location field in the station information as the specific station. Thus, the user of the vehicle 10 can replenish the power source at the specific station with the least movement from the tentative path. As a result, it is possible to suppress the time taken for the movement until the destination and the consumption of the power source required for the movement until the destination.

[0065] Flowchart

[0066] Next, based on Figure 5 The processing executed by the control unit 201 in the supply system 1 will be described. Figure 5 It is a flowchart of the processing executed by the control unit 201. This processing is for the processing of sending path information to the user terminal 100. If destination information is received from the user terminal 100, Figure 5 The processing shown is started and executed.

[0067] In Figure 5In the process shown, first in S101, destination information received from the user terminal 100 is obtained, and the vehicle ID of vehicle 10, the current position of vehicle 10, and the destination are obtained. Next, in S102, a tentative path is generated based on the current position of vehicle 10 and the destination. Next, in S103, vehicle information is obtained from the vehicle information DB203. Next, in S104, the type of vehicle 10 is determined by referring to the vehicle ID of vehicle 10 included in the destination information and the vehicle information. That is, information indicating whether vehicle 10 is a battery electric vehicle or a fuel cell electric vehicle is obtained to determine the type of power of vehicle 10.

[0068] Next, in S105, it is determined whether vehicle 10 needs to replenish the power source to move to the destination by referring to the consumption of the power source per unit distance of vehicle 10 in the vehicle information, the remaining amount of the power source of vehicle 10 included in the destination information, and the distance of the tentative path. When a negative determination is made in S105, since there is no need to replenish the power source and vehicle 10 can travel on the tentative path, the path information related to the tentative path is sent to the user terminal 100 in S109. Then, the process ends. Figure 5 The process shown.

[0069] In addition, when an affirmative determination is made in S105, it can be assumed that vehicle 10 will run out of power in the middle if it travels on the tentative path. In view of this, the replenishment timing is determined in S106. Next, in S107, station information is obtained from the station information DB204. Next, in S108, a specific station is determined by referring to the station information. Specifically, among the stations within a specified range from the location where vehicle 10 exists at the replenishment timing, the station that provides a power source suitable for the type of power source of vehicle 10 and that vehicle 10 can access during the available time is determined as the specific station. In addition, when multiple stations can be determined as specific stations, the unit price stored in the unit price field in the station information is referred to. The station with the lowest unit price among the determined multiple stations is determined as the specific station.

[0070] Next, in S109, the tentative path is corrected to generate a planned driving path in such a way that a specific station is accessed in the middle of the tentative path. Then, in S110, the path information related to the planned driving path is sent to the user terminal 100. Then, the process ends. Figure 5 The process shown.

[0071] Among them, the processes of S107 to S110 can be repeatedly performed at a specified interval before the vehicle 10 arrives at the destination. Thus, referring to the station information, determining the specific station, generating the planned driving route, and sending the route information are repeatedly performed at the specified interval. In this way, the control unit 201 can grasp in real time the available time that changes due to the new use by other vehicles. Therefore, when the vehicle 10 cannot be refueled even though it travels on the planned driving route and arrives at the specific station, the control unit 201 can re-determine the specific station and so on. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the situation where the vehicle 10 cannot be refueled even though it arrives at the specific station when other vehicles use the specific station while the vehicle 10 is on the way to the specific station.

[0072] As described above, when the power source needs to be refueled, the supply system 1 sends (outputs) the planned driving route via the specific station that can supply the power source of the vehicle 10 to the user terminal 100. Thus, the user terminal 100 can display the planned driving route including the location of the specific station to the user of the vehicle 10. Thus, the user of the vehicle 10 can grasp the location of the specific station and the route. In this way, it is possible to propose to the user of the vehicle 10 to visit the specific station suitable for refueling the power source of the vehicle 10.

[0073] Modification Example 1

[0074] The supply server 200 can determine multiple specific stations. That is, the supply server 200 can determine, as multiple specific stations, multiple stations within a specified range from the tentative route that supply a power source suitable for the type of the power source of the vehicle 10 and that the vehicle 10 can access during the available time.

[0075] In addition, the supply server 200 can determine, as specific stations, stations among the determined multiple stations whose unit price is equal to or lower than a specified value by referring to the unit price stored in the unit price field in the station information. Moreover, for each determined specific station, the supply server 200 sends the route information or the location information related to the planned driving route via the specific station to the user terminal 100.

[0076] Modification Example 2

[0077] In the present embodiment, the provision server 200 sends path information including the location of a specific station and a predetermined driving route to the user terminal 100. However, the provision server 200 may also send location information related to the location of the specific station instead of the path information. In this case, the provision server 200 determines, for example, as the specific station a station within a prescribed range from the current position of the vehicle 10 that provides a type of power source suitable for the power source of the vehicle 10 and that the vehicle 10 can access from the current position within the available time. Here, the prescribed range is, for example, a range within a prescribed distance from the current position of the vehicle 10.

[0078] In addition, the provision server 200 may repeatedly execute the processes of acquiring the current position of the vehicle 10, determining the type of the vehicle 10, acquiring the available time, determining the specific station, and sending the location information at prescribed intervals. Thereby, the available time can be acquired in real time, and the situation where the vehicle 10 cannot use the specific station even when it arrives at the specific station can be suppressed.

[0079] Modification Example 3

[0080] In the present embodiment, the type of the vehicle 10 is either a battery electric vehicle or a fuel cell electric vehicle. That is, the power source of the vehicle 10 is either electricity or hydrogen fuel. However, the type of the vehicle 10 may also be a type other than a battery electric vehicle and a fuel cell electric vehicle. For example, the type of the vehicle 10 may include, in addition to a battery electric vehicle, etc., an automobile using fossil fuels (gasoline, light oil, and city gas). In this case, the provision server 200 determines which one of electricity, hydrogen fuel, gasoline, light oil, and city gas is the power source of the vehicle 10, and retrieves a station capable of providing the power source of the vehicle 10 and determines it as the specific station. Among them, in this case, the provision server 200 calculates the available time using the remaining amount at the start of replenishment of the fossil fuel, the fuel tank capacity of the fossil fuel, and the output amount of the fossil fuel at the station. In this way, it is also possible to propose to the user of the vehicle 10 an access to a specific station suitable for replenishment of the power source of the vehicle 10.

[0081] Other Embodiments

[0082] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present disclosure can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from its gist. In addition, for the processes and means described in the present disclosure, as long as there is no technical contradiction, they can be freely combined and implemented.

[0083] In addition, the processing described for one device can also be shared and executed by multiple devices. Or, the processing described as being performed by different devices can also be executed by one device. In a computer system, it is possible to flexibly change which hardware configuration (server configuration) implements each function.

[0084] The present disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a computer program having the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer and reading and executing the program by one or more processors included in the computer. Such a computer program can be provided to the computer via a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium capable of being connected to the system bus of the computer, or can be provided to the computer via a network. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include, for example, any type of disk such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk (registered trademark) or a hard disk drive (HDD)), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk), any type of medium suitable for storing electronic commands such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, or an optical card.

Claims

1. An information processing device, wherein: A control unit is provided, and the control unit is configured to execute the following processing: Determining the type of power source of the subject vehicle; Retrieving one or more sites that provide power sources suitable for the determined type of power source; and The site location information including the retrieved locations of the one or more sites is output to the user terminal.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: Retrieving the one or more sites includes: extracting each station that can provide the power source to the target vehicle; Obtaining the available time of the power source in each of the extracted sites; and The one or more sites that the target vehicle can visit during the obtained available time are determined.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: Obtaining the available time includes: If the target vehicle is a battery electric vehicle and there is another vehicle being charged at a station where electricity can be provided, obtaining a time when charging of the other vehicle is completed; and When the target vehicle is a fuel cell electric vehicle and there is another vehicle that is being replenished with hydrogen fuel at a station that can provide hydrogen fuel, the time obtained by adding the completion time of hydrogen fuel replenishment of the other vehicle to the time of refilling hydrogen fuel at the station is obtained.

4. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Retrieving the one or more sites includes: extracting each station that can provide the power source to the target vehicle; obtaining the unit price of the power source provided in each of the extracted sites; and The one or more sites are determined according to the obtained unit prices.

5. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Retrieving the one or more sites includes: extracting each station that can provide the power source to the target vehicle; obtaining a timing of replenishment of the power source estimated to be required when the target vehicle moves to a destination; and determining the one or more stations that are within a predetermined range from the position where the target vehicle is expected to be at the timing, The station location information includes a planned travel route to the destination via the retrieved one or more stations.

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