Electronic certificate acquisition method and charge setting method

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic certificate acquisition method and a charge setting method. The present invention is provided with: a first step for determining whether or not an electronic certificate can be acquired by wireless communication using a communication device before a vehicle arrives at a charging station, on the basis of a travel route from a current location to a destination and the position of the charging station; and a second step in which, when it is determined that the electronic certificate can be acquired by wireless communication using the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, the electronic certificate is acquired by wireless communication using the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for obtaining an electronic certificate and a method for setting a charge. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a method for obtaining such an electronic certificate, a method has been proposed in which, in a vehicle equipped with a power storage device (rechargeable battery), a storage device capable of storing information, and a communication device (in-vehicle communication device) that exchanges information wirelessly with the outside, an electronic certificate used when charging the power storage device with power from a charging device (charging equipment) provided at a charging station (charging platform) is obtained and stored in the storage device (memory) (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-61185). In this method, regarding the electronic certificate, when the user operates a terminal device carried thereon, the electronic certificate is obtained from a server outside the vehicle via the communication device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, in the above-described method for obtaining an electronic certificate, when the user does not carry a terminal device, the electronic certificate cannot be obtained. In this case, even if the vehicle arrives at the charging station, the charging device provided at the charging station cannot be used, and the power storage device cannot be charged.

[0004] The main object of the method for obtaining an electronic certificate and the method for setting a charge according to the present disclosure is to more reliably charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle with power from a charging device provided at a charging station.

[0005] The method for obtaining an electronic certificate and the method for setting a charge according to the present disclosure employ the following means to achieve the above main object.

[0006] The gist of the first method for obtaining an electronic certificate according to the present disclosure is as follows:

[0007] In a vehicle equipped with a power storage device and a communication device that exchanges information at least via wireless communication, an electronic certificate used when charging the power storage device with power from a charging device provided at a charging station is obtained, wherein the first method for obtaining an electronic certificate includes:

[0008] A first step of determining whether the electronic certificate can be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station based on the driving route from the current location to the destination and the location of the charging station; and

[0009] A second step of, when it is determined that the electronic certificate can be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, obtaining the electronic certificate by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station.

[0010] In the method for obtaining the first electronic certificate of the present disclosure, based on the driving route from the current location to the destination and the location of the charging station, it is determined whether the electronic certificate can be obtained through wireless communication using the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station. Moreover, when it is determined that the electronic certificate can be obtained through wireless communication using the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, the electronic certificate is obtained through wireless communication using the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station. Thus, the electronic certificate can be obtained before the vehicle arrives at the charging station. As a result, the power storage device mounted on the vehicle can be more reliably charged with the power from the charging device provided at the charging station.

[0011] The gist of the method for obtaining the second electronic certificate of the present disclosure is as follows:

[0012] In a vehicle equipped with a power storage device, an electronic certificate used when charging the power storage device with the power from the charging device provided at the charging station is obtained, where

[0013] when the number of failures to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is less than a predetermined number, the electronic certificate is obtained from the charging device after arriving at the charging station.

[0014] In the method for obtaining the second electronic certificate of the present disclosure, when the number of failures to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is less than a predetermined number, the electronic certificate is obtained from the charging device after arriving at the charging station. When the number of failures to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is less than a predetermined number, it is considered that it is difficult for the failure to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device to occur. Therefore, when the number of failures to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is less than a predetermined number, the electronic certificate is obtained from the charging device after arriving at the charging station, so that the electronic certificate can be obtained more reliably. As a result, the power storage device mounted on the vehicle can be more reliably charged with the power from the charging device provided at the charging station.

[0015] The gist of the charging setting method of the present disclosure is as follows:

[0016] In a vehicle equipped with a power storage device and a communication device that exchanges information at least through wireless communication, a charging method for charging the power storage device with the power from the charging device provided at the charging station is set, where the charging setting method includes:

[0017] The first step is to determine whether the electronic certificate used when charging the power storage device with the power from the charging device can be obtained through the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station based on the driving route from the current location to the destination and the location of the charging station; and

[0018] Step 2: When it is determined that the electronic certificate can be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, obtain the electronic certificate by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, and set the charging method to the first method of charging by using the obtained electronic certificate. When it is determined that the electronic certificate cannot be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, set the charging method to the second method of charging without using the electronic certificate.

[0019] In the charging setting method of the present disclosure, based on the driving route from the current location to the destination and the location of the charging station, it is determined whether the electronic certificate used when charging the power storage device with the power from the charging device can be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station. Moreover, when it is determined that the electronic certificate can be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, the electronic certificate is obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, and the charging method is set to the first method of charging by using the obtained electronic certificate. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably charge the power storage device mounted on the vehicle with the power from the charging device provided at the charging station. In addition, when it is determined that the electronic certificate cannot be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, the charging method is set to the second method of charging without using the electronic certificate. Thus, when the electronic certificate cannot be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device, it is possible to charge the power storage device mounted on the vehicle with the power from the charging device provided at the charging station. As a result, it is possible to more reliably charge the power storage device mounted on the vehicle with the power from the charging device provided at the charging station.

[0020] In such a charging fee setting method of the present disclosure, in the second step, when it is determined that the electronic certificate cannot be obtained through the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, if the number of failures to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is less than a predetermined number, the electronic certificate is obtained from the charging device after arriving at the charging station, and the charging method is set to the first method. When the number of failures is equal to or more than the predetermined number, the charging method is set to the second method. When the number of failures to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is less than the predetermined number, it is considered that it is difficult for the failure to occur when obtaining the electronic certificate from the charging device. Therefore, when the number of failures to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is less than the predetermined number, the electronic certificate is obtained from the charging device after arriving at the charging station, so that the electronic certificate can be obtained more reliably. Moreover, since the charging method is set to the first method, that is, the charging fee is paid using the obtained electronic certificate, the charging method can be set more appropriately. In addition, when the number of failures to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is equal to or more than the predetermined number, it is considered that it is easy for the failure to occur when obtaining the electronic certificate from the charging device. In this case, the charging method is set to the second method, that is, the charging fee is paid without using the obtained electronic certificate. Therefore, even when the electronic certificate cannot be obtained, a more appropriate charging method can be set. As a result, the power storage device mounted on the vehicle can be charged more reliably with the power from the charging device provided at the charging station. Description of the Drawings

[0021] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing the vehicle charging system 1 of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a charging processing routine. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0024] Next, with reference to the drawings, the detailed implementation manners of the present disclosure will be described.

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing the vehicle charging system 1 of the present disclosure. The vehicle charging system 1 shown in this figure includes a charging device 2 that can charge the battery B of the battery electric vehicle V from the outside, a management server 3, and an authentication server 4.

[0026] The battery electric vehicle V is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that, in addition to the storage battery B as an electric power storage device, includes a motor MG that exchanges electric power with the storage battery B via a power control unit (PCU) not shown. The battery electric vehicle V includes, in addition to the storage battery B and the motor MG2, a communication device DCM that can communicate wirelessly with the authentication server 4, a navigation device NAVI, and an electronic control unit ECU that controls the motor MG and the communication device DCM.

[0027] Although not shown, the navigation device NAVI includes a main body having a control unit, a GPS antenna that receives information related to the current location of the vehicle, and a touch panel type display. The control unit of the main body has a storage medium (such as a hard disk, SSD, etc.) that stores map information and the like, an input / output port, and a communication port. In the map information, service information such as charging stations 10 and parking lots, and road information for each driving section (such as between traffic lights, between intersections, etc.) are stored as a database. When the user sets a destination through an operation on the display, the control unit of the main body of the navigation device NAVI sets a driving route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination based on the map information stored in the main body, the current location of the vehicle from the GPS antenna, and the destination, and displays the set driving route on the display for route guidance.

[0028] The electronic control unit ECU includes a computer (not shown) having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output port, a communication port, etc. The electronic control unit ECU controls the motor MG. The electronic control unit ECU exchanges information with the communication device DCM and the navigation device NAVI via the communication port.

[0029] The charging device 2 is provided at a so-called charging station 10. As Figure 1 shown, the charging device 2 includes a housing 20, a charging cable 22 including a charging connector 21, a power conversion device (power equipment) 23, a communication machine 24, and an electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as "ECU") 25 as a charging control device. The charging cable 22 includes a positive power supply line connected to the positive terminal of the charging connector 21, a negative power supply line connected to the negative terminal of the charging connector 21, and a communication line connected to the signal terminal of the charging connector 21. Further, the charging cable 22 is connected to the power conversion device 23.

[0030] In this embodiment, a power conversion device 23, a communication device 24, and an ECU 25 are arranged inside a housing 20. The power conversion device 23 includes a rectifier circuit, a transformer, a switching circuit, etc., and converts AC power supplied from an AC power source such as a commercial power supply into DC power. When a charging connector 21 is inserted into a charging port I of a battery electric vehicle V, the power conversion device 23 is electrically connected to the charging port I via a charging cable 22 and the charging connector 21. The communication device 24 exchanges various information with a management server 3 etc. shown in Figure 1 through wireless communication.

[0031] The ECU 25 of the charging device 2 includes a computer (not shown) having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. When the charging connector 21 is inserted into the charging port I of the battery electric vehicle V and a relay of the battery electric vehicle V is closed, the ECU 25 controls the power conversion device 23 based on detection values of a current sensor, a voltage sensor, etc. (both not shown). Thus, the storage battery B of the battery electric vehicle V is charged with power (DC power) from the charging device 2, i.e., the power conversion device 23. In addition, when the charging connector 21 is inserted into the charging port I of the battery electric vehicle V, the ECU 25 exchanges information with an electronic control unit ECU of the battery electric vehicle V via a communication line of the charging cable 22.

[0032] Furthermore, the charging device 2 includes a display device 26 such as a liquid crystal display. The display device 26 is mounted on the housing 20 and is controlled by the ECU 25. The ECU 25 causes information for a user of the battery electric vehicle V parked in a parking space of the charging station 10 to be displayed on the display device 26. The information displayed on the display device 26 includes a usage guide of the charging device 2 and a payment (charging) guide for paying the charging fee using cash or a credit card.

[0033] The management server 3 is set up / managed by, for example, an operating company of the charging station 10 etc., and functions as a management device that manages the usage status of a large number of charging devices 2, the payment status of charging fees, etc. in cooperation with the ECU 25 of the charging device 2. The management server 3 cooperates with the ECU 25 of the charging device 2 to perform payment authentication. The management server 3 includes a computer (not shown) having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output device, etc., a communication device 31, and a storage device 32. As shown in Figure 1 in the management server 3, a management module 35 is constructed through the cooperation of hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM and a pre-installed program.

[0034] The communication device 31 exchanges various information wirelessly or wiredly with the communication device 24 of the charging device 2, the authentication server 4, etc. The storage device 32 stores a database that associates the usage status (usage history) of the charging device 2 or the payment status of the charging fee, vehicle identification information of a large number of vehicles including the battery electric vehicle V and / or user identification information of the user such as the battery electric vehicle V, and the electronic certificate used when charging the storage battery B of the battery electric vehicle V at the charging station 10. The vehicle identification information includes the vehicle identification number (chassis number) and vehicle number of the battery electric vehicle V. The user identification information includes the driver's license number of the user of the battery electric vehicle V, contact methods such as the mobile phone number, and the user ID assigned by the vehicle manufacturer to the user (owner) of the battery electric vehicle V, etc. The management module 35 executes the creation / updating process of the above database, extracts information from the database, etc.

[0035] The authentication server 4 is set / managed by, for example, a service providing company that provides services for issuing electronic certificates, and functions as an authentication station for issuing electronic certificates. The authentication server 4 includes a computer (not shown) having a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output devices, etc., a communication device 41, and a storage device 42. The communication device 41 exchanges various information wirelessly or wiredly with the communication device 24 of the charging device 2, etc. In addition, the communication device 41 exchanges various information wirelessly with the communication device DCM of the battery electric vehicle V. In the storage device 42, the issued electronic certificates are stored. The CPU of the authentication server 4 issues electronic certificates.

[0036] Next, the operation of the vehicle charging system 1 of the present disclosure will be described, particularly the operation when charging the storage battery B of the battery electric vehicle V with power from the charging device 2. Figure 2 It is a flowchart showing an example of a charging processing routine executed by the electronic control unit ECU of the battery electric vehicle V. This routine is a flowchart exemplifying a routine executed in cooperation with the navigation device NAVI and the electronic control device ECU of the battery electric vehicle V. When the destination is set by the operation of the display of the navigation device NAVI by the user, this routine starts to be executed. In addition, when this routine starts to be executed, the battery electric vehicle V may be stopped or in motion.

[0037] When this routine is executed, the control unit of the main body of the navigation device NAVI sets the driving route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination based on the map information stored in the main body, the current location of the vehicle from the GPS antenna, and the destination (S100). When the battery electric vehicle V is stopped, after setting the driving route, the battery electric vehicle V starts to drive through the operation of the user, etc.

[0038] Next, a recommended charging station 10 on the driving route is retrieved and set (S110). When there are multiple charging stations 10 on the driving route, the nearest charging station 10, the charging station 10 suitable for charging the battery electric vehicle V, etc. are set as the recommended charging station 10.

[0039] The CPU of the electronic control unit ECU determines whether an electronic certificate can be obtained from the authentication server 4 via wireless communication by the communication device DCM before reaching the charging station 10 retrieved in S110 (S120). In S120, when normal wireless communication cannot be performed between the authentication server 4 and the communication device DCM, such as when the wireless communication with the authentication server 4 is interrupted, or when there is a history of wireless communication failure with the authentication server 4 during driving on the same driving route in the past, it is determined that the electronic certificate cannot be obtained from the authentication server 4. When the battery electric vehicle V starts driving when S120 is executed, the process of S120 becomes a process of determining whether an electronic certificate can be obtained via wireless communication using the communication device DCM on the driving route until the battery electric vehicle V reaches the charging station 10. When an electronic certificate can be obtained before reaching the charging station 10 in S120, the electronic certificate is obtained from the authentication server 4 via wireless communication by the communication device DCM (S140). In this way, since the electronic certificate is obtained from the authentication server 4 via wireless communication when an electronic certificate can be obtained before reaching the charging station 10, the electronic certificate can be obtained more reliably. Then, the charging method when charging the storage battery B of the battery electric vehicle V with the power from the charging device 2 is set to the first method (S160). The first method is a method of charging by authenticating the battery electric vehicle V using the electronic certificate when charging the storage battery B of the battery electric vehicle V with the power from the charging device 2.

[0040] When it is determined in S120 that an electronic certificate cannot be obtained, it is determined whether an attempt was made to obtain an electronic certificate from the charging device 2 installed in the charging station 10 retrieved in S110 but failed in the past (S130). In S130, when the number of times an attempt was made to obtain an electronic certificate from the charging device 2 installed in the charging station 10 retrieved in S110 but failed in the past is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, 2, 3, 4, etc.), it is determined that the acquisition of the electronic certificate has failed. When the number of times an attempt was made to obtain an electronic certificate from the charging device 2 installed in the charging station 10 retrieved in S110 but failed in the past is less than the predetermined number, it is determined that the acquisition of the electronic certificate has not failed. When it is determined in S130 that the acquisition of the electronic certificate from the charging device 2 has not failed in the past, it is set to obtain an electronic certificate from the charging device 2 when connected to the charging device 2 (S150), and the charging method when charging the battery B of the battery electric vehicle V with power from the charging device 2 via the charging cable 22 is set to the first method (S160). When it is determined in S130 that the acquisition of the electronic certificate from the charging device 2 has failed in the past, the charging method when charging the battery B of the battery electric vehicle V with power from the charging device 2 is set to the second method (S170). The second method is a charging method in which, when charging the battery B of the battery electric vehicle V with power from the charging device 2, no electronic certificate is used and payment is made using cash, a credit card, or the like.

[0041] Next, the battery electric vehicle V arrives at the charging station 10. Then, the charging connector 21 is inserted into the charging port I of the battery electric vehicle V. After that, it waits until it is connected to the charging device 2 via the communication line of the charging cable 22 and information can be exchanged with each other (S180). When the battery electric vehicle V is connected to the charging device 2, the charging method set in S160 or S170 is sent to the ECU 25 of the charging device 2 via the communication line of the charging cable 22 (S190). When the ECU 25 that has received the charging method determines that the charging method is the first method, it waits until an electronic certificate is sent from the battery electric vehicle V or a request for obtaining an electronic certificate is received from the battery electric vehicle V. When the charging method is the second method, a guide on the payment method for the charging fee in cash or non-cash settlement is displayed on the display device 26, and it waits for the user to input via the display device 26. When the user inputs cash as the payment method, authentication information indicating that authentication is complete is sent to the electronic control unit ECU of the battery electric vehicle V via the communication line of the charging cable 22. When the user inputs a credit card as the payment method, it further waits for the user to input the user authentication information required for authentication. Moreover, when the user authentication information is input via the display device 26, in cooperation with the management server 3, payment authentication is performed based on the user authentication information, and the authentication result is sent to the electronic control unit ECU of the battery electric vehicle V via the communication line of the charging cable 22.

[0042] Next, it is determined whether the charging method is the first method (S200). When the charging method is the first method, it is determined whether an electronic certificate has been obtained (S210). When an electronic certificate has been obtained, the obtained electronic certificate is sent to the charging ECU 52 of the charging device 2 via the communication line of the charging cable 22 (S230). When an electronic certificate has not been obtained, an electronic certificate is obtained from the charging ECU 52 of the charging device 2 via the communication line of the charging cable 22 (S220). In obtaining the electronic certificate, the electronic control unit ECU first sends a certificate acquisition request and vehicle identification information to the charging ECU 52 of the charging device 2 via the communication line of the charging cable 22. The charging ECU 5 that has received the certificate acquisition request and vehicle identification information cooperates with the management module 35 of the management server 3 to obtain an electronic certificate corresponding to the vehicle identification information from the database stored in the storage device 32 of the management server 3. Moreover, the charging ECU 5 sends the electronic certificate to the electronic control unit ECU of the battery electric vehicle V via the communication line of the charging cable 22. The electronic control unit ECU obtains the electronic certificate in this way. Moreover, the obtained electronic certificate is sent to the charging ECU 52 of the charging device 2 via the communication line of the charging cable 22 (S230). The charging ECU 52 of the charging device 2 that has received the electronic certificate cooperates with the management server 3 and uses the received electronic certificate for payment authentication. Moreover, the charging ECU 52 sends the authentication result to the electronic control unit ECU of the battery electric vehicle V via the communication line of the charging cable 22.

[0043] Based on the received authentication result, the electronic control unit ECU determines whether the payment (first method) has been authenticated (S240). When the payment has been authenticated, the battery B of the battery electric vehicle V is charged with the power from the charging device 2 via the charging cable 22 (S250), and this routine ends. When the payment has not been authenticated, this routine ends.

[0044] When the charging method in S200 is not the first method, that is, when the charging method is the second method, it is determined whether the payment (second method) has been authenticated (S240). When the payment has been authenticated, the battery B of the battery electric vehicle V is charged with the power from the charging device 2 (S250), and this routine ends. When the payment has not been authenticated, this routine ends.

[0045] When there is an obstacle in the communication between the charging device 2 at the charging station 10 and the management server 3, even if the charging connector 21 is inserted into the charging port I of the battery electric vehicle V, it may sometimes be impossible to obtain an electronic certificate via the communication line of the charging cable 22, and it is impossible to charge the storage battery B with the power from the charging device 2 via the charging cable 22. In the vehicle charging system 1 of the present embodiment, according to the driving route from the current location to the destination and the location of the charging station 10, it is determined whether an electronic certificate can be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device DCM. Moreover, when it is determined that an electronic certificate can be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device DCM before the battery electric vehicle V arrives at the charging station 10, the electronic certificate is obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device DCM. Thus, it is possible to obtain the electronic certificate more reliably before arriving at the charging station 10, and it is possible to charge the storage battery B mounted on the battery electric vehicle V with the power from the charging device 2 more reliably.

[0046] In addition, in the case where it is determined that an electronic certificate cannot be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device DCM before the battery electric vehicle V arrives at the charging station 10, when the number of failures to obtain an electronic certificate from the charging device 2 via the communication line of the charging cable 22 in the past is less than a predetermined number, after arriving at the charging station 10 and inserting the charging connector 21 into the charging port I of the battery electric vehicle V, an electronic certificate is obtained from the charging device 2, so that the electronic certificate can be obtained more reliably. Therefore, it is possible to charge the storage battery B with the power from the charging device 2 provided at the charging station 10 more reliably.

[0047] In addition, in the case where it is determined that an electronic certificate cannot be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device DCM before the battery electric vehicle V arrives at the charging station 10, when the number of failures to obtain an electronic certificate from the charging device 2 in the past is less than a predetermined number, an electronic certificate is obtained from the charging device 2 after arriving at the charging station 10, and the charging method is set to the first method. When the number of failures is equal to or more than the predetermined number, the charging method is set to the second method, so that it is possible to charge the storage battery B mounted on the battery electric vehicle V with the power from the charging device 2 provided at the charging station 10 more reliably.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, when it is possible to obtain an electronic certificate from the authentication server 4 on the driving route before reaching the charging station 10 retrieved in S110 through wireless communication via the communication device DCM, the electronic certificate is obtained through wireless communication. Regarding the timing of obtaining the electronic certificate, as long as it is before reaching the charging station 10, it can be set to any timing. In addition, when the communication cost for obtaining the electronic certificate through wireless communication is high, the electronic certificate may not be obtained. Furthermore, when the communication cost for obtaining the electronic certificate through wireless communication is high, a selection screen for selecting whether to obtain the electronic certificate may be displayed on the display of the navigation device NAVI of the battery electric vehicle V or on the screen of the portable terminal owned by the user. When it is selected not to obtain the electronic certificate, the electronic certificate is not obtained, and when it is selected to obtain the electronic certificate, the electronic certificate is obtained.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, when it is not possible to obtain an electronic certificate from the authentication server 4 on the driving route before reaching the charging station 10 retrieved in S110 through wireless communication via the communication device DCM, it is determined in S130 whether the acquisition of the electronic certificate from the charging device 2 has failed in the past. However, S130 and S150 may not be executed, and when it is not possible to obtain an electronic certificate from the authentication server 4 on the driving route before reaching the charging station 10 retrieved in S110 through wireless communication via the communication device DCM, the charging method may be set to the second method.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the driving route is set in S100 to S120. Then, the charging station 10 on the driving route is retrieved. After that, it is determined whether it is possible to obtain an electronic certificate from the authentication server 4 on the driving route before reaching the charging station 10 retrieved in S110 through wireless communication via the communication device DCM. However, S100 to S120 may not be executed, and it is determined in S130 whether the acquisition of the electronic certificate from the charging device 2 has failed in the past. When the acquisition of the electronic certificate has not failed, the electronic certificate is obtained through the communication line of the charging cable 22 after reaching the charging station 10 and inserting the charging connector 21 into the charging port I of the battery electric vehicle V.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, when it is impossible to obtain an electronic certificate from the authentication server 4 on the driving route before reaching the charging station 10 retrieved in S110 through wireless communication via the communication device DCM in S120, it is determined in S130 whether the acquisition of the electronic certificate from the charging device 2 has failed in the past. However, when it is impossible to obtain an electronic certificate from the authentication server 4 on the driving route before reaching the charging station 10 retrieved in S110 through wireless communication via the communication device DCM in S120, it is also possible to investigate the history of obtaining the electronic certificate from the charging device 2 in the past. In the case where there is no history, an attempt is made to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device 2 via the communication line of the charging cable 22. In this case, whether the electronic certificate has been obtained and the location information of the charging station 10 can be stored either in the storage device of the electronic control unit ECU or in the management server 3 via the charging device 2. Additionally, when there is no history of obtaining the electronic certificate from the charging device 2 in the past, it is also possible to prohibit the acquisition of the electronic certificate in the charging device 2. Furthermore, in S130, it is also possible to determine whether the acquisition of the electronic certificate from the charging device 2 has failed in the past based on the acquisition history of the electronic certificate from the management server 3 for other battery electric vehicles V via the charging device 2.

[0052] In addition, the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the summary of the invention is that the embodiment is an example for specifically explaining a method for implementing the invention described in the summary of the invention. Thus, the elements of the invention described in the summary of the invention are not limited. That is, the interpretation of the invention described in the summary of the invention should be based on the description of this part, and the embodiment is only a specific example of the invention described in the summary of the invention.

[0053] As described above, the embodiments for implementing the present disclosure have been explained, but the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments at all, and can of course be implemented in various ways without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0054] The present invention can be used in the manufacturing industry of products such as devices for obtaining electronic certificates and toll setting devices.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining an electronic certificate, in a vehicle including a power storage device and a communication device for exchanging information at least by wireless communication, for obtaining an electronic certificate used when charging the power storage device with electric power from a charging device installed at a charging station, wherein: The method for obtaining the electronic certificate comprises: Step 1, determining whether the electronic certificate can be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station based on the driving route from the current location to the destination and the location of the charging station; as well as In the second step, when it is determined that the electronic certificate can be acquired by the wireless communication using the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, the electronic certificate is acquired by the wireless communication using the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station.

2. The method for obtaining an electronic certificate according to claim 1, wherein: In the second step, when it is determined that the electronic certificate cannot be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, and when the number of failed attempts to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is less than a predetermined number, the electronic certificate is obtained from the charging device after arriving at the charging station.

3. A method for obtaining an electronic certificate, in a vehicle having an electric storage device, for obtaining an electronic certificate used when the electric storage device is charged with electric power from a charging device installed at a charging station, wherein: When the number of failed attempts to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is less than a predetermined number, the electronic certificate is obtained from the charging device after arriving at the charging station.

4. A method for setting a charge, in a vehicle having a power storage device and a communication device for exchanging information at least by wireless communication, for setting a charge method when the power storage device is charged with power from a charging device installed at a charging station, wherein: The charging setting method comprises: Step 1, based on the driving route from the current location to the destination and the location of the charging station, determining whether it is possible to obtain an electronic certificate used when charging the power storage device with electric power from the charging device by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station; as well as In the second step, when it is determined that the electronic certificate can be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, the electronic certificate is obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, and the charging method is set to the first method of charging using the obtained electronic certificate; when it is determined that the electronic certificate cannot be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, the charging method is set to the second method of charging without using the electronic certificate.

5. The charging setting method according to claim 4, wherein: In the second step, when it is determined that the electronic certificate cannot be obtained by using the wireless communication of the communication device before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, when the number of failed attempts to obtain the electronic certificate from the charging device in the past is less than a predetermined number of times, the electronic certificate is obtained from the charging device after arriving at the charging station, and the charging method is set to the first method; when the number of failures is greater than a predetermined number of times, the charging method is set to the second method.

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