Server for providing information on a charging area and method of operating the same

Abstract

According to the embodiments disclosed in the present document, a server can include: an acquisition unit configured to acquire usage reference information from at least some of chargers of a charging area and objects to be charged corresponding to the chargers; a determination unit configured to determine whether the objects to be charged use the charging area based on the usage reference information; and a generation unit configured to generate charging area status information based on a result of determining whether the charging area is used.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0095553, filed on July 19, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a server for providing information about a charging area and methods of operating thereon. Background Technology

[0004] As environmental issues become increasingly prominent, the supply of electric vehicles continues to increase, and consequently, the supply of charging devices for charging electric vehicles is also increasing.

[0005] However, most charging stations take a considerable amount of time to charge electric vehicles, and as a result, electric vehicle users often leave the location of the charging station while the vehicle is connected to it to go somewhere else to take care of other things, and the vehicle is often left behind while connected to the charging station.

[0006] As a result, the following problem exists: even when the vehicle is fully charged, it remains in the charging station instead of being moved to another location, preventing other vehicles from using the charging station.

[0007] In addition, electric vehicle users are typically provided with information about whether the charging station is currently charging, and other users are notified that the charging station is not charging when a vehicle that has finished charging is left to occupy the charging station. However, this presents a problem: many electric vehicle users experience inconvenience because other users may mistakenly believe the charging station is currently available and only discover it is unavailable after visiting the charging station. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] The embodiments disclosed in this document provide a server and its operation method for providing real-time information about electric vehicle charging areas.

[0010] The embodiments disclosed in this document provide a server and its operation method for generating and providing information about electric vehicle charging areas using minimal resources.

[0011] The technical objectives of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the above-described technical problems, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the following description other technical problems not mentioned.

[0012] Technical solution

[0013] A server according to embodiments disclosed in this document includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire usage reference information from at least some of a charger in a charging area and a charging target corresponding to the charger; a determination unit configured to determine whether the charging target uses the charging area based on the usage reference information; and a generation unit configured to generate charging area status information based on the result of determining whether the charging target uses the charging area, wherein the usage reference information includes at least some of connection status information regarding whether the charging target is connected to the charger, charging status information, and charging target speed information.

[0014] In the server according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the reference information may also include distance information corresponding to the distance between the charger and the charging target.

[0015] In a server according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, the determining unit can be configured to determine that a charging target is occupying a charging area when the distance information is less than a threshold distance information and charging status information is obtained when the charging start time is before the charging end time.

[0016] In a server according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, the determining unit can be configured to determine that the charging target is charging in the charging area when the distance information is less than a threshold distance information and the charging status information is obtained when the charging start time is after the charging end time.

[0017] The server according to the embodiments disclosed in this document may further include a providing unit configured to provide departure guidance information to the occupying user terminal corresponding to the charging target for causing the charging target to leave the charging area when it is determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

[0018] In a server according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, the determining unit may be configured to (i) when obtaining charging end information as charging state information while acquiring a connection signal between the charging target and the charger as connection state information, or (ii) when obtaining a disconnection signal between the charging target and the charger as connection state information, and when the charging target speed information is less than a threshold speed information, determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

[0019] In a server according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the determining unit can be configured to determine that the charging target is charging in the charging area when charging progress information is obtained as charging status information, while the state of obtaining a connection signal between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information.

[0020] The server according to the embodiments disclosed in this document may further include a providing unit configured to provide departure guidance information to the occupying user terminal corresponding to the charging target for causing the charging target to leave the charging area when it is determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

[0021] The server operation method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document includes the following steps: obtaining usage reference information from at least some of the chargers in the charging area and the charging targets corresponding to the chargers; determining whether the charging targets use the charging area based on the usage reference information; and generating charging area status information based on the result of determining whether the charging targets use the charging area, wherein the usage reference information includes at least some of the connection status information, charging status information, and charging target speed information regarding whether the charging targets are connected to the charger.

[0022] In the server operation method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the reference information may further include distance information corresponding to the distance between the charger and the charging target.

[0023] In the server operation method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, in the step of determining whether a charging target is using a charging area, when the distance information is less than a threshold distance information and the charging status information is obtained where the charging start time is before the charging end time, it can be determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

[0024] In the server operation method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, in the step of determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, when the distance information is less than the threshold distance information and the charging status information is obtained after the charging start time is after the charging end time, it can be determined that the charging target is charging in the charging area.

[0025] The server operation method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document may further include the following steps: after determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, when it is determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area, providing departure guidance information to the occupying user terminal corresponding to the charging target to enable the charging target to leave the charging area.

[0026] In the server operation method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, in the step of determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, (i) when the connection signal between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information, and when charging end information is obtained as charging status information, or (ii) when the disconnection signal between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information, and when the charging target speed information is less than the threshold speed information, it can be determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

[0027] In the server operation method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, in the step of determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, when the connection signal between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information, it can be determined that the charging target is charging in the charging area when charging progress information is obtained as charging status information.

[0028] According to the server operation method of the embodiments disclosed in this document, after the step of determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, the following steps may be included: when it is determined that the charging target occupies the charging area in an uncharged state, providing the occupier user terminal corresponding to the charging target with departure guidance information for causing the charging target to leave the charging area.

[0029] Beneficial effects

[0030] The server and its operating method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document can provide information about electric vehicle charging areas in real time.

[0031] The server and its operating method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document can generate and provide information about electric vehicle charging areas with fewer resources.

[0032] In addition, various effects can be provided, either directly or indirectly, through this document. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a server according to an implementation disclosed in this document.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a server according to an implementation disclosed in this document.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a server according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating a method of operating a server according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0037] Figure 5 A computing system is illustrated that performs a server operation method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document. Detailed Implementation

[0038] In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or substitutions of the embodiments of the invention.

[0039] In this document, unless the relevant context explicitly indicates otherwise, the singular form of the noun corresponding to an item may include one or more items. In this document, each of the phrases “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B or C” may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase within the phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as “first,” “second,” “firstly,” and “secondarily” may be used only to distinguish one component from another and do not limit the components in any other way (e.g., in terms of importance or order). When a component (e.g., the first component) is referred to as “connected” or “linked” to another component (e.g., the second component), with or without the terms “functionally” or “communically,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or via a third component.

[0040] Each of the components described in this document (e.g., a module or program) may include one or more entities. According to various implementations, one or more components or operations may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as the functions performed by the corresponding components among the multiple components prior to integration. According to various implementations, operations performed by modules, programs, or other components may be performed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or may be performed in a different order, omitted, or performed by adding one or more other operations.

[0041] The terms “module” or “...unit” as used in this document can include units implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and are used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module can be an integrated component, or the smallest unit or part of a component that performs one or more functions. For example, depending on the implementation, a module can be implemented as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0042] The various embodiments described in this document can be implemented as software (e.g., a program or application) containing one or more instructions stored in a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., memory). For example, a processor of the device can invoke and execute at least one instruction from the storage medium. This enables the device to operate to perform at least one function according to the invoked instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, "non-transitory" simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored in a semi-permanent manner and cases where data is stored in a temporary manner.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a server according to the implementation methods disclosed in this document.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 Server 100 may include an acquisition unit 110, a determination unit 120, and a generation unit 130. However, it is not limited to this, and some components may be omitted from server 100, or other general components may be additionally included in server 100.

[0045] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the acquisition unit 110 can acquire usage reference information for determining whether the charging area is in use from at least some of the chargers in the charging area and the charging targets corresponding to the chargers.

[0046] According to the implementation, the charging target can be a moving object such as an electric vehicle that receives power from the charger. For reference, the charging target corresponding to the charger can be an electric vehicle currently connected to the charger, having a history of being connected, or located in a charging area corresponding to the charger.

[0047] To aid understanding, please refer to further details. Figure 2 It can identify chargers 10, 20, 30, and 40, charging areas 11, 21, 31, and 41, and the charging target (e.g., an electric vehicle). Specifically, it can be confirmed that in the case of charger 10, the charging target does not use the corresponding charging area 11, while in the cases of chargers 20, 30, and 40, the charging target uses (is charging or occupies) the corresponding charging area 11. Furthermore, it can be confirmed that in the case of charger 20, the charging target is charging, while in the cases of chargers 30 and 40, the charging target occupies charging areas 31 and 41 when not charging. For reference, in Figure 2In this diagram, the charging cable of charger 40 is shown disconnected from the charging target, indicating that the charging target is currently occupying the charging area, but this is not limited to this. For example, even if the charging cable of charger 40 is connected to the charging target, the charging target corresponds to the state of the charging area being occupied when the charging target is not currently charging.

[0048] Additionally, the reference information may include at least some of the following: connection status information regarding whether the charging target is connected to the charger (e.g., information regarding whether the charging target is connected to / disconnected from the charger), charging status information (e.g., information regarding whether the charging target is charging), and charging target speed information (e.g., information regarding the moving speed of the charging target).

[0049] According to the implementation, the reference information may also include distance information corresponding to the distance between the charger and the charging target.

[0050] According to an embodiment, when a distance sensor (e.g., an IR sensor) is mounted on the charger, and distance information is generated as the distance sensor senses the distance to an object (e.g., a charging target) approaching the charger, the charger can send the corresponding distance information to the acquisition unit 110. For reference, the distance information may be information about the distance between the charger and the target to be charged, but is not limited to this. For example, the charger may determine the presence or absence of a charging target within the charging area based on the distance between the charger and the charging target, generate a determination result as distance information, and send the determination result to the acquisition unit 110. Alternatively, the charger may directly send the distance information to the acquisition unit 110, but is not limited to this. For example, the charger may send the corresponding distance information to the server of the operator managing the charger, and the acquisition unit 110 may obtain the corresponding distance information from the charger operator's server.

[0051] The determination unit 120 according to the embodiments disclosed in this document can determine whether the charging target uses the charging area based on the use of reference information.

[0052] According to the implementation method, the charging status information may include information about the charging start time, the charging end time, and the charging station ID.

[0053] According to the implementation method, the charging status information may also include information about the charger type.

[0054] According to the implementation, when the distance information is less than a threshold distance information and charging status information is obtained where the charging start time is before the charging end time, the determination unit 120 can determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area. For example, when the most recent charging start time obtained from the charger (e.g., 9:20 AM on June 2, 2024) is before the most recent charging end time (e.g., 11:20 AM on June 2, 2024), the charging via the corresponding charger corresponds to a state where charging is completed. In this case, when the distance between the charger and the charging target (e.g., 2m) is less than the threshold distance information (e.g., 3m), the charging target (e.g., an electric vehicle) is located in the charging area in the state where charging is completed, and therefore, the determination unit 120 can determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

[0055] According to the implementation, when the distance information is less than a threshold distance information and charging status information is obtained where the charging start time is after the charging end time, the determination unit 120 can determine that the charging target is charging in the charging area. For example, when the most recent charging start time obtained from the charger (e.g., 1:00 PM on June 2, 2024) is after the most recent charging end time (e.g., 11:20 AM on June 2, 2024), the charging via the corresponding charger corresponds to a charging in progress status. In this case, when the distance between the charger and the charging target (e.g., 2m) is less than the threshold distance information (e.g., 3m), the charging target (e.g., an electric vehicle) corresponds to a situation where charging is in progress and the charging target is located in the corresponding charging area, and therefore, the determination unit 120 can determine that the charging target is charging in the charging area.

[0056] According to the implementation, when the distance information is greater than or equal to the threshold distance information, the determining unit 120 can determine that the charging target is not using the charging area. For example, when the distance between the charger and the charging target (e.g., 5m) is greater than or equal to the threshold distance information (e.g., 3m), it corresponds to the situation where the charging target (e.g., an electric vehicle) is located outside the corresponding charging area, and therefore, the determining unit 120 can determine that the corresponding charging area is not used.

[0057] For reference, the above description has described the threshold distance information as having a single value (e.g., 3m), but this is merely an example to aid understanding and is not a limitation. For instance, the threshold distance information could be set to correspond to the shape of each charging area where the charger is mounted. For example, when based on a distance sensor mounted on the charger being 0 degrees in front, the threshold distance information could be set to 2m for a directional range from -90 degrees or greater to less than 0 degrees, and to 2.5m for a directional range from 0 degrees or greater to less than 90 degrees. Alternatively, the threshold distance information for each azimuth angle of each distance sensor could be set to... Figure 2 The shapes of the charging areas 11, 21, 31 and 41 shown correspond to each other.

[0058] According to the implementation, the determining unit 120 can determine whether the charging target is using the charging area based on at least some of the connection status information, charging status information and charging target speed information included in the usage reference information.

[0059] In this scenario, usage reference information can be generated through on-board diagnostics (OBD) of the charging target (e.g., an electric vehicle). For example, the electric vehicle can use OBD to detect whether the charger is connected or disconnected and generate connection status information. Furthermore, the electric vehicle can use OBD to detect whether charging is currently in progress and generate charging status information. Additionally, the electric vehicle can use OBD to generate charging target speed information regarding the electric vehicle's movement speed. According to an implementation, the charging target (e.g., the electric vehicle) can be equipped with a data collection device, and the data collection device can collect data from the charging target through its data port. As an example, the charging target's data port may include an OBD port, and the data collection device can be connected to the charging target's OBD port. The data collection device can collect data from the charging target (e.g., whether the charger is connected or disconnected, whether charging is in progress, the charging target's movement speed, etc.) from the OBD port using the Controller Area Network (CAN) communication standard as usage reference information. The data collection device can then send the usage reference information to the acquisition unit.

[0060] According to the implementation method, when the connection signal (connection signal) between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information, and the charging end information is obtained as charging status information, the determination unit 120 can determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

[0061] According to the implementation method, when the connection signal (connection signal) between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information, if no charging start information is obtained as charging status information within a preset time period, the determination unit 120 can determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

[0062] According to the implementation, when a disconnection signal between the charging target and the charger is acquired as connection status information, if the charging target speed information is less than a threshold speed information, the determination unit 120 can determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area. For example, when the charger and the charging target are disconnected, if the charging target speed information (e.g., 0 km / h) is less than the threshold speed information (5 km / h), the determination unit 120 can determine that even after charging is completed, the charging target is still occupying the charging area without permission.

[0063] According to the implementation method, when the connection signal between the charging target and the charger is acquired as connection status information, and when charging progress information is acquired as charging status information, the determination unit 120 can determine that the charging target is charging in the charging area.

[0064] The generation unit 130, according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, can generate charging area status information as a result of determining whether the charging area is being used.

[0065] Furthermore, the providing unit according to the embodiments disclosed in this document can provide charging area status information to the user terminal.

[0066] Table 1 below corresponds to an example of charging area status information according to the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0067] [Table 1]

[0068] Referring to Table 1, by referring to the charging area status information, it can be checked whether multiple charging areas are currently in use. Each of the multiple charging areas can be used for each of the chargers at a specific charging station (e.g., a Wirye charging station).

[0069] However, the charging area status information listed in Table 1 is merely an example to aid understanding, and any remaining information other than whether the charging area is in use (e.g., information about occupancy time, etc.) may be provided to the user terminal and not included in the charging area status information.

[0070] According to the implementation method, when it is determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area, the providing unit may additionally provide departure guidance information to the user terminal (occupying user terminal) corresponding to the charging target so that the charging target leaves the charging area.

[0071] For example, assuming that a fast charger will be fined for occupying a charging area for more than one hour, and a slow charger will be fined for occupying a charging area for more than 14 hours, the providing unit can provide occupant terminal with departure guidance information (e.g., an alarm) before the corresponding time has elapsed, to prevent the occupant from being fined and to allow other electric vehicle users to use the charging station smoothly. Alternatively, the providing unit can provide departure guidance information to the occupant terminal after the corresponding time has elapsed to guide the occupant to leave the charging area in advance, thereby enabling other electric vehicle users to use the charging station smoothly.

[0072] As an example, in a scenario where the owner of a specific electric vehicle with a data collection device connected to an OBD port has subscribed to a charging-related information service and has already entered their vehicle information into a server via a charging information service application installed on their device, if the owner leaves their electric vehicle unattended in a charging area corresponding to a fast charger for more than one hour, the distance information between the electric vehicle and the fast charger (e.g., first usage reference information) may be less than a threshold distance information, and the speed information of the electric vehicle (e.g., second usage reference information) may be less than a threshold speed information. In this case, the determining unit can determine that the electric vehicle is occupying the charging area based on at least some of the first and second usage reference information. Furthermore, the providing unit can provide departure guidance information to the electric vehicle owner's terminal (i.e., the occupying user terminal) to facilitate smooth use of the charger by other electric vehicle users.

[0073] For reference, the above description has described implementations of providing charging area status information based on usage reference information obtained from the charger and implementations of providing charging area status information based on usage reference information obtained from the charging target, but the operation of server 100 according to the implementations disclosed in this document is not limited to any of the above implementations.

[0074] According to the implementation, the determining unit 120 can obtain usage reference information from both the charger and the charging target, and determine whether the charging target is using the charging area based on the usage reference information. For example, even when the distance information (3.1m) from the charger is greater than or equal to the threshold distance information (3m), the determining unit 120 can determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area when the connection signal (connection signal) between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information and the charging end information is obtained as charging status information. As another example, if the connection signal (connection signal) between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information and the distance information (2.5m) from the charger is less than the threshold distance information, then even if a preset time has passed, if the charging end information is not obtained from the charging target, the determining unit 120 can also determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

[0075] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of server 100 according to the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0076] Reference Figure 3 The operation method of server 100 may include the following steps: obtaining usage reference information (205) from at least some of the chargers in the charging area and the charging targets corresponding to the chargers to determine whether the charging area is in use; determining whether the charging target uses the charging area based on the usage reference information (210); and generating charging area status information (215) as a result of determining whether the charging target uses the charging area.

[0077] In this context, the reference information may include at least some of the following: connection status information regarding whether the charging target is connected to the charger, charging status information, and charging target speed information. In some embodiments, the reference information may also include distance information corresponding to the distance between the charger and the charging target.

[0078] In step 210, server 100 can determine whether the charging target is using the charging area based on distance information. In this embodiment, when the distance information is less than a threshold distance and charging status information indicating a charging start time before a charging end time is obtained, server 100 can determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area. In this embodiment, when the distance information is less than a threshold distance and charging status information indicating a charging start time after a charging end time is obtained, server 100 can determine that the charging target is charging in the charging area. In this embodiment, (i) when a connection signal between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information, and charging end information is obtained as charging status information; or (ii) when a disconnection signal between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information, and the charging target speed information is less than a threshold speed information, server 100 can determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area. In this embodiment, when a connection signal between the charging target and the charger is obtained as connection status information, and charging progress information is obtained as charging status information, server 100 can determine that the charging target is charging in the charging area.

[0079] After step 210, when it is determined that a charging target is occupying the charging area, the server 100 may provide the occupying user terminal corresponding to the charging target with departure guidance information to cause the charging target to leave the charging area. In this embodiment, when it is determined that a charging target is occupying the charging area in an uncharged state, the server 100 may provide the occupying user terminal corresponding to the charging target with departure guidance information to cause the charging target to leave the charging area.

[0080] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of server 100 according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0081] In step 305, server 100 can obtain usage reference information from the charger. At this time, the charger can use a distance sensor to generate distance information corresponding to the distance to the charging target and send the distance information to server 100.

[0082] In step 310, server 100 can determine whether a vehicle exists in the charging area based on the reference information. If no vehicle exists in the charging area, server 100 can determine that the charging area is available.

[0083] If the vehicle is in the charging area, then at step 315, server 100 can check the last charging start time and the last charging end time.

[0084] In step 320, server 100 can determine whether the charging area is in use based on the charging start time and charging end time. If the charging start time is after the charging end time, server 100 can determine that the target is currently charging in the charging area. If the charging start time is before the charging end time, server 100 can determine that the target is currently occupying the charging area without permission.

[0085] In step 325, server 100 may generate charging area status information based on the result of determining whether the charging area is in use.

[0086] Figure 5 A computing system 2000 is shown that executes a server operation method according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0087] Reference Figure 5 The computing system 2000 according to the embodiments disclosed in this document may include an MCU 2100, a memory 2200, a communication I / F 2300, and an input / output I / F 2400.

[0088] MCU 2100 can execute various programs stored in memory 2200 and perform the above-described procedures. Figure 1 The processor of the server 100 described, or the one that executes the reference. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The processor describes the operation method of server 100.

[0089] The memory 2200 can store various programs used to determine whether the charging area is in use.

[0090] Multiple such memories 2200 can be configured as needed. Memory 2200 can be volatile or non-volatile memory. Memory 2200 used as volatile memory can be RAM, DRAM, SRAM, etc. Memory 2200 used as non-volatile memory can be ROM, PROM, EAROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc. The examples of memory 2200 listed above are merely examples and are not limited to these examples.

[0091] The Input / Output I / F 2400 provides an interface that allows data to be sent and received by connecting input devices (not shown) such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel and output devices (not shown) such as a display to the MCU 2100.

[0092] The Communication I / F 2300 is configured to send and receive various types of data with a server and can be a device that supports both wired and wireless communication. For example, the Communication I / F 2300 can send and receive determinations about the status of the charging area from a separately configured external server.

[0093] In this way, the operation method of server 100 according to the embodiments disclosed in this document can be recorded in memory 2200 and executed by MCU 2100.

[0094] The operation method of server 100 according to the embodiments disclosed in this document has the effect of achieving rapid determination using far fewer resources compared to conventional methods that analyze images obtained by capturing images of the charging area to determine whether the charging area is occupied.

[0095] In the foregoing, although all components constituting the embodiments disclosed in this document have been described as being combined into one or more operations, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not necessarily limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the purpose of the embodiments disclosed in this document, all components may be selectively combined and operated in one or more combinations.

[0096] Furthermore, unless specifically stated to the contrary, the terms "comprising," "configured," or "having" above mean that they may include the corresponding components and should therefore be interpreted as capable of further including, rather than excluding, other components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain. Unless expressly defined in this document, commonly used terms (such as those defined in dictionaries) should be interpreted as consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0097] The above description is merely an example of the technical concepts disclosed in this document, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments disclosed in this document without departing from the basic characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this document are intended to describe, not limit, the technical concepts of the embodiments disclosed in this document, and the scope of the technical concepts disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical concepts disclosed in this document should be interpreted by the scope of the appended claims, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as included within the scope of the rights in this document.

Claims

1. A server, the server comprising: An acquisition unit is configured to acquire usage reference information from at least some of a charger in a charging area and a charging target corresponding to the charger; A determining unit, configured to determine whether the charging target uses the charging area based on the usage reference information; as well as A generation unit is configured to generate charging area status information based on a determination of whether the charging target uses the charging area. The reference information includes at least some of the following: connection status information regarding whether the charging target is connected to the charger, charging status information, and charging target speed information.

2. The server according to claim 1, wherein, The usage reference information also includes distance information corresponding to the distance between the charger and the charging target.

3. The server according to claim 2, wherein, The determining unit is configured to determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area when the distance information is less than the threshold distance information and the charging status information is obtained when the charging start time is before the charging end time.

4. The server according to claim 3, wherein, The determining unit is configured to determine that the charging target is charging in the charging area when the distance information is less than the threshold distance information and the charging status information is obtained after the charging start time is after the charging end time.

5. The server according to claim 3, further comprising: A providing unit is configured to, when it is determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area, provide leaving guidance information to the occupying user terminal corresponding to the charging target, so as to cause the charging target to leave the charging area.

6. The server according to claim 1, wherein, The determining unit is configured to (i) when obtaining charging end information as charging state information while acquiring a connection signal between the charging target and the charger as the connection state information, or (ii) when obtaining a disconnection signal between the charging target and the charger as the connection state information while the charging target speed information is less than a threshold speed information, determine that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

7. The server according to claim 6, wherein, The determining unit is configured to determine that the charging target is charging in the charging area when it acquires charging progress information as the charging status information, while acquiring a connection signal between the charging target and the charger as the connection status information.

8. The server according to claim 6, further comprising: A providing unit is configured to, when it is determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area, provide leaving guidance information to the occupying user terminal corresponding to the charging target, so as to cause the charging target to leave the charging area.

9. A method comprising the following steps: Use reference information is obtained from at least some of the chargers in the charging area and the charging targets corresponding to the chargers; Based on the aforementioned usage reference information, it is determined whether the charging target uses the charging area; as well as Charging area status information is generated based on the result of determining whether the charging target uses the charging area. The reference information includes at least some of the following: connection status information regarding whether the charging target is connected to the charger, charging status information, and charging target speed information.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The usage reference information also includes distance information corresponding to the distance between the charger and the charging target.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, In the step of determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, when the distance information is less than the threshold distance information and the charging status information is obtained when the charging start time is before the charging end time, it is determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, In the step of determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, when the distance information is less than the threshold distance information and the charging status information is obtained after the charging start time is after the charging end time, it is determined that the charging target is charging in the charging area.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the following step: After determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, when it is determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area, departure guidance information is provided to the user terminal corresponding to the charging target to enable the charging target to leave the charging area.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein, In the step of determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, (i) when the connection signal between the charging target and the charger is obtained as the connection status information, and when the charging end information is obtained as the charging status information, or (ii) when the disconnection signal between the charging target and the charger is obtained as the connection status information, and when the charging target speed information is less than the threshold speed information, it is determined that the charging target is occupying the charging area.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, In the step of determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, when the connection signal between the charging target and the charger is obtained as the connection status information, and charging progress information is obtained as the charging status information, it is determined that the charging target is charging in the charging area.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: After determining whether the charging target is using the charging area, when it is determined that the charging target occupies the charging area in an uncharged state, departure guidance information is provided to the user terminal corresponding to the charging target to enable the charging target to leave the charging area.

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