Server device, system, and system operation method

Abstract

To improve convenience regarding power feeding.SOLUTION: A server device includes a communication unit and a control unit that communicates via the communication unit, and the control unit sends to a power-to-be-fed vehicle either or both of first information indicating power feeding facilities near a movement route and second information indicating a merging point where the power-to-be-fed vehicle can meet a power feeding vehicle based on information on a remaining battery charge of the power-to-be-fed vehicle and information on the movement route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device, a system, and a method of operating the system. [Background technology]

[0002] There are cases where battery-powered electric vehicles (Electric Vehicles or EVs) and the like run into a power shortage while moving. Various technologies have been proposed to avoid such situations. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for searching for power supply facilities along a moving route when searching for a moving route for an electric vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-060418 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is room to improve the convenience of power supply when an electric vehicle user travels along a desired route.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a server device etc. that enables improved convenience in terms of power supply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The server device of the present disclosure has a communication unit and a control unit that communicates via the communication unit, and the control unit sends to the powered vehicle either or both of first information indicating power supply facilities near the travel route and second information indicating a junction point where the powered vehicle can meet the power supply vehicle based on information on the remaining battery charge of the powered vehicle and information on the travel route.

[0007] The system disclosed herein is a system having a server device and a powered vehicle that communicates with the server device, and the server device sends to the powered vehicle either or both of first information indicating power supply facilities near the travel route and second information indicating a meeting point where the powered vehicle can meet up with a power supply vehicle based on information on the remaining battery charge of the powered vehicle and information on the travel route.

[0008] A system operation method in the present disclosure is a system operation method having a server device and a powered vehicle that communicates with the server device, in which the server device sends to the powered vehicle either or both of first information indicating power supply facilities near the travel route and second information indicating a meeting point where the powered vehicle can meet up with a power supply vehicle based on information on the remaining battery charge of the powered vehicle and information on the travel route. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the server device and the like of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the convenience of power supply. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the server device and the power supply vehicle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an operation procedure of the server device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a movable range of a power supply vehicle. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image of a power supply proposal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes one or more server devices 10, one or more power supply vehicles 12, and one or more power supply vehicles 13, which are connected to each other via a network 11 so as to be able to communicate information with each other.

[0013] The server device 10 is, for example, a server computer that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functions as a server that implements various functions.

[0014] The power-supplied vehicle 12 is a passenger car or commercial vehicle equipped with an on-board device 14 having a communication function and an information processing function, and is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The power-supplied vehicle 12 is, for example, an electric vehicle (BEV; Battery Electric Vehicle), a hybrid vehicle (HEV; Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV; Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), etc., driven by power from an installed battery 15. In this embodiment, when the battery 15 needs to be charged, the power-supplied vehicle 12 receives power at a power supply facility such as a charging station or receives power from the power supply vehicle 13. The power-supplied vehicle 12 may be driven by a driver, or the driving may be automated at an arbitrary level.

[0015] The power supply vehicle 13 is a passenger car or commercial vehicle equipped with a communication function and an information processing function, and is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The power supply vehicle 13 has an on-board device 14 and a battery 15 similar to those of the power-receiving vehicle 12, but the battery 15 in the power supply vehicle 13 includes a battery that stores electric power for supplying electric power to the power-receiving vehicle 12. The power supply vehicle 13 is a BEV, HEV, PHEV, or the like that is driven by electric power from the on-board battery 15, but may also be a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) or a gasoline-powered vehicle.

[0016] Network 11 may be, for example, the Internet, but may also include an ad-hoc network, a LAN, a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), or other network, or any combination thereof.

[0017] In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 is a system for supporting power supply to the power-receiving vehicle 12 when the power-receiving vehicle 12 falls into a power shortage. Power is supplied to the power-receiving vehicle 12 at a power supply facility such as a charging station, or by a power supply vehicle 13 rushing to charge the power-receiving vehicle 12. The power shortage includes a state in which the battery level of the power-receiving vehicle 12 is low enough to be unable to perform one or more functions including traveling, or a state in which the battery level is below an arbitrary level, but may also be a state in which the user of the power-receiving vehicle 12 arbitrarily determines that power supply is necessary. The rush-to-charge mode is a mode in which the power supply vehicle 13 moves to the position of the power-receiving vehicle 12 and charges the battery 15 of the power-receiving vehicle 12 from the battery 15 of the power supply vehicle 13, thereby supplying power. In the information processing system 1, the server device 10 sends a movement instruction to the power supply vehicle 13 to supply power to each of one or more power-receiving vehicles 12, thereby performing rush-to-charge.

[0018] The server device 10 has a communication unit 101 and a control unit 103 that communicates through the communication unit 101. Based on information on the remaining capacity of the battery 15 of the power-supplied vehicle 12 and information on the travel route, the control unit 103 transmits to the power-supplied vehicle 12 either or both of first information (hereinafter referred to as facility information) indicating power supply facilities near the travel route and second information (hereinafter referred to as junction information) indicating a junction where the power-supplied vehicle 12 can join with the power-supplying vehicle 13. According to such an operation of the server device 10, the power-supplied vehicle 12 can acquire either or both of the location of the power supply facility near the travel route and the information on the junction where the power-supplying vehicle 13 can receive on-site charging, so that the user of the power-supplied vehicle 12 can incorporate a plan for power supply into the travel plan. Even if the user of the power-supplied vehicle 12 travels through an area where power supply facilities are sparse, the user can incorporate a plan for power supply by on-site charging at a junction. This makes it possible to improve the convenience of power supply.

[0019] Next, configuration examples of the server device 10, the power supply vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13 will be described.

[0020] The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103. The server device 10 may be a single computer, or may be configured with two or more computers that are communicatively connected and operate in cooperation with each other. When the server device 10 is configured with two or more computers, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is appropriately arranged in the two or more computers.

[0021] The communication unit 101 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 101 receives information used in the operation of the control unit 103, and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control unit 103. The server device 10 is connected to a network 11 by the communication unit 101, and communicates information with the power-supplied vehicle 12 and the power-supplying vehicle 13 via the network 11.

[0022] The storage unit 102 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these, functioning as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static RAM (SRAM) or a dynamic RAM (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). The storage unit 102 stores information used in the operation of the control unit 103 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 103.

[0023] The control unit 103 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 103 executes information processing related to the operation of the server device 10 while controlling each unit of the server device 10.

[0024] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by executing a control program in a processor included in the control unit 103. The control program is a program for making a computer execute processing of steps included in the operation of the server device 10, thereby making the computer realize a function corresponding to the processing of the steps. In other words, the control program is a program for making a computer function as the server device 10. Also, some or all of the functions of the server device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 103. Also, the control program may be stored in a non-transitory recording / storage medium readable by the server device 10, and read by the server device 10 from the medium.

[0025] The power-supplied vehicle 12 has an in-vehicle device 14 and a battery 15. The in-vehicle device 14 has a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a control unit 123, a positioning unit 124, an input unit 125, an output unit 126, and a detection unit 127. One or more of these units may be configured as one control device, or may be configured as a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, a navigation device, or the like. Alternatively, each unit may be connected to be able to communicate information via an in-vehicle network that complies with a standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network). The battery 15 is, for example, one or more lithium-ion batteries that charge and discharge power for driving the power-supplied vehicle 12.

[0026] The communication unit 121 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interfaces are interfaces compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 121 receives information used in the operation of the control unit 123, and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123. The control unit 123 is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication base station by the communication unit 121, and communicates information with the server device 10, etc., via the network 11.

[0027] The storage unit 122 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The storage unit 122 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 122 stores information used in the operation of the control unit 123 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123.

[0028] The control unit 123 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 123 executes information processing related to the operation of the power supply vehicle 12 while controlling each part of the in-vehicle device 14.

[0029] The positioning unit 124 includes one or more Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. The GNSS includes at least one of the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), BeiDou, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and Galileo, for example. The positioning unit 124 sends the positioning result to the control unit 123, and the control unit 123 determines the position information of the power supply vehicle 12.

[0030] The input unit 125 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone that accepts voice input. The input interface may further include a camera that captures a captured image or an image code, or an IC card reader. The input unit 125 accepts an operation to input information used for the operation of the control unit 123, and sends the input information to the control unit 123.

[0031] The output unit 126 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 126 outputs information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123.

[0032] The detection unit 127 has one or more sensors or an interface with one or more sensors that detect the state of each part of the power supply receiving vehicle 12. The sensors include, for example, a sensor that detects the remaining battery charge of the battery 15, a sensor that detects the motion state (speed, forward / rearward acceleration, left / right acceleration, deceleration, etc.) of the power supply receiving vehicle 12, etc. The detection unit 127 sends information indicating each state detected by the sensor to the control unit 123.

[0033] The functions of control unit 123 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in control unit 123. The control program is a program for making a computer execute processing of steps included in the operation of control unit 123, thereby making the computer realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program for making a computer function as control unit 123. In addition, some or all of the functions of control unit 123 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in control unit 123.

[0034] The power supply vehicle 13 has an on-board device 14 equivalent to that of the power receiving vehicle 12, and the above description of the on-board device 14 of the power receiving vehicle 12 applies to the power supply vehicle 13. The battery 15 of the power supply vehicle 13 includes a battery that charges and discharges the electric power to be supplied to the power receiving vehicle 12.

[0035] Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure of the cooperation operation of the server device 10, the power supply vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13. Steps relating to various information processing of the server device 10, the power supply vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13 in Fig. 2 are executed by the respective control units 103, 123, and 123. Steps relating to transmission and reception of various information of the server device 10, the power supply vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13 are executed by the respective control units 103, 123, and 123 transmitting and receiving information to each other via the communication units 101, 121, and 121, respectively. In the server device 10, the power supply vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13, the control units 103, 123, and 123 respectively store the information to be processed and transmitted and received in the storage units 102, 122, and 122 as appropriate.

[0036] The procedure in Fig. 2 is an example of a procedure when the server device 10 provides information for power supply support to the power supply receiving vehicle 12. The procedure in Fig. 2 is executed when the power supply receiving vehicle 12 searches for a travel route to a destination and travels along the travel route.

[0037] In S201, the power-supplied vehicle 12 transmits identification information, movement information, position information, and battery information to the server device 10. When the remaining battery charge falls below an arbitrary standard and a power shortage is predicted, or when the user judges that power supply is necessary and inputs an instruction to send a power supply request to the in-vehicle device 14, the power-supplied vehicle 12 transmits each piece of information to the server device 10. The judgment standard for predicting a power shortage is, for example, an arbitrary SOC (State of Charge) value (30% to 40%) or less. The identification information is information for identifying the power-supplied vehicle 12. The movement information includes the destination of the power-supplied vehicle 12, a movement route from the current position to the destination, an estimated arrival time, and the like. The movement route is searched for in the navigation system of the power-supplied vehicle 12. When the information of the destination and the current position is transmitted from the power-supplied vehicle 12 to the server device 10 and the server device 10 searches for the movement route, the server device 10 may hold the information of the movement route. The battery information includes information such as the capacity, remaining charge, and temperature of the battery 15. Step S201 is executed for each of the one or more power-supplied vehicles 12.

[0038] In S202, the server device 10 acquires location information and battery information from one or more power supply vehicles 13. The server device 10 requests each piece of information for each power supply vehicle 13 from one or more power supply vehicles 13, and acquires information sent from each power supply vehicle 13 in response to the request. The battery information includes information on the capacity and remaining amount of the battery 15.

[0039] In S203, the server device 10 creates a power supply proposal. The power supply proposal includes either or both of facility information indicating power supply facilities in the vicinity of the travel route of the power supply receiving vehicle 12 and junction information indicating a junction point where the power supply receiving vehicle 12 can join the power supply vehicle. The detailed procedure of S203 is shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation procedure of the server device 10 for generating a power supply proposal. The procedure in FIG. 3 is an information processing procedure executed by the control unit 103 of the server device 10.

[0041] In S301, the control unit 103 derives a movable range. The movable range is a range of distance that the power-supplied vehicle 12 can travel with the remaining charge of the battery 15 near the travel route of the power-supplied vehicle 12. The control unit 103 derives the movable range by an arbitrary algorithm based on the identification information, position information, and battery information acquired from the power-supplied vehicle 12. For example, the control unit 103 derives a travel distance that the power-supplied vehicle 12 can travel with the remaining charge of the battery 15 based on the identification information of the power-supplied vehicle 12. The storage unit 102 stores vehicle specification information including a travel distance per unit amount of power in association with the identification information of the power-supplied vehicle 12. The control unit 103 uses the travel distance per unit amount of power to derive a range of travel distance that the power-supplied vehicle 12 can travel with the remaining charge of the battery 15 at that time, centered on the current position of the power-supplied vehicle 12. The control unit 103 similarly derives a travelable distance range for an arbitrary time period (for example, from several tens of minutes to several hours from the current time).Then, the control unit 103 derives the union of the derived travelable distance ranges over time as the movable range.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows an example of a movable range of the power-supplied vehicle 12. Fig. 4 shows positions 41-1, 41-2, 41-3, ... of the power-supplied vehicle 12 that change over time along a moving route 40, and travelable distance ranges 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, ... corresponding to each position. The travelable distance ranges 42-1, 42-2, 42-3 are circles with radii of positions 41-1, 41-2, 41-3, ... at their centers, and the radii of the circles are any distances less than the distance that the battery 15 can travel with the remaining charge at that time. As the power-supplied vehicle 12 moves and its position changes to positions 41-1, 41-2, 41-3, the remaining charge of the battery 15 decreases, and the travelable distance ranges 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, ... become smaller in sequence. Here, for example, a movable range 43 is derived by connecting travelable distance ranges 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, . . . over any time interval.

[0043] Returning to FIG. 3, in S302, the control unit 103 searches for power supply facilities located within the movable range of the power supply receiving vehicle 12. The control unit 103 searches for such power supply facilities using map information stored in the storage unit 102. Then, if the number of the searched power supply facilities is equal to or greater than an arbitrary reference value (Yes in S303), the control unit 103 proceeds to S304, and if the number of the searched power supply facilities is less than the reference value (No in S303), the control unit 103 proceeds to S306. The arbitrary reference is, for example, 3 to 5.

[0044] In S304, the control unit 103 prioritizes the power supply facilities. The control unit 103 prioritizes the power supply facilities in order of the shortest waiting time from the arrival of the power supply receiving vehicle 12 until the power supply facility becomes available. The control unit 103 acquires information on the reservation of power supply at each power supply facility from, for example, a server that manages and controls each power supply facility. The control unit 103 also uses the position information of each power supply facility to derive the estimated arrival time at which the power supply receiving vehicle 12 can arrive at each power supply facility from its current position. Then, the control unit 103 derives the waiting time from the estimated arrival time of the power supply receiving vehicle 12 to the time when the reservation of the power supply facility becomes available for each power supply facility, and prioritizes the power supply facilities in order of the shortest waiting time.

[0045] In S305, the control unit 103 generates information for displaying the power supply facility. The control unit 103 generates an image for display by superimposing the position of the power supply receiving vehicle 12, the destination, the travel route, and the positions and priorities of the power supply facility on a map.

[0046] In S306, the control unit 103 derives a junction point within the movable range of the power supplied vehicle 12. The junction point is a parking lot where a space can be secured for the power supplied vehicle 12 and the power supply vehicle 13 to park adjacent to each other. The control unit 103 searches for a parking lot within the movable range of the power supplied vehicle 12 as a junction point from the map information.

[0047] In S308, the control unit 103 prioritizes the junction points. The control unit 103 prioritizes the junction points in order of the shortest waiting time from the arrival of the power receiving vehicle 12 to the arrival of the power supply vehicle 13. For example, the control unit 103 uses the position information of each power supply vehicle 13 to identify the nearest power supply vehicle 13 to each junction point. At this time, the control unit 103 may set a condition for selecting the nearest power supply vehicle 13 as follows: the remaining charge of the battery 15 of the power supply vehicle 13 is equal to or greater than an arbitrary reference value (for example, 50% in terms of SOC value). Furthermore, the control unit 103 derives an estimated arrival time at which the nearest power supply vehicle 13 can arrive at each junction point. Then, the control unit 103 derives a waiting time from the estimated arrival time of the power receiving vehicle 12 to the estimated arrival time of the power supply vehicle 13 for each junction point, and prioritizes the junction points in order of the shortest waiting time.

[0048] In S309, the control unit 103 generates information for displaying the junction point. The control unit 103 generates an image for display by superimposing the position of the power supply vehicle 12, the destination, the travel route, the position of the junction point, and the priority order on a map.

[0049] In S310, the control unit 103 generates power supply proposal information. The control unit 103 generates an image for displaying a power supply facility, or an image obtained by combining an image for displaying a junction point with an image for displaying a power supply facility, as an image for power supply proposal. In other words, the image for power supply proposal is an image in which the position of the power-supplied vehicle 12, the destination, the travel route, and the positions and priorities of the power supply facility are superimposed on a map, or an image in which the positions and priorities of the junction points are superimposed on the image.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 2, in S204, the server device 10 transmits information on a power supply proposal to the power supply receiving vehicle 12. The power supply receiving vehicle 12 outputs an image for power supply proposal, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, by display or the like, and prompts the user to confirm. As shown in FIG. 5, the image for power supply proposal 50 includes a current position 51, a destination 52, and a travel route 53 of the power supply receiving vehicle 12. The image for power supply proposal 50 further includes a power supply facility 54 and a priority 54', and a junction point 55 and a priority 55' in the vicinity of the travel route 53. The priorities 54' and 55' are indicated by the number of star icons. That is, the greater the number of icons, the higher the priority. As a modified example, in addition to each of the priorities 54' and 55', for example, an expected arrival time or a delay time at the destination 52 due to passing through the point may be displayed.

[0051] Returning to FIG. 2, in S205, the power supply receiving vehicle 12 transmits information of the power supply proposal agreement to the server device 10. The power supply proposal agreement includes information of the power supply facility or the junction point designated by the user. For example, the user selects the desired power supply facility or the junction point by performing a tap operation or the like on the desired power supply facility or the junction point on the power supply proposal image. When the user inputs the selection, the power supply receiving vehicle 12 transmits information of the power supply proposal agreement to the server device 10 in response to this.

[0052] When a junction point is selected, in S206, the server device 10 sends a movement instruction to the power supply vehicle 13. The movement instruction is sent to the power supply vehicle 13 that is closest to the selected junction point. The movement instruction includes information on a movement route to the junction point and a movement start time at which the movement should start. The movement route is derived based on the positions of the junction point and the power supply vehicle 13. In addition, the movement start time is derived based on the movement route.

[0053] In S209, the power supply vehicle 13 is dispatched in response to the movement instruction. When the movement start time arrives, the power supply vehicle 13 starts moving by automatic driving along the movement route. Alternatively, the power supply vehicle 13 displays the movement route to the occupant and starts moving in response to the occupant's operation.

[0054] In S208, the server device 10 sends information about the travel route to the power-supplied vehicle 12. If a junction point is selected in the power supply proposal agreement in S205, the server device 10 derives a travel route from the current position of the power-supplied vehicle 12 to the selected junction point. Alternatively, if a power supply facility is selected in the power supply proposal agreement in S205, the server device 10 derives a travel route from the current position of the power-supplied vehicle 12 to the selected power supply facility. In this case, S206 and S209 are omitted. The travel route to the junction point or the power supply facility is displayed in the power-supplied vehicle 12, and the user checks the displayed travel route.

[0055] In S210, the power supplied vehicle 12 starts moving along the moving route.

[0056] In S211, the power receiving vehicle 12 arrives at a junction and merges with the power supplying vehicle 13 to receive power from the power supplying vehicle 13, or arrives at a power supply facility and receives power from the power supply facility.

[0057] In this manner, the power-supplied vehicle 12 can obtain either or both of the location of power supply facilities near the travel route and information on meeting points where on-site charging from the power supply vehicle 13 is possible, so that the user of the power-supplied vehicle 12 can incorporate a plan for power supply into the travel plan. Even if the user of the power-supplied vehicle 12 travels through an area where power supply facilities are sparse, the user can incorporate a plan for power supply by on-site charging at a meeting point. In addition, by taking into account information on the priority of each meeting point or each power supply facility, the user can make a selection to shorten the waiting time. Furthermore, according to the modified example, the user can know the estimated arrival time or delay time at the destination. This makes it possible to improve the convenience of power supply.

[0058] In the above, the embodiment has been described based on the drawings and examples, but it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and corrections are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided into one.

[0059] Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below as examples. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these examples. [Appendix 1] The Communications Department and A control unit that performs communication by the communication unit, The control unit transmits, to the power-receiving vehicle, either or both of first information indicating a power supply facility near the travel route and second information indicating a junction at which the power-receiving vehicle can join the power supply vehicle, based on information on a remaining battery charge of the power-receiving vehicle and information on the travel route. Server device. [Appendix 2] In Appendix 1: The control unit determines the power supply facility or the meeting point within a range where the power supply vehicle can move from a current position using the remaining power. Server device. [Appendix 3] In Appendix 2: The control unit transmits the second information on the condition that the number of the power supply facilities within the range is a predetermined number. Server device. [Appendix 4] In Appendix 2 or 3, The control unit prioritizes the plurality of power supply facilities in the order of shortest waiting time after the arrival of the power supply vehicle. Server device. [Appendix 5] In any of Supplementary Notes 2 to 4, The control unit prioritizes the plurality of junction points in order of a difference between an arrival time of the power supply vehicle and an arrival time of the power supply vehicle. Server device. [Appendix 6] In Appendix 5: The control unit sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the meeting point. Server device. [Appendix 7] In Appendix 6: The control unit transmits the instruction to the power supply vehicle on condition that information agreeing to power supply at the junction is received from the power supply receiving vehicle. Server device. [Appendix 8] A system including a server device and a power-supplied vehicle that communicates with the server device, The server device transmits, to the power-receiving vehicle, either or both of first information indicating a power supply facility near the travel route and second information indicating a meeting point at which the power-receiving vehicle can meet the power supply vehicle, based on information on the remaining battery charge of the power-receiving vehicle and information on the travel route. system. [Appendix 9] In Appendix 8: The server device determines the power supply facility or the meeting point within a range where the power supply vehicle can move from a current position using the remaining power. system. [Appendix 10] In Appendix 9: The server device transmits the second information on the condition that the number of the power supply facilities within the range is a predetermined number. system. [Appendix 11] In Appendix 9 or 10: The server device prioritizes the plurality of power supply facilities in the order of shortest waiting time after the arrival of the power supply vehicle. system. [Appendix 12] In any of Supplementary Notes 9 to 11, The server device prioritizes the plurality of meeting points in order of a difference between an arrival time of the power supply vehicle and an arrival time of the power supply vehicle. system. [Appendix 13] In Appendix 12: The server device sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the meeting point. system. [Appendix 14] In Appendix 13: The server device transmits the instruction to the power supply vehicle on condition that the server device receives information from the power supply recipient vehicle agreeing to power supply at the meeting point. system. [Appendix 15] A method for operating a system having a server device and a power-supplied vehicle that communicates with the server device, comprising: The server device transmits, to the power-receiving vehicle, either or both of first information indicating a power supply facility in the vicinity of the travel route and second information indicating a meeting point at which the power-receiving vehicle can meet the power supply vehicle, based on information on the remaining battery charge of the power-receiving vehicle and information on the travel route. How it works. [Appendix 16] In Appendix 15: the server device determines the power supply facility or the meeting point within a range where the power supply vehicle can move from a current position using the remaining power; How it works. [Appendix 17] In Appendix 16: The server device transmits the second information on the condition that the number of the power supply facilities within the range is a predetermined number. How it works. [Appendix 18] In Appendix 16 or 17: The server device prioritizes the plurality of power supply facilities in the order of the shortest waiting time after the arrival of the power supply vehicle. How it works. [Appendix 19] In any of Supplementary Notes 16 to 18, The server device prioritizes the plurality of meeting points in order of a difference between an arrival time of the power supply vehicle and an arrival time of the power supply vehicle. How it works. [Appendix 20] In Appendix 19: The server device sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the meeting point. How it works. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Information Processing Systems 10. Server device 11 Network 12 Powered vehicles 13 Power supply vehicle 14 Onboard equipment 15 Battery 101, 121 Communications Department 102, 122 Storage section 103, 123 Control section 124 Positioning unit 125 Input section 126 Output section 127 Detection Unit

Claims

1. The Communications Department and A control unit that performs communication by the communication unit, The control unit transmits, to the power-supplied vehicle, either or both of first information indicating a power supply facility in the vicinity of the travel route and second information indicating a junction at which the power-supplied vehicle can join the power supply vehicle, based on information on a remaining battery charge of the power-supplied vehicle and information on the travel route. Server device.

2. In claim 1, The control unit determines the power supply facility or the meeting point within a range where the power supply vehicle can move from a current position using the remaining power. Server device.

3. In claim 2, The control unit transmits the second information on the condition that the number of the power supply facilities within the range is a predetermined number. Server device.

4. In claim 2, The control unit prioritizes the plurality of power supply facilities in the order of shortest waiting time after the arrival of the power supply vehicle. Server device.

5. In claim 2, The control unit prioritizes the plurality of junction points in order of a difference between an arrival time of the power supply vehicle and an arrival time of the power supply vehicle. Server device.

6. In claim 5, The control unit sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the meeting point. Server device.

7. In claim 6, The control unit transmits the instruction to the power supply vehicle on condition that information agreeing to power supply at the junction is received from the power supply receiving vehicle. Server device.

8. A system including a server device and a power-supplied vehicle that communicates with the server device, The server device transmits, to the power-supplied vehicle, either or both of first information indicating a power supply facility near the travel route and second information indicating a meeting point at which the power-supplied vehicle can meet the power supply vehicle, based on information on the remaining battery charge of the power-supplied vehicle and information on the travel route. system.

9. In claim 8, The server device determines the power supply facility or the meeting point within a range where the power supply vehicle can move from a current position using the remaining power. system.

10. In claim 9, The server device transmits the second information on the condition that the number of the power supply facilities within the range is a predetermined number. system.

11. In claim 9, The server device prioritizes the plurality of power supply facilities in the order of shortest waiting time after the arrival of the power supply vehicle. system.

12. In claim 9, The server device prioritizes the plurality of meeting points in order of a difference between an arrival time of the power supply vehicle and an arrival time of the power supply vehicle. system.

13. In claim 12, The server device sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the meeting point. system.

14. In claim 13, The server device transmits the instruction to the power supply vehicle on condition that the server device receives information from the power supply recipient vehicle agreeing to power supply at the meeting point. system.

15. A method for operating a system having a server device and a power-supplied vehicle that communicates with the server device, comprising: The server device transmits, to the power-supplied vehicle, either or both of first information indicating a power supply facility in the vicinity of the travel route and second information indicating a meeting point at which the power-supplied vehicle can meet the power supply vehicle, based on information on the remaining battery charge of the power-supplied vehicle and information on the travel route. How it works.

16. In claim 15, the server device determines the power supply facility or the meeting point within a range where the power supply vehicle can move from a current position using the remaining power; How it works.

17. In claim 16, The server device transmits the second information on the condition that the number of the power supply facilities within the range is a predetermined number. How it works.

18. In claim 16, The server device prioritizes the plurality of power supply facilities in the order of the shortest waiting time after the arrival of the power supply vehicle. How it works.

19. In claim 16, The server device prioritizes the plurality of meeting points in order of a difference between an arrival time of the power supply vehicle and an arrival time of the power supply vehicle. How it works.

20. 20. In claim 19, The server device sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the meeting point. How it works.

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