Method

Abstract

To improve a technique for feeding power by a power feeding vehicle.SOLUTION: A terminal device 10 identifies a power feeding vehicle that satisfies a predetermined condition regarding power feed to a user's vehicle, or an entrepreneur on the basis of a current spot of the user's vehicle or a desired power feed spot as a power feed spot that the user desires. Then, the terminal device 10 acquires information regarding the amount of feedable power and information regarding power feed startable time or power feed completion scheduled time for each power feeding vehicle or entrepreneur. Then, the terminal device 10 displays information regarding the amount of feedable power and information regarding power feed startable time or power feed completion schedule time for each power feeding vehicle or entrepreneur on the terminal device 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for supplying power from a power supply vehicle when, for example, an electric vehicle runs out of power, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a vehicle that has run out of power transmits information including its current position to a server, and each of a plurality of power supply vehicles transmits information including its position to the server, so that the server selects a power supply vehicle that will supply power to the vehicle that has run out of power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2019-086841 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There was room for improvement in the technology for supplying power from power supply vehicles.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for power supply by a power supply vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method comprises: A method executed by a terminal device, comprising: Identifying a power supply vehicle or a business operator that satisfies a predetermined condition regarding power supply to the user vehicle based on a current location of the user vehicle or a power supply desired point that is a power supply point desired by the user; Acquiring information regarding a power supply available amount and information regarding a power supply available time or a power supply completion scheduled time for each of the power supply vehicles or the business operators; Displaying information on the available power supply amount and information on the available power supply start time or the scheduled power supply completion time for each of the power supply vehicles or the business operators on the terminal device; Includes. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a technique for supplying power from a power supply vehicle is improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal device. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device; [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0010] (Overview of the embodiment) An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 10 and an information processing device 20. Each of the terminal devices 10 and the information processing device 20 is communicably connected to a network 30 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0011] The terminal device 10 is a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 is used by a user who uses a service (hereinafter also referred to as an "on-call charging service") that dispatches a power supply vehicle to a location designated by the user and supplies power to the user's vehicle at the location. The terminal device 10 may be a computer mounted on the vehicle.

[0012] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a computer such as a server device. The information processing device 20 is capable of communicating with a plurality of terminal devices 10 via a network 30. In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 may be a server of a business operator that provides an on-call charging service.

[0013] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The terminal device 10 identifies a power supply vehicle or a business that satisfies a predetermined condition for power supply to the user vehicle based on the current location of the user vehicle or a desired power supply point that is a power supply point desired by the user. Next, the terminal device 10 acquires information on the available power supply amount and information on the time when power supply can start or the scheduled time when power supply is completed for each power supply vehicle or business. Then, the terminal device 10 displays on the terminal device 10 the information on the available power supply amount and information on the time when power supply can start or the scheduled time when power supply is completed for each power supply vehicle or business.

[0014] A user does not necessarily want to fully charge a user vehicle using the power supply service provided by a power supply vehicle, and may want to charge the user vehicle by a specific time, even if the amount of charge is small. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the user can check the available power supply amount and the available time for power supply to start or the scheduled time for power supply to end for each power supply vehicle or business, and thus can select an on-demand charging service that meets the user's desire. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the technology for supplying power using a power supply vehicle is improved in that the user can select an on-demand charging service that meets the user's desire.

[0015] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0016] (Terminal Device Configuration) As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an output unit 12, an input unit 13, a storage unit 14, a control unit 15, and a positioning unit 16.

[0017] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. The communication interfaces correspond to mobile communication standards such as, but are not limited to, 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 communicates with the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 30.

[0018] The output unit 12 includes one or more output devices that output information. The output devices are, for example, but not limited to, a display that outputs information as a video or a speaker that outputs information as a sound. Alternatively, the output unit 12 may include an interface for connecting an external output device.

[0019] The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices that detect an input operation by a user. The input devices are, for example, but are not limited to, a physical key, a capacitive key, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen that is integral with the display of the output unit 12, or a microphone. Alternatively, the input unit 13 may include an interface for connecting an external input device.

[0020] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, etc., but are not limited thereto. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 may function, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information used in the operation of the terminal device 10. The any information used in the operation of the terminal device 10 includes the maximum power supply capacity, the remaining power supply amount, and the SOC (State of Charge) of the user vehicle related to the terminal device 10. In addition, for example, the storage unit 14 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, etc. For example, the information stored in the storage unit 14 may be updateable with information acquired from the network 40 via the communication unit 11, for example.

[0021] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 15 controls the operation of the entire terminal device 10.

[0022] The positioning unit 16 includes one or more devices that acquire location information of the terminal device 10. Specifically, the positioning unit 16 includes, for example, a receiver compatible with GPS, but is not limited thereto, and may include a receiver compatible with any satellite positioning system.

[0023] (Configuration of information processing device) As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit .

[0024] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 30. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited to these, and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 communicates with a plurality of terminal devices 10 and a power supply vehicle via the communication unit 21 and the network 30. Note that the information processing device 20 may communicate with other information processing devices such as an information processing device of a business operator.

[0025] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, a database, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 22 may be updatable with information acquired from the network 30 via the communication unit 21, for example.

[0026] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 23 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 20.

[0027] (System 1 operation flow) The operation of the terminal device 10 in the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0028] S100: The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 identifies a power supply vehicle or a business operator that satisfies a predetermined condition regarding power supply to the user vehicle, based on the current location of the user vehicle or a desired power supply point that is a power supply point desired by the user.

[0029] Specifically, a user who wishes to use the on-site charging service inputs information related to the desire to use the charging service using the terminal device 10. The information related to the desire to use the charging service may be input, for example, using an input form displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10, or may be input by opening a site for reserving the on-site charging service in a browser, but is not limited to these, and any input method may be adopted.

[0030] Triggered by the input of information regarding a user's desire to use a charging service, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 transmits information regarding the desire to use the service and information on the current location of the user's vehicle or the desired power supply point that is the power supply point desired by the user to the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 30. Next, the control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 that has received the information via the communication unit 21 identifies a power supply vehicle or business that satisfies a predetermined condition regarding power supply to the user's vehicle, and transmits information on the power supply vehicle or information on the business that satisfies the predetermined condition to the terminal device 10, whereby the control unit 15 identifies a power supply vehicle or business that satisfies the predetermined condition regarding power supply to the user's vehicle.

[0031] The "predetermined condition" may be arbitrarily determined. For example, the predetermined condition may include that the power supply vehicle or the business operator is present within a predetermined distance that can be arbitrarily determined from the current location of the user vehicle or the power supply point desired by the user. In such a case, the control unit 23 may, for example, receive the current location of the power supply vehicle or the destination point of the power supply vehicle from the power supply vehicle via the network 30 and determine whether or not it is within a predetermined distance from the current location of the user vehicle or the power supply point desired by the user, thereby identifying the power supply vehicle, or may transmit the current location of the user vehicle or the power supply point desired by the user to an information processing device of the business operator via the network 30 and receive information on whether or not power can be supplied to the user vehicle from the information processing device of the business operator, thereby identifying the business operator.

[0032] The "current location of the user vehicle" or the "current location of the power supply vehicle" can be acquired by any method, such as by using a GPS.

[0033] The "power supply desired point" can be obtained by any method, such as by using an input form displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10.

[0034] The "predetermined distance" may be any distance including 100 m, 200 m, 500 m, 1 km, 2 km, 5 km, 10 km, etc. The predetermined distance may be changeable. The predetermined distance may also be calculated using the SOC of the user vehicle, which will be described later.

[0035] Furthermore, instead of the information processing device 20 communicating with the power supply vehicle or the business operator, the terminal device 10 may directly communicate with the power supply vehicle or the business operator via the communication unit 21. In such a case, the processing performed by the control unit 23 may be performed by the control unit 15 instead.

[0036] S101: The control unit 15 acquires, for each of the power supply vehicles or each of the business operators, information on the available power supply amount and information on the available time for power supply to start or the scheduled time for power supply to end.

[0037] Specifically, when the control unit 15 receives information on the power supply vehicle or the business information at S100, the control unit 15 acquires information on the amount of power that can be supplied contained in the information on the power supply vehicle or the information on the business information, and information on the time when power supply can start or the scheduled time when power supply is to be completed, respectively.

[0038] The information on the power supply vehicle or the information on the business operator may include information on the fees charged when using the on-site charging service, and may include any information without being limited to this.

[0039] S102: The control unit 15 displays on the terminal device 10, for each of the power supply vehicles or each of the business operators, information on the available power supply amount and information on the time when power supply can be started or the scheduled time when power supply is to be completed.

[0040] Specifically, the control unit 15 displays the information regarding the available power supply amount acquired in S101 and the information regarding the time when power supply can be started or the scheduled time when power supply is completed on the terminal device 10 for each power supply vehicle or each business operator in any manner, such as by displaying the information regarding the available power supply amount acquired in S101 in association with each power supply vehicle or each business operator on a map displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10, or by displaying the information regarding the available power supply vehicle or each business operator displayed in a list on the screen.

[0041] The information on the available power supply amount displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10 may be displayed as SOC. In this case, the control unit 15 calculates the SOC by dividing the sum of the remaining charge amount of the user vehicle acquired from the storage unit 14 and the available power supply amount acquired in S101 by the full charge capacity of the user vehicle acquired from the storage unit 14.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 15 may further display on the terminal device 10, for each power supply vehicle or each business operator, information on the fee charged when the on-site charging service is used.

[0043] In addition, for example, when displaying information regarding the available power supply amount, the control unit 15 may display information regarding the available power supply amount for a power supply vehicle or a power supply business where the sum of the available power supply amount of the power supply vehicle or the power supply business and the remaining charge amount of the user vehicle is less than the full charge capacity of the user vehicle.

[0044] Specifically, the control unit 15 calculates a total value, which is the sum of the remaining charge amount of the user vehicle acquired from the storage unit 14 and the available power supply amount acquired in S101, for each power supply vehicle or each business operator. Next, the control unit 15 compares the total value calculated for each power supply vehicle or each business operator with the full charge capacity of the user vehicle acquired from the storage unit 14 for each power supply vehicle or each business operator. If the comparison result shows that the total value is less than the full charge capacity of the user vehicle for the power supply vehicle or the business operator, information on the available power supply amount is displayed, and if the comparison result shows that the total value is less than the full charge capacity of the user vehicle for the power supply vehicle or the business operator, information on the available power supply amount is not displayed.

[0045] As described above, the terminal device 10 identifies a power supply vehicle or a business that satisfies a predetermined condition for power supply to the user vehicle based on the current location of the user vehicle or a desired power supply point that is a power supply point desired by the user. Next, the terminal device 10 acquires information on the available power supply amount and information on the time when power supply can start or the scheduled time when power supply is to be completed for each power supply vehicle or business. Then, the terminal device 10 displays on the terminal device 10 the information on the available power supply amount and information on the time when power supply can start or the scheduled time when power supply is to be completed for each power supply vehicle or business.

[0046] According to this configuration, for example, when a user wants to charge by a specific time even if the amount of charge is small, the user can check the amount of power that can be supplied and the time when power supply can start or the scheduled time when power supply is completed for each power supply vehicle or business, and the user can select an on-site charging service that meets the user's desire. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the technology for supplying power by a power supply vehicle is improved in that the user can select an on-site charging service that meets the user's desire.

[0047] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0048] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the terminal device 10 may be distributed among a plurality of computers that can communicate with each other. Also, for example, an embodiment in which some or all of the components of the terminal device 10 are provided in the information processing device 20 may be provided. For example, the information processing device 20 may include some or all of the components of the terminal device 10.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the terminal device 10 may filter the power supply vehicles or business operators to be displayed based on the available power supply amount, or the available time for starting power supply or the scheduled time for completing power supply.

[0050] Specifically, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 provides a filtering function to the screen on the terminal device 10 displayed in S102, so that the user can filter the power supply vehicles or business operators to be displayed by the available power supply amount, or the available power supply start time, or the scheduled power supply completion time. Note that, in addition to filtering, the control unit 15 may also sort the power supply vehicles or business operators to be displayed, such as by displaying them in ascending or descending order by the available power supply amount, or the available power supply start time, or the scheduled power supply completion time.

[0051] Also, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the terminal device 10 may acquire a minimum SOC, which is the minimum SOC desired by the user, and the desired time to start power supply or the desired time to complete power supply desired by the user, and set a recommendation level for each of the power supply vehicles or the business operator based on the minimum SOC and the amount of power supply possible of the power supply vehicle or the business operator, or the desired time to start power supply or the desired time to complete power supply and the time when power supply can start or the scheduled time to complete power supply, and change the display mode of each of the power supply vehicles or the business operator depending on the recommendation level.

[0052] Specifically, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 acquires the minimum SOC, or the desired time to start or complete power supply by having the user input the minimum SOC, or the desired time to start or complete power supply. Next, the control unit 15 sets a recommendation level for each of the power supplying vehicles or business operators based on the difference between the minimum SOC and the SOC calculated using the above-mentioned available power supply amount, or the difference between the desired time to start power supply and the available time for the power supplying vehicle or business operator to start power supply, or the difference between the desired time to complete power supply and the scheduled time for completion of power supplying by the power supplying vehicle or business operator. Then, the control unit 15 changes the display mode of each of the power supplying vehicles or business operators according to the recommendation level for each of the power supplying vehicles or business operators.

[0053] For example, the control unit 15 may set the recommendation level higher as the difference between the minimum SOC and the SOC calculated using the above-mentioned available power supply amount increases, or the recommendation level may be set higher as the difference between the desired power supply start time and the available power supply time of the power supply vehicle or the business operator decreases, or the difference between the desired power supply start time and the available power supply time of the power supply vehicle or the business operator decreases. Also, for example, the control unit 15 may set the recommendation level set based on the difference between the desired power supply start time and the available power supply time of the power supply vehicle or the business operator to be higher than the recommendation level set based on the difference between the minimum SOC and the SOC calculated using the above-mentioned available power supply amount, or vice versa. The method of setting the recommendation level may be changeable.

[0054] Also, for example, when the control unit 15 sets the recommendation level for each power supply vehicle or business operator, the recommendation level may be based on any information, including but not limited to information on the fees charged when using an on-demand charging service.

[0055] The "level of recommendation" may be expressed, for example, by a number, where the larger the number, the higher the level of recommendation, or the smaller the number, the higher the level of recommendation, but various expressions of the level of recommendation may be used, including but not limited to these.

[0056] The "display manner" may be various, including but not limited to, display using colors such as red, blue, yellow, etc., display using shapes such as a circle or a double circle, and display using numbers or symbols.

[0057] Also, for example, in the above-described embodiment, when a change occurs in the information of the power supply vehicle or the business operator, the terminal device 10 may display information regarding the amount of power supply available from the power supply vehicle or the business operator, and information regarding the time when power supply can start or the scheduled time when power supply is completed, based on the changed information.

[0058] Specifically, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 repeatedly acquires information on the power supply vehicle or business from the information processing device 20 via the network 30 at a predetermined time interval. Next, the control unit 15 compares the previous information on the power supply vehicle or business with the acquired information on the power supply vehicle or business to check whether a change has occurred. If a change has occurred, information on the amount of power supply available for the power supply vehicle or business and information on the time when power supply can start or the scheduled time when power supply is completed are displayed based on the information after the change.

[0059] The "predetermined time interval" may be any time interval including every second, every 2 seconds, every 5 seconds, every 10 seconds, every minute, every 2 minutes, every 10 minutes, every 30 minutes, every hour, etc. The predetermined time interval may be changeable as appropriate.

[0060] Furthermore, the control unit 15 may acquire information on the power supply vehicle or the business operator from the information processing device 20 in real time.

[0061] In addition, the information processing device 20 may transmit information about the power supply vehicle or the business operator to the terminal device 10 only when a change occurs in the information about the power supply vehicle or the business operator in response to a request from the terminal device 10 to obtain information about the power supply vehicle or the business operator.

[0062] Furthermore, the control unit 15 may directly communicate with the power supply vehicle or the business operator via the communication unit 21, and repeatedly acquire information on the power supply vehicle or the business operator at a predetermined time interval.

[0063] Also, for example, an embodiment is possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the terminal device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the terminal device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 System 10 Terminal Equipment 11 Communications Department 12 Output section 13 Input section 14 Storage section 15 Control section 16 Positioning unit 20 Information processing device 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 30 Network

Claims

1. A method executed by a terminal device, comprising: Identifying a power supply vehicle or a business operator that satisfies a predetermined condition regarding power supply to the user vehicle based on a current location of the user vehicle or a power supply desired point that is a power supply point desired by the user; Acquiring information regarding a power supply available amount and information regarding a power supply available time or a power supply completion scheduled time for each of the power supply vehicles or the business operators; Displaying information on the available power supply amount and information on the available power supply start time or the scheduled power supply completion time for each of the power supply vehicles or the business operators on the terminal device; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1 , The method includes, when displaying information regarding the available power supply amount, displaying information regarding the available power supply amount for a power supply vehicle or a power supply business among the power supply vehicles or the power supply business where the sum of the available power supply amount of the power supply vehicle or the power supply business and the remaining charge amount of the user vehicle is less than a full charge capacity of the user vehicle.

3. 2. The method of claim 1 , Filtering the power supply vehicles or the business operators to be displayed based on the available power supply amount, or the available power supply start time or the scheduled power supply completion time; The method further comprises:

4. 2. The method of claim 1 , Acquiring a minimum SOC, which is a minimum SOC desired by the user, or a desired power supply start time or a desired power supply completion time desired by the user; Setting a recommendation level for each of the power supply vehicle or the business operator based on the minimum SOC and the power supply available amount of the power supply vehicle or the business operator, or the desired power supply start time or the desired power supply completion time and the power supply start available time or the power supply completion scheduled time; Changing a display mode of each of the power supply vehicles or the business operators according to the recommendation level; The method further comprises:

5. 2. The method of claim 1 , When a change occurs in the information of the power supply vehicle or the business operator, information regarding the available power supply amount of the power supply vehicle or the business operator and information regarding the available power supply start time or the scheduled power supply completion time are displayed based on the changed information. The method further comprises:

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