Wireless power feeding system, wireless power feeding method, and program

Abstract

To utilize information obtained by performing wireless power feeding.SOLUTION: Provided is a wireless power feeding system for feeding power to a power receiver. The wireless power feeding system comprises: an acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating the location of the power receiver that is estimated when feeding power to the power receiver; and a submitted information generation unit for generating submitted information including a history of location of the power receiver having been acquired by the acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless power supply system, a wireless power supply method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless power supply technology that wirelessly supplies power from a power transmitting device to a power receiving device is known (for example, Patent Document 1). There are attempts to popularize wireless power supply services that use such wireless power supply technology. In wireless power supply services, wireless power supply equipment for wireless power supply, such as a power transmitter, is installed in facilities such as stores and factories, and wireless power is supplied to a pre-registered power receiver, such as a smartphone of a user who has registered for the wireless power supply service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-18146 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to popularize such wireless power transfer services, it is necessary for facilities to install wireless power transfer equipment. When providing wireless power transfer services, it is better to provide various information to the facilities that install the wireless power transfer equipment rather than just supplying power to the receivers, so that more facilities will install the equipment. For this reason, a mechanism that can utilize the information obtained by wireless power transfer has been desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a wireless power supply system, a wireless power supply method, and a program that can utilize information obtained by wireless power supply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wireless power supply system of the present invention is a wireless power supply system that supplies power to a power receiver, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a position of the power receiver estimated when power is supplied to the power receiver, and a provided information generation unit that generates provided information including a history of the position of the power receiver acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] The wireless power supply method of the present invention is a wireless power supply method performed by a wireless power supply system that supplies power to a power receiver, which obtains information indicating an estimated position of the power receiver when supplying power to the power receiver, and generates information to be provided that includes a history of the obtained position of the power receiver.

[0008] The program of the present invention is a program that causes a computer used in a wireless power supply system that supplies power to a power receiver to acquire information indicating the position of the power receiver estimated when supplying power to the power receiver, and generates information to be provided that includes a history of the acquired position of the power receiver. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to utilize information obtained by wireless power supply. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless power supply system 1 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a power supply control server 10 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of TX installation information 120 according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of TX installation information 120 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of RX registration information 121 according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of power supply information 122 according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of provided information 123 according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of provided information 123 according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of provided information 123 according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of provided information 123 according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 4 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a wireless power supply system 1 and a power supply control server 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a power supply area is provided in a commercial facility such as a store, and a service (hereinafter, power supply service) for wirelessly supplying power to a power receiver of the user who visits the store is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to any facility that provides a power supply service to a power receiver present in the power supply area.

[0012] A wireless power supply system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the wireless power supply system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the wireless power supply system 1 includes, for example, a power supply control server 10 and a plurality of power transmitters 20 (power transmitters 20-1 to 20-4, ...). In the wireless power supply system 1, the power supply control server 10 and each of the power transmitters 20 are communicatively connected via a communication network NW.

[0013] The wireless power supply system 1 is a system that provides a service (hereinafter, power supply service) for wirelessly supplying power to a power receiver 30. In the wireless power supply system 1, each of the power transmitters 20 is provided in a power supply area E. For example, one or a plurality of power supply areas E are provided in one store.

[0014] The power transmitter 20 wirelessly supplies power to one or more power receivers 30 in the power supply area E in which the power transmitter 20 is installed, under the control of the power supply control server 10. In the example shown in the figure, the power transmitter 20-1 is installed in the power supply area E1, and multiple power receivers 30 (power receivers 30A-1 to 30A-L) exist. In the power supply area E2, two power transmitters 20 (power transmitters 20-2 and 20-3) are installed, and multiple power receivers 30 (power receivers 30B-1 to 30B-M, power receivers 30C-1 to 30C-N, and power receivers 30D-1 to 30D-O) exist. In the power supply area E3, the power transmitter 20-4 is installed, and multiple power receivers 30 (power receivers 30E-1 to 30E-P) exist. Here, L, M, N, O, and P are each an arbitrary natural number.

[0015] The power transmitter 20 is provided with an antenna that transmits radio waves for power supply. This antenna includes an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, and can control the directivity of the radio waves for power supply using a technique called beamforming or the like. For example, the power transmitter 20 adjusts the amplitude and phase of the radio waves output from the plurality of antenna elements for each antenna element, thereby causing the radio waves output from each antenna element to interfere with each other, and as a result, controls so as to increase the strength (power) of the radio waves in a desired spatial region. For example, by controlling so as to increase the strength (power) of the radio waves in the region where the power receiver 30 exists, it is possible to supply power with high radio wave strength to the power receiver 30, and efficient wireless power supply is possible.

[0016] The power transmitter 20 determines the amount of amplitude and phase adjustment corresponding to each antenna element based on the beacon signal transmitted from the power receiver 30. The beacon signal is a signal that the power receiver 30 periodically transmits in order to receive a power supply service. The power receiver 30 transmits the beacon signal with a radio wave strength sufficient to reach a specific range (for example, a radius of several meters to several tens of meters). When the power receiver 30 is present in a power supply area E, the beacon signal transmitted by the power receiver 30 in the power supply area E is received by the power transmitter 20 provided in the power supply area E. The power receiver 30 periodically transmits, for example, radio waves including a predetermined specific frequency or radio waves including a specific signal format as a beacon signal. When the power transmitter 20 receives radio waves including a predetermined specific frequency or radio waves including a specific signal format, it can determine that the power receiver 30 is present in its own power supply area E.

[0017] When the power transmitter 20 receives a beacon signal, it estimates the position of the power receiver 30 based on the received beacon signal, and determines the amount of adjustment of the amplitude and phase corresponding to each antenna element so as to increase the radio wave intensity in the space including the estimated position. The power transmitter 20 can employ any estimation method such as the beamformer method, the Capon method, the line diameter prediction method, and the MSIC (Multiple Signal Classification) method for estimating the position.

[0018] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the power supply control server 10 according to the embodiment. The power supply control server 10 includes, for example, a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. The communication unit 11 communicates with each of the power transmitters 20.

[0019] The storage unit 12 stores, for example, TX installation information 120, RX registration information 121, and provision information 123. The storage unit 12 is a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a random access read / write memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or a combination of these. The storage unit 12 stores programs for executing various processes of the power supply control server 10, and temporary data used when performing various processes.

[0020] 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an example of the TX installation information 120 according to the embodiment. The TX installation information 120 is information indicating the location where the power transmitter 20 is installed.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the TX installation information 120 includes, for example, information related to the floor of a store on which the power transmitter 20 is installed. The information related to the floor of the store in the TX installation information 120 includes, for example, a floor, a map, and information corresponding to each item of the map information. The floor is information that identifies multiple floors that the store has. The map is information that indicates the map (layout) of the floor. In the example of this figure, the file name of an electronic file (bitmap) that indicates the map (layout) of the floor is shown as the map. The map information is attribute information related to the map, in this case, information that indicates the size of the floor.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the TX installation information 120 includes, for example, information on the power transmitter 20 installed on each floor. The information on the power transmitter 20 installed on each floor includes information corresponding to each item of a power transmitter ID, a floor, and a position coordinate. The power transmitter ID is information for identifying the power transmitter 20. The floor is information indicating a floor on which a power transmitter identified by the power transmitter ID is installed. The position coordinate is information indicating the position of a power transmitter installed on a floor. For example, the position coordinate is indicated using coordinate axes set on a map (layout) of the floor. In the example of this figure, it is indicated that on floor 1, a power transmitter 20 identified by a power transmitter ID (TX1) is installed at a position corresponding to position coordinates (50, 40), and a power transmitter 20 identified by a power transmitter ID (TX2) is installed at a position corresponding to position coordinates (150, 40).

[0023] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the RX registration information 121 according to the embodiment. The RX registration information 121 is information related to the power receiver 30 registered as a terminal that receives a power supply service.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 5, the RX registration information 121 includes information corresponding to each item of, for example, a wireless power supply user number and a power receiver ID. The wireless power supply user number is a number for identifying a user (wireless power supply user) who has applied to receive the provision of a power supply service. The power receiver ID is information for identifying the power receiver 30 registered by the wireless power supply user as a terminal that receives the power supply service. The example of this figure shows that a wireless power supply user identified by a wireless power supply user number (WPT001) has registered a power receiver identified by a power receiver ID (AAaa) as a terminal that receives the power supply service.

[0025] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 2, the control unit 13 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 130, a power supply control unit 131, and a provision information generation unit 132. Each of these functional units included in the control unit 13, that is, the acquisition unit 130, the power supply control unit 131, and the provision information generation unit 132, is realized by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included as hardware in the power supply control server 10 to execute a program.

[0026] The acquisition unit 130 acquires various information. For example, the acquisition unit 130 acquires information related to the power supply performed by the power transmitter 20 from the power transmitter 20 via the communication unit 11. The information related to the power supply is, for example, information indicating the power transmitter 20 as the power supply source, the power receiver 30 as the power supply destination, the position of the power receiver 30 estimated by beamforming or the like in the power supply, and the time of power supply. The information related to the power supply may include information indicating the amount of power received by the power receiver 30 in response to the power supply by the power transmitter 20. The acquisition unit 130 stores the acquired information related to the power supply in the storage unit 12 as the power supply information 122.

[0027] 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the power supply information 122 according to the embodiment. The power supply information 122 is information related to the power supply performed by the power transmitter 20.

[0028] 6, the power supply information 122 includes information corresponding to each of the following items: a power receiver ID, a connected power transmitter ID, the position coordinates of the power receiver, and a power transmission time. The power receiver ID is information for identifying the power receiver 30 that is the power supply destination. The connected power transmitter ID is information for identifying the power transmitter 20 that supplies power to the power receiver 30 identified by the power receiver ID. The position coordinates of the power receiver are information indicating the position of the power receiver 30 estimated using a technology such as beamforming when the power transmitter 20 supplies power to the power receiver 30.

[0029] In the example of this figure, the position coordinates of the power receiver 30 are shown with the position of the power transmitter 20 as the reference (origin). In the example of this figure, it is shown that power was supplied from the power transmitter 20 identified by the power transmitter ID (TX1) to the power receiver 30 identified by the power receiver ID (AAaa) at times 13:00 and 13:10. It is shown that the position coordinates of the power receiver 30 estimated by beam forming or the like at the time of power supply at 13:00 were (-100, 100). It is shown that the position coordinates of the power receiver 30 estimated at the time of power supply at 13:10 were (100, 100).

[0030] From these pieces of information, it is understood that the power receiver 30 moved +200 in the x-axis direction and did not move in the y-axis direction while receiving power from the power transmitter 20 between 13:00 and 13:10. In other words, by referring to the power supply information 122, it is possible to grasp the movement line indicating how the user carrying the power receiver 30 moved within the store.

[0031] Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the power supply control unit 131 controls the power transmitter 20 and controls the power supply performed by the power transmitter 20. For example, when the power transmitter 20 receives a beacon signal, the power supply control unit 131 causes the power transmitter 20 to communicate with the power receiver 30, thereby causing the power receiver 30 to transmit information for power supply. The information for power supply includes, for example, a power receiver ID for identifying the power receiver 30, information for authenticating the power receiver 30 (for example, a combination of an ID and a password, etc.), and information indicating the remaining battery level. The power transmitter 20 receives information for power supply from the power receiver 30 and transmits the received information to the power supply control server 10. As a result, the power supply control unit 131 acquires information for power supply notified from the power receiver 30 via the communication unit 11. The power supply control unit 131 determines whether or not to supply power to the power receiver 30 based on the information for power supply. The power supply control unit 131 determines whether or not to supply power to the power receiver 30, for example, based on a predetermined power supply policy. The power supply policy is information that defines conditions for supplying power, such as supplying power to the power receiver 30 authenticated as a device that receives a power supply service, or supplying power when the remaining battery level of the authenticated power receiver 30 is less than 75%.

[0032] The provided information generating unit 132 generates the provided information 123. The provided information 123 is information provided to a store, which is a facility in which a power transmitter is installed. In the store, the provided information generating unit 132 can be used for customer analysis, etc. The provided information 123 includes a history of the position of the power receiver 30 acquired by the acquiring unit 130. Since it is considered that the user moves around the store while carrying the power receiver 30, it is possible to consider the history of the position of the power receiver 30 as a history of the user's movement in the store. For example, in a case where a plurality of sales areas are provided in a store, it is considered that the user moves around while looking at products that interest the user in the sales area that interests him / her. In other words, the route that the user moves along indicates the sales area or products that interest the user. From this perspective, the provided information generating unit 132 can be used for customer analysis, etc. The provided information generating unit 132 can generate information indicating the history of the position of the power receiver 30 based on the power supply information 122. The provided information generating unit 132 causes the generated provided information 123 to be stored in the storage unit 12.

[0033] 7 to 10 are diagrams showing examples of the provided information 123 according to the embodiment. In Fig. 7, the location history of the power receiver 30 is shown in three display modes, 123A, 123B, and 123C.

[0034] 7, the flow line of the user is shown on the floor layout of the store at 123A. The floor layout of the store shows the positions of the sales counters and the power transmitter 20 in the store.

[0035] By showing the user's movement line in a floor layout such as that shown by reference numeral 123A, the relationship between the sales floor and the user's movement can be shown as the provided information 123. For example, when focusing on the relationship between the sales floor and the user's movement, it is shown that the user first moves to position P1 after entering the store. Since position P1 is near sales floor A, it is possible to assume that the user is interested in products in sales floor A. Then, it is shown that the user moves from position P1 to position P2 in the store along the positive x-axis direction. Since position P2 is near sales floor B in the flare layout of the store, it is possible to assume that the user is interested in products in sales floor B. Furthermore, it is shown that the user moves from position P2 to P3 in the store along the positive x-axis direction. Since position P3 is near sales floor C, it is possible to assume that the user is interested in products in sales floor C.

[0036] Moreover, by showing the user's movement line in a floor layout such as that shown by the reference numeral 123A, the relationship between the power transmitter 20 and the user's movement line can be shown as the provided information 123. When focusing on the relationship between the power transmitter 20 and the movement of the user, it is shown that the user first moves to position P1 after entering the store. Since position P1 is near the power transmitter 20 identified by the power transmitter ID (TX1), it is also possible to consider that the user moves to position P1 in order to receive power from the power transmitter 20. After that, it is shown that the user moves from position P1 to position P2 in the store along the positive direction of the x-axis. Position P2 is at a similar distance from the power transmitter 20 identified by the power transmitter ID (TX1) and the power transmitter 20 identified by the power transmitter ID (TX2), and it is difficult to say that position P2 is near either power transmitter 20, so it is also possible to consider that the user is merely on the way from one power transmitter 20 to another power transmitter 20. Furthermore, it is shown that the user has moved within the store along the positive direction of the x-axis from position P2 to P3. Since position P3 is near the power transmitter 20 identified by the power transmitter ID (TX2), it is also possible to consider that the user has moved to position P3 in order to receive power supply from the power transmitter 20.

[0037] In this way, by showing not only the relationship between the sales floor and the user's movements but also another perspective, for example, the relationship between the power transmitter 20 and the user's movement line, it becomes possible to analyze whether the user is interested in the sales floor and the products in the sales floor, or whether the user is not very interested in the sales floor and the products in the sales floor but has stopped by for the purpose of power supply. In marketing, it may be more effective to target products in which the user shows little interest and develop them to attract the user's interest, rather than targeting products in which the user is interested from the beginning. In this way, the provided information generating unit 132 may generate provided information 123 that can show not only the relationship between the sales floor and the user's movements but also another perspective. This makes it possible to provide information that is useful to the store.

[0038] The reference numeral 123B shows the sales floors that the user visited from the time the user entered the store until the time the user left the store, the time spent there, and the drop-in rate. The drop-in rate is the ratio of the time spent in each sales floor to the total time spent in the store. In the example of this figure, it is shown that the user entered the store at 10:15 and left the store about one hour later at 11:17. During the total stay time of one hour and two minutes, it is shown that the user visited three sales floors, namely, sales floor A, sales floor B, and sales floor C. It is shown that the user stayed in sales floor A for 18 minutes, which corresponds to a drop-in rate of about 30%. It is also shown that the user stayed in sales floor B for 30 minutes, which corresponds to a drop-in rate of about 50%. It is shown that the user stayed in sales floor C for 12 minutes, which corresponds to a drop-in rate of about 20%. As in this example, the provided information generating unit 132 may generate information indicating the sales floors that the user visited from the time the user entered the store until the time the user left the store, and the time spent there or the drop-in rate as the provided information 123.

[0039] Reference numeral 123C shows the drop-in rate in a pie chart. By showing the drop-in rate in a pie chart, it becomes possible to grasp at a glance which sales floors the user stayed in for a long time. For example, if the user stayed in a sales floor that is not close to the power transmitter 20 for a long time, it is possible to consider that the user has a strong interest in the products in that sales floor.

[0040] 8 and 9 show analysis results of products purchased by a user in a store. Such analysis results based on purchased products may be included in the provided information 123. Products purchased by a user can be ascertained, for example, by using a POS (Point of sales) system used in cash registers.

[0041] Figure 8 shows the results of basket analysis in a matrix. Basket analysis is a method for analyzing common purchasing trends among users by identifying products that are placed in the same shopping basket. In the example shown in this figure, it is shown that many users tend to purchase hair dryers and extension cords at the same time. Figure 9 shows the results of basket analysis in a table. In this example, the highest score of 124 points is assigned to the case where a hair dryer and an extension cord are purchased at the same time.

[0042] Focusing on such an example of basket analysis, it is possible to consider that a user who purchases a hair dryer tends to purchase an extension cord together with the hair dryer. Furthermore, from another perspective, another analysis can be performed by considering the relationship with the power transmitter 20. For example, consider a case where the power transmitter 20 is installed near a sales floor where hair dryers and extension cords are available. In such a case, it is possible to consider that while staying near the power transmitter 20 until the power receiver 30 is fully charged, the user happens to notice a hair dryer on the sales floor, and when he or she is about to purchase the hair dryer, he or she may have purchased the extension cord together with the hair dryer.

[0043] FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the time series change of the position of the power receiver 30 and the time series change of the charge amount of the power receiver 30. The power supply control server 10 can generate information indicating such time series change of the charge amount by using the remaining battery amount included in the beacon signal transmitted from the power receiver 30 during power supply. The provided information 123 may include such time series change of the charge amount in the power receiver 30 during power supply. By accumulating such data indicating the relationship between the position of the power receiver 30 and the charge amount, it is possible to determine whether the user tends to move regardless of the charge amount or tends to move while considering the charge amount. In addition, if the user tends to move while considering the charge amount, it is also possible to analyze at what charge amount the user tends to move or leave the store.

[0044] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment. First, the power receiver 30 transmits a beacon signal (step S1). When the power transmitter 20 receives the beacon signal, it detects the power receiver 30 (RX) as a power supply target (step S2). Here, the power transmitter 20 estimates the position of the power receiver 30 when performing beamforming based on the beacon signal received from the power receiver 30.

[0045] The power transmitter 20 transmits an approval request to the power supply control server 10 (step S3). The approval request here includes at least approval-related information among information for power supply, such as a power receiver ID for identifying the power receiver 30, information for authenticating the power receiver 30 (e.g., a combination of an ID and a password), and information indicating the remaining battery level, and information indicating the position of the power receiver 30 estimated by the power transmitter 20. It is assumed that the information for power supply here is information obtained by the power transmitter 20 communicating with the power receiver 30, but this sequence omits a communication flow for exchanging information for power supply between the power transmitter 20 and the power receiver 30.

[0046] The power supply control server 10 executes authentication in response to the approval request notified from the power transmitter 20 (step S4). The authentication here is for determining whether the power receiver 30 is appropriate as a power supply target. In addition, the power supply control server 10 stores information indicating the position of the power receiver 30 estimated by the power transmitter 20, which is included in the approval request notified from the power transmitter 20, in the power supply information 122.

[0047] The power supply control server 10 judges whether the power receiver 30 is appropriate as a power supply target (authentication OK) or not appropriate (authentication NG) as a result of the authentication (step S5). When the power supply control server 10 judges that the power receiver 30 is appropriate as a power supply target (authentication OK), it generates power supply control information (step S7). The power supply control information is information generated by the power supply control unit 131, and includes information indicating whether or not to supply power to the power receiver 30. The power supply control information may include information indicating the radio wave strength and the time for which power is to be supplied to the power receiver 30 when power is to be supplied to the power receiver 30. The power supply control server 10 transmits the generated power supply control information to the power transmitter 20 (step S8).

[0048] When the power transmitter 20 receives the power supply control information from the power supply control server 10, the power transmitter 20 supplies power based on the received power supply control information. The power transmitter 20 performs beamforming according to the position of the power receiver 30 estimated in step S2 (step S9), and transmits the beamformed radio waves for power supply (step S10). The power receiver 30 charges the battery by receiving (receiving) the radio waves for power supply (step S11).

[0049] Thereafter, power is fed each time the process shown in step S100 is repeated. In step S100, the processes shown in steps S12 to S18 are executed. The process shown in step S12 is the same as the process shown in step S1. In step S13, when the power transmitter 20 receives a beacon signal, it detects the power receiver 30 (RX) as a power feed target, and estimates the position of the power receiver 30 when performing beamforming based on the beacon signal received from the power receiver 30. The power transmitter 20 transmits to the power feed control server 10 information for power feeding, excluding information related to approval, from the information transmitted to the power feed control server 10 in step S3. Here, the information transmitted from the power transmitter 20 to the power feed control server 10 includes at least a power receiver ID for identifying the power receiver 30 and information indicating the remaining battery level. The processes shown in steps S14 to S18 are the same as the processes shown in steps S7 to S11.

[0050] When the power supply control server 10 finishes supplying power to the power receiver 30, the power supply control server 10 generates the provision information 123 by using the power supply information 122 accumulated during the power supply (step S19).

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the provided information 123 is generated using information indicating the position of the power receiver 30 estimated when performing beam forming has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The power supply control server 10 may generate the provided information 123 using information indicating the position of the power receiver 30 estimated using an alternative means other than beam forming. For example, the power supply control server 10 may estimate the position of the power receiver 30 based on a beacon signal transmitted by the power receiver 30, instruct the power transmitter 20 to supply power based on the estimated position, and generate the provided information 123 using the information indicating the estimated position. Alternatively, the power supply control server 10 may estimate the position of the power receiver 30 based on an image of a surveillance camera or the like installed in a facility such as a store, instruct the power transmitter 20 to supply power based on the estimated position, and generate the provided information 123 using the information indicating the estimated position.

[0052] As described above, the wireless power feeding system 1 of the embodiment is a system that feeds power to the power receiver 30. The wireless power feeding system 1 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 130 and a provided information generation unit 132. The acquisition unit 130 acquires information indicating the position of the power receiver 30 that is estimated when feeding power to the power receiver 30. The provided information generation unit 132 generates provided information 123 including a history of the position of the power receiver 30 acquired by the acquisition unit 130. As a result, in the wireless power feeding system 1 of the embodiment, the provided information 123 can be generated using the position information of the power receiver 30 that is estimated when wireless power feeding is performed. Therefore, it is possible to utilize information obtained by performing wireless power feeding.

[0053] Moreover, the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment is a system that performs beamforming according to the position of the power receiver 30. The acquisition unit 130 acquires information indicating the position of the power receiver estimated in beamforming. As a result, in the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment, it is possible to generate the provided information 123 by using the position information of the power receiver 30 estimated when performing beamforming.

[0054] In addition, in the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment, the provided information generating unit 132 generates, as the provided information 123, a traffic line map (for example, reference numeral 123A) showing the location history of the power receiver 30 on a map showing the location of the power transmitter 20. In this way, in the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment, not only the relationship between the sales floor and the user's movements but also the relationship with the power transmitter 20, which is a different perspective, can be shown. Therefore, more useful information can be provided.

[0055] In the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment, the power supply area E is provided in a facility. The facility here is, for example, a commercial facility or an industrial facility, and is a facility that provides a wireless power supply service by installing the power transmitter 20 and providing the power supply area E. The provided information generating unit 132 generates, as the provided information 123, a traffic line map (for example, reference numeral 123A) in which the position history of the power receiver 30 is shown on a map showing the positions of the power transmitter 20 and equipment provided in the facility. The equipment provided in the facility here is, for example, furniture, walls, home appliances, signage, posters, product shelves, etc. provided in a store as a commercial facility. Alternatively, the equipment provided in the facility is, for example, various sensors, work equipment, work conveyor belts, etc. provided in a factory as an industrial facility. In this way, in the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment, not only the relationship between the equipment provided in the facility, for example, a sales floor provided in a store, and the user's traffic line, but also another perspective, for example, the relationship between the power transmitter 20 and the user's traffic line, can be shown. This makes it possible to provide more useful information for commercial or industrial facilities.

[0056] In the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment, the power supply area E is provided in a store. The provided information generating unit 132 generates, as provided information, a traffic line map (for example, reference numeral 123A and FIG. 8) showing products purchased by the user of the power receiver in the store and a history of the location of the power receiver 30. As a result, the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment achieves the same effects as those described above.

[0057] In the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment, the provided information generating unit 132 generates the time series change (for example, FIG. 10 ) of the position and the charged amount of the power receiver 30 as the provided information 123. As a result, the wireless power supply system 1 of the embodiment has the same effect as the above-mentioned effect.

[0058] The wireless power supply system 1 and the power supply control server 10 in the above-described embodiment may be realized in whole or in part by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to realize the function. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include a medium that dynamically holds a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and a medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that is a server or a client in that case. The above-described program may be a program for realizing a part of the above-described function, or may be a program that can realize the above-described function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, or may be a program that is realized using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Wireless power supply system 10…Power supply control server 11…Communications Department 12...Storage section 13...Control section 20...Transmitter 30…Power receiver 120…TX installation information 121…RX registration information 122…Power supply information 123…Provided information 130…Acquisition Department 131...Power supply control unit 132…Provided information generation unit

Claims

1. In a wireless power supply system for supplying power to a power receiver, an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a position of the power receiver that is estimated when power is supplied to the power receiver; a provision information generating unit that generates provision information including a history of the location of the power receiver acquired by the acquisition unit; A wireless power supply system comprising:

2. By performing beamforming according to the position of the power receiver, power is supplied to the power receiver, The acquisition unit acquires information indicating a position of the power receiver estimated in the beamforming. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1 .

3. The provision information generation unit generates, as the provision information, a flow line map in which a map in which a position of a power transmitter is indicated and a history of a position of the power receiver is indicated. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1 .

4. The power supply area is set up within the facility. The provision information generation unit generates, as the provision information, a flow line map in which a map showing positions of power transmitters and equipment installed in the facility is shown and a history of positions of the power receivers is shown. The wireless power supply system according to claim 3 .

5. The power supply area is set up in the store. The provision information generation unit generates, as the provision information, a traffic line map indicating a history of products purchased by a user of the electric power receiver in the store and a location of the electric power receiver. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1 .

6. The provision information generation unit generates, as the provision information, a time series change in a position and a charge amount of the power receiver. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1 .

7. A wireless power feeding method performed by a wireless power feeding system that feeds power to a power receiver, comprising: acquiring information indicating a position of the power receiver estimated when power is supplied to the power receiver; generating provision information including the acquired history of the location of the power receiver; Wireless power supply method.

8. A computer used in a wireless power supply system that supplies power to a power receiver, acquiring information indicating a position of the power receiver estimated when power is supplied to the power receiver; generating provision information including the acquired history of the location of the power receiver; program.

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