Server and battery device

Abstract

To provide a plurality of subscription services related to electric vehicles.SOLUTION: A server 20 includes: a confirmation unit 21 for confirming whether a user has paid for a subscription service of a battery device 10 to a company that provides the subscription service of the battery device 10, based on an acquired ID of an electric vehicle 1 and an ID of the battery device 1 mounted on the electric vehicle 1; a control unit 22 for instructing an in-vehicle unit 15 of the electric vehicle 1 to disable startup of a driving device of the electric vehicle 1 when the confirmation unit 21 determines that the payment has not been made for the subscription service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server and a battery device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a configuration is known in which, when a rental car fee remains unpaid, charging of a battery device mounted on the rental car is prohibited (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6323615 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In recent years, "subscription services" that allow users (subscribers) to use a specified service for a fixed fee have become popular.

[0005] Here, as a subscription service for electric vehicles, in addition to a subscription service for electric vehicles and a battery device, a subscription service for charging the battery device is also conceivable. Here, each of these subscription services has a different service form including a fee contract.

[0006] However, since Patent Document 1 does not anticipate subscription services with different service formats, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the problem that it cannot be applied to cases where multiple subscription services related to electric vehicles are provided.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a server and a battery device that can provide multiple subscription services related to electric vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The server of one embodiment includes a confirmation unit that confirms whether or not a user has made payment for the subscription service for the battery device to a company that provides the subscription service for the battery device based on the acquired ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device installed in the electric vehicle, and a control unit that, if the confirmation unit determines that payment for the subscription service has not been made, instructs an onboard device of the electric vehicle to set the startup of the drive device of the electric vehicle to be disabled.

[0009] The server of one embodiment comprises a confirmation unit that confirms whether or not a user has made payment for the subscription service for the battery device to a company that provides the subscription service for the battery device based on the acquired ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device installed in the electric vehicle, and a control unit that, when the confirmation unit determines that payment for the subscription service has been made, instructs an onboard device of the electric vehicle to set the drive device of the electric vehicle to enable startup.

[0010] The server of one embodiment includes a confirmation unit that confirms with a company that provides a subscription service for the battery device whether the acquired ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device installed in the electric vehicle match the ID of the electric vehicle registered in the subscription service for the battery device by a user, based on the ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device installed in the electric vehicle, and a control unit that, if the confirmation unit determines that the ID does not match the registered ID of the electric vehicle, instructs an onboard device of the electric vehicle to set the start of the drive device of the electric vehicle to be disabled.

[0011] The server of one embodiment comprises a confirmation unit that confirms with a company that provides a subscription service for the battery device whether the acquired ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device installed in the electric vehicle match the ID of the electric vehicle registered in the subscription service for the battery device by the user, based on the ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device installed in the electric vehicle, and a control unit that, when the confirmation unit determines that the ID matches the registered electric vehicle ID, instructs an onboard device of the electric vehicle to set the drive device of the electric vehicle to enable startup. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a server and a battery device that are capable of providing a subscription service related to a plurality of electric vehicles. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a service providing system 100 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the battery device 10 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the service providing system 100 according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are given the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratios of the dimensions are different from the actual ones. Therefore, the specific dimensions should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated.

[0015] (First embodiment) A service providing system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a service providing system 100 according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a battery device 10 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the service providing system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0017] The service providing system 100 according to this embodiment is configured for the purpose of providing a subscription service related to electric vehicles.

[0018] In this embodiment, the subscription service related to the electric vehicle includes at least one of a subscription service for an electric vehicle (EV) 1, a subscription service for a battery device 10, and a subscription service for a charging service for the battery device 10.

[0019] Here, the subscription service for the electric vehicle 1 is a service that allows a user to rent and use the electric vehicle 1 on a flat-rate basis. Note that in the subscription service for the electric vehicle 1, the type of electric vehicle 1 that can be used and the available time vary depending on the fee type.

[0020] The subscription service for the battery device 10 is a service that allows a user to rent and use a battery device 10 that can be installed in an electric vehicle 1 on a flat-rate basis. When using such a subscription service for the battery device 10, the user must prepare the electric vehicle 1 by himself / herself. In addition, in the subscription service for the battery device 10, the type of battery device 10 that can be used and the timing of replacement, etc. vary depending on the fee type.

[0021] Furthermore, the subscription service for charging the battery device 10 is a service that allows a user to charge the battery device 10 mounted on the electric vehicle 1 at a flat rate. When using such a subscription service for charging the battery device 10, the user needs to prepare the electric vehicle 1 and the battery device 10 by himself / herself. Note that in the subscription service for charging the battery device 10, the number of times that charging is possible (the number of times of quick charging) and the like vary depending on the fee type.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a service providing system 100 according to this embodiment includes a battery device 10 mounted on an electric vehicle 1, a server 20, a communication terminal 30, a power plant 40, and a charging station 50.

[0023] In this embodiment, the electric vehicle 1 may include a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), or the like.

[0024] Furthermore, the electric vehicle 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a vehicle that can be driven by wheels, caterpillars, or the like (including, for example, construction machinery and agricultural machinery), and in addition to a normal four-wheeled vehicle, it may be, for example, a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle, or a six-wheeled vehicle.

[0025] The electric vehicle 1 may also include a vehicle capable of unmanned driving by remote control (Level 4: fully autonomous driving under specific conditions, Level 5: fully autonomous driving).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to a battery device 10, an electric vehicle 1 is equipped with electrical devices such as a drive unit, headlights, a car stereo, and an air conditioner, electronic devices such as various ECUs (Electronic Control Units) and TCUs (Telematics Control Units), various harnesses, etc.

[0027] The driving device is configured to be activated by a start-up operation when a predetermined condition is satisfied, where the driving device is a motor.

[0028] For example, the predetermined condition may be that the shift lever is in the parking range, that the brake is depressed, etc. The predetermined condition may also include that the encryption key held by the electric vehicle 1 matches the encryption key in the predetermined application, that the communication terminal 30 is inside the electric vehicle 1, that the distance between the electric vehicle 1 and the communication terminal 30 is within a certain range, etc.

[0029] In addition, startup operations may include the driver inserting and turning a key, pressing a start switch, or pressing a button on an application (digital key) installed on a smartphone serving as the communication terminal 30.

[0030] A mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone is assumed as the communication terminal 30. Although the configuration of the communication terminal 30 is not specifically illustrated, it has, for example, a CPU that executes applications downloaded from the server 30 and controls execution of communications via short-distance communication, WiFi, mobile phone line communication, etc., a screen that displays the execution contents of the application, a GPS that detects position information, an input unit that accepts user input, a speaker that outputs sound, etc.

[0031] The power plant 40 is configured to generate power and transmit the power to the charging station 50. The power plant 40 may be a thermal power plant, a nuclear power plant, a wind power plant, or the like, or may be a solar power generation system.

[0032] The charging station 50 is configured to charge the battery device 10 mounted on the electric vehicle 1 via a charging plug.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the server 20 includes a confirmation unit 21 and a control unit 22.

[0034] The confirmation unit 21 is configured to confirm the payment status of the user according to the fee type of the user. Here, the fee type includes at least one of a subscription service for the electric vehicle 1, a subscription service for the battery device 10, and a subscription service for a charging service for the battery device 10.

[0035] Specifically, when the user's fee type is a subscription service for electric vehicle 1, the confirmation unit 21 is configured to confirm the payment status of the user from the server of the company providing the subscription service for electric vehicle 1.

[0036] Furthermore, when the fee type of the user is a subscription service for the battery device 10, the confirmation unit 21 is configured to confirm the payment status of the user from the server of the company that provides the subscription service for the battery device 10.

[0037] In addition, when the user's fee type is a subscription service for charging the battery device 10, the confirmation unit 21 is configured to confirm the payment status of the user from the server of a company that provides the subscription service for charging the battery device 10.

[0038] The control unit 22 is configured to determine whether or not to prohibit charging of the battery device 10 mounted on the electric vehicle 1, based on the above-mentioned payment status of the user.

[0039] For example, when it is confirmed that the user has not made payment for the subscription service, the control unit 22 instructs the on-board device 15 mounted on the electric vehicle 1 to prohibit charging of the battery device 10. The on-board device 15 may be built into the battery device 10 as described later.

[0040] Here, if it is confirmed that the user has not made payment for the above-mentioned subscription service, the control unit 22 may instruct the above-mentioned vehicle-mounted device 15 to disable the start-up of the drive device of the electric vehicle 1.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 22 may be configured to make the above-mentioned determination when the charging plug is inserted into the electric vehicle 1 at the charging station 50.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 22 may be configured to make the above-mentioned determination when the charging plug is removed from the electric vehicle 1 in the charging station 50.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 22 may be configured to make the above-mentioned decision when the electric vehicle 1 switches from the discharging mode to the charging mode.

[0044] Furthermore, the control unit 22 may be configured to cancel the prohibition on charging the battery device 10 when the confirmation unit 21 confirms that the above-mentioned payment by the user has been completed.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the battery device 10 includes a charging unit 11, a power storage unit 12, a discharging unit 13, and an in-vehicle device 15.

[0046] The charging unit 11 is configured to obtain electricity via a charging plug at a charging station. The power storage unit 12 is configured to store the electricity obtained by the charging unit 11. The discharging unit 13 is configured to discharge the electricity stored in the power storage unit 13 to various circuits of the electric vehicle 1.

[0047] 2, the vehicle-mounted device 15 includes a communication unit 15A and a control unit 15B. The vehicle-mounted device function 15 may be provided in a device other than the battery device 10.

[0048] The communication unit 15A is configured to be able to communicate with the server 20, the communication terminal 30, and the charging station 50.

[0049] The communication unit 15A may also be configured to be able to collect vehicle information about the electric vehicle 1 in which it is installed.

[0050] Here, the vehicle information preferably includes the position of the shift lever, detection information indicating whether the brake is being depressed or not, and vehicle position information obtained by GPS.

[0051] The communication unit 15A may be configured to transmit the collected vehicle information to the server 20 via a wireless network, and to receive a control signal from the server 20 via the wireless network.

[0052] The control unit 15B is configured to control, based on an instruction from the server 20, whether or not charging or discharging of the battery device 10 is prohibited.

[0053] Furthermore, the control unit 15B is configured to be able to set the start-up of the above-mentioned drive device to either possible or impossible.

[0054] The control unit 15B is configured to be able to control the electric vehicle 1 based on the control signals and the like acquired by the communication unit 15A. For example, the control unit 15B has a control function for controlling the start-up of the above-mentioned drive device and the like based on the control signals and the like.

[0055] Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the service providing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0056] 3, in step S101, the user turns off the power switch of the electric vehicle 1 at the charging station 50. The user may turn off the power switch of the electric vehicle 1 after any of steps S103 to S105.

[0057] In step S102, the user inserts the charging plug into the electric vehicle 1, thereby requesting the charging station 50 to start charging.

[0058] In step S103, the charging station 50 transmits the ID of the electric vehicle 1 and the ID of the battery device 10 to the server 20.

[0059] In step S104, the server 20 instructs the vehicle-mounted device 15 of the electric vehicle 1 identified based on the ID of the electric vehicle 1 or the ID of the battery device 10 to set the startup of the above-mentioned drive device to disabled, and the control unit 15B of the vehicle-mounted device 15 sets the startup of the above-mentioned drive device to disabled.

[0060] In step S105, the confirmation unit 21 of the server 20 confirms the fee type of the user of the electric vehicle 1 identified based on the ID of the electric vehicle 1 and the ID of the battery device 10.

[0061] In step S106, if the fee type is a subscription service for the electric vehicle 1 or a subscription service for the battery device 10, the operation proceeds to step S109, and otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S107.

[0062] In step S107, if the fee type is a subscription service for charging the battery device 10, the operation proceeds to step S108, and if not, the operation proceeds to step S119.

[0063] In step S108, the confirmation unit 21 of the server 20 confirms the payment status of the user from the server of the company that provides the subscription service for charging the battery device 10.

[0064] In step S109, the confirmation unit 21 of the server 20 confirms the payment status of the user from the server of the company providing the subscription service for the electric vehicle 1 or the subscription service for the battery device 10.

[0065] If in step S110 it is determined that a fixed payment has been made for the above-mentioned subscription service (i.e., there is a balance in the above-mentioned subscription service), the operation proceeds to step S111; otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S116.

[0066] In step S111, charging of the battery device 10 is started, and when the charging is completed in step S112, the user removes the charging plug from the electric vehicle 1 in step S113.

[0067] In step S114, the charging station 50 notifies the server 20 that charging of the battery device 10 of the electric vehicle 1 has been completed and the charging plug has been removed, and the control unit 22 of the server 20 instructs the in-vehicle device 15 of the electric vehicle 1 to enable the start-up of the above-mentioned drive device, and the control unit 15B of the in-vehicle device 15 enables the start-up of the above-mentioned drive device. The process of step S114 may be performed between steps S112 and S113.

[0068] In step S115, the user turns on the power switch of the electric vehicle 1.

[0069] In step S116, the control unit 22 of the server 20 instructs the vehicle-mounted device 15 to prohibit charging of the battery device 10, and the control unit 15B of the vehicle-mounted device 15 prohibits charging of the battery device 10.

[0070] In step S117, if the confirmation unit 21 of the server 20 confirms the user's payment for the subscription service, the operation proceeds to step S113. Otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S118, where the above-mentioned state in which the drive device cannot be started continues.

[0071] In step S119, when the user pays for the charge at the charging station 50 by paying each time with a credit card or cash, charging of the battery device 10 is started in step S120, and the charging is completed in step S121.

[0072] In step S122, if the confirmation unit 21 of the server 20 confirms the payment by the user, the operation proceeds to step S123, otherwise the operation proceeds to step S124.

[0073] In step S123, the control unit 22 of the server 20 instructs the in-vehicle device 15 of the user's electric vehicle 1 to set the above-mentioned drive device to be enabled, and the control unit 15B of the in-vehicle device 15 sets the above-mentioned drive device to be enabled.

[0074] In step S124, the state in which the drive device cannot be started continues. Here, the control unit 22 of the server 20 may send a notification to the communication terminal 30 of the user, etc., prompting the user to make the payment.

[0075] According to the service providing system 100 according to the present embodiment, a subscription service for the electric vehicle 1, a subscription service for the battery device 10, and a subscription service for a charging service for the battery device 10 can be provided in one system.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the service providing system 100 of this embodiment, when a user who has not paid the fixed amount for the subscription service comes to charge the electric vehicle at the charging station 50, not only is the charging not allowed, but the drive unit of the electric vehicle 1 cannot be started, thereby preventing the user from running away. Furthermore, according to the service providing system 100 of this embodiment, in such a case, a notice urging the user to make the payment can also be sent to the user.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the service providing system 100 of this embodiment, by giving the battery device 10 the functions of the vehicle-mounted device 15, a subscription service for the battery device 10 and a subscription service for a charging service for the battery device 10 can be easily realized.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-mentioned embodiment, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the present specification. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 100...Service provision system 1. Electric vehicles 10...Battery device 11...Charging part 12…Electricity storage unit 13…Discharge part 15...Onboard equipment 15A…Communication section 15B…Control section 20…Server 21…Verification Department 22...Control section 30...Communication terminal 40…Power plant 50…Charging station

Claims

1. A server, a confirmation unit that confirms whether or not a user has made a payment for the subscription service of the battery device to a company that provides the subscription service of the battery device, based on the acquired ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device mounted on the electric vehicle; A server comprising: a control unit that, when the confirmation unit determines that payment for the subscription service has not been made, instructs an onboard device of the electric vehicle to set the start-up of the electric vehicle's drive unit to be disabled.

2. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives a notification indicating that charging of the battery device of the electric vehicle has been completed and the charging plug has been removed, the control unit instructs an on-board device of the electric vehicle to disable startup of the drive device.

3. A server, a confirmation unit that confirms whether or not a user has made a payment for the subscription service of the battery device to a company that provides the subscription service of the battery device, based on the acquired ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device mounted on the electric vehicle; A server comprising: a control unit that, when the confirmation unit determines that payment for the subscription service has been made, instructs an onboard device of the electric vehicle to set the electric vehicle's drive unit to enable startup.

4. 4. The server according to claim 3, wherein when the control unit receives a notification indicating that charging of the battery device of the electric vehicle has been completed and the charging plug has been removed, the control unit instructs an on-board device of the electric vehicle to set the drive device to be enabled.

5. A server, a confirmation unit that confirms with a company that provides a subscription service for the battery device whether or not the ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device mounted on the electric vehicle match with the ID of the electric vehicle registered in the subscription service for the battery device by the user, based on the acquired ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device; A server comprising: a control unit that, when the confirmation unit determines that the ID does not match the ID of the registered electric vehicle, instructs the onboard device of the electric vehicle to set the startup of the electric vehicle's drive unit to be disabled.

6. 6. The server according to claim 5, wherein when the control unit receives a notification indicating that charging of the battery device of the electric vehicle has been completed and the charging plug has been removed, the control unit instructs an on-board device of the electric vehicle to disable startup of the drive device.

7. A server, a confirmation unit that confirms with a company that provides a subscription service for the battery device whether or not the ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device mounted on the electric vehicle match with the ID of the electric vehicle registered in the subscription service for the battery device by the user, based on the acquired ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device; A server comprising: a control unit that, when the confirmation unit determines that the ID matches the ID of the registered electric vehicle, instructs the electric vehicle's onboard device to set the electric vehicle's drive unit to enable startup.

8. 8. The server according to claim 7, wherein when the control unit receives a notification indicating that charging of the battery device of the electric vehicle has been completed and the charging plug has been removed, the control unit instructs an on-board device of the electric vehicle to set the drive device to be enabled.

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