Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve the accuracy of calculating a vehicle usage charge.SOLUTION: An information processing device 2 presents a use charge associated with the use of an electric vehicle. The information processing device 2 includes: an acquisition unit 231 configured to acquire use information indicating the use content of a user's electric vehicle during a use period and performance information indicating the performance of the user's vehicle before the user starts using the vehicle; an estimation unit 233 configured to estimate remaining performance, which is the performance of the user's vehicle after the use period has elapsed, based on the use information and performance information acquired by the acquisition unit 231; a charge calculation unit 234 configured to refer to relationship data indicating a relationship between performance of the electric vehicle and use charge of the electric vehicle, and calculate a use charge of the vehicle during the use period based on the remaining performance estimated by the estimation unit 233; and an output unit 235 configured to output information indicating the use charge of the vehicle calculated by the charge calculation unit 234.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system for calculating the lease fee of a leased object is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for calculating the residual value of a mobile machine based on the contract period and contract operating hours of the mobile machine, and calculating the lease fee of the mobile machine based on the calculated residual value of the mobile machine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, the difference between the residual value of a vehicle calculated based on the contract period and contract operating hours of a vehicle such as a mobile machine and the residual value of the vehicle after the contract period has actually elapsed can be large. Therefore, the accuracy of calculating the usage fee associated with the use of the vehicle may be low.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to improve the accuracy of calculating the usage fee of a vehicle as an example.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that presents usage fees associated with the use of an electric vehicle, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires usage information indicating the content of use of a vehicle to be used, which is an electric vehicle used by a user, during a usage period by the user, and performance information indicating the performance of the vehicle to be used before the user starts using the vehicle to be used; an estimation unit that estimates remaining performance, which is the performance of the vehicle to be used after the usage period has elapsed, based on the usage information and the performance information acquired by the acquisition unit; a fee calculation unit that refers to relationship data indicating the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the usage fee of the electric vehicle, and calculates the usage fee of the vehicle to be used during the usage period based on the remaining performance estimated by the estimation unit; and an output unit that outputs information indicating the usage fee of the vehicle to be used calculated by the fee calculation unit.

[0007] The relationship data may include performance-value relationship data indicating the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the value of the electric vehicle, and value-fee relationship data indicating the relationship between the value of the electric vehicle and the usage fee of the electric vehicle. The fee calculation unit may refer to the performance-value relationship data, calculate the value of the vehicle to be used after the usage period has elapsed based on the remaining performance estimated by the estimation unit, refer to the value-fee relationship data, and calculate the usage fee of the vehicle to be used during the usage period based on the calculated value of the vehicle to be used.

[0008] The performance-value relationship data and the value-fee relationship data may be defined for each vehicle type of an electric vehicle. The performance-value relationship data may be data associating the range of performance of an electric vehicle with the market price of the electric vehicle. The fee calculation unit may calculate, as the value of the vehicle to be used after the usage period has elapsed, the market price of an electric vehicle associated with the range of performance including the remaining performance estimated by the estimation unit in the performance-value relationship data corresponding to the vehicle type of the vehicle to be used.

[0009] The performance-value relationship data may be data associating a divided range obtained by dividing a range from the maximum value of the SOH (State of Health) of the battery for driving an electric vehicle to the minimum value of the SOH defined as the battery life with the value of the electric vehicle of the SOH of the battery included in the divided range. The charge calculation unit may calculate, as the value of the used vehicle after the lapse of the use period, the value of the electric vehicle associated with the divided range including the SOH of the battery of the used vehicle estimated by the estimation unit in the performance-value relationship data.

[0010] The usage information may include information indicating an assumed driving distance assumed when the user uses the used vehicle during the use period. The estimation unit may estimate, as the remaining performance, the SOH of the battery for driving the used vehicle after the lapse of the use period based on the assumed driving distance.

[0011] The performance information may include information indicating the SOH of the battery of the used vehicle before the user starts using the used vehicle. The information processing apparatus may further include a decrease value calculation unit that calculates a decrease value indicating the degree of decrease in the SOH of the battery that decreases according to the driving distance based on the assumed driving distance and a distance parameter determined for calculating the degree of decrease in the SOH of the battery. The estimation unit may estimate the SOH of the battery of the used vehicle after the lapse of the use period based on the SOH of the battery indicated by the performance information and the decrease value calculated by the decrease value calculation unit.

[0012] For each combination of an electric vehicle, a region, and a use, the electricity cost may be determined, or for each range of the electricity cost, the distance parameter may be determined. The usage information may include information indicating the usage region and the usage purpose of the user using the vehicle. The reduction value calculation unit may identify the electricity cost corresponding to the combination of the vehicle in use, the usage region, and the usage purpose, and calculate the reduction value based on the distance parameter corresponding to the identified range of the electricity cost.

[0013] For at least any one of the range of the number of rapid charging times, the presence or absence of normal charging use, the range of the upper limit value of the SOC (States Of Charge) of the battery set in the electric vehicle, and the range of the control value of the DOD (Depth Of Discharge) of the battery set in the electric vehicle, the distance parameter may be determined. The usage information may include at least any one of the number of rapid charging times, the presence or absence of normal charging use, the upper limit value of the SOC of the battery set in the vehicle in use, and the control value of the DOD of the battery set in the vehicle in use. The reduction value calculation unit may calculate the reduction value based on the distance parameter corresponding to at least any one of the number of rapid charging times, the presence or absence of normal charging use, the upper limit value of the SOC of the battery set in the vehicle in use, and the control value of the DOD of the battery set in the vehicle in use included in the usage information.

[0014] The usage information may include information indicating the usage period. The performance information may include the price of the vehicle in use before the user starts using the vehicle. The fee calculation unit may calculate the usage fee of the vehicle in use by dividing the difference amount based on the difference between the price of the vehicle in use included in the performance information and the calculated price of the vehicle in use by the usage period included in the usage information.

[0015] The information processing method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes steps of: a computer that presents usage fees associated with the use of an electric vehicle acquires usage information indicating the content of use of a vehicle to be used, which is an electric vehicle used by a user, during the usage period by the user, and performance information indicating the performance of the vehicle to be used before the user starts using the vehicle to be used; estimating remaining performance, which is the performance of the vehicle to be used after the usage period has elapsed, based on the acquired usage information and performance information; referring to relationship data indicating the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the usage fees of the electric vehicle, and calculating the usage fees of the vehicle to be used during the usage period based on the estimated remaining performance; and outputting information indicating the calculated usage fees of the vehicle to be used.

[0016] The program according to the third aspect of the present invention causes a computer that presents usage fees associated with the use of an electric vehicle to function as an acquisition unit that acquires usage information indicating the content of use of a vehicle to be used, which is an electric vehicle used by a user, during the usage period by the user, and performance information indicating the performance of the vehicle to be used before the user starts using the vehicle to be used; an estimation unit that estimates remaining performance, which is the performance of the vehicle to be used after the usage period has elapsed, based on the usage information and performance information acquired by the acquisition unit; a fee calculation unit that refers to relationship data indicating the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the usage fees of the electric vehicle, and calculates the usage fees of the vehicle to be used during the usage period based on the remaining performance estimated by the estimation unit; and an output unit that outputs information indicating the usage fees of the vehicle to be used calculated by the fee calculation unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, as an example, there is an effect that the accuracy of calculating the usage fees of a vehicle can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] [Overview of Information Processing System S] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overview of the information processing system S. The information processing system S is a system used to provide an information processing service for lending a vehicle V, such as leasing or renting the vehicle V. The vehicle V is, for example, an electric vehicle equipped with a battery used for driving. The information processing system S includes a user terminal 1 and an information processing apparatus 2.

[0020] The user terminal 1 is a terminal used by the user and is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. The user is, for example, an ordinary person, a business operator, or an employee of a business operator, etc.

[0021] The information processing apparatus 2 is an apparatus for managing the information processing service and is, for example, a server. The information processing apparatus 2 manages information related to the vehicle V.

[0022] The value of an electric vehicle after the expiration of the usage period defined by the contract varies according to the maximum cruising range of the electric vehicle. The maximum cruising range of the electric vehicle is determined by the electricity cost of the electric vehicle, the capacity of the battery used to drive the electric vehicle, and the SOH of the battery. Among these, the SOH of the battery deteriorates according to the degree of use of the electric vehicle by the user. Therefore, when calculating the usage fee of the electric vehicle, it is necessary to consider the performance of the electric vehicle including the SOH of the battery of the electric vehicle. Thus, the information processing system S provides the vehicle V to the user at a fee corresponding to the assumed performance of the vehicle V after the user's usage period has elapsed, as the usage fee associated with the use of the vehicle V. Hereinafter, the processes executed by the information processing system S will be described.

[0023] First, on a web page (not shown) displayed when the user accesses a website for providing an information processing service using the user terminal 1, when the user inputs the usage details of the vehicle V to be used, the user terminal 1 transmits the usage information to the information processing device 2 ((1) in FIG. 1). The usage information is information indicating the usage details of the vehicle V used by the user, and is information for specifying the degree of use of the vehicle V by the user. The usage information is, for example, information indicating the content of the contract for the user to use the vehicle V, or the usage history of the user using the vehicle V in the past, etc.

[0024] When the information processing device 2 acquires the usage information, it acquires performance information indicating the performance of the vehicle to be used ((2) in FIG. 1). The information processing device 2 estimates the remaining performance, which is the performance of the vehicle to be used after the user's usage period has elapsed, based on the usage information and the performance information ((3) in FIG. 1). The information processing device 2 calculates the usage fee of the vehicle to be used during the usage period based on the estimated remaining performance of the vehicle to be used ((4) in FIG. 1). The usage fee of the vehicle to be used calculated by the information processing device 2 is, for example, the total amount of the fees associated with the user's use of the vehicle to be used during the usage period.

[0025] Then, the information processing apparatus 2 presents the usage fee of the vehicle in use to the user by outputting fee information indicating the calculated usage fee of the vehicle in use ((5) in FIG. 1). By doing so, the information processing system S can calculate the usage fee of the vehicle in use in consideration of the degree of use of the vehicle in use by the user. As a result, the information processing system S can reduce the difference between the residual value of the vehicle in use based on the estimated remaining performance and the residual value of the vehicle in use after the actual usage period has elapsed. As a result, the information processing system S can improve the accuracy of calculating the usage fee of the vehicle in use. Hereinafter, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 2 will be described.

[0026] [Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus 2. In FIG. 2, the arrows indicate the main data flow, and there may be a data flow other than that shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, each block represents a configuration in terms of functional units, not in terms of hardware (devices). Therefore, the blocks shown in FIG. 2 may be implemented in a single device, or may be divided and implemented in a plurality of devices. The exchange of data between the blocks may be performed via any means such as a data bus, a network, a portable storage medium, or the like.

[0027] The information processing apparatus 2 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The information processing apparatus 2 may be configured by connecting two or more physically separated devices by wire or wirelessly. Further, the information processing apparatus 2 may be configured by a cloud that is a collection of computer resources.

[0028] The communication unit 21 includes a communication controller for transmitting and receiving data to and from the user terminal 1 or the vehicle V via a network. The communication unit 21 notifies the control unit 23 of the data received from the user terminal 1 or the vehicle V via the network. Further, the communication unit 21 transmits the data output from the control unit 23 to the user terminal 1 or the vehicle V via the network.

[0029] The storage unit 22 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, etc. The storage unit 22 may be provided outside the information processing apparatus 2, and in that case, data may be exchanged with the control unit 23 via a network. The storage unit 22 stores in advance the program executed by the control unit 23.

[0030] The control unit 23 includes an acquisition unit 231, a decrease value calculation unit 232, an estimation unit 233, a charge calculation unit 234, and an output unit 235. The control unit 23 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as the acquisition unit 231, the decrease value calculation unit 232, the estimation unit 233, the charge calculation unit 234, and the output unit 235 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 22.

[0031] The acquisition unit 231 acquires usage information indicating the usage content that the user uses the vehicle to be used during the usage period. The usage information includes, for example, a user ID indicating the user who uses the vehicle to be used, information indicating the usage period during which the user uses the vehicle V, information indicating the usage area where the user uses the vehicle V, information indicating the usage purpose for which the user uses the vehicle V, and information indicating the assumed driving distance that is assumed when the user uses the vehicle to be used during the usage period.

[0032] The usage information may further include vehicle identification information (for example, vehicle ID, manufacturer, vehicle type, body type, etc.) for identifying the vehicle to be used. Further, the usage information may further include at least any one of the number of rapid charges, the presence or absence of ordinary charging, the upper limit value of the SOC of the battery set in the vehicle to be used (for example, the upper limit value of charging), and the control value of the DOD of the battery set in the vehicle to be used (for example, the lower limit value of the remaining battery capacity for requesting power supply to the driver).

[0033] The acquisition unit 231 acquires usage information from, for example, the user terminal 1. For example, on the Web page of the information processing service, input items for inputting various types of information included in the usage information are provided, and the acquisition unit 231 acquires the information input by the user in each input item as the usage information. When the usage information is stored in the storage unit 22 in advance, the acquisition unit 231 may acquire the user ID from the user terminal 1 and acquire the usage information including the acquired user ID in the storage unit 22.

[0034] The acquisition unit 231 further acquires performance information indicating the performance of the vehicle to be used before the user starts using the vehicle to be used. The performance information includes, for example, information indicating the SOH of the battery of the vehicle to be used before the user starts using the vehicle to be used.

[0035] The SOH of the battery of the vehicle to be used before the user starts using the vehicle to be used is the SOH of the battery of the vehicle to be used measured when the vehicle to be used is a new vehicle and neither the user nor other users have used it, or the SOH of the battery indicated in the catalog information of the vehicle to be used. Also, the performance of the vehicle to be used before the user starts using the vehicle to be used is the SOH of the battery of the vehicle to be used measured when the vehicle to be used is a used vehicle and neither the user nor other users have used it from after the previous usage period has elapsed until the start of the current usage period. The performance information may include the price of the vehicle to be used before the user starts using the vehicle to be used.

[0036] For example, in the storage unit 22, the performance information of each vehicle V is stored for each vehicle identification information of the vehicle V, and the acquisition unit 231 acquires the performance information of the vehicle to be used specified by the vehicle identification information acquired from the user terminal 1 in the storage unit 22. When the vehicle to be used is a new vehicle, the acquisition unit 231 may acquire the catalog information of the vehicle to be used from a server (not shown) managed by the manufacturer of the vehicle to be used specified by the vehicle identification information as the performance information.

[0037] Based on the usage information and performance information acquired by the acquisition unit 231, the estimation unit 233 estimates the remaining performance, which is the performance of the vehicle in use after the usage period has elapsed. The remaining performance of the vehicle in use is, for example, the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use.

[0038] Specifically, the estimation unit 233 estimates the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use after the usage period has elapsed as the remaining performance of the vehicle in use based on the assumed driving distance based on the usage information. For example, the information processing device 2 estimates the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use by executing the following two steps.

[0039] As a first step, the decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates a decrease value used to estimate the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use based on the assumed driving distance based on the usage information and the distance parameter. The decrease value is a numerical value indicating the degree of decrease in the SOH of the battery after the usage period has elapsed. For example, the larger the numerical value, the higher the degree of decrease in the SOH of the battery.

[0040] The decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates the decrease value using, for example, the assumed driving distance included in the usage information. For example, when the usage information is the usage history of the vehicle V used by the user in the past, first, the decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates the maximum value or statistical value (for example, average value, median value, mode value, etc.) of the driving distance per unit period (for example, day, month, year, etc.) indicated by the usage history as the unit driving distance. Then, the decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates the assumed driving distance by multiplying the calculated unit driving distance by the usage period.

[0041] The distance parameter is a parameter determined to calculate the degree of decrease in the SOH of the battery of an electric vehicle that decreases according to the driving distance, and is stored in the storage unit 22. The distance parameter may be a parameter common to electric vehicles, or may be a parameter that varies for at least one of the type of electric vehicle and the type of battery. The decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates, for example, a multiplication value obtained by multiplying the assumed driving distance and the distance parameter as the decrease value.

[0042] The lower value calculation unit 232 may calculate a lower value in consideration of deterioration factors other than the driving distance at which the battery of the vehicle in use deteriorates. For example, in the battery of an electric vehicle, the higher the frequency of driving at high speed (for example, the frequency of driving at 80 km / h or more) or the higher the frequency of driving with heavy loads loaded on the electric vehicle, the higher the degree of deterioration can be. In terms of the frequency of driving at high speed, the frequency of driving with heavy loads loaded on the electric vehicle, etc., it may be determined according to the use of the electric vehicle, such as for business use, transportation use, pick-up and drop-off use, etc. Therefore, the lower value calculation unit 232 may calculate a lower value in consideration of the use of the vehicle in use by the user as a deterioration factor.

[0043] For example, in the storage unit 22, correction values corresponding to each use of the electric vehicle are stored. The correction value is a numerical value for correcting the multiplication value obtained by multiplying the assumed driving distance and the distance parameter. The correction value is, for example, in the corresponding use of the electric vehicle, the higher the frequency of driving at high speed or the higher the frequency of driving with heavy loads loaded on the electric vehicle, the greater the multiplication value obtained by multiplying the assumed driving distance and the distance parameter is corrected, and the lower the frequency of driving at high speed or the lower the frequency of driving with heavy loads loaded on the electric vehicle, the smaller the multiplication value is corrected.

[0044] In this case, the lower value calculation unit 232 calculates a lower value by multiplying the multiplication value obtained by multiplying the assumed driving distance and the distance parameter by the correction value corresponding to the use of the user included in the usage information. When the usage information is the usage history of the user using the vehicle V in the past, the lower value calculation unit 232 may specify the usage of the vehicle in use based on the usage history.

[0045] Note that the distance parameter may be determined for each use of the electric vehicle. In this case, the lower value calculation unit 232 calculates, as the lower value, the multiplication value obtained by multiplying the assumed driving distance by the distance parameter corresponding to the use of the user included in the usage information.

[0046] Also, for example, in the battery of an electric vehicle, the higher the frequency of driving on slopes or at high temperatures, the higher the degree of deterioration may be. In terms of the frequency of driving on slopes or at high temperatures, etc., it may be determined by the region where the electric vehicle is used. Therefore, the decrease value calculation unit 232 may calculate the decrease value in consideration of the usage region of the vehicle used by the user as a deterioration factor.

[0047] For example, in the storage unit 22, correction values corresponding to each region (for example, prefectures, municipalities, etc.) are stored. The correction value is, for example, a value that corrects so that the multiplication value obtained by multiplying the assumed driving distance and the distance parameter becomes larger as there are more slopes or the average temperature is higher in the corresponding region, and corrects so that the multiplication value becomes smaller as there are fewer slopes or the average temperature is lower.

[0048] In this case, the decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates the decrease value by multiplying the multiplication value obtained by multiplying the assumed driving distance and the distance parameter by the correction value corresponding to the usage region of the user included in the usage information. When the usage information is the usage history of the user using the vehicle V in the past, the decrease value calculation unit 232 may specify, based on the usage history, the driving region where the vehicle V has traveled (for example, the region where the driving distance traveled by the vehicle V is the longest, the region where the existence period of the vehicle V is the longest, etc.) as the usage region where the vehicle used is used.

[0049] Note that the distance parameter may be determined for each region. In this case, the decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates, as the decrease value, the multiplication value obtained by multiplying the assumed driving distance by the distance parameter corresponding to the usage region of the user included in the usage information.

[0050] Also, for example, in the battery of an electric vehicle, the degree of deterioration may increase as the number of charge-discharge cycles increases, and the number of charge-discharge cycles may increase as the electricity cost is higher. Therefore, the decrease value calculation unit 232 may calculate the decrease value in consideration of the electricity cost of the vehicle in use as a deterioration factor.

[0051] For example, the storage unit 22 stores distance parameters determined for each range of electricity costs. Also, for example, the electricity cost is determined for each combination of an electric vehicle (vehicle type), region, and usage. For example, the higher the average temperature in a certain region or the higher the frequency of high-speed driving in a certain usage, the worse the electricity cost is determined, and the lower the average temperature in a certain region or the lower the frequency of high-speed driving in a certain usage, the better the electricity cost is determined.

[0052] In this case, first, the decrease value calculation unit 232 identifies the electricity cost corresponding to the combination of the vehicle type of the vehicle in use, the usage region where the user uses the vehicle in use, and the usage of the vehicle in use by the user. Then, the decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates the decrease value based on the distance parameter corresponding to the identified range of electricity costs from among a plurality of distance parameters.

[0053] Also, for example, in the battery of an electric vehicle, the degree of deterioration varies according to the number of rapid charges, the presence or absence of ordinary charging, the upper limit value of the state of charge (SOC) of the battery set in the electric vehicle, and the control value of the depth of discharge (DOD) of the battery set in the electric vehicle. For example, the battery of an electric vehicle may have a higher degree of deterioration as the number of rapid charges increases, as it is charged to the maximum, or as it is used until the remaining capacity reaches 0%. Also, for example, the battery of an electric vehicle may have a lower degree of deterioration with ordinary charging than with rapid charging. Therefore, the decrease value calculation unit 232 may calculate the decrease value in consideration of at least any one of the number of rapid charges, the presence or absence of ordinary charging, the upper limit value of the SOC of the battery set in the vehicle in use, and the control value of the DOD of the battery set in the vehicle in use.

[0054] For example, in the storage unit 22, distance parameters are stored for at least any one of the range of the number of rapid charging times, the presence or absence of using normal charging, the range of the upper limit value of the SOC of the battery set in the electric vehicle, and the range of the control value of the DOD of the battery set in the electric vehicle.

[0055] In this case, first, the decrease value calculation unit 232 selects, from among the plurality of distance parameters, the distance parameter corresponding to at least any one of the number of rapid charging times included in the usage information, the presence or absence of using normal charging, the upper limit value of the SOC of the battery set in the vehicle in use, and the control value of the DOD of the battery set in the vehicle in use. Then, the decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates a decrease value based on the selected distance parameter.

[0056] Also, for example, in the battery of an electric vehicle, the degree of deterioration may temporarily increase immediately after the use of the electric vehicle is started. Therefore, the decrease value calculation unit 232 may calculate a decrease value in consideration of the initial deterioration of the battery of the vehicle in use as a deterioration factor.

[0057] For example, in the storage unit 22, an initial decrease value indicating the initial degree of decrease in the SOH of the battery of the electric vehicle is stored. The initial decrease value may be a common numerical value for electric vehicles, or may be a different numerical value for at least any one of the type of electric vehicle and the type of battery. In this case, the decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates a decrease value by adding the multiplication value obtained by multiplying the assumed travel distance by the distance parameter and the initial decrease value stored in the storage unit 22.

[0058] Also, for example, in the battery of an electric vehicle, it deteriorates over time regardless of whether the electric vehicle is in use. Therefore, the decrease value calculation unit 232 may calculate a decrease value in consideration of the aging deterioration of the battery of the vehicle in use as a deterioration factor.

[0059] Specifically, first, the decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates a time decrease value by multiplying the period from the start time of use to the target time by a time parameter. The time parameter is a parameter determined to calculate the degree of decrease in the SOH of the battery of an electric vehicle that decreases according to the elapsed time. The time parameter may be a parameter common to electric vehicles, or may be a parameter that varies for at least one of the type of electric vehicle and the type of battery. Then, the decrease value calculation unit 232 calculates a decrease value by adding the multiplication value obtained by multiplying the assumed travel distance by the distance parameter and the calculated time decrease value.

[0060] As a second step, the estimation unit 233 estimates the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use after the use period has elapsed based on the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use indicated by the performance information and the decrease value calculated by the decrease value calculation unit 232. The estimation unit 233 calculates, for example, the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use after the use period has elapsed by subtracting the decrease value from the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use indicated by the performance information. By doing so, the information processing device 2 can estimate the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use after the use period has elapsed in consideration of the factors causing battery degradation.

[0061] The charge calculation unit 234 calculates the usage charge associated with the use of the vehicle in use during the use period based on the remaining performance of the vehicle in use estimated by the estimation unit 233. For example, the charge calculation unit 234 lowers the usage charge of the vehicle in use as the remaining degree of the remaining performance of the vehicle in use estimated by the estimation unit 233 is higher, and raises the usage charge of the vehicle in use as the remaining degree of the remaining performance of the vehicle in use estimated by the estimation unit 233 is lower.

[0062] The charge calculation unit 234 may calculate the usage charge of the vehicle in use by referring to the relationship data and based on the remaining performance of the vehicle in use estimated by the estimation unit 233. The relationship data is data indicating the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the usage charge of the electric vehicle. The relationship data may be data set by the administrator of the information processing device 2, or may be data generated by the information processing device 2.

[0063] When the related data is data generated by the information processing apparatus 2, the charge calculation unit 234 generates performance-value relationship data, for example, by analyzing the history of transactions of electric vehicles in the market (for example, information including the SOH of the battery of the electric vehicle). The charge calculation unit 234 sets, for example, for each SOH range, the usage fee of the electric vehicle corresponding to the SOH range to be higher as the number of transactions of electric vehicles (needs of electric vehicles) having the SOH of the battery included in the SOH range as performance is larger.

[0064] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of related data. In the related data shown in FIG. 3, an SOH range and a charge coefficient are associated as the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the usage fee of the electric vehicle. The charge coefficient is a coefficient used to calculate the usage fee of the vehicle in use, and is, for example, a value of 1 or less or less than 1. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a charge coefficient is associated with each predetermined range of SOH, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a charge coefficient may be associated with each 1% of SOH.

[0065] In this case, first, the charge calculation unit 234 specifies the charge coefficient associated with the SOH range including the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use estimated by the estimation unit 233 in the related data. Then, the charge calculation unit 234 calculates the usage fee of the vehicle in use by multiplying the price of the vehicle in use included in the performance information acquired by the acquisition unit 231 by the specified charge coefficient.

[0066] The related data may be data common to electric vehicles or data determined for each vehicle type of electric vehicles. When the related data is data determined for each vehicle type of electric vehicles, the charge calculation unit 234 refers to the related data corresponding to the vehicle type of the vehicle in use, and calculates the usage fee of the vehicle in use during the usage period based on the remaining performance of the vehicle in use estimated by the estimation unit 233.

[0067] Note that when the vehicle in use is a used vehicle, the charge calculation unit 234 may calculate the usage fee of the vehicle in use in consideration of the performance of the vehicle in use before the user starts using the vehicle. Specifically, the charge calculation unit 234 calculates the difference between the charge coefficient corresponding to the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use estimated by the estimation unit 233 and the charge coefficient corresponding to the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use before the user starts using the vehicle indicated by the performance information acquired by the acquisition unit 231, and multiplies the calculated difference coefficient by the price of the vehicle in use to calculate the usage fee of the vehicle in use. The charge calculation unit 234 may calculate the multiplication price obtained by multiplying the price of the vehicle in use by the charge coefficient or the difference coefficient as the usage fee of the vehicle in use, or may calculate the price obtained by adding a predetermined fee such as a handling fee and an assumed maintenance fee to the multiplication price as the usage fee of the vehicle in use.

[0068] The charge calculation unit 234 may calculate the usage fee of the vehicle in use according to the value of the vehicle in use after the usage period has elapsed. The value of the vehicle in use is, for example, the market value of the vehicle in use. Specifically, the charge calculation unit 234 calculates the usage fee of the vehicle in use by performing the following two steps.

[0069] As the first step, the charge calculation unit 234 calculates the residual value, which is the value of the vehicle in use after the usage period has elapsed, based on the remaining performance of the vehicle in use estimated by the estimation unit 233. The charge calculation unit 234 calculates the residual value of the vehicle in use by referring to, for example, the performance-value relationship data and based on the remaining performance of the vehicle in use estimated by the estimation unit 233.

[0070] The performance-value relationship data is data showing the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the value of the electric vehicle, and is data included in the relationship data. In the performance-value relationship data, for example, as the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the value of the electric vehicle, the SOH range and the market price of the electric vehicle are associated. The performance-value relationship data may be data associating a divided range obtained by dividing the range from the maximum value of the SOH of the battery of the electric vehicle to the minimum value of the SOH defined as the battery life with the value of the electric vehicle of the SOH of the battery included in the divided range. When the performance-value relationship data is data generated by the information processing device 2, the charge calculation unit 234 generates the performance-value relationship data, for example, by analyzing the transaction history of electric vehicles in the market (for example, information including the selling price of the electric vehicle and the SOH of the battery of the electric vehicle).

[0071] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the performance-value relationship data. In the performance-value relationship data shown in FIG. 4, as the relationship between the performance of the electric vehicle and the value of the electric vehicle, the SOH range and the market price of the electric vehicle are associated. Further, in the performance-value relationship data shown in FIG. 4, for each divided range (SOH range) obtained by dividing the range from 100% which is the maximum value of the SOH to 70% which is defined as the minimum value of the SOH, the SOH range and the market price of the electric vehicle are associated. The minimum value of the SOH is, for example, a numerical value determined based on the electric vehicle with the lowest SOH of the battery among the electric vehicles traded in the market.

[0072] In this case, the charge calculation unit 234 calculates, as the value of the vehicle in use, the market price of the electric vehicle associated with the SOH range including the SOH of the battery of the vehicle in use estimated by the estimation unit 233 in the performance-value relationship data corresponding to the vehicle type of the vehicle in use.

[0073] As a second step, the fee calculation unit 234 calculates the usage fee of the vehicle to be used during the usage period based on the calculated value of the vehicle to be used. For example, the fee calculation unit 234 refers to value-fee relationship data and calculates the usage fee of the vehicle to be used during the usage period based on the calculated value of the vehicle to be used. The value-fee relationship data is data indicating the relationship between the value of the electric vehicle and the usage fee of the electric vehicle, and is data included in the relationship data.

[0074] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the value-fee relationship data. In the value-fee relationship data shown in FIG. 5, the price range of the market price of the electric vehicle and the usage fee of the electric vehicle are associated as the relationship between the value of the electric vehicle and the usage fee of the electric vehicle. In this case, the fee calculation unit 234 calculates, as the usage fee of the vehicle to be used, the usage fee of the electric vehicle associated with the price range including the calculated market price of the vehicle to be used in the value-fee relationship data. By doing so, the information processing device 2 can calculate the usage fee of the vehicle to be used according to the difference value of the performance before and after the use of the vehicle to be used, which is assumed to be consumed by the user using the vehicle to be used.

[0075] When the vehicle to be used before being used by the user is a used vehicle, the fee calculation unit 234 may calculate the usage fee of the vehicle to be used based on the prices of the vehicle to be used before and after the user's use. Specifically, the fee calculation unit 234 calculates, as the usage fee of the vehicle to be used, the difference amount based on the difference between the price of the vehicle to be used included in the performance information (the price before the user uses the vehicle to be used) and the calculated price of the vehicle to be used (the price after the user uses the vehicle to be used). The difference amount may be the subtraction amount obtained by subtracting the price of the vehicle to be used included in the performance information from the calculated price of the vehicle to be used, or may be the amount obtained by adding a predetermined fee such as a handling fee and an assumed maintenance fee to the subtraction amount. By doing so, the information processing device 2 can calculate the usage fee of the vehicle to be used according to the difference value of the performance before and after the use of the vehicle to be used, which is assumed to be consumed by the user using the vehicle to be used.

[0076] The output unit 235 outputs the usage fee of the vehicle being used calculated by the fee calculation unit 234. For example, the output unit 235 causes the user terminal 1 to display the usage fee of the vehicle being used by transmitting information indicating the usage fee of the vehicle being used calculated by the fee calculation unit 234 to the user terminal 1.

[0077] For example, the output unit 235 outputs the usage fee of the vehicle being used calculated by the fee calculation unit 234 as the total amount of the vehicle being used during the usage period. The output unit 235 may output the usage fee of the vehicle being used per a predetermined unit period (for example, one month, one year, etc.).

[0078] Specifically, first, the fee calculation unit 234 calculates the usage fee of the vehicle being used per a predetermined unit period by dividing the calculated usage fee (total usage amount) by the usage period included in the usage information. Then, the output unit 235 outputs the usage fee of the vehicle being used per a predetermined unit period calculated by the fee calculation unit 234.

[0079] [Processing of Information Processing Apparatus 2] Subsequently, the processing flow of the information processing apparatus 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the information processing apparatus 2. This flowchart starts when the acquisition unit 231 acquires the user ID and the vehicle ID from the user terminal 1 (S1).

[0080] The acquisition unit 231 acquires the usage information of the user based on the acquired user ID, and acquires the performance information of the vehicle being used based on the acquired vehicle ID (S2). The estimation unit 233 estimates the remaining performance of the vehicle being used based on the usage information and the performance information acquired by the acquisition unit 231 (S3).

[0081] The fee calculation unit 234 refers to the relevant data and calculates the usage fee of the vehicle being used during the usage period based on the remaining performance of the vehicle being used estimated by the estimation unit 233 (S4). Then, the output unit 235 outputs information indicating the usage fee of the vehicle being used calculated by the fee calculation unit 234 (S5).

[0082] [Processing of Information Processing Apparatus 2] As described above, the information processing apparatus 2 estimates the remaining performance of the vehicle in use based on the usage information and the performance information, and outputs the usage fee of the vehicle in use calculated based on the estimated remaining performance of the vehicle in use. By doing so, the information processing apparatus 2 can calculate the usage fee of the vehicle in use in consideration of the degree of use of the vehicle in use by the user. As a result, the information processing apparatus 2 can reduce the difference between the remaining value of the vehicle in use based on the estimated remaining performance and the remaining value of the vehicle in use after the actual usage period has elapsed. As a result, the information processing apparatus 2 can improve the accuracy of calculating the usage fee of the vehicle in use.

[0083] As described above, the present invention has been described using the embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist thereof. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by being functionally or physically distributed and integrated in an arbitrary unit. Also, new embodiments resulting from an arbitrary combination of a plurality of embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination have the effects of the original embodiments combined.

Explanation of Signs

[0084] 1 User terminal 2 Information processing apparatus 21 Communication unit 22 Storage unit 23 Control unit 231 Acquisition unit 232 Degradation value calculation unit 233 Estimation unit 234 Fee calculation unit 235 Output unit S Information processing system V Vehicle

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus that presents usage fees associated with the use of an electric vehicle, an acquisition unit that acquires usage information indicating the content of use of a usage vehicle, which is an electric vehicle used by a user, during the usage period by the user, and performance information indicating the performance of the usage vehicle before the user starts using the usage vehicle; an estimation unit that estimates a remaining performance, which is the performance of the usage vehicle after the usage period has elapsed, based on the usage information and the performance information acquired by the acquisition unit; a fee calculation unit that refers to relationship data indicating the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the usage fee of the electric vehicle, and calculates the usage fee of the usage vehicle during the usage period based on the remaining performance estimated by the estimation unit; an output unit that outputs information indicating the usage fee of the usage vehicle calculated by the fee calculation unit; An information processing apparatus having the above.

2. The relationship data includes performance-value relationship data indicating the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the value of the electric vehicle, and value-fee relationship data indicating the relationship between the value of the electric vehicle and the usage fee of the electric vehicle, The fee calculation unit refers to the performance-value relationship data, calculates the value of the usage vehicle after the usage period has elapsed based on the remaining performance estimated by the estimation unit, refers to the value-fee relationship data, and calculates the usage fee of the usage vehicle during the usage period based on the calculated value of the usage vehicle. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The performance-value relationship data and the value-fee relationship data are defined for each vehicle type of electric vehicle, The performance-value relationship data is data associating the range of performance of an electric vehicle with the market price of the electric vehicle, The fee calculation unit calculates, as the value of the usage vehicle after the usage period has elapsed, the market price of an electric vehicle associated with the range of performance including the remaining performance estimated by the estimation unit in the performance-value relationship data corresponding to the vehicle type of the usage vehicle. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The performance-value relationship data is data associating a divided range obtained by dividing the range from the maximum value of the State of Health (SOH) of a battery for driving an electric vehicle to the minimum value of the SOH defined as the battery life with the value of the electric vehicle having the SOH included in the divided range. The charge calculation unit calculates, as the value of the used vehicle after the usage period has elapsed, the value of the electric vehicle associated with the divided range including the SOH of the battery of the used vehicle estimated by the estimation unit in the performance-value relationship data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The usage information includes information indicating an assumed driving distance assumed when the user uses the used vehicle during the usage period. Based on the assumed driving distance, the estimation unit estimates, as the remaining performance, the SOH of the battery for driving the used vehicle after the usage period has elapsed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The performance information includes information indicating the SOH of the battery of the used vehicle before the user starts using the used vehicle. The information processing apparatus further includes a decrease value calculation unit that calculates a decrease value indicating the degree of decrease in the SOH of the battery after the usage period has elapsed, based on the assumed driving distance and a distance parameter determined for calculating the degree of decrease in the SOH of the battery that decreases according to the driving distance. Based on the SOH of the battery indicated by the performance information and the decrease value calculated by the decrease value calculation unit, the estimation unit estimates the SOH of the battery of the used vehicle after the usage period has elapsed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The electricity cost is determined for each combination of electric vehicle, region, and usage. The distance parameter is determined for each range of electricity cost. The usage information includes information indicating the usage region and usage of the used vehicle by the user. The decrease value calculation unit identifies the electricity cost corresponding to the combination of the used vehicle, the usage region, and the usage, and calculates the decrease value based on the distance parameter corresponding to the identified range of electricity cost. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The distance parameter is determined for at least any one of the range of the number of rapid charging times, the presence or absence of ordinary charging use, the range of the upper limit value of the SOC (States Of Charge) of the battery set in the electric vehicle, and the range of the control value of the DOD (Depth Of Discharge) of the battery set in the electric vehicle. The usage information includes at least any one of the number of rapid charges, the presence or absence of normal charge usage, the upper limit value of the SOC of the battery set in the usage vehicle, and the control value of the DOD of the battery set in the usage vehicle. The decrease value calculation unit calculates the decrease value based on the distance parameter corresponding to at least any one of the number of rapid charges included in the usage information, the presence or absence of normal charge usage, the upper limit value of the SOC of the battery set in the usage vehicle, and the control value of the DOD of the battery set in the usage vehicle. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The usage information includes information indicating the usage period. The performance information includes the price of the usage vehicle before the user starts using the usage vehicle. The charge calculation unit calculates the usage charge of the usage vehicle by dividing the difference amount based on the difference between the price of the usage vehicle included in the performance information and the calculated price of the usage vehicle by the usage period included in the usage information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

10. Executed by a computer that presents a usage charge associated with the use of an electric vehicle. A step of obtaining usage information indicating the content of the usage vehicle, which is an electric vehicle used by the user, during the usage period, and performance information indicating the performance of the usage vehicle before the user starts using the usage vehicle. A step of estimating the remaining performance, which is the performance of the usage vehicle after the usage period has elapsed, based on the obtained usage information and performance information. A step of referring to relationship data indicating the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the usage charge of the electric vehicle, and calculating the usage charge of the usage vehicle during the usage period based on the estimated remaining performance. A step of outputting information indicating the calculated usage charge of the usage vehicle. An information processing method having the above steps.

11. A computer that presents a usage charge associated with the use of an electric vehicle. An acquisition unit that acquires usage information indicating the content of the usage vehicle, which is an electric vehicle used by the user, during the usage period, and performance information indicating the performance of the usage vehicle before the user starts using the usage vehicle. An estimation unit that estimates the remaining performance, which is the performance of the vehicle in use after the usage period has elapsed, based on the usage information and performance information acquired by the acquisition unit; A fee calculation unit that refers to relationship data indicating the relationship between the performance of an electric vehicle and the usage fee of the electric vehicle, and calculates the usage fee of the vehicle in use during the usage period based on the remaining performance estimated by the estimation unit; and An output unit that outputs information indicating the usage fee of the vehicle in use calculated by the fee calculation unit; A program for causing the above to function.

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