Information processing device, information processing method and system

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method and a system in which a value that a mobile battery is an interchangeable battery is usefully utilized for a service associated with an electric vehicle having the mobile battery mounted.SOLUTION: In a system in which a plurality of electric vehicles, a plurality of terminals, a battery station and an information processing device are connected to be able to communicate with each other through a communication network, a processing part of the information processing device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires power consumption information associated with power of a battery consumed in an electric vehicle from the electric vehicle having an interchangeable battery mounted; a generation unit that calculates a value that the battery is interchangeable compared with a case where fixed battery is charged to generate value information, on the basis of the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a transmission unit that transmits the value information generated by the generation unit to a terminal associated with a user of the electric vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in light of environmental considerations such as global warming, research and development has been progressing on technologies related to electric vehicles, which are vehicles (mobile objects) such as four-wheeled automobiles, three-wheeled automobiles, and two-wheeled automobiles that can run using electric motors as a power source, i.e., so-called electric vehicles. In relation to such technologies, a battery unit that is detachably mounted on an electric vehicle, i.e., a mobile battery, is known as a battery unit that supplies power to an electric motor. In addition, because mobile batteries are generally replaceable batteries, services that lend, collect, and charge mobile batteries via battery stations are also known.

[0003] For such electric vehicles, an electric vehicle has been proposed that has a calculation unit that calculates the amount of power consumption, which is the amount of power supplied from a mobile battery to an electric motor, and an estimation unit that estimates a virtual amount of gasoline consumption equivalent to this amount of power consumption (see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that outputs, as an image or sound, comparative information between the electricity fee corresponding to the amount of power consumption calculated by the calculation unit and the gasoline fee corresponding to the amount of gasoline consumption estimated by the estimation unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2011 / 086754 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As environmental awareness increases, it is expected that electric vehicles will become increasingly common. Therefore, new technologies are needed to effectively utilize the value (advantages) of replaceable mobile batteries for services related to electric vehicles equipped with mobile batteries.

[0006] An exemplary object of the present invention is to provide a new technology relating to an electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an acquisition unit that acquires, from an electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery, power consumption information relating to the power of the battery consumed by the electric vehicle; a generation unit that calculates the value of the battery being replaceable compared to charging a fixed battery based on the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit, and generates value information; and a transmission unit that transmits the value information generated by the generation unit to a terminal associated with a user of the electric vehicle.

[0008] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a first step of acquiring power consumption information relating to the battery power consumed by an electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery from the electric vehicle; a second step of calculating the value of the battery being replaceable compared to charging a fixed battery based on the power consumption information acquired in the first step, and generating value information; and a third step of transmitting the value information generated in the second step to a terminal associated with a user of the electric vehicle.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is a system comprising an electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery, a terminal associated with a user of the electric vehicle, and an information processing device, wherein the information processing device comprises an acquisition unit that acquires from the electric vehicle power consumption information relating to the battery power consumed by the electric vehicle, a generation unit that calculates the value of the battery being replaceable compared to charging a fixed battery based on the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit and generates value information, and a transmission unit that transmits the value information generated by the generation unit to the terminal.

[0010] Further objects and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, for example, a new technique can be provided for an electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a system according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an electric vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of functional blocks realized by a processing unit of an information processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table showing the relationship between the amount of power consumed by a mobile battery and the charging time of the mobile battery. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table showing the relationship between the power consumption rate of a mobile battery and the charging frequency of the mobile battery. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the flow of a value providing service in the system shown in FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image displayed on an output unit of the terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image displayed on an output unit of the terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a system 1 according to one aspect of the present invention. The system 1 provides a new service (technology) related to electric vehicles equipped with replaceable batteries (hereinafter referred to as "mobile batteries"). The system 1 includes an electric vehicle 2, a terminal 4, a battery station 5, and an information processing device 6. In the system 1, the electric vehicle 2, the terminal 4, the battery station 5, and the information processing device 6 are communicatively connected to one another via a communication network. Note that while FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which there are four electric vehicles 2 and four terminals 4, and one battery station 5 and one information processing device 6, these numbers are not limited thereto.

[0015] The electric vehicle 2 is embodied as a vehicle such as a four-wheeled motor vehicle, a three-wheeled motor vehicle, or a two-wheeled motor vehicle, on which a mobile battery 22 is detachably mounted. As shown in Fig. 2, the electric vehicle 2 has an electric motor 20, an electric energy sensor 26, a voltage sensor 28, a current sensor 30, a communication unit 32, a control unit 34, and an output device 36. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the electric vehicle 2.

[0016] The electric motor 20 is, for example, a three-phase AC motor, and functions as a power source for the electric vehicle 2. The electric motor 20 generates power (driving force) using electric power supplied from the mobile battery 22 via a DC / DC converter and an inverter, and causes the electric vehicle 2 to run.

[0017] The mobile battery 22 is a replaceable battery. The mobile battery 22 is a storage battery capable of outputting a high voltage of, for example, several hundred volts, and includes, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0018] The power sensor 26 detects the amount of power (remaining capacity (SOC: State of Charge)) of the mobile battery 22 and outputs it to the control unit 34. The voltage sensor 28 detects the voltage (battery voltage) of the mobile battery 22 and outputs it to the control unit 34. The current sensor 30 detects the current (battery current) of the mobile battery 22 and outputs it to the control unit 34. In this embodiment, the power sensor 26, the voltage sensor 28, and the current sensor 30 function individually or in cooperation as sensors that detect the amount of power (amount of power consumption) of the mobile battery 22 consumed by the electric vehicle 2.

[0019] The communication unit 32 includes a wired or wireless communication interface capable of communicating with other devices (external devices) such as the battery station 5 and the information processing device 6 via a communication network. The communication unit 32 also includes a communication interface capable of communicating with the terminal 4 and the like via short-range wireless communication.

[0020] The control unit 34 includes a processor represented by a CPU, a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, an interface with external devices, and the like, and is embodied as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls various functions (systems) of the electric vehicle 2. The storage device stores programs executed by the processor, data used by the processor for processing, and the like.

[0021] The output device 36 is an information device that is provided, for example, on the dashboard of the electric vehicle 2, and outputs various information, including information about the electric vehicle 2 and information to be provided to a user 3 of the electric vehicle 2, as images, audio, or both. The output device 36 includes a monitor such as a touch panel display, a speaker, and the like. Here, the user 3 is basically the driver of the electric vehicle 2, but also includes the owner who owns and manages the electric vehicle 2.

[0022] The terminal 4 is a terminal used by the user 3 of the electric vehicle 2 and is associated with the user 3. In this embodiment, the terminal 4 is assumed to be a portable terminal that can be carried by the user 3, but this does not exclude stationary terminals such as computers. Specifically, the terminal 4 includes a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal that can be attached to a part of the user 3's body (for example, the wrist), and the like.

[0023] The terminal 4 includes a communication unit 42 and an output unit 44. The communication unit 42 includes a wired or wireless communication interface capable of communicating with other devices (external devices), such as the battery station 5 and the information processing device 6, via a communication network. The communication unit 32 also includes a communication interface capable of communicating with the terminal 4, the battery station 5, etc., via short-range wireless communication. The output unit 44 includes a monitor, such as a touch panel display, a speaker, etc., and outputs various information, including information about the terminal 4 and information to be provided to the user 3, as images, sounds, or both.

[0024] The battery station 5 is installed, for example, at automobile dealerships, highways, expressways, public facilities, etc., and includes multiple slots for detachably accommodating the mobile batteries 22. The battery station 5 functions as a charging facility for supplying power to the mobile batteries 22 accommodated in each slot, i.e., for charging the mobile batteries 22. The battery station 5 also functions as an exchange facility for exchanging the mobile batteries 22. Specifically, the battery station 5 collects empty batteries, such as mobile batteries with zero power or mobile batteries with low power, in the slots. Then, the battery station 5 makes charged batteries, such as mobile batteries that are highly charged or fully charged, stored in slots other than the slots from which the empty batteries were collected available for removal (rental). Therefore, the user 3 can replace the mobile battery 22 at the battery station 5 by removing the empty battery from the electric vehicle 2 and storing it in one slot, and then loading a fully charged battery removed from another slot into the electric vehicle 2.

[0025] The information processing device 6 is configured with a general-purpose computer. In this embodiment, the information processing device 6 functions as a server in the system 1 that determines and provides to the user 3 the value of using a replaceable battery as the power source of the electric vehicle 2, as opposed to using a fixed battery as the power source of the electric vehicle 2. In particular, the information processing device 6 provides to the user 3 the value of the replaceable mobile battery 22 installed in the electric vehicle 2, as compared to charging a fixed battery attached to the electric vehicle 2.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing device 6 includes a processing unit 62, a storage unit 64, and a communication unit 66. The processing unit 62 includes a processor such as a CPU, and executes programs stored in the storage unit 64. The storage unit 64 includes storage devices such as RAM, ROM, and a hard disk. The communication unit 66 includes a wired or wireless communication interface that is capable of communicating with other devices (external devices) such as the electric vehicle 2, the terminal 4, and the battery station 5 via a communication network. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 6.

[0027] In the system 1 configured in this manner, as a service related to an electric vehicle equipped with a mobile battery, the usefulness specific to the fact that the power source of the electric vehicle 2 is the mobile battery 22 is presented via the information processing device 6 as described above. Specifically, the value of the fact that the mobile battery 22 installed in the electric vehicle 2 is replaceable is provided to the user 3. Such a service will be referred to as a value provision service hereinafter. Note that this value provision service is particularly useful for electric vehicles 2 that transport passengers (for example, taxis). Therefore, in this embodiment, the electric vehicle 2 is basically assumed to be a vehicle that transports passengers. However, the electric vehicle 2 is not limited to vehicles that transport passengers, and the value provision service is also useful for general vehicles.

[0028] In this embodiment, to realize the value providing service, the information processing device 6, specifically the processing unit 62, includes, as functional blocks, an acquisition unit 622, a generation unit 624, and a transmission unit 626, as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the functional blocks realized by the processing unit 62 of the information processing device 6. Note that each of the functions (blocks) described below may be integrated or separated, and the described functions may be realized by different blocks. Furthermore, what is described as hardware may be realized by software, and vice versa.

[0029] The acquisition unit 622 acquires power consumption information related to the power of the mobile battery 22 consumed by the electric vehicle 2 from the electric vehicle 2 via the communication unit 66. Here, the power consumption information includes information indicating the amount of power supplied from the mobile battery 22 to the electric motor 20 and consumed by the electric motor 20, i.e., the amount of power consumed by the mobile battery 22. The power consumption information also includes information indicating the rate at which power is supplied from the mobile battery 22 to the electric motor 20 and consumed by the electric motor 20, i.e., the power consumption rate of the mobile battery 22.

[0030] The timing (trigger) at which the acquisition unit 622 acquires the power consumption information can be set arbitrarily, such as at a regular interval, but is preferably synchronized with the timing at which the mobile battery 22 mounted on the electric vehicle 2 is replaced. By acquiring the power consumption information at the timing at which the mobile battery 22 is replaced, it is possible to acquire power consumption information for the period from when the mobile battery 22 is mounted on the electric vehicle 2 to when it is replaced (one cycle of lending the mobile battery 22). Furthermore, because the mobile battery 22 is basically replaced via the battery station 5, the timing at which the mobile battery 22 is replaced can be easily identified by monitoring the battery station 5. In this case, the acquisition unit 622 may acquire power consumption information extracted from the mobile battery 22 at the battery station 5 via the battery station 5. This makes it possible to acquire power consumption information with high accuracy at the timing at which the mobile battery 22 is replaced, even when power consumption information cannot be acquired directly from the electric vehicle 2. Note that power consumption information cannot be acquired directly from the electric vehicle 2 when, for example, the electric vehicle 2 does not have a communication unit 32 or the communication unit 32 is malfunctioning.

[0031] Furthermore, if the electric vehicle 2 is a vehicle used for passenger transportation, the acquisition unit 622 further acquires sales information indicating sales obtained by the electric vehicle 2 transporting passengers for a predetermined period of time, i.e., sales (first sales) for the predetermined period of passenger transportation performed by the electric vehicle 2. The timing (trigger) at which the acquisition unit 622 acquires the sales information can be set arbitrarily, such as at a regular interval, but is preferably synchronized with the timing at which the power consumption information is acquired. Specifically, the sales information may be acquired together with the power consumption information when the mobile battery 22 is replaced. If the electric vehicle 2 is a vehicle used for passenger transportation, it is generally considered that a charged battery is installed in the electric vehicle 2 at the start of passenger transportation (before business hours) and an empty battery is removed from the electric vehicle 2 (the battery is replaced) at the end of passenger transportation (after business hours). Therefore, by acquiring sales information when the mobile battery 22 is replaced, it is possible to acquire sales information for the period from when the mobile battery 22 is installed in the electric vehicle 2 until it is replaced, i.e., during one day's business hours (operating hours). In this case, the specified time is the business hours of the day on which the electric vehicle 2 transports passengers, but it is not limited to this and can be set arbitrarily by adjusting (changing) the timing of acquiring sales information.

[0032] The generation unit 624 generates value information by calculating the value of using the mobile battery 22, which is a replaceable battery, as the power source of the electric vehicle 2, compared to using a fixed battery as the power source of the electric vehicle 2. In this embodiment, the generation unit 624 calculates the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable as compared to charging a fixed battery attached to the electric vehicle 2, based on the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit 622, and generates value information. Furthermore, the generation unit 624 generates at least one of image data to be output as an image and audio data to be output as audio on the terminal 4 (output unit 44), which indicates the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable. This allows the user 3 of the electric vehicle 2 to specifically and easily recognize (understand) the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable via the terminal 4.

[0033] Specifically, the value of the replaceable mobile battery 22 is the reduced charging time (hereinafter referred to as "reduced time") due to the replaceable mobile battery 22 compared to charging a fixed battery installed in the electric vehicle 2. In this case, the generation unit 624 first extracts information indicating the amount of power consumption of the mobile battery 22 from the power consumption information and calculates the charging time required to charge the mobile battery 22 from the amount of power consumption. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the generation unit 624 refers to a table 642 indicating the relationship between the amount of power consumption of the mobile battery 22 and the charging time of the mobile battery 22, and calculates the charging time corresponding to the amount of power consumption included in the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit 622. Note that the table 642 may be stored in advance in the storage unit 64 of the processing unit 62. The relationship between the amount of power consumption and the charging time for mobile batteries with various SOHs may be stored as a table, and by using a table that is close to the SOH of the mobile battery currently in use, the charging time can be calculated more accurately. Furthermore, by performing machine learning on the relationship between the amount of power consumption and the charging time of actually used mobile batteries, the charging time can be calculated more accurately. Next, the generation unit 624 extracts information indicating the power consumption rate of the mobile battery 22 from the power consumption information, and calculates the charging frequency (replacement frequency) of the mobile battery 22 from the power consumption rate. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the generation unit 624 refers to a table 644 indicating the relationship between the power consumption rate of the mobile battery 22 and the charging frequency of the mobile battery 22, and calculates the charging frequency corresponding to the power consumption rate included in the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit 622. The table 644 may be stored in advance in the storage unit 64 of the processing unit 62. The relationship between the power consumption rate and the charging frequency for mobile batteries with various SOHs may be stored as a table, and by using a table that is close to the SOH of the mobile battery currently in use, the charging frequency can be calculated more accurately. Furthermore, by performing machine learning on the relationship between the power consumption rate and the charging frequency of a mobile battery that has actually been used, the charging frequency can be calculated more accurately.Then, the generation unit 624 calculates the time saved, which is the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable, based on the charging time and charging frequency of the mobile battery 22 calculated from the power consumption information. In this embodiment, the generation unit 624 calculates the product of the charging time of the mobile battery 22 and the charging frequency of the mobile battery 22 (charging time x charging frequency) as the time saved. In this way, in this embodiment, by quantifying the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable as time saved, it becomes possible to specifically and easily recognize (understand) this value.

[0034] As described above, even when the mobile battery 22 is actually used as the power source of the electric vehicle 2, there is an exchange time required to exchange the mobile battery 22 via the battery station 5. Therefore, the generation unit 624 may calculate the reduction time as the time obtained by subtracting the exchange time of the mobile battery 22 from the product of the charging time of the mobile battery 22 and the charging frequency of the mobile battery 22 (charging time × charging frequency − exchange time). This makes it possible to calculate the reduction time with high accuracy while taking into account the exchange time of the mobile battery 22, thereby more accurately quantifying the value of the replaceable mobile battery 22. Here, it is preferable that the exchange time includes the work time required for removing the mobile battery 22 from the electric vehicle 2 and storing the mobile battery 22 in a slot of the battery station 5 (i.e., connecting to a charging facility). This makes it possible to calculate the reduction time with high accuracy while taking into account the work time required for exchanging the mobile battery 22.

[0035] Furthermore, when the electric vehicle 2 is a vehicle used for passenger transportation, the value of the replaceable mobile battery 22 can be considered to be revenue (second revenue) gained by transporting passengers during the saved time compared to charging a fixed battery installed in the electric vehicle 2. In this case, as described above, the generation unit 624 first calculates the charging time and charging frequency of the mobile battery 22 from the power consumption information (the amount of power consumption and power consumption rate included therein), and calculates the saved time from the charging time and charging frequency. Then, the generation unit 624 extracts the first revenue gained by the electric vehicle 2 transporting passengers during the predetermined time from the sales information, and calculates the second revenue gained by transporting passengers during the saved time calculated from the power consumption information based on the sales information. In this embodiment, the generation unit 624 calculates the second revenue as the product of the quotient obtained by dividing the first revenue by the predetermined time, the charging time of the mobile battery 22, and the charging frequency of the mobile battery 22 ((first revenue / predetermined time) × charging time × charging frequency). In this way, in this embodiment, the value of the replaceable mobile battery 22 is quantified as second revenue obtained by transporting passengers during the saved time, making it possible to specifically and easily recognize (understand) such value.

[0036] Furthermore, after calculating the second sales, the generation unit 624 may calculate the ratio of the second sales to the first sales, i.e., the proportion of the first sales that the second sales account for, as the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable. This makes it possible to recognize (understand) the second sales, which are the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable, within the total first sales obtained by the electric vehicle 2 transporting passengers for a predetermined period of time.

[0037] The transmitting unit 626 transmits at least one of image data and audio data, which is the value information generated by the generating unit 624, to the terminal 4 associated with the user 3 of the electric vehicle 2 via the communication unit 66. The terminal 4 receives at least one of the image data and audio data transmitted from the transmitting unit 626 via the communication unit 42 (receiving unit), and outputs the value information included in the data as an image or audio from the output unit 44.

[0038] In this way, the value providing service of this embodiment can provide the user 3 with the value of the replaceable mobile battery 22 installed in the electric vehicle 2 compared to charging a fixed battery attached to the electric vehicle 2. Therefore, the user 3 can specifically and easily recognize (understand) the value of the replaceable mobile battery 22. This promotes the effective use of the mobile battery 22, leading to, for example, users continuing to use current services that use the mobile battery 22, or new users starting to use the services.

[0039] An example of the flow of the value provision service (information processing method) in the system 1 will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. Here, as described above, the explanation will be given assuming that the electric vehicle 2 is a vehicle that transports passengers, and that the timing for obtaining the power consumption information and sales information of the mobile battery 22 is the timing for replacing the mobile battery 22.

[0040] In S702, the processing unit 62 determines whether the mobile battery 22 mounted on the electric vehicle 2 has been replaced by, for example, monitoring the battery station 5. If the mobile battery 22 has not been replaced, S702 is repeated at regular intervals until the mobile battery 22 is replaced. On the other hand, if the mobile battery 22 has been replaced, the process proceeds to S704.

[0041] In S704, the acquisition unit 622 acquires power consumption information from the electric vehicle 2 via the communication unit 66, the power consumption information including information indicating the power consumption amount and power consumption rate related to the power consumed by the electric motor 20.

[0042] In S706, the acquisition unit 622 acquires, via the communication unit 66, sales information indicating first sales, which are sales of passenger transportation performed by the electric vehicle 2 during a predetermined time period.

[0043] In this embodiment, the sales information is acquired after the power consumption information is acquired, but this is not limited to this. For example, the power consumption information may be acquired after the sales information is acquired, or the power consumption information and the sales information may be acquired simultaneously (in parallel). In this way, the order in which S704 and S706 are performed can be set arbitrarily.

[0044] In S708, the generation unit 624 extracts information indicating the amount of power consumption from the power consumption information acquired in S704, and calculates the charging time required to charge the mobile battery 22 from the amount of power consumption, for example by referring to table 642 shown in Figure 5.

[0045] In S710, the generation unit 624 extracts information indicating the power consumption rate from the power consumption information acquired in S704, and calculates the charging frequency of the mobile battery 22 required by the mobile battery 22 from the power consumption rate, for example by referring to table 644 shown in Figure 6.

[0046] In this embodiment, the charging frequency is calculated after the charging time is calculated, but this is not limited to this. For example, the charging time may be calculated after the charging frequency is calculated, or the charging time and the charging frequency may be calculated simultaneously (in parallel). In this way, the order in which S708 and S710 are performed can be set arbitrarily.

[0047] In S712, the generation unit 624 calculates the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable based on the sales information (first sales) acquired in S706, the charging time calculated in S708, and the charging frequency calculated in S710, and generates value information. As described above, the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable includes the saved time, which is the charging time saved because the mobile battery 22 is replaceable, and the second sales, which is the sales earned by transporting passengers during the saved time. Note that the methods for calculating the saved time and passenger transportation are as described above, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted here. In addition, the value information includes at least one of image data for outputting the saved time and / or sales information as an image, and audio data for outputting the saved time and / or sales information as audio.

[0048] In S714, the transmitting unit 626 transmits the value information (at least one of image data and audio data) generated in S712 via the communication unit 66 to the terminal 4 associated with the user 3 of the electric vehicle 2. In the terminal 4 that has received the value information transmitted from the information processing device 6, the output unit 44 outputs, in the form of images and / or audio, the saved time, which is the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable, and the second revenue obtained by transporting passengers during the saved time.

[0049] Here, we will explain the image that is output from the output unit 44 of the terminal 4, i.e., the image that is displayed on the output unit 44 of the terminal 4, when the value information is image data that outputs the value that the mobile battery 22 is replaceable as an image.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of image IM1 displayed on the output unit 44 of the terminal 4 that has received image data as value information. As shown in FIG. 8, image IM1 shows the saved time TV and the second revenue (revenue during the saved time) MV obtained by transporting passengers during the saved time as the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable. By checking (looking at) image IM1 displayed on the output unit 44 of the terminal 4, the user 3 can specifically and easily recognize (understand) the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable. Note that image IM1 shows both the saved time TV and the revenue MV during the saved time as the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable, but only one of the saved time TV or the revenue MV may be shown. In particular, if the electric vehicle 2 is a general vehicle rather than a vehicle used for passenger transportation, there is no revenue MV during the saved time as the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable, and therefore only the saved time TV is shown in image IM1. In addition, image IM1 may show the cumulative amount and trend of the saved time and second sales in addition to or instead of the saved time TV and sales MV during the saved time (second sales (sales during the saved time)) as the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable.

[0051] Furthermore, when the value of the replaceable mobile battery 22 being equal to or greater than a threshold, it is preferable that an image IM2 different from the image IM1 shown in FIG. 8 be displayed on the output unit 44 of the terminal 4, as shown in FIG. 9. In the image IM2 shown in FIG. 9, for example, since the reduced time TV is equal to or greater than the threshold, the reduced time TV is highlighted HL and emphasized. On the other hand, since the sales MV during the reduced time are less than the threshold, the sales MV during the reduced time are not highlighted and are not emphasized. Note that the method of emphasizing that the value of the replaceable mobile battery 22 being equal to or greater than a threshold is not limited to highlighting, and any method can be used as long as it is possible to distinguish between a value equal to or greater than a threshold and a value less than the threshold. For example, the value may be displayed in bold or flashing to emphasize that the value of the replaceable mobile battery 22 being equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0052] In this way, an image when the value is equal to or greater than the threshold (for example, image IM2 shown in FIG. 9) is differentiated from an image when the value is less than the threshold (for example, image IM1 shown in FIG. 8). Specifically, the value of the image when the value is equal to or greater than the threshold (for example, time saved TV shown in FIG. 9) is emphasized more than the value of the image when the value is less than the threshold (for example, sales MV for time saved shown in FIG. 9). This allows the user 3 to easily recognize (understand) that the value of the mobile battery 22 being replaceable is equal to or greater than the threshold by checking (looking at) image IM2 displayed on the output unit 44 of the terminal 4.

[0053] In this way, in order to display image IM1 shown in Fig. 8 or image IM2 shown in Fig. 9 on the output unit 44 of the terminal 4, it is necessary for the generation unit 624 to generate corresponding image data. Specifically, the generation unit 624 generates image data such that the first image (Fig. 9) when the value is equal to or greater than the threshold is different from the second image (Fig. 8) when the value is less than the threshold. Furthermore, the generation unit 624 generates image data such that the value in the first image is emphasized more than the value in the second image. Therefore, the generation unit 624 also has a function of determining whether the value is equal to or greater than the threshold and generating image data according to the determination result.

[0054] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which value information is transmitted to the terminal 4 associated with the user 3 of the electric vehicle 2, and the value that the mobile battery 22 is replaceable is output from the output unit 44 of the terminal 4. However, instead of the terminal 4, the value information may be transmitted to the electric vehicle 2, and the value that the mobile battery 22 is replaceable may be output from the output device 36 of the electric vehicle 2. Furthermore, when replacing the mobile battery 22 via the battery station 5, the value information may be transmitted to the battery station 5, and the value that the mobile battery 22 is replaceable may be output from an output device (not shown) of the battery station 5. Therefore, the terminal associated with the user of the electric vehicle is not limited to the terminal 4, but refers to a terminal that can be associated with the user 3 when using the mobile battery 22, such as the output device 36 of the electric vehicle 2 or the output device of the battery station 5.

[0055] <Summary of the embodiment> 1. The information processing device (for example, 6) of the above embodiment is an acquisition unit (e.g., 622) that acquires, from an electric vehicle (e.g., 2) equipped with a replaceable battery (e.g., 22), power consumption information relating to the power consumed by the battery in the electric vehicle; a generating unit (e.g., 624) that calculates the value of the replaceable battery compared to charging a fixed battery based on the power consumption information acquired by the acquiring unit and generates value information; a transmission unit (e.g., 626) that transmits the value information generated by the generation unit to a terminal (e.g., 4) associated with a user (e.g., 3) of the electric vehicle; The present invention is characterized by having the following:

[0056] According to this embodiment, the value of the replaceable battery can be specifically and easily recognized (understood).

[0057] 2. In the above-mentioned information processing device (for example, 6), The power consumption information includes information indicating the amount of power consumed by the battery (for example, 22) and information indicating the power consumption rate of the battery.

[0058] According to this embodiment, it is possible to calculate the value of a replaceable battery from the amount and speed of power consumption.

[0059] 3. In the above-mentioned information processing device (for example, 6), The generating unit (e.g., 624) calculating a charging time required to charge the battery from the amount of power consumption; calculating a charging frequency required for the battery from the power consumption rate; As the value, a reduction time indicating a reduction in charging time of the battery due to the battery being replaceable compared to charging a fixed battery is calculated from the charging time and the charging frequency. It is characterized by:

[0060] According to this embodiment, the value of having a replaceable battery is quantified as a reduction in time, making it possible to specifically and easily recognize (understand) this value.

[0061] 4. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 6), The electric vehicle (e.g., 2) is a vehicle for transporting passengers, The acquisition unit (e.g., 622) acquires sales information indicating a first sales amount for the passenger transportation during a predetermined time period, The generation unit (e.g., 624) calculates, as the value, a second sales amount obtained by performing the passenger transportation during the reduced time from the sales information. It is characterized by:

[0062] According to this embodiment, the value of the replaceable battery is quantified as second sales, so that this value can be specifically and easily recognized (grasped).

[0063] 5. In the above-mentioned information processing device (for example, 6), The electric vehicle (e.g., 2) is a vehicle for transporting passengers, The acquisition unit (e.g., 622) acquires sales information indicating a first sales amount for the passenger transportation during a predetermined time period, The generating unit (e.g., 622) calculating a charging time required to charge the battery from the amount of power consumption; calculating a charging frequency required for the battery from the power consumption rate; calculating a reduction time indicating a reduction in charging time of the battery due to the battery being replaceable compared to charging a fixed battery, from the charging time and the charging frequency; As the value, a second revenue obtained by performing the passenger transportation during the saved time is calculated from the sales information. It is characterized by:

[0064] According to this embodiment, the value of the replaceable battery is quantified as second sales, so that this value can be specifically and easily recognized (grasped).

[0065] 6. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 6), The generating unit (for example, 624) calculates the product of the charging time and the charging frequency as the reduced time.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the value of having a replaceable battery, that is, the time saved, can be quantified as the product of charging time and charging frequency.

[0067] 7. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 6), The generating unit (for example, 624) calculates the second sales by multiplying the quotient obtained by dividing the first sales by the predetermined time, the charging time, and the charging frequency.

[0068] According to this embodiment, the second sales, which is the value of the battery being replaceable, can be quantified as the product of the quotient obtained by dividing the first sales by the predetermined time, the charging time, and the charging frequency.

[0069] 8. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 6), The generating unit (for example, 624) calculates the value as a proportion of the second sales in the first sales.

[0070] According to this embodiment, it is possible to recognize (understand) the second sales, which is the value of the battery being replaceable, in the entire first sales.

[0071] 9. In the above-mentioned information processing device (for example, 6), The generating unit (for example, 624) calculates, as the reduced time, a time obtained by subtracting the replacement time required to replace the battery from the product of the charging time and the charging frequency.

[0072] According to this embodiment, it is possible to calculate the time reduction with high accuracy while taking into account the time required for battery replacement, and therefore it is possible to more accurately quantify the value of having a replaceable battery.

[0073] 10. In the above-mentioned information processing device (for example, 6), The replacement time includes the time required to remove the battery (e.g., 22) from the electric vehicle (e.g., 2) and connect it to a charging facility (e.g., 5).

[0074] According to this embodiment, it is possible to calculate the reduction in time with higher accuracy while taking into consideration the work time required for battery replacement.

[0075] 11. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 6), The value information is characterized in that it includes at least one of image data for outputting the value as an image on the terminal (e.g., 4) and audio data for outputting the value as audio on the terminal.

[0076] According to this embodiment, it is possible to specifically and easily recognize (understand) the value of the replaceable battery.

[0077] 12. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 6), The generation unit (e.g., 624) generates the image data so that a first image to be output on the terminal (e.g., 4) when the value is equal to or greater than a threshold value is different from a second image to be output on the terminal when the value is less than the threshold value.

[0078] According to this embodiment, it is possible to easily recognize (understand) whether the value of the battery being replaceable is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0079] 13. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 6), The generating unit (for example, 624) generates the image data so that the value in the first image is emphasized more than the value in the second image.

[0080] According to this embodiment, it is possible to easily recognize (understand) whether the value of the battery being replaceable is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0081] 14. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 6), The acquiring unit (for example, 622) acquires the power consumption information at the timing when the battery (for example, 22) is replaced.

[0082] According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain power consumption information for the period from when the battery is installed in the electric vehicle until it is replaced.

[0083] 15. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 6), The acquisition unit (e.g., 622) is characterized in that it acquires the power consumption information from the electric vehicle (e.g., 2) via a battery station (e.g., 5) for replacing the battery (e.g., 22).

[0084] According to this embodiment, it is possible to acquire power consumption information with high accuracy at the timing of battery replacement.

[0085] 16. In the information processing method of the above embodiment, A first step of acquiring power consumption information from an electric vehicle (e.g., 2) equipped with a replaceable battery (e.g., 22) regarding the power consumed by the battery in the electric vehicle; a second step of calculating a value of the replaceable battery compared to charging a fixed battery based on the power consumption information acquired in the first step, and generating value information; a third step of transmitting the value information generated in the second step to a terminal (e.g., 4) associated with a user (e.g., 3) of the electric vehicle; The present invention is characterized by having the following:

[0086] According to this embodiment, the value of the replaceable battery can be specifically and easily recognized (understood).

[0087] 17. In the system of the above embodiment, A system including an electric vehicle (e.g., 2) equipped with a replaceable battery (e.g., 22), a terminal (e.g., 4) associated with a user (e.g., 3) of the electric vehicle, and an information processing device (e.g., 6), The information processing device includes: an acquisition unit (e.g., 622) that acquires, from the electric vehicle, power consumption information relating to the power of the battery consumed by the electric vehicle; a generating unit (e.g., 624) that calculates the value of the replaceable battery compared to charging a fixed battery based on the power consumption information acquired by the acquiring unit and generates value information; a transmission unit (e.g., 626) that transmits the value information generated by the generation unit to the terminal; The present invention is characterized by having the following:

[0088] According to this embodiment, the value of the replaceable battery can be specifically and easily recognized (understood).

[0089] 18. In the above system (e.g., 1), The terminal (e.g., 4) a receiving unit (e.g., 42) that receives the value information transmitted from the transmitting unit (e.g., 626); an output unit (e.g., 44) that outputs the value information received by the receiving unit; The present invention is characterized by having the following:

[0090] According to this embodiment, the value of the replaceable battery can be specifically and easily recognized (understood).

[0091] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1: System 2: Electric vehicle 3: User 4: Terminal 5: Battery station 6: Information processing device 62: Processing unit 622: Acquisition unit 624: Generation unit 626: Transmission unit

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires, from an electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery, power consumption information relating to the power of the battery consumed by the electric vehicle; a generation unit that calculates a value of the battery being replaceable compared to charging a fixed battery based on the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit, and generates value information; a transmission unit that transmits the value information generated by the generation unit to a terminal associated with a user of the electric vehicle; An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power consumption information includes information indicating an amount of power consumption of the battery and information indicating a power consumption rate of the battery.

3. The generation unit calculating a charging time required to charge the battery from the amount of power consumption; calculating a charging frequency required for the battery from the power consumption rate; As the value, a reduction time indicating a reduction in charging time of the battery due to the battery being replaceable compared to charging a fixed battery is calculated from the charging time and the charging frequency.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

4. the electric vehicle is a vehicle for transporting passengers, the acquisition unit acquires sales information indicating first sales during a predetermined time period of the passenger transportation; The generation unit calculates, as the value, a second sales amount obtained by performing the passenger transportation during the reduced time from the sales information.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,

5. the electric vehicle is a vehicle for transporting passengers, the acquisition unit acquires sales information indicating first sales during a predetermined time period of the passenger transportation; The generation unit calculating a charging time required to charge the battery from the amount of power consumption; calculating a charging frequency required for the battery from the power consumption rate; calculating a reduction time indicating a reduction in charging time of the battery due to the battery being replaceable compared to charging a fixed battery, from the charging time and the charging frequency; and calculating, as the value, a second revenue obtained by performing the passenger transportation during the reduced time from the sales information.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

6. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the generation unit calculates the reduced time as a product of the charging time and the charging frequency.

7. 6. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the generation unit calculates the second sales as a product of the quotient obtained by dividing the first sales by the predetermined time, the charging time, and the charging frequency.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the generation unit calculates, as the value, a proportion of the second sales in the first sales.

9. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the generation unit calculates the reduced time by subtracting a replacement time required to replace the battery from the product of the charging time and the charging frequency.

10. 10. The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the replacement time includes a work time required for removing the battery from the electric vehicle and connecting it to a charging facility.

11. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the value information includes at least one of image data for outputting the value as an image on the terminal and audio data for outputting the value as audio on the terminal.

12. The information processing device described in claim 11, characterized in that the generation unit generates the image data so that a first image to be output on the terminal when the value is greater than or equal to a threshold value is different from a second image to be output on the terminal when the value is less than the threshold value.

13. The information processing device according to claim 12 , wherein the generating unit generates the image data such that the value in the first image is emphasized more than the value in the second image.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the power consumption information when the battery is replaced.

15. The information processing device according to claim 14 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the power consumption information from the electric vehicle via a battery station for replacing the battery.

16. a first step of acquiring, from an electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery, power consumption information relating to the power of the battery consumed by the electric vehicle; a second step of calculating a value of the replaceable battery compared to charging a fixed battery based on the power consumption information acquired in the first step, and generating value information; a third step of transmitting the value information generated in the second step to a terminal associated with a user of the electric vehicle; An information processing method comprising:

17. A system including an electric vehicle equipped with a replaceable battery, a terminal associated with a user of the electric vehicle, and an information processing device, The information processing device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires, from the electric vehicle, power consumption information related to the power of the battery consumed by the electric vehicle; a generation unit that calculates a value of the battery being replaceable compared to charging a fixed battery based on the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit, and generates value information; a transmission unit that transmits the value information generated by the generation unit to the terminal; A system comprising:

18. The terminal a receiving unit that receives the value information transmitted from the transmitting unit; an output unit that outputs the value information received by the receiving unit; 20. The system of claim 17, comprising:

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