Information processing apparatus, display, and information processing program

The information processing device optimizes electric vehicle charging by calculating remaining battery charge and predicted times to create a real-time charging plan, addressing inefficiencies in existing plans and improving operational efficiency and user convenience.

JP2025150604APending Publication Date: 2025-10-09DENSO TEN LTD
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024051587
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-27
Publication Date
2025-10-09

Smart Images

  • Figure 2025150604000001_ABST
    Figure 2025150604000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus that can provide a charging plan that a business operator lending electric vehicles can comply with, a display, and an information processing program.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus acquires a travel distance or a remaining amount of a battery of each of a plurality of electric vehicles to be lent from on-vehicle devices mounted on the electric vehicles. The information processing apparatus calculates a predicted charging time for the electric vehicle on the basis of the remaining amount of the battery calculated from the acquired travel distance or the acquired remaining amount of the battery. The information processing apparatus makes a charging plan for the electric vehicle from the calculated predicted charging time, the position of the electric vehicle, the scheduled return time, and the scheduled lending time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to an information processing device, a display device, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Until now, engine vehicles have been the norm for rental cars and rental motorcycles, but in recent years, the number of electric vehicles, such as electric cars and electric motorcycles, has been increasing. When renting an engine vehicle, it is common to refuel the vehicle before returning it to the rental company. On the other hand, when renting an electric vehicle, it is common for the rental company to charge the vehicle after returning it.

[0003] Furthermore, charging an electric vehicle takes longer than refueling an internal combustion engine vehicle. In order for businesses to improve the operational efficiency of electric vehicles, it is desirable to create a charging plan that enables vehicles to be charged efficiently and to charge the vehicles in accordance with the charging plan. For this reason, a technology has been devised that creates a charging plan for each vehicle based on the scheduled return time of the vehicle to be charged, the scheduled rental time, and the number of chargers (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-78248 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the case of a charging plan formulated using the prior art, when charging a vehicle to be charged, depending on the parking position of the vehicle to be charged and the parking positions of other vehicles, it may take more time and effort than expected to move the vehicle to be charged and the other vehicles. In this case, the business operator may not be able to keep to the charging plan.

[0006] One aspect of the embodiment has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, a display device, and an information processing program that can provide a charging plan that can be adhered to by a business operator that rents out electric vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, an information processing device acquires the travel distance or remaining battery charge of a plurality of electric vehicles to be rented from on-board devices mounted on the electric vehicles. The information processing device calculates the remaining battery charge calculated from the acquired travel distance or a predicted charging time for the electric vehicles based on the acquired remaining battery charge. The information processing device creates a charging plan for the electric vehicles based on the calculated predicted charging time, the location of the electric vehicles, the scheduled return time, and the scheduled rental time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to an embodiment, an information processing device, a display device, and an information processing program create a charging plan using the acquired position of an electric vehicle, thereby providing a charging plan that takes into account the position information of the electric vehicle. This allows a business operator that rents out electric vehicles to adhere to the charging plan. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of information processing executed by an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operating state of the electric vehicle according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a charging plan table according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a charging plan table according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a charging plan table according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing device, a display device, and an information processing program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. The information processing device according to the embodiment is an information processing device that creates and provides a charging plan for a rental car company (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "company") that rents out electric vehicles to customers, so that multiple electric vehicles can be efficiently charged.

[0011] [1. Overview of information processing] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of information processing executed by an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment. When creating a charging plan for electric vehicles 10, the information processing device 1 first acquires the travel distance or remaining battery capacity of each electric vehicle 10 from the on-board devices 20 mounted on the plurality of electric vehicles 10 to be rented out (step S1). At this time, the information processing device 1 indicates the position information of each electric vehicle 10.

[0012] The electric vehicle 10 here is an electric automobile. The electric vehicle 10 according to the embodiment may be any vehicle that runs on an electric motor, such as an electric motorcycle or a small electric mobility vehicle. The vehicle-mounted device 20 is, for example, a drive recorder or car navigation device equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System), capable of measuring the traveling position, traveling distance, or remaining battery power of the mounted electric vehicle 10.

[0013] Here, the mileage refers to the distance traveled since the electric vehicle 10 was rented to the customer and left the operator's parking lot to the present time. Also, the remaining battery power refers to the remaining amount of charged power in the battery that serves as the power source for driving the electric vehicle 10.

[0014] Next, the information processing device 1 calculates the remaining battery charge calculated from the acquired travel distance of each electric vehicle 10, or calculates the predicted charging time of each electric vehicle 10 from the acquired remaining battery charge of each electric vehicle 10 (step S2). The predicted charging time is the charging time required to ensure the amount of charge that should be maintained after the electric vehicle 10 is returned and before it is next rented out.

[0015] The information processing device 1 also cooperates with a rental car company system (hereinafter referred to as "company system 30"). The information processing device 1 sequentially acquires reservation information for the electric vehicle 10 from a reservation information DB (database) for the electric vehicle 10 acquired from the company system 30 (step S3).

[0016] The reservation information includes information such as the rental time of the electric vehicle 10, the scheduled return time, and the next scheduled rental time, as well as operating status information of the electric vehicle 10 indicating whether the electric vehicle 10 is currently being rented or has been returned.

[0017] Thereafter, the information processing device 1 creates a charging plan for each electric vehicle 10 based on conditions such as the rental time of the electric vehicle 10, the scheduled return time, the next scheduled rental time, the vehicle location, the location of the charger, the proximity of the electric vehicle 10 to the charger, and the priority of charging (step S4).

[0018] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 recalculates the predicted charging time every time the contents of the reservation information DB 31 are updated (step S5). Then, the information processing device 1 re-creates the charging plan. That is, the information processing device 1 updates the charging plan in accordance with changes in the operating status of the electric vehicle 10. For example, when the status of the electric vehicle 10 changes from being rented to being returned, the information processing device 1 updates the charging plan in accordance with the change in the operating status.

[0019] Furthermore, for example, when the return time of the electric vehicle 10 is changed, the reservation information 5 (see FIG. 2) is updated, and the information processing device 1 updates the charging plan accordingly. This allows the information processing device 1 to create an optimal charging plan for each situation in real time. Thereafter, the information processing device 1 generates a charging plan table 6 based on the created charging plan, and notifies the terminal device 51 of the rental car company 50 of the charging plan table 6 (step S6).

[0020] The terminal device 51 is, for example, a smartphone used by the rental car company 50. The terminal device 51 may be any device that is used by the rental car company 50 and has a communication function, such as a tablet terminal, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer.

[0021] The terminal device 51 includes a display device 52. The display device 52 displays the charging plan table 6 received from the information processing device 1. After checking the charging plan table 6, the rental car company 50 returns a content confirmation to the information processing device 1 (step S7).

[0022] In this way, the information processing device 1 creates a charging plan using the position of the electric vehicle 10 acquired from the in-vehicle device 20, and can provide a charging plan that takes into account the position information of the electric vehicle 10. This allows the business operator that rents out the electric vehicle 10 to adhere to the charging plan.

[0023] [2. Configuration example of information processing device] Next, a configuration example of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing device 1 is connected to a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices 20, a plurality of terminal devices 51, and a carrier system 30 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly.

[0024] The terminal device 51 includes a smartphone used by the business operator 50 as described above, as well as a mobile device such as a smartphone used by a user who rents the electric vehicle 10. The terminal device 51 may also be a car navigation device mounted on the electric vehicle 10.

[0025] The information processing device 1 includes a communication unit 2, a storage unit 3, and a controller 4. The communication unit 2 is a communication interface that communicates information between the vehicle-mounted device 20, the terminal device 51, and the operator system 30 via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0026] The storage unit 3 is an information storage device such as a data flash, and stores reservation information 5 and a charging plan table 6. As described above, the reservation information 5 includes information such as the rental time, scheduled return time, and next scheduled rental time of the electric vehicle 10, which are acquired by the information processing device 1 from the business operator system 30, as well as operating status information of the electric vehicle 10, which indicates whether the electric vehicle 10 is currently being rented or has been returned.

[0027] The reservation information 5 is updated by the information processing device 1 every time the contents of the reservation information DB 31 are updated by the business operator system 30. The charging plan table 6 is information that visualizes a charging plan created by the information processing device 1. An example of the charging plan table 6 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0028] The controller 4 includes a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and various other circuits. The controller 4 includes an acquisition unit 7 that functions when the CPU executes an information processing program stored in the ROM using the RAM as a work area, a charging time calculation unit 8, and a charging plan creation unit 9. The program may be stored in a storage device from an external source via a communication line or the like.

[0029] The acquisition unit 7, the charging time calculation unit 8, and the charging plan creation unit 9 included in the controller 4 may be partially or entirely configured using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0030] The acquisition unit 7, charging time calculation unit 8, and charging plan creation unit 9 included in the controller 4 each realize or execute the information processing functions described below. Note that the internal configuration of the controller 4 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2, and may be any other configuration as long as it performs the information processing described below.

[0031] The acquisition unit 7 periodically (for example, every minute) acquires from each on-board device 20 the travel distance or remaining battery charge of the electric vehicle 10 on which the on-board device 20 is mounted, and location information of the electric vehicle 10. The acquisition unit 7 outputs the acquired travel distance or remaining battery charge of the electric vehicle 10 and location information of the electric vehicle 10 to the charging time calculation unit 8. The acquisition unit 7 also sequentially receives reservation information 5 from the business operator system 30 and stores it in memory.

[0032] The charging time calculation unit 8 calculates the predicted charging time of the electric vehicle 10 based on the reservation information 5. For example, when calculating the predicted charging time of an electric vehicle 10 that has not been returned, the charging time calculation unit 8 first calculates the travel distance (km) until return using the following formula (1). Distance traveled from the start of rental (km) ÷ (current time - rental time) (H) × (return time - rental time) (H) = distance traveled until return (km) (1) Next, the charging time calculation unit 8 calculates the estimated power consumption (kWh) of the electric vehicle 10 using the following formula (2). Distance traveled until return (km) ÷ 7 (km / kWh) = Estimated power consumption (kWh) (2) The charging time calculation unit 8 can calculate the remaining battery power by subtracting the estimated power consumption from the amount of power stored in the battery when fully charged. The above calculation example is a method of calculating the estimated power consumption (kWh) based on the average hourly value of the distance traveled, assuming that 1 kWh of electricity is consumed for driving 7 km. Then, the charging time calculation unit 8 calculates the predicted charging time for the electric vehicle 10 based on the calculated remaining charge of the battery and the performance (amount of power that can be charged per minute) of the charger owned by the business.

[0033] The above calculation is an example, and various modifications are possible. The charging time calculation unit 8 can also calculate the predicted charging time as follows. For example, the charging time calculation unit 8 first calculates the percentage (%) of time elapsed using the following formula (3). (Current time - Pick-up time) (H) ÷ (Scheduled return time - Pick-up time) (H) = Time lapse rate (%) (3) Next, the charging time calculation unit 8 calculates the travel distance (km) until the return using the following formula (4). Distance traveled from the start of rental (km) ÷ Percentage of time elapsed (%) = Distance traveled until return (km) (4) Then, the charging time calculation unit 8 calculates the estimated power consumption (kWh) according to the following (5). Distance traveled until return (km) ÷ 7 (km / kWh) = Estimated power consumption (kWh) (5) The charging time calculation unit 8 can calculate the remaining battery power by subtracting the estimated power consumption from the amount of power stored in the battery when fully charged. The above calculation example is a method of calculating the estimated distance traveled until return by comparing the current time with the time from the time of rental to the time of return and calculating the percentage of time that has passed. Then, the charging time calculation unit 8 calculates the predicted charging time for the electric vehicle 10 based on the calculated remaining charge of the battery and the performance of the charger owned by the business (the amount of power that can be charged per minute). The charging time calculation unit 8 outputs the calculated predicted charging time for each electric vehicle 10 to the charging plan creation unit 9.

[0034] The charging plan creation unit 9 creates a charging plan that enables efficient charging of the plurality of electric vehicles 10 based on the reservation information 5 of each electric vehicle 10 and the predicted charging time. Then, the charging plan creation unit 9 creates a charging plan table 6 in accordance with the created charging plan and transmits the charging plan table 6 to the terminal device 51.

[0035] [3. Example of a charging schedule] Next, an example of a charging plan table 6 created by the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6. Here, an example will be described in which five electric vehicles 10, vehicle 1 11 to vehicle 5 15, are in operation. In addition, an example will be described in which two chargers, vehicle 1 61 and vehicle 2 62, are installed in the business establishment.

[0036] Here, an example of the operating state of the electrically powered vehicle 10 when creating a charging plan will be described, followed by an example of a charging plan 6 created at that time. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operating state of the electrically powered vehicle 10 according to the embodiment. Figs. 4 to 6 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a charging plan 6 according to the embodiment.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3, when creating the charging schedule, it is assumed that vehicles 11 to 3 13 have already been returned to the business establishment since the business opens (e.g., 8:00). It is also assumed that vehicles 4 14 to 5 15 will be returned at the end of the morning.

[0038] In this case, the charging plan creation unit 9 creates a charging plan table 6 in which a charger, a vehicle to be charged, a charging start time, a charging end time, and a charging time (minutes) are associated with each other, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 . Then, the charging plan creation unit 9 transmits the created charging plan table 6 to the terminal device 51 to display it. This allows a worker at the business establishment to follow the charging plan table 6 created by the information processing device 1 by moving the vehicle to be charged according to the schedule described in the charging plan table 6.

[0039] Specifically, the worker can connect the returned car No. 1 11 to Unit No. 1 61 at 8:00 to start charging, and then connect the returned car No. 2 12 to Unit No. 2 62 at 8:30 to start charging. After that, when the worker finishes charging car No. 1 11 at 9:30, he can connect the returned car No. 3 13 to Unit No. 1 61 at 10:00 to start charging.

[0040] Then, when charging of vehicle 2 12 is completed at 13:30, the worker can connect vehicle 4 14, which will be returned by the end of the morning, to unit 1 61 at 13:30 and begin charging. Later, when vehicle 5 15 is returned by the end of the morning, charging of vehicle 2 12 by unit 2 62 will have already been completed at 13:00, so vehicle 5 15 can be connected to unit 2 62 and begin charging. In this way, workers at the business can efficiently charge multiple electric vehicles 10.

[0041] In addition, the information processing device 1 can also create a charging plan table 6, for example, as shown in Figure 5, which adds charging schedules for vehicles 11 to 5 15 to be charged by vehicles 1 61 and 2 62 to a timetable from the opening to closing of business at the business establishment.

[0042] At this time, the information processing device 1 creates a charging plan table 6 in which a time bar having a length corresponding to the charging time of each electric vehicle 10 is added to the time table. Then, the information processing device 1 transmits the created charging plan table 6 to the terminal device 51 to display it.

[0043] This allows workers at the business establishment to visually and intuitively recognize which electric vehicle 10 should be charged, when, and with which charger, allowing multiple electric vehicles 10 to be charged efficiently.

[0044] 5, a charging schedule is added to a timetable from the opening time to the closing time of the business establishment, but charging does not necessarily have to be completed by the closing time of the business establishment, and there may be an electric vehicle 10 that continues to be connected to the charger from the closing time of the business establishment until the opening time of the next business establishment. Also, a timetable may be created based on the opening time and closing time of the business establishment.

[0045] Alternatively, the timetable may be a predetermined work period for a worker at a business establishment (for example, nine hours including break times). If it is possible to eliminate the need for a worker at a business establishment to wait for work or for a charger for electric vehicle 10 by making the break start time and break end time changeable, a timetable with changed break start time and break end time can be created. Furthermore, if it is more efficient to advance the start time and end time of the next day's work than to extend the end time of the current day's work, and if it is possible to advance them, the start time and end time of the work of the worker at the business establishment can be changed and notified.

[0046] In addition, the information processing device 1 can also create a charging plan table 6 that illustrates, for example, the order of movement operations for each electric vehicle 10, the movement route of each electric vehicle 10, and the movement route of the electric vehicle 10 after charging on a map that includes the installation locations of chargers at the business premises and rectangular parking spaces, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0047] Then, the information processing device 1 transmits the created charging plan table 6 to the terminal device 51 to display it. At this time, the information processing device 1 may be configured to transmit the charging plan table 6 not only to the terminal device 51 used by the worker at the business establishment, but also to the terminal device 51 of the user who is renting the electric vehicle 10.

[0048] When transmitting the charging plan table 6 to the terminal device 51 of the user who is renting the electric vehicle 10, the information processing device 1 creates a charging plan including a parking position to be specified for the electric vehicle 10 to be returned. Then, the information processing device 1 notifies the user (driver) of the electric vehicle 10 of the parking position.

[0049] This allows the business operator 50 to have the user who rented the electric vehicle 10 park the electric vehicle 10 in a designated parking spot. For this reason, if the business operator 50 can have the user pay in advance, for example, the business operator 50 can provide a new service in which the user can leave the store without having to bring the key to the reception desk by installing a key return box for the electric vehicle 10 in the designated parking spot.

[0050] In addition, when the information processing device 1 transmits the charging plan table 6 to the terminal device 51 used by the workers at the business establishment, the information processing device 1 creates a charging plan including a movement schedule and movement route of the electric vehicle 10 from the specified parking position to the charging position, and from the charging position to the waiting position after charging.

[0051] The information processing device 1 then notifies the worker (driver) of the travel schedule and travel route of the electric vehicle 10. At this time, the information processing device 1 guides the worker along the travel route of the electric vehicle 10 by voice or image.

[0052] When the worker is notified of the charging schedule 6 including the movement schedule and movement route of the electric vehicle 10, the worker moves vehicles 11 to 5 15 in accordance with the route guidance provided by the information processing device 1 and the charging schedule 6, and performs the movement and charging work of the electric vehicle 10.

[0053] For example, when the charging plan table 6 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is created, at the start of business, the first car 11 is parked by the user in parking space A-1. The second car 12 is parked in parking space A-5. The third car 13 is parked in parking space A-2.

[0054] Therefore, the charging worker connects car No. 1 11 parked in parking space A-1 to unit No. 1 61 at 8:00 and begins charging (first task). Next, the charging worker connects car No. 2 12 parked in parking space A-5 to unit No. 2 62 at 8:30 and begins charging (second task).

[0055] Next, when charging of car No. 1 11 is completed at 9:30, the moving worker moves car No. 1 11 to parking slot E-1, which is the standby position (standby moving work). After that, the charging worker moves car No. 3 13 from parking slot A-2 to parking slot A-1, and at 10:00 connects car No. 3 13 to unit No. 1 61 to begin charging (third work).

[0056] When charging of car 2 12 is completed at 13:00, the mobile worker moves car 2 12 to parking slot E-2, which is the standby position (standby movement work). Also, when charging of car 3 13 is completed at 10:30, the mobile worker moves car 3 13 to parking slot E-3, which is the standby position (standby movement work).

[0057] After that, the charging worker has the user park car No. 4 14, which will be returned by the end of the morning, in parking slot A-2 (fourth task). Note that the fourth task may also be performed by the charging worker. Then, at 1:30 PM, the charging worker moves car No. 4 14 from parking slot A-2 to A-1, connects it to unit No. 1 61, and begins charging.

[0058] After that, the charging worker has the user park car No. 5 15, which will be returned by the end of the morning, in parking slot A-5 (fifth task). Note that the fifth task may also be performed by the charging worker. After that, at 14:00, the charging worker connects car No. 5 15 to unit No. 2 62 and starts charging.

[0059] When charging of car 4 14 is completed at 15:00, the transfer worker moves car 4 14 to parking slot E-4, which is the standby position (standby transfer work). Also, when charging of car 5 15 is completed at 16:00, the transfer worker moves car 5 15 to parking slot E-5, which is the standby position (standby transfer work).

[0060] In this way, the worker can move vehicle No. 1 11 to vehicle No. 5 15 according to the charging plan to charge each electric vehicle 10, and then move each electric vehicle 10 to a standby position after charging to complete the charging work. Furthermore, the business operator 50 can reduce unnecessary movement work and movement time of the electric vehicle 10 in relation to moving the electric vehicle 10 from the start of charging to the standby position, and can therefore extend the operable time of the electric vehicle 10 accordingly.

[0061] In addition, the information processing device 1 creates a charging plan table 6 that divides the parking positions specified by the parking lot into blocks and displays them as a map (visualization), allowing the worker to intuitively understand the parking positions and movement routes of the vehicles to be charged.

[0062] Furthermore, when defining parking positions, the information processing device 1 uses latitude information, longitude information, and polygon information to define each parking position by enclosing the four corners of the parking position. Furthermore, when defining parking positions, the information processing device 1 may be configured to define each parking position by defining a rectangle with a radius of several meters from the latitude and longitude of the center point of the parking position.

[0063] Furthermore, when the information processing device 1 can obtain the remaining charge of the vehicle from the vehicle-mounted device 20, it can omit the calculation processing of the above-mentioned equations (1) to (5), thereby reducing the processing load and creating an efficient charging plan that can be followed by the worker.

[0064] [4. Processing performed by the information processing device] Next, a process executed by the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0065] The controller 4 of the information processing device 1 starts the process shown in Fig. 7 every time it periodically (every minute) acquires information from each vehicle-mounted device 20 and the business operator system 30. The controller 4 may also be configured to start the process shown in Fig. 7 every time the content of the information acquired from each vehicle-mounted device 20 and the business operator system 30 changes.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, when the controller 4 starts the process, it updates the charging plan table 6 based on information acquired from each in-vehicle device 20 and the business operator system 30, and notifies (transmits) the charging plan table 6 to the terminal device 51 (step S101).

[0067] Next, the controller 4 determines whether or not vehicle number N (N is a natural number) has been returned based on the location information of the electric vehicle 10 acquired from the in-vehicle device 20 or the reservation information 5 acquired from the business operator system 30 (step S102).

[0068] When it is determined that the Nth vehicle has not been returned (step S102, No), the controller 4 ends the process. When it is determined that the Nth vehicle has been returned (step S102, Yes), the controller 4 transmits the latest map information to the in-vehicle device 20 or the terminal device 51 used by the driver of the Nth vehicle (step S103). The map information is, for example, the charging plan table 6 shown in FIG. 6.

[0069] Next, based on the map information, the controller 4 instructs the driver of car N as to a parking position according to the charging schedule 6 (step S104). For example, the controller 4 instructs car 5 15 by voice or using a map to move to and park in parking space A-5.

[0070] Next, the controller 4 instructs the start of charging in accordance with the charging schedule 6 (step S105). After that, the controller 4 determines whether or not charging of vehicle N is complete (step S106). If the controller 4 determines that charging is not complete (step S106, No), it repeats the determination of step S106 until charging is complete.

[0071] If the controller 4 determines that charging of vehicle N is complete (Yes in step S106), it notifies the business operator 50 of this (step S107). Next, the controller 4 guides the charged vehicle to a designated parking space, which will serve as a waiting position, by voice or image, based on the map information (step S108).

[0072] Next, the controller 4 determines whether or not the Nth car has been moved to the designated position (step S109). If the controller 4 determines that the Nth car has not been moved to the designated position (step S109, No), the controller 4 proceeds to step S108.

[0073] When it is determined that vehicle N has moved to the designated position (step S109, Yes), the controller 4 notifies the business operator 50 that vehicle N has completed moving, updates the charging plan table 6 (step S110), and ends the processing.

[0074] 5. Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the information processing device 1 has described a method for calculating the remaining charge from the travel distance of the electric vehicle 10 when the remaining charge of the electric vehicle 10 cannot be obtained from the vehicle-mounted device 20, but the method for calculating the remaining charge is not limited to this.

[0075] When the information processing device 1 cannot acquire the remaining charge of the electric vehicle 10 from the in-vehicle device 20, the information processing device 1 may be configured to correct the calculated remaining battery charge in accordance with weather conditions and the air conditioning usage status of the electric vehicle 10.

[0076] For example, when the air conditioner of the electric vehicle 10 is used in summer or winter, power is consumed not only for driving but also for operating the air conditioner, so the information processing device 1 corrects the remaining battery capacity to be smaller than in spring and autumn when the air conditioner is not in use. This allows the information processing device 1 to calculate the remaining battery capacity more accurately, and therefore to create a more efficient and appropriate charging plan.

[0077] When there are multiple electric vehicles 10 parked in the business parking lot waiting to be charged, the information processing device 1 starts charging the electric vehicles 10 in order of the pre-set priority. In this case, the information processing device 1 sets a higher priority for the electric vehicles 10 with the shortest time until the next rental.

[0078] The information processing device 1 may also be configured to set a higher priority for electric vehicles 10 that are more popular for rental. The information processing device 1 may also be configured to set a higher priority for electric vehicles 10 that have a shorter charging time. The information processing device 1 may also be configured to set a higher priority for electric vehicles 10 that have a longer charging time. The information processing device 1 may also be configured to set a higher priority for electric vehicles 10 that have a remaining charge of 80% or less.

[0079] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1. Information processing equipment 2. Communications Department 3 Storage section 4 Controller 5. Reservation Information 6 Charging schedule 7 Acquisition Department 8 Charging time calculation section 9. Charging Planning Department 10 Electric vehicles 20 Onboard equipment 30 Operator Systems 31 Reservation information DB 50 businesses 51 Terminal equipment 52 Display device

Claims

1. acquiring the mileage or remaining battery capacity of each of the electric vehicles from an on-board device mounted on each of the electric vehicles to be rented; calculating a predicted charging time for the electric vehicle based on the remaining battery charge calculated from the acquired traveling distance or the acquired remaining battery charge; creating a charging plan for the electric vehicle based on the calculated predicted charging time, a location of the electric vehicle, a scheduled return time, and a scheduled rental time; Information processing device.

2. When calculating the remaining battery capacity from the travel distance, the remaining battery capacity is corrected according to weather conditions and air conditioner usage. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. updating the charging plan in response to a change in an operating status of the electric vehicle; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The change in the operating status includes a change in the status of the electric vehicle from being rented to being returned. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. creating the charging plan including a parking position to be designated for the returned electric vehicle; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. notifying the driver of the electric vehicle of the parking position; The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. creating the charging plan including a movement schedule and a movement route from the parking position to a charging position and from the charging position to a standby position after charging, which are specified for the electric vehicle parked at the parking position; The information processing device according to claim 5 .

8. notifying a driver of the electric vehicle of the travel schedule and the travel route; The information processing device according to claim 7 .

9. creating the charging plan by changing the working hours of the charging worker, including the work start time, work end time, break start time, and break end time; 9. The information processing device according to claim 1.

10. acquiring the mileage or remaining battery capacity of each of the electric vehicles from an on-board device mounted on each of the electric vehicles to be rented; calculating a predicted charging time for the electric vehicle based on the remaining battery charge calculated from the acquired traveling distance or the acquired remaining battery charge; creating a charging plan for the electric vehicle based on the calculated predicted charging time, a location of the electric vehicle, a scheduled return time, and a scheduled rental time; receiving the charging plan from an information processing device and displaying it; Display device.

11. acquiring the mileage or remaining battery capacity of each of the electric vehicles from an on-board device mounted on each of the electric vehicles to be rented; calculating a predicted charging time for the electric vehicle based on the remaining battery amount calculated from the acquired traveling distance or the acquired remaining battery amount; a step of creating a charging plan for the electric vehicle based on the calculated predicted charging time, a location of the electric vehicle, a scheduled return time, and a scheduled rental time; An information processing program that causes a computer to execute the above.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Charging system, charging method, and program

    JP2021078248A