Method

Abstract

To improve a technique for providing a power supply service to a vehicle.SOLUTION: The method is executed by an information processing apparatus 10 used for providing a drive-and-dispatch service for dispatching a power-supplying vehicle to supply power to a vehicle of a user, the method including receiving, from each of a plurality of users, a user designation of one or more power-supplying conditions for requesting power supply to the vehicle, predicting, as a target date and time, a date and time at which one or more power-supplying conditions related to the user designation are satisfied, determining an operation plan for dispatching the power-supplying vehicle at the target date and time, and repeatedly executing the processing for each of the plurality of users every time power supply to the vehicle is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method. [Background technology]

[0002] There are currently technologies for providing power supply services to vehicles. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a server receives a rescue request from an EV that has run out of power, requesting power to be supplied to the EV, the server notifies a vehicle that is compatible with the same standard as the EV that has run out of power, among multiple vehicles that can supply power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-139845 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is room for improvement in the technology that provides power services to vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The method disclosed herein is a method executed by an information processing device used to provide an emergency power supply service that dispatches a power supply vehicle to supply power to a user's vehicle, and includes executing a process including: accepting user designations of one or more power supply conditions from each of a plurality of users requesting power supply to the vehicle; a prediction step of predicting, as a target date and time, a date and time when the one or more power supply conditions related to the user designations will be satisfied; and a determination step of determining an operation plan for dispatching the power supply vehicle at the target date and time; and repeatedly executing the process for each of the plurality of users each time power supply to the vehicle is completed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an improvement is provided in the technique of providing power services to vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information processing device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] The configuration of an information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing device 10 is, for example, a server device, a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), or a general-purpose or dedicated electronic device. The information processing device 10 may be a server belonging to a cloud computing system. The information processing device 10 provides a rush-to-service power supply service that dispatches a power supply vehicle to each user.

[0010] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. The information processing device 10 receives user designations of one or more power supply conditions from each of a plurality of users requesting power supply to a vehicle. The information processing device 10 executes processing including a prediction step of predicting, as a target date and time, a date and time when the one or more user-designated power supply conditions will be satisfied, and a determination step of determining an operation plan for dispatching a power supply vehicle at the target date and time. The information processing device 10 repeatedly executes this processing for each of a plurality of users each time power supply to a vehicle is completed.

[0011] According to this embodiment, a user can receive a power supply service whenever the date and time when the power supply condition is predicted to be met is reached simply by setting the power supply condition in advance. This reduces the burden on the user compared to when the user needs to request power supply to a vehicle each time. For the provider of the emergency power supply service, the date and time when power should be supplied to each user's vehicle are automatically predicted. This improves the predictability of operation plans for allocating power supply vehicles, enabling efficient resource allocation. This improves the technology for providing power supply services to vehicles.

[0012] The configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0013] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), at least one dedicated circuit such as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control unit 11 controls each unit of the information processing device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0014] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or a flash memory. The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The flash memory is, for example, a solid-state drive (SSD). The magnetic memory is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0015] The communication unit 13 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, a module compatible with a wired LAN (local area network) communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11, or a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation) standard, or 5G (5th generation) standard. The communication unit 13 receives information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. The communication unit 13 enables the information processing device 10 to transmit and receive information to and from other devices via a network.

[0016] The network may include the Internet, at least one wide area network (WAN), at least one metropolitan area network (MAN), or a combination thereof. The network may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. The wireless network may be, for example, an ad-hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, or a satellite communication network.

[0017] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the control unit 11. That is, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by executing the operations of the information processing device 10 in accordance with the program.

[0018] The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM.

[0019] Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 11. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0020] The operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In the following, communication between the information processing device 10 and external devices is performed via the communication unit 13 and a network. In the following, it is assumed that the control unit 11 communicates with each of the vehicles of a plurality of users and constantly acquires information indicating the remaining battery charge from the vehicles.

[0021] In S1 of FIG. 2, the control unit 11 receives, from each of a plurality of users, user designations of power supply conditions when requesting power supply to the user's vehicle. Specifically, the control unit 11 receives, from each terminal device, information indicating the user designations of the power supply conditions input by each of the plurality of users to their respective terminal devices. The power supply conditions include at least one of a first condition specifying a range of the vehicle's remaining battery charge, a second condition specifying a day of the week and a time period, and a third condition specifying a power supply location of the power supply vehicle. The range of the vehicle's remaining battery charge may be the percentage of the remaining charge relative to the battery's full charge state. Multiple days of the week and time periods related to the second condition may be specified. The time period may be specified in a predetermined time frame, such as morning or afternoon, or every few hours. The power supply location may include a place that the user visits with their vehicle, such as the user's address or workplace.

[0022] In this example, user A inputs into his terminal device a user specification in which the first condition is "30% or more and less than 50%", the second condition is "10:00 to 16:00 on Wednesday", and the third condition is "A district, B town". User B inputs into his terminal device a user specification in which the first condition is "40% or more and less than 60%", the second condition is "Saturday 10:00 to 12:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 12:00", and the third condition is "C district, D town". The control unit 11 receives information indicating the user specifications of user A and user B from each terminal device.

[0023] In S2, the control unit 11 predicts, for each user, the latest date and time at which the power supply conditions specified by the user will be satisfied as the target date and time. For example, the control unit 11 first acquires remaining capacity information indicating the estimated remaining battery capacity in the future of each user's vehicle. Any method may be used to acquire the remaining capacity information. For example, the control unit 11 may calculate the estimated remaining battery capacity in the future based on the rate of change of the remaining battery capacity indicated by the information received from each vehicle.

[0024] The control unit 11 further reads and acquires schedule information indicating the dates and times when the power supply vehicle can be dispatched from the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 may receive the schedule information from the power supply vehicle. The schedule information may be information indicating the dates and times when the power supply vehicle can be dispatched and the areas where the power supply vehicle can be dispatched for each of a plurality of power supply vehicles owned by the operator of the emergency power supply service. In this example, the schedule information is assumed to be information indicating the dates and times when the first power supply vehicle and the second power supply vehicle can be dispatched and the areas where the power supply vehicle can be dispatched.

[0025] Based on the remaining amount information and the schedule information, the control unit 11 predicts the latest date and time that satisfies the first to third conditions specified by the user as the target date and time for dispatching the power supply vehicle to the user's vehicle. In this example, based on the remaining amount information and the schedule information, the control unit 11 predicts the latest date and time that is within the range of the remaining battery amount specified by the first condition, falls on the day of the week and time zone specified by the second condition, and allows the power supply vehicle to travel to the power supply location specified by the third condition, as the target date and time for user A. Similarly, based on the remaining amount information and the schedule information, the control unit 11 predicts the latest date and time that is within the range of the remaining battery amount specified by the first condition, falls on the day of the week and time zone specified by the second condition, and allows the power supply vehicle to travel to the power supply location specified by the third condition, as the target date and time for user B.

[0026] In this example, the schedule information indicates that the first power supply vehicle can travel to Area A from 12:00 to 17:00 every day, and that the second power supply vehicle can travel to Area C from 8:00 to 17:00 every Saturday and Sunday. The period during which the estimated remaining battery charge of User A's vehicle will meet the first user-specified condition of "30% or more and less than 50%" is from 10:00 on Monday, April 1st to 14:00 on Wednesday, April 3rd. The control unit 11 predicts, as the target date and time, 14:00 on Wednesday, April 3rd, which satisfies the second user-specified condition of "10:00 to 16:00 on Wednesday," and is the latest date and time during which the first power supply vehicle can travel to "Town B in Area A," which satisfies the third user-specified condition. The period during which the estimated remaining battery charge of User B's vehicle will meet the first user-specified condition of "40% or more and less than 60%" is from 12:00 on Saturday, April 6th to 12:00 on Monday, April 8th. The control unit 11 predicts the target date and time to be 12:00 on Sunday, April 7th, which satisfies the second condition specified by user B, "Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 12:00", and is the latest date and time at which the second power supply vehicle can travel to "C District, D Town", which satisfies the third condition specified by user B.

[0027] In S3, the control unit 11 determines an operation plan. In this example, the control unit 11 determines an operation plan in which the first power supply vehicle is dispatched to user A at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 3rd, and the second power supply vehicle is dispatched to user B at 12:00 PM on Sunday, April 7th.

[0028] In S4, the control unit 11 arranges for a power supply vehicle based on the operation plan. For example, the control unit 11 transmits information indicating the operation plan to each of the first power supply vehicle and the second power supply vehicle. The first power supply vehicle and the second power supply vehicle may be able to move to the user by autonomous driving based on each operation plan.

[0029] Thereafter, each time power supply by the power supply vehicle to each of the vehicles of the multiple users is completed, the processing of the control unit 11 returns to S2. The control unit 11 may obtain information indicating the completion of power supply by receiving it from each power supply vehicle or the user's vehicle, and determine that power supply by the power supply vehicle is completed. By repeatedly executing S2 to S4, it becomes possible to automatically provide a power supply service in accordance with the power supply conditions specified by the user.

[0030] As a modified example of the present disclosure, when the power supply locations of the third condition specified by two or more users among a plurality of users are within the same area, the control unit 11 may predict the latest date and time that satisfies the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition specified by the two or more users as the target date and time. In this case, the control unit 11 determines an operation plan for dispatching a power supply vehicle to the two or more users on the target date and time. The scope of the same area may be any predetermined range, such as a prefecture, city, or district.

[0031] For example, in S1 described above, the control unit 11 accepts user designations of power supply conditions from user C in addition to the above-mentioned users A and B. Assume that the first condition related to the user designations of user C is "10% or more and less than 40%," the second condition is "Monday from 8:00 to 13:00, Tuesday from 8:00 to 13:00, and Wednesday from 8:00 to 13:00," and the third condition is "Area A, Town E." The control unit 11 receives information indicating the user designations of user C from the terminal device of user C.

[0032] In S2 described above, the control unit 11 identifies, from among users A to C, users A and C whose user-specified power supply locations are in the same "area A." In this modification, similar to the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the schedule information indicates that the first power supply vehicle is available to travel to area A between 12:00 and 17:00 every day, and that the second power supply vehicle is available to travel to area C between 8:00 and 17:00 every Saturday and Sunday. The control unit 11 acquires remaining charge information of the vehicles of users A and B as described above, and further acquires remaining charge information of the vehicle of user C. In this modification, it is assumed that the period during which the estimated remaining battery charge of user C's vehicle satisfies the first user-specified condition "10% or more and less than 40%" is from 10:00 on Monday, April 1st to 10:00 on Friday, April 5th. In this case, the control unit 11 predicts, as the target date and time, 1:00 PM on Wednesday, April 3rd, which satisfies the second condition "10:00 to 1:00 PM on Wednesday" specified by user A and the second condition "8:00 to 1:00 PM on Monday, 8:00 to 1:00 PM on Tuesday, and 8:00 to 1:00 PM on Wednesday" specified by user C, and which is the latest date and time at which the first power supply vehicle can travel to the area "Area A" specified by the third condition specified by both user A and user C. Thereafter, in S3 described above, the control unit 11 determines an operation plan to dispatch the first power supply vehicle to user A and user C at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, April 3rd. In this case, the control unit 11 may determine an operation plan to preferentially dispatch the first power supply vehicle to user A and user C's vehicle, which has the lowest estimated remaining battery power at the time of the target date and time, out of the vehicles of user A and user C. The control unit 11 further determines an operation plan to dispatch the second power supply vehicle to user B at 12:00 PM on Sunday, April 7th, in the same manner as described above. In S4, the control unit 11 arranges for a power supply vehicle based on the operation plan in the same manner as described above.

[0033] According to this modification, the control unit 11 can determine an operation plan for allocating one power supply vehicle to multiple users in a predetermined area, which enables a business operator providing a power supply service to further optimize the allocation of power supply vehicles as a resource.

[0034] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagrams may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Two or more steps shown in the flowcharts may be executed in parallel or in a different order, instead of being executed in chronological order as described, depending on the processing capabilities of the device executing each step, or as needed. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10. Information processing equipment 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department

Claims

1. A method executed by an information processing device used to provide a power supply service that dispatches a power supply vehicle to supply power to a user's vehicle, comprising: receiving, from each of a plurality of users, user designations of one or more power supply conditions for requesting power supply to the vehicle; Executing a process including: a prediction step of predicting, as a target date and time, a date and time at which the one or more power supply conditions specified by the user will be satisfied; and a determination step of determining an operation plan for dispatching the power supply vehicle at the target date and time; repeatedly executing the process for each of the plurality of users each time power supply to the vehicle is completed; A method comprising:

2. 10. The method of claim 1, The method, wherein the one or more power supply conditions include a first condition that specifies a range of remaining battery charge of the vehicle, and a second condition that specifies a day of the week and a time period.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, The prediction step A method comprising a step of acquiring remaining capacity information indicating an estimated remaining capacity of the vehicle's battery in the future, and predicting, based on the remaining capacity information, the latest date and time that satisfies the first condition and the second condition specified by the user as the target date and time.

4. 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, The one or more power supply conditions further include a third condition that specifies a power supply location of the power supply vehicle, The prediction step The method includes a step of acquiring remaining charge information indicating an estimated remaining battery charge of the vehicle in the future and schedule information indicating dates and times when the power supply vehicle can travel, and predicting, as the target date and time, the latest date and time that satisfies the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition specified by the user, based on the remaining charge information and the schedule information.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, The prediction step and when the power supply locations of the third condition related to the user designations of two or more users among the plurality of users are within the same area, predicting the latest date and time that satisfies the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition related to the user designations of the two or more users as the target date and time; The determining step The method includes determining a driving plan for dispatching the power supply vehicle to the two or more users on the target date and time.

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