Method

Abstract

To improve a technique for providing a self-propelled power supply service.SOLUTION: The method includes determining, as a scheduled power supply date and time, a date and time at which one or more power supply conditions are predicted to be satisfied based on information of the vehicle at a first time point, predicting whether or not the one or more power supply conditions are satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time based on information of the vehicle at a second time point before the scheduled power supply date and time arrives after the determination of the operation plan, and modifying the operation plan to cancel power supply to the vehicle when the one or more power supply conditions are predicted not to be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A technology for providing a power supply service that dispatches a power supply vehicle is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a server receives a rescue request from an EV that has run out of power, the server notifies a vehicle that complies with the same standard as the EV that has run out of power and is capable of supplying power to an external device of the rescue request. [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] In a power emergency supply service, a method is conceivable in which a power supply vehicle is periodically dispatched when power supply conditions specified in advance by a user are met, without receiving a request from the user each time. However, with this method, it is conceivable that the power supply conditions may not be met later after the decision to dispatch a power supply vehicle is made. For example, if the user's vehicle is far from the designated power supply point and cannot return to the power supply point by the scheduled power supply date and time, power may not be supplied even if a power supply vehicle is dispatched to the power supply point, and the power emergency supply service may not be provided efficiently. As such, there is room for improvement in the technology for providing power emergency supply services.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for providing emergency power supply services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method comprises: 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 the user, designation of one or more power supply conditions under which the user requests power supply to the vehicle; determining, as a scheduled power supply date and time, a date and time at which the one or more power supply conditions are predicted to be satisfied based on information about the vehicle at a first time point; determining an operation plan for the power supply vehicle so that power is supplied to the vehicle on the scheduled power supply date and time; predicting whether or not the one or more power supply conditions will be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time based on information of the vehicle at a second time point after determination of the operation plan and before the scheduled power supply date and time arrives; and When it is predicted that the one or more power supply conditions will not be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time, the operation plan is modified to cancel power supply to the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, after an operation plan for a power supply vehicle is determined to supply power to a vehicle on a scheduled power supply date and time when the power supply conditions are predicted to be satisfied, if it is later predicted that the power supply conditions will not be satisfied on the scheduled power supply date and time, the power supply to the vehicle is automatically canceled. This reduces the occurrence of inconveniences, such as being unable to supply power to a vehicle because the power supply conditions are not satisfied even after a power supply vehicle is dispatched, and allows a business operator providing an emergency power supply service to provide the emergency power supply service efficiently. This enables an improvement in the technology for providing emergency power supply services. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information processing device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0010] (Outline of the embodiment) An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes an information processing device 10, a terminal device 20, a vehicle 21, and a power supply vehicle 30. The terminal device 20 and the vehicle 21 are used by a user 22. The information processing device 10, the terminal device 20, the vehicle 21, and the power supply vehicle 30 are communicably connected to a network 40 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0011] The system 1 according to this embodiment is used to provide a so-called emergency power supply service. The emergency power supply service is a service in which a power supply vehicle 30 heads to the location of a vehicle 21 and supplies power to the vehicle 21.

[0012] The information processing device 10 is, for example, a server device.

[0013] The terminal device 20 is any computer used by the user 22. For example, a general-purpose computer such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or a dedicated computer can be employed as the terminal device 20. Alternatively, the terminal device 20 may be an automotive navigation system installed in the vehicle 21 of the user 22.

[0014] The power supply vehicle 30 is a vehicle equipped with a storage battery capable of supplying power to the vehicle 21 via a wired or wireless connection. The power supply vehicle 30 is, for example, an automobile. The automobile may be a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The power supply vehicle 30 may be driven directly or remotely by a driver. Alternatively, the power supply vehicle 30 may be capable of automated driving, such as levels 1 to 5 defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The system 1 may include any number of power supply vehicles 30, two or more. In this embodiment, the power supply vehicles 30 are managed by a business operator that provides emergency power supply services.

[0015] Network 40 may include the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or a combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 40 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. A wireless network may be, for example, an ad-hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0016] The vehicle 21 is any type of automobile that uses electricity for at least part of its propulsion, such as a BEV, PHEV, or FCEV.

[0017] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. The information processing device 10 receives from the user 22 designation of one or more power supply conditions for which the user 22 requests power supply to the vehicle 21. The information processing device 10 determines, as a scheduled power supply date and time, a date and time at which the one or more power supply conditions are predicted to be satisfied, based on information about the vehicle 21 at a first time point. The information processing device 10 determines an operation plan for the power supply vehicle 30 so that power is supplied to the vehicle 21 at the scheduled power supply date and time. After determining the operation plan, the information processing device 10 predicts whether the one or more power supply conditions will be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time, based on information about the vehicle 21 at a second time point before the scheduled power supply date and time arrives. Then, if it is predicted that the one or more power supply conditions will not be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time, the information processing device 10 modifies the operation plan to cancel power supply to the vehicle 21.

[0018] As described above, according to this embodiment, after an operation plan for the power supply vehicle 30 is determined to supply power to the vehicle 21 on a scheduled power supply date and time when the power supply conditions are predicted to be satisfied, if it is later predicted that the power supply conditions will not be satisfied on the scheduled power supply date and time, the power supply to the vehicle 21 is automatically canceled. This reduces the occurrence of inconveniences, such as being unable to supply power to the vehicle 21 because the power supply conditions are not satisfied even after the power supply vehicle 30 has been dispatched, and allows the business operator providing the emergency power supply service to provide the emergency power supply service efficiently. This makes it possible to improve the technology for providing the emergency power supply service.

[0019] (Configuration of information processing device) The information processing device 10 of the system 1 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0020] The control unit 11 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, 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 programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 11 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 10.

[0021] The storage unit 12 includes one or more memories. The memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 12 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 10. For example, the storage unit 12 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 12 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 13, for example.

[0022] The communication unit 13 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 40. The communication interfaces correspond to mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), wired LAN (Local Area Network) standards, or wireless LAN standards.

[0023] (Operation flow of information processing device) The operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. This operation corresponds to the method according to this embodiment. In the following, the information processing device 10 transmits and receives information to and from each device via the communication unit 13 and the network 40.

[0024] S101: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives from the user 22 designation of one or more power supply conditions under which the user 22 requests power supply to the vehicle 21. Specifically, the user 22 operates the terminal device 20 to input into the terminal device 20 one or more power supply conditions under which power supply to the vehicle 21 is requested. The one or more power supply conditions include a first condition indicating that the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 21 is within a specified numerical range, a second condition indicating that the specified power supply date and time is a specified day of the week and time period, and a third condition indicating that the vehicle 21 is located at a specified power supply point. The "numerical range of remaining battery charge" is a range within which power supply to the vehicle 21 is requested while the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 21 is within the numerical range. Of the numerical range, the user 22 may designate only the lower limit, and the upper limit may be set by the business operator. The "power supply day of the week" is a day of the week on which power can be supplied to the vehicle 21. The "power supply time period" is a time period during which power can be supplied to the vehicle 21. A "power supply point" is a location where power can be supplied to the vehicle 21. Typically, the user 22 may specify a day of the week, a time period, and a specific location on which the user 22 is likely to park the vehicle 21 without using the vehicle 21 as a "power supply day," a "power supply time period," and a "power supply point," respectively. The terminal device 20 transmits power supply condition data indicating one or more power supply conditions to the information processing device 10. The communication unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives the transmitted power supply condition data. For example, if the user 22 requests that the vehicle 21 be supplied with power in a parking lot at his / her home in Hachioji City, Tokyo, when the remaining battery level of the vehicle 21 is within a range of 20% to 30% and between 10:00 and 15:00 on Mondays or Wednesdays, the user 22 inputs these conditions as power supply conditions into the terminal device 20.

[0025] S102: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires usage status data indicating the usage status of the vehicle 21 via the communication unit 13. The usage status data is time-series data of the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 21, but may also include time-series data such as the mileage of the vehicle 21. The usage status data is acquired at midnight every day, but any timing can be used.

[0026] S103: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 determines whether it is the first time point. The first time point is, for example, midnight. If it is the first time point, the process proceeds to S104. The process repeats S103 until it is determined to be the first time point.

[0027] S104: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 determines, as the scheduled power supply date and time, the date and time when one or more power supply conditions are predicted to be satisfied based on the information about the vehicle 21 at the first time point. The scheduled power supply date and time includes the power supply date and time and the power supply point. Specifically, the control unit 11 predicts the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 21 for each day based on the usage status indicated by the usage status data acquired in S102. The control unit 11 predicts one or more dates on which the predicted remaining battery charge falls within the numerical range of the remaining battery charge of the power supply condition (here, the first condition). The control unit 11 determines, as the scheduled power supply date and time, the latest date and time among the one or more predicted dates on which one or more power supply conditions (here, the second condition) are satisfied. For example, the control unit 11 predicts that the dates on which the predicted remaining battery charge of the vehicle 21 falls within the range of 20% to 30% are Monday, April 8th to Wednesday, April 10th. The control unit 11 determines Wednesday, April 10th, which is the latest date and time among the three predicted dates that is a Monday or a Wednesday specified in the power supply condition (second condition), as the scheduled power supply date and time.

[0028] S105: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 determines an operation plan for the power supply vehicle 30 so as to supply power to the vehicle 21 at the scheduled power supply date and time determined in S104. For example, the control unit 11 determines an operation plan so as to supply power to the vehicle 21 at a power supply point in Hachioji City, Tokyo from 10:00 to 12:00 on Wednesday, April 10.

[0029] S106: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 determines whether it is the second time point. The second time point is a time point after the operation plan is determined and before the scheduled power supply date and time arrives. The second time point is, for example, 6:00 AM on the day of the scheduled power supply date and time. A plurality of second time points may be set between midnight on the day of the scheduled power supply date and time and the scheduled departure date and time of the power supply vehicle 30. If it is the second time point, the process proceeds to S107. The process repeats S106 until it is determined to be the second time point.

[0030] S107: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 predicts whether one or more power supply conditions will be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time, based on the information about the vehicle 21 at the second time point. If it is predicted that one or more power supply conditions will be satisfied, the process proceeds to S108. If it is predicted that one or more power supply conditions will not be satisfied, the process proceeds to S109. The control unit 11 may monitor the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 21 from the determination of the operation plan to the arrival of the scheduled power supply date and time. If the remaining battery charge at the second time point is outside the numerical range specified by the first condition, the control unit 11 may predict that the first condition will not be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time, and thus predict that one or more power supply conditions will not be satisfied. However, if the remaining battery charge at the second time point is below the numerical range specified by the first condition, the control unit 11 may predict that the first condition will be satisfied. For example, if the remaining battery charge of the vehicle 21 is 90% at midnight on Wednesday, April 10, the control unit 11 may predict that the first condition will not be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time. Furthermore, the control unit 11 may monitor the position information of the vehicle 21 from the determination of the operation plan until the arrival of the scheduled power supply date and time. If the position information of the vehicle 21 at the second time point differs from the position information of the power supply point specified in the third condition, the control unit 11 may predict that the third condition will not be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time, and predict that one or more power supply conditions will not be satisfied. For example, if the position information of the vehicle 21 indicates Hokkaido as of midnight on Wednesday, April 10, the control unit 11 may predict that the third condition will not be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time, and predict that one or more power supply conditions will not be satisfied. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may perform a route search using the position of the vehicle 21 at the second time point as the departure point and the power supply point specified in the third condition as the destination, and if the predicted arrival time at the destination is later than the scheduled power supply date and time, predict that the third condition will not be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time.

[0031] S108: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 determines the operation of the power supply vehicle 30. The power supply vehicle 30 heads to the power supply point according to the operation plan and supplies power to the vehicle 21. After S108, the process ends.

[0032] Step S109: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 modifies the operation plan to cancel power supply to the vehicle 21. This cancels the allocation of the power supply vehicle 30 to the vehicle 21. After S109, the process ends.

[0033] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0034] For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 may inquire of the user 22 about the desired power supply date and time and the desired power supply location desired by the user 22. Then, the control unit 11 may again modify the operation plan of the power supply vehicle 30 so that power is supplied to the vehicle 21 at the desired power supply date and time and at the desired power supply location. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 System, 10 Information Processing Device, 11 Control Unit, 12 Storage Unit, 13 Communication Unit, 20 Terminal Device, 21 Vehicle, 22 User, 30 Power Supply Vehicle, 40 Network

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 the user, designation of one or more power supply conditions under which the user requests power supply to the vehicle; determining, as a scheduled power supply date and time, a date and time at which the one or more power supply conditions are predicted to be satisfied based on information about the vehicle at a first time point; determining an operation plan for the power supply vehicle so that power is supplied to the vehicle on the scheduled power supply date and time; predicting whether or not the one or more power supply conditions will be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time based on information of the vehicle at a second time point after determination of the operation plan and before the scheduled power supply date and time arrives; and When it is predicted that the one or more power supply conditions will not be satisfied at the scheduled power supply date and time, the operation plan is modified so as to cancel the power supply to the vehicle. A method comprising:

2. 10. The method of claim 1, The method, wherein the one or more power supply conditions include a first condition indicating that the vehicle's remaining battery charge is within a specified numerical range, a second condition indicating that the specified power supply date and time is a specified day of the week and time period, and a third condition indicating that the vehicle is located at a specified power supply point.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, The information processing device monitors the remaining battery charge of the vehicle from the time the operation plan is determined until the scheduled power supply date and time arrives, and if the remaining battery charge at the second time point is outside the numerical range specified by the first condition, predicts that the first condition will not be met at the scheduled power supply date and time, and modifies the operation plan to cancel power supply to the vehicle.

4. 3. The method of claim 2, the information processing device monitors location information of the vehicle from the determination of the operation plan until the arrival of the scheduled power supply date and time, and if the location information at the second time point differs from the location information of the power supply point specified in the third condition, predicts that the third condition will not be satisfied on the scheduled power supply date and time, and modifies the operation plan to cancel power supply.

5. 10. The method of claim 1, When the power supply is canceled, inquiring of the user regarding the desired power supply date and time and the desired power supply location desired by the user; and The operation plan of the power supply vehicle is corrected again so that power is supplied to the vehicle at the desired power supply date and time and at the desired power supply location. The method further comprises:

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