Management apparatus

Abstract

To provide a management device capable of improving convenience of a user of a power supply service.SOLUTION: The management device 10 includes a controller 12 that manages the power feeding vehicle 40. The controller 12 notifies the user of the determination result as to whether the power feeding vehicle 40 can feed power to the vehicle 50 of the user under the designated conditions including the position designated by the user and the time designated by the user. The controller 12 accepts a reservation for the power feeding vehicle 40 to feed power to the vehicle 50 of the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management device for a power supply vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART There is known a power supply device that can supply power stored in a power supply battery unit of a power supply vehicle to a power supply receiving battery unit of a power receiving vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-78393 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a need to improve the convenience of power supply services for users.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in consideration of the above circumstances, is to improve the convenience of users of power supply services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that manages a power supply vehicle. The control unit notifies the user of a determination result as to whether the power supply vehicle can supply power to the user's vehicle under specified conditions, including a location and a time specified by the user. The control unit accepts a reservation for the power supply vehicle to supply power to the user's vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the convenience of users of the power supply service can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of displaying a power supply possible range and power supply impossible points. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a management method according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure in which the management device accepts a reservation. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for accepting a reservation at a specified time. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for accepting a reservation at a specified position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Configuration example of management system 1) As shown in FIG. 1 , a management system 1 according to one embodiment includes a management device 10, a terminal device 20, a power supply vehicle 40, and a powered vehicle 50. The management system 1 provides a power supply service in which the power supply vehicle 40 supplies power to the battery of the powered vehicle 50. The management device 10 accepts a reservation for power supply work to be performed on the battery of the powered vehicle 50 by the power supply vehicle 40 from a user who owns or manages the powered vehicle 50. The management device 10 manages the operation of the power supply vehicle 40 so that the power supply vehicle 40 travels to the location specified in the reservation at the time specified in the reservation. An example configuration of the management system 1 will be described in detail below.

[0010] <Management device 10> The management device 10 includes a control unit 12 , a storage unit 14 , and an interface 16 .

[0011] The control unit 12 controls at least one component of the management device 10. The control unit 12 may be configured to include one or more processors. In this embodiment, the "processor" refers to a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, or the like, but is not limited to these. The control unit 12 may be configured to include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may include, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 12 may be configured to include a dedicated circuit instead of a processor, or may be configured to include a dedicated circuit together with a processor.

[0012] The memory unit 14 may be configured to include, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these. The memory unit 14 may function as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 14 may be configured to include an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk. The memory unit 14 may be configured to include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The memory unit 14 stores any information or program used in the operation of the management device 10. The memory unit 14 may store, for example, a system program or an application program. The memory unit 14 may be included in the control unit 12.

[0013] The interface 16 outputs information, data, etc. from the control unit 12 and inputs information, data, etc. to the control unit 12. The interface 16 may include a communication module configured to be able to communicate with other devices such as the terminal device 20 via the network 30. The communication module may be compatible with mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The communication module may be compatible with communication standards such as LAN (Local Area Network). The communication module may be compatible with wired or wireless communication standards. The communication module is not limited to these and may be compatible with various communication standards. The interface 16 may be configured to be connectable to the communication module.

[0014] The interface 16 may be configured to include an input device that accepts input of information, data, etc. from a user. The input device may be configured to include, for example, a touch panel or touch sensor, or a pointing device such as a mouse. The input device may be configured to include physical keys. The input device may be configured to include an audio input device such as a microphone. The interface 16 may be configured to be connectable to an external input device. The interface 16 may be configured to be able to acquire information or data input to the external input device from the external input device.

[0015] The interface 16 may be configured to include an output device that outputs information, data, etc. to a user. The output device may include, for example, a display device that outputs visual information such as images, characters, or graphics. The display device may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, an inorganic electroluminescence (EL) display, or a plasma display panel (PDP). The display device is not limited to these displays and may include various other display types. The display device may include a light-emitting device such as an LED (light-emitting diode) or an LD (laser diode). The display device may include various other devices. The output device may include, for example, an audio output device such as a speaker that outputs auditory information such as sound. The output device is not limited to these examples and may include various other devices. The interface 16 may be configured to be connectable to an external output device. The interface 16 may be configured to output information or data to an external output device.

[0016] The management device 10 may be configured to include one or more server devices that can communicate with each other, and may be realized as a cloud server.

[0017] <Terminal device 20> The terminal device 20 is connected to the management device 10 and the like so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 30. The terminal device 20 includes a control unit 22 and an interface 24.

[0018] The control unit 22 may be configured to include one or more processors or one or more dedicated circuits. The control unit 22 may be configured identically or similarly to the control unit 12 of the management device 10. The control unit 22 may be configured to include a memory unit. The memory unit may be configured identically or similarly to the memory unit 14 of the management device 10.

[0019] The interface 24 may be configured to include an input device, an output device, or a communication device. The interface 24 may be configured identically or similarly to the interface 16 of the management device 10. The interface 24 may be communicably connected to the management device 10 or the like via wired or wireless communication. The interface 24 may include a display device. When the terminal device 20 has a display device as the interface 24, it may function as a display device.

[0020] The terminal device 20 may be carried by a user or may be installed at a predetermined location. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a PC such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet PC. The terminal device 20 is not limited to these examples and may be configured to include various devices. The number of terminal devices 20 provided in the management system 1 is not limited to one, but may be two or more.

[0021] <Power supply vehicle 40 and power supplied vehicle 50> The power-supplied vehicle 50 may be an electric vehicle that is driven by battery power. The electric vehicle may include a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The power-supplied vehicle 50 may also be simply referred to as a vehicle. The number of power-supplied vehicles 50 that use the power supply service provided by the management system 1 is not limited to one, and may be two or more.

[0022] The power supply vehicle 40 may be an engine vehicle or an electric vehicle. The number of power supply vehicles 40 managed by the management system 1 is not limited to one, but may be two or more.

[0023] The power supply vehicle 40 may be equipped with a power supply device that supplies power to the powered vehicle 50. The power supply device may include at least one battery. The power supply device may include a converter, an inverter, or the like that controls the current or voltage supplied from the battery to the powered vehicle 50. The power supply vehicle 40 may be configured to supply power to the powered vehicle 50 from its own battery. The power supply vehicle 40 may include a power supply cable or a power supply connector that connects to the powered vehicle 50. The power supply vehicle 40 may include a device configured to supply power to the powered vehicle 50 contactlessly. The power supply work from the power supply vehicle 40 to the powered vehicle 50 may be performed by an operator of the power supply vehicle 40 or by a user of the powered vehicle 50. The power supply vehicle 40 may be configured to automatically supply power to the powered vehicle 50.

[0024] The power supply vehicle 40 or the power supply receiving vehicle 50 may include a communication device that is communicably connected to the management device 10 or the terminal device 20 or the like.

[0025] The power supply vehicle 40 or the powered vehicle 50 may further include a position information detection device that acquires position information. The position information detection device may output the position information of the power supply vehicle 40 or the powered vehicle 50 to the management device 10. The position information detection device may be configured to include a receiver compatible with a satellite positioning system. The receiver compatible with the satellite positioning system may be configured to include, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver or the like.

[0026] The power supply vehicle 40 or the power supplied vehicle 50 may be configured to be operated by a driver, or may be configured to travel in an autonomous driving mode.

[0027] (Example of operation of management system 1) In the management system 1 according to this embodiment, the terminal device 20 receives input from a user specifying desired conditions including the user's desired time and desired location for power supply to the power-receiving vehicle 50, and outputs the input to the management device 10. If the power supply vehicle 40 can supply power according to the user's desired conditions, the management device 10 receives a reservation to perform power supply work on the user's power-receiving vehicle 50 at the user's desired time and desired location. The management device 10 manages the operation of the power-receiving vehicle 50 so that the power supply vehicle 40 arrives at the user's desired location by the user's desired time. A specific example of the operation of the management device 10 will be described below. In the following description, it is assumed that the management system 1 manages two or more power supply vehicles 40.

[0028] <Setting and notifying power supply locations> The control unit 12 of the management device 10 sets a position or range where power supply work can be performed on the power-receiving vehicle 50. A position where power supply work can be performed on the power-receiving vehicle 50 is also referred to as a power supply possible position. A power supply possible position corresponds to a position where the power supply vehicle 40 can move. A range where power supply work can be performed on the power-receiving vehicle 50 is also referred to as a power supply possible range. The power supply possible range corresponds to a range where the power supply vehicle 40 can move. The power supply possible range may be expressed as a set of power supply possible positions.

[0029] The power supply possible location or power supply range may change depending on the time when power supply work for the power-receiving vehicle 50 is started. The power supply possible location or power supply range is determined based on the position of the power supply vehicle 40 before the power supply work starts. Furthermore, the longer the time until the start of the power supply work, the wider the power supply possible range. For example, when power supply work starts at time T1, the power supply possible location or power supply range is determined based on the position of the power supply vehicle 40 at time T1-ΔT1 and the range within which the power supply vehicle 40 can move during the time ΔT1. The range within which the power supply vehicle 40 can move during the time ΔT1 is determined by the driving capability of the power supply vehicle 40, the congestion status of the travel route, etc. Furthermore, if the power supply vehicle 40 is performing power supply work before time T1, the power supply vehicle 40 cannot move until the power supply work is completed. Therefore, the power supply possible position or power supply possible range when the power supply work is started from time T1 is determined based on the position where the power supply work is being performed before time T1 and the end time of the power supply work.

[0030] The power supply vehicle 40 performs the power supply operation over a finite period of time. The power supply location or range may change depending on the time when the power supply operation for the power-received vehicle 50 ends. If a power supply operation to be performed by the power supply vehicle 40 has already been reserved, the power supply vehicle 40 must be at the location where the power supply operation will be performed at the start time of the next reserved power supply operation. Therefore, the power supply location or range is determined based on the location where the next reserved power supply operation will be performed. Furthermore, the longer the time from the end of the power supply operation for the power-received vehicle 50 to the start time of the next reserved power supply operation, the wider the power supply range becomes. For example, when the power supply operation ends at time T2, the power supply location or range is determined based on the range within which the power supply vehicle 40 can move during the time ΔT2 until the start time of the next reserved power supply operation.

[0031] When power supply work is performed on the power-receiving vehicle 50 during the period from time T1 to time T2, the control unit 12 may generate a power supply available position or a power supply available range for each of the multiple power supply vehicles 40 managed by the management system 1. The control unit 12 may generate a power supply available position or a power supply available range for at least some of the power supply vehicles 40. The control unit 12 may combine the generated power supply available positions or power supply available ranges of each power supply vehicle 40 to generate a power supply available position or a power supply available range for the power-receiving vehicle 50.

[0032] The power supply possible position or power supply possible range is limited to a position or range that the power supply vehicle 40 can enter. Furthermore, the power supply possible position is limited to a position where the power supply vehicle 40 can perform power supply work on the power supply recipient vehicle 50. Conversely, even if a position is included in the power supply possible range, the power supply vehicle 40 may not be able to perform power supply work on the power supply recipient vehicle 50. A position where the power supply vehicle 40 cannot perform power supply work on the power supply recipient vehicle 50 is also called a power supply impossible position. A power supply impossible position is a position where the power supply vehicle 40 can enter but cannot perform power supply work. For example, a parking space in a multi-story parking lot or a parking space with a narrow surrounding space may be considered a power supply impossible position.

[0033] The control unit 12 may notify the user of the generated power supply available location or power supply available range. The control unit 12 may notify the user of the power supply available location or power supply available range by displaying the power supply available location or power supply available range on a display device of the interface 16. The control unit 12 may output the power supply available location or power supply available range to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 may notify the user of the power supply available location or power supply available range by displaying the power supply available location or power supply available range on a display device (display device) of the interface 24.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control unit 12 may display an area 80 corresponding to the power supply range on a map. In this way, the user can easily understand the area 80 corresponding to the power supply range. Furthermore, the control unit 12 may display a mark 82 corresponding to a power supply impossible position included in the area 80 corresponding to the power supply range on the map. In FIG. 2, the mark 82 corresponding to the power supply impossible position is displayed as an X mark. Furthermore, the control unit 12 may display the reason why the power supply operation cannot be performed at the power supply impossible position in a comment box 84. In the comment box 84 of FIG. 2, the reason why the power supply operation cannot be performed is displayed to the effect that the position is a multi-story parking lot. In this way, the user can easily understand the existence of the power supply impossible position and the reason why power supply is impossible.

[0035] <Determining whether power can be supplied under specified conditions and accepting reservations> The control unit 12 acquires the conditions specified by the user when reserving power supply work for the power-supplied vehicle 50. The conditions specified by the user are also referred to as designated conditions. The control unit 12 may accept input of the designated conditions by the user via an input device of the interface 16. The control unit 12 may acquire the designated conditions input to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 may accept input of the designated conditions by the user via an input device of the interface 24, and output the input designated conditions to the management device 10.

[0036] The control unit 12 may acquire, as the specified condition, the location or range for performing the power supply work specified by the user. The control unit 12 may acquire, as the specified condition, the start time or time zone for the power supply work specified by the user. The control unit 12 may acquire, as the specified condition, the end time or time zone for the power supply work specified by the user. The control unit 12 may estimate the time required to fully charge the battery based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery of the user's power-supplied vehicle 50, and calculate the end time or time zone for the power supply work according to the start time or time zone for the power supply work.

[0037] When accepting input of designated conditions from a user, the control unit 12 may present to the user preset power supply available locations or power supply available ranges, and allow the user to select a designated location or designated range for performing power supply work from the power supply available locations or power supply available ranges. When accepting input of designated conditions from a user, the control unit 12 may present to the user preset power supply available time periods, and allow the user to select a designated time or designated time period for starting the power supply work from the power supply available time periods. The control unit 12 may present to the user preset power supply available conditions, and allow the user to select a designated location or designated range for performing the power supply work and a designated time or designated time period for starting the power supply work from the power supply available conditions.

[0038] The control unit 12 may extract power supply vehicles 40 that can perform power supply work under the specified conditions. The control unit 12 may extract power supply vehicles 40 that can move to the specified position at the time specified as the start time of each power supply vehicle 40's power supply work. The control unit 12 may further extract power supply vehicles 40 that can move after completing the power supply work in time for the next scheduled power supply work. In other words, the control unit 12 may extract power supply vehicles 40 that can move to the specified position at the specified time to perform power supply work and can move to the next scheduled power supply work position. If there is one or more power supply vehicles 40 that satisfy the conditions, the control unit 12 determines that power supply is possible under the specified conditions. If there is no power supply vehicle 40 that satisfies the conditions, the control unit 12 determines that power supply is not possible under the specified conditions.

[0039] When the control unit 12 determines that power supply is possible under the specified conditions, it may accept a reservation for power supply work under the specified conditions and allocate one of the extracted power supply vehicles 40 to the power supply work. The control unit 12 may notify the user via the terminal device 20 that the reservation for the power supply work has been accepted. The control unit 12 may also notify the user via the interface 16 that the reservation for the power supply work has been accepted.

[0040] If the control unit 12 determines that power supply is not possible under the specified conditions, it may notify the user via the terminal device 20 or the interface 16 to change the specified conditions. The control unit 12 may calculate, as an alternative condition, a time at which power supply work can be started at the specified location and notify the user of the calculated alternative conditions. The control unit 12 may calculate, as an alternative condition, a location at which power supply work can be started at the specified time and notify the user of the calculated alternative conditions. The control unit 12 may generate alternative conditions so that power supply work can be started at a location different from the specified location and at a time different from the specified start time, and notify the user of the calculated alternative conditions. The control unit 12 may generate alternative conditions so as to minimize the distance between the specified location and the location notified as the alternative condition and the difference between the specified start time and the start time notified as the alternative condition. The control unit 12 may calculate an evaluation value by multiplying the location of the alternative condition and the start time of the alternative condition by a weighting coefficient, and generate alternative conditions so as to minimize the evaluation value.

[0041] The control unit 12 may notify the user of the determination result as to whether or not the power supply work can be performed under the specified conditions via the interface 16 or the interface 24 of the terminal device 20. After the user confirms the determination result, the control unit 12 may accept a reservation input from the user via the interface 16 or the interface 24 of the terminal device 20.

[0042] The control unit 12 may update the power supply availability conditions when another user reserves power supply work based on the results of the determination of whether power supply work can be performed under the specified conditions, the results of generating alternative conditions, or the conditions of the power supply work reserved by the user.

[0043] <Operation of power supply vehicle 40> The control unit 12 may generate an operation schedule for the power supply vehicle 40 so that the reserved power supply work can be performed. The control unit 12 may output the operation schedule to the power supply vehicle 40 and manage the operation of the power supply vehicle 40. When the power supply vehicle 40 is operated by a driver, the control unit 12 may notify the driver of the operation schedule. When the power supply vehicle 40 operates in an autonomous driving mode, the control unit 12 may output the operation schedule or control information to a control device for autonomous driving of the power supply vehicle 40.

[0044] <Example of management procedure> To provide a power supply service, the management system 1 according to this embodiment may execute a management method including the steps of the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 3. The management method may be realized as a management program executed by the control unit 12 of the management device 10 and the control unit 22 of the terminal device 20. The management program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0045] The control unit 12 of the management device 10 sets a power supply possible position (step S11).

[0046] The control unit 22 of the terminal device 20 receives input of the designated conditions from the user via the interface 24 (step S21). The control unit 22 outputs the designated conditions to the management device 10.

[0047] The control unit 12 of the management device 10 acquires the conditions specified by the user (step S12). The control unit 12 acquires location information of the power supply vehicle 40 (step S13). The control unit 12 determines whether power can be supplied under the specified conditions based on the location information of the power supply vehicle 40 or the reservation status of the power supply vehicle 40. If power cannot be supplied under the specified conditions, the control unit 12 generates alternative conditions. The control unit 12 outputs the determination result of whether power can be supplied under the specified conditions or the generated alternative conditions to the terminal device 20 to notify the user (step S14).

[0048] The control unit 22 of the terminal device 20 acquires the determination result of whether power supply is possible under the specified conditions or the alternative conditions (step S22). The control unit 22 accepts a reservation input for power supply work under the specified conditions or the alternative conditions via the interface 24 (step S23). The control unit 22 outputs the reservation input for power supply work to the management device 10. After executing the procedure of step S23, the control unit 22 ends execution of the procedure of the flowchart in FIG. 3.

[0049] The control unit 12 of the management device 10 acquires a reservation input from the terminal device 20 and accepts the reservation (step S15). The control unit 12 outputs a notification to the terminal device 20 that the reservation has been accepted, thereby notifying the user. The control unit 12 updates the power supply availability conditions (step S16). After executing the procedure of step S16, the control unit 12 ends execution of the procedure of the flowchart in FIG. 3.

[0050] The control unit 12 of the management device 10 according to this embodiment may execute a management method including the steps of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4 in order to accept a reservation for power supply work from a user.

[0051] The control unit 12 acquires the specified conditions (step S31). The control unit 12 determines whether the power supply work can be performed under the specified conditions (step S32). If the power supply work can be performed under the specified conditions (step S32: YES), the control unit 12 accepts the reservation under the specified conditions (step S33). After executing step S33, the control unit 12 ends the execution of the procedure in FIG. 4.

[0052] If the control unit 12 cannot perform the power supply work under the specified conditions (step S32: NO), the control unit 12 generates alternative conditions for the location or time to perform the power supply work and presents them to the user (step S34). The control unit 12 accepts a reservation under conditions selected by the user from the alternative conditions (step S35). After executing step S35, the control unit 12 ends the execution of the procedure in FIG. 4.

[0053] The control unit 12 of the management device 10 according to this embodiment may execute a management method including the steps of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5, so as to display locations where power supply work can be performed at a time specified by the user and accept reservations for power supply work from the user.

[0054] The control unit 12 acquires the designated time (step S41). The control unit 12 calculates the location where the power supply work can be performed at the designated time, and displays the power supply possible location on the display device (step S42). The control unit 12 determines whether the power supply work can be performed at the location desired by the user (step S43). If the power supply work can be performed at the location desired by the user (step S43: YES), the control unit 12 acquires the location desired by the user as the designated location (step S44). The control unit 12 accepts a reservation based on the designated conditions including the designated time and the designated location (step S45). After executing step S45, the control unit 12 ends the execution of the procedure in FIG. 5.

[0055] If the power supply operation cannot be performed at the user's desired location (step S43: NO), the control unit 12 displays the reason why power supply is not possible at the user's desired location on the display device (step S46). After executing step S46, the control unit 12 ends the execution of the procedure in Fig. 5. The control unit 12 may present an alternative condition or may re-acquire the specified time.

[0056] The control unit 12 of the management device 10 according to this embodiment may execute a management method including the steps of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6, so as to display the time when power supply work can be performed at a location designated by the user and accept reservations for power supply work from the user.

[0057] The control unit 12 acquires the designated location (step S51). The control unit 12 calculates the time when the power supply work can be performed at the designated location and displays the power supply available time on the display device (step S52). The control unit 12 determines whether the power supply work can be performed at the time desired by the user (step S53). If the power supply work can be performed at the time desired by the user (step S53: YES), the control unit 12 acquires the time desired by the user as the designated time (step S54). The control unit 12 accepts a reservation based on the designated conditions including the designated location and the designated time (step S55). After executing step S55, the control unit 12 ends the execution of the procedure in FIG. 6.

[0058] If the power supply work cannot be performed at the time desired by the user (step S53: NO), the control unit 12 displays the reason why power supply is not possible at the time desired by the user on the display device (step S56). After executing step S56, the control unit 12 ends the execution of the procedure in Fig. 6. The control unit 12 may present alternative conditions under which power supply is possible or may re-acquire the specified position.

[0059] As shown in the example procedures of the flowcharts in Figures 5 and 6, the control unit 12 may notify the user of at least one of the time when power can be supplied at a location specified by the user, or the location where power can be supplied at the time specified by the user. This makes it easier for the user to specify the conditions for the power supply work. As a result, convenience for the user is improved.

[0060] <Summary> As described above, in the management system 1 according to this embodiment, the management device 10 determines whether power supply work can be performed on the power-supplied vehicle 50 under conditions specified by the user, notifies the user of the determination result, and accepts a reservation for the power supply work from the user. This allows the user to receive power supply in a planned manner. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid reservations for power supply work in locations where power supply work cannot be performed. As a result, convenience for users is improved.

[0061] The management device 10 may notify the user of the power supply available location or power supply available range as a display on a map on the display device, as exemplified in Fig. 2. This makes it easier for the user to specify the location where the power supply work will be performed. As a result, convenience for the user is improved.

[0062] (Other embodiments) An example of the configuration of the management system 1 according to another embodiment will be described below.

[0063] <Consideration of the movement range of the power-supplied vehicle 50> The power-receiving vehicle 50 can move to a position where the power supply operation is to be performed. The control unit 12 may calculate the power supply possible position or power supply possible range in consideration of the range in which the power-receiving vehicle 50 can move.

[0064] The control unit 12 may acquire position information of the power supplied vehicle 50. The control unit 12 may determine the time at which power supply work can be performed at a position specified by the user, within a range of times at which the power supplied vehicle 50 can arrive at the specified position. The control unit 12 may determine the position at which power supply work can be performed at the time specified by the user, within a range of positions at which the power supplied vehicle 50 can arrive by the specified time. In this way, it is possible to avoid reserving power supply work at a position where power supply work cannot be performed.

[0065] If there is no time when power supply work can be performed at the location specified by the user, or if there is no location where power supply work can be performed at the time specified by the user, the control unit 12 may notify the user of information specifying the reason why power supply is not possible under those conditions. In this way, the user can understand the reason why power supply is not possible and appropriately change the specified conditions. As a result, convenience for the user is improved.

[0066] <Recommended power supply range> The control unit 12 may acquire the charging rate of the battery of the power supplied vehicle 50. When the charging rate of the battery of the power supplied vehicle 50 becomes less than the charging threshold, the control unit 12 may notify the user of information recommending charging of the power supplied vehicle 50. The control unit 12 may calculate a range in which the power supplied vehicle 50 is located when the charging rate of the battery of the power supplied vehicle 50 becomes less than the charging threshold, based on the position information of the power supplied vehicle 50 and the charging rate of the battery of the power supplied vehicle 50. The control unit 12 may calculate a range that includes a route along which the power supplied vehicle 50 travels when the charging rate becomes less than the charging threshold, as the range in which the power supplied vehicle 50 is located when the charging rate of the battery of the power supplied vehicle 50 becomes less than the charging threshold. The control unit 12 may recommend and present to the user that a power supply vehicle 40 be dispatched to the range in which the power supplied vehicle 50 is located when the charging rate of the battery of the power supplied vehicle 50 becomes less than the charging threshold to perform power supply work. The range in which it is recommended to perform the power supply work is also referred to as a recommended power supply range.

[0067] The control unit 12 may calculate the time when power supply work can be performed within the recommended power supply range. The control unit 12 may notify the user of the recommended power supply range and the time when power supply is possible within the recommended power supply range. The control unit 12 may accept, via the interface 16 or the interface 24 of the terminal device 20, a location specified by the user within the recommended power supply range and a time specified by the user from among the times when power supply is possible within the recommended power supply range. This can avoid a situation where the power-supplied vehicle 50 becomes unable to travel due to a decrease in the battery charge rate. As a result, convenience for the user is improved.

[0068] <Database of power supply conditions> The control unit 12 may generate a database that stores information specifying the location or time when the power supply vehicle 40 was able to perform the power supply operation. The control unit 12 may generate a database that stores information specifying the location or time when the power supply vehicle 40 was unable to perform the power supply operation. The control unit 12 may generate a database that stores both the conditions under which the power supply operation was able to be performed and the conditions under which the power supply operation was not able to be performed.

[0069] The control unit 12 may determine, based on the database, the location or time when the power supply vehicle 40 can supply power to the power-receiving vehicle 50. In this way, the power supply possible conditions can be determined easily, and as a result, the processing load can be reduced.

[0070] <Display when specifying the location for power supply work> The control unit 12 may display the location of the user's terminal device 20 and the location where the user wishes to perform the power supply work so that they are included in one continuous map, and may accept input of a designated location on that map. If the location of the user's terminal device 20 and the location where the user wishes to perform the power supply work are far apart, the scale of the displayed map may be large, making it difficult for the user to input the designated location. Therefore, the control unit 12 may display an enlarged map of the location where the user wishes to perform the power supply work, regardless of the location of the user's terminal device 20. This makes it easier for the user to input the designated location. As a result, convenience for the user is improved.

[0071] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can 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 means or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means or steps can be combined or divided into one. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Management System 10 Management device (12: control unit, 14: storage unit, 16: interface) 20 terminal device (22: control unit, 24: interface) 30 Network 40 Power Supply Vehicle 50 Powered vehicles 80 Area (82: Mark) 84 Comments

Claims

1. A control unit for managing the power supply vehicle is provided, The control unit notifying the user of a determination result as to whether the power supply vehicle can supply power to the user's vehicle under specified conditions including a location specified by the user and a time specified by the user; Accepting a reservation for the power supply vehicle to supply power to the user's vehicle; Management device.

2. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit notifies the user of at least one of a time when power can be supplied at a location designated by the user, or a location where power can be supplied at a time designated by the user.

3. The control unit determining a time when power can be supplied at the location designated by the user within a range of times when the user's vehicle can arrive at the location designated by the user; determining a location where power can be supplied at a time designated by the user within a range of locations where the user's vehicle can arrive at the time designated by the user; The management device of claim 2, wherein if there is no time when power can be supplied at the location specified by the user, or if there is no location where power can be supplied at the time specified by the user, the management device notifies the user of information identifying the reason why power cannot be supplied.

4. The control unit calculating a recommended power supply range that includes a route along which the user's vehicle will travel when the charging rate of the battery of the user's vehicle is below a charging threshold; notifying the user of the recommended power supply range and the time when power supply is possible within the recommended power supply range; 4. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the management device accepts a location specified by the user within the recommended power supply range and accepts a time specified by the user from among times when power can be supplied within the recommended power supply range.

5. 4. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines a location or time at which the power supply vehicle can supply power to the user's vehicle based on a database including a location or time at which the power supply vehicle was able to perform power supply work or a location or time at which the power supply vehicle was unable to perform power supply work.

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