Information representation methods

Abstract

It assists with connection management between the vehicle and the charger. [Solution] The information display method is a method for displaying a charging status image showing the charging status of multiple chargers and multiple vehicles, wherein the first combination of the first charger and the first vehicle, and the second combination of the second charger and the second vehicle are predetermined, and when the first charger and the first vehicle are connected, the first connection object is displayed between the first charger object and the first vehicle object, and when the second charger and the second vehicle are connected, the second connection object is displayed between the second charger object and the second vehicle object.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an information display method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a method for creating a charging plan for an electric moving object and a delivery plan for a delivery item has been known.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, based on constraints related to the movement of a plurality of electric moving objects, a delivery plan for delivery items by a plurality of electric moving objects and a charging plan for the plurality of electric moving objects based on the delivery plan are created, and an information processing method for creating a delivery plan in which the charging of the plurality of electric moving objects is completed by the start of delivery is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, in order to complete the charging of a plurality of electric moving objects by the start of delivery, it is necessary to connect the vehicle and the charger. Therefore, from the viewpoint of connection management between the vehicle and the charger, there is room for further improvement.

[0006] This disclosure has been devised in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information display method for assisting connection management between a vehicle and a charger.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] This disclosure relates to an information display method in an information terminal comprising at least a display, which displays a charging status image on the display showing the charging status of a plurality of chargers and a plurality of vehicles, wherein the charging status image comprises at least a first charger object showing a first charger among the plurality of chargers, a second charger object showing a second charger among the plurality of chargers, a third charger object showing a third charger among the plurality of chargers, a first vehicle object showing a first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles, a second vehicle object showing a second vehicle among the plurality of vehicles, and a third vehicle object showing a third vehicle among the plurality of vehicles, wherein in the charging status image, the first charger object, the second charger object, and the third charger object are arranged along a first direction, and in the charging status image, the first charger object and the first vehicle object are arranged in a direction different from the first direction. The present invention provides an information display method in which the second charger object and the second vehicle object are arranged along a second direction, the third charger object and the third vehicle object are arranged along a second direction, the first combination of the first charger and the first vehicle, the second combination of the second charger and the second vehicle, and the third combination of the third charger and the third vehicle are predetermined, and when the first charger and the first vehicle are connected, the first connection object is displayed between the first charger object and the first vehicle object in the charging state image, when the second charger and the second vehicle are connected, the second connection object is displayed between the second charger object and the second vehicle object in the charging state image, and when the third charger and the third vehicle are connected, the third connection object is displayed between the third charger object and the third vehicle object in the charging state image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to support connection management between the vehicle and the charger. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example use case of the charging management system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Diagram showing an example of a daily delivery and charging schedule at base A. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the charging management system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Sequence diagram showing an example of the first operating procedure of the charging management system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating an example of the charging plan processing procedure in an integrated management system. [Figure 6] Flowcharts showing example charging plan determination processing procedures and connection compatibility overall determination processing procedures in an integrated management system. [Figure 7] Sequence diagram showing an example of the second operating procedure of the charging management system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of a correspondence table. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of a correspondence table. [Figure 10] Diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on the driver terminal. [Figure 11] Diagram showing an example of a vehicle charging management screen for a charger. [Figure 12] Diagram showing an example of a charging management screen for a vehicle charger. [Figure 13] Figure 1 shows an example of the display transitions for various icons. [Figure 14] Figure 2 shows an example of the display transitions for various icons. [Figure 15] Diagram showing an example of an alert display on the charging management screen. [Figure 16] Diagram showing an example of an alert display on the charging management screen. [Figure 17] This diagram illustrates the timing of the vehicle and charger identification process in Embodiment 3. [Figure 18]Figure showing an example of identifying a vehicle in a connected state [Figure 19] Sequence diagram showing an example of a connection identification procedure of a charging management system according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 20] Figure showing an example of power supply processing and power reception confirmation processing by a time slot method [Figure 21] Figure showing an example of power supply processing and power reception confirmation processing by a handshake method [Figure 22] Figure showing an example of power supply processing and power reception confirmation processing by a binary number method

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, each embodiment specifically disclosing the information display method according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, a more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, a detailed description of already well-known matters or a redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessarily lengthening the following description and to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art. The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and it is not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims by these.

[0011] (Background Leading to the Present Disclosure) In recent years, electric vehicles (hereinafter simply referred to as "vehicles") may be used for delivering goods. Delivery operators using electric vehicles perform the delivery of goods during business hours such as daytime, and perform the main charging of the vehicles in preparation for the next day's delivery business outside business hours such as at night.

[0012] For example, conventionally, based on restrictions related to the movement of a plurality of electric moving bodies, a delivery plan of goods by the plurality of electric moving bodies and a charging plan of the plurality of electric moving bodies based on the delivery plan are created, and an information processing method for creating a delivery plan in which the charging of the plurality of electric moving bodies is completed by the time of delivery start (for example, Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 158073) has been disclosed.

[0013] In recent years, due to reasons such as the cost of purchasing chargers and a lack of suitable installation locations, there has been a demand to reduce the number of chargers installed and manage the charging of a large number of vehicles with fewer chargers. Therefore, delivery companies are considering an operation to manage which vehicles need charging and which do not, based on the next day's delivery plan, and to charge vehicles that need charging outside of business hours, such as at night.

[0014] However, in implementing this operation, if connection errors occur, such as connecting to the wrong charger or connecting to the wrong charger, the delivery company will need to return to the office at night to correct the connection errors. Furthermore, if these connection errors are not resolved, it may become impossible to carry out delivery operations the following day. Therefore, in order to avoid the increased workload required for checking the connection between the vehicle and the charger due to the operation described above, the resulting deterioration of the working environment, and the deterioration of the delivery business's performance, there is a need for a method to check the connection between the vehicle and the charger so that the vehicle is reliably charged outside of business hours.

[0015] (Background leading to Embodiment 1) Therefore, in the following Embodiment 1, we will describe an example of an information display method that assists the drivers of vehicles requiring charging in order to connect all vehicles that require charging to the charger before this charging begins, and manages vehicles that require charging outside of business hours and vehicles that do not require charging.

[0016] (Embodiment 1) First, we will describe some use cases for the charging management system 100 in this disclosure. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a use case for the charging management system 100 in this disclosure. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a daily delivery and charging schedule at base A. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 1. Note that the charging management system 100 shown in Figures 1 and 3 is just one example and is not limited thereto.

[0017] A delivery operator, who uses vehicles to deliver goods, must complete the connection process to connect all vehicles requiring charging to chargers before the charging period begins if the vehicles are charged outside of business hours. Therefore, the charging management system 100 in this disclosure determines whether a vehicle returning to the base requires charging. The charging management system 100 also determines whether all vehicles requiring charging are connected to any or designated charger by the deadline for connecting vehicles to chargers (hereinafter referred to as the "charging connection deadline"). The charging management system 100 supports the charging management of multiple vehicles managed at the base by notifying the operator of this determination result.

[0018] The charging connection deadline, as used here, is a time prior to the start of the main charging. For example, in the example shown in Figure 2, the operator performs the main charging of the vehicle during the nighttime period "20:00 to 06:00". In such a case, the charging connection deadline is set to "19:00", which is prior to the start of the main charging. The charging connection deadline and the start time of the main charging can be set arbitrarily. In particular, the charging connection deadline may be set based on the number of vehicles and chargers belonging to base A, taking into account the time required for the operator to reconnect vehicles to chargers to resolve misconnections, or to connect vehicles that are not connected to chargers but require charging, before the start of the main charging.

[0019] The charging management system 100 supports the charging management of vehicles C1 to CN at each location where M (M: an integer of 1 or more) chargers CH1 to CHM are installed, each capable of charging N (N: an integer of 1 or more) vehicles C1 to CN, which are EV vehicles. The charging management system 100 includes an integrated management system S1, a vehicle monitoring system S2, a charger management system S3, at least one driver terminal DP1 to DPN, and at least one administrator terminal MP. The number of chargers M and the number of vehicles N may be arbitrary values.

[0020] The integrated management system S1 is connected via wired or wireless communication to the vehicle monitoring system S2, the charger management system S3, and the driver terminals DP1-DPN and administrator terminal MP deployed at each location, respectively, to perform data transmission and reception. Wireless communication is provided in accordance with wireless communication standards such as wireless Local Area Network (LAN), wireless Wide Area Network (WAN), 4G (fourth-generation mobile communication system), 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication system), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0021] The integrated management system S1 is a cloud server or on-premise server that supports the charging management of vehicles C1 to CN. Based on the information about each of vehicles C1 to CN transmitted from the vehicle monitoring system S2 and the delivery plan for the next day, the integrated management system S1 determines whether each of vehicles C1 to CN needs to be charged. The integrated management system S1 notifies the driver terminals owned by the drivers of each vehicle whether the vehicle needs to be charged. In addition, the integrated management system S1 manages whether a vehicle that needs to be charged is connected to chargers CH1 to CHM based on the information about each of vehicles C1 to CN transmitted from the vehicle monitoring system S2 and the information about the power supply status of each of the chargers CH1 to CHM transmitted from the charger management system S3. The integrated management system S1 includes a communication unit 10, a processor 11, and a memory 12.

[0022] The communication unit 10 is configured using a communication interface circuit for sending and receiving data or information between the vehicle monitoring system S2, the charger management system S3, and the driver terminals DP1-DPN and administrator terminal MP deployed at each location. The communication unit 10 transmits various information (data) output from the processor 11 to the vehicle monitoring system S2, the charger management system S3, the driver terminals DP1-DPN, or the administrator terminal MP. The communication unit 10 also outputs various information (data) transmitted from the vehicle monitoring system S2, the charger management system S3, the driver terminals DP1-DPN, or the administrator terminal MP to the processor 11.

[0023] The processor 11 is configured using, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and works in cooperation with the memory 12 to perform various processing and control operations. Specifically, the processor 11 refers to the programs and data held in the memory 12 and executes those programs to realize various functions of the integrated management system S1.

[0024] Memory 12 includes, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM) used as work memory when executing each process of the processor 11, and Read Only Memory (ROM) which stores programs and data that define the operation of the processor 11. Memory 12 may also include a storage device such as a Solid State Drive (SSD) or a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). Data or information generated or acquired by the processor 11 is temporarily stored in the RAM. The ROM contains programs that define the operation of the processor 11.

[0025] The vehicle monitoring system S2 is wirelessly connected to the integrated management system S1 and each vehicle C1-CN, and performs data transmission and reception. The vehicle monitoring system S2 is, for example, a cloud server or on-premise server managed by the company that provides vehicles C1-CN to delivery companies. The vehicle monitoring system S2 collects information about each vehicle C1-CN and transmits it to the integrated management system S1. Note that the vehicle monitoring system S2 is not a required configuration and may be omitted from the configuration of the charging management system 100 if the functions of the vehicle monitoring system S2 are realized by the integrated management system S1.

[0026] The information regarding vehicle C1 to CN is collected, for example, through the On-Board Diagnostics II (hereinafter referred to as "OBDII") which has a self-diagnostic function of the vehicle's Electronic Control Unit (hereinafter referred to as "ECU"), or through onboard equipment of the vehicle (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS), etc.), and includes information such as battery charge level, power reception information indicating whether or not power is being received from a charger, or vehicle location information.

[0027] The charger management system S3 is wirelessly connected to the integrated management system S1 and each charger CH1-CHM to perform data transmission and reception. The charger management system S3 is, for example, a cloud server or on-premise server managed by the provider of the chargers CH1-CHM. The charger management system S3 performs power supply control for each charger CH1-CHM. Note that the charger management system S3 is not a required configuration and may be omitted from the configuration of the charger management system 100 if the functions of the charger management system S3 are realized by the integrated management system S1.

[0028] Each of the vehicles C1 to CN is a so-called EV vehicle, and is charged by multiple chargers CH1 to CHM installed at base A. After each of the vehicles C1 to CN returns to base A, if charging is required, they are connected to a charger of any choice or designated by the driver and are fully charged outside of business hours. Each of the vehicles C1 to CN is connected to the vehicle monitoring system S2 for data communication, and collects information such as battery charge level, charging status from a charger, and vehicle location information, and transmits it to the vehicle monitoring system S2.

[0029] Each of the chargers CH1 to CHM is connected to the charger management system S3 for data communication and to receive control commands. Each of the chargers CH1 to CHM supplies power to the vehicle connected to the charger based on the control commands transmitted from the charger management system S3.

[0030] Each of the driver terminals DP1 to DPN is wirelessly connected to the integrated management system S1 to receive data such as information regarding charging requirements. The driver terminals DP1 to DPN are terminals carried by the driver operating the vehicles C1 to CN, and are implemented as, for example, smartphones or tablet devices. The driver terminals DP1 to DPN notify the driver, who is the operator, of information such as the charging requirements of the vehicle being driven by displaying notification screens SC11 and SC12 (see Figure 10) which contain information regarding charging requirements.

[0031] The administrator terminal MP is wirelessly connected to the integrated management system S1 and receives data such as information regarding the need for charging. The administrator terminal MP is operated by an administrator who manages the vehicles C1-CN and chargers CH1-CHM at base A, and can be implemented using, for example, a smartphone, tablet, personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC"), or notebook PC. The administrator terminal MP displays a management screen in real time showing the connection status of chargers CH1-CHM to vehicles C1-CN at base A, or the connection status of vehicles C1-CN to chargers CH1-CHM. The management screen will be described in detail in Embodiment 2.

[0032] <First operating procedure of the charging management system> Next, with reference to Figure 4, an example of the first operation procedure of the charging management system 100 will be described. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the first operation procedure of the charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 1. The example of the first operation procedure shown in Figure 4 is an operation procedure in which, each time a vehicle returns to base A, a connection response process is performed to determine whether or not each returned vehicle is connected to a charger.

[0033] Note that while Figure 4 only describes the operation procedure when vehicle C1 returns to base A and connects to charger CH1 as an example, the operation procedures for the other vehicles (vehicles C2 to CN) are similar. Therefore, the operation procedures for the other vehicles are shown as loop process RP1, and their explanation is omitted. Also, Figure 4 omits the illustration of the vehicle monitoring system S2 and the charger management system S3.

[0034] When vehicle C1 returns to base A (St11), it notifies the vehicle monitoring system S2 of the remaining charge level of its battery (St12). The return of vehicle C1 may be achieved by any method, for example, by location information periodically transmitted from vehicle C1, or by operation of the driver terminal DP1 of the driver operating vehicle C1.

[0035] The integrated management system S1 performs a charging plan process based on the remaining charge information notified from vehicle C1 and the pre-recorded delivery plan for vehicle C1 for the next day or the amount of charge required for delivery the next day, and determines whether vehicle C1 needs to be charged (St13). Steps St12 and St13 may also be performed by determining whether charging is necessary based on a pre-generated delivery plan without considering the remaining charge status. Based on the determination result of whether charging is necessary, the integrated management system S1 sends a notification regarding whether vehicle C1 needs to be charged to the driver terminal DP1 (St14). The charging plan process in step St13 will be described later.

[0036] The driver terminal DP1 displays notification screens SC11 and SC12 (see Figure 10) to indicate whether vehicle C1 needs charging (St15). If charging is required, the driver, upon confirming the notification, parks vehicle C1 at a location where a charger CH1 is installed (either arbitrarily or specifically), and then the charging cable is connected (St16). Charger CH1 becomes electrically connected to the arbitrary or specifically determined vehicle C1 that needs charging (St17).

[0037] After vehicle C1 returns to base A, the integrated management system S1 requests the vehicle monitoring system S2 and the charger management system S3, at any time, to confirm whether vehicle C1 is connected to any or a designated charger for charging (St18). Note that the connection confirmation may be performed multiple times. The integrated management system S1 obtains the connection confirmation results transmitted from the vehicle monitoring system S2 and the charger management system S3 (St19). Note that any method may be used for connection confirmation, and known technologies may be adopted. In addition, a device other than the vehicle monitoring system S2 and the charger management system S3 (e.g., driver terminal DP1) may be used for connection confirmation. For example, the connection confirmation method may be a method in which the driver terminal DP1 reads a 2D code attached to the charger.

[0038] Based on the connection confirmation result and the correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B (see Figures 8 and 9) between vehicles and chargers generated in the charging plan processing (step St13), the integrated management system S1 performs a connection compatibility determination process to determine whether vehicle C1, which has been determined to require charging, is connected to an arbitrary or designated charger (St20). The integrated management system S1 generates a notification of the result of the connection compatibility determination process, that is, whether vehicle C1 is connected to an arbitrary or designated charger, and sends it to the driver terminal DP1 of the driver (operator) (St21).

[0039] The driver terminal DP1 receives notification from the integrated management system S1 regarding the result of the connection compatibility determination process, that is, whether or not the vehicle C1 is connected to an arbitrary or designated charger. The driver terminal DP1 displays notification screens SC11 and SC12 (see Figure 10) showing the result of the connection compatibility determination process (St22).

[0040] The charging management system 100 repeatedly performs the processes described in steps St11 to St22 above each time the vehicle returns to base A until the charging connection deadline (RP1).

[0041] When the integrated management system S1 determines that the current time at base A has reached the charging connection deadline (for example, "19:00" as shown in Figure 2), it executes a charging plan process based on a pre-recorded correspondence table between vehicles and chargers. The integrated management system S1 then executes a charging plan determination process (St31) to determine whether all vehicles that have been determined to require charging are connected to an arbitrary or designated charger. The process in step St31 will be described later.

[0042] The integrated management system S1 requests the vehicle monitoring system S2 and the charger management system S3, respectively, to confirm whether a vehicle determined to require charging according to the correspondence table is connected to a charger, either arbitrarily or as specified in the correspondence table (St32). The integrated management system S1 obtains the connection confirmation results transmitted from the vehicle monitoring system S2 and the charger management system S3, respectively (St33).

[0043] The integrated management system S1 performs a comprehensive connection compatibility determination process (St34) to determine whether all vehicles determined to require charging are connected to an arbitrary or designated charger, based on the connection confirmation results and the vehicle-to-charger correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B (see Figures 8 and 9) generated in the charging plan processing (step St13) performed in response to the return of each vehicle. The process in step St34 will be described later.

[0044] The integrated management system S1 generates a notification of the result of the connection compatibility assessment process, that is, whether all vehicles are connected to an arbitrary or designated charger. The integrated management system S1 sends this notification to the administrator terminal MP of the administrator (operator) responsible for managing the connection between vehicles and chargers (St35).

[0045] The administrator terminal MP receives notification from the integrated management system S1 regarding the results of the connection compatibility assessment process, that is, whether all vehicles determined to require charging are connected to an arbitrary or designated charger. The administrator terminal MP displays the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 (see Figures 11 and 12) which show the results of the connection compatibility assessment process (St36).

[0046] Furthermore, if the administrator terminal MP determines that a vehicle connected to a charger does not require charging, it may display a notification indicating that the connected vehicle or charger is incorrect. Also, if the administrator terminal MP determines that a designated vehicle is not connected to a designated charger, it may display a notification indicating that a vehicle determined to require charging is not connected to any charger. If the administrator terminal MP determines, as a result of the charging plan determination process (step St31), that there are vehicles that have not yet returned to base A, it may display a notification indicating that there are vehicles that have not yet returned. Further details regarding the content of the notifications will be explained in Embodiment 2.

[0047] Furthermore, the integrated management system S1 may periodically perform the connection compatibility assessment process after the charging connection deadline, until the actual charging begins, and display a charging management screen showing the results on the administrator terminal MP. This allows the integrated management system S1 to notify the administrator in real time of the current connection status between the vehicle and the charger if the administrator corrects the vehicle's connection destination after the charging connection deadline. In addition, the connection compatibility assessment process and the display of the charging management screen after the charging connection deadline may be performed based on administrator operations on the administrator terminal MP.

[0048] Furthermore, the administrator terminal MP may accept settings for the time of the charging connection deadline, the time for the overall processing of connection handling after the charging connection deadline, and the time for displaying the charging management screen, on a day-of-the-week and date-by-day basis. In such cases, the administrator terminal MP transmits the time settings, or information related to time settings, set by the administrator to the integrated management system S1 for recording.

[0049] <Charging Planning Procedure> Next, with reference to Figure 5, an example of the charging plan processing procedure in step St13 will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the charging plan processing procedure in the integrated management system S1.

[0050] The vehicle monitoring system S2 acquires location information and battery information (e.g., charge level information) for each vehicle C1 to CN. The vehicle monitoring system S2 transmits the information for each vehicle C1 to CN to the integrated management system S1.

[0051] The integrated management system S1 acquires information about vehicle C1 transmitted from the vehicle monitoring system S2. Based on the location information of each vehicle C1 to CN, the integrated management system S1 determines which vehicles have returned to base A. The integrated management system S1 acquires the current charge level information of vehicle C1 that has been determined to have returned to base A (St131).

[0052] The integrated management system S1 obtains the required battery capacity for the next day's delivery operations based on the next day's delivery plan for vehicle C1 (St132). Note that the next day's delivery plan and required battery capacity information may be pre-generated and stored in memory 12 or similar.

[0053] The integrated management system S1 determines whether vehicle C1 needs to be charged based on its current charge level and the required battery level for the following day (St133). Specifically, if the integrated management system S1 determines that the current charge level is less than the required battery level for the following day, it determines that vehicle C1 needs to be charged. If the integrated management system S1 determines that the current charge level is not less than the required battery level for the following day, it determines that vehicle C1 does not need to be charged.

[0054] The integrated management system S1 generates a notification indicating the result of the determination of whether vehicle C1 needs to be charged and sends it to the driver terminal DP1 of vehicle C1's driver (St134). The integrated management system S1 may also specify the charger CH1 to which vehicle C1 is connected by any method (St134). If a charger is specified, the integrated management system S1 sends a notification indicating the number (identification information) of the specified charger CH1 and a notification indicating the result of the determination of whether vehicle C1 needs to be charged, in association with each other, to the driver terminal DP1 (St134).

[0055] The integrated management system S1 generates a correspondence table TB11B (see Figure 10) which associates vehicle identification information with information on whether each vehicle needs charging and the identification information of the charger designated as the connection destination for each vehicle determined to need charging (St135). Note that the correspondence table TB11A (see Figure 9) generated when no charger is specified simply associates the identification information of each vehicle with the information on whether each vehicle needs charging.

[0056] The integrated management system S1 executes the processes in steps St131 to St135 each time a vehicle C1 to CN returns, and generates correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B by storing the information corresponding to the returned vehicle C1 to CN in the correspondence tables.

[0057] <Charging plan determination process procedure and connection compatibility overall determination process procedure> Next, with reference to Figure 6, the charging plan determination process procedure in step St31 (steps St311 to St312) and the connection compatibility overall determination process procedure in step St34 (steps St341 to St343) will be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the charging plan determination process procedure and the connection compatibility overall determination process procedure in the integrated management system S1.

[0058] The integrated management system S1 determines whether all vehicles C1 to CN managed at base A have returned by the charging connection deadline (St311).

[0059] If the integrated management system S1 determines in step St311 that the return of all vehicles C1 to CN has not been completed (St311, NO), it generates a notification that there are vehicles that have not returned and sends it to the administrator terminal MP (St312).

[0060] Meanwhile, if the integrated management system S1 determines in step St311 that the return of all vehicles C1 to CN has been completed (St311, YES), it checks the connection status between chargers CH1 to CHM and vehicles C1 to CN based on the results of the processing in steps St32 to St33 (St341). The connection status here indicates the combination of charger and vehicle that is connected, if a charger to be connected to each vehicle is specified. If a charger to be connected to each vehicle is not specified, the connection status indicates whether or not a charger is connected to each vehicle.

[0061] In step St311, instead of the integrated management system S1 performing the process of determining whether the return of vehicles C1 to CN has been completed, the administrator may determine whether the return of the vehicles has been completed and notify the integrated management system S1 of the determination result.

[0062] The integrated management system S1 compares the connection status between chargers CH1~CHM and vehicles C1~CN at the time of the charging connection deadline with the correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B generated in step St13 (St342) to determine whether the connection status between chargers CH1~CHM and vehicles C1~CN matches the correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B (St343).

[0063] If the integrated management system S1 determines in step St343 that the connection status between chargers CH1~CHM and vehicles C1~CN matches the correspondence table (St343, YES), it terminates the connection correspondence overall determination processing procedure (step St34).

[0064] On the other hand, if the integrated management system S1 determines in step St343 that the connection status between chargers CH1~CHM and vehicles C1~CN does not match the correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B (St343, NO), it generates a notification that there is a vehicle with an incorrect charger connection (incorrect charging) and sends it to the administrator terminal MP (St35).

[0065] As described above, the charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 1 can support the operator (i.e., driver or administrator) in managing the connection of vehicles to chargers. Specifically, the charging management system 100 displays a notification on the driver terminal DP1 to visualize information such as whether vehicle C1 needs to be connected to a charger, the time limit for connecting vehicle C1 to the charger, or information about the charger to which vehicle C1 should be connected, thereby supporting the driver in managing the charging of vehicles. Similarly, the charging management system 100 displays a notification (management screen) on the administrator terminal MP to support the administrator in reconnecting vehicles that are not connected or are connected to the wrong charger. This allows the administrator to more reliably connect all vehicles that are determined to require charging to the charger before the charging begins.

[0066] <Second operating procedure for the charging management system> Next, with reference to Figure 7, an example of the second operation procedure of the charging management system 100 will be described. Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the second operation procedure of the charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 1. Note that the vehicle monitoring system S2 and the charger management system S3 are not shown in Figure 7.

[0067] The second operating procedure is the procedure in which, in the first operating procedure shown in Figure 4, the processing in steps St18 to St22, that is, the connection compatibility determination processing performed for each vehicle that returns to base A, is omitted, and the overall connection compatibility determination processing is performed for all vehicles after the charging connection deadline. In addition, the second operating procedure repeats the processing in steps St11 to St17 each time a vehicle returns to base A until the charging connection deadline (RP2).

[0068] As described above, the charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 1 can support the operator (i.e., driver or administrator) in managing the connection of vehicles to chargers. Specifically, the charging management system 100 displays a notification on the driver terminal DP1 to visualize information such as whether vehicle C1 needs to be connected to a charger, the time limit for connecting vehicle C1 to the charger, or information about the charger to which vehicle C1 should be connected, thereby supporting the driver in managing the charging of vehicles. Similarly, the charging management system 100 displays a notification (management screen) on the administrator terminal MP to support the administrator in reconnecting vehicles that are not connected or are connected to the wrong charger. This allows the administrator to more reliably connect all vehicles that are determined to require charging to the charger before the charging begins.

[0069] Next, the correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B generated in step St135, and the correspondence tables TB12A and TB12B referenced in step St342 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9, respectively. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence tables TB12A and TB12B. Note that the correspondence tables TB11A, TB11B, TB12A, and TB12B shown in Figures 8 and 9 are examples and are not limited thereto.

[0070] In addition, the vehicle identification information shown in Figures 8 and 9 corresponds to the following: Identification information "EV#01" corresponds to vehicle C1, identification information "EV#02" corresponds to vehicle C2, identification information "EV#03" corresponds to vehicle C3, and identification information "EV#04" corresponds to vehicle C4.

[0071] The correspondence tables TB11A and TB12A shown in Figure 8 are examples of correspondence tables generated when a vehicle requiring charging connects to any charger. Correspondence table TB11A stores the identification information of the vehicle that has returned to base A and the charging information indicating whether or not charging is required for each vehicle. Correspondence table TB11A is updated by the integrated management system S1 each time a vehicle returns to base A.

[0072] For example, the correspondence table TB11A shown in Figure 8 stores the identification information "EV#01", "EV#02", "EV#03", and "EV#04" for the four vehicles C1 to C4 that have returned to base A. It associates the identification information of these vehicles C1, C3 to C4 with the charging information "Required" indicating that vehicles C1, C3 to C4 need charging, and associates the identification information of vehicle C2 with the charging information "Not Required" indicating that vehicle C2 does not need charging.

[0073] The correspondence table TB12A stores, for each vehicle, the vehicle identification information, the charging necessity information stored in the correspondence table TB11A, the charging necessity information (plan) indicating whether the charging necessity was determined in advance by the integrated management system S1, the charging necessity information (actual) indicating whether the vehicle and any charger are connected at the charging connection deadline, and the mismatch information indicating whether the charging necessity information (plan) and the charging necessity information (actual) do not match.

[0074] When the integrated management system S1 determines that the time for the charging connection deadline has arrived, it executes a charging plan determination process and a connection compatibility determination overall process. It then generates a correspondence table TB12A by further associating the information about each vehicle stored in the correspondence table TB11A with charging information (actual) indicating whether the vehicle is receiving power as a result of the connection compatibility determination overall process, and number information (actual) indicating the identification information of the charger connected to the vehicle.

[0075] For example, in the correspondence table TB12A shown in Figure 8, the charging information (actual) "connected" is associated with the identification information of vehicles C1 and C3, and the charging information (actual) "not connected" is associated with the identification information of vehicles C2 and C4. In addition, as mismatch information indicating whether or not there is a discrepancy between the charging information (planned) and the charging information (actual), a check is placed in the identification information of vehicle C4 to indicate that there is a discrepancy between the charging information (planned) and the charging information (actual). If the integrated management system S1 determines that there is a discrepancy between the vehicles, it generates a notification that there is a discrepancy between the charging information (planned) and the charging information (actual) and sends it to the administrator terminal MP.

[0076] In the example shown in Figure 8, the integrated management system S1 detects a discrepancy when vehicle C4, which requires charging, is not connected to a charger. However, it similarly detects a discrepancy when a vehicle that does not require charging is connected to a charger. This allows the integrated management system S1 to support connection management between vehicles and chargers, ensuring that all vehicles determined to require charging are connected to chargers, even if the number of chargers becomes insufficient due to the connection of vehicles that do not require charging.

[0077] The correspondence tables TB11B and TB12B shown in Figure 9 are examples of correspondence tables generated when a vehicle requiring charging is connected to a designated charger. Correspondence table TB11B stores the identification information of the vehicle that has returned to base A, the charging information indicating whether charging is required, and the identification number of the charger used to charge the vehicle, in association with each other. Correspondence table TB11B is generated (updated) by the integrated management system S1 each time a vehicle returns to base A.

[0078] For example, the correspondence table TB11B shown in Figure 9 stores the identification information "EV#01", "EV#02", "EV#03", and "EV#04" of the four vehicles that returned to base A. Correspondence table TB11B associates the identification information of vehicle C1 with the charging information "Required" and the charger identification number "No.1", the identification information of vehicle C2 with the charging information "Not Required" and the charger identification number "-(None)", the identification information of vehicle C3 with the charging information "Required" and the charger identification number "No.6", and the identification information of vehicle C4 with the charging information "Required" and the charger identification number "No.7".

[0079] Furthermore, correspondence table TB12B is generated by the integrated management system S1, and is created by further associating the results of the connection compatibility determination process with correspondence table TB11B for the charging connection deadline.

[0080] The integrated management system S1 generates a correspondence table TB12B that associates vehicle identification information with charging necessity information stored in the correspondence table TB11B, specifically: charging information (plan) indicating charging necessity determined in advance by the integrated management system S1; charging information (actual) indicating whether the vehicle is connected to a designated charger at the time of the charging connection deadline; the identification number (plan) of the designated charger; the identification number (actual) of the charger to which the vehicle is actually connected; and mismatch information indicating whether there is a mismatch between the charging information (plan) and the charging information (actual), or between the identification number (plan) and the identification number (actual). The integrated management system S1 also notifies the administrator terminal MP of this mismatch if it determines that there is a mismatch between the charging information (plan) and the charging information (actual), or between the identification number (plan) and the identification number (actual).

[0081] For example, in the correspondence table TB12B shown in Figure 9, at the charging connection deadline, the identification information of vehicle C1 is associated with the charging information (actual) of vehicle C1, "connected," and the charging device identification number (actual) "No. 1." The identification information of vehicle C2 is associated with the charging information (actual) of vehicle C2, "not connected," and the charging device identification number (actual) "-(none)." The identification information of vehicle C3 is associated with the charging information (actual) of vehicle C3, "connected," and the charging device identification number (actual) "No. 5." The identification information of vehicle C4 is associated with the charging information (actual) of vehicle C4, "connected," and the charging device identification number (actual) "No. 7." Furthermore, the correspondence table TB12B associates mismatch information, indicating whether there is a discrepancy between the planned charging information and the actual charging information, or between the planned identification number and the actual identification number, with the identification information of vehicle C3. This check notifies the system of a discrepancy between the planned identification information "No. 6" of the charger to which vehicle C3 should be connected and the actual identification number "No. 5" of the charger to which it is actually connected. If the integrated management system S1 determines that there is a discrepancy between the planned charging information and the actual charging information, it generates a notification indicating that there is a discrepancy between the planned charging information and the actual charging information and sends it to the administrator terminal MP.

[0082] Furthermore, vehicle identification information is not limited to identification information assigned to each vehicle (for example, "EV#01"), but may also include the vehicle's license plate, or a driver ID or driver's name used to identify the driver operating the vehicle.

[0083] Next, with reference to Figure 10, the notification screens SC11 and SC12 that inform the driver whether charging is necessary will be described. Figure 10 shows examples of notification screens SC11 and SC12 displayed on driver terminals DP1 to DPN. Note that the notification screens SC11 and SC12 shown in Figure 10 are just examples and are not limited to them.

[0084] If the integrated management system S1 determines that a vehicle returning to base A requires charging, it generates notification screens SC11 and SC12 requesting the vehicle to be charged, i.e., connected to an arbitrary or designated charger, and sends them to the driver's terminals DP1 to DPN.

[0085] The notification screen SC11 is generated when only charging needs to be notified and is displayed on the driver terminals DP1~DPN. The notification screen SC11 includes the message Msg11 "Charging is required" which notifies that charging is needed, the message Msg12 "Please connect to the charger by 17:00" which notifies the deadline for connecting to the charger, and the confirmation button BT11.

[0086] When the confirmation button BT11 is pressed (selected) by the driver, the driver terminals DP1 to DPN will terminate the display of the notification screen SC11. Alternatively, when the confirmation button BT11 is pressed (selected) by the driver, the driver terminals DP1 to DPN may send a notification to the integrated management system S1 indicating that they have confirmed (acknowledged) the notification content shown on the notification screen SC11, namely whether charging is required and the charging connection deadline.

[0087] The notification screen SC12 is generated when it is necessary to notify the driver whether charging is required and which charger to connect the vehicle to, and is displayed on the driver terminals DP1~DPN. The notification screen SC12 includes a message Msg13 "Charger number: Please charge at No. 6" which notifies the driver that charging is required and which charger will be used to charge this vehicle, and a confirmation button BT12. The notification screen SC12 may also be generated to include a message Msg12 that notifies the charging connection deadline, etc.

[0088] When the driver presses (selects) the confirmation button BT12, the driver terminals DP1 to DPN will terminate the display of the notification screen SC12. Alternatively, when the driver presses (selects) the confirmation button BT12, the driver terminals DP1 to DPN may send a notification to the integrated management system S1 indicating that the driver has confirmed (acknowledged) the notification content shown on the notification screen SC11, namely whether charging is required and the charger to which the vehicle will be connected.

[0089] Furthermore, while the notification screens SC11 and SC12 shown in Figure 10 illustrate an example of notifying the vehicle that it needs charging, they may also include a message indicating that charging is not necessary. In such cases, the notification screens SC11 and SC12 may omit messages such as Msg12, which notifies the charging connection deadline, or Msg13, which notifies the charger on which the vehicle will be charged.

[0090] As described above, the integrated management system S1 in Embodiment 1 can support the driver's task of connecting the vehicle to an arbitrary or designated charger by notifying the driver upon their return to base A whether or not the vehicle needs charging, or information such as the charger to which the vehicle should be connected. Furthermore, the integrated management system S1 can facilitate the connection of the vehicle to the charger by notifying the driver of the deadline for connecting the vehicle to the charger. This allows the integrated management system S1 to more reliably complete the connection between the vehicle requiring charging and the charger before the charging process begins.

[0091] Next, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 respectively, a display example of the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 that are displayed when the vehicle and the charger are incorrectly connected at the time of the charging connection deadline will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an alert display example on the charging management screen SC21. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an alert display example on the charging management screen SC31. Note that the alert display examples shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are merely examples and are not limited thereto.

[0092] The charging management screen SC21 shown in FIG. 11 includes an alert AL21 that notifies an incorrect connection to a charger different from the charger specified in the correspondence table TB11B. The alert AL21 includes a face image PIC of the driver of the vehicle determined to be incorrectly connected and information IF21 regarding the incorrect connection.

[0093] The information IF21 regarding the incorrect connection includes information about the driver of the vehicle determined to be incorrectly connected, information about the vehicle determined to be incorrectly connected, information about the current connection destination of the vehicle, or information about the correct connection destination of the vehicle, etc. For example, the alert AL21 shown in FIG. is the name information "〇田〇夫" of the driver of the vehicle determined to be incorrectly connected, the license plate information "YY yyy あ XX-04" of the vehicle determined to be incorrectly connected, and a message indicating information about the current connection destination of the vehicle and the correct connection destination of the vehicle "Incorrectly connected to No. No. 3. Please reconnect to No. 5."

[0094] The charging management screen SC31 shown in FIG. 12 includes an alert AL31 that notifies a non-connection to a charger different from the charger specified in the correspondence table TB11B. The alert AL31 includes a face image PIC31 of the driver of the vehicle determined to be non-connected, a charging connection deadline notification IF31 that notifies that the current time is the charging connection deadline, and information IF32 regarding the non-connection.

[0095] The information IF32 regarding incorrect connection includes information about the driver of the vehicle determined to be unconnected, information about the vehicle determined to be unconnected, or information about the correct connection destination of the vehicle, etc. For example, the alert AL31 shown in FIG. 12 includes the designated information "〇 T〇o" of the driver of the vehicle determined to be unconnected, the license plate information "YY yyy a XX-04" of the vehicle determined to be unconnected, and the message "Not connected to No. 13" indicating information about the correct connection destination of the vehicle.

[0096] Note that the alerts AL21 and AL31 may be alerts notifying incorrect connections where a vehicle that does not require charging is connected to an arbitrary charger, or alerts notifying that the connection destination is not connected to any charger by any vehicle.

[0097] Also, the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 may display the display areas AR25A and AR35A described in FIGS. 15 and 16 instead of, or together with, the alerts AL21 and AL31.

[0098] As described above, the integrated management system S1 in Embodiment 1 can notify the administrator, based on the alerts AL21 and AL31, of a notification that the connection state between the vehicle and the charger is an incorrect connection, information about the driver of the vehicle determined to be an incorrect connection, information about the vehicle determined to be an incorrect connection, information about the current connection destination of the vehicle, or information about the correct connection destination of the vehicle, etc. Thereby, the integrated management system S1 can more efficiently support the administrator in managing the connection states of the vehicles C1 to CN and the chargers CH1 to CHM.

[0099] (The process leading to Embodiment 2) The charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 1 provides an example of management support to ensure that all vehicles requiring charging are connected to an arbitrary or designated charger before the start of charging by visualizing charging management screens SC21 and SC31 that show the administrator a list of the connection status between vehicles and chargers at the charging connection deadline. However, there is a possibility that vehicles may return to the base at different times, drivers may forget to connect their vehicles to the chargers, or they may connect to a charger other than the designated one. Therefore, the charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 2 describes an example of an information display method that visualizes the state transitions of vehicles C1 to CN or chargers CH1 to CHM to the administrator by displaying a charging management screen showing the current status of vehicles C1 to CN and chargers CH1 to CHM in real time, enabling the administrator to grasp in real time whether vehicles are incorrectly connected or not at base A. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as in Embodiment 1, and their explanations are omitted.

[0100] (Embodiment 2) <Example of a charging management screen at any given time> The charging management screens SC21 and SC31 displayed on the administrator terminal MP will be explained with reference to Figures 13 and 14, respectively. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the charging management screen SC21 for vehicles C1 to CN with respect to chargers CH1 to CHM. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the charging management screen SC31 for vehicles C1 to CN with respect to chargers CH1 to CHM. Note that the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 shown in Figures 13 and 14 are examples and are not limited thereto. Also, in the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 shown in Figures 13 and 14, only representative icons are labeled with symbols for clarity.

[0101] The integrated management system S1 acquires power reception information for each vehicle C1 to CN from the vehicle monitoring system S2, and acquires connection information for each charger CH1 to CHM from the charger management system S3 periodically or at predetermined times such as the charging connection deadline. Based on the acquired power reception information and connection information, the integrated management system S1 generates a charging management screen SC21 that visualizes the vehicles C1 to CN connected to each charger CH1 to CHM, or a charging management screen SC31 that visualizes the chargers CH1 to CHM connected to each vehicle C1 to CN. The integrated management system S1 transmits the generated charging management screens SC21 and SC31 to the administrator terminal MP for display.

[0102] The charging management screen SC21 includes a general icon IC20, a charger icon IC21, a vehicle information icon IC22, and vehicle icons IC23 that indicate the vehicles C1-CN connected to each charger indicated by the charger icon IC21. The charging management screen SC21 is displayed on the administrator terminal MP and visualizes the connection status of vehicles C1-CN to each charger CH1-CHM installed at base A for the administrator.

[0103] The comprehensive icon IC20 indicates, using numbers and bar graph lengths, the number of vehicles currently in transit, the number of vehicles returning to base A, the number of vehicles returning to base A that require charging, or the number of vehicles returning to base A that do not require charging, among all vehicles C1 to CN belonging to base A. Note that the method of displaying the number of vehicles is not limited to this and other display methods are also permitted.

[0104] For example, the combined icon IC20 shown in Figure 13 indicates that of the 40 vehicles belonging to base A, 34 are currently making deliveries and 4 have returned to base A. Furthermore, the combined icon IC20 indicates that of the 4 vehicles returned to base A, 3 require charging and 1 does not.

[0105] The SC21 charging management screen has a display area for each charger where various icons indicating the status of the charger are displayed, arranged in a grid. For example, the SC21 charging management screen shown in Figure 13 has 15 display areas that indicate the status of chargers corresponding to identification numbers "01" to "05", "11" to "15", and "20" to "25". Specifically, in the AR21 display area of ​​the SC21 charging management screen, various icons indicating the status of the charger corresponding to identification number "01" are displayed.

[0106] The charger icon IC21 corresponds to each charger CH1 to CHM installed at site A, and is displayed with an identification number as information about the charger that makes it possible to identify each charger CH1 to CHM. For example, the charger icon IC21 shown in Figure 13 indicates that it is charger CH11, to which the identification number "11" has been assigned.

[0107] The vehicle information icon IC22 displays information about the vehicle connected to chargers CH1 to CHM indicated by each charger icon IC21. For example, the vehicle information icon IC22 shown in Figure 13 includes license plate information "YY yyy a XX-02" as vehicle information. The vehicle information included in the vehicle information icon IC22 only needs to be information that can identify a vehicle belonging to base A, and may include, for example, vehicle identification information or information about the driver.

[0108] The vehicle icon IC23 visualizes whether or not a vehicle is connected to the charger indicated by the charger icon IC21. For example, the vehicle icon IC23 shown in Figure 13 indicates that the vehicle indicated by the vehicle information icon IC22 is connected to the charger indicated by the charger icon IC21.

[0109] The charging management screen SC31 includes a general icon IC30, a vehicle information icon IC31, vehicle status icons IC32 and IC34, a charging requirement icon IC33, and a charger information icon IC35. The charging management screen SC31 is displayed on the administrator terminal MP and visualizes the connection status of chargers CH1 to CHM for each vehicle C1 to CN belonging to base A to the administrator.

[0110] The comprehensive icon IC30 is similar to the comprehensive icon IC20 shown in Figure 14, and indicates, using numbers and the length of a bar graph, the number of vehicles currently in transit, the number of vehicles returning to base A, the number of vehicles returning to base A that require charging, or the number of vehicles returning to base A that do not require charging, among all vehicles C1 to CN belonging to base A.

[0111] The charging management screen SC31 has a display area for each vehicle where various icons indicating the vehicle's status are displayed, arranged in a grid. For example, the charging management screen SC31 shown in Figure 14 has 15 display areas that indicate the status of each vehicle corresponding to the license plate information "YY yyy a XX-01" to "YY yyy a XX-15". The charging management screen SC31 displays various icons indicating the status of the vehicle corresponding to the license plate information "YY yyy a XX-01" in display area AR31.

[0112] The vehicle information icon IC31 corresponds to each vehicle C1 to CN belonging to base A, and is displayed with vehicle information attached to identify each vehicle C1 to CN. For example, the vehicle information icon IC31 shown in Figure 14 indicates that the vehicle has the license plate information "YY yyy a XX-06". The vehicle information included in the vehicle information icon IC31 only needs to be information that can identify a vehicle belonging to base A, and may include, for example, vehicle identification information or information about the driver.

[0113] The vehicle status icon IC32 indicates that the vehicle corresponding to the icon IC32 has returned to base A. The vehicle status icon IC32 is only displayed when each vehicle C1 to CN belonging to base A has returned to base A.

[0114] On the other hand, the vehicle status icon IC34 indicates that the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle status icon IC34 is currently in transit. The vehicle status icon IC34 is displayed only when each vehicle C1 to CN belonging to base A has not returned to base A and is currently in transit.

[0115] The charging requirement icon IC33 indicates whether each vehicle C1 to CN belonging to base A requires charging. The charging requirement icon IC33 displays the result of the determination of whether charging is required for the vehicle corresponding to the charging requirement icon IC33. For example, the charging requirement icon IC33 shown in Figure 14 indicates that charging is not required for the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle information icon IC31. Although not shown in the figures in this disclosure, if charging is required for the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle information icon IC31, text such as "Charging Required" may be displayed.

[0116] The charger information icon IC35 displays information about the chargers connected to each vehicle C1-CN. For example, the charger information icon IC35 shown in Figure 14 displays a charger icon (illustration) indicating that a charger is connected to the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle information icon, and the identification number "#02" as information about the charger connected to this vehicle.

[0117] As described above, the integrated management system S1 in Embodiment 2 can visualize all vehicles C1 to CN connected to each charger CH1 to CHM installed at base A via the charging management screen SC21. Furthermore, the integrated management system S1 can visualize all chargers CH1 to CHM connected to each vehicle C1 to CN belonging to base A via the charging management screen SC31. This allows the integrated management system S1 to more efficiently support the management tasks performed by administrators regarding the connection between vehicles C1 to CN and chargers CH1 to CHM at base A.

[0118] Furthermore, the integrated management system S1 may display the charging management screen SC21 and the charging management screen SC31 in a switchable manner. This allows the administrator to switch between checking the connection status of vehicles C1-CN to chargers CH1-CHM and the connection status of chargers CH1-CHM to vehicles C1-CN, so that the administrator can choose the display method that is more suitable to their preference or management purpose. For example, the administrator can check the connection status of each charger CH1-CHM using the charging management screen SC21, or check the connection status of each vehicle C1-CN, as well as whether each vehicle C1-CN has returned, or whether each vehicle C1-CN requires charging, etc., using the charging management screen SC31.

[0119] <Examples of display transitions for various icons> Next, with reference to Figure 15, an example of the display transition of various icons on the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 will be explained. Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the display transition of various icons. Note that the various icons shown in Figure 15 are just examples and are not limited to these.

[0120] The example of the display transition of various icons shown in Figure 15 illustrates the display transition of various icons on the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 displayed on the administrator terminal MP during the first operation procedure, that is, while the processes of steps St11 to St22 shown in Figure 4 are repeatedly executed.

[0121] The integrated management system S1 determines, based on the vehicle's location information, whether or not the vehicle needs to be charged if it determines that the vehicle corresponding to the license plate information "YY yyy a XX-01" has returned to base A (St40).

[0122] If the integrated management system S1 determines that charging is necessary for the vehicle (St41), it generates a charging management screen SC21 including display area AR21A, or a charging management screen SC31 including display area AR31A, and displays it on the administrator terminal MP.

[0123] Here, display area AR21A includes a charger information icon IC21A which contains the charger identification number "01" and an icon (illustration) representing the charger. Display area AR31A also includes a vehicle information icon IC31A which contains the vehicle's license plate information "YY yyy a XX-01" and an icon (illustration) representing the vehicle, and a vehicle status icon IC32A which indicates the vehicle's status "returned".

[0124] The integrated management system S1 sends a notification to the driver terminal owned by the vehicle's driver requesting vehicle charging. If the vehicle is directed to an arbitrary or designated charger "#01" (St42), it generates a charging management screen SC21 including display area AR22A, or a charging management screen SC31 including display area AR32A, and displays it on the administrator terminal MP.

[0125] Here, display area AR22A includes, in addition to the charger information icon IC21A displayed in display area AR21A, a vehicle information icon IC22A that shows information about the vehicle guided to the charger (in this case, license plate information "YY yyy あ XX-01"). Note that if the charger connected to the vehicle is optional, the display of the vehicle information icon IC22A in display area AR22A may be omitted.

[0126] Furthermore, display area AR32A includes the vehicle information icon IC31A and vehicle status icon IC32A displayed in display area AR31A, as well as the charger information icon IC33A which shows information about the charger designated as the connection destination (in this case, identification number "#01"). Note that if the charger connected to the vehicle is arbitrary, display area AR32A may display a vehicle status icon such as "Charging Required," or the display of the charger information icon IC33A may be omitted.

[0127] The integrated management system S1 performs a charging check, and if it determines (confirms) that the vehicle is connected to the designated charger "#01" based on the power reception information transmitted from the vehicle monitoring system S2 as the charging check result, the connection information transmitted from the charger management system S3, and the correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B (St43), it generates a charging management screen SC21 including display area AR23A, or a charging management screen SC31 including display area AR33A, and displays it on the administrator terminal MP.

[0128] Here, display area AR23A includes the charger information icon IC21A and vehicle information icon IC22A displayed in display area AR22A, as well as the vehicle icon IC23A indicating that a vehicle corresponding to the vehicle information icon IC22A has been connected.

[0129] Furthermore, in display area AR33A, among the vehicle status icon IC32A and charger information icon IC33A displayed in display area AR32A, the vehicle status icon IC32A, which indicates that the vehicle has returned, is changed to the vehicle status icon IC34A, which indicates that the vehicle is connected to the charger corresponding to the charger information icon IC33A.

[0130] On the other hand, if the integrated management system S1 determines that charging is not necessary for the vehicle (St44), it generates a charging management screen SC21 including display area AR21A, or a charging management screen SC31 including display area AR34A, and displays it on the administrator terminal MP.

[0131] Here, display area AR34A includes the vehicle information icon IC31A and the vehicle status icon IC32A displayed in display area AR31A, as well as the charging requirement icon IC35A which indicates that the vehicle indicated by the vehicle information icon IC31A does not require charging.

[0132] Furthermore, the integrated management system S1 performs a charging check, and if it determines (confirms) that the vehicle is connected to the wrong charger "#02" based on the power reception information transmitted from the vehicle monitoring system S2 as the charging check result, the connection information transmitted from the charger management system S3, and the correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B (St45), it generates a charging management screen SC21 including display area AR25A, or a charging management screen SC31 including display area AR35A, and displays it on the administrator terminal MP.

[0133] Here, display area AR25A shows the status of the charger corresponding to the identification information "#02". In step St45, display area AR25A is highlighted in a different color (e.g., red) from the colors of other display areas (e.g., white, black, etc.) and includes a vehicle information icon IC24A that shows information about the incorrectly connected vehicle (in this case, the vehicle's license plate information "YY yyy あ XX-01").

[0134] In display area AR35A, among the vehicle information icon IC31A, vehicle status icon IC32A, and charger information icon IC33A displayed in display area AR32A, the vehicle status icon IC32A is changed to vehicle status icon IC36A, which indicates an incorrect charger connection, and the identification number "#01" indicating a specified charger in the charger information icon IC33A is changed to charger icon IC37A, which has information "#01→#02" indicating that it is connected to the incorrect identification number "#02" instead of the correct identification number "#01". In addition, display area AR35A is highlighted in a different color (e.g., red) from the color of other display areas (e.g., black).

[0135] <Examples of display transitions for various icons> Next, with reference to Figure 16, we will explain Example 2 of the display transitions for various icons on the charging management screens SC21 and SC31. Figure 16 is a diagram showing Example 2 of the display transitions for various icons. Note that the various icons shown in Figure 16 are just examples and are not limited to these.

[0136] The second example of icon display transitions shown in Figure 16 describes the display transitions of various icons on the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 displayed on the administrator terminal MP during the second operation procedure, that is, while the series of processes shown in Figure 7, steps St11 to St15 and steps St31 to St36, are repeatedly executed. Note that the display transitions of various icons on the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 displayed on the administrator terminal MP during the processing of steps St31 to St36 of the first operation procedure may be the same as the display transitions of various icons on the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 displayed after the charging connection deadline in the second example of icon display transitions.

[0137] Here, the processing of steps St40 to St42 and step St44 shown in Figure 16 is the same as the processing of steps St40 to St42 and step St44 shown in Figure 15, so the explanation is omitted. In addition, the display transition example 2 of the various icons in the display areas AR21A to AR22A, AR24A, AR31A to AR32A, AR34A displayed on the charging management screen SC21, SC31 shown in steps St40 to St42 and step St44 shown in Figure 16 is the same as the display transition example 1 of the various icons shown in Figure 15, so the explanation is omitted.

[0138] The integrated management system S1 performs a charging check at the charging connection deadline. Based on the power reception information transmitted from the vehicle monitoring system S2 as the charging check result, the connection information transmitted from the charger management system S3, and the correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B, if it determines (confirms) that the vehicle has been connected to the designated charger "#01" (St43), it generates a charging management screen SC21 including display area AR23A, or a charging management screen SC31 including display area AR33A, and displays it on the administrator terminal MP.

[0139] Furthermore, the integrated management system S1 performs a charging check, and if it determines (confirms) that the vehicle is connected to the wrong charger "#01" based on the power reception information transmitted from the vehicle monitoring system S2 as the charging check result, the connection information transmitted from the charger management system S3, and the correspondence tables TB11A and TB11B (St45), it generates a charging management screen SC21 including display area AR25A, or a charging management screen SC31 including display area AR35A, and displays it on the administrator terminal MP.

[0140] As described above, the integrated management system S1 in Embodiment 2 can notify the administrator of the vehicle connection status to each charger CH1~CHM, information about the vehicles connected to each charger CH1~CHM, or whether the vehicles connected to each charger CH1~CHM are correct, based on the display transition of icons on the charging management screen SC21. This enables the integrated management system S1 to more efficiently support the administrator in managing the status of each charger CH1~CHM.

[0141] Furthermore, as described above, the integrated management system S1 in Embodiment 2 can notify the administrator of the connection status of the charger to each vehicle C1-CN, information about the charger connected to each vehicle C1-CN, or whether the vehicle connected to each vehicle C1-CN is correct, based on the display transition of icons on the charging management screen SC31. This enables the integrated management system S1 to more efficiently support the administrator in managing the status of each vehicle C1-CN.

[0142] (Background leading to Embodiment 3) The charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 2 provides an example of management support by notifying the administrator of the connection status between vehicles C1 to CN and chargers CH1 to CHM, thereby ensuring that all vehicles requiring charging are connected to any or designated charger before the start of the charging process.

[0143] Here, for vehicles C1 to CN that have been determined to require charging, it is necessary to perform an identification process (pairing process) to determine which vehicle C1 to CN is connected to which charger CH1 to CHM, and to correct any misconnections based on the identification process results, before the charging connection deadline. Therefore, the charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 3 describes an example of a charging system control method that supports the identification process of vehicles connected to each charger. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as in Embodiments 1 and 2, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0144] (Embodiment 3) Referring to Figure 17, the timing of the identification process for the connection combinations of vehicles C1-CN and chargers CH1-CHM will be explained. Figure 17 is a diagram illustrating the timing of the identification process between vehicles C1-CN and chargers CH1-CHM in Embodiment 3. Note that the identification process timing shown in Figure 17 is an example and is not limited thereto.

[0145] The charging management system 100 performs an identification process to determine which vehicles C1-CN are connected to which chargers CH1-CHM for vehicles C1-CN that have been determined to require charging, during a pre-charging time (e.g., "17:00-18:00") prior to the charging connection deadline (e.g., "19:00"). Pre-charging is a charging process performed in advance to identify (pair) the connection status between the vehicle and the charger.

[0146] The charging management system 100 notifies the administrator of the connection pair information of the vehicle and charger identified during the pre-charging time. If the notified vehicle and charger connection pair differs from the combination specified in the correspondence table, the administrator reconnects the vehicle to the correct charger specified in the correspondence table by the charging connection deadline. This ensures that the administrator can connect the vehicle and charger in the combination specified in the correspondence table by the time the main charging begins. Therefore, the charging management system 100 can assist in vehicle charging management to ensure that the main charging is carried out reliably for vehicles that require charging.

[0147] Next, with reference to Figure 18, an example of the identification process for connection combinations between vehicles C1-CN and chargers CH1-CHM will be explained. Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle identification in a connected state. Note that the identification process example shown in Figure 18 is just one example and is not limited thereto.

[0148] The integrated management system S1 requests the charger management system S3 to perform a power supply process to supply power to one or more chargers. The integrated management system S1 requests the vehicle monitoring system S2 to transmit power receiving information indicating the power receiving status of each vehicle C1 to CN. For example, in the example shown in Figure 18, the integrated management system S1 requests the charger management system S3 to perform a power supply process based on a pre-planned power supply plan PLN. Note that the power supply plan PLN shown in Figure 18 is provided to make the power supply process performed by the charger management system S3 easier to understand and may be omitted.

[0149] The charger management system S3, based on the power supply requests from the integrated management system S1, causes different chargers to supply power at different time periods. As shown in Figure 18, the charger management system S3 supplies power to charger "Ch#01" from "17:00-17:02", to charger "Ch#02" from "17:02-17:04", to charger "Ch#03" from "17:04-17:06", and to charger "Ch#04" from "17:06-17:08".

[0150] The vehicle monitoring system S2 periodically collects power reception information from the ECUs of each vehicle C1 to CN and transmits it to the integrated management system S1.

[0151] The integrated management system S1 identifies the vehicles connected to each charger based on the charger that received power during the power supply process and the vehicles C1 to CN that received power, as indicated by the power reception information. For example, in the example shown in Figure 18, the integrated management system S1 determines, based on the power reception information, that vehicle "EV#03" was receiving power at time "17:01", vehicle "EV#02" was receiving power at time "17:03", vehicle "EV#04" was receiving power at time "17:05", and vehicle "EV#01" was receiving power at time "17:07". As a result, the integrated management system S1 can identify that vehicle "EV#03" is connected to charger "Ch#01", vehicle "EV#02" is connected to charger "Ch#02", vehicle "EV#04" is connected to charger "Ch#03", and vehicle "EV#01" is connected to charger "Ch#04".

[0152] <Example of connection identification procedure between vehicle and charger> Next, with reference to Figure 19, an example of the connection identification procedure between vehicles C1-CN and chargers CH1-CHM will be described. Figure 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the identification procedure of the charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 3. Note that the connection identification procedure example shown in Figure 19 shows an example in which power is supplied to chargers CH2 and CH3 in a time-division manner.

[0153] The integrated management system S1 instructs the charger management system S3 to start supplying power to charger CH2 (St51A).

[0154] The charger management system S3 instructs charger CH2 to start supplying power based on instructions sent from the integrated management system S1 (St52A). Charger CH2 supplies power to the vehicle connected to its charger based on instructions sent from the charger management system S3 (St53A). The vehicle connected to charger CH2 is charged by charger CH2 (St54A). At this point, the vehicle's ECU detects that the vehicle is receiving power using a sensor that detects the battery charge status.

[0155] The integrated management system S1 instructs the vehicle monitoring system S2 to check the power supply status of each vehicle C1 to CN (St55).

[0156] The vehicle monitoring system S2 instructs each of the vehicles C1 to CN to check their current power supply status (St56). Each of the vehicles C1 to CN generates power supply information indicating its current power supply status, associates the power supply information with identification information that can identify its own vehicle, and transmits it to the vehicle monitoring system S2 (St57). The vehicle monitoring system S2 transmits (notifies) the power supply information transmitted from each of the vehicles C1 to CN to the integrated management system S1 (St58).

[0157] The integrated management system S1 associates information from charger CH2, which supplied power, with identification information of each of the vehicles C1 to CN in which a power-receiving state was detected, and identifies the vehicle connected to charger CH2 (St59).

[0158] The charging management system 100 repeatedly executes a set of processes: a power supply process to supply power to at least one charger as shown in steps St51A to St54A, and a process to check the vehicle's power receiving status and identify the connection pair between the vehicle and charger CH2 as shown in steps St55 to St59. By repeatedly executing these processes, the charging management system 100 identifies the vehicles connected to each charger CH1 to CHM.

[0159] For example, in the example shown in Figure 19, the charging management system 100 performs a power supply process to supply power to the charger CH3 in steps St51B to St54B, and a process to check the vehicle's power receiving status and identify the connection pair between the vehicle and the charger CH3 in steps St55 to St59.

[0160] As described above, the charging management system 100 according to Embodiment 3 can supply power to one or more chargers in a time-division manner and identify vehicles connected to each charger CH1 to CHM based on the power reception information of each vehicle C1 to CN while they are being powered by the chargers. The charging management system 100 can support the management of vehicle connections to any or designated chargers at base A by comparing the identification results of vehicles connected to each charger CH1 to CHM with the correspondence table TB11A or correspondence table TB11B.

[0161] Furthermore, the charging management system 100 performs identification processing for vehicles connected to each charger CH1 to CHM during the time period until the charging connection deadline. This allows it to assist in reconnecting all vehicles that require charging between the charging connection deadline and the start of actual charging to the correct charger, even if there is an error in the charger connected to a vehicle.

[0162] <Vehicle identification method using a time slot system> Next, an example of power supply processing and power reception confirmation processing using the time slot method will be described with reference to Figure 20. Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of power supply processing and power reception confirmation processing using the time slot method. Note that the timetable shown in Figure 20 is just an example and is not limited to it.

[0163] In the time-slot system, the integrated management system S1 supplies power to only one charger CH1-CHM during each time slot. Since only one vehicle receives power during each time slot in the time-slot system, the integrated management system S1 determines that a vehicle whose power supply status has been detected (confirmed) is connected to the charger to which power supply has been instructed.

[0164] In the example shown in Figure 20, the integrated management system S1 instructs each of the chargers "Ch#01" to "Ch#04" to start supplying power every two minutes. The integrated management system S1 also identifies the vehicles connected to each charger "Ch#01" to "Ch#04" based on the power reception information of each vehicle C1 to CN acquired while the system is instructing the chargers to start supplying power. "Power reception confirmation" in the timetable indicates that the power reception status has been confirmed, that is, that the power reception status has been detected.

[0165] <Vehicle identification method using handshake> Next, an example of power supply processing and power reception confirmation processing using the handshake method will be described with reference to Figure 21. Figure 21 is a diagram showing an example of power supply processing and power reception confirmation processing using the handshake method. Note that the timetable shown in Figure 21 is just an example and is not limited to it.

[0166] In the handshake method, the integrated management system S1 first performs a power supply process to supply power to only one of the chargers CH1 to CHM during each time period. Then, when the vehicle's power reception status is confirmed and the connection pair between the vehicle and charger CH3 is identified, the next power supply process, along with the confirmation of the vehicle's power reception status and the identification of the connection pair between the vehicle and charger CH3, is initiated.

[0167] In the example shown in Figure 21, the integrated management system S1 instructs charger "Ch#01" to start supplying power at time "17:00:01", identifies the vehicle connected to charger "Ch#01", and then instructs charger "Ch#02" to start supplying power at time "17:00:36", identifies the vehicle connected to charger "Ch#02". By repeating the same process, the integrated management system S1 can complete the identification process of connection pairs between all vehicles and chargers in a shorter time than the time slot method shown in Figure 20.

[0168] As a result, the integrated management system S1 can perform the power supply process for the next charger and the identification process for the vehicle connected to that charger as soon as the identification process is completed. Therefore, the more chargers or vehicles installed at base A, the faster the integrated management system S1 can perform the identification process for all vehicles and chargers.

[0169] Therefore, the charging management system 100 can complete the identification process for vehicles connected to each charger CH1-CHM in a shorter time, thereby increasing the time between the start of the identification process and the start of actual charging. In other words, the charging management system 100 allows the administrator to spend more time reconnecting all vehicles to the correct charger based on the identification results. This enables the charging management system 100 to more reliably connect all vehicles requiring charging to the charger before actual charging begins.

[0170] <Vehicle identification method using binary code> Next, with reference to Figure 22, an example of power supply processing and power reception confirmation processing using a binary system will be described. Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of power supply processing and power reception confirmation processing using a binary system. Note that the timetable shown in Figure 22 is just an example and is not limited to it.

[0171] The binary charging management system 100 performs a time-division power supply process for each time period, supplying power to one or more chargers CH1 to CHM corresponding to the binary numbers. The integrated management system S1 identifies the connection pairs of vehicles C1 to CN connected to each charger CH1 to CHM based on the combination of power receiving states of each vehicle C1 to CN in each time period.

[0172] The charging management system 100 determines, in a single identification process, the combination of chargers to be instructed to supply power to the M chargers CH1 to CHM installed at base A, using a pattern of binary 0s and 1s. Equation 1 is an equation for calculating the number of charger power supply patterns required to identify vehicles C1 to CN connected to each of the M chargers CH1 to CHM.

[0173]

number

[0174] For example, if the number of chargers M=15, the number of power supply patterns is 4. The charging management system 100 assigns power supply patterns corresponding to binary 0s and 1s to each of the M chargers CH1 to CHM, as shown in Figure 22, and determines the combination of chargers that will be in a power supply state in each time slot. For example, the charging management system 100 powers chargers "Ch#08" to "Ch#15" at time t1, and powers chargers "Ch#04" to "Ch#07" and chargers "Ch#12" to "Ch#15" at time t2.

[0175] As a result, the charging management system 100 can more effectively reduce the number of times the charger supplies power when identifying all vehicles C1 to CN connected to each charger CH1 to CHM, compared to the time slot method and the handshake method. Therefore, the integrated management system S1 can perform the identification process of connections between all vehicles and chargers in a shorter time, as the number of chargers or vehicles installed at base A increases. For example, consider the case where 15 chargers are installed, as shown in Figure 20, and the power supply time for one identification process is set to 2 minutes. In such a case, the charging management system 100 can reduce the identification process, which takes 2 minutes x 15 vehicles = 30 minutes using the time slot method, to 2 minutes x 4 patterns = 8 minutes by using the binary method.

[0176] Therefore, the charging management system 100 can complete the identification process for vehicles connected to each charger CH1-CHM in a shorter time, thereby increasing the time between the start of the identification process and the start of actual charging. In other words, the charging management system 100 allows the administrator to spend more time reconnecting all vehicles to the correct charger based on the identification results. This enables the charging management system 100 to more reliably connect all vehicles requiring charging to the charger before actual charging begins.

[0177] (Note) Based on the descriptions of each embodiment above, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0178] (Technology 1-1) An information display method in an information terminal (administrator terminal MP) that includes at least a display (a display (not shown) provided by the administrator terminal MP), and displays the connection status of multiple chargers CH1~CHM and multiple vehicles C1~CN on the display, If, at a first time of day (charging connection deadline), the predetermined first connection state between the multiple chargers CH1~CHM and the multiple vehicles C1~CN differs from the actual second connection state between the multiple chargers CH1~CHM and the multiple vehicles C1~CN, information relating to the different connection is displayed on the display unit. During the aforementioned day, at a second time after the first time, the charging status of the plurality of vehicles C1 to CN is displayed on the display unit. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to visualize the charging management screens SC21 and SC31, which show a list of the connection status between vehicles and chargers at the time of the charging connection deadline. Furthermore, if there are vehicles that do not require charging or are not connected to the designated charger, the administrator terminal MP can display information on the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 indicating that they are not connected or are incorrectly connected (for example, alerts AL21 and AL31 shown in Figures 11 and 12), thereby assisting the administrator in correcting any unconnected or incorrectly connected vehicles. In short, the administrator terminal MP can help the administrator ensure that all vehicles requiring charging are connected to any or designated chargers before the charging begins.

[0179] (Technology 1-2) The information display method described in (Technical 1-1), At least one program executed on the aforementioned information terminal (administrator terminal MP) and / or external server (integrated management system S1), Between the first time and the second time, an instruction to start charging is issued to the plurality of chargers CH1 to CHM. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP and / or integrated management system S1 to initiate charging of vehicles C1-CN connected to chargers CH1-CHM during the time period from the charging connection deadline to the start of the actual charging (second time period).

[0180] (Technology 1-3) A method of displaying information as described in (Technical 1-1) or (Technical 1-2), If, at a first time in the aforementioned day, the first connection state and the second connection state are different, the second connection state is displayed on the display unit along with the information relating to the different connection. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to display charging management screens SC21 and SC31, which include information about the charger to which the vehicle is incorrectly connected (e.g., IF21, the misconnection information shown in Figure 11), or information indicating that the vehicle is not connected (e.g., IF32, the misconnection information shown in Figure 12), thereby assisting the administrator in correcting disconnections or misconnections. Therefore, the administrator terminal MP can help the administrator ensure that all vehicles requiring charging are connected to any or designated chargers before the charging begins.

[0181] (Technology 1-4) A method of displaying information described in any one of (Technology 1-1) to (Technology 1-3), If, at a first time within the day, the first connection state and the second connection state are different, the first connection state and the second connection state are displayed on the display unit along with information relating to the different connections. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to visualize charging management screen SC21 (e.g., IF21, the information on incorrect connections shown in Figure 11) that notifies the administrator of information on the charger to which the vehicle is incorrectly connected and the charger to which the vehicle is correct, and charging management screen SC31 (e.g., IF32, the information on incorrect connections shown in Figure 12) that notifies the administrator of whether the vehicle should be charged and the vehicle's current connection status, thereby assisting the administrator in correcting disconnections or incorrect connections. Therefore, the administrator terminal MP can help the administrator to ensure that all vehicles requiring charging are connected to any or designated chargers before the charging begins.

[0182] (Technology 1-5) A method of displaying information described in any one of (Technology 1-1) to (Technology 1-4), During the aforementioned day, at the second time, the actual third connection status of the plurality of chargers CH1~CHM and the plurality of vehicles C1~CN, and the charging status of the plurality of vehicles C1~CN are displayed on the display unit. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to visualize the connection status of all vehicles C1-CN and chargers CH1-CHM in a list after the correction work has been completed. The administrator can verify whether all vehicles requiring charging are properly connected to the chargers before the charging process begins. Therefore, the administrator terminal MP can help the administrator ensure that all vehicles requiring charging are more reliably connected to any or designated chargers before the charging process begins.

[0183] (Technology 1-6) A method of displaying information as described in any one of (Technology 1-1) to (Technology 1-5), At least one program executed on the aforementioned information terminal (administrator terminal MP) and / or external server (integrated management system S1), During the aforementioned day, between a third time prior to the first time and the first time, the connection status between the multiple chargers CH1~CHM and the vehicle is checked. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to visualize a list of vehicles that have returned to base A and their connection status with chargers CH1-CHM during the time period until the charging connection deadline.

[0184] (Technology 1-7) A method of displaying information as described in any one of (Technology 1-1) to (Technology 1-5), The first time and / or the second time can be set for each day of the week. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to accept settings for the display time of the charging management screen on a day-of-the-week basis, according to delivery schedules and other circumstances.

[0185] (Technology 1-8) A method of displaying information described in any one of (Technology 1-1) to (Technology 1-7), The information relating to the different connections includes the registration number of the vehicle with the different connection (e.g., identification information or license plate information, etc.). Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to assist in locating the vehicle requiring repair from among multiple vehicles parked at the site during the repair process.

[0186] (Technology 1-9) The information display method described in (Technical 1-8), The information relating to the different connections includes the name of the driver assigned to the vehicle with the different connection. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to notify the driver operating the vehicle if the vehicle is disconnected or misconnected, thereby assisting the administrator in correcting the disconnection or misconnection.

[0187] (Technology 1-10) A method of displaying information as described in any one of (Technology 1-1) to (Technology 1-9), The information relating to the different connections includes, for vehicles with different connections, the first identification information of the charger to which the vehicle is connected in the first connection state. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to assist the administrator in correcting disconnections or incorrect connections by notifying them of the correct charger information connected through the correction process. Therefore, the administrator terminal MP can help the administrator ensure that all vehicles requiring charging are connected to any or designated charger before the charging process begins.

[0188] (Technology 1-11) The information display method described in (Technical 1-10), The information relating to the different connections includes, for vehicles with different connections, a second identification information of the charger actually connected. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to notify the administrator of the information about the incorrectly connected charger, thereby notifying the administrator of the vehicle or vehicle location that requires correction. Therefore, the administrator terminal MP can help the administrator ensure that all vehicles requiring charging are connected to any or designated charger before the charging process begins.

[0189] (Technology 1-12) A method of displaying information as described in any one of (Technology 1-1) to (Technology 1-11), The information relating to the aforementioned different connections includes the first time (charging connection deadline), Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to notify the administrator of the charging connection deadline, thereby assisting the administrator in correcting disconnections or incorrect connections.

[0190] (Technology 2-1) An information display method in an information terminal (administrator terminal MP) that includes at least a display (a display (not shown) provided by the administrator terminal MP) and displays a charging status image (charging management screen SC21) showing the charging status of multiple chargers CH1 to CHM and multiple vehicles C1 to CN on the display, The aforementioned charging status image (charging management screen SC21) is, A first charger object (for example, a charger icon IC21) that indicates the first charger among the plurality of chargers CH1 to CHM, A second charger object representing the second charger among the plurality of chargers CH1 to CHM, A third charger object representing the third charger among the plurality of chargers CH1 to CHM, A first vehicle object (for example, a vehicle information icon IC22) that represents the first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles C1 to CN, A second vehicle object representing the second vehicle among the plurality of vehicles C1 to CN, A third vehicle object representing a third vehicle among the plurality of vehicles C1 to CN, comprising at least In the charging status image (charging management screen SC21), the first charger object, the second charger object, and the third charger object are arranged along the first direction. In the charging status image (charging management screen SC21), the first vehicle object, the second vehicle object, and the third vehicle object are arranged along the first direction. In the charging status image (charging management screen SC21), the first charger object and the first vehicle object are arranged along a second direction different from the first direction. In the charging status image (charging management screen SC21), the second charger object and the second vehicle object are arranged along the second direction. In the charging status image (charging management screen SC21), the third charger object and the third vehicle object are arranged along the second direction. The first combination of the first charger and the first vehicle, the second combination of the second charger and the second vehicle, and the third combination of the third charger and the third vehicle are predetermined. When the first charger and the first vehicle are connected, the charging status image (charging management screen SC21) displays a first connection object (for example, a vehicle icon IC23) between the first charger object and the first vehicle object. When the second charger and the second vehicle are connected, the second connection object is displayed between the second charger object and the second vehicle object in the charging status image (charging management screen SC21, SC31). When the third charger and the third vehicle are connected, the charging status image (charging management screen SC21, SC31) displays the third connection object between the third charger object and the third vehicle object. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to display the charging management screen SC21, which shows the current connection status between vehicles C1-CN and chargers CH1-CHM using icons. By visualizing the transition of the connection status for each charger CH1-CHM to the administrator, it supports the administrator's management work.

[0191] (Technology 2-2) The information display method described in (Technical 2-1), In the aforementioned charging status image (charging management screen SC21), the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to display the charging management screen SC21, which lists the vehicle information icons representing vehicles C1 to CN for each charger, corresponding to the charger icons representing each charger CH1 to CHM.

[0192] (Technology 2-3) A method of displaying information as described in (Technical 2-1) or (Technical 2-2), Each of the first charger object, the second charger object, and the third charger object is different, Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to display each charger CH1-CHM in an identifiable manner using the corresponding charger icon. Therefore, the administrator can check the connection status of each charger CH1-CHM at a glance using the corresponding charger icon, or the corresponding vehicle information icon, etc.

[0193] (Technology 2-4) The information display method described in (Technical 2-3), Each of the first charger object, the second charger object, and the third charger object includes a different numerical value (identification number), Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to display each charger CH1-CHM in an identifiable manner, using the charger identification number indicated by the charger icon corresponding to each charger CH1-CHM. Therefore, the administrator can check the connection status of each charger CH1-CHM at a glance using the charger icon corresponding to each charger CH1-CHM, or the vehicle information icon corresponding to the charger icon.

[0194] (Technology 2-5) A method of displaying information as described in any one of (Technology 2-1) to (Technology 2-4), Each of the first vehicle object, the second vehicle object, and the third vehicle object is different, Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to display each vehicle C1-CN in an identifiable manner using vehicle information icons corresponding to each charger CH1-CHM. Therefore, the administrator can check the connection status of vehicles C1-CN to each charger CH1-CHM at a glance.

[0195] (Technology 2-6) The information display method described in (Technical 2-5), The first vehicle object includes the first registration number of the first vehicle, The second vehicle object includes the second registration number of the second vehicle, The third vehicle object includes the third registration number of the third vehicle, Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to display vehicle license plate information via a vehicle information icon. Therefore, the administrator can check the connection status of vehicles C1-CN to each charger CH1-CHM at a glance.

[0196] (Technology 2-7) A method of displaying information as described in any one of (Technology 2-1) to (Technology 2-6), Each of the first connected object, the second connected object, and the third connected object has at least the same shape. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to improve visibility on the charging management screens SC21 and SC31 by making the illustrations of the vehicle icons for each charger CH1 to CHM the same shape.

[0197] (Technology 2-8) A method of displaying information as described in any one of (Technology 2-1) to (Technology 2-6), The first connected object, the second connected object, and the third connected object are each objects that resemble vehicles. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to intuitively understand whether a vehicle is connected to each charger CH1-CHM by changing the vehicle icon for each charger CH1-CHM to a shape that resembles a vehicle.

[0198] (Technology 2-9) A method of displaying information as described in any one of (Technology 2-1) to (Technology 2-6), When the first charger and the first vehicle are connected, the first connection object is displayed between the first charger object and the first vehicle object. When the first charger is connected to a fourth vehicle different from the first vehicle, a fourth connection object different from the first connection object (for example, a vehicle icon displayed in the display area AR25A shown in Figure 15) is displayed between the first charger object and the first vehicle object. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to display the SC21 charging management screen, which intuitively identifies chargers with incorrect vehicle connections by displaying vehicle icons in different colors for each charger CH1-CHM.

[0199] (Technology 2-10) The information display method described in (Technical 2-9), The display color of the fourth connection object is different from the display color of the first connection object. Information display method. This allows the administrator terminal MP to display the SC21 charging management screen, which intuitively identifies chargers with incorrect vehicle connections by displaying vehicle icons in different colors for each charger CH1-CHM.

[0200] (Technology 3-1) A charging system control method for confirming the connection between a plurality of chargers CH1 to CHM and a plurality of vehicles C1 to CN in a charging system connected to a plurality of chargers CH1 to CHM and a plurality of vehicles C1 to CN, A first power supply start instruction for the first power supply is issued to at least one of the multiple chargers CH1 to CHM. The first charge of at least one of the aforementioned multiple vehicles C1 to CN is confirmed. If the first power supply and the first charge are at the same first timing, then the first charger and the first vehicle are connected. Subsequently, a second power supply start instruction is issued to at least one of the multiple chargers CH1 to CHM, The second charging of at least one second vehicle among the plurality of vehicles C1 to CN is confirmed. Assuming that the second power supply and the second charger are connected when the second timing is the same, A method for controlling a charging system. As a result, the charging management system 100 can identify the vehicles connected to each charger CH1 to CHM by comparing the power supply timing of each charger CH1 to CHM, which is performed by any method such as a time slot method, a handshake method, or a binary method, with the power receiving timing of each vehicle C1 to CN.

[0201] Furthermore, each of the technologies shown in (Technology 3-1) to (Technology 3-10) may be implemented by a configuration that includes at least the integrated management system S1.

[0202] (Technology 3-2) A charging system control method as described in (Technical 3-1), A command to start the third power supply is issued to at least one of the multiple chargers CH1 to CHM. The third charge of at least one of the aforementioned multiple vehicles C1 to CN is confirmed. If the third power supply and the third charging occur at the same third timing, then the third charger and the third vehicle are connected. A method for controlling a charging system. As a result, the charging management system 100 can identify the vehicles connected to each charger CH1 to CHM by comparing the power supply timing of each charger CH1 to CHM, which is performed by any method such as a time slot method, a handshake method, or a binary method, with the power receiving timing of each vehicle C1 to CN.

[0203] (Technology 3-3) A charging system control method as described in (Technical 3-1) or (Technical 3-2), The first power supply and the first charge are said to be at the same first timing if the first confirmation time for confirming the first charge is between the first power supply start time for issuing the first power supply start instruction related to the first power supply and the first power supply stop time for issuing the first power supply stop instruction related to the first power supply. The second power supply and the second charge are considered to be at the same second timing if the second confirmation time for confirming the second charge falls between the second power supply start time for issuing the second power supply start instruction and the second power supply stop time for issuing the second power supply stop instruction. A method for controlling a charging system. As a result, the charging management system 100 can identify the vehicle connected to each charger CH1 to CHM even if there is a discrepancy between the power supply timing of each charger CH1 to CHM and the power receiving timing of each vehicle C1 to CN.

[0204] (Technology 3-4) A charging system control method described in any one of (Technical 3-1) to (Technical 3-3), The charging system further comprises a communication terminal (administrator terminal MP) equipped with a display (a display (not shown) on the administrator terminal MP), The display shows a first connection state in which the first charger and the first vehicle are connected. The second connection state, in which the second charger and the second vehicle are connected, is displayed on the indicator. A method for controlling a charging system. As a result, the charging management system 100 can identify the vehicle connected to each charger CH1 to CHM even if there is a discrepancy between the power supply timing of each charger CH1 to CHM and the power receiving timing of each vehicle C1 to CN.

[0205] (Technology 3-5) A charging system control method described in any one of (Technical 3-1) to (Technical 3-4), The charging system includes a server on the network (integrated management system S1), The server (integrated management system S1) executes the charging system control method. A method for controlling a charging system. As a result, the charging management system 100, through the integrated management system S1, can identify vehicles connected to each of the multiple chargers CH1 to CHM installed at at least one location.

[0206] (Technology 3-6) A charging system control method described in (Technical 3-5), Each of the aforementioned multiple chargers CH1 to CHM is capable of communicating with the server (integrated management system S1). The charging system control method. As a result, the charging management system 100 can issue power supply instructions to each charger CH1 to CHM via the integrated management system S1.

[0207] (Technology 3-7) A charging system control method described in (Technical 3-5), Each of the aforementioned vehicles C1 to CN is capable of communicating with the server (integrated management system S1). The charging system control method. As a result, the charging management system 100 can check the power receiving status of each vehicle C1 to CN using the integrated management system S1.

[0208] (Technology 3-8) A charging system control method described in (Technical 3-7), Each of the aforementioned vehicles C1 to CN is capable of wireless communication with the server (integrated management system S1) and is equipped with a wireless communication terminal (OBDII) for acquiring vehicle information for each of the vehicles. A method for controlling a charging system. As a result, the charging management system 100 can check the power receiving status of each vehicle C1 to CN using the integrated management system S1.

[0209] (Technology 3-9) A charging system control method described in any one of (Technical 3-1) to (Technical 3-8), The operation to confirm the connection between the multiple chargers CH1-CHM and the multiple vehicles C1-CN shall be completed by the first time of the day (charging connection deadline). A method for controlling a charging system. This allows the charging management system 100 to identify the vehicles connected to each charger CH1-CHM before the actual charging begins. Furthermore, if the charging management system 100 finds any unconnected or incorrectly connected vehicles as a result of the identification, it enables the administrator to correct the vehicle connections.

[0210] (Technology 3-10) A charging system control method described in (Technical 3-9), The operation to confirm the connection between the multiple chargers CH1~CHM and the multiple vehicles C1~CN is started from a second time (the time for pre-charging) that is earlier than the first time in the day. Charging system control method. Thus, the charging management system 100 can identify the vehicles connected to each charger CH1 to CHM before the start of the main charging. Further, if there are unconnected or misconnected vehicles as a result of the identification, the charging management system 100 enables the administrator to correct the connection destination of the vehicle.

[0211] As described above, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples, correction examples, substitution examples, addition examples, deletion examples, and equivalent examples within the scope described in the claims, and it is understood that they also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure. Further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention, the components in the above-described various embodiments may be arbitrarily combined.

Industrial Applicability

[0212] The present disclosure is useful as an information display method for assisting connection management between a vehicle and a charger.

Explanation of Signs

[0213] 10 Communication unit 11 Processor 12 Memory 100 Charging management system AL21, AL31 Alert AR31A, AR32A, AR33A, AR34A, AR35A Display area C1 to CN Vehicles CH1 to CHM Chargers DP1 to DPN Driver terminals IC21, IC37A Charger icon IC21A, IC33A, IC35 Charger information icon IC22, IC22A, IC24A, IC31, IC31A Vehicle information icon IC23, IC23A Vehicle icon IC30 Comprehensive icon IC32, IC32A, IC34, IC34A, IC36A Vehicle status icon IC33, IC35A Charging necessity icon MP Administrator terminal S1 Integrated management system S2 Vehicle monitoring system S3 Charger management system SC11, SC12 Notification screen SC21, SC31 Charging management screen TB11A, TB11B, TB12A, TB12B Correspondence table

Claims

1. An information display method in an information terminal that includes at least a display and displays a charging status image on the display showing the charging status of multiple chargers and multiple vehicles, The aforementioned charging status image is A first charger object representing the first charger among the plurality of chargers, A second charger object representing a second charger among the plurality of chargers, A third charger object representing the third charger among the plurality of chargers, A first vehicle object representing the first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles, A second vehicle object representing a second vehicle among the aforementioned plurality of vehicles, A third vehicle object representing a third vehicle among the plurality of vehicles, comprising at least In the charging state image, the first charger object, the second charger object, and the third charger object are arranged along the first direction. In the charging state image, the first vehicle object, the second vehicle object, and the third vehicle object are arranged along the first direction. In the charging state image, the first charger object and the first vehicle object are arranged along a second direction different from the first direction. In the charging state image, the second charger object and the second vehicle object are arranged along the second direction. In the charging state image, the third charger object and the third vehicle object are arranged along the second direction. The first combination of the first charger and the first vehicle, the second combination of the second charger and the second vehicle, and the third combination of the third charger and the third vehicle are predetermined. When the first charger and the first vehicle are connected, the charging state image displays the first connection object between the first charger object and the first vehicle object. When the second charger and the second vehicle are connected, the second connection object is displayed between the second charger object and the second vehicle object in the charging state image. When the third charger and the third vehicle are connected, the charging state image displays a third connection object between the third charger object and the third vehicle object. Information display method.

2. The information display method according to claim 1, In the charging state image, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. Information display method.

3. The information display method according to claim 1, Each of the first charger object, the second charger object, and the third charger object is different, Information display method.

4. The information display method according to claim 3, Each of the first charger object, the second charger object, and the third charger object contains a different numerical value. Information display method.

5. The information display method according to claim 1, Each of the first vehicle object, the second vehicle object, and the third vehicle object is different, Information display method.

6. The information display method according to claim 5, The first vehicle object includes the first registration number of the first vehicle, The second vehicle object includes the second registration number of the second vehicle, The third vehicle object includes the third registration number of the third vehicle, Information display method.

7. The information display method according to claim 1, Each of the first connected object, the second connected object, and the third connected object has at least the same shape. Information display method.

8. The information display method according to claim 1, The first connected object, the second connected object, and the third connected object are each objects that resemble vehicles. Information display method.

9. The information display method according to claim 1, When the first charger and the first vehicle are connected, the first connection object is displayed between the first charger object and the first vehicle object. When the first charger is connected to a fourth vehicle different from the first vehicle, the fourth connection object, different from the first connection object, is displayed between the first charger object and the first vehicle object. Information display method.

10. The information display method according to claim 9, The display color of the fourth connection object is different from the display color of the first connection object. Information display method.

Images