Information reading device, information processing device, system and method for managing energy supply services, and system and method for providing energy supply services.

Abstract

To provide an information reading device, information processing device, and system that can improve convenience when starting to use energy supply services. [Solution] The information reading device comprises a communication unit that performs electric field communication between an object having an object to which energy is supplied and a reading target device capable of electric field communication that stores energy supply-related information, via a supply path forming member for supplying energy to the object, and a reading processing unit that reads the energy supply-related information from the reading target device by electric field communication of the communication unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, an information reading device, and an information processing device for managing and providing an energy supply service that supplies energy such as electric power.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system for supplying energy such as electric power to a supply target such as a vehicle has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a power output device that branches power supplied from an external power line and outputs it from a plurality of outlets used for vehicle charging via a plurality of power lines.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional system, there is a problem that it is desired to improve the convenience at the start of using a charging service (energy supply service). Such a problem can also occur similarly when managing an energy supply service that supplies energy other than electric power.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An information reading device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that performs electric field communication with a reading target device provided on an object having a supply target to which energy is supplied and storing energy supply related information, via a supply path forming member for supplying energy to the supply target, and a reading processing unit that reads the energy supply related information from the reading target device by the electric field communication of the communication unit.

[0006] In the information reading device, the energy supply-related information may include at least one of the following: information about an energy supply device that supplies energy to the supply target, information about the supply target, information about the object, information about a user who utilizes the supply of energy to the supply target, and information about the user's terminal device.

[0007] In the information reading device, the device to be read may be provided on an energy receiving unit, a control board, a control or monitoring interface device, or a user interface device provided on the object.

[0008] In the information reading device, the device to be read may be an IC chip, IC tag, IC card, or device having a memory in which the energy supply-related information is stored.

[0009] In the information reading device, the reading processing unit may perform a polling process to search for a reading target device capable of electric field communication, and start reading the energy supply-related information from the reading target device found in the polling process.

[0010] In the information reading device, the reading processing unit may perform a process to detect an event involving contact or proximity to a reading target device capable of electric field communication, and when the event is detected, it may start reading the energy supply-related information from the reading target device.

[0011] In the information reading device, the object may be a vehicle, the supply target may be a battery mounted on a vehicle, the energy supplied to the supply target may be electrical energy used to charge the battery, and the energy supply device that supplies energy to the supply target may be a power supply device.

[0012] In the information reading device, the object having the supply target may be a power grid, a vehicle, or both; the energy supplied to the supply target may be electrical energy; and the energy supply device that supplies energy to the supply target may be the vehicle, the power supply device of the power grid, or both.

[0013] An information processing device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises an information acquisition unit that acquires the energy supply-related information from any of the information reading devices described above, and a processing unit that performs energy supply-related processing related to the supply of energy to the target based on the energy supply-related information.

[0014] In the information processing apparatus, the information acquisition unit may acquire the energy supply-related information from the information reading device via wired or wireless communication.

[0015] In the information processing device described above, the information acquisition unit may acquire the energy supply-related information from the terminal device of a user utilizing the energy supply service via wired or wireless communication.

[0016] In the information processing device, the energy supply-related information may include at least one of the following: information about an energy supply device that supplies energy to the supply target, information about the supply target, information about the object, information about a user who utilizes the supply of energy to the supply target, and information about the user's terminal device.

[0017] In the information processing device, the energy supply-related processing may include at least one of the following authentication processes: authentication processing for the object to be supplied and authentication processing for a user who utilizes the supply of energy to the object to be supplied or for the user's terminal device.

[0018] In the information processing device, the energy supply-related processing may include authentication processing for a combination of an energy supply device that supplies energy to the target of supply and the target of supply, authentication processing for a combination of the energy supply device and a user who utilizes the supply of energy to the target of supply or the user's terminal device, or authentication processing for a combination of the energy supply device, the target of supply and the user or the terminal device.

[0019] In the information processing device, the energy supply-related processing may include control processing for controlling an energy supply device that supplies energy to the target of supply.

[0020] In the information processing device, the energy supply-related processing may include a billing process for charging the object, the supply target, the user using the energy supply service, or the user's terminal device for the use of the energy supply, a payment process for paying the energy provider for the provision of the energy supply, or both of the billing process and the payment process.

[0021] In the information processing device, the object may be a vehicle, the supply target may be a battery mounted on a vehicle, the energy supplied to the supply target may be electrical energy used to charge the battery, the energy supply device that supplies energy to the supply target may be a power supply device, and the energy supply service may be a charging service.

[0022] In the information processing apparatus, the object having the supply target may be a power system, a vehicle, or both, the energy supplied to the supply target may be electrical energy, and the energy supply apparatus that supplies energy to the supply target may be the vehicle, the power supply apparatus of the power system, or both. The energy supply service may be a power supply service that supplies power from the vehicle to the power system or a bidirectional power supply service that supplies power between the vehicle and the power system.

[0023] A system for managing an energy supply service according to still another aspect of the present invention includes any one of the information reading devices and any one of the information processing devices.

[0024] A system for providing an energy supply service according to still another aspect of the present invention includes any one of the information reading devices, any one of the information processing devices, and an energy supply device communicable with the information processing device.

[0025] A vehicle according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a read target device capable of electric field communication in which energy supply related information is stored.

[0026] In the vehicle, the read target device may be attached to a position where the tip of the charging plug in the internal space of the energy supply receiving unit contacts or faces with a predetermined gap.

[0027] In the vehicle, the read target device may be provided in a user interface device detachably attached to the vehicle or an interface device for control or monitoring.

[0028] In the vehicle, the read target device may be mounted on a control board used for controlling the vehicle.

[0029] A user interface device detachable from a vehicle according to yet another aspect of the present invention is provided with a readable device capable of electric field communication that stores energy supply-related information.

[0030] A control or monitoring interface device detachable from a vehicle according to yet another aspect of the present invention is provided with a readable device capable of electric field communication that stores energy supply-related information.

[0031] A control board provided in a vehicle according to yet another aspect of the present invention is equipped with a readable device capable of electric field communication that stores energy supply-related information.

[0032] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of starting to use energy supply services. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of electric field communication for an information reading device in a charging service provision system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the installation of the reading device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the main components of an information reading device and a device to be read according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the overall main component configuration of the charging service provision system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the main components of a charging device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the main components of a server according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the process by which a server provides a charging service according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the process at the start of charging when providing a charging service. [Figure 9]Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the process during charging when providing a charging service. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing at the end of charging when providing a charging service. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An information reading device (e.g., NFC reader) according to the embodiments described in this book communicates with an electric field communication-capable reading target device (e.g., IC chip) that is installed on an object (e.g., electric vehicle) having a supply target (e.g., battery) to which energy (e.g., electrical energy) is supplied, via a supply path forming member (e.g., charging cable) for supplying energy to the supply target, and reads the energy supply-related information from the reading target device through the electric field communication.

[0035] An information processing device (e.g., a charging management server) according to the embodiments described in this book performs energy supply-related processing (e.g., authentication processing, charging control processing, etc.) related to the supply of energy (e.g., electrical energy) to the target object (e.g., a battery) of an object (e.g., an electric vehicle) based on energy supply-related information (e.g., power usage information) obtained from the information reading device (e.g., an NFC reader).

[0036] The information reading device and information processing device according to the embodiments described in this book are suitable for systems that manage energy supply services, systems that provide energy supply services, or both, as they can enhance convenience when starting to use energy supply services (e.g., charging services). In particular, by utilizing electric field communication in the device and system of this embodiment, a "plug and charge" charging service can be realized in which authentication is completed and charging begins simply by inserting or bringing the charging plug close to the object to which electrical energy is supplied.

[0037] In the embodiments described in this book, electric field communication is a type of communication that uses a conductor, dielectric (insulator), composite thereof, or living organism such as the human body as a communication medium, and utilizes changes in or on / off switching of an "electric field" generated on or near the surface of the medium (for example, also called electric field type or electric field-based short-range communication (eNFC)). The electric field used in electric field communication is formed, for example, between the surface of the medium and a ground at a predetermined reference potential.

[0038] The system of the embodiment (a system for managing or providing energy supply services) may include an energy supply device (e.g., a charging device) having a plurality of energy output units (e.g., power output units). Furthermore, the energy output units are owned or managed by, for example, the provider of energy in the energy supply service. The supplied energy may be primary energy in the form of, for example, petroleum, natural gas, coal, or secondary energy in the form of, for example, electricity, hydrogen, gasoline, diesel fuel, heavy oil, city gas, alcohol.

[0039] The objects to which energy is supplied are, for example, electric mobile devices (e.g., EVs (Electric Vehicles), PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles), etc.) driven by motors equipped with externally rechargeable batteries (the objects to be supplied). The mobile devices may be ground-based mobile devices such as electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles (e.g., FCVs (Fuel Cell Vehicles)), or aerial mobile devices such as drones, or mobile devices such as ships that move on water such as the sea. The mobile devices may also be vehicles with four or more wheels, tricycles, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, buses, private cars, commercial vehicles, etc. The batteries may be owned by the user, leased from a leasing company, or owned by a business operator different from the user. Furthermore, the objects to which the batteries are supplied may be portable or stationary home appliances, office equipment, communication terminals, and other electrical and electronic equipment.

[0040] In particular, the medium for electric field communication in the apparatus and system of this embodiment includes a supply path forming member (e.g., a charging cable) for supplying energy (e.g., electrical energy) from an energy supply device (e.g., a charging device) to a supply target (e.g., a battery mounted on a vehicle). The supply path forming member (charging cable) may have a shield wire or ground wire made of a conductor. The supply path forming member may also be a hose for supplying gasoline, hydrogen, or gas as fuel for driving to a tank (supply target) of a vehicle (supply item), and electric field communication may be performed using the hose as the medium. The hose as the supply path forming member may have a conductor wire (e.g., a metal wire) extending in the longitudinal direction of the hose. The medium for electric field communication may also have a void in part.

[0041] In the following embodiment, as an example, we will describe a case where the energy to be used is electrical energy, the energy output unit from which that energy is output is an electrical outlet that outputs electrical energy, the target to which the energy is supplied is a drive battery incorporated in a vehicle, and a charging service management system manages a charging service (energy supply service) that charges the vehicle's battery with the power output from the outlet. In this embodiment, the vehicle having the battery to be supplied is, for example, an electric vehicle (EV) such as an electric car.

[0042] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the charging device as an energy supply device may be, for example, a charging device capable of charging the vehicle's battery with alternating current, or a charging device capable of rapidly charging the vehicle's battery in a relatively short time with direct current.

[0043] Furthermore, charging outlets, which serve as energy output units (power output units), are, for example, outlets installed on the walls of facilities such as general parking lots, detached houses, apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings, office buildings, public facilities, event venues, factories, and transportation facilities such as airports and train stations, as well as outlets in outdoor or indoor parking lots and charging stations. The outlets may be general-purpose outlets with no restrictions on use, or dedicated outlets with restrictions on use. Also, the outlets may be outlets with no restrictions on users, or outlets that can only be used by specific users.

[0044] Figure 1 shows an example of electric field communication of an information reading device 100 in a charging service provision system according to an embodiment. In Figure 1, the charging service provision system comprises an information reading device (hereinafter also referred to as "NFC reader") 100 capable of reading information by electric field communication, a reading target device 200 in which the information to be read by the NFC reader 100 is stored, a charging device (also referred to as "charging stand" or "charging port") 300, and a charging HUB device (also referred to as "charging HUB unit" or "smart outlet") 400 as a branching device having multiple power outlets.

[0045] The charging hub device 400 branches a primary power line 420, which serves as a primary energy supply path (power supply path) from an external power source or wiring equipment, into multiple secondary power lines connected to multiple power outlets. The charging device 300 is connected to the charging hub device 400 via a power cable 410 and has a charging outlet 310, which serves as an energy output unit (power output unit). The input plug 321 at the charging device end of the charging cable 320 is connected to the outlet 310 of the charging device 300. The vehicle 500 has a drive battery 510 and a charging inlet (vehicle-side charging port) 520, which is an energy supply receiving unit connected to the battery 510. The connection path between the battery 510 and the charging inlet 520 may have a circuit that converts alternating current to direct current. The charging plug (output plug) 322 at the vehicle-type end of the charging cable 320 is attached to the charging inlet 520 of the vehicle 500.

[0046] In Figure 1, the NFC reader 100 is positioned, for example, in contact with or close to the surface of the charging hub device 400. The ground wire of the NFC reader 100's internal circuitry is connected to the surrounding ground (earth) via, for example, a power line. The device to be read 200 is positioned in contact with or close to the charging inlet 520 of the vehicle 500, with a predetermined gap in between. The ground wire of the device to be read 200's internal circuitry is connected to, for example, the vehicle housing, which is made of a conductor (e.g., metal) that functions as a body ground to which the negative voltage (e.g., -12V or -24V) of the auxiliary battery for the vehicle's electrical components is connected. The NFC reader 100 reads the charging-related information (energy supply-related information) stored in the device to be read 200 via, for example, the electric field communication path EC shown by the dashed line in the figure.

[0047] Furthermore, in order to avoid noise on the power line and to facilitate external access using an add-on adapter, the signal lines of the NFC reader 100 and the reading target device 200 may be connected to the ground (earth, body ground to which the negative voltage of the battery is connected) to create a communication path for electric field communication. In that case, the internal ground of the NFC reader 100 and the reading target device 200 will be connected to a separate conductor.

[0048] The NFC reader 100 may be positioned in contact with the surface of the power cable 410 between the charging device 300 and the charging hub device 400, or close to it via a predetermined gap. Alternatively, the NFC reader 100 may be positioned in contact with the surface surrounding the charging outlet 310 of the charging device 300, or close to it via a predetermined gap. Furthermore, the NFC reader 100 may be positioned in contact with the surface of the charging cable 320, or close to it via a predetermined gap. The NFC reader 100 may also be mounted on a user terminal device that can be operated to bring it into contact with the surface of the charging hub device 400, or close to it via a predetermined gap. The NFC reader 100 may also have a function to write information to the reading target device 200.

[0049] The reading target device 200, which is placed in the vehicle 500, is, for example, an IC chip, IC tag, IC card, or device having a memory that stores information such as charging-related information. The reading target device 200 is mounted, for example, as shown in Figure 2, in the internal space of the charging inlet (energy receiving part) 520 into which the charging plug (output plug) 322 of the charging cable 320 is inserted, at a position where the tip of the charging plug 322 is in contact with the other, or at a position where the tip is in contact with the other with a predetermined gap between them.

[0050] The reading target device 200 may also be a USB dongle (user interface device) that can be inserted into a USB terminal in the vehicle 500 and is equipped with an IC chip having a memory that stores information such as charging-related information. By inserting this USB dongle equipped with an IC chip into a USB terminal in the vehicle 500, when the charging plug 322 of the charging cable 320 is inserted into the charging inlet 520 of the vehicle 500, information such as charging-related information can be read from the reading target device (IC chip of the USB dongle) 200 via electric field communication between the vehicle housing and the charging cable 320.

[0051] Furthermore, the reading target device 200 may be a cigarette lighter socket dongle (user interface device) that can be inserted into the cigarette lighter socket in the vehicle 500 and is equipped with an IC chip having a memory that stores information such as charging-related information. By inserting this cigarette lighter socket dongle equipped with the IC chip into the cigarette lighter socket in the vehicle 500, when the charging plug 322 of the charging cable 320 is inserted into the charging inlet 520 of the vehicle 500, information such as charging-related information can be read from the reading target device (IC chip of the cigarette lighter socket dongle) 200 via electric field communication between the vehicle housing and the charging cable 320.

[0052] Furthermore, the device to be read 200 may be an ECU (electronic control unit) board (control board) equipped with an IC chip having a memory that stores information such as charging-related information. In this case, when the charging plug 322 of the charging cable 320 is inserted into the charging inlet 520 of the vehicle 500, information such as charging-related information can be read from the device to be read (IC chip mounted on the ECU board) 200 by electric field communication between the vehicle housing and the charging cable 320.

[0053] Furthermore, the device to be read 200 may be an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) dongle (control or monitoring interface device) to which an IC chip having a memory storing information such as charging-related information is attached and which can be attached to the OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) 2 port, which is a port for an on-board fault diagnosis device in the vehicle 500. By attaching this OBD dongle equipped with the IC chip to the OBD2 port in the vehicle 500, when the charging plug 322 of the charging cable 320 is inserted into the charging inlet 520 of the vehicle 500, information such as charging-related information can be read from the device to be read (the IC chip of the OBD dongle) 200 via electric field communication between the vehicle housing and the charging cable 320.

[0054] The charging-related information stored in the reading device 200 includes, for example, information about a charging device (energy supply device) 300 that can be used for the vehicle 500, information about the battery (supply target) 510 to be charged, information about the vehicle (object) 500, information about a user who utilizes the supply of electrical energy (charging) to the battery (supply target) 510, and information about the user's terminal device. The charging-related information may be information that can be used to control the charging of the battery 510 of the vehicle 500, or it may be information that can be used to authenticate the charging device 300, the vehicle 500, the user or terminal device, or a combination thereof. For example, the information about the charging device 300 may include identification information of the charging device 300 that has been pre-authorized for use in charging the vehicle 500. The information on the battery 510 may include identification information of the battery 510 that has been pre-authorized as a charge target (supply target), information on the State of Charge (SoC), which is an indicator of the charge rate or charge state of the battery 510, and information on the State of Health (SoH), which is an indicator of the health or degradation state of the battery 510. The information on the user or terminal device may include identification information of a user or terminal device of a user that has been pre-authorized as a user capable of charging the battery 510 of the vehicle 500.

[0055] Here, when the vehicle 500 is stopped, the ECU may write the SoC information of the vehicle 500's battery 510 to the IC chip of the reading target device 200 mounted on the ECU board. In this case, the charging device 300 of the charging equipment can acquire the SoC information via the NFC reader 100, which performs electric field communication between the vehicle housing and the charging cable 320, even without using a dedicated communication line with the ECU, and even when the vehicle 500 is not powered on.

[0056] The vehicle (object) 500 may be equipped with an external communication unit for an in-vehicle device. The external communication unit may be, for example, a telematics control unit (TCU) connected to the in-vehicle network (CAN: Controller Area Network) via a gateway. In addition to communication functions via a communication network, the telematics control unit (TCU) may also have short-range wireless communication functions such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth®. In addition to the telematics control unit (TCU), the in-vehicle network (CAN) is connected to a battery management system (BMS) that manages the battery 510, and one or more electronic control units (ECUs) that control other parts.

[0057] Power usage information related to the power used to charge the battery 510 (e.g., battery identification information, energy amount, charging start time, charging end time) is stored in the battery management system (BMS) as SoC information, for example, and written to the read-only device 200. In addition, vehicle identification information is written to the read-only device 200 from an electronic control unit (ECU) having a memory that stores basic vehicle information, for example, via a remote control unit (TCU). The writing of this information may be performed, for example, based on a transmission request generated by an application running on the terminal device 600. The transmission request from the terminal device 600 may be received by the vehicle 500's remote control unit (TCU) via short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth®.

[0058] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the main components of an information reading device (NFC reader) 100 and a device to be read 200 according to an embodiment. In Figure 3, the NFC reader 100 includes an electrode 110 for forming an electric field communication path EC that involves a change in the electric field for reading information from the device to be read 200, and an electric field communication unit (transceiver) 120 that performs electric field communication with the device to be read 200 via the electric field formed by the electrode 110.

[0059] The electrode 110 and the electric field communication unit 120 function as a communication unit that performs electric field communication with a reading target device 200 that is provided in a vehicle (target object) 500 having a battery (supply target) 510 and stores charging-related information (energy supply-related information), via a charging cable (supply path forming member) 320 for supplying electrical energy to the battery (supply target) 510.

[0060] Furthermore, the NFC reader 100 includes a storage unit 130 for storing information read from the device to be read 200, a short-range wireless communication unit 140, and a control unit 150. The short-range wireless communication unit 140 performs short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth®, wireless USB, or wireless LAN communication) between the NFC reader 100 and the destination device (for example, a terminal device such as a user's smartphone or personal computer) to which the information read from the device to be read 200 is transferred.

[0061] The control unit 150 executes a pre-installed program or a program received from an external device and installed using a processor or the like, thereby performing tasks such as controlling each part, processing transmitted and received signals, and reading and writing information to the storage unit 130.

[0062] The control unit 150 also functions as a reading processing unit that reads charging-related information (energy supply-related information) from the device to be read 200 by electric field communication of the communication unit (electrode 110 and electric field communication unit 120). For example, the control unit 150 performs a polling process to search for a device to be read (e.g., an IC chip, IC tag, IC card, or device) 200 capable of electric field communication, and starts reading charging-related information (energy supply-related information) from the device to be read 200 found in the polling process. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 150 may perform a process to detect an event involving contact or proximity of a device to be read (e.g., an IC chip, IC tag, IC card, or device) 200 capable of electric field communication by electromagnetic induction, and start reading charging-related information (energy supply-related information) from the device to be read 200 when the event is detected.

[0063] The reading target device 200 includes an electrode 210 for forming an electric field communication path EC that involves changes in the electric field for information reading by the NFC reader 100, and an electric field communication unit (transceiver) 220 that performs electric field communication with the NFC reader 100 via the electric field formed by the electrode 210. Furthermore, the reading target device 200 includes a storage unit 230 for storing the information read by the NFC reader 100, and a control unit 240. The control unit 240 executes a pre-installed program or a program received from an external device and installed using a processor or the like, to perform, for example, control of each unit, processing of signals to be transmitted and received, and processing of reading and writing of information in the storage unit 230.

[0064] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the overall main components of a charging service provision system according to an embodiment. In Figure 4, components common to Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. In Figure 4, the charging service provision system of this embodiment includes an NFC reader 100 as an information reading device, a reading target device 200 mounted on an electric vehicle (EV) 500 as an object, a charging device 300 as an energy supply device, a terminal device 600 for a user using the charging service, and a charging management server (hereinafter referred to as "server") 700 as an information processing device (charging management device) for managing the charging service. The charging service provision system (energy supply management system) that manages the charging service (energy supply service) may be a system that includes, for example, the NFC reader 100 and the server 700.

[0065] The charging device 300 can convert AC power supplied from an external power grid into DC or AC power of a predetermined voltage and supply it to the electric vehicle (EV) 500 as the target object from the outlet 310 of the power output unit (charging port). The voltage (current) supplied from the outlet 310 of the power output unit (charging port) may be AC ​​(for example, AC200V, maximum 3~4kW / 15~20A output) or DC (for example, DC50~500V, maximum 1000kW).

[0066] The outlet 310 of the power output section (charging port) is an EV / PHEV charging outlet that has, for example, a plug socket 20a for AC200V (rated: 20A, 250V, with ground terminal) on the underside of the outlet body portion which is formed in a convex shape on the front side in the figure. The outlet 310 may have an openable and closable outlet cover that covers the plug socket when the outlet is not in use. The outlet 310 may also have a function to prevent the input plug 321 of the charging cable 320 that is plugged into the plug socket from falling out. The outlet 310 may also have a plug socket for AC100V (rated: 15A, 1500W (1.5kW), with ground terminal). It may also have a plug socket for DC (for example, DC50~500V, maximum 1000kW).

[0067] The charging device 300 may have a power output section that is directly connected to the charging device end of the charging cable 320, without providing an outlet 310.

[0068] The charging device 300 can communicate with the server 700 via a wired or wireless communication line, a mobile communication network, the internet, or other communication network 800. The charging device 300 may also have functions for short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth®, wireless USB, or wireless LAN communication) with the terminal device 600, and functions for communicating with the terminal device 600 via the communication network 800. Furthermore, the charging device 300 may also have a function for short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth®, wireless USB, or wireless LAN communication) with the NFC reader 100.

[0069] The power output unit (outlet) 310 of the charging device 300 may be fitted with a code image (for example, an image of a QR code (registered trademark)). The code image may be a one-dimensional code image or a two-dimensional code image. The code image is an image that encodes information such as the name, identification number, installation location, and installation entity of the power output unit (outlet) 310. The code image may be printed on a sticker material and affixed next to the power output unit (outlet) 310 by the user or the installation entity.

[0070] The power output unit (outlet) 310 may have an image of text (e.g., handwritten text) attached to it as an auxiliary identification image of the power output unit (outlet) 310, which may be arbitrarily added by the user or the installer. The power output unit (outlet) 310 may also have an image of an illustration attached to it as an auxiliary identification image, which may be arbitrarily added by the user or the installer. The text and illustrations as auxiliary identification images may be drawn on a sticker material and affixed to the side of the power output unit (outlet) 310 by the user or the installer. In addition to text and illustrations, the auxiliary identification images may also be patterns or marks.

[0071] The terminal device 600 is, for example, a smartphone or personal computer that can be operated by a user, and has the function of performing short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth®, wireless USB, or wireless LAN communication) with the NFC reader 100. The terminal device 600 has the function of communicating with the server 700 via a communication network 800 such as a wired or wireless communication line, a mobile communication network, or the internet.

[0072] The terminal device 600 may be, for example, a mobile station (also called a "mobile device," "user equipment (UE)," etc.) capable of communicating via a fourth-generation or fifth-generation or later mobile communication network. In addition to a mobile station, the terminal device 600 may also be a GPS tracker, a tag, etc. The terminal device 600 may be possessed by a user of the vehicle 500, or it may be installed in the vehicle 500.

[0073] The terminal device 600 includes an operating unit such as keys, buttons, and a touch panel, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display. The terminal device 600 may also include an imaging unit such as a camera that captures images of power outlet cords and identification auxiliary images, and a current location acquisition unit such as a GNSS receiver that acquires information about the current location of the device. The terminal device 600 can be operated by a user to start and execute a predetermined power usage application (for example, an application for using a charging service).

[0074] Server 700 may consist of a single computer device, multiple computer devices linked together, or a cloud system on a network.

[0075] The server 700 manages the charging of an electric vehicle (EV) 500, which is supplied with power under predetermined conditions from the power output unit (charging port) 310 of the charging device 300. For example, the server 700 controls the output of each power output unit (charging port) 310 so that the total power consumption consumed in charging the electric vehicle (EV) 500 is within the upper limit power of the charging device 300. The server 700 can communicate with the user's terminal device 600 via a communication network 800 such as a wired or wireless communication line, a mobile communication network, or the internet. The server 700 may also be configured to communicate with the charging device 300 via a communication network 800 such as a wired or wireless communication line, a mobile communication network, or the internet.

[0076] Furthermore, the server 700 has the functions of the following means A1 and A2, and performs the processing of each means. A1: A means for obtaining charging-related information (energy supply-related information) that the NFC reader 100 has read from the device 200 to be read by the NFC reader 100. A2: A means for performing charging-related processing (energy supply-related processing) related to charging, which involves supplying electrical energy to the battery 510 of an electric vehicle (EV) 500, based on charging-related information (energy supply-related information) obtained from the NFC reader 100.

[0077] The charging-related information (energy supply-related information) that the server 700 obtains from the NFC reader 100 includes, for example, at least one of the following: information about a charging device (energy supply device) 300 that can be used for the vehicle 500; information about the battery (supply target) 510 to be charged; information about the vehicle (object) 500; information about the user who will be using the charging (supply of electrical energy) of the battery (supply target) 510; and information about the user's terminal device. The charging-related information may be information that can be used to control the charging of the battery 510 of the vehicle 500, or it may be information that can be used for authentication of the charging device 300, the vehicle 500, the user or terminal device, or a combination thereof. For example, the information about the charging device 300 may include identification information of the charging device 300 that has been pre-authorized for use in charging the vehicle 500. The information on the battery 510 may include identification information of the battery 510 that has been pre-authorized as a charge target (supply target), SoC information which is an indicator of the charge rate or charge state of the battery 510, and SoH information which is an indicator of the health or degradation state of the battery 510. The information on the user or terminal device may include identification information of a user or terminal device of a user that has been pre-authorized as a user capable of charging the battery 510 of the vehicle 500.

[0078] The charging-related processing (energy supply-related processing) performed by the server 700 includes, for example, authentication processing for the vehicle 500 or the battery (supply target) 510 and authentication processing for the user or the user's terminal device 600 that utilizes the supply of electrical energy (charging) to the battery 510 of the vehicle 500.

[0079] The charging-related processing (energy supply-related processing) may include authentication processing for combinations of a charging device (energy supply device) 300 and a vehicle 500 or battery (supply target) 510, authentication processing for combinations of a charging device (energy supply device) 300 and a user or the user's terminal device 600, or authentication processing for combinations of a charging device (energy supply device) 300 and a vehicle 500 or battery (supply target) 510 and a user or terminal device 600.

[0080] The charging-related processing (energy supply-related processing) may include control processing for controlling the charging device (energy supply device) 300.

[0081] The charging-related processing (energy supply-related processing) may include, for a vehicle (object) 500, a battery (supply target) 510, a user or terminal device 600, a billing process for charging a usage fee for charging the battery (supply target) 510 (supply of electrical energy), a payment process for paying a fee for supplying electrical energy to the provider of electrical energy, or both of the aforementioned billing and payment processes.

[0082] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the main components of a charging device 300 according to an embodiment. In Figure 5, the charging device 300 includes an outlet 310 as a power output unit, a switch unit (for example, a remote control circuit breaker or remote control relay) 330 as an opening and closing means for opening and closing the power supply path, a control unit 340 as a control means for controlling the switch unit 330, and a network communication unit 350 as a communication means for communicating with a server 700 via a wired or wireless communication line, a mobile communication network, the Internet, or other communication network 800.

[0083] The switch unit 330 is composed of, for example, a switch having normally open relay contacts. The control unit 340 executes a pre-installed program or a program received from an external device and installed using a processor or the like, to perform, for example, the transmission and reception of control information, data and commands with the server 700, and control of the switch unit 330 based on the control information. The network communication unit 350 may be configured to communicate via a wired communication line such as an optical line, or it may be configured to communicate via a wireless communication line using a wireless communication module. Communication via a wireless communication line may be, for example, communication via a fourth-generation or fifth-generation or later cellular mobile communication network, or communication via a wireless LAN.

[0084] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the main components of a server (information processing device) 700 according to an embodiment. In Figure 6, the server 700 comprises a terminal communication unit 701, an authentication processing unit 703, a storage unit (DB: database) 704, a charging control communication unit 706, and a charging control processing unit 707.

[0085] The terminal communication unit 701 functions as an information acquisition unit that acquires the charging-related information (energy supply-related information) from the NFC reader (information reading device) 100. The terminal communication unit 701 communicates with a terminal device 600 owned by a user or a terminal device 600 installed in a vehicle 500, for example, via wired or wireless communication (for example, via a communication network 800 such as a mobile communication network or the Internet, or via another public line or dedicated line), and acquires the charging-related information (energy supply-related information) from the terminal device 600 that has received the charging-related information (energy supply-related information) from the NFC reader (information reading device) 100.

[0086] The terminal communication unit 701 may communicate with the NFC reader (information reading device) 100 via wired or wireless communication (for example, via a communication network 800 such as a mobile communication network or the Internet, or via another public line or dedicated line) and directly obtain charging-related information (energy supply-related information) from the NFC reader (information reading device) 100.

[0087] The charging control communication unit 706 has the function of communicating with the charging device 300, the charging HUB device 400, or both, via a communication network 800 such as a mobile communication network or the Internet, or via another public line or dedicated line.

[0088] The charging control communication unit 706 transmits to the charging device 300 or charging hub device 400 control information for opening and closing the charging circuit, which is generated based on charging-related information (energy supply-related information) acquired from, for example, the NFC reader (information reading device) 100.

[0089] The charging control communication unit 706 may receive connection monitoring information from the charging hub device 10 indicating whether or not the input plug 321 of the charging cable 320 from the vehicle 500 is connected to the power output unit (outlet) 310.

[0090] The terminal communication unit 701 and the charging control communication unit 706 may be configured as an integrated communication device (for example, a mobile communication module).

[0091] The charging control processing unit 707 functions as a processing unit that performs control processing to control the charging device 300 or charging HUB device 400, which is an energy supply device that supplies electrical energy to the battery 510 of the vehicle 500, as charging-related processing (energy supply-related processing) based on charging-related information (energy supply-related information) acquired from the NFC reader (information reading device) 100. For example, the charging control processing unit 707 generates control information for opening and closing the charging circuit based on the charging-related information (energy supply-related information) acquired from the NFC reader (information reading device) 100.

[0092] The authentication processing unit 703 functions as a processing unit that performs authentication processing as charging-related processing (energy supply-related processing) based on charging-related information (energy supply-related information) obtained from the NFC reader (information reading device) 100. For example, the authentication processing unit 703 performs at least one authentication of the user using the power (user authentication), the target of the power supply (e.g., vehicle 500 or battery 510 authentication), the target of the power supply (e.g., vehicle 500 or battery 510 authentication), and the energy supply unit (charging device 300 or outlet 310) authentication (energy supply side authentication) based on the identification information of the user or terminal device 600, the identification information of the target of the power supply (e.g., vehicle 500 or battery 510 identification information), and the identification information of the charging device 300 or outlet 310.

[0093] For example, the authentication processing unit 703 may perform user authentication to confirm whether the user is a legitimate user who has been pre-registered for a given charging service by comparing the user's identification information (user ID) received from the terminal device 600 with the user's identification information (user ID) that has been pre-registered in the server 700. In this case, the system may permit the use of the charging service if the user is a legitimate user, and restrict (for example, deny) the use of the charging service if the user is not a legitimate user.

[0094] Furthermore, for example, the authentication processing unit 703 may perform a supply target authentication to confirm whether the supply target (e.g., vehicle 500 or battery 510) is a legitimate supply target registered in advance for a predetermined charging service by comparing the identification information of the supply target received from the terminal device 600 (e.g., identification information of the vehicle 500 or battery 510) with the identification information of the supply target registered in advance on the server 700 (e.g., identification information of the vehicle 500 or battery 510). In this case, if it is a legitimate supply target, the use of the charging service may be permitted, and if it is not a legitimate supply target, the use of the charging service may be restricted (e.g., not permitted).

[0095] Furthermore, for example, the authentication processing unit 703 may perform energy supply-side authentication to confirm whether the energy supply device (for example, the charging device 300 or outlet 310) is a legitimate energy supply device that has been pre-registered for a predetermined charging service by comparing the identification information of the energy supply device received from the terminal device 600 (for example, the identification information of the charging device 300 or outlet 310) with the identification information of the energy supply device that has been pre-registered in the server 700 (for example, the identification information of the charging device 300 or outlet 310). In this case, if it is a legitimate energy supply device, the use of the charging service may be permitted, and if it is not a legitimate energy supply device, the use of the charging service may be restricted (for example, not permitted).

[0096] The authentication processing unit 703 may perform authentication processing for any combination of user or terminal device 600, supplied item (e.g., vehicle 500 or battery 510), and energy supply device (e.g., charging device 300 or outlet 310). For example, the authentication processing unit 703 may perform authentication processing for a combination of energy supply device (e.g., charging device 300 or outlet 310) and user or terminal device 600. The authentication processing unit 703 may also perform authentication processing for a combination of energy supply device (e.g., charging device 300 or outlet 310) and supplied item (e.g., vehicle 500 or battery 510). The authentication processing unit 703 may also perform authentication processing for a combination of energy supply device (e.g., charging device 300 or outlet 310), user or terminal device 600, and supplied item (e.g., vehicle 500 or battery 510).

[0097] In one example of charging service management, the storage unit (DB) 704 stores, based on the read data read from the information reading target device (IC chip) 200 by the NFC reader 100, the identification information of the outlet 310 (outlet ID), the identification information of the charging HUB device 400 (HUBID), the identification information of the user or terminal device 600, the identification information of the supplied item (for example, the identification information of the vehicle 500 or battery 510), the identification information of the NFC reader 100 (reader ID), the identification information of the information reading target device (IC chip) 200 (IC chip ID), and power usage information, associating them with each other. For example, as shown in Table 1, for each series of power usage transactions, one record is stored associating the outlet ID, HUBID, user ID, terminal ID, vehicle ID, reader ID, IC chip ID, and power usage information with each other, and as a whole, a power usage transaction table (power usage ledger) is formed.

[0098] [Table 1]

[0099] Furthermore, the storage unit (DB) 704 stores various tables used for managing charging services via multiple outlets. For example, the storage unit (DB) 704 stores the user management table shown in Table 2, the vehicle management table shown in Table 3, and the outlet management table shown in Table 4.

[0100] [Table 2]

[0101] [Table 3]

[0102] [Table 4]

[0103] The user management table (Table 2), vehicle management table (Table 3), and outlet management table (Table 4) respectively add new records when a new outlet 310, user (terminal device 600), and vehicle 500 (battery 510) are registered for use in the charging service provided by the server 700 of this embodiment via the outlet 310.

[0104] In this embodiment, the charging management server 70 may also include a billing processing unit 705. The billing processing unit 705 processes the billing for the usage fee of power utilization by the vehicle 500 via the outlet 310 (charging of the battery 510) to at least one of the user, the supplied item (vehicle 500 or battery 510), and the terminal device 600. For example, the user may be charged all or part of the usage fee for power utilization by the vehicle 500 via the outlet 310 (charging of the battery 510), or the usage fee may be added to the usage fee of the terminal device 600. If the vehicle 500 or battery 510 is rented from a rental company or leased from a leasing company, the rental company or leasing company may be charged all or part of the usage fee for power utilization by the vehicle 500 via the outlet 310 (charging of the battery 510).

[0105] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the process for providing a charging service according to this embodiment. In Figure 7, the process for providing a charging service according to this embodiment includes a preparation phase (S100) and an operation phase (S200).

[0106] In the preparation phase (S100), the server 700 receives data input from the operator for multiple outlets 310 used in the power usage management service, creates an outlet management table (Table 4), and performs registration processing for the outlets 310 (S101). The server 700 also receives new registration data from terminal devices 600 of multiple users using the charging service, including information on the users and terminal devices 600, as well as information on the supplied items (vehicles 500 and batteries 510). Based on this, the server 700 creates the aforementioned user management table (Table 2) and vehicle management table (Table 3), and performs registration processing for the users and terminal devices 600, as well as registration processing for the supplied items (vehicles 500 and batteries 510) (S102).

[0107] The operation phase (S200) includes the processing at the start of charging (S210), the processing during charging (S220), and the processing at the end of charging (S230). The operation phase (S200) may also include the billing process (S240) as an optional process.

[0108] In the charging start process S210, the aforementioned authentication process is performed based on charging-related information, including the user's (or terminal device 600's) identification information and the vehicle's (or battery 510's) identification information, received from the NFC reader 100 via the terminal device 600. In addition, the charging start process S210 also includes processes such as starting the supply of power to the outlet 310 to which the authorized user's vehicle 500 is connected.

[0109] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing at the start of charging (S210) in the charging service provision shown in Figure 7. In the example in Figure 8, the server 700 obtains the charging-related information read by the NFC reader 100 from the target device 200 via the user's terminal device 600. However, the server 700 may also directly obtain the charging-related information read from the target device 200 from the NFC reader 100 without going through the terminal device 600 (the same applies to Figures 9 to 11 below). If the charging-related information is obtained directly from the NFC reader 100, it becomes unnecessary to operate the terminal device 600 each time, further improving user convenience. Furthermore, as an additional or auxiliary process, the user may operate the terminal device 600 to capture and read a code image (e.g., a QR code®) containing identification information of the outlet 310 located near the outlet 310, transmit the image data of the read code image to the server 700, and use it for processing on the server 700 (e.g., authentication processing, charging control processing).

[0110] In Figure 8, first, the user operates the terminal device 600 to launch the application for using the charging service and selects "My Car" from the menu displayed on the terminal device 600's screen. This operation requests authentication permission to use the charging service from the terminal device 600 to the server 700 (S211). At the time of this request (or after or before the request), the user's terminal device 600 receives charging-related information from the NFC reader 100, which has been read by the NFC reader 100 from the target device (IC chip) 200 via electric field communication. Here, the charging-related information is information necessary for authentication permission to use and charging control. For example, the charging-related information includes the user's (or terminal device 600's) identification information and the identification information of the vehicle 500 (or battery 510) that has been pre-registered as "My Car" in the terminal device 600. The charging-related information may also include the identification information of the outlet (power output unit) 310 of the charging device 300.

[0111] Next, the server 700 receives a request for user authorization authentication (hereinafter also referred to as "user authorization request") from the user's terminal device 600, and also receives and acquires charging-related information read by the NFC reader 100 from the target device (IC chip) 200 via electric field communication (S212). Upon receiving the user authorization request and the charging-related information, the server 700 executes at least one of the multiple authentication processes described above (S213). For example, the server 700 performs authentication processing on the combination of the user's (or terminal device 600's) identification information and the vehicle's (or battery 510's) identification information, based on the user's (or terminal device 600's) identification information and the vehicle's (or battery 510's) identification information received from the terminal device 600. For example, the server 700 performs authentication processing on the combination of the user's (or terminal device 600's) identification information, the vehicle 500 (or battery 510) identification information, and the charging device 300's outlet (power output unit) 310, based on the user's (or terminal device 600's) identification information received from the terminal device 600, the vehicle 500 (or battery 510) identification information, and the charging device 300's outlet (power output unit) 310.

[0112] If a power outlet (power output unit) 310 is not registered for a user, the server 700 may add the corresponding power outlet ID and user ID to the power outlet management table in Table 4, as a power outlet available to the user. Also, if a vehicle 500 (or battery 510) is not registered for a user, the server 700 may add the corresponding vehicle ID (or battery ID) and user ID to the vehicle management table in Table 3, as a vehicle 500 (or battery 510) used by the user.

[0113] Once the authentication process described above is complete, the server 700 generates control information to control the charging device 300 that charges the battery 510 of the vehicle 500, based on the charging-related information obtained via the terminal device 600, and notifies the charging device 300 of the generated control information along with the usage permission information (S214). The server 700 may also notify the charging device 300 of the control information and usage permission information via the user's terminal device 600 or another maintenance management server.

[0114] When the network communication unit 350 of the charging device 300 receives the above usage permission information and control information from the server 700, the control unit 340 notifies the switch unit 330 corresponding to the outlet ID, based on the outlet ID included in the control information, of an ON command (S215). When the switch unit 330 receives the ON command from the control unit 340, it closes the circuit of the secondary power line (circuit conduction state), starts supplying power to the outlet (power output unit) 310, and makes it ready for charging (in a state where it can output charging power), and notifies the server 700 of the completion of control of the switch unit 330 (S215).

[0115] Next, when the server 700 receives control completion information from the switch unit 330, it sends a response to the above usage permission request to the terminal device 600 (S216).

[0116] When the terminal device 600 receives a response from the server 700 to the above-mentioned request for permission to use authentication, the user can confirm on the application of the terminal device 600 that the outlet (power output unit) 310 of the charging device 30 is available for use (S217).

[0117] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the charging process (S220) in the charging service provided in Figure 7. In Figure 9, when charging of the vehicle 500 from the outlet (power output unit) 310 begins, the charging device 300 measures the amount of electricity [kWh] during charging in the secondary power line connected to the outlet (power output unit) 310 using a power consumption monitor device or the like (S221).

[0118] The charging device 300 periodically notifies the server 700 of charging information, including the measured amount of power being charged (S222). The charging device 300 may also notify the server 700 of charging information via another maintenance management server.

[0119] When the server 700 receives charging information from the charging device 300, it notifies the corresponding user's terminal device 600 of the charging information (S223).

[0120] When the terminal device 600 receives charging information from the server 700, the user can check the charging status from the outlet (power output unit) 310 of the charging device 300 to the vehicle 500 on the application of the terminal device 600 (S224).

[0121] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing at the end of charging (S230) in the charging service provision shown in Figure 7. In Figure 10, when charging of the vehicle 500's battery 510 by power supplied from the outlet (power output unit) 310 is complete, the server 700 notifies the charging device 300 and the terminal device 600 of the end of use information, including the outlet ID of the outlet to be terminated (S231). The server 700 may also notify the charging device 300 and the terminal device 600 of the end of use information via another maintenance management server. Furthermore, the server 700 may automatically detect when the charging plug 322 of the charging cable (supply path forming member) 320 is removed from the vehicle 500's charging inlet 520 and the reading target device 200 is no longer visible (when the reading target device 200 moves away from the vehicle 500's charging inlet 520) and execute the processing to terminate the use of the charging service.

[0122] When the network communication unit 350 of the charging device 300 receives the usage termination information and control information from the server 700, the control unit 340 notifies the switch unit 330 corresponding to the outlet ID, based on the outlet ID included in the control information, of an OFF command. When the switch unit 330 receives the OFF command from the control unit 340, it opens the circuit of the corresponding secondary power line (circuit disconnection state) and stops supplying power to the corresponding outlet (power output unit) 310 (S232).

[0123] Next, the user's terminal device 600 receives the charging-related information that the NFC reader 100 has read from the target device (IC chip) 200 via electric field communication. The server 700 receives and acquires the charging-related information that the NFC reader 100 has read from the target device (IC chip) 200 via electric field communication from the user's terminal device 600 (S233). Here, the charging-related information is information necessary for billing processing, including power usage information used to charge the battery 510 of the vehicle 500. The charging-related information may also include, for example, SoC information, which is an indicator representing the charge rate or charge state of the battery 510, stored in the IC chip that serves as the target device 200 provided on the ECU board (control board) of the vehicle 500.

[0124] Next, when the server 700 receives a notification from the charging device 300 indicating that the power supply from the outlet 20 has been stopped (S224), it notifies the terminal device 600 of the completion of charging (S235).

[0125] When the server 700 receives the above charging completion information, the user can confirm on the application of the terminal device 600 that charging of the vehicle 500 via the outlet 310 has been completed (S236).

[0126] Furthermore, the server 700 associates the outlet ID, HUBID, user ID, terminal ID, vehicle ID, reader ID, IC chip ID, and power usage information with each other and stores them in the storage unit (DB) 704 so that they can be added to the power usage transaction table (power usage ledger) shown in Table 1 above.

[0127] Server 700 can manage each user's power usage via outlets in the power usage management service by referring to the power usage transaction table (power usage ledger).

[0128] Furthermore, the server 700 may, by referring to the power usage transaction table (power usage ledger), perform the process of charging at least one of the following for the power usage charges of the vehicle 500 via the outlet 310: the user, the supplied item (vehicle 500 or battery 510), and the terminal device 600 (S240 in Figure 7 above).

[0129] In summary, this embodiment enhances the convenience of starting to use the charging service that supplies power, and also prevents the fraudulent use of the charging service.

[0130] In particular, according to this embodiment, charging-related information (energy supply-related information) can be instantly read and acquired from the vehicle 500 by a simple operation of bringing the NFC reader (information reading device) 100 into contact with or close to the charging HUB device 400 or charging cable 320. Moreover, since it does not require the addition of a configuration for acquiring charging-related information (energy supply-related information) or major modifications to existing equipment, a highly versatile charging service management system and charging service provision system can be constructed.

[0131] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the user does not need to perform operations to acquire charging-related information (energy supply-related information) used for authentication and control of charging from the vehicle (object) using the terminal device 600, the convenience at the start of using the charging service can be further enhanced.

[0132] Furthermore, the information reading device (NFC reader) 100, information processing device (server) 700, and systems having them in the embodiments described herein are also applicable to power supply services other than charging, which supply power from a power grid (e.g., a power supply network such as a grid or smart grid) to a vehicle (an object having a supply target), power supply services such as reverse power flow or reverse power flow aggregation, which supply power from a vehicle to a power grid, or bidirectional power supply services (also known as "V2G") which supply power between a vehicle and a power grid. In this case, the object having a supply target of electricity (electrical energy) is a power grid, a vehicle, or both, and the energy supply device is a vehicle, a power supply device of a power grid, or both.

[0133] Furthermore, the processing steps and components described herein, such as information reading devices (NFC readers), devices to be read (IC chips, etc.), information processing devices (servers), systems, terminal devices, charging devices, and vehicle in-vehicle devices, can be implemented by various means. For example, these processes and components may be implemented using hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0134] With respect to hardware implementation, means such as processing units used to realize the above process and components in an entity (e.g., an IC chip, IC tag, IC card, device, processor, microcomputer, computer equipment, server, terminal equipment (user equipment, mobile station, communication terminal), vehicle-mounted equipment, hard disk drive equipment, or optical disc drive equipment) may be implemented in one or more application-specific ICs (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing units (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, computers, or combinations thereof.

[0135] Furthermore, with respect to the firmware and / or software implementation, means such as processing units used to realize the aforementioned components may be implemented with programs (e.g., code such as procedures, functions, modules, instructions, etc.) that perform the functions described herein. Generally, any computer / processor-readable medium that clearly embodies the firmware and / or software code may be used to implement means such as processing units used to realize the aforementioned processes and components as described herein. For example, the firmware and / or software code may be stored in memory in a control device, for example, and executed by a computer or processor. That memory may be implemented inside the computer or processor, or it may be implemented outside the processor. Also, the firmware and / or software code may be stored in a computer or processor-readable medium such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, floppy disks, compact disks (CDs), digital versatile disks (DVDs), magnetic or optical data storage devices, etc. The code may be executed by one or more computers or processors, and the computers or processors may be made to perform functional embodiments as described herein.

[0136] Furthermore, the medium may be a non-temporary recording medium. Also, the program code may be readable and executable by a computer, processor, or other device or machine, and its format is not limited to a specific format. For example, the program code may be source code, object code, or binary code, or it may be a mixture of two or more of these codes.

[0137] Furthermore, the descriptions of embodiments disclosed herein are provided to enable those skilled in the art to manufacture or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein are applicable to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be accepted in the broadest sense that conforms to the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0138] 100: Information reading device (NFC reader) 110: Electrode 120: Electric Field Communications Department 130: Storage section 140: Short-range wireless communication department 150: Control Unit 200: Device to be read 210: Electrode 220: Electric Field Communications Department 230: Storage section 240: Control Unit 300: Charging device 310: Outlet 320: Charging cable 321: Input Plug 322: Charging plug (output plug) 330: Switch section 340: Control Unit 350: Network Communications Department 400: Charging HUB device 410: Power cable 500: Vehicle 510: Battery 520: Charging inlet 600: Terminal device 700: Server (Charging Management Server) 701: Terminal Communications Department 703: Authentication Processing Unit 705: Billing Processing Unit 706: Charging control communication unit 707: Charging control unit 800: Communication Network

Claims

1. An information reading device, A communication unit performs electric field communication between an object having an object to which energy is supplied and a read target device capable of electric field communication that stores energy supply-related information, via a supply path forming member for supplying energy to the object to which energy is supplied, A reading processing unit reads the energy supply-related information from the device to be read by electric field communication of the communication unit, An information reading device characterized by comprising the following:

2. In the information reading device of claim 1, The energy supply-related information includes at least one of the following: information about an energy supply device that supplies energy to the target of supply, information about the target of supply, information about the target object, information about a user who utilizes the supply of energy to the target of supply, and information about the user's terminal device. An information reading device characterized by the following.

3. In the information reading device of claim 1, The reading target device is provided on an energy receiving unit, control board, control or monitoring interface device, or user interface device provided on the object. An information reading device characterized by the following.

4. In the information reading device of claim 1, The device to be read is an IC chip, IC tag, IC card, or device having a memory in which the energy supply-related information is stored. An information reading device characterized by the following.

5. In the information reading device of claim 1, The reading processing unit performs a polling process to search for a target device capable of electric field communication, and starts reading the energy supply-related information from the target device found in the polling process. An information reading device characterized by the following.

6. In the information reading device of claim 1, The reading processing unit executes a process to detect an event involving the proximity of a device to be read that is capable of electric field communication, and when the event is detected, it starts reading the energy supply-related information from the device to be read. An information reading device characterized by the following.

7. In any of the information reading devices described in claims 1 to 6, The aforementioned object is a vehicle, The aforementioned supply target is a battery installed in a vehicle. The energy supplied to the aforementioned target is electrical energy used to charge the battery. The energy supply device that supplies energy to the aforementioned target is a power supply device. An information reading device characterized by the following.

8. In any of the information reading devices described in claims 1 to 6, The object having the aforementioned supply target is a power system, a vehicle, or both. The energy supplied to the aforementioned target is electrical energy. The energy supply device that supplies energy to the target of supply is the vehicle, the power supply device of the power grid, or both. An information reading device characterized by the following.

9. An information processing device, An information acquisition unit that acquires the energy supply-related information from an information reading device of any of claims 1 to 6, A processing unit that performs energy supply-related processing related to the supply of energy to the target of the supply, based on the aforementioned energy supply-related information, An information processing device characterized by comprising:

10. In the information processing apparatus of claim 9, The information acquisition unit acquires the energy supply-related information from the information reading device via wired or wireless communication. An information processing device characterized by the following:

11. In the information processing apparatus of claim 9, The information acquisition unit acquires the energy supply-related information from the terminal device of a user utilizing the energy supply service via wired or wireless communication. An information processing device characterized by the following:

12. In any of the information processing devices of claim 9, The energy supply-related information includes at least one of the following: information about an energy supply device that supplies energy to the target of supply, information about the target of supply, information about the target object, information about a user who utilizes the supply of energy to the target of supply, and information about the user's terminal device. An information processing device characterized by the following:

13. In the information processing apparatus of claim 9, The energy supply-related processing includes at least one of the following authentication processes: authentication processing for the object to be supplied and authentication processing for the user who will be using the energy supply to the object to be supplied or the user's terminal device. An information processing device characterized by the following:

14. In the information processing apparatus of claim 9, The energy supply-related processing includes authentication processing for a combination of an energy supply device that supplies energy to the target of supply and the target of supply, authentication processing for a combination of the energy supply device and a user who utilizes the supply of energy to the target of supply or the user's terminal device, or authentication processing for a combination of the energy supply device, the target of supply and the user or terminal device. An information processing device characterized by the following:

15. In the information processing apparatus of claim 9, The energy supply-related processing includes control processing for controlling an energy supply device that supplies energy to the target of supply. An information processing device characterized by the following:

16. In the information processing apparatus of claim 9, The energy supply-related processing includes a billing process for charging the object, the supply target, the user using the energy supply service, or the user's terminal device for the use of the energy supply, a payment process for paying the energy provider for the provision of the energy supply, or both of the billing process and the payment process. An information processing device characterized by the following:

17. In the information processing apparatus of claim 9, The aforementioned object is a vehicle, The aforementioned supply target is a battery installed in a vehicle. The energy supplied to the aforementioned target is electrical energy used to charge the battery. The energy supply device that supplies energy to the aforementioned target is a power supply device. Energy supply services include charging services. An information processing device characterized by the following:

18. In the information processing apparatus of claim 9, The object having the aforementioned supply target is a power system, a vehicle, or both. The energy supplied to the aforementioned target is electrical energy. The energy supply device that supplies energy to the target of supply is the vehicle, the power supply device of the power grid, or both. The energy supply service is a power supply service that supplies power from the vehicle to the power grid, or a bidirectional power supply service that supplies power between the vehicle and the power grid. An information processing device characterized by the following:

19. A system for managing energy supply services, An information reading device according to any of claims 1 to 6, An information processing device according to any of claims 9 to 16, A system characterized by comprising:

20. A system that provides energy supply services, An information reading device according to any of claims 1 to 6, An information processing device according to any of claims 9 to 16, The aforementioned information processing device and a communication-enabled energy supply device, A system characterized by comprising:

21. It is a vehicle, It is equipped with a readable device capable of electric field communication that stores energy supply-related information. A vehicle characterized by the following features.

22. In the vehicle according to claim 21, The device to be read is mounted in the internal space of the energy supply receiving section at a position where the tips of the charging plugs are in contact with each other or at a position where the tips are separated by a predetermined gap. A vehicle characterized by the following features.

23. In the vehicle according to claim 21, The device to be read is provided on a user interface device or a control or monitoring interface device that is detachably mounted on the vehicle. A vehicle characterized by the following features.

24. In the vehicle according to claim 21, The reading target device is mounted on a control board used for controlling the vehicle. A vehicle characterized by the following features.

25. A user interface device that can be attached to and detached from a vehicle, A device capable of electric field communication and containing energy supply-related information is provided as a read target device. A user interface device characterized by the following features.

26. A control or monitoring interface device that can be attached to or removed from a vehicle, A device capable of electric field communication and containing energy supply-related information is provided as a read target device. A control or monitoring interface device characterized by the following features.

27. A control board installed in a vehicle, It is equipped with a device capable of electric field communication that stores energy supply-related information. A control board characterized by the following features.

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