Management server and mobile object providing system

Abstract

To provide a management server for operating a system that accepts applications for use from users and provides electric moving vehicles, wherein the use of electric moving vehicles is promoted.SOLUTION: Provided is a management server 10 for accepting a use application at a terminal 8 that a user possesses, presenting a candidate for a corresponding electric moving vehicle 2, acquiring input pertaining to the selection of a user, and providing the user with the electric moving vehicle selected by the user, said server acquiring battery possession information that indicates whether or not the user possesses a sub-battery that provides electric power to the electric moving vehicle, setting an applicable time slot on the basis of the battery possession information in which the use of the electric moving vehicle can be applied for, and transmitting information pertaining to the applicable time slot to the terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management server for operating a system that accepts applications for use from users of electric bicycles and the like and provides electric vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bicycle rental management system and program. The remaining charge of the battery installed on the bicycle is read by a battery monitoring function of an accessory device of the bicycle, and the battery is charged by the operator or the user through maintenance.

[0003] In addition, in the system of Patent Document 1, incentives are given for cooperation in system operation to encourage users to participate in the system operation. Cooperation includes, for example, charging of a battery by the user. The user can operate the user terminal to display an operation cooperation page showing the details of the operation cooperation for which an incentive is given.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a sharing system that has multiple electric vehicles that are supplied with power from batteries and are shared by multiple users. When a user applies to use an electric vehicle, the sharing system acquires the remaining battery charge or maximum output power of the battery owned by the user. Then, based on the acquired remaining battery charge or maximum output power of the battery, information on the electric vehicle that can be used by the user is extracted and the information is provided to the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-148928 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2022-83260 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Services that place mobile objects such as bicycles equipped with batteries (hereinafter referred to as main batteries) at stations for rental and / or sharing are becoming widespread. Systems for renting and / or sharing mobile objects are also attracting attention as systems that provide access to sustainable transportation systems that also take into consideration vulnerable people.

[0007] In such a lending and / or sharing service, the inventors of the present application have come up with the idea of ​​presenting only mobile bodies whose main battery has a remaining charge equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold as mobile bodies available for lending and / or sharing to the user and allowing the user to select one. This makes it possible to prevent the main battery from running out of charge while the user is traveling.

[0008] However, the inventors of the present application noticed that with this configuration, there is a problem in that mobile objects equipped with main batteries whose remaining battery charge is below a threshold value will not be used and will remain at the station, resulting in a decrease in operating rate.

[0009] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to promote the use of electric vehicles in a management server that accepts applications for use from users and operates a system that provides electric vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a management server (10) that accepts an application for use at a terminal (8) held by a user, presents candidates for corresponding electric vehicles (2), obtains input related to the user's selection, and provides the user with the electric vehicle selected by the user, obtains battery ownership information indicating whether the user owns a sub-battery that provides power for the electric vehicle, sets an application period during which an application for use of the electric vehicle can be made based on the battery ownership information, and transmits information related to the application period to the terminal.

[0011] According to this aspect, it is possible to differentiate between users who own a sub-battery and those who do not own a sub-battery during the application period during which they can apply for use, which promotes charging of the sub-battery and suppresses the decrease in the remaining battery power of the main battery, thereby promoting the use of the electric vehicle.

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a management server (10) that accepts an application for use at a terminal (8) held by a user, presents corresponding electric vehicle candidates (2), obtains input related to the user's selection, and provides the user with the electric vehicle selected by the user, obtains the charging rate of a sub-battery held by the user and that can provide power to the electric vehicle, extracts the electric vehicle to be presented based on the obtained charging rate, and transmits information related to the extracted electric vehicle to the terminal.

[0013] According to this aspect, it is possible to differentiate the selectable range of the electric vehicle between users with a high charge rate of the sub-battery and users with a low charge rate of the sub-battery, which promotes charging of the sub-battery and suppresses the decrease in the remaining battery power of the main battery, thereby promoting the use of the electric vehicle.

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a management server (10) that accepts an application for use at a terminal (8) held by a user, presents corresponding electric vehicle (2) candidates, acquires input related to the user's selection, and provides the user with the electric vehicle selected by the user, acquires the charge amount of a sub-battery held by the user and that can provide power to the electric vehicle, extracts the electric vehicle to be presented based on the acquired charge amount, and transmits information related to the extracted electric vehicle to the terminal.

[0015] According to this aspect, it is possible to differentiate the selectable range of the electric vehicle between users with a high charge level of the sub-battery and users with a low charge level of the sub-battery, which promotes charging of the sub-battery and suppresses the decrease in the remaining battery level of the main battery, thereby promoting the use of the electric vehicle.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention to solve the above problems, a management server (10) accepts an application for use at a terminal (8) held by a user, presents corresponding candidate electric vehicles (2), acquires input related to the user's selection, and provides the user with the electric vehicle selected by the user, acquires the amount of power that a sub-battery held by the user has provided to the electric vehicle, extracts the electric vehicle to be presented based on the acquired amount of power, and transmits information related to the extracted electric vehicle to the terminal.

[0017] According to this aspect, it is possible to differentiate the selectable range of the electric vehicle between users who receive a large amount of power from the sub-battery and users who receive a small amount of power from the sub-battery, which promotes the supply of power from the sub-battery and suppresses the decrease in the remaining battery power of the main battery, thereby promoting the use of the electric vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the above configuration, the management server that accepts applications for use from users and operates a system that provides electric vehicles can promote the use of electric vehicles. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overall configuration of a sharing system provided with a mobile object provision system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric bicycle, which is an example of an electric vehicle. [Diagram 3] Sharing system block diagram [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sub-battery and a sub-battery holder that houses the sub-battery; [Diagram 5] (A) An example of a user database, and (B) an example of a mobile object database. [Figure 6] (A) An example of a main battery database, and (B) an example of a station database. [Figure 7] Example of reservation start screen displayed on the device [Figure 8] Example of the registration screen displayed on the device [Figure 9] Example of reservation information input screen displayed on the device [Figure 10] Flowchart of mobile object provision process [Figure 11] Example of the extracted information display screen displayed on a terminal [Figure 12] (A) An example of a detailed display screen displayed on a device of a user who owns a sub-battery, (B) an example of a detailed display screen displayed on a device of a user who does not own a sub-battery, and (C) an example of a detailed display screen when a pop-up notification is sent to a user who does not own a sub-battery. [Figure 13] Example of reservation confirmation screen displayed on device [Figure 14] Example of an alert screen displayed on a device [Figure 15] 13 is an example of a reservation start screen displayed on a terminal in the mobile object provision system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] Example of the search screen displayed on a device [Figure 17] Example of usage details screen displayed on device [Figure 18] (A) An example of a reservation information input screen where the input field for usage time is configured using a pull-down menu, and (B) an example of a warning screen that is displayed when a time outside the available application time slot is entered in the input field. [Figure 19] Setting process flowchart DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment in which a management server according to the present invention is provided in a mobile object providing system for providing mobile objects will be described.

[0021] <<First embodiment>> 1, a vehicle providing system 1 is used to provide an electric vehicle 2, which is rented and / or shared by a plurality of users, to a user who wishes to use the vehicle. In the following, an example in which the vehicle providing system 1 is applied to a shared system 3 (sharing system) for sharing the electric vehicle 2 will be described.

[0022] The electric vehicle 2 is placed at one or more stations 5 set up by a business operator who operates the shared system 3. A user applies via the vehicle provision system 1 and rents an electric vehicle 2 placed at the station 5. After use, the user returns the electric vehicle 2 to the station 5.

[0023] The shared system 3 includes a plurality of electric vehicles 2, a sub-battery 7 distributed to each user who requests it, a terminal 8 owned by each user, a station server 9 disposed at each station 5, and a management server 10. The terminals 8, the station server 9, and the management server 10 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a known network 11 such as the Internet. Each electric vehicle 2 is assigned a vehicle ID indicating a unique identification number (i.e., ID) of the electric vehicle 2.

[0024] The following description will be given assuming that the electric vehicle 2 is an electric bicycle. However, the electric vehicle 2 is not limited to an electric bicycle. The electric vehicle 2 may be any type of vehicle that moves or is assisted in moving by power supplied from an on-board battery, in addition to an electric bicycle. Examples of the electric vehicle 2 include an electric kickboard, an electric wheelchair, an electric cart, and a robot.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the electric vehicle 2 includes a body 12, wheels 13 provided on the body 12, a main battery 14 provided on the body 12, a driving source 15 that can be driven by power from the main battery 14, and a drive control device 16 that controls the driving of the driving source 15.

[0026] The vehicle body 12 constitutes the main body of the electric vehicle 2. The vehicle body 12 includes a vehicle body frame 18 and a handlebar 19 for steering the wheels 13. A plate 20 indicating the vehicle ID is provided at the rear of the vehicle body frame 18 so that the user can identify the electric vehicle 2 that he or she has applied to use.

[0027] A crankshaft 22 extending in the left-right direction is supported by the body frame 18. A pair of left and right pedals 23 are provided on the ends of the crankshaft 22. When a user rotates the pedals 23, the crankshaft 22 rotates.

[0028] A main holder 25 for mounting the main battery 14 is provided on the body frame 18. The main holder 25 is provided with a main battery sensor 26 that calculates the remaining battery level of the main battery 14.

[0029] The driving source 15 is composed of a motor. The driving source 15 is disposed near the crankshaft 22, and the rotational force of the crankshaft 22 and the rotational driving force of the driving force are combined via a force combiner and transmitted to the wheels 13 (rear wheels) via a chain.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the drive control device 16 includes a junction box 27 connected to the main battery 14 via a harness, a PCU 28 (Power Control Unit) that converts DC power supplied to the junction box 27 into AC power and supplies it to the drive source 15, and a main ECU 29 (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the PCU 28.

[0031] The main ECU 29 is composed of a microcomputer including a processor 30 composed of a central processing unit (CPU) etc., a memory 31 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a storage device 32 composed of an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc.

[0032] The main ECU 29 is connected to the main battery 14 and is driven by the power of the main battery 14. The main ECU 29 includes an antenna and is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the station server 9. A storage device 32 (or memory 31) of the main ECU 29 stores the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 2 in which the main ECU 29 is installed.

[0033] The main ECU 29 controls the PCU 28 to control the supply of electric power from the main battery 14 to the driving source 15. When electric power is supplied to the driving source 15, the driving source 15 is driven. The driving force of the driving source 15 is transmitted to the wheels 13 (rear wheels). As a result, the operation of the pedals 23 by the user is assisted by the driving force of the driving source 15, and the user can drive the electric vehicle 2 comfortably.

[0034] Furthermore, when the electric vehicle 2 is an electric kickboard, the pedals 23 are not provided, and the electric vehicle 2 moves by the power of the drive source 15 that is driven by the power of a battery.

[0035] The main ECU 29 is connected to the main battery sensor 26 and acquires the remaining battery power of the main battery 14 at predetermined time intervals.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle body 12 is further provided with a mobile body management device 35. As shown in Fig. 3, the mobile body management device 35 includes a sub-holder 36 coupled to the vehicle body frame 18. The sub-holder 36 is a battery holder for attaching the sub-battery 7 to the electric vehicle 2, and includes a voltage conversion device 37, a sub-ECU 38, and one or more light-emitting elements 39.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 4, the sub-holder 36 is coupled to the vehicle body frame 18. The sub-holder 36 is provided with a recess 36A for accommodating the sub-battery 7. The sub-battery 7 is supported by the electric vehicle 2 by accommodating the sub-battery 7 in the recess 36A. In this embodiment, the sub-battery 7 is configured to be removable from the recess 36A. Thus, the sub-battery 7 is configured to be freely attached to and detached from the electric vehicle 2.

[0038] The voltage conversion device 37 includes a DC / DC converter 37A that boosts and outputs an input voltage. An input side of the DC / DC converter 37A is connected to the sub-battery 7 accommodated in the recess 36A, and an output side of the DC / DC converter 37A is connected to the junction box 27.

[0039] Based on a signal from the main ECU 29, the junction box 27 switches the power path between the main battery 14 and the sub-battery 7 leading to the driving source 15 and the distribution of power supplied to the driving source 15. This allows the driving source 15 to be driven by the main battery 14 and the sub-battery 7. In other words, the electric vehicle 2 moves or is assisted in movement by the main battery 14 and the sub-battery 7. The sub-battery 7 has a function of auxiliary supplying power to the driving source 15 in place of the main battery 14.

[0040] The sub-ECU 38 is composed of a microcomputer including a processor 40 composed of a central processing unit (CPU) etc., a memory 41 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a storage device 42 composed of an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc.

[0041] The sub-ECU 38 is preferably connected to the main battery 14 and driven by the power of the main battery 14. The sub-ECU 38 is equipped with a receiving antenna 38A (receiving device) capable of receiving various wireless signals including short-range wireless signals. The receiving antenna 38A receives the wireless signals and outputs them to the processor 40. The sub-ECU 38 may also be equipped with a transmitting antenna capable of transmitting wireless signals.

[0042] The sub-ECU 38 is configured to be able to communicate with the main ECU 29 via wired or wireless communication. This allows the sub-ECU 38 to obtain information related to the electric vehicle 2 in which it is installed (e.g., a vehicle ID) from the main ECU 29 and store the information in the memory 41.

[0043] In this embodiment, the sub-ECU 38 is configured by a microcomputer, but is not limited to this and may be configured by various drivers that control the light-emitting elements 39. The sub-ECU 38 may be configured to be able to be driven by the power of the sub-battery 7 in addition to the power of the main battery 14.

[0044] 4, the light-emitting element 39 is supported by the sub-holder 36 and functions as a notification device that notifies the user by emitting light toward the outside of the vehicle. In this embodiment, a plurality of light-emitting elements 39 are provided on the sub-holder 36. The number of light-emitting elements 39 that emit light and the color of the light emitted are controlled by the sub-ECU 38. In other words, the sub-ECU 38 corresponds to a control device for the light-emitting elements 39 that are the notification device.

[0045] In this embodiment, the electric vehicle 2 is provided with a light-emitting element 39 as an alarm device, but the alarm device is not limited to the light-emitting element 39 and may be, for example, a speaker 43 that generates sound. The sound and volume generated from the speaker 43 are controlled by the sub-ECU 38. That is, the sub-ECU 38 corresponds to a control device for the speaker 43, which is an alarm device. In this way, by using the light-emitting element 39 and the speaker 43 as an alarm device, it is possible to notify the user with a simple configuration.

[0046] The sub-battery 7 includes a plurality of battery cells 45. The battery cells 45 are rechargeable, and may be, for example, lithium-ion cells. As shown in FIG. 1, the sub-battery 7 is configured to be rechargeable. The sub-battery 7 may be configured to be portable by the user. The sub-battery 7 may also function as a battery (also called a user battery or mobile battery) capable of supplying power to various devices.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the sub-battery 7 includes, in addition to the battery cell 45, a sub-battery sensor 46 that acquires the remaining battery capacity of the battery cell 45, and a battery control device 47. The battery control device 47 is configured by a microcomputer including a processor 49 configured by a central processing unit (CPU) or the like, and a memory 50 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). In addition, the battery control device 47 may include a storage device 50A (not shown) configured by a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD). The battery control device 47 (more specifically, the processor 49) is configured to be able to acquire the remaining battery capacity of the battery cell 45 via the sub-battery sensor 46. The battery control device 47 may be configured to be able to communicate with the terminal 8 via short-distance wireless communication. The battery control device 47 may also be configured to be able to record and hold the history of the remaining battery capacity of the battery cell 45 in the memory 50 or the storage device 50A. Additionally, the battery control device 47 may be configured to be connectable to the network 11, and may be connectable to various servers such as the station server 9 and the management server 10, for example.

[0048] In this embodiment, the battery control device 47 is configured by a microcomputer, but is not limited to this, and may be configured by various drivers configured to be able to acquire the remaining battery charge of the battery cell 45. The sub-battery 7 may also be provided with various notification devices such as a light-emitting element 51 and a speaker.

[0049] The battery control device 47 can also acquire and store information related to the electric vehicle 2 provided to the user from the terminal 8. The information related to the electric vehicle 2 includes a vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 2 provided to the user. The battery control device 47 is also configured to be able to communicate with the main ECU 29 and / or the sub-ECU 38. Specifically, for example, the battery control device 47 (i.e., the sub-battery 7) is configured to be able to transmit a wireless signal including the vehicle ID to the sub-ECU 38.

[0050] The terminal 8 communicates with the sub-battery 7 (more specifically, the battery control device 47) to acquire the remaining battery power of the sub-battery 7. In addition, the terminal 8 may be configured to be able to acquire sub-battery information such as the charging history of the sub-battery 7 from the battery control device 47.

[0051] The terminal 8 is composed of a processor 52 composed of a central processing unit (CPU) etc., a memory 53, a storage 54, and a smartphone equipped with a touch panel 55. The terminal 8 accepts input related to an application from a user who wishes to rent and / or share the electric vehicle 2, and transmits it to the management server 10. The terminal 8 creates a screen for displaying information to the user, displays it on the touch panel 55, and accepts input from the user. The terminal 8 can communicate with the sub-ECU 38 via a wireless signal defined by a short-range wireless communication standard. The distance (communication distance) at which communication by wireless signal between the terminal 8 and the sub-ECU 38 is possible is limited to within a few meters to several tens of meters.

[0052] The station server 9 is composed of a computer including a processor 56 composed of a central processing unit (CPU) etc., memory 57 such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), and a storage device 58 composed of an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) etc.

[0053] Each station server 9 is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the main ECU 29 of the electric vehicle 2 arranged in the station 5. For example, the station server 9 acquires the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 acquired by the main battery sensor 26 from the main ECU 29. The station server 9 transmits the acquired remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 to the management server 10 via the network 11.

[0054] The management server 10 is used by an administrator who manages the shared system 3. The management server 10 accepts a user's application for use at the terminal 8, and presents candidates for electric vehicles 2 at the terminal 8. The management server 10 acquires an input related to the selection of an electric vehicle 2 from the user at the terminal 8. Furthermore, the management server 10 presents information related to the selected electric vehicle 2 at the terminal 8, and executes a process for providing the selected electric vehicle 2 to the user.

[0055] The management server 10 is composed of a computer including a processor 60 composed of a central processing unit (CPU) etc., a memory 61 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a storage device 62 composed of an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) etc.

[0056] The management server 10 further includes an input device 63 that accepts input from an administrator, and a display device 64 that displays information to the administrator. The input device 63 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and the display device 64 includes, for example, a monitor.

[0057] The storage device 62 of the management server 10 stores a user database (hereinafter, user DB), a mobile object database (hereinafter, mobile object DB), a main battery database (hereinafter, main battery DB), and a station database (hereinafter, station DB).

[0058] The user DB holds information (hereinafter, user information) related to users of the rental and / or sharing service of the electric vehicle 2. The user information includes the user's ID (hereinafter, user ID), the user's name, and whether or not the user owns a sub-battery. The user information may also include, for example, an encrypted password, an address, contact information, an email address, points owned by the user, etc.

[0059] The user information is acquired by the terminal 8 accepting input from the user when starting to use the mobile object providing system 1. After acquiring the user information, the terminal 8 transmits it to the management server 10, and the processor 60 of the management server 10 performs user registration by inserting the received user information into a user DB (also called a registrant DB).

[0060] The mobile object DB holds information related to the electric mobile object 2 (hereinafter, mobile object information). The mobile object information includes a mobile object ID, an ID of a main battery 14 mounted on the electric mobile object 2 corresponding to the mobile object ID (hereinafter, main battery ID), an ID of a station 5 where the electric mobile object 2 is located (hereinafter, station ID), and an operating state (standby, reserved, etc.). The mobile object information may also include information such as the type of electric mobile object 2, such as an electric bicycle or electric kickboard, a model number, and a maintenance history.

[0061] The moving object ID, the main battery ID, and the station ID included in the moving object information may be input by the administrator via the input device 63. The operating state of the moving object information is updated by the processor 60 of the management server 10 as needed.

[0062] The main battery DB holds information related to the main battery 14 (hereinafter, main battery information). The main battery information includes a main battery ID and information related to the remaining battery level (remaining battery level information) of the corresponding main battery 14. The main battery information may also include information related to the capacity, model number, and degree of deterioration of the main battery 14, a maintenance history (charging history by an operator), and the like.

[0063] The processor 60 of the management server 10 is connected to the station server 9 via the network 11. The management server 10 acquires from the station server 9 at predetermined time intervals a moving object ID and the remaining battery level of the main battery 14 provided in the corresponding electric moving object 2. The processor 60 of the management server 10 refers to the moving object DB, extracts the corresponding main battery ID, and updates the remaining battery level information corresponding to the main battery ID with the acquired remaining battery level.

[0064] The station DB stores information (hereinafter, station information) related to the station 5. The station information includes a station ID, a station name, and the location (address, residence) of the corresponding station 5.

[0065] Next, a flow from when a user makes a reservation until he or she starts using the electric vehicle 2 will be described.

[0066] A user who wishes to use the electric vehicle 2 installs a predetermined application on the terminal 8 and starts the application. When the application starts, a reservation start screen 74 is displayed on the terminal 8, as shown in Fig. 7. The reservation start screen 74 includes a user ID input field 71, a password input field 72, and a reservation start button 73. In addition, the reservation start screen 74 may also include a member registration button 75 for users who are not registered as members.

[0067] When the member registration button 75 is pressed, a registration screen 77 is displayed on the terminal 8 as shown in Fig. 8. The registration screen 77 displays input fields 78 for name, address, contact information, email address, phone number, password, etc., and a completion button 79. The registration screen 77 may be provided with a check box 80 for inputting whether or not the user wishes to have the sub-battery 7 delivered (wants to use the sub-battery 7).

[0068] When the completion button 79 is pressed, the terminal 8 transmits registration information including the input address, contact information, email address, telephone number, and password to the management server 10. When the management server 10 receives the registration information, the processor 60 of the management server 10 associates the registration information with the user ID, adds it to the user DB, and registers the user as a member.

[0069] Furthermore, the administrator checks the check box 80 for the delivery of the sub-battery 7 as appropriate, and delivers the sub-battery 7 to the user who owns the terminal 8 that has transmitted the registration information.

[0070] When the user inputs the user ID, email address, etc. on the reservation start screen 74 and presses the reservation start button 73, a reservation information input screen 82 is displayed on the terminal 8, as shown in Fig. 9. The reservation information input screen 82 includes input fields 83 for the location of use, date of use, time of use, and distance of use, and a search button 84.

[0071] When a user inputs the location of use, date of use, time of use, and distance of use and presses the search button 84, the terminal 8 sends reservation information including the location of use, date of use, time of use, and distance of use along with the user ID to the management server 10.

[0072] When the management server 10 receives the reservation information, the processor 60 of the management server 10 executes a predetermined program (hereinafter, the mobile object providing program) to execute a mobile object providing process that extracts and presents a mobile object suitable for use by the user in order to provide a mobile object based on the application from the user. In the mobile object providing process, the processor 60 sets extraction conditions by referring to the user DB, mobile object DB, and main battery DB based on the application from the user (more specifically, the reservation information), and extracts and presents an electric mobile object 2 suitable for use by the user.

[0073] Next, details of the mobile object provision process will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the mobile object provision process, the processor 60 of the management server 10 first acquires a user ID from the reservation information. Then, the processor 60 of the management server 10 refers to the user DB to determine whether the user who has made the application owns a sub-battery 7 (ST1).

[0074] Next, the processor 60 of the management server 10 acquires information related to the use location from the reservation information. After that, the processor 60 of the management server 10 refers to the station DB and acquires, from the stations 5, the stations 5 adjacent to the use location (ST2).

[0075] Then, the processor 60 of the management server 10 acquires the station ID of the acquired station 5, and by referring to the mobile body DB, acquires the mobile body ID of the electric mobile body 2 that will be available during the usage time at each station 5 (ST3. Hereinafter, the electric mobile body 2 that will be available during the usage time will be referred to as the available mobile body).

[0076] Next, the processor 60 of the management server 10 uses the mobile object ID of the available mobile object to refer to the mobile object DB to obtain the main battery ID corresponding to each available mobile object, and further refers to the main battery DB to obtain the remaining battery power of the main battery 14 installed in each available mobile object (ST4).

[0077] Next, the processor 60 of the management server 10 extracts, from the available mobile objects, available mobile objects whose remaining battery power of the main battery 14 is equal to or greater than a first threshold as first available mobile objects, and available mobile objects whose remaining battery power of the main battery 14 is equal to or greater than a second threshold as second available mobile objects (ST5). The second threshold is set lower than the first threshold. That is, the remaining battery power of the main battery 14 being equal to or greater than the first threshold and the remaining battery power of the main battery 14 being equal to or greater than the second threshold each correspond to an extraction condition.

[0078] Thereafter, the processor 60 of the management server 10 transmits the result of the determination as to whether the user making the application has a sub-battery 7, information relating to the first available mobile object (mobile object ID, station ID of the station 5 where it is located, remaining battery power), and information relating to the second available mobile object (mobile object ID, station ID of the station 5 where it is located, remaining battery power) as extracted information to the terminal 8 (ST6).

[0079] At this time, the management server 10 refers to the station DB and transmits to the terminal 8 the station ID of station 5 (hereinafter referred to as the available station) where either the first available mobile body or the second available mobile body is located, together with the corresponding location.

[0080] When the terminal 8 receives the extracted information, it generates and displays an extracted information display screen 85 shown in FIG. 11 based on the extracted information.

[0081] Specifically, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 first obtains the determination result as to whether the user making the application owns the sub-battery 7 from the extracted information.

[0082] When the sub-battery 7 is owned, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 acquires, based on the information related to the second available mobile object and the information related to the available station, the positions of the stations 5 where one or more second available mobile objects are located and the number of the second available mobile objects located at each station 5. After that, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 superimposes, on the map 86, icons 87 indicating the positions of the stations 5 where the second available mobile objects can be used and the number of the second available mobile objects, to generate an extracted information display screen 85.

[0083] When the sub-battery 7 is not owned, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 acquires, based on the information related to the first available mobile object and the information related to the available station, the positions of the stations 5 in which one or more first available mobile objects are located and the number of first available mobile objects located at each station 5. After that, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 superimposes, on the map 86, icons 87 indicating the positions of the stations 5 where the first available mobile objects can be used and the number of first available mobile objects, to generate an extracted information display screen 85.

[0084] When the user touches the icon 87 on the extracted information display screen 85, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 generates and displays a detailed display screen 89 shown in FIGS.

[0085] The detail display screen 89 includes text 90 indicating the mobile object IDs of the first available mobile object and the second available mobile object located in the station 5 corresponding to the touched icon 87, and a list 92 (table) in which input buttons 91 corresponding to each of the mobile object IDs are displayed side by side. In addition to the list 92, the detail display screen 89 also includes a decision button 93.

[0086] However, when the user making the application does not own a sub-battery 7, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 enables input to the input button 91A corresponding to the first available mobile object and disables input to the input button 91B corresponding to the second available mobile object on the detailed display screen 89, as shown in Fig. 12(A). As a result, only the first available mobile object can be selected on the detailed display screen 89. As a result, a user who does not own a sub-battery 7 cannot select an electric mobile object 2 that is not included in the first available mobile object and is only included in the second available mobile object.

[0087] At this time, the input button 91B corresponding to the second available mobile object may be displayed in an unselectable state on the detailed display screen 89. This makes it possible to notify a user who does not own a sub-battery 7 that the range of selectable electric mobile objects 2 increases by owning a sub-battery 7. When a user who owns a sub-battery 7 selects the input button 91B corresponding to the second available mobile object, the terminal 8 may display a notification to check the remaining battery level of the sub-battery 7.

[0088] 12(A) and 12(B), the remaining battery charge of the installed main battery 14 may be displayed by an icon 90A, a numerical value, or the like on the detailed display screen 89. The terminal 8 may also acquire the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7 by communicating with the battery control device 47, and display the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7 on the detailed display screen 89 by an icon, a numerical value, or the like.

[0089] On the other hand, when the user making the application owns a sub-battery 7, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 allows input on the detailed display screen 89 of both the input button 91A corresponding to the first available mobile object and the input button 91B corresponding to the second available mobile object, as shown in Fig. 12(B). This allows the user making the application to select the second available mobile object. Note that since the second threshold value is smaller than the first threshold value, the set of second available mobile objects includes the first available mobile object.

[0090] When the user selects the electric vehicle 2 that he or she wishes to use on the details display screen 89 and touches the decision button 93, the terminal 8 displays a reservation confirmation screen 94 as shown in FIG.

[0091] The reservation confirmation screen 94 displays the reservation date and time, the mobile body ID of the electric mobile body 2 that the user wishes to use, the station name where the electric mobile body 2 is located, the corresponding station ID, and a reservation button 96. In this embodiment, the reservation confirmation screen 94 is provided with a back button 97 for correcting the reservation contents.

[0092] When the reservation button 96 on the reservation confirmation screen 94 is touched, the terminal 8 sends reservation confirmation information to the management server 10, including the reservation date and time, the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 2 that the user wishes to use, the name of the station where the electric vehicle 2 is located, and the corresponding station ID.

[0093] When the management server 10 receives the reservation confirmation information, it acquires the station ID from the reservation confirmation information, and transmits the reservation confirmation information to the station server 9 provided in the station 5 corresponding to the station ID.

[0094] When the station server 9 receives the reservation confirmation information, it transmits the reservation confirmation information to the main ECU 29. When the main ECU 29 receives the reservation confirmation information, it transmits the reservation confirmation information to the sub-ECU .

[0095] The management server 10 transmits an alert signal including reservation confirmation information to the corresponding terminal 8 a predetermined time before the date and time of use. When the terminal 8 receives the alert signal, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 displays an alert screen 98 on the touch panel 55, as shown in Fig. 14. The alert screen 98 includes a reservation confirmation information field 99 showing the reservation confirmation information, and a search button 100.

[0096] When the user moves to the station 5 where the reserved electric vehicle 2 is located based on the display of the alert screen 98 and touches the search button 100, the terminal 8 transmits a search signal including a vehicle ID (i.e., specific information for identifying the electric vehicle 2) to the outside. The search signal is a wireless signal based on a short-range wireless communication standard, and is a signal for communication between the terminal 8 and the sub-ECU 38. The range in which the search signal can reach is limited to within a range of several tens of meters from the terminal 8.

[0097] When the sub ECU 38 receives the search signal, it acquires the moving object ID from the search signal. After that, the sub ECU 38 acquires the moving object ID of the electric moving object 2 in which the sub ECU 38 is provided by communicating with the main ECU 29. After that, the sub ECU 38 determines whether the moving object ID included in the search signal is equal to the moving object ID of the electric moving object 2 in which the sub ECU 38 is provided. If they are equal, that is, if they correspond to the electric moving object 2 identified by the identification information included in the search signal, the sub ECU 38 (processor 40) causes the light emitting element 39 mounted on the electric moving object 2 in which the sub ECU 38 is provided to blink.

[0098] Alternatively, the battery control device 47 may use the mobile object ID of the mobile object provided to the user to generate and transmit a search signal including the mobile object ID. As a result, the sub-ECU 38 compares the mobile object ID of the search signal transmitted from the battery control device 47 with the mobile object ID of the electric mobile object 2 in which the sub-ECU 38 is provided, and blinks the light-emitting element 39 when the two correspond to each other (match in this embodiment).

[0099] When a plurality of light-emitting elements 39 are provided, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 may obtain the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 from the main ECU 29 and blink the number of light-emitting elements 39 according to the remaining battery charge. In addition, when the color of light emitted by the light-emitting elements 39 is changeable, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 may change the color of light (emission color) emitted by the light-emitting elements 39 according to the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14. Specifically, when the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 is sufficient, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 may set the emission color of the light-emitting elements 39 to green, and when the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 is insufficient, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 may set the emission color of the light-emitting elements 39 to red or yellow. This allows the user to easily grasp the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 based on the number and emission color of the light-emitting elements 39 that emit light, thereby improving the convenience of the mobile body provision system 1.

[0100] In addition, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 may obtain the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7 from the battery control device 47, and may blink a number of light-emitting elements 39 according to the sum of the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 and the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7. When the color of light emitted by the light-emitting elements 39 is changeable, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 may change the color of light emitted by the light-emitting elements 39 according to the sum of the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 and the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7. In this way, the user can know the sum of the remaining battery charges of the main battery 14 and the sub-battery 7 that can supply (i.e., provide) power to the drive source 15, based on the number of emitting light-emitting elements 39 and the emitted color.

[0101] Furthermore, when the reservation confirmation information includes the planned travel distance of the user, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 may calculate a lower limit of the remaining battery charge required to move or assist in moving the electric vehicle 2 based on the planned travel distance, and change the number of light-emitting elements 39 that emit light or the light color of the light-emitting elements 39 based on the difference between the sum of the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 and the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7 and the lower limit. This allows the user to easily understand, based on the number of light-emitting elements 39 that emit light and the light color, whether the sum of the remaining battery charges of the main battery 14 and the sub-battery 7 that can supply power to the electric vehicle 2 is sufficient for moving or assisting in moving the planned travel distance that the user plans to move.

[0102] Furthermore, in the case where the electric vehicle 2 is provided with a speaker 43 as a notification device, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 may notify the user by generating a sound from the speaker 43 when the vehicle ID included in the search signal is equal to the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 2 in which the processor 40 is provided. Similarly, the main holder 25 that holds the main battery 14 may be provided with a light-emitting element 25A. In that case, similarly to the case where the light-emitting element 39 is provided in the sub-battery 7, when the main ECU 29 receives the search signal, the light-emitting element 25A (see FIG. 2) provided in the main holder 25 may be made to emit light. The main ECU 29 may set the light-emitting mode, such as the light-emitting color, based on the remaining battery level of the main battery 14.

[0103] In this way, the sub-ECU 38 and an alarm device (e.g., a light-emitting element 39 provided in the sub-holder 36, a light-emitting element 25A provided in the main holder 25, a speaker 43, etc.) provided in the electric vehicle 2 and capable of issuing an alarm toward the outside of the electric vehicle 2 constitute an alarm system 101 that notifies the user of a reserved electric vehicle 2.

[0104] When the user finds the electric vehicle 2 that he or she has reserved, the user begins using the reserved electric vehicle 2 as appropriate. When the use is finished, the user returns the rented electric vehicle 2 to the station 5 and operates the terminal 8 to notify the management server 10 that the use is finished. When the management server 10 receives the notification from the terminal 8 that the use is finished, it bills the user and calculates points according to the usage time. The management server 10 writes the calculated points in the user DB, thereby granting the points to the user. The user can use the granted points to pay for the use of the electric vehicle 2, pay for shopping, etc.

[0105] Next, the main effects of the moving body provision system 1 configured as above will be described.

[0106] The management server 10 acquires an application from a user and extracts a station 5 close to the location of use. The management server 10 selects a mobile body that is located at a station 5 close to the extracted location of use and has a battery remaining amount equal to or greater than a first threshold as a first usable mobile body, and selects an electric mobile body 2 that has a battery remaining amount equal to or greater than a second threshold as a second usable mobile body. Thereafter, the terminal 8 presents the first usable mobile body and the second usable mobile body selected by the management server 10 to the user by displaying a detailed display screen 89 as shown in Figs. 12(A) and (B).

[0107] 5(A), the management server 10 holds, in the user DB, information on the presence or absence of a sub-battery 7 for each user. For a user who owns a sub-battery 7, the terminal 8 displays a detailed display screen 89 that allows selection between an input button 91A corresponding to the first available mobile object and an input button 91B corresponding to the second available mobile object.

[0108] For a user who does not own a sub-battery 7, the terminal 8 displays a detailed display screen 89 as shown in Figure 12 (A) so that the input button 91A corresponding to the first available mobile object is selectable and the input button 91B corresponding to the second available mobile object is not selectable.

[0109] The terminal 8 displays the electric vehicle 2 selectable by the user by setting a threshold value that is the lower limit of the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14, and it can also be understood that the terminal 8 sets the threshold value as a first threshold value for users who do not own a sub-battery 7, and sets the threshold value as a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value for users who own a sub-battery 7.

[0110] In the detailed display screen 89, as shown in FIG. 12(A), a user who does not own a sub-battery 7 can select an electric vehicle 2 whose main battery 14 has a remaining battery charge of a first threshold or more. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12(B), a user who owns a sub-battery 7 can select an electric vehicle 2 whose main battery 14 has a remaining battery charge of a second threshold or more. Since the second threshold is set lower than the first threshold, a user who does not own a sub-battery 7 is limited in the electric vehicle 2 that can be selected compared to a user who owns a sub-battery 7. In this way, by changing the threshold, it is possible to easily present more electric vehicles 2 to a user who owns a sub-battery 7, to give an opportunity to own a sub-battery 7, and to provide an incentive (also called a reward, a privilege, or an advantage) to a user who owns a sub-battery 7.

[0111] The detailed display screen 89 presented to a user who does not own a sub-battery 7 may include a notification (advertisement, introduction, etc.) that induces the user to own a sub-battery 7. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 12(C), the detailed display screen 89 presented to a user who does not own a sub-battery 7 may display an input button 91B corresponding to the second available vehicle in a dimmed manner, and when the input button 91B is touched, a pop-up 89A may be displayed that notifies the user that the number of selectable electric vehicles 2 will increase if the user applies to use the sub-battery 7. In addition, a pop-up may be displayed that notifies the user that the user can make early reservations for use of the sub-battery 7 and that points will be awarded if the user applies to use the sub-battery 7.

[0112] That is, the number of electric vehicles 2 that a user who owns a sub-battery 7 can select is equal to or greater than the number of electric vehicles 2 that a user who does not own a sub-battery 7 can select. Therefore, it is possible to give an opportunity for users who do not own a sub-battery 7 to own a sub-battery 7, and it is possible to provide incentives (rewards, benefits, advantages) to users who own a sub-battery 7. This will ultimately increase the number of users who own the sub-battery 7, making it difficult for the remaining battery level of the main battery 14 to fall below a threshold. Since the remaining battery level of the main battery 14 is less likely to decrease, it is possible to reduce the cost required for maintenance such as charging the main battery 14. Furthermore, since the remaining battery level of the main battery 14 is less likely to decrease, the electric vehicles 2 are less likely to remain at the station 5, and the use of the electric vehicles 2 is promoted.

[0113] When a search signal, which is a wireless signal, is transmitted from the terminal 8 held by the user, the light emitting element 39 mounted on the reserved electric vehicle 2 to be used emits light, and a notification is issued to the user. That is, according to the present invention, when a signal is received from the terminal 8 held by the user, the notification device (light emitting element 39, speaker 43) provided on each electric vehicle 2 is driven, thereby implementing a method for providing an electric vehicle 2 that notifies the user of the location of the electric vehicle 2 provided to the user. This notification allows the user to easily recognize the location of the reserved electric vehicle 2.

[0114] In this embodiment, the sub-battery 7 can also transmit a search signal. Therefore, when a user applies to use the sub-battery 7 and owns the sub-battery 7, the light-emitting element 39 mounted on the reserved electric vehicle 2 to be used emits light to notify the user. This notification allows the user to easily recognize the location of the reserved electric vehicle 2. In this way, the sub-battery 7 can be used to notify the location of the reserved electric vehicle 2 by transmitting a wireless signal in addition to supplying power to the electric vehicle 2. This promotes the use of the sub-battery 7, making it difficult for the remaining battery power of the main battery 14 to decrease, and reducing the cost required for maintenance of the electric vehicle 2.

[0115] <<Second embodiment>> The mobile object providing system 1 according to the second embodiment has a similar configuration to the mobile object providing system 1 according to the first embodiment. The processes executed by the main ECU 29, the sub ECU 38, the processor 52 of the terminal 8, the processor 60 of the management server 10, and the processor 56 of the station server 9 of the mobile object providing system 1 according to the second embodiment are different from those of the first embodiment.

[0116] Specifically, the mobile object providing system 1 according to the first embodiment is configured so that only users who have made a reservation can use the electric mobile object 2. However, the mobile object providing system 1 according to the second embodiment is configured so that users who have not made a reservation can also rent the electric mobile object 2 at the station 5.

[0117] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a reservation start screen 74 includes a user ID input field 71, a password input field 72, a reservation start button 73, a membership registration button 75, and also a button 110 for requesting use without making a reservation.

[0118] After touching button 110 for requesting use without making a reservation, terminal 8 displays a search screen 120 including an input field 112 for the planned distance of use, a search button 114, and a details input button 116, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0119] When a user touches search button 114 on search screen 120 at station 5 where he / she intends to use electric vehicle 2 without making any input into input field 112 for the planned use distance, a search signal that does not include either a vehicle ID or the planned use distance is transmitted from terminal 8. When a user inputs the planned use distance in input field 112 and touches search button 114 on search screen 120, a search signal that does not include a vehicle ID and includes only the planned use distance is transmitted from terminal 8.

[0120] When the sub-ECU 38 receives the search signal, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 determines whether or not a moving object ID is included in the search signal. When the moving object ID is included in the search signal, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 determines whether or not the moving object ID included in the search signal is equal to the moving object ID of the electric moving object 2 in which the sub-ECU 38 is provided, as in the first embodiment. When they are equal, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 causes the light-emitting element 39 mounted on the electric moving object 2 in which the sub-ECU 38 is provided to blink.

[0121] When the search signal does not include a moving object ID, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 determines whether or not the search signal includes a planned use distance. When the search signal does not include a planned use distance, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 acquires the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 from the main ECU 29, and when the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, causes the light-emitting element 39 mounted on the electric moving object 2 in which the sub-ECU 38 is installed to blink.

[0122] When the search signal includes the planned use distance, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 calculates a lower limit of the remaining battery charge required to travel or assist travel the planned use distance. The processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 then obtains the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 from the main ECU 29, and when the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than the lower limit, causes the light-emitting element 39 mounted on the electric vehicle 2 in which the sub-ECU 38 is installed to blink.

[0123] Thereafter, when the electric vehicle 2 to be used is determined, the user touches the details input button 116. When the touch on the details input button 116 is detected, the terminal 8 displays a usage details screen 130 as shown in FIG. 17. The usage details screen 130 may include an input field 132 for the vehicle ID used by the user, an input field 134 for inputting the planned time to end the usage, and a payment information input button 136. The input field 132 for the vehicle ID may be configured to be automatically input when the user captures an image of the plate 20 (or a code or the like provided on the plate 20) provided on the vehicle body 12 provided on the terminal 8, for example. When the input of the vehicle ID and the planned end time of the usage is completed, the user touches the payment information input button 136. Thereafter, an input screen (not shown) for inputting payment information is displayed on the terminal 8, and when the user inputs the payment information, the electric vehicle 2 becomes available for use.

[0124] Next, a description will be given of the effects of the thus configured mobile object providing system 1. In the mobile object providing system 1 according to the second embodiment, even if a reservation for use has not been made, the user can use the electric mobile object 2 by going to the station 5 and completing the procedure, so that the convenience of the mobile object providing system 1 is improved compared to the first embodiment.

[0125] In this embodiment, when the search signal includes the planned utilization distance, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 calculates a lower limit value of the remaining battery charge required to drive or assist in driving the planned utilization distance, and when the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 and the sub-battery 7 is equal to or greater than the lower limit value, the light-emitting element 39 flashes.

[0126] The blinking of the light-emitting element 39 allows the user to know whether the sum of the remaining battery power of the main battery 14 provided in the electric vehicle 2 and the sub-battery 7 held by the user is sufficient for travelling the planned travel distance or assisting in travelling. This allows the user to select an electric vehicle 2 that can supply the driving source 15 with the amount of power required for travelling the planned travel distance or assisting in travelling, improving the convenience of the vehicle provision system 1.

[0127] <<Third embodiment>> The mobile object providing system 1 of the third embodiment differs in the processing of steps ST5 and ST6 of the mobile object providing process executed by the management server 10, and the processing for generating the extracted information display screen 85 and the detailed display screen 89 executed by the terminal 8, and the other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment, so that the explanation of the other configurations is omitted.

[0128] In step ST5 of the mobile object providing process, the processor 60 of the management server 10 extracts, as available mobile objects, all electric mobile objects 2 that are available during the usage time, among the electric mobile objects 2 placed in the stations 5 adjacent to the usage location. When the extraction is completed, the processor 60 of the management server 10 transmits the mobile object ID of the extracted electric mobile object 2, the station ID of the station 5 in which the electric mobile object 2 is located, and the remaining battery power of the main battery 14 as extraction information to the terminal 8. In this embodiment, the management server 10 adds the planned travel distance to the extraction information and transmits it to the terminal 8.

[0129] When the processor 52 of the terminal 8 acquires the extracted information, it communicates with the battery control device 47 of the sub-battery 7 and acquires the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7. The processor 52 of the terminal 8 sets a first threshold value and a second threshold value. The first threshold value is set to a predetermined value as in the first embodiment, but the second threshold value is set based on the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7.

[0130] Specifically, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 sets the second threshold to be equal to or less than the first threshold and to decrease as the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7 increases. In this embodiment, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 calculates the amount of power required to move or assist the movement of the electric vehicle 2 based on the planned travel distance, and sets the second threshold by subtracting the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7 from the calculated amount of power.

[0131] Next, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 acquires, from the extraction information, electric vehicles 2 whose remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 is equal to or greater than a first threshold as first available vehicles. The processor 52 of the terminal 8 further acquires, from the extraction information, electric vehicles 2 whose remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 is equal to or greater than a second threshold as second available vehicles.

[0132] Thereafter, similarly to the first embodiment, if the user has a sub-battery 7, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 superimposes an icon 87 indicating the position of the station 5 available to the second available mobile body and the number of the second available mobile bodies on the map 86 to generate an extracted information display screen 85. Also, if the user does not have a sub-battery 7, similarly to the first embodiment, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 superimposes an icon 87 indicating the position of the station 5 available to the first available mobile body and the number of the first available mobile bodies on the map 86 to generate an extracted information display screen 85.

[0133] Next, the effects of the thus configured mobile body providing system 1 will be described. In the second embodiment, the second threshold is set based on the remaining battery power of the sub-battery 7. Specifically, the second threshold is set by subtracting the remaining battery power of the main battery 14 from the amount of power required for travel or travel assistance for the planned travel distance.

[0134] By setting in this way, the electric vehicle 2 reserved by the user who owns the sub-battery 7 is selected from the second available vehicles in which the sum of the remaining battery power of the main battery 14 and the sub-battery 7 is equal to or greater than the amount of power required for travel or travel assistance for the planned travel distance. Therefore, when the user who owns the sub-battery 7 is using the electric vehicle 2, it is possible to prevent the remaining battery power from running short while traveling the planned travel distance.

[0135] <<Fourth embodiment>> The mobile object providing system 1 according to the fourth embodiment is similar to that according to the first embodiment, except that the terminal 8 sets the time period during which the application for use can be made based on whether or not the user owns a sub-battery 7. Therefore, the description of the other points will be omitted.

[0136] When a reservation start button 73 is pressed after a reservation start screen 74 (see FIG. 7) is displayed on the terminal 8, the terminal 8 transmits reservation user ID information including a user ID and a password to the management server 10. Thereafter, the management server 10 refers to the user DB and transmits to the terminal 8 information on the presence or absence of a sub-battery 7 of the user corresponding to the user ID (also referred to as battery ownership information).

[0137] Based on the received battery ownership information, terminal 8 limits the time period that can be entered as a usage time period in the usage time input field 83 on the reservation information input screen 82 (hereinafter, application available time period) to a predetermined time from the time when the reservation information input screen 82 is opened (or the time of input). That is, by limiting the input in the usage time input field 83, terminal 8 accepts usage applications from the time of input up to the predetermined time ahead.

[0138] As shown in Fig. 18(A), the terminal 8 (processor 52) may configure the input field 83 with a pull-down menu 83A and limit the options 83B of the pull-down menu 83A to the application available time period (the time moved forward from the time when the reserver ID information was received), thereby restricting the time when the application can be made. Fig. 18(A) shows an example in which the time moved forward is 12 o'clock when the reservation information input screen 82 is opened, and the time moved forward is three hours.

[0139] Alternatively, the terminal 8 may configure the input field 83 with input elements into which numbers, etc. can be directly input. In that case, when the numbers, etc. input into the input elements correspond to a time outside the application available time slot, the terminal 8 may generate a warning screen 82A in which a pop-up 83C indicating that numbers, etc. outside the application available time slot have been input is superimposed on the reservation information input screen 82, as shown in FIG. 18(B), and display the warning screen 82A on the touch panel 55.

[0140] However, the terminal 8 advances the advance time of a user who owns a sub-battery 7 compared to a user who does not own a sub-battery 7. As a result, the terminal 8 sets the application available time period of a user who owns a sub-battery 7 longer than the application available time period of a user who does not own a sub-battery 7.

[0141] for example 、 A user who does not own a sub-battery 7 can reserve the electric vehicle 2 up to three days in advance, whereas a user who owns a sub-battery 7 can reserve the electric vehicle 2 up to seven days in advance.

[0143] That is, the terminal 8 accepts the application by moving forward the time when the user can apply by the forward time depending on whether the terminal 8 owns the sub-battery 7 or not. If the application available time period is from the input time to a predetermined time ahead, the predetermined time corresponds to the forward time. In other words, if the application available time period is set to be from the input time to 7 hours ahead, the application can be made from 7 hours before, and the forward time corresponds to 7 hours.

[0144] The terminal 8 may set this advance time for each electric vehicle 2. The terminal 8 may be configured to advance the advance time as the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 decreases. The terminal 8 may also be configured to advance the advance time as the remaining charge % obtained by dividing the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 by the remaining battery charge at full charge decreases. Specifically, the terminal 8 may set the advance time to satisfy Y=(100-A)×α (α is any positive constant), where Y is the advance time and A is the remaining charge %.

[0145] In this way, when the terminal 8 sets the time to be moved forward depending on the remaining battery power of the main battery 14, the terminal 8 may acquire information related to the available mobile object, and generate the extracted information display screen 85 and the detailed display screen 89 based on the remaining battery power of the main battery 14 of the available mobile object, as in the third embodiment. For example, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 may set the time to be moved forward based on the remaining battery power of the main battery 14, and set whether or not to select the input button 91 on the detailed display screen 89 based on the usage date and usage time slot inputted on the reservation information input screen 82 and the time when the reservation information input screen 82 is opened.

[0146] Next, the effect of the mobile object providing system 1 configured in this manner will be described. The terminal 8 sets the acceptance time depending on whether or not the user owns a sub-battery 7. Specifically, the terminal 8 sets the acceptance time longer for a user who owns a sub-battery 7 than for a user who does not own a sub-battery 7. This allows the start of acceptance of reservations for use of the electric mobile object 2 for a user who owns a sub-battery 7 to begin earlier than for a user who does not own a sub-battery 7, and an incentive can be given to the owner of the sub-battery 7. Providing an incentive to the owner of the sub-battery 7 encourages the use of the sub-battery 7, making it less likely for mobile objects to remain at the station 5.

[0147] <<Fifth embodiment>> The moving object providing system 1 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes at least two or more types of moving objects and in step ST5 of the moving object providing process by the management server 10. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0148] In this embodiment, the vehicle providing system 1 includes two types of electric vehicles 2. One type (hereinafter, Type A) of electric vehicles 2 is lighter and easier to increase in speed than the other type (hereinafter, Type B) of electric vehicles 2. For example, Type A may be a cross bike type bicycle, and Type B may be a city cycle type bicycle. Alternatively, Type A may be a vehicle other than a bicycle (for example, an electric vehicle 2 other than a bicycle, specifically, an electric wheelchair, etc.).

[0149] In step ST5, the processor 60 of the management server 10 extracts only the type B electric vehicle 2 from the available vehicles as the first available vehicle, and extracts the type A electric vehicle 2 and the type B electric vehicle 2 as the second available vehicles.

[0150] Next, the effects of the moving body provision system 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0151] The processor 52 of the terminal 8 allows only the first available vehicle to be selected on the detailed display screen 89 if the user making the application does not own a sub-battery 7. This allows a user who does not own a sub-battery 7 to reserve only the B-type electric vehicle 2. On the other hand, the processor 52 of the terminal 8 allows the second available vehicle to be selected on the detailed display screen 89 if the user making the application does not own a sub-battery 7. This allows a user who does not own a sub-battery 7 to reserve both the A-type electric vehicle 2 and the B-type electric vehicle 2.

[0152] Therefore, the selection range of the electric vehicle 2 presented to the user is set wider for the user who owns the sub-battery 7 than for the user who does not own the sub-battery 7. This can promote the use of the electric vehicle 2 by the user who owns the sub-battery 7.

[0153] <<Sixth embodiment>> The mobile body provision system 1 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the battery control device 47 is configured to be able to acquire the usage history of the sub-battery 7. Also, the management server 10 grants points to the user based on the usage history of the user. Other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted.

[0154] The battery control device 47 acquires the usage state of the sub-battery 7 based on the rate of decrease in the remaining battery power of the sub-battery 7. For example, when the remaining battery power of the sub-battery 7 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the battery control device 47 determines that the sub-battery 7 is being used and counts the usage time.

[0155] When the sub-battery 7 is housed in the sub-holder 36, the battery control device 47 is configured to be connected to the mobile object management device 35. When the battery control device 47 detects that it is connected to the mobile object management device 35, it determines that the sub-battery 7 is being used to move or assist the movement of the electric mobile object 2, and does not count the usage time.

[0156] The battery control device 47 wirelessly transmits a usage report signal including the usage time to the terminal 8 every time the date changes. When the terminal 8 receives the usage report signal, it transmits it to the management server 10. When the management server 10 receives the usage report signal, the management server 10 awards points to the user of the sub-battery 7 based on the usage time every time the date changes. Alternatively, the management server 10 may advance the reservation start time based on the usage history of the sub-battery 7 instead of points.

[0157] Next, the effects of the mobile body provision system 1 configured in this manner will be described. Points are awarded based on the usage history of the sub-battery 7, so that the user can be motivated and given an incentive to own the sub-battery 7. In particular, in this embodiment, points are awarded to users who have used the sub-battery 7 for purposes other than moving the mobile body. This promotes the use of the sub-battery 7 for purposes other than electric automobiles, and expands the range of uses of the sub-battery 7 by users.

[0158] <<Seventh embodiment>> The moving body provision system 1 according to the seventh embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the battery control device 47 is configured to be able to acquire the usage history of the sub-battery 7. Also, the management server 10 grants points to a user based on the usage history of the user. Other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted.

[0159] When the sub-battery 7 is housed in the sub-holder 36, the battery control device 47 is configured to be connected to the mobile object management device 35. When the battery control device 47 detects that it is connected to the mobile object management device 35, it determines that the sub-battery 7 is being used to move or assist the movement of the electric mobile object 2, and counts the time that it is connected to the mobile object management device 35 as connection time.

[0160] Each time the battery control device 47 is disconnected from the mobile object management device 35, it wirelessly transmits a signal including the connection time to the terminal 8. Upon receiving the usage report signal, the terminal 8 transmits it to the management server 10. When the management server 10 receives the usage report signal, the management server 10 awards points to the corresponding user each time it receives a usage report signal. Alternatively, instead of points, the management server 10 may advance the reservation start time based on the time that the sub-battery 7 is used to move or assist the movement of the electric mobile object 2, or the like.

[0161] Next, the effects of the moving body providing system 1 configured as above will be described. Points are given to a user who uses the sub-battery 7 for the purpose of moving a moving body. This promotes the use of the sub-battery 7.

[0162] <<Eighth embodiment>> In the eighth embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the application available time period is set on the reservation information input screen 82, but it differs from the fourth embodiment in that the application available time period is set by the management server 10, not the terminal 8. The other configurations are the same as in the fourth embodiment, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0163] When a reservation start button 73 is pressed after a reservation start screen 74 (see FIG. 7) is displayed on the terminal 8, the terminal 8 transmits subscriber ID information including a user ID and a password to the management server 10. When the management server 10 receives the subscriber ID information, it executes a setting process for setting a time period during which application can be made for the electric vehicle 2. Details of the setting process will be described below with reference to FIG. 19.

[0164] In the first step ST11 of the setting process, the management server 10 acquires a user ID from the reservation user ID information. After that, the management server 10 refers to the user DB to acquire information (also called battery ownership information) regarding whether or not the user who made the reservation owns a sub-battery 7 (i.e., the presence or absence of a sub-battery 7). If the user who made the reservation owns a sub-battery 7, the management server 10 executes step ST12, and if the user does own a sub-battery 7, the management server 10 executes step ST13.

[0165] In step ST12, the management server 10 sets the application available time period to a predetermined time (hereinafter, the advance time) from the time when the subscriber ID information is received. However, the management server 10 sets the advance time to a first advance time (e.g., 7 hours). When the setting is completed, a signal including the application available time period is transmitted to the terminal 8.

[0166] In step ST13, the management server 10 sets the application available time period from the time when the subscriber ID information is received to the time ahead of the advancement. However, the management server 10 sets the advancement time to a second advancement time (e.g., 3 hours). The second advancement time is shorter than the first advancement time. Once the setting is complete, a signal including the application available time period is transmitted to the terminal 8.

[0167] When the terminal 8 receives a signal including the available application time period, it limits the time during which an application (reservation) for use of the electric vehicle 2 can be made to the available application time period in the input field 83 in Fig. 9. Specifically, as in the fourth embodiment, the terminal 8 may configure the input field 83 with a pull-down menu 83A and limit the options 83B to the available application time period (the time period moved forward from the time when the reserving user ID information was received) (see Fig. 18(A)), or, when a time outside the available application time period is entered, may display a pop-up 83C notifying that fact on the touch panel 55 (see Fig. 18(B)).

[0168] Next, the effect of the mobile object provision system 1 configured as above, particularly the setting process of the management server 10, will be described. The management server 10 sets an application available time period during which an application for use of the electric mobile object 2 can be made based on the battery ownership information, and notifies the terminal 8 of a signal including the application available time period. The terminal 8 permits application input only during the application available time period.

[0169] This allows a user who owns a sub-battery 7 to make reservations for a later time than a user who does not own a sub-battery 7. In other words, a user who owns a sub-battery 7 can make reservations for use of the electric vehicle 2 from an earlier time than a user who does not own a sub-battery 7.

[0170] In this way, it is possible to set a difference in the application time period during which a usage application can be made between users who own the sub-battery 7 and users who do not own the sub-battery 7. Therefore, by offering advantageous conditions to users who own the sub-battery 7, it is possible to promote the use of the sub-battery 7.

[0171] The management server 10 may set the advance time (first advance time, second advance time) based on whether or not the sub-battery 7 is owned, and transmit only the advance time to the terminal 8. When the terminal 8 receives the time width, it may set a time period during which application input is possible (application possible time period) in the input field 83 in Fig. 9 based on the current time and the time width.

[0172] <<Ninth embodiment>> The mobile object providing system 1 according to the ninth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the extraction process (i.e., step ST5) of the electric mobile object 2 (first available mobile object and second available mobile object) in the mobile object providing process executed by the management server 10, but other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the other configurations will be omitted, and the process of step ST5 according to the ninth embodiment will be described in detail.

[0173] In step ST5, the processor 60 of the management server 10 first transmits a charging rate request signal to the terminal 8, requesting information related to the charging rate of the sub-battery 7. Upon receiving the charging rate request signal, the terminal 8 acquires the charging rate from the sub-battery 7 owned (held) by the corresponding user (or calculates the charging rate based on the charge amount). After that, the terminal 8 transmits information including the charging rate of the sub-battery 7 (hereinafter, battery charging rate information) to the management server 10.

[0174] When the processor 60 of the management server 10 acquires the battery charging rate information, the processor 60 extracts a first available mobile object and a second available mobile object based on the charging rate of the sub-battery 7.

[0175] As in the first embodiment, the processor 60 of the management server 10 extracts, from among the available mobile objects, mobile objects whose remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 is equal to or greater than a first threshold as first available mobile objects, and extracts mobile objects whose remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 is equal to or greater than a second threshold as second available mobile objects (ST5). However, the management server 10 sets the first threshold and the second threshold based on the charging rate of the sub-battery 7, respectively.

[0176] At this time, the processor 60 of the management server 10 may set the first threshold and the second threshold so that they decrease as the charging rate of the sub-battery 7 increases. Moreover, under the condition that the charging rate of the sub-battery 7 is the same, the processor 60 of the management server 10 may set the second threshold lower than the first threshold.

[0177] Once the extraction is complete, as in the first embodiment, the management server 10 transmits the result of the determination as to whether the user making the application is holding a sub-battery 7, information regarding the first available mobile object (mobile object ID, station ID of the station 5 where it is located, remaining battery power), and information regarding the second available mobile object (mobile object ID, station ID of the station 5 where it is located, remaining battery power) as extracted information to the terminal 8 (ST6).

[0178] The effects of the thus configured mobile object providing system 1, particularly the management server 10, will be described. The processor 60 of the management server 10 acquires the charging rate of the sub-battery 7 held by the user and capable of providing power to the electric mobile object 2, and extracts the electric mobile object 2 (first available mobile object and second available mobile object) based on the charging rate. After that, the terminal 8 presents the extracted electric mobile object 2 and accepts the selection of the electric mobile object 2 from the user (see FIGS. 12(A) to (C)).

[0179] In this way, the electric vehicle 2 is extracted based on the charging rate of the sub-battery 7, and the extracted electric vehicle 2 is presented to the user. Therefore, it is possible to differentiate between the range of electric vehicle 2 presented to a user with a high charging rate of the sub-battery 7 and the range of electric vehicle 2 presented to a user with a low charging rate. In addition, by setting the extraction method so that more electric vehicle 2 are presented as the charging rate increases, it is possible to encourage the user to charge the sub-battery 7.

[0180] <<Tenth embodiment>> The mobile body providing system 1 according to the tenth embodiment differs from the ninth embodiment in that the processor 60 of the management server 10 acquires information including the charge amount of the sub-battery 7 from the terminal 8 instead of information including the charging rate of the sub-battery 7. Also, the processor 60 of the management server 10 extracts the electric mobile body 2 based on the acquired charge amount of the sub-battery 7. Other configurations are the same as those of the ninth embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0181] The processor 60 of the management server 10 sets the first threshold and the second threshold based on the acquired charge amount of the sub-battery 7, similarly to the ninth embodiment. At this time, the processor 60 of the management server 10 may set the first threshold and the second threshold so that they decrease as the charge amount of the sub-battery 7 increases. Moreover, under the condition that the charge amount of the sub-battery 7 is the same, the processor 60 of the management server 10 may set the second threshold lower than the first threshold. Moreover, the charge amount referred to here may correspond to the amount of power that the sub-battery 7 can provide to the electric vehicle 2.

[0182] The effects of the thus configured mobile object providing system 1, particularly the management server 10, will be described. The processor 60 of the management server 10 acquires the charge amount of the sub-battery 7 held by the user and available to provide power to the electric mobile object 2, and extracts the electric mobile object 2 (first available mobile object and second available mobile object) based on the charge amount. The terminal 8 then presents the extracted electric mobile object 2 and accepts the selection of the electric mobile object 2 from the user (see FIGS. 12(A) to (C)).

[0183] In this way, the electric vehicle 2 is extracted based on the charge level of the sub-battery 7, and the extracted electric vehicle 2 is presented to the user. Therefore, it is possible to differentiate between the range of electric vehicle 2 presented to a user with a high charge level of the sub-battery 7 and the range of electric vehicle 2 presented to a user with a low charge level. By setting the extraction method so that more electric vehicle 2 are presented as the charge level increases, it is possible to encourage the user to charge the sub-battery 7.

[0184] <<Eleventh embodiment>> The mobile body providing system 1 according to the eleventh embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the process of extracting electric mobile bodies 2 (first available mobile body and second available mobile body) (i.e., step ST5) of the mobile body providing process executed by the management server 10. Similarly to the seventh embodiment, the battery control device 47 detects a connection with the mobile body management device 35 and acquires a history of power supply from the battery cell 45 to the electric mobile body 2 (hereinafter, power supply history). Also, the battery control device 47 is configured to be able to record and hold the acquired power supply history in the memory 50. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore description of the other configurations will be omitted.

[0185] In step ST5, the processor 60 of the management server 10 first transmits to the terminal 8 a power supply amount request signal requesting information related to the amount of power supplied by the sub-battery 7 to the electric vehicle 2. Upon receiving the power supply amount request signal, the terminal 8 acquires a power supply history from the sub-battery 7 owned (held) by the corresponding user. The terminal 8 then calculates the amount of power that the sub-battery 7 has supplied to the electric vehicle 2 up to now (hereinafter, supplied power amount) based on the power supply history. The terminal 8 then transmits information including the amount of supplied power (hereinafter, supplied power amount information) to the management server 10.

[0186] When the processor 60 of the management server 10 acquires the provided power amount information, the processor 60 extracts a first available mobile object and a second available mobile object based on the provided power amount of the sub-battery 7.

[0187] As in the first embodiment, the processor 60 of the management server 10 extracts, from among the available mobile objects, mobile objects whose remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 is equal to or greater than a first threshold as first available mobile objects, and extracts mobile objects whose remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 is equal to or greater than a second threshold as second available mobile objects (ST5). However, the processor 60 of the management server 10 sets the first threshold and the second threshold based on the amount of power provided by the sub-battery 7, respectively.

[0188] At this time, the processor 60 of the management server 10 may set the first threshold and the second threshold so that they decrease as the amount of power provided by the sub-battery 7 increases. Moreover, under the condition that the charging rate of the sub-battery 7 is the same, the management server 10 may set the second threshold lower than the first threshold.

[0189] Once the extraction is complete, as in the first embodiment, the management server 10 transmits the result of the determination as to whether the user making the application is holding a sub-battery 7, information regarding the first available mobile object (mobile object ID, station ID of the station 5 where it is located, remaining battery power), and information regarding the second available mobile object (mobile object ID, station ID of the station 5 where it is located, remaining battery power) as extracted information to the terminal 8 (ST6).

[0190] The effects of the thus configured mobile object providing system 1, particularly the management server 10, will be described. The processor 60 of the management server 10 acquires the amount of provided power of the sub-battery 7 held by the user and available to provide power to the electric mobile object 2, and extracts electric mobile objects 2 (first available mobile object and second available mobile object) based on the amount of provided power. Thereafter, the terminal 8 presents the extracted electric mobile objects 2 and accepts the selection of the electric mobile object 2 from the user (see FIGS. 12(A) to (C)).

[0191] In this way, the electric vehicle 2 is extracted based on the amount of power provided by the sub-battery 7, and the extracted electric vehicle 2 is presented to the user. Therefore, it is possible to differentiate between the range of electric vehicle 2 presented to a user who has a large amount of power provided by the sub-battery 7 and the range of electric vehicle 2 presented to a user who has a small amount of power provided by the sub-battery 7. By setting the extraction method so that more electric vehicle 2 are presented as the amount of power provided by the sub-battery 7 increases, it is possible to encourage the user to charge the sub-battery 7.

[0192] Although the specific embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in a wide range of ways.

[0193] In the above embodiment, the user is configured to input the planned distance to be used, but the management server 10 may be configured to estimate the planned distance to be used based on the user's usage status, etc.

[0194] In the above embodiment, the sub-battery 7 and the terminal 8 are configured separately, but the sub-battery 7 and the terminal 8 may be configured as one body. The sub-battery 7 may be configured to substantially have the function of the terminal 8.

[0195] In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the incentive is given to the corresponding user by giving points, but the method of giving the incentive is not limited to giving points. For example, the second threshold may be lowered to widen the range of selectable electric vehicles 2 for a user who has used the sub-battery 7 for purposes other than moving the electric vehicle 2, or for a user who has used the sub-battery 7 for the purpose of moving the electric vehicle 2, thereby giving an incentive to the corresponding user. Also, as in the fourth embodiment, an incentive may be given to the corresponding user by accelerating the time of acceptance of the reservation for use. In addition, as in the fifth embodiment, an incentive may be given to the corresponding user by widening the range of selectable electric vehicles 2. Also, the incentive may be given by either the terminal 8 or the management server 10, or by the cooperation of both.

[0196] In the above embodiment, the communication distance between the terminal 8 and the sub-ECU 38 is limited to within several meters to several tens of meters, so that the light-emitting element 39 of the electric vehicle 2 located within several meters to several tens of meters from the terminal 8 is configured to emit light. However, the light emission of the light-emitting element 39 of the electric vehicle 2 may be limited to within several tens of meters from the terminal 8 based on a method other than the limitation of the communication distance. For example, the terminal 8 and the sub-ECU 38 are each configured to be capable of positioning by GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and the sub-ECU 38 acquires the position of the terminal 8 and determines whether the distance to the terminal 8 is within a predetermined communication distance. Thereafter, the sub-ECU 38 may be configured to cause the light-emitting element 39 to emit light when the distance to the terminal 8 is within the predetermined communication distance.

[0197] In the above embodiment, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 is configured to change the light emission mode of the light-emitting element 39 based on the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 or the sum of the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 and the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7. However, the processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 may be configured to convert the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 or the sum of the remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 and the remaining battery charge of the sub-battery 7 into a movable distance of the electric vehicle 2, and change the light emission mode of the light-emitting element 39 based on the movable distance. The processor 40 of the sub-ECU 38 may acquire the movable distance by multiplying the remaining battery charge (or the sum of the remaining battery charges) by a coefficient (hereinafter, conversion coefficient) set for each electric vehicle 2, and the conversion coefficient may be set based on the type of the electric vehicle 2, the deterioration degree of the electric vehicle 2, and the like. The conversion coefficient may be included in the vehicle DB, and if based on the deterioration degree of the electric vehicle 2, the conversion coefficient may be set by an administrator during maintenance of the electric vehicle 2.

[0198] In the above embodiment, the station server 9 is provided in each station 5, but the station server 9 does not have to be provided in each station 5. For example, the main ECU 29 or the sub ECU 38 provided in the electric vehicle 2 may be configured to be able to communicate directly with the management server 10 via the network 11.

[0199] In the above embodiment, the light emitting element 39 provided on the electric vehicle 2 emits light based on a wireless signal transmitted from the terminal 8 to notify the location of the reserved electric vehicle 2, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. When a notification device such as a light emitting element 51 is provided on the sub-battery 7 held by the user, a notification may be given from the notification device of the sub-battery 7 (specifically, the light emitting element 51 of the sub-battery 7 emits light) when the distance between the electric vehicle 2 (specifically, the main ECU 29 or the sub-ECU 38) and the sub-battery 7 is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0200] In the above embodiment, for a user who does not own a sub-battery 7, an electric vehicle 2 with a remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 equal to or greater than a first threshold value can be selected, and an electric vehicle 2 with a remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 equal to or greater than a second threshold value can be selected. However, this is not limited to changing the threshold value, and the management server 10 (or the terminal 8) may be configured to present, when accepting an application from a user who owns a sub-battery 7, vehicles with a low remaining battery charge of the main battery 14 as well as other vehicles when accepting an application from a user who does not own a sub-battery 7.

[0201] In the sixth and seventh embodiments, examples have been described in which the usage history is based on time, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and may be configured such that an incentive is given to a user based on, for example, the amount of power provided from the sub-battery 7 (amount of provided power). Various methods can be adopted to give an incentive to a user, such as giving points to the user or advancing the reservation start time.

[0202] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the terminal 8 is a smartphone owned by the user, but this is not limited to this, and the terminal 8 may be loaned by a person (servicer) who operates the mobile object providing system 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0203] 1: Mobile provision system 2: Electric moving object 7: Sub battery 8: Terminal 10: Management server

Claims

1. A management server for accepting a usage application at a terminal held by a user, presenting corresponding electric vehicle candidates, acquiring an input related to the user's selection, and providing the user with the electric vehicle selected by the user, A processor and a storage device, the storage device stores in advance battery ownership information indicating whether or not the user owns a sub-battery that supplies power to the electric vehicle; The processor, obtaining the battery ownership information from the storage device; setting an application period during which the electric vehicle can be used based on the battery ownership information; Transmitting information related to the application available time period to the terminal; When the user does not own the sub-battery, the application available time period is set to a period from the present to a predetermined time in the future; When the sub-battery is owned, the management server sets the application available time period to a time from the present to the predetermined time plus an additional time.

2. A vehicle providing system including the management server according to claim 1, the terminal, and the electric vehicle, The electric vehicle is provided with a main battery and a battery holder for mounting the sub-battery, the battery holder is provided with a light emitting element and a sub-holder control device that controls light emission of the light emitting element, The sub-holder control device is driven by power supplied from the main battery.

3. The electric vehicle is provided with a drive source and a main control device that controls the drive of the drive source by controlling the power supplied by the main battery, The main control device stores an identification number of the electric vehicle; The sub-holder control device is configured to be capable of short-distance communication with the terminal, The mobile object provision system of claim 2, wherein the sub-holder control device, when receiving a search signal including the identification number from the terminal, acquires the stored identification number from the main control device, and turns on the light-emitting element when the identification number stored by the main control device matches the identification number included in the search signal.

4. The battery holder is provided with a plurality of the light emitting elements, the main control device is configured to be able to acquire a remaining battery charge of the main battery, The mobile object providing system according to claim 3 , wherein the sub-holder control device acquires the remaining battery charge of the main battery from the main control device, and changes the number of the light-emitting elements that emit light according to the acquired remaining battery charge of the main battery.

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