Power output device and power output system

Abstract

To provide a power output device and a power output system, which inhibit a charger from being left on a device body.SOLUTION: A power output device 5 includes: a device body 50 having an electric outlet 522; and a charger 60 having a plug 61 detachable from the electric outlet. When the plug is attached to the electric outlet, the device body and the charger can supply power from an external power supply 58 to an internal power supply 72. The device body includes: a plug detector unit 53 which detects the attached state of the plug to the electric outlet; a device control unit which controls power supply from the external power supply to the internal power supply, and transmits device warning information when the plug detector unit detects a state that the vehicle side plug is attached to the device side electric outlet after power supply from the external power supply to the internal power supply is completed; and a device alarm unit which performs device side warning based on the attached state when the device warning information is transmitted from the device control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power output device and a power output system. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional electric power output system includes an electric power output device, a management server, and a user terminal. The electric power output device includes a device main body having an outlet electrically connected to an external power supply, and a charger electrically connected to an internal power supply of an electric vehicle and having a plug that can be attached to and detached from the outlet.

[0003] When the device main body and the charger are plugged into an outlet, power can be supplied from an external power source to the internal power source (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-284040 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It takes a longer time for the internal power source to be fully charged by the power supply from the external power source than the time for supplying liquid fuel. Therefore, the user can perform other actions other than the power supply while supplying power to the internal power source, and can also leave the place where the power is supplied. As a result, if the user returns to the place where the power is supplied after performing other actions other than the power supply and finds that the battery is fully charged, the user may forget to unplug the battery from the outlet. For example, if the owner of the power output device and the owner of the charger are different, and the charger is left in the device main unit, the owner of the charger must return to the place where the power output device is located to retrieve the charger, which is troublesome. In other words, the user should unplug the battery from the outlet and remove the charger from the device main unit before moving, but there is a risk that the user may move from the device main unit with the plug still attached to the outlet (i.e., the charger may be left in the device main unit).

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a power output device and a power output system that can prevent a charger from being forgotten in the device main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the power output device of the present invention comprises an apparatus main body having an apparatus-side outlet electrically connected to an external power source, and a charger having a vehicle-side plug electrically connected to an internal power source of an electric vehicle and detachable from the apparatus-side outlet, wherein the apparatus main body and the charger are capable of supplying power from the external power source to the internal power source when the vehicle-side plug is attached to the apparatus-side outlet, and the apparatus main body comprises a plug detection unit that detects an attachment state of the vehicle-side plug to the apparatus-side outlet, an apparatus control unit that controls the power supply from the external power source to the internal power source, and after the power supply from the external power source to the internal power source is terminated, transmits apparatus attention information when the plug detection unit detects that the vehicle-side plug is attached to the apparatus-side outlet, and when the apparatus attention information is transmitted from the apparatus control unit, an apparatus alarm unit that issues an apparatus-side attention based on the attachment state.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the power output system of the present invention comprises the power output device described in claim 1 and a user terminal capable of communicating with the device main body via a communication means, and the user terminal comprises a terminal control unit that transmits terminal warning information when termination information indicating that power supply has been terminated is transmitted from the device control unit, and a terminal alarm unit that issues a terminal-side warning based on the installation status when the terminal warning information is transmitted from the terminal control unit. Effect of the Invention

[0009] Since the power output device and the power output system according to the present invention have the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to prevent the charger from being forgotten in the device main body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing a power output system in the first embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a power output device provided in the power output system in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a user terminal provided in the power output system in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the device-side charger unplugging prevention process performed by the device main body in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the terminal-side charger unplugging prevention process performed by the user terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram conceptually showing a power output system in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiment. Furthermore, the components described below include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described below can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0012] [First embodiment] A power output system 1 and a power output device 5 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the power output system 1 in the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a power output device 5 provided in the power output system 1 in the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a user terminal 4 provided in the power output system 1 in the first embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the power output system 1 in this embodiment includes a management server 2, a user terminal 4, and a power output device 5. The management server 2 determines whether or not to supply power from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72 of the electric vehicle 7. The user terminal 4 is a terminal owned by a user of the device main body 50. The power output device 5 includes the device main body 50 having a device-side outlet 522 electrically connected to the external power source 58, and a charger 60 having a vehicle-side plug 61 electrically connected to an internal power source 82 of the electric vehicle 7 and detachable from the device-side outlet 522. When the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522, the device main body 50 and the charger 60 can supply power from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 82. The power output device 5 charges the internal power source 72 of the electric vehicle 7 by supplying power from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72.

[0014] The electric vehicle 7 is a vehicle that generates at least power using electricity stored in an internal power source 72, and includes, for example, a hybrid vehicle (HV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), an electric vehicle, etc. The electric vehicle 7 according to this embodiment has at least an inlet 71, an internal power source 72, and a vehicle control unit. The electric vehicle 7 also includes a charger 60 that electrically connects the inlet 71 to an apparatus-side outlet 522 of the apparatus main body 50.

[0015] The internal power source 72 is, for example, a battery or the like, and supplies power to electric devices such as a motor mounted on the electric vehicle 7. The inlet 71 is electrically connected to the internal power source 72.

[0016] The charger 60 is an accessory of the electric vehicle 7. In other words, the owner of the charger 60 is the same as the owner of the electric vehicle 7. Such a charger 60 electrically connects the device-side outlet 522 of the device main body 50 and the inlet 71 of the electric vehicle 7. Therefore, the internal power source 72 is electrically connected to the external power source 58 via the charger 60. The charger 60 includes a vehicle-side plug 61, a connector 63, and a control box 62. The vehicle-side plug 61 is attachable to and detachable from the device-side outlet 522. The connector 63 is attachable to and detachable from the inlet 71. The control box 62 controls the start and end of power supply when power is supplied from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72. More specifically, the control box 62 determines that the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522 and the connector 63 is attached to the inlet 71, and starts power supply when it is within a usage period described later. Furthermore, when the vehicle-side plug 61 is removed from the device-side outlet 522 or when the connector 63 is removed from the inlet 71, the control box 62 determines that a current flow is disabled and ends the power supply. After the control box 62 ends the power supply from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72, it transmits a notification to that effect to the device main body 50.

[0017] The electric control unit comprehensively controls each unit of the electric vehicle 7 according to the programs and data stored in the vehicle storage unit. The vehicle control unit also restricts the start of the drive source of the electric vehicle 7 when the connector 63 is attached to the inlet 71. For this reason, the electric vehicle 7 cannot move when the charger 60 is attached to the electric vehicle 7.

[0018] The management server 2 determines whether or not to supply power from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72. Such a management server 2 is capable of communicating with the user terminal 4 via a first communication means N1, which is a network such as the Internet. On the other hand, the management server 2 cannot directly communicate with the device main body 50 via the first communication means N1, and transmits and receives information to the device main body 50 via the user terminal 4. In other words, the device main body 50 in this embodiment is capable of communicating with the user terminal 4, and is also capable of communicating with the management server 2 via the user terminal 4.

[0019] Furthermore, when use request information is transmitted from the user terminal 4, if the contents of the use request information satisfy predetermined approval conditions, the management server 2 transmits usage permission information to the user terminal 4 to supply power from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72, and also transmits the information to the device main body 50 via the user terminal 4. On the other hand, if the contents of the use request information do not satisfy predetermined approval conditions, the management server 2 transmits information to that effect to the user terminal 4. The use request information includes at least the start date and time when power supply will begin.

[0020] The approval condition of the management server 2 in this embodiment is that at least the start date and time included in the transmitted usage request information is that no other reservations for use of the device main body 50 have been made in advance within the usage period including the start date and time.

[0021] If no other use reservation has been made in advance, the management server 2 calculates the end date and time by adding a time (e.g., 8 hours) required to supply sufficient power to the internal power source 72 to the start date and time. Then, the management server 2 sets the usage period from the start date and time to the end date and time, and reserves the use of the device main body 50 during the usage period. After that, the management server 2 creates usage permission information including usage period information that permits the supply of power from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72 within a predetermined usage period from the start date and time. Then, the management server 2 transmits the usage permission information to the user terminal 4, and also transmits it to the device main body 50 via the user terminal 4. The start date and time includes, for example, the year, month, and time of charging.

[0022] On the other hand, if a reservation has been made in advance and the start date and time included in the new usage request information is within the reserved usage period, the management server 2 determines that the approval conditions are not met and sends a message to that effect to the user terminal 4.

[0023] The user terminal 4 is, for example, a terminal owned by a user who wishes to use the device main body 50, and is, for example, a smartphone. An application that transmits and receives information to and from the management server 2 and transmits and receives information to and from the device main body 50 is installed in such a user terminal 4. The application, for example, displays a button on the user terminal 4 for the user to perform a use completion operation to end the power supply from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72, and when the user operates the button, ends the power supply from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72. The user terminal 4 can also communicate with the management server 2 via a first communication means N1, which is, for example, a network such as the Internet. The user terminal 4 can also communicate with the device main body 50 via a second communication means N2 different from the first communication means N1. The user terminal 4 has a short-range wireless communication unit 45. The short-range wireless communication unit 45 can communicate with the short-range wireless communication unit 54 of the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2, which is different from the first communication means N1, which is a network such as the Internet.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the user terminal 4 in this embodiment includes a terminal control unit 41, a terminal memory unit 42, an input unit 43, a terminal first communication unit 44, a short-range wireless communication unit 45, and a terminal alarm unit 46.

[0025] The terminal control unit 41 comprehensively controls each unit of the user terminal 4 according to the programs and data stored in the terminal storage unit 42. When end information indicating that power supply has been terminated is transmitted from the device control unit 51, the terminal control unit 41 according to this embodiment transmits terminal alert information to the terminal alarm unit 46. In addition, the terminal control unit 41 detects the communication state with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 41 requests the device main body 50 for installation state information based on the installation state via the second communication means N2.

[0026] The terminal storage unit 42 stores information such as programs, data, etc. When mounting state information is transmitted from the device main body 50, the terminal storage unit 42 according to this embodiment stores the mounting state information.

[0027] The input unit 43 receives information input to the device control unit 51 by a user, and is configured, for example, by a touch panel.

[0028] The terminal first communication unit 44 is capable of communicating with a first communication means N1, which is a network such as the Internet. The user terminal 4 and the management server 2 are capable of communicating with each other via the terminal first communication unit 44 and the first communication means N1.

[0029] The short-range wireless communication unit 45 can communicate with a second communication means N2 different from the first communication means N1, which is a network such as the Internet. The user terminal 4 can communicate with the short-range wireless communication unit 54 of the device main body 50 via short-range wireless communication (second communication means N2) transmitted from the short-range wireless communication unit 45.

[0030] When the terminal warning information is transmitted from the terminal control unit 41, the terminal warning unit 46 issues a device-side warning based on the installation state. More specifically, when the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522, the device warning unit 57 displays on the display unit a message that "the vehicle-side plug 61 has been left unplugged from the device-side outlet 522." Furthermore, when the terminal warning information is transmitted from the terminal control unit 41, the terminal warning unit 46 according to the present embodiment issues a terminal-side warning with a higher level of attention than the terminal-side warning based on the terminal warning information. More specifically, when the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522, the terminal warning unit 46 displays on a display unit (not shown) a message that "the vehicle-side plug 61 has been left unplugged from the device-side outlet 522" and outputs a voice message that "the vehicle-side plug 61 has been left unplugged from the device-side outlet 522."

[0031] The device main body 50 is capable of communicating with the user terminal 4 via short-range wireless communication, which is a second communication means N2 different from the first communication means N1. Based on the transmitted usage permission information, the device main body 50 permits power supply from an external power source 58 to the internal power source 72 during the usage period. The device main body 50 is installed outside the house, and includes a device control unit 51, a power control unit 52, a plug detection unit 53, a short-range wireless communication unit 54, a device storage unit 55, a timer unit 56, and a device alarm unit 57, as shown in FIG.

[0032] The device control unit 51 comprehensively controls each unit of the device main body 50 according to the program and data stored in the device storage unit 55. The device control unit 51 according to this embodiment controls the power supply from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72, and transmits end information for terminating the power supply from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72 when a predetermined requirement is met. The predetermined requirement for transmitting the end information is when a preset usage period for terminating the power supply has elapsed, or when information for terminating the power supply is input by the input unit 43 of the user terminal 4, and input information based on the input is transmitted from the user terminal 4 to the device main body 50. Furthermore, after transmitting the end information, the device control unit 51 transmits device attention information when it detects that the plug detection unit 53 is in an attached state. Furthermore, when a state confirmation request is transmitted from the user terminal 4, the device control unit 51 detects whether the plug detection unit 35 is in an attached state, and transmits attachment state information indicating whether the plug detection unit 35 is in an attached state to the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2. Furthermore, the device control unit 51 detects the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2. More specifically, the device control unit 51 according to this embodiment detects the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every minute).

[0033] The power control unit 52 is disposed between a power supply side outlet 581 of the external power supply 58 and an internal power supply 72 of the electric vehicle 7, and is capable of supplying power from the external power supply 58 to the internal power supply 72. The power control unit 52 is capable of supplying AC power at a voltage of, for example, 200V.

[0034] The power control unit 52 has an equipment-side outlet 522 and an equipment-side plug 521. The equipment-side outlet 522 is detachably attached to a vehicle-side plug 61 located at one end of a charger 60 included in the electric vehicle 7. That is, the power output system 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that the equipment-side outlet 522 is provided in the equipment main body 50, while the vehicle-side plug 61 is provided in the charger 60, and the equipment-side outlet 522 and the vehicle-side plug 61 are detachably attached to each other, thereby making it possible to disconnect the connection between the equipment main body 50 and the charger 60.

[0035] The device-side plug 521 is detachably connected to the power supply-side outlet 581 of the external power supply 58. In other words, the power output system 1 according to this embodiment is provided with the device-side plug 521 on the device main body 50, while providing the power supply-side outlet 581 on the external power supply 58 side, and is configured so that the device-side plug 521 and the power supply-side outlet 581 are detachably connected to each other, thereby making it possible to disconnect the device main body 50 from the external power supply 58.

[0036] The plug detection unit 53 detects the attachment state of the vehicle-side plug 61 to the device-side outlet 522. The plug detection unit 53 includes a detection pin 531 that protrudes from the outlet surface of the device-side outlet 522 when no external force is applied, for example. The detection pin 531 is disposed on the outlet surface facing the plug surface of the vehicle-side plug 61 when the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522. When the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522, the detection pin 531 comes into contact with the plug surface and is pressed by the vehicle-side plug 61 to retract from an initial position protruding from the outlet surface. The plug detection unit 53 having such a configuration is in an off state in which the vehicle-side plug 61 is not attached to the device-side outlet 522 when the tip of the detection pin 531 protrudes from the outlet surface. On the other hand, when the tip of the detection pin 531 retracts from the initial position where it protrudes from the outlet surface, the plug detection section 53 is in an ON state in which the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the equipment-side outlet 522.

[0037] The plug detection unit 53 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be, for example, a reflective photointerrupter (photoreflector). The reflective photointerrupter includes a light-emitting element capable of emitting light and a light-receiving element capable of receiving light from the light-emitting element. The reflective photointerrupter has the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element adjacent to each other so that the direction of light emitted from the light-emitting element and the direction of light received by the light-receiving element are opposite but the same direction. The light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are provided in the device body 50. In the state where the vehicle-side plug 61 is not attached to the device-side outlet 522, the light emitted from the light-emitting element is not reflected by any object, and therefore the light cannot be detected by the light-receiving element. In other words, the reflective photointerrupter is in an off state that detects that the vehicle-side plug 61 is not attached to the device-side outlet 522. On the other hand, in the state where the vehicle side plug 61 is attached to the equipment side outlet 522, the light emitted from the light emitting element of the reflective photointerrupter is reflected by the vehicle side plug 61 and detected by the light receiving element. In other words, the reflective photointerrupter is in an ON state that detects that the vehicle side plug 61 is attached to the equipment side outlet 522.

[0038] The short-range wireless communication unit 54 is capable of communicating with a second communication means N2 different from the first communication means N1, which is a network such as the Internet. The device main body 50 is capable of communicating with the short-range wireless communication unit 45 of the user terminal 4 via short-range wireless communication (second communication means N2) transmitted from the short-range wireless communication unit 54.

[0039] The device storage unit 55 stores information such as programs and data.

[0040] The clock unit 56 updates the time information when time information is transmitted from the management server 2 via the user terminal 4. The clock unit 56 also uses the updated time information as a reference and determines the current time from the measured time lapse. For example, when usage permission information is transmitted from the management server 2, the clock unit 56 measures the time lapse from the start date and time included in the usage permission information. Then, when a predetermined usage period has elapsed from the start date and time, the clock unit 56 ends the power supply from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72.

[0041] When the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the equipment-side outlet 522, the equipment alarm unit 57 issues an equipment-side attention alert or an equipment-side alarm, for example, by emitting a continuous buzzer sound.

[0042] In such an electric power output system 1, a user who wishes to use a electric power output device 5 first inputs usage request information including a usage period including a start date and time and an end date and time into the input section 43 of the user terminal 4, and transmits the usage request information to the management server 2 via the first communication means N1.

[0043] The management server 2 searches for the presence or absence of other usage reservations for the usage period including the start date and time and the end date and time included in the usage request information. If there is another usage reservation for the usage period included in the usage request, the management server 2 transmits to the user terminal 4 via the first communication means N1 a message that the device main body 50 cannot be used during the usage period.

[0044] On the other hand, if there is no other reservation for use during the usage period included in the usage request, the management server 2 transmits usage permission information permitting use of the apparatus main body 50 during the usage period to the user terminal 4 via the first communication means N1.

[0045] During the usage period, the user moves the electric vehicle 7 to the installation location of the device main body 50, attaches the vehicle side plug 61 to the device side outlet 522, and attaches the connector 63 to the inlet 71, and supplies power from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72.

[0046] Next, the device-side charger removal prevention process performed by device control unit 51 of device main body 50 after power supply from external power source 58 to internal power source 72 ends will be described with reference to FIG.

[0047] First, the device control unit 51 detects the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2 (step S101). If the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2 is a non-connected state (step S101: No), the device control unit 51 waits until the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2 becomes a connected state. On the other hand, if the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2 is a connected state (step S101: Yes), the device control unit 51 proceeds to step S102.

[0048] Next, the device control unit 51 judges whether or not a predetermined condition for transmitting end information for terminating the power supply from the external power source 58 to the internal power source 72 is satisfied (step S102). To explain in more detail, the predetermined condition for transmitting end information is when a preset usage period for terminating the power supply has elapsed, or when information for terminating the power supply is input by the input unit 43 of the user terminal 4 and input information based on the input is transmitted from the user terminal 4 to the device main body 50. Then, if the predetermined condition for transmitting end information for terminating the power supply is satisfied (step S102: Yes), the device control unit 51 transmits the end information to the user terminal 4 and then proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the predetermined condition for transmitting end information for terminating the power supply is not satisfied (step S102: No), the device control unit 51 waits until the predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0049] Next, the device control unit 51 judges whether or not a request for installation state information based on the installation state is transmitted from the user terminal 4 (step S103). If a request for installation state information is transmitted from the user terminal 4 (step S103: Yes), the device control unit 51 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if a request for installation state information is not transmitted from the user terminal 4 (step S103: No), the device control unit 51 waits until a request for installation state information is transmitted.

[0050] Next, the device control unit 51 transmits the status acquisition information to the plug detection unit 53 (step S104), and the process proceeds to step S105.

[0051] Next, the device control unit 51 detects the attachment state of the vehicle-side plug 61 to the device-side outlet 522 by the plug detection unit 53 (step S105), and proceeds to step S105. When the device control unit 51 detects that the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522 by the plug detection unit 53 (step S105: Yes), the device control unit 51 proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, when the device control unit 51 detects that the vehicle-side plug 61 is not attached to the device-side outlet 522 by the plug detection unit 53 (step S105: No), the device control unit 51 ends the device-side charger unplugging prevention process.

[0052] Next, the device control unit 51 transmits device attention information to the device alarm unit 57 (step S106), and proceeds to step S107. When the device attention information is transmitted, the device alarm unit 57 performs a device-side attention based on the installation state. More specifically, when the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522, the device alarm unit 57 generates a buzzer sound at a first volume to generate an attention that the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522.

[0053] Next, the device control unit 51 detects the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2 (step S107). If the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2 is a connected state (step S107: Yes), the device control unit 51 returns to step S104. On the other hand, if the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2 is a non-connected state (step S107: No), the device control unit 51 proceeds to step S108. The device control unit 51 according to this embodiment detects the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2 at predetermined time intervals. The device control unit 51 detects the communication state with the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2, for example, every minute.

[0054] Next, the device control unit 51 transmits device alarm information to the device alarm unit 57 (step S108), and ends the device-side charger forget-to-unplug prevention process. When the device alarm information is transmitted from the device control unit 51, the device alarm unit 57 issues an device-side alarm with a higher level of attention than the device-side attention based on the device-side attention information. More specifically, when the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522, the device alarm unit 57 issues an alarm that the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522 by generating a buzzer sound at a second volume louder than the first volume.

[0055] Next, the terminal-side charger removal prevention process performed by the terminal control unit 41 of the user terminal 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. First, the terminal control unit 41 detects the communication state with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 (step S201). If the communication state with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 is a non-connection state (step S201: No), the terminal control unit 41 waits until the communication state with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 becomes a connection state. On the other hand, if the communication state with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 is a connection state (step S201: Yes), the terminal control unit 41 proceeds to step S202.

[0056] Next, the terminal control unit 41 judges whether or not the end information is transmitted from the device main body 50 (step S202). If the end information is transmitted from the device main body 50 (step S202: Yes), the terminal control unit 41 proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if the end information is not transmitted from the device main body 50 (step S202: No), the terminal control unit 41 waits for the end information to be transmitted from the device main body 50.

[0057] Next, the terminal control unit 41 transmits terminal attention information (step S203), and proceeds to step S204. When the terminal attention information is transmitted from the terminal control unit 41, the terminal alarm unit 46 issues an apparatus-side attention based on the installation state. More specifically, when the vehicle-side plug 61 is installed in the apparatus-side outlet 522, the device alarm unit 57 displays on the display unit that "the vehicle-side plug 61 has been forgotten to be unplugged from the apparatus-side outlet 522."

[0058] Next, the terminal control unit 41 acquires installation state information based on the installation state of the vehicle-side plug 61 to the device-side outlet 522 (step S204). More specifically, the terminal control unit 41 requests the installation state information based on the installation state to the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2. Then, when a request for installation state information is transmitted from the user terminal 4, the device control unit 51 detects the installation state by the plug detection unit 53 and transmits the installation state information to the user terminal 4 via the second communication means N2.

[0059] Next, when the mounting state information is transmitted from the device main body 50, the terminal control unit 41 stores the mounting state information in the terminal storage unit 42 (step S205).

[0060] Next, the terminal control unit 41 detects the communication state with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 (step S206). If the communication state with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 is a connected state (step S206: Yes), the terminal control unit 41 returns to step S204. On the other hand, if the communication state with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 is a non-connected state (step S206: No), the terminal control unit 41 proceeds to step S207. The terminal control unit 41 according to this embodiment detects the communication state with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 at predetermined time intervals. The terminal control unit 41 detects the communication state with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2, for example, every minute.

[0061] Next, the terminal control unit 41 reads out the latest attachment state information stored in the terminal storage unit 42, and determines whether or not the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522 based on the latest attachment state information (step S207). If the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522 based on the latest attachment state information read out (step S207: Yes), the terminal control unit 41 proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if the vehicle-side plug 61 is not attached to the device-side outlet 522 based on the latest attachment state information read out (step S207: No), the terminal control unit 41 ends the terminal-side charger unplugging prevention process.

[0062] Next, the terminal control unit 41 transmits terminal warning information to the terminal warning unit 46 (step S208), and ends the terminal-side charger forget-to-unplug prevention process. When the terminal warning information is transmitted from the terminal control unit 41, the terminal warning unit 46 issues a terminal-side warning with a higher level of attention than the terminal-side warning based on the terminal warning information. More specifically, when the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522, the terminal warning unit 46 displays on the display unit a message that "The vehicle-side plug 61 has been forgotten to be unplugged from the device-side outlet 522" and outputs a voice message that "The vehicle-side plug 61 has been forgotten to be unplugged from the device-side outlet 522".

[0063] The power output device 5 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. The device main body 50 includes a device control unit 51 that transmits device attention information when the plug detection unit 53 detects that the device is in an attached state after transmitting the end information, and a device alarm unit 57 that issues a device-side attention based on the attached state when the device attention information is transmitted from the device control unit 51. Therefore, even if the user performs an action other than the power supply until the internal power supply 72 is fully charged by the power supply from the external power supply 58, the power output device 5 according to the present embodiment can remind the user to unplug the vehicle-side plug 61 from the device-side outlet 522 and remove the charger 60 from the device main body 50 by the device-side attention, when the device is in an attached state after the power supply is terminated. As a result, the power output device 5 according to the present embodiment can prevent the charger 60 from being forgotten in the device main body 50. Therefore, in cases where the owner of the power output device 5 and the owner of the charger 60 are different, it is possible to prevent the charger 60 from being left behind in the device main body 50, and the owner of the charger 60 does not need to return to the location of the power output device 5 to retrieve the charger 60. In addition, in cases where the owner of the power output device 5 and the owner of the charger 60 are the same person, it is possible to prevent the charger 60 from being left behind in the device main body 50, and therefore it is possible to prevent the owner of the charger 60 from being unable to charge while traveling.

[0064] The electric power output system 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. The user terminal 4 includes a terminal control unit 41 that transmits terminal attention information when the end information is transmitted, and a terminal alarm unit 46 that issues a terminal-side attention based on the installation state when the terminal attention information is transmitted. Therefore, the electric power output system 1 according to the present embodiment can issue an attention to the user terminal 4 before the user recognizes the device-side attention issued by the device main body 50 when the user leaves the device main body 50 before the internal power source 72 is fully charged by the power supply from the external power source 58. As a result, the electric power output system 1 according to the present embodiment can issue multiple attentions to the user using different media because the user can recognize the device-side attention issued by the device main body 50 when the user returns to the device main body 50. Therefore, the electric power output system 1 according to the present embodiment can further prevent the charger 60 from being forgotten in the device main body 50.

[0065] The power output system 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. When communication with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 is restricted, the terminal control unit 41 reads out the latest mounting state information stored in the terminal storage unit 42, and when the latest mounting state information is the mounting state, transmits terminal alarm information to the terminal alarm unit 46. When the terminal alarm information is transmitted, the terminal alarm unit 46 issues a terminal-side alarm with a higher attention level than the attention level of the terminal-side alarm based on the terminal alarm information. Usually, when an alarm based on the terminal-side alarm information is issued to a user, the user is reminded by the alarm that the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522. However, for some reason, the user may forget to unplug the vehicle-side plug 61 from the device-side outlet 522 and remove the vehicle-side plug 61 from the device-side outlet 522. When such a user gets into the electric vehicle 7 and, for example, the communication state between the device main body 50 and the user terminal 4 becomes disconnected, the power output system 1 according to the present embodiment issues a terminal-side alarm that attracts more attention. As a result, the power output system 1 according to the present embodiment can remind a user who has forgotten to remove the vehicle-side plug 61 from the device-side outlet 522 to remove the vehicle-side plug 61 from the device-side outlet 522. Therefore, the power output system 1 according to the present embodiment can further prevent the charger 60 from being forgotten in the device main body 50.

[0066] The electric power output system 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. When communication with the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 is restricted, the device control unit 51 transmits device alarm information to the device alarm unit 57. When the device alarm information is transmitted, the device alarm unit 57 issues an device-side alarm with a higher level of attention than the device-side alarm based on the device-side alarm information. Usually, when an alarm based on the device-side alarm information is issued to a user, the user is reminded by the alarm that the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522. However, for some reason, the user may forget to unplug the vehicle-side plug 61 from the device-side outlet 522 and remove the vehicle-side plug 61 from the device-side outlet 522. When such a user gets into the electric vehicle 7 and, for example, the communication state between the device main body 50 and the user terminal 4 becomes a disconnected state, the electric power output system 1 according to the present embodiment issues an device-side alarm with a higher level of attention. As a result, the electric power output system 1 according to this embodiment can remind a user who has forgotten to remove the vehicle-side plug 61 from the device-side outlet 522 to remove the vehicle-side plug 61 from the device-side outlet 522. Therefore, the electric power output system 1 according to this embodiment can further prevent the charger 60 from being forgotten in the device main body 50.

[0067] Second Embodiment Next, an electric power output system 1 according to a second embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the electric power output system 1 in this embodiment includes a management server 2, an administrator terminal 3, a user terminal 4, and an electric power output device 5. The administrator terminal 3 is a terminal owned by an administrator of the device main body 50.

[0068] The administrator terminal 3 is, for example, a terminal owned by an administrator of the device main body 50, and is, for example, a smartphone. The administrator terminal 3 can communicate with the management server 2 via a first communication means N1, which is, for example, a network such as the Internet. The administrator terminal 3 can communicate with the device main body 50 via a second communication means N2 different from the first communication means N1. The administrator terminal 3 has a short-range wireless communication unit 31. The short-range wireless communication unit 31 can communicate with the short-range wireless communication unit 54 of the device main body 50 via the second communication means N2 different from the first communication means N1, which is a network such as the Internet. The administrator terminal 3 of this embodiment cannot directly communicate with the user terminal 4 via the first communication means N1 and the second communication means N2, and transmits and receives information to and from the user terminal 4 via the management server 2 or via the device main body 50.

[0069] The management server 2 can communicate with the administrator terminal 3 via a first communication means N1, which is a network such as the Internet. On the other hand, the management server 2 cannot directly communicate with the device main body 50 via the first communication means N1, and transmits and receives information to the device main body 50 via the administrator terminal 3 or the user terminal 4. That is, the device main body 50 of this embodiment can communicate with the administrator terminal 3, and can communicate with the management server 2 via the administrator terminal 3. Moreover, the device main body 50 can communicate with the user terminal 4, and can communicate with the management server 2 via the user terminal 4.

[0070] The user terminal 4 in this embodiment cannot communicate directly with the administrator terminal 3 via the first communication means N1 and the second communication means N2, and sends and receives information to the administrator terminal 3 via the management server 2 or via the device main body 50.

[0071] The device main body 50 according to this embodiment is capable of communicating with the short-range wireless communication unit 31 of the manager terminal 3 via short-range wireless communication (second communication means N2) transmitted from the short-range wireless communication unit .

[0072] Also, in the electric power output system 1 according to the first embodiment, the management server 2 transmits the usage permission information to the user terminal 4 and the device main body 50 without encrypting it. On the other hand, in the electric power output system 1 according to the second embodiment, the management server 2 encrypts the usage permission information and transmits the encrypted usage permission information to the user terminal 4 and also to the device main body 50 via the user terminal 4.

[0073] In addition, when the management server 2 of the second embodiment encrypts the usage permission information, it creates a decryption key capable of decrypting the encrypted usage permission information, and transmits the decryption key to the device main body 50 via the administrator terminal 3.

[0074] The device main body 50 can decrypt the encrypted use permission information by using the decryption key transmitted via the administrator terminal 3. In the power output device 5 according to this embodiment, the route for transmitting the encrypted use permission information is different from the route for transmitting the decryption key capable of decrypting the encrypted use permission information. Therefore, even if the encrypted use permission information is illegally stolen by a third party, the power output device 5 according to this embodiment makes it difficult for the third party to illegally obtain the decryption key, and therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the device main body 50.

[0075] In the process of preventing the charger 60 of the power output device 5 of the second embodiment from being left unplugged, the information transmitted between the user terminal 4 and the device main body 50 is transmitted from the user terminal 4 or the device main body 50 in an unencrypted state, since there is no need to encrypt the information.

[0076] In the power output system 1 according to the embodiment described above, the device main body 50 has the device alarm unit 57 that generates a buzzer sound. However, the device alarm unit 57 according to the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the device alarm unit 57 may be configured with light sources that emit light in different colors. Then, for example, when device-side attention information is transmitted, the device alarm unit 57 issues a device-side attention by making the light source emit blue light. On the other hand, when device-side engagement is transmitted, the device alarm unit 57 issues a device-side alarm by making the light source emit red light. Then, when device-side alarm information is transmitted, the device alarm unit 57 may issue a device-side alarm with a higher attention level than the attention level of the device-side attention based on the device-side alarm information.

[0077] In addition, the electric power output system 1 according to the embodiment described above has a user terminal 4 having a terminal alarm unit 46 that displays on a display unit a message indicating that the vehicle-side plug 61 has been left unplugged from the device-side outlet 522 and outputs a voice message indicating that the vehicle-side plug 61 has been left unplugged from the device-side outlet 522. However, the terminal alarm unit 46 according to the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the terminal alarm unit 46 may be configured with a speaker. When the terminal-side attention information is transmitted, the terminal alarm unit 46 issues a warning that the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522, for example, by generating a buzzer sound at a first volume. Furthermore, when the terminal-side attention information is transmitted, the terminal alarm unit 46 may issue a warning that the vehicle-side plug 61 is attached to the device-side outlet 522, by generating a buzzer sound at a second volume that is louder than the first volume. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Power Output System 4. User terminal 41 Terminal control unit 42 Terminal memory section 43 Input section 46 Terminal alarm unit 5. Power output device 50 Device body 51 Device control section 522 Equipment side outlet 53 Plug detector 57 Equipment alarm section 58 External power supply 60 charger 61 Vehicle side plug 7 Electric vehicles 72 Internal power supply N2 Second communication means (communication means)

Claims

1. an apparatus main body having an apparatus-side outlet electrically connected to an external power source; a charger electrically connected to an internal power supply of an electric vehicle and having a vehicle-side plug that is detachable from the device-side outlet; Equipped with the device main body and the charger are capable of supplying power from the external power supply to the internal power supply when the vehicle-side plug is attached to the device-side outlet, The device body includes: a plug detection unit that detects an attachment state of the vehicle-side plug to the device-side outlet; a device control unit that controls power supply from the external power source to the internal power source, and transmits device attention information when the plug detection unit detects that the vehicle-side plug is attached to the device-side outlet after the power supply from the external power source to the internal power source is terminated; a device warning unit that issues a device-side warning based on the installation state when the device warning information is transmitted from the device control unit; A power output device comprising:

2. The power output device according to claim 1 ; a user terminal capable of communicating with the device main body via a communication means; Equipped with The user terminal includes: a terminal control unit that transmits terminal warning information when end information indicating that power supply has been ended is transmitted from the device control unit; a terminal warning unit that issues a terminal-side warning based on the attachment state when the terminal warning information is transmitted from the terminal control unit; 1. A power output system comprising:

3. The user terminal has a terminal storage unit that stores information, The terminal control unit Detecting a communication state with the device body via a communication means; a request for installation state information based on the installation state is made to the device body via the communication means; when a request for the installation state information is transmitted from the user terminal, the device control unit detects the installation state by the plug detection unit and transmits the installation state information to the user terminal via the communication means; The terminal control unit When the mounting state information is transmitted from the device main body, the mounting state information is stored in the terminal storage unit; When the communication state with the device main body via the communication means is a disconnected state, the latest attachment state information stored in the terminal storage unit is read out, and when the vehicle side plug is attached to the device side outlet based on the latest attachment state information, terminal warning information is transmitted to the terminal warning unit; the terminal warning unit, when the terminal warning information is transmitted, issues a terminal-side warning having a higher attention level than the attention level of the terminal-side warning based on the terminal warning information; The power output system of claim 2 .

4. The device control unit Detecting the communication state with the user terminal via the communication means When the connection state with the user terminal via the communication means is a disconnected state, transmitting device alarm information to the device alarm unit; the device warning unit, when receiving the device warning information, issues a device-side warning having a higher attention level than the attention level of the device-side warning based on the device warning information.

4. The power output system according to claim 2 or 3.

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