Information processing device, system and method

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, system and method configured to facilitate providing energy to be supplied to a vehicle, which is a receiver of the energy, increasing the number of energy output units, such as electric outlets, for managing the use by the receiver of the energy, or expanding areas where the energy output units are installed.SOLUTION: In an electricity use management system, an electricity use management server 100, which is a kind of information processing apparatus, acquires supply information on the amount of energy supplied to a vehicle 30 of a user 50 from an electric outlet 20 of a parking lot manager, and detected by a detection unit 33. The server executes processing required for paying a fee for the energy supplied from the parking lot manager to the vehicle 30, to the parking lot manager, on the basis the acquired supply information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a system, and a method for managing the provision, utilization, or both of energy such as electric power. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system for managing the use of power via an outlet has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a power supply gate device that receives power from a power line of an electric power company (energy business operator) and controls the power supply, a server device (information processing device) that manages the usage fee for the power supplied from the power supply gate device, and a mobile outlet (energy output unit) that connects the power supply gate device and an electric vehicle (energy supply target). The mobile outlet is provided with a power usage integrator (detection unit) for measuring how much power the electric vehicle has used. After the power from the power supply gate device is output from the mobile outlet and supplied to the electric vehicle, the current power supply amount (supply amount information) detected by the power usage integrator is transmitted from the mobile outlet to the server device, and the server device calculates the power usage fee from the received power supply amount. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-325357 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for an increase in the number of energy output units capable of managing the provision to energy supply targets such as electric vehicles and the use by the energy supply targets, and an expansion of the installation area in which the energy output units are installed. However, due to various constraints, it is difficult to increase the number of energy output units and expand the installation area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device that processes information regarding the provision of energy, and has a supply amount information acquisition unit that acquires supply amount information regarding the supply amount of energy supplied from an energy output unit of a provider to an energy supply target of a user and detected by a detection unit of the energy supply target, and a payment processing unit that performs the necessary processing to pay the provider a fee for the provision of energy provided by the provider to the energy supply target based on the supply amount information acquired by the supply amount information acquisition unit. In the information processing device, the energy output unit may receive energy from an energy supplier to whom the provider pays an energy fee based on the combined amount of energy supplied from the energy output unit to the energy supply target and energy supplied from sources other than the energy output unit to other supply targets other than the energy supply target, and supply the energy to the energy supply target. The information processing device may also have a provider side identification information acquisition unit that acquires provider side identification information capable of identifying the energy output unit that supplied energy to the energy supply target or the provider, and the payment processing unit may perform processing to make the payment to the provider identified by the provider side identification information acquired by the provider side identification information acquisition unit. In addition, the information processing device may have a billing processing unit that performs the necessary processing to charge the user for the usage fee of the energy supplied from the energy output unit and used by the energy supply target, based on the supply amount information acquired by the supply amount information acquisition unit.

[0006] An information processing device according to another aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that processes information regarding energy usage, and has a supply amount information acquisition unit that acquires supply amount information regarding the supply amount of energy supplied from an energy output unit of a provider to an energy supply target of a user and detected by a detection unit of the energy supply target, and a billing processing unit that performs the necessary processing to charge the user for the usage fee of the energy supplied from the energy output unit and used by the energy supply target, based on the supply amount information acquired by the supply amount information acquisition unit.

[0007] In the information processing device, the usage fee may be calculated according to an attribute of the user or an attribute of the energy supply target. In addition, the information processing device may have a user side identification information acquisition unit that acquires user side identification information capable of identifying the user of the energy supply target to which energy is supplied from the energy output unit or the energy supply target, and the billing processing unit may perform the processing necessary for charging the user identified by the user side identification information acquired by the user side identification information acquisition unit. In the information processing device, the supply amount information acquisition unit may receive and acquire the supply amount information from a management device that manages the energy supply target. In the information processing device, the supply amount information acquisition unit may receive and acquire the supply amount information from the energy supply target.

[0008] A system according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a system for managing the provision, utilization, or both of energy, and includes the information processing device described above, and a management device that manages the energy supply target and transmits the supply amount information to the information processing device. A system according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a system for managing the provision, use, or both of energy, and includes the above-mentioned information processing device and a transmitting device that transmits the supply amount information from the energy supply target to the information processing device.

[0009] A method according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for processing information regarding the provision of energy, comprising: acquiring supply amount information regarding the amount of energy supplied from an energy output unit of a provider to an energy supply target of a user and detected by a detection unit of the energy supply target; and performing processing necessary to pay the provider a fee for the energy provided by the provider to the energy supply target based on the supply amount information. A method according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for processing information regarding energy usage, comprising: acquiring supply amount information regarding the amount of energy supplied from an energy output unit of a provider to an energy supply target of a user and detected by a detection unit of the energy supply target; and performing processing necessary to charge the user a usage fee for the energy supplied from the energy output unit and used by the energy supply target based on the supply amount information. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily increase the number of energy output units capable of managing the provision of energy to energy supply targets and the use by the energy supply targets, and to easily expand the installation area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overall power usage management system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a main configuration of the power usage management system. [Diagram 3] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams showing examples of images attached to the outlet of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of main functions of a power usage management server in the power usage management system. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a power usage management process in the power usage management server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The system according to the present embodiment is a system that manages the use of energy supplied from an energy output unit to an energy supply target. The supplied energy may be, for example, primary energy in the form of petroleum, natural gas, coal, etc., or secondary energy in the form of electricity, hydrogen, gasoline, light oil, heavy oil, city gas, alcohol, etc.

[0013] The energy supply target to which energy is supplied is, for example, an electric mobile body driven by a motor equipped with a battery. The mobile body may be a mobile body that moves on the ground, such as an electric vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle, a mobile body that moves in the air, such as a drone, or a mobile body such as a ship that moves on water, such as the sea. The mobile body may be a vehicle with four or more wheels, a tricycle, a two-wheeled vehicle (motorcycle, bicycle), a truck, a bus, a private car, a business vehicle, or the like. The energy supply target may be owned by the user himself, may be leased from a leasing company, or may be owned by a business operator different from the user. The energy supply target may also be an electric device or an electronic device, such as a portable or fixed-type home appliance, an office device, or a communication terminal device.

[0014] In the following embodiment, as an example, a power usage management system will be described in which the supplied energy is electrical energy, the energy output unit that outputs the energy is an outlet that outputs electrical energy, the energy supply target to which the energy is supplied is a vehicle or a battery built into the vehicle, and the power usage when charging the vehicle's battery with power output from the outlet.

[0015] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a power usage management system 10 according to this embodiment. This power usage management system 10 manages the usage of power when charging vehicle batteries from outlets 20 within the area of ​​parking lot 80 having parking spaces capable of parking a plurality of vehicles 30-1 to 30-3. Vehicles 30-1 to 30-3 enter and exit parking lot 80 at a single location, entrance / exit 81. A gate device 82 is installed at entrance / exit 81 of parking lot 80.

[0016] Within parking lot 80, charging stands 25-1 to 25-5 equipped with an outlet 20 are installed near each parking space. In the example of Fig. 1, five charging stands 25-1 to 25-5 are installed within parking lot 80, but the number of charging stands installed within the parking lot is arbitrary and may be one or more. Furthermore, the outlets 20 are not limited to those installed at charging stands 25-1 to 25-5, and any outlet, such as one installed on a wall, can be used.

[0017] The five charging stations 25-1 to 25-5 in the parking lot 80 receive power via power lines from power distribution equipment 210 of the same power company, which is the energy provider (step A), and the amount of power supply is measured by a single watt-hour meter 83 managed by the power company. Therefore, in this embodiment, the amount of power supply supplied from the five charging stations 25-1 to 25-5 cannot be measured separately for each charging station.

[0018] Furthermore, this watt-hour meter 83 measures the amount of power supply used not only by charging stations 25-1 to 25-5, but also by gate device 82 and various power utilization facilities 85 that use power. Therefore, in this embodiment, the configuration is such that it is not possible to distinguish between the amount of power supply at charging stations 25-1 to 25-5 and the amount of power supply at other power utilization facilities 82 and 85 and measure them separately.

[0019] The amount of power supply (power amount data) measured by the watt-hour meter 83 is sent to the power management device 200 of the power company (step B). For example, if the watt-hour meter 83 has a communication function like a smart meter, the power amount data is transmitted to the power management device 200 of the power company via a communication line.

[0020] The power utilization facilities (charging stations 25-1 to 25-5, gate device 82, power utilization facility 85) whose power supply amount is measured by watt-hour meter 83 are managed by the parking lot manager (the person who installed outlet 20) who is the provider. Therefore, the power fee (energy fee) for the amount of power supplied by the power company and used by these power utilization facilities 25-1 to 25-5, 82, 85 is paid by the parking lot manager to the power company (Step C).

[0021] The electricity fee paid by the parking lot manager to the electric power company can be covered by, for example, the parking fee collected by the parking lot manager from the parking lot users who use the parking lot. This electricity fee includes the fee for the amount of electricity supplied from the charging stations 25-1 to 25-5 to the vehicle 30-1, but the parking lot users who use the parking lot also include non-users who do not use the charging stations 25-1 to 25-5 (such as users of cars without charging functions). Furthermore, even among users who use the charging stations 25-1 to 25-5, the amount of electricity supplied from the charging stations usually differs. Therefore, it is unfair and undesirable for the parking lot users to uniformly add the electricity fee paid by the parking lot manager to the parking lot user's parking fee and collect it.

[0022] The electricity usage management system of this embodiment provides an electricity usage management service that collects usage fees from users who receive electricity from charging stations 25-1 to 25-5 and pays a fee (supply fee) for the amount of electricity supplied to the users to the parking lot manager (provider). With this electricity usage management service, the parking lot manager can cover the electricity fee for the amount of electricity supplied from charging stations 25-1 to 25-5, out of the electricity fees paid to the electric power company, with the supply fee paid by the electricity usage management service.

[0023] In particular, in the power usage management service of this embodiment, a usage fee according to the amount of power supplied is charged to users who receive power from charging stations 25-1 to 25-5. Therefore, an appropriate usage fee according to the amount of power supplied to each user can be collected from the users of charging stations 25-1 to 25-5.

[0024] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the power usage management system 10 according to the present embodiment. 2, the power usage management system 10 manages the provision and usage of power to a supply target to which power is supplied from an outlet 20. The supply target in this embodiment is a vehicle 30 that is charged with power from the outlet 20, or a battery 31 of the vehicle 30. Power is supplied from the outlet 20 via, for example, a wired power cable 40 and a plug 41. Power may be supplied from the outlet 20 wirelessly, for example, by electromagnetic induction, power supply using radio waves such as microwaves, or power supply using light such as laser light. Furthermore, the voltage (current) supplied from the outlet 20 may be either AC or DC.

[0025] The power usage management system 10 includes a power usage management server 100 as an information processing device that manages the provision and usage of power (electrical energy). The power usage management server 100 may be configured as a single computer device, may be configured to link multiple computer devices, or may be configured as a cloud system on a network.

[0026] The outlet 20 as an energy output unit capable of outputting electric power (electrical energy) may be a general-purpose outlet with no particular use, or a dedicated outlet with a particular use. The outlet 20 may also be an outlet that is not limited to a particular user, or an outlet that is available only to a particular user.

[0027] 3(a) to 3(c) are explanatory diagrams each showing an example of an image attached to the outlet 20 of the present embodiment. A code image (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark) image) 21 is attached to the outlet 20 in FIG. 3(a). The code image 21 may be a one-dimensional code image or a two-dimensional code image. The code image 21 is an image in which information such as the name of the outlet 20, its identification number, its installation location, and the person who installed it (the parking lot manager), is encoded. If a database is managed that stores information such as the name of the outlet 20, its installation location, and the person who installed it (the parking lot manager) in association with an identification number, then the code image 21 only needs to include the identification number.

[0028] The outlet 20 in Fig. 3(b) is provided with an image of letters (e.g., handwritten letters) 22 as an auxiliary identification image for the outlet 20, arbitrarily added by the parking lot manager or the like. Moreover, the outlet 20 in Fig. 3(c) is provided with an image of an illustration 23 as an auxiliary identification image, arbitrarily added by the parking lot manager or the like. The letters 22 or illustration 23 may be attached to the outlet 20. The letters 22 and illustration 23 for the outlet 20 may be drawn on a sticker member 24 by the parking lot manager or the like and affixed to the side of the outlet 20. The auxiliary identification image may be a design or mark in addition to letters and illustrations.

[0029] A terminal device 51 of a user 50 who wishes to use power supplied from the outlet 20 can communicate with the power usage management server 100 via a communication network 60 such as a mobile communication network or the Internet. The terminal device 51 includes an operation unit such as keys, buttons, or a touch panel, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and an imaging unit such as a camera that captures an image of the outlet's code or an identification aid image. The terminal device 51 can start and execute a predetermined power usage application (power usage app) that is pre-installed when operated by a user. The terminal device 51 may include a current position acquisition unit such as a GNSS receiver that acquires information on its own current position. The terminal device 51 may be, for example, a mobile station (also referred to as a "mobile device" or "user equipment (UE)") that can communicate via a fourth-generation, fifth-generation or later-generation mobile communication network.

[0030] The vehicle 30 can communicate with the power usage management server 100 of the power usage management business operator and the vehicle management server 300 of the vehicle manufacturer via the communication network 60 using the external communication unit 32 of the on-board device. Note that the external communication unit 32 may be provided with a communication unit that communicates with the power usage management server 100 and a communication unit that communicates with the vehicle management server 300 separately.

[0031] The external communication unit 32 may be, for example, a remote control unit (TCU: telematic control unit) connected to an in-vehicle network (CAN: controller area network) via a gateway. The remote control unit (TCU) may have a short-range wireless communication function such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark) in addition to a communication function via the communication network 60. In addition to the remote control unit (TCU), a battery management system (BMS) that manages the battery 31 and one or more electronic control units (ECUs) that control each of the other parts are connected to the in-vehicle network (CAN).

[0032] Next, a flow of a power usage management service using the power usage management system 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Power usage information (e.g., battery identification information, power amount, charging start time, charging end time) related to the power used to charge the battery 31 is transmitted, for example, from a battery management system (BMS) via a remote control unit (TCU) to a vehicle management server 300 of a vehicle manufacturer (step 1). In addition, vehicle identification information is transmitted, for example, from an electronic control unit (ECU) having a memory storing basic information of the vehicle to the vehicle management server 300 via the remote control unit (TCU). The transmission of these pieces of information to the vehicle management server 300 is executed, for example, based on a timing specified by the vehicle management server 300 or based on a transmission request generated by an application running on the terminal device 51. The transmission request from the terminal device 51 may be received by the vehicle remote control unit (TCU) via short-range wireless communication such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The vehicle manufacturer's vehicle management server 300 accumulates the power usage information of the vehicle 30 in association with the identification information of the vehicle 30, and the latest power usage information is managed almost in real time.

[0033] On the other hand, when a user 50 parks a vehicle 30-1 in a parking lot 80 and charges the battery of the vehicle 30-1 from the outlet 20 of a charging stand 25-1, the user 50 executes an electricity usage app on a terminal device 51 and reads a code image (e.g., an image of a QR code (registered trademark)) 21 (see FIG. 3(a)) attached to the outlet 20. The user 50 then operates the terminal device 51 to transmit from the terminal device 51 the read data of the code image 21, identification information of the user 50 or the terminal device 51, and identification information of a supply target to which electricity is supplied from the outlet 20 (e.g., identification information of the vehicle 30 or the battery 31). These pieces of information are received by the terminal communication unit 101 of the electricity usage management server 100 via the communication network 60 (step 2).

[0034] Identification information of the user 50 or the terminal device 51 and identification information of the supply target (for example, identification information of the vehicle 30 or the battery 31) are registered in advance in an electricity usage app of the terminal device 51. The read data of the code image 21 may be, for example, image data of the code image 21 captured by a camera of the terminal device 51, or may be data obtained by decoding the image data. In another example, instead of the read data of the code image 21, read data of the identification auxiliary image 22 or 23 (see FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(c)) attached to the outlet 20 and location information of the terminal device 51 may be used. The location information of the terminal device 51 is, for example, location information (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the terminal device 51 measured by a GNSS receiver of the terminal device 51.

[0035] The power usage management server 100 of the power usage management business receives the read data of the code image 21 from the terminal device 51 of the user 50, and acquires supply amount information from the vehicle management server 300 of the vehicle manufacturer (step 3). Then, the power usage management server 100 performs the necessary process (billing process for the usage fee) to collect from the user 50 the usage fee for the amount of power supply related to charging the vehicle 30-1 based on the acquired supply amount information (step 4). This allows the power usage management business that operates this power usage management service to collect from the user 50 the usage fee for the amount of power supply related to charging the vehicle 30-1 (step 6).

[0036] The billing process (processing necessary for billing) performed by the power usage management server 100 is at least a part of a series of processes (including any known billing process) required to collect a usage fee for the amount of power supply related to charging the vehicle 30-1 from the user 50 based on the acquired supply amount information. Specific examples include processes including, for example, a process of calculating a usage fee for the amount of power supply related to charging the vehicle 30-1 from the acquired supply amount information, a process of taking procedures to bill the user for the usage fee, and a process of providing at least one of the supply amount information and the usage fee information to a management device managed by another business that collects the usage fee from the user.

[0037] Furthermore, when the power usage management server 100 receives the read data of the code image 21 from the terminal device 51 of the user 50 based on the acquired supply amount information, it performs the necessary process (preparation process for payment of the supply fee) to pay the parking lot manager the supply fee for the amount of power supply related to charging the vehicle 30-1 (step 5). This allows the power usage management business operator operating this power usage management service to pay the parking lot manager the supply fee for the amount of power supply related to charging the vehicle 30-1 (step 7).

[0038] The payment process (processing necessary for payment) performed by the power usage management server 100 is at least a part of a series of processes (including any known payment process) required to pay the parking lot manager a supply fee for the amount of power supply related to charging the vehicle 30-1 based on the acquired supply amount information. Specific examples include processes including, for example, a process of calculating a supply fee for the amount of power supply related to charging the vehicle 30-1 from the acquired supply amount information, a process of making procedures for paying the supply fee to the parking lot manager (provider), and a process of providing at least one of the supply amount information and supply fee information to a management device managed by another business that pays the supply fee to the parking lot manager.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of main functions of the power usage management server 100 according to the embodiment. 4, the power usage management server 100 includes a terminal communication unit 101, a supply amount information communication unit 102, a management processing unit 103, a storage unit (DB: database) 104, a billing processing unit 105, and a payment processing unit .

[0040] The terminal communication unit 101 communicates with the terminal device 51 of the user 50 via the communication network 60. The terminal communication unit 101 receives, for example, read data of the code image 21 transmitted from the terminal device 51, identification information of the user 50 or the terminal device 51, and identification information of a supply target to which power is supplied from the outlet 20 (for example, identification information of the vehicle 30 or the battery 31).

[0041] The read data of the code image 21 also functions as identification information of the parking lot manager who is the provider of the outlet 20 that supplied power to the vehicle 30 of the user 50, and the terminal communication unit 101 functions as a provider identification information acquisition unit. In addition, the identification information of the user 50 or the terminal device 51 and the identification information of the supply target (for example, the identification information of the vehicle 30 or the battery 31) function as the user's identification information, and the terminal communication unit 101 also functions as a user identification information acquisition unit.

[0042] The supply amount information communication unit 102 communicates with the vehicle management server 300 of the vehicle manufacturer to which the target vehicle 30 is registered, via the communication network 60. The supply amount information communication unit 102 receives, for example, at least supply amount information from the power usage information of the vehicle 30 stored in the vehicle management server 300, from the vehicle management server 300 via the communication network 60.

[0043] The terminal communication unit 101 and the supply amount information communication unit 102 may be configured as an integrated communication device (for example, a mobile communication module).

[0044] The management processing unit 103 performs at least one of authentication of the user using the electricity (user authentication) and authentication of the supply target (e.g., vehicle 30 or battery 31) (supply target authentication) based on identification information of the user 50 or terminal device 51 and identification information of the supply target (e.g., identification information of the vehicle 30 or battery 31).

[0045] For example, the management processing unit 103 performs user authentication to confirm whether the user 50 is a legitimate user pre-registered in the power usage management service of this embodiment by comparing the identification information (user ID) of the user 50 received from the terminal device 51 with the identification information (user ID) of the user pre-registered in the power usage management server 100. In this case, if the user is a legitimate user, use of the power usage management service may be permitted, and if the user is not a legitimate user, use of the power usage management service may be restricted (for example, not permitted).

[0046] Furthermore, for example, the management processing unit 103 may perform supply target authentication to confirm whether the supply target (e.g., the vehicle 30 or the battery 31) is a genuine supply target pre-registered in the power usage management service of this embodiment by comparing the identification information of the supply target (e.g., the identification information of the vehicle 30 or the battery 31) received from the terminal device 51 with the identification information of the supply target pre-registered in the power usage management server 100 (e.g., the identification information of the vehicle 30 or the battery 31). In this case, if the supply target is a genuine supply target, use of the power usage management service may be permitted, and if the supply target is not a genuine supply target, use of the power usage management service may be restricted (e.g., use may not be permitted).

[0047] Furthermore, the management processing unit 103 receives supply amount information of the supply target from the supply amount information communication unit 102 to the vehicle management server 300 of the vehicle manufacturer based on the identification information of the supply target (e.g., identification information of the vehicle 30 or the battery 31) received from the terminal device 51 (step 3). The supply amount information is information on the supply amount of power supplied from the outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 that is the supply target of the user 50 and detected by the detection unit 33 of the vehicle 30. The supply amount information may be information that can identify the supply amount of power supplied from the outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 that is the supply target of the user 50, and may be information that is detected by the detection unit 33 provided in the vehicle 30 that is the supply target. In this embodiment, the supply amount information is included in the power usage information transmitted from the vehicle 30 to the vehicle management server 300, and is stored in the vehicle management server 300.

[0048] As a specific example of supply amount information, for example, if a detection unit 33 provided in the vehicle 30 can directly detect the amount of electricity (power supply amount) charged from the outlet 20 to the battery 31, information on the detected amount of electricity can be used as supply amount information.

[0049] Also, for example, if the detector 33 provided in the vehicle 30 can detect the remaining power of the battery 31, the information on the detected remaining power may be used as the supply amount information. In this case, for example, the amount of power charged from the outlet 20 to the battery 31 (power supply amount) can be obtained by subtracting the remaining power amount before charging from the remaining power amount after charging.

[0050] Furthermore, since many electric vehicles are equipped with a detection unit 33 that detects the state of charge (SoC) of the battery 31, the SoC data may be used as supply amount information. In this case, if the full charge capacity of the battery 31 is not known, it is not possible to ascertain the remaining power of the battery 31 from the SoC data. However, by storing a correspondence between the identification information of the battery 31 and the full charge capacity in the storage unit (DB) 104, it is possible to identify the full charge capacity from the identification information of the battery 31 and calculate the remaining power of the battery 31 from the SoC data of the battery 31.

[0051] The storage unit (DB) 104 stores information and data necessary for various processes performed by the power usage management server 100. Specifically, the read data of the code image received by the terminal communication unit 101, the identification information of the user 50 or the terminal device 51 and the identification information of the supply target, and the supply amount information received by the supply amount information communication unit 102 are stored in association with each other. For example, as shown in Table 1, for each series of power usage transactions, one record is stored in which an outlet ID, a user ID, a terminal ID (e.g., IMEI), a vehicle ID, and an amount of power supply are associated with each other, and an electricity usage transaction table (electricity usage ledger) is formed as a whole.

[0052] [Table 1]

[0053] Moreover, various tables used for managing power usage via a plurality of outlets are stored in the storage unit (DB) 104. For example, the storage unit (DB) 104 stores an outlet management table of Table 2, a user management table of Table 3, and a vehicle management table of Table 4. Note that Table 2 may be an example in which read data of the auxiliary identification image 22 or 23 attached to the outlet 20 and location information of the terminal device 51 are used instead of the read data of the code image 21.

[0054] [Table 2]

[0055] [Table 3]

[0056] [Table 4]

[0057] New records are added to the outlet management table, user management table and vehicle management table when a new outlet 20, user 50 (terminal device 51) and vehicle 30 (battery 31) are registered to use the power usage management service via the outlet 20 provided by the power usage management server 100 of this embodiment.

[0058] The storage unit (DB) 104 may also store a payment processing table that associates an installer ID (identification information of a parking lot manager) with information (such as a payee account number) used in a process (payment process) required to pay the parking lot manager a fee for the amount of power supply. A record is added to this payment processing table when a new installer of outlet 20 is registered. By linking and referencing the payment processing table and the various tables described above, the power usage management service of this embodiment can perform a payment process for the amount of power supply to the installer (parking lot manager).

[0059] The storage unit (DB) 104 may also store a billing processing table that associates a user ID with information (such as billing information for the usage fee) used in a process (billing process) required to collect a usage fee for the amount of power supplied for charging the user's vehicle 30. A record is added to this billing processing table when a user 50 is newly registered in the power usage management service of this embodiment. By linking and referencing the billing processing table and the various tables described above, the power usage management service of this embodiment can perform billing processing for the amount of power supplied to the user.

[0060] In addition, for example, when SoC data is used as the supply amount information, a battery information table indicating the correspondence between the identification information of the battery 31 and the full charge capacity is stored in the storage unit (DB) 104.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the power usage management process in the power usage management server 100 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 5, the power usage management process of this embodiment includes an advance preparation phase (S100) and an operation phase (S200).

[0062] In the advance preparation phase (S100), when an installer (provider) of outlets 20, such as a parking lot manager, applies for outlet registration in the power usage management service, an operator inputs data about the outlets 20 of the installer (parking lot manager) into the power usage management server 100, and creates the outlet management table of Table 2 and the payment processing table described above (S101). By managing such tables, it is possible to carry out appropriate payment processing for the supply fee for a plurality of providers according to the amount of power supplied from each outlet 20 (energy output unit).

[0063] Furthermore, when a user 50 who uses the power usage management service applies for the service using a terminal device 51, the power usage management server 100 receives new registration data including information on the user 50 and the terminal device 51 and information on the supply target (vehicle 30 and battery 31) from the terminal device 51. Based on the new registration data, the power usage management server 100 then creates a user management table in Table 3, a vehicle management table in Table 4, and the above-mentioned billing processing table (S102).

[0064] Next, in the operation phase (S200), when the user 50 receives power supply from the registered outlet 20 to charge the battery 31 of the vehicle 30, first, the user operates the terminal device 51 to start an application (power usage app) for using the power usage management service. Then, the terminal device 51 captures and reads the code image 21 including the identification information of the outlet 20, and selects "my car" from the menu selection displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 51. By this operation, the identification information of the user 50 (or the terminal device 51), the read data of the code image 21, and the identification information of the vehicle 30 (or the battery 31) that is preregistered in the terminal device 51 as "my car" are transmitted to the power usage management server 100. As a result, the power usage management server 100 receives the identification information of the user 50 (or the terminal device 51), the read data of the code image 21, and the identification information of the vehicle 30 (or the battery 31) from the terminal device 51 of the user 50 (S201).

[0065] Next, the power usage management server 100 performs authentication processing for the combination of the identification information of the user 50 (or terminal device 51) and the vehicle 30 (or battery 31) based on the identification information of the user 50 (or terminal device 51) and the identification information of the vehicle 30 (or battery 31) received from the terminal device 51 (S202).

[0066] After completing the authentication process, the power usage management server 100 then requests the vehicle management server 300 to provide SoC data (supply amount information) for the vehicle 30 based on the received identification information of the user 50 (or the terminal device 51) and identification information of the vehicle 30 (or the battery 31). As a result, the power usage management server 100 obtains the latest supply amount information (SoC data before charging) for the vehicle 30 from the vehicle management server 300 via the communication network 60 (S203).

[0067] Thereafter, the battery 31 of the vehicle 30 is charged with the power supplied from the outlet 20, and when charging is completed, the vehicle 30 transmits, either in response to a request from the terminal device 51 of the user 50 or autonomously, to the vehicle management server 300, information on the power usage (e.g., battery identification information, amount of power (SoC data), charging start time, charging end time) of the power supplied from the outlet 20 and used to charge the battery 31 of the vehicle 30. As a result, the SoC data after charging is registered in the vehicle management server 300.

[0068] Furthermore, when charging is completed, a charging completion notification including identification information of the user 50 (or terminal device 51) and identification information of the vehicle 30 (or battery 31) is transmitted from the user's terminal device 51 to the power usage management server 100. The power usage management server 100 receives this notification and requests SoC data (supply amount information) for the vehicle 30 from the vehicle management server 300 based on the identification information of the user 50 (or terminal device 51) and the identification information of the vehicle 30 (or battery 31). As a result, the power usage management server 100 obtains the latest supply amount information (post-charging SoC data) for the vehicle 30 from the vehicle management server 300 via the communication network 60 (S204).

[0069] Having received the pre-charge SoC data and post-charge SoC data in this manner, the power usage management server 100 refers to the battery information table in the storage unit (DB) 104 to obtain the full charge capacity of the battery 31. It then calculates the remaining power of the battery 31 before charging from the pre-charge SoC data and full charge capacity, and calculates the remaining power of the battery 31 after charging from the post-charge SoC data and full charge capacity. It then subtracts the remaining power before charging from the remaining power after charging to calculate the amount of power supply used in this charge (S205).

[0070] The method of calculating the amount of power supply is not limited to this and may be selected as appropriate. For example, the degree of depletion of the battery 31 may be obtained from the usage history data, and the remaining power of the battery 31 may be calculated from the SoC data and the full charge capacity, and the degree of depletion may be used to make corrections.

[0071] Next, the power usage management server 100 refers to the outlet management table of Table 2 described above based on the read data of the code image, and identifies the identification information of the outlet 20. Furthermore, the power usage management server 100 stores the identification information (outlet ID) of the outlet 20, the identification information (user ID, terminal ID) of the user 50 or terminal device 51, the identification information of the supply target (vehicle ID or battery ID), and the current charging amount (amount of power supply) calculated in processing step S205 in association with each other in the storage unit (DB) 104 so as to be added to the power usage transaction table (power usage ledger) of Table 1 described above (S206).

[0072] The power usage management server 100 can manage the supply and usage of power via outlets in the power usage management service by referring to a power usage transaction table (power usage ledger) such as that shown in Table 1.

[0073] In this embodiment, the power usage management server 100 refers to the power usage transaction table (power usage ledger) to perform processing (billing processing) required to charge at least one of the user 50, the supply target (vehicle 30 or battery 31) and the terminal device 51 for the usage fee for power usage by the vehicle 30 via the outlet 20 (S207). In this billing processing, for example, the total amount of power supply to each user in a predetermined period (e.g., one month) is calculated and multiplied by the unit price of the usage fee to calculate the usage fee to be collected from each user. Then, the billing processing table in the memory unit 104 is referred to to perform the billing processing required to collect the usage fee from each user.

[0074] There are no particular limitations on the method of collecting the usage fee from the user, so long as the usage fee is collected according to the amount of power supplied from the outlet 20 to the user's vehicle 30. For example, a completely pay-per-use system may be used, or a flat-rate system in which a fixed fee is charged up to a specified amount of power supply. The business that collects the usage fee from the user may be the power usage management business that operates the power usage management server 100, or may be another business that collects the usage fee under contract from the power usage management business.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power usage management server 100 refers to the power usage transaction table (power usage ledger) to perform the necessary processing (payment processing) for paying the installer of the outlet 20 (parking lot manager) a supply fee for power supplied to the vehicle 30 via the outlet 20 (S208). In this payment processing, for example, the total amount of power supplied corresponding to the outlet 20 of each installer in a predetermined period (e.g., one month) is calculated, and this is multiplied by the unit price of the supply fee to calculate the supply fee to be paid to each installer. Then, the payment processing table in the storage unit 104 is referred to to perform the necessary payment processing for paying the supply fee to each installer.

[0076] As described above, in this embodiment, the power usage management server 100 receives supply amount information such as SoC data detected by the detection unit 33 provided in the vehicle 30 to which energy is to be supplied, at the supply amount information communication unit 102. Then, the power usage management server 100 performs a billing process required to bill the user 50 for the power usage fee calculated from the received supply amount information, at the billing processing unit 105. This allows the power usage management business operator operating the power usage management server 100 to provide a service of collecting an appropriate usage fee according to the amount of power received (power supply amount) from the user 50 who receives power supply from the outlet 20, which is an energy output unit registered in the power usage management service of this embodiment.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power usage management server 100 performs a payment process required for paying the power supply fee, calculated from the supply amount information received by the supply amount information communication unit 102, to the parking lot manager, who is the provider, by the payment processing unit 106. This allows the power usage management business operator operating the power usage management server 100 to provide a service that enables the parking lot manager to receive the power supply fee for the power used by the user 50 who has received power supply from the outlet 20.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the outlet 20 as the energy output unit may be a shared outlet (such as a general-purpose outlet) that can be used not only by a predetermined specific user (a user registered with this power usage management service) but also by unspecified general users (users not registered with this power usage management service) who are not the specific users. Using such a shared outlet as the energy output unit of the power usage management system of this embodiment makes the procedures for obtaining permission for installation easier than when an outlet that can only be used by specific users is installed, and contributes to an increase in the number of energy output units that can be used with this power usage management service and an expansion of the installation area.

[0079] However, a shared outlet is usually equipped with a watt-hour meter that detects the supply amount information of the power supplied from the outlet, but such a detection unit detects the supply amount information of the power supplied from the outlet collectively without distinguishing between users. Therefore, a system that detects the supply amount information with a detection unit provided on the shared outlet side cannot detect the supply amount information by distinguishing a specific user from general users, and it is difficult to manage the provision and use of the power (energy) provided to and used by a specific user. Therefore, when using a shared outlet, it is necessary to grasp the supply amount of power supplied from the outlet to a specific user separately from that of general users.

[0080] According to this embodiment, the amount of power supplied from the outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 of the user 50 is grasped based on the supply amount information detected by the detection unit 33 provided in the vehicle 30. Therefore, even when a shared outlet is used, the amount of power supplied from the outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 of the user 50 (a specific user) can be grasped separately from other users (general users, etc.). Moreover, in this case, the installer of the shared outlet (parking lot manager, etc.) does not need to newly install equipment for detecting the amount of power supplied from the outlet to the specific user separately from other users (general users, etc.). Therefore, for the parking lot manager, even when a shared outlet is used in this power usage management service, the equipment cost (introduction cost) can be kept low.

[0081] In addition, in the present embodiment, using power outlets (energy output units) installed in common areas such as the common areas of condominiums or the parking lots of shopping centers as the power outlets (energy output units) that can be used in this power utilization management service also contributes to an increase in the number of power outlets (energy output units) that can be used in this power utilization management service and an expansion of the installation area. However, in such common areas, a detection unit for detecting the supply amount information of the power (energy) supplied within the common area is often provided, but such a detection unit detects the total amount of the power supply amounts supplied within the common area. Therefore, in a system that detects supply amount information using the detection unit provided in the common area, it is difficult to manage the provision and use of power from the power outlets installed in such a common area.

[0082] Also in the present embodiment, the power amount in the parking lot 80, which is a common area including the power outlet 20, the gate device 82, and various power utilization facilities 85, that is, the total amount of the power supply amount supplied from the power outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 of the user 50 and the other power supply amounts supplied to the gate device 82 and various power utilization facilities 85, is collectively measured by the power meter 83. Then, the parking lot manager pays the power company the power fee corresponding to this total amount. In this case, in order for the power utilization management operator to pay the provider fee for the power supply amount supplied from the power outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 of the user 50, it is necessary to grasp the power supply amount supplied from the power outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 of the user 50 separately from the power meter 83.

[0083] According to this embodiment, the amount of power supplied from the outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 of the user 50 is grasped based on supply amount information detected by the detection unit 33 provided in the vehicle 30. Therefore, even if only equipment (power meter 83) for collectively measuring the amount of power in the parking lot 80 including the outlet 20, the gate device 82, and various power utilization equipment 85 is provided, the amount of power supplied from the outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 of the user 50 can be grasped. Therefore, in this embodiment, the parking lot manager does not need to newly install equipment for detecting the amount of power supplied from the outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 of the user 50 when receiving the supply fee for the power used by the user 50 who received the power supply from the outlet 20. Therefore, the equipment cost (introduction cost) can be kept low for the parking lot manager when introducing this power utilization management service.

[0084] Furthermore, for the parking lot manager, the complicated procedures for installing the new equipment described above are not required, making it easy to introduce this power usage management service. For example, if the parking lot 80 is a common area of ​​a condominium and the parking lot manager is the condominium management association, installing the new equipment described above in the common area requires procedures such as obtaining consent from many of the condominium owners, which is a very complicated procedure. According to this embodiment, such complicated procedures are not required, so the power usage management service can be easily introduced even when using a shared outlet 20 (energy output unit) installed in the common area of ​​the condominium.

[0085] Moreover, the detection unit 33 that detects supply amount information for grasping the amount of power supplied from the outlet 20 to the vehicle 30 of the user 50 is a facility that is provided in most of the existing energy supply targets (vehicles 30). Therefore, the user 50 does not bear the cost of the detection unit 33.

[0086] As described above, the management service of this embodiment is highly convenient for providers (parking lot management companies), and providers (parking lot management companies) can easily introduce this management service. This is expected to increase the number of providers (parking lot management companies), which will promote an increase in the number of energy output units (outlets 25) available to users and an expansion of the installation areas.

[0087] Furthermore, in recent years, various information including supply amount information detected by the detection unit 33 provided in the vehicle 30 is accumulated in the vehicle management server 300 of each vehicle manufacturer and used for various vehicle services. The power usage management server 100 of this embodiment does not acquire the supply amount information detected by the detection unit 33 provided in the vehicle 30 from each vehicle 30 individually, but acquires it from the vehicle management server 300 of the vehicle manufacturer. In this way, the power usage management server 100 can acquire the supply amount information detected by the detection unit 33 provided in the vehicle 30 using existing devices and facilities, so there is no need to newly install devices in each vehicle 30 of each user 50 that transmit the supply amount information to the power usage management server 100. This further reduces the cost burden on the user 50.

[0088] On the other hand, since it is assumed that there may be users who do not use a service in which supply amount information detected by detection unit 33 provided in vehicle 30 is accumulated in vehicle management server 300 of a vehicle manufacturer, a device that transmits supply amount information to power usage management server 100 may be newly installed in vehicle 30 of user 50. In this case, for example, a communication device serving as a transmitter that can obtain supply amount information (SoC data, etc.) detected by detection unit 33 of vehicle 30 and transmit it to power usage management server 100 may be connected to an OBD2 (On Board Diagnosis second generation) connector provided in vehicle 30.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the power usage management server 100 receives, as the user identification information, the identification information of the user 50 or the terminal device 51, or the identification information of the vehicle 30 to which power is supplied from the outlet 20 from the terminal device 51 of the user 50, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a gate device 82 installed at the entrance / exit of the parking lot 80 may be provided with a function for acquiring the identification information of the vehicle 30 entering / exiting the parking lot 80, and the power usage management server 100 may receive the identification information from the gate device 82. In this case, for example, the license plate (vehicle registration number plate) of the vehicle 30 passing through the entrance / exit may be captured by an imaging device such as a camera installed in the gate device 82, and the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 30 recognized from the captured image may be acquired as the identification information. In addition, the identification information of the vehicle may be acquired from an on-board ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System) device installed in the vehicle.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, information such as user identification information and provider identification information is transmitted to the power usage management server 100 using the terminal device 51 of the user 50, but the external communication unit 32 mounted on the vehicle 30 may be used instead of the terminal device 51. Also, in the above-described embodiment, information such as supply amount information is transmitted using the external communication unit 32 mounted on the vehicle 30, but the terminal device 51 of the user 50 may be used instead of such an in-vehicle external communication unit 32.

[0091] In addition, the above-mentioned usage fee charged to the user and the supply fee paid to the provider such as the parking lot manager may be calculated by taking into account other additional information, as long as it is calculated based on the supply amount information. In other words, even if the supply amount is the same, the usage fee or the supply fee may be changed depending on the additional information. Examples of this additional information include attributes of the user (difference in the fee paid for the service, difference in the service grade, difference in the age of the user, difference in the region to which the user belongs, etc.), and attributes of the vehicle 30 to which the energy is supplied (difference in the vehicle manufacturer, difference in the additional service related to the vehicle 30, etc.). Examples of this additional information include type information of the energy output from the energy output unit (difference in the energy source, whether it is a designated clean energy, etc.), and the type of the energy output unit (difference in the supply speed of the energy supplied from the energy output unit of the provider to the energy supply target of the user (whether it is quick charging or not), etc.).

[0092] The processing steps described in this specification and the components of the information processing device, gate device, vehicle-mounted device, terminal device, server, etc. can be implemented by various means. For example, these steps and components may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0093] For hardware implementation, means such as processing units used to realize the above steps and components in an entity (e.g., a computer device, a server, a gate device, an in-vehicle device in a vehicle, a terminal device (user device, mobile station, communication terminal), a hard disk drive device, or an optical disk drive device) may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units, computers designed to perform the functions described in this specification, or combinations thereof.

[0094] Also, for firmware and / or software implementations, the means such as processing units used to realize the components may be implemented with programs (e.g., codes such as procedures, functions, modules, instructions, etc.) that execute the functions described herein. In general, any computer / processor readable medium tangibly embodying firmware and / or software codes may be used to implement the means such as processing units used to realize the steps and components described herein. For example, the firmware and / or software codes may be stored in a memory and executed by a computer or processor, for example in a controller. The memory may be implemented within the computer or processor, or may be implemented externally to the processor. Also, the firmware and / or software codes may be stored in a computer or processor readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, a floppy disk, a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a magnetic or optical data storage device, etc. The code may be executed by one or more computers or processors and may cause the computers or processors to perform certain aspects of the functionality described herein.

[0095] The medium may be a non-transitory recording medium. The code of the program may be in any format as long as it can be read and executed by a computer, a processor, or another device or machine, and the format is not limited to a specific format. For example, the code of the program may be any of source code, object code, and binary code, or may be a mixture of two or more of these codes.

[0096] Moreover, the description of the embodiments disclosed herein is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10: Power usage management system 20: Outlet 21: Code image 22, 23: Identification aid image 25: Charging station 30: Vehicle 31: Battery 32: External Communications Department 33: Detection section 40: Power cable 41: Plug 50: User 51: Terminal device 60: Communication network 80: Parking lot 81: Entrance / exit 82: Gate device 83: Electric energy meter 85:Electric power usage equipment 100: Power usage management server 101: Terminal communication unit 102:Supply Information and Communication Department 103: Management department 104: Storage section 105: Billing processing unit 106: Payment processing unit 200: Power management device 210: Power distribution equipment 300: Vehicle management server

Claims

1. An information processing device for managing the provision of energy to a user's vehicle and the use of energy in the vehicle, a storage unit that stores provider identification information capable of identifying an energy provider or an energy output unit, read data of an image corresponding to the provider identification information attached to the energy output unit, and user identification information capable of identifying a vehicle and a user receiving energy supply from the energy output unit; a first communication unit that receives and acquires, via a communication network, read data of an image corresponding to the provider identification information attached to the energy output unit and user identification information capable of identifying the vehicle and the user from a terminal device of a user of a vehicle that receives energy supply from the energy output unit; a second communication unit that receives and acquires, via a communication network, the identification information of the vehicle and the supply amount information from a vehicle management server that stores supply amount information relating to the supply amount of energy supplied to the vehicle and detected by a detection unit of the vehicle in association with the identification information of the vehicle; a payment processing unit that refers to the storage unit and performs processing necessary to pay the provider a supply fee for the energy provided to the vehicle by the provider, based on image read data corresponding to the provider identification information received and acquired by the first communication unit from the terminal device, and the vehicle identification information and the supply amount information received and acquired by the second communication unit from the vehicle management server; 13. An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The information processing device is characterized in that the energy output unit receives energy from an energy company to which the provider pays an energy fee based on the combined amount of energy supplied from the energy output unit to the vehicle and energy supplied from sources other than the energy output unit to other supply targets other than the vehicle, and supplies the energy to the vehicle.

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, 13. An information processing device, comprising: an information processing apparatus for calculating the provision fee according to attributes of the user, attributes of the vehicle, type information of the energy output from the energy output unit, or a type of the energy output unit.

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, An information processing device characterized in that it has a billing processing unit that refers to the memory unit and performs the necessary processing to charge the user for the usage fee of the energy supplied from the energy output unit and used by the vehicle based on the image reading data and the user identification information corresponding to the provider identification information received and acquired by the first communication unit from the terminal device, and the vehicle identification information and the supply amount information received and acquired by the second communication unit from the vehicle management server.

5. An information processing device that processes information to manage the provision of energy to a user's vehicle and the use of energy in the vehicle, a storage unit that stores provider identification information capable of identifying an energy provider or an energy output unit, read data of an image corresponding to the provider identification information attached to the energy output unit, and user identification information capable of identifying a vehicle and a user receiving energy supply from the energy output unit; a first communication unit that receives and acquires, via a communication network, read data of an image corresponding to the provider identification information attached to the energy output unit and user identification information capable of identifying the vehicle and the user from a terminal device of a user of a vehicle that receives energy supply from the energy output unit; a second communication unit that receives and acquires, via a communication network, the identification information of the vehicle and the supply amount information from a vehicle management server that stores supply amount information relating to the supply amount of energy supplied to the vehicle and detected by a detection unit of the vehicle in association with the identification information of the vehicle; an information processing device characterized in having a billing processing unit that refers to the memory unit and performs the necessary processing to charge the user for the usage fee of the energy supplied from the energy output unit and used by the vehicle based on the image reading data and the user identification information corresponding to the provider identification information received and acquired by the first communication unit from the terminal device, and the vehicle identification information and the supply amount information received and acquired by the second communication unit from the vehicle management server.

6. 6. The information processing device according to claim 4, 13. An information processing device comprising: a user terminal for receiving a usage fee from the user terminal; a vehicle terminal for receiving a usage fee from the user terminal;

7. 7. The information processing device according to claim 1, The information processing device is characterized in that the vehicle identification information is received and acquired from the terminal device, a gate device installed at the entrance / exit of a parking lot where the vehicle is parked, or an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System) on-board device mounted on the vehicle.

8. 8. The information processing device according to claim 1, a management processing unit that performs at least one of authentication of the user and authentication of the vehicle based on user identification information that can identify the vehicle and the user and that is received and acquired from the terminal device; 23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

9. 9. The information processing device according to claim 1, The vehicle is an electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery, the energy being electrical energy supplied to the battery; the energy output unit is an outlet that outputs electrical energy, The information processing device is a server that manages the provision of electric energy to the vehicle and the use of electric energy in the vehicle.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

10. 10. The information processing device according to claim 9, The supply amount information includes data on the state of charge (SoC) of the battery of the vehicle.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

11. 1. A system for managing the provision of energy to and use of energy in a user's vehicle, comprising: An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; A vehicle management server that stores supply amount information regarding the amount of energy supplied to the vehicle and detected by a detection unit of the vehicle in association with identification information of the vehicle.

12. 12. The system of claim 11, The vehicle is an electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery, the energy being electrical energy supplied to the battery; the energy output unit is an outlet that outputs electrical energy, The information processing device is a server that manages the provision of electric energy to the vehicle and the use of electric energy in the vehicle. A system characterized by:

13. 1. A method for processing information relating to the provision of energy to a user's vehicle, comprising: storing provider identification information capable of identifying an energy provider or an energy output unit, read data of an image corresponding to the provider identification information attached to the energy output unit, and user identification information capable of identifying a vehicle and a user receiving energy supply from the energy output unit; receiving and acquiring, via a communication network, read data of an image corresponding to the provider identification information attached to the energy output unit and user identification information capable of identifying the vehicle and the user from a terminal device of a user of the vehicle receiving energy supply from the energy output unit; receiving and acquiring, via a communication network, identification information of the vehicle and the supply amount information from a vehicle management server that stores supply amount information relating to the supply amount of energy supplied to the vehicle and detected by a detection unit of the vehicle in association with identification information of the vehicle; performing a process required for paying the provider a supply fee for the energy provided to the vehicle from the provider, based on image read data corresponding to the provider identification information received and acquired from the terminal device, and the vehicle identification information and the supply amount information received and acquired from the vehicle management server; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

14. 1. A method for processing information relating to energy usage in a user's vehicle, comprising: storing provider identification information capable of identifying an energy provider or an energy output unit, read data of an image corresponding to the provider identification information attached to the energy output unit, and user identification information capable of identifying a vehicle and a user receiving energy supply from the energy output unit; receiving and acquiring, via a communication network, read data of an image corresponding to the provider identification information attached to the energy output unit and user identification information capable of identifying the vehicle and the user from a terminal device of a user of the vehicle receiving energy supply from the energy output unit; receiving and acquiring, via a communication network, the identification information of the vehicle and the supply amount information from a vehicle management server that stores supply amount information relating to the supply amount of energy supplied to the vehicle and detected by a detection unit of the vehicle in association with the identification information of the vehicle; performing processing necessary to charge the user for the usage fee of the energy supplied from the energy output unit and used by the vehicle, based on the image read data corresponding to the provider identification information received and acquired from the terminal device, the user identification information, and the vehicle identification information and the supply amount information received and acquired from the vehicle management server; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images