Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an information processing device which enables a user to drop in a favorite store along a travel route of a vehicle from a current place to a destination and keeps the power storage amount of a power storage device heightened when the vehicle arrives at the destination.SOLUTION: A server 200 comprises a communication device 210 and a processing device 230. When the destination of a vehicle 100 is set, the communication device 210 acquires a user request for raising the power storage amount of a power storage device to a prescribed amount or higher when the vehicle 100 arrives at the destination. When a user request is acquired by the communication device 210, the processing device 230 executes a process of selecting a store associated with a prescribed condition that the value of a prescribed parameter satisfies from among at least one store that exists along the travel route and has a power feeding facility, and proposing it to the user. The prescribed parameter is a parameter that varies in accordance with the user, the vehicle, or the state of the power feeding facility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-159749 (Patent Document 1) discloses an information management apparatus capable of communicating with a vehicle. This vehicle is configured to perform external charging for charging a traveling power storage device by a power supply facility provided outside the vehicle. The information management apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a selection unit, and a generation unit. The acquisition unit acquires destination information indicating the position of the destination of the vehicle and information related to what the user wants to do while the vehicle is charging. The selection unit selects a store that matches what the user wants to do while charging based on this information. The user designates a store that they want to stop by among the selected stores. The generation unit generates a traveling route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination with the position of the store designated by the user as a relay point. The information on the generated traveling route is transmitted to the user operation terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A technology that enables a user to stop by a favorite store along the traveling route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination is important for satisfying the user's desires and further improvement is desired. Also, when the destination of the vehicle is set, the user may desire to increase the power storage amount of the power storage device when the vehicle arrives at the destination.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to achieve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus that allows a user to stop by a preferred store along a driving route from the current location of a vehicle to a destination, and that can increase the amount of power stored in a power storage device when the vehicle arrives at the destination.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus of the present disclosure is configured to propose a preferred store along a driving route of a vehicle to a user. The vehicle is configured to perform external charging for charging a driving power storage device by a power supply facility provided outside the vehicle. The information processing apparatus includes an acquisition device and a processing device. The acquisition device acquires a user request for making the amount of power stored in the power storage device when the vehicle arrives at the destination equal to or greater than a predetermined amount when a destination of the vehicle is set. The processing device sets a driving route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination. Along the driving route, there is at least one store having a power supply facility. When the acquisition device acquires the user request, the processing device selects a store associated with a predetermined condition that a value of a predetermined parameter satisfies from among the at least one store, and executes a process of proposing it to the user of the vehicle. The predetermined parameter is a parameter that changes according to the situation of the user, the vehicle, or the power supply facility.

[0007] The store that the user wants to stop by changes according to the situation of the user, the vehicle, or the power supply facility. According to the above configuration, the store proposed to the user changes flexibly according to such a situation. Therefore, the proposed store is likely to be a store that the user will want to stop by in the future. Thus, before the vehicle arrives from the current location at the destination, the user can stop by a preferred store according to the situation. Also, the vehicle can perform external charging by a power supply facility provided in the proposed store. Therefore, the amount of power stored in the power storage device when the vehicle arrives at the destination can be made equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. Thus, the desire of a user who desires to increase the amount of power stored can be satisfied.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a user can stop by a preferred store along the driving route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination, and the power storage amount of the power storage device can be increased when the vehicle arrives at the destination.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an information processing system including a server as an information processing device according to the present embodiment. The information processing system 10 includes a vehicle 100, a server 200, a power supply stand 300, and a user terminal 400. The vehicle 100, the server 200, the power supply stand 300, and the user terminal 400 are connected to a communication network 500 such as the Internet.

[0012] Vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device for traveling, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Vehicle 100 is configured to be able to perform external charging to charge the in-vehicle power storage device by a power supply stand 300 provided outside Vehicle 100.

[0013] Server 200 is configured to communicate with Vehicle 100 through communication network 500. Server 200 is configured to set a travel route of Vehicle 100. The set travel route is transmitted to Vehicle 100 through communication network 500.

[0014] User terminal 400 is a portable terminal operated by a user of Vehicle 100, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable terminal. The user can input a destination of Vehicle 100 by operating user terminal 400.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configurations of Vehicle 100, power supply stand 300, and user terminal 400 shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, Vehicle 100 includes a power storage device 110, an SMR (System Main Relay) 115, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 120, an MG (Motor Generator) 130, and drive wheels 140. Further, Vehicle 100 includes charging relays RY1, RY2, an inlet 150, a power receiving device 155, and an HMI (Human Machine Interface) device 145. Further, Vehicle 100 further includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 160, a DCM (Data Communication Module) 170, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 172, and a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication unit 174.

[0016] The power storage device 110 is a power storage element that stores power for driving. The power storage device 110 is configured to include, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery, and a power storage element such as an electric double layer capacitor. Note that the lithium-ion secondary battery is a secondary battery that uses lithium as a charge carrier, and may include a so-called all-solid-state battery that uses a solid electrolyte in addition to a general lithium-ion secondary battery with a liquid electrolyte. The power storage amount of the power storage device 110 is represented by, for example, SOC (State of Charge). The power storage device 110 is provided with a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a temperature sensor that respectively detect its voltage, current, and temperature (none of them are shown in the figure). The detection values of these sensors are output to the ECU 160.

[0017] The SMR 115 is provided between the power lines PL1 and NL1 connected to the power storage device 110 and the PCU 120. The SMR 115 is controlled to be in an on state during the running of the vehicle 100.

[0018] The PCU 120 is configured to include a power conversion device such as a converter and an inverter. The PCU 120 converts the DC power received from the power storage device 110 into AC power. In addition, the PCU 120 converts the AC power generated by the MG 130 (described later) into DC power.

[0019] The MG 130 is typically an AC rotating electric machine, for example, a three-phase AC synchronous motor in which permanent magnets are embedded in the rotor. The MG 130 is driven by the PCU 120 to generate a rotational driving force. The driving force generated by the MG 130 is transmitted to the drive wheels 140. Thereby, the vehicle 100 runs. In addition, the MG 130 can generate electricity by the rotational force of the drive wheels 140 during regenerative braking of the vehicle 100 (regenerative power generation). The power generated by the regenerative power generation is charged to the power storage device 110 through the PCU 120.

[0020] The charging relay RY1 is connected to the power lines PL1 and NL1. The charging relay RY1 switches from an off state to an on state when external charging is executed.

[0021] The inlet 150 receives charging power supplied from the system power source 310 through the power supply stand 300 (described later) during external charging. This charging power is supplied to the power storage device 110. Hereinafter, the external charging performed using the power supplied from the power supply stand 300 to the inlet 150 is also referred to as "contact charging".

[0022] The DCM 170 is configured to be able to perform two-way data communication between the vehicle 100 and the server 200, and between the vehicle 100 and the user terminal 400 through a communication network such as the Internet. Further, the DCM 170 is configured to be able to perform short-range communication with the power transmission device 305 (described later).

[0023] The power receiving device 155 includes a power receiving coil and a power conversion device (both not shown). The power receiving coil receives AC power non-contact from the system power source 310 through the power transmission device 305. The power conversion device converts the AC power received non-contact by the power receiving coil into DC power at the voltage level of the power storage device 110. The converted power is charged to the power storage device 110. Hereinafter, the external charging performed using the power supplied from the power transmission device 305 to the power receiving device 155 is also referred to as "non-contact charging".

[0024] The charging relay RY2 is provided between the power storage device 110 and the power receiving device 155. The charging relay RY2 is controlled to be in a closed state during the execution of non-contact charging. On the other hand, the charging relay RY2 is controlled to be in an open state while non-contact charging is not being performed.

[0025] The HMI device 145 is a terminal device that provides various information to the user 195 of the vehicle 100 and receives input operations by the user 195. The HMI device 145 includes a display device 147, an input device 148, a memory 149, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 146. The display device 147 displays various information to the user 195 of the vehicle 100.

[0026] The input device 148 receives input of operations by the user 195. For example, the input device 148 receives a user operation for setting a destination of the vehicle 100. Further, the input device 148 receives a user request for making the SOC (hereinafter also referred to as "SOC at arrival") when the vehicle 100 arrives at the destination equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (predetermined SOC). Hereinafter, this user request is also referred to as "high SOC request at arrival". Note that the information indicating the set destination and the high SOC request at arrival are transmitted from the input device 148 to the ECU 170.

[0027] The memory 149 stores programs and data for causing the HMI device 145 to realize various functions. The CPU 146 executes the programs and data stored in the memory 149. Thereby, the HMI device 145 can function as, for example, a car navigation device. In this case, when the user 195 sets a destination of the vehicle 100 using the input device 148, the information indicating the destination is transmitted to the ECU 170 and then transmitted to the server 200 through the DCM 170. Then, the travel route from the current location of the vehicle 100 to the destination is set by the server 200. The display device 147 displays the set travel route (guidance route) and the like.

[0028] The GPS receiver 172 identifies the current location of the vehicle 100 (more specifically, the longitude, latitude, and altitude of the location) based on radio waves from artificial satellites. The location information identified by the GPS receiver 172 is used by the HMI device 145 as a car navigation device, the ECU 170, and the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the location information identified by the GPS receiver 172 is transmitted to the ECU 170 and then transmitted to the server 200 through the DCM 170.

[0029] The CAN communication unit 174 is configured to perform CAN communication between the vehicle 100 and the power supply stand 300 during external charging. Note that the communication between the vehicle 100 and the power supply stand 300 is not limited to CAN communication, and may be power line communication (PLC), wireless communication, or the like.

[0030] The ECU 160 controls each device of the vehicle 100 according to each sensor signal and programs, data, maps, etc. stored in the memory. As an example, the ECU 160 controls the SMR 115, PCU 120, charging relays RY1, RY2, the HMI device 145, the power receiving device 155, the DCM 170, the CAN communication unit 174, etc.

[0031] The ECU 160 calculates the SOC of the power storage device 110 according to the voltage, current, and temperature of the power storage device 110. For the method of calculating the SOC, a known method such as a method using an OCV-SOC curve (map, etc.) showing the relationship between the OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) and the SOC is used.

[0032] The ECU 160 is configured to execute external charging for charging the power storage device 110 by a power supply facility such as the power supply stand 300. This external charging may be either contact charging or non-contact charging.

[0033] For example, when the vehicle 100 is non-contact charged, the ECU 170 outputs a power supply request to the power transmission device 305 through the DCM 170 so that power is supplied from the power transmission device 305 of the power supply facility to the power receiving device 155. The power transmission device 305 supplies power to the power receiving device 155 in response to the power supply request. When the power receiving device 155 starts receiving power, the ECU 170 switches the charging relay RY2 from the off state to the on state. Thereby, non-contact charging is started.

[0034] Also, when the vehicle 100 is contact charged, the ECU 160 turns on the charging relay RY1. Then, the ECU 160 transmits a charging start request, a charging current command value, etc. to the power supply stand 300 through the CAN communication unit 174. Thereby, contact charging is executed. The detailed configuration of the ECU 160 will be described later.

[0035] The power supply stand 300 is a power supply facility provided outside the vehicle 100. The power supply stand 300 is provided at a store or the like. The number of power supply stands 300 provided at the store is arbitrary. The power supply stand 300 includes a power supply device 302 and a communication device 303.

[0036] When charging from an external source, the power supply device 302 converts AC power from the utility power supply 310 into DC power, and supplies the converted power to the inlet 150 through a connector (not shown) of the power supply stand 300. Note that the power supply device 302 may be configured to convert AC power from the utility power supply 310 into AC power with a different voltage level, and output the converted AC power to the inlet 150. In this case, a power conversion device (charging device) is provided between the charging relay RY1 and the inlet 150. This power conversion device converts the AC power from the power supply device 302 into DC power at the voltage level of the power storage device 110.

[0037] The communication device 303 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with the CAN communication unit 174 and the server 200. Information transmitted between the communication device 303 and the server 200 includes, for example, information indicating the availability status of the power supply stand 300 (whether the power supply stand 300 is currently in use).

[0038] The vehicle 100 is configured to be capable of supplying power to an external load (external power supply). For example, when a power conversion device is provided between the charging relay RY1 and the inlet 150, the ECU 160 controls the power conversion device so that the power of the power storage device 110 is supplied from the power conversion device to the external load through the inlet 150. Thereby, the external load can be driven using the power of the power storage device 110.

[0039] The user terminal 400 includes a control device 410, an HMI device 420, and a communication device 430. The HMI device 420 can function as a car navigation device in the same manner as the HMI device 145. The HMI device 420 includes a display device and an input device (both not shown), in the same manner as the HMI device 145.

[0040] The communication device 430 is an interface for wireless communication with the DCM 170 of the vehicle 100 and the server 200.

[0041] The control device 410 incorporates a CPU and a memory (both not shown). The control device 410 controls each device (the HMI device 420 and the communication device 430) of the user terminal 400 according to information stored in the memory and information input to the HMI device 420. For example, when the user 195 sets the destination of the vehicle 100 using the HMI device 420, the control device 410 transmits information indicating the destination to the ECU 170 of the vehicle 100 through the communication device 430 and the DCM 170.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in detail the configuration of the ECU 160 of the vehicle 100, its related devices, and the server 200. Referring to FIG. 3, the ECU 160 of the vehicle 100 includes a CPU 161, a memory 162, and an input / output interface 163. The memory 162 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (both not shown). The ROM stores programs executed by the CPU 161 and the like. The RAM temporarily stores data and the like referenced by the CPU 161.

[0043] The ECU 160, the DCM 170, the GPS receiver 172, and the CAN communication unit 174 are connected to the in-vehicle network 190. Therefore, the ECU 160 can communicate with each device via the in-vehicle network 190 using CAN.

[0044] When the connector of the power supply stand 300 is connected to the inlet 150, the ECU 160 exchanges various information with the power supply stand 300 through the CAN communication unit 174 and performs external charging. Further, the ECU 160 acquires position information indicating the current location of the vehicle 100 from the GPS receiver 172. Furthermore, the ECU 160 exchanges various information with the server 200, the user terminal 400, and the power transmission device 305 through the DCM 170. As an example, the ECU 160 transmits vehicle information including various information of the vehicle 100 and a high SOC requirement at arrival to the server 200 through the DCM 170. The vehicle information includes the current location of the vehicle 100, the destination of the vehicle 100, and the current SOC of the power storage device 110.

[0045] The server 200 may be a stationary information processing device or a so-called mobile server of a portable type. The server 200 includes a communication device 210, a storage device 220, and a processing device 230.

[0046] The communication device 210 is configured to be communicable with the DCM 170 of the vehicle 100 and the communication device 430 of the user terminal 400. As an example, the communication device 210 acquires (receives) by communication the high SOC requirement at arrival and the above-described vehicle information from the ECU 170. Further, the communication device 210 transmits the travel route of the vehicle 100 set by the processing device 230 to the DCM 170. The communication device 210 forms an example of an "acquisition device" according to the present disclosure.

[0047] The storage device 220 includes a store information database (DB) 221, a map information database (DB) 222, a traffic information database (DB) 224, and a vehicle information database (DB) 226.

[0048] The store information DB221 stores information on a number of stores in the map information DB222. These stores include various stores provided with power supply facilities for external charging. The power supply facilities may be contact-type power supply facilities such as the power supply stand 300, or non-contact power supply facilities such as the power supply facilities including the power transmission device 305. The store information DB221 stores each of a number of stores provided with power supply facilities in association with the information on the power supply facilities. This information includes, for example, the charging method of the power supply facilities provided in the store (whether it is contact charging or non-contact charging), and the charging power during external charging. Details of the store information DB221 will be described later. The map information DB222 stores map information including road map data.

[0049] The traffic information DB224 stores real-time data and history of information indicating the traffic volume of roads in the map information DB222 according to information (such as the position and vehicle speed of each vehicle) transmitted from a number of vehicles including the vehicle 100.

[0050] The vehicle information DB226 includes information indicating the ID of the vehicle, the charging method of external charging executable by the vehicle, the availability of external power supply, the SOC of the power storage device 110, and the electricity cost. These databases are sequentially updated to the latest state by the processing device 230.

[0051] Similar to the ECU160, the processing device 230 includes a CPU231 and a memory 232. The CPU231 executes programs and data stored in the memory 232. The memory 232 includes a ROM and a RAM (both not shown). The ROM stores programs executed by the CPU231 and the like. The RAM temporarily stores data and the like referred to by the CPU231.

[0052] When the destination of the vehicle 100 is set, the processing device 230 sets a driving route from the current location of the vehicle 100 to the destination based on the current location of the vehicle 100, the destination of the vehicle 100, and the map information DB 222. Along the driving route, there is at least one store having a power supply facility. In the following description of the present embodiment, as an example, the case where this power supply facility is the power supply stand 300 will be described.

[0053] The technology for allowing the user 195 to stop by a preferred store along the driving route from the current location (departure point) of the vehicle 100 to the destination is important for satisfying the demands of the user 195, and further improvement is desired. The "store along the driving route" refers to a store existing in an area where the distance to the driving route is less than a predetermined distance. Here, the store that the user 195 wants to stop by changes according to the user 195, the vehicle 100, or the status of the power supply facility (for example, the time zone to which the current time belongs, the destination of the vehicle 100, the weather, and the SOC of the power storage device 110, etc.).

[0054] Also, when the destination of the vehicle 100 is set, the user 195 may desire to increase the SOC at arrival (make it equal to or more than a predetermined amount). For example, after the vehicle 100 arrives at the destination, the user 195 may wish to execute external power supply for using an external load. If the SOC at arrival is not sufficient, the power of the power storage device 110 may be exhausted during the execution of the external power supply. As a result, the user 195 cannot continue to use the external load at the destination. Also, even if the power of the power storage device 110 is not exhausted, there is a possibility that the power storage amount of the power storage device 110 becomes so small that the user 195 cannot drive the vehicle 100 back home.

[0055] Therefore, the server 200 as the information processing device according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. Specifically, when the destination of the vehicle 100 is set, the communication device 210 of the server 200 acquires a high SOC requirement at arrival from the DCM 170.

[0056] When the communication device 210 acquires the high SOC requirement upon arrival (the high SOC requirement upon arrival is made by the user 195), the processing device 230 selects a store associated with a predetermined condition that satisfies the value of a predetermined parameter from among at least one store that exists along the travel route of the vehicle 100 and has a power supply facility, and executes a process of proposing it to the user 195. This predetermined parameter is a parameter that changes according to the situation of the user 195, the vehicle 100, or the charging stand 300. Hereinafter, this predetermined parameter is also referred to as a "situation parameter". Further, this predetermined condition is appropriately determined in advance as a condition that the situation parameter satisfies in a situation where it is considered preferable that the store associated with the condition be proposed to the user 195.

[0057] With such a configuration, the store proposed to the user 195 changes flexibly according to the situation as described above. Therefore, the proposed store is likely to be a store that the user 195 wants to visit in the future. Thus, before the vehicle 100 arrives at the destination from the current location, the user 195 can stop by a store of his / her preference according to the situation. In addition, the vehicle 100 can perform external charging by the power supply facility provided in the proposed store. Therefore, the SOC at arrival can be increased (to be equal to or more than a predetermined amount). Thus, the desire of the user who wishes to increase the SOC at arrival can be satisfied. Hereinafter, the above-described situation parameter will be described in detail.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the store information DB 221 stored in the storage device 220. In the example of FIG. 4, the format of the store information DB 221 is assumed to be a table, but it is not limited to a table. The store information DB 221 includes store-specific information 252 (columns 255 to 264) and suitable parameter information 265 (columns 267 to 285). The store-specific information 252 indicates various information specific to the store. The suitable parameter information 265 indicates, for each store, the condition that the situation parameter satisfies in a situation where it is considered preferable that the corresponding store be proposed to the user 195.

[0059] Column 255 indicates the store ID. Column 260 indicates the type of store. Column 261 indicates the time (staying available time) during which the stay of user 195 in the store can be permitted by the store. Column 262 indicates the charging method of the power supply equipment provided in the store. Column 263 indicates whether a roof is provided above the space (for example, the space where the seats for eating and drinking used by user 195 are provided) used by user 195 while staying in the store. Column 264 indicates the location of the store (more specifically, the X coordinate representing the longitude, the Y coordinate representing the latitude, and the Z coordinate representing the altitude at that location).

[0060] In the example of FIG. 4, the processing device 230 of the server 200 exists along the driving route from the current location of the vehicle 100 to the destination, and extracts five stores each having store IDs from ST001 to ST005 as stores having the power supply stand 300. The processing device 230 executes this extraction process in order to propose to user 195 a store considered suitable according to the situation among these stores.

[0061] Regarding the situation parameters, column 267 indicates, for each store, the time zone in which it is preferable for the corresponding store to be proposed to user 195. For example, when the time zone to which the current time belongs is from 11:00 to 15:00, it is considered that user 195 is relatively likely to want to stop by a food and beverage facility for lunch. Therefore, a stop at a family restaurant is proposed to user 195 in this time zone. Also, when the time zone is from 15:00 to 17:00, it is considered that user 195 is relatively more likely to want to stop by a café for a tea break rather than a food and beverage facility such as a restaurant. Therefore, a stop at a café is proposed to user 195 in this time zone. In the above example, the time zone from 11:00 to 17:00 is divided into the time zone from 11:00 to 15:00 and the time zone from 15:00 to 17:00, but this is just an example. How the 24 hours that make up a day are divided into time zones is determined in advance as appropriate and is not limited.

[0062] Column 269 indicates, for each store, a destination to which it is suitable for the corresponding store to be proposed to user 195. For example, if the destination is an amusement park for children, user 195 is considered to be going out with children. Therefore, before the vehicle 100 arrives at the destination, user 195 may wish to stop by a family restaurant with a rich children's meal menu. Thus, when the destination is an amusement park, a stop by a family restaurant is proposed to user 195. On the other hand, if the destination is an art museum for adults, user 195 is considered to be going out to have a meal with adults. Therefore, before the vehicle 100 arrives at the destination, user 195 may wish to stop by a high-class restaurant for an adult meal. Thus, when the destination is an art museum, a stop by a high-class restaurant is proposed to user 195.

[0063] Column 280 indicates, for each store, the weather in which it is suitable for the corresponding store to be proposed to the user. For example, when the weather is rainy, user 195 preferably does not get wet in the rain while staying at the stop store. Therefore, user 195 is relatively likely to wish to stop by a store with a roof provided above the space to be used during the stay at that store. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 4, stores having store IDs of ST001, ST002, ST004, or ST005 are suitable as proposed stores. Therefore, a stop by these stores is proposed to user 195 (the store with the store ID of ST003 is excluded as a proposed store). On the other hand, when the weather is sunny, whether or not the above-mentioned roof is provided is not important from the perspective of the convenience of user 195. Therefore, any of the five stores each having store IDs of ST001 to ST005 is considered suitable as a store. The current weather is obtained from a weather forecast site through the Internet by the communication device 210.

[0064] Column 285 shows, for each store, the SOC for which it is preferable that the corresponding store be proposed to the user. For example, when the SOC of the power storage device 110 is relatively low, it may be considered preferable to perform external charging over a long period of time in order to sufficiently increase the SOC. Therefore, a store with a relatively long available stay time (the available time of the power supply stand 300) (in the example of FIG. 4, a store with a store ID of ST001 or ST002) may be considered suitable as the proposed store. Alternatively, it may be considered preferable to perform contact charging with a relatively high charging speed so that the low SOC rises quickly. Therefore, a store with a store ID of ST003, ST004, or ST005 may be considered suitable as the proposed store. Which of the five stores each having the store IDs ST001 to ST005 is most suitable as the proposed store is determined according to the available stay time at the store and the charging power during external charging. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the charging power during external charging using the power supply stand 300 at the store is stored in the store information DB221 in association with the store ID of each store.

[0065] In the above, when the situation parameter changes, the store proposed to the user 195 is changed. For example, when the destination of the vehicle 100 is changed from an art museum to an amusement park, the type of the proposed store is changed from a high-class restaurant to a family restaurant.

[0066] The above situation parameters (time zone, destination of the vehicle 100, weather, and SOC of the power storage device 110) are examples. Other parameters may be used as the situation parameter.

[0067] For example, the situation parameter may be information indicating the availability status of the power supply stand 300 provided in the store at the current time. This information is sequentially updated according to the information transmitted from the communication device 303 of the power supply stand 300 to the communication device 210 of the server 200. The availability status (situation parameter) of the power supply stand 300 may be, for example, either "available" or "congested". "Congested" indicates a situation where the utilization rate of at least one or more power supply stands 300 provided in the store is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold at the current time. In this situation, it is difficult to use the power supply stand 300. On the other hand, "available" indicates a situation where the utilization rate of the at least one or more power supply stands 300 is less than the threshold at the current time. In this situation, it is easy to use the power supply stand 300. When the communication device 210 acquires a high SOC requirement at arrival, it is preferable that external charging be performed before the vehicle 100 arrives at the destination. Therefore, a situation where the power supply stand 300 is "available" is more preferable than a situation where the power supply stand 300 is "congested". Thus, the processing device 230 may, for example, propose only the stores where the availability status of the power supply stand 300 is "available" to the user 195.

[0068] The suitable parameter information 265 is determined in advance based on the behavior history of the user 195. Specifically, the behavior history when the user 195 visits various stores is collected as big data. Then, based on the behavior history, it is analyzed what conditions the various situation parameters satisfied when the user 195 visited the store. The suitable parameter information 265 (for example, what types of stores are suitable as proposed stores in the time zone to which the current time belongs) is determined in advance based on the analysis result.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed by the processing device 230 in the present embodiment. This flowchart is started when the processing device 230 receives information indicating the destination of the vehicle 100 through the communication device 210.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 5, the processing device 230 branches the processing according to whether it has received a high SOC requirement at arrival from the ECU 170 (step S102). When the processing device 230 has not received a high SOC requirement at arrival (NO in step S102), it executes this determination process until this requirement is made. On the other hand, when the processing device 230 has received a high SOC requirement at arrival (YES in step S102), it proceeds to step S105.

[0071] Next, the processing device 230 receives vehicle information from the ECU 170 through the DCM 170 and the communication device 210 (step S105). As described above, the vehicle information includes the current location of the vehicle 100, the destination of the vehicle 100, and the current SOC of the power storage device 110. If the destination of the vehicle 100 is changed between the start of the processing of this flowchart and the execution of the processing of step S105 (while the processing branches to NO in step S102), the destination included in the vehicle information received in step S105 takes precedence over the initial destination.

[0072] Next, the processing device 230 sets a driving route from the current location of the vehicle 100 to the destination based on the current location of the vehicle 100, the destination of the vehicle 100, and the map information DB 222 (step S115). As described above, there is at least one store having a power supply facility along the set driving route. The set driving route is transmitted to the ECU 160 through the communication device 210 and the DCM 170.

[0073] Next, the processing device 230 extracts the at least one store from the store information DB 221, and selects a store associated with a predetermined condition satisfied by the value of the situation parameter from among the at least one store (step S117). Then, the processing device 230 executes a process of proposing the selected store to the user 195 (step S120). Specifically, the processing device 230 outputs a command to the ECU 160 to display the selected store on the display device 147. Thereby, a store corresponding to the changing situation is proposed to the user 195. In the example of FIG. 4, when the current time zone (value of the situation parameter) satisfies a predetermined condition of being the time zone from 15:00 to 17:00, a store (café) associated with the predetermined condition is proposed to the user 195.

[0074] Note that the number of stores selected in step S117 may be 1 or may be 2 or more. When the number of stores selected is 2 or more, all of the 2 or more stores may be proposed to the user 195. Thereby, the user 195 can select any one of the proposed 2 or more stores as a preferred store at his or her own discretion and visit the store. Alternatively, a predetermined number of stores may be randomly proposed to the user 195 from among the 2 or more stores selected. The predetermined number is a natural number less than the number of stores selected in step S117 (for example, 1). Thereby, it is possible to save the trouble for the user 195 to select which of the plurality of proposed stores to visit.

[0075] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the destination of the vehicle 100 is set, the communication device 210 of the server 200 acquires a high SOC requirement at arrival from the DCM 170. The processing device 230 sets a travel route from the current location of the vehicle 100 to the destination. Along the travel route, there is at least one store having a power supply stand 300. When the communication device 210 acquires the high SOC requirement at arrival, the processing device 230 selects a store associated with a predetermined condition satisfied by the value of a predetermined parameter from among the at least one store, and executes a process of proposing it to the user 195.

[0076] As a result, the stores proposed to user 195 change flexibly according to the situation. Therefore, the proposed stores are likely to be the stores that user 195 wants to visit in the future. Thus, before the vehicle 100 arrives at the destination from the current location, user 195 can stop by the preferred stores according to the situation. In addition, the vehicle 100 can perform external charging by the power supply facility provided at the proposed store. Therefore, the SOC at arrival can be increased (to be equal to or more than a predetermined amount). Thus, the demands of users who desire to increase the SOC at arrival can be satisfied.

[0077] [Modification Example 1] In this Modification Example 1, when the number of stores (stores selected in step S117) associated with the predetermined conditions satisfied by the situation parameters is 2 or more and the types of those stores are the same, an example of a method for narrowing down those stores will be described. The two or more stores associated with the above-mentioned predetermined conditions are also referred to as "candidate stores" for a stop by user 195. Note that the configuration and processing procedure of the vehicle in this Modification Example 1 are the same as those of the vehicle 100 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, respectively.

[0078] In this Modification Example 1, when the communication device 210 acquires the high SOC requirement at arrival, the processing device 230 of the server 200 determines, among the two or more candidate stores, the candidate store with a higher SOC when arriving at the store as the proposed store with higher priority than the candidate store with a lower SOC when arriving at the store. As an example, the processing device 230 determines, among the two or more candidate stores, the candidate store with a relatively small decrease in SOC until arriving at the store as the proposed store with higher priority than the candidate store with a relatively large decrease in SOC.

[0079] When the vehicle 100 travels on a flat route, the decrease in SOC is less than when it travels on a route with an uphill gradient greater than the gradient of that route.

[0080] Therefore, among the two or more candidate stores, the processing device 230 may preferentially propose to the user 195 the candidate store with a smaller gradient of the driving route to the store (the driving route is flat). For example, the processing device 230 may propose to the user 195 the candidate store with the smallest gradient of the driving route to the store. Specifically, the processing device 230 obtains the gradient of the driving route to each candidate store from the road information in the map information DB 222. Then, the processing device 230 determines the candidate store with the smallest gradient of the driving route to the store as the proposed store. Alternatively, under the assumption that among the two or more candidate stores, the candidate store with the smallest difference between the elevation of the current location of the vehicle 100 and the elevation of the candidate store (the Z coordinate in column 264 of FIG. 3) is the candidate store with the smallest gradient of the driving route from the current location to the store, the processing device 230 may determine that store as the proposed store. In the example of FIG. 3, when the store with store ID ST004 and the store with store ID ST005 remain as candidate stores, the store with the smaller Z coordinate among Z4 and Z5 may be determined as the proposed store.

[0081] When the proposed store is determined as described above, for example, the decrease in the SOC until the vehicle 100 reaches the proposed store can be made smaller than when the proposed store is randomly determined from among two or more candidate stores. As a result, the desire of the user who wishes to keep the SOC during the driving of the vehicle 100 as high as possible can be satisfied.

[0082] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed by the processing device 230 in the first modification. This flowchart starts when the destination of the vehicle 100 is set.

[0083] Compared with the flowchart of FIG. 5, the processes of steps S218 and S219 are added to this flowchart. The processes of steps S202 to S217 and step S220 in this flowchart are the same as the processes of steps S102 to S117 and step S120 in FIG. 4, respectively.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 6, the processing device 230 determines whether the number of stores (candidate stores) selected as stores associated with the predetermined conditions satisfied by the situation parameters is two or more (step S218). When the number of selected stores is two or more (YES in step S218), the processing device 230 proposes to the user 195 the store with the highest SOC when the vehicle 100 arrives at the store among the two or more selected stores (step S219). Thereafter, the processing device 230 outputs a command to the ECU 160 to display the store on the display device 147. On the other hand, when the number of selected stores is one (NO in step S218), the processing device 230 proceeds to step S220. After the processing in steps S219 and S220, the processing device 230 transfers the processing to the return.

[0085] As described above, in this Modification 1, when the number of stores (candidate stores) associated with the predetermined conditions satisfied by the situation parameters is two or more, the processing device 230 selects, among those stores, the store with a higher SOC when the vehicle 100 arrives at the store, and proposes it preferentially over the store with a lower SOC when the vehicle 100 arrives at the store. Thereby, in addition to the effects of the embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the SOC until the vehicle 100 arrives at the proposed store along the driving route to the destination. As a result, it is possible to satisfy the desire of the user 195 who desires to keep the SOC as high as possible when arriving at the store.

[0086] [Modification 2] In the above-described Embodiment 1 and its Modification 1, it is assumed that external charging is performed using the power supply equipment provided in the store along the driving route of the vehicle 100. In this modification, further, the processing device 230 sets the driving route of the vehicle 100 so that the route includes a power supply lane as a non-contact power supply device.

[0087] The power supply lane is a driving lane having a power supply function for the vehicle 100. The power supply lane is provided with a plurality of power transmission devices 305 (Fig. 1) arranged in a row. While the vehicle 100 is traveling on the power supply lane, power is supplied from the power transmission device 305 to the power receiving device 155. During this period, the ECU 170 controls the charging relay RY2 (Fig. 1) to be in an on state. In this way, non-contact charging using the power supply lane is executed while the vehicle 100 is traveling.

[0088] In this modification, the processing device 230 of the server 200 sets the travel route so that the power supply lane is included in the travel route of the vehicle 100 in addition to executing external charging at the store so that the SOC at arrival is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

[0089] For example, when non-contact charging is executed using the power supply lane after external charging is executed at the store, the processing device 230 subtracts the power consumption of the power storage device 110 when the vehicle 100 travels from the current location to the destination from the sum of the charging power amount from the power supply lane to the power storage device 110 and the stored power amount of the power storage device 110 at the current time, and sets the travel route so that a power supply lane where the resulting value is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount is included in the travel route.

[0090] The above charging power amount is estimated by the processing device 230 based on the length of the power supply lane (the travel distance of the vehicle 100 on the power supply lane) and the charging efficiency from the power supply lane to the power storage device 110. The charging efficiency is determined in advance by experiments or the like for each power supply lane and is stored in the storage device 220. Also, the length of the power supply lane is acquired by the processing device 230 from the map information DB 222.

[0091] In this way, the processing device 230 may determine the travel route of the vehicle 100 so that the SOC at arrival becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount by executing non-contact charging using the power supply lane.

[0092] [Modification Example 3] In the aforementioned Modification Example 2, the non-contact power supply facility is assumed to be the power supply lane. In contrast, the non-contact power supply facility may be provided in another vehicle capable of external non-contact power supply (non-contact power supply).

[0093] In this case, while the vehicle 100 is traveling so as to maintain the relative positional relationship with the other vehicle (during platooning), the power receiving device 155 can receive the power supplied from the non-contact power supply facility of the other vehicle. Thereby, the vehicle 100 can perform non-contact charging (platooning charging) during platooning. In this way, in addition to performing external charging at the store, by performing platooning charging, it becomes easier to make the SOC at arrival equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

[0094] In this modification example, the traffic information DB 224 includes traffic information of vehicles configured to enable non-contact power supply (information such as the roads on which such vehicles are traveling and the traffic volume for each time zone on those roads). The processing device 230 of the server 200 can estimate the expected value of the amount of power that can be charged to the power storage device 110 by platooning charging for each road and for each time zone in the map information DB 222 based on the above traffic information. When the above expected value when the vehicle 100 travels the route from the current location to the destination is large enough to make the SOC at arrival equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, it is also considered that the SOC at arrival can be made equal to or greater than a predetermined amount by performing platooning charging. Therefore, the processing device 230 sets the travel route from the current location of the vehicle 100 to the destination via the road where platooning charging is expected to be performed.

[0095] For example, assume a situation where after the user 195 stops by a store along a general road, the vehicle 100 enters a highway and is traveling on the highway. Generally, in such a situation, it is difficult for the user 195 to stop by the store. Therefore, it is difficult to perform external charging using the power supply facility provided at the store.

[0096] Therefore, for example, when queue charging is performed as described above on a highway, even when the current SOC is decreasing, it is possible to easily increase the SOC at arrival to a predetermined amount or more. As a result, it becomes easier to satisfy the demand of user 195 who desires to increase the SOC at arrival (to a predetermined amount or more).

[0097] [Modification Example 4] In the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2 and their Modification Examples 1 to 3, the in-vehicle HMI device 145 is mainly used as the operation terminal by user 195. However, the HMI device 420 of the user terminal 400 may be used instead of the HMI device 145. For example, the high SOC requirement at arrival may be made by user 195 using the input device of the HMI device 420. In this case, the input device of the HMI device 420 of the user terminal 400 can function as an "acquisition device" that acquires the high SOC requirement at arrival. Also, the proposed stores for user 195 may be displayed on the display device of the HMI device 420.

[0098] [Modification Example 5] In the above-described Embodiment 2 and its Modification Examples 1 to 4, when the number of stores selected in the process of step S217 in FIG. 6 is two or more and the types of those stores are the same, the stores are narrowed down as proposed stores such that the decrease amount of the SOC until reaching the store (waypoint) becomes as small as possible.

[0099] In contrast, in this modification example, the destination is changed such that the decrease amount of the SOC until the vehicle 100 reaches the destination becomes as small as possible. For example, when a store (first store) is set as the destination of the vehicle 100, assume that the decrease amount of the SOC from the current location of the vehicle 100 to this store is the first decrease amount. And assume that the decrease amount of the SOC from the current location of the vehicle 100 to a second store different from the first store is the second decrease amount. The type of the second store is the same as the type of the first store.

[0100] In this modification example, when the second decrease amount is smaller than the first decrease amount, instead of the first store, the second store is proposed as the destination. As a result, although the destination is changed from the first store to the second store, the type of the store set as the destination is not changed. Consequently, without changing the purpose of the user 195 (e.g., shopping, dining, etc.), it is possible to suppress the decrease in the SOC during the running of the vehicle 100. Therefore, it is possible to satisfy the desire of the user 195 who wishes to keep the SOC during the running of the vehicle 100 as high as possible.

[0101] [Modification Example 6] In the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2 and their Modification Examples 1 to 5, the processing device 230 of the server 200 executes the determination process (corresponding to step S102 or S202) as to whether the high SOC requirement at arrival was made by the user 195, the setting process of the travel route (step S115 or S215), and the store proposal process (corresponding to step S120 or S219 or S220).

[0102] On the other hand, part or all of these determination process, setting process, and proposal process may be executed by the ECU 160 of the vehicle 100 or the control device 410 of the user terminal 400. That is, the "processing device" of the present disclosure may be the ECU 160 or the control device 410.

[0103] For example, the case where all of these processes are executed by the ECU 160 will be described. When the processing device 230 of the server 200 receives from the user terminal 400 the high SOC requirement at arrival made using the HMI device 420 of the user terminal 400, the processing device 230 transmits the requirement to the ECU 160. The ECU 160 executes the above-described determination process according to whether this requirement is received.

[0104] Next, the ECU 160 accesses the map information DB 222 through the DCM 170 and the communication device 210. Then, the ECU 160 executes the above-described setting process using the map information DB 222.

[0105] Next, the ECU 160 accesses the store information DB 221 through the DCM 170 and the communication device 210. The ECU 160 executes the above-described proposed process using the store information DB 221.

[0106] Further, the input / output interface 163 of the ECU 160 may be an “acquisition device” that acquires the high SOC requirement at arrival performed by the user 195 using the input device of the HMI device 420 or the input device 148.

[0107] From the above, the “information processing device” of the present disclosure is not limited to the server 200, and may be the ECU 160 or the user terminal 400.

[0108] [Other Modification Examples] In the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2 and Modification Examples 1 to 5 thereof, the vehicle 100 is assumed to be a BEV. On the other hand, the vehicle is not limited to a BEV, and may be an electric vehicle such as a plug-in HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) further including an internal combustion engine. In this case, the vehicle may be able to travel using only the power of the power storage device 110 in a state where the internal combustion engine is stopped (so-called, the EV mode of the vehicle is possible). In this case, during the EV mode of the vehicle, Embodiments 1 and 2 and Modification Examples 1 to 3 thereof described above can be applied as they are.

[0109] On the other hand, when the vehicle travels in a state where the internal combustion engine is driven, the processing device 230 may select a store associated with a predetermined condition satisfied by the value of the situation parameter based on the power generated by the MG 120 during the travel of the vehicle 100 and the power supplied by the power supply facility associated with the store.

[0110] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown by the claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0111] 10 Information processing system, 100 vehicle, 110 power storage device, 145, 420 HMI device, 147 display device, 148 input device, 200 server, 210, 303, 430 communication device, 230 processing device, 265 suitable parameter information, 300 power supply stand, 400 user terminal, 221 store information DB, 222 map information DB, 224 traffic information DB, 226 vehicle information DB.

Claims

【Claim 1】 An information processing apparatus for proposing to a user a preferred store along a travel route of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is configured to perform external charging for charging a power storage device for travel by a power supply facility provided outside the vehicle, an acquisition device that acquires a user request for making the power storage amount of the power storage device be equal to or more than a predetermined amount when the destination of the vehicle is set and the vehicle arrives at the destination, a processing device that sets a travel route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination, and a storage device that stores store information indicating information of a plurality of stores each of which exists along the travel route and has the power supply facility, wherein the store information includes information indicating an available time of the power supply facility of each of the plurality of stores, when the acquisition device acquires the user request, the processing device executes a selection process of selecting one store from among the plurality of stores according to the state of charge (SOC) of the power storage device and the available time, and executes a process of proposing the one store to the user of the vehicle, the selection process includes a first process of selecting the one store such that the available time of the one store selected in a first case where the SOC is low is longer than the available time of the one store selected in a second case where the SOC is higher than in the first case, the first process includes a second process of selecting, in the first case, the store having the longest available time among the plurality of stores as the one store, the second process includes a process of selecting, in the first case, as the one store, the store having the highest SOC when the vehicle arrives among the two or more stores having the longest available time among the plurality of stores. An information processing apparatus.

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