Server, system, and method

Abstract

To provide a server capable of promoting power control (charging / discharging) by electric vehicles.SOLUTION: A server 100 includes: a communication unit 103 (acquisition unit) that acquires information on power control, including at least one of supplying power from an electric vehicle 10 to a power system PG and charging from the power system PG to the electric vehicle 10; and a processor 101 (control unit) that controls display when an Internet service is used on a terminal 12 owned by a user 11 of the electric vehicle 10. When the electric vehicle 10 responds to a request for execution of power control, the processor 101 generates program commands to suppress display of advertisements on the terminal 12 compared to when the electric vehicle 10 does not respond to the request for execution.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server, a system, and a method.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-129441 (Patent Document 1) discloses a server that controls charging and discharging of electric power between an electric vehicle and a charging / discharging stand connected to each other. By the above charging and discharging, load leveling of electric power demand in the power grid is performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, for the purpose of load leveling of electric power demand in the power grid and the like, it is desired to promote charging and discharging (power control) by an electric vehicle. The server of the above Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in that promoting charging and discharging by an electric vehicle is not considered.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a server, a system, and a method capable of promoting power control (charging and discharging) by an electric vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The server according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires information related to power control including at least one of power supply from an electric vehicle to a power system and charging from the power system to the electric vehicle, and a control unit that controls the display during the use of a network service on a terminal owned by a user of the electric vehicle. When the electric vehicle responds to a power control execution request, the control unit generates a program command for suppressing the display of advertisements on the terminal as compared with the case where the electric vehicle does not respond to the execution request.

[0007] In the server according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, when the electric vehicle responds to a power control execution request, a program command for suppressing the display of advertisements on the terminal is generated as compared with the case where the electric vehicle does not respond to the execution request. Here, by suppressing the display of advertisements on the terminal, it is possible to reduce the stress on the user caused by the advertisements when the user uses a network service on the terminal. As a result, the user of the electric vehicle can be made to perform power control more actively. As a result, the power control by the electric vehicle can be promoted.

[0008] In the server according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the control unit increases the degree of suppressing the distribution of advertisements as the contribution degree of the power control by the electric vehicle is higher. With this configuration, since the user of the electric vehicle performs power control more actively, the power control by the electric vehicle can be further promoted.

[0009] In this case, preferably, the control unit increases the degree of suppressing the distribution of advertisements as the power supply and demand adjustment requirement in at least one of the time zone and the region where the power control is performed is larger. With this configuration, since the power control in at least one of the time zone and the region where the power supply and demand adjustment requirement is large is promoted, the power supply and demand adjustment requirement can be easily satisfied.

[0010] In a server that increases the degree of suppressing advertisement delivery as the contribution degree of the above power control increases, preferably, the control unit increases the degree of suppressing advertisement delivery as the ratio of renewable energy in the power stored in the electric vehicle that performs power control increases. With such a configuration, it is possible to promote power control using renewable energy.

[0011] In the server according to the first aspect, preferably, the control unit suppresses advertisement delivery during a time zone or period set by the user. With such a configuration, the user can suppress advertisements at an arbitrary timing. As a result, for the user, the convenience of the above control for suppressing advertisements can be improved.

[0012] The system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure includes a first server that manages power control including at least one of power feeding from an electric vehicle to a power grid and charging from the power grid to the electric vehicle, and a second server that manages advertisement delivery when a user of the electric vehicle uses a network service on a terminal owned by the user. The first server generates a program command for suppressing the display of advertisements on the terminal when the electric vehicle responds to a power control execution request, compared to when the electric vehicle does not respond to the execution request. The second server suppresses the advertisement delivery to the terminal based on the program command.

[0013] In the system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, when the electric vehicle responds to a power control execution request, a program command for suppressing the display of advertisements on the terminal is generated compared to when the electric vehicle does not respond to the execution request. Thereby, it is possible to provide a system capable of promoting power control by the electric vehicle.

[0014] The method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure includes the step of obtaining information related to power control including at least one of power supply from an electric vehicle to a power system and charging from the power system to the electric vehicle, and the step of managing the distribution of advertisements when using a network service on a terminal owned by a user of the electric vehicle. The step of managing includes the step of suppressing the distribution of advertisements to the terminal when the electric vehicle responds to an execution request for power control as compared with the case where the electric vehicle does not respond to the execution request.

[0015] In the method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, when the electric vehicle responds to an execution request for power control, the display of advertisements to the terminal is suppressed as compared with the case where the electric vehicle does not respond to the execution request. Thereby, a method capable of promoting power control by an electric vehicle can be provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, power control (charging and discharging) by an electric vehicle can be promoted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] 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.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 1 includes a server 100, a system management server 200, a distribution management server 300, a power grid PG, an electric vehicle 10, and an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) 20. Note that the server 100 is an example of the "server" and the "first server" of the present disclosure. Also, the distribution management server 300 is an example of the "second server" of the present disclosure.

[0020] The power grid PG is a power grid constructed by a power plant and power transmission and distribution facilities (not shown). In this embodiment, the power company serves as both a power generation company and a power transmission and distribution company. The power company corresponds to a general power transmission and distribution company and maintains and manages the power grid PG. The power company corresponds to the administrator of the power grid PG.

[0021] The system management server 200 manages the power supply and demand in the power grid PG (power grid). Also, the system management server 200 belongs to the power company. The system management server 200 transmits a request (supply and demand adjustment request) for adjusting the power demand of the power grid PG to the server 100 based on the generated power and consumed power by each power adjustment resource managed by the system management server 200. Specifically, when it is expected that the generated power or consumed power of the power adjustment resource will be greater than normal (or is greater at the current time), the system management server 200 transmits a request to the server 100 to increase or decrease the power demand more than normal, respectively.

[0022] The server 100 is a server managed by an aggregator. An aggregator is an electric utility that bundles a plurality of power adjustment resources such as regions and predetermined facilities to provide an energy management service. The server 100 manages the power control described later.

[0023] As one means for increasing or decreasing the power demand of the power system PG, the server 100 requests the electric vehicle 10 to perform "power control". Power control is control including power supply to the power system PG (external power supply) and charging from the power system PG (external charging). The server 100 transmits a request signal for making the above request to the electric vehicle 10 or a mobile terminal 11a owned by the user 11 of the electric vehicle 10.

[0024] Power control is performed between the electric vehicle 10 and the power system PG via the EVSE 20. The electric vehicle 10 includes, for example, a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), and an FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). The electric vehicle 10 includes an in-vehicle terminal such as a car navigation system 10a. Note that the electric vehicle 10 may be configured to enable only one of external power supply and external charging. Further, the electric vehicle 10 may include a DCM (Data Communication Module) or a communication I / F compatible with 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication system).

[0025] Note that the mobile terminal 11a is an example of the "terminal" of the present disclosure. The car navigation system 10a is another example of the "terminal" of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, when the mobile terminal 11a and the car navigation system 10a are not distinguished, they are described as the terminal 12.

[0026] The EVSE 20 means vehicle power supply equipment. The electric vehicle 10 is configured to be electrically connectable to the EVSE 20. For example, by connecting a charging cable 21 connected to the EVSE 20 to the inlet of the electric vehicle 10, it becomes possible to transfer power between the EVSE 20 and the electric vehicle 10.

[0027] In addition, the server 100 is configured to manage information on a plurality of registered electric vehicles 10 (hereinafter also referred to as "vehicle information"), information on each registered user (hereinafter also referred to as "user information"), and information on the registered EVSEs 20 (hereinafter also referred to as "EVSE information"). The user information, vehicle information, and EVSE information are distinguished by identification information (ID) and stored in a memory 102 described below.

[0028] The user ID is identification information for identifying a user and also functions as information (terminal ID) for identifying a mobile terminal 11a carried by the user. The server 100 is configured to distinguish and store the information received from the mobile terminal 11a for each user ID. The user information includes the communication address of the mobile terminal 11a carried by the user and the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 10 belonging to the user.

[0029] The vehicle ID is identification information for identifying the electric vehicle 10. The vehicle ID may be a license plate or a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The vehicle information includes the action plan of each electric vehicle 10.

[0030] The EVSE-ID is identification information for identifying the EVSE 20. The EVSE information includes the communication address of each EVSE 20 and the state of the electric vehicle 10 connected to each EVSE 20. In addition, the EVSE information also includes information indicating the combination of the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20 connected to each other (for example, the combination of the EVSE-ID and the vehicle ID).

[0031] The distribution management server 300 manages a service for distributing videos viewable on the terminal 12 of the user 11 of the electric vehicle 10. In addition, the distribution management server 300 manages the distribution of advertisements in the above videos. Note that the video distribution service is an example of the "network service" of the present disclosure.

[0032] Server 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and a communication unit 103. Note that the processor 101 and the communication unit 103 are examples of the "control unit" and the "acquisition unit" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0033] In addition to the programs executed by the processor 101, the memory 102 stores information used by the programs (such as maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). The communication unit 103 includes various communication I / Fs. The processor 101 controls the communication unit 103. Specifically, the processor 101 communicates with the system management server 200, the DCM (or the mobile terminal 11a) of the electric vehicle 10, the EVSE 20, and the distribution management server 300 through the communication unit 103.

[0034] The communication unit 103 acquires information related to power control by the electric vehicle 10. Specifically, the communication unit 103 acquires information such as the charge / discharge amount, the charge / discharge time, and the time zone during which the charge / discharge was performed between the electric vehicle 10 in which the power control was performed and the EVSE 20.

[0035] The processor 101 controls the display during the use of the video distribution service on the terminal 12 of the user 11.

[0036] Here, it is desired to promote power control by the electric vehicle for the conventional system. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the electric vehicle 10 responds to the execution request for power control, the processor 101 generates a program command for suppressing the display of advertisements on the terminal 12 as compared with the case where the electric vehicle 10 does not respond to the above execution request. The above program command is transmitted from the server 100 to the distribution management server 300.

[0037] As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the frequency at which an advertisement is displayed on the terminal 12 of the user 11 in response to the execution request for power control is set lower than the frequency at which the advertisement is displayed on the terminal 12 of the user 11 not in response to the execution request for power control (see the comparative example in FIG. 2). Further, as a specific example of suppressing the advertisement, the length of each advertisement may be shortened, or the ratio of the advertisements that can be skipped may be increased. In the example shown in FIG. 2, in the terminal 12 of the user 11 in response to the execution request for power control, the advertisement displayed at the beginning of the video (main content) during normal times (comparative example) and the advertisement displayed in the middle of the video (main content) during normal times are each omitted (controlled not to be displayed).

[0038] Further, the higher the contribution degree of the power control by the electric vehicle 10, the greater the degree of suppressing the advertisement distribution by the processor 101. The above contribution degree is determined by the processor 101 based on the height of the power supply and demand adjustment requirement described later, the charge / discharge amount (or charge / discharge time) in the power control, and the renewable energy ratio in the electric vehicle 10, etc.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the higher the power supply and demand adjustment requirement for the power in the time zone and region where the power control by the electric vehicle 10 is performed, the greater the degree of suppressing the advertisement distribution by the processor 101. Note that the state where the power supply and demand adjustment requirement is high indicates a state where the power of the power grid PG is tight or a state where the surplus of power in the power grid PG is large, etc. The processor 101 determines the height of the power supply and demand adjustment requirement based on the information transmitted from the grid management server 200.

[0040] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the processor 101 increases the degree of suppressing the advertisement delivery as the charging / discharging amount in the power control by the electric vehicle 10 is larger (or the charging / discharging time is longer). Specifically, when there is surplus power in the power grid PG, the processor 101 increases the degree of suppressing the advertisement delivery as the charging amount in the power control is larger (or the charging time is longer). Also, when the power in the power grid PG is insufficient, the processor 101 increases the degree of suppressing the advertisement delivery as the discharging amount in the power control is larger (or the discharging time is longer).

[0041] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the processor 101 increases the degree of suppressing the advertisement delivery as the ratio of the renewable energy in the power stored in the electric vehicle 10 that performs power control is higher. Note that the processor 101 acquires information on the amount of renewable energy among the power transmitted and received in the power control between the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20. The server 100 (processor 101) calculates the ratio of the renewable energy in the electric vehicle 10 based on the information on the amount of renewable energy. Note that the server 100 stores the calculated ratio of the renewable energy in the memory 102.

[0042] Also, the processor 101 may change the above degree according to the type of renewable energy. For example, the energy generated by solar power generation may have a higher contribution rate to the degree of suppressing the advertisement delivery than the energy generated by wind power generation.

[0043] Also, the degree of suppressing the advertisement delivery may be changed in three or more stages based on at least one of the height of the power supply / demand adjustment requirement, the magnitude of the charging / discharging amount (or the length of the charging / discharging time) by the electric vehicle 10, and the ratio of the renewable energy in the electric vehicle 10.

[0044] Further, the processor 101 suppresses the delivery of advertisements during the time zone or period set by the user. In other words, the user of the electric vehicle 10 can determine the time zone or period during which to apply the program based on the program command transmitted to the delivery management server 300. Note that the time zone or period for applying the above program may be divisible into a plurality of parts.

[0045] Also, the server 100 (processor 101) manages the time during which advertisements are suppressed by the above program (hereinafter referred to as the suppressible time). Specifically, the processor 101 determines the suppressible time based on the above contribution degree in power control. Note that the suppressible time may be a constant value regardless of the above contribution degree.

[0046] Further, the processor 101 acquires information on the length of time during which advertisement suppression is applied (hereinafter referred to as the suppression execution time). When the suppression execution time becomes equal to the suppressible time, the processor 101 cancels the effect of advertisement suppression by the above program.

[0047] (Advertisement suppression method) Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 6, a method for advertisement suppression by the system 1 including the server 100 will be described.

[0048] In step S1, the grid management server 200 transmits a power supply and demand adjustment request to the server 100 (communication unit 103). As described above, the grid management server 200 transmits the supply and demand adjustment request to the server 100 based on the generated power and consumed power by each power adjustment resource managed by the grid management server 200.

[0049] In step S2, the server 100 (processor 101) requests power control (external charging or external power supply) from the user of the electric vehicle 10 based on the supply and demand adjustment request received in step S1. Note that the server 100 may directly transmit an inquiry signal for requesting power control to the electric vehicle 10, or may transmit it to the mobile terminal 11a of the user 11.

[0050] In step S3, it is assumed that user 11 has sent a message to server 100 indicating approval (participation in power control) in response to the power control request in step S2.

[0051] In step S4, electric vehicle 10 starts power control corresponding to the power control request in step S2 by being electrically connected to EVSE 20.

[0052] In step S5, server 100 evaluates the contribution degree of the power control in step S4. Since the method for evaluating the contribution degree of power control is as described above, detailed description will not be repeated.

[0053] In step S6, server 100 generates a program command for suppressing the display of advertisements on terminal 12.

[0054] In step S7, server 100 determines the applicable time of the program (the suppressible time above) based on the program command generated in step S6. Processor 101 determines the suppressible time based on the height of the contribution degree of the power control calculated in step S5. Processor 101 may make the suppressible time longer as the contribution degree is higher. Note that the process of step S7 may be performed before the process of step S6.

[0055] In step S8, server 100 transmits the program command generated in step S6 to distribution management server 300 through communication unit 103. Also, in step S8, processor 101 may notify electric vehicle 10 (user 11) of the fact that the program command has been generated and information regarding the suppressible time. Note that the program command may include information regarding the suppressible time.

[0056] In step S9, the user 11 of the electric vehicle 10 sets the time period or time zone to which the above program is applied. For example, the user may be able to set the time period or time zone by inputting the time period or time zone on the input screen displayed on the terminal 12. In this case, the processor 101 may perform control to display the input screen on the terminal 12.

[0057] In step S10, the distribution management server 300 distributes to the terminal 12 a video with advertisements suppressed to which the above program is applied.

[0058] In step S11, the server 100 determines whether the time (suppression execution time) to which the above program is applied is less than the suppressible time determined in step S7. If the suppression execution time is less than the suppressible time (Yes in S11), the process of step S11 is repeated. If the suppression execution time is equal to the suppressible time (No in S11), the process proceeds to step S12.

[0059] In step S12, the server 100 sends a command to the distribution management server 300 to end the suppression of advertisements by the above program.

[0060] In step S13, the distribution management server 300 distributes to the terminal 12 a normal video in which advertisements are not suppressed.

[0061] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the electric vehicle 10 responds to an execution request for power control, the processor 101 generates a program command for suppressing the display of advertisements on the terminal 12 as compared with the case where the electric vehicle 10 does not respond to the execution request. Thereby, it is possible to promote the execution of power control by the user 11 for the purpose of suppressing the display of advertisements.

[0062] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the degree of suppressing the distribution of advertisements increases as the contribution degree of power control increases. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. Regardless of the contribution degree of power control, the above degree for a user who has performed power control (in response to a request for execution of power control) may be constant.

[0063] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the distribution of advertisements is suppressed during the time period or period set by the user 11. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The time period or period during which the distribution of advertisements is suppressed may be determined by the server 100.

[0064] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the degree of suppressing the distribution of advertisements increases as the power supply and demand adjustment requirement in the time period and region where power control is performed increases. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The degree of suppressing the distribution of advertisements may be increased as the power supply and demand adjustment requirement in either one of the time period and region where power control is performed increases.

[0065] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which advertisements in a video are suppressed. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the display of advertisements (such as banner advertisements) displayed on a website other than a video may be suppressed.

[0066] 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 not by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0067] 10 Electric vehicle, 10a Car navigation system (terminal), 11 User, 11a Mobile terminal (terminal), 12 Terminal, 100 Server (first server), 101 Processor (control unit), 103 Communication unit (acquisition unit), 300 Distribution management server (second server), PG Power grid.

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires information related to power control including at least one of power supply from an electric vehicle to a power system and charging from the power system to the electric vehicle; A control unit that controls the display during the use of a network service on a terminal owned by a user of the electric vehicle, wherein when the electric vehicle responds to an execution request for the power control, the control unit generates a program command for suppressing the display of an advertisement on the terminal as compared with the case where the electric vehicle does not respond to the execution request; the control unit increases the degree of suppressing the distribution of the advertisement as the contribution of the electric vehicle to the power control is higher; a server, wherein the contribution is higher as the power supply-demand adjustment requirement in at least one of the time zone and the region where the power control is performed is greater.

2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases the degree of suppressing the distribution of the advertisement as the ratio of renewable energy in the power stored in the electric vehicle performing the power control is higher.

3. The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit suppresses the distribution of the advertisement during the time zone or period set by the user.

4. A first server that manages power control including at least one of power supply from an electric vehicle to a power system and charging from the power system to the electric vehicle; A second server that manages the distribution of advertisements during the use of a network service on a terminal owned by a user of the electric vehicle, wherein when the electric vehicle responds to an execution request for the power control, the first server generates a program command for suppressing the display of an advertisement on the terminal as compared with the case where the electric vehicle does not respond to the execution request; the second server suppresses the distribution of the advertisement on the terminal based on the program command; the first server increases the degree of suppressing the distribution of the advertisement as the contribution of the electric vehicle to the power control is higher; a system, wherein the contribution is higher as the power supply-demand adjustment requirement in at least one of the time zone and the region where the power control is performed is greater.

5. A step of acquiring information related to power control including at least one of power supply from an electric vehicle to a power system and charging from the power system to the electric vehicle; A step of managing the distribution of advertisements during the use of a network service on a terminal owned by a user of the electric vehicle. The step of managing includes a step of suppressing the distribution of the advertisement to the terminal when the electric vehicle responds to the execution request of the power control, as compared with the case where the electric vehicle does not respond to the execution request. The step of suppressing the distribution of the advertisement includes a degree-of-suppression adjustment step of increasing the degree of suppressing the distribution of the advertisement as the contribution degree of the electric vehicle to the power control is higher. The degree-of-suppression adjustment step includes a step of increasing the degree of suppressing the distribution of the advertisement as the power supply and demand adjustment requirement in at least one of the time zone and the region where the power control is performed is larger. A method.

Images