Reservation system, notification device, and reservation method

Abstract

To use a reservation system for providing a service to a user from a person in charge of the service of a store, in conjunction with charging of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A reservation system is configured to make a reservation for a charging device that charges a vehicle. The reservation system includes: a first processing unit (a CPU of a store server, Step S111, Step S112) configured to manage reservation time and date of the charging device available to a user of a store; a second processing unit (a CPU of the store server, Step S113, Step S114) configured to manage service provision time and date at which a service in the store is to be provided by a person in charge of the service to the user; and a third processing unit (a CPU of the store server, Step S121 to Step S128) configured to execute a process for receiving a time frame of reservation desired by the user out of time frames overlapping between available reservation time and date and available service provision time and date on the basis of the reservation time and date of the charging device managed by the first processing unit and the service provision time and date of the person in charge of the service managed by the second processing unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a reservation system, a notification device, and a reservation method, and in particular to a reservation system for reserving a charging device for charging a vehicle, a notification device, and a reservation method in a reservation system including at least one computer for reserving a charging device for charging a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there has been a reservation system for charging devices for charging batteries of electrically powered vehicles such as battery electric vehicles (hereinafter also referred to as "BEVs") (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 137071 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, charging devices may be installed in parking lots for businesses such as car dealerships or beauty salons. In such businesses, specific staff are assigned to customers. In such situations, it is conceivable that customers would like to receive service or communicate with the staff at the store in conjunction with their reservation for the charging device.

[0005] This disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide a reservation system, an alarm device, and a reservation method that can be used to enable store staff to provide services to users in conjunction with charging their vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The reservation system disclosed herein is a reservation system for reserving a charging device to charge a vehicle, and includes a first processing unit that manages reservation dates and times for charging devices available to users of a store, a second processing unit that manages service provision dates and times for staff who provide services to users at the store, and a third processing unit that executes processing to accept the user's desired reservation time slot from among the available time slots where the reservation dates and times and service provision dates and times overlap, based on the reservation dates and times for the charging device managed by the first processing unit and the service provision dates and times for the staff managed by the second processing unit.

[0007] With this configuration, the user's desired reservation time slot is accepted from among available time slots that overlap with available reservation times and service dates and times based on the managed reservation times and service dates and times of the charging device and the service provider. As a result, a reservation system can be provided that can be used to have a store staff member provide a service to the user in conjunction with charging the vehicle.

[0008] The third processing unit may perform a process for presenting to the user a list of time slots where available reservation dates and times and available delivery dates and times overlap, a process for accepting the user's selection of a desired time slot from the list, and a process for presenting the selected time slot to the user as the reservation date and time and available delivery date and time.

[0009] With this configuration, the reservation system can be used to provide appropriate services from store staff to users in conjunction with vehicle charging.

[0010] The third processing unit may perform processing to present the service date and time when the person in charge desired by the user can provide the service in the list in a manner different from the service date and time when other people can provide the service.

[0011] According to this configuration, the date and time when the person desired by the user is available to provide the service can be clearly distinguished from the date and time when other people are available to provide the service, and the date and time can be presented to the user.

[0012] The third processing unit may execute a process for presenting a delivery date and time in a manner according to the certainty that the person in charge desired by the user in the list can provide the service on that date and time.

[0013] According to this configuration, it is possible to present to the user whether or not the person in charge desired by the user can reliably provide the service on the available date and time.

[0014] The system may further include a fourth processing unit that, when a selection from the list is received from a user of a time period in which the proportion of renewable energy is higher than other time periods, executes processing to award more points to the user than when a selection of a time period with a high proportion of renewable energy is not received.

[0015] With this configuration, users can be encouraged to make reservations for time periods when the proportion of renewable energy is high.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the notification device notifies the user of a time period during which a reservation date and time for a charging device for an electric vehicle available to a user of the store overlaps with a date and time during which a service can be provided by a staff member providing services to the user at the store.

[0017] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a notification device that can be used to enable a store staff member to provide a service to a user in conjunction with charging of the vehicle.

[0018] The notification device may notify the user of the available date and time when the person in charge desired by the user can provide the service in a manner different from the available date and time when other people can provide the service.

[0019] According to this configuration, the date and time when the person desired by the user is available to provide the service can be clearly distinguished from the date and time when other people are available to provide the service, and the date and time can be presented to the user.

[0020] The notification device may notify the user in a manner that corresponds to the certainty that the person in charge desired by the user can provide the service on the available date and time when the service can be provided.

[0021] According to this configuration, it is possible to present to the user whether or not the person in charge desired by the user can reliably provide the service on the available date and time.

[0022] According to yet another aspect of this disclosure, a reservation method is a reservation method in a reservation system including at least one computer for reserving a charging device for charging a vehicle, and includes the steps of: one of the computers managing reservation dates and times for charging devices available to users of a store; one of the computers managing service provision dates and times for staff who provide services to users at the store; and one of the computers executing processing to accept a reservation time slot desired by the user from among available time slots where the reservation dates and times and service provision dates and times overlap, based on the reservation dates and times for the managed charging devices and the service provision dates and times for the staff.

[0023] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a reservation method that can be used to enable a store staff member to provide a service to a user in conjunction with charging a vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a reservation system, a notification device, and a reservation method that can be used to enable a store staff member to provide a service to a user in conjunction with charging a vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a reservation system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of each device included in the reservation system of this embodiment. [Figure 3]4 is a flowchart showing the flow of reservation processing in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image including a list of time slots in which the availability of the charging device and the person in charge overlap in this embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a person-in-charge reservation process and a charging device reservation process in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] 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 designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0027] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a reservation system 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of each device included in reservation system 1 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, reservation system 1 includes a plurality of vehicles 10A, 10B (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as "vehicles 10"), a plurality of stores 20A-20C, store servers 200A-200C (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as "store servers 200") provided in each of stores 20A-20C (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as "stores 20"), charging devices 30A, 30B (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as "charging devices 30"), and a management server 100. Reservation system 1 may also include mobile terminals 800A, 800B (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as "mobile terminals 800") carried by users 101A, 101B (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as "users 101") of vehicle 10. The vehicles 10A and 10B, the store servers 200A to 200C, the management server 100, the charging device 30, and the mobile terminal 800 are capable of communicating with each other via a communication network 900.

[0028] The vehicle 10 includes a battery 11, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 12, a drive unit 13, a DCM (Data Communication Module) 14, and an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 15. The battery 11 stores the power used to drive the vehicle 10. The battery 11 is configured, for example, as a lithium-ion battery. However, the battery 11 is not limited to this, and may be configured as another type of battery, for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery or an all-solid-state battery.

[0029] The ECU 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and a GPS (Global Positioning System). The memory includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) and stores programs and data used by the CPU. The CPU executes predetermined processing defined by the program in accordance with the programs and data stored in the memory and data input from outside, and stores the resulting data in the memory or outputs it to the outside. The GPS detects the location information of the vehicle 10 and passes it to the CPU.

[0030] Drive unit 13 includes a motor generator and an inverter that drives the motor generator using power from battery 11 and charges battery 11 with regenerative power from the motor generator. Drive unit 13 may further include an engine that runs on fuel to drive the motor generator or vehicle 10. That is, vehicle 10 may be an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle) that has a motor generator but no engine, or may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) that has a motor generator and an engine. Vehicle 10 may also be a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle).

[0031] The DCM 14 is a module for communicating with external devices via a communication network 900, and transmits data from the ECU 12 to the external devices and passes data from the external devices to the ECU 12.

[0032] The HMI 15 is a device located near the driver's seat of the vehicle 10, which receives information input by the user and outputs it to the ECU 12. It also displays or audibly notifies the user of information from the ECU 12, and is configured to include, for example, a touch panel display.

[0033] The stores 20A to 20C are equipped with store servers 200A to 200C, respectively. Employees 201A and 201B (hereinafter also referred to as "staff A" and "staff B," respectively, and hereinafter also referred to as "employee 201") work at the store 20A. Employees 201C and 201D work at the stores 20B and 20C, respectively.

[0034] The charging device 30 includes a control unit 31, a power supply unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The power supply unit 32 is controlled by the control unit 31 to convert power supplied from an external power source such as a power grid into AC or DC power of a predetermined voltage, and supplies the power to the vehicle 10 via a cable of the charging device 30 and from a connector of the charging device 30 connected to the inlet 16 of the vehicle 10, for charging the battery 11. The communication unit 33 is a module that communicates with external devices via a communication network 900, and transmits data from the control unit 31 to the external device and receives data from the external device to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 includes a CPU and memory, and controls the power supply unit 32 and the communication unit 33. The charging device 30A is dedicated to the store 20A. The charging device 30B is shared by the stores 20B and 20C.

[0035] The store server 200 includes a CPU 210, a memory 220, a communication unit 230, and a mass storage device 240. The memory 220 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The store server 200 manages the schedules of one or more employees 201. Managing the employee 201 schedule involves accepting input of the date and time and the job content for each employee 201, associating the date and time with the employee 201 and the job content, storing the data in the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240, and outputting the requested date and time and the job content of the employee 201 from the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240 upon request. The store server 200 may also manage reservations for one or more charging devices 30. The communication unit 230 is capable of communicating with an external device via a communication network 900, transmitting data from the CPU 210 to the external device and receiving data from the external device to the CPU 210. The mass storage device 240 is configured by a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores programs and data used by the CPU 210. The CPU 210 executes predetermined processing defined by a program in accordance with the programs and data stored in the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240 and data input from an external device to the communication unit 230, and stores data resulting from the execution in the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240 or outputs the data from the communication unit 230 to the external device.

[0036] The management server 100 includes a CPU 110, a memory 120, a communication unit 130, and a mass storage device 140. The management server 100 manages reservations for multiple charging devices 30 in the reservation system 1. Managing reservations involves accepting input of a date and time and a reservation for each charging device 30 from a reserving party, associating the date and time, the charging device 30, and the reserving party, storing the association in the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240, and outputting the requested date and time and reservation details for the charging device 30 from the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240 in response to a request. The functions of the CPU 110, memory 120, communication unit 130, and mass storage device 140 of the management server 100 are similar to those of the CPU 210, memory 220, communication unit 230, and mass storage device 240 of the aforementioned store server 200, respectively.

[0037] The mobile terminal 800 includes a CPU 810, a memory 820, a communication unit 830, an input unit 840, and an output unit 850. The functions of the memory 820 and the communication unit 830 of the mobile terminal 800 are similar to those of the memory 220 and the communication unit 230 of the aforementioned store server 200, respectively. The input unit 840 is composed of a touch panel, operation buttons, and a microphone, and transfers data input from the touch panel, operation buttons, or microphone to the CPU 810. The output unit 850 is composed of a display and a speaker, and outputs data from the CPU 810 from the display or speaker. The CPU 810 executes predetermined processing defined by the program in accordance with the program and data stored in the memory 820, data input to the communication unit 830 from an external device, and data input from the input unit 840, and stores the data resulting from the execution in the memory 820, outputs the data from the communication unit 830 to an external device, or outputs the data from the output unit 850.

[0038] In the reservation system 1 for the charging device 30 for charging the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 10 described above, the charging device 30 may be installed in a parking lot for use by a store 20 (for example, a car dealership, a beauty salon, an esthetic salon, a hospital, a dental clinic, or an acupuncture clinic). In such a store 20, an employee 201 is assigned to a user 101 who is a customer as a specific person in charge. In such a situation, it is conceivable that, in conjunction with the reservation of the charging device 30, the user may wish to receive a service (for example, vehicle inspection / maintenance, a haircut, a perm, an esthetic treatment, medical treatment, or acupuncture treatment) from the employee 201 of the store 20 or to communicate with the employee 201 (for example, vehicle-related business negotiations or service consultations).

[0039] Therefore, the reservation system 1 includes a first processing unit that manages reservation dates and times for charging devices 30 that are available to users 101 in the store 20, a second processing unit that manages service provision dates and times for employees 201 who provide services to users 101 in the store 20, and a third processing unit that executes processing to accept a reservation time slot desired by user 101 from among available time slots where the reservation dates and times and the provision dates and times overlap, based on the reservation dates and times for charging devices 30 managed by the first processing unit and the service provision dates and times for employees 201 managed by the second processing unit.

[0040] As a result, the reservation time slot desired by the user 101 is accepted from among the available overlapping reservation time slots based on the reservation time slot of the managed charging device 30 and the service provision time slot of the employee 201. As a result, the reservation system 1 can be used to enable the employee 201 of the store 20 to provide the service to the user 101 in conjunction with charging of the vehicle 10.

[0041] 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of reservation processing in Embodiment 1. Referring to FIG. 3, this reservation processing is called and executed by the store server 200 from a higher-level process at predetermined intervals.

[0042] First, the CPU 210 of the store server 200 determines whether a reservation for the charging device 30 has been accepted from the outside (for example, from the mobile terminal 800 of the user 101 or from the vehicle 10 of the user 101. The reservation may be accepted from the outside using an input unit such as a keyboard or mouse that is selectively provided in the store server 200) via the communication network 900 and the communication unit 230 (step S111).

[0043] When it is determined that the reservation for the charging device 30 has been accepted (YES in step S111), the CPU 210 stores the accepted reservation details for the charging device 30 in the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240 (step S112).

[0044] If it is determined that a reservation for the charging device 30 has not been accepted (NO in step S111), or after step S112, the CPU 210 determines whether a reservation for service provision by an employee 201, who is the person in charge of the store 20, has been accepted from the outside (for example, from the mobile terminal 800 of the user 101 or from the vehicle 10 of the user 101. The reservation may also be accepted from the outside using an input unit such as a keyboard or mouse that is selectively provided in the store server 200) via the communication network 900 and the communication unit 230 (step S113).

[0045] If it is determined that the reservation of the person in charge has been accepted (YES in step S113), the CPU 210 stores the accepted reservation details of the person in charge in the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240 (step S114).

[0046] If it is determined that the reservation for the person in charge has not been accepted (NO in step S113), or after step S114, the CPU 210 determines whether a request for a collective reservation for service provision by the employee 201 who is the person in charge of the charging device 30 and the store 20, has been accepted from the outside (for example, the mobile terminal 800 of the user 101 or the vehicle 10 of the user 101. The request may also be accepted from the outside using an input unit such as a keyboard or mouse that is selectively provided in the store server 200) via the communication network 900 and the communication unit 230 (step S121).

[0047] If it is determined that the request for a bulk reservation has been accepted (YES in step S121), the CPU 210 transmits information regarding a list of time periods in which the availability of the charging device 30 and the person in charge overlap (for example, information for displaying an image including the list shown in Figure 4) to the mobile terminal 800 (or vehicle 10) of the user 101 (step S123).

[0048] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image including a list of time slots in which the availability of charging device 30A and the availability of a staff member overlap in this embodiment. In Fig. 4, this image includes an image showing the current reservation date and time of charging device 30A named "charging device A," an image showing the date and time of service provision in the current schedule of staff member A (employee 201A) of store 20A named "Store A," an image showing the date and time of service provision in the current schedule of staff member B (employee 201B) of "Store A," and an image showing a list of time slots proposed to user X (user 101A) in which the availability of charging device 30A overlaps with that of staff member A or staff member B.

[0049] In the image showing the current reservation date and time for charging device 30A named "Charging Device A," for charging device 30A, the period from date and time t0 to date and time t3 is an available time period, the period from date and time t3 to date and time t4 is an interval time period, the period from date and time t4 to date and time t5 is the time period reserved by user A, the period from date and time t5 to date and time t6 is an interval time period, the period from date and time t6 to date and time t11 is an available time period, the period from date and time t11 to date and time t12 is an interval time period, the period from date and time t12 to date and time t13 is the time period reserved by user B, the period from date and time t13 to date and time t14 is an interval time period, and the period from date and time t13 onwards is an available time period.

[0050] In the image showing the current reservation dates and times of employee 201A, who is "Person in Charge A," for employee 201A, the time period from date and time t0 to date and time t1 is the time period reserved by user C, the time period from date and time t1 to date and time t2 is the interval time period, the time period from date and time t2 to date and time t7 is the available time period, the time period from date and time t7 to date and time t8 is the interval time period, the time period from date and time t8 to date and time t9 is the time period reserved by user D, the time period from date and time t9 to date and time t10 is the interval time period, the time period from date and time t10 to date and time t11 is the available time period, the time period from date and time t11 to date and time t12 is the interval time period, the time period from date and time t12 to date and time t13 is the time period reserved by user B, the time period from date and time t13 to date and time t14 is the interval time period, and the time periods from date and time t13 onwards are the available time periods.

[0051] In the image showing the current reservation dates and times of employee 201B, who is "Person in Charge B," it is shown that for employee 201B, the period from date and time t0 to date and time t3 is the free time period, the period from date and time t3 to date and time t4 is the interval time period, the period from date and time t4 to date and time t5 is the time period reserved by user A, the period from date and time t5 to date and time t6 is the interval time period, the period from date and time t6 to date and time t9 is the free time period, the period from date and time t9 to date and time t10 is the interval time period, the period from date and time t10 to date and time t11 is the time period reserved by user E, the period from date and time t11 to date and time t12 is the interval time period, and the period from date and time t12 onwards is the free time period.

[0052] In an image showing a list of time periods proposed to user X (user 101A) in which the availability of charging device 30A overlaps with that of staff A or staff B, the list shows that proposed time period A is from date and time t2 to date and time t3, proposed time period B is from date and time t6 to date and time t7, proposed time period C is from date and time t8 to date and time t9, proposed time period D is from date and time t10 to date and time t11, and proposed time period E is from date and time t14 onwards.

[0053] As shown by time slots A, B, and E, when both user X's traditional representative A and alternate representative B, who is not user X's traditional representative, are available during the time slot, the frame of the time slot is shown in a dark color (closely spaced hatching in the drawing) pattern 1.

[0054] As shown in time period D, when the time period is free for person A, who is the original person in charge of user X, but not for person B, who is the alternative person in charge of user X, the time period frame is shown in pattern 2, which is a lighter color than pattern 1 (in the drawing, the hatching is more widely spaced than pattern 1).

[0055] As shown in time period C, when the time period is not available for user X's traditional person in charge, person A, but is available for user X's alternative person in charge, person B, who is not the traditional person in charge, the time period frame is shown in pattern 3, which is a lighter color than pattern 2 (no hatching in the drawing).

[0056] As shown in time slots A, D, and E, if there is another appointment immediately before the appointment of person A, who is usually in charge of user X, and there is a relatively high possibility that the appointment will change, the time slot is enclosed in a dashed line to indicate that the certainty of the appointment is relatively low.

[0057] As shown in time zones B and C, when there are no other appointments immediately preceding the appointment of person A, who is usually in charge of user X, and the possibility of the appointment being changed is in a range that is lower than when the time zone enclosing line is shown with a dashed line, the time zone enclosing line is shown with a solid line to indicate a range where the appointment is more certain than when the time zone enclosing line is shown with a dashed line.

[0058] 4 is displayed on the display of the output unit 850 of the mobile terminal 800 of the user 101 or on the display of the HMI 15 of the vehicle 10. This allows the user to be informed, by the display mode such as filling in the time frame and enclosing the frame, whether the person in charge during that time period is the same person as before, and the certainty that the person in charge will be able to provide service during that time period.

[0059] Returning to FIG. 3, the CPU 210 of the shop server 200 determines whether or not the selection of the desired time period of the user 101 from the list shown in FIG. 4 has been accepted from the mobile terminal 800 (or the vehicle 10) (step S124).

[0060] If it is determined that the selection has been accepted (YES in step S124), CPU 210 stores the reservation details between charging device 30 and the person in charge for the accepted time period in memory 220 or mass storage device 240 (step S126).

[0061] Next, the CPU 210 awards points to the user 101 according to the reserved time slot so that the user 101 is awarded more points in a time slot with a high renewable energy ratio than in a time slot with a low renewable energy ratio (step S127).

[0062] Then, CPU 210 transmits information for presenting the reserved time slot to mobile terminal 800 (or vehicle 10) of user 101 (step S128). Based on this information, an image for presenting the time slot to user 101 is displayed on the display of output unit 850 of mobile terminal 800 (or HMI 15 of vehicle 10).

[0063] On the other hand, if it is determined that the selection has not been accepted (NO in step S124), or after step S128, CPU 210 returns the process to be executed to the higher-level process that called this process.

[0064] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the process for reservation is executed by the store server 200. In the second embodiment, the process for reservation is executed by the store server 200 and the management server 100 of the charging device 30.

[0065] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the staff reservation process and the charging device reservation process in the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the staff reservation process is called from a higher-level process by the store server 200 at predetermined intervals and executed. The charging device reservation process is called from a higher-level process by the management server 100 at predetermined intervals and executed.

[0066] First, the CPU 110 of the management server 100 determines whether a reservation for the charging device 30 has been accepted from the outside (for example, the mobile terminal 800 of the user 101 or the vehicle 10 of the user 101. The reservation may be accepted from the outside using an input unit such as a keyboard or mouse that is selectively provided in the management server 100) via the communication network 900 and the communication unit 130 (step S311).

[0067] When it is determined that the reservation for charging device 30 has been accepted (YES in step S311), CPU 110 stores the accepted reservation details for charging device 30 in memory 120 or mass storage device 140 (step S312).

[0068] In addition, the CPU 210 of the store server 200 determines whether or not a reservation for service provision by an employee 201, who is the person in charge of the store 20, has been accepted from the outside (for example, the mobile terminal 800 of the user 101 or the vehicle 10 of the user 101. The reservation may be accepted from the outside using an input unit such as a keyboard or mouse that is selectively provided in the store server 200) via the communication network 900 and the communication unit 230 (step S213).

[0069] If it is determined that the reservation of the person in charge has been accepted (YES in step S213), the CPU 210 stores the accepted reservation details of the person in charge in the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240 (step S214).

[0070] If it is determined that the reservation for the person in charge has not been accepted (NO in step S213), or after step S214, the CPU 210 determines whether a request for a collective reservation for service provision by the employee 201 who is the person in charge of the charging device 30 and the store 20, has been accepted from the outside (for example, the mobile terminal 800 of the user 101 or the vehicle 10 of the user 101. The request may also be accepted from the outside using an input unit such as a keyboard or mouse that is selectively provided in the store server 200) via the communication network 900 and the communication unit 230 (step S221).

[0071] If it is determined that the request for collective reservation has been accepted (YES in step S221), the CPU 210 acquires the reservation status of the charging device 30 from the management server 100 (step S222). Specifically, first, a request to acquire the reservation status of the charging device 30 is transmitted to the management server 100.

[0072] If it is determined that the reservation for the charging device 30 has not been accepted (NO in step S311), or after step S312, the CPU 110 of the management server 100 determines whether an acquisition request has been received from the store server 200 (step S321). If it is determined that an acquisition request has been received (YES in step S321), the CPU 110 reads the reservation status of the charging device 30 from the memory 120 or the mass storage device 140, and transmits the information to the store server 200 (step S322).

[0073] The CPU 210 of the store server 200 receives the reservation status of the charging device 30 from the management server 100. As a result, the store server 200 acquires the reservation status of the charging device 30.

[0074] After step S222, CPU 210 transmits information regarding a list of time periods in which the availability of charging device 30 and the person in charge overlap (for example, information for displaying an image including the list shown in FIG. 4) to user 101's mobile terminal 800 (or vehicle 10) (step S223).

[0075] CPU 210 determines whether or not the selection of a desired time period by user 101 from the list shown in FIG. 4 has been accepted from mobile terminal 800 (or vehicle 10) (step S224).

[0076] If it is determined that the selection has been accepted (YES in step S224), the reservation details for the charging device 30 for the accepted time period are transmitted to the management server 100 (step S225).

[0077] The CPU 110 of the management server 100 determines whether the reservation details for the charging device 30 have been received from the store server 200 via the communication network and the communication unit 130 (step S323). If it determines that the reservation details for the charging device 30 have been received (YES in step S323), the CPU 110 stores the reservation details for the charging device 30 for the received time period in the memory 120 or the mass storage device 140 (step S324).

[0078] If it is determined that the reservation details for charging device 30 have not been received (NO in step S323), or after step S324, CPU 110 returns the process to be executed to the upper process that called this charging device reservation process.

[0079] In the store server 200, after step S225, the CPU 210 stores the reservation details of the person in charge for the accepted time period in the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240 (step S226).

[0080] Next, the CPU 210 awards points to the user 101 according to the reserved time slot so that the user 101 is awarded more points in a time slot with a high renewable energy ratio than in a time slot with a low renewable energy ratio (step S227).

[0081] Then, CPU 210 transmits information for presenting the reserved time slot to mobile terminal 800 (or vehicle 10) of user 101 (step S228). Based on this information, an image for presenting the time slot to user 101 is displayed on the display of output unit 850 of mobile terminal 800 (or HMI 15 of vehicle 10).

[0082] On the other hand, if it is determined that the selection has not been accepted (NO in step S224), or after step S228, the CPU 210 returns the process to be executed to the higher-level process that called this person-in-charge reservation process.

[0083] [Variations] (1) In the above-described embodiment, an interval time period is provided between two reservation time periods, as shown in Fig. 4. However, this is not limited to this, and the interval time period may be 0, i.e., there may be no interval time period.

[0084] (2) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 3, the first processing unit that manages the reservation dates and times of charging devices available to users at the store, the second processing unit that manages the service provision dates and times of staff who provide services to users at the store, and the third processing unit that executes processing to accept the user's desired reservation time slot from among the available overlapping time slots of reservation dates and times and service provision dates and times based on the reservation dates and times of charging devices managed by the first processing unit and the service provision dates and times of staff managed by the second processing unit are all configured by the CPU 210 of the store server 200.

[0085] In addition, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the second processing unit and the third processing unit are configured by the CPU 210 of the store server 200, while the first processing unit is configured by the CPU 110 of the management server 100.

[0086] That is, the first processing unit, the second processing unit, and the third processing unit may all be configured by the same processor. The first processing unit may be configured by the first processor, and the second processing unit and the third processing unit may be configured by the second processor. However, this is not limited to this, and the first processing unit, the second processing unit, and the third processing unit may be configured by any processor. For example, the first processing unit, the second processing unit, and the third processing unit may all be configured by different processors. The first processing unit and the third processing unit may be configured by the first processor, and the second processing unit may be configured by the second processor.

[0087] (3) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, the notification device for reservations is mobile terminal 800 including CPU 810 and a touch panel that constitutes input unit 840 and output unit 850. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other device may be used as long as it is a notification device for reservations, such as vehicle 10 including ECU 12 and HMI 15, or a PC including a CPU, a keyboard (and a mouse), and a display.

[0088] (4) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the notification device that notifies the user 101 of the time period during which the reservation date and time of the charging device 30 for the electric vehicle (vehicle 10) available to the user 101 at the store 20 overlaps with the date and time when the service can be provided by the person in charge (employee 201) who provides the service to the user 101 at the store 20 is available is the mobile terminal 800 that includes a touch panel as an input unit 840 and an output unit 850.

[0089] However, notification of the time period and acceptance of the selection of the time period are not limited to a touch panel. For example, notification of the time period may be made by a speaker that issues a voice notification (for example, a voice such as "The charging device is available between X and Y o'clock, and you can receive service from a staff member at the store."). Acceptance of the time period may be made by a microphone that accepts voice notification, or, in the case of a PC rather than mobile terminal 800, by a mouse or keyboard that accepts input by hand from user 101, or, in the case of a device equipped with a camera, by a camera that accepts a selection by capturing an image of a gesture.

[0090] (5) The above-described embodiments can be considered as disclosure of the reservation system 1, the store server 200, the management server 100, the vehicle 10, or the mobile terminal 800, and can be considered as disclosure of a reservation processing method or a reservation processing program executed by the reservation system 1, the store server 200, the management server 100, the vehicle 10, or the mobile terminal 800.

[0091] [summary] (1) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the reservation system 1 is a system for reserving a charging device 30 for charging a vehicle 10, and includes a first processing unit (e.g., CPU 210 of the store server 200, steps S111 and S112 of FIG. 3, CPU 110 of the management server 100, steps S311 and S312 of FIG. 5) that manages reservation dates and times for charging devices 30 that are available to users 101 at the store 20, and a second processing unit (e.g., CPU 210 of the store server 200, steps S111 and S112 of FIG. 3) that manages reservation dates and times for charging devices 30 that are available to users 101 at the store 20, and a second processing unit (e.g., CPU 210 of the store server 200, steps S311 and S312 of FIG. 5) that manages reservation dates and times for charging devices 30 that are available to users 101 at the store 20. 5) that executes a process to accept a reservation time slot desired by the user from a time slot in which available reservation dates and times and service provision dates and times overlap, based on the reservation date and time of the charging device managed by the first processing unit and the service provision date and time of the person in charge managed by the second processing unit (for example, the CPU 210 of the store server 200, steps S121 to S128 of FIG. 3, steps S221 to S228, and steps S321 to S324 of FIG. 5).

[0092] As a result, the reservation time slot desired by the user 101 is accepted from among the available time slots where the reservation date and time and the service provision date and time of the person in charge (employee 201) overlap, based on the reservation date and time of the managed charging device 30. As a result, the reservation system 1 can be used so that the person in charge (employee 201) of the store 20 can provide the service to the user 101 in conjunction with charging the vehicle 10.

[0093] (2) As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the third processing unit may perform a process for presenting to the user a list of time slots in which available reservation dates and times and available delivery dates and times overlap (e.g., step S123 in Figure 3, step S223 in Figure 5), a process for accepting the user's selection of a desired time slot from the list (e.g., step S124 in Figure 3, step S224 in Figure 5), and a process for presenting the selected time slot to the user as the reservation date and time and available delivery date and time (e.g., step S128 in Figure 3, step S228 in Figure 5).

[0094] This allows the reservation system 1 to be used so that a person in charge (employee 201) of the store 20 can provide an appropriate service to the user 101 in conjunction with charging of the vehicle 10.

[0095] (3) As shown in FIG. 4, the third processing unit may perform processing to present the service dates and times when the person desired by the user can provide the service in the list in a manner different from the service dates and times when other people can provide the service (for example, a manner in which the brightness of the fill color within the frame of the image indicating the time period is different. It may also be a manner in which the hue is different, or a manner in which the saturation is different).

[0096] This allows the user 101 to easily distinguish between the date and time when the person in charge (employee 201) desired by the user 101 can provide the service and the date and time when other people can provide the service.

[0097] (4) As shown in FIG. 4, the third processing unit may perform processing to present the delivery date and time in the list in a manner that corresponds to the certainty that the person (employee 201) desired by the user 101 can provide the service at the date and time when the service is available (for example, if the certainty is high, the time slot frame is displayed with a solid line, and if the certainty is lower compared to that case, the time slot frame is displayed with a dashed line).

[0098] This allows the user 101 to be informed whether the person in charge (employee 201) desired by the user 101 can reliably provide the service on the available date and time.

[0099] (5) As shown in Figures 3 and 5, when a selection from the list of a time period in which the proportion of renewable energy is higher than other time periods is received from the user, a fourth processing unit (for example, CPU 210 of store server 200, step S127 in Figure 3; CPU 110 of management server 100, step S227 in Figure 5) may be further provided that executes processing to award more points to the user than when a selection of a time period in which the proportion of renewable energy is higher is not received.

[0100] This makes it possible to encourage the user 101 to make reservations for time periods when the proportion of renewable energy is high.

[0101] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 reservation system, 10, 10A, 10B vehicle, 11 battery, 12 ECU, 13 drive unit, 14 DCM, 15 HMI, 16 inlet, 20, 20A to 20C store, 30, 30A, 30B charging device, 31 control unit, 32 power supply unit, 33, 130, 230, 830 communication unit, 100 management server, 101, 101A, 101B user, 110, 210, 810 CPU, 120, 220, 820 memory, 140, 240 mass storage device, 200, 200A to 200C store server, 201, 201A to 201D employee, 800, 800A, 800B mobile terminal, 840 input unit, 850 output unit, 900 communication network.

Claims

1. A reservation system including at least one computer for reserving a charging device for charging a vehicle, and a notification device for a user of a store having an input unit and an output unit, a first processing unit configured to manage reservation dates and times for the charging devices available to the user; a second processing unit configured to manage the date and time of service provision by a person in charge of providing a service to the user at the store while the user is charging the vehicle; A reservation system comprising: a third processing unit configured to execute a process in which any one of the computers receives from the input unit a reservation time slot desired by the user from among overlapping time slots of available reservation dates and times among the reservation dates and times for the charging device managed by the first processing unit and available provision dates and times among the provision dates and times for the service by the person in charge managed by the second processing unit, based on the reservation date and time for the charging device managed by the first processing unit and the provision date and time for the service by the person in charge managed by the second processing unit.

2. 2. The reservation system of claim 1, wherein the third processing unit performs a process for presenting to the user on the output unit a list of time slots in which the available reservation date and time and the available provision date and time overlap; a process for accepting on the input unit a selection of the user's desired time slot from the list; and a process for presenting to the user on the output unit the selected time slot as the reservation date and time and the available provision date and time.

3. The reservation system of claim 2, wherein the third processing unit executes processing to present on the output unit the provision date and time when the person desired by the user in the list can provide the service in a manner different from the provision date and time when other people can provide the service.

4. The reservation system of claim 2, wherein the third processing unit executes processing to present on the output unit the available date and time immediately before the date and time when the person desired by the user in the list can provide the service, in a manner depending on whether there are no other plans and there is a high probability that the service can be provided on that date and time, or whether there are other plans and there is a low probability that the service can be provided on that date and time.

5. A reservation system as described in claim 2, further comprising a fourth processing unit that, when any of the computers receives from the user a selection from the list of a time period in which the proportion of renewable energy in the electricity supplied from the charging device is higher than other time periods, performs processing to award more points to the notification device of the user than when no selection of a time period with a high proportion of renewable energy is received.

6. A notification device included in a reservation system including at least one computer for reserving a charging device for charging a vehicle, and a notification device for a user of a store having an input unit and an output unit, an alerting device that notifies the user via the output unit of overlapping time periods between available reservation dates and times among reservation dates and times for charging devices for electric vehicles available to the user that are managed by any of the computers, and available service dates and times among service provision dates and times by personnel who provide services to the user at the store that are managed by any of the computers.

7. The notification device according to claim 6, wherein the output unit notifies the user of the available date and time when the person desired by the user can provide the service in a format different from the available date and time when other people can provide the service.

8. The notification device of claim 6, wherein the output unit notifies the user of the available date and time immediately before the date and time when the person desired by the user can provide the service in a manner depending on whether the user has no other plans and there is a high probability that the service can be provided on the available date and time, or whether the user has other plans and there is a low probability that the service can be provided on the available date and time.

9. A reservation method in a reservation system including at least one computer for reserving a charging device for charging a vehicle, and a notification device for a user of a store having an input unit and an output unit, a step in which any one of the computers manages reservation dates and times for the charging devices available to the user; a step in which any one of the computers manages the date and time of provision of the service by a person who provides the service to the user at the store while the user is charging the vehicle; The reservation method includes a step in which any of the computers executes a process to accept from the input unit a reservation time slot desired by the user from among overlapping time slots of available reservation dates and times among the reservation dates and times of the managed charging device and available provision dates and times among the provision dates and times of the service by the managed staff, based on the reservation date and time of the managed charging device and the date and time of the service provision by the staff.

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