Power supply management method, power supply management device, and power supply management program

Abstract

A server (2) receives, from a housing (1), supply request information for requesting to supply power to the housing (1) in which a power failure occurs among a plurality of housings. The server (2) refers to a database in which the plurality of housings and a plurality of electric vehicles capable of supplying power to the respective plurality of housings are associated with each other and searches for a candidate electric vehicle (3) capable of supplying power to the housing (1) from among the electric vehicles associated with the other housings different from the housing (1). The server (2) transmits, to a terminal (4) associated with the searched candidate electric vehicle (3), cooperation request information for requesting to supply the power from the candidate electric vehicle (3) to the housing (1). When receiving, from the terminal (4), response information indicating that supplying the power to the housing (1) has been accepted, the server (2) transmits location information indicating the location of the housing (1) to the terminal (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for managing power supply to a home from an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART With the spread of electric vehicles and the need to prepare for power outages during disasters, attention is being paid to using the power of electric vehicles as a source of electricity for household use.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply switching device that supplies power stored in a main battery unit of an electric vehicle to a load in a house when a power outage occurs in a commercial power grid.

[0004] However, with the above-described conventional technology, it is difficult to supply sufficient power to the loads of the home during a power outage if the electric vehicle is not connected to the home or if the power stored in the electric vehicle is insufficient, and further improvements are needed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5781012 specification Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a technology that can supply power to a home even during a power outage.

[0007] A power supply management method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer receiving first request information from one of a plurality of homes that has experienced a power outage to request a power supply to the home, referencing a database that associates the homes with a plurality of electric vehicles that can supply power to each of the plurality of homes, searching for a candidate electric vehicle that can supply power to the home from among electric vehicles associated with homes other than the first home, transmitting second request information to a terminal associated with the found candidate electric vehicle to request a power supply from the candidate electric vehicle to the home, and, when response information indicating acceptance of the supply of power to the home is received from the terminal, transmitting location information indicating the location of the home to the terminal.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to supply power to a house even during a power outage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply control device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 4 is a first flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a request confirmation screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle position confirmation screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 9]10 is a first flowchart illustrating an operation of a server according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 is a second flowchart illustrating an operation of the server according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is a first flowchart illustrating an operation of a terminal according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 10 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the terminal according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a power supply cooperation request screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a power supply location display screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an incentive information display screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information processing system according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply control device according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] 10 is a first flowchart illustrating an operation of the power supply control device according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] 10 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a request confirmation screen in a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply control device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 23] 10 is a first flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24]10 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle selection reception screen in the second embodiment. [Figure 26] 10 is a first flowchart illustrating an operation of a server according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 27] 10 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the server according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) The power supply switching device of the above-described prior art supplies power stored in the main battery unit of the electric vehicle to a load in the house when a power outage occurs in the commercial power grid.

[0011] However, if an electric vehicle is not connected to a home when a power outage occurs, power cannot be supplied to the loads of the home. Even if an electric vehicle is connected to a home, if the electric vehicle does not have enough stored power, sufficient power cannot be supplied to the loads of the home.

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, a power supply management method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer receiving first request information from one of a plurality of homes that has experienced a power outage to request a power supply to the home, referencing a database that associates the homes with a plurality of electric vehicles that can supply power to each of the homes, searching for candidate electric vehicles that can supply power to the home from among electric vehicles associated with homes other than the home, transmitting second request information to a terminal associated with the found candidate electric vehicle to request a power supply from the candidate electric vehicle to the home, and, when response information indicating acceptance of the supply of power to the home is received from the terminal, transmitting location information indicating the location of the home to the terminal.

[0013] According to this configuration, a candidate electric vehicle capable of supplying power to the first house is searched for from among electric vehicles associated with other houses different from the first house that has experienced a power outage. Then, when the user of the searched candidate electric vehicle agrees to supply power to the first house, location information indicating the location of the first house is transmitted to the terminal associated with the candidate electric vehicle. The location of the first house is presented by the terminal that has received the location information, and the user of the candidate electric vehicle moves the candidate electric vehicle to the first house. Then, the storage battery of the candidate electric vehicle is connected to the first house, and power is supplied from the candidate electric vehicle to the first house.

[0014] Therefore, an electric vehicle that can supply power moves to a house that is experiencing a power outage and power is supplied from the electric vehicle to the house that is experiencing a power outage, so that power can be supplied to the house even during a power outage.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above power supply management method, when there is an electric vehicle currently supplying power to the first residence, a power supply available time indicating a time during which the electric vehicle currently supplying power can continuously supply power to the first residence may be received from the first residence, and in the search for the candidate electric vehicles, the candidate electric vehicles may be searched for from among electric vehicles that can arrive at the first residence within the power supply available time.

[0016] According to this configuration, if there is an electric vehicle currently supplying power to a first house that has experienced a power outage, a candidate electric vehicle that can supply power will arrive before the battery of the electric vehicle currently supplying power runs out, thereby enabling an uninterrupted supply of power to the first house that has experienced a power outage.

[0017] Furthermore, in the above-described power supply management method, in the search for the candidate electric vehicles, the candidate electric vehicles may be searched for from among electric vehicles whose remaining battery charge is greater than the amount of power consumption required for the electric vehicle to move from its current location to a location where it can be charged via the first residence.

[0018] According to this configuration, candidate electric vehicles are searched for from among electric vehicles with remaining battery power levels greater than the amount of power consumption required for the electric vehicle to travel from its current location to a location where it can be charged via the first residence. This makes it possible to prevent the candidate electric vehicles from stopping while traveling.

[0019] In the above-described power supply management method, the search for the candidate electric vehicle may search for a candidate electric vehicle having the largest surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of power consumption from the remaining battery amount.

[0020] With this configuration, the candidate electric vehicle with the largest surplus remaining battery power, calculated by subtracting the amount of power consumption required for travel from the remaining battery power, can be directed to the first residence, allowing the single candidate electric vehicle to supply power to the first residence for a long period of time.

[0021] Furthermore, in the above-described power supply management method, the search for the candidate electric vehicle may search for a candidate electric vehicle that takes the shortest time to travel from the current position of the electric vehicle to the first residence, or a candidate electric vehicle that travels the shortest distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the first residence.

[0022] According to this configuration, a candidate electric vehicle that can arrive in a shorter time can be directed to the first residence, thereby shortening the time that the first residence is without power.

[0023] In addition, in the above-mentioned power supply management method, power outage resolution information indicating that the power outage has been resolved may be received from the first home, and if the power outage resolution information is received after the second request information has been sent, cancellation information for canceling the request for power supply to the first home may be sent to the terminal.

[0024] According to this configuration, when the power outage is resolved after a request for power supply to one house has been made, the user of the candidate electric vehicle can be notified that the power outage has been resolved.

[0025] Furthermore, in the above-described power supply management method, an incentive to be given to a user of the candidate electric vehicle when power is supplied from the candidate electric vehicle to the first residence may be calculated, and information indicating the calculated incentive may be transmitted to the terminal.

[0026] According to this configuration, when power is supplied from a candidate electric vehicle to one residence, an incentive is given to the user of the candidate electric vehicle, which makes it possible to increase the number of users who cooperate in supplying power.

[0027] Furthermore, in the above-described power supply management method, the incentive may be calculated so that it increases according to the amount of power supplied from the candidate electric vehicle to the first residence, the time required for the candidate electric vehicle to travel to the first residence, or the time required for the candidate electric vehicle to supply power to the first residence.

[0028] This configuration can further increase the willingness of users of candidate electric vehicles to cooperate in supplying power.

[0029] Furthermore, in the above-described power supply management method, when the response information indicating that the supply of power to the first residence has been accepted is received from the terminal, the current location of the candidate electric vehicle may be transmitted to the first residence.

[0030] According to this configuration, the resident of the first residence can check the current location of the candidate electric vehicle heading towards the first residence, and can know how much time remains until the power outage is resolved.

[0031] Furthermore, in the above power supply management method, in the search for candidate electric vehicles, at least one candidate electric vehicle is searched for, and vehicle presentation information for presenting information about the at least one searched candidate electric vehicle to a resident of the first residence is transmitted to the first residence, and selected vehicle information indicating a candidate electric vehicle selected by the resident from the at least one candidate electric vehicle is received from the first residence, and in transmitting the second request information, the second request information may be transmitted to a terminal associated with the candidate electric vehicle indicated in the received selected vehicle information.

[0032] According to this configuration, the second request information is sent to a terminal associated with a candidate electric vehicle selected by a resident of one house from among at least one candidate electric vehicle found in the search, so that the candidate electric vehicle desired by the resident of one house can be directed to the one house.

[0033] Furthermore, in the above-described power supply management method, when the response information indicating that the supply of power to the first residence has been refused is received from the terminal, the database may be referenced to search again for candidate electric vehicles that can supply power to the first residence from among the electric vehicles associated with the other residences other than the refused electric vehicle.

[0034] According to this configuration, if the searched candidate electric vehicle cannot head to one residence, it is possible to search again for a candidate electric vehicle.

[0035] A power supply management device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a first request information receiving unit that receives, from one of a plurality of homes that has experienced a power outage, first request information for requesting a power supply to the one home; a search unit that references a database that associates the plurality of homes with a plurality of electric vehicles that can supply power to each of the plurality of homes, and searches for candidate electric vehicles that can supply power to the one home from among electric vehicles associated with homes other than the one home; a second request information sending unit that sends, to a terminal associated with the searched candidate electric vehicle, second request information for requesting a power supply from the candidate electric vehicle to the one home; and a location information sending unit that, when response information indicating acceptance of the supply of power to the one home is received from the terminal, sends location information indicating the location of the one home to the terminal.

[0036] According to this configuration, a candidate electric vehicle capable of supplying power to the first house is searched for from among electric vehicles associated with other houses different from the first house that has experienced a power outage. Then, when the user of the searched candidate electric vehicle agrees to supply power to the first house, location information indicating the location of the first house is transmitted to the terminal associated with the candidate electric vehicle. The location of the first house is presented by the terminal that has received the location information, and the user of the candidate electric vehicle moves the candidate electric vehicle to the first house. Then, the storage battery of the candidate electric vehicle is connected to the first house, and power is supplied from the candidate electric vehicle to the first house.

[0037] Therefore, an electric vehicle that can supply power moves to a house that is experiencing a power outage and power is supplied from the electric vehicle to the house that is experiencing a power outage, so that power can be supplied to the house even during a power outage.

[0038] A power supply management program according to another aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to: receive, from one of a plurality of homes that has experienced a power outage, first request information for requesting a power supply to the one home; refer to a database that associates the plurality of homes with a plurality of electric vehicles capable of supplying power to each of the plurality of homes; search for a candidate electric vehicle that can supply power to the one home from among electric vehicles associated with homes other than the one home; send, to a terminal associated with the searched-for candidate electric vehicle, second request information for requesting a power supply from the candidate electric vehicle to the one home; and, when response information indicating acceptance of the supply of power to the one home is received from the terminal, cause a computer to send location information indicating the location of the one home to the terminal.

[0039] According to this configuration, a candidate electric vehicle capable of supplying power to the first house is searched for from among electric vehicles associated with other houses different from the first house that has experienced a power outage. Then, when the user of the searched candidate electric vehicle agrees to supply power to the first house, location information indicating the location of the first house is transmitted to the terminal associated with the candidate electric vehicle. The location of the first house is presented by the terminal that has received the location information, and the user of the candidate electric vehicle moves the candidate electric vehicle to the first house. Then, the storage battery of the candidate electric vehicle is connected to the first house, and power is supplied from the candidate electric vehicle to the first house.

[0040] Therefore, an electric vehicle that can supply power moves to a house that is experiencing a power outage and power is supplied from the electric vehicle to the house that is experiencing a power outage, so that power can be supplied to the house even during a power outage.

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of specific embodiments of the present disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] The information processing system shown in FIG. 1 includes a power supply control device 101, a server 2, an electric vehicle 3, and a terminal 4.

[0044] The power supply control device 101 is installed in a house 1. In addition to the power supply control device 101, a distribution board 103, a charge / discharge device 104, a load 105, and a backup battery 106 are also installed in the house 1.

[0045] The distribution board 103 is connected to a commercial power source 102, a charge / discharge device 104, and a load 105. The commercial power source 102 is operated by an electric power company and supplies power to each house.

[0046] The load 105 is a device that consumes power, such as a television, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a rice cooker, an electric water heater, or an air conditioner.

[0047] When a power outage occurs at house 1, charging / discharging device 104 is connected to electric vehicle 3. When a power outage occurs at house 1, charging / discharging device 104 discharges storage battery 31 mounted on electric vehicle 3 and supplies power from storage battery 31 to distribution board 103.

[0048] The distribution board 103 switches the power system between the commercial power source 102 and the charging / discharging device 104. The distribution board 103 supplies power from the commercial power source 102 to the load 105, and also supplies power from the charging / discharging device 104 to the load 105. Normally, the distribution board 103 supplies power from the commercial power source 102 to the load 105.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the electric vehicle is not parked at the house 1 and is not connected to the charging / discharging device 104 at the time the house 1 experiences a power outage.

[0050] Furthermore, when the power supply from the commercial power source 102 is stopped, i.e., when the house 1 experiences a power outage, the distribution board 103 outputs power outage information to the power supply control device 101. Furthermore, when the power supply from the commercial power source 102 is restored, i.e., when the power outage at the house 1 is resolved, the distribution board 103 outputs power outage resolution information to the power supply control device 101.

[0051] The standby battery 106 stores the power required to operate the power supply control device 101, the distribution board 103, and the charging / discharging device 104 during a power outage. The standby battery 106 supplies power to the power supply control device 101, the distribution board 103, and the charging / discharging device 104 during a power outage.

[0052] The power supply control device 101 is connected to the server 2 via a network 5 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 5 is, for example, the Internet.

[0053] The electric vehicle 3 is owned by a user who lives in a house other than the house 1. The electric vehicle 3 is equipped with a storage battery 31, and moves by supplying power stored in the storage battery 31 to an electric motor. The storage battery 31 is, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery, which stores power by charging and supplies power to the electric motor by discharging. The electric vehicle 3 also supplies the power stored in the storage battery 31 to the house.

[0054] The electric vehicle 3 is connected to the server 2 via a network 5 so that they can communicate with each other. The electric vehicle 3 is equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver that acquires location information indicating the current location of the electric vehicle 3. The electric vehicle 3 periodically transmits the acquired location information to the server 2. The electric vehicle 3 also periodically transmits the remaining battery charge of the storage battery 31 installed in the electric vehicle 3 to the server 2.

[0055] The terminal 4 is owned by a user who owns the electric vehicle 3. The terminal 4 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer. The terminal 4 is connected to the server 2 via a network 5 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0056] The server 2 is, for example, a web server. The server 2 is an example of a power supply management device.

[0057] Here, the outline of the operation of the information processing system in the first embodiment will be described.

[0058] When a power outage occurs at house 1, the power supply control device 101 installed at house 1 transmits supply request information to the server 2 to request a power supply to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage. When the server 2 receives the supply request information, it searches for candidate electric vehicles that can supply power to house 1 from among electric vehicles associated with houses other than the house 1 that has experienced a power outage. The candidate electric vehicle searched for here is electric vehicle 3. Then, the server 2 transmits cooperation request information to the terminal 4 associated with the searched electric vehicle 3 to request a power supply from electric vehicle 3 to house 1. When the terminal 4 receives the cooperation request information, it transmits cooperation response information to the server 2 indicating whether or not to accept the supply of power to house 1. Here, the cooperation response information indicating acceptance is transmitted to the server 2.

[0059] When the server 2 receives cooperation response information indicating acceptance, it transmits home location information indicating the location of the home 1 to the terminal 4. When the terminal 4 receives the home location information, it presents the received home location information to the user of the electric vehicle 3. The user drives the electric vehicle 3 and moves toward the home 1. When the electric vehicle 3 arrives at the home 1, the electric vehicle 3 connects to the home 1 and power is supplied from the electric vehicle 3 to the home 1. As a result, even when the home 1 experiences a power outage, the load 105 can be used using the power supplied from the electric vehicle 3.

[0060] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the power supply control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] The power supply control device 101 shown in FIG. 2 includes a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, a memory 15, and a processor 17.

[0062] The display unit 13 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays various information.

[0063] The input unit 14 is, for example, a touch panel, and receives input from the user.

[0064] The memory 15 is a storage device capable of storing various types of information, such as a random access memory (RAM), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, etc. The memory 15 stores various types of information.

[0065] The communication unit 12 includes a supply request information transmitting unit 121, a vehicle information receiving unit 122, a power outage resolution information transmitting unit 123, and a supply request end information transmitting unit .

[0066] The processor 17 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and includes a power outage information acquisition unit 171, a request confirmation display control unit 172, a vehicle information display control unit 173, a power outage resolution information acquisition unit 174, a vehicle connection detection unit 175, and a power supply control unit 176.

[0067] The power outage information acquisition unit 171 acquires from the distribution board 103 power outage information indicating that the power supply from the commercial power source 102 has stopped, that is, that the house 1 has experienced a power outage.

[0068] When the power outage information acquisition unit 171 acquires power outage information, the request confirmation display control unit 172 displays a request confirmation screen on the display unit 13 to confirm with the user whether or not to request power supply to the powered-down house 1. The input unit 14 accepts an input from the user on the request confirmation screen as to whether or not to request power supply to the powered-down house 1.

[0069] The supply request information transmitting unit 121 transmits supply request information (first request information) for requesting power supply to the power-failed house 1 to the server 2. When the input unit 14 accepts a request for power supply to the power-failed house 1, the supply request information transmitting unit 121 transmits the supply request information to the server 2.

[0070] The vehicle information receiving unit 122 receives from the server 2 vehicle information related to the electric vehicle 3 owned by the user who has agreed to supply power to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage. The vehicle information includes, for example, the current location of the electric vehicle 3. The vehicle information may also include the model of the electric vehicle 3.

[0071] The vehicle information display control unit 173 causes the display unit 13 to display a vehicle position confirmation screen that indicates the current position of the electric vehicle 3 moving toward the house 1, based on the vehicle information received by the vehicle information receiving unit 122.

[0072] The power outage resolution information acquisition unit 174 acquires from the distribution board 103 power outage resolution information indicating that the power supply from the commercial power source 102 has been restored, that is, that the power outage at the house 1 has been resolved.

[0073] When the power outage resolution information acquisition unit 174 acquires the power outage resolution information, the power outage resolution information transmission unit 123 transmits to the server 2 the power outage resolution information indicating that the power outage at the house 1 has been resolved.

[0074] Vehicle connection detection unit 175 detects that electric vehicle 3 has been connected to charging / discharging device 104, and also detects that electric vehicle 3 has been disconnected from charging / discharging device 104. When electric vehicle 3 is connected, charging / discharging device 104 outputs a connection signal to power supply control device 101 via distribution board 103. When vehicle connection detection unit 175 receives a connection signal from charging / discharging device 104, it detects that electric vehicle 3 has been connected to charging / discharging device 104. When electric vehicle 3 is disconnected, charging / discharging device 104 outputs a disconnection signal to power supply control device 101 via distribution board 103. When vehicle connection detection unit 175 receives a disconnection signal from charging / discharging device 104, it detects that electric vehicle 3 has been disconnected from charging / discharging device 104.

[0075] During a power outage, if the vehicle connection detection unit 175 detects that the electric vehicle 3 has been connected to the charging / discharging device 104, the power supply control unit 176 outputs to the electric vehicle 3 a power supply command to start the power supply by the electric vehicle 3. During a power outage, if the power outage resolution information acquisition unit 174 acquires power outage resolution information while the electric vehicle 3 is supplying power, the power supply control unit 176 outputs to the electric vehicle 3 a power supply end command to end the power supply by the electric vehicle 3.

[0076] If power outage resolution information acquisition unit 174 acquires power outage resolution information while power is being supplied from electric vehicle 3 during a power outage, supply request end information transmission unit 124 transmits supply request end information to server 2. Furthermore, if vehicle connection detection unit 175 detects that electric vehicle 3 has been disconnected from charging / discharging device 104 while power is being supplied from electric vehicle 3 during a power outage, supply request end information transmission unit 124 transmits supply request end information to server 2.

[0077] It is also conceivable that the resident of the house 1 may go out while power is being supplied from the electric vehicle 3. For this reason, a termination confirmation screen for confirming whether or not to terminate the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 may be displayed on the display unit 13. Then, when the resident of the house 1 accepts termination of the power supply on the termination confirmation screen, the supply request termination information transmitting unit 124 may transmit supply request termination information to the server 2.

[0078] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] The server 2 shown in FIG. 3 includes a communication unit 21, a memory 24, and a processor 23.

[0080] The communication unit 21 includes a supply request information receiving unit 211, a cooperation request information transmitting unit 212, a cooperation response information receiving unit 213, a home location information transmitting unit 214, a vehicle information transmitting unit 215, a power outage resolution information receiving unit 216, a cancellation information transmitting unit 217, a supply request termination information receiving unit 218, a cooperation termination information receiving unit 219, and an incentive information transmitting unit 220.

[0081] The memory 24 is a storage device capable of storing various types of information, such as a RAM, a hard disk drive (HDD), an SSD, a flash memory, etc. The memory 24 includes a user database (DB) 241.

[0082] The processor 23 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 23 includes a candidate vehicle search unit 231, a cooperation request information creation unit 232, a house position information creation unit 233, a vehicle information creation unit 234, a cancellation instruction unit 235, and an incentive calculation unit 236.

[0083] The user DB 241 associates and stores a plurality of residences and a plurality of electric vehicles that can supply power to each of the residences. More specifically, the user DB 241 associates and stores a residence ID for identifying the residence, a vehicle ID for identifying the electric vehicle that can supply power to the residence, a terminal ID for identifying the terminal owned by the user who owns the electric vehicle, the current position of the electric vehicle, the remaining battery charge of the electric vehicle, and the position of the residence. The electric vehicle periodically transmits its current position and remaining battery charge to the server 2. The communication unit 21 receives the current position and remaining battery charge transmitted by the electric vehicle and stores them in the user DB 241. The user DB 241 may store only the latest position and latest remaining battery charge of the electric vehicle, or may also store a history of the electric vehicle's position and remaining battery charge.

[0084] The supply request information receiving unit 211 receives supply request information (first request information) for requesting power supply to the power-failed house 1 among the plurality of houses from the house 1. The supply request information receiving unit 211 receives the supply request information transmitted by the power supply control device 101.

[0085] The candidate vehicle search unit 231 refers to a user DB 241 that associates multiple homes with multiple electric vehicles that can supply power to each of the multiple homes, and searches for candidate electric vehicles that can supply power to home 1 from among electric vehicles associated with homes other than home 1 that is experiencing a power outage.

[0086] The candidate vehicle search unit 231 searches for candidate electric vehicles from among electric vehicles with remaining battery power greater than the amount of travel power consumption required for the electric vehicle to travel from its current location to a location where charging is possible via the house 1. The candidate vehicle search unit 231 also searches for the candidate electric vehicle with the largest surplus remaining power obtained by subtracting the amount of travel power consumption from the remaining battery power. The location where charging is possible may be the home of the user of the electric vehicle, or a location near the house 1 where a charger is installed.

[0087] The candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for a candidate electric vehicle that takes the shortest time to travel from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 or a candidate electric vehicle that travels the shortest distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1. The candidate vehicle search unit 231 may also search for a candidate electric vehicle that takes the shortest time to travel from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 or a candidate electric vehicle that travels the shortest distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1, from among electric vehicles whose remaining battery charge is greater than the amount of travel power consumption required for the electric vehicle to travel from its current position to a location where it can be charged via the house 1.

[0088] Furthermore, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for a candidate electric vehicle that takes the shortest time to travel from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 or that has the shortest travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 from among electric vehicles that have a surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of power consumed for travel from the remaining battery amount and that is greater than a predetermined amount.

[0089] Furthermore, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for a candidate electric vehicle with the largest surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of energy consumed for travel from the remaining battery charge, from among electric vehicles whose travel time from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 is shorter than a predetermined time. Also, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for a candidate electric vehicle with the largest surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of energy consumed for travel from the remaining battery charge, from among electric vehicles whose travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 is shorter than a predetermined distance.

[0090] The cooperation request information creating unit 232 creates cooperation request information (second request information) for requesting power supply from the candidate electric vehicle to the house 1.

[0091] The cooperation request information transmitting unit 212 transmits the cooperation request information (second request information) created by the cooperation request information creating unit 232 to the terminal associated with the candidate electric vehicle found by the candidate vehicle searching unit 231.

[0092] The cooperation response information receiving unit 213 receives cooperation response information (response information) from the terminal 4 indicating whether or not the supply of power to the house 1 is accepted.

[0093] When the home location information creation unit 233 receives cooperation response information (response information) from the terminal 4 indicating that the supply of power to the home 1 has been accepted, it creates home location information (location information) indicating the location of the home 1.

[0094] The home position information transmitting unit 214 transmits to the terminal 4 home position information (position information) that indicates the location of the home 1 and that has been created by the home position information creating unit 233 .

[0095] When the vehicle information creation unit 234 receives cooperation response information from the terminal 4 indicating that the supply of power to the house 1 has been accepted, the vehicle information creation unit 234 creates vehicle information including the current location of the candidate electric vehicle.

[0096] The vehicle information transmission unit 215 transmits the vehicle information created by the vehicle information creation unit 234 to the house 1. The vehicle information transmission unit 215 transmits the vehicle information to the power supply control device 101 of the house 1.

[0097] When the candidate vehicle search unit 231 receives response information from the terminal 4 indicating that the supply of power to the house 1 has been refused, it refers to the user DB 241 and searches again for candidate electric vehicles that can supply power to the house 1 from among electric vehicles associated with other houses other than the refused electric vehicle.

[0098] The power outage resolution information receiving unit 216 receives power outage resolution information indicating that the power outage at the house 1 has been resolved from the house 1. The power outage resolution information receiving unit 216 receives the power outage resolution information from the power supply control device 101 of the house 1.

[0099] The cancellation instruction unit 235 determines whether power outage resolution information is received after transmitting the cooperation request information (second request information). If power outage resolution information is received after transmitting the cooperation request information (second request information), the cancellation instruction unit 235 instructs the cancellation information transmission unit 217 to transmit cancellation information for canceling the request for power supply to the house 1.

[0100] The cancellation information transmitting unit 217 transmits, to the terminal 4, cancellation information for canceling the request for power supply to the house 1 when power outage resolution information is received after transmitting cooperation request information (second request information).

[0101] The supply request end information receiving unit 218 receives, from the power supply control device 101, supply request end information indicating that the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1 has ended.

[0102] The cooperation end information receiving unit 219 receives from the terminal 4 cooperation end information indicating that the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1 has ended.

[0103] The incentive calculation unit 236 calculates an incentive to be given to the user of the candidate electric vehicle when power is supplied from the candidate electric vehicle to the house 1. The incentive calculation unit 236 calculates an incentive to be given to the user of the candidate electric vehicle when supply request end information receiving unit 218 receives supply request end information and cooperation end information receiving unit 219 receives cooperation end information. For example, the incentive includes a predetermined number of points to be given to the user of the electric vehicle 3 that supplied power to the house 1. For example, when shopping online, an amount corresponding to the number of points is deducted from the payment fee.

[0104] The incentive calculation unit 236 may calculate the incentive so that it increases according to the amount of electricity supplied from the candidate electric vehicle to the house 1, the time required for the candidate electric vehicle to travel to the house 1, or the time required for the candidate electric vehicle to supply electricity to the house 1.

[0105] Furthermore, for example, the incentive may include money paid to the user of the electric vehicle 3 that supplied power to the house 1. In this case, the incentive calculation unit 236 may calculate the money to be paid to the user of the electric vehicle 3 based on the amount of power supplied from the candidate electric vehicle to the house 1 and the unit price of power. The unit price of power may be set by the user of the electric vehicle 3.

[0106] The incentive information transmitting unit 220 transmits incentive information indicating the incentive calculated by the incentive calculating unit 236 to the terminal 4 .

[0107] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0108] The terminal 4 shown in FIG. 4 includes a communication unit 41, a memory 42, a display unit 43, an input unit 44, and a processor 45.

[0109] The memory 42 is a storage device capable of storing various types of information, such as a RAM, an SSD, or a flash memory. The memory 42 stores various types of information.

[0110] The display unit 43 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays various information.

[0111] The input unit 44 is, for example, a touch panel, and receives input from the user.

[0112] The communication unit 41 includes a cooperation request information receiving unit 411, a cooperation response information transmitting unit 412, a home location information receiving unit 413, a cancellation information receiving unit 414, a vehicle connection information receiving unit 415, a cooperation termination information transmitting unit 416, and an incentive information receiving unit 417.

[0113] The processor 45 is, for example, a CPU, and includes a cooperation request display control unit 451, a power supply location display control unit 452, a cancellation information display control unit 453, a vehicle connection determination unit 454, a cooperation end acceptance unit 455, and an incentive information display control unit 456.

[0114] The cooperation request information receiving unit 411 receives the cooperation request information transmitted by the server 2.

[0115] The cooperation request display control unit 451 causes the display unit 43 to display a power supply cooperation request screen that accepts whether or not to accept the request for cooperation to supply power to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage, based on the cooperation request information received by the cooperation request information receiving unit 411. The cooperation request information includes the distance from the house 1 that has experienced a power outage to the electric vehicle 3. The input unit 44 accepts an input from the user on the power supply cooperation request screen as to whether or not to accept the request for cooperation to supply power to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage.

[0116] The cooperation response information transmitting unit 412 transmits to the server 2 cooperation response information indicating whether or not the supply of power to the house 1 is accepted.

[0117] The home location information receiving unit 413 receives the home location information transmitted by the server 2. The home location information includes the location of the home 1 and the name of the resident of the home 1.

[0118] The power supply location display control unit 452 causes the display unit 43 to display a power supply location display screen that displays the location of the house 1 that has experienced a power outage and the names of the residents of the house 1. The user of the electric vehicle 3 checks the location of the house 1 and the names of the residents of the house 1 that are displayed on the power supply location display screen, and drives the electric vehicle 3 to move to the house 1.

[0119] The revocation information receiving unit 414 receives the revocation information sent by the server 2 .

[0120] When cancellation information is received by the cancellation information receiving unit 414 after cooperation request information is received, the cancellation information display control unit 453 causes the display unit 43 to display a cancellation screen indicating that the request for power supply to the house 1 has been canceled. For example, if the power outage at the house 1 is resolved before the electric vehicle 3 heads toward the house 1, the electric vehicle 3 does not need to go to the house 1. Therefore, by checking the cancellation screen displayed on the display unit 43, the user can know that it is no longer necessary to travel to the house 1. Furthermore, for example, if the power outage at the house 1 is resolved while the electric vehicle 3 is supplying power to the house 1, the electric vehicle 3 will stop supplying power to the house 1. Therefore, by checking the cancellation screen displayed on the display unit 43, the user can know that it is no longer necessary to supply power to the house 1.

[0121] The vehicle connection information receiving unit 415 receives, from the electric vehicle 3, vehicle connection information indicating that the electric vehicle 3 is connected to the charging / discharging device 104. When the electric vehicle 3 is connected to the charging / discharging device 104, the electric vehicle 3 transmits the vehicle connection information to the terminal 4.

[0122] The vehicle connection determination unit 454 determines whether or not the electric vehicle 3 is connected to the charging / discharging device 104. When the vehicle connection information receiving unit 415 receives vehicle information, the vehicle connection determination unit 454 determines that the electric vehicle 3 is connected to the charging / discharging device 104.

[0123] The cooperation end accepting unit 455 accepts a selection by the user as to whether or not to end the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1. The cooperation end accepting unit 455 causes the display unit 43 to display a selection accepting screen for accepting a selection by the user as to whether or not to end the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1. The user inputs whether or not to end the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1 on the displayed selection accepting screen.

[0124] For example, if the user needs to return home while power is being supplied from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1, the user selects, on the displayed selection acceptance screen, to end the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1. Also, for example, if the remaining battery charge of the electric vehicle 3 reaches the amount of power consumption necessary to move from the house 1 to a location where it can be charged, the user selects, on the displayed selection acceptance screen, to end the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1.

[0125] The cooperation end information transmitting unit 416 transmits cooperation end information indicating that the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1 has ended to the server 2. The cooperation end information transmitting unit 416 transmits the cooperation end information to the server 2 when the cooperation end accepting unit 455 determines that the user has selected to end the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1.

[0126] The incentive information receiving unit 417 receives the incentive information transmitted by the server 2.

[0127] The incentive information display control unit 456 causes the display unit 43 to display an incentive information display screen that displays the incentive information received by the incentive information receiving unit 417 .

[0128] In the first embodiment, the information processing system includes the terminal 4 and the electric vehicle 3 separately, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this. The electric vehicle 3 may also include the functions of the terminal 4.

[0129] Next, the operation of the power supply control device 101 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0130] FIG. 5 is a first flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0131] First, in step S1, the power outage information acquisition unit 171 acquires, from the distribution board 103, power outage information indicating that the house 1 has experienced a power outage.

[0132] Next, in step S2, the request confirmation display control unit 172 causes the display unit 13 to display a request confirmation screen for confirming with the resident whether or not to request power supply to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage.

[0133] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a request confirmation screen in the first embodiment.

[0134] The display unit 13 is installed on the wall of a predetermined room (for example, the living room) of the house 1. The display unit 13 displays a request confirmation screen 131. The display unit 13 may include an indicator 132 for notifying the resident that a power outage has occurred in the house 1. The indicator 132 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and lights up when a power outage occurs in the house 1.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 7, the request confirmation screen 131 notifies the resident that a power outage has occurred at the house 1. The request confirmation screen 131 also includes a first button 133 and a second button 134 for receiving input as to whether or not to request another member to supply power to the house 1. The other members are residents of other houses who are registered in advance in the user DB 241 of the server 2, as well as users of electric vehicles. When requesting power supply to the house 1, the first button 133 is touched. When not requesting power supply to the house 1, the second button 134 is touched.

[0136] In this embodiment 1, the display unit 13 is installed inside the house 1, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the display unit 13 may be a display unit of a terminal such as a smartphone owned by a resident of the house 1.

[0137] Returning to FIG. 5 , next, in step S3, the request confirmation display control unit 172 determines whether a request for power supply to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage has been made. The input unit 14 accepts an input by the resident on the request confirmation screen 131 as to whether or not to request power supply to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage. On the request confirmation screen 131, the resident of house 1 touches a first button 133 if they wish to request another member to supply power to house 1, and touches a second button 134 if they do not wish to request another member to supply power to house 1.

[0138] Here, if it is determined that a request for power supply to the power-failed house 1 has not been made (NO in step S3), the process ends. That is, if the second button 134 indicating that a request for power supply to the house 1 is not made to another member is touched on the request confirmation screen 131, the process ends.

[0139] On the other hand, if it is determined that a request for power supply to the power-failed house 1 has been made (YES in step S3), then in step S4 the supply request information sending unit 121 sends, to the server 2, supply request information for requesting power supply to the power-failed house 1. If the first button 133 indicating that a request for power supply to the house 1 is made to another member is touched on the request confirmation screen 131, the supply request information is sent to the server 2.

[0140] In the first embodiment, a request confirmation screen 131 is displayed to ask the resident whether or not to request power supply to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage, and when a request for power supply to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage is made, supply request information is sent to the server 2, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this. When power outage information is acquired, the supply request information sending unit 121 may automatically send the supply request information to the server 2.

[0141] Next, in step S5, the vehicle information receiving unit 122 receives from the server 2 vehicle information including the current location of the electric vehicle 3 owned by the user who has accepted the supply of power to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage. The vehicle information may include not only the current location of the electric vehicle 3, but also the time required for the electric vehicle 3 to arrive at the house 1. The vehicle information may also include the model and color of the electric vehicle 3.

[0142] Next, in step S6, the vehicle information display control unit 173 displays a vehicle position confirmation screen on the display unit 13 to indicate the current position of the electric vehicle 3 moving toward the house 1, based on the vehicle information received by the vehicle information receiving unit 122.

[0143] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle position confirmation screen in the first embodiment.

[0144] The display unit 13 displays a vehicle location confirmation screen 135. As shown in FIG. 8 , the vehicle location confirmation screen 135 notifies the user that a power supply partner has been found, and also notifies the user of the amount of time required for the electric vehicle 3 to arrive at the residence 1. The vehicle location confirmation screen 135 also includes a map image 136 showing the area around the residence 1. The map image 136 includes a position 137 of the residence 1 and a position 138 of the electric vehicle 3. The resident of the residence 1 can confirm the current location of the electric vehicle 3 by checking the position 138 of the electric vehicle 3 on the map image 136.

[0145] The vehicle position confirmation screen 135 may also include a button 139 for notifying that the resident of the residence 1 has confirmed that the electric vehicle 3 is moving toward the residence 1. When the button 139 is touched, information indicating that the resident of the residence 1 has confirmed that the electric vehicle 3 is moving toward the residence 1 may be transmitted to the server 2. Then, the server 2 may notify the terminal 4 that the resident of the residence 1 has confirmed that the electric vehicle 3 is moving toward the residence 1.

[0146] Returning to FIG. 5, next, in step S7, the power outage resolution information acquisition unit 174 determines whether power outage resolution information indicating that the power outage at the residence 1 has been resolved has been acquired from the distribution board 103. If the power outage at the residence 1 has been resolved, the distribution board 103 outputs the power outage resolution information to the power supply control device 101. Here, if it is determined that the power outage resolution information has been acquired (YES in step S7), in step S8 the power outage resolution information transmission unit 123 transmits to the server 2 the power outage resolution information indicating that the power outage at the residence 1 has been resolved.

[0147] On the other hand, if it is determined that the power outage resolution information has not been acquired (NO in step S7), then in step S9, power supply control unit 176 determines whether or not electric vehicle 3 is connected to charging / discharging device 104. Vehicle connection detection unit 175 detects that electric vehicle 3 is connected to charging / discharging device 104. Here, if it is determined that electric vehicle 3 is not connected to charging / discharging device 104 (NO in step S9), the process returns to step S7.

[0148] On the other hand, if it is determined that the electric vehicle 3 is connected to the charging / discharging device 104 (YES in step S9), then in step S10, the power supply control unit 176 outputs a power supply command to the electric vehicle 3 to start power supply by the electric vehicle 3. When the power supply command is input to the electric vehicle 3, the electric vehicle 3 supplies power to the load 105 via the distribution board 103.

[0149] Next, in step S11, the power outage resolution information acquisition unit 174 determines whether or not power outage resolution information indicating that the power outage at the house 1 has been resolved has been acquired from the distribution board 103. If it is determined that power outage resolution information has not been acquired (NO in step S11), then in step S12, the power supply control unit 176 determines whether or not the electric vehicle 3 has been disconnected from the charging / discharging device 104. The vehicle connection detection unit 175 detects that the electric vehicle 3 has been disconnected from the charging / discharging device 104. If it is determined that the electric vehicle 3 has not been disconnected from the charging / discharging device 104 (NO in step S12), the process returns to step S11.

[0150] On the other hand, if it is determined that the electric vehicle 3 has been disconnected from the charging / discharging device 104 (YES in step S12), then in step S13 the supply request end information transmitting unit 124 transmits supply request end information to the server 2. At this time, the power outage resolution information has not been acquired, so the house 1 is still experiencing a power outage. Therefore, after the processing of step S13 is performed, the process returns to step S2. Then, in step S2, the request confirmation display control unit 172 displays a request confirmation screen on the display unit 13. This allows the resident to confirm whether or not to request another power supply to the house 1 that is experiencing a power outage.

[0151] On the other hand, if it is determined that the power outage resolution information has been acquired (YES in step S11), in step S14, the power outage resolution information transmission unit 123 transmits to the server 2 power outage resolution information indicating that the power outage at the house 1 has been resolved.

[0152] Next, in step S15, the power supply control unit 176 outputs a power supply end command to the electrically powered vehicle 3 to end the power supply by the electrically powered vehicle 3. When the power supply end command is input to the electrically powered vehicle 3, the electrically powered vehicle 3 stops the power supply. Thereafter, the electrically powered vehicle 3 is disconnected from the charging / discharging device 104.

[0153] Next, in step S16, the supply request end information transmitting unit 124 transmits the supply request end information to the server 2.

[0154] Next, the operation of the server 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0155] FIG. 9 is a first flowchart illustrating the operation of the server according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 10 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the server according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0156] First, in step S21, the supply request information receiving unit 211 receives the supply request information transmitted by the power supply control device 101.

[0157] Next, in step S22, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 refers to the user DB 241 and searches for a candidate electric vehicle that can supply power to the house 1 from among electric vehicles associated with other houses other than the house 1 that is experiencing a power outage. Here, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 searches for a candidate electric vehicle that has the shortest travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 from among electric vehicles that have a surplus remaining amount, obtained by subtracting the amount of power consumed for travel from the remaining battery charge, that is greater than a predetermined amount.

[0158] The candidate vehicle search unit 231 searches for candidate electric vehicles one by one. That is, first, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 searches for a candidate electric vehicle with the shortest travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 from among electric vehicles with a surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of travel power consumed from the remaining battery power that is greater than a predetermined amount. Then, if the request for power supply is not accepted as a result of requesting power supply from the searched candidate electric vehicle, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 searches for a candidate electric vehicle with the second shortest travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 from among electric vehicles with a surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of travel power consumed from the remaining battery power that is greater than a predetermined amount. In this way, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 continues searching for candidate electric vehicles until the request for power supply is accepted.

[0159] The candidate vehicle search unit 231 may also search for a plurality of candidate electric vehicles. That is, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may first search for a predetermined number of electric vehicles as candidate electric vehicles from among electric vehicles whose surplus remaining amount, obtained by subtracting the amount of travel power consumed from the remaining battery amount, is greater than a predetermined amount, in order from the electric vehicle that travels the shortest distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1. Then, the cooperation request information transmission unit 212 may transmit cooperation request information to the electric vehicle that travels the shortest distance from the searched predetermined number of candidate electric vehicles.

[0160] Next, in step S23, the cooperation request information creating unit 232 creates cooperation request information for requesting a power supply from a candidate electric vehicle to the house 1. Note that the candidate electric vehicle in the present embodiment 1 is electric vehicle 3.

[0161] Next, in step S24, the cooperation request information sending unit 212 sends the cooperation request information created by the cooperation request information creating unit 232 to the terminal 4 associated with the candidate electric vehicle (electric vehicle 3) searched for by the candidate vehicle searching unit 231.

[0162] Next, in step S25, the cooperation response information receiving unit 213 receives cooperation response information from the terminal 4 indicating whether or not the supply of power to the house 1 is accepted.

[0163] Next, in step S26, the home location information creation unit 233 determines whether cooperation response information indicating acceptance has been received. If it is determined that cooperation response information indicating non-acceptance has been received (NO in step S26), the process returns to step S22, and candidate electric vehicles are searched for again.

[0164] On the other hand, if it is determined that cooperation response information indicating acceptance has been received (YES in step S26), then in step S27, the home location information creation unit 233 creates home location information indicating the location of the home 1 that has experienced a power outage.

[0165] Next, in step S28, the home position information transmitting unit 214 transmits the home position information created by the home position information creating unit 233 to the terminal 4.

[0166] In the first embodiment, the cooperation request information transmitting unit 212 transmits cooperation request information to one terminal 4 associated with one candidate electric vehicle found by the candidate vehicle searching unit 231, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this. The cooperation request information transmitting unit 212 may transmit cooperation request information to each of multiple terminals 4 associated with multiple candidate electric vehicles found by the candidate vehicle searching unit 231. Then, the home location information transmitting unit 214 may transmit home location information to the terminal 4, of the multiple terminals 4, that is the first to return cooperation response information indicating acceptance.

[0167] Next, in step S29, the vehicle information creation unit 234 creates vehicle information including the current position of the candidate electric vehicle (electric vehicle 3).

[0168] Next, in step S30, the vehicle information transmission unit 215 transmits the vehicle information created by the vehicle information creation unit 234 to the power supply control device 101.

[0169] Next, in step S31, the cancellation instruction unit 235 determines whether or not power outage resolution information indicating that the power outage in the house 1 has been resolved has been received from the power supply control device 101. The power outage resolution information receiving unit 216 receives the power outage resolution information from the power supply control device 101.

[0170] If it is determined that the power outage resolution information has been received (YES in step S31), the cancellation information transmitting unit 217 transmits cancellation information for canceling the request for power supply to the house 1 to the terminal 4 in step S32.

[0171] On the other hand, if it is determined that the power outage resolution information has not been received (NO in step S31), then in step S33 the incentive calculation unit 236 determines whether or not supply request end information indicating that the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1 has ended has been received from the power supply control device 101. The supply request end information receiving unit 218 receives the supply request end information from the power supply control device 101. Here, if it is determined that the supply request end information has not been received (NO in step S33), the process returns to step S31.

[0172] On the other hand, if it is determined that the supply request end information has been received (YES in step S33), then in step S34 the incentive calculation unit 236 determines whether or not cooperation end information indicating that the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1 has ended has been received from the terminal 4. The cooperation end information receiving unit 219 receives the cooperation end information from the terminal 4. Here, if it is determined that the cooperation end information has not been received (NO in step S34), the processing of step S34 is repeated until the cooperation end information is received.

[0173] On the other hand, if it is determined that cooperation end information has been received (YES in step S34), then in step S35 the incentive calculation unit 236 calculates an incentive to be given to the user of the candidate electric vehicle (electric vehicle 3).

[0174] Next, in step S36, the incentive information transmitting unit 220 transmits incentive information indicating the incentive calculated by the incentive calculating unit 236 to the terminal 4.

[0175] In this way, an electric vehicle 3 (candidate electric vehicle) that can supply power to the house 1 is searched for among electric vehicles associated with houses other than the house 1 that has experienced a power outage. Then, when the user of the searched electric vehicle 3 agrees to supply power to the house 1, location information indicating the location of the house 1 is sent to the terminal 4 associated with the electric vehicle 3. The location of the house 1 is presented by the terminal 4 that has received the location information, and the user of the electric vehicle 3 moves the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1. Then, the storage battery 31 of the electric vehicle 3 is connected to the house 1, and power is supplied from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1.

[0176] Therefore, an electric vehicle 3 that can supply power moves to the house 1 that is experiencing a power outage, and power is supplied from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1 that is experiencing a power outage, so power can be supplied to the house 1 even during a power outage.

[0177] Next, the operation of the terminal 4 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0178] FIG. 11 is a first flowchart illustrating the operation of the terminal according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 12 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the terminal according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0179] First, in step S41, the cooperation request information receiving unit 411 receives the cooperation request information transmitted by the server 2. The cooperation request information includes the approximate address of the house 1 experiencing a power outage and the distance from the house 1 experiencing a power outage to the electric vehicle 3.

[0180] Next, in step S42, the cooperation request display control unit 451 displays a power supply cooperation request screen on the display unit 43, which accepts whether or not to accept the request for cooperation in supplying power to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage, based on the cooperation request information received by the cooperation request information receiving unit 411.

[0181] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the power supply cooperation request screen in the first embodiment.

[0182] The display unit 43 displays a power supply cooperation request screen 431. As shown in Fig. 13 , the power supply cooperation request screen 431 notifies that a request for power supply has been made, and notifies the distance to the house 1. The power supply cooperation request screen 431 also includes a first button 432 and a second button 433 for receiving input as to whether or not to accept the request for cooperation in power supply to the house 1. When the request for cooperation in power supply to the house 1 is accepted, the first button 432 is touched. When the request for cooperation in power supply to the house 1 is not accepted, the second button 433 is touched.

[0183] Returning to FIG. 11 , next, in step S43, the cooperation request display control unit 451 determines whether the request for cooperation in supplying power to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage has been accepted. The input unit 44 accepts an input from the user on the power supply cooperation request screen 431 as to whether or not to accept the request for cooperation in supplying power to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage. On the power supply cooperation request screen 431, the user of the electric vehicle 3 touches the first button 432 if the request for cooperation in supplying power to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage is accepted, and touches the second button 433 if the request for cooperation in supplying power to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage is not accepted.

[0184] If it is determined that the request for cooperation in supplying power has not been accepted (NO in step S43), in step S44, the cooperation response information transmitting unit 412 transmits cooperation response information indicating that the supply of power to the house 1 has not been accepted to the server 2. Then, the process ends.

[0185] On the other hand, if it is determined that the request for cooperation in supplying power has been accepted (YES in step S43), in step S45, the cooperation response information sending unit 412 sends cooperation response information to the server 2 indicating that the supply of power to the house 1 has been accepted.

[0186] Next, in step S46, the cancellation information display control unit 453 determines whether or not the cancellation information transmitted by the server 2 has been received. The cancellation information receiving unit 414 receives the cancellation information transmitted by the server 2. If it is determined that the cancellation information has been received (YES in step S46), in step S47 the cancellation information display control unit 453 causes the display unit 43 to display a cancellation screen indicating that the request for power supply to the house 1 has been canceled. The display unit 43 displays the cancellation screen. Then, the processing ends.

[0187] On the other hand, if it is determined that the cancellation information has not been received (NO in step S46), then in step S48, the power supply location display control unit 452 determines whether or not the home location information transmitted by the server 2 has been received. The home location information receiving unit 413 receives the home location information transmitted by the server 2. Here, if it is determined that the home location information has not been received (NO in step S48), the process returns to step S46.

[0188] On the other hand, if it is determined that the home location information has been received (YES in step S48), in step S49, the power supply location display control unit 452 causes the display unit 43 to display a power supply location display screen that displays the location of the home 1 that has experienced a power outage and the names of the residents of the home 1.

[0189] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a power supply location display screen in the first embodiment.

[0190] The display unit 43 displays a power supply location display screen 434. As shown in Fig. 14 , the power supply location display screen 434 notifies the user that they have been selected as a power supply partner, and also notifies them of the address of the house 1 to which the electric vehicle 3 is headed and the name of the resident of the house 1. The power supply location display screen 434 also includes a map image 435 showing the area around the house 1. The map image 435 includes a position 436 of the house 1. The user of the electric vehicle 3 can confirm the location to which the electric vehicle 3 is headed by checking the position 436 of the house 1 on the map image 435.

[0191] Furthermore, the power supply location display screen 434 may include a button 437 for notifying that the user of the electric vehicle 3 has confirmed that the vehicle has been selected as a power supply cooperator. When the button 437 is touched, information indicating that the user of the electric vehicle 3 has confirmed that the vehicle has been selected as a power supply cooperator may be transmitted to the server 2. When the server 2 receives the information indicating that the user of the electric vehicle 3 has confirmed that the vehicle has been selected as a power supply cooperator, the server 2 may transmit vehicle information to the power supply control device 101.

[0192] The user of the electric vehicle 3 checks the power supply location display screen 434 displayed on the terminal 4. The user of the electric vehicle 3 drives the electric vehicle 3 toward the house 1 shown on the power supply location display screen 434. Then, when the user arrives at the house 1, the user connects the storage battery 31 of the electric vehicle 3 to the charging / discharging device 104 installed in the house 1.

[0193] In the first embodiment, the electric vehicle 3 is driven by a user, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this, and the electric vehicle 3 may be an autonomous vehicle. In this case, after the terminal 4 transmits cooperation response information indicating acceptance, the electric vehicle 3 may obtain the location of the house 1 from the server 2 and automatically move to the house 1. Then, when the electric vehicle 3 arrives at the house 1, the display unit 13 of the power supply control device 101 may notify the resident of the house 1 that the electric vehicle 3 has arrived at the house 1. The resident of the house 1 may connect the storage battery 31 of the arriving electric vehicle 3 to the charging / discharging device 104 installed in the house 1.

[0194] Next, in step S50, the vehicle connection determination unit 454 determines whether or not the electric vehicle 3 is connected to the charging / discharging device 104. The vehicle connection information receiving unit 415 receives vehicle connection information from the electric vehicle 3 indicating that the electric vehicle 3 is connected to the charging / discharging device 104. If the vehicle information is received by the vehicle connection information receiving unit 415, the vehicle connection determination unit 454 determines that the electric vehicle 3 is connected to the charging / discharging device 104. Here, if it is determined that the electric vehicle 3 is not connected to the charging / discharging device 104 (NO in step S50), the process returns to step S46.

[0195] On the other hand, if it is determined that electric vehicle 3 is connected to charging / discharging device 104 (YES in step S50), then in step S51, cancellation information display control unit 453 determines whether or not cancellation information transmitted by server 2 has been received. Cancellation information receiving unit 414 receives the cancellation information transmitted by server 2. Here, if it is determined that cancellation information has been received (YES in step S51), then in step S52, cancellation information display control unit 453 causes display unit 43 to display a cancellation screen indicating that the request for power supply to house 1 has been canceled. Display unit 43 displays the cancellation screen. Then, the process proceeds to step S54.

[0196] On the other hand, if it is determined that cancellation information has not been received (NO in step S51), then in step S53 the cooperation end acceptance unit 455 determines whether or not the user has input to end the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1. At this time, the cooperation end acceptance unit 455 causes the display unit 43 to display a selection acceptance screen for accepting the user's selection of whether or not to end the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1. The user inputs whether or not to end the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1 on the displayed selection acceptance screen. Here, if it is determined that the user has not input to end the power supply (NO in step S53), the process returns to step S51.

[0197] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has input to end the power supply (YES in step S53), in step S54, the cooperation end information transmitting unit 416 transmits cooperation end information to the server 2 indicating that the power supply from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1 has ended.

[0198] On the displayed selection acceptance screen, the user inputs that the supply of power from the electric vehicle 3 to the house 1 will be terminated, and then disconnects the storage battery 31 of the electric vehicle 3 from the charging / discharging device 104. The user then drives the electric vehicle 3 and leaves the house 1.

[0199] If the electric vehicle 3 is an autonomous vehicle, when the server 2 receives the cooperation end information, it may notify the power supply control device 101 that the user has input to end the power supply. The power supply control device 101 may notify the resident of the house 1 that the user has input to end the power supply. The resident of the house 1 disconnects the storage battery 31 of the electric vehicle 3 from the charging / discharging device 104. When the connection between the storage battery 31 and the charging / discharging device 104 is disconnected, the electric vehicle 3 may automatically move toward their home.

[0200] Next, in step S55, the incentive information receiving unit 417 receives the incentive information transmitted by the server 2.

[0201] Next, in step S56, the incentive information display control unit 456 causes the display unit 43 to display an incentive information display screen that displays the incentive information received by the incentive information receiving unit 417.

[0202] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an incentive information display screen in the first embodiment.

[0203] The display unit 43 displays an incentive information display screen 438. As shown in Fig. 15 , the incentive information display screen 438 notifies the user of the incentive to be granted. For example, the incentive may include a predetermined number of points to be granted to the user of the electric vehicle 3 that supplied power to the house 1.

[0204] Furthermore, the incentive information display screen 438 may include a button 439 for notifying that the incentive has been confirmed by the user of the electric vehicle 3. When the button 439 is touched, information indicating that the incentive has been confirmed by the user of the electric vehicle 3 may be transmitted to the server 2.

[0205] 13 may display an estimated incentive that will be granted to the user of the electric vehicle 3 when power is supplied to the house 1. In this case, the cooperation request information transmitted by the server 2 may include incentive information that indicates an estimated incentive that will be granted to the user of the electric vehicle 3 when power is supplied to the house 1. The server 2 may calculate, as the estimated incentive, an average value that has been granted in the past according to the distance from the house 1 experiencing a power outage to the electric vehicle 3. There is no particular limitation on the method of calculating the estimated incentive. In this way, by notifying the user of the electric vehicle 3 of the incentive that will be granted in the future on the power supply cooperation request screen 431, the user is more likely to accept the supply of power to the house 1.

[0206] Next, a description will be given of a variation of the present embodiment 1. In the above-described embodiment 1, no electric vehicle is present at the residence 1, but in a variation of the present embodiment 1, an electric vehicle is present at the residence 1.

[0207] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information processing system according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0208] The information processing system shown in FIG. 16 includes a power supply control device 101A, a server 2, a first electric vehicle 3A, a second electric vehicle 3B, and a terminal 4.

[0209] The power supply control device 101A is installed in a house 1. In addition to the power supply control device 101A, a distribution board 103, a charge / discharge device 104, a load 105, and a spare battery 106 are also installed in the house 1.

[0210] In the modification of the first embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0211] The first electric vehicle 3A is an electric vehicle owned by a resident of the residence 1. The first electric vehicle 3A is equipped with a storage battery 31, and moves by supplying electric power stored in the storage battery 31 to an electric motor. The first electric vehicle 3A also supplies the electric power stored in the storage battery 31 to the residence 1. The storage battery 31 of the first electric vehicle 3A is connected to a charging / discharging device 104 installed in the residence 1. The charging / discharging device 104 charges the storage battery 31 of the first electric vehicle 3A, discharges the storage battery 31 of the first electric vehicle 3A, and supplies electric power from the storage battery 31 to the distribution board 103.

[0212] The charging / discharging device 104 acquires the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 31 of the first electric vehicle 3A. The charging / discharging device 104 outputs the acquired remaining battery capacity to the power supply control device 101A via the distribution board 103.

[0213] The second electric vehicle 3B is an electric vehicle owned by a resident of a residence different from the residence 1. The second electric vehicle 3B has the same configuration as the electric vehicle 3 in the first embodiment. The terminal 4 is owned by the user who owns the second electric vehicle 3B.

[0214] Here, the general operation of the information processing system according to the modified example of the first embodiment will be described.

[0215] When the house 1 experiences a power outage, the power supply control device 101A installed in the house 1 switches the power supply source from the commercial power source 102 to the storage battery 31 of the first electric vehicle 3A. The power supply control device 101A then calculates the available power supply time, which indicates the time during which the first electric vehicle 3A, which is currently supplying power to the house 1, can continue to supply power to the house 1. The power supply control device 101A then transmits supply request information to the server 2 to request a power supply to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage. At this time, the supply request information includes the available power supply time.

[0216] When the server 2 receives the supply request information, it searches for candidate electric vehicles that are capable of supplying power to the house 1 from among electric vehicles that are associated with a house other than the house 1 that is experiencing a power outage and that can arrive at the house 1 within the available power supply time. The candidate electric vehicle searched for here is the second electric vehicle 3B. The server 2 then transmits cooperation request information to the terminal 4 associated with the searched second electric vehicle 3B, requesting that the second electric vehicle 3B supply power to the house 1. When the terminal 4 receives the cooperation request information, it transmits cooperation response information to the server 2 indicating whether or not to accept the supply of power to the house 1. Here, the cooperation response information indicating acceptance is transmitted to the server 2.

[0217] When the server 2 receives cooperation response information indicating acceptance, it transmits home location information indicating the location of the home 1 to the terminal 4. When the terminal 4 receives the home location information, it presents the received home location information to the user of the second electric vehicle 3B. The second electric vehicle 3B moves toward the home 1 under the driving of the user. When the second electric vehicle 3B arrives at the home 1, the second electric vehicle 3B connects to the home 1, and power is supplied from the second electric vehicle 3B to the home 1. As a result, even in the case of a power outage at the home 1, the load 105 can be used using the power supplied from the second electric vehicle 3B.

[0218] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply control device according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0219] A power supply control device 101A shown in FIG. 17 includes a communication unit 12A, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, a memory 15, and a processor 17A.

[0220] The communication unit 12A includes a supply request information transmitting unit 121A, a vehicle information receiving unit 122, a power outage resolution information transmitting unit 123, and a supply request end information transmitting unit .

[0221] The processor 17A includes a power outage information acquisition unit 171, a request confirmation display control unit 172A, a vehicle information display control unit 173, a power outage resolution information acquisition unit 174, a vehicle connection detection unit 175, a power supply control unit 176, and a power supply available time calculation unit 177.

[0222] When the power outage information acquisition unit 171 acquires power outage information, if there is a first electric vehicle 3A currently supplying power to the house 1, the available power supply time calculation unit 177 calculates an available power supply time indicating a time period during which the first electric vehicle 3A currently supplying power can continuously supply power to the house 1. At this time, the available power supply time calculation unit 177 acquires the remaining battery charge of the storage battery 31 of the first electric vehicle 3A and the current power consumption of the load 105 from the distribution board 103. The available power supply time calculation unit 177 calculates the available power supply time based on the remaining battery charge of the storage battery 31 of the first electric vehicle 3A and the current power consumption of the load 105.

[0223] The request confirmation display control unit 172A displays a request confirmation screen on the display unit 13 to confirm with the user whether or not to request power supply to the power-failed house 1. At this time, the request confirmation screen includes the available power supply time.

[0224] The supply request information transmitting unit 121A transmits to the server 2 supply request information (first request information) for requesting a power supply to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage. The supply request information includes the available power supply time. That is, when there is a first electric vehicle 3A currently supplying power to the house 1, the supply request information transmitting unit 121A transmits to the server 2 the available power supply time indicating the time during which the currently supplying power first electric vehicle 3A can continue to supply power to the house 1.

[0225] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the server 2 in a modification of the present embodiment 1. In the modification of the present embodiment 1, a description will be given of the configuration that differs from that of the server 2 in the present embodiment 1 shown in FIG.

[0226] The supply request information receiving unit 211 receives supply request information (first request information) from the home 1 to request a power supply to the home 1 that has experienced a power outage among multiple homes. The supply request information includes the available power supply time. That is, when there is a first electric vehicle 3A currently receiving power from the home 1, the supply request information receiving unit 211 receives from the home 1 the available power supply time indicating the time during which the currently receiving power first electric vehicle 3A can continue to supply power to the home 1.

[0227] The candidate vehicle search unit 231 searches for candidate electric vehicles from among electric vehicles that can arrive at the house 1 within the available power supply time. The candidate vehicle search unit 231 calculates the travel time from the current position of each electric vehicle associated with a house other than the house 1 that is experiencing a power outage to the house 1. Then, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 searches for candidate electric vehicles that can supply power to the house 1 from among electric vehicles whose travel time is within the available power supply time.

[0228] The candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for candidate electric vehicles from among electric vehicles whose travel time is within the available power supply time and whose remaining battery power is greater than the amount of travel power consumption required for the electric vehicle to travel from its current location to a location where charging is possible via the house 1. The candidate vehicle search unit 231 may also search for a candidate electric vehicle whose remaining battery power is the largest surplus remaining power obtained by subtracting the amount of travel power consumption from the remaining battery power. The location where charging is possible may be the house of the user of the electric vehicle, or a location near the house 1 where a charger is installed.

[0229] Furthermore, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for a candidate electric vehicle that has the shortest travel time from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 or the shortest travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1, from among electric vehicles whose travel time is within the available power supply time. Furthermore, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for a candidate electric vehicle that has the shortest travel time from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 or the shortest travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1, from among electric vehicles whose travel time is within the available power supply time and whose remaining battery charge is greater than the amount of travel power consumption required for the electric vehicle to travel from its current position to a chargeable location via the house 1.

[0230] Furthermore, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for a candidate electric vehicle that has the shortest travel time from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 or the shortest travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 from among electric vehicles whose travel time is within the available power supply time and whose surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of power consumed for travel from the remaining battery charge is greater than a predetermined amount.

[0231] Furthermore, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for a candidate electric vehicle with the largest surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of energy consumed for travel from the remaining battery charge, from among electric vehicles whose travel time from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 is within the available power supply time and whose travel time is shorter than a predetermined time. Furthermore, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for a candidate electric vehicle with the largest surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of energy consumed for travel from the remaining battery charge, from among electric vehicles whose travel time is within the available power supply time and whose travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 is shorter than a predetermined distance.

[0232] Next, the operation of the power supply control device 101A according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0233] FIG. 18 is a first flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device in a modified example of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, and FIG. 19 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device in a modified example of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0234] First, in step S61, the power outage information acquisition unit 171 acquires, from the distribution board 103, power outage information indicating that the house 1 has experienced a power outage.

[0235] Next, in step S62, the power supply control unit 176 outputs a power supply command to the first electric vehicle 3A to start power supply by the first electric vehicle 3A. When the power supply command is input to the first electric vehicle 3A, the first electric vehicle 3A supplies power to the load 105 via the distribution board 103.

[0236] In a modification of the first embodiment, the power supply control unit 176 may determine whether or not the first electric vehicle 3A is connected to the charging / discharging device 104. If the first electric vehicle 3A is connected to the charging / discharging device 104, the power supply control unit 176 may output to the first electric vehicle 3A a power supply command to start the supply of power by the first electric vehicle 3A. If the first electric vehicle 3A is not connected to the charging / discharging device 104, the process may proceed to step S64.

[0237] Next, in step S63, the available power supply time calculation unit 177 calculates the available power supply time indicating the time during which the first electric vehicle 3A, which is currently receiving power, can continue to supply power to the house 1.

[0238] Next, in step S64, the request confirmation display control unit 172A causes the display unit 13 to display a request confirmation screen for confirming with the resident whether or not to request power supply to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage.

[0239] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a request confirmation screen in a modification of the first embodiment.

[0240] The display unit 13 displays a request confirmation screen 131A. As shown in FIG. 20 , the request confirmation screen 131A notifies the resident that a power outage has occurred at the house 1. The request confirmation screen 131A also notifies the resident of the available power supply time, which indicates the time during which the first electric vehicle 3A can continuously supply power to the house 1. The request confirmation screen 131A also includes a first button 133 and a second button 134 for receiving input as to whether or not to request another member to supply power to the house 1. The other members are residents of other houses who are registered in advance in the user DB 241 of the server 2. When requesting power supply to the house 1, the first button 133 is touched. When not requesting power supply to the house 1, the second button 134 is touched.

[0241] Returning to FIG. 18, next, in step S65, the request confirmation display control unit 172A determines whether or not a request has been made to supply power to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage.

[0242] The processing of steps S65 to S70 is the same as the processing of steps S3 to S8 shown in Fig. 5, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In the modification of the first embodiment, second electric vehicle 3B is searched for as a candidate electric vehicle to supply power to house 1 that has experienced a power outage.

[0243] Next, in step S71, the power supply control unit 176 determines whether or not the second electric vehicle 3B is connected to the charging / discharging device 104. The vehicle connection detection unit 175 detects that the second electric vehicle 3B is connected to the charging / discharging device 104. If it is determined here that the second electric vehicle 3B is not connected to the charging / discharging device 104 (NO in step S71), the process returns to step S69.

[0244] On the other hand, if it is determined that the second electric vehicle 3B is connected to the charging / discharging device 104 (YES in step S71), then in step S72 the power supply control unit 176 outputs a power supply command to the second electric vehicle 3B to start power supply by the second electric vehicle 3B. When the power supply command is input to the second electric vehicle 3B, the second electric vehicle 3B supplies power to the load 105 via the distribution board 103.

[0245] In the modification of the first embodiment, the second electric vehicle 3B is connected to the charging / discharging device 104. However, the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this, and the second electric vehicle 3B may be connected to the first electric vehicle 3A. In this case, the power supply control unit 176 determines whether the second electric vehicle 3B is connected to the first electric vehicle 3A. The vehicle connection detection unit 175 detects that the second electric vehicle 3B is connected to the first electric vehicle 3A. Here, if it is determined that the second electric vehicle 3B is not connected to the first electric vehicle 3A, the processing returns to step S69. On the other hand, if it is determined that the second electric vehicle 3B is connected to the first electric vehicle 3A, the power supply control unit 176 outputs a power supply command to the second electric vehicle 3B to start power supply by the second electric vehicle 3B. When the power supply command is input to the second electric vehicle 3B, the second electric vehicle 3B supplies power to the first electric vehicle 3A. The first electric vehicle 3A stores the electric power supplied from the second electric vehicle 3B, and supplies the electric power to a load 105 via a distribution board 103.

[0246] Next, in step S73, the power outage resolution information acquisition unit 174 determines whether or not power outage resolution information indicating that the power outage at the house 1 has been resolved has been acquired from the distribution board 103. If it is determined that power outage resolution information has not been acquired (NO in step S73), then in step S74 the power supply control unit 176 determines whether or not the second electric vehicle 3B has been disconnected from the charging / discharging device 104. The vehicle connection detection unit 175 detects that the second electric vehicle 3B has been disconnected from the charging / discharging device 104. If it is determined that the second electric vehicle 3B has not been disconnected from the charging / discharging device 104 (NO in step S74), the process returns to step S73.

[0247] On the other hand, if it is determined that the second electric vehicle 3B has been disconnected from the charging / discharging device 104 (YES in step S74), then in step S75 the supply request end information transmitter 124 transmits supply request end information to the server 2. At this time, power outage resolution information has not been acquired, so the house 1 is still experiencing a power outage. Therefore, after the processing of step S75 is performed, the process returns to step S62. Then, in step S62, the power supply control unit 176 outputs a power supply command to the first electric vehicle 3A to start power supply by the first electric vehicle 3A. As a result, power supply by the first electric vehicle 3A is restarted, and the process proceeds to step S62.

[0248] On the other hand, if it is determined that the power outage resolution information has been acquired (YES in step S73), in step S76, the power outage resolution information transmission unit 123 transmits to the server 2 the power outage resolution information indicating that the power outage at the house 1 has been resolved.

[0249] Next, in step S77, the power supply control unit 176 outputs a power supply end command to the second electric vehicle 3B to end the power supply by the second electric vehicle 3B. When the power supply end command is input to the second electric vehicle 3B, the second electric vehicle 3B stops the power supply. Thereafter, the second electric vehicle 3B is disconnected from the charging / discharging device 104.

[0250] Next, in step S78, the supply request end information transmitting unit 124 transmits the supply request end information to the server 2.

[0251] In this way, when there is a first electric vehicle 3A currently supplying power to a house 1 that has experienced a power outage, a second electric vehicle 3B that can supply power arrives before the battery of the first electric vehicle 3A currently supplying power runs out, so power can be supplied to the house 1 that has experienced a power outage without interruption.

[0252] In the modified example of the present embodiment 1, the storage battery 31 of the first electric vehicle 3A is connected to the charging / discharging device 104, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this, and a stationary household storage battery may also be connected to the charging / discharging device 104.

[0253] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the server searches for candidate electric vehicles and transmits cooperation request information to the searched candidate electric vehicles. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the server searches for at least one candidate electric vehicle, transmits vehicle presentation information to the residence 1 for presenting the searched at least one candidate electric vehicle to the resident of the residence 1, and transmits cooperation request information to a candidate electric vehicle selected by the resident of the residence 1 from the at least one candidate electric vehicle.

[0254] The configuration of the information processing system in the second embodiment is the same as that of the information processing system shown in Fig. 1, except that the power supply control device 101 is replaced with a power supply control device 101B and the server 2 is replaced with a server 2B. Therefore, a description of the configuration of the information processing system in the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0255] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply control device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0256] 21 includes a communication unit 12B, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, a memory 15, and a processor 17B. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0257] The communication unit 12B includes a supply request information transmitting unit 121, a vehicle information receiving unit 122, a power outage resolution information transmitting unit 123, a supply request end information transmitting unit 124, a vehicle presentation information receiving unit 125, and a selected vehicle information transmitting unit 126.

[0258] The processor 17B includes a power outage information acquisition unit 171, a request confirmation display control unit 172, a vehicle information display control unit 173, a power outage resolution information acquisition unit 174, a vehicle connection detection unit 175, a power supply control unit 176, and a vehicle selection acceptance display control unit 178.

[0259] The vehicle presentation information receiving unit 125 receives vehicle presentation information for presenting to the resident of the house 1 information relating to at least one candidate electric vehicle found by the server 2B.

[0260] The vehicle selection acceptance display control unit 178 presents information about at least one candidate electric vehicle searched for by the server 2B to the resident of the house 1, and causes the display unit 13 to display a vehicle selection acceptance screen for accepting the resident's selection of a desired candidate electric vehicle from among the at least one candidate electric vehicle.

[0261] The selected vehicle information transmitting unit 126 transmits to the server 2B selected vehicle information indicating the candidate electric vehicle selected by the resident from among at least one candidate electric vehicle.

[0262] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0263] The server 2B shown in FIG. 22 includes a communication unit 21B, a memory 24, and a processor 23B.

[0264] The communication unit 21B includes a supply request information receiving unit 211, a cooperation request information transmitting unit 212, a cooperation response information receiving unit 213, a home location information transmitting unit 214, a vehicle information transmitting unit 215, a power outage resolution information receiving unit 216, a cancellation information transmitting unit 217, a supply request termination information receiving unit 218, a cooperation termination information receiving unit 219, an incentive information transmitting unit 220, a vehicle presentation information transmitting unit 221, and a selected vehicle information receiving unit 222.

[0265] The processor 23B includes a candidate vehicle search unit 231B, a cooperation request information creation unit 232B, a house position information creation unit 233, a vehicle information creation unit 234, a cancellation instruction unit 235, an incentive calculation unit 236, and a vehicle presentation information creation unit 237.

[0266] The candidate vehicle search unit 231B searches for at least one candidate electric vehicle.

[0267] The candidate vehicle search unit 231B searches for at least one candidate electric vehicle from among electric vehicles whose remaining battery power is greater than the amount of travel power consumption required for the electric vehicle to travel from its current location to a chargeable location via the house 1. The candidate vehicle search unit 231 may also search for at least one candidate electric vehicle in descending order of the surplus remaining power obtained by subtracting the amount of travel power consumption from the remaining battery power.

[0268] The candidate vehicle search unit 231 may also search for at least one candidate electric vehicle in ascending order of travel time from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1, or at least one candidate electric vehicle in ascending order of travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1. The candidate vehicle search unit 231 may also search for at least one candidate electric vehicle in ascending order of travel time from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1, or at least one candidate electric vehicle in descending order of travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1, from among electric vehicles whose remaining battery charge is greater than the amount of travel power consumption required for the electric vehicle to travel from its current position to a chargeable location via the house 1.

[0269] Furthermore, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for at least one candidate electric vehicle in order of the shortest travel time from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 or at least one candidate electric vehicle in order of the shortest travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 from among electric vehicles whose surplus remaining amount, obtained by subtracting the amount of power consumed for travel from the remaining battery amount, is greater than a predetermined amount.

[0270] Furthermore, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for at least one candidate electric vehicle in descending order of surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of travel power consumed from the remaining battery charge from among electric vehicles whose travel time from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 is shorter than a predetermined time. Also, the candidate vehicle search unit 231 may search for at least one candidate electric vehicle in descending order of surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of travel power consumed from the remaining battery charge from among electric vehicles whose travel distance from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 is shorter than a predetermined distance.

[0271] The vehicle presentation information creation unit 237 creates vehicle presentation information for presenting to the resident of the house 1 information relating to at least one candidate electric vehicle found by the candidate vehicle search unit 231B.

[0272] The vehicle presented information transmitting unit 221 transmits the vehicle presented information to the house 1. The vehicle presented information transmitting unit 221 transmits the vehicle presented information to the power supply control device 101B of the house 1.

[0273] The selected vehicle information receiving unit 222 receives selected vehicle information indicating a candidate electric vehicle selected by a resident of the residence 1 from at least one candidate electric vehicle from the residence 1. The selected vehicle information receiving unit 222 receives the selected vehicle information from the power supply control device 101B of the residence 1.

[0274] The cooperation request information creating unit 232B transmits cooperation request information (second request information) to the terminal associated with the candidate electric powered vehicle indicated in the selected vehicle information received by the selected vehicle information receiving unit 222.

[0275] Next, the operation of the power supply control device 101B according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0276] FIG. 23 is a first flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 24 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the power supply control device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0277] The processing in steps S81 to S84 is the same as the processing in steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0278] Next, in step S85, the vehicle presentation information receiving unit 125 receives vehicle presentation information for presenting to the resident of the house 1 information relating to at least one candidate electric vehicle found by the server 2B.

[0279] Next, in step S86, the vehicle selection acceptance display control unit 178 presents information about at least one candidate electric vehicle searched for by the server 2B to the resident of the house 1, and causes the display unit 13 to display a vehicle selection acceptance screen for accepting the resident's selection of a desired candidate electric vehicle from among the at least one candidate electric vehicle.

[0280] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle selection reception screen in the second embodiment.

[0281] The display unit 13 displays a vehicle selection reception screen 141. As shown in Fig. 25 , the vehicle selection reception screen 141 notifies the user that a candidate for power supply collaborator has been found, and also presents information about at least one candidate electric vehicle. In Fig. 25 , information about three candidate electric vehicles is presented. The information about the candidate electric vehicle includes the time required for the candidate electric vehicle to arrive at the house 1, the amount of power that the candidate electric vehicle can supply, the unit price of power when the candidate electric vehicle provides power, the length of time the candidate electric vehicle can stay, and an evaluation of the candidate electric vehicle by the user.

[0282] The amount of available power supply represents the surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of power consumption required for the candidate electric vehicle to travel from its current location to a location where it can be charged via the house 1 from the remaining battery charge of the candidate electric vehicle. The unit price of electricity is set in advance by the user of the candidate electric vehicle and is stored in advance in the user DB 241 of the server 2B. The allowable stay time is set in advance by the user of the candidate electric vehicle and is stored in advance in the user DB 241 of the server 2B. The rating is expressed on a five-point scale, for example. The rating is the average of the ratings given to the user of the candidate electric vehicle by other people, and is stored in the user DB 241 of the server 2B. The rating may be a rating given to the user of the candidate electric vehicle in this service, or a rating given to the user of the candidate electric vehicle in another service such as a personal buying and selling service.

[0283] Note that, although five types of items are presented as information about candidate electric vehicles: required time, available amount of electricity, electricity unit price, available stay time, and evaluation, the present disclosure is not particularly limited to these. The number of items presented may be fewer or more than five. Furthermore, the resident of the house 1 may set in advance which items are displayed.

[0284] Furthermore, the resident of the house 1 may set priorities for multiple items, including the required time, the amount of available electricity, the electricity unit price, the available stay time, and an evaluation. For example, if the required time is given the highest priority, a predetermined number of candidate electric vehicles may be displayed in descending order of the required time, starting with the electric vehicle with the shortest required time. Furthermore, for example, if the amount of available electricity is given the highest priority, a predetermined number of candidate electric vehicles may be displayed in descending order of the electric vehicle with the greatest amount of available electricity.

[0285] The vehicle selection reception screen 141 also includes radio buttons 142 for selecting a desired candidate electric vehicle from the at least one presented candidate electric vehicle, a first button 143 for requesting the user of the selected candidate electric vehicle to supply power to the house 1, and a second button 144 for canceling the request for power supply. When requesting power supply to the house 1, the resident of the house 1 touches the radio button 142 corresponding to the desired candidate electric vehicle from the at least one presented candidate electric vehicle, and then touches the first button 143. On the other hand, when canceling the request for power supply to the house 1, the resident of the house 1 touches the second button 144. When the second button 144 for canceling the request for power supply is selected on the vehicle selection reception screen 141, the processing may be terminated.

[0286] Returning to FIG. 23, in step S87, the selected vehicle information transmitter 126 transmits to the server 2B selected vehicle information indicating the candidate electric vehicle selected by the resident from among at least one candidate electric vehicle.

[0287] Next, in step S88, the vehicle selection acceptance display control unit 178 determines whether the vehicle presentation information has been received again by the vehicle presentation information receiving unit 125. The user of the selected candidate electric vehicle does not necessarily accept the request for power supply. If the user of the selected candidate electric vehicle accepts the request for power supply, the server 2B transmits vehicle information of the accepted candidate electric vehicle. On the other hand, if the user of the selected candidate electric vehicle does not accept the request for power supply, the server 2B transmits vehicle presentation information again to allow the resident of the house 1 to select a candidate electric vehicle again.

[0288] If it is determined that the vehicle presentation information has been received again (YES in step S88), the process returns to step S86. Then, the vehicle selection reception screen 141 is displayed again, and the resident of the house 1 selects an auxiliary electric vehicle again.

[0289] On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle presented information has not been received again (NO in step S88), in step S89, the vehicle information display control unit 173 determines whether or not the vehicle information has been received by the vehicle information receiving unit 122. Here, if it is determined that the vehicle information has not been received (NO in step S89), the process returns to step S88.

[0290] On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle information has been received (YES in step S89), in step S90, the vehicle information display control unit 173 causes the display unit 13 to display a vehicle position confirmation screen for indicating the current position of the electric vehicle 3 moving toward the house 1, based on the vehicle information received by the vehicle information receiving unit 122.

[0291] The processing in steps S90 to S100 is the same as the processing in steps S6 to S16 in FIGS. 5 and 6, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0292] Next, the operation of the server 2B in the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0293] FIG. 26 is a first flowchart illustrating the operation of the server according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 27 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the server according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0294] First, in step S111, the supply request information receiving unit 211 receives the supply request information transmitted by the power supply control device 101B.

[0295] Next, in step S112, the candidate vehicle search unit 231B refers to the user DB 241 and searches for at least one candidate electric vehicle that can supply power to the house 1 from among electric vehicles associated with other houses other than the house 1 that is experiencing a power outage. At this time, it is preferable that the candidate vehicle search unit 231B searches for a plurality of candidate electric vehicles so that the resident of the house 1 can select a desired candidate electric vehicle from among a larger number of candidate electric vehicles.

[0296] For example, the candidate vehicle search unit 231B searches for a predetermined number of candidate electric vehicles in order of the shortest travel time from the current position of the electric vehicle to the house 1 from among electric vehicles whose surplus remaining amount, obtained by subtracting the travel power consumption amount from the remaining battery charge, is greater than a predetermined amount. The predetermined number is, for example, three. Note that the method of searching for a plurality of candidate electric vehicles by the candidate vehicle search unit 231B is not limited to the above, and various search methods exemplified in the first and second embodiments can be applied.

[0297] Furthermore, the resident of the house 1 may set priorities for multiple items, including the required time, the amount of available electricity, the electricity unit price, the possible stay time, and the evaluation. For example, if the required time is given the highest priority, the candidate vehicle search unit 231B may search for a predetermined number of candidate electric vehicles in descending order of the required time (travel time). For example, if the amount of available electricity is given the highest priority, the candidate vehicle search unit 231B may search for a predetermined number of candidate electric vehicles in descending order of the amount of available electricity.

[0298] Next, in step S113, the vehicle presentation information creation unit 237 creates vehicle presentation information for presenting to the resident of the house 1 information about at least one candidate electric vehicle found by the candidate vehicle search unit 231B.

[0299] Next, in step S114, the vehicle presented information transmitting unit 221 transmits the vehicle presented information created by the vehicle presented information creating unit 237 to the power supply control device 101B.

[0300] Next, in step S115, the selected vehicle information receiving unit 222 receives the selected vehicle information transmitted by the power supply control device 101B.

[0301] Next, in step S116, the cooperation request information creating unit 232B transmits cooperation request information to the terminal 4 associated with the candidate electric powered vehicle indicated in the selected vehicle information received by the selected vehicle information receiving unit 222.

[0302] Next, in step S117, the cooperation response information receiving unit 213 receives cooperation response information from the terminal 4 indicating whether or not the supply of power to the house 1 is accepted.

[0303] Next, in step S118, the home location information creation unit 233 determines whether cooperation response information indicating acceptance has been received. If it is determined that cooperation response information indicating non-acceptance has been received (NO in step S118), the process returns to step S112, and at least one candidate electric vehicle is searched for again. At this time, the candidate vehicle search unit 231B excludes candidate electric vehicles that did not accept the request for power supply from among electric vehicles associated with homes other than the home 1 experiencing a power outage, and searches for at least one candidate electric vehicle that can supply power to the home 1.

[0304] On the other hand, if it is determined that cooperation response information indicating acceptance has been received (YES in step S118), then in step S119, the home location information creation unit 233 creates home location information indicating the location of the home 1 that has experienced a power outage.

[0305] The processing in steps S119 to S128 is the same as the processing in steps S27 to S36 in FIGS. 9 and 10, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0306] In this way, cooperation request information is sent to the terminal associated with the candidate electric vehicle selected by the resident of house 1 from among at least one candidate electric vehicle found, so that the candidate electric vehicle desired by the resident of house 1 can be directed to house 1.

[0307] In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the program may be executed by another independent computer system by recording the program on a recording medium and transferring it, or by transferring the program via a network.

[0308] Some or all of the functions of the device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are typically realized as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), which is an integrated circuit. These may be implemented individually on a single chip, or some or all of them may be integrated on a single chip. Furthermore, the integrated circuit is not limited to an LSI, and may be realized using a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. It is also possible to use an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), which can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor, which allows the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI to be reconfigured.

[0309] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

[0310] Furthermore, all the numbers used above are merely examples to specifically explain the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the numbers used as examples.

[0311] The order in which the steps are performed shown in the above flowchart is merely an example for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and other orders may be used as long as similar effects are obtained. Also, some of the steps may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps. [Industrial Applicability]

[0312] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The technology disclosed herein is capable of supplying power to a home even during a power outage, and is therefore useful as a technology for managing the power supply to a home from an electric vehicle.

Claims

1. The computer receiving, from one of the plurality of homes experiencing a power outage, first request information for requesting power supply to the one home; refer to a database associating the plurality of residences with a plurality of electric vehicles capable of supplying power to each of the plurality of residences, and search for candidate electric vehicles capable of supplying power to the first residence from among electric vehicles associated with residences other than the first residence, based on a priority set by a resident of the first residence for at least one of the following items: the time required for the candidate electric vehicle to arrive at the first residence, the amount of power that the candidate electric vehicle can supply, the unit price of power when the candidate electric vehicle provides power, the length of time that the candidate electric vehicle can stay, and an evaluation of the user of the candidate electric vehicle; transmitting second request information to a terminal associated with the searched candidate electric vehicle, the second request information being for requesting power supply from the candidate electric vehicle to the first house; transmitting location information indicating a location of the first house to the terminal when response information indicating that the supply of power to the first house has been accepted is received from the terminal; Power supply management method.

2. further receiving, when there is an electric vehicle currently receiving power supply to the first residence, a power supply available time indicating a time during which the electric vehicle currently receiving power can continuously supply power to the first residence from the first residence; In the search for the candidate electric vehicles, the candidate electric vehicles are searched for from among electric vehicles that can arrive at the first residence within the available power supply time. The power supply management method according to claim 1.

3. In the search for the candidate electric vehicles, the candidate electric vehicles are searched for from among electric vehicles having a remaining battery charge greater than the amount of power consumption required for the electric vehicle to travel from its current location to a location where it can be charged via the first residence. The power supply management method according to claim 1.

4. In the search for the candidate electric vehicle, a candidate electric vehicle having the largest surplus remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of power consumption from the remaining battery amount is searched for. The power supply management method according to claim 3.

5. In the search for the candidate electric vehicle, a candidate electric vehicle that takes the shortest time to travel from the current position of the electric vehicle to the first residence or a candidate electric vehicle that takes the shortest distance to travel from the current position of the electric vehicle to the first residence is searched for. The power supply management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Furthermore, power outage recovery information indicating that the power outage has been recovered is received from the first residence; Furthermore, when the power outage resolution information is received after the second request information is transmitted, cancellation information for canceling the request for power supply to the first house is transmitted to the terminal. The power supply management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Furthermore, an incentive to be given to a user of the candidate electric vehicle when power is supplied from the candidate electric vehicle to the first house is calculated; and transmitting information indicating the calculated incentive to the terminal. The power supply management method according to claim 1.

8. In calculating the incentive, the incentive is calculated so as to increase in accordance with the amount of power supplied from the candidate electric vehicle to the first house, the time required for the candidate electric vehicle to travel to the first house, or the time required for the candidate electric vehicle to supply power to the first house. The power supply management method according to claim 7.

9. In calculating the incentive, the incentive is calculated based on the electricity unit price set by the user of the candidate electric vehicle.

9. The power supply management method according to claim 7 or 8.

10. and transmitting a current location of the candidate electric vehicle to the first house when the response information indicating that the candidate electric vehicle has accepted the supply of power to the first house is received from the terminal. The power supply management method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. In the search for the candidate electric vehicle, at least one candidate electric vehicle is searched for; Furthermore, transmitting vehicle presentation information to the first residence for presenting information about the at least one searched candidate electric vehicle to a resident of the first residence; Further, receiving selected vehicle information from the first residence, the selected vehicle indicating a candidate electric vehicle selected by the resident from the at least one candidate electric vehicle; transmitting the second request information to a terminal associated with the candidate electric vehicles indicated in the received selected vehicle information; The power supply management method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The vehicle presentation information includes the evaluation. The power supply management method according to claim 11.

13. further, when the response information indicating that the supply of power to the first residence has been refused is received from the terminal, the database is referenced, and a search is again made for a candidate electric vehicle capable of supplying power to the first residence from among electric vehicles associated with the other residences other than the refused electric vehicle. The power supply management method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. In the search for the candidate electric vehicle, a plurality of candidate electric vehicles are searched for; transmitting the second request information to each of a plurality of terminals associated with each of the plurality of candidate electric vehicles; In transmitting the location information, the location information is transmitted to a terminal that first returned the response information. The power supply management method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. a first request information receiving unit that receives, from one of the plurality of homes experiencing a power outage, first request information for requesting power supply to the one home; a search unit that refers to a database that associates the plurality of residences with a plurality of electric vehicles that can supply power to each of the plurality of residences, and searches for candidate electric vehicles that can supply power to the first residence from among electric vehicles associated with residences other than the first residence, based on a priority set by a resident of the first residence for at least one of the following items: the time required for the candidate electric vehicle to arrive at the first residence, the amount of power that the candidate electric vehicle can supply, the unit price of power when the candidate electric vehicle provides power, the amount of time that the candidate electric vehicle can stay, and an evaluation of the user of the candidate electric vehicle; a second request information transmitter that transmits second request information to a terminal associated with the searched candidate electric vehicle, the second request information being for requesting power supply from the candidate electric vehicle to the first house; a location information transmitting unit that transmits location information indicating a location of the first house to the terminal when response information indicating acceptance of supplying power to the first house is received from the terminal; Equipped with Power supply management device.

16. receiving, from one of the plurality of homes experiencing a power outage, first request information for requesting power supply to the one home; refer to a database associating the plurality of residences with a plurality of electric vehicles capable of supplying power to each of the plurality of residences, and search for candidate electric vehicles capable of supplying power to the first residence from among electric vehicles associated with residences other than the first residence, based on a priority set by a resident of the first residence for at least one of the following items: the time required for the candidate electric vehicle to arrive at the first residence, the amount of power that the candidate electric vehicle can supply, the unit price of power when the candidate electric vehicle provides power, the length of time that the candidate electric vehicle can stay, and an evaluation of the user of the candidate electric vehicle; transmitting second request information to a terminal associated with the searched candidate electric vehicle, the second request information being for requesting power supply from the candidate electric vehicle to the first house; causing the computer to function to transmit, to the terminal, location information indicating the location of the first house, when response information indicating acceptance of supplying power to the first house is received from the terminal; Power supply management program.

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