method

Abstract

To improve the technique for providing a charging service.SOLUTION: A method is executed by a control device 10 used to provide a charging service for transporting power supply equipment C used for charging a vehicle V to a location designated by a user, the method comprising: acquiring designated location information on the designated location; specifying the area of the designated location on the basis of the designated location information; and determining whether to transport the power supply equipment C on the basis of the area of the designated location.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology that provides a charging service for a vehicle when the charge level of the vehicle's battery falls below a predetermined value. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a charging vehicle goes to the location of the vehicle, and the driver of the charging vehicle charges the vehicle's battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-121885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional charging reservation systems, there are cases where it is not possible to secure a parking space for the charging vehicle that comes to the user's vehicle. As such, there is room for improvement in the technology for providing charging services.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for providing charging services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a method executed by a control device used to provide a charging service that transports power supply equipment used to charge a vehicle to a location specified by a user, and includes obtaining specified location information regarding the specified location, determining an area of ​​the specified location based on the specified location information, and determining whether to transport the power supply equipment based on the area of ​​the specified location. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the technology for providing charging services. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0010] First, an overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes a control device 10 and a terminal device 20. The devices are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 30 including, for example, the Internet.

[0011] The system 1 according to this embodiment is used to provide a so-called emergency charging service. The emergency charging service is a service in which, upon request from a user who wishes to charge a vehicle V, power supply equipment C used to charge the vehicle V is delivered to a location specified by the user and collected after the charging work is completed. The location specified by the user is a space reserved in advance by the user for placing the power supply equipment C, such as an empty space on the premises of the user's home or an empty space in a parking lot next to where the vehicle V is parked.

[0012] The control device 10 is installed in a facility such as a data center, etc. The control device 10 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system.

[0013] The terminal device 20 is held by a user. The terminal device 20 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, or a PC. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer.

[0014] Network 30 may include the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or a combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 30 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. A wireless network may be, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0015] The vehicle V is any type of automobile that uses electricity for at least part of its propulsion, such as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). The vehicle V is a vehicle in which a user rides.

[0016] The power supply facility C includes, for example, a power supply device C1 equipped with a storage battery that can be installed on the ground to charge the vehicle V, or a vehicle equipped with a storage battery. Hereinafter, a vehicle serving as the power supply facility C will also be referred to as a power supply vehicle C2. The power supply facility C is managed by a business operator that provides charging services.

[0017] For example, the power supply device C1 is loaded onto a transport vehicle C1V of a business operator and delivered to the vehicle V. The power supply device C1 is placed at a designated location to provide charging services. The power supply vehicle C2 moves to the vehicle V and parks at the designated location to provide charging services. Specifically, after arriving at the user's vehicle V, the driver of the transport vehicle C1V or the driver of the power supply vehicle C2 connects the vehicle V and the power supply device C1 or the power supply vehicle C2 with a cable and charges the battery of the vehicle V. When the power supply vehicle C2 moves by autonomous driving, the user may perform the charging work themselves.

[0018] After providing the charging service, the power supply device C1 is collected and loaded onto the transport vehicle C1V again, and returned to the business operator. After providing the charging service, the power supply vehicle C2 also returns to the business operator. Without being limited to this, the power supply device C1 or the power supply vehicle C2 may go to a vehicle V of another user different from the user to provide the charging service, and then return to the business operator. The power supply vehicle C2 may be capable of moving by autonomous driving. Autonomous driving includes, for example, levels 1 to 5 defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), but is not limited to these and may be defined arbitrarily. Without being limited to this, the power supply vehicle C2 may be any vehicle driven by a driver.

[0019] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The control device 10 is used to provide a charging service in which a power supply facility C used to charge a vehicle V is transported to a location specified by a user. The control device 10 acquires specified location information related to the specified location, identifies the area of ​​the specified location based on the specified location information, and determines whether to transport the power supply facility C based on the area of ​​the specified location.

[0020] According to this embodiment, the control device 10 can automatically determine whether the area of ​​the designated location where the power supply equipment C is to be installed is sufficient. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where, after the power supply equipment C is delivered to the designated location, there is insufficient space to install the power supply equipment C, causing a delay in the charging service. This makes it possible to improve the technology for providing charging services.

[0021] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0022] <Control device 10> The control device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0023] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or ASIC. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 11 controls each part of the control unit 10 and executes processing related to the operation of the control unit 10.

[0024] The memory unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. ROM is, for example, EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The memory unit 12 functions, for example, as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 12 stores information used in the operation of the control device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the control device 10. For example, the memory unit 12 may store system programs, application programs, databases, map information, etc. The information stored in the memory unit 12 may be updated with information obtained from the network 30 via the communication unit 13.

[0025] The communication unit 13 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface, a LAN interface, or an interface compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. "LTE" is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th generation. "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th generation. The communication unit 13 receives data used in the operation of the control device 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the control device 10.

[0026] The functions of the control device 10 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the control unit 11. That is, the functions of the control device 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the control device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the control device 10. That is, the computer functions as the control device 10 by executing the operations of the control device 10 in accordance with the control program.

[0027] The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In this embodiment, the non-transitory computer-readable medium is a ROM. Non-transitory computer-readable media are not limited to this, and include, for example, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, and magneto-optical recording media. The program is distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as DVDs or CD-ROMs that store the program. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program may be distributed by storing it in the storage of a server and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program may also be provided as a program product.

[0028] A computer temporarily stores a program stored on a portable medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device using a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP-type service that achieves its function simply by issuing an execution command and obtaining the results, without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. Programs include information used for processing by a computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that does not directly instruct a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under the category of "equivalent to a program."

[0029] Some or all of the functions of the control device 10 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 11. In other words, some or all of the functions of the control device 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0030] <Terminal device 20>

[0031] The terminal device 20 includes a control unit 21 , a storage unit 22 , a communication unit 23 , an input / output unit 24 , and an imaging unit 25 .

[0032] The hardware configurations of the control unit 21, storage unit 22, and communication unit 23 of the terminal device 20 may be similar to the hardware configurations of the control unit 11, storage unit 12, and communication unit 13 of the control device 10, respectively, and will not be described here.

[0033] The input / output unit 24 includes at least one input / output interface. The input / output interface includes a touch screen integrated with a display. The input / output unit 24 accepts an operation to input information used in the operation of the terminal device 20 and outputs information obtained by the operation of the terminal device 20. The input / output unit 24 may be connected to the terminal device 20 as an external input device instead of being provided in the terminal device 20. Any connection method, such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark), can be used. The input / output unit 24 may not be integrated, but may be composed of separate input and output units. In this case, the input unit includes at least one input interface, such as a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a microphone. The output unit includes at least one output interface, such as a display or a speaker.

[0034] The imaging unit 25 includes one or more cameras. Each camera included in the imaging unit 25 is arranged at an appropriate position on the terminal device 20 so as to be able to capture an image of the periphery of the terminal device 20. For example, the imaging unit 25 includes at least one of an outer camera capable of capturing an image of a subject on the opposite side of the user holding the terminal device 20, and an inner camera capable of capturing an image of a subject on the side of the user holding the terminal device 20. Without being limited to this, the imaging unit 25 may include an omnidirectional camera capable of capturing an image of the entire periphery of the terminal device 20. The imaging unit 25 outputs the captured and generated image to the control unit 21.

[0035] The operation of the control device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. This operation corresponds to the method according to this embodiment. In the following, the control device 10 transmits and receives information to and from each device via the communication unit 13 and the network 30.

[0036] In step S1 of FIG. 3, the control unit 11 of the control device 10 acquires designated location information relating to a designated location.

[0037] Any method may be adopted to acquire the designated location information. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 acquires the designated location information by receiving it from the user's terminal device 20. In this embodiment, the designated location information includes an image of the designated location. For example, the user operates the terminal device 20 to capture an image of an empty parking space next to the vehicle V in a parking lot as a designated location for placing the power supply equipment C. The imaging unit 25 of the terminal device 20 outputs the generated image to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 transmits the image to the control device 10. At this time, the terminal device 20 may also transmit reservation information indicating a desired reservation date and time for the user to receive the charging service to the control device 10. The reservation information may include, for example, user location information indicating the location of the terminal device 20 or the vehicle V as the user's location.

[0038] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an image taken by a camera provided in the vehicle V may be transmitted to the control device 10, and the control unit 11 may receive the image as the designated location information.

[0039] In step S2, the control unit 11 identifies the area of ​​the designated location based on the acquired designated location information. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 calculates and identifies the area of ​​the designated location based on the image included in the designated location information. The control unit 11 may calculate the area of ​​the region indicated by the image using any image analysis technology.

[0040] For example, the control unit 11 transmits to the terminal device 20 information indicating guidelines for superimposing a reference object on a photograph, as a filter on a display serving as the input / output unit 24, when the terminal device 20 takes a photograph. The reference object is, for example, a car stop. The terminal device 20 receives the information and displays it on the input / output unit 24. This allows the user to superimpose the reference object and the guidelines on the photograph. For example, the control unit 11 of the control device 10 extracts a portion of the received image where the color difference between pixels is equal to or greater than a predetermined value as an area reserved by the user, and counts the number of pixels in the area. The control unit 11 may compare the area information with the number of pixels of the reference object indicated by the guidelines to calculate the area. In this way, the control unit 11 determines the area of ​​the specified location based on the image included in the specified location information.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to this, and any method may be adopted for identifying the area of ​​the specified location. For example, the control unit 11 may identify the area of ​​the specified location by receiving information indicating an area value directly input by the user to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 may transmit information indicating the area of ​​the specified location in stages, such as large, medium, and small, to the control device 10. The control unit 11 of the control device 10 may refer to a database in which area values ​​corresponding to the information are pre-registered, read the values, and identify the area. The database may be stored in the storage unit 12. For example, the database may be registered with area values ​​corresponding to "large" (X square meters or more), "medium" (less than X square meters and more than Y square meters), and "small" (less than Y square meters and more than Z square meters). The user inputs information indicating "large" via the input / output unit 24 of the terminal device 20, and the information is transmitted to the control device 10. The control unit 11, upon receiving the information, can refer to the database and identify an area value of X square meters or more. The information indicating the staged area is not limited to three stages, such as large, medium, and small, and may also include information such as the area of ​​one vehicle or half the area of ​​a vehicle.

[0042] For example, the control unit 11 may specify the area by referring to a database in which user identification information and the area of ​​the parking lot at the user's home are associated and registered in advance. The user identification information may be the identification information of the terminal device 20. Specifically, the control unit 11 may acquire information indicating that the specified location is the home by receiving it from the terminal device 20 as specified location information, and may read and specify information indicating the area of ​​the parking lot at the user's home that corresponds to the identification information of the terminal device 20 by referring to the database. The database may be stored in the storage unit 12.

[0043] For example, the control device 10 may acquire area information by referring to a database in which the location of any parking lot is associated with the area of ​​each parking space in the parking lot and registered in advance. Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires the area information by receiving the user location information included in the reservation information as designated location information, refers to the database to identify a parking lot corresponding to the location indicated by the user location information, and reads and identifies the area of ​​each parking space in the identified parking lot. The database may be stored in the storage unit 12.

[0044] In step S3, the control unit 11 determines whether the identified area is equal to or greater than the area required for placing the power supply equipment C. If the control unit 11 determines that the identified area is equal to or greater than the area required for placing the power supply equipment C (step S3: YES), the processing of the control unit 11 proceeds to step S5. If the control unit 11 determines that the identified area is less than the area required for placing the power supply equipment C (step S3: NO), the processing of the control unit 11 proceeds to step S4.

[0045] Specifically, the area required for arranging the power supply equipment C may be the area of ​​the bottom of the power supply equipment C that comes into contact with the ground when placed for charging. When the power supply equipment C is a power supply vehicle C2, the area required for arranging the power supply equipment C may be the area required for parking the power supply vehicle C2. The area required for arranging the power supply equipment C may be set in advance by, for example, a business operator that provides a charging service, and may be stored in the storage unit 12.

[0046] In this embodiment, the power supply facility C is a power supply vehicle C2, and the control unit 11 determines that the specified area is equal to or larger than the area required for parking the power supply vehicle C2. In this case, the process of the control unit 11 proceeds to step S5.

[0047] First, a case where the processing of the control unit 11 proceeds to step S4 in step S3 will be described. In step S4, the control unit 11 notifies the user that the area of ​​the specified location is insufficient. Specifically, the control unit 11 transmits information indicating this notification to the user's terminal device 20. The user's terminal device 20 receives this information and outputs it via the input / output unit 24, allowing the user to know that the area of ​​the specified location is insufficient. The notification may be made by voice, text, or the like. Thereafter, the operation of the control unit 11 of the control device 10 returns to step S1.

[0048] The control unit 11 may transmit information indicating the difference between the identified area and the area required for arranging the power supply facility C to the terminal device 20. This allows the user to clearly know how much larger an area he or she needs to secure.

[0049] Next, a case where the processing of the control unit 11 proceeds to step S5 in step S3 will be described. In step S5, the control unit 11 determines the power supply facility C to be delivered to the user's vehicle V. For example, the control unit 11 may determine the power supply facility C by referring to a database that stores identification information of the power supply facility C, the date and time when the power supply facility C is available, and the area required for placing the power supply facility C, in association with each other. The database may be stored in the memory unit 12 of the control device 10, or may be stored in the memory unit 12 of an external server owned by a business operator that manages the power supply facility C, different from the control device 10. In this case, the control unit 11 of the control device 10 may communicate with the external server to refer to the database.

[0050] Specifically, the control unit 11 extracts, from among the multiple power supply facilities C indicated in the database, a power supply facility whose available date and time includes the user's desired date and time indicated by the reservation information, and determines it as the power supply facility C to be transported to the user's vehicle V. The control unit 11 may select and determine, from among the extracted power supply facilities, a power supply facility whose area required for placement is less than the specified area but whose difference from the specified area is greater. This makes it possible to automatically select and determine power supply facility C that can be reliably placed at the user's specified location when actually transported to the vehicle V.

[0051] If there is no power supply facility C among the multiple power supply facilities C whose available date and time includes the date and time desired by the user as indicated by the reservation information, or if there is no power supply facility among the extracted power supply facilities whose area required for installation is less than the area identified from the specified location information, the control unit 11 may decide not to transport the power supply facility C. In this case, the control unit 11 may transmit information to the terminal device 20 indicating that there is no power supply facility C that can be transported. The terminal device 20 outputs the information to the user via the input / output unit 24, allowing the user to immediately know that there is no power supply facility C to be transported.

[0052] In this embodiment, the control unit 11 refers to the database and extracts power supply vehicles C21 and C22 whose available dates and times include the reserved date and time indicated in the reservation information. The control unit 11 selects, from the power supply vehicles C21 and C22, the power supply vehicle C21 whose parking area is greater than the area identified by the control unit 11 based on the designated location information, and determines to transport the power supply vehicle C21 to the vehicle V. Specifically, transporting the power supply vehicle C2 includes moving the power supply vehicle C2 to the vehicle V by automatic driving or manual driving. In this way, the control unit 11 can determine to transport the power supply vehicle C2 to the vehicle V when the identified area is equal to or greater than the area required for parking the power supply vehicle C2. In this way, the control unit 11 can determine whether to transport the power supply equipment C based on the area of ​​the designated location.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to this, and any method may be adopted for determining the power supply facility C. For example, the control unit 11 may identify and determine a transportation vehicle C1V or a power supply vehicle C2 loaded with a power supply device C1 that is traveling to provide a charging service to another user different from the user. Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires location information indicating the location of the transportation vehicle C1V or the power supply vehicle C2 by receiving it from the transportation vehicle C1V or the power supply vehicle C2. Based on the acquired location information of the transportation vehicle C1V or the power supply vehicle C2, the control unit 11 identifies the transportation vehicle C1V or the power supply vehicle C2 that is traveling within a predetermined distance from the user's location indicated by the user location information. The control unit 11 may determine the power supply device C1 loaded on the identified transportation vehicle C1V or the identified power supply vehicle C2 as the power supply facility C that will transport the user to the user. This enables a single power supply facility C to be used efficiently to provide charging services to multiple nearby users.

[0054] The control unit 11 may notify the business operator that manages the power supply equipment C of the determined power supply equipment C. The control unit 11 may also notify the business operator of the determined power supply equipment C along with the reservation information received from the user. The control unit 11 may transmit user location information to the determined power supply vehicle C2. This may allow the power supply vehicle C2 to move directly to the user's vehicle V by autonomous driving.

[0055] In step S6, the control unit 11 determines a reward to be given to the user. The reward may be, for example, a coupon for using a charging service. Any method may be used to determine the reward. For example, when the power supply equipment C determined in step S5 is delivered to the user, if the area of ​​the designated location actually reserved by the user is equal to or greater than the area required for placing the power supply equipment C, the control unit 11 may determine a higher reward than if the area of ​​the designated location actually reserved was less than the area required for placing the power supply equipment C. For example, the control unit 11 may determine a higher reward the larger the specified area.

[0056] The control unit 11 may determine a reward to be given to the user based on whether an event is being held within a predetermined distance from the user's location indicated by the user location information. Specifically, the control unit 11 refers to a database in which the date, time, and location of the event are registered, and determines whether the event will be held within a predetermined distance from the user's location indicated by the user location information during a time period including the reservation date and time indicated by the reservation information. The database may be stored in advance in the storage unit 12. If an event is being held, the control unit 11 may determine a higher reward than if the event is not being held.

[0057] The control unit 11 may determine a reward to be given to the user based on whether or not there is a tourist attraction within a predetermined distance from the user's location indicated by the user location information. Specifically, the control unit 11 reads the location of the tourist attraction by referring to a database in which the locations of tourist attractions are registered, and determines whether or not there is a tourist attraction within a predetermined distance from the user's location indicated by the user location information. The database may be pre-stored in the storage unit 12. If there is a tourist attraction, the control unit 11 may determine a higher reward compared to when there is no tourist attraction.

[0058] In this way, the control unit 11 can determine a high reward when it is expected that it will be highly difficult to secure space to place the power supply equipment C due to the presence of an event or tourist attraction, that is, when it is expected that it will be more difficult for the operator to find space to place the power supply equipment C on his own.

[0059] As shown in step S6, if the identified area is equal to or larger than the area required for placing the power supply equipment C, the control unit 11 determines the reward to be given to the user.

[0060] In step S7, the control unit 11 notifies the user of the determined reward. Specifically, the control unit 11 generates information notifying the user of the determined reward and transmits it to the user's terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 receives the information and outputs it via the input / output unit 24, allowing the user to know the reward. Thereafter, the processing of the control unit 11 ends.

[0061] As described above, the control device 10 according to this embodiment is used to provide a charging service in which power supply equipment C used to charge a vehicle V is transported to a location specified by a user. The control unit 11 of the control device 10 acquires specified location information about the specified location, identifies the area of ​​the specified location based on the specified location information, and determines whether to transport power supply equipment C based on the area of ​​the specified location. According to this embodiment, it is possible to automatically determine and transport power supply equipment C of a size that fits the space of the specified location reserved by the user. This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which power supply equipment C cannot be placed after arriving at the vehicle V. This makes it possible to improve the technology for providing charging services.

[0062] As described above, in the control device 10 according to this embodiment, the designated location information includes an image of the designated location. The control unit 11 identifies the area of ​​the designated location based on the image. According to this embodiment, the control unit 11 can accurately identify the area reserved by the user based on the image. The user can also easily transmit the designated location information by simply taking an image of the designated location using the terminal device 20 or the like. This makes it possible to improve the technology for providing charging services.

[0063] As described above, in the control device 10 according to this embodiment, the control unit 11 determines a reward to be given to the user when the identified area is equal to or greater than the area required for placing the power supply facility C. According to this embodiment, since a reward is given, it becomes easier for the user to reserve a sufficient space in advance as a designated location. This makes it possible to improve the technology for providing charging services.

[0064] As described above, in the control device 10 according to this embodiment, the power supply facility C includes the power supply vehicle C2. If the specified area is equal to or larger than the area required for parking the power supply vehicle C2, the control unit 11 determines to transport the power supply vehicle C2 to the vehicle V. According to this embodiment, when the power supply vehicle C2 arrives at the user's vehicle V, it is possible to prevent the user from having to search for a separate parking lot because there is no space available for the power supply vehicle C2. This makes it possible to improve the technology for providing charging services.

[0065] As described above, in the control device 10 according to this embodiment, when the identified area is less than the area required for placing the power supply equipment C, the control unit 11 notifies the user that the area of ​​the designated location is insufficient. According to this embodiment, it is possible to automatically notify the user in advance that the area of ​​the designated location is insufficient. This makes it possible to improve the technology for providing charging services.

[0066] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagrams may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Two or more steps shown in the flowcharts may be executed in parallel or in a different order, instead of being executed in chronological order as described, depending on the processing capabilities of the device executing each step, or as needed. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 System 10 Control device 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 20 Terminal equipment 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 24 Input / output section 25 Imaging unit 30 Network V vehicle C. Power supply equipment C1 Power supply device C2 Power supply vehicle C1V transport vehicle

Claims

1. A method executed by a control device used to provide a charging service that transports power supply equipment used for charging a vehicle to a location designated by a user, the method comprising: obtaining designated location information relating to the designated location; Identifying the area of ​​the designated location based on the designated location information; determining whether to transport the power supply equipment based on the area of ​​the designated location; and determining a reward to be given to the user when the specified area is equal to or greater than the area required for placing the power supply equipment.

2. 10. The method of claim 1, the designated location information includes an image taken of the designated location, The method further includes determining an area of ​​the specified location based on the image.

3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, The power supply facility includes a power supply vehicle, The method further includes determining to transport the power supply vehicle to the vehicle when the specified area is equal to or larger than the area required for parking the power supply vehicle.

4. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising, when the identified area is less than the area required for placing the power supply equipment, notifying the user that the area of ​​the specified location is insufficient.

Images