Bonus Granting Device

Abstract

To provide a privilege imparting device that provides effect on an increase in a consumption amount of a user at a facility.SOLUTION: In a connection configuration where a privilege imparting device, terminals of respective users, and electric vehicles of the respective users, and electric chargers each charging the battery of the electric vehicle are connected together through a communication network, the privilege imparting device 10 comprises: a storage device which stores electric charger information associated with charging performance of the electric chargers installed at a facility and registration information on the users of the electric vehicles; an acquisition part 100 which acquires a chargeable amount of the battery from the electric charger; an estimation part 110 which estimates a staying time for which the user stays at the facility; a determination part 120 which determines an amount corresponding to the staying time, of privilege at the facility, to be imparted to the user; and an output part 130 which outputs, to the terminal of the user, notification information associated with the privilege.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bonus granting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle charging facility that provides users with benefits within the facility that correspond to the amount of charge that is applied to the driving battery of the vehicle by the vehicle charging facility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-246704 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are two types of chargers: relatively inexpensive chargers for normal charging and relatively expensive chargers for rapid charging. The amount of charge per unit time is greater with rapid charging than with normal charging. Therefore, according to the disclosure of Patent Document 1, many users want to efficiently utilize the benefits of the facility by using a rapid charging charger rather than a normal charging charger.

[0005] A user using a quick charger can take advantage of the facility's special benefits during the short quick charge time and then leave the facility shortly after. Therefore, even if a user is given a special benefit based on the amount of charge, there is a problem in that the user's stay at the facility is not necessarily long. If the user's stay at the facility is short, the user's expenditure at the facility is likely to be small.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An aspect of the present invention is a bonus awarding device that includes: a storage device that stores charger information regarding the charging performance of a charger installed in a facility and registration information of a user of an electric vehicle; an acquisition unit that acquires the chargeable capacity of a battery installed in the electric vehicle from the charger or the electric vehicle; an estimation unit that, when the battery is charged by the charger, estimates the length of time the user will stay at the facility based on the chargeable capacity and the charger information; a determination unit that decides to award the user a bonus at the facility in an amount corresponding to the length of time spent there estimated by the estimation unit; and an output unit that outputs notification information regarding the bonus determined by the determination unit to the user's terminal based on the registration information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an effect is obtained in that the amount of money spent by users at facilities tends to increase. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a network connection configuration of a privilege granting device according to an embodiment and a situation in which the privilege granting device is used. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the privilege granting device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a table in which settings related to a charger are registered. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table in which user-related settings are registered. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a table that defines the amount of a benefit to be given to a user. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how a benefit to be given to a user is determined based on the length of stay at a commercial facility, and how the user's terminal is notified of the benefit. [Figure 7]Fig. 7A is a diagram showing how notification information about a benefit is output to a user's terminal, and Fig. 7B is a diagram showing an example in which part of the notification information about a benefit has been changed. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for granting a privilege to a user in the privilege granting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1 is a diagram illustrating a network connection configuration of a reward granting device 10 according to one embodiment and a scenario in which the reward granting device 10 is used. A user's terminal 30, the user's electric vehicle 40, and a charger 50 for charging the battery 42 of the electric vehicle 40 are connected to the reward granting device 10 via a communication network 20. The charger 50 is installed in a parking lot 62 of a commercial facility 60. The commercial facility 60 has the parking lot 62 and a store 64.

[0011] In this embodiment, a user carries a terminal 30 and visits a commercial facility 60 in an electric vehicle 40. The user parks the electric vehicle 40 in a parking lot 62 and goes shopping in a store 64. While the user is staying at the commercial facility 60, the battery 42 of the electric vehicle 40 is charged by a charger 50.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the reward granting device 10. The reward granting device 10 has a processing circuit 80 and a storage device 90. The processing circuit 80 includes a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The storage device 90 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM or a flash memory. The volatile memory is used as a working memory for the processor. The non-volatile memory stores programs executed by the processor and other necessary data.

[0013] The processing circuit 80 has an acquisition unit 100, an estimation unit 110, a determination unit 120, and an output unit 130. The acquisition unit 100, the estimation unit 110, the determination unit 120, and the output unit 130 are realized by the processing circuit 80 executing a program stored in the storage device 90. At least some of the acquisition unit 100, the estimation unit 110, the determination unit 120, and the output unit 130 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA, or an electronic circuit including a discrete device.

[0014] The acquisition unit 100 acquires the capacity and chargeable amount of the battery 42 mounted on the electric vehicle 40 from the charger 50, along with the charger ID and user ID. The charger ID and user ID correspond to the charger 50 that charges the battery 42 and the user of the electric vehicle 40, respectively. The chargeable amount of the battery 42 is the difference between the capacity of the battery 42 and the power stored in the battery 42 (remaining battery capacity) at the time charging of the battery 42 starts.

[0015] The acquisition unit 100 may acquire the capacity and chargeable amount of the battery 42 from the electric vehicle 40. Alternatively, the SOC of the battery 42 may be acquired instead of the chargeable amount of the battery 42. In this case, the acquisition unit 100 can acquire the chargeable amount of the battery 42 by performing a calculation using the capacity and SOC of the battery 42.

[0016] The estimation unit 110 estimates the time that the user will stay in the commercial facility 60 when the battery 42 is charged by the charger 50. The time that the user will stay in the commercial facility 60 is estimated based on the chargeable amount of the battery 42 and the charging performance of the charger 50. Charger information relating to the charging performance of the charger 50 is stored in advance in the storage device 90.

[0017] The determination unit 120 determines to grant to the user a benefit that can be used at the commercial facility 60, in an amount corresponding to the user's stay time at the commercial facility 60 (a value estimated by the estimation unit 110). The amount of the benefit determined by the determination unit 120 also depends on the capacity of the battery 42. The benefit that can be used at the commercial facility 60 is selected by the determination unit 120 from among the benefits pre-stored in the storage device 90. In this embodiment, the benefit is a 10% discount coupon that can be used within the facility, and the amount of the benefit is the number of 10% discount coupons that are granted.

[0018] The output unit 130 outputs notification information regarding the benefit determined by the determination unit 120 to the user terminal 30. The output of the notification information to the user terminal 30 is performed based on the user registration information corresponding to the user ID acquired by the acquisition unit 100.

[0019] 3 is a diagram illustrating a table 150 in which settings related to the charger 50 are registered. The table 150 is stored in the storage device 90. The table 150 registers a facility ID associated with each facility such as a commercial facility 60, charger information 152 related to the charging performance of the charger 50 installed at the facility, and settings related to the granting of benefits to users.

[0020] The charger information 152 includes a charger ID associated with each charger 50, the charging output of the charger 50, and a classification related to the charging performance of the charger 50. Settings related to the provision of benefits to users are set for each charger 50.

[0021] In the example shown in FIG. 3, a value F1 is associated with the commercial facility 60 as the facility ID. Five chargers 50 are installed in the commercial facility 60. The chargers 50 corresponding to the charger ID values ​​C1 and C2 have a charging output of 3.2 kW. The charging performance category of these chargers 50 is classified as "normal." The charger 50 corresponding to the charger ID value C3 has a charging output of 6 kW. The charging performance category of this charger 50 is classified as "normal."

[0022] The charging output of the charger 50 corresponding to the charger ID value C4 is 10 kW. The charging performance category of this charger 50 is classified as "high." The charging output of the charger 50 corresponding to the charger ID value C5 is 50 kW. The charging performance category of this charger 50 is classified as "high."

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 3, chargers 50 classified as "normal" in the charging performance category (chargers 50 for normal charging) are set as eligible for special benefits. That is, a user who uses any of the chargers 50 corresponding to the charger ID values ​​C1, C2, and C3 is given a special benefit. Chargers 50 classified as "high" in the charging performance category (chargers 50 for rapid charging) are set as ineligible for special benefits. That is, a user who uses any of the chargers 50 corresponding to the charger ID values ​​C4 and C5 is not given a special benefit.

[0024] Such a bonus setting is expected to increase the need for additional normal charging chargers 50. Since the installation cost of normal charging chargers 50 is relatively low, the possibility that additional normal charging chargers 50 will actually be installed increases. Note that a predetermined amount of bonus may be awarded to users who use a quick charging charger 50.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a table 170 in which user-related settings are registered. The table 170 is stored in the storage device 90. User registration information 174 for each user is registered in association with benefits available to the user. The user registration information 174 registers a user ID associated with each user and personal information of the user. The user personal information includes contact information including the user's telephone number and email address, as well as data for identifying the user terminal. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a value I1 is registered as the user personal information corresponding to a user ID value U1.

[0026] As described above, when the determination unit 120 determines that a perk that can be used in the commercial facility 60 is to be granted to a user, the granted perk is registered in the table 170. A perk that has been consumed is deleted from the table 170. In the example shown in FIG. 4, four perks R1, R2, R3, and R4 are registered as perks that can be used by the user corresponding to the user ID value U1.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a table 190 in which the amount of a benefit to be given to a user is determined. Table 190 is stored in storage device 90. As described above, in this embodiment, the benefit is a 10% discount coupon valid throughout the facility, and the amount of the benefit is the number of 10% discount coupons given. As shown in FIG. 5, the longer the stay time estimated by estimation unit 110, the greater the amount of benefit given. It is therefore expected that the provision of a benefit will act as an incentive for the user to decide to stay at commercial facility 60 for a longer period of time.

[0028] It is considered that the number of users who own electric vehicles 40 with small-capacity batteries 42 is greater than the number of users who own electric vehicles 40 with large-capacity batteries 42. As shown in FIG. 5 , the smaller the capacity of the battery 42 installed in the electric vehicle 40, the greater the amount of the benefit provided. This encourages many users who own electric vehicles 40 with small-capacity batteries 42 to use the commercial facility 60. As the number of users who own electric vehicles 40 with large-capacity batteries 42 increases, the difference in the amount of the benefit provided depending on the capacity of the battery 42 may become smaller.

[0029] 6 is a diagram showing how the reward 200 to be granted to a user is determined based on the length of stay at commercial facility 60, and how the granting of reward 200 is notified to user terminal 30. In this embodiment, the user charges battery 42 of electric vehicle 40 using charger 50 corresponding to charger ID value C1, whose charging performance category is classified as "normal." As described with reference to FIG. 3, reward 200 is granted to the user who uses that charger 50.

[0030] The user operates an input device (not shown) of the charger 50 to input a command to start charging the battery 42 mounted on the electric vehicle 40 together with the user ID. The input device of the charger 50 is, for example, a touch panel, a button, or a reader that reads the screen display of the terminal 30. The charger 50 acquires the capacity and chargeable amount of the battery 42 from the electric vehicle 40. The charger 50 transfers vehicle data 210 including a charger ID corresponding to the charger 50 itself, a user ID, and the capacity and chargeable amount of the battery 42 to the benefit granting device 10.

[0031] The acquisition unit 100 of the benefit granting device 10 acquires the vehicle data 210 received from the charger 50. The estimation unit 110 estimates the user's stay time in the commercial facility 60 based on the vehicle data 210. The estimated stay time is obtained, for example, by adding a predetermined time to the estimated charging time of the battery 42. The charging time is estimated based on the chargeable amount of the battery 42 and the value of the charging output of the charger information 152 registered in the table 150 shown in FIG. 3 .

[0032] According to FIG. 3, the charging output of the charger 50 corresponding to the charger ID value C1 is 3.2 kW. If the chargeable amount is 9.6 kWh, the charging time is estimated to be 3 hours. If the above-mentioned predetermined time is 30 minutes, the user's stay time at the commercial facility 60 is estimated to be 3 hours and 30 minutes. If the capacity of the battery 42 installed in the electric vehicle 40 is 35 kWh, referring to table 190 shown in FIG. 5, the number of benefits 200 (discount coupons) to be given to the user is determined to be four.

[0033] The four rewards 200 (R1, R2, R3, and R4) determined by the determination unit 120 are registered in the table 170 shown in Fig. 4. The output unit 130 outputs notification information 220 related to the rewards 200 determined by the determination unit 120 to the user terminal 30.

[0034] 7A is a diagram showing notification information 220 regarding the benefit 200 output to a user's terminal 30. A message NM including an estimated charging time, the benefit 200 and its granted amount, and the expiration date of the benefit 200 is displayed on a screen 30S of the user's terminal 30. An area DR displaying the benefit 200 is located below the message NM on the screen 30S. The area DR indicates that the user has been granted benefits R1, R2, R3, and R4 corresponding to the four benefits 200 mentioned above, out of a maximum of six benefits 200 that can be granted.

[0035] On the screen 30S, an additional message AM regarding the contents included in the benefit 200 is displayed below the area DR. According to the message AM, by using the discount coupon provided as the benefit 200 to pay for the cost of charging the battery 42 mounted on the electric vehicle 40, a discount equivalent to 10% of the charging cost will be provided.

[0036] If the charging cost per hour of stay is set at 150 yen, then if the stay time is 2 hours, the original charging cost of 300 yen will be discounted by 30 yen. If the stay time is 3 hours, the original charging cost of 450 yen will be discounted by 45 yen. The determination unit 120 determines to grant the user a benefit 200 that includes such discounts according to the stay time. This allows the user to use the discount coupon for the charging cost.

[0037] According to the message AM, by using the discount coupon given as the benefit 200 to pay the parking fee for the electric vehicle 40 in the parking lot 62, an amount equivalent to 10% of the parking fee will be discounted.

[0038] If the parking fee per hour of stay is set at 1,000 yen, then if the stay is two hours, a 200 yen discount will be applied to the original parking fee of 2,000 yen. If the stay is three hours, a 300 yen discount will be applied to the original parking fee of 3,000 yen. The determination unit 120 determines to grant the user a benefit 200 that includes such a discount according to the stay length. This allows the user to use the discount coupon for parking fees.

[0039] Fig. 7B is a diagram showing an example in which part of the notification information 220 regarding the benefit 200 has been changed. Specifically, the display content of the additional message AM regarding the content included in the benefit 200 has been changed from the example shown in Fig. 7A to the example shown in Fig. 7B. According to the message AM shown in Fig. 7B, when the discount coupon provided as the benefit 200 is used to pay the parking fee for the electric vehicle 40 in the parking lot 62, a discount equivalent to 10% of the parking fee will not be provided.

[0040] The message AM states that, in exchange for a discount equivalent to 10% of the parking fee, no parking fee will be charged for the charging time of the battery 42 mounted on the electric vehicle 40. The determination unit 120 determines to grant the user such a benefit 200 that includes no parking fee being charged for the charging time. In this way, the user can use the discount coupon to pay the parking fee.

[0041] 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for granting a reward 200 to a user in the reward granting device 10. This processing procedure is performed, for example, by the processing circuit 80 of the reward granting device 10 executing a program stored in the storage device 90. When this processing procedure starts, in step S110, the acquisition unit 100 acquires vehicle data 210 from the charger 50. As described above, the vehicle data 210 includes the charger ID of the charger 50, the user ID of the user of the electric vehicle 40, and the capacity and chargeable amount of the battery 42 mounted on the electric vehicle 40.

[0042] In step S120, the estimation unit 110 estimates the user's stay time at the commercial facility 60 based on the vehicle data 210 acquired in step S110. In step S130, the determination unit 120 determines the benefit 200 that can be used at the commercial facility 60 and the amount of the benefit 200 to be granted to the user based on the stay time estimated in step S120.

[0043] In step S140, the determination unit 120 stores the benefit 200 determined in step S130 in the table 170 in the storage device 90. In step S150, the output unit 130 outputs notification information 220 regarding the benefit 200 determined in step S130 to the user terminal 30. When the processing of step S150 is completed, this processing procedure ends.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0045] [Inventions Obtained from the Embodiments] The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiments will be described below.

[0046] (1) A reward granting device (10) includes a storage device (90) that stores charger information (152) related to the charging performance of a charger (50) installed in a facility (60) and registration information (174) of a user of an electric vehicle (40); an acquisition unit (100) that acquires a chargeable capacity of a battery (42) mounted on the electric vehicle from the charger or the electric vehicle; an estimation unit (110) that, when the battery is charged by the charger, estimates a stay time of the user at the facility based on the chargeable capacity and the charger information; a determination unit (120) that determines to grant the user a reward (200) at the facility in an amount corresponding to the stay time estimated by the estimation unit; and an output unit (130) that outputs notification information (220) related to the reward determined by the determination unit to the user's terminal (30) based on the registration information. This may increase the user's stay time at the facility. As a result, the user's spending at the facility tends to increase. Furthermore, it will stimulate investment to increase the number of chargers at facilities.

[0047] (2) The acquisition unit may further acquire the battery capacity from the charger or the electric vehicle, and the determination unit may determine to grant a larger amount of the benefit to the user as the capacity decreases. This may encourage many users who own electric vehicles with small battery capacities to visit the facility.

[0048] (3) The determination unit may determine to grant the user the benefit including a discount on the charging fee for the battery or the parking fee at the facility according to the length of stay, which may encourage many users to use the chargers at the facility.

[0049] (4) The decision unit may decide to grant the user the benefit including exemption from parking fees at the facility during the charging time of the battery. This may encourage many users to use the charger at the facility. Furthermore, this may reduce the risk of the electric vehicle being left connected to the charger for a long period of time even after the battery has finished charging. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10...Benefit granting device 20...Communication network 30...Terminal 40...Electric vehicle 50...Chargers 60...Commercial facilities 62...Parking lot 64...Store 80...processing circuit 90...storage device 100...Acquisition part 110...Estimation part 120: Determination unit 130: Output unit 150, 170, 190...Table 152...Charger Information 174...User registration information 200...Benefits 210...Vehicle data 220...Notification information

Claims

1. a storage device that stores charger information relating to the charging performance of chargers installed in the facility and registration information of users of electric vehicles; an acquisition unit that acquires the capacity and chargeable amount of a battery mounted on the electric vehicle from the charger or the electric vehicle; an estimation unit that, when the battery is charged by the charger, estimates a stay time that the user will stay in the facility based on the chargeable amount and the charger information; a determination unit that determines to grant to the user a benefit at the facility in an amount corresponding to the stay time estimated by the estimation unit, the benefit increasing as the capacity decreases; and an output unit that outputs notification information regarding the benefit determined by the determination unit to the user's terminal based on the registration information; A reward granting device comprising:

2. The reward granting device according to claim 1, The decision unit decides to grant the user the benefit including a discount on the charging cost of the battery or the parking fee at the facility according to the length of stay.

3. The reward granting device according to claim 1, The decision unit decides to grant the user the benefit including not being charged parking fees at the facility during the charging time of the battery.

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