In-vehicle devices and systems

Abstract

To improve a technique for giving guides for routes to recharging facilities.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle device 40 includes a communication unit 41, an output unit 44, and a control unit 46. The control unit 46 receives reservation information for using a charging facility from a server device 10 by means of the communication unit 41 a predetermined time before the start time of using the charging facility. When a user is in a vehicle 39, the control unit 46 causes the output unit 44 to output a notification setting the charging facility as a destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle device and a system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for guiding a route to a charging facility has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a driving support device that predicts a waiting time from when a vehicle arrives at a charging facility candidate until charging starts, and selects a charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery based on the waiting time from the charging facility candidates.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is room for improvement in the conventional technology for guiding a route to a charging facility. For example, a user may reserve a charging facility in advance.

[0005] In view of this point, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for guiding a route to a charging facility.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication unit, an output unit, and a control unit. The control unit receives, via the communication unit, reservation information for using the charging facility from a server device a predetermined time before the start time of using the charging facility. When the user is in the vehicle, the control unit causes the output unit to output a notification setting the charging facility as a destination.

[0007] A system according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes the in-vehicle device, a terminal device, and a server device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the technology for guiding passengers to a charging facility can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the system's operation. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of an image displayed on an in-vehicle device. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the system's operation. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of an image displayed on a terminal device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (System Configuration) As shown in Figure 1, System 1 includes a server device 10, a terminal device 20, and a vehicle 30. Figure 1 shows System 1 including one terminal device 20 and one vehicle 30. However, System 1 may include multiple terminal devices 20 and multiple vehicles 30.

[0012] The server device 10, the terminal device 20, and the vehicle 30 can communicate with each other via network 2. Network 2 may be any network, including mobile communication networks and the Internet.

[0013] The server device 10 can accept reservations for the use of charging facilities. Charging facilities are facilities for charging vehicles 30. Charging facilities are also referred to as charging spots. The server device 10 is composed of, for example, one or multiple computers that can communicate with each other.

[0014] The terminal device 20 is used by the user of the vehicle 30. The user of the vehicle 30 operates the terminal device 20 to reserve the use of a charging facility to charge the vehicle 30. A reservation application may be installed on the terminal device 20. The reservation application is a dedicated application for reserving the use of a charging facility. The terminal device 20 may be, for example, a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, or personal computer (PC).

[0015] Vehicle 30 is an electric vehicle (EV). However, vehicle 30 may be any type of vehicle as long as it can be charged at a charging facility. As another example, vehicle 30 may be a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV).

[0016] (Server configuration) The server device 10 comprises a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0017] The communication unit 11 is configured to include at least one communication module that can connect to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module that complies with standards such as wired LAN (Local Area Network) or wireless LAN. The communication unit 11 is connected to the network 2 via the communication module through the wired LAN or wireless LAN.

[0018] The storage unit 12 is configured to include 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 storage unit 12 may function as a main memory device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used for the operation of the server device 10 and data obtained by the operation of the server device 10.

[0019] The control unit 13 is configured to include at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The control unit 13 executes processes related to the operation of the server device 10 while controlling each part of the server device 10.

[0020] (Configuration of the terminal device) The terminal device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, an output unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0021] The communication unit 21 is configured to include at least one communication module that can be connected to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation).

[0022] The input unit 22 can receive input from the user. The input unit 22 is configured to include at least one input interface that can receive input from the user. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen provided integrally with the display, or a microphone, etc.

[0023] The output unit 23 is capable of outputting data. The output unit 23 is configured to include at least one output interface capable of outputting data. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0024] The hardware configuration of the storage unit 24 may be the same as or similar to that of the storage unit 12. The storage unit 24 stores data used for the operation of the terminal device 20 and data obtained through the operation of the terminal device 20.

[0025] The hardware configuration of the control unit 25 may be the same as or similar to that of the control unit 13. The control unit 25 controls each part of the terminal device 20 and executes processes related to the operation of the terminal device 20.

[0026] (Vehicle configuration) The vehicle 30 comprises an electronic control unit 31, a battery 32, and an on-board device 40. The vehicle 30 may be equipped with multiple electronic control units 31.

[0027] The electronic control unit 31 is the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle 30. The battery 32 includes at least one secondary battery. The battery 32 is capable of supplying power to components of the vehicle 30, such as the drive motor.

[0028] The in-vehicle device 40 is, for example, a car navigation system. The in-vehicle device 40 comprises a communication unit 41, a positioning unit 42, an input unit 43, an output unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46.

[0029] The hardware configuration of the communication unit 41 may be the same as or similar to that of the communication unit 21.

[0030] The positioning unit 42 is capable of acquiring location information of the vehicle 30. The positioning unit 42 is configured to include at least one receiving module that corresponds to a satellite positioning system. The receiving module is, for example, a receiving module that corresponds to GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0031] The input unit 43 is capable of receiving input from the user. The hardware configuration of the input unit 43 may be the same as or similar to that of the input unit 22.

[0032] The output unit 44 is capable of outputting data. The hardware configuration of the output unit 44 may be the same as or similar to that of the output unit 23.

[0033] The hardware configuration of the storage unit 45 may be the same as or similar to that of the storage unit 12. The storage unit 45 stores data used for the operation of the in-vehicle device 40 and data obtained from the operation of the in-vehicle device 40.

[0034] The hardware configuration of the control unit 46 may be the same as or similar to that of the control unit 13. The control unit 46 controls each part of the in-vehicle device 40 and performs processing related to the operation of the in-vehicle device 40.

[0035] The control unit 46 may, for example, acquire the position information of the vehicle 30 by the positioning unit 42 while the vehicle 30 is in motion. The control unit 46 may transmit the acquired position information of the vehicle 30 to the server device 10 via the network 2. The control unit 46 may acquire the position information of the vehicle 30 at a predetermined time interval and transmit it to the server device 10. This time interval may be set based on the average speed of the vehicle 30.

[0036] (System operation) Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of System 1 shown in Figure 1. When the terminal device 20 launches the reservation application based on user operation, System 1 starts processing in step S1.

[0037] In the processing of step S1, the terminal device 20's control unit 25 receives input of the user's desired conditions regarding the charging facility via the input unit 22. The input of the user's desired conditions regarding the charging facility includes, for example, input of the desired area in which the user wishes to use the charging facility. The control unit 25 generates a signal indicating the received user's desired conditions regarding the charging facility. The control unit 25 transmits the generated signal to the server device 10 via the network 2 using the communication unit 21 (step S2).

[0038] In step S3, the control unit 13 of the server device 10 receives a signal from the terminal device 20 via the network 2 using the communication unit 11, indicating the user's desired conditions regarding charging facilities. The control unit 13 searches for charging facilities that meet the user's desired conditions (step S4). The control unit 13 transmits the information of the charging facilities obtained through the search to the terminal device 20 via the network 2 using the communication unit 11 (step S5). The information of the charging facilities transmitted from the server device 10 to the terminal device 20 includes, for example, the location information of the charging facility, the name of the charging facility, and the date and time when the charging facility is available.

[0039] In the process of step S6, the terminal device 20 receives information about charging facilities from the server device 10 via the network 2 using the communication unit 21. Upon receiving the information about charging facilities, the control unit 25 displays a map showing the location of the charging facilities, the name of the charging facilities, and the date and time when the charging facilities are available on the display of the output unit 23 (step S7).

[0040] As a result of the execution of step S7, the user can view a map showing the locations of charging facilities displayed on the output unit 23's display. Upon viewing this map, the user selects a charging facility they wish to use from among those shown on the map. After selecting a charging facility, the user enters a reservation request via the input unit 22. The reservation request includes an input indicating the selected charging facility, and inputs indicating the date, start time, and end time of use of the charging facility.

[0041] In step S8, the terminal device 20 receives the usage reservation input via the input unit 22 in the control unit 25. The control unit 25 transmits the charging facility usage reservation information to the server device 10 via the network 2 using the communication unit 21 (step S9). The charging facility usage reservation information includes the location and name of the charging facility selected by the user, the date on which the charging facility will be used, the start time of use of the charging facility, and the end time of use of the charging facility.

[0042] In the process of step S10, the control unit 13 of the server device 10 receives the reservation information for the use of the charging facility from the terminal device 20 via the network 2 using the communication unit 11.

[0043] In the process of step S11, the control unit 13 of the server device 10 determines whether the current time is a predetermined time before the start time of use of the charging facility.

[0044] The specified time may be a predetermined period of time. In this case, the specified time may be, for example, 5 to 10 minutes.

[0045] The predetermined time may be set based on the travel time it takes for the vehicle 30 to travel to the charging facility. In this case, the control unit 13 obtains the current location information of the vehicle 30 from the in-vehicle device 40 via the network 2. The control unit 13 calculates the travel time based on the current location information of the vehicle 30 and the location information of the charging facility. The control unit 13 may set the predetermined time to be the same length as the travel time, or it may set the predetermined time to be a few minutes longer or a few minutes shorter than the travel time.

[0046] If the control unit 13 determines that the current time is a predetermined time before the start time of use of the charging facility (step S11: YES), it proceeds to the process in step S12. On the other hand, if the control unit 13 does not determine that the current time is a predetermined time before the start time of use of the charging facility (step S11: NO), it repeats the process in step S11.

[0047] In the process of step S12, the control unit 13 of the server device 10 transmits a signal indicating that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching, information on the reservation of the charging facility, and information on the current usage status of the charging facility to the in-vehicle device 40 via the network 2 using the communication unit 11. The information on the current usage status of the charging facility includes, for example, information on the current availability of the charging facility reserved by the user.

[0048] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the in-vehicle device 40 shown in Figure 1. The control unit 46 starts the process of step S21 when the power to the in-vehicle device 40 is turned on or at the moment the power to the in-vehicle device 40 is turned on. For example, when a user presses a switch that enables the motor of the vehicle 30 to be driven, the power to the in-vehicle device 40 is turned on.

[0049] The control unit 46 receives signals from the server device 10 via the network 2, including signals indicating that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching, reservation information for the charging facility, and information on the current usage status of the charging facility, via the communication unit 41. This information is the same information that the server device 10 transmitted to the in-vehicle device 40 during the processing of step S12 described above.

[0050] The control unit 46 determines whether or not a user is in the vehicle 30 (step S22). The control unit 46 may determine whether or not a user is in the vehicle 30 by analyzing the interior image of the vehicle 30 generated by the in-vehicle camera. The control unit 46 may determine whether or not a user is in the vehicle 30 based on the detection result of a human presence sensor capable of detecting people inside the vehicle 30.

[0051] If the control unit 46 does not determine that the user is in the vehicle 30 (step S22: NO), it proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if the control unit 46 determines that the user is in the vehicle 30 (step S22: YES), it proceeds to step S24.

[0052] In step S23, the control unit 46 transmits a signal to the server device 10 via the network 2 using the communication unit 41, indicating that the user is not currently in the vehicle 30.

[0053] In step S24, the control unit 46 determines whether the current time has passed the start time for using the charging facility. If the control unit 46 does not determine that the current time has passed the start time for using the charging facility (step S24: NO), it proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if the control unit 46 determines that the current time has passed the start time for using the charging facility (step S24: YES), it proceeds to step S26.

[0054] In step S25, the control unit 46 causes the output unit 44 to output a notification that a charging facility has been set as the destination. For example, the control unit 46 displays an image 50, as shown in Figure 4, on the display of the output unit 44. Image 50 includes a notification image 51 as a notification that a charging facility has been set as the destination. Notification image 51 includes the text, "Initiating guidance to the charging facility." By outputting this notification that a charging facility has been set as the destination from the output unit 44, the user can know that a charging facility has been set as the destination. For example, the user can know that a charging facility has been set as the destination by looking at the notification image 51, as shown in Figure 4.

[0055] In step S26, the control unit 46 causes the output unit 44 to output detailed information regarding charging. This information includes, for example, the charge level of the battery 32, the location of the charging facility, the name of the charging facility, and the current usage status of the charging facility. For example, the control unit 46 displays this information on the display of the output unit 44. By outputting this information from the output unit 44, the user can understand the charge level of the battery 32, etc.

[0056] In step S27, the control unit 46 starts guiding the vehicle to the charging facility.

[0057] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of System 1 shown in Figure 1. When the in-vehicle device 40 executes the process in step S23, the server device 10 starts the process in step S31.

[0058] In step S31, the control unit 13 of the server device 10 receives a signal from the in-vehicle device 40 via the network 2, via the communication unit 11, indicating that the user is not currently in the vehicle 30. The control unit 13 then sends a signal to the terminal device 20 via the network 2, via the communication unit 11, indicating that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching (step S32). In step S32, the control unit 13 may also send a map of the area surrounding the charging facility to the terminal device 20 along with the signal indicating that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching.

[0059] In step S33, the terminal device 20 receives a signal from the server device 10 via the network 2 through the communication unit 21 indicating that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching. The control unit 25 causes the output unit 23 to output a notification indicating that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching (step S34). If the control unit 13 receives a map of the area around the charging facility along with the signal indicating that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching, it may output the map of the area around the charging facility along with the notification indicating that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching to the output unit 23. For example, the control unit 25 displays an image 52 as shown in Figure 6 on the display of the output unit 23. Image 52 includes an image of the map of the area around the charging facility and a notification image 53. The notification image 53 includes the text "The start time for using the charging facility is approaching." By outputting a notification from the output unit 23 indicating that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching, the user can be aware that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching. For example, a user can be informed that the start time for using the charging facility is approaching by viewing a notification image 53, as shown in Figure 6.

[0060] In step S35, the control unit 13 in the server device 10 determines whether or not a user is using the charging facility when the start time for using the charging facility arrives. For example, the control unit 13 determines whether or not a user is using the charging facility by communicating with the charging station installed at the charging facility via the network 2 using the communication unit 11. If the control unit 13 determines that a user is using the charging facility (step S35: YES), the system 1 terminates the process as shown in Figure 5. On the other hand, if the control unit 13 does not determine that a user is using the charging facility (step S35: NO), the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the control unit 13 sends an inquiry to the terminal device 20 via the network 2 using the communication unit 11, asking whether or not to cancel the use of the charging facility.

[0061] Through the processing in steps S35 and S36, if the user is not using the charging facility even when the scheduled start time for using the charging facility arrives, the server device 10 sends an inquiry to the terminal device 20 asking whether or not to cancel the use of the charging facility.

[0062] In step S37, the terminal device 20 receives an inquiry from the server device 10 via the network 2 through the communication unit 21, asking whether or not to cancel the use of the charging facility. The control unit 25 then outputs the inquiry to the output unit 23 (step S38).

[0063] As the process in step S38 is executed, the user considers whether or not to cancel the use of the charging facility. If the user decides to cancel the use of the charging facility, they input an input to the input unit 22 indicating that they will cancel the use of the charging facility. If the user decides not to cancel the use of the charging facility, they input an input to the input unit 22 indicating that they will not cancel the use of the charging facility.

[0064] In step S39, the terminal device 20's control unit 25 receives an input indicating the response to the inquiry via the input unit 22. The input indicating the response to the inquiry is either an input indicating that the use of the charging facility will be canceled, or an input indicating that the use of the charging facility will not be canceled. The control unit 25 transmits the response to the inquiry to the server device 10 via the network 2 using the communication unit 21 (step S40).

[0065] In the process of step S41, the control unit 13 of the server device 10 receives the response to the inquiry from the terminal device 20 via the network 2 using the communication unit 11.

[0066] As described above, in the in-vehicle device 40 according to this embodiment, the control unit 46 receives reservation information for the use of the charging facility from the server device 10 via the communication unit 41 a predetermined time before the start time of use of the charging facility. By receiving the reservation information for the use of the charging facility from the server device 10, the in-vehicle device 40 can use the reservation information for the charging facility that the user has reserved in advance by operating the terminal device 20 to guide the user on a route to the charging facility. With this configuration, the user does not need to input location information of the charging facility into the input unit 43 of the in-vehicle device 40. Therefore, user convenience can be improved. Furthermore, by the server device 10 transmitting the reservation information for the charging facility to the in-vehicle device 40 a predetermined time before the start time of use of the charging facility, the in-vehicle device 40 can use the reservation information for the charging facility that the user has reserved in advance at an appropriate time. In addition, if the user is in the vehicle 30, the control unit 46 causes the output unit 34 to output a notification that the charging facility has been set as the destination. With this configuration, the user can know that a charging facility has been set as the destination in the route guidance. In other words, users will know when guidance to the charging station is about to begin. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

[0067] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the technology for guiding users to a charging facility can be improved.

[0068] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1: System, 2: Network, 10: Server device, 11: Communication unit, 12: Memory unit, 13: Control unit, 20: Terminal device, 21: Communication unit, 22: Input unit, 23: Output unit, 24: Memory unit, 25: Control unit, 30: Vehicle, 31: Electronic control unit, 32: Battery, 33: Control unit, 34: Output unit, 40: In-vehicle device, 41: Communication unit, 42: Positioning unit, 43: Input unit, 44: Output unit, 45: Memory unit, 46: Control unit, 50, 52: Image, 51, 53: Notification image

Claims

1. It comprises a communication unit, an output unit, and a control unit, The control unit, The communication unit receives reservation information for the charging facility from the server device at a predetermined time before the start time of use of the charging facility. If the user is in the vehicle, the output unit will output a notification that the charging facility is set as the destination, and detailed information regarding charging, including information on the current usage status of the charging facility. An in-vehicle device that, if it is determined that the current time has passed the start time for using the charging facility, does not output a notification to the output unit to set the charging facility as the destination.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the output unit to output a notification that the charging facility is to be set as the destination, and then causes the output unit to output detailed information regarding the charging.

3. A system comprising the in-vehicle device described in claim 1, a terminal device, and the server device.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the server device sends an inquiry to the terminal device asking whether or not to cancel the use of the charging facility if the user is not using the charging facility even when the scheduled start time for using the charging facility has arrived.

5. If the user is not in the vehicle, the in-vehicle device transmits a signal to the server device indicating that the user is not in the vehicle. The system according to claim 3, wherein when the server device receives a signal indicating that the user is not in the vehicle, it transmits a notification to the terminal device indicating that the start time for use is approaching.

Images