Energy supply support device, energy supply support method, and energy supply support program

Abstract

To request other appropriate moving objects to supply energy to a moving object.SOLUTION: An extraction unit extracts a second moving object existing at a position apart from a first moving object by a distance longer than a second predetermined distance from among one or more moving objects existing at a position apart from the first moving object by a distance shorter than a first predetermined distance. A transmission unit transmits request information to request the first moving object to supply energy for movement, to the second moving object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to energy supply support technology.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, vehicles equipped with secondary batteries (storage batteries), fuel cells, etc., and moving by driving an electric motor with the electric power output from these batteries have become widespread. The power consumption output from secondary batteries, fuel cells, etc. varies greatly not only depending on the amount of movement of the vehicle but also depending on the environment. Therefore, when a user accustomed to gasoline vehicles drives a vehicle powered by electricity, the power may be consumed faster than expected, and there is a possibility of falling into a state where it is difficult to move due to a power shortage.

[0003] Regarding vehicles powered by electricity, a rescue system for a moving body capable of charging a power storage device without traveling to a charging station is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the rescue systems of Patent Documents 1 to 3, based on a request from a power - shortage vehicle that has entered a power - shortage state, a vehicle existing at the position closest to the power - shortage vehicle is selected as a first - priority rescue vehicle candidate, and a rescue request is notified to the rescue vehicle candidate. The power - shortage state is a state where the power is insufficient.

[0006] It is anticipated that a potential rescue vehicle will receive a rescue request while in motion, and at the time the rescue request is received, the vehicle that has run out of power may be stopped 10 meters ahead of the potential rescue vehicle. In this case, the potential rescue vehicle will have to apply the brakes suddenly and stop in order to supply power to the vehicle that has run out of power, which increases the likelihood that the rescue operation will cause an accident.

[0007] Furthermore, this problem arises not only when supplying power to vehicles driven by electricity, but also when supplying energy to various mobile entities that are driven using various forms of energy.

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention aims to delegate the energy supply to a mobile body to another suitable mobile body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one embodiment, the energy supply support device includes an extraction unit and a transmission unit. The extraction unit extracts a second mobile body located at a distance greater than a second predetermined distance from the first mobile body, from among one or more mobile bodies located at a distance less than a first predetermined distance from the first mobile body. The transmission unit transmits request information to the second mobile body requesting that it supply energy for movement to the first mobile body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In one respect, the energy supply to the mobile unit can be entrusted to another suitable mobile unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a functional configuration diagram of an energy supply support device. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of the first energy supply support process. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the energy supply support system. [Figure 4] This is a functional configuration diagram of the server. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the first extraction result of rescue vehicle candidates. <00000�7>It is a diagram showing the second extraction result of rescue vehicle candidates. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the third extraction result of rescue vehicle candidates. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing the fourth extraction result of rescue vehicle candidates. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing the route of rescue vehicle candidates. [Figure 10A] It is a flowchart (part 1) of the second energy supply support process. [Figure 10B] It is a flowchart (part 2) of the second energy supply support process. [Figure 11] It is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration example of the energy supply support device according to the embodiment. The energy supply support device 101 in FIG. 1 includes an extraction unit 111 and a transmission unit 112.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the first energy supply support process performed by the energy supply support device 101 in FIG. 1. In each flowchart used in the following description, "S" indicates a step. First, the extraction unit 111 extracts a second moving body that exists at a position farther from the first moving body by a distance longer than a second predetermined distance from one or more moving bodies that exist at a position farther from the first moving body by a distance shorter than a first predetermined distance (S201). Next, the transmission unit 112 transmits request information for requesting to supply energy for movement to the first moving body to the second moving body (S202).

[0015] According to the energy supply support device 101 in FIG. 1, the energy supply to the moving body can be requested from another appropriate moving body.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of an energy supply support system including the energy supply support device 101 in FIG. 1. The energy supply support system in FIG. 3 includes a server 301 and vehicles 302-1 to 302-N (N is an integer of 2 or more). The server 301 corresponds to the energy supply support device 101 in FIG. 1, and each vehicle 302-i (i = 1 to N) corresponds to a moving body.

[0017] Each vehicle 302-i is equipped with a secondary battery, and drives an electric motor with the power output from the secondary battery to run. Each vehicle 302-i is equipped with an in-vehicle device 311-i. The server 301 communicates with the in-vehicle device 311-i of each vehicle 302-i via a wireless communication network 303. The in-vehicle device 311-i may be a navigation device that provides route guidance.

[0018] The server 301 is an information processing device (computer) of an operating company that provides an energy supply support service, and the vehicles 302-1 to 302-N are vehicles of users registered for the energy supply support service. The user pays a service registration fee and a service usage fee to the operating company.

[0019] When any vehicle 302-i becomes power-off during travel, the in-vehicle device 311-i of that vehicle 302-i transmits a rescue request to the server 301. Hereinafter, the vehicle 302-i that has become power-off may be referred to as a rescue request vehicle 302-i.

[0020] When the server 301 receives a rescue request from the rescue request vehicle 302-i, it extracts rescue vehicle candidates from the vehicles 302-1 to 302-N, and transmits a rescue request for requesting power supply to the rescue request vehicle 302-i to the in-vehicle device 311-i of the rescue vehicle candidate. When the driver, who is the user of the rescue vehicle candidate, accepts the rescue request, the in-vehicle device 311-i of the rescue vehicle candidate transmits a response indicating acceptance of the request to the server 301.

[0021] When server 301 receives a response from a candidate rescue vehicle indicating acceptance of the request, it transmits rescue information regarding the rescue request vehicle 302-i to the candidate rescue vehicle's onboard device 311-i. Based on the rescue information received from server 301, the candidate rescue vehicle moves to the location where the rescue request vehicle 302-i is parked and performs rescue operations by supplying power to the rescue request vehicle 302-i. The operating company pays a reward to the user of the candidate rescue vehicle that supplied power for the rescue operation.

[0022] Rescue request vehicle 302-i corresponds to the first mobile entity, and the rescue vehicle candidate corresponds to the second mobile entity. Power corresponds to energy for movement, and the rescue request corresponds to request information requesting that energy for movement be supplied to the first mobile entity.

[0023] Figure 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the server 301 in Figure 3. The server 301 in Figure 4 includes an acquisition unit 411, a search unit 412, an extraction unit 413, a communication unit 414, and a storage unit 415. The extraction unit 413 and the communication unit 414 correspond to the extraction unit 111 and the transmission unit 112 in Figure 1, respectively.

[0024] The memory unit 415 stores vehicle information 421, charging station information 422, and map information 423 for each vehicle 302-i. The vehicle information 421 includes the vehicle type and vehicle registration number of the vehicle 302-i. The charging station information 422 includes location information indicating the locations of charging stations throughout the country. The map information 423 includes information related to road maps throughout the country.

[0025] The communication unit 414 communicates with the on-board devices 311-i of each vehicle 302-i via the wireless communication network 303. The communication unit 414 can also communicate with other servers via the wireless communication network 303 or another communication network.

[0026] The onboard device 311-i of each vehicle 302-i periodically transmits status information regarding the vehicle's driving status to the server 301 while it is in motion. This status information includes location information indicating the vehicle's current position, the remaining charge and degradation status of the vehicle's secondary battery, the number of people riding in the vehicle, and the weather and temperature of the area where the vehicle is traveling.

[0027] The acquisition unit 411 acquires status information for each vehicle 302-i by receiving status information from the on-board device 311-i of each vehicle 302-i via the communication unit 414. The acquisition unit 411 then outputs the acquired status information to the extraction unit 413. The acquisition unit 411 may also acquire some or all of the status information for each vehicle 302-i from another server via the communication unit 414.

[0028] When a rescue request is transmitted from the on-board device 311-i of the rescue request vehicle 302-i, the acquisition unit 411 receives the rescue request via the communication unit 414 and outputs the received rescue request to the extraction unit 413.

[0029] The extraction unit 413 obtains the current location of each vehicle 302-i from the location information included in the status information of each vehicle 302-i, and extracts rescue vehicle candidates from vehicles 302-1 to 302-N based on the current location of each vehicle 302-i. Then, the extraction unit 413 transmits a rescue request to the on-board device 311-i of the rescue vehicle candidate via the communication unit 414. The rescue vehicle candidate may be a parked vehicle 302-i.

[0030] When extracting candidates for rescue vehicles, the extraction unit 413 identifies the charging station closest to the rescue request vehicle 302-i from the location information contained in the charging station information 422. The closest charging station is, for example, the charging station located at the shortest straight-line distance from the current location of the rescue request vehicle 302-i. The closest charging station is an example of a predetermined energy supply base.

[0031] Next, the extraction unit 413 instructs the search unit 412 to perform a route search using the current location of the rescue request vehicle 302-i as the starting point and the location of the identified charging station as the destination. The search unit 412 uses the map information 423 to search for a route from the current location of the rescue request vehicle 302-i to the identified charging station and outputs route information showing the searched route to the extraction unit 413.

[0032] The extraction unit 413 calculates the distance traveled from the current location of the rescue request vehicle 302-i to the identified charging station based on the route information output from the search unit 412. Then, based on the calculated distance traveled, the extraction unit 413 calculates the amount of power P that is insufficient for the rescue request vehicle 302-i to travel to the identified charging station.

[0033] For example, the calculation of the amount of electricity P uses the distance traveled, the remaining charge and deterioration status of the secondary battery included in the status information of the rescue request vehicle 302-i, the number of people in the vehicle, the weather and temperature, and the vehicle type included in the vehicle information 421 of the rescue request vehicle 302-i.

[0034] The amount of electricity P increases with longer driving distance, decreases with higher remaining battery charge, and increases with greater battery degradation. Furthermore, the amount of electricity P increases with more people and with worse weather conditions. As the temperature rises above the upper limit, the operating rate of the air conditioning increases, thus increasing the amount of electricity P. Conversely, as the temperature falls below the lower limit, the operating rate of the heating equipment increases, thus increasing the amount of electricity P. The amount of electricity P may also vary depending on the vehicle type.

[0035] Next, the extraction unit 413 calculates the charging time required to charge the energy P based on the energy P, the degradation status of the secondary battery included in the status information of the rescue request vehicle 302-i, and the temperature. The charging time increases with higher energy P, increases with greater secondary battery degradation, and decreases with higher temperatures.

[0036] The extraction unit 413 obtains the remaining charge of the secondary battery from the status information of vehicles 302-i from vehicles 302-1 to 302-N, excluding the rescue request vehicle 302-i. The extraction unit 413 then subtracts the amount of energy P from the remaining charge of the secondary battery to find the difference, and selects vehicles 302-i with a difference greater than or equal to a predetermined value as vehicles 302-i with surplus power. Vehicles 302-i with surplus power are examples of mobile bodies that can supply enough energy for the first mobile body to move to a predetermined energy supply base.

[0037] By selecting a vehicle 302-i with sufficient power from among the other vehicles 302-i that are not rescue request vehicles 302-i, vehicles 302-i with insufficient power can be excluded from the list of rescue vehicle candidates.

[0038] Next, the extraction unit 413 calculates the distance between the rescue request vehicle 302-i and each vehicle 302-i with sufficient power, and extracts vehicles 302-i whose calculated distance is shorter than D1 and longer than D2 as rescue vehicle candidates. For example, the straight-line distance is used as the distance between vehicles 302-i. D2 is set to a distance shorter than D1. D1 and D2 correspond to the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance, respectively.

[0039] Figure 5 shows an example of the first selection results for rescue vehicle candidates. Vehicle 511 corresponds to rescue request vehicle 302-i and is parked in lane 501. The direction of travel of vehicle 511 shown in Figure 5 coincides with the direction of travel of lane 501, which is from left to right.

[0040] Vehicles 521 to 525 are traveling in lane 501 in the same direction as vehicle 511. Vehicles 531 to 533 are traveling in lane 502, which is opposite to lane 501, in the opposite direction to vehicle 511. In Figure 5, the opposite direction is from right to left. Vehicles 541 and 542 are traveling in lane 503, which is perpendicular to lane 501, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of vehicle 511.

[0041] Region 551 schematically represents a circle with radius D1 centered on vehicle 511. Vehicles 521-525, 531-533, 541, and 542 located within region 551 correspond to vehicles 302-i whose distance to vehicle 511 is shorter than D1. Of these, vehicles 522 and 523 are excluded from the rescue vehicle candidates because the difference between the remaining charge of the secondary battery and the energy P is less than a predetermined value.

[0042] Figure 6 shows an example of the second extraction result for rescue vehicle candidates. Region 601 represents a circle with radius D2 centered on vehicle 511. Vehicles 524 and 532, which are located within region 601, are excluded from the rescue vehicle candidates because they are vehicles 302-i whose distance to vehicle 511 is less than or equal to D2. Therefore, vehicles 521, 525, 531, 533, 541, and 542 are extracted as rescue vehicle candidates.

[0043] In this case, server 301 can send a rescue request to a suitable vehicle traveling at a sufficient distance from vehicle 511. Since no rescue request is sent to vehicle 524 or vehicle 532 within area 601, these vehicles will not need to brake suddenly and stop, reducing the likelihood that the rescue operation will cause an accident.

[0044] However, vehicles 531 and 533, which are traveling in the opposing lane 502, would have to make a U-turn to reach the position of vehicle 511. Therefore, the drivers of these vehicles are unlikely to accept the request for assistance.

[0045] Therefore, the extraction unit 413 extracts vehicles 302-i that are located in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the rescue request vehicle 302-i and that are approaching the rescue request vehicle 302-i as rescue vehicle candidates. In this case, the extraction unit 413 determines whether or not a vehicle is approaching the rescue request vehicle 302-i by calculating the time change in distance to the rescue request vehicle 302-i from the position information of each vehicle 302-i.

[0046] Figure 7 shows an example of the third selection result for rescue vehicle candidates. Of the vehicles included in the selection result in Figure 6, vehicles 525 and 533, which are located within area 701, are excluded from the rescue vehicle candidates because they are located in the direction of travel of vehicle 511. On the other hand, vehicles 521, 531, 541, and 542, which are located within area 702, are selected as rescue vehicle candidates because they are located in the opposite direction of travel of vehicle 511.

[0047] Figure 8 shows an example of the fourth selection result for rescue vehicle candidates. Of the vehicles included in the selection result in Figure 7, vehicle 531 is traveling away from vehicle 511, as indicated by arrow 801, and vehicle 542 is traveling away from vehicle 511, as indicated by arrow 802. For this reason, vehicles 531 and 542 are excluded from the rescue vehicle candidates, and vehicles 521 and 541 are selected as rescue vehicle candidates.

[0048] The extraction results in Figure 8 do not include vehicles 531 and 533, which are traveling in lane 502; therefore, no rescue request will be sent to these vehicles. Consequently, the drivers of these vehicles will not need to accept the rescue request and make a U-turn.

[0049] The extraction unit 413 assigns priority to the extracted rescue vehicle candidates, starting with the rescue vehicle candidate whose estimated arrival time at the location of the rescue request vehicle 302-i is earliest.

[0050] In this case, the extraction unit 413 instructs the search unit 412 to perform a route search using the current location of each rescue vehicle candidate as the starting point and the current location of the rescue request vehicle 302-i as the destination. The search unit 412 uses the map information 423 to search for a route from the current location of the rescue vehicle candidate to the current location of the rescue request vehicle 302-i, and outputs route information indicating the searched route to the extraction unit 413.

[0051] The extraction unit 413 obtains the travel distance, travel time, presence or absence of traffic congestion, presence or absence of toll roads, and toll fees for the route from the current location of the rescue vehicle candidate to the current location of the rescue request vehicle 302-i from the route information output from the search unit 412. Then, the extraction unit 413 assigns a priority to the rescue vehicle candidates based on the acquired information.

[0052] As an example, the extraction unit 413 performs a process R1 that assigns a higher priority to multiple rescue vehicle candidates in order of shortest travel time. By assigning a higher priority in order of shortest travel time, the rescue request can be sent to the rescue vehicle candidate that is most likely to reach the location where the rescue request vehicle 302-i is parked the fastest.

[0053] The extraction unit 413 may perform process R2 to assign a higher priority to rescue vehicle candidates that have routes that do not include traffic congestion, among multiple rescue vehicle candidates that have been assigned the same priority by process R1, compared to rescue vehicle candidates that have routes that include traffic congestion. The extraction unit 413 may also perform process R3 to assign a higher priority to multiple rescue vehicle candidates that have been assigned the same priority by process R2, in order of shortest travel distance.

[0054] The extraction unit 413 may perform process R4 to assign a higher priority to rescue vehicle candidates that have routes that do not include toll roads, among multiple rescue vehicle candidates that have been assigned the same priority by process R3, than to rescue vehicle candidates that have routes that include toll roads. In process R4, the extraction unit 413 may assign a higher priority to multiple rescue vehicle candidates that have routes that include toll roads, in order of the lowest toll charges.

[0055] Figure 9 shows an example of a route for a potential rescue vehicle. Route 901 represents the route from vehicle 521 to vehicle 511, and route 902 represents the route from vehicle 541 to vehicle 511. Here, we assume that the following information is obtained regarding the distance traveled, travel time, and presence or absence of congestion for routes 901 and 902.

[0056] Route 901: Distance 5km, Travel time 30 minutes, Traffic congestion expected. Route 902: Distance 15km, Travel time 15 minutes, No traffic jams

[0057] In this case, vehicle 541, which has a shorter travel time on route 902 than on route 901, is given first priority, and vehicle 521, which has route 901, is given second priority.

[0058] The extraction unit 413 transmits rescue requests via the communication unit 414, in order of priority, starting with the rescue vehicle candidates. The rescue request includes, for example, the distance traveled, travel time, presence and cost of toll roads, and charging time for the route from the current location of the rescue vehicle candidate to the current location of the rescue requesting vehicle 302-i.

[0059] The extraction unit 413 receives a response to the rescue request from the rescue vehicle candidate that received the rescue request via the communication unit 414. If the received response indicates acceptance of the request, the extraction unit 413 transmits rescue information regarding the rescue request vehicle 302-i to the rescue vehicle candidate that sent the response via the communication unit 414.

[0060] Rescue information includes, for example, location information indicating the current location of rescue request vehicle 302-i, guidance information indicating the route to rescue request vehicle 302-i, the type of vehicle of rescue request vehicle 302-i, and the vehicle registration number of rescue request vehicle 302-i.

[0061] The onboard device 311-i of the candidate rescue vehicle displays the rescue information received from the server 301 on its screen. Based on the displayed rescue information, the driver of the candidate rescue vehicle moves to the location where the requested rescue vehicle 302-i is parked and supplies power to the requested rescue vehicle 302-i.

[0062] Figures 10A and 10B are flowcharts illustrating an example of the second energy supply support process performed by the server 301 in Figure 4. First, the acquisition unit 411 receives a rescue request from the on-board device 311-i of the rescue request vehicle 302-i via the communication unit 414 (S1001).

[0063] Next, the extraction unit 413 calculates the amount of electrical energy P needed for the rescue request vehicle 302-i to travel to the nearest charging station (S1002). Then, the extraction unit 413 uses the amount of electrical energy P to check whether there is a vehicle 302-i with sufficient power (S1003).

[0064] If there is a vehicle 302-i with sufficient power (S1003, YES), the extraction unit 413 extracts a vehicle 302-i from among the vehicles 302-i with sufficient power that is shorter than D1 in distance to the rescue request vehicle 302-i (S1004). Then, the extraction unit 413 checks whether a vehicle 302-i shorter than D1 has been extracted (S1005).

[0065] If no vehicle 302-i with a distance shorter than D1 is extracted (S1005, NO), the extraction unit 413 increases D1 by a predetermined value (S1010) and repeats the process from S1004 onwards.

[0066] If a vehicle 302-i with a distance shorter than D1 is extracted (S1005, YES), the extraction unit 413 performs the process in S1006. In S1006, the extraction unit 413 extracts from the vehicles 302-i with a distance shorter than D1 a vehicle 302-i whose distance to the rescue request vehicle 302-i is longer than D2. Then, the extraction unit 413 checks whether a vehicle 302-i with a distance longer than D2 has been extracted (S1007).

[0067] If no vehicle 302-i with a distance longer than D2 is extracted (S1007, NO), the extraction unit 413 reduces D2 by a predetermined value (S1011) and repeats the process from S1006 onwards.

[0068] If a vehicle 302-i that is at a longer distance than D2 is extracted (S1007, YES), the extraction unit 413 performs the process in S1008. In S1008, the extraction unit 413 extracts a vehicle 302-i that is located in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the rescue request vehicle 302-i from among the vehicles 302-i that are at a longer distance than D2. Then, the extraction unit 413 checks whether a vehicle 302-i located in the opposite direction has been extracted (S1009).

[0069] If a vehicle 302-i located in the opposite direction is extracted (S1009, YES), the extraction unit 413 performs the process in S1013. In S1013, the extraction unit 413 extracts a vehicle 302-i that is approaching the rescue request vehicle 302-i from among the vehicles 302-i located in the opposite direction. Then, the extraction unit 413 checks whether an approaching vehicle 302-i has been extracted (S1014).

[0070] If no vehicle 302-i located in the opposite direction is extracted (S1009, NO), the extraction unit 413 cancels the narrowing down in S1008 (S1012) and proceeds with the processing from S1013 onwards. In this case, in S1013, the extraction unit 413 extracts a vehicle 302-i that is approaching the rescue request vehicle 302-i from among the vehicles 302-i that are at a longer distance than D2.

[0071] If no approaching vehicle 302-i is detected (S1014, NO), the detection unit 413 reduces D2 by a predetermined value (S1019) and repeats the process from S1013 onward. In this case, at S1013, the detection unit 413 detects a vehicle 302-i that is approaching the rescue request vehicle 302-i from among the vehicles 302-i that are located at a longer distance than the modified D2 and in the opposite direction.

[0072] If an approaching vehicle 302-i is identified (S1014, YES), the identification unit 413 performs the process in S1015. In S1015, the identification unit 413 identifies the approaching vehicle 302-i as a candidate for rescue vehicle and assigns priority to the candidates for rescue vehicle in order from the candidate with the earliest estimated time of arrival at the location of the rescue requesting vehicle 302-i.

[0073] The extraction unit 413 selects rescue vehicle candidates in order of priority, starting with those with the highest priority, and transmits a rescue request to the on-board device 311-i of the selected rescue vehicle candidate via the communication unit 414 (S1016). The extraction unit 413 then checks whether the response received from the on-board device 311-i of the rescue vehicle candidate indicates acceptance of the request (S1017).

[0074] If the response indicates acceptance of the request (S1017, YES), the extraction unit 413 transmits rescue information regarding the rescue request vehicle 302-i to the on-board device 311-i of the candidate rescue vehicle via the communication unit 414 (S1018).

[0075] If the response indicates a refusal of the request (S1017, NO), the extraction unit 413 checks whether there are any rescue vehicle candidates with the next priority (S1020). If there are rescue vehicle candidates with the next priority (S1020, YES), the extraction unit 413 repeats the process from S1016 onwards for the rescue vehicle candidates with the next priority.

[0076] If there is no vehicle 302-i with sufficient power (S1003, NO), or if there is no candidate rescue vehicle with the next priority (S1020, NO), the extraction unit 413 performs the process in S1021. In S1021, the extraction unit 413 transmits service information for receiving road service from the Japan Automobile Federation, etc., to the onboard device 311-i of the rescue request vehicle 302-i.

[0077] If there is no vehicle 302-i with sufficient power (S1003, NO), or if there is no candidate rescue vehicle with the next priority (S1020, NO), the extraction unit 413 may wait until a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the extraction unit 413 repeats the process from S1003 onwards after the waiting period ends.

[0078] After the standby period ends, even if vehicle 302-i has sufficient power in S1003, it is possible that no rescue vehicle candidates will be identified in S1004-S1013. Also, even if vehicle 302-i has sufficient power in S1003 after the standby period ends, it is possible that no rescue vehicle candidates will appear in S1017 to send a response indicating acceptance of the request.

[0079] In such cases, the extraction unit 413 may select a vehicle 302-i that has sufficient power and was not extracted in S1004 to S1013 as a candidate for rescue vehicle, and send a rescue request to the selected candidate for rescue vehicle.

[0080] To simplify the energy supply support process, the extraction unit 413 may omit the processes in S1008, S1009, and S1012. The extraction unit 413 may also omit the processes in S1013, S1014, and S1019.

[0081] In the energy supply support system shown in Figure 3, the driver of each vehicle 302-i may use a mobile terminal device instead of the on-board device 311-i to send a rescue request or response to the server 301. The server 301 may send a rescue request or rescue information to the driver's mobile terminal device. The driver's mobile terminal device may be a smartphone, tablet, or notebook personal computer.

[0082] Each vehicle 302-i may be equipped with a fuel cell instead of a secondary battery. In this case, the rescue vehicle candidate will supply hydrogen to the rescue request vehicle 302-i instead of electricity. The energy that drives each vehicle 302-i is not limited to electricity, but may be other energy sources. For example, if vehicle 302-i is a gasoline-powered vehicle, the rescue vehicle candidate will supply gasoline to the rescue request vehicle 302-i instead of electricity.

[0083] The configuration of the energy supply support device 101 shown in Figure 1 is merely an example, and some components may be omitted or changed depending on the application or conditions of the energy supply support device 101.

[0084] The configuration of the energy supply support system shown in Figure 3 is merely an example, and some components may be omitted or modified depending on the application or conditions of the energy supply support system. For example, the energy supply support system may include other mobile entities such as motorcycles, unmanned vehicles, or self-propelled robots instead of vehicle 302-i.

[0085] The configuration of server 301 in Figure 4 is merely an example, and some components may be omitted or modified depending on the application or conditions of the energy supply support system.

[0086] The flowcharts shown in Figures 2, 10A, and 10B are merely examples, and some processes may be omitted or modified depending on the configuration or conditions of the energy supply support device 101 or the energy supply support system.

[0087] The results of the rescue vehicle candidate selection shown in Figures 5 to 9 are merely examples, and the results of the rescue vehicle candidate selection will change depending on the status information of vehicles 302-1 to 302-N.

[0088] Figure 11 shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device used as the energy supply support device 101 in Figure 1 and the server 301 in Figure 4. The information processing device in Figure 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1101, memory 1102, input device 1103, output device 1104, auxiliary storage device 1105, media drive device 1106, and network connection device 1107. These components are hardware and are connected to each other by a bus 1108.

[0089] Memory 1102 is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores the program and data used for processing. Memory 1102 may also operate as the storage unit 415 in Figure 4.

[0090] The CPU 1101 (processor) operates as the extraction unit 111 in Figure 1, for example, by executing a program using the memory 1102. The CPU 1101 also operates as the acquisition unit 411, search unit 412, and extraction unit 413 in Figure 4, by executing a program using the memory 1102.

[0091] The input device 1103 is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., and is used for inputting instructions or information from the operator. The output device 1104 is, for example, a display device, a printer, a speaker, etc., and is used for inquiries or instructions to the operator and outputting processing results. The processing results may be the results of extracting rescue vehicle candidates.

[0092] The auxiliary storage device 1105 is, for example, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, a magneto-optical disk drive, a tape drive, etc. The auxiliary storage device 1105 may also be a hard disk drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The information processing device can store programs and data in the auxiliary storage device 1105 and load them into the memory 1102 for use. The auxiliary storage device 1105 may also operate as the storage unit 415 in Figure 4.

[0093] The media drive unit 1106 drives the portable recording medium 1109 and accesses its recorded contents. The portable recording medium 1109 can be a memory device, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, etc. The portable recording medium 1109 may also be a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, etc. The operator can store programs and data on the portable recording medium 1109 and load them into the memory 1102 for use.

[0094] Thus, the computer-readable recording medium that stores the programs and data used in the processing is a physical (non-temporary) recording medium such as memory 1102, auxiliary storage device 1105, or portable recording medium 1109.

[0095] The network connection device 1107 is a communication interface circuit connected to the wireless communication network 303 and performs data conversion associated with communication. The information processing device can receive programs and data from external devices via the network connection device 1107 and load them into the memory 1102 for use. The network connection device 1107 may operate as the transmission unit 112 in Figure 1 or the communication unit 414 in Figure 4.

[0096] As the in-vehicle device 311-i in Figure 3, an information processing device similar to that in Figure 11 can be used.

[0097] Note that the information processing device does not need to include all the components shown in Figure 11, and some components may be omitted depending on the application or conditions. For example, if an interface with an operator is not required, the input device 1103 and output device 1104 may be omitted. If the portable recording medium 1109 is not used, the media drive device 1106 may be omitted.

[0098] While embodiments of the disclosure and their advantages have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, additions, and omissions without departing from the scope of the invention as expressly stated in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 101 Energy supply support device 111, 413 Extraction part 112 Transmitter 301 Server Vehicles 302-1~302-N, 511, 521~525, 531~533, 541, 542 303 Wireless Communication Network 311-1~311-N On-vehicle equipment 411 Acquisition Department 412 Search Department 414 Communications Department 415 Storage section 421 Vehicle Information 422 Charging Station Information 423 Map Information Lanes 501, 502, and 503 551, 601, 701, 702 area 801, 802 Arrows Routes 901 and 902 1101 CPU 1102 memory 1103 Input device 1104 Output device 1105 Auxiliary storage device 1106 Media drive device 1107 Network Connection Device 1108 Bus 1109 Portable recording media

Claims

1. An extraction unit that extracts a second mobile body from one or more mobile bodies located at a distance greater than a second predetermined distance from the first mobile body, from among one or more mobile bodies located at a distance less than a first predetermined distance from the first mobile body, A transmitting unit that transmits request information to the second mobile body requesting that the first mobile body be supplied with energy for movement, An energy supply support device equipped with the following features.

2. The energy supply support device according to claim 1, wherein the extraction unit extracts as the second moving body one or more moving bodies that are located at a distance longer than the second predetermined distance from the first moving body and that are located in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the first moving body.

3. The energy supply support device according to claim 2, wherein the extraction unit extracts as the second moving body one or more moving bodies that are located at a distance longer than the second predetermined distance from the first moving body, are located in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the first moving body, and are approaching the first moving body.

4. The energy supply support device according to claim 3, wherein the extraction unit extracts from among the one or more moving bodies that are located at a distance longer than the second predetermined distance from the first moving body, are located in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the first moving body, and are approaching the first moving body, the moving body that is estimated to reach the position of the first moving body earliest, as the second moving body.

5. The energy supply support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the extraction unit extracts, as the second mobile body, one or more mobile bodies located at a distance longer than the second predetermined distance from the first mobile body, and capable of supplying energy for the first mobile body to move to a predetermined energy supply base.

6. Computers From among one or more mobile bodies located at a distance shorter than a first predetermined distance from the first mobile body, a second mobile body located at a distance longer than a second predetermined distance from the first mobile body is extracted. A request information is transmitted to the second mobile body requesting that the first mobile body be supplied with energy for movement. An energy supply support method for performing processing.

7. From among one or more mobile bodies located at a distance shorter than a first predetermined distance from the first mobile body, a second mobile body located at a distance longer than a second predetermined distance from the first mobile body is extracted. A request information is transmitted to the second mobile body requesting that the first mobile body be supplied with energy for movement. An energy supply support program to enable a computer to perform a process.

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