Methods and Systems

Abstract

To improve a technology for providing power supply services that allocate power supply vehicles.SOLUTION: A method executed by an information processing device 10 that is used to provide a power supply service for allocating power supply vehicles includes: determining whether or not a location where a power supply vehicle can be parked exists around a first location where a user's vehicle is parked; and transmitting a first message suggesting the use of the power supply service to a mobile terminal 20 of the user when it is determined that the location exists.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method and a system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies related to providing a power supply service for dispatching a power supply vehicle, for example, in response to a request from a user, are known. For example, Patent Document discloses a rescue system that selects a power supply vehicle that supplies power to a first moving body from among a plurality of second moving bodies when a help signal is received from the first moving body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

【Patent Document Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-086841

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in technologies related to providing a power supply service for dispatching a power supply vehicle.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve technologies related to providing a power supply service for dispatching a power supply vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method executed by an information processing apparatus used for providing a power supply service for dispatching a power supply vehicle, determining whether there is a place where the power supply vehicle can park around a first space where the user's vehicle is parked, and when it is determined that such a place exists, transmitting a first message proposing use of the power supply service to the user's mobile terminal.

[0007] A method according to one embodiment of this disclosure is: A method performed by a mobile device used by a user, To transmit a first request to an information processing device in response to a first operation on the device itself. A message transmitted from the information processing device when there is a place where a power supply vehicle can be parked around the first space where the user's vehicle is parked, the first message proposing the use of a power supply service to dispatch the power supply vehicle, and This includes transmitting a second request for reservation of the power supply service to the information processing device in response to a second operation on the device itself.

[0008] A system according to one embodiment of this disclosure is A system comprising an information processing device used for providing a power supply service that dispatches power supply vehicles, and a mobile terminal used by a user, The mobile terminal transmits a first request to the information processing device in response to a first operation performed on its own device. The aforementioned information processing device is In response to the first request, it is determined whether there is a place where the power supply vehicle can be parked in the vicinity of the first space where the user's vehicle is parked. If it is determined that the aforementioned location exists, a first message proposing the use of the power supply service is sent to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal transmits a second request for reservation of the power supply service to the information processing device in response to a second operation on its own device. The information processing device accepts a reservation for the use of the power supply service in response to the second request. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the technology for providing a power supply service that dispatches power supply vehicles is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]This block diagram shows a schematic configuration of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the general configuration of a mobile device. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the operation of an information processing device. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the operation of a mobile device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below.

[0012] (Summary of the embodiment) Referring to Figure 1, an overview of System 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described. System 1 comprises an information processing device 10 and a mobile terminal 20. The information processing device 10 and the mobile terminal 20 can communicate with each other via a network 30, such as the Internet.

[0013] The information processing device 10 is, for example, a computer such as a server or a PC (Personal Computer). In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 is used to provide a power supply service that dispatches a power supply vehicle. Specifically, the power supply service is a service that dispatches a power supply vehicle to the location where the user's vehicle to be powered is parked, parks the power supply vehicle around the user's vehicle, and supplies power from the power supply vehicle to the user's vehicle by wired or wireless means.

[0014] The mobile terminal 20 is a computer such as, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, or a laptop. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 20 is carried by a user who uses a vehicle. In the present embodiment, the "vehicle" is, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), etc., an automobile that uses electricity as a power source, but is not limited thereto.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the information processing device 10 can accept a reservation for using a power supply service in response to a request from the mobile terminal 20. For example, a user who has parked a vehicle in a parking lot may want to use the power supply service after leaving the vehicle to such an extent that the vehicle cannot be visually recognized. In such a case, the user can make a reservation for using the power supply service using the mobile terminal 20.

[0016] However, when the user is away from the vehicle, the user cannot visually confirm whether there is a place where a power supply vehicle can park around the vehicle. For this reason, for example, even though there is no place where a power supply vehicle can park, such as when other vehicles are parked in the parking space around the user's vehicle, if the user makes a reservation for using the power supply service from the mobile terminal 20, the arriving power supply vehicle may not be able to park around the user's vehicle, and there is a possibility that the power supply service cannot be provided.

[0017] Here, the outline of the present embodiment will be described, and the details will be described later. The information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment determines whether there is a place where a power supply vehicle can park around the first space where the user's vehicle is parked. And when it is determined that such a place exists, the information processing device 10 transmits a first message for proposing the use of the power supply service to the user's mobile terminal 20.

[0018] Thus, according to this embodiment, if there is a place near the user's vehicle where a power supply vehicle can be parked, a first message proposing the use of the power supply service is notified to the user. Even when the user is away from their vehicle, they can recognize that there is a place near their vehicle where a power supply vehicle can be parked by checking the first message. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the probability of a user making a reservation for the power supply service even though there is no place to park a power supply vehicle is reduced, thus improving the technology for providing power supply services that dispatch power supply vehicles.

[0019] Next, we will describe each component of System 1 in detail.

[0020] (Configuration of information processing device) Referring to Figure 2, each component of the information processing device 10 will be described in detail. The information processing device 10 comprises a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0021] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to a network 30, such as the Internet. The communication interface supports, for example, mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), wired LAN (Local Area Network) standards, or wireless LAN standards, but is not limited to these and may support any communication standard.

[0022] The storage unit 12 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 12 may function as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 10. For example, the storage unit 12 may store system programs and application programs, etc.

[0023] The control unit 13 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit is an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited to this. The dedicated circuit is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited to this. The control unit 13 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 10.

[0024] (Mobile device configuration) Referring to Figure 3, each component of the mobile terminal 20 will be described in detail. The mobile terminal 20 comprises a communication unit 21, an output unit 22, an input unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0025] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 30. These communication interfaces may, for example, correspond to a mobile communication standard, but are not limited to that and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0026] The output unit 22 includes one or more output devices that output information to notify the user. These output devices are, for example, a display that outputs information as video, or a speaker that outputs information as sound, but are not limited to these. The output unit 22 may also include an interface for connecting external output devices.

[0027] The input unit 23 includes one or more input devices for detecting user input operations. These input devices are, but are not limited to, physical keys, capacitive keys, a mouse, a touch panel, a touchscreen integrated with the display of the output unit 22, or a microphone. The input unit 23 may also include an interface for connecting external input devices.

[0028] The storage unit 24 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 24 may function as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 24 stores any information used for the operation of the mobile terminal 20. For example, the storage unit 24 may store system programs and application programs, etc.

[0029] The control unit 25 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 25 controls the operation of the entire mobile terminal 20.

[0030] (Operation of information processing device) The operation of the information processing device 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0031] S100: The control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 determines whether or not it has received the first request from the user's mobile terminal 20. If it is determined that the first request has been received (S100-Yes), the process proceeds to S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first request has not been received (S100-No), the process repeats S100.

[0032] The "first request" is information indicating a request to confirm whether or not there is a place where a power supply vehicle can be parked around the first space where the user's vehicle is parked. The first request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 20 to the information processing device 10 in response to the user's first operation on the mobile terminal 20, as described later.

[0033] S101: If it is determined in S100 that the first request has been received (S100-Yes), the control unit 13 determines whether there is a place where the power supply vehicle can be parked around the first space where the user's vehicle is parked. If it is determined that such a place exists (S101-Yes), the process proceeds to S102. On the other hand, if it is determined that such a place does not exist (S101-No), the process repeats S101.

[0034] Any method can be used to determine whether or not there is a place where a power supply vehicle can be parked. For example, the control unit 13 may receive images from the user's vehicle via the network 30 from an on-board camera mounted on the user's vehicle that is capable of capturing images of the area around the vehicle (i.e., the area around the first space). Alternatively, the control unit 13 may receive location information indicating the parking position of the user's vehicle from the user's vehicle via the network 30. The control unit 13 may receive images from a surveillance camera located near the parking position indicated in the location information that is capable of capturing images of the area around the first space via the network 30. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may receive satellite images of the area around the first space from an external server via the network 30. The control unit 13 may then determine whether or not there is a place where a power supply vehicle can be parked around the first space by performing image recognition using the received images. In detail, the control unit 13 may determine that there is a place around the first space where a power supply vehicle can be parked if there is a space large enough to accommodate the power supply vehicle around the first space and no other vehicles are parked in that space. Here, "around the first space" means, for example, adjacent to the first space, but is not limited to this, and may also mean a place close enough to provide power to a user's vehicle parked in the first space.

[0035] If it is determined that the location does not exist (S101-No), S101 is executed repeatedly as described above. Here, the control unit 13 may, for example, repeatedly execute S101 until a predetermined time has elapsed, or it may repeatedly execute S101 up to a predetermined upper limit. When the predetermined time has elapsed, or when the number of times S101 has been executed reaches the upper limit, the control unit 13 may terminate this operation by sending a message to the mobile terminal 20 via the communication unit 11 indicating that there is no place where the power supply vehicle can be parked.

[0036] S102: If it is determined in S101 that there is a place where the power supply vehicle can be parked (S101-Yes), the control unit 13 sends a first message to the mobile terminal 20 proposing the use of the power supply service.

[0037] The user can recognize, by the first message sent from the information processing device 10 to the mobile terminal 20, that there is a place around the first space where a power supply vehicle can be parked.

[0038] S103: The control unit 13 determines whether or not it has received a second request from the mobile terminal 20. If it is determined that a second request has been received (S103-Yes), the process proceeds to S104. On the other hand, if it is determined that a second request has not been received (S103-No), the process repeats S103.

[0039] The "second request" is information indicating a request to reserve the use of the power supply service. The second request may include any information used in processing the reservation for the power supply service. For example, the second request may include, but is not limited to, location information indicating the parking location of the user's vehicle, and may further include information such as the amount of power supply desired by the user. The second request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 20 to the information processing device 10 in response to a second operation by the user on the mobile terminal 20, as described later.

[0040] If it is determined that the second request has not been received (S103-No), S103 is executed repeatedly as described above. Here, the control unit 13 may, for example, repeatedly execute S103 until a predetermined time has elapsed, or it may repeatedly execute S103 up to a predetermined upper limit. The control unit 13 may terminate this operation when the predetermined time has elapsed or when the number of times S103 has been executed has reached the upper limit.

[0041] S104: If it is determined in S103 that a second request has been received (S103-Yes), the control unit 13 accepts the reservation for the power supply service.

[0042] Specifically, the control unit 13 accepts a reservation for the power supply service by setting the user's vehicle's parking location as the destination and determining the operation plan of the power supply vehicle to supply power to the user's vehicle. When the control unit 13 accepts a reservation for the power supply service, it may predict, for example, the arrival time and completion time of the power supply vehicle and notify the mobile terminal 20. The control unit 13 may also notify the power supply vehicle of the determined operation plan via the network 30. The driver of the power supply vehicle or the automated driving system can provide the power supply service in accordance with the notified operation plan.

[0043] S105: The control unit 13 monitors the status of the parking spaces where the power supply vehicle can be parked, which were determined to exist in S101.

[0044] Any method can be used to monitor the condition of the location. For example, the control unit 13 may receive images from an on-board camera mounted on the user's vehicle, capable of capturing images of the area around the vehicle (i.e., the area around the first space), via the network 30. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may receive images from a surveillance camera located near the parking position of the user's vehicle, capable of capturing images of the area around the first space, via the network 30. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may receive satellite images of the area around the first space from an external server via the network 30. The control unit 13 may then continuously receive images and monitor the condition of the location where a power supply vehicle can park by performing image recognition using the most recently received images.

[0045] Alternatively, if the user's vehicle is parked in a parking lot, the control unit 13 may obtain occupancy information for each parking space in the parking lot from the parking lot's management server via the network 30. The control unit 13 may then continuously receive occupancy information and monitor the status of the available parking spaces for the powered vehicle based on the latest received occupancy information.

[0046] S106: The control unit 13 determines whether the location became unsuitable for parking (hereinafter also referred to as the "specific state") before the power supply vehicle arrived at the location. If it is determined that the location became the specific state (S106-Yes), the process proceeds to S107. On the other hand, if it is determined that the location did not become the specific state (S106-No), the process repeats S106.

[0047] Specifically, the control unit 13 determines, for example, that a location has entered a specific state if another vehicle is parked in the location where the power supply vehicle can be parked, by using image recognition based on the image received in S105.

[0048] If it is determined that the location is not in a specific state (S106-No), S106 is executed repeatedly as described above. The control unit 13 may then repeatedly execute S106 until the power supply vehicle arrives at the location. The control unit 13 may terminate this operation if the location remains in a state where parking is possible until the power supply vehicle arrives at the location.

[0049] S107: If it is determined in S106 that the location has entered a specific state (S106-Yes), the control unit 13 sends a second message to the mobile terminal 20 suggesting a change or cancellation of the power supply service reservation.

[0050] As described later, the user, upon receiving the second message from the information processing device 10 to the mobile terminal 20, recognizes that the location where the power supply vehicle can be parked has been identified, and can then consider changing or canceling their reservation for the power supply service.

[0051] S108: The control unit 13 determines whether or not it has received a third request from the mobile terminal 20. If it is determined that a third request has been received (S108-Yes), the process proceeds to S109. On the other hand, if it is determined that a third request has not been received (S108-No), the process repeats S108.

[0052] The "third request" is information indicating a request to change or cancel a reservation for the power supply service. The third request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 20 to the information processing device 10 in response to the user's second operation on the mobile terminal 20, as described later.

[0053] If it is determined that the third request has not been received (S108-No), S108 is executed repeatedly as described above. Here, the control unit 13 may, for example, repeatedly execute S108 until a predetermined time has elapsed, or repeatedly execute S103 up to a predetermined upper limit, or repeatedly execute S108 until the power supply vehicle arrives at the location. The control unit 13 may terminate this operation when the predetermined time has elapsed, when the number of times S103 has been executed has reached the upper limit, or when the power supply vehicle arrives at the location.

[0054] S109: If it is determined in S108 that a third request has been received (S108-Yes), the control unit 13 modifies or cancels the reservation for the power supply service.

[0055] At this point, the control unit 13 may send a message to the mobile terminal 20 via the communication unit 11 indicating that a reservation for the power supply service has been changed or canceled.

[0056] (Mobile device operation) The operation of the mobile terminal 20 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. This operation may be performed, for example, while a predetermined application program installed on the mobile terminal 20 is running, or while a web browser is running.

[0057] S200: The control unit 25 of the mobile terminal 20 transmits a first request to the information processing device 10 in response to a first operation by the user on its device.

[0058] Typically, the user performs the first operation on the input unit 23 of the mobile terminal 20 when they want to use the power supply service after they have moved away from the parked vehicle to a point where they can no longer see the vehicle.

[0059] S201: When the control unit 25 receives a first message from the information processing device 10, it displays the first message on the display of the output unit 22.

[0060] As described above, the first message is a message sent from the information processing device 10 when there is a place where a power supply vehicle can be parked around the first space where the user's vehicle is parked, and it is a message that proposes the use of the power supply service.

[0061] S202: The control unit 25 transmits a second request to the information processing device 10 in response to a second operation by the user on its device.

[0062] Typically, after the user becomes aware from the first message that there is a place where a power supply vehicle can be parked around the first space, and decides to use the power supply service, they perform a second operation on the input unit 23 of the mobile terminal 20.

[0063] S203: When the control unit 25 receives the second message from the information processing device 10, it displays it on the display of the output unit 22.

[0064] As described above, the second message is a message sent from the information processing device 10 when the location becomes unsuitable for parking before the power supply vehicle arrives at the location, and it is a message that proposes changing or canceling the reservation for the power supply service.

[0065] S204: The control unit 25 transmits a third request to the information processing device 10 in response to a third operation by the user on its device.

[0066] Typically, when a user wants to change or cancel a reservation for the power supply service in accordance with the second message, they perform a third operation on the input unit 23 of the mobile terminal 20.

[0067] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment determines whether or not there is a place where a power supply vehicle can be parked around the first space where the user's vehicle is parked. If the information processing device 10 determines that such a place exists, it sends a first message to the user's mobile terminal 20 proposing the use of the power supply service.

[0068] With this configuration, as described above, if there is a place near the user's vehicle where a power supply vehicle can be parked, a first message proposing the use of the power supply service is notified to the user. Even when the user is away from their vehicle, they can recognize that there is a place near their vehicle where a power supply vehicle can be parked by checking the first message. Therefore, this embodiment improves the technology for providing power supply services by reducing the likelihood that a user will reserve the power supply service even though there is no place to park a power supply vehicle.

[0069] 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.

[0070] For example, in the embodiment described above, it is also possible to have an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the information processing device 10 are distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other.

[0071] Furthermore, it is also possible to implement an embodiment in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 10 according to the above embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content that realizes each function of the information processing device 10 according to the above embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the processor reads and executes the program. Therefore, this disclosure can also be implemented as a program that can be executed by a processor, or as a non-temporary computer-readable medium that stores the program.

[0072] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, if the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 determines in S106 that a location where the power supply vehicle can be parked has entered a specific state, it sends a second message to the mobile terminal 20 proposing a change or cancellation of the power supply service reservation. Here, the control unit 13 may also send the second message to the mobile terminal 20 at the earlier of the following: when the specific state continues and it is a predetermined time before the scheduled arrival time of the power supply vehicle, or when the specific state continues for a predetermined time. With this configuration, for example, the probability of the second message being sent even though the specific state has been resolved after the location entered the specific state but before the power supply vehicle arrives at the location is reduced.

[0073] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, when the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives a reservation for the use of the power supply service in S104, it may send an instruction to project a predetermined image to a location where the power supply vehicle can park. The destination of the instruction may be arbitrarily determined. For example, if the user's vehicle is equipped with a projector capable of projecting an image around itself, the control unit 13 may send the instruction to the user's vehicle. Alternatively, for example, if a projector is installed in the parking lot where the user's vehicle is parked, the control unit 13 may send the instruction to the control device of the projector. By projecting an image to a location where the power supply vehicle can park, the likelihood of another vehicle parking in that location before the power supply vehicle arrives is reduced.

[0074] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the location where a power supply vehicle can be parked, which is determined to exist in S101, may include one or more second spaces adjacent to the first space where the user's vehicle is parked. If the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 determines in S106 that all second spaces included in the location have entered a specific state, it may send a second message to the mobile terminal 20 in S107.

[0075] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the parking locations for the power supply vehicle, which are determined to exist in S101, may include two third spaces that are separate from the first space where the user's vehicle is parked and adjacent to each other. When the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives a reservation for the power supply service in S104, it may send an instruction to move the user's vehicle from the first space to one of the two third spaces. The destination of this instruction may be arbitrarily determined. For example, if the user's vehicle is capable of autonomous driving based on external instructions, the control unit 13 may send the instruction to the user's vehicle or to the vehicle's management server.

[0076] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Note 1] A method executed by an information processing device used for providing a power supply service that dispatches power supply vehicles, To determine whether there is a place where the power supply vehicle can be parked in the vicinity of the first space where the user's vehicle is parked, and If it is determined that the aforementioned location exists, a first message proposing the use of the power supply service is sent to the user's mobile device. Methods that include... [Note 2] The method described in Appendix 1, The information processing device is a method for determining whether or not the location exists in response to a first request from the mobile terminal. [Note 3] The method described in Appendix 1 or 2, The information processing device determines whether or not the location exists based on an image taken of the area surrounding the first space, or on the occupancy status of the parking lot including the first space. [Note 4] The method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3, In response to a second request from the mobile terminal for the use of the aforementioned power supply service, the user accepts the reservation for the use of the aforementioned power supply service. Monitoring the state of the aforementioned location, and If the location becomes unsuitable for parking before the power supply vehicle arrives there, a second message proposing a change or cancellation of the reservation is sent to the mobile device. Methods that further include the above. [Note 5] The method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4, A method in which the information processing device transmits the second message when the specific state continues and a predetermined time has passed before the scheduled arrival time of the power supply vehicle, or when the specific state continues for a predetermined time, whichever comes first. [Note 6] The method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5, A method that, upon receiving a reservation for the use of the aforementioned power supply service, further includes transmitting an instruction to project a predetermined image to the aforementioned location. [Note 7] The method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6, The aforementioned location includes one or more second spaces adjacent to the first space, A method for transmitting the second message when all second spaces included in the location enter the specified state. [Note 8] The method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 7, The aforementioned location includes two third spaces that are separate from the first space and adjacent to each other. The method further includes transmitting an instruction to move the user's vehicle from the first space to either of the two third spaces. [Note 9] A method performed by a mobile device used by a user, To transmit a first request to an information processing device in response to a first operation on the device itself. A message transmitted from the information processing device when there is a place where a power supply vehicle can be parked around the first space where the user's vehicle is parked, the first message proposing the use of a power supply service to dispatch the power supply vehicle, and To transmit a second request for reservation of the power supply service to the information processing device in response to a second operation on the device itself. Methods that include... [Note 10] A system comprising an information processing device used for providing a power supply service that dispatches power supply vehicles, and a mobile terminal used by a user, The mobile terminal transmits a first request to the information processing device in response to a first operation performed on its own device. The aforementioned information processing device is In response to the first request, it is determined whether there is a place where the power supply vehicle can be parked in the vicinity of the first space where the user's vehicle is parked. If it is determined that the aforementioned location exists, a first message proposing the use of the power supply service is sent to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal transmits a second request for reservation of the power supply service to the information processing device in response to a second operation on its own device. The information processing device is a system that accepts reservations for the use of the power supply service in response to the second request. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1 System 10 Information Processing Devices 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 20 Mobile devices 21 Communications Department 22 Output section 23 Input section 24 Memory section 25 Control Unit 30 Networks

Claims

1. A method executed by an information processing device used for providing a power supply service that dispatches power supply vehicles, To determine whether there is a place where the power supply vehicle can be parked in the vicinity of the first space where the user's vehicle is parked. If it is determined that the aforementioned location exists, a first message proposing the use of the power supply service is sent to the user's mobile terminal. In response to a second request from the mobile terminal for the reservation of the aforementioned power supply service, the reservation for the aforementioned power supply service is accepted. Monitoring the state of the aforementioned location, and If the location becomes unsuitable for parking before the power supply vehicle arrives there, a second message proposing a change or cancellation of the reservation is sent to the mobile device. Methods that include...

2. The method according to claim 1, The information processing device is a method for determining whether or not the location exists in response to a first request from the mobile terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1, The information processing device determines whether or not the location exists based on an image taken of the area surrounding the first space, or on information regarding the occupancy status of the parking lot where the vehicle is parked.

4. The method according to claim 1, A method in which the information processing device transmits the second message when the specific state continues and a predetermined time has passed before the scheduled arrival time of the power supply vehicle, or when the specific state continues for a predetermined time, whichever comes first.

5. The method according to claim 1, A method that, upon receiving a reservation for the use of the aforementioned power supply service, further includes transmitting an instruction to project a predetermined image to the aforementioned location.

6. The method according to claim 1, The aforementioned location includes one or more second spaces adjacent to the first space, A method for transmitting the second message when all second spaces included in the location enter the specified state.

7. The method according to claim 1, The aforementioned location includes two third spaces that are separate from the first space and adjacent to each other. The method further includes transmitting an instruction to move the user's vehicle from the first space to either of the two third spaces.

8. A method performed by a mobile device used by a user, To transmit a first request to an information processing device in response to a first operation on the device itself. A message transmitted from the information processing device when there is a place where a power supply vehicle can be parked in the vicinity of the first space where the user's vehicle is parked, the first message proposing the use of a power supply service to dispatch the power supply vehicle, To transmit a second request for reservation of the power supply service to the information processing device in response to a second operation on the device itself, and A message transmitted from the information processing device when the location becomes unsuitable for parking before the power supply vehicle arrives at the location, the recipient receives a second message suggesting a change or cancellation of the reservation. Methods that include...

9. A system comprising an information processing device used for providing a power supply service that dispatches power supply vehicles, and a mobile terminal used by a user, The mobile terminal transmits a first request to the information processing device in response to a first operation on its own device. The aforementioned information processing device is In response to the first request, it is determined whether there is a place where the power supply vehicle can be parked in the vicinity of the first space where the user's vehicle is parked. If it is determined that the aforementioned location exists, a first message proposing the use of the power supply service is sent to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal transmits a second request for reservation of the power supply service to the information processing device in response to a second operation on its own device. The aforementioned information processing device is In response to the second request, the user will make a reservation for the power supply service. The state of the aforementioned location is monitored, A system that, if the location becomes unsuitable for parking before the power supply vehicle arrives at the location, sends a second message to the mobile terminal suggesting a change or cancellation of the reservation.

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