Control system, control method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides a control system, control method, and program for appropriately processing reservations. [Solution] A control system for processing reservations for multiple reserved objects (vehicles), comprising a power generation device, multiple vehicles, multiple business establishments having power control devices, integrated management devices and vehicle management devices, a power control device, and a server, wherein the integrated management device includes a storage unit for storing characteristic information indicating the characteristics of each of the multiple reserved objects, a control information receiving unit for receiving control information for processing reservations for the multiple reserved objects taking into account the characteristics of the multiple reserved objects, a reservation request receiving unit for receiving reservation requests relating to at least one of the multiple reserved objects, and a reservation processing unit that, when the control information is first information, allows reservations for reserved objects with first characteristics based on the characteristic information, and when the control information is second information, does not allow reservations for reserved objects with first characteristics.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control system, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for externally using the power of a vehicle battery. Cited Document 2 discloses a technique related to vehicle allocation management. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] Patent Document 1 International Publication No. 2024 / 070109 Patent Document 2 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-032459

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] It is desired to appropriately process reservations for reservation targets.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] In a first aspect of the present invention, a control system is provided. The control system processes reservations for a plurality of reservation targets. The control system includes a storage unit that stores characteristic information indicating the characteristics of each of the plurality of reservation targets. The control system includes a control information reception unit that receives control information for processing reservations for the plurality of reservation targets in consideration of the characteristics of the plurality of reservation targets. The control system includes a reservation request reception unit that receives a reservation request regarding at least any one of the plurality of reservation targets. The control system includes a reservation processing unit that permits a reservation for a reservation target having a first characteristic based on the characteristic information when the control information is first information, and does not permit a reservation for the reservation target having the first characteristic when the control information is second information.

[0005] In the above control system, the plurality of reservation targets may be vehicles.

[0006] In any of the control systems described above, the characteristics of the plurality of reserved objects may be the type of power source of the vehicle.

[0007] In any of the control systems described above, the reservation request may include at least the planned usage time of the vehicle.

[0008] In any of the above control systems, if the reservation processing unit is unable to determine which vehicle to be used for the reservation request, and the control information is the second information, it may determine which vehicle to be used for the reservation request by changing at least the scheduled usage time of the vehicle.

[0009] In any of the above control systems, the reservation processing unit may maintain stored information that includes information indicating the vehicle to be used, information indicating the usage time of the vehicle to be used, and information indicating at least one of the vehicle's departure and destination, planned distance traveled, planned travel time, and planned energy consumption, in order to determine which vehicle to be used for the reservation request.

[0010] In any of the control systems described above, the reservation processing unit may predict the trend of the amount of energy available for the vehicle to run based on the held information, and determine which vehicle to use for the reservation request based on the predicted trend of the amount of energy available for the vehicle to run.

[0011] Any of the above control systems may further include an energy request receiving unit that receives energy request information relating to the energy request to be provided by the vehicle. The reservation processing unit may determine which vehicle to be used for the reservation request, taking into consideration the energy request information.

[0012] In any of the control systems described above, the energy request information may include information indicating the amount of energy and information indicating the time for which the energy is required.

[0013] In any of the control systems described above, the reservation processing unit may set a reservation for at least one vehicle to be used for energy transfer.

[0014] In any of the above control systems, if the reservation processing unit is unable to determine which vehicle to be used for the reservation request and which vehicle to be used for the energy transfer, it may determine which vehicle to be used for the reservation request based on the control information.

[0015] Any of the above control systems may include an input control unit that performs control for a user to input the control information.

[0016] In any of the control systems described above, the input control unit may perform control for inputting the control information through a user interface different from the user interface for receiving the reservation request.

[0017] Any of the above control systems may include a user identification information acquisition unit that acquires user identification information. The input control unit may determine whether or not to allow the input of the control information based on the user identification information acquired by the user identification information acquisition unit.

[0018] In a second aspect of the present invention, a control method is provided. The control method processes reservations for a plurality of reserved objects. The control method includes a step of storing characteristic information indicating the characteristics of each of the plurality of reserved objects. The control method includes a step of receiving control information for processing reservations for the plurality of reserved objects, taking into account the characteristics of the plurality of reserved objects. The control method includes a step of receiving a reservation request relating to at least one of the plurality of reserved objects. The control method may include a step of allowing a reservation for a reserved object with first characteristics based on the characteristic information when the control information is first information, and not allowing a reservation for a reserved object with first characteristics when the control information is second information.

[0019] In a third aspect of the present invention, a program is provided. When the program is executed by a computer, the computer is caused to function as any of the above control systems.

[0020] The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the features of the present invention. Also, sub - combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] Conceptually shows the usage form of the system 5 in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Shows an example of the system configuration of the vehicle management device 60. [Figure 3] Shows an example of the system configuration of the integrated management device 50. [Figure 4] Shows the execution sequence of processing in the methods executed by the power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, and the vehicle management device 60. [Figure 5] Is the first example of an operation plan planned without allowing reservations for the vehicle 10d. [Figure 6] Is an example of an operation plan that allows reservations for the vehicle 10d. [Figure 7] Is the second example of an operation plan planned without allowing reservations for the vehicle 10d. [Figure 8] Is an example of an operation plan that allows reservations for the vehicle 10d. [Figure 9] Is a flowchart regarding the process of inputting control information and reservation requests in the system 5. [Figure 10] Is a flowchart regarding the process executed in the integrated management device 50. [Figure 11] Shows an example of the computer 2000.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0023] Figure 1 conceptually shows a usage configuration of System 5 in one embodiment. System 5 comprises a power generator 80, a plurality of vehicles including vehicles 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e, power control devices 40 and 41, integrated management devices 50 and 51, vehicle management devices 60 and 61, power control device 140, and a server 180.

[0024] The electricity consumer 70 and the power generation equipment 80 are connected to a power network 90. ​​The electricity generated by the power generation equipment 80 can be supplied to the electricity consumer 70 through the power network 90. ​​The power network 90 is, for example, a power grid.

[0025] Vehicles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10e are electric vehicles equipped with batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12e, respectively, for storing power to propel the vehicles. An electric vehicle is an example of an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle is an example of a mobile vehicle. Vehicle 10d is a vehicle having an internal combustion engine. Vehicle 10d is a vehicle that runs on power generated by an internal combustion engine. Vehicle 10d may be a vehicle that runs primarily on power generated by an internal combustion engine. Vehicle 10d may be a vehicle that does not have a battery to generate power for propulsion. In this embodiment, vehicles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d are collectively referred to as "vehicle 10," and batteries 12a, 12b, and 12c are collectively referred to as "battery 12."

[0026] Vehicle 10 is deployed at the business premises 30. Business premises 30 functions as a base for parking vehicle 10. In this embodiment, business premises 30 may be referred to as the "head office". Vehicle 10 may be, for example, a sales vehicle, or a vehicle for transporting goods such as merchandise handled at business premises 30. Power is supplied to business premises 30 through the power network 90.

[0027] The power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, and the vehicle management device 60 are installed in the business premises 30. The vehicle 10 is installed so that it can communicate with the vehicle management device 60 via a mobile communication network or the like. The business premises 30 has a local power network within the business premises and can exchange power with the battery 12 installed in the vehicle 10 via a charge / discharge device installed in the business premises 30. In other words, the vehicle 10 can be used for energy management in the business premises 30. The battery 12 installed in the vehicle 10 can exchange power with the power network 90 via the power network within the business premises 30. The power control device 40 controls the charging and discharging of the vehicle 10 deployed in the business premises 30 so as to meet at least the power demand within the business premises 30.

[0028] The power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, and the vehicle management device 60 are managed, for example, at the business premises 30. The power control device 40 and the integrated management device 50 are provided to communicate with each other via a communication line. The integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 are provided to communicate with each other via a communication line. The integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 may be provided outside the business premises 30. The integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 may be provided to communicate with each other via a communication line such as the Internet. One or both of the integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 may be implemented by a server such as a cloud server.

[0029] The vehicle management device 60 determines the departure and arrival times of the vehicle 10 from the business premises 30. The integrated management device 50 mediates the departure and arrival times of the vehicle 10 to meet the power demand at the business premises 30. For example, the integrated management device 50 mediates the departure and arrival times of the vehicle 10 to enable peak reduction of power demand at the business premises 30. The vehicle management device 60 manages the vehicle 10 based on the schedule of the vehicle 10 adjusted by the integrated management device 50. The power control device 40 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 12 in the vehicle 10 based on the schedule of the vehicle 10 adjusted by the integrated management device 50.

[0030] Vehicle 10e is deployed at business premises 31. Business premises 31 functions as a parking base for vehicle 10e. Vehicle 10e, like vehicle 10, may be a commercial vehicle and may be a vehicle for transporting goods such as merchandise handled at business premises 30. Power is supplied to business premises 31 through the power network 90. ​​Power control device 41, integrated management device 51, and vehicle management device 61 are installed at business premises 31.

[0031] At business establishment 31, the power control device 41, integrated management device 51, and vehicle management device 61 correspond to the power control device 40, integrated management device 50, and vehicle management device 60. The power control device 41, integrated management device 51, and vehicle management device 61 perform the same control as the power control device 40, integrated management device 50, and vehicle management device 60, except that the controlled object and / or managed object is business establishment 31 and / or vehicle 10e. Therefore, the explanation of the control related to the power control device 41, integrated management device 51, vehicle management device 61, and vehicle 10 will be omitted.

[0032] The power control device 140 communicates with power control devices 40 and 41 via the communication network 190 and oversees overall power control at business establishments 30 and 31. For example, the power control device 140 collects information on power supply and demand from power control devices 40 and 41 and controls power control devices 40 and 41 to minimize overall power costs at business establishments 30 and 31 by adjusting overall power supply and demand, including power trading with the power network 90.

[0033] The power control device 140 is connected to the server 180 via a communication network 190. The server 180 is a server used, for example, by a power aggregator. The server 180 conducts power trading in the power market. The power control device 140 can provide the server 180 with power resources aggregated and held by the business premises 30 and the vehicles deployed at business premises 30. The power control device 140 controls the charging and discharging of the batteries of each vehicle deployed at business premises 30 and business premises 31, and provides the power agreed upon by the server 180. For example, the power control device 140 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 12 by the power control device 40 in response to the demand from the server 180, and provides power according to the demand.

[0034] In relation to Figures 2 to 10, etc., the control systems mainly related to the business establishment 30 will be explained. Specifically, the control systems related to the power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, the vehicle management device 60, and the vehicle 10 will be explained. However, the control systems related to business establishment 30 can also be applied to the control systems related to business establishment 31.

[0035] Figure 2 shows an example of the system configuration of the vehicle management device 60. The vehicle management device 60 comprises a calculation unit 200, a storage unit 280, and a communication unit 290.

[0036] The arithmetic unit 200 controls the communication unit 290. The communication unit 290 is responsible for communication between the vehicle 10 and the integrated management device 50, etc. The arithmetic unit 200 is implemented by an arithmetic processing unit including a processor. The storage units 280 are each implemented with non-volatile storage media. The arithmetic unit 200 performs processing using the information stored in the storage units 280. The arithmetic unit 200 may be implemented by a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, bus, etc. The vehicle management device 60 may be implemented by a computer.

[0037] In this embodiment, the vehicle management system 60 is implemented by a single computer. However, in other embodiments, the vehicle management system 60 may be implemented by multiple computers. At least some of the functions of the vehicle management system 60 may be implemented by one or more servers, such as a cloud server.

[0038] The calculation unit 200 includes a reservation acceptance unit 210 and a planning unit 220. The reservation acceptance unit 210 accepts reservation information for reserving a vehicle 10. The storage unit 280 stores the reservation information. The reservation information includes selection information for selecting a vehicle 10 to be used by the user from among multiple vehicles 10.

[0039] The planning unit 220 creates a usage plan for the vehicle 10 based on the information stored in the memory unit 280. For example, the planning unit 220 creates an operation plan that indicates which users should use the vehicle 10, based on the selection information stored in the memory unit 280.

[0040] The communication unit 290 transmits the operation plan to the integrated management device 50. The communication unit 290 may further transmit at least a portion of the reservation information to the integrated management device 50. If the vehicle 10 used by a user is changed by mediating conflicting reservations, the communication unit 290 may send a notification to the user who had reserved the changed vehicle 10 indicating that the vehicle 10 has been changed.

[0041] Figure 3 shows an example of the system configuration of the integrated management device 50. The integrated management device 50 comprises a calculation unit 300, a storage unit 380, and a communication unit 390.

[0042] The arithmetic unit 300 controls the communication unit 390. The communication unit 390 is responsible for communication in the integrated management device 50. The communication unit 390 is responsible for communication between at least the power control device 140, the vehicle management device 60, and the power control device 40 and the integrated management device 50. The arithmetic unit 300 is implemented by an arithmetic processing unit including a processor. The storage units 380 are each implemented with non-volatile storage media. The arithmetic unit 300 performs processing using the information stored in the storage units 380. The arithmetic unit 300 may be implemented by a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, bus, etc. The integrated management device 50 may be implemented by a computer.

[0043] In this embodiment, the integrated management device 50 is implemented using a single computer. However, in other embodiments, the integrated management device 50 may be implemented using multiple computers. At least some of the functions of the integrated management device 50 may be implemented using one or more servers, such as a cloud server. In this embodiment, the integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 may be implemented using the same computer, or they may be implemented using different computers. All or at least some of the functions of the integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 may be implemented using the same computer.

[0044] The calculation unit 300 includes a reservation request receiving unit 310, an energy request receiving unit 320, a control information receiving unit 330, a reservation processing unit 340, an input control unit 350, and a user identification information acquisition unit 360.

[0045] The integrated management device 50 functions as at least part of a control system for processing reservations for multiple reserved items. The storage unit 380 stores characteristic information indicating the characteristics of each of the multiple reserved items. The control information receiving unit 330 receives control information for processing reservations for multiple reserved items, taking into account the characteristics of the multiple reserved items. The reservation request receiving unit 310 receives reservation requests for at least one of the multiple reserved items. The reservation processing unit 340, when the control information is first information, allows the reservation of a reserved item with first characteristics based on the characteristic information, and when the control information is second information, it does not allow the reservation of a reserved item with first characteristics.

[0046] The multiple items to be reserved may be vehicle 10. The characteristic of the multiple items to be reserved is the type of power source of vehicle 10. The reservation request includes at least the planned usage time of vehicle 10.

[0047] If the reservation processing unit 340 is unable to determine the vehicle 10 to be used for a reservation request, and the control information is second information, it determines the vehicle 10 to be used for the reservation request by changing at least the scheduled usage time of the vehicle 10. The reservation processing unit 340 may maintain retained information in order to determine the vehicle 10 to be used for a reservation request, which includes (i) information indicating the vehicle 10 to be used, (ii) information indicating the usage time of the vehicle 10 to be used, and (i) information indicating at least one of the departure and destination of the vehicle 10 to be used, the scheduled distance traveled, the scheduled travel time, and the scheduled energy consumption. The retained information may be obtained from the vehicle management device 60.

[0048] The reservation processing unit 340 may predict the trend of the amount of energy available for the vehicle 10 to run based on the held information, and determine which vehicle 10 to use for the reservation request based on the predicted trend of the amount of energy available for the vehicle 10 to run.

[0049] The energy request receiving unit 320 receives energy request information relating to the energy request to be provided from the vehicle 10. For example, the energy request receiving unit 320 receives energy request information from the power control device 40. The energy request information may include information indicating the amount of energy and information indicating the time for which energy is requested. The reservation processing unit 340 determines the vehicle 10 to be used for the reservation request, taking the energy request information into consideration. In this embodiment, the energy request is a request for power transfer between the vehicle 10 and the business establishment 30.

[0050] The reservation processing unit 340 sets a reservation for at least one vehicle 10 to be used for energy transfer based on the energy request information. If the reservation processing unit 340 cannot determine which vehicle 10 to be used for the reservation request and which vehicle 10 to be used for energy transfer, it determines which vehicle 10 to be used for the reservation request based on control information.

[0051] The input control unit 350 controls the user's input of control information. The input control unit 350 controls the input of control information through a user interface different from the user interface for accepting reservation requests. The user identification information acquisition unit 360 acquires the user's identification information. Based on the user identification information acquired by the acquisition unit, the input control unit 350 determines whether or not to allow the input of control information.

[0052] Figure 4 shows the execution sequence of processes performed by the power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, and the vehicle management device 60. The processes in Figure 4 represent the process from formulating a power plan and operation plan for a specific day to executing various controls according to the formulated plan. The power plan and operation plan are formulated on the day before the target specific day or relatively early on the specific day. For example, the processes in Figure 4 may be assumed to start at 0:00 on the specific day.

[0053] As part of the control of the power control device 40, in S4010, at least one of the users of the power control device 40 and the power control device 140 sets constraints regarding the power plan at the business establishment 30 and notifies the power control device 40. The power control device 140 may set constraints at business establishment 30 to minimize the overall power costs at business establishments 30 and 31. The user is a person or system that inputs information regarding power management at business establishment 30 to the power control device 40. The constraints are conditions that are restrictive in formulating a power plan. The constraints may include constraints necessary to meet the power demand. The constraints include, for example, information on the predicted amount of power generated, the predicted amount of power consumed, and electricity charges. The amount of power generated is, for example, the amount of power generated by the power generation device 80. The amount of power consumed is the amount of power consumed at business establishment 30. The electricity charges include the purchase price of electricity, the selling price of electricity, and the compensation obtained by reducing power consumption in accordance with demand response. The electricity purchase price is a condition relating to the amount charged to a business establishment 30 as compensation for receiving electricity from the power network 90. ​​The electricity sales price is a condition relating to the amount received by a business establishment 30 as compensation for supplying electricity to the power network 90.

[0054] In S4012, the power control device 40 formulates a power plan for the day at the business premises 30 based on constraint information. The power plan includes the amount of power consumed for each time period throughout the day. The power plan determines how much power will be consumed at the business premises 30 during each time period. The amount of power consumed for each time period on a given day may be predicted from environmental information such as weather information for the day and historical performance data. The power plan may include peak cut information for peak cutting. The peak cut information may include information indicating how much power consumption should be reduced at the business premises 30 during each time period. The peak cut information may also include information indicating how much power should be received from external sources at the business premises 30 during each time period.

[0055] The power control device 40 may formulate an optimal power plan for the business premises 30. For example, the power control device 40 may formulate a power plan such that the amount of electricity received from the power network 90 at the business premises 30 is minimized. The power control device 40 may formulate a power plan such that the amount charged to the business premises 30 as compensation for receiving electricity from the power network 90 is minimized. The power control device 40 may formulate a power plan such that, provided that the contracted power at the business premises 30 is complied with, the amount of compensation received at the business premises 30 for reducing power consumption at the business premises 30 in response to demand response or for supplying power to the power network 90 is maximized. In this way, the power control device 40 formulates an optimal power plan for the business premises 30 for the day based on the constraints. This power plan determines the amount of electricity that needs to be received from an external source during each time period of the day. The amount of electricity that needs to be received from an external source may be supplied from the battery 12 of a vehicle 10 parked at the business premises 30. The power control device 40 transmits the devised power plan to the integrated management device 50.

[0056] As a control related to the vehicle management device 60, in S4210, the user inputs reservation information regarding the dispatch of vehicle 10. The user is a person who will use vehicle 10, a system administrator, or a system, etc. The reservation information includes conditions that may be constraints when formulating an operation plan. The reservation information includes, for example, the departure point, destination, and return point, as well as the departure time at the departure point, the arrival time and departure time at the destination, and the arrival time at the return point. The departure point and destination determine which locations vehicle 10 needs to travel from and to. A time adjustment tolerance may be set for the departure time at the departure point and the arrival time at the return point, indicating the amount of time during which changes to those departure and arrival times are permitted. The reservation information input in S4210 is transmitted to the vehicle management device 60 and also transmitted to the integrated management device 50 through the vehicle management device 60.

[0057] In S4212, the planning unit 220 of the vehicle management device 60 aggregates the constraints notified by the user and formulates the day's operation plan for the business office 30. For example, the planning unit 220 determines the vehicles 10 to be used for transporting people, the routes of the vehicles 10, and the speed of the vehicles 10 so as to satisfy the transportation demand determined by the reservation information. The vehicle management device 60 transmits the formulated operation plan to the integrated management device 50.

[0058] In S4110, the integrated management device 50 receives the power plan transmitted from the power control device 40 and the reservation information and operation plan transmitted from the vehicle management device 60.

[0059] In S4112, the reservation processing unit 340 of the integrated management device 50 determines whether the power plan at the business premises 30 will be met if the vehicle 10 is operated according to the operation plan. For example, the operation plan determines the period during which the vehicle 10 is expected to be at the business premises 30. The reservation processing unit 340 determines that the power plan will be met if it is expected that the business premises 30 can receive power from the battery 12 of the vehicle 10 that is at the business premises 30 during the period during which the business premises 30 needs to be supplied with power from an external source.

[0060] If the reservation processing unit 340 determines that the power plan cannot be met if the vehicles are dispatched according to the operation plan, it determines how to modify the operation plan to meet the power plan. For example, the reservation processing unit 340 determines the amount of adjustment to the departure and arrival times of the vehicles 10 in the operation plan.

[0061] The integrated management device 50 transmits correction information, including the adjustment amounts for the determined departure and arrival times, to the vehicle management device 60. When the planning unit 220 of the vehicle management device 60 receives the correction information from the integrated management device 50, it corrects the operation plan formulated in S4212 based on the correction information (S4213). For example, the planning unit 220 corrects the operation plan to satisfy the reservation information based on the adjustment amounts for departure and arrival times received from the integrated management device 50. The vehicle management device 60 transmits the result of the operation plan correction to the integrated management device 50. The integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 repeat the processes in S4112 and S4213 to determine an executable operation plan. In S4213, the planning unit 220 determines the route of the vehicle 10 and determines whether the vehicle 10 can return to the business premises 30 without running out of power, based on the vehicle 10's SOC and power consumption rate, when the vehicle 10 is driven in accordance with the departure and arrival times specified in the reservation information, thereby determining an executable operation plan. Furthermore, in S4112, the reservation processing unit 340 may determine that the operation plan is executable if it is determined that an overall benefit can be obtained by considering the amount of power cost reduction at the business premises 30 obtained when power is exchanged between the battery 12 and the business premises 30 according to the determined power plan, and the operating costs and utilization rate of the vehicle 10 required when the vehicle 10 is operated according to the operation plan.

[0062] Once the operation plan is determined, the arbitration results, including the operation plan, are transmitted to the power control device 40. Upon receiving the arbitration results from the integrated management device 50, the power control device 40 reflects the arbitration results in the power plan (S4014) and notifies the user of the power plan that has been finalized by reflecting the arbitration results (S4015). In S4016, the user and the power control device 140 execute control according to the notified power plan.

[0063] The vehicle management device 60 finalizes the operation plan determined in S4213 (S4214) and notifies the user of the finalized operation plan via the communication unit 290. In S4216, the user controls the operation of the vehicle 10 according to the notified operation plan.

[0064] Figure 5 shows a first example of a planned route that does not allow reservations for vehicle 10d. Here, the user has made a reservation request to depart from the business office 30 at 9:00, travel to "Destination 1" and "Destination 2", and return to the business office 30.

[0065] The reservation processing unit 340 predicts the change in the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 12a due to the use of the vehicle 10a, based on the retained information generated based on the reservation request. The retained information includes, for example, (i) information indicating the vehicle 10 to be used, (ii) information indicating the usage time of the vehicle 10 to be used, and information indicating at least one of the origin and destination (including intermediate stops) of the vehicle 10 to be used, the planned distance traveled, the planned travel time, and the planned amount of energy used.

[0066] For example, the reservation processing unit 340 searches for a route from the business office 30 to destination 1, a route from destination 1 to destination 2, and a route from destination 2 to business office 30 based on the departure and destination information held. The reservation processing unit 340 estimates the amount of energy required for the vehicle 10a to travel along the searched route, and calculates the decrease in the battery 12a's SOC when the vehicle 10a travels along the searched route, based on the estimated amount of energy and the capacity of the battery 12a. As a result, the reservation processing unit 340 predicts the trend of the battery 12a's SOC. For example, as shown in Figure 5, it is calculated that the battery 12a's SOC is 100% when departing from business office 30, and decreases by 80% as the vehicle moves to destination 1, resulting in a decrease in the battery 12a's SOC to 20%.

[0067] If the reservation processing unit 340 determines that the vehicle 10a cannot return to the business premises 30 without charging due to a decrease in the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 12a, it generates a plan to charge the battery 12a until it is fully charged between 10:00 and 11:00 on the route from destination 1 to destination 2. In this embodiment, the need to charge the battery 12 between the time the vehicle 10 departs from the business premises 30 and when it returns to the business premises 30 is referred to as "route charging".

[0068] The reservation processing unit 340 calculates that after charging the battery 12a, the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 12a will decrease by 70% while the vehicle 10a is traveling to destination 2 and returning to the business office 30, and that when the vehicle 10a returns to the business office 30, the SOC of the battery 12a will be 30%. As shown in Figure 5, when route charging occurs, the user of the vehicle 10a needs to wait for the battery 12a to be charged.

[0069] Thus, electric vehicles are generally unsuitable for long-distance driving, and therefore often require charging along the route to travel long distances. In particular, when vehicle 10 is used for business purposes, the need to charge along the route often results in a significant loss of time, which poses a challenge.

[0070] In this embodiment, the control information receiving unit 330 receives control information entered by the administrator for processing reservations while taking into account the characteristics of the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the control information is information indicating whether or not to allow a reservation for a vehicle 10d having an internal combustion engine.

[0071] Figure 6 shows an example of a route plan that allows the reservation of vehicle 10d. When a route plan including roadside charging is generated as shown in Figure 5, the reservation processing unit 340 refers to the control information and, if the control information is the first control information, determines that the reservation of vehicle 10d should be allowed.

[0072] If the control information is the first control information, the reservation processing unit 340 processes the reservation, allowing vehicle 10d. This allows the reservation processing unit 340 to generate a plan in which no route charging occurs by selecting vehicle 10d as the vehicle 10 to be used for travel to destination 1 and destination 2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the loss that may occur if the user has to wait for vehicle 10 to be charged.

[0073] Figure 7 shows a second example of a planned operation schedule that does not allow for reservations of vehicle 10d. Here, there are reservation requests for departure from office 30 at 9:00 to destination 3 and return to office 30, and for departure from the office at 10:00 to destination 4 and return to office 30, and it is assumed that an operation schedule using vehicle 10a has been drawn up for these two reservation requests.

[0074] The reservation processing unit 340 searches for a route that departs from the business office 30, travels to destination 3, and returns to the business office 30, and a route that departs from the business office 30, travels to destination 4, and returns to the business office 30. The reservation processing unit 340 calculates the amount of decrease in the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 12a as the vehicle 10a travels along the searched route. As shown in Figure 7, the reservation processing unit 340 calculates that the SOC of the battery 12a is 100% when the vehicle departs from the business office 30, and that the SOC of the battery 12a decreases by 50% by the time it travels to destination 3 and returns to the business office 30. Thus, the SOC of the battery 12a is calculated to be 50% when the vehicle 10a returns to the business office 30 at 10:00.

[0075] Next, the reservation processing unit 340 calculates that the State of Charge (SOC) of battery 12a will decrease by 30% from the time vehicle 10a departs from the business office 30, travels to destination 4, and returns to the business office 30. Based on this, it is calculated that the SOC of battery 12a will be 20% when vehicle 10a returns to the business office 30 at 11:00.

[0076] Here, based on the power plan derived from the energy request information from the power control device 40, the battery 12a of the vehicle 10a is reserved for use in power exchange with the business establishment 30 between 11:00 and 12:00. In the example shown in Figure 7, the energy amount information included in the energy request information indicates that the power exchange between the battery 12a and the business establishment 30 requires the battery 12a to provide 30% of the State of Charge (SOC) of power energy, which may result in a shortage of power energy stored in the battery 12a (i.e., a shortage of power energy to be supplied to the business establishment 30). Therefore, it may not be possible to provide the necessary power energy to the business establishment 30.

[0077] Figure 8 shows an example of an operation plan that allows the reservation of vehicle 10d. As shown in Figure 7, if the period reserved for use in power exchange with the business office 30 is also reserved for use in the operation of vehicle 10a, the reservation processing unit 340 refers to the control information and, if the control information is the first control information, determines that the reservation of vehicle 10d should be allowed.

[0078] If the control information is the first control information, the reservation processing unit 340 processes the reservation by allowing vehicle 10d. This allows the reservation processing unit 340 to select vehicle 10d as the vehicle 10 to be used before the period reserved for use in power exchange with the business establishment 30. For example, the reservation processing unit 340 selects vehicle 10d as the vehicle 10 to be used for travel to destination 4 immediately before the period reserved for use in power exchange with the business establishment 30. As a result, even if the SOC decreases by 30% due to the power exchange between vehicle 10a and the business establishment 30, the SOC will be 20% at the end of the power exchange with the business establishment 30. In addition, the reservation processing unit 340 may, instead of selecting vehicle 10d as the vehicle 10 to be used for travel to destination 4, or in addition to selecting vehicle 10d as the vehicle 10 to be used for travel to destination 4, select vehicle 10d as the vehicle 10 to be used for travel to destination 3. In this way, by allowing the reservation of vehicle 10d, vehicle 10a can be made to provide the necessary power energy at the business establishment 30.

[0079] Figure 9 is a flowchart relating to the process of inputting control information and reservation requests in System 5. Users can access the integrated management device 50 through communication terminals such as personal computers and mobile terminals. When a user accesses the integrated management device 50, in S910, the user identification information acquisition unit 360 acquires the user's identification information. The user identification information acquisition unit 360 acquires the user's identification information, for example, based on login information.

[0080] In S912, the input control unit 350 determines whether the user is an administrator. If it is determined in S912 that the user is an administrator, in S914, the input control unit 350 displays an input screen including the setting of control information on the communication terminal. The input screen including the setting of control information is an example of a user interface for inputting control information. In S916, the control information receiving unit 330 acquires the control information entered through the input screen including the setting of control information. The entered control information is stored in the storage unit 380.

[0081] If it is determined in S912 that the user is not an administrator, in S920 the input control unit 350 displays a reservation request screen on the communication terminal for inputting a reservation request that does not include the setting of control information. The input control unit 350 may display the reservation request screen on the communication terminal by, for example, redirecting the request to the vehicle management device 60. The reservation request screen is an example of a user interface for receiving reservation requests. Subsequently, in S922 the vehicle management device 60 obtains a reservation request from the user.

[0082] As explained in relation to Figure 9, the input control unit 350 controls the input of control information by the administrator. In particular, the input control unit 350 controls the input of control information through a user interface different from the user interface for receiving reservation requests. This prevents users other than the administrator from inputting control information.

[0083] Figure 10 is a flowchart of the processes performed in the integrated management device 50. In S1010, the reservation processing unit 340 acquires control information. For example, the reservation processing unit 340 acquires control information from the storage unit 380.

[0084] In S1012, the power control device 40 sets a reservation for the vehicle 10 based on the energy request information received by the energy request receiving unit 320. The energy request information includes, for example, information indicating the period during which the vehicle 10 should exchange power with the business premises 30, and information indicating the amount of power to be exchanged. In S1014, the reservation processing unit 340 acquires the operation plan. The reservation processing unit 340 may have the vehicle management device 60 formulate an operation plan through an API provided by the vehicle management device 60, and acquire the operation plan formulated by the vehicle management device 60.

[0085] In S1016, the reservation processing unit 340 checks that there are no overlapping reservations for vehicle 10. For example, the reservation processing unit 340 checks that there are no overlapping reservations for vehicle 10 based on energy request information and reservations for vehicle 10 indicated in the vehicle 10 operation plan. If there are overlapping reservations for vehicle 10, the reservation processing unit 340 may resolve the overlap by shifting the time of one of the reservations by a predetermined amount of time.

[0086] In S1018, the reservation processing unit 340 calculates the State of Charge (SOC) of the vehicle 10. As described above, the reservation processing unit 340 searches for a travel route for the vehicle 10, calculates the electrical energy required to travel along the searched route, and calculates the trend of the vehicle 10's SOC based on the calculated electrical energy and the electrical energy required for the reservation based on the energy request information. In calculating the SOC, if there is a vehicle 10 whose SOC falls below a predetermined value (for example, if there is a vehicle 10 whose SOC becomes zero), the reservation processing unit 340 calculates the trend of the battery 12 of that vehicle 10 by incorporating a plan to perform route charging for that vehicle 10.

[0087] In S1020, the reservation processing unit 340 determines whether the reservation can be made based on the SOC changes calculated in S1018. Specifically, the reservation processing unit 340 determines whether the operation of vehicle 10 based on the reservation request for vehicle 10 and the exchange of power between vehicle 10 and the business premises 30 based on the energy request information can be reconciled, based on the SOC changes calculated in S1018. More specifically, the reservation processing unit 340 determines whether the operation of vehicle 10 and the exchange of power can be reconciled, based on the SOC changes calculated in S1018, based on whether the amount of electrical energy stored in the battery 12 of vehicle 10 used for operation and / or power exchange is insufficient (i.e., whether the amount of electrical energy required for the operation of vehicle 10 and / or the amount of electrical energy provided to the business premises 30 is insufficient). For example, the reservation processing unit 340 determines that the operation of the vehicle 10 and the power transfer are incompatible if the SOC of the vehicle 10 used for operation or power transfer reaches a predetermined lower limit (e.g., zero), and determines that the operation of the vehicle 10 and the power transfer are compatible if the SOC of the vehicle 10 used for operation or power transfer does not reach the said lower limit (e.g., zero).

[0088] If the reservation processing unit 340 determines in S1020 that the reservation can be made, it determines in S1022 whether or not path charging is occurring. If path charging is not occurring, the reservation for vehicle 10 is confirmed, and the processing of this flowchart ends.

[0089] (i) If it is determined in S1020 that the reservation cannot be made, or (ii) if it is determined in S1022 that charging along the route is occurring, the reservation processing unit 340, in S1026, refers to the control information and determines whether or not the first control information is set as the control information. If it is determined that the first control information is set as the control information, the reservation processing unit 340, in S1028, processes the reservation by allowing the moving body of the first characteristic. Specifically, the reservation processing unit 340 modifies the plan to allow the vehicle 10d powered by an internal combustion engine. Once the processing in S1028 is completed, the process moves on to S1018.

[0090] Thus, if the reservation processing unit 340 cannot determine which vehicle 10 will be used for the reservation request and which vehicle 10 will be used for power exchange between the vehicle 10 and the business premises 30, it further determines which vehicle 10 will be used for the reservation request based on control information.

[0091] If it is determined in S1026 that the first setting information is not set as setting information, the processing of this flowchart is terminated. In other embodiments, if it is determined in S1026 that the first setting information is not set as setting information (for example, the second information is set as control information), the reservation processing unit 340 may determine which vehicle 10 will be used for the reservation request by changing the scheduled usage time of the vehicle 10 included in the reservation request. After determining which vehicle 10 will be used by changing the scheduled usage time of the vehicle 10, the reservation processing unit 340 may proceed to S1018.

[0092] According to System 5 described above, it is possible to flexibly switch whether or not to allow a reservation for a reservation target, taking into account the characteristics of the reservation target. In the above description, a configuration in which the integrated management device 50 mainly comprises a calculation unit 300 having the functions of a reservation request reception unit 310, an energy request reception unit 320, a control information reception unit 330, a reservation processing unit 340, an input control unit 350, and a user identification information acquisition unit 360 has been described, but a configuration in which some or all of the functions of the calculation unit 300 are provided by the vehicle management device 60 may be adopted. The integrated management device 50 may perform control to execute the functions of the calculation unit 300 by utilizing the functions provided by the vehicle management device 60 through an API provided by the vehicle management device 60. The integrated management device 50 may obtain the information necessary to execute the functions of the calculation unit 300 from the vehicle management device 60 through an API provided by the vehicle management device 60 and execute the functions of the calculation unit 300. The integrated management device 50 may obtain the information necessary to execute the functions of the calculation unit 300 from the power control device 40 through an API provided by the power control device 40 and execute the functions of the calculation unit 300. The processes described in relation to Figures 5 to 10 may be executed in part in the processes S4012, S4212, S4110, S4112 and S4213 in Figure 4.

[0093] Figure 11 shows an example of a computer 2000 in which multiple embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 2000 can cause the computer 2000 to function as a system 5 or parts of system 5 according to the embodiment, or as a device such as the power control device 40 and the vehicle management device 60 or parts of said device, to perform operations associated with said system or parts of the system or said device or parts of said device, and / or to perform a process or a stage of said process according to the embodiment. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2012 to cause the computer 2000 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the processing procedures and blocks of the block diagram described herein.

[0094] The computer 2000 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2012 and RAM 2014, which are interconnected by a host controller 2010. The computer 2000 also includes a ROM 2026, flash memory 2024, communication interface 2022, and input / output chip 2040. The ROM 2026, flash memory 2024, communication interface 2022, and input / output chip 2040 are connected to the host controller 2010 via an input / output controller 2020.

[0095] CPU2012 operates according to the programs stored in ROM2026 and RAM2014, thereby controlling each unit.

[0096] The communication interface 2022 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The flash memory 2024 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2012 in the computer 2000. The ROM 2026 stores boot programs and / or hardware-dependent programs of the computer 2000, such as those executed by the computer 2000 upon activation. The input / output chip 2040 may also connect various input / output units, such as keyboards, mice, and monitors, to the input / output controller 2020 via input / output ports such as serial ports, parallel ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, monitor ports, USB ports, and HDMI® ports.

[0097] The program is provided via a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or memory card, or via a network. RAM2014, ROM2026, or flash memory 2024 are examples of computer-readable storage media. The program is installed in flash memory 2024, RAM2014, or ROM2026 and executed by CPU2012. The information processing described within these programs is read by computer 2000, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the operation or processing of information in accordance with the use of computer 2000.

[0098] For example, when communication is performed between computer 2000 and an external device, CPU 2012 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 2014 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 2022 to perform communication processing. Under the control of CPU 2012, the communication interface 2022 reads the transmission data stored in the transmit buffer processing area provided in the recording medium such as RAM 2014 and flash memory 2024, sends the read transmission data to the network, and writes the received data received from the network to the receive buffer processing area provided on the recording medium.

[0099] Furthermore, CPU2012 may read all or necessary parts of a file or database stored on a recording medium such as flash memory 2024 into RAM2014, and perform various types of processing on the data in RAM2014. CPU2012 then writes the processed data back to the recording medium.

[0100] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU2012 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM2014, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described herein and specified by the program's instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM2014. The CPU2012 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU2012 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the condition where the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0101] The programs or software modules described above may be stored on or near computer-readable storage media on computer 2000. Recording media such as hard disks or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as computer-readable storage media. Programs stored on computer-readable storage media may be provided to computer 2000 via the network.

[0102] A program installed on computer 2000, which causes computer 2000 to function as an integrated management device 50, may, when executed by the computer, interact with CPU 2012, etc., to cause computer 2000 to function as a part of the integrated management device 50. The information processing described in these programs is read by computer 2000, causing computer 2000 to function as a part of the integrated management device 50, which is a concrete means of collaboration between software and the various hardware resources described above. Then, by realizing the calculation or processing of information according to the purpose of use of computer 2000 in this embodiment, a unique integrated management device 50 according to the purpose of use is constructed.

[0103] A program installed on computer 2000, which causes computer 2000 to function as a vehicle management device 60, may interact with CPU 2012, etc., to cause computer 2000 to function as each part of the vehicle management device 60. The information processing described in these programs is read by computer 2000 and functions as each part of the vehicle management device 60, which is a concrete means of cooperation between software and the various hardware resources described above. Then, by realizing the calculation or processing of information according to the purpose of use of computer 2000 in this embodiment, a vehicle management device 60 specific to the purpose of use is constructed.

[0104] Various embodiments have been described with reference to block diagrams, etc. In a block diagram, each block may represent (1) a stage in a process in which an operation is performed, or (2) a part of a device that has the role of performing an operation. A particular stage and part may be implemented by a dedicated circuit, a programmable circuit supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The dedicated circuit may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuit may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including logic AND, logic OR, logic XOR, logic NAND, logic NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0105] A computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by a suitable device, and as a result, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein constitutes at least part of a product containing instructions that can be executed to provide a means for performing an operation specified in a processing procedure or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0106] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.

[0107] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet to the processor or programmable circuit of a programmable data processing device such as a computer, and may be executed to provide a means for performing the described processing procedure or the operation specified in the block diagram.

[0108] Here, "computer" can refer to a personal computer (PC), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, or general-purpose computer, and may also refer to a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system in which multiple computers are connected is also called a distributed computing system and is a computer in a broad sense. In a distributed computing system, each of the multiple computers executes a part of the program, and the multiple computers execute the program collectively by passing data from the computers during program execution as needed.

[0109] Examples of processors include computer processors, central processing units (CPUs), processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, and microcontrollers. A computer may have one or more processors. In a multiprocessor system with multiple processors, each processor executes a portion of the program, and the processors collectively execute the program by passing program execution data between them as needed. For example, in the execution of multitasking, each of the multiple processors may execute a portion of each task in small chunks by switching tasks at each time slice. In this case, which part of a program each processor executes changes dynamically. Alternatively, which part of a program each of the multiple processors executes may be statically determined by multiprocessor-aware programming.

[0110] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0111] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 5 Systems 10 vehicles 12 batteries 30, 31 offices 40, 41 Power control device 50, 51 Integrated management device 60, 61 Vehicle management system 70 Electricity consumers 80 Power generation equipment 90 Power Network 140 Power control device 180 servers 190 Communication Networks 200 Arithmetic section 210 Reservation Department 220 Planning Department 280 Storage section 290 Communications Department 300 Arithmetic section 310 Reservation Request Reception Department 320 Energy Request Reception Department 330 Control Information Reception Unit 340 Reservation Processing Unit 350 Input Control Unit 360 User identification information acquisition unit 380 Storage section 390 Communications Department 2000 Computer 2010 Host Controller 2012 CPU 2014 RAM 2020 Input / Output Controller 2022 Communication Interface 2024 Flash Memory 2026 ROM 2040 Input / Output Chip

Claims

1. A control system for processing reservations for multiple reservation targets, A storage unit that stores characteristic information indicating the characteristics of each of the aforementioned multiple reserved objects, A control information receiving unit that receives control information for processing reservations for multiple reserved objects, taking into consideration the characteristics of the multiple reserved objects, A reservation request receiving unit that receives reservation requests for at least one of the aforementioned plurality of reservation target items, An energy request receiving unit receives energy request information relating to the energy request to be provided from one or more of the aforementioned multiple reserved objects, A reservation processing unit that determines the reserved object to be used for the reservation request and the reserved object to be used for energy transfer, taking into consideration the energy request information, wherein if the control information is first information, the reservation of the reserved object having first characteristics is permitted based on the characteristic information, and if the control information is second information, the reservation of the reserved object having first characteristics is not permitted. Equipped with, If the reservation processing unit cannot determine the reserved object to be used for the reservation request and the reserved object to be used for energy transfer, taking into account the energy request information, it will determine the reserved object to be used for the reservation request based on the control information. Control system.

2. The aforementioned multiple reservation targets are vehicles. The control system according to claim 1.

3. The characteristics of the aforementioned multiple reserved objects are the type of power source of the vehicle. The control system according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned reservation request includes at least the planned usage time of the vehicle. The control system according to claim 3.

5. The reservation processing unit determines the vehicle to be used for the reservation request. Information indicating the vehicles to be used, Information indicating the usage time of the vehicle used, and Information indicating at least one of the following: the departure and destination of the vehicle to be used, the planned distance traveled, the planned travel time, and the planned amount of energy used. A control system according to claim 4, which holds retained information including the above.

6. The reservation processing unit predicts the trend of the amount of energy available for the vehicle to run based on the retained information, and determines the vehicle to be used for the reservation request based on the predicted trend of the amount of energy available for the vehicle to run. The control system according to claim 5.

7. The energy request information includes information indicating the amount of energy and information indicating the time for which the energy is required. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The reservation processing unit sets a reservation for at least one vehicle to be used for energy transfer based on the energy request information. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. Input control unit that controls the user to input the aforementioned control information. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

10. The input control unit performs control for inputting the control information through a user interface different from the user interface for receiving the reservation request. The control system according to claim 9.

11. User identification information acquisition unit that acquires user identification information. Furthermore, The input control unit determines whether or not to allow the input of the control information based on the user identification information acquired by the user identification information acquisition unit. The control system according to claim 10.

12. A control method for processing reservations for multiple reservation targets, The step of storing characteristic information that shows the characteristics of each of the aforementioned multiple reserved objects, A step of receiving control information for processing the reservation of multiple reservation targets, taking into consideration the characteristics of the multiple reservation targets, A step of receiving a reservation request for at least one of the aforementioned multiple reservation targets, A step of receiving energy request information relating to the energy request to be provided from one or more of the aforementioned multiple reserved objects, A reservation processing step in which, taking into consideration the energy request information, a reservation processing step is made to determine the reserved object to be used for the reservation request and the reserved object to be used for energy transfer, wherein, if the control information is first information, the reservation of the reserved object having the first characteristic is permitted based on the characteristic information, and if the control information is second information, the reservation of the reserved object having the first characteristic is not permitted. Equipped with, The reservation processing step, if it is not possible to determine the reserved object to be used for the reservation request and the reserved object to be used for energy transfer by considering the energy request information, further determines the reserved object to be used for the reservation request based on the control information. Control method.

13. A program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to function as the control system described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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