Server device, system, and method of operating the system

Abstract

To improve convenience regarding power feeding.SOLUTION: A server device includes a communication unit and a control unit that communicates via the communication unit, and the control unit sends to a power-to-be-fed vehicle either or both of first information indicating power feeding facilities near a movement route and second information indicating a merging point where the power-to-be-fed vehicle can meet a power feeding vehicle based on information on a remaining battery charge of the power-to-be-fed vehicle and information on the movement route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device, a system, and an operating method of the system.

Background Art

[0002] There are cases where an electric vehicle (Electric Vehicle or EV) driven by a battery may run out of power while moving. Various technologies have been proposed to avoid such situations. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for searching for a power supply facility along a moving route when searching for a moving route of an electric vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is room to improve the convenience of power supply when a user of an electric vehicle moves along a desired moving route.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a server device and the like that enable improvement of the convenience of power supply.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The server device in the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a control unit that communicates via the communication unit. The control unit sends either or both of first information indicating a power supply facility near the moving route and second information indicating a merging point where the power-receiving vehicle can merge with the power-supplying vehicle to the power-receiving vehicle based on information on the remaining amount of the battery of the power-receiving vehicle and information on the moving route.

[0007] The system in this disclosure is a system having a server device and a vehicle to be powered that communicates with the server device, wherein the server device sends to the vehicle to be powered either or both of the following to the vehicle to be powered: first information indicating power supply facilities near the travel route, and second information indicating a meeting point where the vehicle to be powered can meet with a power supply vehicle, based on information about the remaining battery level of the vehicle to be powered and information about the travel route.

[0008] The method of operating the system in this disclosure is a method of operating a system having a server device and a vehicle to be powered that communicates with the server device, wherein the server device sends to the vehicle to be powered either or both of the following to the vehicle to be powered, based on information about the remaining battery level of the vehicle to be powered and information about the travel route: first information indicating power supply facilities near the travel route, and second information indicating a meeting point where the vehicle to be powered can meet with a power supply vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The server equipment and other devices described in this disclosure will enable improved convenience in power supply. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of the operating procedure for the server device and the power supply vehicle. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the operating procedure for a server device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the range of movement for a vehicle receiving power. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a display image for a power supply proposal. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system in one embodiment. The information processing system 1 has one or more server devices 10, powered vehicles 12, and powered vehicles 13, each connected to each other via a network 11 so as to be able to communicate information.

[0013] The server device 10 is, for example, a server computer that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functions as a server that implements various functions.

[0014] The vehicle to be powered 12 is a passenger car or commercial vehicle equipped with an on-board device 14 having communication and information processing functions, and is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The vehicle to be powered 12 is driven by the power of an on-board battery 15, and is, for example, an electric vehicle (BEV; Battery Electric Vehicle), a hybrid vehicle (HEV; Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV; Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), etc. In this embodiment, when the vehicle to be powered 12 needs to charge its battery 15, it receives power from a power supply facility such as a charging station or from the power supply vehicle 13. The vehicle to be powered 12 may be driven by a driver, or its operation may be automated to any level.

[0015] The power supply vehicle 13 is a passenger car or commercial vehicle equipped with communication and information processing functions, and is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The power supply vehicle 13 has onboard equipment 14 and a battery 15 equivalent to those of the powered vehicle 12, but the battery 15 in the power supply vehicle 13 includes a battery that stores power for supplying power to the powered vehicle 12. The power supply vehicle 13 is a BEV, HEV, PHEV, etc., driven by the power of the onboard battery 15, but may also be a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) or a gasoline vehicle.

[0016] Network 11 may be the Internet, for example, but may also include ad-hoc networks, LANs, MANs (Metropolitan Area Networks), other networks, or any combination thereof.

[0017] In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 is a system for supporting the supply of power to the powered vehicle 12 when the powered vehicle 12 experiences a power shortage. Power is supplied to the powered vehicle 12 at a power supply facility such as a charging station, or by on-site charging by the power supply vehicle 13. A power shortage includes a state in which the battery level of the powered vehicle 12 has decreased to the extent that it cannot perform one or more functions, including driving, or a state in which the battery level has fallen below a certain level, but it may also be a state in which the user of the powered vehicle 12 arbitrarily decides that power supply is necessary. On-site charging is a method of supplying power by having the power supply vehicle 13 move to the location of the powered vehicle 12 and charge the battery 15 of the powered vehicle 12 from the battery 15 of the power supply vehicle 13. In the information processing system 1, on-site charging is executed when the server device 10 sends a movement instruction to the power supply vehicle 13 to supply power to one or more powered vehicles 12.

[0018] The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101 and a control unit 103 that communicates via the communication unit 101. Based on information about the remaining charge of the battery 15 of the vehicle to be powered 12 and information about the travel route, the control unit 103 sends either or both of the following to the vehicle to be powered 12: first information indicating power supply facilities near the travel route (hereinafter referred to as facility information), and second information indicating a meeting point where the vehicle to be powered 12 can meet with the power supply vehicle 13 (hereinafter referred to as meeting information). Through this operation of the server device 10, the vehicle to be powered 12 can obtain either or both information about the location of power supply facilities near the travel route and information about a meeting point where it can receive on-the-spot charging from the power supply vehicle 13, so that the user of the vehicle to be powered 12 can incorporate a plan for power supply into their travel plan. Even if the user of the vehicle to be powered 12 is traveling through an area where power supply facilities are sparse, they can still incorporate a plan for power supply through on-the-spot charging at a meeting point. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the convenience of power supply.

[0019] Next, a configuration example of the server device 10, the power-receiving vehicle 12, and the power-supply vehicle 13 will be described.

[0020] The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103. The server device 10 may be a single computer, or may be composed of two or more computers that are connected in an information communicable manner and operate in cooperation. When the server device 10 is composed of two or more computers, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is appropriately arranged in the two or more computers.

[0021] The communication unit 101 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 101 receives information used for the operation of the control unit 103 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control unit 103. The server device 10 is connected to the network 11 by the communication unit 101 and performs information communication with the power-receiving vehicle 12 and the power-supply vehicle 13 via the network 11.

[0022] The storage unit 102 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories that function as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, a SRAM (Static RAM) or a DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 102 stores information used for the operation of the control unit 103 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 103.

[0023] The control unit 103 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processors are, for example, general-purpose processors such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) or dedicated processors such as GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuits are, for example, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). The control unit 103 controls each part of the server device 10 and performs information processing related to the operation of the server device 10.

[0024] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in the control unit 103. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute the processing steps included in the operation of the server device 10, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as the server device 10. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the server device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 103. In addition, the control program may be stored in a non-transient recording / storage medium readable by the server device 10, and the server device 10 may read it from the medium.

[0025] The vehicle to be powered 12 has an on-board device 14 and a battery 15. The on-board device 14 has a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a control unit 123, a positioning unit 124, an input unit 125, an output unit 126, and a detection unit 127. One or more of these units may be configured as a single control device, or they may be configured as terminal devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals, navigation devices, etc. Alternatively, each unit may be connected to communicate information via an in-vehicle network compliant with standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network). The battery 15 is, for example, one or more lithium-ion batteries that charge and discharge power to drive the vehicle to be powered 12.

[0026] The communication unit 121 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interfaces are, for example, interfaces compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 121 receives information used in the operation of the control unit 123 and transmits information obtained through the operation of the control unit 123. The control unit 123 is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication base station by the communication unit 121 and communicates information with the server device 10, etc., via the network 11.

[0027] The storage unit 122 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. Semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM or ROM. RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The storage unit 122 functions, for example, as a main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 122 stores information used in the operation of the control unit 123 and information obtained through the operation of the control unit 123.

[0028] The control unit 123 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or ASIC. The control unit 123 controls each part of the in-vehicle device 14 and performs information processing related to the operation of the powered vehicle 12.

[0029] The positioning unit 124 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. GNSS includes, for example, at least one of GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo. The positioning unit 124 sends the positioning result to the control unit 123, which then obtains the location information of the powered vehicle 12.

[0030] The input unit 125 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touchscreen integrated with a display, or a microphone that accepts voice input. The input interface may further include a camera that captures captured images or image codes, or an IC card reader. The input unit 125 accepts operations to input information used for the operation of the control unit 123 and sends the input information to the control unit 123.

[0031] The output unit 126 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interfaces are, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 126 outputs information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123.

[0032] The detection unit 127 has an interface with one or more sensors that detect the state of various parts of the powered vehicle 12, or it has one or more sensors. The sensors include, for example, a sensor that detects the remaining battery level of the battery 15, and a sensor that detects the motion state of the powered vehicle 12 (speed, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, deceleration, etc.). The detection unit 127 sends information indicating each state detected by the sensors to the control unit 123.

[0033] The functions of the control unit 123 are realized by executing a control program on the processor included in the control unit 123. The control program is a program that causes the computer to execute the processing steps included in the operation of the control unit 123, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes the computer to function as the control unit 123. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control unit 123 may be realized by dedicated circuits included in the control unit 123.

[0034] The power supply vehicle 13 has an on-board device 14 equivalent to that of the powered vehicle 12, and the above description of the on-board device 14 of the powered vehicle 12 applies. The battery 15 of the power supply vehicle 13 includes a battery that charges and discharges power to supply power to the powered vehicle 12.

[0035] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure for the coordinated operation of the server device 10, the powered vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13. In Figure 2, the steps related to various information processing of the server device 10, the powered vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13 are executed by their respective control units 103, 123, and 123. Furthermore, the steps related to the sending and receiving of various information of the server device 10, the powered vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13 are executed by the respective control units 103, 123, and 123 sending and receiving information to each other via the communication units 101, 121, and 121. In the server device 10, the powered vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13, the control units 103, 123, and 123 respectively store the information to be processed and sent and received in the storage units 102, 122, and 122 as appropriate.

[0036] The procedure shown in Figure 2 is an example of the procedure when the server device 10 provides information for power supply support to the vehicle receiving power 12. The procedure in Figure 2 is executed when the vehicle receiving power 12 searches for a travel route to its destination and moves along that route.

[0037] In S201, the vehicle to be powered 12 sends identification information, movement information, location information, and battery information to the server device 10. The vehicle to be powered 12 sends each piece of information to the server device 10 when the battery level falls below an arbitrary standard and a power shortage is foreseen, or when the user determines that power supply is necessary and inputs an instruction to send a power supply request to the on-board device 14. The criteria for foreseeing a power shortage is, for example, below an arbitrary SOC (State of Charge) value (30% to 40%). Identification information is information that identifies the vehicle to be powered 12. Movement information includes the destination of the vehicle to be powered 12, the route from the current location to the destination, and the estimated time of arrival. The route is searched in the navigation system of the vehicle to be powered 12. If the vehicle to be powered 12 sends destination and current location information to the server device 10 and the server device 10 searches for a route, the server device 10 may retain the route information. Battery information includes information such as the capacity, remaining charge, and temperature of the battery 15. S201 is performed for each of the one or more powered vehicles 12.

[0038] In S202, the server device 10 acquires location information and battery information from one or more power supply vehicles 13. The server device 10 requests information for each power supply vehicle 13 from one or more power supply vehicles 13 and acquires the information sent from each power supply vehicle 13 in response to the request. The battery information includes information on the capacity and remaining charge of the battery 15.

[0039] In S203, the server device 10 creates a power supply proposal. The power supply proposal includes either or both facility information indicating power supply facilities near the travel route of the vehicle to be powered 12, and merging information indicating merging points where the vehicle to be powered 12 can merge with the power supply vehicle. A detailed procedure for S203 is shown in Figure 3.

[0040] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation procedure of the server device 10 related to the creation of a power supply proposal. The procedure in Figure 3 is the information processing procedure executed by the control unit 103 of the server device 10.

[0041] In S301, the control unit 103 derives the movable range. The movable range is the range of distance that the powered vehicle 12 can travel based on the remaining battery capacity of the battery 15, near the vehicle's movement path. The control unit 103 derives the movable range using an arbitrary algorithm based on the identification information, location information, and battery information obtained from the powered vehicle 12. For example, the control unit 103 derives the possible driving distance of the powered vehicle 12 based on the remaining battery capacity of the battery 15, based on the identification information of the powered vehicle 12. The storage unit 102 stores the vehicle's specification information, including the driving distance per unit of energy, associated with the identification information of the powered vehicle 12. The control unit 103 uses the driving distance per unit of energy to derive the range of distance that the powered vehicle 12 can travel based on the remaining battery capacity of the battery 15 at that time, centered on the vehicle's current position. The control unit 103 similarly derives the drivable distance range for any given time period (for example, from several tens of minutes to several hours from the current time). Then, the control unit 103 derives the union of the derived drivable distance ranges over time as the movable range.

[0042] Figure 4 shows an example of the movable range of the powered vehicle 12. Figure 4 shows the positions 41-1, 41-2, 41-3, ... of the powered vehicle 12 as they change over time along the movement path 40, and the drivable distance ranges 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, ... corresponding to each position. The drivable distance ranges 42-1, 42-2, and 42-3 each represent circles with a radius of an arbitrary distance less than or equal to the distance that can be traveled with the current battery 15 charge, centered at the positions 41-1, 41-2, 41-3, ... As the powered vehicle 12 moves and its position changes to positions 41-1, 41-2, 41-3, ... the remaining charge of the battery 15 decreases, so the drivable distance ranges 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, ... become progressively smaller. Here, for example, by connecting the distance ranges 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, ... that can be traveled over any time interval, the movable range 43 is derived.

[0043] Returning to Figure 3, in S302, the control unit 103 searches for power supply facilities located within the movable range of the powered vehicle 12. The control unit 103 searches for such power supply facilities using the map information stored in the memory unit 102. Then, if the number of power supply facilities found is greater than or equal to an arbitrary threshold value (Yes in S303), the control unit 103 proceeds to S304, and if the number of power supply facilities found is less than the threshold value (No in S303), the control unit 103 proceeds to S306. The arbitrary threshold is, for example, 3 to 5.

[0044] In S304, the control unit 103 prioritizes the power supply facilities. The control unit 103 prioritizes the power supply facilities in order of the shortest waiting time from the arrival of the vehicle to be powered 12 until the power supply facility becomes available. For example, the control unit 103 obtains information on power supply reservations at each power supply facility from a server that manages and controls each power supply facility. The control unit 103 also uses the location information of each power supply facility to derive the estimated arrival time at each power supply facility from the current location of the vehicle to be powered 12. Then, for each power supply facility, the control unit 103 derives the waiting time from the estimated arrival time of the vehicle to be powered 12 until the power supply facility becomes available, and prioritizes the power supply facilities in order of the shortest waiting time.

[0045] In S305, the control unit 103 generates information for displaying power supply facilities. The control unit 103 overlays the location, destination, travel route, location and priority of the power supply facilities of the vehicle to be powered 12 onto a map to generate an image for display.

[0046] In S306, the control unit 103 derives a merging point within the movable range of the powered vehicle 12. The merging point is a parking area where space can be secured for the powered vehicle 12 and the power supply vehicle 13 to park adjacent to each other. The control unit 103 searches for a parking area within the movable range of the powered vehicle 12 from the map information to be used as a merging point.

[0047] In S308, the control unit 103 prioritizes the merging points. The control unit 103 prioritizes the merging points in order of the shortest waiting time between the arrival of the vehicle to be powered 12 and the arrival of the power supply vehicle 13. For example, the control unit 103 uses the location information of each power supply vehicle 13 to identify the nearest power supply vehicle 13 to each merging point. In this case, the control unit 103 may also use the condition that the remaining charge of the power supply vehicle 13's battery 15 is above an arbitrary standard value (for example, 50% of the State of Charge value) as a condition for selecting the nearest power supply vehicle 13. Furthermore, the control unit 103 derives the estimated arrival time at which the nearest power supply vehicle 13 can arrive at each merging point. Then, for each merging point, the control unit 103 derives the waiting time from the estimated arrival time of the vehicle to be powered 12 to the estimated arrival time of the power supply vehicle 13, and prioritizes the merging points in order of the shortest waiting time.

[0048] In S309, the control unit 103 generates information for displaying the merging point. The control unit 103 overlays the position of the powered vehicle 12, its destination, its travel route, the position and priority of the merging point onto the map to generate a display image.

[0049] In S310, the control unit 103 generates power supply proposal information. The control unit 103 generates an image for power supply proposal, which is an image for displaying power supply facilities, or an image which combines an image for displaying merging points with the image for displaying merging points. That is, the power supply proposal image is an image which superimposes the location, destination, travel route, location and priority of the vehicle to be powered 12, and power supply facilities onto a map, or an image which superimposes the location and priority of merging points onto this image.

[0050] Returning to Figure 2, in S204, the server device 10 sends power supply proposal information to the vehicle to be powered 12. The vehicle to be powered 12 outputs a power supply proposal image, for example, as shown in Figure 5, prompting the user to confirm. As shown in Figure 5, the power supply proposal image 50 includes the current location 51 of the vehicle to be powered 12, the destination 52, and the travel route 53. The power supply proposal image 50 further includes power supply equipment 54 and priority 54' near the travel route 53, as well as merging points 55 and priority 55'. Priorities 54' and 55' are indicated by the number of star icons, respectively. That is, the more icons there are, the higher the priority. As a variation, in addition to each priority 54' and 55', for example, the estimated time of arrival at the destination 52 by passing through that point or the delay time may be displayed.

[0051] Returning to Figure 2, in S205, the vehicle to be powered 12 sends information to the server device 10 indicating consent to the power supply proposal. The consent to the power supply proposal includes information about the power supply facility or junction point specified by the user. The user selects the power supply facility or junction point, for example, by tapping on the desired power supply facility or junction point in the image for the power supply proposal. When the user makes a selection input, the vehicle to be powered 12 responds by sending information to the server device 10 indicating consent to the power supply proposal.

[0052] If a merging point is selected, in S206, the server device 10 sends a movement instruction to the power supply vehicle 13. The movement instruction is sent to the power supply vehicle 13 nearest to the selected merging point. The movement instruction includes information on the movement route to the merging point and the start time at which the movement should begin. The movement route is derived based on the positions of the merging point and the power supply vehicle 13. The start time of the movement is also derived based on the movement route.

[0053] In S209, the power supply vehicle 13 is dispatched in response to a movement instruction. When the start time for movement arrives, the power supply vehicle 13 begins moving automatically according to the movement route. Alternatively, the power supply vehicle 13 displays the movement route to the occupants and begins moving in response to the occupants' operations.

[0054] In S208, the server device 10 sends information about the travel route to the vehicle to be powered 12. If a merging point is selected in the power supply proposal agreement in S205, the server device 10 derives the travel route from the current location of the vehicle to be powered 12 to the selected merging point. Alternatively, if a power supply facility is selected in the power supply proposal agreement in S205, the server device 10 derives the travel route from the current location of the vehicle to be powered 12 to the selected power supply facility. In this case, S206 and S209 are omitted. The travel route to the merging point or power supply facility is displayed in the vehicle to be powered 12, and the user confirms the displayed travel route.

[0055] In S210, the vehicle to be powered 12 begins to move along the travel path.

[0056] In S211, the vehicle to be powered 12 arrives at a merging point and merges with the power supply vehicle 13 and receives power from the power supply vehicle 13, or arrives at a power supply facility and receives power from the power supply facility.

[0057] As described above, the vehicle to be powered 12 can obtain information on either or both of the locations of power supply facilities near its travel route and / or merging points where it can receive on-the-spot charging from the power supply vehicle 13. This allows the user of the vehicle to be powered 12 to incorporate power supply plans into its travel plans. Even if the user of the vehicle to be powered 12 is traveling through an area with sparse power supply facilities, it can still incorporate plans for on-the-spot charging at merging points. Furthermore, by taking into account information on the priority of each merging point or power supply facility, the user can make choices to reduce waiting times. In addition, according to a modified version, the user can determine the estimated time of arrival at their destination or the time of delay. Thus, the convenience of power supply can be improved.

[0058] As described above, embodiments have been explained based on various drawings and examples, but it should be noted that those skilled in the art will find it easy to 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 means, each step, etc., can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple means, steps, etc., can be combined into one or divided.

[0059] 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] Communications Department and, The system includes a control unit that performs communication using the aforementioned communication unit, The control unit sends to the vehicle to be powered either or both of the following to the vehicle to be powered: first information indicating a power supply facility near the travel route, and second information indicating a merging point where the vehicle to be powered can merge with a power supply vehicle, based on information about the remaining battery charge of the vehicle to be powered and information about the travel route. Server device. [Note 2] In Appendix 1, The control unit determines the power supply facility or the merging point within the range that the powered vehicle can move from its current position using the remaining power. Server device. [Note 3] In Appendix 2, The control unit transmits the second information on the condition that the number of power supply facilities within the range is a predetermined number. Server device. [Note 4] In Appendix 2 or 3, The control unit prioritizes the multiple power supply facilities in order of the shortest waiting time after the arrival of the vehicle to be powered. Server device. [Note 5] In any of the appendices 2 to 4, The control unit prioritizes the multiple merging points in order of the smallest difference between the arrival time of the vehicle to be powered and the arrival time of the vehicle supplying power. Server device. [Note 6] In Appendix 5, The control unit sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the merging point. Server device. [Note 7] In Appendix 6, The control unit sends the instruction to the power supply vehicle, on the condition that it receives information from the powered vehicle agreeing to power supply at the merging point. Server device. [Note 8] A system comprising a server device and a powered vehicle that communicates with the server device, The server device sends to the vehicle to be powered either or both of the following to the vehicle to be powered: first information indicating power supply facilities near the travel route, and second information indicating a meeting point where the vehicle to be powered can meet with a power supply vehicle, based on information about the remaining battery level of the vehicle to be powered and information about the travel route. system. [Note 9] In Appendix 8, The server device determines the power supply facility or the merging point within a range that the powered vehicle can move from its current position using the remaining power. system. [Note 10] In Appendix 9, The server device transmits the second information on the condition that the number of power supply facilities within the range is a predetermined number. system. [Note 11] In Appendix 9 or 10, The server device prioritizes the multiple power supply facilities in order of the shortest waiting time after the arrival of the vehicle to be powered. system. [Note 12] In any of the appendices 9 to 11, The server device prioritizes the multiple merging points in order of the smallest difference between the arrival time of the vehicle to be powered and the arrival time of the vehicle supplying power. system. [Note 13] In Appendix 12, The server device sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the merging point. system. [Note 14] In Appendix 13, The server device sends the instruction to the power supply vehicle on the condition that it receives information from the powered vehicle agreeing to power supply at the merging point. system. [Note 15] A method for operating a system having a server device and a powered vehicle that communicates with the server device, The server device sends to the vehicle to be powered either or both of the following to the vehicle to be powered, based on information about the remaining battery level of the vehicle to be powered and information about the travel route: first information indicating power supply facilities near the travel route, and second information indicating a meeting point where the vehicle to be powered can meet with a power supply vehicle. How it works. [Note 16] In Appendix 15, The server device determines the power supply facility or the merging point within a range that the powered vehicle can move from its current position using the remaining power. How it works. [Note 17] In Appendix 16, The server device transmits the second information on the condition that the number of power supply facilities within the range is a predetermined number. How it works. [Note 18] In Appendix 16 or 17, The server device prioritizes the multiple power supply facilities in order of the shortest waiting time after the arrival of the vehicle to be powered. How it works. [Note 19] In any of the appendices 16-18, The server device prioritizes the multiple merging points in order of the smallest difference between the arrival time of the vehicle to be powered and the arrival time of the vehicle supplying power. How it works. [Note 20] In Appendix 19, The server device sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the merging point. How it works. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Information Processing System 10 Server devices 11 Network 12 Powered Vehicles 13 Power supply vehicle 14 Onboard equipment 15 batteries 101, 121 Communications Department 102, 122 Storage section 103, 123 Control Unit 124 Positioning Unit 125 Input section 126 Output section 127 Detection unit

Claims

1. Communications Department and, The system includes a control unit that performs communication using the aforementioned communication unit, The control unit sends to the vehicle to be powered, based on information about the remaining battery charge of the vehicle to be powered and information about the travel path, either or both of the following: first information indicating a power supply facility within the range to which the vehicle to be powered can travel using the remaining charge from its current position near the travel path, and second information indicating a merging point within the range to which the vehicle to be powered can travel using the remaining charge from its current position where it can merge with a power supply vehicle. The control unit transmits the second information on the condition that the number of power supply facilities within the range is equal to or greater than a standard number. Server device.

2. In claim 1, The control unit prioritizes the multiple power supply facilities in order of the shortest waiting time after the arrival of the vehicle to be powered. Server device.

3. In claim 1, The control unit prioritizes the multiple merging points in order of the smallest difference between the arrival time of the vehicle to be powered and the arrival time of the vehicle supplying power. Server device.

4. In claim 3, The control unit sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the merging point. Server device.

5. In claim 4, The control unit sends the instruction to the power supply vehicle, on the condition that it receives information from the powered vehicle agreeing to power supply at the merging point. Server device.

6. A system comprising a server device and a powered vehicle that communicates with the server device, Based on information on the remaining battery charge of the vehicle to be powered and information on the travel route, the server device sends to the vehicle to be powered either or both of the following: first information indicating power supply facilities within the range to which the vehicle to be powered can travel from its current position using the remaining charge, and second information indicating a meeting point within the range to which the vehicle to be powered can travel from its current position using the remaining charge, where the vehicle to be powered can meet with a power supply vehicle. The server device transmits the second information on the condition that the number of power supply facilities within the range is equal to or greater than a standard number. system.

7. In claim 6, The server device prioritizes the multiple power supply facilities in order of the shortest waiting time after the arrival of the vehicle to be powered. system.

8. In claim 6, The server device prioritizes the multiple merging points in order of the smallest difference between the arrival time of the vehicle to be powered and the arrival time of the vehicle supplying power. system.

9. In claim 8, The server device sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the merging point. system.

10. In claim 9, The server device sends the instruction to the power supply vehicle on the condition that it receives information from the powered vehicle agreeing to power supply at the merging point. system.

11. A method for operating a system having a server device and a powered vehicle that communicates with the server device, The server device sends to the vehicle to be powered, based on information about the remaining battery charge of the vehicle to be powered and information about the travel route, either or both of the following: first information indicating power supply facilities within the range to which the vehicle to be powered can travel from its current position using the remaining charge, and second information indicating a meeting point within the range to which the vehicle to be powered can travel from its current position using the remaining charge, where the vehicle to be powered can meet with a power supply vehicle. The server device transmits the second information on the condition that the number of power supply facilities within the range is equal to or greater than a standard number. How it works.

12. In claim 11, The server device prioritizes the multiple power supply facilities in order of the shortest waiting time after the arrival of the vehicle to be powered. How it works.

13. In claim 11, The server device prioritizes the multiple merging points in order of the smallest difference between the arrival time of the vehicle to be powered and the arrival time of the vehicle supplying power. How it works.

14. In claim 11, The server device sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle to move to the merging point. How it works.

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