Server and Battery Unit

Abstract

The present invention provides a multiplicity of subscription services related to electric vehicles. A server 20 according to one embodiment includes: a confirmation unit 21 for confirming a payment status of a user in accordance with a fee type of the user; and a control unit 22 for determining, on the basis of the payment status, whether to prohibit charging of a battery device 10 mounted in an electric vehicle 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , , , ,

[0005] , ,

[0007]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server and a battery device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when there is an unpaid rental car fee, a configuration for prohibiting charging of a battery device mounted on such a rental car is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In recent years, “subscription services” in which users (subscribers) can use a predetermined service on a flat-rate basis have become popular.

[0005] Here, as a subscription service for electric vehicles, in addition to the subscription service for electric vehicles and battery devices, a subscription service for charging the battery device can be considered. Here, in each of such subscription services, the service forms including fee contracts are different.

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, since subscription services with different service forms are not assumed, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot be applied when a plurality of subscription services related to electric vehicles are provided.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a server and a battery device that can provide a plurality of subscription services related to electric vehicles. <[Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One embodiment of the server comprises a confirmation unit that checks the user's payment status according to the user's fee type, and a control unit that determines whether or not to prohibit charging of the battery device installed in the electric vehicle based on the payment status.

[0009] One embodiment of a battery device is mounted in an electric vehicle and includes a control unit that controls whether or not to prohibit charging or discharging the battery device based on instructions from a server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a server and battery device that can provide subscription services for multiple electric vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the service provision system 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a functional block of the battery device 10 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the service provision system 100 according to the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of dimensions, etc., may differ from those of reality. Therefore, specific dimensions, etc., should be determined by referring to the following description. Furthermore, there may be parts in the drawings where the relationships and ratios of dimensions differ from those of other parts. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustration.

[0013] (First Embodiment) The service provision system 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the service provision system 100 according to this embodiment, Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block of the battery device 10 according to this embodiment, and Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the service provision system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0015] The service provision system 100 according to this embodiment is configured for the purpose of providing subscription services related to electric vehicles.

[0016] In this embodiment, the subscription service for electric vehicles includes at least one of the following: a subscription service for electric vehicle (EV) 1, a subscription service for battery device 10, and a subscription service for charging the battery device 10.

[0017] Here, the subscription service for the electric vehicle 1 is a service that allows users to rent and use the electric vehicle 1 on a flat-rate basis. Note that in the subscription service for the electric vehicle 1, the vehicle type of the electric vehicle 1 and the available time vary depending on the type of fee.

[0018] In addition, the subscription service for the battery device 10 is a service that allows users to rent and use the battery device 10 that can be mounted on the electric vehicle 1 on a flat-rate basis. When a user uses the subscription service for such a battery device 10, the user needs to prepare the electric vehicle 1 by himself / herself. Note that in the subscription service for the battery device 10, the type of the battery device 10 and the replacement timing vary depending on the type of fee.

[0019] Furthermore, the subscription service for the charging service of the battery device 10 is a service that allows users to charge the battery device 10 mounted on the electric vehicle 1 on a flat-rate basis. When a user uses the subscription service for the charging of such a battery device 10, the user needs to prepare the electric vehicle 1 and the battery device 10 by himself / herself. Note that in the subscription service for the charging service of the battery device 10, the number of chargeable times (the number of rapid charging times) varies depending on the type of fee.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the service providing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a battery device 10 mounted on an electric vehicle 1, a server 20, a communication terminal 30, a power plant 40, and a charging station 50.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the electric vehicle 1 may include an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle), a FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle), or the like.

[0022] Moreover, the electric vehicle 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a vehicle that can be driven by wheels, caterpillars, etc. (including, for example, construction machinery and agricultural machinery). In addition to ordinary four-wheeled vehicles, it may be, for example, a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle, or a six-wheeled vehicle.

[0023] Also, the electric vehicle 1 may include a vehicle capable of autonomous driving by remote control (Level 4: fully autonomous driving under specific conditions, Level 5: fully autonomous driving).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the battery device 10, the electric vehicle 1 is equipped with electric devices such as a drive device, headlights, a car stereo, an air conditioner, etc., electronic devices such as various ECUs (Electronic Control Units) and TCU (Telematics Control Units), and various harnesses.

[0025] Such a drive device is configured to be able to be started by performing a start operation when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Here, the drive device is a motor.

[0026] For example, as the predetermined condition, it is assumed that the shift lever is in the parking range, the brake is depressed, etc. Also, the predetermined condition may include that the encryption key possessed by the electric vehicle 1 and the encryption key in a predetermined application match, the communication terminal 30 is inside the electric vehicle 1, the distance between the electric vehicle 1 and the communication terminal 30 is within a certain range, etc.

[0027] Also, as the start operation, an operation of inserting and rotating the key by the driver, an operation of pressing the start switch, an operation of pressing the button of an application (digital key) installed in the smartphone as the communication terminal 30, etc. are assumed.

[0028] The communication terminal 30 is assumed to be a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone. The configuration of the communication terminal 30 is not specifically shown in the diagram, but for example it may include a CPU that executes applications downloaded from the server 30 and controls the execution of communications via short-range communication, Wi-Fi, or cellular network communication, a screen that displays the contents of the application execution, a GPS that detects location information, an input unit that accepts user input, and a speaker that outputs sound.

[0029] The power plant 40 is configured to generate electricity and transmit it to the charging station 50. The power plant 40 may be a thermal power plant, a nuclear power plant, a wind power plant, or a solar power generation system.

[0030] The charging station 50 is configured to charge the battery unit 10 installed in the electric vehicle 1 via a charging plug.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the server 20 includes a verification unit 21 and a control unit 22.

[0032] The verification unit 21 is configured to verify the payment status of a user according to the user's fee type. Here, such fee types include at least one of the following: a subscription service for the electric vehicle 1, a subscription service for the battery device 10, and a subscription service for the charging service of the battery device 10.

[0033] Specifically, the verification unit 21 is configured to check the payment status of a user from the server of the company providing the electric vehicle 1 subscription service, if the user's fee type is a subscription service for the electric vehicle 1.

[0034] Furthermore, the verification unit 21 is configured to check the payment status of a user from the server of the company providing the subscription service for the battery device 10, if the user's fee type is a subscription service for the battery device 10.

[0035] Furthermore, the verification unit 21 is configured to check the payment status of a user from the server of the company providing the subscription service for charging the battery device 10, if the user's fee type is a subscription service for charging the battery device 10.

[0036] The control unit 22 is configured to decide whether or not to prohibit charging of the battery device 10 installed in the electric vehicle 1, based on the user's payment status as described above.

[0037] For example, if the control unit 22 confirms that the user has not made payment for the aforementioned subscription service, it instructs the on-board unit 15 installed in the electric vehicle 1 to prohibit charging of the battery device 10. Note that such on-board unit 15 may be built into the battery device 10, as will be described later.

[0038] Here, the control unit 22 may instruct the in-vehicle device 15 to disable the starting of the drive system of the electric vehicle 1 if it is confirmed that the user has not made payment for the subscription service described above.

[0039] Furthermore, the control unit 22 may be configured to make the above-mentioned decision when inserting a charging plug into the electric vehicle 1 at the charging station 50.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit 22 may be configured to make the above-mentioned decision when removing the charging plug from the electric vehicle 1 at the charging station 50.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 22 may be configured to make the above-mentioned decision when the electric vehicle 1 switches from discharge mode to charging mode.

[0042] Furthermore, if the confirmation unit 21 confirms that the user's payment has been completed, the control unit 22 may be configured to release the restriction on charging the battery device 10.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, the battery device 10 includes a charging unit 11, an energy storage unit 12, a discharge unit 13, and an on-board unit 15.

[0044] The charging unit 11 is configured to acquire electricity via a charging plug at a charging station. The energy storage unit 12 is configured to store the electricity obtained by the charging unit 11. The discharge unit 13 is configured to release the electricity stored by the energy storage unit 13 to various circuits of the electric vehicle 1.

[0045] As shown in Figure 2, the in-vehicle unit 15 comprises a communication unit 15A and a control unit 15B. Note that the in-vehicle unit function 15 may be provided in a location other than the battery device 10.

[0046] The communication unit 15A is configured to communicate with the server 20, the communication terminal 30, and the charging station 50.

[0047] Furthermore, the communication unit 15A may be configured to collect vehicle information of the electric vehicle 1 on which it is installed.

[0048] Here, vehicle information should preferably include the position of the shift lever, detection information indicating whether or not the brake is pressed, and vehicle location information obtained via GPS.

[0049] The communication unit 15A may be configured to transmit the collected vehicle information to the server 20 via a wireless network and to receive control signals from the server 20 via a wireless network.

[0050] The control unit 15B is configured to control whether or not to prohibit charging or discharging the battery device 10 based on instructions from the server 20.

[0051] Furthermore, the control unit 15B is configured to either enable or disable the activation of the aforementioned drive device.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 15B is configured to control the electric vehicle 1 based on control signals acquired by the communication unit 15A. For example, the control unit 15B has a control function that performs the above-mentioned start-up control of the drive unit based on such control signals.

[0053] Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the service provision system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3.

[0054] As shown in Figure 3, in step S101, the user turns off the power switch of the electric vehicle 1 at the charging station 50. The user may also turn off the power switch of the electric vehicle 1 after any of steps S103 to S105.

[0055] In step S102, the user requests the charging station 50 to start charging by inserting a charging plug into the electric vehicle 1.

[0056] In step S103, the charging station 50 transmits the ID of the electric vehicle 1 and the ID of the battery device 10 to the server 20.

[0057] In step S104, the server 20 instructs the on-board unit 15 of the electric vehicle 1, which has been identified based on the ID of the electric vehicle 1 or the ID of the battery device 10, to disable the startup of the drive unit described above, and the control unit 15B of the on-board unit 15 disables the startup of the drive unit described above.

[0058] In step S105, the verification unit 21 of the server 20 verifies the fee type of the user of the electric vehicle 1, which has been identified based on the ID of the electric vehicle 1 and the ID of the battery device 10.

[0059] In step S106, if the fee type is a subscription service for the electric vehicle 1 or a subscription service for the battery device 10, the operation proceeds to step S109; otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S107.

[0060] In step S107, if the fee type is a subscription service for charging the battery device 10, the operation proceeds to step S108; otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S119.

[0061] In step S108, the verification unit 21 of the server 20 checks the payment status of the user from the server of the company that provides the subscription service for charging the battery device 10.

[0062] In step S109, the verification unit 21 of the server 20 checks the payment status of the user from the server of the company providing the subscription service for the electric vehicle 1 or the battery device 10.

[0063] In step S110, if it is determined that a fixed payment has been made for the aforementioned subscription service (i.e., there is a balance in the aforementioned subscription service), the operation proceeds to step S111; otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S116.

[0064] In step S111, charging of the battery device 10 begins, and in step S112, once such charging is complete, in step S113, the user removes the charging plug from the electric vehicle 1.

[0065] In step S114, the charging station 50 notifies the server 20 that charging of the battery device 10 of the electric vehicle 1 is complete and the charging plug has been removed. The control unit 22 of the server 20 instructs the onboard unit 15 of the electric vehicle 1 to enable the start of the drive unit described above. The control unit 15B of the onboard unit 15 then enables the start of the drive unit described above. The processing in step S114 may be performed between steps S112 and S113.

[0066] In step S115, the user turns on the power switch of electric vehicle 1.

[0067] In step S116, the control unit 22 of the server 20 instructs the in-vehicle unit 15 to prohibit charging of the battery device 10, and the control unit 15B of the in-vehicle unit 15 prohibits charging of the battery device 10.

[0068] In step S117, if the verification unit 21 of the server 20 confirms the user's payment for the subscription service described above, the operation proceeds to step S113. Otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S118, and the state in which the drive device cannot be started continues.

[0069] In step S119, when the user pays for the charging at the charging station 50 using a credit card or cash on a per-use basis, charging of the battery device 10 begins in step S120, and in step S121, such charging is completed.

[0070] In step S122, if the verification unit 21 of the server 20 confirms the payment by the user, the operation proceeds to step S123; otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S124.

[0071] In step S123, the control unit 22 of the server 20 instructs the in-vehicle unit 15 of the user's electric vehicle 1 to enable the starting of the drive unit, and the control unit 15B of the in-vehicle unit 15 enables the starting of the drive unit.

[0072] In step S124, the state in which the above-mentioned drive device cannot be started continues. At this point, the control unit 22 of the server 20 may send the above-mentioned payment prompt to the user's communication terminal 30, etc.

[0073] According to the service provision system 100 of this embodiment, a single system can provide subscription services for the electric vehicle 1, the battery device 10, and the charging service for the battery device 10.

[0074] Furthermore, according to the service provision system 100 of this embodiment, when a user who has not made the fixed payment for the subscription service comes to the charging station 50 to charge their vehicle, it is possible not only to prevent them from charging, but also to disable the start of the drive system of the electric vehicle 1, thereby preventing such users from escaping. In addition, according to the service provision system 100 of this embodiment, in such cases, it is also possible to send a notice to such user urging them to make the payment.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the service provision system 100 of this embodiment, by having the functions of the in-vehicle unit 15 in the battery device 10, a subscription service for the battery device 10 and a subscription service for charging the battery device 10 can be easily realized.

[0076] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the embodiments described above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be restrictive in any way to the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 100...Service delivery system 1… Electric vehicles 10…Battery device 11...Charging part 12…Energy storage unit 13…Discharge part 15...Onboard equipment 15A... Communications Department 15B... Control Unit 20... Server 21...Verification section 22... Control Unit 30…Communication terminals 40... Power plant 50... Charging Station

Claims

1. It is a server, Verification section, It comprises a control unit that determines whether or not to prohibit charging of the battery device installed in an electric vehicle, The aforementioned verification unit is Based on the acquired ID of the electric vehicle and the ID of the battery device installed in the electric vehicle, it is determined whether the subscription service subscribed to by the user of the electric vehicle is a subscription service for the battery device or a subscription service for charging the battery device. If it is identified as a subscription service for the battery device, the company providing the subscription service for the battery device will be contacted to confirm whether the user has made a payment for the subscription service for the battery device; if it is identified as a subscription service for the charging service, the company providing the subscription service for the charging service will be contacted to confirm whether the user has made a payment for the subscription service for the charging service; The control unit is a server that determines whether or not to prohibit charging of the battery device based on whether or not the payment has been made.

2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the determination when the electric vehicle is inserted into the charging plug.

3. The server according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the determination when the electric vehicle switches from the discharge mode to the charging mode.

4. The server according to claim 1, wherein the control unit releases the prohibition when the confirmation unit confirms that the user's payment has been completed.

Images