Control device and control method

Abstract

To address the needs of the charging in an area where an event is held.SOLUTION: A control apparatus 20 according to the present invention has a control unit which acquires information relating to an event held in a certain area 11, determines, based on the acquired information, among a plurality of places in the area 11, a place to which a power supply mobility 30 having a function of supplying power to an electronic device that a user uses is dispatched, and carries out processing for dispatching the power supply mobility 30 to the determined place.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that, as a charging service, a charging vehicle equipped with a charging battery travels to the position of a user vehicle and charges the battery that serves as the drive source of the user vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional charging services have not responded to the charging needs that exist in areas where events are held, such as event venues.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to meet the charging needs that exist in an area where an event is held.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The control device according to the present disclosure acquires information regarding an event held within a certain area, and based on the acquired information, determines a location to dispatch a power supply mobility having a function of supplying power to an electronic device used by a user from among a plurality of locations within the area, and includes a control unit that performs a process of dispatching the power supply mobility to the determined location.

[0007] The control method according to the present disclosure The control unit acquires information regarding an event held within a certain area, and Based on the acquired information, the control unit determines, from among multiple locations within the area, the location to dispatch a power supply mobility device that has the function of supplying power to electronic devices used by the user. The control unit performs the process of dispatching the power supply mobility to the determined location. Includes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, the charging needs present in the area where the event is held can be met. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the configuration of the mobility dispatch system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the figures.

[0011] In each figure, identical or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of identical or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the mobility dispatch system 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0013] The mobility dispatch system 10 comprises a control device 20 and a power supply mobility 30. The control device 20 can communicate with the power supply mobility 30 via a network 40.

[0014] The control device 20 is a computer installed in a facility such as a data center. The control device 20 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system. The control device 20 is operated by a provider of charging services.

[0015] The power supply mobility 30 is a mobility device having an external power supply function. The external power supply function is a function that supplies power to electronic devices used by the user, such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, or PCs. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer. The power supply mobility 30 is, for example, a vehicle equipped with a large-capacity battery, a generator, or both. The vehicle itself is any type of automobile, such as a gasoline car, diesel car, hydrogen car, HEV, PHEV, BEV, or FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. The power supply mobility 30 is an AV in this embodiment, but may be driven by a driver or the driving may be automated to any level. "AV" is an abbreviation for autonomous vehicle. The level of automation is, for example, one of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. Power supply mobility 30 may be a vehicle dedicated to MaaS. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0016] Network 40 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 40 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. The wireless network may be, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an overview of the present embodiment will be described.

[0018] The control device 20 acquires information 50 regarding an event held within a certain area 11 by the control unit 21. The area 11 is, for example, an event venue such as an arena. In the present embodiment, the event is an event held individually at a booth of an exhibition, a fair, a food event, or a product exhibition, but it may also be the exhibition, the fair, the food event, or the product exhibition itself.

[0019] Based on the acquired information 50, the control device 20 determines, by the control unit 21, a location to dispatch the power supply mobility 30 from among a plurality of locations within the area 11. The plurality of locations includes, for example, locations where events are held, such as booths of exhibitions, fairs, food events, or product exhibitions. The plurality of locations may further include a rest area where only chairs are placed.

[0020] The control device 20 performs, by the control unit 21, a process of dispatching the power supply mobility 30 to the determined location. As a result, the power supply mobility 30 moves, as a charging service, to the location determined by the control unit 21 and supplies power to an electronic device used by a user.

[0021] According to this embodiment, it is possible to meet the charging needs existing in the area 11 where the event is held. For example, by dispatching the power supply mobility 30 to a place where an increase in charging needs is expected at the event venue, it is possible to sufficiently meet the charging needs.

[0022] The internal space of the power supply mobility 30 may be utilized as a space where a user can use a PC, a desk workspace, or a rest space. For example, when the power supply mobility 30 is dispatched to a rest area at the event venue, the internal space of the power supply mobility 30 may be utilized as a temporary PC space. According to this example, a user can rest in the power supply mobility 30 while charging the PC.

[0023] A bus that transports passengers between the event venue and the nearest station may be utilized as the power supply mobility 30. For example, when the need for passenger transportation is estimated according to the bus ridership, the time change of the number of venue entrants / venue exiters, the congestion situation at the nearest station, or any combination of these, and it is predicted that there will be surplus buses, those surplus buses may be utilized as the power supply mobility 30. According to this example, the surplus buses can be effectively utilized.

[0024] The power supply mobility 30 may be dispatched only during time periods when the charging needs increase, such as during the day. During time periods when the number of people taking breaks increases, such as lunchtime, the power supply mobility 30 may be preferentially dispatched to rest areas.

[0025] When an appeal is made to visitors to use the charging service at a specific location, such as the entrance of the event venue, the power supply mobility 30 may be preferentially dispatched to that specific location.

[0026] When the location of visitors is identified by referring to location information obtained from GNSS receivers installed in visitors' electronic devices, a power supply mobility 30 may be preferentially dispatched to the identified location. "GNSS" is an abbreviation for global navigation satellite system. Examples of GNSS include GPS, QZSS, BDS, GLONASS, or Galileo. "GPS" is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. "QZSS" is an abbreviation for Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. QZSS satellites are called quasi-zenith satellites. "BDS" is an abbreviation for BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. "GLONASS" is an abbreviation for Global Navigation Satellite System.

[0027] In this embodiment, the event information 50 includes various information such as the location 51, time 52, number of participants 53, or content 54 of the event. It is desirable that the event information 50 includes not only past and present information but also future information. That is, it is desirable that the control device 20 determines the location to which to dispatch the power supply mobility 30 based on such future information.

[0028] Referring to Figure 2, the configuration of the control device 20 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0029] The control device 20 comprises a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0030] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 controls each part of the control device 20 and executes processes related to the operation of the control device 20.

[0031] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM, ROM, or flash memory. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read-only memory. RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. ROM is, for example, EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read-only memory. Flash memory is, for example, SSD. "SSD" is an abbreviation for solid-state drive. Magnetic memory is, for example, HDD. "HDD" is an abbreviation for hard disk drive. The storage unit 22 functions, for example, as main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores information used for the operation of the control device 20 and information obtained through the operation of the control device 20. In this embodiment, the storage unit 22 stores at least event-related information 50.

[0032] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, a module compatible with a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet® or a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE 802.11. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The communication unit 23 communicates with the power supply mobility 30. The communication unit 23 receives information used for the operation of the control device 20 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control device 20.

[0033] The functions of the control device 20 are realized by executing the control program according to this embodiment on the processor acting as the control unit 21. In other words, the functions of the control device 20 are realized by software. The control program causes the computer to perform the operations of the control device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the control device 20. That is, the computer functions as the control device 20 by performing the operations of the control device 20 according to the control program.

[0034] The program can be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or ROM. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs containing the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program may also be distributed by storing it in server storage and transferring it from the server to other computers. The program may also be provided as a program product.

[0035] A computer, for example, stores a program stored on a portable medium or a program transferred from a server in its main memory. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main memory with its processor and executes the processing according to the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from the portable medium and execute the processing according to the program. The computer may also execute the processing according to the received program sequentially each time a program is transferred to the computer from a server. Processing may also be performed by a so-called ASP-type service, which does not transfer programs from the server to the computer, but realizes its function only through execution instructions and result retrieval. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program includes information used for processing by an electronic computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has the nature of defining the computer's processing falls under "equivalent to a program".

[0036] Some or all of the functions of the control device 20 may be implemented by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. In other words, some or all of the functions of the control device 20 may be implemented by hardware.

[0037] Referring to Figure 3, the operation of the control device 20 according to this embodiment will be described. The operation of the control device 20 corresponds to the control method according to this embodiment. That is, the control method according to this embodiment includes steps S1 to S3 shown in Figure 3.

[0038] In S1, the control unit 21 acquires event information 50. Specifically, the control unit 21 reads event information 50 from the storage unit 22. The event information 50 is stored in the storage unit 22 in advance. Alternatively, the event information 50 may be acquired from external storage via the communication unit 23 and then stored in the storage unit 22.

[0039] In S2, the control unit 21 determines, based on the information 50 acquired in S1, which location within area 11 to which the power supply mobility 30 will be dispatched. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines the location to which the power supply mobility 30 will be dispatched according to the event location 51, event time 52, number of participants 53, or content 54 included in the information 50 acquired in S1.

[0040] Let's explain a specific example of the S2 process.

[0041] In the first example, the event information 50 includes the location of each of the multiple locations where the event is held, as well as the location of the power supply equipment within area 11. The power supply equipment is equipment that has the function of supplying power to electronic devices used by users. The power supply equipment includes, for example, a commercial power outlet, a large-capacity battery, a generator, or any combination thereof. Based on the information 50 acquired in S1, the control unit 21 compares the distance of each location where the event is held from the power supply equipment and determines where to dispatch the power supply mobility 30. For example, the control unit 21 preferentially selects locations farther from the power supply equipment as the locations to dispatch the power supply mobility 30.

[0042] As a variation of the first example, the control unit 21 may predict the number of people participating in an event held at each of the multiple locations based on the information 50 acquired in S1. The control unit 21 may compare the predicted number of people to determine where to dispatch the power supply mobility 30. For example, the control unit 21 may refer to statistical data to analyze the ease with which users tend to gather at each location in the past at the event venue, and prioritize selecting locations where users tend to gather as the places to dispatch the power supply mobility 30.

[0043] In the second example, the event information 50 includes the time frame in which the event is held at each of the multiple locations, as the event time 52. Based on the information 50 acquired in S1, the control unit 21 predicts the number of people who will participate in the event held at each location. The control unit 21 compares the predicted number of people to determine where to dispatch the power supply mobility 30. For example, the control unit 21 analyzes the number of users at past time periods at the event venue by referring to statistical data and prioritizes selecting locations where the event is held during time periods with high user numbers as the location to dispatch the power supply mobility 30.

[0044] In the third example, the event information 50 includes the number of participants 53, which is the number of users who are scheduled to attend or are expected to attend events held at each of the multiple locations. Based on the information 50 acquired in S1, the control unit 21 predicts the number of people who will attend the events held at each location. The control unit 21 compares the predicted number of people to determine where to dispatch the power supply mobility 30. For example, the control unit 21 prioritizes selecting locations where events with a large number of expected participants are held as locations to dispatch the power supply mobility 30.

[0045] In the fourth example, the event information 50 includes, as content 54, the content of events held at each of the multiple locations. Based on the information 50 acquired in S1, the control unit 21 compares the likelihood of users using electronic devices at events held at each location and determines where to dispatch the power supply mobility 30. For example, the control unit 21 prioritizes selecting locations where events are held that are likely to involve users using electronic devices, such as events requiring minutes to be taken or events with a high recording need, such as panel discussions.

[0046] In S3, the control unit 21 performs the process of dispatching the power supply mobility 30 to the location determined in S2. Specifically, the control unit 21 instructs the power supply mobility 30 to move to the location determined in S2 via the communication unit 23.

[0047] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, two or more blocks described in the block diagram may be combined, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps described in the flowchart in chronological order as described, they may be executed in parallel or in a different order, depending on the processing capacity of the device performing each step, or as necessary. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 10 Mobility Dispatch System 11 Areas 20 Control device 21 Control Unit 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 30 Power Supply Mobility 40 Networks 50 pieces of information 51 Venue 52. Event time 53 Number of participants 54 Contents

Claims

1. The system includes a control unit that acquires information about events held within a certain area, determines, based on the acquired information, a location from among multiple locations within the area to dispatch a power supply mobility device that has the function of supplying power to electronic devices used by the user, and then dispatches the power supply mobility device to the determined location. The aforementioned information includes the details of events held at each of the multiple locations, The aforementioned electronic device is a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. The control unit is a control device that, based on the information, preferentially selects locations where events are held in which the user is more likely to use the electronic device compared to other events, as locations to dispatch the power supply mobility.

2. The control unit acquires information about events held within a certain area, Based on the acquired information, the control unit determines, from among multiple locations within the area, the location to dispatch a power supply mobility device that has the function of supplying power to electronic devices used by the user. The control unit performs the process of dispatching the power supply mobility to the determined location. Includes, The aforementioned information includes the details of events held at each of the multiple locations, The aforementioned electronic device is a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. A control method in which the control unit, based on the information, preferentially selects a location where an event is held in which the user is more likely to use the electronic device compared to other events, as the location to dispatch the power supply mobility.

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