Electric vehicle charging service system

Abstract

This system allows referral agencies—companies looking to introduce electric vehicle charging services—to implement EV charging services, and enables service providers to efficiently acquire users for their services. [Solution] The electric vehicle charging service system has a processor which acquires referral agent information, which is information about referral agents providing electric vehicle charging services, acquires customer information, which is information identifying customers who receive the service, from the referral agent and / or customers, acquires parent account information which associates the referral agent information and customer information, and information about one or more child accounts for customers to use the service, and grasps information about the services provided to the customer in relation to the child account information.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging service system for electric vehicles. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that, in a corporate information providing service system, in order to increase the number of target companies and the amount of corporate information, and to improve the reliability of information content by updating the latest corporate information at any time, the system comprises an identification code assigning means that assigns a unique identification code to each company listed at least in telephone directories. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-026602 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] For example, there are cases where a certain business operator wants to introduce an electric vehicle charging service together with a framework for a predetermined service. Examples of electric vehicle charging services include a service for grasping the charged amount of an electric vehicle, a service for grasping the charging location of an electric vehicle, and the like. When providing these electric vehicle charging services, the business operator needs costs such as time and expense for system development of these services, and cannot start the service promptly. On the other hand, from the perspective of a provider that provides the service, there are cases where the provider wants to efficiently acquire users by expanding the service to a broad market. An object of the present invention is to provide a system that allows an introducing business operator that wants to introduce an electric vehicle charging service to introduce an EV charging service, and enables a provider that provides the service to efficiently acquire users of the service. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 has a processor, which is installed on a server on the side of a service provider for charging electric vehicles, and acquires referral agent information, which is information of a referral agent that introduces the service to a customer who is to receive the service, acquires customer information, which is information that identifies the customer, from the referral agent's terminal and / or the customer's terminal, and acquires parent account information that associates the referral agent information and the customer information, upon input from the service provider. Based on instructions from the referral agency, information for one or more child accounts corresponding to the parent account information is created; the child account information is information for the customer to use the service; a display indicating acceptance of instructions to start charging the electric vehicle is shown on the customer's terminal corresponding to the child account information; charging start information is obtained from the customer's terminal upon the customer's instruction to start charging; the service to charge the customer's electric vehicle is provided to the customer without going through the referral agency; information regarding the service provided to the customer is obtained from the information obtained through the use of the electric vehicle charging corresponding to the child account information; and the obtained information regarding the service provided to the customer is displayed on the referral agency's terminal. Electric vehicle charging service system. The invention described in claim 2 is an electric vehicle charging service system according to claim 1, wherein the customer is a customer whose usage status of the service is managed by the referral agent, and the referral agent grasps information about the service provided to the customer managed by the referral agent from information obtained through the use of the electric vehicle charging corresponding to the information of the sub-account, and provides the referral agent with the grasped information about the service. The invention described in claim 3 is an electric vehicle charging service system according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to the service provided to the referral agent is information obtained from the server, and is information for the referral agent to grasp the usage fee for the service to the customer. The invention described in claim 4 is an electric vehicle charging service system according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the service is the usage status of the parent account of the service related to the information of the child account obtained from the usage status of the child account of the service. The invention described in claim 5 is an electric vehicle charging service system according to claim 4, wherein the usage status of the service of the parent account is information obtained from the charge amount of electric vehicles associated with one or more child accounts. The invention described in claim 6 is an electric vehicle charging service system according to claim 5, wherein the usage status of the service of one or more parent accounts is information for the provider of the service to understand the usage fees for the service related to the use by the service referral agent. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a system that enables businesses wishing to introduce electric vehicle charging services to implement EV charging services, and enables administrators managing electric vehicle charging services to efficiently acquire users for those services. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle charging service system. [Figure 2] This is a diagram to explain parent accounts and child accounts. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the relationships between the management company, referral agency, client company, employees, and the facility. [Figure 4] This is a modified example of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is the hardware configuration of the management server. [Figure 6] This describes the hardware configuration of the referral agent's terminal and the customer's terminal. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the processing flow of customer terminals when employees charge electric vehicles. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the processing flow on the management server side when an employee of a referral agency uses the electric vehicle charging service. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the processing flow of the management server when charging electric vehicles at a charging facility. [Figure 10] (a) to (e) are diagrams illustrating the display screen of the referral service provider's terminal when an employee uses the charging service. [Figure 11] This is a screen displaying the facility's charging history. [Figure 12] This is a screen displaying the car's charging history. [Figure 13] This is a display screen that shows vehicle information. [Figure 14] This is the screen displaying the user's charging history. [Figure 15]The user history, which shows the history of users who have charged electric vehicles, is displayed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the electric vehicle charging service system 1. Figure 1 shows an electric vehicle 2, which is an automobile that runs by converting electrical energy stored in a rechargeable battery into power. Here, the electric vehicle 2 charging service system 1 is the system for the service related to charging the electric vehicle 2. Note that the electric vehicle 2 charging service system 1 is sometimes simply referred to as "charging service system 1," and the service related to charging the electric vehicle 2 is sometimes simply referred to as "charging service."

[0009] Figure 1 also shows service provider A, which provides charging services. Service provider A provides charging services to customer company C. Figure 1 also shows referral agent B, which proposes and introduces charging services to customer company C. Figure 1 also shows customer company C, which is a client of referral agent B and is managed by referral agent B. Figure 1 also shows employee D, who works for customer company C. Figure 1 also shows facility E, which is managed by customer company C.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the charging service system 1 has a management server 10 that manages the charging service for the electric vehicle 2. The management server 10 is managed by service provider A. The charging service system 1 also has a referral agent terminal 20, which is the terminal of referral agent B that uses the electric vehicle charging service. The referral agent terminal 20 is used, for example, by an employee of referral agent B. The charging service system 1 also has a customer terminal 30, which is used by an employee D of customer company C to use the electric vehicle charging service. The charging service system 1 also has charging equipment 40 that charges the electric vehicle 2 using electricity located at facility E. The management server 10, referral agent terminal 20, customer terminal 30, and charging equipment 40 are connected via a network 90.

[0011] The management server 10 stores and manages information related to charging equipment, information related to a parent account described later, information related to a child account described later, and the like. Then, the management server 10 outputs various managed information to the customer terminal 30 and the charging equipment 40 in response to requests from the referrer terminal 20, the customer terminal 30, and the like.

[0012] The referrer terminal 20 is configured of a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. The referrer terminal 20 is capable of executing application software that enables use of an electric vehicle charging service. The referrer terminal 20 receives information transmitted from the management server 10, and outputs the information to a display unit 26 (see FIG. 6) of the referrer terminal 20 described later. Then, the referrer terminal 20 outputs information to the management server 10 in response to input or the like from an employee of a referrer B.

[0013] The customer terminal 30 is configured of a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. The customer terminal 30 is capable of executing application software that enables use of an electric vehicle charging service. The customer terminal 30 receives information transmitted from the management server 10, and outputs the information to a display unit 26 of the customer terminal 30 described later. Then, the customer terminal 30 outputs information to the management server 10 in response to input or the like from a user.

[0014] The charging equipment 40 is installed in the parking lot or other area of ​​facility E. The charging equipment 40 has a charging cable 41 that connects to the electric vehicle 2 and supplies power from the charging equipment 40 to the electric vehicle 2. This charging cable 41 may be provided on the charging equipment 40 or on the electric vehicle 2. The charging equipment 40 also has a two-dimensional code 42 for identifying the charging equipment 40. For example, by having employee D read the two-dimensional code 42 with the customer terminal 30, employee D can use the charging equipment 40 on which the read two-dimensional code 42 is installed. The charging equipment 40 then charges the electric vehicle 2 via the charging cable 41 based on user input or information obtained from the management server 10 to instruct charging. Charging the electric vehicle 2 through this application is an example of an electric vehicle charging service.

[0015] In this embodiment, a charging service using the reading of a two-dimensional code is described. However, in the charging service, information may be exchanged using contactless data communication technologies such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth, or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Furthermore, the exchange is not limited to using the customer terminal 30; it may also be carried out using a charging card or the like with these communication technologies.

[0016] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating parent and child accounts. Figure 2 shows service provider A, referral agent B, customer company C, and electric vehicle 2. Figure 2 also shows C1 to Cn as customer companies C of referral agent B (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2). Customer companies C1 to Cn are all different customer companies C. Figure 2 also shows 2-1 to 2-n as electric vehicles 2 owned by customer company C1 (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2). Electric vehicles 2-1 to 2-n are all different electric vehicles 2. Figure 2 also shows D1 to Dn as employees D of customer company C1 (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2). Employees D1 to Dn are all different employees D. When there is no need to distinguish between customer companies C1 to Cn, they may simply be referred to as customer company C. When there is no need to distinguish between employees D1 to Dn, they may simply be referred to as employee D.

[0017] A parent account associates referral agency information that identifies referral agency B with customer information that identifies customer company C. For example, referral agency information is an identification number used to identify referral agency B. For example, customer information is an identification number assigned to each of customer companies C1 to Cn. A child account is information that customer company C uses to utilize electric vehicle charging services. A child account is a number used to identify information managed by customer company C. For example, a child account is an identification number assigned to each of the electric vehicles 2-1 to 2-n owned by customer company C1. For example, a child account is an identification number assigned to each of the employees D1 to Dn of customer company C1. For example, a child account may be a number assigned to customer terminal 30 owned by customer company C1. Note that the parent account is an example of parent account information. A child account is an example of child account information.

[0018] Service provider A creates a parent account for customer company C, which is held by referral agent B, based on an application from referral agent B. Service provider A then provides the parent account to referral agent B. Specifically, an administrator of service provider A inputs the referral agent information and customer information obtained from referral agent B into the management server 10, and the management server 10, as shown in Figure 1, registers the parent account in the storage unit 23 described later. Note that customer information may be obtained from customer company C, or from customer company C and referral agent B. Next, the management server 10 outputs the login information for the parent account to the referral agent terminal 20. Login information is information used to identify the parent account, and for example, it consists of information such as a username and password. Login information is also authentication information used to use the parent account corresponding to the login information in the charging service. Then, an employee of referral agent B logs into the parent account using the referral agent terminal 20 with the parent account login information. This allows the employee of referral agent B to obtain information about the parent account.

[0019] Referral agent B accepts instructions from client company C and creates a sub-account for client company C. Management server 10 create LetFor example, referral agency B receives a request from client company C1 to create a sub-account. Then, for example, an employee of referral agency B, logged into client company C1's parent account, instructs the management server 10 to create a sub-account related to the parent account by pressing a button on the referral agency terminal 20. Next, the referral agency terminal 20, having received the instruction, outputs the instruction information to the management server 10. The management server 10, having received the instruction information, then creates a sub-account corresponding to client company C1's parent account and outputs information about the sub-account to the referral agency terminal 20. As a result, the employee of referral agency B can obtain information about the sub-account through client company C1's parent account. This provision of information about the parent account and the sub-account is an example of an electric vehicle charging service. Note that the sub-account may also be created directly by the administrator of service provider A through the management server 10 upon receiving a request from referral agency B to create a sub-account.

[0020] Here, information about the parent account refers to information that allows referral agent B to understand the usage status of customer company C's charging service. The usage status of the charging service mainly refers to values ​​related to the charging of electric vehicle 2. For example, information about the parent account could include the amount of charging used by the charging equipment 40 installed at facility E, or the number of times charging has been used at the charging equipment 40. The amount of charging used by the charging equipment 40 refers to the amount of electricity used to charge electric vehicle 2. The parent account and the information related to the parent account are managed in correspondence in the storage unit 23, which will be described later. Information about the parent account is an example of information about the service.

[0021] The information related to sub-accounts is information that allows referral agent B to understand the individual usage status at client company C. For example, information related to sub-accounts may include the amount of charge used for each electric vehicle at client company C, and the number of times charging was used at charging equipment 40. Also, for example, the amount of charge used for each employee D at client company C, and the number of times charging was used at charging equipment 40. Sub-accounts and the information related to sub-accounts are managed in correspondence in the storage unit 23, which will be described later. Information related to sub-accounts is an example of information related to the service.

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates the relationships between service provider A, referral agent B, client company C, employee D, and facility E. Figure 3 shows service provider A, referral agent B, client company C1, employee D1, and facility E. It also shows electric vehicle 2-1, charging equipment 40, and charging cable 41. While Figure 3 uses client company C1 and employee D1 to illustrate the relationships, similar relationships exist for other client companies, such as client company C2.

[0023] Service provider A sells charging equipment for the charging service to referral agent B. Charging equipment for the charging service is charging equipment manufactured to enable the use of the charging service. This charging equipment is a standard charging device with added functionality to communicate with the management server 10; for example, the charging equipment 40 shown in Figure 1. Referral agent B then pays the sales fee for the charging equipment. Customer company C1 then installs the charging equipment 40, which is the charging equipment for the charging service, at facility E.

[0024] Service provider A creates a parent account for client company C1, which is owned by referral agent B, upon B's request. Service provider A then provides this parent account to referral agent B. Referral agent B, upon receiving instructions from client company C, creates a child account for client company C. Service provider A may also create a child account for client C based on instructions from referral agent B or other sources.

[0025] Referral agent B pays a usage fee to service provider A. This usage fee is compensation for service provider A providing electric vehicle 2-1 charging services to referral agent B. This usage fee is calculated based on referral agent B's usage of the charging service. Referral agent B's usage of the charging service refers to the usage of the charging service of the parent account corresponding to referral agent B. The usage of the charging service of the parent account refers to, for example, the total amount of charging for electric vehicles 2-1 to 2-n associated with the parent account of customer company C1. For example, the usage fee is calculated by multiplying the total amount of charging for electric vehicles 2-1 to 2-n associated with the parent account of customer company C1 owned by referral agent B by a predetermined unit price. If referral agent B has multiple parent accounts, the sum of the usage fees for each parent account will be the usage fee paid to service provider A. For example, the sum of the usage fees for each parent account of customer companies C1 to Cn owned by referral agent B will be the usage fee paid to service provider A. Alternatively, for example, the usage fee may be calculated by adding a predetermined basic service fee to a usage-based fee that varies depending on the amount of charge.

[0026] Referral agent B provides charging services to employee D1 of client company C1 through service provider A. For example, employee D1 can run an application related to charging services on customer terminal 30 and charge electric vehicle 2-1 via charging equipment 40, which is the charging equipment corresponding to this application.

[0027] Customer company C1 pays referral agent B a service fee related to facility E. This service fee is compensation for service provider A providing charging services through referral agent B. This service fee is calculated based on customer company C1's usage of the charging service. For example, this service fee is calculated by multiplying the total amount of charging performed on electric vehicles 2-1 to 2-n at the charging equipment 40 installed at facility E by a predetermined unit price. This service fee also separately includes the electricity cost equivalent to the charging of electric vehicles 2-1 to 2-n by the charging equipment 40. Referral agent B then refunds customer company C1 the electricity cost equivalent to the total amount of charging performed on electric vehicles 2-1 to 2-n from the service fee. Alternatively, referral agent B may charge customer company C1 the service fee minus the electricity cost, and customer company C1 may pay that service fee.

[0028] Figure 4 is a modified version of Figure 3. Figure 4 illustrates a scenario where visitor F visits customer company C1 and charges their own electric vehicle 2 at charging equipment 40. Here, visitor F does not use the charging service, and their own electric vehicle 2 is an electric vehicle unrelated to customer companies C1 to Cn. Note that explanations of configurations identical to those in Figure 3 may be omitted.

[0029] Customer company C1 provides a power source for charging to visitor F. For example, customer company C1 grants visitor F permission to use the charging equipment 40 installed at facility E. Next, for example, the visitor sends membership registration information from their terminal to the management server 10. The management server 10 then retrieves the membership registration information, and an account for the visitor is registered based on the membership registration information. Next, visitor F runs an application related to the charging service on their terminal (not shown) and charges their own electric vehicle 2 via the charging equipment 40, which is the charging equipment corresponding to this application.

[0030] Visitor F pays the agreed-upon fee to service provider A upon registration. Service provider A then refunds referral agent B the portion of this fee corresponding to the electricity cost for charging F's own electric vehicle 2. Referral agent B then refunds the electricity cost corresponding to the electricity cost for charging F's own electric vehicle 2 to customer company C1. Alternatively, service provider A may refund the electricity cost directly to customer company C1 without going through referral agent B.

[0031] Figure 5 shows the hardware configuration of the management server 10. As shown in Figure 5, the management server 10 includes a control unit 11, memory 12, storage unit 13, communication unit 14, operation unit 15, and display unit 16. These units are connected by a data bus, address bus, PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, etc.

[0032] The control unit 11 is a processor that controls the functions of the management server 10 through the execution of various software such as the OS (operating system) and application software. The control unit 11 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 12 is a storage area that stores various software and data used for its execution, and is used as a work area during calculations. The memory 12 is composed of, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0033] The memory unit 13 is a memory area that stores input data for various software and output data from various software. The memory unit 13 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or semiconductor memory used to store programs and various setting data. The memory unit 13 stores a database, such as DB131, for storing various information.

[0034] The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data between the customer terminal 30 and the outside world via the network 90. ​​The operation unit 15 consists of, for example, a keyboard, mouse, mechanical buttons, and switches, and accepts input operations. The operation unit 15 also includes a touch sensor that forms a touch panel integrally with the display unit 16. The display unit 16 consists of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (=Electro Luminescence) display used for displaying information, and displays image and text data.

[0035] Figure 6 shows the hardware configuration of the referral agent terminal 20 and the customer terminal 30. The referral agent terminal 20 and the customer terminal 30 have hardware configurations corresponding to the control unit 11, memory 12, storage unit 13, communication unit 14, operation unit 15, and display unit 16 of the management server 10 in Figure 5, as well as an imaging unit 27. These units are connected by a data bus, address bus, PCI bus, etc.

[0036] Specifically, the referral agent terminal 20 and the customer terminal 30 each have a control unit 21 composed of a processor such as a CPU, a memory 22 composed of a storage area such as RAM, and a storage unit 23 composed of a storage area such as an HDD, SSD, or semiconductor memory. They also have a communication unit 24 that sends and receives data to and from the management server 10 and external parties via the network 90.

[0037] Furthermore, the referral agent terminal 20 and the customer terminal 30 each have an operation unit 25 consisting of a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., and a display unit 26 consisting of a liquid crystal display or organic EL display, etc. They also have an imaging unit 27 which consists of a camera, etc., and functions as a camera viewfinder, and captures images of subjects displayed on the display unit 26 and acquires them as image data.

[0038] In this embodiment, each process is executed on any computer. Furthermore, any computer may execute these processes using a processor as hardware, a program as software, or a combination thereof. In that case, the processor is configured to work in cooperation with the program to execute the various processes in this embodiment, and can function as a unit or means in this embodiment. Also, the execution order of the processes by the processor is not limited to the order described and may be changed as appropriate. Any computer may be a general-purpose computer, a computer designed for a specific purpose, a workstation, or any other system capable of executing each process.

[0039] A processor may consist of one or more hardware components, and the type of hardware is not limited. For example, a processor may consist of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a dedicated circuit for executing a specific process such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit). Furthermore, the type of hardware may be a combination of different types of hardware. When multiple hardware components are configured to execute one or more processes of a given processor, these components may reside in physically separate devices or in the same device. Also, in any embodiment, the order of each process performed by the processor is not limited to the order described above and may be changed as appropriate. Hardware is composed of electrical circuits (circuitry) that combine circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0040] Furthermore, the program may be firmware or software such as microcode. Alternatively, the program may be, for example, a set of program modules, each function of which may be implemented by a processor configured to perform its respective function. The program may be program code or multiple code segments stored on one or more non-temporary computer-readable media (e.g., storage media or other storage). The program may be divided and stored on multiple non-temporary computer-readable media located on physically separate devices. Program code or code segments may represent any combination of procedures, functions, subprograms, routines, subroutines, modules, software packages, classes, or instructions, data structures, or program statements. Program code or code segments may be connected to other code segments or hardware circuits by sending and receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents.

[0041] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the customer terminal 30 when employee D1 charges the electric vehicle 2-1. The processing of visitor F's terminal follows a similar flow. The customer terminal 30 launches an application to implement the charging service system 1 at the operation of employee D1 (step 701). Next, the customer terminal 30 reads the two-dimensional code 42 installed on the charging equipment 40 at the operation of employee D1 (step 702). Next, the customer terminal 30 outputs the two-dimensional code information read from the two-dimensional code 42 with user information added at the operation of employee D1 (step 703). User information refers to information about the user using the charging service. For example, user information refers to information about employee D who uses the customer terminal 30. For example, it refers to information about employees D1 to Dn managed by customer company C1. Also, for example, it refers to information about visitor F. User information is stored in the management server 10 in association with the parent account.

[0042] After step 703, the customer terminal 30 determines whether or not it has acquired vehicle information within a predetermined time (step 704). Vehicle information refers to information about electric vehicles 2 related to the charging service. For example, it is information about electric vehicles 2-1 to 2-n managed by customer company C1. For example, the vehicle information is associated with each employee D1 to Dn and stored in the management server 10.

[0043] If the customer terminal 30 acquires vehicle information within a predetermined time (YES in step 704), the customer terminal 30 accepts the selection of vehicle information from employee D1 (step 706). At this time, one vehicle information may be selected from multiple vehicle information. The accepted vehicle information is then output (step 707). Subsequently, the customer terminal 30 accepts the input of a specified time from employee D1. The customer terminal 30 then accepts an instruction from employee D1 to start charging electric vehicle 2 and outputs charging start information along with the specified time (step 708). The customer terminal 30 then accepts an instruction from employee D1 to end charging electric vehicle 2 and outputs charging end information (step 709). In some cases, charging end information may be output as the specified time elapses. If the customer terminal 30 does not acquire vehicle information within a predetermined time (NO in step 704), the process from step 708 is executed.

[0044] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing flow on the management server 10 side when an employee of referral agency B uses the charging service. First, login information for realizing the charging service is obtained from the referral agency terminal 20 (step 801). After obtaining the login information in step 801, the management server 10 identifies the parent account corresponding to the obtained login information (step 802). Then, the management server 10 identifies the child account corresponding to the parent account (step 803), and based on the output destination information attached to the login information, outputs the information related to the parent account and the information related to the child account to the referral agency terminal 20 (step 804). As a result, the employee of referral agency B can check the information related to the parent account and the information related to the child account through the referral agency terminal 20. Note that if there is no parent account corresponding to the login information, the charging service cannot be used.

[0045] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the management server 10 when an electric vehicle is charged at a charging facility. First, the management server 10 obtains two-dimensional code information and user information from the customer terminal 30, etc., through an operation by employee D, etc. (step 901). Then, the management server 10 determines whether or not there is a parent account corresponding to the user information (step 902). If there is a parent account corresponding to the user information, the management server 10 identifies the parent account corresponding to the user information (step 903). For example, if employee D1 is identified from the user information, customer company C1 is identified as the parent account corresponding to employee D1. Next, the charging facility corresponding to the two-dimensional code information is identified (step 904). For example, if information on a two-dimensional code 42 installed on a charging facility 40 managed by customer company C1 is obtained, customer company C1's charging facility 40 is identified. Next, the parent account corresponding to the charging facility is identified (step 905). For example, if customer company C1's charging facility 40 is identified, customer company C1 is identified as the parent account corresponding to customer company C1's charging facility 40.

[0046] Then, it is determined whether the parent account corresponding to the charging equipment matches the parent account corresponding to the user information (step 906). If the parent account corresponding to the charging equipment matches the parent account corresponding to the user information (YES in step 906), it is determined that the use is by an employee of the company (step 907). For example, consider the case where employee D1 of customer company C1 charges using customer company C1's charging equipment 40. In this case, the parent account corresponding to the employee of customer company C1 is customer company C1, and the parent account corresponding to customer company C1's charging equipment 40 is customer company C1, so the parent accounts match. In this case, it is determined that the use is by an employee of the company, charging an electric vehicle owned by the company at a charging facility located in the company's own facility.

[0047] Next, the management server 10 outputs the electric vehicle corresponding to the user information (step 908). For example, if employee D1 is identified, it outputs electric vehicle 2-1 corresponding to employee D1. Then, it determines whether or not it has obtained charging start information from the customer terminal 30 (step 909). If it has obtained charging start information from the customer terminal 30 (YES in step 909), it starts charging the electric vehicle at the identified charging facility (step 910). If it has not obtained charging start information from the customer terminal 30 (NO in step 909), it repeats the process in step 909.

[0048] Next, the management server 10 determines whether or not it has obtained charging completion information from the customer terminal 30 (step 911). If charging completion information has been obtained (YES in step 911), it terminates charging of the electric vehicle in the charging facility (step 912). If charging completion information has not been obtained (NO in step 911), the process in step 911 is repeated.

[0049] Then, the charging time is calculated from the acquired charging start information and charging end information (step 913). For example, the charging time is calculated by subtracting the charging start time obtained from the charging start information and the charging end time obtained from the charging end information.

[0050] Then, the amount of charge used by the charging equipment is calculated from the calculated charging time (step 914). For example, the amount of charge used by the charging equipment is obtained by multiplying the amount of electricity per unit time at facility E by the charging time.

[0051] Then, the charging record is updated using the collected charging usage (step 915). The charging record refers to the status of charging usage. For example, consider the case where employee D1 of customer company C1 charges at customer company C1's charging facility 40. In this case, among the information related to customer company C1's facilities, the charging usage amount for customer company C1's employees at customer company C1's charging facility 40 is updated. In addition, among the information related to the child account, the charging usage amount for employee D1 at the company's facilities is updated. Furthermore, among the information related to the child account, the charging usage amount for the electric vehicle corresponding to employee D1 is updated.

[0052] If the parent account corresponding to the charging equipment does not match the parent account corresponding to the user information (NO in step 906), it is determined that the facility is being used by another company (step 916). For example, consider a case where an employee of customer company C2 charges their vehicle at charging equipment 40 of customer company C1. In this case, the parent account corresponding to the employee of customer company C2 is customer company C2, and the parent account corresponding to charging equipment 40 is customer company C1, so the parent accounts do not match. In this case, it is determined that the vehicle is being charged at charging equipment located at another company's facility by an employee of the company using the charging service, and the process from step 908 onwards is executed.

[0053] If it is determined that the user is using another company's facility, the charging history described in step 915 will be updated, for example, the amount of charging used by an employee of another company at customer company C1's charging facility 40. In addition, the information related to the sub-account, such as the amount of charging used by employee D2 at another company's facility, will be updated. In addition, the information related to the sub-account, such as the amount of charging used by the electric vehicle corresponding to employee D2, will be updated.

[0054] Then, if there is no parent account corresponding to the user information (NO in step 902), it is determined to be general use (step 917). For example, consider a case where visitor F, who is not using the charging service, charges their vehicle at customer company C1's charging facility 40. In this case, since visitor F is not using the charging service, there is no parent account corresponding to visitor F. In this case, it is determined to be general use, where a visitor who is not using the charging service charges their own electric vehicle at a charging facility located at another company's facility.

[0055] If it is determined to be general use, the charging record described in step 915 will be updated, for example, the amount of charging used by employees of other companies at customer company C1's charging facility 40.

[0056] Figures 10(a) to 10(d) illustrate the display screens of the customer terminal 30 when employee D1 uses the charging service. Figure 10(a) is the display screen when the application on the customer terminal 30 is launched. Figure 10(b) is the display screen when vehicle information is acquired. Figure 10(c) is the display screen before charging of the electric vehicle 2 begins. Figure 10(d) is the display screen while the electric vehicle 2 is being charged. Figure 10(e) is the display screen when charging of the electric vehicle 2 is completed.

[0057] Figure 10(a) shows the reading instruction information 401, which instructs the user to read the two-dimensional code. In Figure 10(a), the reading instruction information 401 is displayed as "Read the two-dimensional code". If the user presses the reading instruction information 401, for example, the user information and the two-dimensional code information are output to the management server 10. Then, the process of the management server 10 described in Figure 9 is executed, and the screen shown in Figure 10(b) is displayed.

[0058] Figure 10(b) shows the vehicle information 402 corresponding to employee D1. For example, in Figure 10(b), "Shinagawa 000 n 0000" is displayed as the vehicle information 402. Also in Figure 10(b), a condition confirmation button 403 for confirming the vehicle information 402 is displayed. If, for example, vehicle information 402 is selected and the condition confirmation button 403 is pressed, the process of the management server 10 described in Figure 9 is executed, and the screen shown in Figure 10(c) appears.

[0059] Figure 10(c) shows facility name 404, which is the name of facility E related to the charging service. Here, facility name 404 is displayed as "XYZ Building Parking Lot". Facility E indicated by facility name 404 is facility E related to employee D1. For example, it could be a facility managed by customer company C1 or a facility at employee D1's business location. Also in Figure 10(c), a charging start button 405 is displayed, which is a button to start charging the electric vehicle 2. For example, when the charging start button 405 is pressed, the process of the management server 10 described in Figure 9 is executed, charging of the electric vehicle 2 begins, and the screen shown in Figure 10(d) appears.

[0060] Figure 10(d) shows the facility name 404. Also in Figure 10(d), the remaining time information 406, which indicates the remaining charging time, is displayed. In Figure 10(d), the remaining time information 406 is displayed as "0 hours 30 minutes 12 seconds". Also in Figure 10(d), the charging stop button 407, which is used to end charging, is displayed. When the charging stop button 407 is pressed, charging of the electric vehicle 2 ends, and the screen shown in Figure 10(e) is displayed. The screen shown in Figure 10(e) is also displayed when the remaining time display becomes 0.

[0061] Figure 10(e) displays the charging fee 408, which is calculated based on the charging time. For example, the charging fee 408 is displayed as "1,000 yen (tax included)". Figure 10(e) also displays an exit button 409 for closing the application. For example, pressing the exit button 409 will close the application related to the charging service.

[0062] Figures 11 to 15 show examples of the display screens shown on the referral agent terminal 20 when referral agent B uses the charging service. Figure 11 is the display screen 550 of the facility's charging history. Charging history refers to the usage status of the charging service, and facility charging history refers to the usage status of the charging equipment 40 installed at facility E. Facility charging history is an example of the service usage status of the parent account.

[0063] Figure 11 shows the charging history 510, which allows users to select each charging history. The charging history 510 displays the facility's charging history 511, the vehicle's charging history 512, and the user's charging history 513. Note that the facility is an example of facility E, the vehicle is an example of electric vehicle 2, and the user is an example of employee D. Figure 11 shows the screen when facility's charging history 511 is selected.

[0064] Furthermore, Figure 11 displays settlement information 520, which is a display for selecting information to settle the charges for using the charging service. Pressing settlement information 520 will display information regarding the refund of electricity charges, as explained in Figures 3 and 4. Alternatively, pressing settlement information 520 may display the service charge, usage charge, and agreed-upon charge.

[0065] Furthermore, Figure 11 displays facility information 530, which is information for selecting information related to facility E. For example, pressing the basic information in facility information 530 will display information such as the name and location of facility E, and the number of charging equipment 40 installed at facility E.

[0066] Figure 11 also shows management information 540, which manages information about child accounts corresponding to parent accounts. Management information 540 includes vehicle management 541, which manages vehicle information. Management information also includes user management 542, which manages information about employee D.

[0067] Furthermore, Figure 11 displays the customer name 551, which is the name of customer company C1. Also in Figure 11, the usage status 552 of the charging equipment 40 installed at facility E managed by customer company C1 is displayed. The usage status 552 of the charging equipment 40 displays the sum of the usage values ​​calculated within a predetermined period. As explained in Figure 9, the usage status 552 of the charging equipment 40 is updated in real time when charging is performed at the charging equipment 40.

[0068] Figure 11 shows the usage status of the charging equipment 40, 552a and 552b, including other usage statuses. Company employee usage refers to the use of the charging equipment located at the company's facilities by the company's employees to charge electric vehicles owned by the company, as explained in Figure 9. Other usage refers to usage other than that by the company's employees, such as general use and use at other companies' facilities, as explained in Figure 9.

[0069] Figure 11 shows the charge usage amount 553 of the charging facility 40 for other uses, as "Other Usage Status 552a". The charge usage amount 553 of the charging facility 40 for other uses is the amount of charge the electric vehicle 2 received at the charging facility 40 for other uses. Also shown as "Other Usage Status 552a" is the number of times the charging facility 40 for other uses was used, 555. The number of times the charging facility 40 for other uses was used, 555, is the number of times the charging facility 40 for other uses performed charging. Finally, also shown as "Other Usage Status 552a" is the settlement amount 556 for the charging facility 40 for other uses. The settlement amount 556 is the value used to settle the cost of charging the electric vehicle 2 for those who used the facility for other purposes.

[0070] Furthermore, Figure 11 shows the usage status 552b for use by company employees, which includes the amount of charge used by company employees for the charging equipment 40, 557. The amount of charge used by company employees for the charging equipment 40, 557, represents the amount of charge added to the electric vehicle 2 using the charging equipment 40 by company employees. Additionally, the usage status 552b for use by company employees also shows the number of times the charging equipment 40 has been used by company employees, 559.

[0071] Figure 12 shows the display screen 560 for the vehicle's charging history. The vehicle's charging history refers to the charging usage status of electric vehicle 2, which corresponds to the parent account. The charging usage status of electric vehicle 2 is an example of service usage status. Figure 12 shows the screen when vehicle charging history 512 is selected. Note that explanations for configurations similar to those in Figure 11 may be omitted.

[0072] Figure 12 displays the vehicle name 561, which is the name of electric vehicle 2-1 managed by customer company C1. Figure 12 also displays the usage status 562 of electric vehicle 2-1 managed by customer company C1. The usage status 562 of electric vehicle 2-1 displays the sum of usage values ​​calculated within a predetermined period. As explained in Figure 9, the usage status 562 of electric vehicle 2-1 is updated in real time when electric vehicle 2-1 is charged. Note that by selecting vehicle name 561, other electric vehicles 2 corresponding to customer company C1's parent account can be selected. The usage status 562 of electric vehicle 2-1 is sometimes referred to as the electric vehicle usage status 562.

[0073] Figure 12 shows the usage status of electric vehicles 562, including usage status 562a for use at other companies' facilities and usage status 562b for use at our own facilities. Use at our own facilities refers to use by our own employees, as explained in Figure 9, for example, when our own employees charge electric vehicles owned by our company at charging equipment located at our own facilities. Use at other companies' facilities refers to use at other companies' facilities, as explained in Figure 9.

[0074] Figure 12 shows the usage status of facilities used by other companies 562a, which includes the amount of charge used for electric vehicle 2 at facilities used by other companies 563. The amount of charge used for electric vehicle 2 at facilities used by other companies 563 is the amount of charge taken for electric vehicle 2 at facilities used by other companies. Also, under the usage status of facilities used by other companies 562a, the number of times the charging equipment 40 was used at facilities used by other companies 565 is shown. The number of times the charging equipment 40 was used at facilities used by other companies 565 is the number of times electric vehicle 2 was charged at facilities used by other companies.

[0075] Figure 12 shows the usage status of the company's facilities 562b, which includes the amount of charge used for electric vehicle 2 at the company's facilities 566. The amount of charge used for electric vehicle 2 at the company's facilities 566 represents the amount of charge taken for electric vehicle 2 at the company's facilities. Also, under the usage status of the company's facilities 562b, the number of times the charging equipment 40 was used at the company's facilities 568 represents the number of times the electric vehicle 2 was charged at the company's facilities.

[0076] Figure 12 also displays the charging history 569 for electric vehicle 2. The contents of the charging history 569 are displayed in a table. The columns of the table show the user who used electric vehicle 2, the vehicle used by the user, the date and time of charging, and the amount of charge. The rows of the table show the contents of the items indicated in the columns. The user who used electric vehicle 2 is employee D as an example.

[0077] In the table for charging history 569, the usernames "△△△△△" and "◇◇◇◇◇" are displayed. The vehicle used by username "△△△△△" is "Shinagawa 000 n 0000", which is the same vehicle used by username "◇◇◇◇◇". Thus, even if charging is performed by the same electric vehicle 2 by different users, the charging history of electric vehicle 2 is updated for each electric vehicle 2.

[0078] Figure 13 shows the display screen 570 which displays vehicle information. Figure 13 shows the vehicle information table 571 and the new vehicle registration / deletion button 572. The vehicle information table 571 is a table of vehicle information corresponding to the parent account. The new vehicle registration button 572 is a button for adding new vehicle information. The columns of the vehicle information table 571 display the vehicle number and model. The rows of the vehicle information table 571 display the content corresponding to the column. For example, the vehicle numbers displayed are "Shinagawa 000 n 0000", "Yokohama 000 A 0000", and "Itabashi 000 K 0000". When an employee of referral agency B presses the new vehicle registration button 572 and adds the information displayed in the columns of the vehicle information table 571, the new vehicle information is added to the vehicle information table 571. In this way, the management server 10 manages different vehicle information as sub-accounts, and employees of referral agency B can access this information by logging into the parent account corresponding to the sub-account using the referral agency terminal 20.

[0079] Figure 14 shows the user charging history display screen 580. The user charging history refers to the charging usage by employee D, which corresponds to the parent account. Employee D's charging usage is an example of service usage. Figure 14 shows the screen when user charging history 513 is selected. Note that explanations for configurations similar to those in Figure 11 may be omitted.

[0080] Figure 14 displays the username 581, which is the name of employee D1 managed by customer company C1. Figure 14 also displays the usage status 582 for employee D1 managed by customer company C1. The usage status 582 for employee D1 displays the sum of usage values ​​calculated within a predetermined period. By selecting username 581, it is possible to select other employees D corresponding to the parent account of customer company C1. As explained in Figure 9, the usage status 582 for employee D1 is updated in real time when charging is performed on the electric vehicle 2.

[0081] Figure 14 shows employee D1's usage status 582, including usage status 582a for use at other companies' facilities and usage status 582b for use at our own company's facilities. Use at our own company's facilities refers to use by our own employees, as explained in Figure 9, for example, when our own employees charge electric vehicles owned by our company at charging equipment located at our company's facilities. Use at other companies' facilities refers to use at other companies' facilities, as explained in Figure 9.

[0082] Figure 14 shows the usage status of facilities used by other companies, 582a, which includes the amount of charge used by employee D1 at facilities used by other companies, 583. The amount of charge used by employee D1 at facilities used by other companies, 583, represents the amount of charge used by employee D1's electric vehicle 2 at facilities used by other companies. Also, under the usage status of facilities used by other companies, 582a, the number of times the charging equipment 40 was used at facilities used by other companies, 585. The number of times the charging equipment 40 was used at facilities used by other companies, 585, represents the number of times the electric vehicle 2 of employee D1 was charged at facilities used by other companies.

[0083] Figure 14 shows the usage status of the company's facilities, 582b, which includes the amount of charging used by employee D1 at the company's facilities, 586. This amount of charging used by employee D1 at the company's facilities, 586, represents the amount of charging done to employee D1's electric vehicle 2 at the company's facilities. Also, under the usage status of the company's facilities, 582b, the number of times the charging equipment 40 was used at the company's facilities, 588, is shown. This represents the number of times the electric vehicle 2 was charged by employee D1 at the company's facilities.

[0084] Figure 14 also displays the charging history 589, which shows the history of users who have charged electric vehicle 2. The contents of charging history 589 are displayed in a table. The columns of the table show the user who used electric vehicle 2, the vehicle used by the user, the date and time of charging, and the amount of charge. The rows of the table show the contents of the items indicated in the columns. One example of a user who used electric vehicle 2 is employee D.

[0085] In the table for charging history 589, the username "△△△△△" is displayed. The vehicles used are displayed as "Shinagawa 000 n 0000" and "Yokohama 000 A 0000". Thus, even when the same user charges two different electric vehicles, the user's charging history is updated for each user.

[0086] Figure 15 shows the display screen 590 that displays user information. The user information table 591 is a table of user information corresponding to the parent account. The columns of the user information table 591 display the username, email address, and available vehicles. The rows of the user information table 591 display the content corresponding to the columns. For example, the email address is displayed as "△△△△△@abc.com" and the username as "△△△△△". Also, the available vehicles are displayed as "Shinagawa 000 n 0000, Yokohama 000 A 0000". In this way, the management server 10 manages different user information as child accounts, and employees of referral agency B can be identified by logging into the parent account corresponding to the child account using the referral agency terminal 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10...Management server, 20...User terminals, 30...Referral agent terminals, 40...Charging equipment

Claims

1. It has a processor, The aforementioned processor, It is stored on the server of the service provider for electric vehicle charging, We obtain referral agent information, which is information about referral agents that introduce the aforementioned service to customers who receive the service. Customer information, which is information that identifies the aforementioned customer, is obtained from the terminal of the referral agency and / or the terminal of the said customer. The information of the parent account, which associates the aforementioned referral agent information with the aforementioned customer information, is obtained by receiving input from the service provider. Based on instructions from the aforementioned referral agency, information for one or more child accounts corresponding to the information of the parent account is created, The information of the aforementioned sub-account is information that the customer uses to access the service. The customer's terminal, which corresponds to the information of the sub-account, displays a message indicating that it accepts an instruction to start charging the electric vehicle. Upon receiving a charging start instruction from the customer, the system acquires charging start information from the customer's terminal. The service of charging the customer's electric vehicle is provided to the customer without going through the referral agent. From the information obtained through the use of the electric vehicle's charging corresponding to the information of the sub-account, information regarding the services provided to the customer is obtained. An electric vehicle charging service system that displays information regarding the services provided to the customer on the terminal of the referring company.

2. The aforementioned customer is a customer whose usage status of the aforementioned service is managed by the aforementioned referral agency. From the information obtained through the use of the electric vehicle's charging corresponding to the information of the sub-account, the information regarding the services provided to the customer managed by the referral agent is obtained. The electric vehicle charging service system according to claim 1, which provides the referral agent with information regarding the services it has obtained.

3. The electric vehicle charging service system according to claim 2, wherein the information regarding the service provided to the referral agent is information obtained from the server, and is information for the referral agent to grasp the usage fee for the service to the customer.

4. The electric vehicle charging service system according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the service is the usage status of the parent account for the service related to the information of the child account obtained from the usage status of the child account for the service.

5. The electric vehicle charging service system according to claim 4, wherein the usage status of the service of the parent account is information obtained from the charge amount of electric vehicles associated with one or more child accounts.

6. The electric vehicle charging service system according to claim 5, wherein the usage status of one or more parent accounts of the service is information for the provider of the service to understand the usage fees for the service related to the use by the service referral agent.

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