Processing device, processing method, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides a processing device (10) having: a transportation task acquisition unit (11) which acquires transportation tasks carried out by a plurality of transportation vehicles; a requisite power calculation unit (12) which calculates the requisite power for each transportation task, the requisite power being the amount of power that would be required if a prescribed electric vehicle is used to carry out the transportation task; and a number of vehicles calculation unit (13) which calculates the number of transportation vehicles that can be replaced by the prescribed electric vehicle, said calculation being made on the basis of the requisite power of each transportation task.

Description

Processing device, processing method, and recording medium

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device, a processing method, and a recording medium.

[0002] Techniques related to the present invention are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining a delivery route for each electric vehicle based on a predicted amount of discharge when traveling along each of a plurality of delivery routes.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for selecting a delivery route and an electric vehicle based on the delivery location, delivery time, package information for delivery, and remaining battery power of a plurality of electric vehicles.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for calculating the cruising range of an electric vehicle based on the electricity cost for each processing section.

[0006] Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for estimating the electricity consumption of an electric vehicle by taking into consideration the load of the electric vehicle, the operating state of the air conditioning system, the driving habits of the driver, weather conditions, and the congestion status of the driving route.

[0007] International Publication No. 2020 / 241002 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-055976 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-212649 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-86430

[0008] In recent years, the spread of electric vehicles is expected, and it is also expected that diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles will be replaced by electric vehicles in the transportation of people and goods.

[0009] In transportation operations, a specific transportation target is transported based on a predetermined transportation plan. The transportation plan may include, for example, the transportation destination, the transportation order, and a time schedule. If an electric vehicle could perform transportation with the same content as a transportation plan when a diesel or gasoline vehicle was used, it would be easier to replace a diesel or gasoline vehicle with an electric vehicle. However, diesel or gasoline vehicles have different characteristics from electric vehicles (fuel efficiency / electricity efficiency, cruising range with a full tank of fuel / fully charged, etc.). For this reason, situations may arise in which an electric vehicle cannot perform transportation that a diesel or gasoline vehicle could perform.

[0010] For transportation companies that use transportation vehicles, it is not easy to determine whether electric vehicles can perform transportation operations similar to those planned when diesel or gasoline vehicles were used. Furthermore, transportation companies typically use multiple transportation vehicles. Making the above-mentioned determination for each of these multiple transportation vehicles requires a great deal of time and effort. Therefore, a technology that supports the replacement of transportation vehicles with electric vehicles is desired.

[0011] The technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are technologies for determining delivery routes for each electric vehicle, i.e., technologies used after the introduction of electric vehicles. The technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot assist in replacing transport vehicles with electric vehicles.

[0012] Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose calculating the cruising distance and electricity consumption of an electric vehicle, but do not disclose specific details of assistance in replacing transportation vehicles with electric vehicles.

[0013] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an example of an object of the present invention is to provide a processing device, a processing method, and a recording medium that solve the problem of supporting the replacement of transportation vehicles with electric vehicles.

[0014] According to the present invention, a processing device is provided that has: a transport content acquisition means for acquiring transport content performed by each of a plurality of transport vehicles; a required power amount calculation means for calculating, for each transport content, the required amount of power required when performing the transport content using a specified electric vehicle; and a number calculation means for calculating, based on the required amount of power for each transport content, the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a processing method is provided in which one or more computers acquire the transport content performed by each of a plurality of transport vehicles, calculate the required amount of power for each transport content, which is the amount of power required to perform the transport content using a specified electric vehicle, and calculate the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle based on the required amount of power for each transport content.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer to function as: a transport content acquisition means for acquiring transport content performed by each of a plurality of transport vehicles; a required power amount calculation means for calculating, for each transport content, the required amount of power that is the amount of power required when performing the transport content using a specified electric vehicle; and a number calculation means for calculating, based on the required amount of power for each transport content, the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, a processing device, a processing method, and a recording medium are provided that solve the problem of assisting in replacing transportation vehicles with electric vehicles.

[0018] The above-mentioned objects, as well as other objects, features, and advantages, will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0019] 1 is an example of a functional block diagram of a processing device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a processing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information processed by a processing device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information processed by a processing device. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process for calculating a required amount of power. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a criterion for a determination process executed by a processing device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of a processing device. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen output by a processing device. FIG. 9 is another example of a functional block diagram of a processing device.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0021] 1 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of a processing device 10 according to a first embodiment. The processing device 10 includes a transportation content acquisition unit 11, a required energy calculation unit 12, and a number calculation unit 13.

[0022] The transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires transport content performed by each of the multiple transport vehicles. The required power calculation unit 12 calculates, for each transport content, the required power amount, which is the amount of power required to perform the transport content using a specified electric vehicle. The number calculation unit 13 calculates the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle based on the required power amount for each transport content.

[0023] In this way, the processing device 10 determines how many of the transport vehicles owned by the company can be replaced with electric vehicles based on the transport activities that the transport vehicles have performed up until that point. The processing device 10 solves the problem of providing support for replacing transport vehicles with electric vehicles.

[0024] Second Embodiment Overview The processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is a specific embodiment of the processing apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. The processing apparatus 10 is outlined below.

[0025] The processing device 10 acquires transport operations previously performed by each of multiple transport vehicles that are candidates for replacement with electric vehicles. The processing device 10 then calculates, through a predetermined simulation, the amount of power required to perform each of the transport operations using a predetermined electric vehicle. The processing device 10 then determines that a transport vehicle (a transport vehicle that performed the transport operation) related to a transport operation for which the calculated amount of power required satisfies a predetermined condition can be replaced with a predetermined electric vehicle. The processing device 10 integrates the results of this determination to calculate the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with a predetermined electric vehicle. This is described in detail below.

[0026] "Hardware Configuration" Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the processing device 10 will be described. Each functional unit of the processing device 10 is realized by any combination of hardware and software, centered around a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of any computer, memory, programs loaded into the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk that stores the programs (which can store programs pre-loaded at the time the device is shipped, as well as programs downloaded from storage media such as CDs (Compact Discs) or servers on the Internet), and a network connection interface. Those skilled in the art will understand that there are many variations in the implementation methods and devices.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a processing device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the processing device 10 has a processor 1A, a memory 2A, an input / output interface 3A, a peripheral circuit 4A, and a bus 5A. The peripheral circuit 4A includes various modules. The processing device 10 does not necessarily have to have the peripheral circuit 4A. Note that the processing device 10 may be composed of multiple devices that are physically and / or logically separated. In this case, each of the multiple devices may have the above hardware configuration.

[0028] The bus 5A is a data transmission path for the processor 1A, memory 2A, peripheral circuit 4A, and input / output interface 3A to transmit and receive data to and from each other. The processor 1A is, for example, a processing unit such as a CPU or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The memory 2A is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). The input / output interface 3A includes an interface for acquiring information from an input device, an external device, an external server, an external sensor, a camera, etc., and an interface for outputting information to an output device, an external device, an external server, etc. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, physical buttons, a touch panel, etc. Examples of output devices include a display, a speaker, a printer, a mailer, etc. The processor 1A can issue commands to each module and perform calculations based on the results of those calculations.

[0029] "Functional Configuration" Next, the functional configuration of the processing device 10 will be described. Fig. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the processing device 10. As shown in the figure, the processing device 10 has a transportation content acquisition unit 11, a required power amount calculation unit 12, and a number calculation unit 13.

[0030] The transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires the transport content performed by each of the multiple transport vehicles.

[0031] A "transport vehicle" is a vehicle used for transport operations and is a candidate for replacement with a specified electric vehicle. Examples of a transport vehicle are diesel vehicles and gasoline vehicles. In this case, the user can receive support for replacing the diesel vehicle or gasoline vehicle with the specified electric vehicle. As another example, the transport vehicle may be an electric vehicle. In this case, the user can receive support for replacing the electric vehicle that they have been using until now with the specified new electric vehicle. There are no particular restrictions on the type of transport vehicle, and it includes all types of vehicles, such as extra-large vehicles, large vehicles, medium-sized vehicles, standard vehicles, light vehicles, and motorcycles.

[0032] An "electric vehicle" is a vehicle that runs using electrical energy as a power source. Examples of electric vehicles include, but are not limited to, electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars, hybrid cars, and fuel cell cars. There are no particular restrictions on the type of electric vehicle, and it includes all types of vehicles, such as extra-large cars, large cars, medium-sized cars, standard cars, light cars, and motorcycles.

[0033] The "predetermined electric vehicle" is an electric vehicle that is scheduled to be introduced. The predetermined electric vehicle has a specified type, model, manufacturer, etc. of the electric vehicle.

[0034] "Transportation details" indicates the destination, the order of transport, and the weight of the object being transported. The object being transported can be goods or people. Examples of operations in which the object being transported is goods include, but are not limited to, home delivery operations, route delivery operations that deliver goods to stores such as convenience stores and supermarkets, transportation operations that transport goods between multiple bases of a transport company, and moving operations. Examples of operations in which the object being transported is people include bus operation operations. The destination can be a private home, a company, a store, a bus stop, etc. Transportation is a concept that includes delivery and collection of the object being transported. The weight of the object being transported indicated by the transportation details may be the individual weight of each object being transported, or the total weight of multiple objects being transported.

[0035] The transport content acquisition unit 11 may acquire a transport plan indicating the transport content. Alternatively, the transport content acquisition unit 11 may acquire a transport record indicating the transport content.

[0036] The "transportation plan" is a plan of the transport content to be carried out by each transport vehicle. The workers visit the destinations in the order defined in this transportation plan and transport the transport objects.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows an example of a transportation plan. The transportation plan shown is a plan for a home delivery service in which items are transported to multiple destinations. The transportation plan shown is a plan for a transportation service on November 19, 2021. In FIG. 3, plan identification information, vehicle identification information, and transportation information (plan) are linked to each other. Note that the transportation plan may also include other information such as weather information (forecast or actual results) for the day.

[0038] "Plan identification information" is information that identifies multiple transportation plans from one another. "Vehicle identification information" is information that identifies multiple transportation vehicles from one another. Each piece of plan identification information is linked to the vehicle identification information of the transportation vehicle assigned to each transportation plan. "Transportation information (plan)" includes the order, transportation destination, classification, and cargo weight. Note that the transportation information (plan) may also include other information. For example, it may include the arrival time at the transportation destination, the start time of transportation, and the end time of transportation.

[0039] "Order" indicates the order of transportation. "Destination" indicates the name and address of the party to whom the package will be delivered or the party to whom the package will be collected. "Classification" indicates the type of work, i.e., delivery or collection. "Package weight" indicates the weight of the package to be delivered to the delivery destination or collected at the collection destination.

[0040] Next, "transportation results" indicates the actual transport content performed by each transport vehicle. Figure 4 shows an example of the transport results. The transport results shown in the figure are results for a home delivery service in which goods are transported to multiple destinations. The transport results shown in the figure are results for a transport service on November 19, 2021. In Figure 4, plan identification information, vehicle identification information, and transport information (results) are linked to each other. Note that the transport results may also include other information such as weather information (forecast or results) for the day.

[0041] The "plan identification information" and the "vehicle identification information" are as described above. The "transportation information (actual results)" includes the order, the section, the travel distance, and the weight. Note that the transportation information (actual results) may also include other information.

[0042] "Order" indicates the order of travel. "Section" indicates the section traveled. For example, the first section is the route from the starting point to the first destination, and the next section is the route from there to the next destination. "Distance traveled" indicates the distance traveled in each section. "Weight" indicates the total weight (load) of the transport object being transported by the transport vehicle while traveling in each section.

[0043] Such transportation records may be generated based on sensors (weight sensors, GPS (global positioning system), cameras, etc.) mounted on the vehicle. For example, the travel distance may be realized by detecting the travel trajectory using a GPS and calculating the distance of the travel trajectory. Furthermore, the weight may be realized by measuring using a weight sensor mounted on the vehicle. Alternatively, if the transportation vehicle is a bus, the number of passengers may be detected using a camera, and the weight may be calculated by multiplying the number of passengers by the weight of an average person. In this case, the attributes of the passengers (adult male, adult female, child, elderly, etc.) may be further identified using image analysis, and the number of people with each attribute may be multiplied by the average weight of each attribute, and the sum of the calculated values ​​may be calculated as the weight.

[0044] The means by which the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires the transport plan or transport record indicating the transport content as described above is not particularly limited. For example, a user may input data on the transport plan or transport record indicating the transport content as described above into the processing device 10. Alternatively, past data on the transport plan or transport record indicating the transport content as described above may be stored in advance in a predetermined storage device. The storage device may be provided within the processing device 10, or may be provided in an external device configured to be able to communicate with the processing device 10. Then, the transport content acquisition unit 11 may acquire data on the transport plan or transport record indicating the transport content as described above from the storage device.

[0045] The transport content acquisition unit 11 may acquire one transport content linked to one transport vehicle, or may acquire multiple transport contents. One transport content indicates the transport content for a certain day. Multiple transport contents indicate the transport contents for each of multiple days. In the latter case, for example, the transport content acquisition unit 11 may acquire transport contents within a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent month, the most recent six months, etc.). When acquiring transport contents from a storage device as described above, for example, the user may specify whether to acquire one transport content linked to one transport vehicle or multiple transport contents. If the user specifies to acquire multiple transport contents, the user may further specify a predetermined period (e.g., January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021). The transport content acquisition unit 11 may then acquire transport contents within the specified predetermined period from the storage device.

[0046] Returning to Figure 1, the required energy calculation unit 12 calculates the required energy amount, which is the amount of energy [kWh] required to carry out the transportation content acquired by the transportation content acquisition unit 11 using a specified electric vehicle, for each transportation content.

[0047] When the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires one transport content linked to one transport vehicle, the required energy calculation unit 12 calculates the required energy required to execute the transport content. When the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires multiple transport contents linked to one transport vehicle, the required energy calculation unit 12 calculates the required energy required to execute each transport content for each transport content.

[0048] There are various methods for calculating the required amount of power, but one example will be described below.

[0049] For example, the required energy calculation unit 12 identifies a travel route based on the transportation content, and calculates the speed, speed gradient, etc. of the electric vehicle traveling along that travel route. The speed can be determined based on the legal speed limit at each location. The speed gradient can be determined according to road conditions (straight lines, curves, sharp curves, etc.). The legal speed limit and road conditions at each location are indicated by map data. Next, the required energy calculation unit 12 calculates the energy required to perform the transportation content based on the calculation results. Means for calculating the energy required for traveling from the vehicle speed and speed gradient are widely known, so a description thereof will be omitted here. The required energy calculation unit 12 then converts the calculated energy into electric energy (required electric energy).

[0050] As another example, the required electricity calculation unit 12 may calculate the electricity cost [km / kWh] when the transportation content is carried out using a specified electric vehicle based on the transportation content acquired by the transportation content acquisition unit 11, and calculate the required electricity amount by dividing the travel distance indicated in the transportation content by the electricity cost.

[0051] Incidentally, electricity cost may vary depending on the load and road conditions. Therefore, the required energy calculation unit 12 may divide the transportation route into multiple sections and calculate the electricity cost and distance for each section, as shown in Fig. 5. The required energy calculation unit 12 may then calculate the amount of electricity required for each section by dividing the travel distance for each section by the electricity cost, and then add these values ​​together to calculate the required energy.

[0052] There are various ways to divide multiple sections, but for example, one section may be from the departure point to the first destination, another section may be from one destination to the next destination, and another section may be from the last destination to the arrival point.

[0053] The electricity consumption for each section is determined by taking into consideration the load capacity of each section, information about the route that will be taken on each section (road pavement condition, predicted road congestion, road inclination, radius of curvature of curves on the route, number of right and left turns on the route, etc.), weather conditions on the day (weather, temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc.), vehicle type, air resistance depending on the vehicle type, manufacturer, power consumption due to bodywork, etc. Information about the route that will be taken on each section is determined based on map data. The map data shows the pavement condition, general congestion, inclination, radius of curvature of curves, etc. at each location.

[0054] A reference table may be created in advance in which the electricity cost when each condition is satisfied is registered for each condition generated by connecting these items with logical operators, and the table may be registered in the processing device 10. Then, the required energy calculation unit 12 may specify the electricity cost of each section based on the condition satisfied by each section. The condition may be, for example, "load capacity: W １ [kg] or more, and the weather is sunny, and the temperature is between 15°C and 25°C, and..."

[0055] Alternatively, an arithmetic formula for calculating the electricity cost when the values ​​of the above items are input may be generated in advance and registered in the processing device 10. The required energy calculation unit 12 may then input the values ​​of the above items into the arithmetic formula for each section to identify the electricity cost for each section.

[0056] Alternatively, a learning model that estimates electricity consumption from a combination of values ​​of the plurality of items may be generated by machine learning based on training data that associates combinations of values ​​of the plurality of items with electricity consumption when the plurality of items take those values. The required energy calculation unit 12 may then input the values ​​of the items for each section into the learning model to identify the electricity consumption for each section.

[0057] The distance of each section may be calculated based on map data, for example. For example, a route for transportation according to the transportation plan may be calculated by any means, and the distance traveled along that route may be calculated based on the map data. Furthermore, if the distance of each section (the actual travel distance of the transportation vehicle) is indicated in the transportation record described above, that information may be used.

[0058] 1 , the number calculation unit 13 calculates the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with a predetermined electric vehicle based on the amount of power required for each transport content. Specifically, the number calculation unit 13 determines for each transport vehicle whether or not it can be replaced with a predetermined electric vehicle based on the amount of power required for the transport content performed by each transport vehicle. Then, the number calculation unit 13 calculates the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with a predetermined electric vehicle based on the determination result for each transport vehicle (see FIG. 6 ).

[0059] Below, the processing of the number calculation unit 13 will be explained in detail, dividing it into a case where the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires one transport content linked to one transport vehicle and a case where the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires multiple transport contents linked to one transport vehicle.

[0060] Case (1) in which the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires one transport content linked to one transport vehicleIn this case, the number calculation unit 13 determines that a transport vehicle related to the transport content whose required amount of power is equal to or less than the first threshold can be replaced with an electric vehicle.The number calculation unit 13 also determines that a transport vehicle related to the transport content whose required amount of power is greater than the first threshold cannot be replaced with an electric vehicle.

[0061] The "first threshold value" is determined based on the battery characteristics of a predetermined electric vehicle (an electric vehicle to be introduced). The battery characteristics include the battery capacity [kWh] and the SOH (State of Health). If the introduction of a used electric vehicle is being considered, the SOH can be used.

[0062] For example, the amount of charging energy at full charge may be set as the first threshold value. Alternatively, the first threshold value may be a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the amount of charging energy at full charge, or a value obtained by multiplying the amount of charging energy at full charge by a correction coefficient smaller than 1.

[0063] The user may determine the first threshold value and input it to the processing device 10. Alternatively, the user may input the battery characteristics of a predetermined electric vehicle to the processing device 10. Then, the vehicle number calculation unit 13 may calculate the first threshold value based on the input battery characteristics.

[0064] Case (2) in which the transportation content acquisition unit 11 acquires one transportation content linked to one transportation vehicle. In this case, the number calculation unit 13 makes the above determination taking into consideration that charging processing will be performed during transportation. Specifically, the number calculation unit 13 makes the determination based on the criteria shown in FIG. 7.

[0065] First, the vehicle number calculation unit 13 determines that a transport vehicle related to the transport content, for which the required amount of power is equal to or less than the first threshold (Yes in S1), can be replaced with an electric vehicle (S4).

[0066] In addition, the number calculation unit 13 determines that a transport vehicle related to a transport content whose required amount of electricity is greater than the first threshold (No in S1) and less than the second threshold (No in S2), and which is capable of charging a predetermined amount of electricity while the transport content is being carried out (Yes in S3), can be replaced with an electric vehicle (S4).

[0067] Then, the number calculation unit 13 determines that a transport vehicle related to a transport operation whose required amount of electricity is greater than the first threshold (No in S1) and less than the second threshold (No in S2), but which is unable to charge the specified amount of electricity while the transport operation is being carried out (No in S3), cannot be replaced with an electric vehicle (S5).

[0068] Furthermore, the vehicle number calculation unit 13 determines that a transport vehicle related to the transport content for which the required amount of power is greater than the second threshold (Yes in S2) cannot be replaced with an electric vehicle (S5).

[0069] The "first threshold" can be determined by the same means as in the above-mentioned "case (1) in which the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires one transport content linked to one transport vehicle."

[0070] The "predetermined amount of power" used in the determination in S3 can be calculated based on the difference between the required amount of power and the first threshold. This difference is the amount of power that would be insufficient if the transportation content were carried out with the electric vehicle fully charged before the start of transportation. For example, this difference may be set as the predetermined amount of power, or the difference may be added to a predetermined value, or the difference may be multiplied by a correction coefficient greater than 1.

[0071] The user may determine the predetermined amount of power and input it to the processing device 10. Alternatively, the number calculation unit 13 may calculate the predetermined amount of power based on a predetermined calculation method.

[0072] The "second threshold" is an arbitrary value greater than the first threshold. If the required amount of power exceeds the second threshold, the power shortage that would occur if the electric vehicle were fully charged before the start of transportation and the transportation content were carried out would be so large that it would not be covered by the charging process during transportation. Therefore, if the required amount of power exceeds the second threshold, it is determined that replacement is not possible without performing the determination in S3.

[0073] Here, an example of the determination in S3, i.e., the determination of "whether charging processing for a predetermined amount of power is possible while the transportation content is being carried out" will be described. For example, the vehicle number calculation unit 13 can determine that charging processing for a predetermined amount of power is possible while the transportation content is being carried out if a predetermined charging condition is met, and can determine that charging processing is not possible if the predetermined charging condition is not met.

[0074] The specified charging conditions can be one or both of the following connected by an "and" condition or an "or" condition: - The transportation content is such that a specified charging time can be ensured, and - A charging facility is located on the transportation route or within a specified distance from the transportation route.

[0075] The "predetermined charging time" is the time required for charging a predetermined amount of power, and can be calculated based on the predetermined amount of power and a predetermined charging speed (e.g., a standard value) of the electric vehicle.

[0076] For example, the transportation details acquired by the transportation details acquisition unit 11 may indicate the time when all transportation is completed and the vehicle returns to the destination. Then, the vehicle number calculation unit 13 may determine that "the transportation details allow the vehicle to secure the predetermined charging time" when the difference between the time when the vehicle returns to the destination and the predetermined end time is greater than the predetermined charging time.

[0077] In addition, a break time (including a lunch time) may be indicated in the transportation details acquired by the transportation details acquisition unit 11. Then, if the break time is longer than the predetermined charging time, the number calculation unit 13 may determine that "the transportation details allow for ensuring the predetermined charging time."

[0078] In addition, a rest period (including lunch time) and a rest timing may be specified in the transport content acquired by the transport content acquisition unit 11. Then, if the rest period is longer than a predetermined charging time and a charging facility is present within a predetermined distance from the location of the transport vehicle when the rest is taken, the number calculation unit 13 may determine that "the transport content allows for ensuring the predetermined charging time."

[0079] If the above conditions are not met, the unit number calculation unit 13 may determine that "the transportation content does not allow the predetermined charging time to be ensured."

[0080] The determination of "whether there is a charging facility on the transportation route or within a predetermined distance from the transportation route" and the determination of "whether there is a charging facility within a predetermined distance from the location of the transportation vehicle when taking a break" can be realized based on map data. The map data indicates the locations of the charging facilities. The location of the transportation vehicle when taking a break is calculated based on the transportation plan. For example, the transportation plan may previously indicate the predicted location of the transportation vehicle when taking a break within a predetermined range.

[0081] --Case (1) in which the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires multiple transport contents linked to one transport vehicle--In this case, the number calculation unit 13 determines whether each transport vehicle can be replaced with a specified electric vehicle based on the amount of electricity required for each of the multiple transport contents carried out by each transport vehicle.

[0082] Specifically, the number calculation unit 13 determines that each transport vehicle can be replaced with a predetermined electric vehicle if a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage of the multiple transport operations performed by each transport vehicle satisfy a predetermined condition based on the required amount of power. Otherwise, the number calculation unit 13 can determine that each transport vehicle cannot be replaced with a predetermined electric vehicle.

[0083] The specified condition is at least one of the "conditions for determining that a transport vehicle can be replaced with an electric vehicle" described in "Case (1) in which the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires one transport content by linking it to one transport vehicle" and "Case (2) in which the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires one transport content by linking it to one transport vehicle."

[0084] Specifically, the predetermined conditions include at least one of: the required amount of power is equal to or less than a first threshold; and the required amount of power is greater than the first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold, and charging of the predetermined amount of power is possible during the transport.

[0085] --Case (2) in which the transport content acquisition unit 11 acquires multiple transport contents linked to one transport vehicle--In this case, the number calculation unit 13 determines whether each transport vehicle can be replaced with a specified electric vehicle based on the degree of variation in the amount of electricity required for each of the multiple transport contents carried out by each transport vehicle.

[0086] The index indicating the degree of variation is not particularly limited, but for example, variance, standard deviation, etc. can be used.

[0087] The number calculation unit 13 can determine that each transport vehicle can be replaced with a predetermined electric vehicle if a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage of the multiple transport operations performed by each transport vehicle satisfy the predetermined condition based on the required amount of power and the degree of variation (variance, standard deviation, etc.) is equal to or less than a threshold. Otherwise, the number calculation unit 13 can determine that each transport vehicle cannot be replaced with a predetermined electric vehicle.

[0088] Next, an example of the processing flow of the processing device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0089] First, the processing device 10 acquires the transport details carried out by each of the plurality of transport vehicles (S10). This step is executed by the transport details acquisition unit 11 described above.

[0090] Next, the processing device 10 calculates, for each transportation item, the amount of power required to carry out the transportation item using a predetermined electric vehicle (S11). This step is executed by the required power calculation unit 12 described above.

[0091] Then, the processing device 10 calculates the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with predetermined electric vehicles based on the amount of power required for each transport item (S12). This step is executed by the number calculation unit 13 described above.

[0092] After S12, the processing device 10 can output the calculation results. For example, the processing device 10 may output a screen such as that shown in Fig. 9. The screen shown in Fig. 9 shows information identifying replaceable transport vehicles and the number of vehicles. Output of such a screen is realized using an output device such as a display, a printer, or a mailer.

[0093] "Effects" The processing device 10 of this embodiment determines whether each transport vehicle can be replaced with a specified electric vehicle based on the transport content performed by each of the multiple transport vehicles, and can calculate the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle based on the determination result. In this way, by making various determinations and calculations based on the transport content performed by each of the multiple transport vehicles, it is possible to accurately calculate the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle.

[0094] Furthermore, the processing device 10 of this embodiment can determine whether each transport vehicle can be replaced with a specified electric vehicle based on multiple transport operations performed by each transport vehicle. The transport route and transport objects of each transport vehicle may vary from day to day. By making the above determination based on multiple transport operations, the inconvenience of making an incorrect determination can be reduced.

[0095] Furthermore, the processing device 10 of this embodiment can determine whether each transport vehicle can be replaced with a specified electric vehicle based on a single transport operation performed by each transport vehicle. For example, in the case of route delivery, the transport route and transported items of each transport vehicle may be the same or nearly the same every day. In such cases, making the above determination based on a single transport operation will not result in an incorrect determination. Furthermore, since the number of transport operations to be processed can be reduced, the processing load on the computer can be reduced.

[0096] Furthermore, the processing device 10 can determine whether each transport vehicle can be replaced with an electric vehicle, taking into consideration the fact that charging processing is performed during transport. As a result, a determination result that is more in line with the actual situation can be obtained.

[0097] Third Embodiment The processing device 10 of this embodiment has a function of calculating the effect, etc., of replacing the calculated number of vehicles (replacing the previous transport vehicles with electric vehicles). This will be described in detail below.

[0098] The unit number calculation unit 13 calculates the cost and CO ２ At least one of the reduction effects is further calculated.

[0099] For example, an estimate of the cost for replacing one unit may be registered in advance in the processing device 10. Then, the unit count calculation unit 13 may calculate the cost by multiplying the cost for one unit by the calculated number of units.

[0100] Alternatively, the number calculation unit 13 may calculate the replacement costs by taking into account differences in the replacement costs for each transport vehicle. In this case, transport vehicles may be grouped in advance based on their attributes, and the replacement costs for one vehicle may be registered for each group. The number calculation unit 13 then acquires the attributes of each transport vehicle determined to be replaceable by any means and identifies the group to which each transport vehicle belongs based on the acquired attributes. The number calculation unit 13 then identifies the costs associated with the identified group as the replacement costs for that transport vehicle, and calculates the total costs of the identified transport vehicles as the replacement costs for the number of vehicles determined to be replaceable. Examples of transport vehicle attributes include, but are not limited to, vehicle type (diesel vehicle / gasoline vehicle / electric vehicle / plug-in hybrid vehicle / hybrid vehicle / fuel cell vehicle, etc.), vehicle model (extra-large vehicle / large vehicle / medium-sized vehicle, standard vehicle, light vehicle, motorcycle, etc.), manufacturer, mileage, model year, model number, accident history, etc.

[0101] -CO ２ Calculation of reduction effect - For example, CO2 when replacing one unit in advance ２ The target reduction amount may be registered in the processing device 10. Then, the unit number calculation unit 13 calculates the CO ２ The product of the reduction amount and the calculated number of units is CO ２ Reduction amount (CO ２ It may also be calculated as the reduction effect.

[0102] In addition, the number calculation unit 13 calculates the CO ２ Considering the difference in CO emissions, ２ In this case, the transport vehicles may be divided into groups in advance based on the attributes of the transport vehicles, and for each group, the CO reduction amount for one vehicle when replaced with a predetermined electric vehicle may be calculated. ２ The number calculation unit 13 then acquires the attributes of each transport vehicle that has been determined to be replaceable by any means, and identifies the group to which each transport vehicle belongs based on the acquired attributes. The number calculation unit 13 then calculates the CO ２ The CO reduction achieved by replacing the transport vehicle ２ The reduction amount is specified, and the CO ２ The total reduction in CO2 achieved by replacing the number of units that are deemed replaceable is calculated as follows: ２ The attributes of the transport vehicles include, but are not limited to, the type (diesel vehicle / gasoline vehicle / electric vehicle / plug-in hybrid vehicle / hybrid vehicle / fuel cell vehicle, etc.), the model (extra-large vehicle / large vehicle / medium-sized vehicle, standard vehicle, light vehicle, motorcycle, etc.), manufacturer, mileage, year, model number, accident history, etc.

[0103] The processing device 10 receives information identifying transport vehicles that can be replaced with predetermined electric vehicles, the number of vehicles, and the cost and CO ２ The processing device 10 can output at least one of the reduction effects using an output device such as a display, a printer, or a mailer.

[0104] The other configurations of the processing apparatus 10 are the same as those of the first and second embodiments.

[0105] According to the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments are realized. In addition, according to the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the cost and CO ２In this way, the processing device 10 can output to the user information that can be used to determine whether to perform replacement.

[0106] <Fourth embodiment> The processing device 10 of this embodiment has a function of supporting work using an electric vehicle after the electric vehicle is introduced. Specifically, the processing device 10 of this embodiment has a function of monitoring changes in the state of the introduced electric vehicle, and generating and outputting advice information regarding future usage of the electric vehicle based on the current state and the transport content that the electric vehicle has performed up to that point. This will be described in detail below.

[0107] 10 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the processing device 10. As shown in the figure, the processing device 10 has a transportation content acquisition unit 11, a required power amount calculation unit 12, a number calculation unit 13, a monitoring unit 14, and an advice information generation unit 15.

[0108] The monitoring unit 14 monitors changes in the state of the electric vehicle that has replaced the transport vehicle.

[0109] For example, the monitoring unit 14 may monitor the change in SOH over time since the electric vehicle was introduced. In this case, the monitoring unit 14 acquires the current SOH of the electric vehicle at predetermined intervals. The measurement of SOH can be realized using any known technology.

[0110] Alternatively, the monitoring unit 14 may monitor the change in electricity consumption over time since the electric vehicle was introduced. In this case, the monitoring unit 14 acquires the electricity consumption of the electric vehicle at each predetermined period. The electricity consumption acquired by the monitoring unit 14 is a value calculated based on, for example, the actual distance traveled and the amount of electricity consumed at that time. It is preferable to measure the electricity consumption at each predetermined period by aligning factors that may affect electricity consumption, such as the load capacity and the travel route, to the greatest extent possible. For example, in the case of route delivery, the transportation route and transported objects may be the same or nearly the same every day. Electricity consumption may be monitored in electric vehicles used for such route delivery.

[0111] The advice information generating unit 15 generates and outputs advice information regarding future usage methods for the electric vehicle based on the current state of the electric vehicle and the transport details that the electric vehicle has performed up to that point.

[0112] First, the advice information generator 15 calculates the degree of variation in the transport content that the electric vehicle has performed up to that point. The degree of variation may be, for example, the degree of variation in the travel distance, the degree of variation in the load amount (maximum value, median value, etc. during transport), or other factors.

[0113] The advice information generating unit 15 can generate and output advice information based on criteria appropriate for when the degree of variation is equal to or greater than a threshold value and when the degree of variation is less than a threshold value.

[0114] When the degree of variation is equal to or greater than a threshold, i.e., when the variation in the distance traveled or the load amount for each trip is relatively large, the advice information generation unit 15 can generate and output advice information that suggests reconsidering how to use the electric vehicle at a stage when the degree of deterioration of the specified electric vehicle is relatively small.

[0115] When the degree of variation is less than the threshold, i.e., when the variation in the travel distance and load amount for each trip is relatively small, the advice information generation unit 15 can generate and output advice information that suggests reconsidering how to use the electric vehicle at a stage when the degree of deterioration of the specified electric vehicle is relatively large. An example is shown below.

[0116] For example, if the degree of variation is equal to or greater than a threshold value and the SOH (or electricity cost) has decreased by more than a first reference value since the time of introduction, the advice information generation unit 15 may generate and output advice information suggesting a review of how the electric vehicle is used.

[0117] Furthermore, the advice information generator 15 may generate and output advice information suggesting a review of the usage of the electric vehicle when the degree of variation is less than the threshold value and the SOH (or electricity cost) has decreased by a second reference value or more since the time of introduction. The second reference value is greater than the first reference value.

[0118] The advice information indicates that due to battery deterioration, it is becoming difficult to carry out the current transport, which may result in inconveniences such as running out of power during transport or requiring a long time for charging, making it impossible to transport according to schedule.

[0119] For these reasons, the advice information suggests reviewing the transport contents or replacing the electric vehicle. For example, if the reduction in SOH (or electricity cost) since the time of introduction is equal to or greater than a third reference value, the advice information generation unit 15 may generate advice information suggesting replacement. If the reduction in SOH (or electricity cost) since the time of introduction is less than the third reference value, the advice information generation unit 15 may generate advice information suggesting reviewing the transport contents. The third reference value is greater than both the first reference value and the second reference value.

[0120] In addition to the above functions, the advice information generating unit 15 may also have a function of creating a proposal to review the transportation contents.

[0121] For example, when proposing a review of the transportation contents of a first electric vehicle, the advice information generation unit 15 extracts from among the other electric vehicles an electric vehicle that is in better condition than the first electric vehicle (e.g., an electric vehicle with a higher SOH than the first electric vehicle).

[0122] The advice information generator 15 then calculates the amount of power required for the extracted electric vehicle to perform one or more transport operations that the first electric vehicle has performed up to that point.The advice information generator 15 then determines whether the first electric vehicle can be replaced with the extracted electric vehicle based on the amount of power required for each transport operation.These processes are realized by the same processes as those performed by the required power calculation unit 12 and the vehicle number calculation unit 13 described above.

[0123] If it is determined that replacement is possible, the advice information generating unit 15 generates advice information to the effect that the transportation previously performed by the first electric vehicle will be performed by the extracted electric vehicle from now on.

[0124] The advice information generating unit 15 may also use a similar method to determine whether the first electric vehicle can perform the transportation content performed by each of the other multiple electric vehicles. If there is an transportation content that can be performed, the advice information generating unit 15 may generate advice information indicating that the transportation indicated by the transportation content will be performed by the first electric vehicle in the future.

[0125] The other configurations of the processing apparatus 10 are the same as those of the first to third embodiments.

[0126] The processing device 10 of this embodiment achieves the same effects as those of the first to third embodiments. Furthermore, the processing device 10 of this embodiment can provide support for operations using electric vehicles after the introduction of the vehicles. Since it is possible to provide care after the introduction, it is expected that an increase in transport companies willing to introduce electric vehicles can be expected.

[0127] <Modifications> Here, a description will be given of modifications that can be applied to the first to fourth embodiments. In the first to fourth embodiments, the processing device 10 determines whether or not each transport vehicle can be replaced with an electric vehicle based on the details of past transports.

[0128] As a modified example, the processing device 10 may determine whether or not to replace a vehicle with an electric vehicle for each transport route based on past transport details. In this modified example, the transport detail acquisition unit 11 acquires transport details for each of a plurality of transport routes. The required energy calculation unit 12 calculates, for each transport detail, the required energy amount, which is the amount of energy required to perform the transport detail using a specified electric vehicle. Then, the number calculation unit 13 calculates the number of transport routes that can be replaced with a specified electric vehicle based on the required energy amount for each transport detail. Details of the processing by the transport detail acquisition unit 11, required energy calculation unit 12, and number calculation unit 13 are the same as those described in the first to fourth embodiments.

[0129] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations may be adopted. The configurations of the above-described embodiments may be combined with each other, or some of the configurations may be replaced with other configurations. Furthermore, various modifications may be made to the configurations of the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the configurations and processes disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be combined with each other.

[0130] In addition, although the flowcharts used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in a sequential order, the order of steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the order shown. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown in the drawings can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of the content. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as the content is not contradictory.

[0131] In this specification, "acquisition" includes at least one of the following: "the device retrieves data stored in another device or storage medium (active acquisition)" based on user input or program instructions, such as receiving data by making a request or inquiry to another device, or accessing and reading out another device or storage medium; "inputting data output from another device into the device (passive acquisition)" based on user input or program instructions, such as receiving data that is distributed (or transmitted, push notification, etc.), and selecting and acquiring data from received data or information; and "editing data (converting data to text, rearranging data, extracting some data, changing the file format, etc.) to generate new data and acquire the new data."

[0132] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to the following: 1. A processing device having: a transport content acquisition means for acquiring transport content performed by each of a plurality of transport vehicles; a required power amount calculation means for calculating, for each transport content, a required power amount which is the amount of power required when performing the transport content using a specified electric vehicle; and a number calculation means for calculating, based on the required power amount for each transport content, the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle. 2. The processing device according to 1, wherein the transport content indicates a transport destination, a transport order, and a weight of an object to be transported, and the required power amount calculation means calculates, based on the transport content, the required power amount required when performing the transport content using the specified electric vehicle. 3. 3. The processing device according to 1 or 2, wherein the transport content acquisition means acquires the multiple transport contents performed by each of the transport vehicles, the required energy calculation means calculates the required energy for each of the multiple transport contents performed by each of the transport vehicles, and the number calculation means determines whether each of the transport vehicles can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle based on the required energy for each of the multiple transport contents performed by each of the transport vehicles. 4. The processing device according to 3, wherein the number calculation means determines whether each of the transport vehicles can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle if a specified number or a specified percentage of the multiple transport contents performed by each of the transport vehicles satisfy a specified condition based on the required energy. 5. The processing device according to 4, wherein the number calculation means determines whether each of the transport vehicles can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle based on the variation in the required energy for each of the multiple transport contents performed by each of the transport vehicles. 6. 6. The processing device according to 4 or 5, wherein the predetermined condition includes at least one of: the required amount of power is equal to or less than a first threshold; and the required amount of power is greater than the first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold, and charging processing for the predetermined amount of power is possible during execution of the transportation content. 7. The processing device according to 6, wherein the unit number calculation means calculates the predetermined amount of power based on the difference between the required amount of power and the first threshold.8. The processing device according to 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle number calculation means determines that at least one of the transport vehicles involved in the transport content whose required amount of power is equal to or less than a first threshold, and the transport vehicles involved in the transport content whose required amount of power is equal to or less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold and capable of being charged for a predetermined amount of power while the transport content is being carried out, can be replaced with the predetermined electric vehicle. 9. The vehicle number calculation means calculates the cost and CO2 of replacing the calculated number of vehicles. ２ 10. The processing device according to any one of 1 to 8, further comprising: a monitoring means for monitoring changes in the state of the specified electric vehicle that has replaced the transport vehicle; and an advice information generating means for generating and outputting advice information regarding a future method of using the specified electric vehicle based on the current state and the transport content that the specified electric vehicle has performed up to that point. 11. A processing method in which one or more computers acquire transport content performed by each of a plurality of transport vehicles, calculate a required amount of power for each transport content that is the amount of power required to perform the transport content using a specified electric vehicle, and calculate the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle based on the required amount of power for each transport content. 12. 13. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program causing a computer to function as: a transport content acquisition means for acquiring transport content performed by each of a plurality of transport vehicles, a required power amount calculation means for calculating, for each transport content, the required amount of power which is the amount of power required when performing the transport content using a specified electric vehicle, and a number calculation means for calculating, based on the required amount of power for each transport content, the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle. 14. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program causing a computer to function as: a transport content acquisition means for acquiring transport content performed by each of a plurality of transport vehicles, a required power amount calculation means for calculating, for each transport content, the required amount of power which is the amount of power required when performing the transport content using a specified electric vehicle, and a number calculation means for calculating, based on the required amount of power for each transport content.

[0133] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Processing device 11 Transportation content acquisition unit 12 Required power amount calculation unit 13 Unit number calculation unit 14 Monitoring unit 15 Advice information generation unit 1A Processor 2A Memory 3A Input / output I / F 4A Peripheral circuit 5A Bus

Claims

1. A transportation content acquisition means for acquiring transportation content performed by each of the plurality of transportation vehicles; a required power amount calculation means for calculating, for each of the transport contents, a required power amount that is an amount of power required when performing the transport contents using a predetermined electric vehicle; a number calculation means for calculating the number of the transport vehicles that can be replaced with the predetermined electric vehicle based on the required amount of power for each of the transport contents; A processing device having

2. The transportation details indicate a transportation destination, a transportation order, and a weight of an object to be transported, The processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the required power amount calculation means calculates, based on the transportation content, the required power amount required when the transportation content is performed using the predetermined electric vehicle.

3. The transportation content acquisition means includes: Acquire the plurality of transport contents performed by each of the transport vehicles; The required power calculation means Calculating the required amount of electricity for each of the plurality of transport contents performed by each of the transport vehicles; The number calculation means The processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising: determining whether each of the transport vehicles can be replaced with the predetermined electric vehicle based on the amount of electric power required for each of the plurality of transport operations performed by each of the transport vehicles.

4. The number calculation means The processing device according to claim 3, which determines that each of the transport vehicles can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle if a specified number or a specified percentage of the multiple transport operations performed by each of the transport vehicles satisfy a specified condition based on the required amount of electricity.

5. The number calculation means The processing device according to claim 4 , further comprising: determining whether each of the transport vehicles can be replaced with the predetermined electric vehicle based on a degree of variation in the amount of required electric power in each of the plurality of transport operations performed by each of the transport vehicles.

6. The number calculation means The transportation vehicle related to the transportation content in which the required amount of electricity is equal to or less than a first threshold value; and the transportation vehicle related to the transportation content, the required amount of power being greater than the first threshold value and equal to or less than the second threshold value, and capable of being charged for a predetermined amount of power during the execution of the transportation content; The processing device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the above is determined to be replaceable with the predetermined electric vehicle.

7. The number calculation means calculates the cost and CO ２ The processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a processor for calculating at least one of the reduction effects.

8. a monitoring means for monitoring a change in a state of the predetermined electric vehicle that has been replaced with the transportation vehicle; an advice information generating means for generating and outputting advice information regarding a future usage method of the specified electric vehicle based on the current state and the transportation content that the specified electric vehicle has performed up to that point; The processing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

9. One or more computers Acquire the transportation details performed by each of the plurality of transportation vehicles; Calculating a required amount of power for each of the transportation contents, which is an amount of power required to execute the transportation contents using a predetermined electric vehicle; A processing method for calculating the number of transport vehicles that can be replaced with the specified electric vehicle based on the required amount of power for each transport content.

10. Computer, A transport content acquisition means for acquiring transport content performed by each of the plurality of transport vehicles; A required power amount calculation means for calculating a required power amount, which is an amount of power required when performing the transportation content using a predetermined electric vehicle, for each transportation content; a number calculation means for calculating the number of the transport vehicles that can be replaced with the predetermined electric vehicle based on the required amount of power for each of the transport contents; A program that functions as a