Fee management device and fee management method

Abstract

A fee management device (40) is provided with a controller (43) that manages charge / discharge fees for the amount of charge / discharge power charged and discharged from a storage battery installed in a vehicle (10) to a charge / discharge device (10). The controller (43) acquires information indicating a service usage fee for a service that is used by the user of the vehicle (10) and is different from the service of the charging / discharging device (20). The controller (43) calculates, on the basis of the service usage fee and the charge / discharge fee, a fee to be charged or paid to the user or a charge / discharge power amount corresponding to the fee. The controller (43) outputs the fee and / or the charge / discharge power amount corresponding to the fee.

Description

Charge management device and charge management method

[0001] The present invention relates to a fee management device and a fee management method.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for managing electricity charges in which a fee is charged or paid to the owner of an electric vehicle parked in a storage parking facility installed in the electric vehicle according to the amount of charging and discharging of the storage battery installed in the electric vehicle.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-40403

[0004] In the invention of Patent Document 1, the owner of the electric vehicle is charged or paid a fee based only on the electricity rate according to the amount of charge and discharge to the storage battery installed in the electric vehicle. Therefore, the owner of the electric vehicle has to separately settle the fee charged or paid to the user for charging and discharging the storage battery and the usage fee for services other than charging and discharging the storage battery, which is time-consuming to pay the fees.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fee management device and a fee management method that can reduce the effort required for users to pay fees.

[0006] A controller of a fee management device according to one aspect of the present embodiment manages a charge / discharge fee for the amount of charge / discharge power charged / discharged from a storage battery mounted on a vehicle to a charging / discharging device. The controller calculates the amount of charge / discharge power corresponding to the fee or fee to be charged or paid to the user based on the service usage fee for a service other than the charging / discharging device used by the user of the vehicle and the charging / discharging fee, and outputs at least one of the calculated fee or the amount of charge / discharge power corresponding to the fee.

[0007] According to one aspect of this embodiment, the effort required for users to pay fees can be reduced.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a settlement system including a fee management device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a fee management device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall settlement system of FIG. 1 and the flow of user operations. FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of charging and discharging conditions. FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a payment system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a payment system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5C is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a payment system according to an embodiment.

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration example of a settlement system including a fee management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the settlement system 1 includes a vehicle 10, a charging / discharging device 20, a user terminal 30, a payment server (fee management device) 40, and a store terminal 50. Although Fig. 1 shows one vehicle 10 and one charging / discharging device 20, the number of vehicles 10 and charging / discharging devices 20 is not limited. The settlement system 1 may include two or more vehicles 10 and two or more charging / discharging devices 20.

[0011] In the settlement system 1 according to this embodiment, the settlement server 40 has the function of calculating the fee to be charged or paid to the user based on the usage fee (hereinafter referred to as the service usage fee) of a service different from the charging / discharging device 20 used by the user and the electricity fee (hereinafter referred to as the charging / discharging fee) for the amount of electricity charged / discharged from the storage battery installed in the vehicle 10 to the charging / discharging device 20 (hereinafter referred to as the charging / discharging electricity amount).

[0012] The charging / discharging device 20, the user terminal 30, the payment server 40, and the store terminal 50 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network. The network may be configured using either a wireless or wired system, or both, and may include the Internet.

[0013] The charging / discharging device 20 is a device for charging / discharging power to / from a storage battery mounted on the vehicle 10. The charging / discharging device 20 is installed at a charging / discharging station (charging / discharging stand) in a city, a parking lot, or the like. The charging / discharging device 20 has a communication unit that connects to a network and transmits and receives data.

[0014] Charging / discharging device 20 charges a storage battery mounted on vehicle 10 using power supplied from electrical equipment such as a power grid (not shown) or a solar power generation system (not shown). Charging / discharging device 20 also has a function of storing power discharged from the storage battery in the storage battery and supplying the power to external facilities, etc.

[0015] Charging / discharging device 20 is connected to vehicle 10 via power connector 21, and with power connector 21 locked, charges and discharges power between vehicle 10 and charging / discharging device 20. Charging / discharging device 20 receives, for example, a vehicle ID for identifying vehicle 10 from vehicle 10 connected via power connector 21. Charging / discharging device 20 may receive the vehicle ID for identifying vehicle 10 from user terminal 30 based on a user instruction, or may accept the vehicle ID directly from the user via an operation / display unit of charging / discharging device 20.

[0016] The charging / discharging device 20 associates the vehicle ID with a charging / discharging device ID for identifying the charging / discharging device 20 and transmits the linked information to the payment server 40 .

[0017] Furthermore, charging / discharging device 20 starts charging / discharging the storage battery mounted on vehicle 10 based on the instruction signal received from payment server 40. Furthermore, based on the instruction signal received from user terminal 30, for example, charging / discharging device 20 links the vehicle ID with the amount of charging / discharging power charged / discharged from the storage battery mounted on vehicle 10 to charging / discharging device 20, and transmits the linked information to payment server 40. Furthermore, based on the instruction signal received from payment server 40, charging / discharging device 20 unlocks power connector 21.

[0018] The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a storage battery for supplying electric power for running. The storage battery is configured to be able to charge and discharge electric power to and from the charging / discharging device 20.

[0019] The user terminal 30 is a device that is carried by a user and has wireless communication capabilities, such as a smartphone or tablet computer. The user terminal 30 is mainly composed of a computer having a processor and memory. The memory stores multiple applications that are executed by the processor.

[0020] The user terminal 30 has, for example, a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display) that displays information on a screen, and a communication unit that connects to a network and transmits and receives data.

[0021] The user terminal 30 has, for example, an input unit for inputting data and commands from the user. The input unit has, for example, an operation unit that can be operated by the user to input desired information (e.g., commands, data, etc.) into the user terminal 30.

[0022] The control unit may include, but is not limited to, a touch screen (means for allowing manual input of data) that displays several icons (e.g., virtual buttons) that can be operated by the user, a physical control unit (means for allowing manual input of data, such as a keyboard, keypad, buttons, etc.) that can be operated by the user, a microphone that detects voice (means for allowing voice input of data), etc.

[0023] In the settlement system 1 according to this embodiment, a user uses a user terminal 30 to make electronic payments for service fees using a payment server 40. Electronic payment here refers to payment made by a user using the user terminal 30. This electronic payment refers to payment made by displaying a payment code, such as a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode, on the display unit of the user terminal 30. Note that electronic payment may also be made using a contact or contactless IC (Integrated Circuit) card instead of the user terminal 30. Using an IC card for electronic payment eliminates the need for the user to perform operations such as displaying a two-dimensional barcode, thereby improving convenience. Known technology can be used to realize electronic payment, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0024] The store terminal 50 is a payment terminal used to pay for a service (service usage fee) different from the charge / discharge device 20, such as at a restaurant or parking lot. The store terminal 50 acquires information including a vehicle ID linked to the user or the user terminal 30 from the user terminal 30, for example, by reading a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code displayed on the user terminal 30. The store terminal 50 associates the acquired vehicle ID with the service usage fee and transmits the associated information to the payment server 40 via a network. Note that when an IC card is used for electronic payment instead of the user terminal 30, the store terminal 50 reads, for example, an identification ID assigned to the IC card from the IC card via short-range wireless communication, associates the read IC card identification ID with the service usage fee, and transmits the associated information to the payment server 40 via a network.

[0025] The payment server 40 communicates with the charging / discharging device 20, the user terminal 30, and the store terminal 50 via a network. As shown in FIG. 2 , the payment server 40 includes a communication device 41, a storage device 42, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 43.

[0026] The communication device 41 is an interface that connects to a network and transmits and receives data.

[0027] Storage device 42 includes a reservation information database 421 and a payment management database 422. Reservation information database 421 stores reservation information for charging / discharging device 20. The reservation information includes a vehicle ID for identifying vehicle 10, the date and time when the user of vehicle 10 plans to use charging / discharging device 20 (hereinafter referred to as reservation date and time), and a charging / discharging device ID for identifying charging / discharging device 20. Note that the reservation information may further include an identification ID of an IC card that is linked to the vehicle ID in advance.

[0028] In addition, the payment management database 422 stores, in association with each other, a vehicle ID for identifying the vehicle 10, a service usage fee paid by the user of the vehicle 10, a charging / discharging power fee for the amount of power charged / discharged to the vehicle 10, and a fee to be billed or paid to the user.

[0029] The CPU 43 functions as multiple information processing circuits provided in the payment server 40 by reading out programs stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing the programs. Note that, although an example in which the multiple information processing circuits provided in the payment server 40 are realized by software is shown here, it is of course also possible to configure the information processing circuits by providing dedicated hardware for executing each information process. Furthermore, the multiple information processing circuits may be configured by individual hardware.

[0030] The CPU 43 has a function of managing charge / discharge fees for the amount of charge / discharge power charged / discharged to / from the storage battery mounted on the vehicle 10 to the charge / discharge device 20. The CPU 43 includes, as multiple information processing circuits, an acquisition unit 431, a determination unit 432, a payment processing unit 433, a charge / discharge fee calculation unit 434, a fee calculation unit 435, and a fee settlement unit 436. The functions of the multiple information processing circuits included in the CPU 43 will be described later with reference to Figures 5A to 5C.

[0031] An example of the overall settlement system 1 and the flow of user operations will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] First, in step S1, a user parks vehicle (EV) 10 in a parking lot. Then, in step S2, the user inserts power connector 21 of charging / discharging device 20 into the charging port of vehicle 10, enabling charging / discharging device 20 to charge / discharge from the storage battery installed in vehicle 10.

[0033] The process proceeds to step S3, where the user sets the conditions for charging and discharging, for example, using the user terminal 30. Examples of the conditions for charging and discharging will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0034] The process proceeds to step S4, and if payment server 40 determines that the conditions for charging and discharging are met, charging and discharging device 20 starts charging and discharging from the storage battery. After that, the user leaves the parking lot with vehicle 10 connected to charging and discharging device 20, and uses a service different from that of charging and discharging device 20.

[0035] In step S5, if the user has made an electronic payment for the service fee, the payment server 40 performs a payment process for the service fee between the payment server 40 and the store terminal 50.

[0036] Proceeding to step S6, the user returns to the parking lot and starts the process of unloading vehicle 10. Proceeding to step S7, payment server 40 calculates the fee to be charged or paid to the user based on the service usage fee and the charge / discharge fee for the amount of electric power charged / discharged from the storage battery mounted on vehicle 10 to charging / discharging device 20, and determines the fee.

[0037] Proceeding to step S8, the settlement system 1 settles the fee determined between the settlement server 40 and the user terminal 30.

[0038] When the payment of the fee is completed, the process proceeds to step S9, where charging / discharging device 20 unlocks power connector 21. The process proceeds to step S10, where the user removes power connector 21 from the charging port of vehicle 10. The process proceeds to step S11, where the user removes vehicle (EV) 10 from the parking lot, and the operation in FIG. 3 ends.

[0039] [Examples of Charging and Discharging Conditions] Here, first and second examples of charging and discharging conditions will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a graph showing an example of fluctuations in the unit price of electric energy, which is the electricity rate per unit amount of electric energy. In Fig. 4, during the period from time T1 to time T2, power connector 21 is inserted into the charging port of vehicle 10, and charging and discharging from the storage battery installed in vehicle 10 to charging and discharging device 20 is possible.

[0040] First, a first example of the charge / discharge condition will be described. The first example of the charge / discharge condition is a first threshold Pth1 of the unit price of electricity for discharging electricity from the storage battery to the charge / discharge device 20. The first threshold Pth1 is set by a user using, for example, the user terminal 30. The acquisition unit 431 of the payment server 40 acquires information indicating the first threshold Pth1 set by the user, for example, from the user terminal 30. The acquisition unit 431 also acquires information indicating the unit price of electricity set by the electricity supply company, for example, from a server of the electricity supply company. The unit price of electricity varies depending on the time period, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 .

[0041] When the current unit price of electric energy is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Pth1, the determination unit 432 determines that the condition for discharge is met, and transmits to the charging / discharging device 20 a permission signal that permits discharging of the storage battery.

[0042] 4 , the determination unit 432 determines that the condition for discharge is not met at time T1 because the unit price of electric energy is less than the first threshold value Pth1. Thereafter, the unit price of electric energy increases, and in period A when the unit price of electric energy is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Pth1, the determination unit 432 determines that the condition for discharge is met and transmits a permission signal to the charging / discharging device 20 to permit discharging of the storage battery. Thereafter, when the unit price of electric energy decreases and falls below the first threshold value Pth1, the determination unit 432 determines that the condition for discharge is not met and transmits a command signal to the charging / discharging device 20 to stop discharging of the storage battery.

[0043] Next, a second example of a condition related to charging and discharging will be described. The second example of the condition for charging and discharging is a second threshold Pth2 of the unit price of electricity for charging the storage battery. The second threshold Pth2 is set by the user using, for example, the user terminal 30. The acquisition unit 431 of the payment server 40 acquires information indicating the second threshold Pth2 set by the user, for example, from the user terminal 30. The acquisition unit 431 also acquires information indicating the unit price of electricity set by the electricity supply company, for example, from a server of the electricity supply company.

[0044] If the current unit price of electric energy is less than the second threshold value Pth2, the determination unit 432 determines that the conditions for charging are met, and transmits to the charging / discharging device 20 a permission signal that permits charging of the storage battery.

[0045] 4 , the determination unit 432 determines that the condition for charging is met because the unit price of electric energy is less than the second threshold value Pth2 during the period B from time T1, and transmits a permission signal permitting charging of the storage battery to the charging / discharging device 20. If the unit price of electric energy increases thereafter and becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold value Pth2, the determination unit 432 determines that the condition for charging is not met, and transmits an instruction signal to the charging / discharging device 20 to stop charging of the storage battery.

[0046] The charging and discharging conditions may be set to either the first or second example conditions, or both of the first and second example conditions, or other conditions. The charging and discharging conditions are not limited to the first and second examples.

[0047] [Processing of Payment System] An example of specific processing of payment system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5A to 5C. Payment system 1 starts the processing of Figure 5A when a user parks vehicle 10 in a parking lot and inserts power connector 21 of charging / discharging device 20 into the charging port of vehicle 10. The processing of Figure 5A shows an example of specific processing of payment system 1 when payment system 1 and a user perform the operations of steps S1 to S4 of Figure 4.

[0048] In step S101 of FIG. 5A, charging / discharging device 20 receives a vehicle ID for identifying vehicle 10 from vehicle 10 connected to power connector 21.

[0049] The process proceeds to step S102, where charging / discharging device 20 locks power connector 21. The process proceeds to step S103, where charging / discharging device 20 associates the vehicle ID acquired from vehicle 10 with a charging / discharging device ID for identifying charging / discharging device 20, and transmits the associated vehicle ID to payment server 40.

[0050] The processing proceeds to step S104, where the acquisition unit 431 of the payment server 40 acquires the vehicle ID and the charging / discharging device ID linked to the vehicle ID from the charging / discharging device 20. The determination unit 432 compares the acquired vehicle ID and charging / discharging device ID with the reservation information database 421 to determine whether the vehicle ID and charging / discharging device ID match the reservation information. More specifically, the determination unit 432 determines whether the acquired vehicle ID and charging / discharging device ID and the time at which the vehicle ID and charging / discharging device ID were acquired match the reservation information stored in the reservation information database 421 of the storage device 42. If the acquired vehicle ID and charging / discharging device ID and the time at which the vehicle ID and charging / discharging device ID were acquired match the reservation information, the processing proceeds to step S105.

[0051] In step S105, the acquisition unit 431 acquires information indicating the current unit price of electricity, which is the electricity fee per unit amount of electricity. For example, the acquisition unit 431 acquires information indicating the current unit price of electricity determined by the power supply company from a server of the power supply company.

[0052] The information indicating the unit price of electricity may be stored in advance in the storage device 42 of the payment server 40, etc. The information indicating the unit price of electricity may also be stored in advance in the charging / discharging device 20. The unit price of electricity may be set by a manager of the charging / discharging device 20, etc. For example, in a case where the charging / discharging device 20 is installed in a parking lot of a store, the manager of the charging / discharging device 20, such as the store owner, can freely set the unit price of electricity, which enables the store to set a higher unit price of electricity, for example, to attract customers.

[0053] Furthermore, in addition to being able to directly set the unit price of electricity, it may also be possible to set a difference from the unit price of electricity set by the electricity supply company, which is obtained from the server of the electricity supply company, etc. In this case, for example, the unit price of electricity may be calculated from the current unit price of electricity obtained from the server of the electricity supply company, etc. and a preset difference. This makes it possible to automatically set a competitive unit price of electricity, even if the current unit price of electricity changes over time.

[0054] The process proceeds to step S106, where the determination unit 432 determines whether the current unit price of electricity matches the charging / discharging conditions set by the user. If the current unit price of electricity matches the charging / discharging conditions set by the user, the determination unit 432 transmits a charge / discharge permission signal to the charging / discharging device 20 to instruct it to permit charging / discharging from the storage battery.

[0055] The process proceeds to step S107, where charging / discharging device 20 receives a charging / discharging permission signal from payment server 40 and starts charging / discharging the storage battery installed in vehicle 10. Thereafter, the user leaves the parking lot with vehicle 10 connected to charging / discharging device 20 and uses a service different from that of charging / discharging device 20. The user uses user terminal 30 to make electronic payment for the service usage fee.

[0056] The settlement system 1 starts the process of Fig. 5B when the user makes an electronic payment for the service usage fee. The process of Fig. 5B shows an example of a specific process of the settlement system 1 when the settlement system 1 and the user perform the operation of step S5 of Fig. 4. Note that the settlement system 1 does not execute the process of Fig. 5B if the user does not make an electronic payment for the service usage fee.

[0057] 5B , the user terminal 30 displays a payment code, such as a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode, on the display unit of the user terminal 30 based on an instruction from the user. The process proceeds to step S202, where the user terminal 30 has the store terminal 50 read the payment code, thereby transmitting the pre-registered vehicle ID of the vehicle 10 to the store terminal 50. Note that if an IC card is used for electronic payment instead of the user terminal 30, the IC card transmits the IC card identification ID to the store terminal 50 by performing short-range wireless communication between the IC card and the store terminal 50.

[0058] The process proceeds to step S203, where the store terminal 50 associates the received vehicle ID with the service usage fee of the user of the vehicle 10, and transmits them to the payment server 40. When an IC card is used for electronic payment instead of the user terminal 30, the store terminal 50, for example, associates the received IC card identification ID with the service usage fee, and transmits them to the payment server 40 via the network.

[0059] The processing proceeds to step S204, where the acquisition unit 431 of the payment server 40 acquires information indicating the service usage fee of the user of the vehicle 10, which is linked to the vehicle ID, from the store terminal 50. The payment processing unit 433 compares the acquired vehicle ID with the payment management database 422. Note that, when an IC card is used for electronic payment instead of the user terminal 30, the acquisition unit 431 of the payment server 40 acquires information indicating the service usage fee, which is linked to the IC card identification ID, from the store terminal 50. The payment processing unit 433 compares the acquired IC card identification ID with the payment management database 422. If the acquired vehicle ID or the vehicle ID linked to the IC card identification ID is stored in the payment management database 422, the processing proceeds to step S205.

[0060] In step S205, the payment processing unit 433 performs payment processing for the service usage fee with the store terminal 50. The payment processing unit 433 associates the service usage fee with the vehicle ID and stores them in the payment management database 422. If the payment management database 422 already stores a service usage fee associated with the vehicle ID, the payment processing unit 433 adds the service usage fee for which payment processing is currently being performed to the stored service usage fee.

[0061] Thereafter, the payment processing unit 433 transmits information indicating that the payment processing has been completed to the store terminal 50, and the process proceeds to step S206. The payment processing unit 433 also transmits information indicating that the payment processing has been completed to the user terminal 30, and the process proceeds to step S207. Note that if an IC card is used for electronic payment instead of the user terminal 30, the process of step S207 is not executed.

[0062] In step S206, the store terminal 50 receives information from the payment server 40 indicating that the payment process has been completed, and completes the payment of the service fee. In step S207, the user terminal 30 receives information from the payment server 40 indicating that the payment process has been completed, and completes the payment of the service fee. If the user electronically pays the service fee multiple times, the settlement system 1 repeatedly executes steps S201 to S207 in FIG. 5B. The user then returns to the parking lot and begins the process of unloading the vehicle 10.

[0063] The settlement system 1 starts the process of Fig. 5C when the user returns to the parking lot and starts the process of leaving the vehicle 10. The process of Fig. 5C shows an example of the specific process of the settlement system 1 when the settlement system 1 and the user perform the operations of steps S6 to S11 of Fig. 4.

[0064] 5C , based on an instruction from the user, user terminal 30 transmits to charging / discharging device 20 a leaving signal instructing the charging / discharging device 20 to start the leaving process of vehicle 10. Note that the user may input the leaving signal directly to charging / discharging device 20 by, for example, pressing a leaving button on charging / discharging device 20.

[0065] The process proceeds to step S302, where charging / discharging device 20 receives a departure signal from user terminal 30, for example, and ends charging / discharging from the storage battery installed in vehicle 10.

[0066] The processing proceeds to step S303, and the charging / discharging device 20 links the vehicle ID with the amount of charging / discharging electricity charged / discharged from the storage battery installed in the vehicle 10 to the charging / discharging device 20 while the vehicle 10 is parked in the parking lot, and transmits this to the payment server 40.

[0067] The process proceeds to step S304, where the acquisition unit 431 of the payment server 40 acquires information indicating the amount of charged / discharged power linked to the vehicle ID from the charging / discharging device 20. The acquisition unit 431 also acquires information indicating the unit price of power determined by the power supply company, for example, from a server of the power supply company. The unit price of power varies, for example, depending on the time period.

[0068] The process proceeds to step S305, where the charge / discharge fee calculation unit 434 calculates a charge / discharge fee based on the acquired amount of charge / discharge power and the unit price of power. For example, if the unit price of power fluctuates every hour, the charge / discharge fee calculation unit 434 calculates a charge / discharge fee based on the amount of charge / discharge power and the unit price of power for each time period in which the amount of charge / discharge power is charged / discharged.

[0069] Specifically, when discharging is performed from the storage battery mounted on vehicle 10 to charging / discharging device 20, charge / discharge fee calculation unit 434 calculates a discharge fee for the amount of discharged power by multiplying the amount of discharged power discharged from the storage battery to charging / discharging device 20 by the unit price of power for each time period in which the amount of discharged power is discharged. The discharge fee is a fee paid to the user of vehicle 10 as compensation for discharging (selling) power from the storage battery mounted on vehicle 10.

[0070] Furthermore, when the storage battery mounted on vehicle 10 is charged by charging / discharging device 20, charge / discharge fee calculation unit 434 calculates a charging fee for the amount of charging energy by multiplying the amount of energy charged to the storage battery from charging / discharging device 20 by the unit price of energy for the time period in which the amount of energy is charged. The charging fee is a fee charged to the user of vehicle 10 as compensation for charging energy from charging / discharging device 20 to the storage battery mounted on vehicle 10.

[0071] The charge / discharge fee calculation unit 434 associates the calculated charge / discharge fee with the vehicle ID and stores them in the settlement management database 422 of the storage device 42. The processes of steps S304 to S305 may be executed by the charge / discharge device 20.

[0072] The processing proceeds to step S306, where the fee calculation unit 435 calculates the fee to be charged or paid to the user based on the service usage fee and the charging / discharging fee linked to the vehicle ID stored in the payment management database 422. Note that the fee calculation unit 435 may calculate the amount of charging / discharging power corresponding to the fee to be charged or paid to the user based on the calculated fee to be charged or paid to the user and the unit price of power. In this case, the fee calculation unit 435 calculates the amount of charging / discharging power corresponding to the fee to be charged or paid to the user by dividing the calculated fee to be charged or paid to the user by the current unit price of power.

[0073] Specifically, when discharging is performed from a storage battery mounted on vehicle 10 to charging / discharging device 20, fee calculation unit 435 calculates the fee to be billed or paid to the user of vehicle 10 by subtracting the discharge fee from the service usage fee. For example, if the calculated fee value is negative, the difference between the service usage fee and the discharge fee becomes the fee to be paid to the user. If the calculated fee value is positive, the difference between the service usage fee and the discharge fee becomes the fee to be billed to the user.

[0074] Furthermore, when the storage battery mounted on vehicle 10 is charged by charging / discharging device 20, fee calculation unit 435 calculates the fee to be charged to the user of vehicle 10 by adding the charging fee to the service usage fee. Note that if the user does not make an electronic payment for the service usage fee and the service usage fee is not stored in payment management database 422, the service usage fee is treated as "0."

[0075] The process proceeds to step S307, where the fee calculation unit 435 outputs the calculated fee to the user terminal 30. The fee calculation unit 435 may output the amount of charging and discharging power corresponding to the calculated fee to the user terminal 30. The fee calculation unit 435 may output at least one of the calculated fee or the amount of charging and discharging power corresponding to the fee to the user terminal 30. The fee calculation unit 435 may output at least one of the calculated fee or the amount of charging and discharging power corresponding to the fee to the charging and discharging device 20.

[0076] The process proceeds to step S308, where user terminal 30 displays on the display unit the fee received from payment server 40. User terminal 30 transmits a permission signal permitting payment of the fee to payment server 40 based on an instruction from the user. Note that charging / discharging device 20 may display the fee received from payment server 40 on the display unit, and transmit a permission signal permitting payment of the fee to payment server 40 based on an instruction from the user.

[0077] The process proceeds to step S309, where the fee settlement unit 436 of the payment server 40 performs a settlement process for the calculated fee. The fee settlement unit 436 associates the calculated fee with the vehicle ID and stores it in the payment management database 422, and updates the fee to be billed or paid to the user.

[0078] Thereafter, fee settlement unit 436 transmits information indicating that the settlement process has been completed to user terminal 30, and the process proceeds to step S310. Also, the process proceeds to step S311. Fee settlement unit 436 may transmit information indicating that the settlement process has been completed to charging / discharging device 20.

[0079] In step S310, user terminal 30 receives information indicating that the settlement process has been completed from payment server 40, and completes the settlement of the fee. In addition, in step S311, fee settlement unit 436 transmits an unlock permission signal to charging / discharging device 20 to permit unlocking of power connector 21.

[0080] The process proceeds to step S312, where the charging / discharging device 20 receives an unlock permission signal from the payment server 40. The charging / discharging device 20 unlocks the power connector 21 and ends the process of FIG. 5C.

[0081] (Operation and Effect) As described above, the fee management device (payment server) 40 according to one embodiment includes a controller (CPU) 43 that manages the charge and discharge fee for the amount of charge and discharge power charged and discharged from the storage battery mounted on the vehicle 10 to the charging and discharging device 20. The controller 43 acquires information indicating the service usage fee for a service different from the charging and discharging device 20 that has been used by the user of the vehicle 10. The controller 43 calculates the fee to be charged or paid to the user or the amount of charge and discharge power corresponding to the fee, based on the service usage fee and the charging and discharging fee. The controller 43 outputs at least one of the fee or the amount of charge and discharge power corresponding to the fee.

[0082] Furthermore, when discharging from the storage battery to the charging / discharging device 20, the controller 43 calculates the fee to be billed or paid to the user by subtracting the discharging fee from the service usage fee. When charging from the storage battery to the charging / discharging device 20, the controller 43 calculates the fee to be billed to the user by adding the charging fee to the service usage fee.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the charge / discharge management device, the fees charged or paid to the user for charging or discharging the storage battery installed in the vehicle 10 and the usage fees for services other than charging or discharging the storage battery can be settled in one lump sum, thereby reducing the hassle for the user to pay fees.

[0084] The controller 43 may also acquire information indicating the amount of charge and discharge power, and information indicating the unit price of power, which is the electricity rate per unit amount of power, determined by a power supply company. In this case, the controller 43 may calculate the charge and discharge fee based on the amount of charge and discharge power and the unit price of power.

[0085] In addition, the controller 43 may acquire information indicating a first threshold value for the unit price of electricity at which the storage battery is discharged, set by the user, and if the current unit price of electricity is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, send a permission signal to the charging / discharging device to permit the storage battery to be discharged.

[0086] This allows the user to discharge power from the storage battery only when the unit price of power is equal to or greater than the first threshold value desired by the user. In other words, the user can discharge power from the storage battery and sell the power only when the unit price of power is equal to or greater than the first threshold value desired by the user.

[0087] In addition, the controller 43 may acquire information indicating a second threshold value for the unit price of electricity for charging the storage battery, set by the user, and if the current unit price of electricity is less than the second threshold value, send a permission signal to the charging / discharging device to permit charging of the storage battery.

[0088] This allows the storage battery to be charged with power when the unit price of power is less than the second threshold value desired by the user. In other words, the user can purchase power by charging the storage battery with power only when the unit price of power is less than the second threshold value desired by the user.

[0089] Furthermore, the controller 43 associates the service usage fee with identification information (vehicle ID) that identifies the vehicle 10 and stores the associated information in the storage unit (storage device) 42. The controller 43 associates the charge / discharge fee with the identification information that identifies the vehicle 10 and stores the associated information in the storage unit 42. The controller 43 calculates the fee to be billed or paid to the user based on the service usage fee and the charge / discharge fee that are associated with the identification information.

[0090] This allows the fee to be charged or paid to the user of the vehicle 10 to be calculated based on the service fee and charging / discharging fee linked to the identification information of the vehicle 10.

[0091] In addition, after the settlement of the fee or the amount of charging / discharging electricity corresponding to the fee has been completed, the controller 43 sends an authorization signal to the charging / discharging device 20 permitting the unlocking of the power connector 21 connecting the charging / discharging device 20 and the vehicle 10.

[0092] This allows charging / discharging device 20 to unlock power connector 21 after the settlement of the fee billed or paid to the user of vehicle 10 is completed. Payment server 40 can prevent the user who has used charging / discharging device 20 from leaving vehicle 10 before the fee has been settled, thereby ensuring that the fee is settled.

[0093] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0094] For example, charging / discharging device 20 may be installed in a parking lot, and the service used by the user may be a parking lot service that provides a parking lot for parking vehicle 10. In this case, controller 43 acquires information indicating the amount of electricity charged and discharged during parking. Controller 43 may then acquire information indicating the unit price of electricity set by an operator of the parking lot service, instead of the unit price of electricity set by the power supply company, and calculate the charging / discharging fee for parking based on the amount of electricity charged and discharged during parking and the unit price of electricity set by the operator of the parking lot service.

[0095] This allows the discharge fee for the amount of electricity discharged from the vehicle 10 while the vehicle 10 is parked in the parking lot to be used to pay the parking lot usage fee. Also, the charging fee for the amount of electricity charged to the vehicle 10 while the vehicle 10 is parked in the parking lot and the parking lot usage fee can be paid in a lump sum, reducing the user's effort to pay the fees separately.

[0096] Furthermore, the controller 43 may calculate a charging energy unit price, which is the electricity price for charging energy per unit amount of energy, based on the amount of charging energy charged to the storage battery from the charging / discharging device 20 and the charging fee for the amount of charging energy. More specifically, the controller 43 may calculate the charging energy unit price by dividing the charging fee by the amount of charging energy charged to the storage battery from the charging / discharging device 20. The controller 43 may output information indicating the calculated charging energy unit price and the current energy unit price to, for example, the user terminal 30. In this case, the controller 43 may set the charging energy unit price to a first threshold value for the energy unit price for discharging the storage battery, based on an instruction from the user.

[0097] According to one embodiment of the charge / discharge management device, a user can determine whether to discharge power from a storage battery, and set a first threshold value for the unit price of the amount of power to discharge the storage battery, based on the unit price of the amount of charging power required to charge the storage battery and the current unit price of the amount of power. Furthermore, the user can set the unit price of the amount of charging power as the first threshold value, thereby reducing the effort required for the user to set the first threshold value.

[0098] Furthermore, a third condition for stopping discharging from the storage battery may be set as another condition for charging and discharging. In this case, the controller 43 acquires information indicating a target amount of a discharging fee set by a user, for example, from the user terminal 30. The controller 43 acquires information indicating the amount of discharged power, which is the amount of power discharged from the storage battery to the charging and discharging device 20, from the charging and discharging device 20 at a predetermined interval, and calculates the discharging fee based on the amount of discharged power and the unit price of power. When the calculated discharging fee is equal to or greater than the target amount, the controller 43 transmits an instruction signal to the charging and discharging device 20 instructing it to stop discharging from the storage battery.

[0099] As a result, when power is being discharged from the storage battery to the charging / discharging device 20, the charging / discharging device 20 can stop discharging from the storage battery at the timing when the discharge fee for the amount of discharged power reaches the user's target amount. This allows the storage battery to discharge only the amount of power equivalent to the discharge fee desired by the user.

[0100] Furthermore, a fourth condition for stopping discharging from the storage battery may be set as another condition for charging and discharging. In this case, charging and discharging device 20 acquires information indicating the amount of power in the storage battery and the minimum amount of power required by the storage battery, for example, from vehicle 10. Charging and discharging device 20 stops discharging from the storage battery when the amount of power falls below the minimum amount of power required.

[0101] This allows the charging / discharging device 20 to stop discharging power from the storage battery when the amount of power in the storage battery falls below the minimum required amount of power, when power is being discharged from the storage battery to the charging / discharging device 20.

[0102] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 settlement system 10 vehicle 20 charging / discharging device 30 user terminal 40 settlement server (fee management device) 50 store terminal

Claims

1. A fee management device having a controller that manages charging and discharging fees for the amount of charging and discharging electricity charged and discharged from a storage battery installed in a vehicle to a charging and discharging device, wherein the controller: acquires information indicating a service usage fee for a service other than the charging and discharging device used by a user of the vehicle; calculates a fee to be charged or paid to the user or an amount of charging and discharging electricity corresponding to the fee based on the service usage fee and the charging and discharging fee; and outputs at least one of the fee or the amount of charging and discharging electricity corresponding to the fee.

2. The fee management device of claim 1, wherein the controller calculates the fee to be billed or paid to the user by subtracting a discharge fee from the service usage fee when discharging is performed from the storage battery to the charging / discharging device.

3. A fee management device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller calculates the fee to be charged to the user by adding a charging fee to the service usage fee when charging is performed from the storage battery to the charging / discharging device.

4. The fee management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the charging / discharging device is installed in a parking lot, and the service used by the user is a parking lot service that provides the parking lot for parking the vehicle.

5. The fee management device described in claim 4, wherein the controller: acquires information indicating the amount of electricity charged and discharged during parking; acquires information indicating the unit price of electricity, which is the electricity fee per unit of electricity, set by an operator who operates the parking lot service; and calculates the fee for charging and discharging during parking based on the amount of electricity charged and discharged during parking and the unit price of electricity.

6. A fee management device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller: acquires information indicating the amount of charged and discharged electricity; acquires information indicating a unit price of electricity, which is the electricity rate per unit amount of electricity, determined by an electric power supply company; and calculates the charge and discharge fee based on the amount of charged and discharged electricity and the unit price of electricity.

7. The fee management device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the controller acquires information indicating a first threshold value of the unit price of electricity for discharging the storage battery, set by the user, and when the current unit price of electricity is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, transmits a permission signal to the charging / discharging device to permit discharging of the storage battery.

8. The fee management device described in claim 7, wherein the controller calculates a charging energy unit price, which is the electricity fee for charging power per unit of energy, based on the amount of charging energy charged to the storage battery from the charging / discharging device and a charging fee for the amount of charging energy, outputs information indicating the calculated charging energy unit price and the current energy unit price, and sets the charging energy unit price to the first threshold value based on instructions from the user.

9. The fee management device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the controller acquires information indicating a second threshold value of the unit price of electricity for charging the storage battery, set by the user, and when the current unit price of electricity is less than the second threshold value, transmits a permission signal to the charging / discharging device to permit charging of the storage battery.

10. The fee management device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the controller acquires information indicating a target amount of a discharge fee set by the user, and when the calculated discharge fee becomes equal to or exceeds the target amount, transmits an instruction signal to the charging / discharging device to instruct it to stop discharging from the storage battery.

11. A fee management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the charging / discharging device acquires the amount of power of the storage battery and a minimum required amount of power that the storage battery requires as a minimum, and stops discharging the storage battery when the amount of power of the storage battery falls below the minimum required amount of power.

12. A fee management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the controller: links the service usage fee and identification information identifying the vehicle and stores them in a memory unit; links the charging / discharging fee and identification information identifying the vehicle and stores them in the memory unit; and calculates the fee based on the service usage fee and the charging / discharging fee linked to the identification information.

13. A fee management device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the controller transmits an authorization signal to the charging / discharging device permitting unlocking of a power connector connecting the charging / discharging device to the vehicle after settlement of the fee or the amount of charging / discharging power corresponding to the fee has been completed.

14. A fee management method by a controller that manages charging and discharging fees for the amount of charging and discharging electricity charged and discharged from a storage battery installed in a vehicle to a charging and discharging device, the method comprising: acquiring information indicating a service usage fee for a service other than the charging and discharging device used by a user of the vehicle; calculating a fee to be charged or paid to the user or an amount of charging and discharging electricity corresponding to the fee based on the service usage fee and the charging and discharging fee; and outputting at least one of the fee or the amount of charging and discharging electricity corresponding to the fee.

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