Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and recording medium

Abstract

This information processing device comprises a selection unit, a calculation unit, and a determination unit. The selection unit selects a plurality of charging location candidates using the current location of an electric vehicle. The calculation unit calculates, for each of the plurality of charging location candidates, an estimated charging amount that is estimated to be necessary when traveling from the current location to a destination via the charging location candidate. The determination unit determines a recommended charging location from among the plurality of charging location candidates using the estimated charging amount.

Description

Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and recording medium

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a route search device for preventing problems that occur after arriving at a destination, such as inability to move on to the next destination due to insufficient battery power. This route search device searches for a recommended route from a departure point to a destination for an electric vehicle powered by battery power. A search unit of the route search device searches for candidate routes from the departure point to the destination and estimates the remaining battery power upon arrival at the destination. A determination unit of the route search device then determines a recommended route to the destination based on the estimated remaining power.

[0003] International Publication No. 2013 / 172157

[0004] Generally, in secondary batteries such as batteries mounted on electric vehicles, the charging rate (the ratio of remaining capacity to the amount of power when the battery is fully charged) that can be charged in the same amount of time often varies depending on the remaining battery charge. In other words, in batteries mounted on electric vehicles, the charging efficiency often changes depending on the remaining battery charge.

[0005] However, the route search device described in Patent Document 1 does not disclose a technique for efficiently charging an electric vehicle when the electric vehicle needs to be charged along the route to the destination.

[0006] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to support the efficiency of charging electric vehicles.

[0007] The information processing device of the present disclosure includes a selection means for selecting a plurality of candidate charging locations using the current location of an electric vehicle; a calculation means for calculating, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an estimated charge amount, which is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging location; and a determination means for determining a recommended charging location from the plurality of candidate charging locations using the estimated charge amount.

[0008] The information processing system according to the present disclosure includes: the information processing device; and a terminal device for displaying display data including the recommended charging locations.

[0009] The information processing method disclosed herein involves one or more computers selecting a plurality of candidate charging locations using the current location of an electric vehicle, calculating an estimated charge amount for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, which is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location via the candidate charging location to the destination, and using the estimated charge amount to determine a recommended charging location from among the plurality of candidate charging locations.

[0010] The recording medium in the present disclosure has recorded thereon a program for causing one or more computers to select a plurality of candidate charging locations using the current location of an electric vehicle, calculate an estimated charge amount for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, which is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging location, and determine a recommended charging location from among the plurality of candidate charging locations using the estimated charge amount.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to support the improvement of charging efficiency in electric vehicles.

[0012] 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a first information processing device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example operation of a first information processing device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a first information processing system according to the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed example configuration of a first information processing device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed example operation of a first information processing device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of selected charging location candidates; FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a first terminal device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example operation of a first terminal device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example physical configuration of a first information processing device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a second information processing device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing example electrical characteristic data according to the present disclosure; FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example operation of a second information processing device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a second determination unit according to the present disclosure; FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example operation of a second update unit according to the present disclosure; FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a detailed example configuration of a third information processing device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed example operation of a fourth information processing device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a third determination unit according to the present disclosure; FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example operation of a third determination unit according to the present disclosure.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, in this disclosure, the drawings relate to one or more embodiments.

[0014] First Embodiment (Configuration Example of Information Processing Apparatus 100) As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a selection unit 140, a calculation unit 160, and a determination unit 170.

[0015] The selection unit 140 selects a plurality of candidate charging locations using the current location of the electric vehicle. The calculation unit 160 calculates, for each of the candidate charging locations, an estimated charge amount, which is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging locations. The determination unit 170 determines a recommended charging location from the candidate charging locations using the estimated charge amount.

[0016] According to this information processing device 100, the estimated charge amount is used to determine the recommended charging locations, so that the recommended charging locations can be determined so that the electric vehicle can be efficiently charged along the route to the destination. Therefore, it is possible to support the improvement of the efficiency of charging of the electric vehicle.

[0017] (Example of Operation of Information Processing Device 100) The information processing device 100 executes information processing as shown in FIG.

[0018] The selection unit 140 selects a plurality of candidate charging locations using the current location of the electric vehicle (step S140). The calculation unit 160 calculates, for each of the candidate charging locations, an estimated charge amount that is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging locations (step S160). The determination unit 170 determines a recommended charging location from the candidate charging locations using the estimated charge amount (step S170).

[0019] According to this information processing, the estimated charge amount is used to determine the recommended charging locations, so that the recommended charging locations can be determined so that the electric vehicle can be efficiently charged along the route to the destination, thereby supporting the efficient charging of the electric vehicle.

[0020] The information processing device 100 and a detailed example of its operation will be described below.

[0021] The information processing device 100 is a device for determining recommended charging locations that are recommended as charging locations for electric vehicles. The information processing device 100 is provided in, for example, an information processing system that determines recommended charging locations that are recommended as charging locations for electric vehicles and presents the recommended charging locations to passengers of the electric vehicles.

[0022] Here, an electric vehicle is a vehicle that runs on power supplied from a battery installed in the vehicle. The battery is a rechargeable secondary battery. Charging of an electric vehicle, i.e., charging of the battery, can be performed at a charging station where a charging device is installed. Such charging stations are, for example, power stations, parking lots for electric vehicle users, etc. Typically, the user is a transportation company, but is not limited to this. The user may be, for example, various corporations, organizations, groups, etc. other than a transportation company, or may be an individual.

[0023] Hereinafter, when simply referring to a "battery," the battery refers to the battery mounted on the electric vehicle, that is, the battery that supplies the electric power used to power the electric vehicle to run.

[0024] (Configuration Example of Information Processing System S1) As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing system S1 includes, for example, an information processing device 100 and a terminal device 500 for displaying display data including recommended charging locations.

[0025] The information processing device 100 and the terminal device 500 are connected to each other, for example, via a communication network NT. The communication network NT may be configured, for example, as a wired or wireless network, or a combination of these. This allows the information processing device 100 and the terminal device 500 to transmit and receive, for example, various types of information or data to and from each other via the communication network NT.

[0026] It should be noted that there may be a plurality of terminal devices 500.

[0027] (Detailed configuration example of information processing device 100) As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the information processing device 100 includes a current information acquisition unit 110, a destination acquisition unit 120, a route generation unit 130, a selection unit 140, a first reception unit 150, a calculation unit 160, a determination unit 170, and an output unit 180.

[0028] The current information acquisition unit 110 acquires current information including the current location.

[0029] The destination acquisition unit 120 acquires a destination.

[0030] The route generation unit 130 generates a route for the electric vehicle to travel using the current information and the destination acquired by the current information acquisition unit 110 and the destination acquisition unit 120, respectively.

[0031] The selection unit 140 selects a plurality of charging location candidates using the current information and the destination acquired by the current information acquisition unit 110 and the destination acquisition unit 120, respectively.

[0032] The first receiving unit 150 receives a specification of a remaining capacity condition relating to the remaining capacity of a battery mounted on an electric vehicle.

[0033] For each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, the calculation unit 160 calculates an estimated charge amount, which is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging locations while satisfying the remaining capacity condition.

[0034] As described above, the determination unit 170 determines a recommended charging location from among a plurality of charging location candidates using the estimated charged amount.

[0035] The output unit 180 outputs display data including recommended charging locations.

[0036] (Detailed Operation Example of Information Processing Device 100) The information processing device 100 executes information processing as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

[0037] The current information acquisition unit 110 acquires current information including the current location (step S110).

[0038] The destination acquisition unit 120 acquires a destination (step S120).

[0039] The route generation unit 130 generates a route for the electric vehicle to travel using the current information and the destination acquired in steps S110 and S120 (step S130).

[0040] The selection unit 140 selects a plurality of charging location candidates using the current location and the destination acquired in steps S110 and S120, respectively (step S140).

[0041] The first receiving unit 150 receives a specification of a remaining capacity condition relating to the remaining capacity of a battery mounted on the electric vehicle (step S150).

[0042] For each of the multiple candidate charging locations selected in step S140, the calculation unit 160 calculates an estimated charging amount, which is the amount of charging estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging location while satisfying the remaining capacity condition (step S160).

[0043] The determination unit 170 determines a recommended charging location from among the multiple charging location candidates using the estimated charging amount calculated in step S160 (step S170).

[0044] The output unit 180 outputs display data including the recommended charging locations determined in step S170 (step S180).

[0045] (Current Information Acquisition Unit 110) The current information acquisition unit 110 acquires current information.

[0046] The current information includes the current location of the electric vehicle. The current information acquisition unit 110 has at least one of a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, a function for estimating the current location using Wi-Fi, etc. The current information acquisition unit 110 then acquires the current location of the electric vehicle using these functions.

[0047] The current information may further include at least one of the current remaining capacity, the current time, and the like.

[0048] The current remaining capacity is the current remaining capacity of the battery. The remaining capacity is expressed, for example, as a ratio (e.g., %) of the amount of power currently remaining in the battery to the amount of power that would be present if the battery were fully charged. The current information acquisition unit 110 acquires the current remaining capacity using, for example, the voltage value, current value, etc. of the battery.

[0049] The current time is the current time. The current information acquisition unit 110 has at least one of a clock function, a function for acquiring the current time via the communication network NT, and the like, and acquires the current time using these functions.

[0050] The method of acquiring the current location of the electric vehicle, the method of acquiring and displaying the remaining capacity, and the method of acquiring the current time are not limited to those exemplified here.

[0051] (Destination Acquisition Unit 120) The destination acquisition unit 120 acquires a destination based on, for example, an input from a passenger of the electric vehicle, such as a driver.

[0052] (Regarding the Route Generation Unit 130) The route generation unit 130 generates a route for the electric vehicle to travel using the current location and destination included in the current information. The route is a route from the current location to the destination. The route generation unit 130 generates the route by further using, for example, map data. The map data may be stored in advance in the route generation unit 130 or may be acquired via the communication network NT.

[0053] When there are multiple routes from the current location to the destination, the route generation unit 130 generates one or more routes from among these routes in accordance with predetermined route generation conditions.

[0054] The route generation conditions include, for example, that at least one of the required travel time, travel distance, etc. be the shortest, or that it be within a predetermined range from the shortest. The required travel time is the time predicted to be required to reach the destination from the current location. The travel distance is the distance predicted to be traveled from the current location to the destination (e.g., the distance of the journey).

[0055] The method by which the route generating unit 130 generates a route and the route generation conditions are not limited to those exemplified here.

[0056] (Regarding the route generation unit 130) The selection unit 140 selects a plurality of charging location candidates using the current location and the destination. The charging location candidates are candidates for charging locations where the electric vehicle can charge on the way from the current location to the destination.

[0057] The selection unit 140 may select, for example, one or more charging locations within a predetermined first distance from the current location and one or more charging locations within a predetermined second distance along the route as charging location candidates. The first distance and the second distance may be set as appropriate. The first distance and the second distance may be the same or different.

[0058] The selection unit 140 may use the current remaining capacity to select, as a charging location candidate, a charging location that can be reached without running out of power.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing examples of selected charging location candidates. In the figure, charging location A is an example of a charging location that is located within a predetermined first distance from the current location. Charging locations B and C are examples of charging locations that are located within a predetermined second distance along the route. Charging location C is an example of a charging location that is predicted to run out of power by the time the vehicle arrives at charging location C from the current location. In such a case, the selection unit 140 may select charging locations A and B as charging location candidates.

[0060] The selection unit 140 may select multiple charging location candidates using only the current location. In this case, the selection unit 140 may select, for example, multiple charging locations that are located within a predetermined first distance from the current location as charging location candidates.

[0061] Running out of power means that the electric vehicle cannot run due to insufficient battery power, and this applies hereinafter as well.

[0062] (First Receiving Unit 150) The first receiving unit 150 receives a specification of a remaining capacity condition related to the remaining capacity of a battery mounted on an electric vehicle.

[0063] The remaining capacity condition may include at least one of a lower limit value of the remaining capacity that the electric vehicle should maintain while traveling and a lower limit value of the remaining capacity when the electric vehicle arrives at the destination. Each of the lower limit value of the remaining capacity that the electric vehicle should maintain while traveling (first lower limit value) and the lower limit value of the remaining capacity when the electric vehicle arrives at the destination (second lower limit value) may be greater than 0. The first lower limit value and the second lower limit value may be the same or different. Note that the remaining capacity condition may be any condition related to the remaining capacity of the battery installed in the electric vehicle, and is not limited to the example given here.

[0064] The specification of the remaining capacity condition may include, for example, an initial setting, a change thereto, etc. The specification of the remaining capacity condition may be performed by the user of the information processing device 100, or may be performed by a passenger, an owner, etc. of the electric vehicle.

[0065] (Regarding calculation unit 160) For each of a plurality of candidate charging locations, calculation unit 160 calculates an estimated charge amount, which is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging location while satisfying the remaining capacity condition.

[0066] If the destination is a charging location such as a parking lot of a transportation company that uses electric vehicles, the vehicle can be charged at the destination. In this case, the calculation unit 160 may calculate the estimated charge amount for the charging location candidate so that the remaining capacity (estimated value) upon arrival at the destination is as close as possible to the second lower limit value.

[0067] Generally, when charging the same amount of power, the cost of charging in a parking lot, etc. is often lower than that of charging at a power station. Therefore, by calculating this estimated charge amount, it is possible to reduce the cost of charging.

[0068] The charging rate at each candidate charging location, that is, the remaining capacity to which the battery is charged, is not limited to the example given here.

[0069] For example, the charging rate at each candidate charging location may be a predetermined rate or the like.

[0070] Furthermore, for example, if a user such as an owner of an electric vehicle sells the power stored in the battery to an electric power company and the power selling fee is higher than the charging fee at the candidate charging location, the estimated charge amount may be the charge amount that will result in a full charge at the candidate charging location. In this case, the estimated charge amount for the candidate charging location may be calculated within a range from the charge amount that is as close as possible to the second lower limit to the charge amount that will result in a full charge. The power selling fee may be acquired, for example, via a communication network NT. Examples of methods for acquiring the charging fee will be described later.

[0071] In such cases, by charging the electric vehicle until it is fully charged, the electric vehicle user can earn profits by selling the electricity.

[0072] (Regarding the determination unit 170) The determination unit 170 determines a recommended charging location from among a plurality of candidate charging locations using the estimated charge amount. The recommended charging location is a charging location that is recommended as a charging location for an electric vehicle from among the plurality of candidate charging locations.

[0073] The determination unit 170 may determine a recommended charging location from among the plurality of charging location candidates in accordance with, for example, predetermined charging location determination conditions. In detail, for example, the determination unit 170 may determine, as the recommended charging location, a charging location candidate that satisfies the predetermined charging location determination conditions from among the plurality of charging location candidates.

[0074] The conditions for determining the charging location may be determined as appropriate, and may be determined, for example, with respect to at least one of the remaining capacity (estimated value) upon arrival at the charging location, the amount of charge at the charging location, the time required for charging at the charging location, and the charging cost at the charging location.

[0075] In more detail, for example, if the charging location determination condition is determined with respect to the remaining capacity, the charging location determination condition may include a condition that the estimated remaining capacity upon arrival at the charging location candidate is the smallest, or that the estimated value is equal to or less than a preset threshold. As described above, with a typical battery, the charging rate at which the battery can be charged in the same amount of time (the ratio of the remaining capacity to the amount of power when the battery is fully charged) often varies depending on the remaining battery capacity, and the lower the remaining battery capacity, the more efficiently the battery can be charged. Therefore, by including this condition, the battery can be charged to a higher charging rate in the same charging time, thereby enabling more efficient charging.

[0076] For example, when the charging amount is determined, the charging location determination condition may include the charging amount (e.g., the amount of charge up to the estimated charging amount) at the candidate charging location being the smallest, or the amount of charge being equal to or less than a preset threshold. Generally, a charging cost may be charged according to the amount of charge at a desk lamp or the like. In such a case, charging at a charging location with a small amount of charge can reduce the charging cost, thereby enabling efficient charging.

[0077] For example, if the charging time is set, the charging location determination condition may include the charging time required at the candidate charging location (e.g., the time required to charge to the estimated charge amount) being the shortest, or the charging time being equal to or less than a preset threshold. Generally, charging costs may be incurred according to the charging time at a desk lamp or the like. In such cases, charging at a charging location with a short charging time can reduce the charging cost, thereby enabling efficient charging.

[0078] For example, when the charging cost is set, the charging location determination condition may include the lowest charging cost, or the charging cost being equal to or less than a preset threshold. This allows the charging cost to be reduced by charging at a charging location with a low charging cost, thereby enabling efficient charging. A detailed example of using the charging cost will be described later.

[0079] The number of recommended charging locations determined by determination unit 170 may be multiple when charging is required at multiple charging locations along the way, when the charging location determination conditions include multiple conditions, etc. When the charging location determination conditions include multiple conditions, the multiple recommended charging locations determined may be associated with the content of the charging location determination conditions used to determine each recommended charging location (in the above example, any one of the charging amount, charging cost, and required charging time).

[0080] For example, it is assumed that the remaining capacity estimated upon arrival at the candidate charging locations A and B shown in Fig. 6 is the same. It is also assumed that the charging location determination conditions include one or both of the examples regarding the charge amount and the required charging time described above.

[0081] When the estimated charge amount is calculated so that the remaining capacity (estimated value) upon arrival at the destination is as close as possible to the second lower limit, candidate charging location A is a longer distance to the destination than candidate charging location B. Therefore, it is estimated that candidate charging location A will have a larger estimated charge amount than candidate charging location B. As a result, candidate charging location A will usually have a smaller charge amount to reach the estimated charge amount and a shorter charging time than candidate charging location B. In such a case, determiner 170 determines candidate charging location A as the recommended charging location.

[0082] The method by which the determination unit 170 determines a recommended charging location may use an estimated charge amount and is not limited to the example given here. Furthermore, when charging location determination conditions are used, the charging location determination conditions are not limited to the example given here. For example, if the charging location determination conditions include only the above-described example related to remaining capacity, the charging location candidates A and B are equivalent under these conditions, and the determination unit 170 may determine the charging location candidates A and B.

[0083] (Regarding Output Unit 180) The output unit 180 outputs display data including recommended charging locations.

[0084] The display data may include, for example, a map and may be data showing recommended charging locations on the map.

[0085] The display data may also include an estimate of the remaining capacity at the recommended charging location. For example, the display data may show the estimated remaining capacity at the recommended charging location in the form of a message such as "Charge to X%."

[0086] Furthermore, the display data may include a charge amount indicating how much to charge at the recommended charging location. In detail, for example, the display data may indicate the charge amount at the recommended charging location in the form of a message such as "Charge to Y%."

[0087] The output of the display data may be, for example, at least one of displaying the display data and transmitting the display data to the terminal device 500 .

[0088] It should be noted that the method of displaying the recommended charging location, the estimated remaining capacity at the recommended charging location, and the amount of charge at the recommended charging location in the display data is not limited to the above example.

[0089] For example, the display data may include the address, latitude, or longitude of the recommended charging location, and the terminal device 500 may use this data to perform processing to display the display data, thereby displaying the recommended charging location on a map.

[0090] Furthermore, for example, the display data may include the numerical value X or Y in the above example, and the terminal device 500 for displaying the display data may use this data to perform processing, thereby displaying an estimated remaining capacity or charge amount at the recommended charging location using an appropriate message or the like.

[0091] (Configuration Example of Terminal Device 500) As described above, the terminal device 500 is a device for displaying display data including recommended charging locations. The terminal device 500 may be an in-vehicle device such as a car navigation device, or may be a smartphone, tablet device, or the like used by a passenger or the like.

[0092] 7 , the terminal device 500 includes a communication unit 510 and a display unit 520. The communication unit 510 acquires display data from, for example, the information processing device 100. The display unit 520 displays the display data acquired by the communication unit 510.

[0093] The terminal device 500 executes, for example, the terminal processing shown in Fig. 8. This terminal processing may be part of the information processing executed by the information processing system S1.

[0094] The communication unit 510 acquires display data from, for example, the information processing device 100 (step S510). The display unit 520 displays the display data acquired by the communication unit 510 (step S520).

[0095] By being provided with such a terminal device 500 or by executing terminal processing, the user of the terminal device can view and learn information included in the display data such as recommended charging locations.

[0096] (Example of Physical Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 100) As shown in FIG. 9, the information processing apparatus 100 physically includes a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, a network interface 1050, and a user interface 1060.

[0097] The bus 1010 is a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data among the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, network interface 1050, input interface 1060, and output interface 1070. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0098] The processor 1020 is implemented as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0099] The memory 1030 is a main storage device realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

[0100] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device realized by a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, a read-only memory (ROM), or the like. The storage device 1040 stores program modules for realizing the functions of the device that includes the storage device 1040. The processor 1020 loads each of these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them to realize the function corresponding to that program module.

[0101] The network interface 1050 is an interface for connecting a device equipped with it to a communication network.

[0102] The input interface 1060 is an interface for the user to input information, and is configured from, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

[0103] The output interface 1070 is an interface for presenting information to the user, and is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, or the like.

[0104] Such an information processing device 100 is, for example, a general-purpose computer. The functions of the information processing device 100 can be realized by the physical components cooperating to execute a software program. Therefore, the present invention may be realized as a software program or as a non-transitory storage medium on which the program is recorded.

[0105] The terminal device 500 may be physically configured in the same manner as the information processing device 100, for example. The terminal device 500 may also have some of the functions of the information processing device 100 and execute some of the information processing using those functions. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may be an in-vehicle device such as a car navigation device, or may be a smartphone, tablet terminal, or the like used by a passenger or the like. In this case, it is preferable that the terminal device has the functions of the information processing device 100 and executes information processing.

[0106] Furthermore, if there are multiple terminal devices 500, the multiple terminal devices 500 may be in-vehicle devices installed in each of the multiple electric vehicles, or may be smartphones, tablet devices, etc. used by the occupants of each of the multiple electric vehicles.

[0107] (Actions and Effects) As described above, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 100 includes the selection unit 140, the calculation unit 160, and the determination unit 170. The selection unit 140 selects a plurality of candidate charging locations using the current location of the electric vehicle. The calculation unit 160 calculates, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an estimated charge amount, which is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging location. The determination unit 170 uses the estimated charge amount to determine a recommended charging location from the plurality of candidate charging locations.

[0108] As a result, as described above, the estimated charge amount is used to determine the recommended charging location, so that the recommended charging location can be determined so that the electric vehicle can be efficiently charged along the route to the destination, thereby supporting the improvement of the efficiency of charging of the electric vehicle.

[0109] According to this embodiment, the information processing device 100 further includes a first receiving unit 150 that receives a specification of a remaining capacity condition related to the remaining capacity of a battery mounted on the electric vehicle. The calculation unit 160 calculates, for each of a plurality of charging location candidates, an estimated charge amount that is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the charging location candidate while satisfying the remaining capacity condition.

[0110] This allows the remaining capacity condition to be used to calculate an estimated charge amount for each of a plurality of candidate charging locations. The estimated charge amount is then used to determine recommended charging locations, so recommended charging locations can be determined to enable efficient charging of electric vehicles along the route to the destination. This makes it possible to support efficient charging of electric vehicles.

[0111] According to this embodiment, the remaining capacity condition includes at least one of a lower limit value of the remaining capacity that the electric vehicle should maintain while traveling and a lower limit value of the remaining capacity when the electric vehicle arrives at the destination.

[0112] This allows the remaining capacity condition to be used to calculate an estimated charge amount for each of a plurality of candidate charging locations. The estimated charge amount is then used to determine recommended charging locations, so recommended charging locations can be determined to enable efficient charging of electric vehicles along the route to the destination. This makes it possible to support efficient charging of electric vehicles.

[0113] Second Embodiment In a second embodiment, an example will be described in which charging costs are calculated using charging characteristic data that indicates the charging characteristics of a battery.

[0114] An example of determining a recommended charging location will also be described. In this embodiment, the charging location determination conditions include a condition set regarding charging costs, and more specifically, the charging cost must be the lowest, as described above.

[0115] In this embodiment, the description of the same configurations and processes as those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate to avoid duplication.

[0116] (Configuration example of information processing device 200) As shown in Fig. 10 , for example, the information processing device 200 includes a determination unit 270 that replaces the determination unit 170 of the information processing device 100 shown in Fig. 4. The information processing device 200 further includes a charge characteristic storage unit 210, a charge characteristic acquisition unit 220, and a charge characteristic update unit 230. Except for these, the information processing device 200 may be configured similarly to the information processing device 100, for example.

[0117] The charging characteristic storage unit 210 is a storage unit for storing charging characteristic data associated with vehicle identification information for identifying an electric vehicle.

[0118] 11 is a diagram showing an example of electrical characteristic data. As shown in the figure, the electrical characteristic data indicates the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time for the battery mounted on the electric vehicle. In the example shown in the figure, the data is associated with the vehicle identification information of "electric vehicle A."

[0119] In the figure, the time length from T1 to T2 is equal to the time length from T3 to T4. The remaining capacity at the start of charging differs between T1 to T2 and T3 to T4, being 20% ​​and 80%, respectively. Furthermore, while 30% of the remaining capacity can be charged between T1 and T2, only 10% of the remaining capacity can be charged between T3 and T4. In this way, generally, the lower the remaining capacity at the start of charging, the more power equivalent to a charging rate can be charged in the same amount of time. In other words, the lower the remaining capacity at the start of charging, the more efficiently the battery can be charged. These charging characteristics change due to factors such as deterioration that occurs with battery use.

[0120] 4B of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-166971 shows an example of the change in battery capacity over charging time. In this example, the battery capacity increases in proportion to the charging time from approximately 0% to 90%.

[0121] The charging characteristic acquisition unit 220 acquires charging characteristic data that indicates the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time for the battery mounted on the electric vehicle.

[0122] When the battery of the electric vehicle is charged, the charging characteristic update unit 230 updates the charging characteristic data of the electric vehicle using charging record data that indicates the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time during the charging.

[0123] The determination unit 270 determines a recommended charging location from among a plurality of charging location candidates using the estimated charge amount, similar to the determination unit 170. Details will be described later.

[0124] (Example of Operation of Information Processing Device 200) The information processing device 200 executes information processing as shown in FIG. 12, for example.

[0125] As shown in the figure, steps S110 to S160 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0126] The charging characteristic acquisition unit 220 acquires charging characteristic data indicating the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time for the battery mounted on the electric vehicle (step S220).

[0127] Similar to step S170, the determination unit 270 determines a recommended charging location from among a plurality of charging location candidates using the estimated charge amount (step S270), as will be described in detail later.

[0128] Step S180 is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0129] (Regarding the charging characteristic acquisition unit 220) As described above, the charging characteristic acquisition unit 220 acquires the charging characteristic data. The charging characteristic acquisition unit 220 acquires the charging characteristic data, for example, from the charging characteristic storage unit 210. Note that the method for acquiring the charging characteristic data is not limited to this. For example, the charging characteristic storage unit 210 may be provided in the terminal device 500, an external device (not shown), or the like. In this case, the charging characteristic acquisition unit 220 may acquire the charging characteristic data via the communication network NT.

[0130] (Regarding the charging characteristic update unit 230) As described above, when the battery of an electric vehicle is charged, the charging characteristic update unit 230 updates the charging characteristic data of the electric vehicle using charging history data that indicates the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time during the charging.

[0131] (Example of Operation of Charging Characteristics Update Unit 230) The charging characteristics update unit 230 executes an update process as shown in FIG. 15, for example.

[0132] When the battery of the electric vehicle is charged, the charging characteristic update unit 230 updates the charging characteristic data of the electric vehicle using charging history data that indicates the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time during the charging (step S230).

[0133] The update process may be included in the information processing executed by the information processing device 200. The update process is started, for example, when charging of the battery of the electric vehicle is disclosed and the charging characteristic update unit 230 acquires charging history data indicating the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time during the charging. The charging history data may be acquired, for example, from a control device or terminal device 500 mounted on the electric vehicle via the communication network NT.

[0134] The charging characteristic data may initially be standard charging characteristic data for the battery of an electric vehicle. By performing an update process, charging characteristic data that corresponds to the actual state of the battery of the electric vehicle can be stored.

[0135] The charging characteristic data may be affected not only by the characteristics of the battery of the electric vehicle but also by the characteristics of the charging device. Therefore, in addition to the vehicle identification information, the charging characteristic data may further be associated with information about the charging device used for charging (e.g., model, location, etc.). Furthermore, the charging characteristic data may not be associated with the vehicle identification information, but may instead use data indicating the standard charging characteristics of the battery (the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time).

[0136] (Regarding the Determining Unit 270) The determining unit 270 calculates the charging cost at each of the plurality of charging location candidates using, for example, the estimated charging amount, and determines a recommended charging location using the charging cost.

[0137] In detail, for example, as shown in FIG. 13 , the determination unit 270 includes a fee acquisition unit 271 , a cost calculation unit 272 , and a charging location determination unit 273 .

[0138] The fee acquisition unit 271 acquires fee information, which is information relating to the charging fee at each of the plurality of charging location candidates.

[0139] The cost calculation unit 272 calculates the charging cost for traveling from the current location to the destination via the charging location candidate for each of the multiple charging location candidate, using the fee information acquired by the fee acquisition unit 271 and the estimated charging amount calculated by the calculation unit 160. The charging cost may be calculated further using the charging characteristic data.

[0140] The charging location determination unit 273 determines a recommended charging location using the charging cost calculated by the cost calculation unit 272 .

[0141] (Example of Operation of Determining Unit 270) The determining unit 270 executes a determining process (step S270) as shown in FIG. 14, for example.

[0142] The fee acquisition unit 271 acquires fee information, which is information relating to the charging fee at each of the plurality of charging location candidates (step S271).

[0143] The cost calculation unit 272 calculates the charging cost for traveling from the current location to the destination via the charging location candidates for each of the multiple charging location candidates using the fee information acquired in step S271 and the estimated charging amount calculated in step S160 (step S272). The charging cost may be calculated further using the charging characteristic data.

[0144] The charging location determination unit 273 determines a recommended charging location using the charging cost calculated in step S272.

[0145] (Regarding the Fee Acquisition Unit 271) The fee acquisition unit 271 may acquire fee information, which is information relating to charging fees at each of a plurality of charging location candidates, from, for example, an external device (not shown) via the communication network NT.

[0146] Generally, charging fees at a desk lamp or the like are charged according to the amount of power used for charging, according to the charging time, etc. The fee acquisition unit 271 may acquire fee information including such charging fees for each of a plurality of charging location candidates, for example.

[0147] Furthermore, the charging fee at a desk lamp or the like may differ depending on the time of day when charging is performed. In such a case, the fee acquisition unit 271 may, for example, use the current time to acquire fee information including a charging fee corresponding to the current time for each of a plurality of charging location candidates. Furthermore, for example, the fee acquisition unit 271 may, for example, use the current time to predict an arrival time for each of a plurality of charging location candidates, and acquire fee information including a charging fee corresponding to the predicted arrival time.

[0148] The cost calculation unit 272 may calculate a charging cost for each of the plurality of charging location candidates by using the fee information and the estimated charging amount. The charging cost is the cost of charging at the charging location candidate when traveling from the current location to the destination via the charging location candidate.

[0149] As an example of a case where the charging fee is charged according to the amount of electricity used for charging, if a fee per amount of electricity is set, the cost calculation unit 272 may calculate the charging cost by multiplying the fee per amount of electricity by the estimated amount of charging.

[0150] As an example of a case where charging is performed according to charging time, if a fee per unit time is determined, the cost calculation unit 272 may calculate the charging time (estimated value) required to charge the estimated charge amount. At this time, the charging characteristic data may be used to calculate the charging time. This allows for a more accurate calculation of the charging time. The cost calculation unit 272 may calculate the charging cost by multiplying the fee per unit time by the charging time.

[0151] The charging location determination unit 273 determines a recommended charging location by using the charging cost calculated by the cost calculation unit 272. For example, the charging location determination unit 273 may determine a recommended charging location by further using a charging location determination condition.

[0152] In detail, for example, the charging location determination unit 273 determines charging location candidates that satisfy the charging location determination conditions as follows:

[0153] More specifically, for example, when the charging location determination condition includes the lowest charging cost as described above, the charging location determination unit 273 may determine, as the recommended charging location, the charging location candidate that has the lowest charging cost calculated by the cost calculation unit 272.

[0154] (Operations and Effects) As described above, according to this embodiment, the determination unit 270 includes the fee acquisition unit 271 , the cost calculation unit 272 , and the charging location determination unit 273 .

[0155] The fee acquisition unit 271 acquires fee information, which is information relating to the charging fee at each of the plurality of charging location candidates. The cost calculation unit 272 calculates the charging cost for traveling from the current location to the destination via the charging location candidate for each of the plurality of charging location candidates, using the fee information acquired by the fee acquisition unit 271 and the estimated charging amount calculated by the calculation unit 160. The charging location determination unit 273 determines a recommended charging location using the charging cost calculated by the cost calculation unit 272.

[0156] This makes it possible to determine recommended charging locations that will reduce charging costs, thereby helping to improve the efficiency of charging electric vehicles.

[0157] According to this embodiment, the information processing device 200 further includes a charging characteristic acquisition unit 220 that acquires charging characteristic data that indicates the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time for the battery mounted on the electric vehicle.

[0158] This allows for more accurate estimation of charging costs, especially when the charging costs depend on the charging time. It also allows for recommended charging locations to be determined so that charging costs can be kept down. This makes it possible to support more efficient charging of electric vehicles.

[0159] According to this embodiment, the charging cost is calculated further using the charging characteristic data.

[0160] This allows for more accurate estimation of charging costs, especially when the charging costs depend on the charging time. It also allows for recommended charging locations to be determined so that charging costs can be kept down. This makes it possible to support more efficient charging of electric vehicles.

[0161] According to this embodiment, the information processing device 200 further includes a charging characteristic update unit 230. When the battery of the electric vehicle is charged, the charging characteristic update unit 230 updates the charging characteristic data of the electric vehicle using charging history data that indicates the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time during the charging.

[0162] This allows for a more accurate estimation of the required charging time. Therefore, in cases where charging costs are incurred according to the charging time, the charging costs can be more accurately estimated. Furthermore, recommended charging locations can be determined to reduce charging costs. Therefore, it is possible to support the improvement of charging efficiency for electric vehicles.

[0163] Third Embodiment In a third embodiment, an example will be described in which a recommended charging location is determined using a desired arrival time at a destination.

[0164] In this embodiment, the description of the same configurations and processes as those in the first and second embodiments will be omitted as appropriate to avoid duplication.

[0165] (Configuration example of information processing device 300) As shown in Fig. 16 , for example, the information processing device 300 includes a determination unit 370 that replaces the determination unit 170 of the information processing device 100 shown in Fig. 4. The information processing device 300 further includes a charging characteristic storage unit 210, a charging characteristic acquisition unit 220, and a charging characteristic update unit 230 similar to those in the second embodiment, and a second reception unit 310. Except for these, the information processing device 200 may be configured similarly to the information processing device 100, for example.

[0166] The second reception unit 310 receives a designation of a desired time of arrival at a destination.

[0167] The determination unit 370 determines a recommended charging location from among a plurality of charging location candidates using the estimated charge amount, similar to the determination unit 170. Details will be described later.

[0168] (Example of Operation of Information Processing Device 300) The information processing device 300 executes information processing such as that shown in FIG. 17, for example.

[0169] As shown in the figure, steps S110 to S120 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0170] The second reception unit 310 receives a designation of a desired time of arrival at a destination (Step S310).

[0171] Steps S130 to S140 and S220 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0172] Similar to step S170, the determination unit 370 determines a recommended charging location from among a plurality of charging location candidates using the estimated charge amount (step S370), as will be described in detail later.

[0173] Step S180 is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0174] (Regarding the second reception unit 310) The second reception unit 310 may receive a designation of a desired arrival time at a destination based on, for example, an input from a passenger of the electric vehicle, etc. Note that the method of receiving the designation of a desired arrival time at a destination is not limited to the example given here.

[0175] (Regarding the determination unit 370) The determination unit 370 calculates the arrival time at each of a plurality of candidate charging locations using, for example, the estimated charge amount and the charging characteristic data, and determines a recommended charging location from among the plurality of candidate charging locations so that the arrival time is before the desired arrival time.

[0176] In detail, for example, as shown in FIG. 18 , the determination unit 370 includes a charging time estimation unit 371, an arrival time calculation unit 372, and a charging location determination unit 373.

[0177] The charging time estimation unit 371 uses the estimated charge amount and the charging characteristic data to estimate the charging time required to charge the vehicle to the estimated charge amount at each of the plurality of charging place candidates.

[0178] The arrival time calculation unit 372 calculates, for each of the plurality of charging place candidates, an arrival time, which is a predicted time at which the vehicle will arrive at the destination if charging is performed for the required charging time.

[0179] The charging location determination unit 373 determines a recommended charging location from among a plurality of charging location candidates so that the arrival time is before the desired arrival time.

[0180] (Example of Operation of Determining Unit 370) The determining unit 370 executes a determining process (step S370) as shown in FIG. 19, for example.

[0181] The charging time estimation unit 371 uses the estimated charge amount and the charging characteristic data to estimate the charging time required to charge the estimated charge amount at each of the plurality of charging place candidates (step S371).

[0182] The arrival time calculation unit 372 calculates, for each of the plurality of charging place candidates, an arrival time that is a predicted time at which the vehicle will arrive at the destination if charging is performed for the required charging time (step S372).

[0183] The charging location determination unit 373 determines a recommended charging location from among the multiple charging location candidates so that the arrival time is before the desired arrival time (step S373).

[0184] (Charging Time Estimation Unit 371) The charging time estimation unit 371 estimates the required charging time for each of the multiple charging location candidates using the estimated charge amount and the charging characteristic data. The required charging time is the time required to charge the estimated charge amount of the charging location candidate at the charging location candidate. The use of the charging characteristic data allows for more accurate estimation of the required charging time.

[0185] (Regarding the arrival time calculation unit 372) The arrival time calculation unit 372 calculates the arrival time for each of the multiple charging location candidates. The arrival time is the predicted time at which the vehicle will arrive at the destination if charging for the required charging time at the charging location candidate is performed, i.e., if charging for the estimated charging amount at the charging location candidate is performed.

[0186] (Charging Location Determination Unit 373) As described above, the charging location determination unit 373 determines a recommended charging location from among a plurality of charging location candidates so that the arrival time is before the desired arrival time.

[0187] For example, the charging location determination unit 373 may select one or more charging location candidates from among the multiple charging location candidates, such that the arrival time at the destination is equal to or earlier than the desired arrival time. Then, the charging location determination unit 373 may determine, as a recommended charging location, a charging location candidate that satisfies the above-described charging location determination condition from among the selected one or more charging location candidates.

[0188] The charging location determination unit 373 may determine one or more charging location candidates selected using the arrival time as described above as recommended charging locations.

[0189] (Operations and Effects) As described above, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 300 further includes the second receiving unit 310 that receives a designation of a desired time of arrival at a destination.

[0190] The determination unit 370 includes a charging time estimation unit 371, an arrival time calculation unit 372, and a charging location determination unit 373. The charging time estimation unit 371 uses the estimated charge amount and the charging characteristic data to estimate a required charging time for charging the estimated charge amount for each of the multiple charging location candidates. The arrival time calculation unit 372 calculates an arrival time, which is a predicted time at which the vehicle will arrive at the destination if charging for the required charging time is performed for each of the multiple charging location candidates. The charging location determination unit 373 determines a recommended charging location from the multiple charging location candidates so that the arrival time is before the desired arrival time.

[0191] This makes it possible to determine a recommended charging location that will allow the user to arrive at the destination before the desired arrival time, thereby improving convenience for the user of the information processing device 300.

[0192] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0193] In addition, although the flowcharts used in the above description show a sequence of steps (processes), the order of steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the sequence shown in the flowcharts. In each embodiment, the order of steps shown in the diagrams can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of the content.

[0194] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to the following: 1. An information processing device comprising: a selection means for selecting a plurality of candidate charging locations using a current location of an electric vehicle; a calculation means for calculating, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an estimated charge amount that is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to a destination via the candidate charging locations; and a determination means for determining a recommended charging location from among the plurality of candidate charging locations using the estimated charge amount. 2. The information processing device described in 1., further comprising first reception means for receiving designation of a remaining capacity condition related to the remaining capacity of a battery mounted on the electric vehicle, wherein the calculation means calculates, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, the estimated charge amount that is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to a destination via the candidate charging locations while satisfying the remaining capacity condition. 3. The information processing device according to 1. or 2., wherein the determination means includes: fee acquisition means for acquiring fee information which is information relating to a charging fee at each of the plurality of charging location candidates; cost calculation means for calculating a charging cost for traveling from the current location to a destination via the charging location candidate for each of the plurality of charging location candidates using the fee information and the estimated charging amount; and charging location determination means for determining the recommended charging location using the charging cost. 4. The information processing device according to any one of 1. to 3., further comprising charging characteristic acquisition means for acquiring charging characteristic data indicating a relationship between a remaining battery level and a charging time for a battery mounted on the electric vehicle. 5. The information processing device according to 2., wherein the remaining capacity condition includes at least one of a lower limit value of the remaining capacity that the electric vehicle should maintain while traveling and a lower limit value of the remaining capacity when the electric vehicle arrives at the destination. 6. The information processing device according to 4., wherein the charging cost is calculated further using the charging characteristic data. 7. 6. The information processing device according to Item 6, further comprising a charging characteristic update means for updating the charging characteristic data of the electric vehicle when the battery of the electric vehicle is charged, using charging history data indicating the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time during the charging.8. The information processing device according to any one of 4. to 7., further comprising a second receiving means for receiving a designation of a desired time of arrival at the destination, wherein the determining means further includes: a charging time estimating means for estimating a required charging time for charging the estimated amount of charge for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations using the estimated amount of charge and the charging characteristic data; and an arrival time calculating means for calculating, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an arrival time that is a predicted time at which the vehicle will arrive at the destination if charging for the required charging time is performed, wherein the charging location determining means determines the recommended charging location from the plurality of candidate charging locations so that the arrival time is before the desired time of arrival. 9. An information processing system comprising: the information processing device according to any one of 1. to 8.; and a terminal device for displaying display data including the recommended charging location. 11. An information processing method in which one or more computers select a plurality of candidate charging locations using a current location of an electric vehicle, calculate an estimated charge amount for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, which is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging locations, and use the estimated charge amount to determine a recommended charging location from among the plurality of candidate charging locations. 11. The information processing method described in 10. further includes accepting specification of a remaining capacity condition related to the remaining capacity of a battery mounted on the electric vehicle, and calculating the estimated charge amount includes calculating, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, the estimated charge amount, which is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging locations while satisfying the remaining capacity condition. 12. The information processing method in 10. further includes acquiring fee information, which is information related to charging fees at each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, and using the fee information and the estimated charge amount to calculate a charging cost for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging locations, and using the charging cost to determine the recommended charging location. Or 11. The information processing method according to item 1.13. The information processing method according to any one of 10. to 12., further comprising acquiring charging characteristic data indicating the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and charging time for a battery mounted on the electric vehicle. 14. The information processing method according to 11., wherein the remaining capacity condition includes at least one of a lower limit value of the remaining capacity that the electric vehicle should maintain while traveling and a lower limit value of the remaining capacity when the electric vehicle arrives at the destination. 15. The information processing method according to 13., wherein the charging cost is calculated further using the charging characteristic data. 16. The information processing method according to 15., further comprising, when the battery of the electric vehicle is charged, updating the charging characteristic data of the electric vehicle using charging history data indicating the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and charging time for the charging. 17. 18. The information processing method according to any one of 13. to 16., further comprising: accepting specification of a desired time of arrival at the destination; and determining the recommended charging location further comprising: using the estimated charge amount and the charging characteristic data to estimate a required charging time for charging with the estimated charge amount for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations; calculating, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an arrival time that is a predicted time at which the vehicle will arrive at the destination if charging for the required charge time is performed; and determining the recommended charging location includes determining the recommended charging location from the plurality of candidate charging locations so that the arrival time is before the desired arrival time. 19. A program causing one or more computers to select a plurality of candidate charging locations using a current location of an electric vehicle; calculating, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an estimated charge amount that is an estimated charge amount required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging location; and determining a recommended charging location from the plurality of candidate charging locations using the estimated charge amount. 18. The program according to claim 18, further comprising: receiving a specification of a remaining capacity condition related to the remaining capacity of a battery mounted on the electric vehicle; and calculating the estimated charge amount, for each of the plurality of charging location candidate sites, calculating the estimated charge amount, which is the amount of charge estimated to be required when traveling from the current location to a destination via the charging location candidate sites while satisfying the remaining capacity condition.20. The program according to 18. or 19., wherein determining the recommended charging location comprises: acquiring fee information, which is information about charging fees at each of the plurality of candidate charging locations; calculating a charging cost for traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging locations for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations using the fee information and the estimated charge amount; and determining the recommended charging location using the charging cost. 21. The program according to any one of 18. to 20., further acquiring charging characteristic data indicating a relationship between a remaining battery level and a charging time for a battery mounted on the electric vehicle. 22. The program according to 19., wherein the remaining capacity condition includes at least one of a lower limit value of the remaining capacity that the electric vehicle should maintain while traveling and a lower limit value of the remaining capacity when the electric vehicle arrives at the destination. 23. The program according to 21., wherein the charging cost is calculated further using the charging characteristic data. 24. The program according to any one of items 21 to 24., further comprising: when the battery of the electric vehicle is charged, updating the charging characteristic data of the electric vehicle using charging history data indicating the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the charging time for the charging. 25. The program according to any one of items 21 to 24., further comprising: accepting specification of a desired time of arrival at the destination; and determining the recommended charging location further comprising: using the estimated charge amount and the charging characteristic data to estimate a required charging time for charging the estimated amount of charge for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations; calculating, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an arrival time that is a predicted time at which the vehicle will arrive at the destination if charging for the required charging time is performed; and determining the recommended charging location further comprising determining the recommended charging location from among the plurality of candidate charging locations so that the arrival time is before the desired arrival time. 26. A recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to any one of items 18 to 25.

[0195] 100, 200, 300 Information processing device 110 Current information acquisition unit 120 Destination acquisition unit 130 Route generation unit 140 Selection unit 150 First reception unit 160 Calculation unit 170 Determination unit 180 Output unit 210 Charging characteristic storage unit 220 Charging characteristic acquisition unit 230 Charging characteristic update unit 270 Determination unit 271 Fee acquisition unit 272 Cost calculation unit 273 Charging location determination unit 310 Second reception unit 370 Determination unit 371 Charging time estimation unit 372 Arrival time calculation unit 373 Charging location determination unit 500 Terminal device 510 Communication unit 520 Display unit

Claims

1. A information processing apparatus comprising: a selection means for selecting a plurality of candidate charging locations using the current location of the electric vehicle; a calculation means for calculating, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an estimated charging amount which is an estimated charging amount required when traveling from the current location through the candidate charging location to the destination; and a determination means for determining a recommended charging location from among the plurality of candidate charging locations using the estimated charging amount.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first reception means for receiving a specification of a remaining capacity condition regarding the remaining capacity of the battery mounted on the electric vehicle, wherein the calculation means calculates, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, the estimated charging amount which is an estimated charging amount required when traveling from the current location through the candidate charging location to the destination while satisfying the remaining capacity condition.

3. The determination means of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 includes: a charge information acquisition means for acquiring charge information which is information regarding the charging fee at each of the plurality of candidate charging locations; a cost calculation means for calculating, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, the charging cost incurred when traveling from the current location through the candidate charging location to the destination using the charge information and the estimated charging amount; and a charging location determination means for determining the recommended charging location using the charging cost.

4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a charging characteristic acquisition means for acquiring charging characteristic data indicating the relationship between the remaining battery amount and the charging time of the battery mounted on the electric vehicle.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the remaining capacity condition includes at least one of a lower limit value of the remaining capacity to be maintained during the travel of the electric vehicle and a lower limit value of the remaining capacity when arriving at the destination.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the charging cost is calculated using the charging characteristic data.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a charging characteristic update means for updating the charging characteristic data of the electric vehicle using charging performance data indicating the relationship between the remaining battery amount and the charging time in the charging when the battery of the electric vehicle is charged.

8. The information processing apparatus further includes second reception means for receiving a designation of a desired arrival time at the destination, wherein the determination means includes: charging time estimation means for estimating a required charging time for charging the estimated charge amount at each of the plurality of candidate charging locations using the estimated charge amount and the charge characteristic data; and arrival time calculation means for calculating, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an arrival time which is a predicted time of arrival at the destination when charging for the required charging time is performed, and the charging location determination means determines the recommended charging location from among the plurality of candidate charging locations such that the arrival time is before the desired arrival time. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

9. An information processing system comprising the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a terminal device for displaying display data including the recommended charging location.

10. An information processing method, wherein one or more computers select a plurality of candidate charging locations using the current location of an electric vehicle, calculate, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an estimated charge amount which is an estimated charge amount required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging location, and determine a recommended charging location from among the plurality of candidate charging locations using the estimated charge amount.

11. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing one or more computers to select a plurality of candidate charging locations using the current location of an electric vehicle, calculate, for each of the plurality of candidate charging locations, an estimated charge amount which is an estimated charge amount required when traveling from the current location to the destination via the candidate charging location, and determine a recommended charging location from among the plurality of candidate charging locations using the estimated charge amount.

Images