Estimation method and control method for information terminal

Abstract

An estimation method according to the present disclosure comprises: a step for receiving, from an information terminal of a user of an electrical vehicle, information indicating that wireless communication has been enabled between a device provided to the electrical vehicle and the information terminal; a step for receiving, from the information terminal, information indicating that wireless communication has been disabled between the device and the information terminal; a step for receiving position information of the information terminal from the information terminal; a step for estimating a moving distance of the electrical vehicle on the basis of the information indicating that the wireless communication has been enabled, the information indicating that the wireless communication has been disabled, and the position information of the information terminal; and a step for estimating an SOC of a power storage apparatus mounted to the electrical vehicle, on the basis of the estimated moving distance of the electrical vehicle.

Description

Estimation method and information terminal control method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an estimation method and a control method for an information terminal.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technology related to a power storage device. Specifically, Patent Document 1 describes calculating the SOC of the power storage device using the voltage, current, etc. of the power storage device.

[0003] Patent Publication No. 2021-083187

[0004] The present disclosure provides a technology suitable for estimating information related to the SOC of a power storage device outside of an information management system that can acquire status information of the power storage device from a memory unit within the power storage device mounted on an electric vehicle.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an estimation method comprising the steps of: receiving, from the information terminal, information indicating that wireless communication has been enabled between a device provided in an electric vehicle and an information terminal of a user of the electric vehicle; receiving, from the information terminal, information indicating that wireless communication has been disabled between the device and the information terminal; receiving, from the information terminal, location information of the information terminal; estimating a travel distance of the electric vehicle based on the information indicating that wireless communication has been enabled, the information indicating that wireless communication has been disabled, and the location information of the information terminal; and estimating an SOC of a power storage device mounted on the electric vehicle based on the estimated travel distance of the electric vehicle.

[0006] The technology disclosed herein is suitable for estimating information related to the SOC of a power storage device outside of an information management system that can acquire status information of the power storage device from a memory unit within the power storage device mounted on an electric vehicle.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of estimation of the SOC of the power storage device of an electric vehicle according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining control by communication software according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining control by first software according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining estimation of the SOC of the power storage device by the vehicle management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining control by second software according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining estimation of the SOC of the power storage device by the vehicle management system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining control by third software. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining control by fourth software.

[0008] (Knowledge, etc. that forms the basis of the present disclosure) Consider an information management system that includes an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an electric vehicle) equipped with a power storage device. In the information management system, status information of the power storage device (e.g., information related to the SOC) stored in a memory unit within the power storage device can be shared with various devices connected to a network within the information management system. For example, the status information can be managed in the electric vehicle. Furthermore, if the information management system includes a dedicated terminal that communicates with the electric vehicle, the status information can be extracted from the electric vehicle to the dedicated terminal and managed in the dedicated terminal.

[0009] On the other hand, there are cases where an information management system has specifications that prevent information from being extracted from an external terminal that is not connected to the network within the information management system. In such cases, it is difficult for a third-party application to access the information from the information management system. For this reason, it is not necessarily easy to estimate information about the SOC of a power storage device outside of an information management system that can acquire status information from a memory unit within a power storage device mounted on an electric vehicle. Therefore, the present inventors have investigated a technology suitable for estimating information about the SOC of a power storage device outside of an information management system that can acquire status information of the power storage device from a memory unit within a power storage device mounted on an electric vehicle.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of estimating the SOC (State Of Charge) of a power storage device of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment. The environment 10 shown in FIG. 1 is generally described as follows. In FIG. 1, a user 30 is a user of an electric vehicle 100. A mobile terminal 200 is a mobile terminal of the user 30. Positions 51 and 52 are located in parking lots. The user 30, holding the mobile terminal 200, moves the electric vehicle 100 along a road 50 from position 51 to position 52. The mobile terminal 200 transmits position information of the electric vehicle 100 to a vehicle management system 300. The vehicle management system 300 estimates the SOC based on the position information.

[0012] In the first embodiment, the SOC of the power storage device is an index representing the charge storage rate of the power storage device. Specifically, the SOC of the power storage device is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the amount of charge stored in the power storage device (Wh) to the capacity (Wh) of the power storage device.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram according to the first embodiment.

[0014] The electric vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle having at least one wheel. The electric vehicle 100 may be a four-wheel electric vehicle or a two-wheel electric vehicle.

[0015] The electric vehicle 100 includes an on-board device 110, a communication device 120, and a power storage device 150. The on-board device 110 includes a first device 111, a second device 112, and a third device 113. The communication device 120 includes a first communication device 121, a second communication device 122, and a third communication device 123. The first communication device 121 is included in the first device 111. The second communication device 122 is included in the second device 112. The third communication device 123 is included in the third device 113.

[0016] In the first embodiment, the first device 111 is an entertainment device, such as a car stereo, the second device 112 is a device, such as a mobile terminal holder, that holds the mobile terminal 200, and the third device 113 is an in-vehicle camera.

[0017] In the first embodiment, the first communication device 121 is a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication device, the second communication device 122 is an RF (Radio Frequency) tag communication device, and the third communication device 123 is a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity (registered trademark)) communication device.

[0018] In the first embodiment, the power storage device 150 is a storage battery. The storage battery is, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0019] The power storage device 150 includes a storage unit (not shown). The storage unit can hold status information of the power storage device 150. The status information includes information related to the SOC of the power storage device 150. The information related to the SOC includes the SOC itself.

[0020] In the first embodiment, an information management system capable of acquiring information stored in a storage unit of the power storage device 150 is constructed in the environment 10. In the information management system, the status information stored in the storage unit of the power storage device 150 can be shared with various devices connected to a network within the information management system. For example, the information management system can acquire the status information via a communication device (not shown) of the electric vehicle 100 that can communicate with the power storage device 150, and store the status information in a storage device (not shown) of the electric vehicle 100. The information management system may also include an information terminal or server that can communicate with the communication device of the electric vehicle 100, and this information terminal or server can also acquire the status information. In this case, the status information can be retrieved from the storage device of the electric vehicle 100 and stored in the information terminal or server.

[0021] On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the information management system has specifications that prevent information from being extracted from the information management system to an external terminal that is not connected to the network within the information management system. However, as will be understood from the description below, in the first embodiment, it is possible to estimate information related to the SOC of the power storage device 150 outside the information management system. In the first embodiment, the mobile terminal 200 and the vehicle management system 300 are located outside the information management system.

[0022] The mobile terminal 200 is a terminal capable of cellular wireless communication. The cellular system is a wireless communication system in which an area is divided into certain sections (cells) and a base station is located in each cell. The mobile terminal 200 is, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or the like.

[0023] The mobile terminal 200 includes a communication device 220, a location information acquisition device 250, a control device 280, and a storage device 290. The communication device 220 includes a cellular communication device 225, a first communication device 221, a second communication device 222, and a third communication device 223. The location information acquisition device 250 includes a first acquisition device 251, a second acquisition device 252, and a third acquisition device 253.

[0024] In the first embodiment, the first communication device 221 is a Bluetooth communication device, the second communication device 222 is an RF tag communication device, and the third communication device 223 is a Wi-Fi communication device.

[0025] The first acquisition device 251, the second acquisition device 252, and the third acquisition device 253 can identify the current location of the mobile terminal 200. In the first embodiment, the first acquisition device 251 is a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, the second acquisition device 252 is an acceleration sensor, and the third acquisition device 253 is a gyro sensor.

[0026] Various software programs are installed in the control device 280. The control device 280 controls the operation of the mobile terminal 200 by executing the various software programs.

[0027] The storage device 290 stores various types of information. For example, the storage device 290 stores information received by the cellular communication device 225, the first communication device 221, the second communication device 222, and the third communication device 223. The storage device 290 stores information acquired by the first acquisition device 251, the second acquisition device 252, and the third acquisition device 253. The storage device 290 stores information generated by the control device 280 under its control.

[0028] The vehicle management system 300 is realized by a server such as a cloud server. The vehicle management system 300 estimates the SOC of the power storage device 150. The vehicle management system 300 may also be referred to as an estimation device. The vehicle management system 300 includes a communication device 320, a control device 380, and a storage device 390. The communication device 320 includes a first communication device 321.

[0029] The mobile terminal 200 communicates with the electric vehicle 100. The mobile terminal 200 communicates with the vehicle management system 300 via the network 400. Specifically, the communication device 220 communicates with the communication device 120. The communication device 220 communicates with the communication device 320 via the network 400. More specifically, the first communication device 221 communicates with the first communication device 121. The second communication device 222 communicates with the second communication device 122. The third communication device 223 communicates with the third communication device 123. The communication device 220 communicates with the first communication device 321 via the network 400. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the communication device 220 that communicates with the first communication device 321 via the network 400 is the cellular communication device 225 or the third communication device 223 (WiFi communication device). The network 400 is, for example, the Internet.

[0030] The control device 380 estimates the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100 and the SOC of the power storage device 150 .

[0031] The storage device 390 stores various types of information. For example, the storage device 390 stores information received by the first communication device 321. The storage device 390 stores information generated by the control device 380 under control.

[0032] The control of the operation of the mobile terminal 200 by the control device 280 will be described below.

[0033] The control device 280 is equipped with communication software. Specifically, the communication software is wireless communication software. The communication software controls the first communication device 221, the second communication device 222, and / or the third communication device 223. For example, the communication software controls the on / off of communication of the first communication device 221, the second communication device 222, and / or the third communication device 223. The communication software also processes information related to the first communication device 221, the second communication device 222, and / or the third communication device 223.

[0034] 3 is a flowchart for explaining control by communication software. In the following description, the communication device T may be the first communication device 221, the second communication device 222, or the third communication device 223. In the flowchart of FIG. 3, "start" corresponds to the timing when communication by the communication device T switches from off to on. The control of the flowchart of FIG. 3 ends when communication by the communication device T switches from on to off.

[0035] In step S11, the control device 280 determines whether wireless communication between the communication device T and a communication partner has been enabled. Here, "wireless communication has been enabled" specifically means that wireless communication has changed from disabled to enabled. If wireless communication between the communication device T and a communication partner has been enabled, the process proceeds to step S12. If there is still no communication partner with which wireless communication with the communication device T is enabled, step S11 is executed again.

[0036] In step S12, the control device 280 controls the mobile terminal 200 so that the activation information is stored in the storage device 290. The activation information includes information indicating that wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication partner has been activated. The activation information includes, for example, an identifier of the communication partner of the communication device T. The activation information includes the time when wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication partner has been activated.

[0037] After step S12, in step S13, the control device 280 determines whether or not wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication partner has been disabled. Here, "wireless communication has been disabled" specifically means that wireless communication has changed from enabled to disabled. If wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication partner has been disabled, the process proceeds to step S14. If wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication partner remains enabled, step S13 is executed again.

[0038] In step S14, the control device 280 controls the mobile terminal 200 so that the revocation information is stored in the storage device 290. The revocation information includes, for example, information indicating that wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication partner has been disabled. The revocation information includes an identifier of the communication partner of the communication device T before the communication was disabled. The revocation information also includes the time when wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication partner was disabled. After step S14, the process returns to step S11.

[0039] The control device 280 of the first embodiment is implemented with first software. The first software controls the operation of the mobile terminal 200. Specifically, the first software controls the operation of the mobile terminal 200 in cooperation with the communication software.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining control by the first software. In the first embodiment, the SOC of the power storage device 150 in the electric vehicle 100 is the target of estimation. In the following description, the target device D is a device provided in the electric vehicle 100. The target device D may be the first device 111, the second device 112, or the third device 113. The control in Fig. 4 is executed whether the user 30 is riding in the electric vehicle 100 or not. Specifically, the control in Fig. 4 may be executed at all times.

[0041] In step S101, the control device 280 determines whether a communication-established device exists by searching for a device for which the establishment of communication with the communication device T has been detected (hereinafter referred to as a communication-established device). Here, "the establishment of communication has been detected" specifically means that a change from a state in which communication is not established to a state in which communication is established has been detected. If a communication-established device exists, the process proceeds to step S102. If there continues to be no device that has valid wireless communication with the communication device T, step S101 is executed again.

[0042] Hereinafter, the terms "first processing example" and "second processing example" will be used. The first processing example is a processing example associated with Fig. 3. The second processing example is another example of the first processing example. Both the first processing example and the second processing example are exemplary processes belonging to the first embodiment.

[0043] In the first processing example, the determination in step S101 of FIG. 4 is associated with the determination in step S11 of FIG. 3. Specifically, as described above, in response to the determination in step S11, activation information is stored in the storage device 290 in step S12. In the first processing example, the control device 280 determines whether activation information stored in the storage device 290 exists. If activation information exists, it is determined in step S101 that a communication established device exists. In the second processing example, the determination in step S101 of FIG. 4 is performed independently of the determination in step S11 of FIG. 3. In step S101 of the second processing example, activation information may be generated and stored in the storage device 290.

[0044] If a communication establishment device exists, the communicator T receives an identifier of the communication establishment device from the communication establishment device. The received identifier is stored in the storage device 290. In the first processing example, the storage of the identifier corresponds to step S12 in Fig. 3. In the second processing example, the storage of the identifier is performed separately from step S12 in Fig. 3.

[0045] In step S102, the control device 280 determines whether the identifier of the communication established device is the identifier of the target device D. If the identifier of the communication established device is the identifier of the target device D, the process proceeds to step S103. If the identifier of the communication established device is not the identifier of the target device D, the process returns to step S101. As can be understood from the above description, depending on the determination in step S11, activation information may be stored in the storage device 290 in step S12, and the activation information may include the identifier of the communication partner of the communication device T. In step S102 according to the first processing example, the control device 280 uses the identifier thus stored in the storage device 290 as the identifier of the communication established device in step S102. In step S102 according to the second processing example, the control device 280 uses the identifier of the communication established device obtained by the search in step S101 as the identifier of the communication established device in step S102.

[0046] In the first embodiment, before step S102 is executed, the identifier of the target device D is stored in advance in the storage device 290. Therefore, in step S102, the control device 280 can determine whether the identifier of the communication established device is the identifier of the target device D. Furthermore, since the identifier of the target device D is stored in advance in the storage device 290, it becomes easier to avoid a situation in which a device similar to the target device D causes an unintended operation of the control device 280. A similar device is, for example, a device with a different purpose from the target device D.

[0047] In step S103, the control device 280 controls the mobile terminal 200 so that the communication device 220 transmits activation information to the first communication device 321 via the network 400. The activation information includes information indicating that wireless communication has been enabled between the communication establishment device and the communication device T. The activation information includes an identifier of the communication establishment device. The activation information also includes the time when wireless communication was enabled. In step S103 according to the first processing example, the activation information transmitted is the activation information stored in the storage device 290 in step S12. In step S103 according to the second processing example, the activation information transmitted is the activation information stored in the storage device 290 in step S101.

[0048] If the answer to step S102 is "YES," it has been confirmed that the communication established device is the target device D, and therefore the communication established device in the explanation of step 103 can be treated as the target device D. This also applies to steps 104 to S106 described below.

[0049] As can be understood from the above description, the activation information in step S12 in Fig. 3 is information regarding the activation of wireless communication between the communicator T and an arbitrary communication partner. Activation information regarding the activation of wireless communication between the communicator T and an arbitrary communication partner can be referred to as arbitrary activation information. In contrast, the activation information in step S103 in Fig. 4 is information regarding the activation of wireless communication between the target device D and the communicator T. Activation information regarding the activation of wireless communication between the target device D and the communicator T can be referred to as target activation information.

[0050] Next, in step S104, control device 280 acquires the current location of portable terminal 200 using location information acquisition device 250. Then, control device 280 controls portable terminal 200 so that the acquired location is transmitted from communication device 220 to first communication device 321 via network 400.

[0051] Next, in step S105, the control device 280 determines whether the wireless communication between the communication establishment device and the communication device T has been disabled. If the wireless communication has been disabled, the process proceeds to step S106. If the wireless communication remains enabled, the process returns to step S104.

[0052] In the first processing example, the determination in step S105 of FIG. 4 is associated with the determination in step S13 of FIG. 3. Specifically, as described above, in step S14, revocation information is stored in the storage device 290 in response to the determination in step S13. In the first processing example, the control device 280 determines whether or not revocation information stored in the storage device 290 exists. If revocation information exists, it is determined in step S105 that wireless communication has been disabled. In the second processing example, the determination in step S105 of FIG. 4 is performed independently of the determination in step S13 of FIG. 3. In step S105 of the second processing example, revocation information may be generated and stored in the storage device 290.

[0053] In step S106, the control device 280 controls the mobile terminal 200 so that the communication device 220 transmits revocation information to the first communication device 321 via the network 400. The revocation information includes information indicating that wireless communication between the communication establishment device and the communication device T has been disabled. The revocation information includes an identifier of the communication establishment device that had wireless communication with the communication device T. The revocation information also includes the time when the wireless communication was disabled. After step S106, the process returns to step S101. In step S106 according to the first processing example, the transmitted revocation information is the revocation information stored in the storage device 290 in step S14. In step S106 according to the second processing example, the transmitted revocation information is the revocation information stored in the storage device 290 in step S105.

[0054] As can be understood from the above description, the revocation information in step S14 in Fig. 3 is information regarding the revocation of wireless communication between the communication device T and an arbitrary communication partner. The revocation information regarding the revocation of wireless communication between the communication device T and an arbitrary communication partner can be referred to as arbitrary revocation information. In contrast, the revocation information in steps S105 and S106 in Fig. 4 is information regarding the revocation of wireless communication between the target device D and the communication device T. The revocation information regarding the revocation of wireless communication between the target device D and the communication device T can be referred to as target revocation information.

[0055] Hereinafter, a first communication example, a second communication example, and a third communication example will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, a dotted arrow 61 indicates the movement of the user 30 before the user 30 gets on the electric vehicle 100. A solid arrow 62 indicates the movement of the user 30 while the user 30 is on the electric vehicle 100. A dotted arrow 63 indicates the movement of the user 30 after the user 30 gets off the electric vehicle 100.

[0056] In the first communication example, the target device D is the first device 111, which is an entertainment-related device. The first communication device 121 and the first communication device 221 are Bluetooth communication devices. The wireless communication between the target device D and the mobile terminal 200 is wireless communication between the first communication device 121 and the first communication device 221. The identifier of the target device D, which has valid wireless communication with the mobile terminal 200, is the identifier of the first device 111, which has valid wireless communication with the first communication device 221.

[0057] Hereinafter, the expression "a state in which the first communication device 121 and the first communication device 221 are in close proximity" may be used. This expression specifically refers to a state in which the distance between the first communication device 121 and the first communication device 221 is within a range in which communication is possible. In addition, below, the expression "a state in which the first communication device 121 and the first communication device 221 are separated" may be used. This expression specifically refers to a state in which the distance between the first communication device 121 and the first communication device 221 is outside the range in which communication is possible. The same applies to the expressions "a state in which the second communication device 122 and the second communication device 222 are in close proximity", "a state in which the second communication device 122 and the second communication device 222 are separated", "a state in which the third communication device 123 and the third communication device 223 are in close proximity", and "a state in which the third communication device 123 and the third communication device 223 are separated".

[0058] In the first communication example, at position 51 in FIG. 1 , user 30, carrying mobile terminal 200, enters electric vehicle 100. As a result, first communication device 121 and first communication device 221 transition from a separated state to a close state. When this state transition occurs while first device 111 is powered on, wireless communication between first communication device 121 and first communication device 221 changes from disabled to enabled, resulting in "YES" determinations in steps S11, S101, and S102. As a result, steps S12, S103, and S104 are executed. Thereafter, user 30 and mobile terminal 200 travel along road 50 from position 51 to position 52 in electric vehicle 100.

[0059] In the first communication example, at position 52 in Fig. 1 , user 30 gets off electric vehicle 100 with mobile terminal 200 in hand. As a result, first communication device 121 and first communication device 221 transition from a close proximity state to a distant separation state. This state transition causes wireless communication between first communication device 121 and first communication device 221 to change from enabled to disabled, resulting in "YES" determinations in steps S13 and S105. As a result, steps S14 and S106 are executed.

[0060] Alternatively, in the first communication example, at position 52 in Fig. 1 , the user 30 switches the power supply of the electric vehicle 100 or the power supply of the first device 111 from on to off. This switching changes the wireless communication between the first communication device 121 and the first communication device 221 from enabled to disabled, which causes "YES" to be determined in steps S13 and S105. As a result, steps S14 and S106 are executed. Thereafter, the user 30 gets off the electric vehicle 100 while taking the mobile terminal 200 with him.

[0061] In one specific example of the first communication example, pairing between the first communication device 121 and the first communication device 221 is already performed before the user 30 gets into the electric vehicle 100. When the first communication device 121 and the first communication device 221 transition from a separated state to a close state while pairing has already been performed and the first device 111 is powered on, the first communication device 121 and the first communication device 221 recognize each other, thereby obtaining valid status information and an identifier of the first device 111. In another specific example of the first communication example, pairing is performed between getting into the electric vehicle 100 and moving on the electric vehicle 100, thereby making it possible to obtain valid status information and an identifier of the first device 111.

[0062] In the second communication example, the target device D is the second device 112, which is a device that holds the mobile terminal 200. The second communicator 122 and the second communicator 222 are RF tag communicators. The wireless communication between the target device D and the mobile terminal 200 is wireless communication between the second communicator 122 and the second communicator 222. The identifier of the target device D, which has valid wireless communication with the mobile terminal 200, is the identifier of the second device 112, which has valid wireless communication with the second communicator 222.

[0063] In the second communication example, at position 51 in FIG. 1 , the user 30 gets into the electric vehicle 100 with the mobile terminal 200. As a result, the second communication device 122 and the second communication device 222 transition from a separated state to a close state. This state transition causes wireless communication between the second communication device 122 and the second communication device 222 to change from disabled to enabled, resulting in "YES" determinations in steps S11, S101, and S102. As a result, steps S12, S103, and S104 are executed. Thereafter, the user 30 switches the power of the electric vehicle 100 from off to on, and the user 30 and the mobile terminal 200 travel in the electric vehicle 100 along the road 50 from position 51 to position 52.

[0064] In the second communication example, at position 52 in Fig. 1 , the user 30 switches the power of the electric vehicle 100 from on to off. The user 30 gets off the electric vehicle 100 while taking the mobile terminal 200 with him. As a result, the second communication device 122 and the second communication device 222 transition from a close proximity state to a separated state. This state transition causes the wireless communication between the second communication device 122 and the second communication device 222 to change from enabled to disabled, resulting in "YES" determinations in steps S13 and S105. As a result, steps S14 and S106 are executed.

[0065] As described above, in the second communication example, when the user 30 enters the electric vehicle 100 while carrying the portable terminal 200, the second communication device 222 (RF tag communication device) of the portable terminal 200 and the second communication device 122 (RF tag communication device) of the electric vehicle 100 come close enough to be within a mutually communicable range. Furthermore, when the user 30 gets off the electric vehicle 100 while carrying the portable terminal 200, the second communication device 222 of the portable terminal 200 and the second communication device 122 of the electric vehicle 100 are isolated from each other to be outside of a mutually communicable range. Although not particularly limited, in one specific example, the above-described proximity involves placing the portable terminal 200 in a predetermined cradle in which the second communication device 122 is provided. The cradle is an example of the second device 112 and constitutes a holder for the portable terminal 200. The above-described isolation involves removing the portable terminal 200 from the predetermined cradle in which the second communication device 122 is provided and carrying it. This specific example using a cradle is compatible with the second communication example using the second communication device 222 and the second communication device 122, which are passive devices. However, the use of a cradle is not essential in the second communication example. For example, the second communication example can be established even when the user 30 gets on or off the electric vehicle 100 with the portable terminal 200 in his or her pocket.

[0066] In the third communication example, the target device D is the third device 113, which is an in-vehicle camera. The third communication device 123 and the third communication device 223 are Wi-Fi communication devices. The wireless communication between the target device D and the mobile terminal 200 is wireless communication between the third communication device 123 and the third communication device 223. The identifier of the target device D, which has valid wireless communication with the mobile terminal 200, is the identifier of the third device 113, which has valid wireless communication with the third communication device 223.

[0067] In the third communication example, at position 51 in FIG. 1 , user 30, carrying mobile terminal 200, enters electric vehicle 100. As a result, third communication device 123 and third communication device 223 transition from a separated state to a close state. If this state transition occurs while third device 113 is powered on, wireless communication between third communication device 123 and third communication device 223 changes from disabled to enabled, resulting in "YES" determinations in steps S11, S101, and S102. As a result, steps S12, S103, and S104 are executed. Thereafter, user 30 and mobile terminal 200 travel along road 50 from position 51 to position 52 in electric vehicle 100.

[0068] In the third communication example, at position 52 in Fig. 1 , user 30 gets off electric vehicle 100 while holding portable terminal 200. As a result, third communication device 123 and third communication device 223 transition from a close proximity state to a distant separation state. This state transition causes wireless communication between third communication device 123 and third communication device 223 to change from enabled to disabled, resulting in "YES" determinations in steps S13 and S105. As a result, steps S14 and S106 are executed.

[0069] Alternatively, in a third communication example, at position 52 in Fig. 1 , the user 30 switches the power supply of the electric vehicle 100 or the power supply of the third device 113 from on to off. This switching changes the wireless communication between the third communication device 123 and the third communication device 223 from enabled to disabled, which causes "YES" to be determined in steps S13 and S105. As a result, steps S14 and S106 are executed. Thereafter, the user 30 gets off the electric vehicle 100 while taking the mobile terminal 200 with him.

[0070] 4 is repeated, the transmission of the current position of the mobile terminal 200 is repeated. In this manner, the position information of the mobile terminal 200 is transmitted from the communication device 220 of the mobile terminal 200 to the first communication device 321 of the vehicle management system 300. Here, the position information of the mobile terminal 200 is information including the positions of the mobile terminal 200 at multiple times. In the example of FIG. 4, the position information of the mobile terminal 200 is information including the positions of the mobile terminal 200 acquired in multiple steps S104.

[0071] As described above, the wireless communication between the target device D and the mobile terminal 200 switches between disabled and enabled. The period from when the wireless communication switches from disabled to enabled to when the wireless communication switches from enabled to disabled is information indicating the period during which the target device D and the mobile terminal 200 are in close proximity to each other, i.e., the period during which the mobile terminal 200 is traveling together with the electric vehicle 100. Therefore, by transmitting the position information of the mobile terminal 200 in step S104, transmitting the activation information in step S103, and transmitting the deactivation information in step S105, information that enables estimation of the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100, as indicated by the solid arrow 62 in FIG. 1 , is provided to the vehicle management system 300. In this way, even when there is movement of the mobile terminal 200 that is unrelated to the movement of the electric vehicle 100, as indicated by the dotted arrows 61 and 63, the vehicle management system 300 can estimate the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100.

[0072] Hereinafter, the estimation of the SOC of the power storage device 150 by the vehicle management system 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the estimation of the SOC of the power storage device 150 by the vehicle management system 300 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the control cycle shown in Fig. 5 is repeated. Typically, the control cycle is repeated at a predetermined control period.

[0073] As described above, the identifier of the communication established device received by the first communication device 321 in step S103 of Fig. 4 can be treated as the identifier of the target device D. In step S201 of Fig. 5, the control device 380 identifies the electric vehicle 100 in which the target device D is provided, based on the identifier. Specifically, the identifier of the target device D and the identifier of the electric vehicle 100 are stored in association with each other in the storage device 390. Based on this association, the control device 380 identifies the identifier of the electric vehicle 100 that corresponds to the identifier of the target device D, and identifies the electric vehicle 100 in which the target device D is provided.

[0074] As described above, the activation information and deactivation information received by the first communication device 321 in steps S103 and S106 of FIG. 4 can be treated as target activation information and target deactivation information. After step S201 of FIG. 5 , in step S202, the control device 380 estimates the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100 based on the position information of the mobile terminal 200, the target activation information, and the target deactivation information. Specifically, the position information represents multiple positions, and these multiple positions represent changes in the position of the mobile terminal 200 over time. The route traveled by the mobile terminal 200 can be determined from the changes over time. More specifically, the multiple positions are discrete, and a chronological sequence of these discrete positions can be considered to correspond to the route traveled by the mobile terminal 200. Furthermore, as described above, the target activation information includes the time when wireless communication between the target device D and the communication device T was activated, and the target deactivation information includes the time when wireless communication between the target device D and the communication device T was deactivated. The travel distance is estimated as the length of the path from the position of mobile device 200 at the former time indicated by the position information to the position of mobile device 200 at the latter time indicated by the position information. This estimated value can be treated as the estimated value of the travel distance of electric vehicle 100. That is, in step S202, control device 380 estimates the travel distance of electric vehicle 100.

[0075] After step S202, in step S203, the control device 380 estimates the SOC of the power storage device 150 mounted on the electric vehicle 100 based on the estimated travel distance of the electric vehicle 100.

[0076] In one estimation example, the SOC estimation in step S203 is performed as follows. That is, the control device 380 estimates the extent of decrease in SOC based on the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100 estimated in step S202 of the current control cycle. The control device 380 subtracts the extent of decrease from the SOC estimated in step S203 of the previous control cycle. In this way, the SOC estimation in step S203 of the current control cycle is performed.

[0077] In environment 10, there may be a time when the SOC of power storage device 150 is known. In the above estimation example, it is useful for control device 380 to recognize the known SOC and the timing, because the SOC in step S203 of the current control cycle can be estimated by estimating the amount of decrease in each control cycle and sequentially subtracting it from the known SOC.

[0078] In the first configuration example, information indicating the timing at which charging of electric vehicle 100 at charging station 55 is completed (hereinafter, referred to as specific timing) is transmitted from charging station 55 to vehicle management system 300 .

[0079] In the second configuration example, the user 30 makes a reservation for charging the electric vehicle 100 at the charging station 55 using an application on the mobile terminal 200. A reservation history is stored in the charging station 55. Information indicating the timing of the end of the reserved charging period (hereinafter, the specific timing) is transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 or the charging station 55 to the vehicle management system 300.

[0080] In the third configuration example, after charging the electric vehicle 100 at the charging station 55, the user 30 settles the charging fee using an application on the mobile terminal 200. Information indicating the timing of this settlement (hereinafter, the specific timing) is transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 or the charging station 55 to the vehicle management system 300.

[0081] In the first, second, and third configuration examples, the control device 380 treats the specific timing as a timing when the SOC of the power storage device 150 is known. The known SOC may be 100% or less than 100%. The known SOC is, for example, a target SOC for charging.

[0082] In the fourth configuration example, the user 30 inputs the SOC of the power storage device 150 into the mobile terminal 200 using an application on the mobile terminal 200. Information indicating the timing of this input (hereinafter referred to as the specific timing) is transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 to the vehicle management system 300. In the control device 380, the specific timing is treated as a timing when the SOC of the power storage device 150 is known. The known SOC is the value input by the user 30 into the mobile terminal 200.

[0083] After step S203, in step S204, the control device 380 controls the vehicle management system 300 so that the communication device 320 transmits the SOC estimated in step S203 to the communication device 220.

[0084] After step S204, in step S107, the control device 280 of the mobile terminal 200 displays the SOC estimated in step S203 on the screen of the mobile terminal 200. In the first embodiment, the SOC is stored in the storage device 290.

[0085] In the first embodiment, an information management system is configured that includes an electric vehicle 100 equipped with a power storage device 150. The mobile terminal 200 is an external terminal that is located outside the information management system and is not connected to the network of the information management system. The vehicle management system 300 is an external system that is located outside the information management system and is not connected to the network of the information management system. In the first embodiment, the mobile terminal 200 and the vehicle management system 300 can estimate and manage information related to the SOC of the power storage device 150. The first embodiment is suitable for estimating and managing information related to the SOC of the power storage device 150 outside the information management system that can acquire state information of the power storage device from a memory unit in the power storage device 150 equipped in the electric vehicle 100.

[0086] In step S201 of the first embodiment, the electric vehicle 100 provided with the target device D is identified based on the identifier of the target device D that is valid for wireless communication with the mobile terminal 200. This makes it possible to correctly identify the electric vehicle 100 that is the estimation target, and then estimate the SOC of the power storage device 150 of that electric vehicle 100. With this configuration, even if the user 30 drives another vehicle in addition to the electric vehicle 100 that is the estimation target, it is possible to estimate the SOC of the power storage device 150 of the electric vehicle 100 that is the estimation target.

[0087] Several other embodiments will be described below. In the following, elements common to the embodiments already described and the embodiments to be described thereafter will be given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted. The descriptions of the respective embodiments may be mutually applicable unless technically inconsistent. The respective embodiments may be combined with each other unless technically inconsistent.

[0088] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0089] In the control device 280 of the first embodiment, second software is implemented instead of the first software. The second software controls the operation of the mobile terminal 200. Specifically, the second software controls the operation of the mobile terminal 200 in cooperation with the communication software.

[0090] Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the control by the second software. The control in Fig. 6 is executed whether or not the user 30 is riding the electric vehicle 100. Specifically, the control in Fig. 6 may be executed at all times.

[0091] In step S102 of the second embodiment, if the identifier of the communication established device is the identifier of the target device D, the process proceeds to step S301. In step S301, the control device 280 controls the mobile terminal 200 so that the activation information is stored in the storage device 290 as information of the target device D (i.e., as target activation information). If the identifier of the communication established device is not the identifier of the target device D, the process returns to step S101. Note that in the second embodiment, if it is determined in step S102 that the identifier of the communication established device is not the identifier of the target device D, the information about the identifier of the communication established device acquired in step S101 may be discarded.

[0092] In step S105 of the second embodiment, if the wireless communication between the communication establishment device and the communication device T is disabled, the process proceeds to step S302. In step S302, the control device 280 generates validity period information. The validity period information includes information indicating the period during which the wireless communication between the target device D and the mobile terminal 200 is valid.

[0093] Specifically, in step S302, the control device 280 controls the mobile terminal 200 so that the revocation information is stored in the storage device 290 as information about the target device D (i.e., as target revocation information). Next, the control device 280 generates validity period information based on the target activation information and the target revocation information. Specifically, as described in the first embodiment, the target activation information includes the time when wireless communication between the target device D and the communication device T was enabled. The target revocation information includes the time when wireless communication between the target device D and the communication device T was disabled. In step S302, the period during which wireless communication is valid in the validity period information is calculated as the difference between these times. Note that, in calculating the period during which wireless communication is valid, the time when wireless communication between the communication established device and the communication device T, included in the activation information stored in the storage device 290 in step S12, was enabled may be used. Furthermore, in the above calculation, the time when wireless communication between the communication established device and the communication device T, included in the revocation information stored in the storage device 290 in step S14, was disabled may be used. As described above, when the determination in step S102 is "YES," the communication established device, the activation information, and the deactivation information are the target device D, the target activation information, and the target deactivation information, respectively.

[0094] After step S302, in step S303, the control device 280 controls the mobile terminal 200 so that the communication device 220 transmits the validity period information to the first communication device 321.

[0095] 6 is repeated, thereby repeatedly transmitting the current location of the mobile terminal 200. In this manner, the location information of the mobile terminal 200 is transmitted from the communication device 220 of the mobile terminal 200 to the first communication device 321 of the vehicle management system 300.

[0096] Furthermore, as described above, the validity period information includes information indicating a period during which wireless communication is valid between the target device D and the mobile terminal 200. Therefore, by transmitting the location information of the mobile terminal 200 and transmitting the validity period information in step S303, information that enables estimation of the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100, as indicated by the solid arrow 62 in Fig. 1, is provided to the vehicle management system 300. In this way, even if there is movement of the mobile terminal 200 that is unrelated to the movement of the electric vehicle 100, as indicated by the dotted arrows 61 and 63, the vehicle management system 300 can estimate the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100.

[0097] Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining estimation of the SOC of the power storage device 150 by the vehicle management system 300 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the control cycle shown in Fig. 7 is repeated, similarly to the first embodiment. Typically, the control cycle is repeated at a predetermined control period.

[0098] In the second embodiment, after step S201, in step S402, the control device 380 estimates the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100 based on the position information of the mobile terminal 200 and the validity period information. Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the route along which the mobile terminal 200 will travel can be determined from the position information. The start and end points of the period during which wireless communication between the target device D and the communication device T is valid can be determined from the validity period information. The length of the route from the position of the mobile terminal 200 at the start point indicated by the position information to the position of the mobile terminal 200 at the end point indicated by the position information is estimated as the travel distance. This estimated value can be treated as the estimated value of the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100. That is, in step S402, the control device 380 estimates the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100. After step S402, the process proceeds to step S203.

[0099] Various modifications can be applied to the above-described embodiment.

[0100] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the in-vehicle device 110 includes a first device 111, a second device 112, and a third device 113. The communication device 220 includes a first communication device 221, a second communication device 222, and a third communication device 223. The location information acquisition device 250 includes a first acquisition device 251, a second acquisition device 252, and a third acquisition device 253. However, the in-vehicle device 110 may not have one or two selected from the group consisting of the first device 111, the second device 112, and the third device 113. The communication device 220 may not have one or two selected from the group consisting of the first communication device 221, the second communication device 222, and the third communication device 223. The location information acquisition device 250 may not have one or two selected from the group consisting of the first communication device 251, the second communication device 252, and the third communication device 253.

[0101] In the first and second embodiments, before step S102 in Fig. 4 is executed, the identifier of the target device D is stored in advance in the storage device 290. However, this configuration is not essential. Below, a modified example in which this configuration is not essential will be described.

[0102] In this modified example, in the vehicle management system 300, the identifier of the target device D is stored in advance in the storage device 390. Step S102 in FIG. 4 is omitted. In step S103, activation information for the communication established device is transmitted to the first communicator 321 and stored in the storage device 390. In step S106, deactivation information for the communication established device is transmitted to the first communicator 321 and stored in the storage device 390. The control device 380 then determines whether the identifier of the communication established device included in the activation information is the identifier of the target device D. If the identifier of the communication established device is the identifier of the target device D, in step S201 in FIG. 5, the control device 380 identifies the electric vehicle 100 in which the target device D is provided based on this identifier. The activation information and deactivation information used to estimate the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100 in step S202 are the activation information and deactivation information including the identifier of the communication established device determined to be the identifier of the target device D.

[0103] This modification can also be applied to the flowchart of FIG. 6 . In this case, step 102 in FIG. 6 is omitted. In step S301, activation information for the communication establishment device is stored in the storage device 290. The validity period information generated in step S302 includes information indicating a period during which wireless communication between the communication establishment device and the mobile terminal 200 is valid. In step S303, information including the validity period information for the communication establishment device and the identifier of the communication establishment device is transmitted from the communication device 220 to the first communication device 321. The validity period information for the communication establishment device and the information including the identifier of the communication establishment device are stored in association with each other in the storage device 390. The control device 380 then determines whether the identifier of the communication establishment device is the identifier of the target device D. If the identifier of the communication establishment device is the identifier of the target device D, in step S201 of FIG. 7, the control device 380 identifies the electric vehicle 100 in which the target device D is installed based on this identifier. In addition, the control device 380 uses the validity period information corresponding to this identifier to estimate the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100 in step S402.

[0104] In the first embodiment, the operation of the communication software and the operation of the first software may be associated with each other. For example, if it is determined in step S11 that wireless communication has been enabled, it may be determined in step S101 that a communication established device exists. Furthermore, the storage of the identifier described in step S101 may correspond to step S12. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 200 may be controlled by the operation of the first software without relying on the communication software. For example, without relying on the communication software, the operation of the first software may search for a communication established device, determine whether a communication established device exists, and store the identifier of the communication established device. These points regarding the first software also apply to the second software of the second embodiment.

[0105] In the first communication example in the first and second embodiments described above, the control device 280 of the mobile terminal 200 may store activation information and deactivation information using communication software. The control device 280 may then use the first software or the second software to determine the proximity and separation state between the user 30 and the target device D based on the activation information and deactivation information. Depending on the device detection performance of the communication software and / or the communication device T, the proximity and separation determination may be unintended. For example, consider a situation in which the device detection performance is too high. In this situation, the target device D may be detected even though the user 30 is too far away to be determined to be still traveling with the electric vehicle 100. A modified example suitable for avoiding such unintended determination can be employed. The modified example is described below.

[0106] That is, in the modified example, the control device 280 uses communication software to detect the strength of radio waves in wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication device of the target device D. Using the first software or the second software, the control device 280 determines whether the specific electric vehicle 100 on which the user 30 is riding is in proximity to the target device D, based on information indicating the strength of the radio waves. The information indicating the strength of the radio waves is, for example, information on the electric field strength detected by the communication software.

[0107] Specifically, there is a correlation between the electric field strength detected by the communication software and the distance between the communicator T and the communicator of the target device D. When the detected electric field strength is equal to or greater than the threshold strength, the control device 280 determines that the communicator T and the communicator of the target device D are close to each other. Conversely, when the detected electric field strength is less than the threshold strength, the control device 280 determines that the communicator T and the communicator of the target device D are far apart from each other. The threshold strength can be set in advance to a level at which it can be determined that the communicator T and the communicator of the target device D are close to each other.

[0108] This technique can be applied to the control of the flowchart in Fig. 4. In one application example, when the detected electric field strength is equal to or greater than the threshold strength, the control device 280 controls the mobile terminal 200 so that the communication device 220 transmits the target activation information to the first communication device 321 via the network 400 according to step S103. On the other hand, when the detected electric field strength is less than the threshold strength, the transmission of step S103 is not performed.

[0109] This technique can also be applied to the control of the flowchart in Fig. 6. In one application example, when the detected electric field strength is equal to or greater than the threshold strength, the control device 280 controls the mobile terminal 200 in accordance with step S301 so that the target activation information is stored in the storage device 290. On the other hand, when the detected electric field strength is less than the threshold strength, the storage of step S301 is not performed.

[0110] For this reason, the modified example using the strength of wireless communication signals is useful in situations where the performance of device detection is too high. This modified example allows the vehicle management system 300 to estimate with higher accuracy the distance traveled by the user 30 while riding the electric vehicle 100.

[0111] The modified example using the strength of wireless communication signals is also useful in other situations. For example, in an environment such as a parking lot, multiple vehicles may be present. In such an environment, the communication software may detect devices installed in multiple vehicles, determine that the user 30 is in close proximity to all of those devices, and fail to properly detect the electric vehicle 100 in which the user 30 is riding. As described above, this situation can be avoided by pre-storing the identifier of the target device D in the storage device 290. This modified example can also avoid this situation. Specifically, this modified example has an advantage over the previously described method involving pre-storage in that it easily avoids the above-mentioned situation even when the user 30's mobile terminal 200 is responsive to each of the on-board devices installed in two or more of the multiple vehicles. Benefits based on this advantage can be enjoyed, for example, when two or more vehicles are present in the parking lot of the user 30's home. Note that the responsiveness is achieved, for example, by pairing with the on-board devices.

[0112] Specifically, consider a case where the control device 280 detects, using communication software, that communication device T is engaged in valid invalid communication with multiple devices. In this case, the control device 280 treats the multiple devices as communication-established devices. Then, the control device 280 treats, among these communication-established devices, the device that is wirelessly communicating with communication device T at the strongest field strength as the target device D.

[0113] This technique can be applied to the control of the flowcharts in Figures 4 and 6. In one application example, when the control device 280 detects in step S101 that the communication device T is performing valid invalid communication with multiple devices, the control device 280 treats the multiple devices as communication-established devices. Then, in step S102, the control device 280 treats the device that is performing wireless communication with the communication device T at the strongest field strength as the target device D among these communication-established devices.

[0114] For this reason, the modified example using the strength of radio waves of wireless communication is useful in a situation where the communication device T performs valid and invalid communication with multiple devices. According to this modified example, it becomes possible to estimate with higher accuracy the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100 actually ridden by the user 30 among multiple electric vehicles 100 equipped with devices for which wireless communication is valid.

[0115] In this way, according to the modified example, the mobile terminal 200 can detect the strength of radio waves in wireless communication between the target device D and the mobile terminal 200, and transmit the identifier of the target device D to the vehicle management system 300 based on the detected strength of radio waves.

[0116] Unless otherwise specified, the above-described modified example using radio wave strength, specifically, electric field strength, can also be applied to the third communication example. In addition, both the technique of storing the identifier of the target device D in advance in the storage device 290 and the above-described modified example using radio wave strength, specifically, electric field strength, may be employed.

[0117] It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which control is performed using radio wave strength, specifically electric field strength, in the vehicle management system 300. Below, a modified example in which this configuration is applied to the first embodiment (corresponding to the first software) or the second embodiment (corresponding to the second software) will be described. In the first software or the second software according to this modified example, the radio wave strength of the wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication device of the target device D is not taken into account. On the other hand, in the vehicle management system 300, the radio wave strength of the wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication device of the target device D is taken into account.

[0118] Specifically, in a modification of the first embodiment, in step S103 of FIG. 4 , in addition to the activation information, information indicating the strength of radio waves in the wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication device of the target device D is transmitted from the communication device 220 to the first communication device 321 and stored in the storage device 390. Then, in step S201 of FIG. 5 , the electric vehicle 100 is identified based on the information indicating the radio wave strength and an identifier included in the activation information. For example, assume that information indicating the detected electric field strength is transmitted from the communication device 220 to the first communication device 321 and stored in the storage device 390. In this case, the control device 380 can identify the electric vehicle 100 using an identifier included in the activation information transmitted from the communication device 220 to the first communication device 321 and stored in the storage device 390 along with the information. Specifically, when it is determined from the information indicating the detected electric field strength that the detected electric field strength is equal to or greater than a threshold, the control device 380 identifies the electric vehicle 100 in which the target device D is provided based on the identifier. On the other hand, if it is determined from the information indicating the detected electric field strength that the detected electric field strength is less than the threshold value, the electric vehicle 100 is not identified based on this identifier.

[0119] Also, consider a case where communication software in the mobile terminal 200 detects that the communication device T is engaged in valid invalid communication with a plurality of devices. In one example, in this case, information indicating the detected electric field strength for each device, together with activation information for each device, is transmitted from the communication device 220 to the first communication device 321 and stored in the storage device 390. The control device 380 treats the device with the highest detected electric field strength among those devices as the target device D. In step S201 of FIG. 5 , the control device 380 identifies the electric vehicle 100 in which the target device D is installed, based on the identifier included in the activation information for the device that has been treated as the target device D.

[0120] In a modification of the second embodiment, in step S303 of FIG. 6 , in addition to the validity period information, information including the identifier of the target device D and information indicating the strength of the radio waves of the wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication device of the target device D are transmitted from the communication device 220 to the first communication device 321. The validity period information, the information including the identifier of the target device D, and the information indicating the strength of the radio waves of the wireless communication between the communication device T and the communication device of the target device D are stored in the storage device 390 in association with one another. Then, in step S201 of FIG. 7 , the electric vehicle 100 is identified based on the information indicating the strength of the radio waves and the identifier of the target device D. For example, assume that information indicating the detected electric field strength is transmitted from the communication device 220 to the first communication device 321 and stored in the storage device 390. In this case, the control device 380 can identify the electric vehicle 100 using the identifier of the target device D transmitted from the communication device 220 to the first communication device 321 together with the validity period information and stored in the storage device 390. Specifically, when it is determined from the information indicating the detected electric field strength that the detected electric field strength is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control device 380 identifies the electric vehicle 100 provided with the target device D based on this identifier. On the other hand, when it is determined from the information indicating the detected electric field strength that the detected electric field strength is less than the threshold, the control device 380 does not identify the electric vehicle 100 based on this identifier.

[0121] Consider a case where communication software in the mobile terminal 200 detects that the communication device T is engaged in valid invalid communication with multiple devices. In one example, in this case, information indicating the detected electric field strength for each device and information including the identifier of each device are transmitted from the communication device 220 to the first communication device 321, along with validity period information for each device. The validity period information for each device, the information indicating the detected electric field strength for each device, and information including the identifier of each device are stored in the storage device 390 in association with each other. The control device 380 treats the device with the highest detected electric field strength as the target device D. In step S201 of FIG. 7 , the control device 380 identifies the electric vehicle 100 in which the target device D is installed based on the identifier of the device that it has decided to treat as the target device D. In addition, the control device 380 uses the validity period information corresponding to this identifier to estimate the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100 in step S402.

[0122] In this way, according to the modified example, the vehicle management system 300 receives information indicating the strength of radio waves in wireless communication between the target device D and the mobile terminal 200, and is able to identify the electric vehicle 100 in which the target device D is installed based on the identifier of the target device D and the information indicating the strength of radio waves.

[0123] The strength of radio waves may be taken into consideration in both the first software or the second software and the vehicle management system 300 .

[0124] In the first and second embodiments described above, the power storage device 150 is a storage battery. However, the power storage device 150 may be a capacitor. The power storage device 150 may include both a storage battery and a capacitor.

[0125] In the above-described first and second embodiments, a technology using the mobile terminal 200 is exemplified. However, a tablet, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like may be used instead of the mobile terminal 200. By replacing the "mobile terminal 200" in the explanations of the first and second embodiments with "information terminal," the technology of the first and second embodiments can be generalized. The information terminal may be the mobile terminal 200, a tablet, a PDA, or the like.

[0126] The timing at which communication between a communication device T and any communication partner or target device D becomes effective and the timing at which the communication device T receives the identifier of the communication partner or target device D may be the same or different.

[0127] The order and content of the steps in the above-described flowchart may be changed as appropriate, and some of the steps in the above-described flowchart may be omitted.

[0128] In the first embodiment, step S104 in FIG. 4 is executed. However, this configuration is not essential. In a modified example shown in FIG. 8 , third software is implemented in the control device 280 instead of the first software. The third software controls the operation of the mobile terminal 200. Specifically, the third software controls the operation of the mobile terminal 200 in cooperation with the communication software. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the control by the third software. The control in FIG. 8 is executed whether the user 30 is riding or not riding the electric vehicle 100. Specifically, the control in FIG. 8 may be executed at all times.

[0129] In the modified example shown in FIG. 8 , after step S103, the process proceeds to step S105. If it is determined in step S105 that wireless communication is disabled, the process proceeds to step S106. If wireless communication remains enabled, step S105 is executed again. In this modified example, a process of the control device 280, separate from the process executed by the third software, repeatedly transmits the current location of the mobile terminal 200 to the vehicle management system 300. In this way, the location information of the mobile terminal 200 is transmitted from the communication device 220 of the mobile terminal 200 to the first communication device 321 of the vehicle management system 300. The separate process is executed, for example, by location information management software implemented in the mobile terminal 200.

[0130] In the second embodiment, step S104 in FIG. 6 is executed. However, this configuration is not essential. In the modified example shown in FIG. 9, the control device 280 is implemented with fourth software instead of the second software. The fourth software controls the operation of the mobile terminal 200. Specifically, the fourth software controls the operation of the mobile terminal 200 in cooperation with the communication software. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the control by the fourth software. The control in FIG. 9 is executed whether the user 30 is riding or not riding the electric vehicle 100. Specifically, the control in FIG. 9 may be executed at all times.

[0131] In the modified example shown in FIG. 9 , after step S301, the process proceeds to step S105. If it is determined in step S105 that wireless communication is disabled, the process proceeds to step S302. If wireless communication remains enabled, step S105 is executed again. In this modified example, a process of the control device 280, which is separate from the process executed by the fourth software, repeatedly transmits the current location of the mobile terminal 200 to the vehicle management system 300. In this way, the location information of the mobile terminal 200 is transmitted from the communication device 220 of the mobile terminal 200 to the first communication device 321 of the vehicle management system 300. The separate process is executed, for example, by location information management software implemented in the mobile terminal 200.

[0132] In the first and second embodiments described above, the electric vehicle (electric moving body) is an electric vehicle 100. In a modified example, the electric vehicle is an electric boat. The modified example can be explained by changing the terms used in the description of the first and second embodiments. This includes changing "electric vehicle 100" to "electric boat." This may also include changing "entertainment-related device" to "fish finder." However, in the modified example, "entertainment-related device" can also be applied. In general, in the first and second embodiments described above, "electric vehicle 100" may be changed to "electric moving body."

[0133] (Additional Notes) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0134] (Technology 1) An estimation method comprising the steps of: receiving, from an information terminal of a user of an electric vehicle, information indicating that wireless communication has been enabled between a device provided in the electric vehicle and the information terminal; receiving, from the information terminal, information indicating that wireless communication has been disabled between the device and the information terminal; receiving, from the information terminal, location information of the information terminal; estimating a travel distance of the electric vehicle based on the information indicating that wireless communication has been enabled, the information indicating that wireless communication has been disabled, and the location information of the information terminal; and estimating an SOC of a power storage device mounted on the electric vehicle based on the estimated travel distance of the electric vehicle.

[0135] (Technology 2) An estimation method comprising the steps of: receiving, from an information terminal of a user of an electric vehicle, information indicating a period during which wireless communication is valid between a device provided in the electric vehicle and the information terminal; receiving location information of the information terminal from the information terminal; estimating a travel distance of the electric vehicle based on the information indicating the period during which wireless communication is valid and the location information of the information terminal; and estimating an SOC of a power storage device mounted on the electric vehicle based on the estimated travel distance of the electric vehicle.

[0136] (Technology 3) The estimation method according to Technology 1 or 2, wherein the device is an entertainment-related device.

[0137] (Technology 4) The estimation method according to Technology 1 or 2, wherein the device is a device that holds the information terminal.

[0138] (Technology 5) The estimation method according to any one of Technologies 1 to 4, further comprising: transmitting information indicating the estimated SOC to the information terminal.

[0139] (Technology 6) The estimation method according to any one of technologies 1 to 5, comprising: a step of receiving, from the information terminal, an identifier of the device that is valid for wireless communication with the information terminal; and a step of identifying the electric vehicle in which the device is installed based on the identifier.

[0140] (Technology 7) The estimation method according to Technology 6, comprising the steps of: receiving, from the information terminal, information indicating the strength of radio waves in wireless communication between the device and the information terminal; and identifying the electric vehicle in which the device is installed based on the identifier and the information indicating the strength of the radio waves.

[0141] (Technology 8) A control method for an information terminal that transmits information to an estimation device so that the estimation device estimates an SOC using the estimation method described in Technology 1, the control method for an information terminal including: a step of transmitting to the estimation device information indicating that wireless communication has been enabled between a device provided in an electric vehicle and an information terminal of a user of the electric vehicle; a step of transmitting to the estimation device information indicating that wireless communication has been disabled between the device and the information terminal; and a step of transmitting location information of the information terminal to the estimation device.

[0142] (Technology 9) A control method for an information terminal that transmits information to an estimation device so that the estimation device estimates an SOC using the estimation method described in Technology 2, the control method for an information terminal including: a step of transmitting to the estimation device information indicating a period during which wireless communication is valid between a device provided in an electric vehicle and an information terminal of a user of the electric vehicle; and a step of transmitting location information of the information terminal to the estimation device.

[0143] (Technology 10) The control method for an information terminal according to Technology 8 or 9, further comprising receiving, from the estimation device, information indicating the SOC estimated by the estimation device.

[0144] (Technology 11) The control method for an information terminal according to Technology 10, further comprising a step of displaying the received information indicating the SOC on a screen of the information terminal.

[0145] (Technology 12) A control method for an information terminal according to any one of Technology 8 to Technology 11, comprising: a step of receiving an identifier of the device that is valid for wireless communication with the information terminal; and a step of transmitting the identifier of the device to the estimation device.

[0146] (Technology 13) A control method for an information terminal according to Technology 12, comprising: a step of detecting a radio wave intensity in wireless communication between the device and the information terminal; and transmitting an identifier of the device to the estimation device based on the detected radio wave intensity.

[0147] (Technology 14) An identification method comprising the steps of: receiving an identifier of a device installed in an electric vehicle that is enabled for wireless communication with an information terminal of a user of the electric vehicle; receiving information indicating the strength of radio waves in the wireless communication between the device and the information terminal; and identifying the electric vehicle in which the device is installed based on the identifier of the device and the information indicating the strength of the radio waves.

[0148] The technology disclosed herein can be applied to environments where electric vehicles are used.

[0149] 10 Environment 30 User 50 Road 55 Charging station 51, 52 Position 61, 62, 63 Arrow 100 Electric vehicle 110 In-vehicle equipment 111, 112, 113 Device 120, 220 Communication equipment 121, 122, 123, 221, 222, 223, 225, 321 Communication equipment 150 Power storage device 200 Portable terminal 250 Position information acquisition device 251, 252, 253 Acquisition device 280, 380 Control device 290, 390 Storage device 300 Vehicle management system 320 Communication equipment 400 Network D Device T Communication equipment

Claims

1. A step of receiving, from the information terminal, information indicating that wireless communication has become effective between a device provided in the electric vehicle and the information terminal of the user of the electric vehicle; a step of receiving, from the information terminal, information indicating that wireless communication between the device and the information terminal has become ineffective; a step of receiving the position information of the information terminal from the information terminal; a step of estimating the moving distance of the electric vehicle based on the information indicating that the wireless communication has become effective, the information indicating that the wireless communication has become ineffective, and the position information of the information terminal; and a step of estimating the SOC of the power storage device mounted on the electric vehicle based on the estimated moving distance of the electric vehicle. A method of estimation.

2. A step of receiving, from the information terminal, information indicating a period during which wireless communication between a device provided in the electric vehicle and the information terminal of the user of the electric vehicle is effective; a step of receiving the position information of the information terminal from the information terminal; a step of estimating the moving distance of the electric vehicle based on the information indicating the period during which the wireless communication is effective and the position information of the information terminal; and a step of estimating the SOC of the power storage device mounted on the electric vehicle based on the estimated moving distance of the electric vehicle. A method of estimation.

3. The method of estimation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is a device related to entertainment.

4. The method of estimation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is a device that holds the information terminal.

5. The method of estimation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a step of transmitting information indicating the estimated SOC to the information terminal.

6. A step of receiving, from the information terminal, an identifier of the device in which wireless communication with the information terminal is effective; and a step of identifying the electric vehicle in which the device is provided based on the identifier. The method of estimation according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A step of receiving, from the information terminal, information indicating the intensity of radio waves in the wireless communication between the device and the information terminal; and identifying the electric vehicle in which the device is provided based on the identifier and the information indicating the intensity of the radio waves. The method of estimation according to claim 6.

8. A control method for an information terminal that transmits information to an estimation device for the estimation device to estimate an SOC by the estimation method according to claim 1, the method including: transmitting, to the estimation device, information indicating that wireless communication has become effective between a device provided in an electric vehicle and the information terminal of a user of the electric vehicle; transmitting, to the estimation device, information indicating that wireless communication has become ineffective between the device and the information terminal; and transmitting, to the estimation device, position information of the information terminal.

9. A control method for an information terminal that transmits information to an estimation device for the estimation device to estimate an SOC by the estimation method according to claim 2, the method including: transmitting, to the estimation device, information indicating a period during which wireless communication is effective between a device provided in an electric vehicle and the information terminal of a user of the electric vehicle; and transmitting, to the estimation device, position information of the information terminal.

10. The control method for an information terminal according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising receiving, from the estimation device, information indicating the SOC estimated by the estimation device.

11. The control method for an information terminal according to claim 10, further comprising displaying, on a screen of the information terminal, the received information indicating the SOC.

12. The control method for an information terminal according to any one of claims 8 to 11, comprising: receiving an identifier of the device that is in effective wireless communication with the information terminal; and transmitting the identifier of the device to the estimation device.

13. The control method for an information terminal according to claim 12, comprising: detecting an intensity of radio waves in the wireless communication between the device and the information terminal; and transmitting the identifier of the device to the estimation device based on the detected intensity of the radio waves.

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