Charging management system, charging system, charging management method, and program

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of improving the utilization efficiency of a charger. A charging management system (2) comprises a determining unit (411), an authenticating unit (412), and a charging control unit (311). The determining unit (411) performs update permission processing with respect to a charging schedule if, even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the start of a reserved time slot, the authenticating unit (412) has not performed authentication relating to reservation information, the authentication unit (412) has not successfully authenticated the reservation information, or charging of a vehicle by a charger (5) has not started. The update permission processing is processing for allowing the reservation information of the reserved time slot to be updated from reservation information registered in advance to other reservation information.

Description

Charging management system, charging system, charging management method and program

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a charge management system, a charging system, a charge management method, and a program. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a charge management system, a charging system, a charge management method, and a program for managing a charging schedule for a vehicle.

[0002] The electric vehicle charging system described in Patent Document 1 includes a scheduling means that determines a charging schedule for each electric vehicle, and a charging switching means that charges one of the electric vehicles using a charger in accordance with the charging schedule determined by the scheduling means. The scheduling means determines the charging schedule by dividing a certain period of time into a number of charging time slots corresponding to the number of electric vehicles and assigning each electric vehicle to each charging time slot.

[0003] However, in a charging system, if a user reserves a charger for use during a specific time period but does not actually use the charger, the charger will remain unused for a long period of time, which can lead to a problem of reduced charger utilization efficiency.

[0004] JP 2013-74776 A

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a charge management system, a charge system, a charge management method, and a program that can improve the utilization efficiency of chargers.

[0006] A charging management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a determination unit, an authentication unit, and a charging control unit. The determination unit determines a charging schedule that associates a reservation time slot with reservation information. The reservation information includes information on at least one of a reserved vehicle or a reserved user who is permitted to charge during the reservation time slot. The authentication unit performs authentication regarding the reservation information. The charging control unit controls a charger that charges the vehicle. When the authentication unit successfully authenticates the reservation information during an authentication time slot that includes at least a portion of the reservation time slot, the charging control unit causes the charger to start charging the vehicle. The determination unit performs an update permission process for the charging schedule in any of the following cases: when the authentication unit does not authenticate the reservation information even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the reservation time slot; when the authentication unit does not successfully authenticate the reservation information; or when charging of the vehicle by the charger has not started. The update permission process is a process that allows the reservation information for the reservation time slot to be updated from previously registered reservation information to different reservation information.

[0007] A charging system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the charging management system and the charger.

[0008] A charging management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is executed by a computer system. The charging management method includes a determination step, an authentication step, and a charge control step. The determination step determines a charging schedule that associates a reservation time slot with reservation information. The reservation information includes information on at least one of a reserved vehicle or a reserved user permitted to charge during the reservation time slot. The authentication step performs authentication regarding the reservation information. The charge control step controls a charger that charges the vehicle. If the authentication step successfully authenticates the reservation information during an authentication time slot that includes at least a portion of the reservation time slot, the charge control step causes the charger to start charging the vehicle. The determination step performs an update permission process on the charging schedule when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the reservation time slot but the authentication step does not authenticate the reservation information, the authentication step does not successfully authenticate the reservation information, or the charger does not start charging the vehicle. The update permission process is a process that allows the reservation information for the reservation time slot to be updated from previously registered reservation information to different reservation information.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program readable by the computer system, causing one or more processors of the computer system to execute the charge management method.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram including a charge management system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a charge schedule set by the charge management system of the same. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a charge schedule set by the charge management system of the same. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a charge schedule set by the charge management system of the same. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a charger used together with the same charge management system. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing by the same charge management system. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing by the same charge management system. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing subsequent to FIG. 7 in the same charge management system. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing by the same charge management system.

[0011] (Embodiments) Hereinafter, a charge management system 2, a charging system 1, a charge management method, and a program according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The following embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Furthermore, each figure described in the following embodiments is a schematic diagram, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components in the figures do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0012] (Overview) A charge management system 2 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 manages a charge schedule for a vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as an electric vehicle 7). The electric vehicle 7 has a storage battery 74 and an electric motor 75. The storage battery 74 outputs electric power for driving the electric motor 75.

[0013] In the present disclosure, charging the electric vehicle 7 means charging the storage battery 74 of the electric vehicle 7 .

[0014] The electric vehicle 7 is, for example, an electric car that runs on the output of the electric motor 75, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle that runs on a combination of the output of an engine and the output of the electric motor 75. The electric vehicle 7 may also be a senior car, a two-wheeled vehicle (electric motorcycle), a tricycle, an electric bicycle, an electrically assisted bicycle, or the like.

[0015] In the following, a case where the electric vehicle 7 is an electric car will be described as an example.

[0016] The charging schedule represents the reservation status of one or more chargers 5 installed in a facility. The facility may be, for example, an apartment building, an office, a store, an office building, a factory, a warehouse, a commercial complex, a library, an art gallery, a museum, an amusement facility, a theme park, a park, an airport, a train station, a baseball stadium, a hotel, a nursing home, or a hospital.

[0017] In the following, an example will be described in which the facility is an apartment building.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 , the charging management system 2 includes a determination unit 411, an authentication unit 412, and a charging control unit 311. The determination unit 411 determines a charging schedule that associates a reservation time slot with reservation information. The reservation information includes information on at least one of a reserved vehicle (electrically powered vehicle 7) permitted to charge during the reservation time slot and a reservation user (a user who made the reservation). The authentication unit 412 performs authentication related to the reservation information. The charging control unit 311 controls the charger 5 that charges the electric vehicle 7. If the authentication unit 412 successfully authenticates the reservation information during an authentication time slot that includes at least a portion of the reservation time slot, the charging control unit 311 causes the charger 5 to start charging the electric vehicle 7. The determination unit 411 performs an update permission process for the charging schedule in any of the following cases: if the authentication unit 412 does not authenticate the reservation information even after a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsed since the start of the reservation time slot; if the authentication unit 412 does not successfully authenticate the reservation information; or if charging of the electric vehicle 7 by the charger 5 has not started. The update permission process is a process for enabling the reservation information for the reservation time slot to be updated from pre-registered reservation information to different reservation information.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the determination unit 411 performs the update permission process for the charging schedule when the authentication unit 412 does not perform authentication related to the reservation information even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the reservation time slot, when the authentication unit 412 does not succeed in authenticating the reservation information, and when charging of the electric vehicle 7 by the charger 5 has not started. In other words, the determination unit 411 performs the update permission process for the charging schedule when the charger 5 has not been used even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the reservation time slot and there is no sign that the charger 5 will be used. Therefore, for example, when a user has reserved use of the charger 5 and has not taken steps to cancel the use reservation, but has not used the charger 5 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the reservation time slot, the determination unit 411 performs the update permission process for the charging schedule.

[0020] The update permission process includes, for example, a process of changing a state in which the charger 5 for charging the electric vehicle 7 during the reserved time slot has been reserved to a state in which the charger 5 has not been reserved (in other words, a process of canceling the reservation), and this process creates an opening in the charging schedule, allowing another user to make a reservation to use the charger 5. Therefore, the length of time that the charger 5 is used is longer compared to when no one uses the charger 5 even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the reserved time slot. In this way, the charge management system 2 of this embodiment can improve the utilization efficiency of the charger 5.

[0021] Furthermore, the charge management system 2 can reduce the possibility that a user will set the start of a reserved time slot to a time significantly earlier than the time when the user actually starts using the charger 5. In other words, only the time slot when the user really needs the charger 5 is set as a reserved time slot, which makes it easier for there to be gaps in the charging schedule. This makes it easier for other users to make reservations to use the charger 5.

[0022] Furthermore, functions similar to those of the charging management system 2 can be embodied in a charging management method. The charging management method of this embodiment is executed by a computer system. The charging management method includes a determination step, an authentication step, and a charging control step. The determination step determines a charging schedule that associates a reservation time slot with reservation information. The reservation information includes information on at least one of a reserved vehicle or a reserved user who is permitted to charge during the reservation time slot. The authentication step performs authentication related to the reservation information. The charging control step controls the charger 5 that charges the electric vehicle 7. If the authentication step succeeds in authenticating the reservation information during an authentication time slot that includes at least a part of the reservation time slot, the charging control step causes the charger 5 to start charging the electric vehicle 7. The determination step performs an update permission process on the charging schedule if the authentication step does not authenticate the reservation information even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the reservation time slot, if the authentication step does not succeed in authenticating the reservation information, or if charging of the electric vehicle 7 by the charger 5 has not started. The update permission process is a process for enabling the reservation information for the reservation time slot to be updated from pre-registered reservation information to different reservation information.

[0023] The charge management method can be realized as a program. The program of this embodiment is a program readable by a computer system and causes one or more processors of the computer system to execute the charge management method. The program may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system.

[0024] (Details) (1) Overall Configuration The charge management system 2 and each of the components related to the charge management system 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, a thick line connecting two components represents the exchange of power between the two components. In Fig. 1, a dotted line connecting two components represents the transmission of signals between the two components.

[0025] The charging system 1 includes a charging management system 2 and at least one charger 5. In this embodiment, the charging system 1 is described assuming that it includes a plurality of chargers 5. However, only one charger 5 is illustrated in FIG.

[0026] The charge management system 2 includes a control server 3 and a reservation management server 4. The control server 3 and the reservation management server 4 may be installed in a facility where a plurality of chargers 5 are installed, or may be installed in a different location.

[0027] The charge management system 2 communicates with a plurality of chargers 5 and at least one terminal 6. Each of the plurality of chargers 5 is capable of charging an electric vehicle 7 using power received from a power source PS1. Note that this embodiment will be described assuming that a plurality of electric vehicles 7 are present. However, only one electric vehicle 7 is illustrated in FIG. 1 .

[0028] The terminal 6 is a terminal owned by a user. The terminal 6 is, for example, a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer. In the following, the description will be given assuming that the terminal 6 is a smartphone.

[0029] The control server 3, the reservation management server 4, the charger 5, the terminal 6, and the electric vehicle 7 each include a computer system having one or more processors and memory. At least some of the functions of the control server 3, the reservation management server 4, the charger 5, the terminal 6, and the electric vehicle 7 are realized by the processor of the computer system executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in the memory, may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium (such as a memory card) that is readable by the computer system.

[0030] (2) Charging Schedule An example of a charging schedule will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a charging schedule from midnight to midnight on a certain day (July 15, 2023). Five chargers 5 (i.e., chargers A to E) are installed in the facility, and each charger 5 has its own unique charging schedule set.

[0031] That is, the determination unit 411 determines a charging schedule that associates a reserved time slot, reservation information including information on at least one of a reserved vehicle or a reserved user who is permitted to charge during the reserved time slot, and a reserved charger from among the multiple chargers 5 that will charge the electric vehicle 7 based on the reservation information. The reserved user can charge the reserved vehicle using the reserved charger during the reserved time slot.

[0032] The user can check the charging schedule by operating the terminal 6 to display the charging schedule on the output IF unit 65 of the terminal 6. The user can also operate the terminal 6 to select a charger 5 for a desired time period that has not been reserved for use and make a reservation for use so that the user can use the selected charger 5 during the desired time period. In other words, the determination unit 411 of the charging management system 2 accepts input of the charging schedule by the user operating the terminal 6.

[0033] In FIG. 2 , a frame F1 corresponding to a reserved time slot (a time slot for which a usage reservation has been made) is hatched, and a frame F2 corresponding to a time slot immediately before the reserved time slot (hereinafter also referred to as a backup time slot or a first backup time slot) and a frame F3 corresponding to a time slot immediately after the reserved time slot (hereinafter also referred to as a second backup time slot) are filled with dots. In other words, the reserved time slot is displayed to be distinguished from the first backup time slot and the second backup time slot. When registering a reserved time slot in a charging schedule, the determination unit 411 registers the first backup time slot and the second backup time slot before and after the reserved time slot in the charging schedule as time slots during which the charger 5 cannot be used. The charging management system 2 performs processing so that users cannot make reservations during the first backup time slot and the second backup time slot.

[0034] The length of the first backup time slot is, for example, 15 minutes. The length of the second backup time slot is, for example, 15 minutes.

[0035] 2, a frame F0 corresponding to a time slot in which a user can make a reservation (hereinafter also referred to as an available time slot) is shown as a white frame. In FIG. 2, the available time slot is a time slot excluding the reserved time slot, the first reserve time slot, and the second reserve time slot.

[0036] 2, no reservation has been made for use of Charger A. Therefore, the user can make a reservation for use of Charger A at any time.

[0037] 2, Charger B is reserved for use from 3:00 to 6:00. Therefore, the user can reserve Charger B for a time period selected from the time periods excluding the time period from 3:00 to 6:00 (reserved time period) and the time periods before and after that (first backup time period and second backup time period).

[0038] As with charger B, the user can reserve chargers C and D for a time period selected from the time periods excluding the reserved time period, the first reserve time period, and the second reserve time period.

[0039] Charger E is reserved for use all day, so the user cannot make a reservation to use charger E.

[0040] When the determination unit 411 performs the update permission process described above, a time slot (unavailable time slot) in which a user can make a reservation is added. For example, for charger B, a time slot from 3:00 to 6:00 is set as a reservation time slot for charging the electric vehicle 7 based on certain reservation information. The start point of this reservation time slot is 3:00. If the authentication unit 412 does not perform authentication related to the reservation information even after a predetermined time has passed from 3:00, if the authentication unit 412 does not succeed in authenticating the reservation information, or if charging of the electric vehicle 7 by charger B does not start, the determination unit 411 performs the update permission process.

[0041] Hereinafter, "when the authentication unit 412 does not perform authentication regarding the reservation information even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the reservation time slot, when the authentication unit 412 does not succeed in authenticating regarding the reservation information, and when charging of the electric vehicle 7 by the charger 5 does not start" will also be referred to as "when the update condition is satisfied."

[0042] The update permission process includes, for example, a process of changing the state of the charger 5 for charging the electric vehicle 7 during the reserved time slot from a reserved state to a state where the charger 5 is not reserved for charging the electric vehicle 7 during the reserved time slot. In other words, the update permission process includes, for example, a process of canceling the reservation of the charger 5 for charging the electric vehicle 7 during the reserved time slot. When the update condition is satisfied for the reserved time slot from 3:00 to 6:00 for Charger B, the determination unit 411 changes the charging schedule from a reserved state to a state where the charger B for charging the electric vehicle 7 during the reserved time slot is not reserved for the reserved time slot. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 , the determination unit 411 causes the output IF unit 65 to display that the time slot from 3:00 to 6:00 for Charger B is not a reserved time slot but an available time slot. That is, the determination unit 411 changes the frames corresponding to the reserved time slot from 3:00 to 6:00 and the first and second spare time slots before and after the reserved time slot to an open frame F0 indicating an available time slot. This allows the user to know that the time slot from 3:00 to 6:00 and the time slots before and after the reserved time slot are now available for reservation.

[0043] In the example of FIG. 3, after the update condition is satisfied, a user who has reserved use of charger B cannot start using charger B.

[0044] Note that, instead of changing the reservation status of the charger 5 for charging the electric vehicle 7 during the reservation time slot from a reserved status to a non-reserved status, the update permission process may include, for example, a process of allowing a new reservation to be registered for the reservation time slot while maintaining the reservation status of the charger 5 for charging the electric vehicle 7 based on reservation information (hereinafter referred to as first reservation information). When the determination unit 411 subsequently accepts a reservation for charging the electric vehicle 7 based on other reservation information (hereinafter referred to as second reservation information) for the reservation time slot, the determination unit 411 deletes the reservation for the reservation time slot based on the first reservation information from the charging schedule and registers the reservation for the reservation time slot based on the second reservation information in the charging schedule. For example, if the update condition is satisfied for the reservation time slot from 3:00 to 6:00 for charger B, the display mode of the frame F1 indicating the reservation time slot from 3:00 to 6:00 is changed to a frame F4 having a different display mode, as shown in FIG. 4 . In FIG. 4 , the frame F4 is a dashed frame. 4, the frames F2 and F3 corresponding to the first and second backup time slots are deleted, but at least one of the frames F2 and F3 may be changed to a frame F4 having a different display mode. Also, in FIG. 4, the start point of the frame F4 coincides with the start point of the frame F1, but the start point of the frame F4 may be, for example, a point at which a predetermined time has elapsed from the start point of the frame F1.

[0045] In the example of Figure 4, even after the update conditions are met, a user who has reserved use of Charger B can start using Charger B during the reserved time period unless another user registers a reservation to use Charger B during that time period.

[0046] 4, when a user who has made a reservation starts using Charger B, the update permission process is canceled. That is, other users will not be able to make reservations to use Charger B during the reserved time period from 3:00 to 6:00. The display of the charging schedule also returns to the display shown in FIG.

[0047] In both cases of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the update permission process includes a process of displaying the fact that a new reservation for use of charger B can be registered during the reserved time slot. That is, in Fig. 3, the frame corresponding to the reserved time slot for which the update conditions are met is changed to a white frame F0 indicating an open time slot, thereby displaying the fact that a new reservation for use of charger B can be registered during that reserved time slot. Also, in Fig. 4, the frame corresponding to the reserved time slot for which the update conditions are met is changed to a frame F4 with a different display mode, thereby displaying the fact that a new reservation for use of charger B can be registered during that reserved time slot.

[0048] (3) Charger Next, the configuration of the charger 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0049] The charger 5 has a housing 50, a processing unit 51, a memory unit 52, a communication unit 53, an input IF (interface) unit 54, an output IF (interface) unit 55, a symbol 56, a connection sensor 57, a switch 58, an AC / DC converter 59, a connector 5a, and a cable 5b.

[0050] The housing 50 holds a processing unit 51, a memory unit 52, a communication unit 53, an input IF unit 54, an output IF unit 55, a symbol 56, a connection sensor 57, a switch 58, an AC / DC converter 59, a connector 5a, and a cable 5b.

[0051] The processing unit 51 includes one or more processors of the computer system of the charger 5. The processing unit 51 performs overall control of the charger 5.

[0052] The storage unit 52 stores information used for processing by the processing unit 51 .

[0053] The communication unit 53 includes a communication interface device. The charger 5 is capable of communicating with the charge management system 2 and the electric vehicle 7 via the communication unit 53. In the present disclosure, "capable of communication" means that signals can be exchanged directly or indirectly via a network, a repeater, or the like, using an appropriate communication method such as wired communication or wireless communication.

[0054] The input IF unit 54 receives user operations and includes, for example, at least one of a button, a key switch, a touch panel, and a touch panel display.

[0055] The output IF unit 55 notifies the user of information. The output IF unit 55 includes, for example, at least one of a display for visually notifying the user of information and an audio device such as a speaker for audibly notifying the user of information (which may include voice).

[0056] A symbol 56 is attached to the housing 50. The symbol 56 is a symbol unique to each of the plurality of chargers 5. The charge management system 2 can identify the plurality of chargers 5 based on the symbol 56.

[0057] 5, the symbol 56 is a QR code (registered trademark). The symbol 56 includes information (e.g., a charger ID) for identifying the charger 5. The symbol 56 may be, for example, a one-dimensional barcode, a symbol such as a character, or a design.

[0058] The authentication unit 412 of the charge management system 2 identifies the charger 5 that the user is going to use from among the multiple chargers 5, based on the symbol 56. More specifically, the user photographs the symbol 56 by operating the terminal 6. As a result, the terminal 6 generates an image showing the symbol 56, and identifies the charger 5 by reading, for example, a charger ID linked to the charger 5 from the symbol 56 shown in the image. The authentication unit 412 identifies the charger 5 by acquiring the charger ID from the terminal 6.

[0059] Note that, instead of the terminal 6 reading the charger ID from the image, for example, the charge management system 2 may read the charger ID from the image to identify the charger 5. In this case, the charge management system 2 may acquire, from the terminal 6, an image of the symbol 56.

[0060] The connection sensor 57 is, for example, a proximity switch. The connection sensor 57 distinguishes between a connected state in which the connector 5 a is connected to the electric vehicle 7 and a disconnected state in which the connector 5 a is not connected to the electric vehicle 7.

[0061] The AC / DC converter 59 is connected to the power supply PS1 via a switch 58. The switch 58 switches between an open state and a closed state under the control of the processing unit 51. When the switch 58 is in the open state, the power supply from the power supply PS1 to the AC / DC converter 59 is cut off. When the switch 58 is in the closed state, power is supplied from the power supply PS1 to the AC / DC converter 59.

[0062] The power supply PS1 is an AC power supply, such as a commercial power supply or a private power generation facility.

[0063] The AC / DC converter 59 converts the AC power received from the power source PS1 into DC power and outputs it to the storage battery 74 of the electric vehicle 7 .

[0064] A first end of the cable 5b is connected to the AC / DC converter 59. A second end of the cable 5b is connected to the connector 5a. The connector 5a is connected to a vehicle inlet of the electric vehicle 7. The vehicle inlet is connected to the storage battery 74.

[0065] When the connector 5a is connected to the vehicle inlet, the DC power output from the AC / DC converter 59 is output to the storage battery 74 via the cable 5b.

[0066] (4) Electric Vehicle The electric vehicle 7 includes a processing unit 71 , a storage unit 72 , a communication unit 73 , a storage battery 74 , and an electric motor 75 .

[0067] The processing unit 71 includes one or more processors of a computer system of the electric vehicle 7. The processing unit 71 performs overall control of the electric vehicle 7.

[0068] The storage unit 72 stores information used for processing by the processing unit 71 .

[0069] The communication unit 73 includes a communication interface device. The electric vehicle 7 is capable of communicating with the charger 5 via the communication unit 73.

[0070] The storage battery 74 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, an electric double layer capacitor, or an all-solid-state battery.

[0071] The electric vehicle 7 runs by driving the electric motor 75 using the electric power output from the storage battery 74 .

[0072] (5) Terminal The terminal 6 includes a processing unit 61 , a storage unit 62 , a communication unit 63 , an input IF (interface) unit 64 , an output IF (interface) unit 65 , and an imaging unit 66 .

[0073] The processing unit 61 includes one or more processors of the computer system of the terminal 6. The processing unit 61 performs overall control of the terminal 6.

[0074] The storage unit 62 stores information used for processing by the processing unit 61 .

[0075] The communication unit 63 includes a communication interface device. The terminal 6 is capable of communicating with the charge management system 2 via the communication unit 63. Note that the terminal 6 may communicate with the charger 5 via the communication unit 63 and with the charge management system 2 via the charger 5.

[0076] The input IF unit 64 receives user operations and includes, for example, at least one of a button, a key switch, a touch panel, and a touch panel display.

[0077] The output IF unit 65 notifies the user of information. The output IF unit 65 includes, for example, at least one of a display for visually notifying the user of information and an audio device such as a speaker for audibly notifying the user of information (which may include voice).

[0078] The imaging unit 66 captures and generates an image in response to a user's operation on the input IF unit 64. The imaging unit 66 includes a two-dimensional image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0079] A user makes a reservation request via the terminal 6. The reservation request is a request to reserve the use of the charger 5. The terminal 6 transmits and receives information related to the reservation request to and from the reservation management server 4.

[0080] An application for making a reservation request is installed on the terminal 6. That is, the user can make a reservation request by starting the application and operating the input IF unit 64 of the terminal 6.

[0081] (6) Reservation Management Server The reservation management server 4 of the charge management system 2 includes a processing unit 41 , a storage unit 42 , and a communication unit 43 .

[0082] The processing unit 41 includes one or more processors of the computer system of the reservation management server 4. The processing unit 41 performs overall control of the reservation management server 4.

[0083] The processing unit 41 includes a determination unit 411 and an authentication unit 412. Note that the determination unit 411 and the authentication unit 412 merely indicate functions realized by the processing unit 41, and do not necessarily indicate actual configurations.

[0084] The determination unit 411 determines a charging schedule. More specifically, the determination unit 411 determines a charging schedule based on information related to a reservation request acquired from the terminal 6.

[0085] The authentication unit 412 performs authentication related to the reservation information. The authentication related to the reservation information includes at least one of authentication of the reserved vehicle, authentication of the reserving user, and authentication of the terminal 6 linked to the reserved vehicle or the reserving user.

[0086] An example of a method for authenticating a reserved vehicle will be described. Authentication of a reserved vehicle is a process for verifying that the electric vehicle 7 that the user is attempting to connect to the charger 5 matches the reserved vehicle that has been reserved for use. The user photographs the symbol 56 of the charger 5 they are attempting to use using the imaging unit 66 of the terminal 6. The charger ID read from the symbol 56 is transmitted to the reservation management server 4. The authentication unit 412 identifies the charger 5 the user is attempting to use based on the charger ID and reads the charging schedule for this charger 5 from the storage unit 42. Furthermore, the user photographs the license plate of the electric vehicle 7 that they are attempting to connect to the charger 5 using the imaging unit 66 of the terminal 6. The image of the license plate is transmitted to the reservation management server 4. The authentication unit 412 of the reservation management server 4 analyzes the image to read information (vehicle registration number) written on the license plate. If the authentication unit 412 determines that the read information matches the information of the reserved vehicle pre-stored in the storage unit 42, it outputs an authentication result indicating that authentication was successful.

[0087] Next, an example of a method for authenticating a reserving user will be described. The user launches a reservation application installed on the terminal 6 and enters the user ID and password registered in advance. The user ID and password are transmitted to the reservation management server 4. The user then photographs the symbol 56 of the charger 5 they intend to use using the imaging unit 66 of the terminal 6. The charger ID read from the symbol 56 is transmitted to the reservation management server 4. The authentication unit 412 identifies the charger 5 the user intends to use based on the charger ID and reads the charging schedule for this charger 5 from the storage unit 42. The user ID and password of the reserving user are associated with the charging schedule and stored in the storage unit 42. If the authentication unit 412 determines that the user ID and password acquired from the terminal 6 match the user ID and password of the reserving user stored in the storage unit 42, it outputs an authentication result indicating successful authentication.

[0088] Next, an example of a method for authenticating the terminal 6 linked to a reserved vehicle or a reserved user will be described. The user photographs the symbol 56 of the charger 5 they intend to use using the imaging unit 66 of the terminal 6. The terminal 6 transmits the charger ID read from the symbol 56 and its own terminal ID (terminal 6) to the reservation management server 4. The authentication unit 412 identifies the charger 5 the user intends to use based on the charger ID and reads the charging schedule for this charger 5 from the storage unit 42. The terminal ID of the terminal 6 linked to the reserved vehicle or the reserved user is linked to the charging schedule and stored in the storage unit 42. If the authentication unit 412 determines that the terminal ID acquired from the terminal 6 matches the terminal ID stored in the storage unit 42 in association with the reserved vehicle or the reserved user, it outputs an authentication result indicating that the authentication was successful.

[0089] The storage unit 42 stores information used in processing by the processing unit 41 .

[0090] The communication unit 43 includes a communication interface device. The reservation management server 4 can communicate with the control server 3 and the terminal 6 via the communication unit 43.

[0091] (7) Control Server The control server 3 of the charge management system 2 includes a processing unit 31 , a storage unit 32 , and a communication unit 33 .

[0092] The processing unit 31 includes one or more processors of the computer system of the control server 3. The processing unit 31 performs overall control of the control server 3.

[0093] The processing unit 31 includes a charging control unit 311. Note that the charging control unit 311 merely indicates a function realized by the processing unit 31, and does not necessarily indicate a substantial configuration.

[0094] The charging control unit 311 controls multiple chargers 5. When the authentication unit 412 successfully authenticates the reservation information during an authentication time slot that includes at least a portion of the reservation time slot, the charging control unit 311 causes the charger 5 to start charging the electric vehicle 7. The authentication time slot is, for example, a time slot from a time before the reservation time slot to a time between the start and end of the reservation time slot. As shown in FIG. 2 , if a user reserves use of charger B during the reservation time slot from 3:00 to 6:00, the authentication time slot is, for example, a time slot from 2:45 to 5:30. When the authentication unit 412 successfully authenticates the reservation information during the authentication time slot, the reservation management server 4 notifies the control server 3 that the authentication was successful. Then, the charging control unit 311 causes the charger 5 to start charging the electric vehicle 7. That is, the charger 5 closes the switch 58 and starts supplying power from the power source PS1 to the storage battery 74.

[0095] The storage unit 32 stores information used for processing by the processing unit 31 .

[0096] The communication unit 33 includes a communication interface device. The control server 3 is capable of communicating with the reservation management server 4 and the plurality of chargers 5 via the communication unit 33.

[0097] (8) Usage Reservation Sequence An example of the processing of the terminal 6 and the reservation management server 4 when a user makes a reservation for use of the charger 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0098] The user logs in to the terminal 6 (step ST1). That is, the user launches an application for making a reservation request and enters the user ID and password registered in advance. The user ID and password are sent to the reservation management server 4 (step ST2). If a combination of user ID and password that matches the combination obtained from the terminal 6 is stored in the memory unit 42, the reservation management server 4 approves the login using that user ID. That is, in this case, the login is successful (step ST3). The reservation management server 4 notifies the terminal 6 that the login was successful (step ST4). The terminal 6 displays that the login was successful (step ST5).

[0099] After successfully logging in, the user operates the terminal 6 to check the charging schedule (step ST6). The terminal 6 then requests charging schedule information from the reservation management server 4 (step ST7). The charging schedule information is information indicating the charging schedule. The reservation management server 4 transmits the charging schedule information stored in the storage unit 42 to the terminal 6 (step ST8). The terminal 6 displays the charging schedule based on the charging schedule information (step ST9). The output IF unit 65 of the terminal 6 displays, for example, the charging schedule as shown in FIG. 2.

[0100] The user refers to the charging schedule and performs a reservation operation (step ST10). That is, the user performs an operation to specify the charger 5 for which the user wishes to reserve use (hereinafter referred to as the reserved charger) and the date and time at which the charger 5 will be used (hereinafter referred to as the desired reservation date and time). The terminal 6 transmits information specifying the desired reservation date and time and the desired reservation charger to the reservation management server 4 (step ST11). If the desired reservation charger is available at the desired reservation date and time, the reservation management server 4 approves the reservation and updates the charging schedule stored in the storage unit 42 (step ST12). This completes the reservation for use of the charger 5. The reservation management server 4 notifies the terminal 6 that the reservation for use of the charger 5 has been completed (step ST13). The terminal 6 displays that the reservation for use of the charger 5 has been completed (step ST14).

[0101] When a usage reservation is completed, the memory unit 42 of the reservation management server 4 stores the user ID of the user who made the usage reservation, the charger ID of the charger 5 that this user will use (hereinafter also referred to as the reserved charger), the time period during which this user will use the charger 5 (reserved time period), and the authentication time period corresponding to the reserved time period, all in association with each other.

[0102] (9) Charging Start Sequence An example of the processing of the terminal 6, the reservation management server 4, the control server 3, and the charger 5 when a user charges the electric vehicle 7 using the charger 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 8 shows the sequence following the sequence of Fig. 7.

[0103] It is assumed that the user has already made a reservation to use the charger 5, and that the user ID, the charger ID of the reserved charger, the reserved time slot, and the authentication time slot are stored in association with each other in the storage unit 42 of the reservation management server 4. The terminal 6 used by this user may be referred to as the "reservation user terminal" below to distinguish it from other terminals 6.

[0104] First, a user logs in using the terminal 6 (reservation terminal) through the same process as steps ST1 to ST5 in Fig. 6. The reservation management server 4 checks the reservation status of the logged-in user (step ST21). That is, the reservation management server 4 reads out the charger ID and reserved time slot associated with the user ID of the logged-in user from the storage unit 42. The reservation management server 4 transmits the read charger ID and reserved time slot to the reservation terminal (step ST22). The reservation terminal acquires the charger ID and reserved time slot from the reservation management server 4.

[0105] The reservation terminal displays a cable connection request when the current time approaches the start point of the reserved time slot obtained from the reservation management server 4 (step ST23). More specifically, the reservation terminal displays the cable connection request when the current time enters the authentication time slot. Displaying the cable connection request means displaying a message requesting that the cable 5b of the reserved charger be connected to the electric vehicle 7 via the connector 5a.

[0106] When the reserver terminal displays the cable connection request, the reserved charger is in a state where power supply is stopped (step ST24).

[0107] The user connects the reserved charger's cable 5b to the electric vehicle 7 via the connector 5a (step ST25). The reserved charger then transmits its own charger ID to the reservation management server 4 via the control server 3 (step ST26). The reserved charger also notifies the reservation management server 4 via the control server 3 that the cable 5b has been connected to one of the electric vehicles 7. The reservation management server 4 then makes an authentication request to the reservation user terminal (step ST27).

[0108] The reservation user terminal displays that an authentication request has been made (step ST28). More specifically, the reservation user terminal displays a message prompting the user to photograph the symbol 56 of the reserved charger to authenticate the reservation information. The user photographs the symbol 56 using the reservation user terminal (step ST29). The reservation user terminal then reads the charger ID of the reserved charger from the symbol 56 (step ST30). The reservation user terminal transmits the read charger ID together with the user ID to the reservation management server 4 (step ST31).

[0109] The reservation management server 4 performs authentication regarding whether the reserved charger can be used based on the charger ID acquired from the reservation terminal, the user ID acquired from the reservation terminal, and the current time. If the current time is within the authentication time period associated with the user ID acquired from the reservation terminal and the charger ID acquired from the reservation terminal matches the charger ID of the charger 5 reserved for use in association with the user ID, the reservation management server 4 outputs an authentication result indicating that the authentication was successful (step ST32).

[0110] If the authentication is successful, the reservation management server 4 notifies the reservation terminal of permission to charge (step ST33), and the reservation terminal then displays that the electric vehicle 7 is being charged (step ST34).

[0111] Furthermore, if the authentication is successful, the reservation management server 4 stores in the storage unit 42 that the usage reservation corresponding to the successfully authenticated user ID, charger ID, and reservation time slot has been authenticated (step ST35). The above-described update permission process is no longer performed for the authenticated usage reservation.

[0112] Furthermore, the reservation management server 4 transmits a power transmission command together with the successfully authenticated charger ID to the control server 3 (step ST36). The control server 3 transmits the power transmission command to the charger 5 (reserved charger) corresponding to the acquired charger ID. Upon receiving the power transmission command, the reserved charger starts charging the electric vehicle 7 (step ST37).

[0113] (10) Sequence for performing update permission processing An example of processing of the reservation terminal, the reservation management server 4, and the third-party terminal when the determination unit 411 of the reservation management server 4 performs the update permission processing will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Here, the reservation terminal is the terminal 6 used by the user who made the usage reservation for which the update permission processing is performed (hereinafter also referred to as the reservationr). The third-party terminal is the terminal 6 used by a user other than the reservationr (hereinafter also referred to as the third party).

[0114] The reserver logs in using the reserver terminal through the same processes as steps ST1 to ST5 in Fig. 6. The third party logs in using the third party terminal.

[0115] The determination unit 411 of the reservation management server 4 performs an update permission process based on the charging schedule and the current time (step ST41). That is, if the authentication unit 412 does not authenticate the reservation information even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the reservation time slot reserved by the reserving user, if the authentication unit 412 does not successfully authenticate the reservation information, or if charging of the electric vehicle 7 by the reserved charger has not started, the determination unit 411 performs an update permission process for the charging schedule. Here, the update permission process includes a process of changing the status of the reserved charger for charging the electric vehicle 7 during the reservation time slot from a status in which it is reserved to a status in which it is not reserved. Therefore, for example, if the reserving user has reserved the use of charger B during the reservation time slot from 3:00 to 6:00 in FIG. 2, the update permission process cancels this usage reservation as shown in FIG. 3.

[0116] The reservation management server 4 notifies the reservation terminal that the update permission process has been completed (step ST42), and the reservation terminal displays that the update permission process has been completed (step ST43).

[0117] After the update permission process is performed, the third party operates the third-party terminal to check the charging schedule (step ST6). When the third-party terminal requests charging schedule information (step ST7), the reservation management server 4 transmits the charging schedule information reflecting the update permission process to the third-party terminal (step ST8). The third-party terminal displays the charging schedule based on the received charging schedule information (step ST9). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a charging schedule in which the reservation for use of Charger B from 3:00 to 6:00 in FIG. 2 has been canceled is displayed on the third-party terminal. Thereafter, the third party can make a reservation for use using Charger B using the third-party terminal in a procedure similar to the sequence shown in FIG. 6. For example, if the reservation for use of Charger B from 3:00 to 6:00 is canceled, the third party can make a reservation for use of Charger B from 3:00 to 6:00, or can make a reservation for use of Charger B for a different time slot, or can make a reservation for use of another charger 5 during an available time slot.

[0118] (Modifications of the embodiment) Modifications of the embodiment are listed below. The following modifications may be implemented in appropriate combination. Hereinafter, the configuration of the above-described embodiment will be referred to as a basic example.

[0119] In the basic example, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the terminal 6 displays the charging schedule using frames F0 to F4, but the method of displaying the charging schedule is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the terminal 6 may display a list of time slots (open time slots) in which the user can make a reservation.

[0120] In the basic example, the power supply PS1 is an AC power supply. However, the power supply PS1 may be a DC power supply. If the power supply PS1 is a DC power supply, the charger 5 may be provided with, for example, a DC / DC converter instead of the AC / DC converter 59.

[0121] The decision unit 411 may also perform the update permission process when a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsed since the charger 5 stopped charging the electric vehicle 7 during the reserved time slot. For example, the connection sensor 57 detects whether the connector 5a is not attached to the electric vehicle 7, and the decision unit 411 may perform the update permission process when the non-attached state continues for a predetermined time during the reserved time slot. With this configuration, it is possible to provide an opening in the reservation when, for example, the user stops charging the electric vehicle 7 or when charging of the electric vehicle 7 is completed earlier than expected.

[0122] In the basic example, a unique charging schedule is set for each charger 5. Alternatively, the usage of multiple chargers 5 may be managed according to a common charging schedule. For example, the same number of usage slots as the number of chargers 5 may be set, and multiple usage reservations may be made within the same time period, up to the number of usage slots. A user who has made a usage reservation can charge their electric vehicle 7 using an available charger 5 during the reserved time period.

[0123] The sequences shown in Figures 6 to 9 are merely examples of how to use the charging system 1 according to the present disclosure, and the order of processing may be changed as appropriate, and processing may be added or omitted as appropriate.

[0124] The entity that executes the charging system 1 or the charging management method of the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system is primarily composed of a processor and memory as hardware. At least a portion of the functions of the entity that executes the charging system 1 or the charging management method of the present disclosure are realized by the processor executing a program stored in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-stored in the memory of the computer system, provided via a telecommunications line, or provided by being stored on a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system, such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits, such as ICs and LSIs, are referred to by different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, very large-scale integration (VLSI), or ultra-large-scale integration (ULSI). Furthermore, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), which is programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the connections within the LSI or the circuit partitions within the LSI, can also be employed as a processor. Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or distributed across multiple chips. Multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0125] In addition, in the embodiment, multiple functions that are integrated into one device may be distributed across multiple devices. For example, the device that constitutes the determination unit 411 may be provided separately from the device that constitutes the authentication unit 412.

[0126] Conversely, in the embodiment, multiple functions distributed among multiple devices may be integrated into one device. For example, multiple functions of the charge management system 2 distributed among the control server 3 and the reservation management server 4 may be integrated into one device.

[0127] (Summary) The above-described embodiments and the like disclose the following aspects.

[0128] A charging management system (2) according to a first aspect includes a determination unit (411), an authentication unit (412), and a charging control unit (311). The determination unit (411) determines a charging schedule that associates a reservation time slot with reservation information. The reservation information includes information on at least one of a reserved vehicle or a reserved user permitted to charge during the reservation time slot. The authentication unit (412) performs authentication related to the reservation information. The charging control unit (311) controls a charger (5) that charges the vehicle. When the authentication unit (412) succeeds in authenticating the reservation information during an authentication time slot that includes at least a portion of the reservation time slot, the charging control unit (311) causes the charger (5) to start charging the vehicle. The determination unit (411) performs an update permission process for the charging schedule in any of the following cases: when the authentication unit (412) has not performed authentication of the reservation information even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the reservation time slot; when the authentication unit (412) has not succeeded in authenticating the reservation information; and when charging of the vehicle by the charger (5) has not started. The update permission process is a process for making the reservation information for the reservation time slot available for updating from pre-registered reservation information to different reservation information.

[0129] According to the above configuration, the utilization efficiency of the charger (5) can be improved.

[0130] In the charge management system (2) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the determination unit (411) accepts input of the charge schedule by the user operating the terminal (6).

[0131] According to the above configuration, the charging schedule can be input in a simple manner.

[0132] In addition, in the charging management system (2) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the update permission process includes a process of changing the state of the charger (5) in the reserved time period from a state in which the charger is reserved for use to a state in which the charger is not reserved for use.

[0133] According to the above configuration, the utilization efficiency of the charger (5) can be improved.

[0134] In addition, in the charging management system (2) according to a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the update permission process includes a process of displaying that a new reservation for use of the charger (5) can be registered during the reserved time period.

[0135] According to the above configuration, the user can know that the charger (5) can be reserved for use during the relevant time period.

[0136] In addition, in the charging management system (2) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the determination unit (411) determines a charging schedule that associates a reserved time period, reservation information including information on at least one of a reserved vehicle or a reserved user that is permitted to charge during the reserved time period, and a reserved charger among a plurality of chargers (5) including the charger (5) that charges the vehicle based on the reservation information.

[0137] According to the above configuration, a unique charging schedule can be set for each charger (5).

[0138] In the charge management system (2) according to the sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, each of the plurality of chargers (5) is assigned a unique symbol (56). The authentication unit (412) identifies the charger (5) that the user is going to use from among the plurality of chargers (5) based on the symbol (56).

[0139] According to the above configuration, the charger (5) can be identified with a simple operation.

[0140] In addition, in the charging management system (2) according to a seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the determination unit (411) registers the backup time period immediately before the reserved time period in the charging schedule as a time period during which the charger (5) cannot be used.

[0141] According to the above configuration, the user can move the reserved vehicle to the location where the charger (5) is installed well before the start of the reserved time slot.

[0142] The configurations other than the first aspect are not essential for the charge management system (2) and can be omitted as appropriate.

[0143] A charging system (1) according to an eighth aspect includes the charging management system (2) according to any one of the first to seventh aspects and a charger (5).

[0144] According to the above configuration, the utilization efficiency of the charger (5) can be improved.

[0145] A charging management method according to a ninth aspect is executed by a computer system. The charging management method includes a determination step, an authentication step, and a charge control step. The determination step determines a charging schedule that associates a reservation time slot with reservation information. The reservation information includes information on at least one of a reserved vehicle or a reserved user who is permitted to charge during the reservation time slot. The authentication step performs authentication regarding the reservation information. The charge control step controls a charger (5) that charges the vehicle. If the authentication step successfully authenticates the reservation information during an authentication time slot that includes at least a portion of the reservation time slot, the charge control step causes the charger (5) to start charging the vehicle. The determination step performs an update permission process for the charging schedule in any of the following cases: if the authentication step does not authenticate the reservation information even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the reservation time slot; if the authentication step does not successfully authenticate the reservation information; or if charging of the vehicle by the charger (5) does not start. The update permission process is a process that allows the reservation information for the reservation time slot to be updated from previously registered reservation information to different reservation information.

[0146] According to the above configuration, the utilization efficiency of the charger (5) can be improved.

[0147] A program according to a tenth aspect is a program readable by a computer system, and causes one or more processors of the computer system to execute the charge management method according to the ninth aspect.

[0148] According to the above configuration, the utilization efficiency of the charger (5) can be improved.

[0149] Not limited to the above aspects, various configurations (including modified examples) of the charging management system (2) and the charging system (1) according to the embodiment can be embodied as a charging management method, a (computer) program, or a non-transitory recording medium on which a program is recorded.

[0150] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Charging system 2 Charging management system 5 Charger 6 Terminal 56 Symbol 311 Charging control unit 411 Determination unit 412 Authentication unit

Claims

1. A charging management system comprising: a determination unit that determines a charging schedule that associates a reserved time slot with reservation information including information on at least one of a reserved vehicle or a reserved user that is permitted to charge during the reserved time slot; an authentication unit that performs authentication regarding the reservation information; and a charging control unit that controls a charger that charges the vehicle, wherein when the authentication unit successfully authenticates the reservation information during an authentication time slot that includes at least a part of the reserved time slot, the charging control unit causes the charger to start charging the vehicle, and the determination unit performs an update permission process for the charging schedule in any of the following cases: when the authentication unit does not authenticate the reservation information even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the reserved time slot, when the authentication unit does not succeed in authenticating the reservation information, or when charging of the vehicle by the charger has not started, and the update permission process is a process that makes it possible to update the reservation information for the reserved time slot from pre-registered reservation information to different reservation information.

2. The charge management system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit receives input of the charge schedule by a user operating a terminal.

3. The charging management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the update permission process includes a process of changing a state in which the charger is reserved for use during the reservation time period to a state in which the charger is not reserved for use.

4. The charging management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the update permission process includes a process of displaying a message indicating that a new reservation for use of the charger can be registered during the reservation time period.

5. A charging management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination unit determines the charging schedule that associates the reserved time slot, the reservation information including information on at least one of the reserved vehicle or the reserved user who is permitted to charge during the reserved time slot, and a reserved charger from among multiple chargers including the charger that will charge the vehicle based on the reservation information.

6. The charging management system according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of chargers is assigned a unique symbol, and the authentication unit identifies the charger that the user intends to use from among the plurality of chargers based on the symbol.

7. The charge management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the determination unit registers a backup time slot immediately before the reserved time slot in the charge schedule as a time slot during which the charger cannot be used.

8. A charging system comprising: the charging management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and the charger.

9. A charging management method executed by a computer system, comprising: a determination step of determining a charging schedule that associates a reserved time slot with reservation information including information on at least one of a reserved vehicle or a reserved user who is permitted to charge during the reserved time slot; an authentication step of performing authentication regarding the reservation information; and a charging control step of controlling a charger that charges the vehicle, wherein if the authentication step succeeds in authenticating the reservation information during an authentication time slot that includes at least a part of the reserved time slot, the charging control step causes the charger to start charging the vehicle, and the determination step performs an update permission process for the charging schedule in any of the following cases: if the authentication step does not perform authentication regarding the reservation information even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the reserved time slot, if the authentication step does not succeed in authenticating the reservation information, or if charging of the vehicle by the charger has not started, and the update permission process is a process that makes it possible to update the reservation information for the reserved time slot from pre-registered reservation information to different reservation information.

10. A program readable by the computer system, causing one or more processors of the computer system to execute the charge management method according to claim 9.

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