Information processing method and information processing device

Abstract

An information processing method according to the present invention comprises: a transmission request step for issuing, to a server that stores the charging environments of external chargers in association with the external chargers, a request to transmit the charging environment of a prescribed external charger; an information acquisition step for acquiring, from the server, the charging environment of the prescribed external charger; a notification step for providing notification of charging environment-related information based on the charging environment acquired from the server; a charging environment collection step for collecting the charging environment when a battery is to be charged by the prescribed external charger; and an information transmission step for associating the collected charging environment and the prescribed external charger, and transmitting the result to the server.

Description

Information Processing Method and Information Processing Apparatus

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method and an information processing apparatus.

[0002] Conventionally, in a vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery and traveling using the power of the battery, a configuration for providing information on an external charger is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the navigation device can obtain the operation information of the charging spot at the destination from the cloud server, it predicts whether the charging spot is operating at the scheduled arrival time of the electric vehicle at the charging spot. When the navigation device predicts that the charging spot is operating at the scheduled arrival time, it notifies that charging is possible at the charging spot. On the other hand, when the navigation device predicts that the charging spot is not operating at the scheduled arrival time, it notifies a charging spot among the charging spots around the planned travel route where charging can be executed at the scheduled arrival time.

[0003] Patent No. 7069861

[0004] By the way, even if the external charger is not malfunctioning, there are cases where the battery cannot be charged or it is difficult to charge the battery due to a charging environment that can only be known at the charging site. In the configuration as described in Patent Document 1, since it predicts whether the charging spot is chargeable based on the presence or absence of a failure of the charging spot or whether the scheduled arrival time at the destination is within the business hours of the charging spot, there are cases where it is impossible or difficult to charge even if one tries to charge at a charging spot predicted to be operating.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing method and an information processing apparatus that can improve the convenience of charging a battery using an external charger.

[0006] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a transmission request step of requesting a server that stores the charging environment of an external charger in association with the external charger to transmit the charging environment of a predetermined external charger; an information acquisition step of obtaining the charging environment of the predetermined external charger from the server; a notification step of notifying charging environment-related information based on the charging environment obtained from the server; a charging environment collection step of collecting the charging environment when charging a battery with the predetermined external charger; and an information transmission step of transmitting the collected charging environment to the server in association with the predetermined external charger.

[0007] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an information acquisition unit that requests a server that stores the charging environment of an external charger in association with the external charger to transmit the charging environment of a predetermined external charger, and acquires the charging environment of the predetermined external charger from the server; a notification control unit that causes a notification unit to notify charging environment-related information based on the charging environment acquired from the server; a charging environment collection unit that collects the charging environment when charging a battery with the predetermined external charger; and an information transmission unit that transmits the collected charging environment to the server in association with the predetermined external charger.

[0008] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the information processing system. This is an explanatory diagram of relative position information and obstacle information. This is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of nominal value achievement information. This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the vehicle control device. This is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of the candidate charger list. This is a flowchart of the information processing method. This is a flowchart of the information processing method. This is a flowchart of the candidate charger proposal process included in the information processing method. This is a flowchart of the preconditioning process included in the information processing method. This is a flowchart of the information processing method. This is a flowchart of the information processing method. This is a flowchart of the information processing method.

[0009] [Embodiment] <Configuration of Information Processing System> One embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information processing system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a plurality of electric vehicles 2, at least one external charger 4, an information server 5 as a server, a management server 6, and a map server 7. The electric vehicles 2, external charger 4, information server 5, management server 6, and map server 7 are configured to transmit and receive at least one of various types of information via a network N. The information processing system 1 is configured to share information related to the external charger 4 among the plurality of electric vehicles 2.

[0010] The electric vehicle 2 has an automatic driving function and an automatic parking function, and runs by driving a motor with power supplied from the battery 21. The electric vehicle 2 includes a battery 21, a charging port 22, a temperature sensor 23, a battery controller 24, a battery cooling unit 25, a battery heating unit 26, a GPS 27, a gyro sensor 28, an acceleration sensor 29, an imaging unit 30, an ultrasonic sonar 31, a radar 32, a LiDAR 33, a communication unit 34, a display unit 35 as a notification unit, an operation unit 36, and a vehicle control device 37.

[0011] The connector 411 of the cable 41 of the external charger 4 is connected to the charging port 22, as shown by the dashed line. The location of the charging port 22 in the electric vehicle 2 may vary depending on the vehicle model. A connector connection detection unit 221 is located at the charging port 22. The connector connection detection unit 221 detects the connection between the charging port 22 and the connector 411 and transmits the detection result to the vehicle control device 37. The temperature sensor 23 detects the temperature of the battery 21 and transmits the detection result to the battery controller 24.

[0012] The battery controller 24 charges the battery 21 with power from the external charger 4 connected to the charging port 22. Based on the power supply status, the battery controller 24 determines whether charging was successful without errors and transmits the determination result to the vehicle control device 37. The battery controller 24 detects the actual charging output of the external charger 4 and transmits the detection result to the vehicle control device 37. Note that "actual charging output" may be referred to as "actual output." The battery controller 24 calculates the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 21. The battery controller 24 transmits the SOC of the battery 21 and the temperature of the battery 21 detected by the temperature sensor 23 to the vehicle control device 37. The battery controller 24 communicates with the external charger 4. The battery controller 24 obtains identification information to identify the external charger 4 via the cable 41 and transmits it to the vehicle control device 37. Examples of information included in the identification information are the name of the facility where the external charger 4 is installed, its location, identification number, and identification symbol.

[0013] The battery cooling unit 25 cools the battery 21 based on the control of the vehicle control device 37. The battery heating unit 26 heats the battery 21 based on the control of the vehicle control device 37. In this way, the electric vehicle 2 has a temperature control function that adjusts the temperature of the battery 21 by the battery cooling unit 25 or the battery heating unit 26.

[0014] The GPS (Global Positioning System) 27 receives radio waves from multiple navigation satellites and transmits the reception results to the vehicle control device 37. The gyro sensor 28 detects the angular velocity of the electric vehicle 2 and transmits the detection results to the vehicle control device 37. The acceleration sensor 29 detects the acceleration of the electric vehicle 2 and transmits the detection results to the vehicle control device 37.

[0015] The imaging unit 30 is configured to capture images of the front, rear, right, and left sides of the electric vehicle 2, and transmits the captured images to the vehicle control device 37. Multiple ultrasonic sonars 31 are arranged, for example, on the front and rear bumpers of the electric vehicle 2. The ultrasonic sonars 31 detect the distance to objects around the electric vehicle 2 and transmit the detection results to the vehicle control device 37. The radar 32 uses radio waves such as millimeter waves to detect the distance to vehicles in front of or behind the vehicle and transmits the detection results to the vehicle control device 37. The LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) 33 emits laser light towards the front of the electric vehicle 2 and receives the laser light reflected by an object located in front of the electric vehicle 2. Based on the received laser light, the LiDAR 33 detects the distance to the object and transmits the detection results to the vehicle control device 37.

[0016] The communication unit 34 communicates with the information server 5, management server 6, or map server 7 via the network N based on the control of the vehicle control device 37, and sends and receives various information. The display unit 35 is located on the dashboard. The display unit 35 displays various information about the electric vehicle 2 based on the control of the vehicle control device 37. The operation unit 36 ​​is configured, for example, by a touch panel provided on the display unit 35, and transmits signals corresponding to the operation of the touch panel to the vehicle control device 37. The operation unit 36 ​​may also be configured by physical buttons. The vehicle control device 37 controls the electric vehicle 2. Details of the vehicle control device 37 will be described later.

[0017] The external charger 4 comprises a cable 41, a specific information transmission unit 42, and a power supply unit 43. The specific information transmission unit 42 communicates with the electric vehicle 2 via the cable 41 and transmits specific information of the external charger 4 to the electric vehicle 2. The power supply unit 43 supplies power to the battery 21 of the electric vehicle 2 via the cable 41. Depending on the vehicle type, battery type, temperature or SOC of the battery 21, compatibility of the shape of the charging port 22 and the connector 411 of the external charger 4, and compatibility of the charging methods of the electric vehicle 2 and the external charger 4, the charging output of the external charger 4 may differ, or the battery 21 may not be charged at all.

[0018] The information server 5 comprises a physical configuration information DB (Data Base) 51, a power information DB 52, and an information server control unit 53. The physical configuration information DB 51 stores multiple physical configuration information. The physical configuration information is generated from information transmitted from the electric vehicle 2 and indicates the physical configuration of one external charger 4. The physical configuration information includes vehicle type information, specific information, relative position information, obstacle information, parking method information, cable length information, and charging feasibility information. Note that the physical configuration information may not include at least one of the relative position information, obstacle information, parking method information, and cable length information.

[0019] The vehicle type information indicates the vehicle type of the electric vehicle 2. The identification information, as described above, is information for identifying the external charger 4. The relative position information, as shown in Figure 2A, indicates the relative position of the external charger 4 with respect to the parking space F set in the vicinity of the external charger 4. The obstacle information, as shown in Figure 2A, indicates the relative position of the obstacle W with respect to the parking space F. A wall can be an example of an obstacle W.

[0020] The parking method information indicates the method by which the electric vehicle 2 of the vehicle type indicated by the vehicle type information parks in the parking space F. Examples of parking methods indicated by the parking method information include forward parking, reverse parking, and parallel parking. "Forward parking" is the method of entering the parking space F by moving forward when parking. "Reverse parking" is the method of entering the parking space F by moving backward when parking. The cable length information indicates the length of the cable 41. The length of the cable 41 is estimated by the electric vehicle 2. The charging feasibility information indicates whether or not the electric vehicle 2 of the vehicle type indicated by the vehicle type information was able to be charged using the external charger 4 identified by the identification information. Information indicating that charging was not possible includes information indicating that the electric vehicle 2 was parked in the parking space F but charging was abandoned without connecting the cable 41 to the electric vehicle 2, or information indicating that the cable 41 was connected to the electric vehicle 2 but charging was not possible.

[0021] The power information DB52 stores multiple power information entries. The power information is generated from information transmitted from the electric vehicle 2 and indicates the power of one external charger 4. The power information includes vehicle type information, battery type information, specific information, and nominal value achievement rate information.

[0022] The vehicle type information and specific information are the same as those in the physical configuration information. The battery type information indicates the type of battery 21.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2B, the nominal value achievement information shows the relationship between the temperature range that includes the temperature of the battery 21 before charging begins, the SOC range that includes the SOC of the battery 21 before charging begins, and the nominal value achievement rate. Note that "temperature of the battery 21 before charging begins" and "SOC of the battery 21 before charging begins" are sometimes referred to as "initial battery temperature" and "initial battery SOC," respectively. The nominal value achievement rate is calculated by dividing the actual average output of the external charger 4, which is represented in the specific information, by the nominal average output and multiplying by 100. The actual average output is the average value of the actual output. The nominal average output is the average value of the nominal value of the charging output. The nominal value of the charging output is, for example, the value published by the manufacturer of the external charger 4.

[0024] When the information server control unit 53 receives information constituting physical configuration information from the electric vehicle 2, it generates physical configuration information and stores it in the physical configuration information DB 51. Due to this processing by the information server control unit 53, the physical configuration information DB 51 may store multiple pieces of physical configuration information where at least one of the vehicle type and external charger 4 is the same. The information server control unit 53 obtains the nominal output or nominal average output of the external charger 4 in advance from the manufacturer of the external charger 4, etc. When the information server control unit 53 receives information constituting power information other than the nominal average output from the electric vehicle 2, it generates power information and stores it in the power information DB 52. Due to this processing by the information server control unit 53, the power information DB 52 may store multiple pieces of power information where at least one of the vehicle type, battery type, and external charger 4 is the same.

[0025] When the information server control unit 53 receives charging candidate location information from the electric vehicle 2, it extracts physical configuration information and power information from the physical configuration information DB 51 and power information DB 52, respectively, for at least one external charger 4 located within a predetermined range including the charging candidate location, i.e., located near the charging candidate location, based on the identification information of physical configuration information and power information. The information server control unit 53 then transmits the extracted physical configuration information and power information to the electric vehicle 2.

[0026] The management server 6 comprises a management information DB 61 and a management server control unit 62. The management information DB 61 stores multiple management information. The management information is generated by the administrator of the management server 6 and indicates the status of one external charger 4. The management information includes specific information and usage information. The specific information indicates the same content as the specific information of the physical configuration information. The usage information includes information that the administrator of the management server 6 can ascertain, such as the congestion level of the external charger 4, whether or not it is malfunctioning, and the available time. When the management server control unit 62 receives charging candidate location information from the electric vehicle 2, it extracts management information for at least one external charger 4 located near the charging candidate location from the management information DB 61 based on the specific information of the management information. The management server control unit 62 transmits the extracted management information to the electric vehicle 2.

[0027] The map server 7 stores map information. When the map server 7 receives a request from the electric vehicle 2 to transmit map information within a predetermined range, it transmits the map information corresponding to the request to the electric vehicle 2.

[0028] The vehicle control device 37, which constitutes the electric vehicle 2, is a computer and, as shown in Figure 3, comprises a storage unit 371 consisting of memory and the like, and a processor 372 consisting of a CPU (Central processing unit) and the like.

[0029] The memory unit 371 stores vehicle type information, battery type information, and charging port location information. The charging port location information indicates the location of the charging port 22.

[0030] The processor 372 reads and executes an information processing program stored in the memory unit 371, and functions as an information processing device comprising a route setting unit 373, a charging candidate point setting unit 374, an information acquisition unit 375, a target charger setting unit 376 which also functions as a notification control unit, an automatic driving control unit 377, a preconditioning control unit 378, a charging environment collection unit 379, and an information generation unit 380 which also functions as an information transmission unit.

[0031] The route setting unit 373 sets the travel route for the electric vehicle 2. For example, the route setting unit 373 obtains the current position of the electric vehicle 2 based on radio waves received by the GPS 27. The route setting unit 373 obtains the destination based on the operation of the operation unit 36. The route setting unit 373 sets the travel route from the current position to the destination based on map information obtained from the map server 7 and displays it on the display unit 35. When the target charger setting unit 376 sets an external charger 4 located near the travel route as the target charger, the route setting unit 373 resets the travel route from the current position to the destination via the target charger and displays it on the display unit 35.

[0032] The charging candidate point setting unit 374 sets predetermined points along the travel route as charging candidate points. Details of the charging candidate point setting process will be described later.

[0033] The information acquisition unit 375 performs a process to request the transmission of physical configuration information and power information of external chargers 4 located near the candidate charging locations, by sending the charging location information to the information server 5. The information acquisition unit 375 also performs a process to request the transmission of management information of external chargers 4 located near the candidate charging locations, by sending the charging location information to the management server 6. The information acquisition unit 375 acquires physical configuration information, power information, and management information of external chargers 4 located near the candidate charging locations from the information server 5 or the management server 6.

[0034] The target charger setting unit 376 sets the target charger. When the information acquisition unit 375 acquires information from the information server 5 and the management server 6, the target charger setting unit 376 sets the external charger 4 located near the candidate charging location as a candidate charger. The target charger setting unit 376 displays the candidate charger list shown in Figure 4 on the display unit 35.

[0035] The candidate charger list includes at least one candidate charger information J. The candidate charger information J indicates details about the candidate charger and includes name information J1, charging environment-related information J2, and recommendation information J3. The name indicated by name information J1 is, for example, the name of the installation facility included in the specific information of the physical configuration information. The charging environment-related information J2 indicates the charging environment of the candidate charger and includes charging ease information J21, charging performance information J22, and congestion information J23. The charging ease indicated by charging ease information J21 is set based on the cable length information of the physical configuration information. The charging performance indicated by charging performance information J22 is set based on the nominal value achievement information of the power information. The congestion level indicated by congestion information J23 is set based on the usage information of the management information. Recommendation information J3 indicates at least one candidate charger recommended by the target charger setting unit 376. The candidate charger recommended by recommendation information J3 is set based on the charging environment-related information J2. The recommendation information J3 for the candidate chargers to be recommended includes, for example, the text information "Recommend". Details of the process for generating the candidate charger list will be described later.

[0036] When the operation unit 36 ​​is operated to select one candidate charger from among the candidate chargers included in the candidate charger list, the target charger setting unit 376 sets the selected candidate charger as the target charger.

[0037] The automatic driving control unit 377 controls the electric vehicle 2 to automatically drive along the travel route based on map information, reception results from GPS 27, and detection results from gyro sensor 28, acceleration sensor 29, imaging unit 30, ultrasonic sonar 31, radar 32, and LiDAR 33. The automatic driving control unit 377 controls the electric vehicle 2 to automatically park in the parking space F of the target charger based on the physical configuration information of the target charger, reception results from GPS 27, and detection results from gyro sensor 28, acceleration sensor 29, imaging unit 30, ultrasonic sonar 31, radar 32, and LiDAR 33.

[0038] The preconditioning control unit 378 performs preconditioning processing to adjust the temperature of the battery 21 based on the temperature and state of temperature (SOC) of the battery 21 and the degree to which the nominal value of the target charger has been achieved. Details of the preconditioning processing will be described later.

[0039] The charging environment collection unit 379 collects the charging environment during charging using the target charger. The charging environment collected by the charging environment collection unit 379 includes the relative position of the target charger with respect to the parking space F, the relative position of the obstacle W with respect to the parking space F, the parking method in the parking space F, the length of the target charger's cable 41, whether charging is possible with the target charger, the initial battery temperature, the initial battery SOC, and the actual average output.

[0040] The information generation unit 380 generates relative position information, obstacle information, parking method information, cable length information, charging feasibility information, charging condition information, and actual average output information for the target charger based on the charging environment collected by the charging environment collection unit 379. The charging condition information indicates the initial battery temperature and initial battery SOC. The actual average output information indicates the actual average output of the target charger. The information generation unit 380 controls the communication unit 34 to transmit the generated information, along with specific information, vehicle type information and battery type information stored in the storage unit 371, to the information server 5.

[0041] <Information Processing Method>An information processing method using the information processing system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the processor 372 of the vehicle control device 37 that constitutes the electric vehicle 2 acquires the vehicle type information, battery type information, and charging port information of the electric vehicle 2 from the storage unit 371 (step S1).

[0042] The route setting unit 373 acquires the current position, destination, and map information of the electric vehicle 2 (step S2). Based on the information acquired in step S2, the route setting unit 373 sets a travel route from the current position to the destination (step S3: travel route setting step). Note that in step S3, the route setting unit 373 may display a plurality of routes from the current position to the destination on the display unit 35, and set the selected route as the travel route based on an operation of the operation unit 36 for the occupant of the electric vehicle 2 to select one route.

[0043] The charging candidate point setting unit 374 sets charging candidate points (step S4). For example, in step S4, the charging candidate point setting unit 374 acquires the SOC calculated by the battery controller 24, estimates a point where the SOC on the travel route becomes less than or equal to the threshold value, and sets the estimated point as a charging candidate point. Note that the charging candidate point setting unit 374 may display the travel route on the display unit 35, and set the selected point as a charging candidate point based on an operation of the operation unit 36 for the occupant to select a point on or near the travel route.

[0044] The information acquisition unit 375 transmits charging candidate point information to the information server 5 and the management server 6 via the communication unit 34 (step S5: transmission request step).

[0045] When the information server control unit 53 of the information server 5 receives the charging candidate point information, it transmits the physical configuration information and power information of the external charger 4 existing near the charging candidate point to the electric vehicle 2 (step S6). When the management server control unit 62 of the management server 6 receives the charging candidate point information, it transmits the management information of the external charger 4 existing near the charging candidate point to the electric vehicle 2 (step S7). The information acquisition unit 375 acquires information from the information server 5 and the management server 6 via the communication unit 34 (information acquisition step).

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, when the information acquisition unit 375 acquires information from the information server 5 and the management server 6, the target charger setting unit 376 performs candidate charger proposal processing for proposing the external charger 4 existing near the charging candidate point to the occupant (step S8). In the candidate charger proposal processing in step S8, as shown in FIG. 7, the target charger setting unit 376 sets all the external chargers 4 for which related information has been acquired by the information acquisition unit 375 as candidate chargers (step S51).

[0047] The target charger setting unit 376 excludes candidate chargers that are not currently available based on the usage information of the management information (step S52).

[0048] The target charger setting unit 376 excludes candidate chargers for which there is no usage record of vehicles with the same configuration based on the vehicle type information and battery type information of the power information (step S53). Vehicles with the same configuration are other electric vehicles 2 that have the same vehicle type and battery type as the electric vehicle 2 for which the process of step S53 is performed. Note that in step S53, if there are no candidate chargers with a usage record of vehicles with the same configuration, the target charger setting unit 376 does not have to perform the subsequent processing of the candidate charger proposal processing. If there are no candidate chargers with a usage record of vehicles with the same configuration, the target charger setting unit 376 does not have to exclude candidate chargers with a usage record of some vehicles with the same configuration. Vehicles with some of the same configuration are other electric vehicles 2 that have the same vehicle type or battery type as the electric vehicle 2 for which the process of step S53 is performed. In this case, information indicating that it is a candidate charger with a usage record of some vehicles with the same configuration may be included in the candidate charger list.

[0049] The target charger setting unit 376 excludes candidate chargers that cannot charge based on the charging feasibility information of the physical configuration information (step S54). The target charger setting unit 376 determines the ease of charging for each candidate charger (step S55). In step S55, the target charger setting unit 376 estimates the slack length of the cable 41 when the cable 41 is connected to the charging port 22 of the electric vehicle 2 parked in the parking space F based on the parking method in the parking method information, based on the relative position information of the candidate charger's physical configuration information, parking method information, cable length information, and charging port position information (slack length estimation step). The target charger setting unit 376 determines that it is "easy to charge" if the slack length is greater than or equal to the threshold length. The target charger setting unit 376 determines that it is "difficult to charge" if the slack length is less than the threshold length and greater than or equal to 0m. The target charger setting unit 376 determines that it is "not possible to charge" if the slack length is less than 0m. Furthermore, if the target charger setting unit 376 has acquired multiple pieces of physical configuration information for the same vehicle model and external charger 4, it may estimate the margin length based on the average, median, or minimum value of the cable length information represented by each piece of physical configuration information.

[0050] The target charger setting unit 376 determines the charging performance of each candidate charger (step S56). In step S56, the target charger setting unit 376 obtains the current battery temperature and SOC from the battery controller 24. Based on the nominal value achievement information of the power information of the candidate chargers, the target charger setting unit 376 identifies the nominal value achievement degree corresponding to the temperature and SOC of the battery 21. If there are multiple power information records for a single candidate charger that include the nominal value achievement degree corresponding to the temperature and SOC of the battery 21, the target charger setting unit 376 may identify the average, median, or minimum value of the nominal value achievement degree included in the multiple power information records as the nominal value achievement degree corresponding to the temperature and SOC of the battery 21 for that candidate charger.

[0051] The target charger setting unit 376 determines that "charging performance is good" if the specified nominal value achievement rate is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The target charger setting unit 376 determines that "charging performance is average" if the specified nominal value achievement rate is less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold. The target charger setting unit 376 determines that "charging performance is poor" if the specified nominal value achievement rate is less than the second threshold. The first and second thresholds are set to, for example, 80% and 70%, respectively. The target charger setting unit 376 may perform the following processing if there is no power information that includes the nominal value achievement rate corresponding to the current temperature and SOC of the battery 21. The target charger setting unit 376 does not have to determine the charging performance. The target charger setting unit 376 may determine the charging performance based on the nominal value achievement rate corresponding to only one of the current temperature and SOC of the battery 21. In this case, the candidate charger list may include information indicating that the charging performance was determined based on the degree to which the nominal value corresponding to only one of the current battery temperature and SOC was achieved.

[0052] The target charger setting unit 376 determines, based on the usage information of the management information for each candidate charger, whether the congestion level of each candidate charger is, for example, "available," "normal," or "busy" (step S57).

[0053] Furthermore, at least one of the following—ease of charging, charging performance, and congestion level—may be set to two or four levels or higher.

[0054] The target charger setting unit 376 sets candidate chargers to be recommended (step S58). For example, in step S58, the target charger setting unit 376 assigns points to ease of charging, charging performance, and congestion level, and sets at least one candidate charger whose total points are equal to or greater than a threshold point as a recommended charger. Points for ease of charging are set higher the easier it is to charge, points for charging performance are set higher the better the performance, and points for congestion level are set higher the less crowded the charger is. The target charger setting unit 376 may also set the single candidate charger with the highest total points as a recommended charger, or it may calculate the total points by weighting ease of charging, charging performance, and congestion level differently.

[0055] The target charger setting unit 376 displays the candidate charger list shown in Figure 4 on the display unit 35 (step S59: notification step). In step S59, the target charger setting unit 376 generates a candidate charger list based on information regarding the identification of candidate chargers, ease of charging, charging performance, congestion level, and whether or not they are recommended, and displays it on the display unit 35. With this, the candidate charger suggestion process is completed.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, once the candidate charger suggestion process is complete, the target charger setting unit 376 sets the candidate charger selected by the occupant from the candidate charger list as the target charger (step S9). The route setting unit 373 resets the travel route to the destination, including the target charger, and displays it on the display unit 35 (step S10: travel route notification step).

[0057] The preconditioning control unit 378 performs preconditioning processing (step S11). In the preconditioning processing of step S11, the preconditioning control unit 378 calculates the expected output achievement value as shown in Figure 8 (step S71: calculation step). In step S71, the preconditioning control unit 378 identifies the degree of nominal value achievement corresponding to the current temperature and SOC of the battery 21 based on the power information of the target charger. The preconditioning control unit 378 calculates the expected output achievement value by multiplying the identified degree of nominal value achievement by the nominal average output of the target charger corresponding to the current temperature and SOC of the battery 21 and dividing by 100.

[0058] The preconditioning control unit 378 determines whether the expected output is equal to or greater than a preset minimum required output value (step S72). The minimum required output value is set to, for example, 5 kW. The nominal average output of the target charger may be stored in the memory unit 371, or it may be obtained from the information server 5, another server, or another device.

[0059] If the preconditioning control unit 378 determines YES in step S72, it determines whether the current temperature of the battery 21 is below a preset lower temperature limit (step S73). The lower temperature limit is set to, for example, 10°C. If the preconditioning control unit 378 determines YES in step S73, it controls the battery heating unit 26 to heat the battery 21 so that its temperature exceeds the lower temperature limit and is below a preset upper temperature limit (step S74: temperature control method setting step). The upper temperature limit is set to, for example, 40°C.

[0060] If the preconditioning control unit 378 determines NO in step S73, it determines whether the current temperature of the battery 21 is above the temperature upper limit (step S75). If the preconditioning control unit 378 determines YES in step S75, it controls the battery cooling unit 25 to cool the battery 21 so that the temperature of the battery 21 exceeds the temperature lower limit and falls below the temperature upper limit (step S76: temperature control method setting step). If the preconditioning control unit 378 determines NO in step S72 or step S75, or if it has performed the process in step S74 or step S76, it terminates the preconditioning process.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, the automatic driving control unit 377 starts automatic driving to the target charger when the preconditioning process is completed (step S12). Note that the process in step S12 may be performed before the preconditioning process.

[0062] The automatic driving control unit 377 determines whether the distance to the target charger is less than a preset threshold distance (step S13). If the automatic driving control unit 377 determines NO in step S13, it performs the process of step S13 after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the automatic driving control unit 377 determines YES in step S13, it displays the relative position of the target charger with respect to the parking space F and the parking method on the display unit 35 based on the relative position information and parking method information of the target charger (step S14). When the automatic driving control unit 377 arrives at the target charger, it performs the parking process (step S15: parking method setting step). In step S15, the automatic driving control unit 377 sets the parking method based on the parking method information of the target charger as a parking method using the automatic parking function and performs automatic parking in the parking space F.

[0063] As shown in Figure 9, when the parking process is completed, the information generation unit 380 determines whether the number of physical configuration information items of the target charger obtained from the information server 5 is less than the number of pre-set setting information items (step S16). The number of setting information items is set to, for example, "3". If the information generation unit 380 determines YES in step S16, the charging environment collection unit 379 collects the relative positions of the target charger and obstacle W, as well as the method of parking in the parking space F (step S17: charging environment collection step). In step S17, the charging environment collection unit 379 controls the imaging unit 30 to acquire images of the front, rear, right, and left of the electric vehicle 2, and generates an overhead image based on these images. Based on the overhead image, the charging environment collection unit 379 collects the relative positions of the target charger and obstacle W, as well as the method of parking in the parking space F.

[0064] The information generation unit 380 generates relative position information, obstacle information, and parking method information based on the information collected by the charging environment collection unit 379 (step S18). After performing the processing in step S18, or if it is determined to be NO in step S16, the information generation unit 380 determines, based on the overhead image, whether or not the occupant has performed the operation of attaching the cable 41 to the electric vehicle 2 (step S19). If the information generation unit 380 determines to be NO in step S19, it performs the processing in step S19 after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the information generation unit 380 determines to be YES in step S19, it determines, based on the detection result in the connector connection detection unit 221, whether or not the cable 41 has been connected to the charging port 22 (step S20).

[0065] If the information generation unit 380 determines YES in step S20, the charging environment collection unit 379 estimates the length of the cable 41 of the target charger (step S21: charging environment collection step). In step S21, the charging environment collection unit 379 estimates the length of the cable 41 based on an overhead image of the state in which the cable 41 is connected to the charging port 22. Based on the information collected by the charging environment collection unit 379, the information generation unit 380 generates cable length information for the target charger (step S22).

[0066] If the information generation unit 380 determines NO in step S20, it determines whether the electric vehicle 2 has departed (step S23). If the information generation unit 380 determines NO in step S23, it determines whether a set time has elapsed since the cable 41 was attached (step S24). If the information generation unit 380 determines NO in step S24, it performs the process of step S20. If the information generation unit 380 determines YES in step S23 or step S24, it generates charging feasibility information indicating that charging has been abandoned without connecting the cable 41 (step S25). Examples of reasons for abandoning charging without connecting the cable 41 include a malfunction of the target charger and damage to the connector 411.

[0067] As shown in Figure 10, when the processing in step S22 is performed, the charging environment collection unit 379 collects the initial battery temperature and initial battery SOC from the battery controller 24 (step S26: charging environment collection step). The information generation unit 380 controls the battery controller 24 to start monitoring the charging current, charging voltage, and charging output, that is, monitoring the charging state (step S27). When the battery controller 24 detects the start of charging (step S28), the information generation unit 380 determines whether or not charging started without an error (step S29). If the information generation unit 380 determines NO in step S29, it generates charging feasibility information indicating that the cable 41 was connected but charging could not be performed (step S30). Examples of reasons why charging could not be performed even though the cable 41 was connected include a malfunction of the target charger, damage to the connector 411, incompatibility of the shapes of the charging port 22 and the connector 411, and incompatibility of the charging methods of the electric vehicle 2 and the external charger 4.

[0068] If the information generation unit 380 determines YES in step S29, it acquires specific information of the target charger via the cable 41 (step S31: specific information acquisition step). The information generation unit 380 generates charging feasibility information indicating that charging is possible (step S32). The information generation unit 380 determines whether or not the battery controller 24 has detected the end of charging (step S33). If the information generation unit 380 determines NO in step S33, it performs the process of step S33 after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the information generation unit 380 determines YES in step S33, the charging environment collection unit 379 collects the actual average output of the target charger based on the monitoring results from the battery controller 24 (step S34: charging environment collection step). The information generation unit 380 generates charging condition information and actual average output information based on the information collected in steps S26 and S34 by the charging environment collection unit 379 (step S35).

[0069] When the information generation unit 380 performs the charging feasibility information generation process in step S25 or step S30, or the charging condition information and actual average output information generation process in step S35, it determines whether or not specific information has been acquired from the target charger, as shown in Figure 11 (step S36). If the information generation unit 380 determines YES in step S36, it transmits the information it has generated, along with the specific information, vehicle type information, and battery type information acquired from the target charger, to the information server 5 (step S37: information transmission step). In step S37, the information generation unit 380 transmits the following information group K1 or information group K2 along with the specific information, vehicle type information, and battery type information. Information group K1: Relative position information, obstacle information, and parking method information generated in step S18; cable length information generated in step S22; charging feasibility information indicating successful charging generated in step S32; charging condition information and actual average output information generated in step S35. Information group K2: Cable length information generated in step S22; charging feasibility information indicating successful charging generated in step S32; charging condition information and actual average output information generated in step S35.

[0070] If the information generation unit 380 determines NO in step S36, it transmits the information it has generated to the information server 5 along with the specific information, vehicle type information, and battery type information obtained from the information server 5 (step S38: information transmission step). In step S38, the information generation unit 380 transmits the following information group K3, information group K4, information group K5, or information group K6 along with the specific information, vehicle type information, and battery type information. Information group K3: Relative position information, obstacle information, and parking method information generated in step S18, and charging feasibility information generated in step S25 indicating that charging was not possible. Information group K4: Charging feasibility information generated in step S25 indicating that charging was not possible. Information group K5: Relative position information, obstacle information, and parking method information generated in step S18, cable length information generated in step S22, and charging feasibility information generated in step S30 indicating that charging was not possible. Information group K6: Cable length information generated in step S22, and charging feasibility information generated in step S30 indicating that charging was not possible.

[0071] When the information transmission process to the information server 5 in step S37 or step S38 is completed, the automatic driving control unit 377 starts automatic driving to the target charger (step S39).

[0072] When the information server control unit 53 of the information server 5 receives information transmitted from the electric vehicle 2 in step S37 or step S38, it determines whether or not it has received actual average output information (step S40). If the information server control unit 53 determines YES in step S40, that is, if it has received information group K1 or information group K2, it generates nominal value achievement degree information (step S41). Information group K1 or information group K2 includes charging condition information. In step S41, the information server control unit 53 calculates the nominal value achievement degree based on the actual average output of the actual average output information and the nominal average output corresponding to the initial battery temperature and initial battery SOC of the charging condition information, and generates nominal value achievement degree information.

[0073] The information server control unit 53 generates physical configuration information and power information for the target charger and stores them in the physical configuration information DB 51 and power information DB 52, respectively (step S42). In step S42, when the information server control unit 53 receives information group K1, it generates physical configuration information including relative position information, obstacle information, parking method information, cable length information, and charging feasibility information indicating whether charging was successful. When the information server control unit 53 receives information group K2, it generates physical configuration information including cable length information and charging feasibility information indicating whether charging was successful.

[0074] If the information server control unit 53 determines NO in step S40, that is, if it receives one of the information groups K3 to K6, it generates physical configuration information for the target charger and stores it in the physical configuration information DB 51 (step S43). In step S43, if the information server control unit 53 receives information group K3, it generates physical configuration information including relative position information, obstacle information, parking method information, and charging feasibility information indicating that charging was not possible. If the information server control unit 53 receives information group K4, it generates physical configuration information including charging feasibility information indicating that charging was not possible. If the information server control unit 53 receives information group K5, it generates physical configuration information including relative position information, obstacle information, parking method information, cable length information, and charging feasibility information indicating that charging was not possible. If the information server control unit 53 receives information group K6, it generates physical configuration information including cable length information and charging feasibility information indicating that charging was not possible.

[0075] <Effects of the Embodiment> The vehicle control device 37 of the electric vehicle 2 requests the information server 5 to transmit physical configuration information and power information of a predetermined external charger 4, and obtains the physical configuration information and power information corresponding to the request. Based on the physical configuration information and power information, the vehicle control device 37 generates a list of candidate chargers including charging environment-related information J2 and displays it on the display unit 35. Furthermore, when charging the battery 21 with the target charger selected from the candidate charger list, the vehicle control device 37 collects the charging environment and generates information that constitutes the physical configuration information and power information based on the collected charging environment. The vehicle control device 37 associates the generated information with the specific information of the target charger and transmits it to the information server 5. When information from the electric vehicle 2 is obtained by the information server 5, the physical configuration information and power information of the target charger are generated based on the obtained information and stored in the physical configuration information DB 51 or power information DB 52. With this configuration, the charging environment, which can only be known at the charging site, can be stored in the information server 5. Therefore, the occupants of the electric vehicle 2 can know the charging environment of the external charger 4 in advance based on the charging environment-related information J2 obtained from the information server 5. Thus, the convenience of charging the battery 21 using the external charger 4 can be improved.

[0076] The vehicle control device 37 obtains physical configuration information and power information of external chargers 4 located near the travel route set by the route setting unit 373 from the information server 5 and displays a list of candidate chargers on the display unit 35. As a result, the occupants can know in advance the charging environment of external chargers 4 that they can stop at without deviating too far from the travel route, improving the convenience of charging.

[0077] The vehicle control device 37 obtains physical configuration information, including vehicle type information and charging feasibility information, from the information server 5, and includes candidate chargers that were able to charge the same vehicle configuration in the charging candidate list, while excluding candidate chargers that were not able to charge the same vehicle configuration. As a result, the occupant can select a candidate charger that is highly likely to be able to charge the electric vehicle 2 as the target charger. In addition, even when using the same external charger 4, charging may or may not be possible depending on the vehicle type, battery type, compatibility of the shape of the charging port 22 and the connector 411 of the external charger 4, and compatibility of the charging methods of the electric vehicle 2 and the external charger 4, but such situations can be known in advance.

[0078] The charging environment-related information J2 includes charging ease information J21, charging performance information J22, and congestion information J23. Therefore, the occupant can understand the charging ease based on the slack length of the cable 41, the charging performance based on actual output, and the congestion level in advance, and select an appropriate charger for their purpose. In addition, actual output may vary depending on the initial battery temperature, initial battery SOC, vehicle type, battery type, compatibility of the shape of the charging port 22 and the connector 411 of the external charger 4, and compatibility of the charging method between the electric vehicle 2 and the external charger 4, but these situations can be understood in advance.

[0079] The charging environment data collection unit 379 generates an overhead image using the image captured by the imaging unit 30, and based on this overhead image, collects the relative positions of the target charger and obstacle W, as well as the parking method, and estimates the length of the cable 41. Therefore, the imaging unit 30, which is used for autonomous driving and autonomous parking, can also be used to collect the relative position of the target charger, eliminating the need to place a separate configuration in the electric vehicle 2 solely for the purpose of information collection.

[0080] The vehicle control device 37 acquires physical configuration information, including parking method information, from the information server 5, and controls the electric vehicle 2 to perform automatic parking based on the parking method information. As a result, even when using a charger for the first time, the vehicle can be parked appropriately.

[0081] In the preconditioning process performed before charging with the target charger, the vehicle control device 37 heats the battery 21 so that its temperature exceeds the lower temperature limit but remains below the upper temperature limit, provided that the expected output value is above the required lower output limit and the current temperature of the battery 21 is below the lower temperature limit. In such a situation, if the battery 21 is not heated, it may not be possible to supply sufficient current to the battery 21, potentially leading to a decrease in charging output and a longer charging time. Furthermore, if the battery 21 temperature remains below the lower temperature limit, and the same amount of current is attempted as when the temperature exceeds the lower temperature limit but remains below the upper temperature limit, lithium deposition (electrodeposition) may occur at the negative electrode of the battery 21, potentially causing lithium to break the separator and short-circuit. By heating the battery 21 as in this embodiment, the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems can be suppressed.

[0082] In the preconditioning process, if the expected output value is above the required lower output value and the current temperature of the battery 21 is above the upper temperature value, the vehicle control device 37 cools the battery 21 so that its temperature exceeds the lower temperature limit but is below the upper temperature limit. In this situation, if the battery 21 is not cooled, the battery controller 24 reduces the current flowing to the battery 21 to lower the charging output so that the temperature of the battery 21 does not rise due to charging. This may result in a longer charging time. Furthermore, if the same amount of current is applied as when the temperature exceeds the lower temperature limit but is below the upper temperature limit, the temperature of the battery 21 may rise even higher than the upper temperature limit due to charging, potentially causing significant deterioration of the electrolyte and a reduction in the capacity of the battery 21. By cooling the battery 21 as in this embodiment, the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems can be suppressed.

[0083] In the preconditioning process, the vehicle control device 37 does not adjust the temperature of the battery 21, regardless of the current temperature of the battery 21, if the expected output value is less than the required lower output value. In this way, when the actual output is relatively low, the current flowing to the battery 21 is small, so the above-mentioned problems do not occur when the expected output value is above the required lower output value and the current temperature of the battery 21 is below the lower temperature limit or above the upper temperature limit. As in this embodiment, by not adjusting the temperature of the battery 21, the unnecessary power consumption of the battery 21 can be reduced.

[0084] The vehicle control device 37 acquires specific information about the target charger via the cable 41 and transmits this specific information to the information server 5. Therefore, the information server 5 can store physical configuration information and power information, including the correct specific information about the target charger, without the occupant having to input the specific information, for example, using the operation unit 36.

[0085] [Modification] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 1, a mobile terminal 8 is provided in the information processing system 1 that transmits and receives various types of information between the external charger 4, information server 5, management server 6, and map server 7 via the network N, and the mobile terminal 8 is provided with the function to perform the processing of steps S1 to S5 and S8 to S10 of the above embodiment. In a configuration in which the mobile terminal 8 is provided in the information processing system 1, the information processing in the above embodiment may be applied to a method of charging the battery of the mobile terminal 8 with an external charger, in which case processing related to the automatic driving and automatic parking of the electric vehicle 2 becomes unnecessary.

[0086] Although predetermined points along the travel route are set as potential charging points, the current location of the electric vehicle 2, or a point set by the operation of the occupant's control unit 36, may also be set as a potential charging point. Although information on external chargers 4 located near the potential charging points is obtained from the information server 5, the occupant may request the information server 5 to transmit information on one external charger 4 set by the operation of the occupant's control unit 36.

[0087] The information processing system 1 may be configured such that it does not include one to four pieces of information from among relative position information, obstacle information, parking method information, cable length information, and charging feasibility information in the physical configuration information, and does not perform the processing using the one to four pieces of information described above in the embodiment.

[0088] Instead of charging ease information J21, information representing the length of the cable 41 may be included in charging environment-related information J2, and instead of charging performance information J22, information representing the degree to which the nominal value has been achieved or the actual output may be included in charging environment-related information J2. The candidate charger list does not need to include recommendation information J3.

[0089] The charging environment was collected or estimated using an overhead image, but information entered by the crew member operating the control unit 36 ​​may also be collected as the charging environment. In addition, the candidate charger information J may include information entered by the crew member operating the control unit 36. An example of information entered by the control unit 36 ​​is that the area around the external charger 4 is in disrepair or under repair, making it impossible to approach the external charger 4.

[0090] The information processing system 1 may be configured such that the electric vehicle 2 does not have at least one of the functions of automatic driving, automatic parking, and preconditioning processing, and does not perform the processing using at least one of the functions in the above embodiment. In a configuration in which the electric vehicle 2 does not have an automatic parking function, the processing of step S14 may be performed to display a parking method on the display unit 35 so that the driver can park easily. The information generation unit 380 may also acquire specific information input by the operation of the occupant's operation unit 36.

[0091] Although physical configuration information and power information are configured separately, one type of information including vehicle type information, specific information, relative position information, obstacle information, parking method information, cable length information, charging feasibility information, battery type information, and nominal value achievement degree information that constitutes these may be stored in the information server 5. The information processing system 1 may be configured so that one of the physical configuration information and power information is not stored in the information server 5, and the processing using the one of the aforementioned information as in the above embodiment is not performed. The information processing system 1 may be configured so that the management server 6 is not included in the information processing system 1, and the processing using the management information as in the above embodiment is not performed.

[0092] Of the exclusion processes for candidate chargers in steps S52 to S54, at least one exclusion process may be omitted. In this case, the candidate charger list may include the possibility that the charger is currently unavailable based on the usage information in the management information, the lack of usage history by vehicles with the same configuration, and the reason why charging is not possible based on the charging availability information in the physical configuration information.

[0093] Instead of information on the degree to which the nominal value has been achieved, the power information may include information showing the relationship between the initial battery temperature, the initial battery SOC, and the actual charging output. The degree to which the nominal value has been achieved may be calculated by the vehicle control device 37 instead of the information server 5. The list of candidate chargers is displayed on the display unit 35, but the contents of the list of candidate chargers may also be output by a speaker acting as a notification unit, for example. Relative position information, obstacle information, and parking method information may be generated each time charging is performed at the target charger without performing the processing in step S16.

[0094] 2...Electric vehicle, 4...External charger, 5...Information server (server), 21...Battery, 30...Imaging unit, 35...Display unit (notification unit), 41...Cable, 375...Information acquisition unit, 376...Target charger setting unit (notification control unit), 379...Charging environment collection unit, 380...Information generation unit (information transmission unit), F...Parking space, J2...Charging environment related information, W...Obstacle.

Claims

1. An information processing method comprising: a transmission request step of requesting a server that stores the charging environment of an external charger in association with the external charger to transmit the charging environment of a predetermined external charger; an information acquisition step of obtaining the charging environment of the predetermined external charger from the server; a notification step of notifying charging environment-related information based on the charging environment obtained from the server; a charging environment collection step of collecting the charging environment when charging a battery with the predetermined external charger; and an information transmission step of transmitting the collected charging environment to the server in association with the predetermined external charger.

2. An information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: a travel route setting step for setting a travel route to a destination; and a travel route notification step for notifying the travel route, wherein the transmission request step requests the transmission of the charging environment of the predetermined external charger located near the travel route.

3. An information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the battery is located in an electric vehicle, the server stores the charging environment in association with the vehicle type of the electric vehicle, the charging environment includes whether or not the battery could be charged with the external charger, the information acquisition step acquires the charging environment together with the vehicle type associated with the charging environment, the notification step notifies the charging environment-related information if the battery of an electric vehicle of the same vehicle type as the electric vehicle to be charged can be charged with the predetermined external charger corresponding to the acquired charging environment, and does not notify the charging environment-related information if the battery of an electric vehicle of the same vehicle type cannot be charged, and the information transmission step transmits the collected charging environment in association with the vehicle type of the electric vehicle to be charged.

4. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the battery is located in an electric vehicle, and the charging environment includes at least one of the following: the position of the external charger relative to the parking space of the electric vehicle, the position of obstacles relative to the parking space, the method of parking in the parking space, the length of the cable of the external charger, and the actual output when the battery is charged by the external charger.

5. An information processing method according to claim 4, wherein the charging environment includes the location of the external charger, the parking method, and the length of the cable, the information processing method further includes a slack length estimation step of estimating the slack length of the cable when the electric vehicle to be charged is parked in the parking space using the parking method and the cable is connected to the electric vehicle, based on the charging environment obtained from the server, and the notification step of notifying the charging environment-related information based on the estimated slack length of the cable.

6. An information processing method according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the electric vehicle is equipped with an imaging unit that images the area around the electric vehicle, and the charging environment collection step is an information processing method that collects the charging environment based on the image captured by the imaging unit.

7. An information processing method according to claim 4, wherein the charging environment includes the parking method, the electric vehicle has an automatic parking function, and the information processing method further includes a parking method setting step of setting the parking method obtained from the server as a parking method using the automatic parking function.

8. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein the charging environment includes the battery state, including the temperature and charge rate of the battery before charging the battery with the external charger, and the actual output, the electric vehicle has a battery temperature control function, the server stores the relationship between the degree of achievement of a nominal value obtained by dividing the actual output by the nominal value of the charging output of the external charger and the battery state as the charging environment, the information processing method further includes a calculation step of calculating an expected output achievement value by multiplying the degree of achievement of a nominal value, which is included in the charging environment obtained from the server and corresponds to the battery state, by the nominal value of the charging output of the predetermined external charger corresponding to the battery state, before charging the battery of the electric vehicle to be charged with the predetermined external charger, and a temperature control method setting step of setting a temperature control method that uses the temperature control function, the temperature control method is An information processing method comprising: adjusting the temperature of the battery so that, if the expected output is greater than or equal to the required lower output, and the temperature of the battery of the electric vehicle to be charged is below or equal to the lower temperature limit or above the upper temperature limit; and not adjusting the temperature of the battery if the expected output is less than the required lower output limit.

9. An information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the server stores the charging environment in association with specific information that identifies the external charger, the information processing method further includes a specific information acquisition step of acquiring the specific information from the predetermined external charger when charging the battery with the predetermined external charger, and the information transmission step of transmitting the collected charging environment in association with the specific information.

10. An information processing device comprising: an information acquisition unit that requests a server that stores the charging environment of an external charger in association with the external charger to transmit the charging environment of a predetermined external charger, and acquires the charging environment of the predetermined external charger from the server; a notification control unit that causes a notification unit to notify charging environment-related information based on the charging environment acquired from the server; a charging environment collection unit that collects the charging environment when charging a battery with the predetermined external charger; and an information transmission unit that transmits the collected charging environment to the server in association with the predetermined external charger.

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