Information Terminal Battery Station Search Area Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for selecting battery pack replacement stations in electric vehicles do not align with user preferences, as they are limited to the vehicle's range and mode of transportation, failing to accommodate users who may use alternative modes like walking or cycling, and are not restricted to electric vehicle equipment.
Innovation Solution
A control method and program for an information terminal that acquires and displays information about battery pack leasing devices in a user-defined area, allowing users to set search criteria independently of the vehicle's range and mode of transportation, and enabling reservations for battery pack replacements at suitable locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If candidate battery stations are selected based on vehicle range and location, then the selection is constrained to reachable areas, but user flexibility and satisfaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the battery station selection process into two independent parts: (1) user-defined search area selection, and (2) vehicle range verification. This allows users to first choose from multiple area options without range constraints, then the system filters suitable stations within the selected area, thereby improving user flexibility while maintaining feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary area selection before range verification. Users first define their preferred search area based on convenience and accessibility, then the system pre-processes to identify suitable battery stations within that area that also meet vehicle range requirements, separating the user preference expression from the technical constraint verification
2Adaptability or versatility
If battery station selection is limited to electric vehicle equipment context, then the system maintains vehicle-specific optimization, but applicability to other transportation modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal area-based search framework that can accommodate multiple transportation modes (electric vehicles, bicycles, walking, public transport). The core functionality of defining a search area and finding battery stations within it remains the same across different modes, while vehicle-specific range constraints are applied only when relevant, thereby improving adaptability without sacrificing reliability for vehicle users
3Ease of operation
If the system uses conventional range-based selection, then it ensures feasible battery replacement, but user convenience and satisfaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering of battery stations based on user-defined area criteria before presenting options to the user. By pre-processing the search space according to user preferences (such as preferred neighborhoods or areas along a route), the system reduces the time users need to spend searching while ensuring all presented options are both convenient and feasible
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where user selections and preferences are used to refine and adjust the search criteria. The system learns from user choices about preferred areas and adjusts future recommendations accordingly, improving convenience over time while maintaining feasibility through continuous verification against vehicle range constraints
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of an information terminal includes acquiring, by a server device via a network, information relating to a device which leases battery packs and exists in an area set by a user, and displaying the acquired information relating to the device on a display screen provided with the information terminal.