U.S. patent application number 17/151640 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-13 for communication system, server, and terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Hideo HASEGAWA, Munehiro KAMIYA, Shinji KURACHI, Satoru SAKUMA, Tomoya SHIMIZU, Shuhei YAMAMOTO.
Application Number | 20210138925 17/151640 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005345755 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-13 |
![](/patent/app/20210138925/US20210138925A1-20210513\US20210138925A1-2021051)
United States Patent
Application |
20210138925 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SAKUMA; Satoru ; et
al. |
May 13, 2021 |
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, SERVER, AND TERMINAL
Abstract
A provider terminal transmits, to a server, (i) location
information for specifying a location of a power supply facility
for supplying power to a vehicle and (ii) an acceptance period for
accepting the supply of power at the location. The user terminal
transmits, to the server, (i) a desired location for the supply of
power to the vehicle and (ii) a desired starting time for the
supply of power to the vehicle at the desired location. The server
includes: a provision DB configured to store one or more pieces of
association information in which respective pieces of location
information are associated with respective acceptance periods; a
determination device configured to determine a power supply
facility corresponding to the desired location and the desired
starting time; and a communicator configured to notify a location
of the power supply facility.
Inventors: |
SAKUMA; Satoru;
(Nagakute-shi, JP) ; YAMAMOTO; Shuhei; (Aichi-gun,
JP) ; KAMIYA; Munehiro; (Anjo-shi, JP) ;
HASEGAWA; Hideo; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ; KURACHI;
Shinji; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ; SHIMIZU; Tomoya;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Toyota-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Toyota-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000005345755 |
Appl. No.: |
17/151640 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16168240 |
Oct 23, 2018 |
10926658 |
|
|
17151640 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 15/005 20130101;
B60L 53/665 20190201; G06Q 10/02 20130101; H04L 63/0838 20130101;
H04W 4/023 20130101; H04L 63/0492 20130101; G06Q 20/145 20130101;
G06Q 20/3224 20130101; H04W 12/06 20130101; B60L 53/14
20190201 |
International
Class: |
B60L 53/66 20060101
B60L053/66; G06Q 10/02 20060101 G06Q010/02; H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06; G06Q 20/14 20060101 G06Q020/14; B60L 53/14 20060101
B60L053/14; G06Q 20/32 20060101 G06Q020/32; G07F 15/00 20060101
G07F015/00; H04W 4/02 20060101 H04W004/02; H04W 12/06 20060101
H04W012/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 25, 2017 |
JP |
2017-206509 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving (i) location information for
specifying a location of a power supply facility for supplying
power to a vehicle and (ii) an acceptance period for accepting the
supply of power at the location; receiving information including
(i) a desired location for the supply of power to the vehicle and
(ii) a desired starting time for the supply of power to the vehicle
at the desired location; storing one or more pieces of association
information in which the location information, the acceptance
period, and a power supply fee are associated with one another;
determining a power supply facility corresponding to the desired
location and the desired starting time based on the one or more
pieces of stored association information; notifying locations of a
plurality of power supply facilities; and transmitting, to a first
terminal corresponding to an expensive power supply fee of
respective power supply fees of the plurality of power supply
facilities, facilitation information for facilitating reduction of
the power supply fee.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising
transmitting, to an in-vehicle device that receives the
notification, information for permitting the supply of power at the
power supply facility notified.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising
transmitting, to the first terminal, first facilitation information
for facilitating a change of the acceptance period, when the
desired starting time is not included in the acceptance period and
a difference between a starting time of the acceptance period and
the desired starting time is less than a predetermined value.
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising
transmitting, to a second terminal, second facilitation information
for facilitating a change of the desired starting time, when the
desired starting time is not included in the acceptance period and
a difference between a starting time of the acceptance period and
the desired starting time is less than a predetermined value.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising notifying a
part of an address of the location of the power supply facility
determined, rather than a whole of the address of the location, as
the location of the power supply facility determined.
6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: notifying,
to a terminal of a user, the power supply facility determined, on a
condition that user identification information of the user who
desires to supply power to the vehicle is received; and requesting,
to the user for whom the supply of power to the vehicle has been
ended and who corresponds to the user identification information, a
fee corresponding to an amount of the supply of power.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: storing
provider identification information for identifying a provider of
the power supply facility, in addition to the location information
and the acceptance period; and paying, to the provider having
provided the power supply facility and corresponding to the
provider identification information, a fee corresponding to an
amount of the supply of power, when the supply of power to the
vehicle at the power supply facility is ended.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining,
as a power supply facility corresponding to the desired starting
time, a power supply facility satisfying a condition that the
desired starting time is a time after the acceptance starting time
of the acceptance period and a period from the desired starting
time to the acceptance ending time of the acceptance period is
longer than or equal to a predetermined period.
9. A server comprising: a first receiver configured to receive (i)
location information for specifying a location for a power supply
facility for supplying power to a vehicle and (ii) an acceptance
period for accepting the supply of power at the location; a second
receiver configured to receive information including (i) a desired
location for the supply of power to the vehicle and (ii) a desired
starting time for the supply of power to the vehicle at the desired
location; a storage configured to store one or more pieces of
association information in which the location information, the
acceptance period, and a power supply fee are associated with one
another; a determination device configured to determine a power
supply facility corresponding to the desired location and the
desired starting time based on the one or more pieces of stored
association information; a notification device configured to notify
locations of a plurality of power supply facilities determined by
the determination device; and a transmitter configured to transmit,
to a terminal corresponding to an expensive power supply fee of
respective power supply fees of the plurality of power supply
facilities, facilitation information for facilitating reduction of
the power supply fee.
10. The server according to claim 9, wherein the transmitter is
further configured to transmit, to an in-vehicle device that
receives the notification from the notification device, information
for permitting the supply of power at the power supply facility
notified by the notification device.
11. The server according to claim 10, wherein the in-vehicle device
is configured to request the transmitter whenever a predetermined
period passes, to transmit the information for permitting the
supply of power at the power supply facility notified by the
notification device.
12. The server according to claim 9, wherein on a condition that
the server receives user identification information of a user who
desires to supply power to the vehicle, the notification device is
configured to notify, to a terminal of the user, the power supply
facility determined by the determination device, and the server
further includes a request controller configured to perform a
process for requesting, to the user for whom the supply of power to
the vehicle has been ended and who corresponds to the user
identification information, a fee corresponding to an amount of the
supply of power.
13. The server according to claim 12, wherein the amount of the
supply of power is calculated by an in-vehicle device of the
vehicle.
14. The server according to claim 9, wherein in addition to the
location information and the acceptance period, the storage is
configured to store provider identification information for
identifying a provider of the power supply facility, and the server
further includes a payment controller configured to perform a
process for paying, to the provider having provided the power
supply facility and corresponding to the provider identification
information, a fee corresponding to an amount of the supply of
power, when the supply of power to the vehicle at the power supply
facility is ended.
15. The server according to claim 9, wherein the determination
device is configured to determine, as a power supply facility
corresponding to the desired starting time, a power supply facility
satisfying a condition that the desired starting time is a time
after the acceptance starting time of the acceptance period and a
period from the desired starting time to the acceptance ending time
of the acceptance period is longer than or equal to a predetermined
period.
16. The server according to claim 9, wherein when the desired
starting time is not included in the acceptance period and a
difference between a starting time of the acceptance period and the
desired starting time is less than a predetermined value, the
transmitter is further configured to transmit, to the terminal,
first facilitation information for facilitating a change of the
acceptance period.
17. The server according to claim 9, wherein the notification
device is further configured to notify a part of an address of the
location, rather than a whole of the address of the location, as
the location of the power supply facility.
18. A terminal configured to communicate with a server configured
to store one or more pieces of association information in which (i)
location information for specifying a location for a power supply
facility for supplying power to a vehicle, (ii) an acceptance
period for accepting the supply of power at the location and (iii)
a power supply fee are associated with one another, the terminal
comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit, to the server,
information including (i) a desired location for the supply of
power to the vehicle and (ii) a desired starting time for the
supply of power to the vehicle at the desired location; and a
receiver configured to receive information of a location of a power
supply facility determined based on the one or more pieces of
stored association information, the power supply facility
corresponding to the desired location and the desired starting
time, wherein the server is configured to transmit, to the terminal
corresponding to an expensive power supply fee of respective power
supply fees of a plurality of power supply facilities, facilitation
information for facilitating reduction of the power supply fee.
19. The terminal according to claim 18, wherein when the desired
starting time is not included in the acceptance period and a
difference between a starting time of the acceptance period and the
desired starting time is less than a predetermined value, the
receiver is further configured to receive, from the server, first
facilitation information for facilitating a change of the
acceptance period.
20. The terminal according to claim 18, wherein the server is
further configured to notify a part of an address of the location,
rather than a whole of the address of the location, as the location
of the power supply facility.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/168,240, filed Oct. 23, 2018, which is
based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-206509 filed on Oct.
25, 2017, with the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of
which are all hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a communication system, a
server, and a terminal.
Description of the Background Art
[0003] Conventionally, a system has been known in which a power
supply facility for supplying power to an electric vehicle can be
rented to another person and the other person can make a
reservation to use the power supply facility and then can use the
power supply facility. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No.
2014-149611 discloses a technique for notifying a power supply
facility around a vehicle driven by a user in response to the user
performing an inquiry operation onto the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0004] However, in the system above, the user cannot designate
desired location and time, with the result that convenience for the
user cannot be improved.
[0005] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a
communication system, a server, and a terminal, by each of which
convenience for a user is improved.
[0006] A communication system according to a certain aspect of the
present disclosure is a communication system including: a server; a
first terminal configured to communicate with the server; and a
second terminal configured to communicate with the server. The
first terminal includes a first transmitter configured to transmit,
to the server, (i) location information for specifying a location
of a power supply facility for supplying power to a vehicle and
(ii) an acceptance period for accepting the supply of power at the
location. The second terminal includes a second transmitter
configured to transmit, to the server, information including (i) a
desired location for the supply of power to the vehicle and (ii) a
desired starting time for the supply of power to the vehicle at the
desired location. The server includes: a storage configured to
store one or more pieces of association information in which
respective pieces of location information are associated with
respective acceptance periods; a determination device configured to
determine a power supply facility corresponding to the desired
location and the desired starting time based on the one or more
pieces of stored association information; and a notification device
configured to notify a location of the power supply facility
determined by the determination device.
[0007] Accordingly, a provider of the power supply facility can
provide the power supply facility during a period corresponding to
the acceptance period, and a user of the power supply facility can
use the power supply facility to supply power to the vehicle at the
location corresponding to the desired location and the time
corresponding to the desired starting time.
[0008] In a certain embodiment, the server further includes a third
transmitter configured to transmit, to an in-vehicle device that
receives the notification from the notification device, information
for permitting the supply of power at the power supply facility
notified by the notification device.
[0009] Accordingly, power is permitted to be supplied to the
vehicle including the in-vehicle device for which the supply of
power is permitted. Hence, a vehicle not permitted to be supplied
with power cannot be supplied with power, thereby preventing power
from being supplied wrongfully.
[0010] In a certain embodiment, when the desired starting time is
not included in the acceptance period and a difference between a
starting time of the acceptance period and the desired starting
time is less than a predetermined value, the server is configured
to transmit, to the first terminal, first facilitation information
for facilitating a change of the acceptance period.
[0011] Accordingly, an opportunity for the provider to provide the
power supply facility and an opportunity for the user to use the
power supply facility can be increased.
[0012] In a certain embodiment, when the desired starting time is
not included in the acceptance period and a difference between a
starting time of the acceptance period and the desired starting
time is less than a predetermined value, the server is configured
to transmit, to the second terminal, second facilitation
information for facilitating a change of the desired starting
time.
[0013] Accordingly, an opportunity for the provider to provide the
power supply facility and an opportunity for the user to use the
power supply facility can be increased.
[0014] In a certain embodiment, as the association information, the
storage is configured to store the location information, the
acceptance period, and a power supply fee in association with one
another. When the notification device notifies locations of a
plurality of power supply facilities, the server is configured to
transmit, to the first terminal corresponding to an expensive power
supply fee of respective power supply fees of the plurality of
power supply facilities, third facilitation information for
facilitating reduction of the power supply fee.
[0015] Accordingly, an opportunity for the provider to provide the
power supply facility can be increased and the user can use the
power supply facility inexpensively.
[0016] In a certain embodiment, as the location of the power supply
facility, the notification device is configured to notify a part of
an address of the location, rather than a whole of the address of
the location.
[0017] Accordingly, security can be improved as compared with a
case where the whole of the address of the location is notified as
the location of the power supply facility.
[0018] In a certain embodiment, on a condition that the server
receives user identification information of a user who desires to
supply power to the vehicle, the notification device is configured
to notify, to a terminal of the user, the power supply facility
determined by the determination device. The server further includes
a request controller configured to perform a process for
requesting, to the user for whom the supply of power to the vehicle
has been ended and who corresponds to the user identification
information, a fee corresponding to an amount of the supply of
power.
[0019] Accordingly, the fee corresponding to the amount of supply
of power can be requested appropriately to the user of the power
supply facility who has supplied power to the vehicle.
[0020] In a certain embodiment, in addition to the location
information and the acceptance period, the storage is configured to
store provider identification information for identifying a
provider of the power supply facility. The server further includes
a payment controller configured to perform a process for paying, to
the provider having provided the power supply facility and
corresponding to the provider identification information, a fee
corresponding to an amount of the supply of power, when the supply
of power to the vehicle at the power supply facility is ended.
[0021] Accordingly, the fee corresponding to the amount of supply
of power can be paid appropriately to the provider of the power
supply device for the supply of power to the vehicle.
[0022] A server according to another aspect of the present
disclosure includes: a first receiver configured to receive (i)
location information for specifying a location of a power supply
facility for supplying power to a vehicle, and (ii) an acceptance
period for accepting the supply of power at the location; a second
receiver configured to receive (i) a desired location for the
supply of power to the vehicle and (ii) a desired starting time for
the supply of power to the vehicle at the desired location; a
storage configured to store one or more pieces of association
information in which respective pieces of location information are
associated with respective acceptance periods; a determination
device configured to determine a power supply facility
corresponding to the desired location and the desired starting time
based on the one or more pieces of stored association information;
and a notification device configured to notify a location of the
power supply facility determined by the determination device.
[0023] Accordingly, a provider of the power supply facility can
provide the power supply facility during the period corresponding
to the acceptance period, and a user of the power supply facility
can use the power supply facility at the location corresponding to
the desired location and the time corresponding to the desired
starting time.
[0024] A terminal according to another aspect of the present
disclosure is a terminal configured to communicate with a server
configured to store one or more pieces of association information
in which respective pieces of location information for specifying
locations of power supply facilities each for supplying power to a
vehicle are associated with respective acceptance periods for
accepting the supply of power at the locations. The terminal
includes: a transmitter configured to transmit, to the server,
information including (i) a desired location for the supply of
power to the vehicle and (ii) a desired starting time for the
supply of power to the vehicle at the desired location; and a
receiver configured to receive information of a location of a power
supply facility determined based on the one or more pieces of
stored association information, the power supply facility
corresponding to the desired location and the desired starting
time.
[0025] Accordingly, a provider of the power supply facility can
provide the power supply facility during the period corresponding
to the acceptance period, and a user of the power supply facility
can use the power supply facility at the location corresponding to
the desired location and the time corresponding to the desired
starting time.
[0026] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present disclosure when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary situation to which the present
embodiment is applied.
[0028] FIG. 2 is an entire configuration diagram of a communication
system according to the present embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows hardware such as a provider terminal.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a flow of information in a reservation process
in the communication system.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a flow of information in a payment process in
the communication system.
[0032] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D show various types of DBs.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary functional configuration such as a
server.
[0034] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary provision reservation screen.
[0035] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary use reservation screen.
[0036] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary presentation screen of a
display.
[0037] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary presentation screen of the
display.
[0038] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing a part of the
reservation process of the present embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a part of the
reservation process of the present embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 14 shows that a vehicle having arrived at a power
supply facility is supplied with power by a power supply device in
the power supply facility.
[0041] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing a power supply process
of the present embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process of power supply
device 400.
[0043] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing the payment
process.
[0044] FIG. 18 shows an exemplary first facilitation screen.
[0045] FIG. 19 shows an exemplary second facilitation screen.
[0046] FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B show an exemplary third facilitation
screen.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] The following describes embodiments of the present
disclosure with reference to figures in detail. It should be noted
that the same or corresponding portions are given the same
reference characters and are not described repeatedly.
[0048] <Application>
[0049] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary situation to which the present
embodiment is applied. With reference to FIG. 1, the following
describes an exemplary situation to which the present embodiment is
applied. In the example of FIG. 1, a provider A1, a provider A10, a
user B1, and a user B10 are illustrated. In the present embodiment,
the term "provider" refers to a person who provides another person
with "a power supply device or a power supply facility including
the power supply device" (hereinafter, also simply referred to as
"power supply device"). Moreover, the term "user" refers to a
person who uses the power supply device provided by the provider.
The expression "use the power supply device" means that the user
supplies power to the vehicle using the power supply device, for
example.
[0050] The vehicle includes: an electric motor configured to
generate driving power for traveling of the vehicle; and a battery
configured to store electric power to be supplied to the electric
motor. The battery is configured to be supplied with power using
the power supply device. The vehicle herein is a plug-in hybrid
vehicle or an electric vehicle, for example. Moreover, the vehicle
includes an in-vehicle device described later.
[0051] The provider may desire to provide the power supply device
of the provider to another person while the power supply device of
the provider is not used. On the other hand, the user may desire to
use a power supply device in a region where the user travels by
his/her vehicle, for example. In such a case, the provider can
provide the power supply device to the user and the user can use
the power supply device if the location of the power supply device
which the provider desires to provide and an acceptance period of
the power supply device correspond to the location at which the
user desires to use a power supply device and a starting time
(hereinafter, also referred to as "use starting time") at which the
power supply device is started to be used at this location.
Therefore, while the provider does not use the power supply device,
the provider can provide the power supply device to the user. The
term "acceptance period" refers to a period during which the
provider desires to provide another person with the power supply
facility owned by the provider. Moreover, the term "location"
includes the longitude and latitude of this location, for
example.
[0052] In the example of FIG. 1, it is illustrated that provider A1
desires to "provide another person with the power supply device at
the location of Chiyoda District X-X-X, Tokyo from 10:00 to 17:00
on October 16". On the other hand, user B1 desires to "use a power
supply device in Chiyoda District, Tokyo from 11:00 on October 16".
Hence, by matching the location and period at and during which
provider A1 desires to provide the power supply device to the
location and starting time at which user B1 desires to use a power
supply device, it is possible to specify that "user B1 can use the
power supply device of provider A1 in Chiyoda District X-X-X, Tokyo
from 11:00 on October 16".
[0053] Thus, in the present embodiment, the user is allowed to use
the power supply device at the location and period corresponding to
the location and period at and during which provider A1 desires to
provide the power supply device.
[0054] <Exemplary Configuration of Communication System>
[0055] FIG. 2 is an entire configuration diagram of a communication
system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2,
communication system 1 according to the present embodiment
includes: a server 200; N provider terminals 8, . . . , 8N (N is an
integer equal to or more than 1); M user terminals 30, . . . , 30M
(M is an integer equal to or more than 1); and a network 100. In
the description below, provider terminals 8, . . . , 8N will be
collectively referred to as "provider terminal 8". User terminals
30, . . . , 30M will be also collectively referred to as "user
terminal 30".
[0056] Provider terminal 8 is a terminal owned by a provider.
Provider terminal 8 is a terminal configured to receive various
types of information from the provider and present various types of
information. User terminal 30 is a terminal owned by a user. User
terminal 30 is a terminal configured to receive various types of
information from the user and present various types of information.
Provider terminal 8 and server 200 are configured to communicate
with each other via network 100. Moreover, user terminal 30 and
server 200 are configured to communicate with each other via
network 100. Network 100 is constructed of a WAN (Wide Area
Network) or a LAN (Local Area Network). At least one of N provider
terminals 8, . . . , 8N (N is an integer equal to or more than 1)
may be one of a smartphone, a tablet, a PC (personal computer), and
the like. Moreover, at least one of M user terminals 30, . . . ,
30M (M is an integer equal to or more than 1) may be one of a
smartphone, a tablet, a PC (personal computer), and the like, or
may be included in an in-vehicle device 22. Moreover, provider
terminal 8 is also referred to as "first terminal", and user
terminal 30 is also referred to as "second terminal".
[0057] In the example of FIG. 1, each provider owns: provider
terminal 8; and power supply facility 10 provided in the site of a
house 2. Power supply facility 10 includes: a parking space 4 in
which a vehicle to be supplied with power is to be parked; and a
power supply device 400 configured to supply power to the vehicle,
for example. On the other hand, each user owns user terminal 30.
Further, in-vehicle device 22 may include user terminal 30. In
addition, in-vehicle device 22 includes: a navigation device having
GPS (Global Positioning System); and the like. Moreover, in-vehicle
device 22 is mounted on vehicle 20.
[0058] <Hardware Configuration>
[0059] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary hardware configuration of each of
provider terminal 8, user terminal 30, and in-vehicle device 22
including user terminal 30 (hereinafter, also referred to as
"provider terminal 8 etc.,").
[0060] With reference to FIG. 3, provider terminal 8 etc.,
includes: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 configured to execute
a program; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 configured to store data in
a non-volatile manner; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 configured
to store data in a volatile manner; a flash memory 104; a touch
screen 105; a speaker 106; a communication IF (Interface) 108; an
IC (Integrated Circuit) card reader/writer 109; and a power supply
unit 110.
[0061] Touch screen 105 includes: a display 1051 serving as a
display device; and a touch panel 1052 serving as an input device.
Specifically, touch screen 105 is implemented by positioning and
fixing touch panel 1052 on display 1051 (for example, a liquid
crystal display). It should be noted that in touch screen 105, as a
method for detecting a touch position, a resistive method or a
capacitive method can be used, for example.
[0062] Flash memory 104 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory.
Flash memory 104 stores: an operating system and various programs
executed by CPU 101; various contents; and data.
[0063] Speaker 106 generates a sound in accordance with an
instruction from CPU 101. Communication IF 108 is an interface used
to communicate with another device. Communication IF 108 is
configured to perform a process for transmitting data in a wireless
manner and/or wired manner.
[0064] Touch panel 1052 is an input device configured to receive an
input (touch input) by the user's finger, a stylus pen, or the
like. CPU 101 specifies an input position based on an output from
touch panel 1052, and performs a process based on the specified
input position. Components 101 to 110 are connected to one another
via a data bus. A memory card 1091 is attached to IC card
reader/writer 109.
[0065] The process in provider terminal 8 etc., is implemented by
each hardware and software executed by CPU 101. Such software may
be stored in flash memory 104 in advance. Alternatively, the
software may be stored in memory card 1091 or another storage
medium and may be distributed as a program product. Alternatively,
the software may be provided, as a downloadable program product, by
a so-called information service provider connected to the Internet.
Such software is temporarily stored in flash memory 104 after
reading the software from the storage medium using IC card
reader/writer 109 or another reader or after downloading the
software via the communication IF. The software is read from flash
memory 104 by CPU 101 and is stored in flash memory 104 in the form
of an executable program. CPU 101 executes the program.
[0066] Each component included in provider terminal 8 etc., in the
figure is a general component. Therefore, it can be said that the
essential part of the present embodiment is the software stored in
flash memory 104, memory card 1091 or other storage media, or is
the software downloadable via the network. It should be noted that
the operation of each hardware such as provider terminal 8 is well
known, and therefore is not repeatedly described in detail.
[0067] It should be noted that the storage medium is not limited to
a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, a FD (Flexible Disk), and a hard disk, and may
be a medium that fixedly carries a program, such as: a magnetic
tape; a cassette tape; an optical disc (MO (Magnetic Optical
Disc)/MD (Mini Disc)/DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)); an optical
card; and a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, an EPROM
(Electronically Programmable Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM
(Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or a flash
ROM. Moreover, the storage medium is a non-transitory medium from
which a computer can read the program or the like.
[0068] The program herein includes not only a program that can be
directly executed by a CPU, but also a program in the form of a
source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the
like.
[0069] Moreover, server 200 may be configured not to include
speaker 106, touch screen 105, and the like.
[0070] <As to Each Process>
[0071] The process of communication system 1 of the present
embodiment includes a "reservation process", a "power supply
process", and a "payment process". The reservation process includes
a process for establishing, by a user, a reservation for a power
supply facility of a provider. The power supply process includes a
process for supplying power to a vehicle of the user for which the
reservation has been established through the reservation process.
The payment process includes: a process for paying, to the
provider, a fee corresponding to an amount of power supplied in the
power supply facility provided by the provider; and a process for
requesting, to the user, the fee corresponding to the amount of
power supplied in the power supply facility used by the user.
[0072] It is assumed that the provider and user who use
communication system 1 has made a below-described membership
registration in advance. FIG. 4 shows a flow of information in the
reservation process in communication system 1. As shown in FIG. 4,
first, in a step of (1), the provider uses provider terminal 8 to
transmit provision information to server 200 via network 100. Here,
the provision information includes: location information indicating
the location of the power supply facility for supplying power to
the vehicle; and an acceptance period for accepting the supply of
power at this location. As the provision information, server 200
stores, in a below-described provision DB, the location information
and the acceptance period in association with each other.
[0073] Next, in a step of (2), the user uses user terminal 30 to
transmit use information to server 200 via network 100. The use
information includes: user identification information for
specifying the user; a desired location for the user to supply
power to the vehicle; and a desired starting time for the user to
start supplying power to the vehicle. As the use information,
server 200 stores, in a below-described use DB, the desired
location and the acceptance period in association with each
other.
[0074] Next, in a step of (3), server 200 performs a matching
process based on each provision information in the provision DB and
the use information in the use DB.
[0075] Next, in a step of (4), server 200 notifies, to user
terminal 30, the location of a power supply facility determined as
satisfying a condition based on the use information through the
matching process. User terminal 30 notifies a notification result,
i.e., the location(s) of one or more power supply facilities. The
user makes a selection from the location(s) of the notified one or
more power supply facilities. The selection result is transmitted
to server 200, and the corresponding power supply facility is
reserved based on the selection result.
[0076] Next, the following describes a flow of information in the
payment process. FIG. 5 shows a flow of information in the payment
process in communication system 1. In a step of (5), user terminal
30 transmits, to server 200, an amount of supply of power (kWh) in
the power supply process performed before the payment process.
Next, in a step of (6), server 200 calculates a power supply fee
corresponding to the transmitted amount of supply of power. Next,
in a step of (7), server 200 transmits, to user terminal 30,
request notification for requesting a fee corresponding to the
power supply fee. User terminal 30 presents the request
notification and the requested fee. Accordingly, the user of user
terminal 30 can recognize the requested fee. Moreover, in a step of
(8), server 200 transmits, to provider terminal 8, payment
notification for payment of the fee corresponding to the power
supply fee. Provider terminal 8 presents the payment notification
and the fee paid to the provider of provider terminal 8.
Accordingly, the provider of provider terminal 8 can recognize the
paid fee.
[0077] <Membership Registration for Provider and User>
[0078] Next, the following describes the membership registration
for the provider and the user. By making the membership
registration, the provider and the user can use communication
system 1 of the present embodiment. For example, each of the
provider and the user can make the membership registration by way
of a web page of a management company that manages server 200 and
communication system 1 or by way of an application provided by the
management company.
[0079] For example, the management company causes provider terminal
8 of the provider who newly applied for the membership registration
to present a membership registration screen for providers. The
provider inputs, into the membership registration screen, the name
of the provider, the location of the power supply facility provided
by the provider, a bank account of the provider, a power supply
unit price, and the like. It should be noted that the membership
registration screen may be a screen for allowing the provider to
input other items. The items input from the membership registration
screen are transmitted to server 200 via network 100. The power
supply unit price is a price based on an amount of power as one
unit. Typically, the power supply unit price is a price of power
based on one kilowatt-hour (kWh). Thus, in the present embodiment,
the provider can freely set the power supply unit price.
[0080] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D shows various types of DBs (Date Bases).
FIG. 6A shows an exemplary provider membership DB (Date Base). In
the example of FIG. 6A, the provider membership DB is constructed
by accumulating and storing pieces of information input from the
membership registration screen. Moreover, in the provider
membership DB, the providers and the power supply facilities
provided by the providers were associated with respective pieces of
identification information. In the example of each of FIG. 6A to
FIG. 6D, the identification information is an ID
(Identification).
[0081] In the example of FIG. 6A, "V1" serving as a provider ID is
associated with a provider (hereinafter, referred to as "provider
questionA1") whose name is "A1". Typically, the provider ID is
information by which the provider terminal can be identified, such
as an e-mail address. The location of the power supply facility
provided by this provider is "W City 1-1-1, Osaka". (X1, Y1)
represents the longitude and latitude of the location of this power
supply facility. The power supply facility location may be the
location of the power supply facility, the address of the house of
the provider in proximity of the power supply facility, or the
location of the power supply device, for example. The power supply
facility provided by the provider is associated with K1 serving as
a power supply facility ID. As the bank account of provider A1, an
"account number 1234567 of the ABC bank" is associated. Moreover,
provider A1 is associated with a power supply unit price R1 (JPY)
and a seed code S1. The power supply unit price is a unit price
input from the membership registration screen by provider A1. The
seed code is used in the below-described power supply process and
is a code assigned by server 200.
[0082] In the example of FIG. 6A, "V2" serving as a provider ID is
associated with a provider (hereinafter, referred to as "provider
A2") whose name is "A2". A plurality of power supply facilities
(two in the examples of FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D) are provided by this
provider. The address of the first power supply facility is "X City
1-1-1, Tokyo". (X2, Y2) represents the longitude and latitude of
this power supply facility. The power supply facility provided by
the provider is associated with K2 serving as a power supply
facility ID. The address of the second power supply facility is "Y
City 2-3-4, Tokyo". (X3, Y3) represents the longitude and latitude
of this power supply facility. This power supply facility is
associated with K3 serving as a power supply facility ID. Although
a bank account of provider A2 is not illustrated particularly, the
bank account of provider A2 is stored in association with provider
A2. Moreover, the power supply facility having the power supply
facility ID of K2 is associated with a power supply unit price R2
and a seed code S2, and the power supply facility having the power
supply facility ID of K3 is associated with a power supply unit
price R3 and a seed code S3.
[0083] Next, the membership registration for users will be
described. For example, the management company causes user terminal
30 of each user who newly applied for the membership registration
to present the membership registration screen for users. The user
inputs the name of the user, a bank account of the user, and the
like into the membership registration screen. It should be noted
that the membership registration screen may be a screen for
allowing the user to input other items. The items input from the
membership registration screen are transmitted to server 200 via
network 100.
[0084] FIG. 6B shows an exemplary user membership DB. In the
example of FIG. 6B, the user membership DB is constructed by
accumulating and storing pieces of information input from the
membership registration screen. Moreover, in the user member DB,
respective pieces of identification information (ID) are associated
with the users. Each user ID is the same as the vehicle ID provided
in a vehicle owned by a corresponding user, or is the same as the
ID of the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle.
[0085] In the example of FIG. 6B, "U1" serving as a user ID is
associated with a user (hereinafter, referred to as "user B1")
whose name is "B1". Moreover, in the user membership DB, a
notification target ID is associated with the user. The
notification target ID is information for identifying a terminal
(receiving device) serving as a notification target. The user can
select a notification target to which the power supply facility
location (see (4) and the like in FIG. 4) transmitted from server
200 is notified. For the notification target, the user can select a
user terminal included in the in-vehicle device (for example, a car
navigation device) or can select a device (for example, a PC, a
smartphone, or a tablet) not included in the in-vehicle device,
when inputting to the membership registration screen. Typically,
the notification target ID is the address of the device serving as
the notification target. User B1 is associated with S1 serving as
the notification target ID.
[0086] Further, in the example of FIG. 6B, "U2" serving as a user
ID is associated with a user (hereinafter, referred to as "user
B2") whose name is "B2". Further, user B2 is associated with S2
serving as a notification target ID.
[0087] When the membership registration is ended for the provider,
server 200 transmits, to the provider terminal of the provider, the
provider ID given to the provider and a password corresponding to
the provider ID. The provider who finished the membership
registration uses the provider ID and the password to log in to
server 200. It should be noted that in the example of FIG. 6A,
although the passwords of the providers are not described, the
passwords are actually associated with the respective
providers.
[0088] Moreover, when the membership registration is ended for the
user, server 200 transmits, to the user terminal of the user, the
user ID given to the user and a password corresponding to the user
ID. The user who finished the membership registration can use the
user ID and the password to log in to server 200. It should be
noted that in the example of FIG. 6B, although the passwords of the
users are not described, the passwords are actually associated with
the respective users.
[0089] In the examples of FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D and the like, each of
the names of the providers is expressed by "A" and a reference
character added to the A; however, the name of the provider is
actually defined. Likewise, in the examples of FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D
and the like, each of the names of the users is expressed by "B"
and a reference character added to the B; however, the name of the
user is actually defined.
[0090] <Exemplary Functional Configurations of Server 200 and
the Like>
[0091] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary functional configurations of
server 200 and the like. With reference to FIG. 7, the following
describes exemplary functional configurations of server 200 and the
like. As shown in FIG. 7, the functions of server 200 include
functions of a provider membership DB 202, a provider extractor
204, a provision DB 206, a user membership DB 208, a user extractor
210, a use DB 212, a determination device 214, a power supply
amount calculator 216, a request controller 218, a payment
controller 220, and an OTP generator 222. Moreover, provider
membership DB 202 corresponds to the DB shown in FIG. 6A, and user
membership DB 208 corresponds to the DB shown in FIG. 6B. In the
description below, explanations will be individually made with
regard to the reservation process, the power supply process, and
the payment process.
[0092] Meanwhile, provider terminal 8 includes: a
transmitter/receiver 82 configured to transmit various types of
information and receive various types of information; and a display
80 configured to present various types of information. User
terminal 30 includes: a transmitter/receiver 302 configured to
transmit various types of information and receive various types of
information; and a display 300 configured to present various types
of information.
[0093] <Reservation Process>
[0094] The reservation process is performed between the provider
having made the membership registration and the user having made
the membership registration. The provider first inputs the password
and the provider ID to provider terminal 8 so as to log in to
server 200. Then, the provider makes a reservation to provide power
supply facility 10 of the provider to another person (user). The
provider inputs the provision information to provider terminal 8.
The provision information includes: the provider ID of the
provider; the location information for allowing server 200 to
specify the location of the power supply facility for supplying
power to the vehicle; and the acceptance period for accepting the
supply of power at this location.
[0095] Here, the location information may be any information as
long as server 200 can specify the location of the power supply
facility in accordance with the information. For example, the
location information may be the provider ID of the provider or the
provider terminal. In this case, the location of power supply
facility 10 of the provider corresponding to the provider ID serves
as information indicating the location of power supply facility 10.
It should be noted that the provider ID is transmitted from
provider terminal 8 to server 200 when logged in.
[0096] Moreover, as a modification, the location information may be
the location (for example, the address) of power supply facility 10
of the provider. In this case, the provider inputs the address in
the login state to server 200.
[0097] The acceptance period refers to a period from (i) an
acceptance starting time indicating a time at which supply of power
is started to be accepted at power supply facility 10 to (ii) an
acceptance ending time indicating a time at which the supply of
power is ended to be accepted at power supply facility 10.
[0098] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary provision reservation screen. The
provision reservation screen is a screen for allowing the provider
to make a reservation to provide the power supply facility. This
provision reservation screen is presented on display 80
(corresponding to the touch screen of FIG. 3) of provider terminal
8. In this provision reservation screen, there are presented: the
name of the provider; information for urging input of the
acceptance period; an acceptance starting time space 80A; and an
acceptance ending time space 80B.
[0099] In the example of FIG. 8, the name of the provider is "A53",
and the information for urging input of the acceptance period is a
text such as "PLEASE INPUT ACCEPTANCE PERIOD BELOW". The provider
inputs, to acceptance starting time space 80A, an acceptance
starting time desired by the provider. In the example of FIG. 8, as
the acceptance starting time, "7:00 on March 19" is input in
acceptance starting time space 80A. Moreover, the provider inputs,
to acceptance ending time space 80B, an acceptance ending time
desired by the provider. In the example of FIG. 8, as the
acceptance ending time, "24:00 on March 19" is input in acceptance
ending time space 80B. That is, in the example of FIG. 8, as the
acceptance period, provider A53 inputs 7:00 on March 19 to 24:00 on
March 19.
[0100] Thus, in the login state to server 200, the provider inputs
the acceptance period to the provision reservation screen.
[0101] When the provision information (for example, the acceptance
period) is input to provider terminal 8, transmitter/receiver 82
(transmitter) of provider terminal 8 transmits the provision
information to server 200. It should be noted that when provider
terminal 8 logs in to server 200, the provider ID (location
information) of the provision information is transmitted, and when
the acceptance period is input, the acceptance period of the
provision information is transmitted. For the sake of convenience,
FIG. 7 shows that the "provision information" is transmitted from
provider terminal 8 to server 200.
[0102] Next, a use reservation by the user will be described.
First, the user inputs the password and the user ID to user
terminal 30 so as to log in to server 200. Then, the user makes a
reservation to use a power supply facility 10 of a provider. The
user inputs use information to user terminal 30. The use
information includes: the user ID of the user; the desired location
for supply of power to the vehicle; and the desired starting time
for the supply of power to the vehicle.
[0103] Here, this desired location may be a non-finely specified
concept (such as a region or area) or a finely specified concept
(such as an address). The desired starting time is a starting time
desired to start the supply of power at the desired location.
[0104] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary use reservation screen. The use
reservation screen is a screen for allowing a user to make a
reservation to use a power supply facility. This use reservation
screen is presented on display 300 (corresponding to the touch
screen of FIG. 3) of user terminal 30. In this use reservation
screen, there are presented: the name of the user; information for
urging input of the use information; a desired location space 300A;
and a desired starting time space 300B.
[0105] In the example of FIG. 9, the name of the user is "B21", and
the information for urging input of the use information is a text
such as "PLEASE INPUT DESIRED LOCATION AND DESIRED STARTING TIME
FOR SUPPLY OF POWER TO VEHICLE BELOW". The user inputs the location
desired by the user for the supply of power into desired location
space 300A. In the example of FIG. 9, as the desired location, "X
City, Osaka" is input in desired location space 300A. Moreover, the
user inputs the desired starting time to desired starting time
space 300B. In the example of FIG. 9, as the desired starting time,
"12:00 on March 19" is input in desired starting time space 300B.
That is, in the example of FIG. 9, user B51 desires supply of power
to the vehicle in "X City, Osaka" from "12:00 on March 19".
[0106] Thus, in the login state to server 200, the user inputs the
desired location and the desired starting time into the use
reservation screen. It should be noted that the desired location
may be input by presenting a map on display 300 and allowing the
user to touch a location (place) desired for supply of power on the
map so as to input the desired location. When the use information
is input to user terminal 30, transmitter/receiver 302
(transmitter) of user terminal 30 transmits the use information to
server 200.
[0107] The login state of provider terminal 8 to server 200 may be
maintained until the provider performs a logout operation onto
provider terminal 8. Moreover, the login state may be maintained
until a predetermined period (for example, 3 days) passes from the
moment of the login, and logout may be performed when the
predetermined period passes.
[0108] The login state of user terminal 30 to server 200 may be
maintained until the user performs a logout operation onto user
terminal 30. Moreover, the login state may be maintained until a
predetermined period (for example, 3 days) passes from the moment
of the login, and logout may be performed when the predetermined
period passes.
[0109] When communicator 224 (first receiver) receives the
provision information from provider terminal 8, communicator 224
sends the provision information to provider extractor 204. On a
condition that the provider ID included in the provision
information exists in the provider membership DB, provider
extractor 204 extracts, from the provider membership DB, a record
of the provider ID included in the provision information. Provider
extractor 204 stores, in the provision DB 206, the extracted
provider ID, at least a part of information of the record, and the
acceptance period included in the provision information, in
association with one another.
[0110] It should be noted that when the provider ID included in the
provision information sent to provider extractor 204 does not exist
in the provider membership DB, provider extractor 204 does not
perform the extraction process because the transmitted provision
information is from a provider having not made the membership
registration.
[0111] FIG. 6C shows an exemplary provision DB 206. In the example
of FIG. 6C, the provider ID, the name of the provider, the power
supply facility ID of the power supply facility provided by the
provider, the location of the power supply facility of the
provider, the acceptance period input from the provision
reservation screen (FIG. 8), the power supply unit price, and the
reservation status are stored in association with one another. In
addition, other information of the provider membership DB (such as
the bank account of the provider) and the like may be
associated.
[0112] In the example of FIG. 6C, the record of provider A53 input
in the example of FIG. 8 is stored. In the example of FIG. 6C, the
provider ID, 053, is associated with the name of provider A53, the
power supply facility location of the provider, the acceptance
period, and the like. It should be noted that in FIG. 6C, the
record of provider A62 is also stored. In the description below, in
FIG. 6C, the power supply facility location and the acceptance
period associated with the power supply facility location may be
collectively referred to as "association information". For example,
the provision information transmitted from provider terminal 8 of
FIG. 7 includes the association information.
[0113] When communicator 224 (second receiver) receives the use
information from user terminal 30, the use information is sent to
user extractor 210. On a condition that the user ID included in the
use information exists in the user membership DB, user extractor
210 extracts, from the user membership DB, a record of the user ID
included in the use information. User extractor 210 stores, in the
use DB 206, the extracted user ID, at least a part of information
of the record, the desired location included in the use
information, and the desired starting time, in association with one
another.
[0114] It should be noted that when the user ID included in the use
information sent to user extractor 210 does not exist in the user
membership DB, user extractor 210 does not perform the extraction
process because the transmitted use information is from the user
having not made the membership registration.
[0115] Moreover, in the provision DB, when the present time exceeds
the acceptance ending time of the acceptance period, the record of
the acceptance period is deleted. Accordingly, a record no longer
necessary can be prevented from remaining, with the result that the
storage capacity of the provision DB can be reduced.
[0116] FIG. 6D shows an exemplary use DB 212. In the example of
FIG. 6D, the user ID, the user name, the desired location input
from the use reservation screen (FIG. 9), the desired starting
time, and the like are associated with one another. In addition,
other information of the user membership DB (such as the bank
account of the user) and the like may be associated.
[0117] In the example of FIG. 6D, the record of user B21 input in
the example of FIG. 9 is stored. In the example of FIG. 6C, the
user ID, U21, is associated with the name of user U21, and the
desired location and desired starting time for the user. It should
be noted that in FIG. 6C, the record of user B24 is also
stored.
[0118] As described below, when the user uses a power supply
facility, server 200 performs a process for requesting, to the
user, a fee corresponding to an amount of used power. When the user
finishes the payment of the requested fee, the record of the user
is deleted. Accordingly, a record no longer necessary can be
prevented from remaining, with the result that the storage capacity
of the use DB can be reduced.
[0119] Determination device 214 determines a power supply facility
corresponding to the desired location and the desired starting time
based on one or more pieces of stored association information. In
the description below, this determination process is also referred
to as "matching process". Here, the one or more pieces of stored
association information are the pieces of information stored in the
provision DB shown in FIG. 6C.
[0120] First, the matching process for location will be described.
When the desired location for the user indicates a region, for
example, when the desired location for the user indicates a region
representing the whole of X City such as X City, Osaka,
determination device 214 determines whether or not the power supply
facility location of the provider is included in the region of the
desired location. When determination device 214 determines that the
power supply facility location of the provider is included in the
region of the desired location, determination device 214 determines
that the desired location satisfies the matching condition. On the
other hand, when determination device 214 determines that the power
supply facility location of the provider is not included in the
region of the desired location, determination device 214 determines
that the desired location does not satisfy the matching
condition.
[0121] Moreover, when the desired location for the user indicates
and specifies a specific address such as X City 1-1-1, Osaka,
determination device 214 determines whether or not a distance L
between the desired location and the power supply facility location
of the provider is less than or equal to a predetermined distance
threshold value Lth. When determination device 214 determines that
distance L is less than or equal to threshold value distance Lth
(the desired location and the power supply facility location are
close to each other), determination device 214 determines that the
desired location satisfies the matching condition. On the other
hand, when determination device 214 determines that distance L is
larger than threshold value distance Lth (the desired location and
the power supply facility location are far from each other),
determination device 214 determines that the desired location does
not satisfy the matching condition.
[0122] Moreover, determination device 214 determines whether or not
the desired starting time for the user is included in the
acceptance period of the provider. When determination device 214
determines that the desired starting time for the user is included
in the acceptance period of the provider, determination device 214
determines that the desired starting time satisfies the matching
condition. On the other hand, when determination device 214
determines that the desired starting time for the user is not
included in the acceptance period of the provider, determination
device 214 determines that the desired starting time does not
satisfy the matching condition.
[0123] When determination device 214 determines that the matching
condition for desired location is satisfied and the matching
condition for desired starting time is satisfied, determination
device 214 determines, as a power supply facility to be notified to
the user terminal, the power supply facility satisfying both the
matching conditions. In the description below, the power supply
facility to be notified to the user terminal is also referred to as
"power supply facility satisfying the matching conditions".
[0124] On the other hand, when determination device 214 determines
that at least one of the matching condition for desired location
and the matching condition for desired starting time is not
satisfied, determination device 214 determines, as a power supply
facility not to be notified to the user terminal, the power supply
facility used for this matching process. In the description below,
the power supply facility not to be notified to the user terminal
is also referred to as "power supply facility not satisfying the
matching condition(s)".
[0125] Determination device 214 performs the matching process for
one piece of use information based on all the pieces of the
provision information stored in the provision DB.
[0126] The following describes the determination process performed
by determination device 214 in the exemplary case of employing
provision facility ID K53 and user B21 illustrated in FIG. 6C and
FIG. 6D. The location of the power supply facility of provision
facility ID K53 is X City 1-1-1, Osaka, whereas the desired
location for user B21 is X City, Osaka. Here, when the desired
location indicates a region such as X City, Osaka, determination
device 214 determines whether or not the power supply facility
location (X City 1-1-1, Osaka) is included in the desired location
(X City, Osaka). X City 1-1-1, Osaka is included in X City, Osaka.
Therefore, determination device 214 determines that the power
supply facility location (X City 1-1-1, Osaka) is included in the
desired location (X City, Osaka) and therefore determines that the
matching condition for desired location is satisfied.
[0127] Moreover, the desired starting time for user B21 is 12:00 on
March 19, whereas the acceptance period of provision facility ID
K53 is 7:00 to 24:00 on March 19. Therefore, the desired starting
time for user B21 is included in the acceptance period of provision
facility ID K53. Therefore, determination device 214 determines
that the matching condition for desired starting time is also
satisfied.
[0128] Thus, determination device 214 determines that both the
matching condition for desired location and the matching condition
for desired starting time are satisfied with regard to provision
facility ID K53 (power supply facility of provider A53) and user
B21. Therefore, the power supply facility of provision facility ID
K53 becomes the power supply facility desired for user B21 (power
supply facility satisfying the matching conditions) in terms of the
desired starting time and the desired location. Therefore, the
power supply facility becomes the power supply facility that is to
be notified to user B21.
[0129] Determination device 214 notifies, to the terminal specified
from the notification target ID of the user, the location of the
determined power supply facility having the power supply facility
ID. In the exemplary case of power supply facility ID K53 and user
B21, determination device 214 transmits, to user terminal 30 having
the notification target ID of S21, the location of the power supply
facility determined by determination device 214 (i.e., the power
supply facility having power supply facility ID K53). Display 300
of user terminal 30 presents the location of the transmitted power
supply facility.
[0130] Moreover, when there are a plurality of power supply
facilities satisfying the matching conditions as a result of the
matching process of determination device 214, all the locations of
the plurality of power supply facilities are transmitted to user
terminal 30. Display 300 of user terminal 30 presents the
transmitted locations of the plurality of power supply
facilities.
[0131] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary presentation screen of display
300. In the example of FIG. 10, a navigation screen of X City,
Osaka is presented. As the locations of the power supply
facilities, the locations of three power supply facilities are
presented. In the example of FIG. 10, numbers 1 to 3 represent the
respective power supply facilities satisfying the matching
conditions. Thus, the controller (not shown) of user terminal 30
combines information indicating the locations of the power supply
facilities with a navigation screen generated by a navigation
screen generator (also referred to as "navigation function"; not
shown in the figure particularly) of user terminal 30, thereby
generating a screen such as one shown in FIG. 10. Display 300 of
user terminal 30 presents the generated screen.
[0132] In a map region on the left side of FIG. 10, map information
and the locations of the power supply facilities satisfying the
matching conditions in this map information are presented.
Moreover, in an address region on the right side of FIG. 10, a part
of each of the addresses of power supply facilities 1 to 3 is
presented, rather than the whole of each of the addresses of power
supply facilities 1 to 3.
[0133] Here, the following describes a reason why a part of each of
the addresses of power supply facilities 1 to 3 is presented rather
than whole of each of the addresses of power supply facilities 1 to
3. First, a problem arising when the whole of the address of each
power supply facility is presented will be described. For example,
assume a case where the power supply facility and the house of the
provider are located adjacent to each other. In the period during
which the provider provides the power supply facility, the provider
is often not in the house. In such a case, if the whole of the
address is presented, the whole of the address of the house in
which the provider is absent is presented, with the result that a
malicious third person who knows the whole of the address by way
of, for example, eavesdropping or the like may enter this house as
a thief, disadvantageously.
[0134] In view of this, in the present embodiment, display 300
presents a part of the address of the power supply facility, rather
than the whole of the address. Therefore, security for the provider
can be improved. It should be noted that in the example of FIG. 10,
the other part (part other than the foregoing part of the address)
of the address is hidden by presenting *, but may be hidden by
presenting other information (such as mosaic).
[0135] Moreover, when the user or the like selects (touches) the
region of the number of the power supply facility in the map region
and a region around the number, a determination request screen for
this power supply facility is presented. Moreover, this
determination request screen is also presented when the user or the
like selects (touches) a portion corresponding to the power supply
facility presented in the address region on the right side.
[0136] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary determination request screen. In
the determination request screen, there are presented: a partial
address 302 of the power supply facility selected by the user; and
related information relating to the power supply facility. The
related information is a power supply unit price 304. It should be
noted that the related information may be other information, and
may include: the area of a parking space of the power supply
facility; the shape of the connector of the power supply device;
and the like, for example.
[0137] In the determination request screen, a determination button
306 is also presented. When a determination operation for the power
supply facility is performed by the user, i.e., when determination
button 306 is touched (pressed), the power supply facility
presented in the determination request screen is reserved for use.
For example, in the present embodiment, user terminal 30 transmits,
to server 200, reservation information (not shown) for specifying
that the reservation has been made.
[0138] When server 200 receives the reservation information, server
200 reserves, for the desired starting time included in the use
information from user terminal 30 having transmitted the
reservation information, the power supply facility determined in
the operation request screen. In the provision DB in the example of
FIG. 6C, there is a record "reservation status" (see "RESERVATION
STATUS" at the right end of FIG. 6C). In this reservation status,
the desired starting time of user U21 indicating that the power
supply facility will be started to be used from 12:00 on March 19,
and U21, i.e., the ID of user U21, are stored in association with
each other.
[0139] Then, server 200 transmits, to user terminal 30, reservation
completion information indicating that the reservation has been
completed. When the user terminal receives this reservation
completion information, display 300 of user terminal 30 presents
that the reservation has been completed. This presentation is to
indicate "RESERVATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED", for example.
[0140] Information (for example, location) about the power supply
facility for which the reservation has been completed and the like
are stored in a predetermined storage region (for example, RAM) of
in-vehicle device 22. This power supply facility can be classified
as a candidate destination or the like, and a route from the
current location to the power supply facility can be presented in
response to a predetermined operation by the user. Moreover, when
the vehicle has an automated driving function, the vehicle may
perform automated driving to reach the power supply facility in
accordance with the automated driving function.
[0141] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing a part of the
reservation process in the present embodiment. In the example of
FIG. 8, a process of provider terminal 8, a process of server 200,
and a process of user terminal 30 are shown. It is assumed that
provider terminal 8 is in the login state to server 200.
[0142] First, in S2, provider terminal 8 presents the provision
reservation screen of FIG. 8. Then, provider terminal 8 receives
and obtains, as the provision information, the acceptance period
(acceptance starting time and acceptance ending time) of the power
supply facility input from the provision reservation screen. In S4,
provider terminal 8 transmits the provision information to server
200.
[0143] In S6, server 200 receives the provision information
(acceptance period). In S8, server 200 updates the provision DB
(see FIG. 6C) based on the provision information. For example, in
FIG. 6C, when the provision information of provider A53 is not
stored and the provision information of provider A53 is transmitted
to server 200, server 200 performs an update to add the transmitted
provision information to the provision DB.
[0144] Thus, by performing the processes of S6 and S8, server 200
updates the provision DB based on the respective pieces of
provision information transmitted from one or more provider
terminals 8.
[0145] FIG. 13 shows a remaining part of the reservation process of
the present embodiment. In S10, user terminal 30 presents the use
reservation screen of FIG. 9. Then, user terminal 30 receives and
obtains, as the use information, the desired location and desired
starting time input from the use reservation screen. In S12, user
terminal 30 transmits the use information to server 200.
[0146] In S14, server 200 receives the use information (desired
location and desired starting time). In S16, server 200 updates the
use DB (see FIG. 6D) based on the use information. For example, in
FIG. 6D, when the use information of user B21 is not stored and the
use information of user B21 is transmitted to server 200, server
200 performs an update to add the transmitted use information to
the use DB.
[0147] In S18, determination device 214 performs the matching
process. In S20, server 200 extracts the power supply facility ID
of a power supply facility satisfying the matching conditions as a
result of the matching process. When there are a plurality of power
supply facilities satisfying the matching conditions in S20, server
200 extracts all the power supply facility IDs of the plurality of
power supply facilities.
[0148] In S22, communicator 224 (notification device) transmits, to
the user terminal specified from the notification target ID
included in the use information received in S14, the locations of
the one or more power supply facilities (power supply facilities
satisfying the matching conditions) specified from the power supply
facility location IDs.
[0149] In S24, user terminal 30 presents the locations of the power
supply facilities (see FIG. 10). When there are a plurality of
power supply facilities extracted by server 200 in S20 and
satisfying the matching conditions, the locations of the plurality
of power supply facilities are presented (see FIG. 10).
[0150] In S26, from the power supply facility presentation screen,
user terminal 30 receives a determination of a power supply
facility desired by the user to be used (see FIG. 11). In S28, user
terminal 30 transmits the received determination content to server
200.
[0151] In S30, server 200 receives the determination content.
Server 200 updates the reservation status of the provision DB based
on the determination content.
[0152] In S32, server 200 transmits, to provider terminal 8 based
on the determination result, determination information indicating
that the reservation of the power supply facility has been
determined.
[0153] In S34, based on the transmitted determination information,
display 80 of provider terminal 8 presents that the reservation of
the power supply facility has been determined. Through this
presentation, the provider of this provider terminal 8 can
recognize that the reservation of the power supply facility has
been determined.
[0154] Moreover, in S36, the reservation completion information
indicating that the reservation of the power supply facility has
been completed is transmitted to user terminal 30 having
transmitted the determination content in S28.
[0155] In S38, based on the transmitted reservation completion
information, display 300 of user terminal 30 presents that the
reservation of the power supply facility has been completed.
Through this presentation, the user of user terminal 30 can
recognized that the reservation of the power supply facility has
been completed. According to such an embodiment, the provider of
the power supply facility can provide the power supply facility
during the period corresponding to the acceptance period, and the
user of the power supply facility can use the power supply facility
at the location corresponding to the desired location and the time
corresponding to the desired starting time.
[0156] Moreover, as the location of the power supply facility,
server 200 notifies a part of the address of the location to the
user terminal, rather than the whole of the address of the location
(see FIG. 10). Therefore, security for the provider can be
improved.
[0157] [Power Supply Process]
[0158] Next, the power supply process will be described. The power
supply process includes a process for supplying power to the
vehicle of the user for whom the reservation to use the power
supply facility has been established through the reservation
process.
[0159] In the present embodiment, communicator 224 of server 200
transmits, to in-vehicle device 22 (receiving device) corresponding
to user terminal 30 having received the notification of the power
supply facility, information (hereinafter, referred to as
"permission information") for permitting supply of power to the
vehicle having in-vehicle device 22 mounted thereon. "In-vehicle
device 22 corresponding to user terminal 30 having received the
notification of the power supply facility" is in-vehicle device 22
specified from the user ID corresponding to the notification target
ID associated with user terminal 30 having received the
notification of the power supply facility.
[0160] In the present embodiment, typically, the permission
information is a one-time password (hereinafter, referred to as
"OTP"). The permission information may be another information.
[0161] FIG. 14 shows that the vehicle, which has arrived at the
power supply facility, is supplied with power by power supply
device 400 in the power supply facility. As shown in FIG. 14, it is
assumed that vehicle 20 has in-vehicle device 22 mounted
thereon.
[0162] Power supply device 400 includes: a power supply connector
402; a power supply cable 404 that connects between a power supply
stand and power supply connector 402; and a display 408. Further,
power supply device 400 has a timer 410, a seed code storage 412,
and an OTP determination device 414. Timer 410 measures the current
time. Seed code storage 412 stores a seed code associated with one
power supply device 400. Moreover, the same seed code as this seed
code is not given to other power supply devices, and this seed code
can be specified only by server 200. OTP determination device 414
determines whether or not the OTP transmitted from in-vehicle
device 22 is correct.
[0163] Vehicle 20 has an inlet 23. When power supply connector 402
is attached to inlet 23, a charger (not shown) of vehicle 20
charges a battery 24 of the vehicle using power supplied from an
external power supply.
[0164] Moreover, power supply connector 402 and in-vehicle device
22 can communicate with each other. This communication is typically
near field radio communication. In the description below, this
communication will be referred to as "NFC communication". Power
supply connector 402 includes a communication module 403 configured
to make NFC communication with in-vehicle device 22.
[0165] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing the power supply
process of the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 15, a
process among in-vehicle device 22, server 200, and power supply
device 400 is shown.
[0166] First, in-vehicle device 22 starts NFC communication with
power supply connector 402. When this communication is started,
in-vehicle device 22 transmits communication start information to
power supply connector 402. When power supply connector 402
receives this communication start information, power supply
connector 402 transmits, to in-vehicle device 22, recognition
information indicating that the start of the communication is
recognized. In S102 of FIG. 15, in-vehicle device 22 having
received this recognition information transmits, to server 200, OTP
request information for requesting the OTP and user ID for
identifying in-vehicle device 22 or vehicle 20.
[0167] When server 200 receives the user ID and the OTP request
information in S104, OTP generator 222 of server 200 generates an
OTP. Here, the OTP is generated in the following manner. OTP
generator 222 makes reference to the provision DB so as to extract
the seed code corresponding to the provision facility reserved
using the transmitted user ID. OTP generator 222 generates the OTP
by substituting, for a predetermined formula a, the extracted seed
code and the reception time at which the OTP request information
has been received. This formula a may be any formula. Moreover, the
OTP is generated using the seed code and the reception time, but
the seed code is not specified from this OTP.
[0168] In S106, communicator 224 (transmitter) of server 200
transmits this OTP to in-vehicle device 22. In S108, in-vehicle
device 22 transmits this transmitted OTP to power supply connector
402 through the NFC communication.
[0169] When power supply connector 402 receives this OTP in S110,
OTP determination device 414 determines in S112 whether or not the
received OTP is correct.
[0170] Here, the following describes an exemplary determination
method. OTP determination device 414 holds the same formula a as
formula a held by OTP generator 222 of server 200. OTP
determination device 414 generates a confirmation OTP by
substituting, for this formula a, the seed code stored in seed code
storage 412 (the same seed code as that upon the generation of the
OTP by server 200) and the reception time at which the OTP has been
received in S110.
[0171] OTP determination device 414 compares the OTP received in
S110 with the confirmation OTP. When these OTPs are the same, OTP
determination device 414 determines that the OTP received in S110
is correct, whereas when these OTPs are not the same, OTP
determination device 414 determines that the OTP received in S110
is not correct. It should be noted that the reception time
(hereinafter, referred to as "first reception time") of the OTP
request information received by server 200 does not necessarily
coincide with the reception time (hereinafter, referred to as
"second reception time") of the OTP received by power supply
connector 402 (there is a time lag therebetween). However, a
difference between the first reception time and the second
reception time is a very small amount of time such as about 1 to 2
minutes. OTP determination device 414 generates the OTP so as to
absorb such a very small amount of time.
[0172] When OTP determination device 414 determines that the
received OTP is correct (YES in S112), the process proceeds to
S114. On the other hand, when OTP determination device 414
determines that the received OTP is not correct (NO in S112), the
process proceeds to S116.
[0173] In S114, the vehicle including in-vehicle device 22 having
transmitted the OTP in S108 is permitted to be supplied with power.
For example, notification is performed to indicate that supply of
power is permitted. This notification includes a process for
presenting a text on display 408 such as "POWER CAN BE SUPPLIED",
for example. Moreover, this notification includes a process for
outputting a sound (for example, a speech "POWER CAN BE SUPPLIED")
indicating that supply of power is permitted.
[0174] On the other hand, in S116, the vehicle including in-vehicle
device 22 having transmitted the OTP in S108 is notified that
supply of power is not permitted. This notification includes a
process for presenting a text on display 408 such as "POWER CANNOT
BE SUPPLIED", for example. Moreover, this notification includes a
process for outputting a sound (for example, a speech "POWER CANNOT
BE SUPPLIED") indicating that supply of power is not permitted.
[0175] When a power supply switch 409 is turned on with power
supply connector 402 being attached to inlet 23 after the power
supply permission notification is performed, power starts to be
supplied to battery 24 of vehicle 20.
[0176] Then, in-vehicle device 22 determines whether or not the
supply of power is ended. For example, in-vehicle device 22 may
determine that the supply of power is ended when a controller (not
shown) of vehicle 20 determines that the supply of power to vehicle
20 is ended. Alternatively, in-vehicle device 22 may determine that
the supply of power is completed when the user or the like performs
an operation for ending the supply of power. For example, the
ending operation for ending the supply of power includes a process
for detaching power supply connector 402 from inlet 23. Moreover,
the ending operation includes an operation for turning off power
supply switch 409 provided in power supply device 400.
[0177] In S118, the process of S118 is repeated until YES is
determined. When YES is determined in S118, the process proceeds to
S120.
[0178] In S120, in-vehicle device 22 calculates an amount of supply
of power. In the present embodiment, the amount of supply of power
is based on kilowatt-hour (kWh). The amount of supply of power is
calculated by subtracting the amount of power before the supply of
power from the amount of power after the supply of power. Then,
in-vehicle device 22 transmits the calculated amount of supply of
power to server 200. In S122, server 200 receives the amount of
supply of power.
[0179] According to such a configuration, the information (OTP) for
permitting supply of power at the power supply facility notified by
communicator 224 (notification device) of server 200 is transmitted
to in-vehicle device 22 corresponding to user terminal 30 having
received the notification from the notification device. Only
vehicle 20 including in-vehicle device 22 having received this OTP
can use the power supply facility (power supply device 400). Thus,
the user having appropriately made a reservation to use the power
supply device can use the power supply device. This can prevent a
wrongdoing in which a user (hereinafter, referred to as
"unauthorized user") who has not appropriately made a reservation
to use power supply device 400 uses power supply device 400 to
steal power therefrom.
[0180] Moreover, the calculation of the amount of supply of power
and the transmission of this amount of supply of power to server
200 are performed by in-vehicle device 22 rather than power supply
device 400. If there is employed a configuration in which the
calculation of the amount of supply of power and the transmission
of this amount of supply of power to server 200 are performed by
power supply device 400, power supply device 400 needs to include:
a module configured to calculate the amount of supply of power; and
a module configured to transmit the amount of supply of power to
server 200. Accordingly, the provider, who is the owner of power
supply device 400, have to pay an expense for inclusion of these
modules, with the result that the provider refuses to participate
in the communication system of the present embodiment,
disadvantageously. Since in-vehicle device 22 performs these
processes in the present embodiment, occurrence of such a problem
can be prevented.
[0181] Moreover, there may be employed a configuration in which the
determination process from S102 to S116 in FIG. 15 is repeated
whenever a predetermined period (for example, 5 minutes) passes.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process of power supply device 400
when such a configuration is employed.
[0182] In the example of FIG. 16, when the process of S114 is
completed, the process proceeds to S130. In S130, in-vehicle device
22 determines whether or not the predetermined time (5 minutes in
FIG. 16) has passed since the execution of the process of S110. In
S130, power supply device 400 stands by until 5 minutes passes.
[0183] When it is determined that 5 minutes has passed in S130, the
process returns to S110. In-vehicle device 22 has a timer
configured to measure a time simultaneously with timer 410 of power
supply device 400. In-vehicle device 22 also requests an OTP to
server 200 when 5 minutes has passed since the transmission of the
foregoing OTP to power supply device 400. When in-vehicle device 22
receives the requested OTP, user terminal 30 transmits this OTP to
power supply device 400. S110 of FIG. 16 is a process for receiving
the transmitted OTP. Moreover, since an OTP is generated every 5
minutes, it is determined whether or not an OTP, which is different
each time, is correct in S112.
[0184] In many cases, a long power supply period (for example, 10
hours) is required to fully charge vehicle 20. In view of such a
point, according to such a configuration, whether the OTP, which is
changed whenever the predetermined period (5 minutes) passes, is
correct is determined whenever the predetermined period passes. For
example, in a configuration in which the confirmation of the OTP is
not performed after it is once determined that the OTP is correct,
an unauthorized user can steal power after it is once determined
that the OTP is correct. By employing the configuration in which a
different OTP is checked whenever the predetermined time passes, a
wrongdoing can be securely prevented such as the stealing of power
by an unauthorized user.
[0185] It has been illustrated that the permission information is
the OTP, but the permission information may be another information.
For example, there may be employed a configuration in which when
in-vehicle device 22 does not receive the permission information,
power is not supplied even though power supply connector 402 is
attached to inlet 23 of vehicle 20 including in-vehicle device 22.
When such a configuration is employed, in-vehicle device 22 having
not received the permission information may be prohibited from
being supplied with power, for example.
[0186] Moreover, when such a configuration is employed, power is
supplied when power supply connector 402 is attached to inlet 23 of
vehicle 20 including in-vehicle device 22 having received the
permission information.
[0187] [Payment Process]
[0188] Next, the payment process will be described. FIG. 17 is a
sequence diagram showing the payment process. In the example of
FIG. 17, a process of provider terminal 8, a process of server 200,
and a process of user terminal 30 are shown.
[0189] As shown in FIG. 17, in S202, power supply amount calculator
216 of server 200 calculates: a provider fee corresponding to the
amount of supply of power; and a user fee corresponding to the
amount of supply of power. Here, the amount of supply of power is
the amount of supply of power received by server 200 in S122 of
FIG. 15. The provider fee is a fee paid to the provider in
accordance with the amount of supply of power. The user fee is a
fee requested to the user in accordance with the amount of supply
of power.
[0190] Power supply amount calculator 216 calculates the user fee
based on the amount of supply of power and the power supply unit
price defined by the provider. Power supply amount calculator 216
calculates the user fee by multiplying the amount of supply of
power by the power supply unit price, for example. Moreover, power
supply amount calculator 216 calculates a part of the user fee as
the provider fee. For example, power supply amount calculator 216
calculates the provider fee by multiplying the user fee by a
predetermined coefficient X (for example, 0.8). The management
company that manages communication system 1 of the present
embodiment may collect a difference between the user fee (fee
requested to the user) and the provider fee (fee paid to the
provider).
[0191] Moreover, since the user supplies the vehicle with power in
the power supply facility, the provider of this power supply
facility pays, to an electric company in cooperation with the
provider, an electric bill corresponding to the supply of power. In
view of this, the provider preferably determines the power supply
unit price (see FIG. 6A) so as to request a fee more than the
amount of money paid to the electric company (amount of money
obtained by multiplying the user fee by a coefficient X).
[0192] In S204, payment controller 220 performs the payment process
for paying, to the provider of the power supply facility, the fee
corresponding to the amount of supply of power. In the present
embodiment, as shown also in S204, the payment process includes: a
process for transmitting, to provider terminal 8, provider fee
information indicating the provider fee; and a process for
transferring the provider fee to the bank account corresponding to
the provider.
[0193] In S204, communicator 224 of server 200 transmits the
provider fee information to provider terminal 8. In S206, display
80 of provider terminal 8 presents the provider fee based on the
provider fee information. Accordingly, the provider can recognize
the fee paid to the provider.
[0194] Next, the following describes a method for specifying the
provider who is a target of the payment process in S204. As shown
in FIG. 6C and the like, the provision DB stores not only the power
supply facility location and the acceptance period but also the
provider identification information (provider ID) for identifying
the provider of the power supply facility. Moreover, when a
reservation of the power supply facility from a user is
established, the reservation status is updated to indicate that the
reservation has been made. When the power supply process for this
reservation is ended, the provider having the provider ID
corresponding to the reservation becomes a provider who is a target
of the payment process. The expression "the power supply process is
ended" means that the process of FIG. 15 is ended.
[0195] In the example of FIG. 6C, it is shown that the reservation
status of provider A53 indicates that a reservation has been made
by user B21. When this power supply process of user B21 is ended,
provider A53 becomes a provider who is a target of the payment
process.
[0196] Moreover, in S208, request controller 218 performs a request
process for requesting, to the user of the power supply facility,
the fee corresponding to the amount of supply of power. In the
present embodiment, as shown also in S208, the request process
includes: a process for transmitting, to user terminal 30, user fee
information indicating the user fee; and a process for withdrawing
the user fee from the bank account corresponding to the user.
[0197] Communicator 224 of server 200 transmits the user fee
information to user terminal 30. In S210, display 300 of user
terminal 30 presents the user fee based on the user fee
information. Accordingly, the user can recognize the fee requested
to the user.
[0198] Next, the following describes a method for specifying the
user who is a target of the request process in S208. As shown in
FIG. 6D and the like, the user ID is also included in the use
information. On a condition that communicator 224 receives the user
ID of the user who desires to supply power to the vehicle,
communicator 224 notifies, to user terminal 30, the power supply
facility determined by determination device 214. Moreover, the use
DB stores not only the desired location and desired starting time
but also the user identification information (user ID) for
identifying the user of the power supply facility. Moreover, when a
reservation of the power supply facility from the user is
established, the reservation status is updated to indicate that the
reservation has been made. When the power supply process for this
reservation is ended, the user having the user ID corresponding to
the reservation becomes a user who is a target of the request
process. The expression "the power supply process is ended" means
that the process of FIG. 15 is ended.
[0199] In the example of FIG. 6C, the reservation status of
provider A53 indicates that the reservation has been made by user
B21. When this power supply process of user B21 is ended, user B21
becomes a user who is a target of the request process.
[0200] Communication system 1 of the present embodiment can
appropriately request the user, who has used the power supply
facility to supply power to the vehicle, to pay the fee
corresponding to the amount of supply of power. Moreover,
communication system 1 of the present embodiment can appropriately
pay, to the provider of the power supply facility, the fee
corresponding to the amount of supply of power.
[0201] <As to Modifications>
[0202] Heretofore, the main embodiments of the present embodiment
have been described, but the present embodiment is not limited to
the above-described embodiments and various modifications and
applications can be made. Hereinafter, modifications applicable to
the present embodiment will be described.
[0203] (1) It has been illustrated that the matching conditions of
the present embodiment include the following condition: "the
desired starting time of the user is included in the acceptance
period of the provider". For example, when the acceptance period of
a certain provider is "10:00 on September 19" to "24:00 on
September 19" and the desired starting time of the user is "9:30 on
September 19", the matching condition for desired starting time is
not satisfied in the present embodiment. However, if the provider
brings the acceptance period backward by a small amount of time of
30 minutes, the matching condition will be satisfied.
[0204] In this modification, when the desired starting time of the
user is not included in the acceptance period of the provider and a
difference between the starting time of the acceptance period and
the desired starting time is less than a predetermined value, first
facilitation information is transmitted to the provider terminal to
facilitate a change of the acceptance period. Here, the
predetermined value is a time determined in advance, and is
typically a small amount of time. It is assumed that the
predetermined value is 1 hour, for example. Moreover, an
administrator or the like of server 200 can adjust this
predetermined value.
[0205] In the example of FIG. 7, a first facilitator 226 generates
the first facilitation information. Moreover, in FIG. 13, when the
desired starting time of the user is not included in the acceptance
period of the provider and a difference X between the starting time
of the acceptance period and the desired starting time is less than
the predetermined value in the matching process in S18, first
facilitator 226 generates the first facilitation information. The
first facilitation information is typically information for
facilitating to bring the starting time of the acceptance period
backward by difference X (30 minutes in this example).
[0206] When first facilitator 226 generates the first facilitation
information, first facilitator 226 transmits the first facilitation
information to provider terminal 8 via communicator 224. Provider
terminal 8 presents a first facilitation screen on display 80 based
on the first facilitation information.
[0207] FIG. 18 shows an exemplary first facilitation screen. In the
first facilitation screen of FIG. 18, the following items are
presented: the name of the provider, A70; a text such as "YOUR
ACCEPTANCE PERIOD IS 10:00 ON SEPTEMBER 19 TO 24:00 ON SEPTEMBER
19. THERE IS AN APPLICATION TO USE FROM 9:30 ON SEPTEMBER 19. DO
YOU CHANGE IT TO 9:30 ON SEPTEMBER 19 TO 24:00 ON SEPTEMBER 19?"; a
YES button 80C; and a NO button 80D. This text facilitates the
provider to bring the starting time of the acceptance period
backward by difference X (30 minutes in the above-described
example).
[0208] When YES button 80C is operated by the provider or the like,
the acceptance period is changed. Server 200 changes the starting
time of the target acceptance period among the records of the
provision DB, for example. Accordingly, the power supply facility
not having satisfied the matching condition satisfies the matching
condition, and the location of this power supply facility is
transmitted to user terminal 30. On the other hand, when NO button
80D is operated by the provider or the like, the acceptance period
is not changed.
[0209] According to such a configuration, the provider of the power
supply facility not having satisfied the matching condition is
facilitated to satisfy the matching condition (bring the acceptance
starting time backward). This increases an opportunity for the
provider to provide the power supply facility as well as an
opportunity for the user to use the power supply facility.
[0210] (2) It has been illustrated that the matching conditions of
the present embodiment include the following condition: "the
desired starting time of the user is included in the acceptance
period of the provider". For example, when the acceptance period of
a certain provider is "10:00 on September 19" to "24:00 on
September 19" and the desired starting time of the user is "9:30 on
September 19", the matching condition for desired starting time is
not satisfied in the present embodiment. However, if the user
brings the desired starting time forward by a small amount of time
of 30 minutes, the matching condition will be satisfied.
[0211] In this modification, when the desired starting time of the
user is not included in the acceptance period of the provider and a
difference between the starting time of the acceptance period and
the desired starting time is less than a predetermined value,
second facilitation information is transmitted to the user terminal
to facilitate a change of the desired starting time. Here, the
predetermined value is a time determined in advance, and is
typically a small amount of time. For example, it is assumed that
the predetermined value is 1 hour. Moreover, an administrator or
the like of server 200 can adjust this predetermined value.
[0212] In the example of FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D, a second facilitator
228 generates the second facilitation information. Moreover, in
FIG. 13, when the desired starting time of the user is not included
in the acceptance period of the provider and a difference X between
the starting time of the acceptance period and the desired starting
time is less than the predetermined value in the matching process
in S18, second facilitator 228 generates the second facilitation
information. The second facilitation information is typically
information for facilitating to bring the starting time of the
desired starting time forward by difference X (30 minutes in this
example).
[0213] When second facilitator 228 generates the second
facilitation information, second facilitator 226 transmits the
second facilitation information to user terminal 30 via
communicator 224. User terminal 30 presents a second facilitation
screen on display 300 based on the second facilitation
information.
[0214] FIG. 19 shows an exemplary second facilitation screen. In
the second facilitation screen of FIG. 19, the following items are
presented: the name of the user, B29; a text such as "YOUR DESIRED
STARTING TIME IS 13:00 ON SEPTEMBER 20. IF DESIRED STARTING TIME IS
CHANGED TO 13:30, THERE IS CORRESPONDING POWER SUPPLY FACILITY. DO
YOU CHANGE IT?"; a YES button 310A; and a NO button 310B. This text
facilitates the user to bring the starting time of the acceptance
period forward by difference X (30 minutes in the above-described
example).
[0215] When YES button 310A is operated by the user or the like,
the acceptance period is changed. Server 200 changes the target
desired starting time among the records of the use DB, for example.
Accordingly, the power supply facility not having satisfied the
matching condition satisfies the matching condition, and the
location of this power supply facility is transmitted to user
terminal 30. On the other hand, when NO button 310B is operated by
the user or the like, the acceptance period is not changed.
[0216] According to such a configuration, for the power supply
facility not having satisfied the matching condition, the user is
facilitated to satisfy the matching condition (bring the acceptance
starting time forward). This increases an opportunity for the
provider to provide the power supply facility as well as an
opportunity for the user to use the power supply facility.
[0217] (3) In the example of FIG. 6C, the provider ID and the power
supply unit price are associated with each other in the provision
DB. When there are a plurality of power supply facilities
satisfying the matching conditions in the matching process
performed by determination device 214, the respective locations of
the plurality of power supply facilities are notified to user
terminal 30. When the plurality of power supply facilities are
presented on user terminal 30, the user tends to select a power
supply facility with the lowest power supply unit price among the
plurality of power supply facilities.
[0218] In view of this tendency, when there are a plurality of
power supply facilities satisfying the matching conditions, third
facilitation information for facilitating reduction of the power
supply fee is transmitted to the provider terminal corresponding to
the most expensive power supply fee among the power supply fees of
the plurality of power supply facilities.
[0219] For example, the following case will be described: there are
three power supply facilities satisfying the matching conditions
and the power supply unit prices of these three power supply
facilities are 25 JPY/kWh, 27 JPY/kWh, and 30 JPY/kWh,
respectively. In this case, since the power supply fee of the power
supply facility with 30 JPY/kWh is the most expensive, server 200
transmits, to the provider terminal of the provider of this power
supply facility with 30 JPY/kWh, the third facilitation information
for facilitating reduction of the power supply fee.
[0220] Provider terminal 8 presents a third facilitation screen on
display 80 based on the third facilitation information. FIG. 20A
and FIG. 20B show an exemplary third facilitation screen. In the
example of FIG. 20A, provider A20 is notified of the following
facts: "there are a plurality of power supply facilities satisfying
the matching conditions and including the power supply facility
provided by this provider"; and "the power supply unit price of the
power supply facility of provider A20 is the most expensive among
the plurality of power supply facilities".
[0221] In FIG. 20A, the following text is presented: "YOU ARE
COMPETING WITH OTHER POWER SUPPLY FACILITIES IN YOUR ACCEPTANCE
PERIOD. YOUR CURRENT POWER SUPPLY UNIT PRICE IS R1 JPY. DO YOU
REDUCE IT?". Further, in the screen of FIG. 20A, a YES button 80E
and a NO button 80F are presented.
[0222] When YES button 80E is operated by the provider or the like,
switching is made to a screen of FIG. 20B. In the example of FIG.
20B, an input space 80G (input space) for receiving input of a
power supply unit price is presented. When the provider inputs a
power supply unit price to input space 80G, the power supply unit
price thus input is transmitted from the provider terminal to
server 200.
[0223] When server 200 receives the power supply unit price, the
power supply unit price stored in the provision DB is changed to
the received power supply unit price. Moreover, the changed power
supply unit price is transmitted to the user terminal. By changing
the power supply unit price, the power supply unit price of the
power supply facility is changed.
[0224] According to such a configuration, an opportunity for the
provider to provide the power supply facility can be increased and
the user can use the power supply facility inexpensively.
[0225] Moreover, when there are a plurality of power supply
facilities satisfying the matching conditions, the third
facilitation information may be transmitted to respective provider
terminals 8 of the providers of the power supply facilities with up
to the L-th most expensive power supply unit prices (L is an
integer more than or equal to 2) among the plurality of power
supply facilities.
[0226] (4) Next, the following describes a modification of the
matching condition for desired starting time. In the
above-described embodiment, it has been illustrated that when
determination device 214 determines that the desired starting time
is included in the acceptance period, determination device 214
determines that the matching condition for desired starting time is
satisfied.
[0227] However, in many cases, a long power supply period (for
example, 10 hours) is required to fully charge a vehicle. Then, in
view of the case where the long power supply period is required to
fully charge the vehicle, a condition in which a period from the
desired starting time to the acceptance ending time of the
acceptance period is longer than or equal to a predetermined period
may be also included in the matching condition for desired starting
time. The predetermined period is a period (for example, 10 hours)
required to fully charge the vehicle with power, and is a period
determined in advance.
[0228] That is, in the present modification, determination device
214 determines that the matching condition for desired starting
time is satisfied when the desired starting time is a time after
the acceptance starting time of the acceptance period and a period
from the desired starting time to the acceptance ending time of the
acceptance period is longer than or equal to the predetermined
period. According to such a configuration, the matching process is
performed also in consideration of the time required to supply
power to the vehicle, whereby a more precise matching process can
be performed.
[0229] (5) Next, the following describes a modification of the use
DB. In the present embodiment, it has been illustrated that when
the user completes the payment of the requested fee, the record of
the user is deleted. However, the record of the user may not be
deleted when the user completes the payment of the requested fee.
For example, in FIG. 6D, information "REQUEST" is also included,
information "NOT PAID" is stored with regard to a user who does not
complete payment of a requested fee, and information "PAID" is
stored with regard to a user who completes payment of a requested
fee.
[0230] According to such a configuration, since the record of the
user who completes the payment of the requested fee remains, server
200 can specify how frequent the user uses communication system 1.
As a result, this can be utilized for various types of marketing,
for example, a user who highly frequently uses communication system
1 can be notified of an advertisement for providing another
service. Moreover, a user who less frequently uses communication
system 1 can be notified of an advertisement for facilitating the
user to use this communication system 1 more frequently. This can
increase an opportunity for the user, who less frequently uses
communication system 1, to use communication system 1.
[0231] Although the present disclosure has been described and
illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by
way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way
of limitation, the scope of the present disclosure being
interpreted by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *