CHARGING SPOT THAT HANDLES POWER OF PORTABLE POWER SUPPLY DEVICE

A charging spot obtains identification of a first power supply device, receives power stored in the first power supply device, and stores the power. The spot applies to the identification a compensation obtained based on an amount of the power and a purchase coefficient. The spot supplies to a second power supply device power stored in the spot, and bills for a compensation obtained based on an amount of power supplied to the second power supply device and a sales coefficient. The purchase coefficient and the sales coefficient are coefficients that are larger the higher the altitude of the spot is or that are larger the further the location of the charging spot is from a commercial AC power supply.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a charging spot that handles the power of a portable power supply device.

Description of the Related Art

In a commercial AC power supply network, electric power generated by a large-scale power plant is transmitted to each household or business place through a transmission network. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-21798 proposed to provide a power management system for managing units and incentives for distributing excess power in a situation in which it is necessary to cope with excess power accompanying an increase in power generation units at the consumer side, such as in the case of large-scale utilization of a distributed power supply. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-211947 proposed a power management device, a power system, a consumer device, a power management method, and a power management program capable of effectively utilizing surplus power to enhance the economical effect of power saving.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-21798 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-211947 are inventions relating to a commercial AC power supply network, but there are regions in which commercial AC power supply networks have not become widespread. For example, commercial AC power supply networks may not reach U.S. campgrounds. Therefore, it is thought that engine-driven generators and portable storage batteries will become more popular in the future. Portable storage batteries may comprise a battery, an inverter, or the like. Camping enthusiasts bring engine-driven generators to use home appliances at campgrounds. Here, the engine-driven generator also has a storage battery, and charges the storage battery with generated power, and supplies the power of the storage battery to an electric appliance. For example, the storage battery may be charged by a generator during the daytime when noise is less likely to occur, and power may be supplied from the storage battery to the appliance during the nighttime. Here, power charged in the storage battery may be left over. It would be convenient for a user if the user could sell this excess power. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to sell the power stored in the portable power supply device for compensation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a charging spot operable to connect with a portable first power supply device and second power supply device, that each are for supplying power to a load. The charging spot may comprising the following elements. An acquisition unit obtains identification information of the first power supply device. A first connection unit connects to the first power supply device and receive power stored in a storage battery of the first power supply device. A power storage unit stores power received through the first connection unit. An application unit applies to the identification information of the first power supply device a compensation obtained based on an amount of power received through the first power supply device and a purchase coefficient that is associated with the charging spot and that is determined in accordance with a geographical location at which the charging spot is installed. A second connection unit connects to the second power supply device. A supply unit supplies to the storage battery of the second power supply device power stored in the power storage unit. A second measurement unit measures a power supply amount is an amount of power supplied to the second power supply device. A billing unit bills for a compensation obtained based on an amount of power supplied to the second power supply device and a sales coefficient associated with the geographical location of the charging spot. The purchase coefficient and the sales coefficient are coefficients that are larger the higher the altitude of the charging spot is or that are larger the further the location of the charging spot is from a commercial AC power supply.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a power supply system100having power supply devices1aand1band a charging spot3. A lowercase alphabet letter appended to the end of the reference numeral is to distinguish between identical or similar devices. Such an alphabet letter is omitted when a matter common to a plurality of devices is described. Engine-driven portable generators and portable storage batteries, which are examples of the power supply devices1aand1b, are utilized at construction sites and recreational facilities where commercial AC power supply networks are not widespread. Even in areas where commercial AC power supply networks are widespread, portable generators and portable storage batteries will still be used in the event of a disaster. A portable generator has a storage battery to store excess power. For example, there are cases in which a camping enthusiast has charged a storage battery of a portable generator at a campground, but does not use all of the electric power charged to the storage battery at the campground. The storage battery discharges to some extent naturally. When excess power is discharged naturally, the fuel used for power generation is wasted. Thus, in the following embodiments, a charging spot3that receives excess power from a user is provided.

The charging spot3may be installed at campgrounds, stations on the street, highway service areas, gas stations, convenience stores, parking lots, parks, shopping malls, disaster evacuation sites, and the like. The charging spot3connects to the power supply devices1aand1bvia a power cable and receives power therefrom or supplies power thereto. In other words, the charging spot3purchases excess power from the power supply devices1aand1b. The user can sell off excess power. Also, the charging spot3sells power to the power supply devices1aand1b. That is, the user can purchase power from the charging spot3.

A server5is a computer provided inside the charging spot3or outside the charging spot3. In the case illustrated inFIG. 1, the server5communicates with the charging spot3via a network6and a radio base station7. The server5manages user identification information and account information for the power supply devices1aand1b, a user-purchased power amount (spot-sold power amount), a user-sold power amount (a spot-purchased power amount), and the billing coefficient (purchase coefficient and sales coefficient) for each charging spot3. Thus the power purchased by the user from the charging spot3is referred to as “user-purchased power”. Thus the power sold by the user from the charging spot3is referred to as “user-sold power”. The electric power purchased by the charging spot3from the user is referred to as “spot-purchased power”. The electric power sold by the charging spot3to the user is referred to as “spot-sold power”.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a power supply device1. An engine generator10includes an engine that operates according to fuel supplied from a fuel tank and a generator that is driven by the engine to generate electricity. The fuel may be, for example, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, or the like. A power supply circuit11is a circuit for converting the power generated by the engine generator10into a predetermined alternating current or direct current. An AC/DC circuit21aincludes a rectifying smoothing circuit for rectifying and smoothing the alternating current generated by the engine generator10to produce a direct current or the like. An inverter circuit22is a circuit for converting the direct current outputted from the AC/DC circuit21or a storage battery12into a stable alternating current of a predetermined frequency. The inverter circuit22may convert the direct current output from the storage battery12into a stable alternating current of a predetermined frequency. An AC outlet terminal26is a terminal to which a load2is to be connected. When selling the power stored in the storage battery12(user-sell mode), the charging spot3is connected to the AC outlet terminal26. An AC inlet terminal27is a terminal for connecting the charging spot3or a commercial AC power supply. When charging the storage battery12by receiving a supply of power from the charging spot3(user-purchase mode), the AC inlet terminal27is connected to the charging spot3. An AC/DC circuit21bincludes a rectifying smoothing circuit or the like for rectifying and smoothing the alternating current supplied from the AC inlet terminal27to produce a direct current. A charging circuit24charges the storage battery12using power input from the AC inlet terminal27. Normally, a charging circuit24charges the storage battery12using power outputted from the AC/DC circuit21a. A control circuit15is a circuit for controlling the power supply circuit11, a communication circuit16, an operation unit17, or the like. The communication circuit16communicates with a smartphone, a personal computer (PC), the charging spot3, the server5, and another power supply device1via wired or wireless communication. The operation unit17includes a display device and an input device.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control circuit15of the power supply device1. The control circuit15includes a CPU (central processing unit)31and a storage device32, and the CPU31executes a user-sell process or a user-purchase process or the like according to a control program stored in the storage device32. Note that some or all of the functions that the CPU31realizes by the control program may be implemented as hardware circuits such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). These hardware circuits may be collectively referred to as a processor.

The storage device32may store identification information37such as a manufacturing serial number of the power supply device1or a user ID of a user of the power supply device1. When a user-sell instruction (a sell power instruction) is inputted from the operation unit17, a user-sell processing unit33instructs a supply control unit34to output power. The supply control unit34converts the power supplied from the storage battery12to alternating current in the inverter circuit22, and outputs to the charging spot3through the AC outlet terminal26. When a user-purchase instruction (a buy power instruction) is inputted from the operation unit17, a user-purchase processing unit35instructs a reception control unit36to receive power. A reception control unit36converts the alternating current inputted from the charging spot3through the AC inlet terminal27into direct current by the AC/DC circuit21b, and outputs the direct current to the charging circuit24. The charging circuit24charges the power supplied from the charging spot3to the storage battery12. The charging circuit24acquires the power storage amount by monitoring the voltage of the storage battery12, and when the power storage amount reaches the maximum amount, ends the charging. At this time, a UI control unit38may display a message indicating completion of charging on the display device of the operation unit17. The UI control unit38may display to the operation unit17that the operation mode of the power supply device1is the user-sell mode or the user-purchase mode. The UI control unit38may receive a user-sell instruction, a user-purchase instruction, or the like from a communication terminal such as a smartphone connected to the communication circuit16. The UI control unit38may output, to the operation unit17or the like, a sales result (user-sold power, compensation, or the like) or a user-purchase result (user-purchased power, billing amount, or the like) received from the server5or the charging spot3through the communication circuit16.

FIG. 4is a block diagram of the charging spot3. Of the parts of the charging spot3, the same reference numerals are given to parts functionally similar to the parts of the power supply device1, and the descriptions thereof are invoked thereby. As an example, the charging spot3purchases power from the power supply device1a(spot-purchase mode), and the charging spot3sells power to the power supply device1b(spot-sell mode). The AC outlet terminal26is connected to the power supply device1band is supplied from the storage battery12of the charging spot3to provide an alternating current generated by the inverter circuit22to the power supply device1b. A measurement circuit28ameasures the total amount of power supplied to the power supply device1b(spot-sold power amount/user-purchased power amount), and outputs the measurement result to the control circuit15. The AC inlet terminal27is connected to the power supply device1aand passes power supplied from the power supply device1ato the AC/DC circuit21b. The AC/DC circuit21bconverts the alternating current supplied from the power supply device1ainto direct current, and transfers the direct current to the charging circuit24. The charging circuit24charges the storage battery12using the power supplied from the power supply device1a. A measurement circuit28bmeasures the total amount of power supplied from the power supply device1a(spot-purchased power amount/user-sold power amount), and outputs the measurement result to the control circuit15. The control circuit15communicates with the server5, the power supply device1a, and the power supply device1bthrough the communication circuit16.

FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control circuit15of the charging spot3. InFIG. 5, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar functions as inFIG. 3. The control circuit15includes the CPU31and a storage device32, and the CPU31executes a sell process or purchase process or the like according to a control program stored in the storage device32. Some or all of the functions that the CPU31implements by the control programs may be implemented by hardware circuits such as an FPGA or a DSP. These hardware circuits may be collectively referred to as a processor.

A recognition unit41communicates with the power supply device1, or based on the information input from the operation unit17acquires the identification information of the power supply device1. The identification information of the power supply device1is a manufacturing serial number or user identification information. A UI control unit42, to the user of the power supply device1, outputs guidance for a selling process and the user-sale results (e.g., user-sold power amount, the amount of compensation, and the account balance) to a display device of the operation unit17. A UI control unit42, to the user of the power supply device1, outputs guidance for a user-purchase process and the user-purchase result (e.g.: the user-purchased power amount, the billing amount, and the account balance) to a display device of the operation unit17. The UI control unit42may communicate with the power supply device1or a communication terminal (e.g.: a smartphone) of the user through the communication circuit16, and output guidance, user-sale results, user-purchase results, and the like.

A purchase control unit43controls the reception of power supplied from the power supply device1to charge the storage battery12or the like. A purchase amount measurement unit44measures the total amount of power supplied from the power supply device1(spot-purchased power amount), using the measurement circuit28b. The spot-purchased power amount of the charging spot3and the user-sold power amount of the user will match.

A spot-sales control unit45controls such supply of power from the storage battery12to the power supply device1. A sold amount measurement unit46measures the total amount of power (spot-sold power amount) supplied from the storage battery12to the power supply device1, using the measurement circuit28a. The spot-sold power amount of the charging spot3and the user-purchased power amount of the user will match.

The storage device32may store identification information47of the charging spot3, a billing coefficient48, and the like. The identification information47is identification information unique to each charging spot3. The identification information47may include information (e.g., address (latitude and longitude), altitude, etc.) indicating the geographical location where the charging spot3is installed. The charging spot3may have a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver for positioning latitude and longitude and an altitude sensor for measuring altitude. The billing coefficient48may include a purchase coefficient and a sales coefficient. For example, the farther away the location of the charging spot3is from a commercial AC power supply network, the greater the purchase coefficient and sales coefficient become. Further, the higher the altitude of the charging spot3, the larger the purchase coefficient and sales coefficient become. The billing coefficient48may be held in the server5.

FIG. 6is a block diagram of the server5. Of the parts of the server5, the same reference numerals are given to parts similar to parts of the power supply device1or parts of the charging spot3.

The CPU31communicates with the power supply device1and the charging spot3through the communication circuit16. The CPU31functions as an account management unit51by executing a control program stored in the storage device32. The account management unit51manages the reception/supply of electric power for each user or for each power supply device1, manages the total amount of compensation for each user or for each power supply device1, and manages location information, a billing coefficient, and the like for each charging spot3. An authentication unit52executes authentication processing for the user and the power supply device1. For example, the authentication unit52determines whether the identification information of the user or the power supply device1received from the charging spot3has been registered in the user DB54. DB is an abbreviation for database. A compensation determining unit53multiplies the spot-purchased power amount or the spot-sold power amount received from the charging spot3by a billing coefficient to determine a compensation (purchase amount or sales amount). The compensation determining unit53may determine the compensation using a billing coefficient received from the charging spot3or a billing coefficient associated with the location information (identification information) of the charging spot3retrieved and extracted from a charging spot DB55. A deposit/withdrawal unit56adds the compensation to the account associated with the identification information of the user or the identification information of the power supply device1, or subtracts the compensation from the account. When the deposit (addition) or the withdrawal (subtraction) of the compensation is completed, the deposit/withdrawal unit56transmits the information of the compensation to the charging spot3. Some or all of the account management unit51may be implemented by hardware circuits such as an FPGA or a DSP.

<Flowchart>Purchase Processing of Charging Spot (Reception Processing)

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating a method by which the charging spot3executes purchasing and receiving of power from the power supply device1a.the CPU31of the charging spot3in step S1(recognition unit41) acquires identification information of the user. For example, the recognition unit41communicates with the power supply device1athrough the communication circuit16and receives the identification information of the user from the power supply device1a. Alternatively, the recognition unit41may acquire user identification information that is inputted by the user through the operation unit17of the charging spot3. Here, the user identification information may be a manufacturing serial number of the power supply device1a.the CPU31of the charging spot3in step S2(purchase control unit43) controls the power supply circuit11to charge the power supplied from the power supply device1ainto the storage battery12of the charging spot3. Incidentally, the purchase amount measurement unit44uses the measurement circuit28b, and measures the sum of the power supplied from the power supply device1a(spot-purchased power amount). The spot-purchased power amount may also be referred to as the received amount.In step S3, the CPU31(purchase amount measurement unit44) of the charging spot3registers the spot-purchased power amount to the server5. The purchase amount measurement unit44transmits the spot-purchased power amount, the identification information of the user, and the identification information47(or the billing coefficient48) of the charging spot3to the server5.In step S4, the CPU31(the UI control unit42) of the charging spot3receives the compensation information from the server5, and outputs the compensation information to the display device of the operation unit17.

Sell Processing of Charging Spot (Supplying Process)

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating a power supply method that the charging spot3executes to supply power from the power supply device1b.the CPU31of the charging spot3in step S11(recognition unit41) acquires the identification information of the user. For example, the recognition unit41communicates with the power supply device1athrough the communication circuit16and receives the identification information of the user from the power supply device1a. Alternatively, the recognition unit41may acquire user identification information inputted by the user through the operation unit17of the charging spot3. Here, the user identification information may be a manufacturing serial number of the power supply device1a.the CPU31(the spot-sales control unit45) of the charging spot3in step S12controls the power supply circuit11so as to supply the power stored in the storage battery12of the charging spot3to the power supply device1b. Incidentally, the sold amount measurement unit46uses the measurement circuit28a, and measures the total value of the power supplied to the power supply device1b(spot-sold power amount). The spot-sold power amount may also be referred to as the supply amount.In step S13, the CPU31(the sold amount measurement unit46) of the charging spot3registers the spot-sold power amount to the server5. The sold amount measurement unit46transmits the spot-sold power amount, the identification information of the user, and the identification information47(or the billing coefficient48) of the charging spot3to the server5.In step S14, the CPU31(the UI control unit42) of the charging spot3receives the billing information from the server5, and outputs the billing information to the display device of the operation unit17.

Electric Power Purchasing Process of the Server5

FIG. 9is a flowchart for illustrating an account management method that the server5executes when the charging spot3purchases power from the power supply device1a.In step S21, the CPU31of the server5(the authentication unit52) receives the identification information of the user, the identification information of the charging spot3(or the billing coefficient), and the spot-purchased power amount from the charging spot3of the power supply device1athrough the communication circuit16.In step S22, the CPU31(the compensation determining unit53) of the server5determines the compensation relative to the spot-purchased power amount. For example, the compensation determining unit53reads out the billing coefficient (purchase unit price) stored in the charging spot DB55based on the identification information of the charging spot3, and multiplies the billing coefficient with the spot-purchased power amount to determine the compensation. Incidentally, when a billing coefficient is received from the charging spot3, that billing coefficient is used.In step S23, the CPU31of the server5(the deposit/withdrawal unit56) updates the user DB54.

FIG. 10illustrates an example of the user DB54. The user ID is identification information of the user or identification information of the power supply device1. The last update date indicates the day when the record was updated for each user. The power amount transition indicates the spot-purchased power amount (user-sold power amount) registered in the last update date or the spot-sold power amount (user-purchased power amount). The plus symbol given here to the power amount means that power has been supplied from the power supply device1to the charging spot3. The minus symbol given to the power amount means that power has been supplied from the charging spot3to the power supply device1. The total power amount is a total value of the spot-purchased power amount and the spot-sold power amount for each user. The account balance is the sum of the compensation received by the user minus the sum of the compensation paid by the user. The account balance may be cash, virtual currency, or points. In other words, the account may be an account from which the compensation can be withdrawn or to which a money transfer of the compensation can be made, such as a bank account, a credit account, a virtual currency account, a point account. Points are credits that can be exchanged for goods and services, discount coupons, gift certificates, or the like.

The deposit/withdrawal unit56identifies a record of a user held in the user DB54based on the user's identification information, writes the received amount to the power transition (the supplied amount from the perspective of the user), adds the received amount to the total power amount, and reflects the compensation to the account balance.In step S24, the CPU31(the deposit/withdrawal unit56) of the server5transmits the compensation information to the charging spot3. The compensation information may include the most recent record of a user registered in the user DB54.

Electric Power Selling Process of the Server5

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating an account management method executed by the server5when the charging spot3supplies power to the power supply device1b.In step S31, the CPU31of the server5(the authentication unit52) receives through the communication circuit16from the charging spot3the identification information of the user of the power supply device1b, the identification information of the charging spot3(or the billing coefficient), and the spot-sold power amount (the user-purchase amount from the perspective of the power supply device1b).In step S32, the CPU31(the compensation determining unit53) of the server5determines the compensation (billing amount) relative to the spot-sold power amount. For example, the compensation determining unit53reads out the billing coefficient (sale unit price) stored in the charging spot DB55based on the identification information of the charging spot3, and multiplies the billing coefficient with the spot-sold power amount to determine the compensation. Incidentally, when a billing coefficient is received from the charging spot3, that billing coefficient is used.In step S33, the CPU31of the server5(the deposit/withdrawal unit56) updates the user DB54. The deposit/withdrawal unit56identifies a record of a user held in the user DB54based on the user's identification information, writes the spot-sold power amount (the user-purchased power amount from the perspective of the user) to the power transition, subtracts the spot-sold power amount from the total power amount, and reflects the compensation to the account balance.In step S34, the CPU31(the deposit/withdrawal unit56) of the server5transmits the compensation information (billing information) to the charging spot3. The compensation information may include the most recent record of the user registered in the user DB54.

Charging Spot Database

FIG. 12illustrates an example of the charging spot DB55. The charging spot DB55is provided with a record for each charging spot. The charging spot ID is identification information unique to each charging spot3. The last update date indicates the day when the record was updated last. The power amount transition indicates the user-sold power amount or the user-purchased power amount registered on the last update date. The plus symbol given here to the power amount means that power has been supplied from the power supply device1to the charging spot3. The minus symbol given to the power amount means that power has been supplied from the charging spot3to the power supply device1. The total power amount is a total value of the spot-purchased power amount and the spot-sold power amount for each charging spot3. The sales unit price is a unit price when the charging spot3sells electric power to the power supply device1. The purchase unit price is a unit price when the charging spot3purchases electric power to the power supply device1.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, the charging spot3is an example of a charging spot that can connect with a portable first power supply device and second power supply device, that each supply power to a load. The power supply devices1aand1bare examples of the first power supply device and the second power supply device. The recognition unit41, the communication circuit16, or the operation unit17of the charging spot3is an example of an acquisition unit for acquiring the identification information of the first power supply device. The AC inlet terminal27of the charging spot3is an example of a first connection unit that is for connecting to the first power supply device and for receiving power stored in the storage battery of the first power supply device. The storage battery12of the charging spot3is an example of a power storage unit for storing power received through the first connection unit. The purchase control unit43and the purchase amount measurement unit44are an example of an application unit that applies, in relation to the identification information of the first power supply device, a compensation corresponding to an amount of power received through the first power supply device. By virtue of the first aspect, it becomes possible to sell the power stored in a portable power supply device for compensation.

According to a second aspect, the measurement circuit28band the purchase amount measurement unit44are an example of a first measurement unit for measuring the power reception amount (the spot-purchased power amount) is the amount of power received through the first power supply device. The communication circuit16of the charging spot3is an example of a communication unit that communicates with the server5. The application unit transmits the power reception amount measured by the first measurement unit and the identification information of the first power supply device to the server by the communication unit. As a result, the application unit causes the server5to add the compensation corresponding to the power reception amount to an account associated with the identification information of the first power supply device.

According to a third aspect, the imparting unit may transmit location information indicating the geographical location of the charging spot3or a billing coefficient (purchase unit price) associated with the charging spot3to the server5together with the power reception amount and the identification information of the first power supply device.

According to a fourth aspect, the operation unit17of the charging spot3is an example of an output unit that outputs information of the compensation received from the server5by the communication unit. As a result, the user can easily know what the compensation is.

According to a fifth aspect, the AC outlet terminal26of the charging spot3is an example of a second connection unit that connects to the second power supply device. The inverter circuit22or the like is an example of a supply unit for supplying power stored in the power storage unit to the storage battery of the second power supply device. Thus, the provision of the power held by one user to another user via the charging spot3is facilitated.

According to a sixth aspect, the measurement circuit28aof the charging spot3and the sold amount measurement unit46are an example of a second measurement unit for measuring a power supply amount (spot-sold power amount) which is the amount of power supplied to the second power supply device. The spot-sales control unit45and the sold amount measurement unit46are an example of a billing unit that bills for a compensation corresponding to the power supply amount (in other words, the billing unit charges for the power supply amount) by transmitting, to the server5by the communication unit, the identification information of the second power supply device acquired by the acquisition unit and the power supply amount.

According to a seventh aspect, the billing unit may transmit location information indicating the geographical location of the charging spot or a billing coefficient (selling unit price) associated with the charging spot3to the server5together with the power supply amount and the identification information of the second power supply device.

According to an eighth aspect, the identification information of the first power supply device may be the manufacturing serial number of the first power supply device or the identification information of the user of the first power supply device.

According to a ninth aspect, the acquisition unit may acquire the identification information of the first power supply device by communicating with the first power supply device.

According to a tenth aspect, the server5, which manages a charging spot that can connect with a portable first power supply device and second power supply device, that each supply power to a load, is provided. The communication circuit16of the server5is an example of a communication unit that communicates with the charging spot3. The account management unit51is an example of an account management unit that receives, by the communication unit, the received power amount which is the amount of power received by the charging spot from the first power supply device and the identification information of the first power supply device, and applies a compensation corresponding to the received power amount to an account associated with the identification information of the first power supply device.

According to an eleventh aspect, the account management unit may determine the compensation by applying a billing coefficient associated with the charging spot3(example: the unit price of the purchased power) to the received power amount.