INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

A terminal executes the process including a step of transmitting model information and location information, when the terminal receives a search request, and a step of executing display processing, when it receives charging station information. When the management server receives the model information and the position information, the management server executes a step of extracting, a step of acquiring various temperatures, and a step of calculating the SOC recovery amount and transmitting the charging station information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-046378 filed on Mar. 23, 2023, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an information management system.

2. Description of Related Art

There is known technology regarding searching for a charging station in a vicinity of a vehicle equipped with a power storage device that is externally chargeable, where the power storage device can be charged, using an in-vehicle automotive navigation system, a terminal owned by a user, or the like.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-193903 (JP 2020-193903 A) discloses technology for displaying icons by which the user can recognize charging methods and output power levels of a plurality of chargers on an image showing a map of an automotive navigation system.

SUMMARY

However, an amount of charge that can be charged per predetermined amount of time at a charging station varies depending not only on model and capacity of the power storage device installed in the vehicle, but also on external temperature environment such as outside temperature and so forth, state of the power storage device, and so forth. Accordingly, even when the charging station is selected based on charging method and magnitude of output electric power, the amount of charge intended by the user may not be able to be charged.

The present disclosure provides an information management system capable of providing information regarding charging stations that are capable of performing charging intended by the user.

An information management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includesa plurality of charging facilities, each of the charging facilities being configured to externally charge a power storage device installed in a vehicle,a server that manages a chargeable amount that is chargeable to the power storage device in a predetermined period, in each of the charging facilities, anda terminal that includes a display device and that is configured to make a search request to the server for the charging facilities.

Upon receiving the search request, the server causes the display device of the terminal to display information regarding the charging facility in a vicinity of an object point, and the chargeable amount at the charging facility.

According to this arrangement, the terminal displays the chargeable amount in the predetermined period at charging facilities in the vicinity of the object point, so that the user can select a charging station that is capable of charging as intended by the user.

In an embodiment,when the charging of the power storage device is completed, the charging facility may transmit charging history, along with model information of the vehicle and information regarding the power storage device, to the server.

The server may update the chargeable amount for each model, using the charging history.

According to this arrangement, the charging history is used to update the chargeable amount for each model, and thus highly accurate information regarding charging stations that are capable of charging as intended by the user can be acquired.

In yet another embodiment,the charging history may include an amount of charge in the predetermined period, history of outside temperature during charging, and history of temperature of the power storage device.

According to this arrangement, an accurate chargeable amount corresponding to temperature environment can be acquired, by using the amount of charge in the predetermined period, the history of the outside temperature during charging, and the temperature history of the power storage device.

In yet another embodiment,the terminal may set a current position of the vehicle as the object point.

According to this arrangement, a charging station that is capable of charging as intended by the user can be selected in the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle.

In yet another embodiment,the terminal may set a point that is partway between a current position of the vehicle and a destination of the vehicle, and also that is a point at a distance shorter than a travelable distance of the vehicle, as the object point, and may display the charging facility acquired by the search request on the display device as an option for a waypoint.

According to this arrangement, an appropriate charging facility can be selected as a waypoint when charging is required before reaching the destination.

According to the present disclosure, an information management system can be provided that can provide information regarding charging stations that are capable of charging as intended by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference signs and the description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG.1is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of an information management system1. As shown inFIG.1, information management system1includes vehicle2, communication network6, base station7, management server100, terminal200, and charging station300in this embodiment.

The vehicle2may be, for example, an electrified vehicle equipped with an externally chargeable power storage device. For example, it may be a battery electric vehicle of which the drive source is an electric motor, or a hybrid electric vehicle equipped with an engine and an electric motor, and using either one as a drive source. For convenience of explanation,FIG.1shows only one vehicle2as a vehicle connected to charging station300, but the number of vehicles connected to charging station300is not particularly limited to one, and a case in which multiple vehicles are connected to the charging station300is included.

The information management system1acquires or provides predetermined information from at least one of the vehicle2, the terminal200, and the charging station300configured to communicate with the management server100, It is configured to manage acquired information and provided information.

The management server100includes a control device11, a communication device13, a storage device15, and a communication bus14that communicably connects each component.

The control device11includes a processor11asuch as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that executes programs, a memory (Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), etc.)11b, and the like. Various controls executed by the control device11are executed by software processing, that is, the programs stored in the memory11bare read by the CPU11a. Various controls by the control device11can also be realized by a general-purpose computer (not shown) executing a program stored in a storage medium. Various controls by the control device11are not limited to software processing, and may be processed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuits).

Storage device15stores predetermined information about charging station300configured to be communicable with management server100. The predetermined information includes, for example, information regarding the position and charging capability of charging station300, which will be described later, and information for identifying charging station300(hereinafter referred to as charging station ID). The charging station ID is unique information set for each charging station. The management server100can specify the position of the charging station300by the charging station ID.

The communication device13implements two-way communication between the control device11and the communication network6. The management server100enables mutual communication with the vehicle2equipped with the communication device30via the base station7provided on the communication network6using the communication device13. Furthermore, the management server100enables mutual communication with the terminal200via the base station7provided on the communication network6using the communication device13.

The terminal200is, for example, a portable terminal owned by the user of the vehicle2, such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable device. The terminal200includes a control device200ahaving a processor such as a CPU and a memory for executing programs, a communication device200bcapable of communicating with the management server100via the base station7, and a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI)200cand a position detection device200d. The UI200cincludes, for example, a display20device that displays predetermined information and a touch panel that receives user operations. In the terminal200, an application and a browser that can connect to the management server100and search for charging spots around the terminal200are available and stored. The position detection device200ddetects the position of the vehicle2, for example. The position detection device200dis, for example, a receiving device that receives signals (radio waves) from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, wireless Local Area Network (LAN) base stations, and the like.

charging station300is provided, for example, in at least one of a plurality of parking spaces provided in a parking lot, and one charging station300is representatively shown inFIG.1.

A power line (not shown) that is connected to a power network is connected to charging station300. One end of cable302is connected to charging station300. A connector304is connected to the other end of the cable302. Connector304has a structure that can be connected to inlet40of vehicle2. InFIG.1, connector304is shown connected to inlet40of vehicle2.

By connecting connector304to inlet40, electric power can be transferred between charging station300and power storage device20of vehicle2. Charging station300includes, for example, a control device and a communication device (both not shown), and is configured to enable wireless or wired communication with management server100via base station7and communication network6.

Charging station300includes a control device having a processor such as a CPU that executes programs and a memory, and a communication device configured to communicate with management server100via base station7. Further, the communication device of charging station300may be configured to be capable of power line communication with vehicle2using the power line included in cable302as a communication line, or may be configured to be capable of wireless communication.

Next, a specific configuration of the vehicle2will be described. Vehicle2further includes an Electronic Control Unit (ECU)10, a power storage device20, a communication device30configured by a Data Communication Module (DCM), an inlet40and a navigation device60.

The ECU10is a computer having a processor10asuch as a CPU that executes programs, and a memory10b. The ECU10includes various control programs for controlling various actuators mounted on the vehicle2.

Power storage device20is a rechargeable direct-current power supply, and is composed of, for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery containing a solid or liquid electrolyte, a capacitor, or the like.

The communication device30is configured to be capable of two-way communication (wired or wireless communication) with the management server100via the communication network6and the base station7.

The navigation device60includes, for example, a position detection device that identifies the position of the vehicle2using signals (radio waves) received from GPS satellites, wireless LAN base stations, etc., a database that stores map information and travel history, and a CPU, etc. (none of which are shown). The navigation device60specifies a travel route on a map from the current position of the vehicle2to the destination, and guides the vehicle2traveling along the travel route to the destination. The navigation device60displays map information and guidance information on a touch panel display (not shown), specifies a destination input by the user through the user's operation on the touch panel, and displays options of a plurality of travel routes to the specified destination. Further, the navigation device60is configured to be able to display charging stations available around the vehicle2as options to the user by operating the touch panel by the user.

A user of vehicle2configured as described above searches for charging station300capable of charging power storage device20using navigation device60, terminal200, or the like. More specifically, when the searched charging stations are displayed on a display device such as navigation device60or terminal200, for example, the available charging methods and the magnitude of the output power can be displayed in an identifiable manner. Conceivable. However, the amount of charge that can be charged in a predetermined period varies depending not only on the model and the capacity of the power storage device, but also on the external temperature environment such as the outside temperature, the state of the power storage device, and the like. Accordingly, even when the charging station is selected based on charging method and magnitude of output electric power, the amount of charge intended by the user may not be able to be charged.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when management server100receives a request to search for charging station300(hereinafter referred to as a search request), management server100receives the search request. It is assumed that information about charging facilities in the vicinity of the object point and the chargeable amount at the charging facilities is displayed on the terminal. In the present embodiment, a case where the management server100causes terminal200to display the information will be described as an example.

Furthermore, in each of the plurality of charging stations, when charging of power storage device20is completed, model information of vehicle2in which power storage device20is mounted, information about power storage device20, and charging history are transmitted to management server100. The management server100updates the chargeable amount for each model using the charging history.

In this way, the terminal200displays the chargeable amount for a predetermined period at charging facilities around the object point, so that the user can select a charging station that allows charging as intended by the user. Furthermore, since the chargeable amount is updated for each model using the charging history, it is possible to obtain highly accurate information on the charging stations where charging intended by the user is possible.

Hereinafter, an example of processing executed between vehicle2, management server100, and charging station300will be described with reference toFIG.2.FIG.2is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed between the vehicle2, the management server100, and the charging station300. The processing shown in this flowchart is repeatedly executed in each of vehicle2, management server100, and charging station300at predetermined control cycles. Processing executed in the vehicle2(specifically, the ECU10) will be described below.

At step (hereinafter, step is described as S)100, the vehicle2determines whether or not it has been plugged in. The ECU10of the vehicle2determines that the plug is plugged in when it detects that the plug is attached to the inlet by a signal from a sensor (not shown) or a predetermined circuit. A sensor or a predetermined circuit (not shown), for example, outputs an ON signal when the plug is attached to the inlet, and stops outputting the ON signal (or outputs an OFF signal) when the plug is removed from the inlet. It may be a contact sensor or a switch circuit. If it is determined that the plug-in has been made (YES at S100), the process proceeds to S102.

In S102, vehicle2transmits vehicle information to charging station300. The vehicle2may transmit vehicle information to the charging station300by power line communication or the like via the plugged-in plug and cable. Alternatively, vehicle2may transmit vehicle information to charging station300by wireless communication when wireless communication is possible with charging station300. Vehicle information includes, for example, information about the model of the vehicle2, information about the capacity of power storage device20mounted on vehicle2, and information about the current SOC of power storage device20. The process is then terminated. If it is determined that the plug-in has not been made (NO in S100), the process returns to S100.

Next, processing executed in charging station300(specifically, the control device of charging station300) will be described.

At S200, charging station300determines whether to receive vehicle information. Since the vehicle information is as described above, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. If it is determined that vehicle information has been received (YES at S200), the process proceeds to S202. If it is determined that vehicle information has not been received (NO in S200), the process returns to S200.

At S202, charging station300determines whether charging start conditions are satisfied. The charging start condition includes, for example, a plug-in condition. In this case, charging station300determines that the charging start condition is satisfied, for example, because it is determined that plug-in has been performed in the process of S200.

Alternatively, the charging start condition may include a condition that an operation for starting charging has been accepted. In this case, charging station300may determine that the charging start condition is met when an operation for starting charging (for example, an operation on charging station300or an operation on vehicle2) is received. If it is determined that the charging start condition is satisfied (YES in S202), the process proceeds to S204. If it is determined that the charging start condition is not satisfied (NO in S202), the process returns to S202.

At S204, charging station300executes a charging process. The charging process includes a process of charging the power storage device20mounted on vehicle2. Charging station300controls, for example, the voltage applied to power storage device20and the current flowing through the power storage device20so that power capable of charging the power storage device20is supplied. For example, charging station300controls the charging power so that the temperature state of power storage device20does not exceed a predetermined range during charging, and reduces the charging power when the temperature exceeds the predetermined range. The charging station300executes the charging process until a predetermined period of time has elapsed since charging was started, and ends the charging process when the predetermined period of time has elapsed. The predetermined period may be, for example, a period of about 30 minutes when quick charging is performed at charging station300, or about 1 hour or 2 hours when normal charging is performed, or a period set by the user. After that, the process moves to S206.

At S206, charging station300determines whether charging has been completed. Charging station300determines that charging is completed, for example, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed. If it is determined that charging has been completed (YES at S206), the process proceeds to S208. If it is determined that charging has not been completed (NO in S206), the process returns to S206.

In S208, charging station300transmits various information to management server100. The various types of information include vehicle information received from the vehicle2, the amount of charge charged by the charging process performed until a predetermined period of time has elapsed, information on the outside temperature at the start of charging, and identification information specifying the charging station300(hereinafter referred to as, charging station ID). The vehicle information includes temperature information of power storage device20at the start of charging. Charging station300may acquire the outside temperature for charging, for example, using an outside temperature sensor (not shown). The process is then terminated.

Next, processing executed in the management server100(specifically, the control device11) will be described.

At S300, management server100determines whether to receive various information from charging station300. When management server100determines that various types of information have been received from charging station300(YES in S300), the process proceeds to S302.

In S302, management server100sets update information for charging prediction information. The management server100receives the received charging station ID, the model, the capacity of the power storage device20, the current SOC of the power storage device20, the amount of charge in a predetermined period, the temperature at the start of charging, and the start of charging. Information associated with the temperature of the power storage device20at that time is set as the update information. After that, the process moves to S304.

At S304, management server100updates the charging prediction information of the corresponding charging station using the update information.FIG.3is a diagram showing an example of charging prediction information in tabular form. As shown inFIG.3, the charging prediction information includes, for example, a first item that identifies the model, a second item that identifies the capacity of power storage device20in three stages, and a current SOC of power storage device20in three stages. A third item for identifying a charging station, a fourth item for identifying a charging station, a fifth item for identifying the outside temperature at the start of charging in a plurality of temperature ranges, a sixth item of identifying the temperature of the power storage device20at the start of charging in a plurality of temperature ranges, and a seventh item that specifies the chargeable amount (SOC recovery amount) in a predetermined period.

Note thatFIG.3shows charging prediction information for a charging station300whose model is “A”, whose capacity and current SOC are both in the “large” category, and whose charging station ID is “b”. An example is shown. InFIG.3, when the outside air temperature range at the start of charging is To(0)-To(1) and the temperature range of power storage device20is TB(0)-TB(1), chargeable amount is shown to be ΔSOC(0). Further,FIG.3shows that, when the outside air temperature range at the start of charging is To(1)-To(2) and the temperature range of the power storage device20is TB(1)-TB(2), chargeable amount per predetermined period is ΔSOC(1). Further,FIG.3shows that, when the outside air temperature range at the start of charging is To(2)-To(3) and the temperature range of the power storage device20is TB(2)-TB(3), chargeable amount per predetermined period is ΔSOC(2).

Management server100uses the update information to identify the seventh item corresponding to the first to sixth items, and updates the chargeable amount included in the identified seventh item. For example, the management server100may be updated by rewriting to the chargeable amount included in the update information. Alternatively, the update may be performed by rewriting the average value of the chargeable amount included in the update information and the chargeable amount for a predetermined period (or a predetermined number) immediately before. Alternatively, statistical processing is performed using the chargeable amount included in the update information and the chargeable amount in the entire period up to the immediately preceding period, and, for example, the chargeable amount that is frequently calculated is obtained. It may be updated by rewriting to. The process is then terminated.

The chargeable amount for a predetermined period for each model stored in the management server100is displayed together with the positions of the charging stations around the object point requested in response to the search request from the terminal200.

An example of processing executed between the management server100and the terminal200will be described below with reference toFIG.4.FIG.4is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed between the management server100and the terminal200. As shown in FIG. The processing shown in this flowchart is repeatedly executed in each of the management server100and the terminal200at each predetermined control cycle. Processing executed in the terminal200(specifically, the control device200a) will be described below.

At S150, terminal200determines whether there is a search request. For example, terminal200determines that there is a search request when an operation for searching for charging stations around terminal200is received while an application for searching for charging stations is running. If it is determined that there is a search request (YES at S150), the process proceeds to S152.

At S152, terminal200transmits the model information and the location information to management server100. The terminal200acquires, for example, model information registered in advance by a user's operation or model information received through communication with the user's vehicle2. The model information includes information about the model and information about the capacity of the installed power storage device20. Also, the terminal200acquires position information obtained by the position detection device of the terminal200or position information received through communication with the vehicle2, for example. After that, the process moves to S154.

At S154, terminal200determines whether to receive charging station information from management server100. The charging station information includes location information about a plurality of charging stations300within a predetermined distance from the location of the terminal200, and information about the SOC recovery amount (chargeable amount) in each charging station300in a predetermined period. If it is determined that charging station information has been received (YES at S154), the process proceeds to S156. If it is determined that the charging station information has not been received (NO in S154), the process returns to S154.

At S156, terminal200executes a display process. Terminal200displays, on a display device such as a touch panel display, an image indicating the location of charging station300together with surrounding map information, and information such as numbers (percentage, power consumption, etc.) and images indicating the SOC recovery amount. Execute display processing to Processing is then terminated. Terminal200may display, for example, the SOC before charging and the SOC after charging, or may display the state of charge before charging and the state of charge after charging using an image such as a bar graph.

Next, processing executed in the management server100(specifically, the control device11) will be described.

At S250, management server100determines whether to receive model information and location information. Since the model information and position information are as described above, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. If it is determined that model information and location information have been received (YES at S250), the process proceeds to S252.

At S252, management server100executes an extraction process. Specifically, management server100executes a process of extracting charging station300within a predetermined distance from the object point based on the position information received from terminal200. Management server100extracts, for example, charging station IDs within a predetermined distance from the object point from the position information associated with each charging station ID stored in storage device15. After that, the process moves to S254.

At S254, management server100acquires various temperatures. Specifically, management server100may acquire the extracted outside temperature of each charging station300from another server, or may acquire the outside temperature from each charging station300. Furthermore, the management server100may acquire the temperature of the power storage device20of the vehicle2to be charged from the terminal200or the vehicle2. After that, the process moves to S256.

At S256, management server100calculates the recovery amount of the SOC at each of the extracted charging stations300. The management server100calculates the SOC recovery amount of each charging station using the acquired model information and various temperatures, the extracted charging station ID, and the acquired charging prediction information shown inFIG.3. After that, the process moves to S258.

In S258, management server100transmits to terminal200the extracted charging station information including the location information of each charging station300and the SOC recovery amount. Processing is then terminated.

An example of the operation of the vehicle2, the management server100, the terminal200, and the charging station300based on the structure and flowchart as described above will be described.

SOC Recovery Amount Update

For example, assume that the vehicle2is parked in a parking space corresponding to one of the charging stations300among the plurality of charging stations. When the user connects the plug of charging station300to the inlet of vehicle2, it is determined that the plug has been made (YES at S100), and vehicle information is transmitted from vehicle2to charging station300(S102).

When charging station300receives vehicle information from vehicle2(YES in S200) and accepts an operation to start charging (YES in S202), charging processing is executed. (S204). When it is determined that charging has been completed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed (YES in S206), various types of information are transmitted from charging station300to management server100(S208).

In management server100, when various information is received (YES at S300), update information is calculated. The charging prediction information of the corresponding charging station300is updated using the calculated update information. At this time, the model, capacity, charging station ID, outside temperature range, and SOC recovery amount corresponding to the temperature range of power storage device20included in the charging prediction information are updated using the update information. Each time charging is performed at each of the plurality of charging stations300managed by management server100, various types of information are transmitted to management server100, and the SOC recovery amount is updated.

Search for Charging Stations

For example, assume that the user operates the terminal200to search for nearby charging stations. When terminal200receives a user's operation and determines that there is a search request (YES in S150), the model information and the location information of the object point (for example, the location information of the vehicle owned by the user) are sent to the management server.100(S152).

When management server100receives model information and location information (YES at S250), an extraction process is executed (S252) to extract charging stations300around the object point. After that, various temperatures are acquired (S254), and the SOC recovery amount of each charging station300extracted using the charging prediction information is calculated (S256), and the charging station information including the calculated SOC recovery amount is transmitted to the terminal200(S258).

When charging station information is received at terminal200(YES at S154), display processing is executed (S156). Therefore, an image indicating the position of charging station300within a predetermined distance from the object point and character information indicating the SOC recovery amount of displayed charging station300are displayed on the map. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the positions of the surrounding charging stations300and the SOC recovery amount at each charging station300through the display device of the terminal200.

As described above, according to the information management system1according to the present embodiment, the terminal200displays the chargeable amount (SOC recovery amount) for a predetermined period at the charging station300around the object point, so the user can select a charging station capable of charging as intended by the user. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information management system capable of providing information on charging stations where charging intended by the user is possible.

Furthermore, when charging is performed at each charging station300, the charging history is used to update the chargeable amount for each model, so that it is possible to obtain highly accurate information on the charging station where charging intended by the user is possible.

Hereinafter, modifications will be described.

In the above-described embodiment, the terminal200is used to search for charging stations300around the object point. However, the charging station300around the vehicle2may be searched using a terminal mounted on the vehicle2instead of the terminal200, for example. A terminal of the vehicle2is configured by an ECU10, a communication device30, and a navigation device60, for example.

In the above-described embodiment, the update information is set using various information from the charging station300, but the various information may include, for example, the upper limit of the charging power of the charging station300.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the charging prediction information of the charging station300is set for each location, but common charging prediction information may be set for the charging stations300of the same model.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where various information is transmitted from charging station300to management server100has been described as an example. However, upon sending a predetermined piece of information from the charging station300to the vehicle2, various kinds of information may be sent from the vehicle2to the management server100.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the location information of charging stations300around the object point and the SOC recovery amount are displayed. However, an increase in the cruising range may be displayed instead of or in addition to the SOC recovery amount.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the location of vehicle2and the location of terminal200are used as object points to search charging stations300in the vicinity. However, a point shorter than the travelable distance may be set as the object point, when a destination of the vehicle2is set in the navigation device60, for example. In this way, the charging stations300in the vicinity of the object point can be displayed as waypoints, so that an appropriate charging station can be selected as the waypoint when charging is required before reaching the destination.

In addition, the above-mentioned modifications may be carried out by appropriately combining all or a part thereof.

The embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be exemplary and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is shown by the scope of claims rather than the description above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and the scope equivalent to the scope of claims.