Abstract:
PROBLEM: 
     In management system of electric vehicle charging stands, to provide added-value services such as addressing emergency charging needs of the drivers, without overly increasing the complexity of the charging controllers. 
     SOLUTION: 
     Charging controllers equipped with an identification tag, mobile phones with an identification tag reader, and a management server of the charging controllers are connected via the network as the system to provided various added-value services without overly increasing the complexity of the charging controllers.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a system, method and computer program to give convenience to users of vehicle charging stands for electric vehicles and PHV (Plug-in-Hybrid Vehicles). 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    The number of vehicle charging stands in public places such as shopping malls are increasing, as the electric vehicles and PHV (Plug-in-Hybrid Vehicles) (hereafter, collectively referred to as “electric vehicles”) are gaining popularity. 
         [0003]    Electric vehicles usually are charged at home or at permanent parking space at night. It would be probably an emergency, when a driver charges his car way from his home. For example, the drive route is changed at the last minute, or the battery is drained faster than expected because of excessive power usage, aging of the battery or traffic jam. 
         [0004]    However, there are currently not enough charging stations, therefore a technology to find an available nearby charging station efficiently is required. 
         [0005]    A technology such that a central server manages availability of charging stands and notify a driver via a car navigation device, etc, considering the location of the driver is known (for example, 2003-262525 (JP)). 
       (Problems in Prior Arts) 
       [0006]    However, when someone goes to the charging station instructed by the navigation device, chances are that someone else already is using that station. It usually take about 30 minutes for a full charge, therefore there would be an unexpected waiting time in this case. 
         [0007]    Moreover, since, different from the case of gas filling, it is not necessary to keep watching the vehicle while charging; a driver might leave his vehicle for shopping and so on. If the driver does not return to the vehicle even after charge is finished, the charging slot is occupied for an extended time, forcing the next user in line to wait unnecessarily. 
       (Problem in Prior Arts) 
       [0008]    It is a known art that a user can reserve a charger specifying the time slot (for example 2013-137641 (JP)). 
         [0009]    However, as already stated, since it is hard to know beforehand necessity for an emergency charge and a driver could not arrive at the station on reserved time, reservation system with pre-determined time slot is not quite appropriate. Also, this type of reservation system involves complex system management; therefore it might work for charging facilities in semi-private spaces such as condos, but might not work for charging facilities in public spaces. 
       (Need to Simplify Charging Stations) 
       [0010]    Current charging devices usually have input and output devices such as buttons and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). As charging devices become more functionally sophisticated, their input and output devices can become more complex. However, since charging devices are usually installed outdoors and will be used for a long period of time, their mechanical complexity should be kept minimal. Overly complex display devices and input devices should be avoided. This is especially important when charging stations are installed in places where frequent maintenance is difficult. Therefore, in solving the problems of the prior arts, overly complex solution should be avoided. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
       [0011]    The present invention aims to address urgent charging needs of electric vehicle drivers and provide other added-value services without making charging stand facilities overly complex. 
       Means for Solving the Problems 
       [0012]    The present invention solves the above problems by providing an electric vehicle charging system comprising multiple charger controllers, multiple mobile phones, and a management server, wherein: the charger controllers, the mobile phones and the management server are connected to each other via a network, the charger controller comprises an identification tag and a status display and are connected to a charger, the mobile phone comprises an identification tag reader, the management server sends a reservation command to one of the multiple charger controllers, responding to a reservation request sent by one of the mobile phones, the charger controller changes the status display to a reserved status and changes a connected charger to a reserved status, responding to the reservation command, the identification tag reader of the mobile phone reads the identification tag of the charger controller and sends an identifier to the management server, and the management server sends a command to change the status display to a usable status and change the connected charger to a usable status, responding to the identifier sent by the mobile phone, along with a mobile phone, a method and a computer program used in such a system. 
         [0013]    Also, the present invention solves the above problems by providing An electric vehicle charging system comprising multiple charger controllers, multiple mobile phones, and a management server, wherein: the multiple charger controllers, the multiple mobile phones, and the management server are connected via a network, the charger controller comprises an identification tag, the mobile phone comprises a message sender, a message receiver and an identification tag reader, the identification tag reader of the first mobile phone sends an identifier obtained from the identification tag of the charging controller to the management server, the management server associates and stores a message address of a user of the first mobile phone and the identifier of the charger controller, a identification tag reader of the second mobile phone sends the identifier obtained from the identification tag of the charging controller to the management server and sends a message, and in response to the said message, the management server forwards the massage to the message address of the user of the first mobile phone along with a mobile phone, a method and a computer program used in such a system. 
         [0014]    Also, the present invention solves the above problems by providing An electric vehicle charging system with more than one charger controllers, more than one mobile phones and a management server are connected via a network, the charger controller having an identification tags, the mobile phone having an identification tag reader, wherein: the mobile phone sends a first identifier which it gained by reading an identification tag on the charger controller, the management server associates and stores the first identifier and a second identifier of a user of the mobile phone, the identification tag of the mobile phone reads an identification tag in a store and reads a third identifier and sends the third identifier to the management server, the management server, in response to that, determines if a store identified by the third identifier is one of affiliate stores associated with the charger controller identified by the first identifier, and if the user identified by the second identifier is using the charger connected to the charger controller identified by the second identifier, and stores a benefit-related data associated with the user of the mobile phone, if both conditions are met, along with a mobile phone, a method and a computer program used in such a system. 
       Advantageous Effect of the Invention 
       [0015]    With the present invention, charging need while driving electric vehicles can be well-served without increasing the complexity of the charging controllers. 
         [0016]    Also, with the present invention, a user who wants to use the charging controllers can communicate with another user who are currently using the charging controller anonymously and tentatively without increasing the complexity of the charging controllers. 
         [0017]    Moreover, with the present invention, a marketing promotion method is provided, where the one charging his electric vehicle can visit affiliate stores to earn the benefits point, giving him an incentive to use the charging station and giving the service provider an earning opportunities from the stores, without increasing the complexity of the charging controllers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  This is an overview figure of an embodiment of an electric vehicle charging system of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  This is an overview figure showing functional components of a charger controller, a management server, and a mobile phone of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  This is an overview figure showing data items managed by a management server of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  This is an exemplary process flow to reserve a charging stand of the present invention in an emergency. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  This is an exemplary process flow to communicate to the user currently using the charging station of the present invention anonymously and temporarily. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  This is an exemplary process flow for a user using a charging station of the present invention to earn benefits point from affiliate stores. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  shows an overview structure of an electric vehicle charging system of the present invention. 
       (Components of Charger Controller) 
       [0025]    A charging station for electric vehicles has more than one charging slot (charging space). For each charging slot, a Charger  102  and the corresponding Charger Controller  101  are installed. One Charger  102  may serve multiple charging slots. 
       (Charger Controller) 
       [0026]    Charger Controller  101  comprises of computers connected to Network  105  and programs. Obeying commands sent from Management Server  103  via Network, it controls Charger  102  to start, stop, and inquire status of charging of electric vehicles. 
         [0027]    Charger Controller  101  is equipped with an identification tag and a status light. The identification tag is a means for Mobile Phone  104  to uniquely identify Charger Controller  101 . The identification tag specifically can be a barcode on the Charger Controller  101  or a RFID inside Charger Controller among others. As an alternative implementation, using communication method such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (trademark), or Wi-Fi (trademark), a program running on Mobile Phone  104  can interact to a program running on Charger Controller  101 , and read the identifier of Charger Controller  101 . 
         [0028]    The status light is a visual means for users to know the status of Charger Controller  101 . At least, the status light must be able to show that Charger Controller  101  is reserved and can only be used by the reserving user. In addition, Charger Controller  101  may have a speaker to notify its status with sound signals. Preferably, this notification can be activated only when a vehicle is trying to enter the charging slot. A prior art such as a loop coil, or the camera on the charging controller can recognize that a vehicle is trying to enter the charging slot. In addition to the status light, Charger Controller  101  may have a control mechanism such as a flap to physically prohibit a vehicle to enter the charging slot. 
         [0029]    Preferably, Charger Controller  101  might have a camera. Computer programs running on Management Server  103  can recognize if a vehicle occupies the charging slot by analyzing the pictures taken by the camera. Additionally, the pictures taken by the camera may be sent to users&#39; Mobile Phone  104  so that users themselves can see the status of the charging slot. Moreover, by taking a picture of the license plate of the vehicle parked in the charging slot, programs running on Management Server  103  can recognize the license number, determining if the vehicle that reserved the stand is actually using the charging slot. 
       (Management Server) 
       [0030]    Management Server  103  is an apparatus connected to multiple Charger Controllers  101 , and multiple Mobile Phones  104  via Network  105 . It usually comprises computer server hardware and related programs. 
         [0031]    Management Server  103  stores and manages the location and the properties of each Charger  102 , and monitors and manages real-time availability of each Charger via Charger Controller  101 . Management Server  103  may know availability of the chargers by inquiring Charging Controller  101  on a request from mobile phones, or it may poll Charging Controller  101  periodically for the status of each charger. 
         [0032]    Additionally, as already stated, Management Server  103  may recognize the status of the charging slot using a picture taken by the camera equipped with Charging Controller  101 . With this method, a situation where someone is occupying the slot without using Charger  103  can be identified. 
       (Mobile Phone) 
       [0033]    Mobile Phone  104  is an apparatus used by the driver (user) and typically is a smart phone or a tablet and related programs. Mobile Phone  104  interacts to Management Server  103  via Network  105 . 
         [0034]    Mobile Phone  104  has a GPS (Global Positioning System) function and a reader of and identification tag of Charger Controller  101 . Typically, an identification tag is a 2D barcode, and the identification tag reader is a camera built on the smart phone, but not limited to them. 
       (Network) 
       [0035]    Network  105  typically is Internet and provides communication between Charger Controller  101  and Management Server  103 ; and Management Server  103  and Mobile Phone  104  with proven technologies. 
       (Functional Components) 
       [0036]    In  FIG. 2 , functional components of Charger Controller  101 . Management Server  103 , and Mobile Phone  104  are shown. Each functional component can be implemented by hardware and related programs. These components are logical entities, meaning they are not necessarily bound to a specific hardware. It is a well-known art that functions in other hardware can be accessed via networks. Charging system of the present invention is no exception. In this specification, generic prior-arts such as telecommunication, screen management, and database management will not be explained further. 
       (Charger Controller Functional Components) 
       [0037]    Charger Controller  101  comprises Charger Control  1011 , Reservation Display  1012 , and Camera Control  1013 . 
         [0038]    Charger Control  1011  starts, stops, changes the status of, and reads the status of connected chargers, according commands sent by Management Server  103   
         [0039]    Reservation Display  1012  shows that the charger is reserved by means of the status light, a voice message or a physical flap movement. 
         [0040]    Camera Control  1013  takes a picture of the charging slot and sends the picture images to the Management Server, instructed by Management Server  103  or programs running on Charging Controller. 
       (Management Server Functional Components) 
       [0041]    Management Server  101  comprises User Data Management  1021 , Charger Data Management  1022 , Vehicle Data Management  1023 , and Billing Management  1024 . 
         [0042]    User Data Management  1021  function, Charger Data Management  1022  function, and Vehicle Data Management  1023  function respectively manages user-related data, charger-related data, and vehicle-related data described later. 
         [0043]    Billing Management  1024  is a function that manages usage history, fee information and billing process for each user. Preferably, this function may be implemented using an outside service provider that provides credit card transaction processing. 
         [0044]    User Data Management  1021  function, Charger Data Management  1022  function, and Vehicle Data Management  1023  function respectively manages user-related data, charger-related data, and vehicle-related data described later. 
       (Mobile Phone Functional Components) 
       [0045]    Mobile Phone  104  comprises Charger Reservation  1041 , Communication  1042 , and Benefit Management  1043 . 
         [0046]    Charger Reservation  1041  comprises a function to inquire Management Server  103  for nearby available charging stands, a function to display nearby charging stands selected by Management Server  103  on a map, and a function to send a command to Management Server  103  in order to make the charging controller selected by the user to a reserved status. 
         [0047]    Communication  1042  comprises a function to send and receive mails or messages anonymously and tentatively with the user who leaves his vehicle on the charging slot even after charge is complete. 
         [0048]    Benefit Management  1042  comprises a function to display the information of affiliate stores near the charging station currently used, which offer certain benefits under certain business contracts with the charging stand service provider. 
       (Databases on Management Server) 
       [0049]    In  FIG. 3 , data items managed by the databases on Management Server  103  are shown. Management Server  103  manages information on multiple Chargers  102 , multiple users and multiple vehicles. Users may register a part of user-related data and vehicle-related data in the databases with predetermined methods, and update it, as necessary. The charging stand system service provider may register a part of charger-related data in the database and update it, as necessary. 
       (Charger-Related Data Items) 
       [0050]    Management Server  103  manages charger-related data such as Charger ID, Charger Location, Charger Property, Status of the Charging Slot, ID of (using or reserving) User, and Affiliate Stores. 
         [0051]    Charger ID uniquely identifies the charger and is the same as the one on the identification tag (typically 2D barcode) associated with the Charging Controller. Location data is about the physical location of the charger. Property is, for example, data about specification of the charger&#39;s plug. A system administrator might enter and update location data and property data beforehand. 
         [0052]    Charging Slot Status is data about information whether the charging slot is occupied by a vehicle or not. This data can be obtained by Management Server  103  inquiring Charger Controller  101  via Network  105 . Alternatively, it can be determined by analyzing the pictures taken by the camera equipped with Charger Controller  101 , or any prior art such as a loop coil under the ground. 
         [0053]    Charger Status has at least values of “available”, “reserved”, “in-use” and “done”. Management Server  103  can know Charger Status with Management Server  103  inquiring Charger Controller  101  via Network  105  and Charger Controller  101  inquiring the connected Charger in turn. 
         [0054]    Current User ID is an identifier of the user who is using the charging station at the point of that time. Affiliate Store Info is data about a name, an address, benefit detail, and an identifier of the nearby stores that would offer benefit to users as a business contract. 
       (User Data) 
       [0055]    Management Server  103  manages such user-related data as User ID, Authentication Information, Billing Information, User Property, User Status, Current Charger ID, Message Address, and Vehicle ID. 
         [0056]    User ID is an identifier that uniquely identifies the user. It is pre-registered with certain agreed procedures. Authentication Information is information to validate the user, such as a password. Validation of users can be done with any prior arts such as passwords or biometrics. Billing Information is data necessary to bill the usage fee to users. Practically, the billing process should be done by outside service providers that offer credit card transaction processing. 
         [0057]    User Status is data that shows user is whether “reserving”, “charging”, or “none”, which is dynamically updated by Management Server  103 . 
         [0058]    Message Address is information is provided in order to send messages and mails to the users, which may be entered at the time of user registration. 
         [0059]    Vehicle ID is identifiers of one or more vehicles that the user might use. One user can correspond to multiple vehicles (conversely, multiple users can correspond to one vehicle). 
         [0060]    Benefit Info is information about business contacts with affiliate stores. For example, it may be about discount of the charging fees, or other promotional points, which can be arbitrarily determined in business contexts. 
       (Vehicle Data) 
       [0061]    A charging system of the present invention might manage the chargers not only on per-user basis but also on per-vehicle basis. For example, if multiple users share one vehicle, each user&#39;s benefit points may be consolidated. Also it can be used to determine if the vehicle in the charging slot is the one registered with the corresponding users. 
         [0062]    Vehicle ID is an identifier that uniquely identifies a vehicle. It may be manually pre-registered by a user, or automatically assigned by a program running on Management Server  103 . License Plate Number is self-explanatory. 
         [0063]    Vehicle Property is information such as one related with compatibility of charger plugs, which user have registered beforehand. Preferably, when Management Server  103  provides with candidate charging stands on an inquiry from Mobile Phone  104 , it may provides with only information of compatible stands. 
         [0064]    User ID is/are one or more identifiers of pre-registered users who may use that vehicle. The system may check if User ID of the charging user is associated with the vehicle, but it is necessary to prohibit charging even if the charging user is not associated with the vehicle, because he could borrow the vehicle from someone else and charge it. 
       (Process for Emergency Charging Station Reservation) 
       [0065]    In  FIG. 4 , a process flow where a user reserves a charging station in emergency and uses it is shown. 
         [0066]    (S 401 ) A user who needs a nearby charging station urgently sends a reservation request message including user ID and the current location to Management Server  103  using Mobile Phone  104 . 
         [0067]    (S 402 ) Management Server  103  returns one or more locations of candidate stations to Mobile Phone  104 , judging from the current location of Mobile Phone  104  and status of chargers in the charger database. Here, it is preferable that only compatible charging stands are displayed by comparing charger property in the charger database and vehicle attribute in the vehicle database. In addition, additional information such as the charging fee and nearby facilities (for example, nearby affiliate stores) may also be sent. Moreover, Management Server  103  may determine if a vehicle is present when the charging slot is not used with the camera on Charger Controller  101 , and may send a warning message to Mobile Phone  104 , if a vehicle is present. 
         [0068]    (S 403 ) Mobile Phone  104  displays a candidate list of available nearby charging stations based on the data sent from Management Server  103 . Preferably, these stations may be displayed on the map. The user selects one of the stands he wants to use, and Mobile Phone  104  sends that selection to Management Server  103 . The user might specify non-emergency mode. Such business contract that a premium fee would be charged for emergency reservation or a penalty is charged for no-show might be enforced in order to prevent overuse of emergency reservations. 
         [0069]    (S 404 ) Management Server  103  sends a reservation command to Charger Controller  101  selected by the user and sets Charger Status in the charger database to “reserved”. 
         [0070]    (S 405 ) Charger Controller  101 , on receipt of the reservation command, sets the connected Charger  102  to unusable temporarily, and turns on the status light to show the charger is available only to the reserving user. In this way, it is ensured that the reserving user can use the charger instantly when he arrives at the station. Additionally, a flap in the charging slot may be raised in order to physically prevent other vehicles to enter the slot. 
         [0071]    (S 406 ) When the user arrives at the charging stand he reserved, Mobile Phone  104  reads the identification tag of Charger Controller  101  using a barcode reader (typically, a built-in camera) and sends the identifier of Charger Controller to Management Server  103  along with his User ID. 
         [0072]    (S 407 ) Management Server  103  reads the message sent from Mobile Phone  104 , and ensures the User ID is the same as the one of the user who reserved that charging controller. If the User ID is the same, Management Server  103  changes the status of the charger database to “in-use”, and sends a command to activate Charger  103 . If the user ID sent from Mobile Phone  104  is not same as the one of the user who reserved that charging controller (for example, the user arrives at a wrong charging stand), it is preferable to send an error message to Mobile Phone  104 . 
         [0073]    (S 408 ) Charger Controller  101 , on receipt of the command from Management Server  103 , turns off the status light, and makes the connected Charger  102  to “In-Use” status. If the flap is raised to prevent a vehicle to enter the charging slot, it lowers the flap. 
         [0074]    When charging is completed, Charger Controller  101 , on receiving the status from Charger  102 , sends a completion notification to Management Server  103 . Management Server  103 , in response to the notification, changes the Charger Status to “done”. If the vehicle still occupies the charging slot some time after charging is completed, Management Server  103  may send a warning message to Mobile Phone  104  of that vehicle&#39;s user. Also, Charger Controller  101  may produce a warning sound. Such business contract that a premium fee would be charged or a discount would be invalidated for a user who occupies the charging slot for a long time after he completed charging may be agreed beforehand. 
       (Anonymous Messaging to Charging Driver) 
       [0075]    It takes significant time to fully charge an electric vehicle, therefore the driver can leave the vehicle to go to shopping or other activities. In this case, even if charging is completed, the driver might not return to the charging slot, occupying the space for an extended period of time and negatively affecting efficient usage of the chargers and customer satisfaction. This kind of activity can be deterred by a penalty charge. As an additional measure, it is preferable that a user who wants to use the charging slot can communicate to the driver of the occupying vehicle and inquire when the driver would return or urge him to return soon. In this scenario, these two drivers are not acquainted with each other, so it is preferable that their mail addresses or phone numbers are kept anonymous. In addition, their communication is only necessary for a limited time before the driver of the occupying vehicle returns, so it is preferable such anonymous communication is only available for that limited time. In  FIG. 5 , an exemplary process flow for such anonymous and temporary communication is shown. 
         [0076]    (S 501 ) As instructed by User-1, Mobile Phone-1  104  reads the identification tag of Charger Controller  101  and sends the identifier to Management Server  103 , along with the ID of User-1. This can be a part of emergency reservation process described earlier or a normal (unreserved) usage. 
         [0077]    (S 502 ) Management Server  103  ensures User-1 is a valid user, and stores the ID of User-1 into Current User ID field of the record of the charger database. 
         [0078]    (S 503 ) As instructed by User-2, who intends to use the same charger, Mobile Phone 2 reads the identification tag of the charger, and sends ID of User-2 and a message he wants send to the driver of the charging vehicle (that is, User 1) to Management Server  103 . 
         [0079]    (S 504 ) Management Server  103  ensures that User-2 is a valid user, reads the mail address (or the message address) of the user of Current User ID in the record of the charger database, and sends User-2&#39;s message to that address. For User-1 and User-2, each other&#39;s phone numbers and message addresses are not known. 
         [0080]    (S 505 ) User-1, receiving the anonymous message using Mobile Phone 1, responds back, if necessary. This response is sent by Management Server  103 . 
         [0081]    (S 506 ) Management Server  103  sends the received response message to Mobile Phone 2 of User-2. 
         [0082]    (S 507 ) User 2 can responds to the received message again. This process of sending and receiving messages can be repeated as necessary. 
         [0083]    When Management Server  103  recognizes the vehicle of User-1 left the slot (for example, as User 2 (or any other user than User 1) starts using the charging stand, or the camera on Management Server  103  recognizes the vehicle of User-1 left the slot), Management Server  103  terminates the exchange of mails (messages) between User-1 and User-2. 
       (Benefit Points of Affiliate Stores) 
       [0084]    As already stated, a user who charges his vehicles often leaves his vehicle for shopping or dining, and so on. Providing some benefit program for using affiliate stores can be an incentive to use that charging station. Also, charging the fee from affiliate stores, the charging stand business can be more profitable. In addition to that, in this scheme of benefit points, situations where users occupy the charging slot for a long time after the charge is completed. In  FIG. 6 , a process flow of gaining benefit points from affiliate stores is shown. 
         [0085]    (S 601 ) As instructed by a user, Mobile Phone  104  reads the identification tag on the Charger Controller  101 , and sends the identifier and the user ID to Management Server  103 . This can be either a part of the previously stated emergency reservation process or a use without reservation. 
         [0086]    (S 602 ) Management Server  103  checks if the user is an authorized user and save its user ID in Current User ID in the record of the charger database. 
         [0087]    (S 603 ) In the affiliate store, as instructed by the user, Mobile Phone  104  reads an identification tag in the store, and sends the identification and user ID to Management Server  103 . Here, the identification tag might be 2D barcode or RFID. As a predetermined business rule, the user may scan the identification tag just by visiting store or he may scan the id only if shopping total is more than pre-determined amount or he buys specified items. 
         [0088]    (S 604 ) Management Server  103  checks if the identification tag of the store is the one of the affiliate stores and the user is authorized user and he is currently using the charger, and starts benefit granting process. The benefits can be discount of the charging fee and other bonus points. In addition, the location of Mobile Phone  104  can be checked if it is reasonably near to the store. This can prevent a fraud where one photocopies a 2D barcode and get a benefit without actually going to the store. Moreover, Management Server  103  can check the charging status of the vehicle of the visiting user, and, if the visit or purchase is after charging is already completed, it may not give benefit or may give lower benefit than usual. With this scheme, a user has an incentive not to occupy the charging slot for an extend period of time, contributing to higher use efficiency of the charging stand. Moreover, such business rules that benefits are only granted for the visit soon after the start of charging, or benefits vary depending on the time between the start of charging and store visit. may be enforced as an incentive to earlier visit to the store (that is, shorter occupation of the charging slot). 
       (Significant Technology Advantage of the Present Invention) 
       [0089]    With the present invention, high added-value electric vehicle charging systems can be provided without complex input/output devices on the charging controller. Firstly, drivers of electric vehicle can handle urgent charging need quickly and reliably. Secondly, situations where a vehicle occupies the charging slot unnecessarily after the charge is completed can be minimized. Even if such situation arises, drivers can communicate to each other safely and anonymously. Moreover, providing shopping promotion program associated with vehicle charging can be an incentive for drivers to participate in membership of this charging system, and also prevent situations charging slots are occupied for a long period time even after the charge is completed. 
         [0090]    In attaining above merits, the charging controller of the present invention does not have to be complex to manufacture and maintain, and can be reliable even when installed outdoors. Also, most functions are performed in application programs on smart phones and on the management server, new functionality can be added easily without updating the charging controllers.