Patent Publication Number: US-2023158899-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus and information processing system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-190164 filed on Nov. 24, 2021, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing system. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-26953 discloses a vehicle with an electric power storage device mounted therein and a charging station. The charging station is configured to charge an electric power storage device of a vehicle through an electric power supply cable (charging cable). 
     SUMMARY 
     Techniques for suggesting charging equipment for charging an electric power storage device of a vehicle to a user of the vehicle have been known. As stated above, when charging equipment charges an electric power storage device of a vehicle through a charging cable, a user needs to manually connect the charging cable to the vehicle. However, in some cases, for example, the user may have difficulty in performing such manual work or may be unwilling to do such work. In such case, suggesting such type of charging equipment to the user is unfavorable. 
     The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the aforementioned problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing system for suggesting charging equipment appropriate to a characteristic of a user to the user. 
     An information processing apparatus of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus for suggesting first charging equipment or second charging equipment to a user of a vehicle in which an electric power storage device is mounted. The first charging equipment is configured to charge the electric power storage device via a contact charging method using a charging cable. The second charging equipment is configured to charge the electric power storage device via a non-contact charging method that is different from the contact charging method. The information processing apparatus includes a determination section and a setting section. The determination section determines a non-contact charging recommendation degree representing a degree of recommendation of the non-contact charging method to the user, based on a characteristic of the user. The setting section sets suggested equipment that is charging equipment to be suggested to the user, of the first charging equipment and the second charging equipment. When the non-contact charging recommendation degree is high, the setting section is more likely to set the second charging equipment as the suggested equipment than when the non-contact charging recommendation degree is low. 
     According to the above configuration, a non-contact charging recommendation degree is determined based on a characteristic of a user. As the non-contact charging recommendation degree is higher, that is, as the user has more characteristics for which the non-contact charging method is recommended, the second charging equipment is more likely to be suggested to the user. Therefore, it is possible to suggest charging equipment appropriate to a characteristic of a user to the user. 
     The information processing apparatus may further include an input section that receives an input of profile information of the user. The non-contact charging recommendation degree may be determined according to the profile information. 
     According to the above configuration, profile information of a user is reflected in the non-contact charging recommendation degree. As a result, it is possible to suggest appropriate charging equipment in which profile information of a user is reflected to the user. 
     The profile information may include a user age that is an age of the user. The characteristic of the user may include the user age input through the input section. The determination section may determine the non-contact charging recommendation degree such that when the user age is high, the non-contact charging recommendation degree becomes higher than that when the user age is low. 
     Typically, it is conceivable that as an age of a user is higher, the user has more difficulty in manually connecting a charging cable to a vehicle. According to the above configuration, as an age of a user is higher, the second charging equipment is more likely to be suggested to the user. As a result, it is possible to suggest appropriate charging equipment in which an age of a user is reflected to the user. 
     The profile information may include a preference degree representing a degree of the user preferring the non-contact charging method to the contact charging method. The characteristic of the user may include the preference degree input through the input section. The determination section may determine the non-contact charging recommendation degree such that when the preference degree is high, the non-contact charging recommendation degree becomes higher than that when the preference degree is low. 
     According to the above configuration, as a user&#39;s degree of preference of the non-contact charging method is higher, the second charging equipment is more likely to be suggested to the user. As a result, it is possible to suggest appropriate charging equipment in which a user&#39;s degree of preference is reflected to the user. 
     The information processing apparatus may further include an acquisition section and an estimation section. The acquisition section acquires a user image generated by an imaging device that takes an image of the user. The estimation section estimates a user age that is an age of the user, according to the user image. The characteristic of the user may include the user age estimated by the estimation section. The determination section may determine the non-contact charging recommendation degree such that when the user age is high, the non-contact charging recommendation degree becomes higher than that when the user age is low. 
     Typically, it is conceivable that as the age is higher, manual connection of a charging cable to a vehicle becomes more difficult. According to the above configuration, a non-contact charging recommendation degree is appropriately determined with no need for a user to perform operation for determining the non-contact charging recommendation degree. As a result, it is possible to suggest appropriate charging equipment in which an age of a user is reflected to the user while enhancing convenience for the user. 
     The information processing apparatus may further include a calculation section and a temporal recommendation degree determination section. For each of the first charging equipment and the second charging equipment, the calculation section calculates a total recommendation degree representing a degree of recommendation of the charging equipment to the user. The temporal recommendation degree determination section determines a temporal recommendation degree representing a degree of shortness of estimated travel time that is an estimated value of time required until the vehicle arrives at the second charging equipment. The temporal recommendation degree determination section may determine the temporal recommendation degree such that the temporal recommendation degree becomes higher as the estimated travel time is shorter. The total recommendation degree of the second charging equipment may include the non-contact charging recommendation degree and the temporal recommendation degree. The setting section may set charging equipment, the total recommendation degree of the charging equipment being higher, of the first charging equipment and the second charging equipment, as the suggested equipment. 
     According to the above configuration, in addition to a non-contact charging recommendation degree, estimated travel time such as that mentioned above is reflected in setting of suggested equipment. As a result, it is possible to suggest more appropriate charging equipment to a user. 
     An information processing system of the present disclosure is an information processing system for suggesting first charging equipment or second charging equipment to a user of a vehicle in which an electric power storage device is mounted. The first charging equipment is configured to charge the electric power storage device via a contact charging method using a charging cable. The second charging equipment is configured to charge the electric power storage device via a non-contact charging method that is different from the contact charging method. The information processing system includes a determination section, a setting section, and a notification section. The determination section determines a non-contact charging recommendation degree representing a degree of recommendation of the non-contact charging method to the user, based on a characteristic of the user. The setting section sets suggested equipment that is charging equipment to be suggested to the user, of the first charging equipment and the second charging equipment. The notification section notifies the user of the suggested equipment. When the non-contact charging recommendation degree is high, the setting section is more likely to set the second charging equipment as the suggested equipment than when the non-contact charging recommendation degree is low. 
     The present disclosure enables suggesting charging equipment appropriate to a characteristic of a user to the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like signs denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of an information processing system including a server, which is an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram specifically illustrating respective configurations of a vehicle, a charging station, and a user terminal; 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram specifically illustrating an ECU and related devices in the vehicle and a configuration of the server; 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram specifically illustrating an example of charging equipment information DB; 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on an HMI device of the user terminal; 
         FIG.  6    is a block diagram for describing a function of the server and operation of the user terminal according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a diagram for describing an example of data to be used for determination of a non-contact charging recommendation degree and a temporal recommendation degree and calculation of a total recommendation degree; 
         FIG.  8    is a diagram illustrating an example of a navigation screen displayed on an HMI device of a user terminal in a comparative example; 
         FIG.  9    is a diagram illustrating an example of a navigation screen displayed on an HMI device of the user terminal in the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  10    is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing to be executed for notification of suggested equipment to a user in the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  11    is a block diagram for describing a function of a server and operation of a user terminal according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating examples of user images generated by a camera; 
         FIG.  13    is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing to be executed for notification of suggested equipment to a user in the second embodiment; and 
         FIG.  14    is a diagram illustrating an example of data to be used for determination of non-contact charging recommendation degree in a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, parts that identical or correspond to each other are provided with the same sign and description of such part will not be repeated. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG.  1    is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of an information processing system including a server, which is an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. 
     The information processing system  10  includes vehicles  100 , a server  200 , and user terminals  400 . The vehicles  100 , the server  200 , and the user terminals  400  are connected to a communication network NW such as the Internet. 
     Each vehicle  100  is an electrified vehicle in which an electric power storage device for traveling is mounted, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Each vehicle  100  is configured to be capable of performing external charging for charging the electric power storage device using charging equipment such as a charging station  300  provided outside the vehicle  100 . 
     The server  200  is configured to communicate with the vehicles  100  through the communication network NW. 
     Each user terminal  400  is a mobile terminal to be operated by a user of a vehicle  100 , for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal or a wearable terminal. The user can input a destination of the vehicle  100  by operating the user terminal  400 . 
       FIG.  2    is a diagram specifically illustrating respective configurations of a vehicle  100 , a charging station  300 , and a user terminal  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the vehicle  100  includes an electric power storage device  110 , a sensor unit  112 , a system main relay (SMR)  115 , a power control unit (PCU)  120 , a motor generator (MG)  130 , and drive wheels  140 . The vehicle  100  further includes an inlet  150 , charging relays RY 1 , RY 2 , a communication device (data communication module)  170 , an electric power receiving device  155 , and a human machine interface (HMI) device  145 . The vehicle  100  includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver  172 , a camera  180 , a biosensor  185 , and an electronic control unit (ECU)  160 . 
     The electric power storage device  110  is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery. An amount of electric power stored in the electric power storage device  110  is indicated by a state of charge (SOC). 
     The sensor unit  112  includes a voltage sensor, an electric current sensor, and a temperature sensor that detect a voltage, an electric current, and a temperature of the electric power storage device  110 , respectively. 
     The SMR  115  is provided between electric power lines PL 1 , NL 1  connected to the electric power storage device  110 , and the PCU  120 . The SMR  115  is controlled to be on during the vehicle  100  traveling. 
     The PCU  120  includes electric power conversion devices such as converters and inverters (all not illustrated). The PCU  120  converts direct-current electric power received from the electric power storage device  110  into alternating-current electric power. 
     Upon reception of the alternating-current electric power resulting from the conversion by the PCU  120 , the MG  130  generates a rotary drive force. The drive force generated by the MG  130  is transmitted to the drive wheels  140 . Consequently, the vehicle  100  travels. 
     The inlet  150  is configured to receive electric power supplied from a grid power supply  310  through the charging station  300 . Hereinafter, external charging of the vehicle  100 , the external charging being performed using electric power supplied from the charging station  300  to the inlet  150 , is also referred to as “contact charging”. 
     The charging relay RY 1  is connected to the electric power lines PL 1 , NL 1 . During performance of the contact charging, the charging relay RY 1  is controlled to be in a closed state. 
     The communication device  170  is configured to enable bidirectional data communication to be performed between the vehicle  100  and the server  200  and between the vehicle  100  and the user terminal  400  through the communication network NW. The communication device  170  is configured to further enable near-field communication with non-contact charging equipment  304  (described later). 
     The electric power receiving device  155  includes an electric power receiving coil  156  and an electric power conversion device  157 . The electric power receiving coil  156  receives alternating-current electric power in a non-contact manner from the grid power supply  310  through the non-contact charging equipment  304 . The electric power conversion device  157  converts the alternating-current electric power received in a non-contact manner by the electric power receiving coil  156  into direct-current electric power of a voltage level of the electric power storage device  110 . Hereinafter, external charging of the vehicle  100 , the external charging being performed using electric power supplied from the non-contact charging equipment  304  to the electric power receiving device  155 , is also referred to as “non-contact charging”. Where the non-contact charging equipment  304  is provided on a driving lane (charging lane) or a side wall thereof, the vehicle  100  can perform non-contact charging during driving (charging during driving). 
     The charging relay RY 2  is provided between the electric power storage device  110  and the electric power receiving device  155 . The charging relay RY 2  is controlled to be in a closed state during non-contact charging being performed. 
     The HMI device  145  is a touch screen that provides various kinds of information to a user  195  of the vehicle  100  and that receives an input provided via operation by the user  195 . The HMI device  145  includes a display section  147 , an input section  148 , a memory  149 , and a central processing unit (CPU)  146 . The display section  147  displays various kinds of information to the user  195  of the vehicle  100 . 
     The input section  148  receives an input provided via operation by the user  195 . For example, the input section  148  receives an input of profile information of the user  195  or an input of a destination of the vehicle  100 . 
     The memory  149  stores programs and data for implementing various functions, in the HMI device  145 . The CPU  146  executes or uses the programs and data stored in the memory  149 . Consequently, the HMI device  145  can function as, for example, a car navigation device. In this case, when the user  195  sets a destination of the vehicle  100  using the input section  148 , information indicating the destination is transferred to the ECU  160  and then transmitted to the server  200  through the communication device  170 . Subsequently, a driving route from a current location of the vehicle  100  to the destination is set by the server  200 . Information indicating the driving route is transmitted from the server  200  to the vehicle  100 . The display section  147  displays the driving route of the vehicle  100 . 
     The GPS receiver  172  acquires position information indicating a current position of the vehicle  100 , based on radio waves from an artificial satellite. The position information is transferred to the ECU  160  and then is used by the HMI device  145  or transmitted to the server  200  through the communication device  170 . 
     The camera  180  is an imaging device that generates a user image by taking an image of the user  195  in the vehicle. The camera  180  outputs the user image to the ECU  160 . 
     The biosensor  185  detects biological information such as a body temperature, a heart rate, a pulse rate, and a blood pressure of the user  195  in the vehicle, for example, in a non-contact manner and outputs a detection value of the detection to the ECU  160 . The biological information may be information that is different from the body temperature, the heart rate, the pulse rate, and the blood pressure of the user  195 . 
     The ECU  160  controls devices of the vehicle  100  according to various sensor signals, and the programs, the data, and maps stored in the memory. The ECU  160  controls, for example, the SMR  115 , the PCU  120 , the charging relays RY 1 , RY 2 , the HMI device  145 , the electric power receiving device  155 , and the communication device  170 . 
     The ECU  160  calculates an SOC of the electric power storage device  110  using a known method according to the detection value from the sensor unit  112 . 
     The ECU  160  is configured to perform external charging control for charging the electric power storage device  110  using charging equipment such as the charging station  300  or the non-contact charging equipment  304 . Hereinafter, external charging control using electric power supplied from the charging station  300  to the inlet  150  is also referred to as “contact charging control”. External charging control using electric power supplied from the non-contact charging equipment  304  to the electric power receiving device  155  is also referred to as “non-contact charging control”. 
     Where the ECU  160  performs, for example, contact charging control, the ECU  160  transmits a charging start request and a charging current instruction value to the charging station  300  via controller area network (CAN) communication such that electric power is supplied from the charging station  300  to the inlet  150 . Consequently, contact charging is performed. 
     Where the ECU  160  performs non-contact charging control, the ECU  160  outputs an electric power supply request to the non-contact charging equipment  304  via near-field communication through the communication device  170  such that electric power is supplied from the non-contact charging equipment  304  to the electric power receiving device  155 . Consequently, electric power is supplied from an electric power transmission device  305  of the non-contact charging equipment  304  to the electric power receiving device  155 . As a result, non-contact charging is started. 
     The charging station  300  includes a charging device  302 . The charging device  302  converts alternating-current electric power from the grid power supply  310  into direct-current electric power during contact charging. The electric power resulting from the conversion is supplied to the inlet  150  through a charging cable  190  and a connector  194  of the charging station  300 . Typically, a charging rate of the charging station  300  is higher than a charging rate of the non-contact charging equipment  304 . 
     The user terminal  400  includes an HMI device  420 , a communication device  430 , a storage device  435 , a GPS receiver  440 , and a processing device  410 . 
     The HMI device  420  is a touch screen and includes an input section  422  and a display section  425 . The input section  422  receives an input provided by the user  195  (for example, an input of profile information and an input of a destination). The display section  147  displays various kinds of information to the user  195  of the vehicle  100 . 
     As with the HMI device  145 , the HMI device  420  can function as a car navigation device. The HMI device  420  is used for suggesting charging equipment pieces such as the charging station  300  and the non-contact charging equipment  304  to the user  195  by means of notification. 
     The communication device  430  is an interface for wirelessly communicating with the vehicle  100  and the server  200 . 
     The storage device  435  stores programs and data to be used by the processing device  410  or the HMI device  420 . The GPS receiver  440  acquires position information indicating a current position of the user terminal  400  from an artificial satellite. 
     The processing device  410  performs processing for controlling devices of the user terminal  400  according to the programs and the data stored in the storage device  435  and information input to the HMI device  420 . For example, where the user  195  inputs profile information and a destination of the vehicle  100  to the HMI device  420 , the processing device  410  transmits information indicating the profile information and the destination to the server  200  through the communication device  430 . 
       FIG.  3    is a diagram specifically illustrating the ECU  160  and related devices in the vehicle  100  and a configuration of the server  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the ECU  160  of the vehicle  100  includes a processing section  161  and an input-output interface  165 . The processing section  161  includes a CPU  162  and a memory  163 . The memory  163  includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a random-access memory (RAM) (neither of which is illustrated). 
     The ECU  160 , the communication device  170 , the GPS receiver  172 , the camera  180 , and the biosensor  185  are connected to an in-vehicle network (bus)  191 . 
     The ECU  160  transmits and receives various kinds of information to or from the server  200 , the user terminal  400 , and the non-contact charging equipment  304  through the communication device  170 . For example, the ECU  160  transmits vehicle information including various kinds of information of the vehicle  100  to the server  200  through the communication device  170 . The vehicle information includes a current location of the vehicle  100 , a destination of the vehicle  100 , and a current SOC of the electric power storage device  110 . 
     The server  200  includes a communication device  210 , a storage device  220 , and a processing device  230 . The communication device  210  is configured to be communicable with the vehicle  100  and the user terminal  400 . For example, the communication device  210  acquires (receives) the aforementioned vehicle information from the vehicle  100 . Where the user  195  is in the vehicle  100 , a position of the user terminal  400  and a position of the vehicle  100  are the same, and thus, the communication device  210  may acquire information of the position of the user terminal  40  and destination information of the vehicle  100  from the user terminal  400 . The communication device  210  transmits a driving route of the vehicle  100 , the driving route being set by the processing device  230 , to the vehicle  100  or the user terminal  400 . 
     The storage device  220  includes a map information database (DB)  222 , a traffic information database (DB)  224 , a vehicle information database (DB)  226 , and a charging equipment information database (DB)  221 . 
     The map information DB  222  stores map information including road map data. The traffic information DB  224  sores real-time data and history records of information indicating an amount of traffic on each of the roads in the map information DB  222 , according to information transmitted from each of a large number of vehicles including the vehicles  100  (a position, a speed, etc., of the vehicle). The vehicle information DB  226  includes information including an ID and electricity consumption of each vehicle  100 . The charging equipment information DB  221  stores information of a large number of charging equipment pieces. 
       FIG.  4    specifically illustrates an example of the charging equipment information DB  221 . Referring to  FIG.  4   , the charging equipment information DB  221  indicates an ID, a charging method, and a position of each of the charging equipment pieces. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2    again, where contact charging of the vehicle  100  is performed using the charging station  300 , the user  195  needs to manually connect the charging cable  190  to the inlet  150 . However, if the user  195  is an elderly person or is physically disabled, the user  195  has difficulty in doing such work. Otherwise, regardless of whether it is such case or not, the user  195  may be unwilling to do such work. Therefore, where charging of the electric power storage device  110  is needed, it may be unfavorable to suggest a contact charging-type charging station  300  to the user  195 . 
     The server  200  according to the first embodiment includes a configuration that responds to the aforementioned problem. More specifically, the server  200  determines a non-contact charging recommendation degree representing a degree of recommendation of non-contact charging to the user  195 , based on a characteristic of the user. The server  200  sets suggested equipment, which is charging equipment suggested to the user  195  from among the charging station  300  and the non-contact charging equipment  304 . Where the non-contact charging recommendation degree is high, the server  200  is more likely to set the non-contact charging equipment  304  as the suggested equipment, than where the non-contact charging recommendation degree is low. 
     According to the above configuration, the non-contact charging recommendation degree is determined based on a characteristic of the user  195 . As the non-contact charging recommendation degree is higher, that is, as the user  195  has more characteristics for which non-contact charging is recommended more, the non-contact charging equipment  304  is more likely to be suggested to the user  195 , in preference to the charging station  300 . Therefore, it is possible to suggest charging equipment appropriate to the characteristics of the user  195  to the user  195 . 
     In the first embodiment, the non-contact charging recommendation degree is determined according to the profile information of the user  195 . Consequently, the profile information of the user  195  is reflected in a non-contact charging recommendation degree X. As a result, it is possible to suggest appropriate charging equipment in which the profile information of the user  195  is reflected, to the user. A detailed description will be given below with reference to  FIGS.  5  to  9   . 
       FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the HMI device  420  of the user terminal  400 . Referring to  FIG.  5   , a screen  500  is displayed to, for example, when the user  195  buys the vehicle  100 , receive an input of profile information of the user  195 . Upon the screen  500  being displayed, the profile information is input to the user terminal  400  through the input section  422  of the HMI device  420 . 
     The screen  500  includes messages  505  to  509  and buttons  510  to  565 . The message  505  asks the user  195  about a user age, which is an age of the user  195 . The message  506  asks the user  195  about whether or not the user  195  is physically disabled. 
     The message  507  asks the user  195  about whether or not the user  195  prefers non-contact charging to contact charging. The message  509  asks the user  195  about a degree of preference of non-contact charging. The degree of preference indicates the user  195 &#39;s degree of preference of non-contact charging to contact charging. 
     Upon any of the buttons  510  to  565  being selected, an answer corresponding to the selected button is input to the user terminal  400  through the input section  422  of the HMI device  420 . For example, upon the button  510  being selected, information indicating the age of the user  195  is in 30&#39;s or under is input to the user terminal  400 . 
     Upon respective answers to the messages  505  to  509  being input, information indicating these answers (more specifically, answers about the user age, whether or not the user  195  is physically disabled, and the degree of preference) is stored as profile information in the storage device  435  of the user terminal  400 . The information may be transmitted from the user terminal  400  to the server  200  and stored in the storage device  220  of the server  200 . 
       FIG.  6    is a block diagram for describing a function of the server  200  according to the first embodiment and operation of the user terminal  400 . In this example, it is assumed that the user  195  is in the vehicle  100 , carrying the user terminal  400 , and provides an input indicating that the user wishes suggestion of charging equipment, via the user&#39;s operation. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , in response to the above input provided via the user&#39;s operation, the processing device  410  acquires position information of the user terminal  400  (equal to position information of the vehicle  100  in this example) from the GPS receiver  440 . Furthermore, the processing device  410  reads profile information  436  of the user  195  from the storage device  435 . Subsequently, in order to set suggested equipment such as described above, the processing device  410  outputs a request (suggested equipment setting request PESR) to the server  200  through the communication device  430 . This request includes the read profile information  436  and the position information of the user terminal  400 . 
     The communication device  210  of the server  200  receives the suggested equipment setting request PESR from the user terminal  400 . The received suggested equipment setting request PESR is transferred to the processing device  230 . 
     The processing device  230  includes an extraction section  705 , a determination section  710 , a candidate equipment selection section  712 , a temporal recommendation degree determination section  715 , a calculation section  720 , and a setting section  725  as functional components. 
     The extraction section  705  extracts a user characteristic value UCV from the profile information included in the suggested equipment setting request PESR received by the communication device  210 . The user characteristic value UCV represents a characteristic of the user  195  and includes, for example, at least one of the user age and the degree of preference of non-contact charging. The user characteristic value UCV may further include information indicating whether or not the user  195  is physically disabled. The user characteristic value UCV is output to the determination section  710 . 
     The determination section  710  determines a non-contact charging recommendation degree X based on the user characteristic value UCV. The determination section  710  determines the non-contact charging recommendation degree X such that where the user characteristic value UCV is high, the non-contact charging recommendation degree X becomes higher than that where the user characteristic value UCV is low. In this example, the non-contact charging recommendation degree X is determined such that where at least one of the user characteristic values of the user age and the degree of preference of non-contact charging is high, the non-contact charging recommendation degree X becomes higher than that where the at least one of the user characteristic values is low. The non-contact charging recommendation degree X is output to the calculation section  720 . A specific method for determining the non-contact charging recommendation degree X will be described later. 
     The candidate equipment selection section  712  selects a plurality of candidate equipment pieces, which are candidates of suggested equipment, from among a plurality of charging equipment pieces each having an ID stored in the charging equipment information DB  221  ( FIG.  4   ). The candidate equipment pieces are selected from charging equipment pieces located within a range of a predetermined distance from a current position of the vehicle  100 . The candidate equipment pieces may be selected from equipment pieces located along a driving route the vehicle  100  drives to arrive at a destination. The candidate equipment selection section  712  selects the candidate equipment pieces according to position information PI of the user terminal  400  (current position of the vehicle  100 ) included in the suggested equipment setting request PESR and respective positions of the charging equipment pieces in the charging equipment information DB  221  ( FIG.  4   ). Candidate equipment information CEI indicating the candidate equipment pieces (for example, the IDs of the candidate equipment pieces) is output to the temporal recommendation degree determination section  715 . 
     The temporal recommendation degree determination section  715  calculates a temporal recommendation degree Y for each candidate equipment piece, according to the candidate equipment information CEI. The temporal recommendation degree Y represents a degree of shortness of estimated travel time, which is an estimated value of time required until the vehicle  100  arrives at charging equipment such as the charging station  300  or the non-contact charging equipment  304 . The temporal recommendation degree determination section  715  calculates the temporal recommendation degree Y for each candidate equipment piece, by calculating estimated travel time for the candidate equipment piece according to the map information DB  222  and the traffic information DB  224 . It is also conceivable that as the estimated travel time of travel to a charging equipment piece is shorter, the use of the charging equipment piece by the user  195  is recommended more. Therefore, the temporal recommendation degree determination section  715  determines the temporal recommendation degree Y such that as the estimated travel time is shorter, the temporal recommendation degree Y becomes higher. A relationship between the temporal recommendation degree Y and the estimated travel time is represented by, for example, a predetermined arithmetic expression. The temporal recommendation degree Y is output to the calculation section  720 . A specific method for determining a temporal recommendation degree Y will be described later. 
     For each of the charging station  300  and the non-contact charging equipment  304 , the calculation section  720  calculates a total recommendation degree Z representing a degree of recommendation of the charging equipment to the user  195 . In other words, the calculation section  720  calculates the total recommendation degree Z for each candidate equipment piece. The calculation section  720  may calculate the total recommendation degree Z for each of three or more charging equipment pieces (candidate equipment pieces) including the charging station  300  and the non-contact charging equipment  304 . In this example, the total recommendation degree Z (total recommendation degree Z 1 ) of the charging station  300  is equal to the relevant temporal recommendation degree Y. The total recommendation degree Z (total recommendation degree Z 2 ) of the non-contact charging equipment  304  includes the non-contact charging recommendation degree X and the relevant temporal recommendation degree Y, and in this example, is a total of these recommendation degrees. A specific method for calculating the total recommendation degree Z will be described later. The total recommendation degrees Z 1 , Z 2  are output to the setting section  725 . 
     The setting section  725  sets charging equipment having a higher total recommendation degree Z, of the charging station  300  and the non-contact charging equipment  304 , as suggested equipment. For example, where one charging station  300  and one non-contact charging equipment  304  are selected as candidate equipment pieces and the total recommendation degree Z 2  of the non-contact charging equipment  304  is higher than the total recommendation degree Z 1  of the charging station  300 , the setting section  725  sets the non-contact charging equipment  304  as suggested equipment. Upon the suggested equipment being set according to the total recommendation degree Z in this way, the aforementioned estimated travel time is reflected in setting of the suggested equipment in addition to the non-contact charging recommendation degree X. As a result, it is possible to suggest more appropriate charging equipment to the user. 
     Where a total recommendation degree Z is calculated for each of three or more charging equipment pieces (candidate equipment pieces) including the charging station  300  and the non-contact charging equipment  304 , the setting section  725  may set a charging equipment piece having a highest total recommendation degree Z from among the three or more charging equipment pieces, as suggested equipment. The number of suggested equipment pieces may be one or two or more. Suggested equipment information PEI indicating at least one suggested equipment piece (for example, the ID of the suggested equipment piece) is output to the communication device  210 . 
     Subsequently, the suggested equipment information PEI is transmitted from the communication device  210  to the user terminal  400 . Upon reception of the suggested equipment information PEI through the communication device  430 , the processing device  410  of the user terminal  400  displays a screen showing information indicating the suggested equipment (for example, the position of the suggested equipment), on the display section  425 . Consequently, where notification of the suggested equipment is provided to the user  195 . Where the HMI device  420  includes a microphone, the processing device  410  may provide the notification of the suggested equipment to the user  195  via voice output from the microphone. The HMI device  420  forms an example of “notification section” of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  7    is a diagram for describing an example of data to be used for determination of a non-contact charging recommendation degree X and a temporal recommendation degree Y and calculation of a total recommendation degree Z. The below description will be provided appropriately with reference to  FIG.  5   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , total recommendation degree calculation data  600  is stored in the memory  232  of the processing device  230 . The total recommendation degree calculation data  600  includes non-contact charging recommendation degree determination data  602  and temporal recommendation degree determination data  620 . 
     The non-contact charging recommendation degree determination data  602  is used for determination of a non-contact charging recommendation degree X. The non-contact charging recommendation degree determination data  602  include data  605  to  615 . 
     The data  605  is used for determination of an age point AP for determining a non-contact charging recommendation degree X. The determination section  710  determines an age point AP according to a result of selection from the buttons  510 ,  512 ,  515 ,  520  in  FIG.  5    and the data  605 . 
     For example, if the button  510  is selected, the user age is in 30&#39;s or under, and thus, it is conceivable that the user  195  can easily manually connect the charging cable  190  to the inlet  150 . In this example, in order for the charging station  300 , which typically has a higher charging rate, to be more likely to be recommended to the user  195  than the non-contact charging equipment  304 , the age point AP is determined to be low (−5P). 
     If the button  512  is selected, the user age is in 40&#39;s, and thus, it is conceivable that the user  195  can perform the work of connecting the charging cable  190  with no trouble. In this example, in order for the non-contact charging equipment  304  and the charging station  300  to be equally likely to be recommended to the user  195 , the age point AP is determined not to change (0P) . 
     Where the button  515  is selected, the user age is in 50&#39;s, and thus, it is conceivable that the user  195  relatively exhausts himself/herself in the work of connecting the charging cable  190 . In this example, in order for the non-contact charging equipment  304  to be relatively likely to be recommended to the user  195  than the charging station  300 , the age point AP is determined to be relatively high (+5P). 
     If the button  520  is selected, the user age is in 60&#39;s or over, it is conceivable that the user  195  exhausts himself/herself in the work of connecting the charging cable  190 . In this example, in order for the non-contact charging equipment  304  to be more likely to be recommended to the user  195  than the charging station  300 , the age point AP is determined to be high (+10P). 
     The data  610  is used for determination of a disability point DP for determining a non-contact charging recommendation degree X. The determination section  710  determines a disability point DP based on a result of selection from the buttons  530 ,  535  and the data  610 . 
     For example, if the button  530  is selected, the user  195  is not physically disabled. In this example, in order for the non-contact charging equipment  304  and the charging station  300  to be equally likely to be recommended to the user  195 , the disability point DP is determined not to change (0P). 
     If the button  535  is selected, the user  195  is physically disabled, and thus, it is conceivable that the user  195  has difficulty in performing the work of connecting the charging cable  190 . In this example, in order for the non-contact charging equipment  304  to be more likely to be recommended to the user  195  than the charging station  300 , the disability point DP is determined to be high (+10P). 
     The data  615  is used for determination of a preference point PP for determining a non-contact charging recommendation degree X. The preference point PP corresponds to a form of a degree of preference of non-contact charging. The determination section  710  determines an age point AP according to a result of selection from the buttons  545 ,  550 ,  555  in  FIG.  5    (and if the button  545  is selected, subsequent selection from the buttons  560 ,  565 ) and the data  615 . 
     For example, if the button  545  is selected, the user  195  prefers contact charging to non-contact charging, and thus, the preference point PP is determined to be low (−5P). 
     If the button  555  is selected, the user  195  prefers contact charging equally with non-contact charging, and thus, the preference point PP is determined not to change (0P). 
     If the buttons  545 ,  560  are selected, the user  195  relatively prefers non-contact charging to contact charging, and thus, the preference point PP is determined to be relatively high (5P). 
     If the buttons  545 ,  565  are selected, the user  195  prefers non-contact charging to contact charging very much, and thus, the preference point PP is determined to be high (10P). 
     The determination section  710  determines a non-contact charging recommendation degree X according to the age point AP, the disability point DP and the preference point PP. In this example, the non-contact charging recommendation degree X is a total of these points. Note that the above points (−5P, 0P, +5P, +10P) are mere examples and are not limited to these examples. 
     Typically, it is conceivable that as the age of the user  195  is higher, the user  195  has more difficulty in manually connecting the charging cable  190  to the inlet  150 . Where the non-contact charging recommendation degree X is determined as above, as the age of the user age is higher, the non-contact charging equipment  304  is more likely to be determined as the suggested equipment because the age point AP is higher. As a result, it is possible to suggest appropriate charging equipment in which the user age is reflected to the user. 
     Furthermore, the non-contact charging equipment  304  is more likely to be suggested to the user  195  as the user  195 &#39;s degree of preference (preference point PP) of non-contact charging is higher. As a result, it is possible to suggest appropriate charging equipment in which the user  195 &#39;s preference is reflected to the user. 
     The temporal recommendation degree determination data  620  is used for determination of a temporal recommendation degree Y. The temporal recommendation degree determination section  715  determines a temporal recommendation degree Y according to a distance LVE from the vehicle  100  (user terminal  400 ) to charging equipment (candidate equipment) and the temporal recommendation degree determination data  620 . 
     For example, if the distance LVE is shorter than a distance L 1 , it is conceivable that estimated travel time of travel to the charging equipment is shorter than that where the distance LVE is not shorter than the distance L 1 , and thus, the temporal recommendation degree Y is determined to be high (+10P). 
     If the distance LVE is not shorter than the distance L 1  and is shorter than the distance L 2  (&gt;L 1 ), it is conceivable that the estimated travel time is shorter than that where the distance LVE is not shorter than the distance L 2  and the estimated travel time is longer than that where the distance LVE is shorter than the distance L 1 . In this example, the temporal recommendation degree Y is determined not to change (0P). 
     Where the distance LVE is not shorter than the distance L 2 , it is conceivable that the estimated travel time is longer than that where the distance LVE is shorter than the distance L 2 , the temporal recommendation degree Y is determined to be low (−10P). The distances L 1  and L 2  are appropriately determined in advance. 
       FIG.  8    is a diagram illustrating an example of a navigation screen displayed on an HMI device  420  of a user terminal  400  in a comparative example. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , a navigation screen  800  in the comparative example displays a map within a range of a predetermined distance from a current location PN of a vehicle  100 . Furthermore, the navigation screen  800  displays a charging station  300 A from among charging stations  300 A to  300 C and non-contact charging equipment pieces  304 A to  304 C around the vehicle  100 , the charging station  300 A being located along a driving route (hatched part) RT of the vehicle  100  and being charging equipment closest to the current location PN of the vehicle  100 . Each of the charging stations  300 A to  300 C is the same as the charging station  300 . Each of the non-contact charging equipment pieces  304 A to  304 C is the same as the non-contact charging equipment  304  and is provided on a side wall of a road, for charging during the vehicle  100  traveling. In this example, charging equipment pieces (charging stations  300 B,  300 C and non-contact charging equipment pieces  304 A to  304 C) other than the charging station  300 A are actually located around the current location PN of the vehicle  100  but are not displayed on the navigation screen  800 . 
     In the comparative example, even if a user  195  has difficulty in connecting a charging cable  190  to an inlet  150  or is unwilling to do such work, the charging station  300 A is suggested to the user  195 . As a result, inappropriate charging equipment may be suggested to the user  195 . 
       FIG.  9    is a diagram illustrating an example of a navigation screen displayed on the HMI device  420  of the user terminal  400  in the first embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , in the first embodiment, a total recommendation degree Z is calculated by the server  20  for each of non-contact charging equipment pieces  304 A to  304 C and charging stations  300 A to  300 C, which are candidate equipment pieces. In this example, it is assumed that the total recommendation degree Z of the non-contact charging equipment  304 A from among these candidate equipment pieces is highest. Therefore, the non-contact charging equipment  304 A is set as suggested equipment and suggested equipment information PEI indicating the setting result is transmitted from the server  200  to the user terminal  400 . 
     Upon reception of the suggested equipment information PEI, the user terminal  400  displays a navigation screen  805  on the display section  425  of the HMI device  420 . Unlike the navigation screen  800  in the comparative example, the navigation screen  805  displays the non-contact charging equipment  304 A. If both of total recommendation degrees Z 2  of the non-contact charging equipment pieces  304 B,  304 C are higher than all of total recommendation degrees Z 1  of the charging stations  300 A to  300 C, the navigation screen  805  may further display the non-contact charging equipment pieces  304 B,  304 C. 
     In the first embodiment, if the user  195  has difficulty in connecting the charging cable  190  to the inlet  150  or is unwilling to do such work, the non-contact charging equipment  304  can be suggested to the user  195  instead of the contact charging-type charging station  300 . As a result, it is possible to suggest appropriate charging equipment to the user  195 . 
       FIG.  10    is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing to be executed for notification of suggested equipment to the user  195  in the first embodiment. The processing in this flowchart starts, for example, upon the user  195  inputting an instruction indicating a wish for charging equipment to be suggested, to the user terminal  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , the user terminal  400  reads the profile information  436  of the user  195  from the storage device  435  (step S 205 ). 
     Next, the user terminal  400  acquires position information of the user terminal  400 , using the GPS receiver  440  (step S 210 ). In this example, the position of the user terminal  400  is equal to a position of the vehicle  100 . 
     Next, the user terminal  400  transmits a suggested equipment setting request PESR to the server  200  (step S 215 ). This request includes the read profile information  436  and the position information of the user terminal  400  (position information of the vehicle  100 ). 
     The server  200  determines whether or not the server  200  has received the suggested equipment setting request PESR (step S 120 ). If the server  200  has not received this request (NO in step S 120 ), the server  200  performs the determination processing until the server  200  receives this request. On the other hand, if the server  200  has received this request (YES in step S 120 ), the server  200  proceeds the processing to step S 125 . 
     Next, the server  200  extracts a user characteristic value UCV (for example, at least one of a user age and a degree of preference of non-contact charging) from the profile information included in the received suggested equipment setting request PESR (step S 125 ). The server  200  determines a non-contact charging recommendation degree X based on the user characteristic value UCV and the non-contact charging recommendation degree determination data  602  ( FIG.  7   ) (step S 130 ). 
     Next, the server  200  selects a plurality of candidate equipment pieces, which are candidates for suggested equipment, based on the charging equipment information DB  221  ( FIGS.  4  and  6   ) (step S 133 ). The server  200  calculates estimated travel time ET, which is an estimated value of time required until the vehicle  100  arrives at the charging equipment (candidate equipment), for each candidate equipment piece (step S 135 ) and determines a temporal recommendation degree Y for each candidate equipment piece (step S 140 ). 
     Next, the server  200  calculates a total recommendation degree Z for each candidate equipment piece. More specifically, for each of the charging stations  300  included in the candidate equipment pieces, the server  200  calculates a total recommendation degree Z 1  of the charging station  300 , and for each of the non-contact charging equipment pieces  304  included in the candidate equipment pieces, the server  200  calculates a total recommendation degree Z 2  of the non-contact charging equipment piece  304  (step S 145 ). In this example, the total recommendation degree Z 2  is a total of the non-contact charging recommendation degree X and the temporal recommendation degree Y. 
     Next, the server  200  sets a charging equipment piece having a highest total recommendation degree Z from among the plurality of candidate equipment pieces including the charging stations  300  and the non-contact charging equipment pieces  304 , as suggested equipment (step S 150 ). 
     Next, the server  200  transmits suggested equipment information PEI to the user terminal  400  through the communication device  210  (step S 155 ). After step S 155 , the processing in the server  200  ends. 
     The user terminal  400  determines whether or not the user terminal  400  has received the suggested equipment information PEI through the communication device  430  (step S 260 ). If the user terminal  400  has not received the suggested equipment information PEI (NO in step S 260 ), the user terminal  400  performs the determination processing until the user terminal  400  receives this information. On the other hand, the user terminal  400  has received the information (YES in step S 260 ), the user terminal  400  proceeds the processing to step S 265 . 
     Next, the user terminal  400  notifies the user  195  of the suggested equipment according to the suggested equipment information PEI (step S 265 ). More specifically, the user terminal  400  displays the screen  805  ( FIG.  9   ) on the display section  425  or informs the user  195  of information indicating the suggested equipment, via voice. After step S 265 , the processing in the user terminal  400  ends. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the second embodiment, a non-contact charging recommendation degree X is determined using a user image generated by a camera  180 . More specifically, the non-contact charging recommendation degree X is determined according to a user age estimated using the user image. 
     A hardware configuration of an information processing system  10  in the second embodiment is similar to that of the information processing system  10  ( FIGS.  1  to  3   ) in the first embodiment. 
       FIG.  11    is a block diagram for describing a function of a server  200  according to the second embodiment and operation of a user terminal  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the block diagram is different from  FIG.  6    in that a vehicle  100  with a camera  180  mounted therein is illustrated and in that a server  200  includes an estimation section  707  as a functional component instead of an extraction section  705 . For the rest, the block diagram in  FIG.  11    is basically similar to the block diagram in  FIG.  6   . 
     In response to an input provided via a user&#39;s operation, a processing device  410  transmits a suggested equipment setting request PESR to the server  200  and outputs a user image transmission request UITR to the vehicle  100  through a communication device  430 . The user image transmission request UITR is output in order to make the vehicle  100  transmit a user image UI showing the user  195  in the vehicle to the server  200 . 
     Upon reception of the user image transmission request UITR by a communication device  170  of the vehicle  100 , an ECU  160  transmits a user image UI generated by the camera  180  to the server  200  through the communication device  170 . 
     A communication device  210  of the server  200  acquires (receives) the suggested equipment setting request PESR from the user terminal  400  and the user image UI from the vehicle  100 . The user image UI is transmitted to the estimation section  707 . 
     The estimation section  707  estimates a user age according to the user image UI. More specifically, the estimation section  707  estimates a user age using the user image UI and a known image recognition technique. The estimation section  707  estimates the user age by, for example, recognizing the facial contour, the positional relationships among the eyes, the nose, and the mouth, and the color of the skin, of the user  195  in the user image UI. 
       FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating an example of a user image UI generated by the camera  180 . Referring to  FIG.  12   , where the user image UI is an image  182  (case A), the estimation section  707  extracts a partial image  183  showing the face of a user  195  from the image  182 . The estimation section  707  estimates that the age of the user  195  is in 40&#39;s or under by employing a known image recognition technique (age estimation technique) for the partial image  183 . 
     On the other hand, where the user image UI is an image  184  (case B), the estimation section  707  extracts a partial image  186  showing the face of a user  195  from the image  184 . The estimation section  707  estimates that the age of the user  195  is in 60&#39;s or over by employing the known image recognition technique for the partial image  186 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  11    again, the user age estimated as above is output to the determination section  710  as a user characteristic value UCV. Where the estimated user age is high, the determination section  710  determines a non-contact charging recommendation degree X such that the non-contact charging recommendation degree X is higher than that where the user age is low. 
     In this way, in the second embodiment, a non-contact charging recommendation degree X is automatically and appropriately determined without requiring the user  195  to perform an age input operation for determining the non-contact charging recommendation degree X (selection from the buttons  510  to  520  in  FIG.  5   ). As a result, it is possible to suggest appropriate charging equipment in which the user age is reflected to the user while enhancing convenience for the user  195 . 
       FIG.  13    is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing to be executed for notification of suggested equipment to the user  195  in the second embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  13   , this flowchart is different from the flowchart in  FIG.  10    in that the processing in step S 216  is added and the processing in step S 121  and the processing in step S 126  are performed instead of the processing in step S 120  and the processing in S 125 , respectively. For the rest, the flowchart in  FIG.  13    is basically similar to the flowchart in  FIG.  10   . 
     The user terminal  400  transmits a suggested equipment setting request PESR to the server  200  (step S 215 ) and outputs a user image transmission request UITR to the vehicle  100  (step S 216 ). Consequently, a user image UI is transmitted from the vehicle  100  to the server  200 . 
     The server  200  determines whether or not the server  200  has received the suggested equipment setting request PESR and the user image UI (step S 121 ). If the server  200  has received neither the suggested equipment setting request PESR nor the user image UI (NO in step S 121 ), the server  200  performs the determination processing until the server  200  receives the suggested equipment setting request PESR and the user image UI. On the other hand, if the server  200  has received the suggested equipment setting request PESR and the user image UI (YES in step S 121 ), the server  200  proceeds the processing to step S 126 . 
     Next, the server  200  estimates the user age according to the user image UI (step S 126 ). The estimated user age is used, as a user characteristic value UCV, for determination of a non-contact charging recommendation degree X in processing subsequent to step S 126 . 
     Third Embodiment 
     In a third embodiment, an unhealthiness degree representing a degree of unhealthiness of a user  195  is used as a user characteristic value UCV for determination of a non-contact charging recommendation degree X. 
     For determination of the unhealthiness degree, biological information (value detected by the biosensor  185  in  FIG.  1   ) of the user  195  is successively transmitted from a relevant vehicle  100  to a server  200 . The server  200  estimates an unhealthiness degree of the user  195  according to the biological information of the user  195 . The server  200  determines the non-contact charging recommendation degree X such that as the unhealthiness degree is higher, the non-contact charging recommendation degree X becomes higher. A specific method for determining a non-contact charging recommendation degree X will be described below. 
     Note that a hardware configuration of an information processing system  10  in the third embodiment is similar to that of the information processing system  10  in the first embodiment ( FIGS.  1  to  3   ). 
       FIG.  14    is a diagram illustrating an example of data to be used for determination of a non-contact charging recommendation degree X in the third embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  14   , non-contact charging recommendation degree determination data  650  is stored in a memory  232  of a processing device  230 . The non-contact charging recommendation degree determination data  650  includes unhealthiness degree determination data  652 . The unhealthiness degree determination data  652  includes data  655 ,  660 . 
     The data  655  is used for determination of a body temperature point BTP for determining an unhealthiness degree UND. A determination section  710  determines a body temperature point BTP according to the value detected by the biosensor  185  and the data  655 . 
     For example, if a body temperature of the user  195  is lower than 37° C., it is less likely that the user  195  has a cold. In this example, in order for non-contact charging equipment  304  and a charging station  300  to be equally likely to be recommended to the user  195 , the body temperature point BTP is determined not to change (0P). 
     On the other hand, if the body temperature of the user  195  is not lower than 37° C., it is highly likely that the user  195  has a cold. Therefore, in order for the non-contact charging equipment  304 , which does not require the user  195  to perform work of connecting a charging cable  190  at the time of use, to be suggested, the body temperature point BTP is determined to be high (+5P). 
     The data  660  is used for determination of a pulse rate point PLP for determining an unhealthiness degree UND. The determination section  710  determines a pulse rate point PLP based on the value detected by the biosensor  185  and the data  660 . 
     For example, if a pulse rate of the user  195  falls within a normal range, it is conceivable from the perspective of the pulse rate that the user  195  has no health problem. In this example, in order for the non-contact charging equipment  304  and the charging station  300  to be equally likely to be recommended to the user  195 , the pulse rate point PLP is determined to be low (0P). The pulse rate normal range is appropriately determined in advance through medical tests. 
     On the other hand, if the pulse rate of the user  195  falls outside the normal range, the user  195  may have a health problem. Therefore, in order for the non-contact charging equipment  304 , which does not require the user  195  to perform work of connecting the charging cable  190  at the time of use, to be suggested, the pulse rate point PLP is determined to be high (+5P). 
     The determination section  710  determines an unhealthiness degree UND according to the body temperature point BTP and the pulse rate point PLP. In this example, the unhealthiness degree UND is a total of the body temperature point BTP and the pulse rate point PLP, but is not limited to the total of these points. 
     For example, the determination section  710  may further determine respective evaluation points for detected values of a heart rate and a blood pressure of the user  195 , the detected values being output from the biosensor  185 , and determine an unhealthiness degree UND such that these points are reflected in the unhealthiness degree UND in addition to the body temperature point BTP and the pulse rate point PLP. 
     The determination section  710  determines a non-contact charging recommendation degree X by determining an unhealthiness degree UND. In this example, the non-contact charging recommendation degree X is equal to the unhealthiness degree UND. The non-contact charging recommendation degree X may be determined according to at least one of the age point AP, the disability point DP, and the preference point PP ( FIG.  7   ), which have been described above, and the unhealthiness degree UND. For example, the non-contact charging recommendation degree X may be a total of at least one of these points, and the unhealthiness degree UND. 
     The biosensor  185  may be configured to detect coughing by the user  195  (for example, coughing sounds). The detection result may be reflected in the unhealthiness degree UND. For example, if coughing by the user  195  is detected, the server  200  may determine the unhealthiness degree UND such that the unhealthiness degree UND is higher than that where coughing by the user  195  is not detected. 
     Other Alternations 
     The processing sequence (processing in steps S 205  to S 265 ) performed by the user terminal  400  in the flowchart in  FIG.  10    may be performed by the ECU  160 , the HMI device  145 , and the communication device  170  of the vehicle  100 . In this case, the processing sequence may automatically be started upon an SOC of the electric power storage device  110  decreasing to be lower than a threshold value during the vehicle  100  traveling. The profile information  436  is stored in the memory  149  of the HMI device  145  of the vehicle  100 . The HMI device  145  of the vehicle  100  forms an example of “notification section” of the present disclosure. 
     The processing sequence (processing in steps S 120  to S 155 ) performed by the server  200  in the flowchart in  FIG.  10    or  FIG.  13    may be performed by the ECU  160  of the vehicle  100 . In this case, the ECU  160  forms an example of “information processing apparatus” of the present disclosure. 
     More specifically, the respective functions of the extraction section  705 , the estimation section  707 , determination section  710 , the candidate equipment selection section  712 , the temporal recommendation degree determination section  715 , the calculation section  720 , and the setting section  725  ( FIG.  6  or  11   ) are implemented by the processing section  161  of the ECU  160 . In this case, a suggested equipment setting request PESR is transmitted from the user terminal  400  to the vehicle  100 . The input-output interface  165  functions as an acquisition section that acquires a user image UI created by the camera  180  and the suggested equipment setting request PESR. Total recommendation degree calculation data  600  and non-contact charging recommendation degree determination data  650  are stored in the memory  163  of the ECU  160 . 
     In the first and second embodiments, a charging equipment piece having a highest total recommendation degree Z from among candidate equipment pieces is set as suggested equipment. However, where a non-contact charging recommendation degree X is higher than a predetermined threshold recommendation degree, non-contact charging equipment  304  having the non-contact charging recommendation degree X may be set as suggested equipment. 
     Although in the first and second embodiments, as information indicating the current position of the vehicle  100 , the position information of the user terminal  400  is used, position information acquired by the GPS receiver  172  of the vehicle  100  may be used. 
     In the first and second embodiments, a user image UI is created by the camera  180  mounted in the vehicle  100 . However, where a camera is mounted in the user terminal  400 , the camera may create a user image UI. In this case, the user image UI is transmitted from the user terminal  400  to the server  200  or a relevant vehicle  100 .