JP2021015087A - Traveling assistance device and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a traveling assistance device and a computer program with which it is possible to select a charging facility more appropriate for users as a utilization object.SOLUTION: The traveling assistance device is constituted so as to: acquire, with regard to a charging facility candidate in which charging is performed among charging facilities where an onboard battery 7 that supplies electric power to the drive source of a vehicle 4 can be charged, charging facility information that includes the position of a charging facility and the upper-limit chargeable time prescribed for a charging facility candidate; predict a wait time before charging begins after the vehicle has arrived at a charging facility candidate, using the availability status of a charging facility and charging facility information; and select, on the basis of the wait time, a charging facility from charging facility candidates in which the onboard battery 7 is charged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a traveling support device and a computer program that support charging of an in-vehicle battery.

In recent years, in addition to gasoline-powered vehicles whose drive source is an engine, electric vehicles whose drive source is a motor driven by power supplied from a battery and hybrid vehicles whose drive source is a combination of a motor and an engine have been introduced. Exists. As a method of charging the in-vehicle battery of such an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, the method of charging with the regenerative power of the motor generated during deceleration or downhill road driving while the vehicle is running, or driving based on the engine. In addition to the method of charging using a generator, there is a method of charging at home or at a dedicated charging facility.

Here, when the vehicle charges at the charging facility, if there are a plurality of candidates for the charging facility capable of charging, it is difficult to determine which charging facility should be charged. Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-85272 predicts the waiting time until charging is started for each charging facility based on the current position of the user, the type of charging facility, the congestion status of the charging facility, and the like, and waits. Proposed technology to guide charging facilities that are expected to have the fewest.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-85272 (pages 6-8)

Here, in the above charging facility, in order to provide a charging opportunity to more users, the upper limit time that can be charged at one time is often set. For example, if the upper limit time is 2 hours, even if the in-vehicle battery is not fully charged at the time of charging for 2 hours, the charging ends at that time. Therefore, when there are other users using the charging facility, the timing at which the other users end charging cannot be predicted unless the above upper limit time for charging is taken into consideration, and as a result, until charging starts. It is difficult to accurately predict the waiting time.

Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the upper limit time for charging is not taken into consideration, there is a problem that the waiting time until the start of charging cannot be accurately predicted.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and by considering the upper limit of chargeable time set by the charging facility for each charging facility, the waiting time until the user starts charging It is an object of the present invention to provide a driving support device and a computer program capable of accurately predicting and selecting a more appropriate charging facility as a usage target.

In order to achieve the above object, the traveling support device according to the present invention targets charging facility candidates that are candidates for charging among charging facilities capable of charging an in-vehicle battery that supplies electric power to a vehicle drive source. The charging facility information acquisition means for acquiring the charging facility information including the position of the charging facility and the maximum chargeable time determined by the charging facility, and the availability acquisition for acquiring the availability of the charging facility in the charging facility candidate. Waiting to predict the waiting time from when the vehicle arrives at the charging facility candidate to when charging starts based on the means, the current position of the vehicle, the charging facility information, and the availability of the charging facility in the charging facility candidate. It has a time prediction means and a charging facility selection means for selecting a charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery from the charging facility candidates based on the waiting time.

Further, the computer program according to the present invention is a computer program that assists in charging the vehicle. Specifically, among the charging facilities capable of charging the in-vehicle battery that supplies power to the drive source of the vehicle, the location of the charging facility is targeted at the charging facility candidates that are candidates for charging. Charging facility information acquisition means for acquiring charging facility information including the maximum chargeable time determined by the charging facility, availability acquisition means for acquiring the availability of charging equipment in the charging facility candidate, and the current position of the vehicle. Based on the charging facility information and the availability of the charging equipment in the charging facility candidate, the waiting time predicting means for predicting the waiting time from the arrival of the vehicle at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging, and the waiting time. A charging facility that charges the in-vehicle battery based on time is made to function as a charging facility selection means for selecting from the charging facility candidates.

According to the traveling support device and the computer program according to the present invention having the above configuration, the vehicle arrives at the charging facility candidate regarding the upper limit of charging time and the availability of the charging facility set by the charging facility for each charging facility. Since the waiting time from the start of charging to the start of charging can be predicted, the accurate waiting time until the user starts charging can be predicted for the charging facility candidate, and the charging facility more suitable for the user is targeted for use. It becomes possible to select.

It is a schematic block diagram which showed the traveling support system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which showed the structure of the traveling support system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which showed an example of the charging facility information stored in the charging facility DB. It is a block diagram which shows typically the control system of the navigation device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the route search processing program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which showed the charging facility candidate guide screen displayed on the liquid crystal display. It is a flowchart of the sub-processing program of the charging facility selection processing which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the route search processing program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which showed the charging facility candidate guide screen displayed on the liquid crystal display. It is a flowchart of the sub-processing program of the charging facility selection processing which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the traveling support device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on the first embodiment and the second embodiment in which the server device 1 is embodied.

[First Embodiment]
First, a schematic configuration of the travel support system 2 including the server device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a traveling support system 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the traveling support system 2 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the travel support system 2 according to the first embodiment includes a server device (travel support device) 1 included in the information distribution center 3 and a navigation device which is a communication (guidance) terminal mounted on the vehicle 4. It basically has 5. Further, the server device 1 and the navigation device 5 are configured to be able to send and receive electronic data to and from each other via the communication network 6. Instead of the navigation device 5, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer may be used.

Further, the vehicle 4 is a vehicle equipped with at least a motor as a drive source and an in-vehicle battery 7 as a means for supplying electric power to the motor as the drive source, and the in-vehicle battery 7 can be charged in the charging facility. Make it a possible vehicle. Applicable vehicles include electric vehicles (hereinafter referred to as EV vehicles) that use only a motor as a drive source, and hybrid vehicles that use both a motor and an engine as a drive source, especially plug-in hybrid vehicles (hereinafter, PHV vehicles). There is).

Here, the server device 1 executes the route search in response to the request of the navigation device 5. Specifically, when a destination is set in the navigation device 5 or when a route is re-searched (rerouted), it is necessary to search for a route such as a departure point or a destination from the navigation device 5 to the server device 1. The information is transmitted together with the route search request (however, in the case of re-search, it is not always necessary to transmit the information about the destination). Then, the server device 1 that has received the route search request performs a route search using the map information possessed by the server device 1 and specifies a recommended route from the departure point to the destination. After that, the specified recommended route is transmitted to the requesting navigation device 5. Then, the navigation device 5 provides the user with information on the received recommended route, sets the recommended route as the guide route, and performs movement guidance according to the guide route. As a result, even if the map information possessed by the navigation device 5 at the time of route search is an old version of the map information or the navigation device 5 does not have the map information itself, the latest version of the map possessed by the server device 1 It is possible to provide a recommended route to an appropriate destination based on the information.

Further, the server device 1 is for a charging facility that charges the vehicle-mounted battery 7 when the energy (remaining power amount) stored in the vehicle-mounted battery 7 is insufficient for the energy required for traveling to the destination. It is also selected in consideration of the availability of charging facilities, the maximum chargeable time, etc., and the recommended route to the destination with the selected charging facility as a stopover is searched.

Further, the server device 1 is communicably connected to the charging facility management server 8 that manages charging facilities all over the country. The charging facility management server 8 monitors the availability of the charging space provided in the charging facility to be managed. In addition, the charging facility management server 8 also monitors the status of the waiting vehicle waiting for the vacancy when the charging space is full. It also has a charging history (charging start time, charging end time, charging time) of a vehicle that has been charged in the past. Furthermore, it also has information on the location of the charging facility, the maximum charging time, the number of charging spaces, the available time zone, the usage fee, the compatible vehicle type, and the like. Then, the charging facility management server 8 appropriately transmits information such as the current vacancy state of the charging space of the charging facility and other charging facilities in response to a request from the server device 1 as described later.

However, the above-mentioned route search process does not necessarily have to be performed by the server device 1, and the navigation device 5 may perform the route search process as long as it has map information. Further, in that case, the navigation device 5 may also select the charging facility as the waypoint based on the information possessed by the navigation device 5. Further, it is also possible for the navigation device 5 to directly perform the acquisition of the availability of the charging facility and the upper limit time for charging from the charging facility management server 8 without going through the server device 1.

On the other hand, the navigation device 5 is mounted on the vehicle 4 and displays a map around the position of the own vehicle based on the map data possessed by the navigation device 5 or the map data acquired from the outside, or displays the current position of the vehicle on the map image. It is an in-vehicle device that displays and provides movement guidance along a set guidance route. The details of the navigation device 5 will be described later.

In addition, the communication network 6 includes a large number of base stations located all over the country and a communication company that manages and controls each base station, and the base stations and communication companies are connected to each other by wire (optical fiber, ISDN, etc.) or wirelessly. It is configured by connecting. Here, the base station has a transceiver (transmitter / receiver) and an antenna for communicating with the navigation device 5. Then, while the base station performs wireless communication between communication companies, it becomes the terminal of the communication network 6 and relays the communication of the navigation device 5 within the range (cell) of the radio wave of the base station to the server device 1. Has a role to play.

Subsequently, the configuration of the server device 1 in the travel support system 2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 1 includes a server control ECU 11, a server-side map DB 12 as information recording means connected to the server control ECU 11, a charging facility DB 13, and a server-side communication device 14.

The server control ECU 11 (electronic control unit) is an electronic control unit that controls the entire server device 1, and is used as a computing device, a CPU 21 as a control device, and a working memory when the CPU 21 performs various arithmetic processes. In addition to the RAM 22 and the control program, an internal storage device such as a ROM 23 in which a route search processing program (FIG. 5) described later is recorded and a flash memory 24 for storing a program read from the ROM 23 is provided. The server control ECU 11 has various means as a processing algorithm together with the ECU of the navigation device 5 described later. For example, the charging facility information acquisition means targets the charging facility candidates that are candidates for charging among the charging facilities capable of charging the in-vehicle battery 7 that supplies electric power to the drive source of the vehicle. Acquire charging facility information including the location and the maximum chargeable time specified by the charging facility. The vacancy status acquisition means acquires the vacancy status of the charging facility in the charging facility candidate. The waiting time prediction means predicts the waiting time from the arrival of the vehicle at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging based on the current position of the vehicle, the charging facility information, and the availability of the charging equipment in the charging facility candidate. .. The charging facility selection means selects a charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery 7 from the charging facility candidates based on the waiting time.

On the other hand, the server-side map DB 12 is a storage means for storing server-side map information, which is the latest version of map information registered based on external input data and input operations. Here, the server-side map information is composed of various information necessary for route search, route guidance, and map display, including the road network. For example, network data including nodes and links indicating the road network, link data related to roads (links), node data related to node points, intersection data related to each intersection, point data related to points such as facilities, and map display for displaying a map. It consists of data, search data for searching a route, search data for searching a point, and the like.

Further, the charging facility DB 13 is a storage means for storing various information related to charging facilities located all over the country. Here, the "charging facility" is a facility capable of charging the in-vehicle battery 7 included in the vehicle 4, has a stop space for stopping the vehicle, and further has an operation panel and an operation panel around the stop space. Generally, a charging facility consisting of a cable or the like connected to a vehicle is installed. In addition to the dedicated facility for charging the vehicle, the charging facility may be provided in a part of the parking lot of a commercial facility such as a shopping mall, a car dealership, a coin parking lot, or the like.

Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the charging facility DB 13. As shown in Fig. 3, for charging facilities located all over the country, the facility ID, facility name (or the name of the other facility if it is provided in a part of another facility), the location of the charging facility, and the upper limit of charging. Information about time is stored. Here, the "charging upper limit time" indicates the upper limit time that can be charged by one charge predetermined in the charging facility, and even if the in-vehicle battery 7 is not fully charged, it is basically charged for more than the upper limit time. It cannot be done continuously.

For example, in the charging facility DB 13 shown in FIG. 3, there is a charging facility in the parking lot of the “○○ mall” at the position coordinates (x1, y1), and the upper limit of charging time is 2 hours. Information about the charging facility other than the above information (for example, the number of charging spaces, usage fee, available time zone, compatible vehicle type, etc.) may be stored in the charging facility DB 13. Further, the information about the charging facility is also stored in the charging facility management server 8, and if the navigation device 5 acquires the information about the charging facility from the charging facility management server 8 as needed, the charging facility DB 13 is omitted. You may.

On the other hand, the server-side communication device 14 is a communication device for communicating with the navigation device 5 and the charging facility management server 8 of each vehicle 4 via the communication network 6. In addition to the navigation device 5, traffic consisting of traffic information such as traffic congestion information, regulation information, and traffic accident information transmitted from an Internet network, a traffic information center, for example, a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center, etc. It is also possible to receive information.

Next, a schematic configuration of the navigation device 5 mounted on the vehicle 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the navigation device 5 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the navigation device 5 according to the first embodiment includes a current position detection unit 31 that detects the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 5 is mounted, and a data recording unit 32 that records various data. , A navigation ECU 33 that performs various arithmetic processes based on the input information, an operation unit 34 that accepts operations from the user, and a liquid crystal display 35 that displays a map around the vehicle, information on the traveling route, etc. to the user. A speaker 36 that outputs voice guidance regarding route guidance, a DVD drive 37 that reads a DVD as a storage medium, and a communication module 38 that communicates between an information distribution center 3 and an information center such as a VICS center. Have. Further, the navigation device 5 is connected to the battery remaining amount meter 39 mounted on the vehicle 4 via an in-vehicle network such as CAN.

Hereinafter, each component of the navigation device 5 will be described in order.
The current position detection unit 31 includes a GPS 41, a vehicle speed sensor 42, a steering sensor 43, a gyro sensor 44, and the like, and can detect the current position, direction, vehicle running speed, current time, and the like of the vehicle. .. Here, in particular, the vehicle speed sensor 42 is a sensor for detecting the moving distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, generates a pulse according to the rotation of the drive wheels of the vehicle, and outputs the pulse signal to the navigation ECU 33. Then, the navigation ECU 33 calculates the rotation speed and the moving distance of the drive wheels by counting the generated pulses. It is not necessary for the navigation device 5 to include all of the above four types of sensors, and the navigation device 5 may include only one or a plurality of of these sensors.

Further, the data recording unit 32 is a driver for reading a hard disk (not shown) as an external storage device and a recording medium, a map information DB 45 recorded on the hard disk, a predetermined program, and the like, and writing predetermined data to the hard disk. It is equipped with a recording head (not shown). The data recording unit 32 may be configured by a flash memory, a memory card, or an optical disk such as a CD or DVD instead of the hard disk. Further, in the first embodiment, since the server device 1 searches for the route to the destination as described above, the map information DB 47 may be omitted.

Here, the map information DB 45 is, for example, link data related to roads (links), node data related to node points, search data used for processing related to route search or change, facility data related to facilities, and a map for displaying a map. It is a storage means that stores display data, intersection data for each intersection, search data for searching a point, and the like.

On the other hand, the navigation ECU (electronic control unit) 33 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire navigation device 5, and is a computing device, a CPU 51 as a control device, and a working memory when the CPU 51 performs various arithmetic processes. In addition to being used as a RAM 52 for storing route data and the like when a route is searched, a control program, and a route search processing program (FIG. 5) described later are recorded from the ROM 53 and ROM 53. It is provided with an internal storage device such as a flash memory 54 for storing a program.

The operation unit 34 is operated when inputting a starting point as a traveling start point and a destination as a traveling end point, and is composed of a plurality of operation switches (not shown) such as various keys and buttons. Then, the navigation ECU 33 controls to execute the corresponding various operations based on the switch signals output by pressing each switch or the like. The operation unit 34 can also be configured by a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 35. It can also be configured by a microphone and a voice recognition device.

In addition, the liquid crystal display 35 has a map image including roads, traffic information, operation guidance, operation menus, key guidance, guidance information along the guidance route (scheduled travel route), news, weather forecast, time, mail, and television. Programs etc. are displayed.

Further, the speaker 36 outputs voice guidance for guiding the traveling along the guiding route (scheduled traveling route) and traffic information guidance based on the instruction from the navigation ECU 33.

The DVD drive 37 is a drive capable of reading data recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or a CD. Then, based on the read data, music and video are reproduced, the map information DB 47 is updated, and the like. A card slot for reading and writing a memory card may be provided instead of the DVD drive 37.

Further, the communication module 38 is a communication device for receiving traffic information, weather information, etc. transmitted from a traffic information center, for example, a VICS center or other external center, and corresponds to, for example, a mobile phone or a DCM. It also includes a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device that communicates between vehicles and a road-to-vehicle communication device that communicates with a roadside unit. It is also used to send and receive probe information and distribution information to and from the server device 1.

Further, the battery fuel gauge 39 is a sensor for detecting the amount of remaining energy of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 of the vehicle on which the navigation device 5 is mounted.

Subsequently, the route search processing program executed by the server device 1 and the navigation device 5 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the route search processing program according to the first embodiment. Here, the route search processing program is executed when the navigation device 5 receives a predetermined operation for starting the route search, searches for the route to the destination according to the user's operation, and searches for the searched route. It is a program that provides specific route information. The programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 7 below are stored in the RAM 52 or ROM 53 of the navigation ECU 33 or the RAM 22 or ROM 23 of the server device 1, and are executed by the CPU 51 or CPU 21. The program.

First, a route search processing program executed by the navigation device 5 will be described.
In step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 51 transmits a route search request to the server device 1. The route search request includes a terminal ID that identifies the navigation device 5 that is the source of the route search request, and information that identifies the departure place (for example, the current position of the vehicle) and the destination. It should be noted that the information for specifying the destination is not always necessary at the time of re-search.

Next, in S2, the CPU 51 receives the information regarding the charging facility candidate transmitted from the server device 1. Here, the charging facility candidate is the request source after specifying the recommended route from the departure point to the destination searched by the server device 1 using the latest version of the map information based on the route search request transmitted in S1. When it is determined that the remaining energy amount (SOC) of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 of the vehicle is insufficient with respect to the amount of energy required for traveling to the destination, the vehicle-mounted battery 7 is used in the charging facility candidate selection process (FIG. 7) described later. It is a charging facility selected as a candidate for charging. There may be multiple charging facility candidates.

In particular, in S2, the CPU 51 uses the facility ID of the charging facility candidate, the name of the charging facility candidate, the position of the charging facility candidate, the business hours of the charging facility, the current availability of the charging space, and the vehicle to arrive as information regarding the charging facility candidate. It receives the expected waiting time (hereinafter referred to as charging waiting time) from the time when charging is started. Then, the CPU 21 displays a list of charging facility candidates on the liquid crystal display 35. In particular, when there are a plurality of charging facility candidates, the charging facility candidate having a short charging waiting time is displayed with priority. Note that "priority display" may mean that only charging facility candidates with a short charging waiting time may be displayed, or charging facility candidates with a shorter charging waiting time may be visually recognized by the user than charging facility candidates with a long charging waiting time. It may be displayed so that it is easy to do. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a charging facility candidate guide screen 61 displayed on a liquid crystal display.

As shown in FIG. 6, the charging facility candidate guidance screen 61 is composed of two display areas, a left screen 62 for displaying a map around the vehicle and a right screen 63 for displaying guidance information about the charging facility.
The left screen 62 is composed of a map image 64 around the vehicle, a vehicle position mark 65 indicating the current position of the vehicle, and facility marks 66 to 69 indicating the positions of charging facility candidates.
Further, the right screen 63 is provided with information display spaces 71 to 74 for displaying detailed information about the charging facility candidate whose mark is displayed on the left screen 62. In each information display space 71 to 74, for example, the name of the charging facility candidate, the position of the charging facility candidate (distance from the current vehicle position), the business hours of the charging facility, the availability of the current charging space, and the charging waiting time are displayed. indicate. Further, in the information display spaces 71 to 74, guidance information is displayed side by side in order from the charging facility candidate having the shortest charging waiting time. Specifically, charging facility candidates with a charging waiting time of 0 (charging facility candidates that can start charging immediately after arriving at the charging facility) are first displayed, and then charging facility candidates with a charging waiting time of 15 minutes or less (charging facility candidates) are displayed. A charging facility candidate that can start charging with a short waiting time after arrival is displayed, and finally a charging facility candidate with a charging waiting time longer than 15 minutes (charging that requires a considerable amount of time to start charging after arriving at the charging facility) Facility candidate) is displayed. Further, when there are a plurality of charging facility candidates having a charging waiting time longer than 15 minutes, the charging facility candidates having the shortest charging waiting time are displayed in order.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, four charging facility candidates for charging the in-vehicle battery 7 on the way to the destination are selected. Among the four selected charging facility candidates, information about "○ × charging stand" having a charging waiting time of 0 minutes is displayed in the information display space 71. Next, among the four selected charging facility candidates, information regarding the "XX car dealer" having a charging waiting time of 15 minutes or less is displayed in the information display space 72. Further, among the four selected charging facility candidates, information on "○ × mall parking lot" having a charging waiting time of 30 minutes is displayed in the information display space 73. Finally, among the four selected charging facility candidates, information regarding "○○ parking", which has the longest charging waiting time of 45 minutes, is displayed in the information display space 74.

When there are many selected charging facility candidates, only charging facility candidates having a short charging waiting time (for example, 15 minutes or less) may be guided. Then, by visually recognizing the charging facility candidate guidance screen 61 shown in FIG. 6, the user can grasp the candidates for the charging facility that need to stop in the middle of the front of the destination.

After that, in S3, the CPU 51 determines a charging facility (hereinafter, a target charging facility) for charging the in-vehicle battery 7 from the charging facility candidates received in S2 based on the user's operation. For example, any charging facility candidate selected by the user on the charging facility candidate guidance screen 61 is determined as the target charging facility.

Subsequently, in S4, the CPU 51 transmits information regarding the target charging facility determined in S3 to the server device 1. For example, the facility ID of the target charging facility is transmitted.

Next, in S5, the CPU 51 receives the search route information transmitted from the server device 1 in response to the route search request. Here, the search route information received in S5 specifies a recommended route from the departure point to the destination searched by the server device 1 using the latest version of the map information based on the route search request transmitted in S1. Information to be used (for example, a link sequence included in the recommended route). Further, the recommended route is a route that passes through the determined target charging facility when the target charging facility is determined in S3.

In S6, the CPU 51 sets the recommended route received from the server device 1 as a guidance route to be targeted for vehicle travel guidance in the navigation device 5. After that, traveling guidance based on the set guidance route is started.

Next, the route search processing program executed in the server device 1 will be described.
First, in S11, the CPU 21 receives the route search request transmitted from the navigation device 5. The route search request includes a terminal ID that identifies the navigation device 5 that is the source of the route search request, and information that identifies the departure place (for example, the current position of the vehicle) and the destination.

Next, in S12, the CPU 21 acquires the current SOC value (remaining energy amount of the in-vehicle battery 7) of the vehicle 4 that is the request source of the route search request received in S11. The SOC value may be acquired by requesting the SOC value from the source vehicle after receiving the route search request, or the SOC value of the source vehicle may be included in the route search request in advance. You may.

After that, in S13, the CPU 21 performs a route search process from the departure point to the destination using the route search request received in S11 and the map information possessed by the server device 1, and recommends from the departure point to the destination. Identify the route (center route). For example, a known Dijkstra method is used to search for the center route, and the route that minimizes the total cost value is set as the center route.

Subsequently, in S14, the CPU 21 predicts the amount of energy (power consumption) consumed when it is assumed that the vehicle travels to the destination according to the center route searched in S13, and the SOC value acquired in S12 is the target. Determine if the energy required to travel to the ground is insufficient. The amount of energy consumed when traveling to the destination according to the center route is calculated in consideration of the slope of the route, traffic information, the travel history of the vehicle, etc., in addition to the total length of the route.

Then, when it is determined that the SOC value acquired in S12 is insufficient for the energy required for traveling to the destination (S14: YES), the process proceeds to S15. On the other hand, when it is determined that the SOC value acquired in S12 is sufficient for the energy required for traveling to the destination (S14: NO), the center route searched in S13 is determined. Move to S19.

Subsequently, in S15, the CPU 21 executes a charging facility candidate selection process (FIG. 7) described later. The charging facility candidate selection process is a process of selecting a charging facility candidate which is a candidate charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery 7 on the way to the destination. Further, in the charging facility candidate selection process, the estimated waiting time (charging waiting time) from the arrival of the vehicle to the start of charging for the selected charging facility candidate is also performed.

After that, in S16, the CPU 21 transmits information about the charging facility candidate selected in S15 to the navigation device 5 that is the request source of the route search request. The information about the charging facility candidate to be transmitted includes the facility ID of the charging facility candidate, the name of the charging facility candidate, the position of the charging facility candidate, the business hours of the charging facility, the current availability of the charging space, the charging waiting time, and the like. ..

Subsequently, in S17, the CPU 21 receives the information regarding the target charging facility transmitted from the navigation device 5 from which the route search request is requested. The target charging facility is a charging facility that charges the in-vehicle battery 7 determined by the user from among the charging facility candidates.

After that, in S18, the CPU 21 re-performs the route search process from the departure point to the destination on the condition that the target charging facility received in S17 is used as the transit point, and the recommended route (center) from the departure point to the destination. Route) is specified. For example, a known Dijkstra method is used to search for the center route, and the route that minimizes the total cost value is set as the center route.

Subsequently, in S19, the CPU 21 transmits the search route information (for example, the link sequence included in the center route) that identifies the center route searched in S13 or S18 to the navigation device 5 that is the source of the route search request. To do. As a result, the center route is set as the guide route in the navigation device 5.

The navigation device 5 may be configured to execute the route search processes (S13 to S18) instead of the server device 1. In that case, the navigation device 5 is configured to acquire information about the charging facility from the charging facility management server 8.

Next, a sub-process of the charging facility selection process executed in S15 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a sub-processing program of the charging facility selection process according to the first embodiment.

First, in S21, the CPU 21 uses the SOC value acquired in S12 and the information stored in the charging facility DB 13 (FIG. 3) to request a route search request in the vicinity of the center route searched in S13. A charging facility that can be reached with the remaining energy of the original vehicle is extracted as a charging facility candidate that is a candidate for charging on the way to the destination. For example, a charging facility within 1 km from the center route and within a cruising range from the current position of the vehicle is extracted as a charging facility candidate.

Subsequent processes of S22 to S25 are executed for each charging facility candidate extracted in S21. Then, after executing the processes of S22 to S25 for all the charging facility candidates extracted in S21, the process proceeds to S26.

First, in S22, the CPU 21 acquires "position information", "current charging space availability", "standby vehicle information", and "past charging history of the charging facility candidate" for the charging facility candidate to be processed. The "standby vehicle information" is information about a standby vehicle waiting for a vacancy in a situation where there is no vacancy in the charging space, and is managed by the charging facility management server 8. Specifically, the charging facility management server 8 identifies the number of standby vehicles waiting in the charging facility candidate to be processed based on the cameras installed in the charging facility and the probe information collected from each vehicle, and the standby vehicle. The number of is managed as "standby vehicle information". However, it is desirable to specify the number of waiting vehicles at the time when it is predicted that the vehicle requesting the route search request will reach the charging facility candidate to be processed, not at the present time. For example, by collecting the guidance route information set in the navigation device of each vehicle, it is possible to predict the change in the number of waiting vehicles in the future. On the other hand, the "past charging history of the charging facility candidate" is the history of the charging start time, charging end time, and charging time of the charging performed in the past in the charging facility candidate to be processed, and is also managed by the charging facility management server 8. Will be done. In addition, regarding the charging time, information on the statistics of the charging time, specifically, the average time of the charging time performed in the past in the charging facility candidate to be processed is also managed. The "current availability of charging space", "standby vehicle information", and "past charging history of charging facility candidates" are acquired from the charging facility management server 8 that manages the charging facility. On the other hand, the "location information" may be acquired from the charging facility management server 8 or from the charging facility DB 13 included in the server device 1.

Next, in S23, the CPU 21 acquires the "charging upper limit time" set in the charging facility candidate to be processed. The "upper limit charging time" is the upper limit time that can be charged with one charge predetermined by the candidate charging facility to be processed. The "upper limit charging time" may be acquired from the charging facility management server 8 or from the charging facility DB 13 of the server device 1.

After that, in S24, the CPU 21 performs a route search process from the departure place to the destination on the condition that the charging facility candidate to be processed is used as the waypoint, and reaches the destination from the departure place via the charging facility candidate. Identify a tentative recommended route. For example, a known Dijkstra method is used to search for a tentative recommended route, and the route that minimizes the total cost value is set as the tentative recommended route. Then, based on the current time and the tentative recommended route, the arrival time at which the vehicle arrives at the charging facility candidate when the vehicle starts traveling from the current time is predicted.

Next, in S25, the CPU 21 calculates the waiting time (charging waiting time) from the arrival of the vehicle requesting the route search request to the charging facility candidate to be processed to the start of charging. Specifically, it is calculated by the following method.
"(1) When the charging space is available at the time when the vehicle requesting the route search request arrives at the charging facility candidate to be processed (however, it may be the current time instead of the arrival time)"
... The charging waiting time is calculated as 0.
"(2) When the vehicle requesting the route search request arrives at the charging facility candidate to be processed (however, the charging space may be the current time instead of the arrival time), but there is no waiting vehicle. 』\
... First, among the vehicles currently being charged, the charging start time of the vehicle that started charging earliest is acquired from the charging facility management server 8. Further, the time T1 from the charging start time to the arrival time predicted in S24 is calculated. After that, the time obtained by subtracting T1 from the upper limit charging time acquired in S23 is calculated as the charging waiting time. That is, the charging waiting time is calculated on the assumption that the vehicle currently charging has charged up to the upper limit of charging time.
"(3) When the vehicle requesting the route search request arrives at the charging facility candidate to be processed (however, the charging space may be the present time instead of the arrival time), and there is a standby vehicle."
... First, the average time T2 of the charging time performed in the past in the charging facility candidate to be processed is acquired from the charging facility management server 8. T2 is multiplied by a "coefficient according to the number of waiting vehicles", and the above T1 is added to the multiplied value to calculate the charging waiting time. That is, the charging waiting time is calculated on the assumption that the currently charging vehicle charges up to the charging upper limit time and the standby vehicle charges only the average charging time. The "coefficient according to the number of waiting vehicles" is determined by the number of charging spaces and the number of waiting vehicles in the charging facility candidate to be processed. For example, if there are four standby vehicles and the number of charging spaces is two, the coefficient is "2".

In addition, T2 is the average time of the charging time performed in the past in the charging facility candidate to be processed, but if the charging history of each vehicle can be acquired by probe information or the like, it is actually waiting at the charging facility. It may be the average charging time of the waiting vehicle in the past.

After that, the processes of S22 to S25 are executed for all the charging facility candidates extracted in S21, and after calculating the charging waiting time, the process proceeds to S26. In S26, the CPU 21 sorts the charging facility candidates extracted in S21 in ascending order of waiting time for charging. In addition, each information such as charging waiting time, charging facility candidate facility ID, charging facility candidate name, charging facility candidate position, charging facility business hours, and current charging space availability is provided for each charging facility candidate. It is stored in the associated flash memory 24 or the like. After that, the process proceeds to S16, and the stored information is transmitted to the navigation device 5 as information regarding the charging facility candidate. Then, as described above, the navigation device 5 gives priority to the charging facility candidate having a short charging waiting time (see FIG. 6). Since the guidance of the charging facility candidates is performed in the sort order, that is, in the order of the shortest charging waiting time, the charging facility candidate having the shorter charging waiting time is preferentially selected as the target charging facility as a result.

As described in detail above, in the server device 1 and the computer program executed by the server device 1 according to the first embodiment, the in-vehicle battery 7 that supplies electric power to the drive source of the vehicle 4 can be charged. Among the facilities, for the charging facility candidates that are candidates for charging, the charging facility information including the position of the charging facility and the maximum chargeable time determined by the charging facility candidate is acquired (S22, S23), and further. Using the availability of the charging facility and the charging facility information, the waiting time from the arrival of the vehicle at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging is predicted (S25), and the in-vehicle battery 7 is charged based on the waiting time. Since the facility is selected from the charging facility candidates (S2, S3, S26), the accurate waiting time until the user starts charging for the charging facility candidate can be predicted, and the charging facility more appropriate for the user is used. It becomes possible to select as a target.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the server device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. In the following description, the same reference numerals as the configuration of the server device 1 according to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7 indicate the same or equivalent parts as the configuration of the server device 1 and the like according to the first embodiment. Is.

The schematic configuration of the server device according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the server device 1 according to the first embodiment. Further, various control processes are also substantially the same as the server device 1 according to the first embodiment.
However, while the server device 1 according to the first embodiment preferentially selects the charging facility candidate having a short waiting time from the arrival at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging as the usage target, the second The server device 1 according to the embodiment is different in that, among the charging facility candidates, the charging facility candidate having an earlier charging start time or charging end time to end charging is preferentially selected as a usage target.

Subsequently, the route search processing program according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the route search processing program according to the second embodiment. Here, the route search processing program is executed when the navigation device 5 receives a predetermined operation for starting the route search, searches for the route to the destination according to the user's operation, and searches for the searched route. It is a program that provides specific route information.

First, a route search processing program executed by the navigation device 5 will be described.
In S31, the CPU 51 transmits a route search request to the server device 1. The route search request includes a terminal ID that identifies the navigation device 5 that is the source of the route search request, and information that identifies the departure place (for example, the current position of the vehicle) and the destination. It should be noted that the information for specifying the destination is not always necessary at the time of re-search.

Next, in S32, the CPU 51 receives the information regarding the charging facility candidate transmitted from the server device 1. Here, the charging facility candidate is the request source after specifying the recommended route from the departure point to the destination searched by the server device 1 using the latest version of the map information based on the route search request transmitted in S31. When it is determined that the remaining energy amount (SOC) of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 of the vehicle is insufficient with respect to the amount of energy required for traveling to the destination, the vehicle-mounted battery 7 is subjected to the charging facility candidate selection process (FIG. 9) described later. It is a charging facility selected as a candidate for charging. There may be multiple charging facility candidates.

In particular, in S32, the CPU 51 uses the facility ID of the charging facility candidate, the name of the charging facility candidate, the position of the charging facility candidate, the business hours of the charging facility, the current availability of the charging space, and the vehicle to arrive as information regarding the charging facility candidate. After that, the time when charging can be started (hereinafter referred to as charging start time), the time when charging ends when the vehicle charges (hereinafter referred to as charging end time), and the like are received. Then, the CPU 21 displays a list of charging facility candidates on the liquid crystal display 35. In particular, when there are a plurality of charging facility candidates, the charging facility candidate with the earliest charging start time or charging end time is displayed with priority. In addition, "priority display" may be displayed only for charging facility candidates having an earlier charging start time or charging end time, or charging start time or charging facility candidate having a later charging start time or charging end time. A charging facility candidate with an early charging end time may be displayed so that the user can easily see it. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a charging facility candidate guide screen 81 displayed on a liquid crystal display.

As shown in FIG. 9, the charging facility candidate guidance screen 81 is composed of two display areas, a left screen 82 for displaying a map around the vehicle and a right screen 83 for displaying guidance information about the charging facility.
The left screen 82 is composed of a map image 84 around the vehicle, a vehicle position mark 85 indicating the current position of the vehicle, and facility marks 86 to 89 indicating the positions of charging facility candidates.
Further, the right screen 83 is provided with information display spaces 91 to 94 for displaying detailed information about the charging facility candidate whose mark is displayed on the left screen 82. In each of the information display spaces 91 to 94, for example, the name of the charging facility candidate, the position of the charging facility candidate (distance from the current vehicle position), the business hours of the charging facility, the charging start time, and the charging end time are displayed. Further, in the information display spaces 91 to 94, guidance information is displayed side by side in order from the charging facility candidate having the earliest charging start time or charging end time. Specifically, if there is a charging facility candidate capable of charging the in-vehicle battery 7 until it is fully charged, the charging facility candidate is designated as the charging facility candidate having the highest priority (hereinafter referred to as the first priority candidate facility). , The first priority candidate facility is displayed in order from the earliest charging start time. Next, when the in-vehicle battery 7 has a charging facility candidate capable of charging 50% or more of the capacity, the charging facility candidate is designated as the charging facility candidate having the next highest priority (hereinafter referred to as the second priority candidate facility). , The second priority candidate facility is displayed in the order of earliest charging end time following the first priority candidate facility. Next, if the in-vehicle battery 7 has a charging facility candidate that can charge less than 50% of its capacity, the charging facility candidate has the next highest priority charging facility candidate (hereinafter referred to as a third priority candidate facility). In particular, charging facility candidates capable of charging the in-vehicle battery 7 by 25% or more of the capacity are displayed in order of earliest charging end time, following the second priority candidate facility. Finally, other charging facility candidates are displayed.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, four charging facility candidates for charging the in-vehicle battery 7 on the way to the destination are selected. Among the four selected charging facility candidates, information about the "○ × charging stand" that can be charged until full charge and has the earliest charging start time is displayed in the information display space 91. Next, among the four selected charging facility candidates, information about the "XX car dealer" that can be charged to full charge and has the second earliest charging start time is displayed in the information display space 92. Further, among the four selected charging facility candidates, the information regarding "○ × mall parking lot", which has the earliest charging end time among the four charging facility candidates that cannot be fully charged, is displayed in the information display space 93. Finally, among the four selected charging facility candidates, the information regarding "○○ parking", which has the second earliest charging end time among the four charging facility candidates that cannot be fully charged, is displayed in the information display space 94.

When there are a large number of selected charging facility candidates, only charging facility candidates with an earlier charging start time or charging end time (for example, within 60 minutes from the current time) may be guided. Then, by visually recognizing the charging facility candidate guidance screen 81 shown in FIG. 9, the user can grasp the candidates for the charging facility that need to stop in the middle of the front of the destination.

After that, in S33, the CPU 51 determines a charging facility (hereinafter, a target charging facility) for charging the in-vehicle battery 7 from the charging facility candidates received in S32, based on the user's operation. For example, any charging facility candidate selected by the user on the charging facility candidate guidance screen 81 is determined as the target charging facility.

Subsequently, in S34, the CPU 51 transmits information about the target charging facility determined in S33 to the server device 1. For example, the facility ID of the target charging facility is transmitted.

Next, in S35, the CPU 51 receives the search route information transmitted from the server device 1 in response to the route search request. Here, the search route information received in S35 specifies a recommended route from the departure point to the destination searched by the server device 1 using the latest version of the map information based on the route search request transmitted in S31. Information to be used (for example, a link sequence included in the recommended route). Further, the recommended route is a route that passes through the determined target charging facility when the target charging facility is determined in S33.

In S36, the CPU 51 sets the recommended route received from the server device 1 as a guidance route to be targeted for vehicle travel guidance in the navigation device 5. After that, traveling guidance based on the set guidance route is started.

Next, the route search processing program executed in the server device 1 will be described.
First, in S41, the CPU 21 receives the route search request transmitted from the navigation device 5. The route search request includes a terminal ID that identifies the navigation device 5 that is the source of the route search request, and information that identifies the departure place (for example, the current position of the vehicle) and the destination.

Next, in S42, the CPU 21 acquires the current SOC value (remaining energy amount of the in-vehicle battery 7) of the vehicle 4 that is the request source of the route search request received in S41. The SOC value may be acquired by requesting the SOC value from the source vehicle after receiving the route search request, or the SOC value of the source vehicle may be included in the route search request in advance. You may.

After that, in S43, the CPU 21 performs a route search process from the departure point to the destination using the route search request received in S41 and the map information possessed by the server device 1, and recommends from the departure point to the destination. Identify the route (center route). For example, a known Dijkstra method is used to search for the center route, and the route that minimizes the total cost value is set as the center route.

Subsequently, in S44, the CPU 21 predicts the amount of energy (power consumption) consumed when traveling to the destination according to the center route searched in S43, and the SOC value acquired in S42 is the target. Determine if the energy required to travel to the ground is insufficient. The amount of energy consumed when traveling to the destination according to the center route is calculated in consideration of the slope of the route, traffic information, the travel history of the vehicle, etc., in addition to the total length of the route.

Then, when it is determined that the SOC value acquired in S42 is insufficient for the energy required for traveling to the destination (S44: YES), the process proceeds to S45. On the other hand, when it is determined that the SOC value acquired in S42 is sufficient for the energy required for traveling to the destination (S44: NO), the center route searched in S43 is determined. Move to S49.

Subsequently, in S45, the CPU 21 executes a charging facility candidate selection process (FIG. 10) described later. The charging facility candidate selection process is a process of selecting a charging facility candidate which is a candidate charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery 7 on the way to the destination. Further, in the charging facility candidate selection process, charging ends when the vehicle arrives at the selected charging facility candidate at a time when charging can be started (charging start time) and when the vehicle charges. It also estimates the time (charging end time).

After that, in S46, the CPU 21 transmits information about the charging facility candidate selected in S45 to the navigation device 5 that is the request source of the route search request. Information about the charging facility candidate to be transmitted includes the facility ID of the charging facility candidate, the name of the charging facility candidate, the position of the charging facility candidate, the business hours of the charging facility, the current charging space availability, the charging start time, and the charging end. Including time and so on.

Subsequently, in S47, the CPU 21 receives the information regarding the target charging facility transmitted from the navigation device 5 from which the route search request is requested. The target charging facility is a charging facility that charges the in-vehicle battery 7 determined by the user from among the charging facility candidates.

After that, in S48, the CPU 21 re-performs the route search process from the departure point to the destination on the condition that the target charging facility received in S47 is used as the transit point, and the recommended route (center) from the departure point to the destination. Route) is specified. For example, a known Dijkstra method is used to search for the center route, and the route that minimizes the total cost value is set as the center route.

Subsequently, in S49, the CPU 21 transmits the search route information (for example, the link sequence included in the center route) that identifies the center route searched in S43 or S48 to the navigation device 5 that is the source of the route search request. To do. As a result, the center route is set as the guide route in the navigation device 5.

The navigation device 5 may be configured to execute the route search processing (S43 to S48) instead of the server device 1. In that case, the navigation device 5 is configured to acquire information about the charging facility from the charging facility management server 8.

Next, a sub-process of the charging facility selection process executed in S45 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a sub-processing program of the charging facility selection process according to the second embodiment.

First, in S51, the CPU 21 uses the SOC value acquired in S42 and the information stored in the charging facility DB 13 (FIG. 3) to request a route search request in the vicinity of the center route searched in S43. A charging facility that can be reached with the remaining energy of the original vehicle is extracted as a charging facility candidate that is a candidate for charging on the way to the destination. For example, a charging facility within 1 km from the center route and within a cruising range from the current position of the vehicle is extracted as a charging facility candidate.

Subsequent processes of S52 to S58 are executed for each charging facility candidate extracted in S51. Then, after executing the processes of S52 to S58 for all the charging facility candidates extracted in S51, the process proceeds to S59.

First, in S52, the CPU 21 acquires "position information", "current charging space availability", "standby vehicle information", and "past charging history of the charging facility candidate" for the charging facility candidate to be processed. Since the details are the same as in S22, they will be omitted.

Next, in S53, the CPU 21 acquires the "charging upper limit time" set in the charging facility candidate to be processed. The "upper limit charging time" is the upper limit time that can be charged with one charge predetermined by the candidate charging facility to be processed. The "upper limit charging time" may be acquired from the charging facility management server 8 or from the charging facility DB 13 of the server device 1.

After that, in S54, the CPU 21 performs a route search process from the departure point to the destination on the condition that the charging facility candidate to be processed is used as the transit point, and reaches the destination from the departure point via the charging facility candidate. Identify a tentative recommended route. For example, a known Dijkstra method is used to search for a tentative recommended route, and the route that minimizes the total cost value is set as the tentative recommended route. Then, based on the current time and the tentative recommended route, the arrival time at which the vehicle arrives at the charging facility candidate when the vehicle starts traveling from the current time is predicted.

Next, in S55, the CPU 21 calculates the waiting time (charging waiting time) from the arrival of the vehicle requesting the route search request to the charging facility candidate to be processed to the start of charging. Since the details are the same as in S25, they will be omitted.

After that, in S56, the CPU 21 can start charging after the vehicle arrives based on the arrival time calculated in S54 and the charging waiting time calculated in S55 (charging start time). Is calculated. Specifically, the time obtained by adding the charging waiting time to the arrival time is set as the charging start time.

Subsequently, in S57, the CPU 21 acquires the past charging history performed by the vehicle requesting the route search request from the probe information and the like, and charging ends when the vehicle charges based on the acquired charging history. Calculate the time (charging end time). Specifically, the charging end time is the time obtained by adding the average time of the charging time performed in the past by the vehicle requesting the route search request to the charging start time. The charging end time may be estimated from the SOC value of the vehicle that requested the route search request and the charging upper limit time. For example, when the vehicle requesting the route search request starts charging, the time required to reach full charge is calculated from the SOC value or the like, and the time obtained by adding the required time to the charging start time is set as the charging end time. .. Alternatively, if the vehicle that requested the route search request starts charging and the vehicle is not fully charged even if it is charged up to the upper limit of charging time, the time obtained by adding the upper limit of charging time to the starting time of charging is set as the charging end time. To do.

Next, in S58, the CPU 21 uses the SOC value acquired in S42 and the information stored in the charging facility DB 13 (FIG. 3), and the vehicle requesting the route search request is assumed to be a charging facility candidate to be processed and the charging upper limit. The SOC value after the end of charging (hereinafter referred to as the SOC value after charging) is calculated on the assumption that charging is performed up to the time.

After that, the processes S52 to S58 are executed for all the charging facility candidates extracted in S51, the charging start time, the charging end time, and the SOC value after charging are calculated respectively, and then the process proceeds to S59.

In S59, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a charging facility candidate whose SOC value is fully charged after charging among the charging facility candidates extracted in S51.

Then, when it is determined that there is a charging facility candidate whose SOC value is fully charged after charging (S59: YES), the corresponding charging facility candidate is sorted in order from the earliest charging start time (S60). Furthermore, for each charging facility candidate, charging start time, charging end time, facility ID of charging facility candidate, name of charging facility candidate, position of charging facility candidate, business hours of charging facility, current availability of charging space, etc. Each information of is linked and stored in the flash memory 24 or the like.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no charging facility candidate whose SOC value is fully charged after charging (S59: NO), the process proceeds to S61. In S61, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a charging facility candidate whose SOC value after charging is 50% or more and less than full charge among the charging facility candidates extracted in S51.

Then, when it is determined that there is a charging facility candidate whose SOC value is 50% or more and less than full charge after charging (S61: YES), the corresponding charging facility candidate is sorted in the order of earliest charging end time (S62). ). Furthermore, for each charging facility candidate, charging start time, charging end time, facility ID of charging facility candidate, name of charging facility candidate, position of charging facility candidate, business hours of charging facility, current availability of charging space, etc. Each information of is linked and stored in the flash memory 24 or the like. If the charging facility candidate is already registered in S60, it is registered in the lower rank of the charging facility candidate registered in S60.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no charging facility candidate whose SOC value is 50% or more and less than full charge after charging (S61: NO), the process proceeds to S63. In S63, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a charging facility candidate whose SOC value is less than 50% after charging among the charging facility candidates extracted in S51.

When it is determined that there is a charging facility candidate whose SOC value is less than 50% after charging (S63: YES), among the corresponding charging facility candidates, charging having an SOC value of 25% or more after charging is particularly high. The facility candidates are sorted in the order of earliest charging end time, and then the remaining charging facility candidates are added (S64). Furthermore, for each charging facility candidate, charging start time, charging end time, facility ID of charging facility candidate, name of charging facility candidate, position of charging facility candidate, business hours of charging facility, current availability of charging space, etc. Each information of is linked and stored in the flash memory 24 or the like. If the charging facility candidate is already registered in S60 or S62, it is registered under the charging facility candidate registered in S60 or S62.

After that, the process proceeds to S36, and the stored information is transmitted to the navigation device 5 as information regarding the charging facility candidate. Then, as described above, the navigation device 5 gives priority to the charging facility candidate having the earlier charging start time or charging end time (see FIG. 9). In addition, the guidance of the charging facility candidates is performed in the sort order, that is, the charging start time is the earliest for the charging facility candidates whose SOC value is fully charged after charging, and the charging end time is the earliest for other charging facility candidates. The earlier the charging facility candidate has the charging end time, the more preferentially it will be selected as the target charging facility.

As described in detail above, in the server device 1 and the computer program executed by the server device 1 according to the second embodiment, the in-vehicle battery 7 that supplies electric power to the drive source of the vehicle 4 can be charged. Among the facilities, for the charging facility candidates that are candidates for charging, the charging facility information including the position of the charging facility and the maximum chargeable time determined by the charging facility candidate is acquired (S52, S53), and further. The waiting time from the arrival of the vehicle at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging is predicted using the availability of the charging facility and the charging facility information (S55), and the charging start time and charging end time are further based on the waiting time. (S56, S57), and the charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery 7 using the charging start time and the charging end time is selected from the charging facility candidates (S32, S33, S60, S62, S64). It is possible to predict the time when the user can start charging and the time when the charging ends for the candidate, and it becomes possible to select a charging facility more appropriate for the user as a usage target.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, after setting the priority order for the charging facility candidate using the charging waiting time, the charging start time, or the charging end time, the user is charged from the charging facility candidates. Although the configuration is such that the charging facility is selected (S2 to S4, S32 to S34), the server device 1 or the navigation device 5 may automatically select the target charging facility based on the priority. For example, it is possible to select a charging facility candidate having the shortest charging waiting time or a charging facility candidate having the earliest charging start time as the target charging facility. In that case, the processes of S2 to S4 and S32 to S34 can be omitted.

Further, in the second embodiment, for the charging facility candidate whose SOC value is "fully charged" after charging, the charging facility candidate whose charging start time is early is preferentially selected as the target charging facility, and the SOC value after charging is "full". For charging facility candidates that do not become "charging", the charging facility candidate with the earliest charging end time is selected as the target charging facility, but the threshold value is not a full charge (100%) but a predetermined ratio (for example, 80%). Is also good.

Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the server device 1 and the charging facility management server 8 are separate servers, but the server device 1 may also serve as the charging facility management server 8.

Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, in the route search processing program shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the processing related to the route search (S12, S13, S32, S33) and the processing related to the selection of the charging facility (S14, The execution subject of S15, S44, S45) was the server device 1, but the navigation device 5 may be configured to execute a part or all of the server device 1. When the navigation device 5 performs these processes, the navigation device 5 corresponds to the traveling support device of the present invention.

Further, instead of the navigation device 5, it is also possible to configure the traveling support system 2 with another device having a route guidance function. For example, an in-vehicle device other than the navigation device 5, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like is possible.

Further, although the embodiment in which the traveling support device according to the present invention is embodied has been described above, the traveling support device can also have the following configuration, and in that case, the following effects are obtained.

For example, the first configuration is as follows.
Among the charging facilities that can charge the in-vehicle battery (7) that supplies power to the drive source of the vehicle (4), the location of the charging facility and the charging facility are targeted at the charging facility candidates that are candidates for charging. Charging facility information acquisition means (21) for acquiring charging facility information including the upper limit time for charging defined in the above, availability acquisition means (21) for acquiring the availability of charging equipment in the charging facility candidate, and A waiting time prediction means for predicting the waiting time from the arrival of the vehicle at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging based on the current position of the vehicle, the charging facility information, and the availability of the charging equipment in the charging facility candidate. (21) and a charging facility selection means for selecting a charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery from the charging facility candidates based on the waiting time.
According to the traveling support device having the above configuration, the maximum chargeable time and the availability of the charging facility set by the charging facility for each charging facility are determined from the time the vehicle arrives at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging. Since the waiting time is predicted, it is possible to predict the accurate waiting time until the user starts charging for the charging facility candidate, and it is possible to select a more appropriate charging facility for the user as a usage target. ..

The second configuration is as follows.
The waiting time prediction means (21) is based on the current position of the vehicle (4), at least the upper limit time in the charging facility information, and the availability of the charging facility in the charging facility candidate. Predict.
According to the traveling support device having the above configuration, the maximum chargeable time and the availability of the charging facility set by the charging facility for each charging facility are determined from the time the vehicle arrives at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging. Since the waiting time is predicted, it is possible to predict the accurate waiting time until the user starts charging for the charging facility candidate, and it is possible to select a more appropriate charging facility for the user as a usage target. ..

The third configuration is as follows.
The charging facility selection means when the destination acquisition means (21) for acquiring the destination of the vehicle (4) and the energy stored in the in-vehicle battery are insufficient for the energy required for traveling to the destination. It has a route search means (21) for searching a route to a destination using the charging facility selected by the above as a waypoint.
According to the traveling support device having the above configuration, when it is necessary to charge at the charging facility on the way to the destination, the waiting time from the arrival of the vehicle at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging is met. It is possible to select an appropriate charging facility as a usage target and provide a route to a destination via the selected charging facility.

The fourth configuration is as follows.
When there is no vacancy in the charging facility in the charging facility candidate, the waiting status acquisition means (21) for acquiring the status of the waiting vehicle waiting in the charging facility candidate for charging is provided, and the waiting time prediction means (21). Predicts the waiting time based on the situation of the waiting vehicle waiting at the charging facility candidate.
According to the traveling support device having the above configuration, when there is a waiting vehicle waiting as a charging facility candidate for charging, an accurate waiting time until the user starts charging based on the situation of the waiting vehicle is obtained. It becomes possible to predict.

The fifth configuration is as follows.
The charging facility selection means (21) preferentially selects the charging facility candidate having a short waiting time from the charging facility candidates as the charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery (7).
According to the traveling support device having the above configuration, it is possible to preferentially select a charging facility having a short waiting time after arrival for the user as a usage target.

The sixth configuration is as follows.
Start time predicting means (21) that predicts the charging start time at which the vehicle can start charging at the charging facility candidate based on the time required from the current position of the vehicle (4) to the charging facility candidate and the waiting time. The charging facility selection means (21) preferentially selects the charging facility candidate having an earlier charging start time as the charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery (7).
According to the traveling support device having the above configuration, it is possible to preferentially select a charging facility having an early time when the user can start charging as a usage target.

The seventh configuration is as follows.
The charging facility selection means has a charging amount predicting means (21) that predicts the charging energy amount, which is the amount of energy that can be charged to the in-vehicle battery (7) when the charging facility candidate is charged to the upper limit time. In (21), when the ratio of the charging energy amount to the capacity of the vehicle-mounted battery is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the charging facility candidate having an earlier charging start time is selected as the charging facility that preferentially charges the vehicle-mounted battery.
According to the traveling support device having the above configuration, when the amount of energy that can be charged to the battery is large, that is, when it is not necessary to consider the next charging, the charging facility where the charging can be started earlier is performed. It is possible to preferentially select it as a usage target.

The eighth configuration is as follows.
Based on the time required from the current position of the vehicle (4) to the charging facility candidate, the waiting time, and the upper limit time, the charging end time at which charging ends when the vehicle charges with the charging facility candidate is predicted. The charging facility selection means has the end time predicting means (21), and the charging facility selection means preferentially charges the in-vehicle battery (7) with the charging facility candidate having the earliest charging end time among the charging facility candidates. select.
According to the traveling support device having the above configuration, it is possible to preferentially select a charging facility having an early time to finish charging as a usage target.

The ninth configuration is as follows.
The charging facility selection means has a charging amount predicting means (21) that predicts the charging energy amount, which is the amount of energy that can be charged to the in-vehicle battery (7) when the charging facility candidate is charged to the upper limit time. In (21), when the ratio of the charging energy amount to the capacity of the vehicle-mounted battery is less than the threshold value, the charging facility candidate with the earlier charging end time is selected as the charging facility that preferentially charges the vehicle-mounted battery.
According to the driving support device having the above configuration, when the amount of energy that can be charged to the battery is small, that is, when the next charging must be considered, the charging facility that finishes charging quickly is given priority. It becomes possible to select it as a usage target. As a result, the user can perform the next charging with a margin.

1 Server device 2 Driving support system 3 Information distribution center 4 Vehicle 5 Navigation device 7 In-vehicle battery 8 Charging facility management server 11 Server control ECU
12 Server side map DB
13 Charging facility DB
21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
24 flash memory

Claims (10)

Among the charging facilities that can charge the in-vehicle battery that supplies power to the drive source of the vehicle, the charging facility candidates that are candidates for charging are targeted, and the charging facility location and the charging facility specified by the charging facility can be charged. Charging facility information acquisition means for acquiring charging facility information including the maximum time,
The availability acquisition means for acquiring the availability of the charging equipment in the charging facility candidate, and
A waiting time prediction means for predicting the waiting time from the arrival of the vehicle at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging based on the current position of the vehicle, the charging facility information, and the availability of the charging equipment in the charging facility candidate. When,
A traveling support device having a charging facility selection means for selecting a charging facility for charging an in-vehicle battery from the charging facility candidates based on the waiting time. Claim 1 predicts the waiting time based on the current position of the vehicle, at least the upper limit time in the charging facility information, and the availability of charging equipment in the charging facility candidate. The driving support device described in. Destination acquisition means to acquire the destination of the vehicle,
A route for searching for a route to a destination using the charging facility selected by the charging facility selection means as a waypoint when the energy stored in the in-vehicle battery is insufficient for the energy required for traveling to the destination. The traveling support device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a search means. It has a standby status acquisition means for acquiring the status of a standby vehicle waiting at a charging facility candidate for charging when there is no vacancy in the charging facility in the charging facility candidate.
The traveling support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the waiting time predicting means predicts the waiting time based on the situation of a waiting vehicle waiting at the charging facility candidate. The charging facility selection means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the charging facility candidate having a short waiting time is preferentially selected as a charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery among the charging facility candidates. Driving support device. It has a start time predicting means for predicting a charging start time at which the vehicle can start charging at the charging facility candidate based on the time required from the current position of the vehicle to the charging facility candidate and the waiting time.
The charging facility selection means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the charging facility candidate having an earlier charging start time is preferentially selected as a charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery. Driving support device. The charging facility candidate has a charging amount predicting means for predicting the charging energy amount, which is the energy amount that can be charged to the in-vehicle battery when charging is performed up to the upper limit time.
The charging facility selection means claims that when the ratio of the charging energy amount to the capacity of the vehicle-mounted battery is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the charging facility candidate having an earlier charging start time is preferentially selected as the charging facility for charging the vehicle-mounted battery. Item 6. The traveling support device according to item 6. End time prediction that predicts the end time of charging when the vehicle charges with the candidate charging facility based on the time required from the current position of the vehicle to the candidate charging facility, the waiting time, and the upper limit time. Have a means,
The charging facility selection means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the charging facility candidate having an earlier charging end time is preferentially selected as a charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery. Driving support device. The charging facility candidate has a charging amount predicting means for predicting the charging energy amount, which is the energy amount that can be charged to the in-vehicle battery when charging is performed up to the upper limit time.
The charging facility selection means claims that when the ratio of the charging energy amount to the capacity of the vehicle-mounted battery is less than the threshold value, the charging facility candidate with an earlier charging end time is preferentially selected as the charging facility for charging the vehicle-mounted battery. Item 8. The traveling support device according to item 8. Computer,
Among the charging facilities that can charge the in-vehicle battery that supplies power to the drive source of the vehicle, the charging facility candidates that are candidates for charging are targeted, and the charging facility location and the charging facility specified by the charging facility can be charged. Charging facility information acquisition means for acquiring charging facility information including the maximum time,
The availability acquisition means for acquiring the availability of the charging equipment in the charging facility candidate, and
A waiting time prediction means for predicting the waiting time from the arrival of the vehicle at the charging facility candidate to the start of charging based on the current position of the vehicle, the charging facility information, and the availability of the charging equipment in the charging facility candidate. When,
A charging facility selection means for selecting a charging facility for charging the in-vehicle battery based on the waiting time from the charging facility candidates, and
A computer program to make it work.