JP5903184B1 - CHARGE CONTROL SYSTEM, APPLICATION PROGRAM, AND CHARGE CONTROL METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

A charging control system, an application program, and a charging control method capable of improving the convenience of a charging service are provided. Means for receiving charger identification information contained in a beacon signal transmitted by a charger from a portable terminal operated by a user, means for transmitting charger information corresponding to the identification information to the portable terminal, and Means for receiving user authentication information managed by the mobile terminal application program from the mobile terminal, means for receiving information related to the validity of the settlement information managed by the mobile terminal application program, and authentication information When the authentication is successful and the payment information is valid, a means for transmitting a charge start request to the charger based on OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol), and a portable terminal when transmitting the charge start request to the charger And a means for performing processing for issuing a coupon. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  Some embodiments according to the present invention relate to a charge control system, an application program, and a charge control method.

  In recent years, with the spread of electric vehicles, charging services for electric vehicles are gradually spreading. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply system for an electric vehicle including a power supply stand and a server that communicates with a terminal used by a user via a communication network. In this system, an identification code for specifying the stand is displayed on the power supply stand, and the server recognizes from which power supply stand the power is supplied by transmitting the identification code to the server via the terminal. To do. The user connects the power supply stand and the in-vehicle battery with a charging cable, and supplies power to the in-vehicle battery from the power supply stand in response to a request from the terminal via the server.

Japanese Patent No. 5489302

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, the user needs to read the identification code displayed on the power supply stand by the terminal. In addition, the user needs to input an ID and password unique to the user every time for authentication. Further, the completion of charging is notified from the server to the terminal by electronic mail. In other words, the user cannot know that charging has been completed unless he / she activates mail software on the terminal, selects an e-mail from the mail software, and confirms its contents. That is, with the method described in Patent Document 1, the user operation required for power supply is extremely complicated.

  Some aspects of the present invention have been made in view of the above-described problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a charge control system, an application program, and a charge control method capable of improving the convenience of a charge service. I will.

  The charging control system according to the present invention includes means for receiving identification information of the charger included in a beacon signal transmitted by a charger from a portable terminal operated by a user, and information on the charger corresponding to the identification information. To the mobile terminal, the means for receiving the user authentication information managed by the application program of the mobile terminal from the mobile terminal, and the validity of the payment information managed by the application program of the mobile terminal A means for receiving such information from the portable terminal, and when authentication by the authentication information is successful and the payment information is valid, a charge start request for the charger is transmitted based on OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol). And the mobile terminal when sending the charging start request to the charger. And means for performing processing for issuing a Pont.

  The application program according to the present invention includes a process for receiving a beacon signal including charger identification information from the charger, a transmission process for transmitting the identification information to an information processing server, and the charger corresponding to the identification information. A process for receiving the information from the information processing server, a process for managing user authentication information and the payment information for the user, a process for checking the validity of the payment information with the payment server, A process of transmitting authentication information to the information processing server and transmitting information related to validity of the settlement information to the information processing server, and issuing a coupon usable by the user when charging by the charger is started. The process of receiving is executed by the portable terminal.

  The charging control method according to the present invention includes a step in which a charger transmits a beacon signal including identification information of its own device, and a mobile terminal operated by a user transmits the identification information included in the beacon signal to an information processing server. Transmitting information, the information processing server transmitting the charger information corresponding to the identification information to the portable terminal, and the user authentication information managed by the application program of the portable terminal. A step in which the terminal transmits to the information processing server; a step in which the portable terminal confirms the validity of the payment information of the user managed by the application program of the portable terminal; and information relating to the validity of the payment information. The portable terminal transmitting to the information processing server, and the authentication by the authentication information is successful, When the information is valid, the information processing server transmits a charging start request to the charger based on OCPP, and the coupon is sent to the portable terminal along with the transmission of the charging start request to the charger. Issuing.

  In the present invention, “part”, “means”, “apparatus”, and “system” do not simply mean physical means, but “part”, “means”, “apparatus”, “system”. This includes the case where the functions possessed by "are realized by software. Further, even if the functions of one “unit”, “means”, “apparatus”, and “system” are realized by two or more physical means or devices, two or more “parts” or “means”, The functions of “device” and “system” may be realized by a single physical means or device.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the charging system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a function structure of the charge service provision server which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a function structure of the application for charge which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a function structure of the power receiving device which concerns on embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of the charging system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the hardware constitutions of the charge service provision server which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the hardware constitutions of the portable terminal which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and technical applications that are not explicitly described below. That is, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily match actual dimensions and ratios. In some cases, the dimensional relationships and ratios may be different between the drawings.

  1 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the embodiment. Hereinafter, embodiments will be described along the following flow with reference to these drawings. First, the outline of the charging system according to the embodiment will be described in “1”. Next, “2” will explain the functional configuration of each device constituting the charging system, and “3” will explain the processing flow in the charging system. In “4”, a specific example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing each device constituting the charging system will be described. Finally, the effects and the like according to the present embodiment will be described after “5”.

(1. Overview)
(1.1. Overview of system configuration)
First, the configuration of the charging system 1 according to the embodiment and the outline of the processing will be described with reference to FIG. The charging system 1 includes a charging service providing server 10, a portable terminal 20 operated by a user U, a charger 30 (power supply stand), a settlement service providing server 40, and a coupon service providing server 50. The charging service providing server 10, the portable terminal 20, the charger 30, the settlement service providing server 40, and the coupon service providing server 50 can communicate with each other via a network N by wire or wireless. . Here, although only one portable terminal 20 and one charger 30 are shown in the example of FIG. 1, a plurality of portable terminals 20 and chargers 30 can be included in the charging system 1. Further, the portable terminal 20 can receive a beacon signal transmitted from the charger 30 by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  In this charging system 1, the user U uses the portable terminal 20 and the vehicle EV that is an electric vehicle by owning or lending the vehicle EV. The user U connects the vehicle EV to the charging cable of the charger 30 and operates the charging application program installed in the portable terminal 20 (hereinafter, the application program is also referred to as an application), whereby the vehicle EV. The battery inside can be charged.

  The charging service providing server 10 controls power feeding to the vehicle EV by the charger 30 by sequentially communicating with the portable terminal 20 and the charger 30 via the network N. In addition, the charging service providing server 10 notifies the portable terminal 20 of the charging status and completion of charging. Further, the charging service providing server 10 also has a function of causing the portable terminal 20 to issue coupons that can be used in stores around the charger 30 to the coupon service providing server 50 when charging by the charger 30 is started. As for the coupon issue, the charging service providing server 10 transmits the charging start to the portable terminal 20 in advance, and then the coupon issuing request is transmitted from the portable terminal 20 to the coupon service providing server 50. Also good.

  The portable terminal 20 can be realized by, for example, a so-called smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or the like, and via the network N, the charging service providing server 10 and the settlement service providing server. 40 communicates sequentially. As described above, the charging application is installed in the portable terminal 20. When the portable terminal 20 moves within a certain distance of the charger 30 and receives, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) beacon signal, the portable terminal 20 automatically (that is, automatically) identifies the charger 30 included in the beacon signal. The signal is acquired and the identification signal is transmitted to the charging service providing server 10. Thereby, since the information regarding the charger 30 corresponding to the said identification signal is obtained from the charging service provision server 10, the charging application of the portable terminal 20 transmits the information regarding the charger 30 to the user U by, for example, pop-up display or the like. It is possible to display without an explicit operation by.

  The user U can charge the battery of the vehicle EV from the charger 30 under the control of the charging service providing server 10 by executing and operating the charging application installed in the portable terminal 20. At this time, the identification information and settlement information of the user U necessary for receiving the charging service are managed in a storage area managed by the charging application of the portable terminal 20.

  Moreover, the portable terminal 20 can also notify the user U of the charging status and the completion of charging by the charging application. Thereby, even if the user U does not stand by in the vicinity of the charger 30, it becomes possible to grasp | ascertain a charge condition and completion of charge. Furthermore, the portable terminal 20 enables the user U to use the coupon issued from the charging service providing server 10.

  The charger 30 supplies power to the vehicle EV under the control of the charging service providing server 10. The charger 30 can sequentially acquire information and charging status of the vehicle EV from the vehicle EV through the control line of the power supply cable, and the charger 30 can notify the charging service providing server 10 of such information sequentially. When the charging is completed, the charger 30 notifies the charging service providing server 10 of the completion of charging. Note that the communication between the charging service providing server 10 and the charger 30 is mainly performed based on the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP).

  The settlement service providing server 40 is configured to confirm the validity of the settlement information stored in the portable terminal 20 in response to a request from the portable terminal 20 or to generate a charge associated with charging the vehicle EV by the charger 30. Is settled to charge the user U. For this purpose, the settlement service providing server 40 provides a settlement service that deducts the generated price from, for example, a bank account or a credit card. Here, in the present embodiment, payment information necessary for payment is managed by the charging application of the portable terminal 20. Before starting charging, the charging application of the portable terminal 20 confirms the validity of the payment information with the payment service providing server 40. In addition, the charging application performs a payment process with the payment service providing server 40 at a timing such as reception of a charging completion notification from the charging service providing server 10.

  The coupon service providing server 50 issues a coupon to the portable terminal 20 in response to a request from the charging service providing server 10 or the portable terminal 20. Here, the coupon issued by the coupon service providing server 50 can be used at a store near the charger 30 where the user U is charging. Thereby, the user U can spend at the shop near the charger 30 while charging the vehicle EV by the charger 30. Further, as described above, even if the user U is in the store, the user U can know it by the notification by the portable terminal 20 when the charging is completed.

  As described above, the coupon issue request may be transmitted from the charging service providing server 10 or from the portable terminal 20. In the following description, the case where a coupon issuance is requested to the coupon service providing server 50 from the charging service providing server 10 side will be mainly described.

  As described above, the network N connects the charging service providing server 10, the portable terminal 20, the charger 30, the settlement service providing server 40, and the coupon service providing server 50 so that they can communicate with each other. The network N can be realized by, for example, the Internet, and can include a wireless LAN access point, a mobile phone base station, and the like.

(1.2. Overview of charging process)
Hereinafter, the flow of processing when charging is performed in the charging system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The charger 30 periodically transmits a Beacon signal for Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. In particular, the beacon signal transmitted by the charger 30 conforms to Apple's iBeacon (registered trademark), and the beacon signal includes identifier information (identification information) uniquely assigned to the charger 30. Can do.

  When the user U who is the owner of the vehicle EV enters a certain distance from the charger 30 in a state where the charging application of the portable terminal 20 is operating, the charging application determines that the charging application is It is possible to detect being in the vicinity and notify the user U on the screen display automatically (without an explicit operation of the user U). In addition, at the time of detecting a beacon signal, the charging application does not necessarily have to be explicitly activated by the user U, and only needs to operate in the background. The charging application of the portable terminal 20 that has detected the beacon signal transmits the identification information of the charger 30 included in the beacon signal to the charging service providing server 10.

  When the charging service providing server 10 receives the identification information of the charger 30, the charging service providing server 10 confirms the charger information related to the identification information on the database, and transmits the charger information to the portable terminal 20.

  When the charging application of the portable terminal 20 receives the charger information, the charging application displays a prompt to connect the power supply cable of the charger 30 indicated by the charger information to the power supply terminal of the vehicle EV. In addition, when the user U connects the power supply cable of the charger 30 to the vehicle EV and performs an operation on the charging application to start charging, the charging application displays the authentication information of the user U registered in advance. Payment information is transmitted to the charging service providing server 10 and to the payment service providing server 40. Here, the authentication information of the user U is information registered in advance by the user U to receive the charging service provided by the charging service providing server 10 and is stored in a storage area managed by the charging application of the portable terminal 20. The Further, the payment information is information for the user U to pay the charging cost with the payment service provided by the payment service providing server 40. For example, the payment information can include information related to a credit card or bank account, or account information (for example, an e-mail address or password) of a payment service provided by the payment service providing server 40. The payment information is stored in advance in a storage area managed by the charging application of the portable terminal 20. If it is confirmed that the payment information is valid as a result of the payment information confirmation process, the charging application of the portable terminal 20 notifies the charging service providing server 10 of the confirmation result.

  When the charging service providing server 10 receives the authentication information of the user U from the portable terminal 20, the charging service providing server 10 confirms whether the authentication information is valid. If the authentication information is valid and a notification that the validity of the payment information has been confirmed is also received from the portable terminal 20, the charging service providing server 10 sends a charging start request based on the OCPP to the charger 30. To send. The charging service providing server 10 requests the coupon service providing server 50 to issue a coupon when charging by the charger 30 is started. Upon receiving the request, the coupon service providing server 50 issues a coupon to the portable terminal 20. If the coupon relates to, for example, a store in the vicinity of the charger 30, the user U can use the coupon through the portable terminal 20 at those stores while waiting for charging.

  In addition, about the process which concerns on coupon issuing, as mentioned above, the charge service provision server 10 transmits charge start to the portable terminal 20, and the charge application of the portable terminal 20 receives this, and the coupon service provision server 50 is received. The coupon service providing server 50 may issue a coupon to the portable terminal 20 by requesting the coupon issue.

  When the charger 30 receives the charge start request from the charging service providing server 10, the charger 30 starts charging the vehicle EV. The charger 30 sequentially obtains information on the charging current / charging voltage, the ratio of the charged capacity to the total capacity, the estimated remaining time of charging, and the like from the vehicle EV via the power feeding cable, and sends the information to the charging service providing server 10 as OCPP Notify based on. Further, when the charging of the vehicle EV is completed, the charger 30 notifies the charging service providing server 10 of the completion of charging.

  The charging service providing server 10 can notify the sequential charging status to the portable terminal 20 based on OCPP. Thereby, the user U who is the owner of the portable terminal 20 and is waiting for charging of the vehicle EV can sequentially grasp the charging status of the vehicle EV, particularly the remaining charging time.

  In addition, when the charging completion notification is received, the charging service providing server 10 notifies the portable terminal 20 of the charging completion. The charging application of the portable terminal 20 that has received the notification performs a payment process according to the charge amount or the like with the payment service providing server 40. When the payment process is completed, the charging application of the portable terminal 20 notifies the user U of this by, for example, a pop-up or the like.

(2. Functional configuration)
Hereinafter, the functional configurations of the charging service providing server 10, the charging application 200 installed in the portable terminal 20, and the charger 30 that configure the charging system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. explain.

(2.1. Charging service providing server 10)
First, the functional configuration of the charging service providing server 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a specific example of the functional configuration of the charging service providing server 10. The charging service providing server 10 includes a user terminal control unit 110, a charger control unit 120, and a database (DB) 130.

  The user terminal control unit 110 controls the portable terminal 20 by the user U by communicating with the portable terminal 20. The user terminal control unit 110 includes a charger information processing unit 111, a charging status notification unit 113, a charging completion notification unit 115, a user information processing unit 117, and a coupon issue processing unit 119.

  The charger information processing unit 111 receives the identification information of the charger 30 from the portable terminal 20 operated by the user U, and acquires the charger information 133 corresponding to the identification information from the DB 130. The charger information 133 can include character string information related to the position and name of the charger 30 necessary for the user U to physically check the charger 30. The charger information processing unit 111 transmits the charger information 133 to the portable terminal 20.

  The charging status notification unit 113 sequentially transmits the charging status acquired by the charging status acquisition unit 123 based on OCPP to the portable terminal 20 as necessary after the charging of the vehicle EV by the charger 30 is started. For example, the charging status notification unit 113 may periodically notify the portable terminal 20 of the charging status, or may notify the charging status in response to an inquiry from the portable terminal 20.

  When the charging completion notification unit 115 receives a charging completion notification indicating that charging of the vehicle EV by the charger 30 has been completed, the charging completion notification unit 115 notifies the portable terminal 20 of the completion of charging.

  When the user information processing unit 117 starts charging, the user information processing unit 117 receives the authentication information of the user U from the portable terminal 20 and collates it with the user authentication information 131 stored in advance in the DB 130. If the verification is successful, it is determined that the user authentication is successful, that is, the received authentication information is valid. Further, the user information processing unit 117 receives authentication information including the ID and password of the user U from the information processing apparatus such as the portable terminal 20 when the user U performs use registration of the charging service provided by the charging service providing server 10. Acquire and register in the DB 130.

  The coupon issue processing unit 119 requests the coupon service providing server 50 to issue a coupon to the portable terminal 20 as the charging of the vehicle EV by the charger 30 starts. Here, the coupon issued by the coupon service providing server 50 to the portable terminal 20 based on the request by the coupon issue processing unit 119 is, for example, charger information 133 related to the charger 30 that is charging the vehicle EV. It can be used as a coupon relating to a store or the like associated in advance.

  If the coupon issue request is transmitted from the portable terminal 20 to the coupon service providing server 50, the coupon issue processing unit 119 starts charging instead of transmitting the coupon issue request to the coupon service providing server 50. That is, a notification that the environment for issuing coupons has been prepared may be transmitted to the portable terminal 20.

  Here, the store which becomes a coupon issue object matched with the charger information 133 is, for example, a store in the vicinity of the charger 30 related to the charger information 133, that is, the user U can use it while charging the vehicle EV. It may be a store. Furthermore, if information related to charging, such as the expected time required for charging, is obtained from the charger 30, the coupon issue processing unit 119 displays the contents of the coupon requesting the coupon service providing server 50 to issue according to the contents. It can be changed. For example, depending on the required charging time or charging completion time, the coupon application time or expiration date is changed, or the coupon discount amount or discount rate depending on the amount of charge (expected expenses) Etc. may be changed.

  In addition, although the information regarding the coupon which the coupon issuing process part 119 issues here is good also as what is matched with the charger information 133 on data, the method of matching is not restricted to this. For example, you may make it manage position information, such as the latitude longitude of a shop which can use a coupon, in DB130 of the charging service provision server 10, or the coupon service provision server 50. FIG. In this case, the coupon issuance processing unit 119 issues to the coupon service providing server 50 issuance of a coupon related to a store within a certain distance from the position of the charger 30 included in the charger information 133 related to the charger 30 that starts charging. You can request.

  The charger controller 120 controls the charger 30 by performing various communications based on OCPP with the charger 30. The charger control unit 120 includes a charging start request unit 121, a charging status acquisition unit 123, and a charging completion notification reception unit 125.

  The charge start request unit 121 confirms the validity of the authentication information acquired by the user information processing unit 117 from the portable terminal 20 by the user information processing unit 117 and notifies the portable terminal 20 that the payment information is valid. Is received, the charger 30 is requested to start charging based on the OCPP. When the charger 30 receives the request, if the power supply cable is connected to the vehicle EV, the charger 30 starts to supply power to the vehicle EV.

  The charging status acquisition unit 123 sequentially receives information on the charging status related to the amount of power supply, the remaining charging time, and the like based on the OCPP after the charger 30 starts feeding the vehicle EV. The charging status information received by the charging status acquisition unit 123 is notified to the portable terminal 20 by the charging status notification unit 113 of the user terminal control unit 110, for example, in response to a request or at any time.

The charging completion notification receiving unit 125 receives a charging completion notification indicating that charging of the vehicle EV is completed from the charger 30 based on the OCPP. When the charging completion notification receiving unit 125 receives the charging completion notification, the charging completion notification unit 115 notifies the portable terminal 20 that charging and settlement have been completed.
The DB 130 manages various types of information including user authentication information 131 and charger information 133.

  The user authentication information 131 is information for authentication registered when the user U uses the charging service provided by the charging service providing server 10, and may include information such as a user ID and a password, for example. As described above, the charging application of the portable terminal 20 manages the authentication information in the storage area managed by the charging application, and the portable terminal 20 transmits the authentication information at the start of the charging service. The user information processing unit 117 collates the received authentication information with the user authentication information 131 managed by the DB 130, and if the two match, it is assumed that the authentication information received from the portable terminal 20 is valid. Certify.

  The charger information 133 is information in which identification information uniquely assigned to the charger 30 is associated with information such as a position regarding the charger 30. When the charger information processing unit 111 receives the identification information of the charger 30, the charger information processing unit 111 extracts the charger information 133 of the charger 30 associated with the identification information using the identification information as a key, The charger information 133 is transmitted to the portable terminal 20. As a result, the user U can confirm information on the charger 30 in the vicinity (that is, the identification number received by the beacon signal) on the portable terminal 20.

(2.2. Charging application 200)
Next, a functional configuration of the charging application 200 (hereinafter also referred to as a charging application 200) installed in the portable terminal 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The charging application 200 includes a display control unit 210, an input unit 220, a charger information processing unit 230, a user information processing unit 240, a coupon processing unit 250, a payment processing unit 260, and a database (DB) 270.

  The display control unit 210 controls display on the display of the portable terminal 20. For example, when the charger information corresponding to the identification number of the charger 30 received as the beacon signal is received from the charging service providing server 10, the display control unit 210 displays the charger information on the display of the portable terminal 20. To do. Further, for example, when the charging completion notification is received from the charging service providing server 10 and the settlement processing of the charging cost by the settlement processing unit 260 is completed, the display control unit 210 indicates that the charging and settlement has been completed. Display on 20 displays. In addition, the display control unit 210 controls various displays for informing the user U of information.

  The input unit 220 receives an input operation from the user U to, for example, an operation button or a touch panel provided on the portable terminal 20, and transmits the operation content to the related functional blocks. For example, when an operation input for starting charging is made, the input unit 220 transmits the information to the user information processing unit 240, and the user information processing unit 240 provides authentication information 271 necessary for starting charging. Transmit to the charging service providing server 10. In addition, when an operation for starting charging is performed, the input unit 220 transmits the fact to the settlement processing unit 260, and the settlement processing unit 260 confirms the validity of the settlement information 273 with the settlement service providing server 40. .

  The charger information processing unit 230 performs various processes related to the charger 30. The charger information processing unit 230 includes an identification information receiving unit 231, an identification information notification unit 233, a charging status processing unit 235, and a charging completion processing unit 237.

  The identification information receiving unit 231 receives the identification information of the charger 30 as a part of the beacon signal based on iBeacon (registered trademark) using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard from the charger 30. The identification information notification unit 233 transmits the received identification information of the charger 30 to the charging service providing server 10 via the network N. Thereby, the charging service providing server 10 searches for the charger information 133 corresponding to the identification information, and transmits the charger information 133 to the portable terminal 20. The display control unit 210 notifies the user U of the information on the charger 30 based on the received charger information.

  For example, the charging status processing unit 235 inquires of the charging service providing server 10 about the charging status in response to a user operation, and receives the charging status of the vehicle EV by the charger 30. The display control unit 210 displays the received charging status such as the remaining charging time and the charging rate on the display so as to notify the user U. For example, the charging status processing unit 235 may periodically receive the charging status from the charging service providing server 10 without inquiring of the charging service providing server 10 about the charging status in response to a user operation.

  The charging completion processing unit 237 receives from the charging service providing server 10 a charging completion notification that the charging of the vehicle EV by the charger 30 has been completed, and that the settlement of the expense generated by the charging has been completed. When the charging completion processing unit 237 receives the charging completion notification, the settlement processing unit 260 performs a settlement process related to the charging cost according to the amount of charge or the like with the settlement service providing server 40. When the payment processing by the payment processing unit 260 is completed, the display control unit 210 notifies the user U of the completion of charging and payment by, for example, a pop-up.

  For example, when the user information processing unit 240 receives charger information from the charging service providing server 10 and the display control unit 210 performs an operation for requesting charging of the charger, the authentication information 271 is received from the DB 270. Read and transmit to the charging service providing server 10. Here, the authentication information 271 is registered in advance in the user U at a timing such as when the charging application 200 is activated for the first time or when the charging service is used for the first time, and is managed in the DB 270.

  For example, the coupon processing unit 250 makes a coupon issued from the charging service providing server 10 available to the user U at a timing such as when charging is started. Any format may be used for the coupon processing unit 250 to use the coupon. For example, a two-dimensional barcode or the like may be displayed on the display so that the external device can read it, or a coupon may be displayed by a character string or the like so that the store clerk can check the contents. Alternatively, for example, the coupon may be read by an external device by short-range wireless communication using an IC chip. If an expiration date is set for the coupon, the coupon processing unit 250 can make the coupon unavailable.

  The payment processing unit 260 reads the payment information 273 from the DB 270 and transmits the payment information 273 to the payment service providing server 40 when the user U requests charging of the vehicle EV by the charger 30. It is confirmed whether the information 273 is valid. When the charging completion processing unit 237 receives a charging completion notification from the charging service providing server 10 that the charging of the vehicle EV held by the user U has been completed, the payment processing unit 260 uses the payment information 273 to perform a payment service. Settlement processing is performed with the providing server 40. Here, the payment information 273 is registered in advance in the user U at the timing of the initial activation of the charging application 200 or the first use of the charging service, and is managed in the DB 270.

  Various settlement processes with the settlement service providing server 40 performed by the settlement processing unit 260 are conceivable. For example, the settlement process with the settlement service providing server 40 based on information such as a credit card number and an account number included in the settlement information 273. It is conceivable to perform settlement processing between the two. Alternatively, the payment service providing server 40 provides a payment service using a credit card associated with the user account, and the payment processing unit 260 logs in to the user account using information included in the payment information 273. The settlement process may be executed by In this case, the settlement processing unit 260 performs settlement processing using the settlement service provided by the settlement service providing server 40 using the settlement information 273 including the ID and password for logging in to the user account.

  As described above, in the charging system 1, the payment information 273 used for the user U to pay for the charge is managed on the portable terminal 20 owned by the user U and passed to the charging service providing server 10. There is no. Thereby, on the charging system 1, it is possible to ensure the security related to the payment information 273 of the user U.

  The DB 270 manages the authentication information 271 and the payment information 273 on a storage area managed by the charging application 200. The authentication information 271 is information used for authentication for the user U to use a charging service provided by the charging system 1, for example, and may include information such as a user ID and a password.

  The payment information 273 is various pieces of information for the user U to pay a charge related to charging. For example, the payment information 273 can include information such as a credit card number and information such as a bank account. Alternatively, when managing information such as credit card information and bank accounts in the payment service provided by the payment service providing server 40, the payment information 273 may include, for example, login information for using the payment service. it can. In this case, the payment information 273 can include information such as an ID and a password for logging in to the user account of the payment service.

(2.3. Charger 30)
Next, the functional configuration of the charger 30 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Charger 30 largely includes a server communication unit 310 and a vehicle control unit 320.

  The server communication unit 310 performs necessary communication with the charging service providing server 10 when providing the charging service to the vehicle EV. Communication with the charging service providing server 10 by the server communication unit 310 is performed based on OCPP which is a standard. Server communication unit 310 includes a charging start request receiving unit 311, a charging status notification unit 313, and a charging completion notification unit 315.

  The charging start request receiving unit 311 receives a charging start request based on OCPP from the charging service providing server 10. When the charging start request receiving unit 311 receives the charging start request, the power feeding unit 323 included in the vehicle control unit 320 starts power feeding to the vehicle EV connected to the power feeding cable.

The charging status notification unit 313 notifies the charging service providing server 10 of the charging status that the charging status acquisition unit 321 included in the vehicle control unit 320 acquires from the vehicle EV as needed. When the charging of the battery mounted on the vehicle EV is completed, the charging completion notification unit 315 transmits a charging completion notification indicating that the charging is completed to the charging service providing server 10 by OCPP.
The vehicle control unit 320 performs various controls related to charging of a battery mounted on the vehicle EV. The vehicle control unit 320 includes a charging status acquisition unit 321 and a power feeding unit 323.

The charging status acquisition unit 321 communicates with the vehicle EV connected through the power supply cable, thereby information on the vehicle EV, the time required for charging, a charging rate (a ratio of the current charging amount in the total capacity), and the like. Is obtained from the vehicle EV. The charging information is notified from the charging status notification unit 313 included in the server communication unit 310 to the charging application 200.
The power supply unit 323 charges the battery by supplying power to the battery mounted on the vehicle EV connected to the power supply cable.

(3. Process flow)
Hereinafter, the flow of processing in the charging system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing flow of the charging system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  Each processing step to be described later can be executed in any order or in parallel as long as there is no contradiction in processing contents, and other steps can be added between the processing steps. good. Further, a step described as a single step for convenience can be executed by being divided into a plurality of steps, and a step described as being divided into a plurality of steps for convenience can be executed as one step.

  The charger 30 periodically transmits a beacon signal based on iBeacon (registered trademark) (S501). When the user U moves to the vicinity of the charger 30 and the charging application 200 of the portable terminal 20 receives the beacon signal at the identification information receiving unit 231, the identification information receiving unit 231 is charged in the beacon signal. The identification information of the container 30 is extracted (S503). The identification information notification unit 233 transmits the identification information to the charging service providing server 10 (S505). The charger information processing unit 111 of the charging service providing server 10 searches the DB 130 using the received identification information as a key, thereby acquiring the charger information 133 related to the charger 30 corresponding to the identification information. The charger information processing unit 111 transmits the charger information 133 to the portable terminal 20 (S507).

  When receiving the charger information from the charging service providing server 10, the charging application 200 of the portable terminal 20 controls display of a display requesting to connect the power supply cable of the charger 30 to the vehicle EV together with the information of the charger 30. This is performed by the unit 210. As a result, when an operation input for charging the vehicle EV by the charger 30 is made from the user U to the input unit 220 (S509), the user information processing unit 240 is authenticated in advance in the DB 270. The information 271 is read out and notified to the charging service providing server 10 (S511). Further, the payment processing unit 260 reads the payment information 273 registered in advance in the DB 270 and inquires of the payment service providing server 40 whether or not the payment information 273 is valid (S513). The settlement service providing server 40 confirms whether or not the received settlement information 273 can effectively reduce the cost (S517), and notifies the charging application 200 of the confirmation result (S519). The settlement processing unit 260 of the charging application 200 transmits a confirmation result related to the validity of the settlement information 273 to the charging service providing server 10 (S521).

  The user information processing unit 117 of the charging service providing server 10 confirms the validity of the received authentication information 271. Specifically, the user information processing unit 117 collates the received authentication information 271 with the user authentication information 131 stored in the DB 130, and determines that the authentication information 271 is valid if the two match. In addition, the user information processing unit 117 receives a notification from the portable terminal 20 that the portable terminal 20 can make payment effectively (the payment information 273 is valid). As a result, when the authentication information 271 received from the portable terminal 20 is valid and the portable terminal 20 is in a state where payment is possible, the charging start request unit 121 requests the charger 30 to start charging. (S523). The charger 30 that has received the charge start request starts charging the vehicle EV connected to the power supply cable by the power supply unit 323 (S525).

  Further, the coupon issue processing unit 119 of the charging service providing server 10 requests the coupon service providing server 50 to issue a coupon that can be used by the user U during charging (S527). Coupon service providing server 50 receives the request and issues a coupon to charging application 200. The charging application 200 of the portable terminal 20 displays the coupon and makes it available to the user U (S529).

  In addition, the process which concerns on coupon issuing is not restricted to this. For example, the coupon issue processing unit 119 of the charging service providing server 10 notifies the charging application 200 of the portable terminal 20 that charging by the charger 30 is started, and the charging application 200 notifies the coupon service providing server 50. It may be possible to request a coupon issue.

  The coupon issued by the coupon service providing server 50 is for a store in the vicinity of the charger 30, and can be, for example, a store within a certain distance from the charger 30. At this time, the content of the coupon may be changed according to the estimated time required for charging, the required charging capacity, and the like.

  After starting charging (S525), the charging status acquisition unit 321 of the charger 30 acquires the sequential charging status from the vehicle EV, and notifies the charging service providing server 10 of the charging status based on the OCPP (S531). Based on the charging status received from the charger 30, the charging service providing server 10 notifies the charging status to the portable terminal 20, for example, in response to a request from the charging application 200 (S533). The notified charging status is displayed on the display by the display control unit 210 of the charging application 200 (S535).

  When the power supply to the vehicle EV by the charger 30 is completed, the charging completion notifying unit 315 of the charger 30 notifies the charging service providing server 10 of the charging completion (S537). When the charging service providing server 10 receives the charging completion notification from the charger 30, the charging completion notification unit 115 transmits the charging completion notification to the portable terminal 20 (S539).

  When the charging completion processing unit 237 of the charging application 200 receives the charging completion notification, the settlement processing unit 260 performs charging with the settlement service providing server 40 based on information such as the amount of charging included in the charging completion notification. The payment process (settlement process) of the expense is performed (S541).

  When the payment processing by the payment processing unit 260 is completed, the charging application 200 of the portable terminal 20 notifies the user U by displaying, for example, a pop-up that the charging and payment is completed by the display control unit 210 (S543). .

(4. Hardware configuration)
Next, the hardware configuration of the charging service providing server 10 and the portable terminal 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 with reference to FIGS.

(4.1. Charging service providing server 10)
First, the hardware configuration of the charging service providing server 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the charging service providing server 10 includes a control unit 601, a communication interface (I / F) unit 605, a storage unit 607, a display unit 613, and an input unit 615. Each unit is a bus. Connected via line 617.

  The control unit 601 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit, not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory, not shown), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 603, and the like. The control unit 601 is configured to execute the control program 609 stored in the storage unit 607 so as to realize the processing related to the above-described charging service in addition to the function as a general information processing apparatus. For example, the user terminal control unit 110 and the charger control unit 120 described with reference to FIG. 2 can be realized as a control program 609 operating on the CPU after being temporarily stored in the RAM 603.

  The RAM 603 temporarily holds part or all of the DB 130 that stores the user authentication information 131 and the charger information 133 shown in FIG. 2 in addition to the code included in the control program 609. The RAM 603 is also used as a work area when the CPU executes various processes.

  The communication I / F unit 605 is a device for performing data communication via a wired or wireless network N with external devices including the portable terminal 20, the charger 30, and the coupon service providing server 50. . The communication I / F unit 605 performs all communications performed by the user terminal control unit 110 and the charger control unit 120 illustrated in FIG. 2 with the portable terminal 20, the charger 30, and the coupon service providing server 50.

  The storage unit 607 is a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory. The storage unit 607 stores an operating system (OS), applications, and data (not shown) for realizing a function as a general information processing apparatus. The storage unit 607 stores the control program 609 and the DB 130. As described above, the user terminal control unit 110 and the charger control unit 120 illustrated in FIG. 2 are included in the control program 609.

  The DB 130 can include various data necessary for charge control, such as the user authentication information 131 and the charger information 133 shown in FIG. Various data included in the DB 130 is loaded into the RAM 603 or the like as necessary, and is referred to by the CPU included in the control unit 601.

  The display unit 613 is a display device for displaying information to the administrator. Specific examples of the display unit 613 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The input unit 615 is a device for receiving input from the administrator. Specific examples of the input unit 615 include a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

  Note that the charging service providing server 10 does not necessarily include the display unit 613 and the input unit 615. In addition, the display unit 613 and the input unit 615 may be connected to the charging service providing server 10 from the outside via various interfaces such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) and a display port.

(4.2. Portable terminal 20)
Next, the hardware configuration of the portable terminal 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the portable terminal 20 includes a control unit 701, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit 705, an Internet communication unit 707, a storage unit 709, a display unit 711, and an input unit 713. Each part is connected via a bus line 715.

  The control unit 701 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown), a RAM 703, and the like. By executing the charging application 200 stored in the storage unit 709, the control unit 701 is configured to realize the above-described processing related to the charging service in addition to the function as a general information processing apparatus. For example, the display control unit 210, the input unit 220, the charger information processing unit 230, the user information processing unit 240, the coupon processing unit 250, and the payment processing unit 260 described with reference to FIG. 3 are temporarily stored in the RAM 703. Above, it is realizable as 200 parts of the charge application 200 which operate | moves on CPU.

  In addition to the code included in the charging application 200, the RAM 703 temporarily holds part or all of the DB 270 that stores the authentication information 271 and the payment information 273 illustrated in FIG. The RAM 703 is also used as a work area when the CPU executes various processes.

  The Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit 705 is a device for receiving a beacon signal by Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication periodically transmitted from, for example, the charger 30. The beacon signal received by the identification information receiving unit 231 shown in FIG. 3 is received by the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit 705.

  The Internet communication unit 707 is a device for performing data communication via the network N with external devices including the charging service providing server 10, the settlement service providing server 40, and the coupon service providing server 50. The identification information notification unit 233, the charging status processing unit 235, the charging completion processing unit 237, the coupon processing unit 250, the settlement processing unit 260, and the like illustrated in FIG. 3 perform with the charging service providing server 10 and the coupon service providing server 50. All communication is performed by the Internet communication unit 707.

  The storage unit 709 is a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD or a flash memory. The storage unit 709 stores an operating system, applications, and data for realizing functions as a general information processing apparatus. The storage unit 709 stores the charging application 200. The charging application 200 includes a display control unit 210, an input unit 220, a charger information processing unit 230, a user information processing unit 240, and a coupon processing unit 250. The storage unit 709 also has a storage area managed by the charging application 200 and storing the DB 270. The DB 270 includes authentication information 271 and settlement information 273 as described with reference to FIG. Various data included in the DB 270 is loaded into the RAM 703 as necessary, and is referred to by the CPU included in the control unit 701.

The display unit 711 is a display device for displaying information notified to the user U. Specific examples of the display unit 711 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display. The input unit 713 is a device for receiving input from the user U. Specific examples of the input unit 713 include a touch panel and various operation buttons.
Note that the display unit 711 and the input unit 713 can be realized as, for example, an external device or the like with which the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit 705 can communicate.

(5. Effects of the present embodiment)
As described above, in the charging system 1 according to the present embodiment, whether or not to charge the portable terminal 20 is automatically displayed based on the beacon signal periodically transmitted from the charger 30. The user U can perform charging based on the display. Since such a display is made when the portable terminal 20 is close to a certain distance from the charger 30, the user U does not need to bother to read a two-dimensional barcode or the like on the portable terminal 20, and is simple. Charging can be started by operation.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the charging application 200 manages the payment information 273 in advance, and when charging is started, the charging application 200 reads this information and transmits it directly to the payment service providing server 40. That is, since the user U does not need to input information such as an ID, a password, and a credit card each time, the operability related to charging is improved in this respect as well. Furthermore, since the payment information 273 is not particularly transmitted to the charging service providing server 10, security can be ensured.

  In the charging system 1 according to the present embodiment, communication between the charging service providing server 10 and the charger 30 is performed based on OCPP which is an international standard. Thereby, the charger 30 manufactured by a wide range of manufacturers can be applied to the charging system 1.

  Moreover, in the charging system 1 which concerns on this embodiment, the coupon which can be used in stores, such as the vicinity of the charger 30, is issued with respect to the user U at the time of a charge start. Thereby, for example, it is possible to improve the sales of a commercial facility or the like where the charger 30 is installed, and for the user U, the charging waiting time can be effectively utilized.

(6. Additional notes)
Note that the configurations of the above-described embodiments may be combined or some components may be replaced. The configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1: Charging system 10: Charging service providing server 20: Portable terminal 30: Charger 40: Payment service providing server 50: Coupon service providing server 110: User terminal control unit 111: Charger information processing unit 113: Charging status notification unit 115: Charging completion notification unit 117: User information processing unit 119: Coupon issue processing unit 120: Charger control unit 121: Charge start request unit 123: Charging status acquisition unit 125: Charging completion notification receiving unit 130: Database (DB)
200: Application for charging 210: Display control unit 220: Input unit 230: Charger information processing unit 231: Identification information receiving unit 233: Identification information notification unit 235: Charging status processing unit 237: Charging completion processing unit 240: User information processing Unit 250: Coupon processing unit 260: Settlement processing unit 270: Database EV: Vehicle U: User

Claims (12)

Means for receiving identification information of the charger included in a beacon signal transmitted by the charger from a portable terminal operated by a user;
Means for transmitting information of the charger corresponding to the identification information to the portable terminal;
Means for receiving the user authentication information managed by the application program of the mobile terminal from the mobile terminal;
Means for receiving from the mobile terminal information related to the validity of the payment information managed by the application program of the mobile terminal;
Means for transmitting a charge start request to the charger based on OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) when authentication by the authentication information is successful and the payment information is valid;
A charging control system comprising: means for performing processing for issuing a coupon to the portable terminal when transmitting the charging start request to the charger. Means for receiving a charge completion notification from the charger based on OCCP;
The charging control system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the charging completion notification to the portable terminal. Means for receiving a charging status based on OCCP from the charger;
The charging control system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the charging status to the portable terminal. The coupon relates to a store associated with the charger.
The charge control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The coupon changes according to the content of charging by the charger.
The charge control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A process of receiving a beacon signal including charger identification information from the charger;
A transmission process for transmitting the identification information to an information processing server;
Processing for receiving information of the charger corresponding to the identification information from the information processing server;
A process for managing user authentication information and payment information of the user;
Processing for confirming the validity of the payment information with a payment server;
A process of transmitting the authentication information to the information processing server and transmitting information related to validity of the settlement information to the information processing server;
With the start of charging by the charger, a process of receiving a coupon that can be used by the user;
An application program that causes a mobile device to execute. In the transmission process, the identification information is transmitted to the information processing server without an explicit operation by the user.
The application program according to claim 6, which causes the portable terminal to execute processing. Processing for receiving a notification of completion of charging by the charger from the information processing server;
Based on the completion notification, payment processing to be performed with the payment server;
The application program according to claim 6 or 7 for causing the portable terminal to further execute a process of notifying the user of the completion notification. A process of receiving a charging status by the charger from the information processing server;
The application program according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further causing the portable terminal to execute a process of notifying the user of the charging status. A charger transmitting a beacon signal including identification information of the device;
A transmission step in which the mobile terminal operated by the user transmits the identification information included in the beacon signal to the information processing server;
The information processing server transmitting information of the charger corresponding to the identification information to the portable terminal;
Transmitting the user authentication information managed by the application program of the mobile terminal to the information processing server, the mobile terminal;
The portable terminal confirming the validity of the payment information of the user managed by the application program of the portable terminal;
Transmitting the information related to the validity of the settlement information to the information processing server by the mobile terminal;
When authentication by the authentication information is successful and the payment information is valid, the information processing server transmits a charge start request to the charger based on OCPP;
And a step of issuing a coupon to the portable terminal in accordance with transmission of the charging start request to the charger. The portable terminal further includes a display step of displaying information on the charger received from the information processing server,
In the transmission step and the display step, the portable terminal transmits the identification information to the information processing server without an explicit operation by the user, and displays the information of the charger.
The charge control method according to claim 10. The charger transmitting a charge completion notification based on OCPP to the information processing server;
The information processing server transmitting the charge completion notification to the mobile terminal;
The portable terminal, the information processing server performing a payment process with a payment server;
The charging control method according to claim 10, further comprising: notifying the user of completion of charging and settlement.

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