JP7036501B2 - Charging support device and charging support method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a charging support device and a charging support method.

With the widespread use of electric vehicles (EVs) that run on electric motors and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) that run on the combined use of electric motors and gasoline engines, this is not the case with batteries that store power for the operation of these vehicles. There is a technology to supply power by contact. As a method of supplying electric power in a non-contact manner, there is a method in which a power transmission coil of a power transmission unit and a power receiving coil of a vehicle are arranged to face each other in a non-contact state, and power is supplied by using the principle of electromagnetic induction or magnetic resonance.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-100924 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-114879

As a non-contact charging system for charging vehicles, a power transmission unit (charging pad) is installed in each parking space in the parking lot, and non-contact charging is performed by transmitting power to the vehicle parked in the parking space. The method of doing is common. In such a non-contact charging system, when the vehicle is parked in the parking space, a bird's-eye view image generated from the image taken by the camera installed in the vehicle is displayed on the display inside the vehicle, and the position of the power transmission unit and the position of the vehicle are displayed. There is a technology that can confirm that.

However, in such a non-contact charging system, it has been difficult to determine whether the position of the power transmission unit with respect to the vehicle is an appropriate position for charging.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of easily determining whether or not the position of a power transmission device with respect to a vehicle is appropriate in charging a vehicle by a non-contact charging system.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.
That is, the first aspect is
A power receiving device that detects the position of the power transmission device from an image taken by an image pickup unit that captures the surroundings of the vehicle, including a power transmission device that supplies power to the vehicle in a non-contact manner, and receives the power supply contained in the vehicle. A control unit that calculates the charging efficiency based on the distance between the position of the unit and the position of the power transmission device and outputs a notification based on the charging efficiency to the output unit.
It is a charging support device equipped with.

Aspects of disclosure may be realized by the program being executed by an information processing device. That is, the configuration of the disclosure can be specified as a program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute the process executed by each means in the above-described embodiment, or as a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded. Further, the configuration of the disclosure may be specified by a method in which the information processing apparatus executes the processing executed by each of the above-mentioned means. The configuration of the disclosure may be specified as a system including an information processing apparatus that performs processing executed by each of the above-mentioned means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the position of the power transmission device with respect to the vehicle is appropriate in charging the vehicle by the non-contact charging system.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a non-contact charging system including the charging support device of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of hardware configuration of an information processing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example (1/2) of the operation flow of charging support by the charging support device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example (2/2) of the operation flow of charging support by the charging support device. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example 1 of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing Example 2 of the bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example 3 of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example 1 of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing Example 2 of the bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example 3 of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example 1 of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 2. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing Example 2 of the bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 2. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example 3 of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 2. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example 1 of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 4. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing Example 2 of the bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 4. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example 3 of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 4.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiment is an example, and the configuration of the invention is not limited to the specific configuration of the disclosed embodiment. In carrying out the invention, a specific configuration according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted.

<Embodiment>
(Configuration example)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a non-contact charging system including the charging support device of the present embodiment. The non-contact charging system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a vehicle 100 driven by an electric motor and a power transmission device 200. The vehicle 100 is, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The vehicle 100 includes a charging support device 10, a power receiving unit 20, an output unit 30, an imaging unit 40, and a vehicle unit 50. The charging support device 10 outputs to the driver of the vehicle 100 whether or not the position of the vehicle 100 is appropriate when the vehicle 100 is charged by the power transmission device 200. The charging support device 10 includes a control unit 11, an information acquisition unit 12, and an image recognition unit 13. The vehicle 100 can charge the battery of the vehicle 100 when the power receiving unit 20 of the vehicle 100 is brought close to the power transmission device 200. The power transmission device 200 is installed, for example, on the road surface of a parking space. The power transmission device 200 may be installed by being embedded in the road surface of the parking space.

The control unit 11 is a control means that performs arithmetic processing for supporting charging by the power transmission device 200. The control unit 11 acquires information and the like regarding the vehicle 100 on which the charging support device 10 is mounted by the information acquisition unit 12. The control unit 11 acquires an image taken by the image pickup unit 40 installed toward the outside of the vehicle 100 by the image recognition unit 13. The control unit 11 outputs information that supports charging of the vehicle 100 via the output unit 30. The control unit 11, the information acquisition unit 12, and the image recognition unit 13 may be integrated and operated as one control unit.

The information acquisition unit 12 acquires information such as the state of the vehicle on which the charging support device 10 is mounted from the vehicle unit 50. The information acquisition unit 12 detects, for example, the shift lever position from the shift lever, the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor, the vehicle acceleration from the acceleration sensor, the brake pressure from the brake, the side brake state from the side brake, and the target from the radar ECU. Obtain the situation, steering angle, etc. from the steering wheel. The information acquired by the information acquisition unit 12 is not limited to these. The information acquisition unit 12 may be connected to the control unit of the vehicle 100 to acquire such information. The information acquisition unit 12 stores the acquired information in the storage means.

The image recognition unit 13 acquires an image taken by the image pickup unit 40 installed toward the outside of the vehicle 100. A plurality of image pickup units 40 may be connected to the image recognition unit 13. The image recognition unit 13 can generate an image including the surroundings of the vehicle 100, which is a bird's-eye view of the direction of the vehicle 100 with the upper side of the vehicle 100 as a viewpoint, from the image taken by the image pickup unit 40. The image recognition unit 13 may generate an image by performing predetermined image processing such as distortion correction, trimming, and contrast change on the captured image.

The power receiving unit 20 includes a power receiving coil and a battery, and receives the electric power supplied from the power transmission device 200 by the coil to charge the battery. The battery is used as a source of energy or the like for driving the electric motor of the vehicle 100. The power receiving unit 20 may include a communication means for communicating with the power transmission device 200. The plane orthogonal to the winding axis of the power receiving coil is, for example, parallel to the ground. The position of the power receiving unit 20 in the vehicle 100 is stored in the storage means in advance.

The output unit 30 outputs an image taken by the image pickup unit 40, an image generated by the control unit 11, and the like. The output unit 30 is a display, a speaker, or the like. A display or the like of a car navigation system mounted on the vehicle 100 may be used as the output unit 30. The display is installed at a position that can be visually recognized from the driver's seat of the vehicle 100.

The image pickup unit 40 is, for example, a camera having a fisheye lens or a wide-angle lens. The image pickup unit 40 is installed toward the outside of the vehicle 100. The image pickup unit 40 may include a plurality of cameras.

The vehicle unit 50 includes each component of the vehicle 100. The vehicle unit 50 includes, for example, a shift lever, a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a steering wheel, a brake, a side brake, a radar ECU, and the like.
Includes temperature sensors, microphones, cameras, etc. The shift lever is a lever that changes the gear or the like of the vehicle. When the position of the shift lever 110 is, for example, "R (reverse)", the vehicle moves backward. The radar ECU is an electronic control unit that detects a target around the vehicle and calculates the distance between the target around the vehicle and the vehicle. The radar ECU calculates the distance to the target using microwaves, images taken by the image pickup unit 40, and the like. The vehicle speed sensor is a sensor that detects the traveling speed of the vehicle. The vehicle speed sensor detects and outputs the vehicle speed based on, for example, the angle of rotation of the tire, the radius of the tire, and the like. The acceleration sensor is a sensor that detects and outputs the acceleration of the vehicle.

The power transmission device 200 includes a power transmission coil, an amplifier, communication means, control means, and the like. The power transmission device 200 supplies electrodes to the vehicle 100 having the power receiving unit 20 via the power transmission coil. The plane orthogonal to the winding axis of the power transmission coil is parallel to the ground. If the position of the power transmission coil of the power transmission device 200 and the position of the power reception coil of the power reception unit 20 of the vehicle 100 are not appropriate, the charging efficiency will decrease. For efficient charging, it is required that the position of the power transmission coil of the power transmission device 200 and the position of the power reception coil of the power receiving unit 20 of the vehicle 100 be appropriate. For example, when the center of the power transmission coil of the power transmission device 200 and the center of the power reception coil of the power receiving unit 20 of the vehicle 100 match when viewed from the information of the vehicle 100, the charging efficiency becomes the highest. Further, the farther the center position of the power transmission coil and the center position of the power reception coil are, the lower the power reception efficiency becomes.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of hardware configuration of an information processing device. The information processing apparatus 90 shown in FIG. 2 has a general computer configuration. The charging support device 10 is realized by using the information processing device 90 as shown in FIG. The information processing device 90 of FIG. 2 includes a processor 91, a memory 92, a storage unit 93, an input unit 94, an output unit 95, and a communication control unit 96. These are connected to each other by a bus. The memory 92 and the storage unit 93 are computer-readable recording media. The hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2, and components may be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate.

The information processing unit 90 meets a predetermined purpose by having the processor 91 load the program stored in the recording medium into the work area of the memory 92 and execute the program, and each component or the like is controlled through the execution of the program. The function can be realized.

The processor 91 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

The memory 92 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The memory 92 is also called a main storage device.

The storage unit 93 is, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) or a hard disk drive (HDD, Hard Disk Drive). Further, the storage unit 93 can include a removable medium, that is, a portable recording medium. The removable media is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a disc recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The storage unit 93 is also called a secondary storage device.

The storage unit 93 stores various programs, various data, and various tables used in the information processing apparatus 90 in a readable / writable recording medium. The storage unit 93 stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 93 may be stored in the memory 92. Further, the information stored in the memory 92 may be stored in the storage unit 93.

An operating system is software that mediates between software and hardware, manages memory space, manages files, manages processes and tasks, and so on. The operating system includes a communication interface. The communication interface is a program for exchanging data with other external devices and the like connected via the communication control unit 96. The external device and the like include, for example, another information processing device, an external storage device, and the like.

The input unit 94 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, a wireless remote controller, a touch panel, and the like. Further, the input unit 94 can include a video or image input device such as a camera, or an audio input device such as a microphone.

The output unit 95 includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL (Electroluminescence) panel, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), and an output device such as a printer. Further, the output unit 95 can include an audio output device such as a speaker.

The communication control unit 96 connects to another device and controls communication between the information processing device 90 and the other device. The communication control unit 96 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board, a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication, and a communication circuit for wired communication. The LAN interface board and the wireless communication circuit are connected to a network such as the Internet.

(Operation example)
3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of an operation flow of charging support by the charging support device. "A", "B", and "C" in FIG. 3 are connected to "A", "B", and "C" in FIG. 4, respectively. The operation flow of FIGS. 3 and 4 is an operation flow executed when electric power is supplied to the charge support device 10 from the vehicle 100 equipped with the charge support device 10. When the drive source of the vehicle 100 is in an operating state, for example, when the system power is turned on, the operation flow of FIGS. 3 and 4 is started.

In S101, the information acquisition unit 12 of the charging support device 10 acquires the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 from the vehicle speed sensor of the vehicle unit 50. The control unit 11 determines whether or not the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 acquired by the information acquisition unit 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed. Here, the speed less than the predetermined speed is the speed at which the vehicle 100 is considered to be trying to park in the parking space. The predetermined speed is, for example, 11 km / h. When the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 is less than the predetermined speed (S101; YES), the process proceeds to S102. When the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed (S101; NO), the process proceeds to S110.

In S102, the image recognition unit 13 of the charging support device 10 acquires the image taken by the image pickup unit 40. Since the image pickup unit 40 is installed toward the outside of the vehicle 100, the image pickup unit 40 captures a peripheral image of the vehicle 100. The image recognition unit 13 generates a bird's-eye view image based on the peripheral image of the vehicle 100 taken by the image pickup unit 40. The bird's-eye view image is an image of the direction of the vehicle 100 with the upper side of the vehicle 100 as a viewpoint. As the image of the vehicle 100 in the bird's-eye view image, for example, an image of the vehicle 100 previously stored in the storage means of the vehicle 100 taken from above is used. The control unit 11 displays the bird's-eye view image generated by the image recognition unit 13 on the display of the output unit 30. The display of the output unit 30 displays a bird's-eye view image generated by the image recognition unit 13. The user (driver) of the vehicle 100 can recognize the situation around the vehicle 100 by looking at the bird's-eye view image displayed on the display. As the bird's-eye view image, an image taken by an image pickup unit 40 attached to the front and rear of the vehicle 100 may be used. This is because the vehicle 100 travels forward or backward, but does not travel laterally, so that the vehicle 100 cannot move above the power transmission device 200 even if the power transmission device 200 is present in the lateral direction.

In S103, the control unit 11 detects an obstacle in the peripheral image of the vehicle 100 taken by the image pickup unit 40. The obstacle is, for example, an object other than the vehicle 100 existing on a plane (road surface, ground) formed by the four bottom surfaces of the tire of the vehicle 100. Obstacles may also include the power transmission device 200. The control unit 11 detects obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle 100 by using a plurality of camera images, pattern matching, and the like. The control unit 11 may detect an obstacle existing in the vicinity of the vehicle 100 by using a sensor or the like of the vehicle 100.

In S104, the control unit 11 determines whether or not an obstacle is detected in S103. If no obstacle is detected (S104; NO), the process proceeds to S110. At this time, it means that the power transmission device 200 is not detected either. When an obstacle is detected (S104; YES), the process proceeds to S105. At this time, it means that the power transmission device 200 may have been detected.

In S105, the control unit 11 detects the position of each obstacle detected in S103. The control unit 11 detects the position of each obstacle from the coordinates of each obstacle in the image. The control unit 11 detects the position of the obstacle as, for example, a relative three-dimensional position with respect to the vehicle 100. The control unit 11 may detect the shape of the obstacle together with the position, and may store the position and shape of the obstacle in the storage means.

In S106, the control unit 11 determines whether or not at least a part of the obstacle is hidden under the vehicle 100 in the bird's-eye view image. The control unit 11 compares each obstacle in the bird's-eye view image generated this time with each obstacle in the bird's-eye view image generated last time, and at least one of the obstacles that were completely visible in the previous bird's-eye view image. It is determined whether or not the unit is hidden under the vehicle 100 in this bird's-eye view image. The control unit 11 determines at least the obstacle based on the position and shape of the obstacle, the speed and steering angle of the vehicle 100 acquired by the information acquisition unit 12, and the time difference between the shooting time of the previous bird's-eye view image and the current bird's-eye view image. It is determined whether or not a part is hidden under the vehicle 100. When at least a part of the obstacle is hidden under the vehicle 100 (S106; YES), the process proceeds to S107. If the obstacle is not hidden under the vehicle 100 (S106; NO), the process proceeds to S110.

In S107, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the obstacle, which is at least partially hidden under the vehicle 100, is the power transmission device 200. Whether the power transmission device 200 (charging pad) is an obstacle that is at least partially hidden under the vehicle by well-known pattern matching or the like based on the color and shape of the obstacle in the bird's-eye view image. Judge whether or not. The image of the power transmission device 200 is stored in, for example, a storage means. When at least a part of the obstacle hidden under the vehicle 100 is the power transmission device 200 (S107; YES), the process proceeds to S108. If at least a part of the obstacle hidden under the vehicle 100 is not the power transmission device 200 (S107; NO), the process proceeds to S110.

In S108, the control unit 11 superimposes an image of an obstacle (power transmission device 200) at least partially hidden under the vehicle 100 on the image of the vehicle 100 and displays it on the output unit 30 in the bird's-eye view image. As the image of the power transmission device 200, an image of the power transmission device prepared in advance, an image taken before hiding under the vehicle 100, or the like can be used. Here, the control unit 11 acquires the moving direction and the moving distance of the vehicle 100 from the information acquisition unit 12 at any time. As a result, the control unit 11 can calculate the position of the power transmission device 200 even if the power transmission device 200 disappears from the bird's-eye view image. The information acquisition unit 12 can calculate the moving direction and the moving distance of the vehicle 100 by acquiring the speed, the steering angle, and the like of the vehicle from the speed sensor, the steering wheel, and the like of the vehicle unit 50. The movement direction and the movement distance may be calculated by the control unit 11.

Further, the control unit 11 advances the direction and distance of the vehicle 100 during the processing delay time from the time when the original image of the bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit 30 is taken to the display time (current time) of the composite image. (Movement direction, movement distance) may be predicted, and the display position of the power transmission device 200 may be corrected based on the prediction. The direction and distance traveled by the vehicle 100 can be easily obtained from the vehicle speed, steering angle, and the like of the vehicle 100. As a result, it is possible to prevent the position of the power transmission device 200 from being displaced from the actual position of the power transmission device 200 on the screen due to the image processing delay time.

In S109, the control unit 11 notifies the driver (user) of the vehicle 100 of the notification based on the charging efficiency at the current position of the power transmission device 200. Here, the control unit 11 obtains the distance between the position of the power transmission device 200 (center position of the power transmission coil) displayed in the bird's-eye view image and the position of the power reception unit 20 of the vehicle 100 (center position of the power reception coil). Charging efficiency is a function of the distance. The longer the distance, the lower the charging efficiency. The charging efficiency is, for example, inversely proportional to the distance. Therefore, the control unit 11 can obtain the charging efficiency from the distance. Further, the control unit 11 may cause the power receiving unit 20 to communicate with the power transmission device 200 and measure the charging efficiency between the power receiving unit 20 and the power transmission device 200. The control unit 11 changes the color of the power transmission device 200 in the bird's-eye view image based on the charging efficiency. When the charging efficiency is less than the first predetermined value, the control unit 11 sets the color of the power transmission device 200 to red. Further, the control unit 11 causes the color of the power transmission device 200 to gradually change from red to yellow and green as the charging efficiency becomes equal to or higher than the first predetermined value and the value becomes larger. Further, the charging efficiency becomes higher, and when the charging efficiency becomes the second predetermined value (> the first predetermined value) or more, the control unit 11 changes the color of the power transmission device 200 to green. As a result, the driver (user) of the vehicle 100 can improve the charging efficiency of the battery by parking the vehicle so that the color of the power transmission device in the bird's-eye view image is green. The driver of the vehicle 100 can recognize the charging efficiency at the current position of the power transmission device 200 by changing the display form of the power transmission device 200 displayed on the output unit 30 according to the charging efficiency.

In S110, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the power of the system of the vehicle 100 has been turned off. When the power of the system is turned off (S110; YES), the operation flow of FIGS. 3 and 4 ends. If the power of the system is not turned off (S110; NO), the process returns to S101.

5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams showing an example of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the above embodiment. In FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a frame line indicating a parking space, a vehicle 100, and a power transmission device 200 are shown. Vehicle 100 is about to park in the parking space indicated by the border. A power transmission device 200 is present in the parking space. The arrows in each figure indicate the traveling direction of the vehicle 100. In FIG. 5, the vehicle 100 is retreating and approaching the power transmission device 200. In FIG. 6, the vehicle 100 is retracted from the state of FIG. 5, and a part of the power transmission device 200 is hidden under the vehicle 100. However, in the bird's-eye view image, the power transmission device 200 is displayed superimposed on the vehicle 100. Further, since the charging efficiency is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, the power transmission device 200 is displayed in yellow. In FIG. 7, the vehicle 100 is further retracted from the state of FIG. 6, and the power transmission device 200 is completely hidden under the vehicle 100. However, in the bird's-eye view image, the power transmission device 200 is displayed superimposed on the vehicle 100. Further, since the charging efficiency is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value, the power transmission device 200 is displayed in green. The driver of the vehicle 100 can charge the battery with high charging efficiency by stopping the vehicle 100 here (optimal position for charging).

(Modification 1)
In S109 described above, the charging efficiency can be easily recognized by changing the color of the power transmission device 200 displayed in the bird's-eye view image according to the charging efficiency. Here, by changing the size of the power transmission device 200 displayed in the bird's-eye view image according to the charging efficiency, the charging efficiency can be easily recognized.

8, 9, and 10 are diagrams showing an example of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 2. In FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, a frame line indicating a parking space, a vehicle 100, and a power transmission device 200 are shown. Vehicle 100 is about to park in the parking space indicated by the border. A power transmission device 200 is present in the parking space. The arrows in each figure indicate the traveling direction of the vehicle 100. In FIG. 8, the vehicle 100 is retreating and approaching the power transmission device 200. In FIG. 9, the vehicle 100 is retracted from the state of FIG. 8, and a part of the power transmission device 200 is hidden under the vehicle 100. However, in the bird's-eye view image, the power transmission device 200 is displayed superimposed on the vehicle 100. Further, since the charging efficiency is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, the power transmission device 200 is displayed larger than that in FIG. In FIG. 10, the vehicle 100 is further retracted from the state of FIG. 9, and the power transmission device 200 is completely hidden under the vehicle 100. However, in the bird's-eye view image, the power transmission device 200 is displayed superimposed on the vehicle 100. Further, since the charging efficiency is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value, the power transmission device 200 is displayed even larger. Here, the driver of the vehicle 100 can charge the battery with high charging efficiency by stopping the vehicle 100.

Further, the control unit 11 enlarges / reduces the display of the bird's-eye view image so that the position of the power transmission device 200 (center position of the power transmission coil) and the position of the power receiving unit 20 (center position of the power receiving coil) do not move in the bird's-eye view image. You may. As a result, as the power transmission device 200 approaches the vehicle 100, the entire display is enlarged and displayed. The driver of the vehicle 100 can charge the battery with high charging efficiency by stopping the vehicle 100 in a state where the bird's-eye view image is enlarged.

(Modification 2)
In S109 described above, the charging efficiency can be easily recognized by changing the color of the power transmission device 200 displayed in the bird's-eye view image according to the charging efficiency. Here, the charging efficiency can be easily recognized by changing the color and size of the power transmission device 200 displayed in the bird's-eye view image according to the charging efficiency.

11, 12, and 13 are diagrams showing an example of a bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the modified example 3. 11, 12, and 13 show a frame line indicating a parking space, a vehicle 100, and a power transmission device 200. Vehicle 100 is about to park in the parking space indicated by the border. A power transmission device 200 is present in the parking space. The arrows in each figure indicate the traveling direction of the vehicle 100. In FIG. 11, the vehicle 100 is retreating and approaching the power transmission device 200. In FIG. 12, the vehicle 100 is retracted from the state of FIG. 11, and a part of the power transmission device 200 is hidden under the vehicle 100. However, in the bird's-eye view image, the power transmission device 200 is displayed superimposed on the vehicle 100. Further, since the charging efficiency is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, the power transmission device 200 is displayed larger than that in FIG. 11 and is further displayed in yellow. In FIG. 13, the vehicle 100 is further retracted from the state of FIG. 12, and the power transmission device 200 is completely hidden under the vehicle 100. However, in the bird's-eye view image, the power transmission device 200 is displayed superimposed on the vehicle 100. Further, since the charging efficiency is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value, the power transmission device 200 is displayed in a larger size and is further displayed in green. The driver of the vehicle 100 can more easily recognize a position with high charging efficiency (optimal position for charging).

(Modification 3)
In S109 described above, the charging efficiency can be easily recognized by changing the color of the power transmission device 200 displayed in the bird's-eye view image according to the charging efficiency. Here, the control unit 11 changes the sound emitted from the speaker of the output unit 30 according to the charging efficiency so that the charging efficiency can be easily recognized. As a result, the driver of the vehicle 100 can easily recognize the charging efficiency without looking at the display. At this time, the control unit 11 and the image recognition unit 13 may or may not display the bird's-eye view image or generate the bird's-eye view image.

(Modification example 4)
In S109 described above, the charging efficiency can be easily recognized by changing the color of the power transmission device 200 displayed in the bird's-eye view image according to the charging efficiency. The charging efficiency becomes maximum when the power receiving unit 20 of the vehicle 100 and the power transmission device 200 are closest to each other. Here, by displaying the position of the power transmission device 200 displayed in the bird's-eye view image and the position of the power receiving unit 20 of the vehicle 100, the driver of the vehicle 100 brings the power receiving unit 20 of the vehicle 100 closer to the power transmission device 200. To facilitate. As a result, the driver of the vehicle 100 can easily recognize the charging efficiency depending on the distance between the position of the power transmission device 200 and the position of the power receiving unit 20 of the vehicle 100.

14, 15, and 16 are diagrams showing a modified example of the bird's-eye view image displayed on the output unit in the above embodiment. 14, 15, and 16 show a frame line indicating a parking space, a vehicle 100, and a power transmission device 200. Further, a predetermined mark (black circle mark) is shown at the center of the power transmission device 200. On the vehicle 100, the position of the power receiving unit 20 is indicated by a predetermined mark 20A (X mark). Vehicle 100 is about to park in the parking space indicated by the border. A power transmission device 200 is present in the parking space. The arrows in each figure indicate the traveling direction of the vehicle 100. In FIG. 14, the vehicle 100 is retreating and approaching the power transmission device 200. In FIG. 15, the vehicle 100 is retracted from the state of FIG. 14, and a part of the power transmission device 200 is hidden under the vehicle 100. However, in the bird's-eye view image, the power transmission device 200 is displayed superimposed on the vehicle 100. Further, a predetermined mark (black circle mark) is shown at the center of the power transmission device 200. Further, the position of the power receiving unit 20 of the vehicle 100 is indicated by a predetermined mark 20A. The driver can park the vehicle 100 at a position with high power receiving efficiency by operating the vehicle 100 so that the center of the power transmission device 200 overlaps with the center of the predetermined mark 20A of the power receiving unit 20. In FIG. 16, the vehicle 100 is further retracted from the state of FIG. 15, and the power transmission device 200 is completely hidden under the vehicle 100. However, in the bird's-eye view image, the power transmission device 200 is displayed superimposed on the vehicle 100. Further, in the bird's-eye view image, a predetermined mark 20A indicating the position of the power receiving unit 20 of the vehicle 100 is superimposed and displayed on the vehicle 100. The driver of the vehicle 100 aligns the center of the power transmission device 200 with the center of the power receiving unit 20 (so that the predetermined mark of the power transmission device 200 and the predetermined mark 20A of the power receiving unit 20 are aligned with each other). By stopping, the battery can be charged with high charging efficiency. The driver is displayed on the output unit 30. By confirming and operating the predetermined mark indicating the power transmission device 200 and the predetermined mark 20A indicating the power receiving unit 20, the power transmission device 200 and the power receiving unit 20 can be easily aligned.

(others)
In the above operation flow, after a part of the power transmission device 200 is hidden under the vehicle 100 in the bird's-eye view image, the charging efficiency is requested and the notification according to the charging efficiency is given. Here, in S103, when an obstacle is detected, it is determined whether or not the obstacle is the power transmission device 200, and the charging efficiency is improved even if the power transmission device 200 is not hidden under the vehicle 100 in the bird's-eye view image. Calculate and notify according to the charging efficiency. As a result, the driver of the vehicle 100 can recognize the charging efficiency at an earlier stage.

The detected obstacle may be highlighted in the bird's-eye view image. Highlighting can be realized by thickening the outline of the obstacle, blinking the obstacle, and the like. By highlighting the obstacle, the driver of the vehicle 100 can easily recognize the obstacle. Also, the power transmission device 200 does not have to be highlighted. Of the obstacles, only the power transmission device 200 may be highlighted. By displaying the power transmission device 200 differently, it becomes easier to recognize the power transmission device 200.

When the power transmission device 200 is embedded in the ground, the power transmission device 200 is integrated with the ground and is not recognized as an obstacle. In this case, the control unit 11 detects the power transmission device 200 by recognizing a predetermined mark indicating the power transmission device 200 written on the ground.

(Actions and effects of embodiments)
The charging support device 10 can easily make the driver of the vehicle 100 recognize the charging efficiency by giving a notification according to the charging efficiency corresponding to the position of the power transmission device 200. The driver can easily park the vehicle 100 in a position with high charging efficiency.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto and is based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the claims. Various changes are possible. In addition, each configuration example and the like can be implemented in combination as much as possible.

<Computer readable recording medium>
A program that realizes any of the above functions in a computer or other machine or device (hereinafter referred to as a computer or the like) can be recorded on a recording medium that can be read by a computer or the like. Then, by having a computer or the like read and execute the program of this recording medium, the function can be provided.

Here, a recording medium that can be read by a computer or the like is a recording medium that can store information such as data and programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read from a computer or the like. To say. In such a recording medium, elements constituting a computer such as a CPU and a memory may be provided, and the CPU may execute a program.

Among such recording media, those that can be removed from a computer or the like include, for example, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R / W, a DVD, a DAT, an 8 mm tape, a memory card, and the like.

In addition, there are hard disks, ROMs, and the like as recording media fixed to computers and the like.

1 Non-contact charging system 100 Vehicle 10 Charging support device 11 Control unit 12 Information acquisition unit 13 Image recognition unit 20 Power receiving unit 30 Output unit 40 Imaging unit 50 Vehicle unit 200 Power transmission device

Claims (3)

It is a charging support device when charging the power receiving unit on the bottom of the vehicle from the power transmission device outside the vehicle.
It has a control unit that displays a bird's-eye view image of the vehicle image and the surroundings of the vehicle taken by the camera.
The control unit
Detecting the position of the power transmission device,
The charging efficiency is calculated based on the distance between the position of the power receiving unit and the position of the power transmission device, and after the power transmission device is hidden under the vehicle, the size of the vehicle image is changed based on the charging efficiency. A charging support device that changes the shape of at least one of a first image showing the position of the power receiving unit and a second image showing the position of the power transmission device and displays them in the bird's-eye view image. The charging according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit displays at least one of the first image and the second image in a different color when the power receiving unit is positioned at a position where a predetermined charging efficiency can be obtained. Support device. It is a charging support method when charging the power receiving part on the bottom of the vehicle from the power transmission device outside the vehicle.
The computer
A bird's-eye view image of the vehicle image and the surroundings of the vehicle taken by the camera is displayed.
Detecting the position of the power transmission device,
The charging efficiency is calculated based on the distance between the position of the power receiving unit and the position of the power transmission device, and after the power transmission device is hidden under the vehicle, the size of the vehicle image is changed based on the charging efficiency. A charging support method in which at least one of a shape of a first image showing the position of the power receiving unit and a second image showing the position of the power transmission device is changed and displayed in the bird's-eye view image.

Images