WO2020189076A1

WO2020189076A1 - Identification device, identification method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2020189076A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/004649
Authority: WO
Inventors: 悠佑岡本; 広考遠藤; 寛雨池
Original assignee: 本田技研工業株式会社
Priority date: 2019-03-19
Filing date: 2020-02-06
Publication date: 2020-09-24
Also published as: JP7320596B2; JPWO2020189076A1

Abstract

This identification device is provided with: an acquisition unit which acquires usage history information indicating users' histories of using a charging/replacing device; a prediction unit which predicts whether the remaining number of batteries or the like stocked in the charging/replacing device will fall short of the demand for charging or replacing batteries using the charging/replacing device; and an identification unit which, if it is predicted that the remaining number of batteries or the like will fall short, identifies, on the basis of the usage history information, a user who is a regular client who uses the charging/replacing device at a frequency at least equal to a predetermined frequency.

Description

Specific equipment, specific method and program

The present invention relates to a specific device, a specific method and a program.

There are known power requirement predictors that predict the amount of charge, when and where to charge the vehicle and propose charging stations at times and positions where the vehicle driver is likely to want to charge (eg,). See Patent Document 1). In addition, the electric energy storage device is relative to the used electric energy storage device by predicting the demand for the charged electric energy storage device using the information of the individual user and sending a specific message to the user. There is known a distribution management system in which a surplus collection / charge / distribution device is returned to alleviate the demand for a collection / charge / distribution device in which the electric energy storage device is relatively insufficient (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[Prior art literature]
[Patent Document]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-11546 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-527689

The problem to be solved

In any of the above devices, if it is predicted that the charging station will become unusable due to maintenance, etc., or the charged electric energy storage device will run short in the collection / charge distribution device, these charging stations, etc. will be used. It was not possible to identify a user who is used on a daily basis and is likely to be unexpectedly affected by events such as maintenance of the charging station.

General disclosure

In one aspect of the present invention, a specific device is provided. The specific device may include an acquisition unit that acquires usage history information indicating the history of use of the charge exchange device for charging or exchanging a battery that can be attached to and detached from an electrically driven vehicle. The specific device accommodates and charges the remaining number of batteries in stock in the charge switch and the used batteries in the charge switch in response to the demand for charging or replacing the battery in the charge switch. A predictor may be provided for predicting that at least one of the empty slots for the space will be insufficient. The specific device is a regular customer who uses the charge switching device more than a predetermined frequency based on the usage history information when it is predicted that at least one of the remaining number of batteries and the number of empty slots is insufficient. It may be provided with a specific unit that identifies the user.

The predictor may predict that at least one of the remaining battery and the empty slot will be insufficient based on the information of the event that the remaining battery and the empty slot are insufficient. ..

The event is an event that is held within a predetermined range from the charge switch and is expected to attract visitors using the vehicle, as well as repairs of at least a portion of the charge switch and the batteries in stock. It may include at least one of maintenance, including either refurbishment or inspection.

The specific device acquires route history information indicating the history of the route on which the vehicle has traveled within a predetermined range from the charge exchange device of the user who is a specified regular customer, and surrounds the route within the range. A device identification unit that identifies another charge exchange device different from the charge exchange device located at may be further provided.

The specific device notifies the specified regular customer user that at least one of the remaining battery capacity and the empty slot capacity is insufficient and that the use of another specified charge exchange device is recommended. It may be further provided with a recommended part.

The specific device may further include a management unit that manages whether or not the user has consented to use another charge exchange device in response to the recommendation by the recommendation unit.

The recommendation unit may send a recommendation message recommending the use of another specified charge exchange device to the user's communication terminal via the communication network. When the management unit inputs to the communication terminal that the user consents to use another charge exchange device in response to the recommended message, the management unit issues an approval message to approve the use of another charge exchange device to the communication network. It may be received from a communication terminal via.

The management unit may receive information from the other charge exchange device via the communication network indicating that the user has used another charge exchange device in response to the recommendation by the recommendation unit.

Whether or not the recommendation department, under the control of the management department, avoids running out of at least one of the remaining battery capacity and the empty slot capacity as a result of the user consenting to use another charge switching device. It may be recommended to another user to use another charge switching device specified for another user who is a specified regular customer until it is determined that the shortage is avoided.

Recommendations reward users who are identified regular customers for using another identified charging switch, depending on the degree of lack of at least one of the remaining batteries and the number of empty slots. You may notify that it will be granted.

The acquisition unit may acquire another usage history information indicating the history of the user using another charge switching device. The predictor responds to the demand for charging or replacing batteries in another charge switch, with the remaining number of batteries in stock in another charge switch and the used batteries in another charge switch. It may be predicted that at least one of the number of empty slots for accommodating and charging the battery will be insufficient. If it is predicted that at least one of the remaining number of batteries and the number of empty slots will be insufficient for another charge exchange device, the specific unit predetermines another charge exchange device based on another usage history information. A user who is a regular customer who uses the service more frequently than the specified frequency may be specified.

Based on the usage history information, the specific unit, as a user who is a regular customer, has a time zone corresponding to at least one of the time zone and the day when at least one of the remaining battery number and the empty slot number is predicted to be insufficient. At least one of the days may identify users who use the charge switching device more than a predetermined frequency.

The specific device does not have to specify a user who is a regular customer who uses the charge exchange device more than a predetermined frequency when it is determined that at least one of the remaining number of batteries and the number of empty slots is not insufficient. Good.

In one aspect of the present invention, a specific method is provided. The specific method may include an acquisition step of acquiring usage history information indicating the history of the user using the charge switching device for charging or replacing the removable battery for the electrically driven vehicle. The specific method accommodates and charges the remaining number of batteries in stock in the charge switch and the used batteries in the charge switch to meet the demand for charging or replacing the battery in the charge switch. A prediction stage may be provided for predicting that at least one of the empty slots for the space will be insufficient. The specific method is a regular customer who uses the charge switching device more than a predetermined frequency based on the usage history information when it is predicted that at least one of the remaining number of batteries and the number of empty slots is insufficient. It may have a specific step of identifying the user.

The identification method does not require identifying a user who is a regular customer who uses the charge switching device more than a predetermined frequency when it is determined that at least one of the remaining number of batteries and the number of empty slots is not insufficient. Good.

In one aspect of the present invention, a program for causing a computer to execute the above-mentioned specific method is provided.

Note that the above outline of the invention does not list all the necessary features of the present invention. Subcombinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

It is a schematic diagram of the specific system 10 by this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the specific device 100 which communicates with a charge exchange device 50 and a communication terminal 200 according to this embodiment. This is an example of a table stored in the storage unit 103 of the specific device 100 according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the method for avoiding the shortage of the battery stocked in each of the charge exchange device 50 and another charge exchange device 51 according to this embodiment. It is a flow chart of the specific method by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the computer 1200 which can embody a plurality of aspects of this invention in whole or part.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the inventions claimed. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the means of solving the invention. In the drawings, the same or similar parts may be given the same reference number to omit duplicate explanations.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the specific system 10 according to the present embodiment. The specific system 10 includes a vehicle 11, a communication terminal 200, a charge exchange device 50, and a specific device 100.

The vehicle 11 is, for example, a motorcycle and is electrically driven. The vehicle 11 is used by the user. A battery 15 can be attached to and detached from the vehicle 11. The communication terminal 200 is, for example, a smartphone and is possessed by the user of the vehicle 11.

The charge exchange device 50 is a device for charging or exchanging the battery 15. The charge switching device 50 has a slot 55 for accommodating and charging the battery 15. The charge switching device 50 may have, for example, a memory 56 for storing information read from the battery 15.

The specific device 100 is, for example, a server, and as an example, it can communicate with the charge switching device 50 and the communication terminal 200 by wireless communication via the communication network 18. The specific device 100 responds to the demand for charging or replacing the battery 15 in the charge switching device 50 by the remaining number of batteries 15 stocked in the charge switching device 50 and the used batteries in the charge switching device 50. When it is predicted that at least one of the empty number of slots 55 for accommodating and charging 15 is insufficient, a user who is a regular customer 12 of the charge switching device 50 is specified.

The user who is the specified regular customer 12 is a user who is likely to be unexpectedly affected when the above-mentioned shortage occurs in the charge switching device 50 among the users who use the charge switching device 50. Is. When the above-mentioned shortage in the charge switching device 50 is predicted, the specific device 100 identifies a user who is such a regular customer 12, and for example, notifies the user in advance that the shortage is predicted. .. In the following description, the user who is the regular customer 12 may be simply referred to as the regular customer 12.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a specific device 100 that communicates with the charge switching device 50 and the communication terminal 200 according to the present embodiment. The specific device 100 includes a control unit 101 and a storage unit 103. The control unit 101 includes an acquisition unit 110, a prediction unit 111, and a specific unit 112. The control unit 101 further includes a device identification unit 113, a recommendation unit 114, and a management unit 115.

The acquisition unit 110 acquires usage history information indicating the history of the user using the charge switching device 50. As an example, the usage history information referred to here may be information indicating the month, day, and time when the user used the charge switching device 50. The acquisition unit 110 stores the acquired usage history information in the storage unit 103 in association with the user information indicating the information about the user corresponding to the usage history information.

The prediction unit 111 responds to the demand for charging or replacing the battery 15 in the charge switching device 50 by the remaining number of batteries 15 stocked in the charge switching device 50 and the used batteries in the charge switching device 50. It is predicted that at least one of the empty number of slots 55 for accommodating and charging 15 will be insufficient. The prediction unit 111 outputs to the specific unit 112 information indicating that at least one of the remaining number of the battery 15 and the empty number of the slot 55 is predicted to be insufficient. As an example, the prediction unit 111 in the present embodiment also specifies information on at least one of the time zone and the day when at least one of the remaining number of the battery 15 and the empty number of the slot 55 is predicted to be insufficient. It may be output to 112.

As a specific example, the prediction unit 111 according to the present embodiment has the remaining number of the battery 15 and the empty space of the slot 55 based on the information of the event that the remaining number of the battery 15 and the empty number of the slot 55 are insufficient. You may predict that at least one of the numbers will be in short supply.

The prediction unit 111 deeply correlates, for example, an arbitrary event shown in information acquired from the outside via the communication network 18 with an event in which at least one of the remaining number of the battery 15 and the free number of the slot 55 is insufficient. Learning may be performed using a learning algorithm such as learning, and based on the learning result, it may be predicted whether or not the event shown in the newly acquired information from the outside is the event to be deficient. Further, the prediction unit 111 similarly learns the correlation between the shortage event and the degree to which at least one of the remaining number of the battery 15 and the empty number of the slot 55 is short, and based on the learning result, newly externally. It may be possible to predict how much at least one of the remaining number of batteries 15 and the number of empty slots 55 will be insufficient due to the shortage event shown in the information obtained from.

Further, instead of using the above learning algorithm, the prediction unit 111 is, for example, information including a specific keyword when the information acquired from the outside via the communication network 18 satisfies a predetermined condition. In this case, it may be determined that the event shown in the information is an event in which at least one of the remaining number of the battery 15 and the free number of the slot 55 is insufficient. Further, instead of the prediction unit 111 determining whether or not the event is to be deficient, the user may make the determination and input the information of the event to be deficient to the specific device 100.

The above-mentioned events are events that cause an increase in demand and events that cause a decrease in supply. As an example of an event that causes an increase in demand, there is an event that is held within a predetermined range from the charge switching device 50 and is expected to attract customers who come to the venue using the vehicle 11.

An example of an event that causes a decrease in supply is maintenance including repair, repair, or inspection of at least a part of the charge switching device 50 and the stocked battery 15. At least a part of the charge exchange device 50 and the stocked battery 15 includes, for example, one or several slots 55 of the charge exchange device 50, the entire charge exchange device 50, the wiring system of the charge exchange device 50, and the wiring system of the charge exchange device 50. It may be one or several batteries 15 housed in the charge switching device 50 and the like.

The range defined in advance from the charge switching device 50 referred to here is an area centered on the charge switching device 50, which is virtually surrounded by, for example, a square having a side of 1 km or a circle having a radius of 0.5 km. It may be an area located along the road within 1.5 km from the charge switching device 50. Further, the maintenance may include not only regular maintenance but also long-term maintenance performed when the charge switching device 50 becomes unavailable due to a failure or the like.

When the prediction unit 111 predicts that at least one of the remaining number of the battery 15 and the empty number of the slot 55 is insufficient, the specific unit 112 determines the charge switching device 50 in advance based on the usage history information. Identify regular customers who use it more frequently. The predetermined frequency referred to here may be, for example, once a day, once a week, a plurality of times a week, a plurality of times a month, and the like. The frequency condition for identifying a regular customer may be stored in, for example, the storage unit 103. The identification unit 112 outputs information indicating the specified regular customer to the device identification unit 113.

As an example, the specific unit 112 according to the present embodiment corresponds to at least one of the time zone and the day when at least one of the remaining number of the battery 15 and the free number of the slot 55 is predicted to be insufficient based on the usage history information. A user who uses the charge switching device 50 more than a predetermined frequency in at least one of a time zone and a day may be specified as the above-mentioned regular customer 12. As a specific example, the specific unit 112 refers to the usage history information stored in the storage unit 103 when the prediction unit 111 predicts that the above shortage will occur between 12:00 and 15:00 tomorrow. , A regular customer who uses the charge switching device 50 three or more times a week between 12:00 and 15:00 may be specified. In this case, it is possible to identify not all the regular customers who use the charge switching device 50, but only the regular customers who are expected to use the charge switching device 50 at the date and time when the above shortage is predicted.

The device specifying unit 113 acquires the route history information indicating the history of the route on which the vehicle 11 has traveled within a predetermined range from the charge switching device 50 of the specified regular customer 12, and within the range. Another charge exchange device 51, which is located around the path and is different from the charge exchange device 50, is specified. The range defined in advance from the charge exchange device 50 referred to here is different from the charge exchange device 50, which can be allowed to be used in place of the charge exchange device 50 that the regular customer 12 always uses. It may be within the distance range to the charge switching device 51, and may be, for example, an area virtually surrounded by a square having a side of 2 km or a circle having a radius of 1 km centered on the charge switching device 50. The area may be located along the road within 3 km from the charge switching device 50.

According to the route history shown in the route history information, it is possible to know the tendency of the road on which the vehicle 11 travels when the regular customer 12 always uses the charge switching device 50, that is, the road that is frequently used. The frequently used road may mean, for example, the road that is used most frequently among the plurality of roads on which the vehicle 11 travels when the regular customer 12 uses the charge switching device 50. Such conditions for identifying the frequently used road may be stored in, for example, the storage unit 103. The device identification unit 113 outputs information indicating another specified charge / exchange device 51 to the recommendation unit 114 together with information indicating the specified regular customer 12.

The recommendation unit 114 is specified by the device identification unit 113 for the regular customer 12 that the regular customer 12 is short of at least one of the remaining number of the battery 15 and the empty number of the slot 55. Notify that the use of another charge switching device 51 is recommended. As a specific example, the recommendation unit 114 according to the present embodiment transmits a recommendation message recommending the use of another specified charge switching device 51 to the communication terminal 200 of the regular customer 12 via the communication network 18. May be good. The address of the communication terminal 200 of the regular customer 12 may be stored in the storage unit 103, for example, as a part of the above user information. The recommended message may also indicate that the above is insufficient.

The management unit 115 manages whether or not the regular customer 12 has consented to use another charge switching device 51 in response to the recommendation by the recommendation unit 114. The user information indicating the regular customer 12 to which the recommendation message is sent by the recommendation unit 114 indicates the information indicating another charge switching device 51 specified by the device identification unit 113, and the information indicating the date and time when the above shortage is predicted. When the information is stored in the storage unit 103 in association with the above, the management unit 115 refers to the information stored in the storage unit 103, and in response to the recommendation by the recommendation unit 114, the regular customer 12 May manage whether or not has consented to use another charge switching device 51.

As a specific example, the management unit 115 according to the present embodiment inputs to the communication terminal 200 that the regular customer 12 consents to use another charge switching device 51 in response to the above recommended message. , An approval message approving the use of another charge switching device 51 may be received from the communication terminal 200 via the communication network 18. In the management unit 115, the recommendation unit 114 transmits the above recommended message to the communication terminal 200 of the regular customer 12, and the management unit 115 itself receives the approval message from the communication terminal 200. In response to the recommendation, information indicating that the regular customer 12 has used another charge switching device 51 may be received from another charge switching device 51 via the communication network 18.

The storage unit 103 stores a sequence, a program, or the like for controlling each configuration of the specific device 100. The storage unit 103 may store the above-mentioned usage history information in association with the user information. The storage unit 103 is referred to by the control unit 101.

FIG. 3 is an example of a table stored in the storage unit 103 of the specific device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the table of FIG. 3, the first column 121, the second column 122, and the third column 123 are arranged in order from the top. In the first column 121, ID information for identifying the charge exchange device 50 from a plurality of charge exchange devices with which the specific device 100 can communicate is described, and in the second column 122, the user information of the charge exchange device 50 is described. Are listed. As shown in FIG. 3, examples of user information are ID information for identifying the user and the notification destination address of the user's communication terminal 200.

In the third column 123, usage history information in which the user described in the second column 122 uses the charge switching device 50 described in the first column 121 is described. As shown in FIG. 3, an example of the usage history information is a day when the charge switching device 50 is used and a time zone in which the day is divided into 3 hours. As an example, in the third column 123, usage history information for the past one year from the present time is described.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a method for avoiding a shortage of batteries 15 stocked in each of the charge switching device 50 and another charge switching device 51 according to the present embodiment. FIG. , It is a flow chart of the specific method by this embodiment.

Regarding FIG. 4, a plurality of roads 20 intersecting each other are located on the map shown in the explanatory diagram. Further, in the center of the map, a charge exchange device 50 indicated by a star, which is provided along the road 20, is located. Further, on the road 20 of the map, the device identification unit 113 of the identification device 100 according to the present embodiment is predetermined from the charge exchange device 50 used when specifying another charge exchange device 51 different from the charge exchange device 50. As a range, the allowable circular region 60 is indicated by a alternate long and short dash line.

Further, on the road 20 in the permissible circle area 60, the route 30 used by the regular customer 12 of the charge switching device 50 by the vehicle 11 is superimposed and shown by a thick line. Further, around the path 30, the circular movement region 40, which is a locus of movement of a circle having a constant radius around the path 30, is indicated by a broken line. The circular movement region 40 refers to an region within a certain distance from the path 30.

Similar to the above, on the road 20 of the map, the charge exchange device 51 used when the device identification unit 113 of the specific device 100 according to the present embodiment identifies another charge exchange device 52 different from the charge exchange device 51. As a predetermined range from the above, the allowable circular region 61 is indicated by a chain line. Further, on the road 20 in the permissible circular region 61, a thick line indicates a route 31 used by the regular customer 14 of the charge switching device 51 by the vehicle 13. Further, around the path 31, a circular moving region 41, which is a locus of movement of a circle having a constant radius around the path 31, is indicated by a broken line. The circular movement region 41 refers to an region within a certain distance from the path 31.

As an example, the flow shown in FIG. 5 starts after 22:00 pm on any day. The specific device 100 acquires usage history information indicating the history of the user using the charge switching device 50 (step S101).

As an example, the acquisition unit 110 of the specific device 100 according to the present embodiment accesses the charge exchange device 50 at a predetermined time interval, for example, at 22:00 every night, receives the user's usage history information from the charge exchange device 50, and receives the user's usage history information. The acquired usage history information may be associated with the user information and stored in the storage unit 103. In this case, as an example, the memory 16 is attached to the battery 15, and while the battery 15 is attached to the vehicle 11, the user information of the user of the vehicle 11 is stored in the memory 16 to replace the charge. When the battery 15 is returned from the user, or when the user inserts the plug of the charge switching device 50 into the power supply port of the vehicle 11 on which the battery 15 is mounted, the device 50 transfers the user information from the memory 16. It may be read out and stored in its own memory 56. As another example, when the charge switching device 50 is used, the user is allowed to manually input the user information into the interface of the charging switching device 50, or the user card on which the user information is recorded is read by the reader of the charging switching device 50. The charge switching device 50 may acquire user information by making the device 50.

The specific device 100 predicts that the remaining number of batteries 15 stocked in the charge switching device 50 will be insufficient for the demand for charging or replacing the battery 15 in the charge switching device 50 (step S103). In this case, as described above, the shortage may be predicted by using a learning algorithm that estimates the shortage of the remaining number of batteries 15 for the event. Instead of the learning algorithm, the number of batteries 15 to be charged or replaced is predicted using a predetermined relationship for the event that causes the demand to increase, and the shortage is reduced by subtracting the number of slots of the charge switching device 50. You may predict. Instead, or in addition to this, the number of slots is predicted using a predetermined relationship to the event that causes the supply to decrease, and from the number of batteries 15 to be charged or replaced based on normal demand. , The shortage may be predicted by subtracting the predicted number of slots.

As an example, the prediction unit 111 of the specific device 100 according to the present embodiment may predict whether or not the shortage will occur at 23:00 every night in the 24 hours of the next day. Instead of this, the prediction unit 111 uses the communication network 18 as a trigger to acquire information on an event in which at least one of the remaining number of the battery 15 and the free number of the slot 55 is insufficient from the outside. It may be predicted whether or not the shortage will occur at the date and time when the event is scheduled.

When the specific device 100 predicts that the remaining number of the batteries 15 stocked in the charge switching device 50 is insufficient (step S105: YES), the specific device 100 identifies the regular customer 12 of the charge switching device 50 based on the usage history information. (Step S107). As an example, the specific unit 112 of the specific device 100 according to the present embodiment refers to the usage history information stored in the storage unit 103 and the user information associated with the usage history information, and for example, the charge switching device 50 is used every week. You may specify the regular customer 12 who has used it three times or more.

The specific device 100 is an example in which the specified regular customer 12 is within a predetermined range from the charge exchange device 50, and the vehicle 11 is within the allowable circular region 60 centered on the charge exchange device 50 shown in FIG. The route history information indicating the history of the route 30 on which the vehicle has traveled is acquired (step S109). The specific device 100 is located in the circular movement region 40 shown in FIG. 4, which is an example of the region around the route 30 shown in the acquired route history information, in the allowable circular region 60. The switching device 51 is specified (step S111).

As an example, the device specific unit 113 of the specific device 100 according to the present embodiment accesses the charge exchange device 50 in response to the input of information indicating the regular customer 12 from the specific unit 112, and is always from the charge exchange device 50. The route history information of the customer 12 may be received. The device identification unit 113 is further located in the allowable circle area 60, which is a circle having a radius of, for example, 1 km from the center of the charge switching device 50, in the circular movement area 40 within, for example, 500 m around the route 30 shown in the acquired route history information. Another charge switching device 51 may be specified.

When the device identification unit 113 acquires the route history information of the regular customer 12 from the charge switching device 50, as an example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a memory 16 are attached to the battery 15, and the battery 15 is installed. It may be assumed that GPS data representing the latitude and longitude of the position of the vehicle 11 is stored in the memory 16 together with the user information of the vehicle 11 while being attached to the vehicle 11. Then, when the battery 15 is returned from the user, or when the user inserts the plug of the charge exchange device 50 into the power supply port of the vehicle 11 on which the battery 15 is mounted, the GPS data And the user information may be read from the memory 16 and stored in its own memory 56.

The specific device 100 recommends the use of another specified charge exchange device 51 to the specified regular customer 12 (step S113), for example, in response to the recommendation within a predetermined period after the recommendation. It is determined whether or not the regular customer 12 has consented to use another charge switching device 51 (step S115).

When the specific device 100 determines that the regular customer 12 does not consent to use another charge exchange device 51 (step S115: NO), the process returns to step S107 to identify another regular customer 14. move on. When the specific device 100 determines that the regular customer 12 has consented to use another charge exchange device 51 (step S115: YES), the specific device 100 returns to step S105 and the battery 15 stocked in the charge exchange device 50 Proceed to the process of determining whether or not the shortage of the remaining number is avoided.

When returning to step S105 as described above, the recommendation unit 114 according to the present embodiment receives the battery 15 as a result of the regular customer 12 consenting to use another charge switching device 51 under the control of the management unit 115. It may be determined whether or not the shortage of at least one of the remaining number and the empty number of the slot 55 is avoided. Further, when proceeding to step S107 after returning to step S105, the recommendation unit 114 further identifies other regular customers specified for the charge switching device 50 by the device identification unit 113 until it is determined that the shortage is avoided. The use of another charge switching device 51 may be recommended to the other regular customer.

In step S105, when the specific device 100 determines that the remaining number of batteries 15 stocked in the charge switching device 50 is not insufficient (step S105: NO), the above-mentioned steps S107-S115 are executed at least once. Whether or not it is determined (step S120).

In step S120, when the specific device 100 determines that each of the above steps has been executed at least once (step S120: YES), that is, the shortage has been avoided by executing each of the above steps at least once. If it is determined, the usage history information of another user is acquired for another charge exchange device 51 recommended to be used by the regular customer 12 of the charge exchange device 50 (step S121). The acquisition unit 110 of the specific device 100 according to the present embodiment may acquire another usage history information indicating a history in which a user other than the regular customer 12 of the charge exchange device 50 has used another charge exchange device 51. ..

The specific device 100 is stocked in the charge exchange device 51 in response to the demand for charging or exchanging the battery 15 with another charge exchange device 51 recommended to be used by the regular customer 12 of the charge exchange device 50. It is predicted that the remaining number of batteries 15 will be insufficient (step S123). The prediction unit 111 of the specific device 100 according to the present embodiment has insufficient remaining number of batteries 15 stocked in another charge exchange device 51 in response to the demand for replacing the battery 15 in another charge exchange device 51. You may predict what to do.

When the specific device 100 predicts that the remaining number of batteries 15 stocked in another charge exchange device 51 is insufficient (step S125: YES), that is, the regular customer 12 of the charge exchange device 50 another charge exchange. When it is predicted that the use of the device 51 will cause a shortage of the remaining battery capacity in the other charge / exchange device 51, or the regular customer 12 of the charge / exchange device 50 may use another charge / exchange device 51. If it is predicted that the remaining battery capacity will be insufficient in the other charge switching device 51 regardless of whether or not the above step S107 is used, the process returns to step S107 and is executed for the charge switching device 50. The same steps as in S115 are performed for another charge switching device 51.

When returning to step S107 as described above, when the identification unit 112 of the identification device 100 according to the present embodiment predicts that the remaining number of batteries 15 is insufficient for another charge switching device 51, the other user described above The regular customer 14 of another charge switching device 51 may be specified based on another usage history information of the above. Further, when the process proceeds to step S111 after returning to step S107, the device specifying unit 113 of the specifying device 100 according to the present embodiment may be used by the regular customer 14 who has specified another charge switching device 51 by another charge switching device 51. The route history information indicating the history of the route 31 in which the vehicle 13 has traveled within the allowable circular region 61 centered on another charge switching device 51 shown in FIG. 4, which is an example within a predetermined range from You may get it. The device identification unit 113 is further located in the circular movement region 41 shown in FIG. 4, which is an example of the region around the route 31 shown in the acquired route history information within the allowable circular region 61. Another charge switching device 52 may be specified.

When the specific device 100 determines in step S120 that the above steps S107-S115 have not been executed at least once, that is, the remaining number of batteries 15 stocked in the charge switching device 50 is not insufficient in the first place. If it is determined, the flow ends. Further, in step S125, when it is determined that the specified device 100 does not run out of the remaining number of batteries 15 stocked in another charge switching device 51 recommended to be used by the regular customer 12 of the charging switching device 50. (Step S125: NO), that is, when the regular customer 12 of the charge exchange device 50 uses another charge exchange device 51, the remaining number of batteries in the other charge exchange device 51 is suddenly insufficient. If is not predicted, the flow ends.

As described above, according to the specific device 100 of the present embodiment, the remaining number of batteries 15 and the charging of the batteries 15 stocked in the charge switching device 50 are met in response to the demand for charging or replacing the battery 15 in the charge switching device 50. It is predicted that at least one of the empty slots 55 in the switching device 50 will be insufficient. When the specific device 100 acquires the user's usage history information regarding the charge switching device 50 and predicts the above shortage, the specific device 100 identifies the regular customer 12 of the charge switching device 50 based on the usage history information. The specified regular customer 12 is a user who is likely to be unexpectedly affected when the above-mentioned shortage occurs in the charge switching device 50 among the users who use the charge switching device 50. According to the specific device 100, the regular customer 12 can be specified by predicting the shortage.

Further, according to the specific device 100, when the shortage is predicted, for example, the specified regular customer 12 is notified in advance that the shortage is predicted, or the regular customer 12 is the charge switching device 50. It may be recommended to use another charge switching device 51 located around the path that is always used when heading to. As a result, the specific device 100 can not only avoid the above shortage in the charge switching device 50, but also cannot use the charge switching device 50 that the regular customer 12 of the charge switching device 50 always uses. It is possible to avoid facing an unforeseen situation in advance, and further, it is possible to use another charge switching device 51 without making a significant route change from the route that the regular customer 12 always uses. ..

In the above embodiment, an example of the specific device 100 has been described as a server. Instead of this, the specific device 100 may be, for example, a management device of the charge exchange device 50, for example, a PC, which is installed in the same facility as the charge exchange device 50. Further, in this case, the specific device 100 may be integrated with the charge exchange device 50. Further, in this case, the specific device 100 does not have to communicate with an external server or other

charge exchange devices

51 and 52, and steps S120-S125 in the specific method described with reference to FIG. 5 are omitted. S105: If NO, the flow may be terminated.

In the above embodiment, the device specifying unit 113 may receive the route history information of the regular customer 12 from the charge switching device 50 in response to the input of the information indicating the regular customer 12 from the specific unit 112. Explained. Instead, the device specifying unit 113 receives the route history information of the regular customer 12 from the vehicle 11 of the regular customer 12 or the smartphone in response to the input of the information indicating the regular customer 12 from the specific unit 112. May be good. For example, when receiving from the smartphone of the regular customer 12, when the regular customer 12 who owns the smartphone comes to return the battery 15 to the charge exchange device 50, the wireless means of the charge exchange device 50 detects the smartphone by NFC or the like. Then, the route history information may be extracted from the smartphone.

In the above embodiment, the specific device 100 may acquire route history information, user information, and the like directly from the vehicle 11, the battery 15, the user's communication terminal 200, and the like by wireless communication via the communication network 18. Good.

In the above embodiment, the recommended unit 114 of the specific device 100 is another specified to the specified regular customer, depending on the degree of shortage of at least one of the remaining number of the battery 15 and the free number of the slot 55. You may notify that a reward will be given when the charge switching device 51 is used. This makes it possible to increase the possibility of avoiding a shortage of the remaining number of batteries in the charge switching device 50.

In the above embodiment, the prediction unit 111 of the specific device 100 predicts that the number of empty slots 55 in the other charge exchange device 51 will be insufficient for the demand for charging the battery 15 in the other charge exchange device 51. The specific unit 112 may perform another charge exchange based on the other usage history information of the other user described above when it is predicted that the number of empty slots 55 for the other charge exchange device 51 will be insufficient. The regular customer of the device 51 may be specified.

In the above embodiment, the vehicle 11 has been described as a motorcycle, but instead of or in addition to this, a motorcycle, an electric bicycle, or the like may be used. Further, the battery 15 is a so-called mobile battery 15 that can be carried by the user in a state of being removed from the vehicle 11. When the battery 15 is mounted on the vehicle 11, it supplies electric power to the vehicle 11.

In the above embodiment, the vehicle 11 is described as the main body that requires replacement or charging of the battery 15 in the charge switching device. However, regardless of whether or not the vehicle 11 is owned, it is assumed that the user brings the battery 15 to the charge switching device with his / her own foot and needs to replace or charge the battery 15. The embodiment described above may include such an embodiment. In this case, the term “vehicle 11” can be replaced with the term “user” in the portion described above using the term “vehicle 11”. ..

Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, wherein the block is (1) a stage of the process in which the operation is performed or (2) a device responsible for performing the operation. May represent a section of. Specific stages and sections are implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. You can. Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits are memory elements such as logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable logic arrays (PLA), etc. May include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including.

The computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions executed by the appropriate device, so that the computer-readable medium having the instructions stored therein is specified in a flowchart or block diagram. It will be equipped with a product that contains instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operation. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, and the like. More specific examples of computer-readable media include floppy (registered trademark) disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated A circuit card or the like may be included.

Computer-readable instructions are assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or object-oriented programming such as Smalltalk, JAVA®, C ++, etc. Contains either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including languages and traditional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. Good.

Computer-readable instructions are applied locally or to a processor or programmable circuit of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, or to a wide area network (WAN) such as the local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. ) May be executed to create a means for performing the operation specified in the flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers and the like.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a computer 1200 in which a plurality of aspects of the present invention can be embodied in whole or in part. The program installed on the computer 1200 causes the computer 1200 to function as an operation associated with the device according to an embodiment of the present invention or as one or more "parts" of the device, or the operation or the one or more "parts". A unit can be run and / or a computer 1200 can be run a process according to an embodiment of the invention or a stage of the process. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to perform a specific operation associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, a RAM 1214, a graphic controller 1216, and a display device 1218, which are connected to each other by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 1222, a hard disk drive 1224, a DVD-ROM drive 1226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via the input / output controller 1220. The computer also includes legacy I / O units such as the ROM 1230 and keyboard 1242, which are connected to the I / O controller 1220 via the I / O chip 1240.

The CPU 1212 operates according to the programs stored in the ROM 1230 and the RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphic controller 1216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1212 in a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 1214 or in the graphic controller 1216 itself, and displays the image data on the display device 1218.

The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via the network. The hard disk drive 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The DVD-ROM drive 1226 reads the program or data from the DVD-ROM 1201 and provides the program or data to the hard disk drive 1224 via the RAM 1214. The IC card drive reads the program and data from the IC card and / or writes the program and data to the IC card.

The ROM 1230 internally stores a boot program or the like executed by the computer 1200 at the time of activation, and / or a program depending on the hardware of the computer 1200. The input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, and the like.

The program is provided by a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM1201 or an IC card. The program is read from a computer-readable storage medium, installed on a hard disk drive 1224, RAM 1214, or ROM 1230, which is also an example of a computer-readable storage medium, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200 and provides a link between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The device or method may be configured to implement the operation or processing of information in accordance with the use of computer 1200.

For example, when communication is executed between the computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 executes a communication program loaded in the RAM 1214, and performs communication processing on the communication interface 1222 based on the processing described in the communication program. You may order. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads and reads the transmission data stored in the transmission buffer area provided in the recording medium such as the RAM 1214, the hard disk drive 1224, the DVD-ROM 1201, or the IC card. The data is transmitted to the network, or the received data received from the network is written to the reception buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

Further, the CPU 1212 makes the RAM 1214 read all or necessary parts of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as a hard disk drive 1224, a DVD-ROM drive 1226 (DVD-ROM1201), or an IC card. Various types of processing may be performed on the data on the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write back the processed data to an external recording medium.

Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on recording media for information processing. The CPU 1212 describes various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, and information retrieval described in various parts of the present disclosure with respect to the data read from the RAM 1214, and is specified by the instruction sequence of the program. Various types of processing may be performed, including / replacement, etc., and the results are written back to the RAM 1214. Further, the CPU 1212 may search for information in a file, a database, or the like in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of the first attribute associated with the attribute value of the second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 1212 is the first of the plurality of entries. The attribute value of the attribute of is searched for the entry that matches the specified condition, the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry is read, and the first attribute satisfying the predetermined condition is selected. You may get the attribute value of the associated second attribute.

The program or software module described above may be stored on the computer 1200 or in a computer-readable storage medium near the computer 1200. In addition, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a dedicated communication network or a server system connected to the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, whereby the program can be sent to the computer 1200 via the network. provide.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Further, to the extent that there is no technical contradiction, the matters described for the specific embodiment can be applied to other embodiments. Further, each component may have the same characteristics as other components having the same name but different reference numerals. It is clear from the claims that the form with such modifications or improvements may also be included in the technical scope of the invention.

The order of execution of operations, procedures, steps, steps, etc. in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is particularly "before" and "prior to". It should be noted that the output of the previous process can be realized in any order unless it is used in the subsequent process. Even if the claims, the specification, and the operation flow in the drawings are explained using "first", "next", etc. for convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. is not.

10 specific system, 11, 13 vehicle, 12, 14 regular customer, 15 battery, 16 memory, 18 communication network, 20 road, 30, 31 route, 40, 41 yen movement area, 50, 51, 52 charge exchange device, 55 Slot, 56 memory, 60, 61 allowable circle area, 100 specific device, 101 control unit, 103 storage unit, 110 acquisition unit, 111 prediction unit, 112 specific unit, 113 device specific unit, 114 recommended unit, 115 management unit, 121 1st column, 122 2nd column, 123 3rd column, 200 communication terminal, 1200 computer, 1201 DVD-ROM, 1210 host controller, 1212 CPU, 1214 RAM, 1216 graphic controller, 1218 display device, 1220 input / output controller, 1222 Communication interface, 1224 hard disk drive, 1226 DVD-ROM drive, 1230 ROM, 1240 input / output chip, 1242 keyboard

Claims

An acquisition unit that acquires usage history information indicating the history of the user using the charge exchange device for charging or exchanging a detachable battery for an electrically driven vehicle.
In response to the demand for charging or replacing the battery in the charge exchange device, the remaining number of the batteries stocked in the charge exchange device and the used battery in the charge exchange device are accommodated. A predictor that predicts that at least one of the empty slots for charging will be insufficient,
A regular customer who uses the charge switching device more than a predetermined frequency based on the usage history information when it is predicted that at least one of the remaining number of batteries and the empty number of slots is insufficient. A specific device including a specific unit that identifies a user.
Based on the information of the event that the remaining number of the battery and the empty number of the slot are insufficient, the prediction unit is short of at least one of the remaining number of the battery and the empty number of the slot. The specific device according to claim 1, which predicts that.
The event is held within a predetermined range from the charge exchange device, and an event in which a gathering of customers who come by using the vehicle is expected, and the charge exchange device and the stocked battery The specific device according to claim 2, wherein the specified device includes at least one of maintenance including at least some repairs, repairs and inspections.
The route history information indicating the history of the route on which the vehicle has traveled within a predetermined range of the specified user who is a regular customer is acquired from the charge switching device, and the route of the route is obtained within the range. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a device identification unit for specifying another charge exchange device different from the charge exchange device located in the surroundings.
The identified user, who is a regular customer, is informed that at least one of the remaining number of batteries and the number of empty slots is insufficient, and that the use of the specified other charge switching device is recommended. The specific device according to claim 4, further comprising a recommendation unit for notification.
The specific device according to claim 5, further comprising a management unit that manages whether or not the user has consented to use the other charge exchange device in response to the recommendation by the recommendation unit.
The recommendation unit transmits a recommendation message recommending the use of the specified other charge switching device to the communication terminal of the user via the communication network.
The management unit approves the use of the other charge exchange device when the user inputs to the communication terminal that the user consents to use the other charge exchange device in response to the recommended message. The approval message is received from the communication terminal via the communication network.
The specific device according to claim 6.
6. The management unit receives information from the other charge exchange device via a communication network indicating that the user has used the other charge exchange device in response to the recommendation by the recommendation unit. The specific device described in.
As a result of the user consenting to use the other charge switching device under the control of the management unit, the recommendation unit lacks at least one of the remaining number of batteries and the number of empty slots. The use of the other charge switching device specified for another user who is the specified regular customer until it is determined that the shortage is avoided. The specific device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, which is recommended in the above.
The recommendation unit provides the user, who is the specified regular customer, with the specified other charge switching device according to the degree of shortage of at least one of the remaining number of the battery and the empty number of the slot. The specific device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, which notifies that a reward will be given when used.
The acquisition unit acquires another usage history information indicating the history of the user using the other charge switching device.
In response to the demand for charging or replacing the battery with the other charge exchange device, the prediction unit determines the remaining number of the batteries stocked in the other charge exchange device and the other charge exchange. Predicting that at least one of the empty slots for accommodating and charging the used battery in the device will be insufficient.
The specific unit is based on the other usage history information when it is predicted that at least one of the remaining number of the batteries and the empty number of the slots is insufficient for the other charge switching device. Identify users who are regular customers who use the charging switch device more than a predetermined frequency.
The specific device according to any one of claims 4 to 10.
Based on the usage history information, the specific unit is at least one of a time zone and a day when it is predicted that at least one of the remaining number of batteries and the number of empty slots will be insufficient as a user who is a regular customer. The specific device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which specifies a user who uses the charge exchange device at a frequency equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency in at least one of the time zones and days corresponding to the above.
The acquisition stage of acquiring usage history information indicating the history of the user using the charge switching device for charging or replacing the removable battery for the electrically driven vehicle, and the acquisition stage.
In response to the demand for charging or replacing the battery in the charge exchange device, the remaining number of the batteries stocked in the charge exchange device and the used battery in the charge exchange device are accommodated. A prediction stage that predicts that at least one of the empty slots for charging will be insufficient, and
A regular customer who uses the charge switching device more than a predetermined frequency based on the usage history information when it is predicted that at least one of the remaining number of batteries and the empty number of slots is insufficient. A specific method with a specific step of identifying a user.
A program for causing a computer to execute the specific method according to claim 13.